File 2008.3.1.197 - Mary & Lazare John’s 60th Anniversary Party – Part II

• Moving images

1 videocassette (1 hr., 20 min.) : chrome dioxide, original, SP, col.,

File consists of a videocassette (VHS) recording of Mary & Lazare John’s 60th Anniversary Party.

Videocassette Summary

Context: Celebratory events for Mary and Lazare John’s 60th Wedding Anniversary, 1989.

Introduction: Party held in an auditorium. Head table in front of a curtained stage, decorated with a blue tablecloth. Streamers and pink, white and blue balloons provide a backdrop for the head table. Silver paper bells decorate the front of the table with a larger “60” sign on the front centre of the tablecloth. There is a large wedding cake situated between Lazare and Mary on the centre of the head table. Pink and white balloons and streamers decorate the walls of the hall.

Stoney Creek dancers (children of all ages) come to the centre of the dance floor to perform. Fifth dance is performed [video captured dance halfway through] to drumming and singing accompaniment. Sixth dance (inaudible title) is performed. Guests of all ages join in including Mary and Lazare. Seventh dance is called the “Chicken dance” where the boys are the roosters and the girls are the chickens. Eighth dance is the “Farewell dance”. A thanks goes out to the party guests for watching the dancers.

Various unidentified guests come to the back of the head table to wish Mary and Lazare their best.

Dan: He had heard about Mary and Lazare’s hospitality from Helen and (?) Prince. He and his family came to visit. They spent the night on the John floor. Mary helped his family and a young woman named Janai get a place in the Potlach house, and then on to the schoolhouse where they all spent the summer. (This family worked for a gospel mission). He spoke of the young woman named Janai who was now married to a Fijian and who would’ve loved to have been at their anniversary. He also introduced people from Wisconsin and from Fiji. The Fijian guests were going to perform some songs that expressed their connection to God. He congratulates Mary and Lazare on the 60 years together and again thanks them for helping opening Stoney Creek up to their missionary work.

Fijian guest sing several songs to an acoustic guitar and dance several dances to tape recorded Fijian music.

Unidentified woman from England and now in Thunder Bay says thank you to Lazare and Mary who allowed her stayed with them and their family for a time.

Unidentified man on guitar and woman sing a song for Mary and Lazare at the front of the head table.

Unidentified man with guitar sings a Johnny Cash (?) song at the front of the head table (song dedicated to a cousin from Sechelt). (“Big city turn me loose”?) Man sings second song originally by Randy Travis. He then plays guitar while two other unidentified men sing Hank Williams Sr. “There’s a Tear in my Beer”.

Unidentified woman sitting at front playing accordion while Winnie sings “Memories are made of this” (?)

End of tape