Alma Megan Perry

I was born on March 14, 1925 in the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C. My parents are Mary Baynes and Arthur Bryan. They were both pioneers of the Little Fort (Mt. Olie) and Darfield (Darlington) area. My sister Blanche was born four years after me- was my nose ever 'out of joint'!

I was raised in the country on a farm. I look back on it all now and realize life learning was an experience in the country and on a farm you learned about life, survival and basic life skills.

I started school in June as a visitor and to be with other children my age helped me to feel welcome.

Marion Schilling was my first teacher and later she had a school in Valleyview named after her. My mother drove me to school in a horse and buggy or sleigh. Later I had my own horse (Billy) and he was my best friend – took me home thro' snow storms, wild fires and smoke.

When I was 13 I asked my father for a milk cow named Daisy. She was my responsibility. I milked her and faithfully put the milk through the separator and then shipped the cream to PalmDairies by bus to Kamloops once a week. The money was mine to buy my clothes etc, from the 'Eaton's' Catalogue.

Then later I decided I needed a bike to go to ball games and badminton and also for visiting my friends. I wanted my independence.

I picked strawberries for three weeks in Clearwater, I stayed with cousins and had free room and board. I sent money to my favourite Uncle in Vancouver and I am sure he added extra to the pot. I received my new RED bike on the bus!

My dad taught me how to fish and hunt. I must say I was a good shot. Al and I used to target shoot with friends.

I went to the Darfield School for my High School by correspondence. I needed the surrounding and, of course, the companionship of friends and to keep up my soft ball. This school had sports and competitions once a year. I always came home with ribbons and scars. One year I had the honour of being May Queen and, of course, I wore my 'Eaton's' clothes.

We had great summers on the farm. Cousins would come up from the coast. Blanche and I initiated one and all to tadpoles -mice- and, of course, leeches in the swimming hole. They still came back and we all still have great memories of the fun times.

I was very fortunate friends and their families brought me in to Kamloops for Easter Holidays. Aunts and Uncles took me back to Vancouver, spoiled me with tours, new clothes and, of course, the White Spot!!!

As time went by I became restless and decided to move to Kamloops. My father often said “a good girl would make a good farmer's wife”. That did it! The move was challenging and I survived. Then I met Al Perry at a basket social and married him in 1945. I have never looked back.

The first time he took me over to meet the Perry crew it was something else!!! They were a great bunch and still are. I admired their Mom.

Brian is our first born and is now 75. Douglas, our second born, is 72. They have been a joy and have made life interesting. I love them both so much and, of course, the six grandchildren, the nine great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

We went out to the Shuswap Lake on weekends and spent our holidays, starting when the boys were very young.

We visited my cousins in England twice and traced my father's roots.

In 1974 we moved to Chase. This was an experience for me. I opened a clothing store and loved every moment of it all. We lost our four bedroom home on the Little Shuswap Lake February 29, 1979 to a fire.

It was so nice to come back to Kamloops and settle in a lovely home in 1998. We are now real Seniors, living in the Kamloops Senior's Home and being looked after very well.

Here is to good health and happiness.