In 2000, the city's Millennium Project allowed local neighbourhoods to put together a "memory book" for each neighbourhood of New Westminster.
Massey Victory Heights resident Lisa Graham collected stories and anecdotes from local residents in her neighbourhood at that time.
Here are a few of the anecdotes, including her own memories, taken from this collection: Graham, on the quality of healthcare provided in the early 1960s: "In 1961, when Grandma Pausche took ill with a bad case of pneumonia, the family doctor, Dr. Piercy, was called to the house.
Dr. Piercy called an ambulance to come and transport grandma to the hospital.
As the ambulance was parked outside, both Dr. Forbes and Dr. Kergin, also William Street residents, came through the front door to see how they could help.
Imagine! Three doctors attending at one patient's personal residence! But the neighbourhood really was like that - a place where neighbours actively cared about their neighbours.
And with the wonderful care given by the fine staff at the Royal Columbian Hospital, Grandma Pausche was soon home baking up a storm, watching children, and making
dinners."
. Donnabelle Olenick, née Langlands, on her family's home, one of the original houses built in the area: "My sister and I spent close to 17 years living in Victory Heights.
Our parents, Bill and Verda Langlands, cleared the land, built the house at 206 East Eighth Ave. and lived in it for 34 years (1951 to 1985).
We were aware of the excitement of our parents as the land in Victory Heights was going on the market.
We recall driving with mom and dad to see the lot they wanted to build on. In order to purchase the lot, one of them had to sit in line at city hall for several days and nights. They were successful in purchasing the lot of their dreams for less than $1,000 dollars! Dad was a carpenter by trade, and he built the majority of the house using his hand tools (hammer, handsaws and sawhorses)."
Lori Zubak, née Lucas, on the May Day dances: "What a thrill to be chosen to represent my school, F.W. Howay Elementary School, as Maid of Honour in the 1980 May Day celebrations.
As a student at F.W. Howay from grades 1 to 7, May Day was always something I looked forward to being involved in, either as a spectator or a participant.
In the 1970s, the New Westminster May Day draw was broadcast live on CKNW radio.
The event was conducted during the school-day, and the whole student body would congregate either in the gym or in the library to listen to the results of the suite-positions across the P.A. system (the public announcement microphone was positioned to the radio). It was very exciting!"
