Phyllis and Ken are members and regular guests/supporters of the Lethbridge Seniors Citizens Organization. They have been members for about 8 years.
Phyllis (nee: Hunter) was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, but grew up on her parents’ ranch SW of Swift Current where they were involved with mixed farming and cattle. Her Dad bought the land and nurtured it, increasing the size of the property as he was able. Phyllis fondly remembers the free-ranging wildlife as hunting was not allowed on her family’s property. Phyllis’ brother still works the family’s farm.
Phyllis’ extended family lived geographically nearby, including both sets of her grandparents, who had homesteaded and farmed near one another. Therefore, her parents had grown up in close proximity to one another back in the day.
Phyllis went to the 1-room ‘Silver Craig’ School about 3 ½ miles away from home and she was able to attend Grades 1-9 there. Her and her brother and sister often walked to school across the prairie. In winter, when roads were blocked with snow, they walked along the railway tracks. Phyllis recalls enjoying swimming in the creek in summers and skating on it in winter. She got her Grades 10-12 by taking the school bus to Swift Current. After graduating, Phyllis went to Mt. Royal College in Calgary to take a 2 year Business course. Quite a change from the setting where she was raised, but she lived in student housing and when she got homesick, she had aunts to visit as she got used to the big city.
Ken was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, and spent his childhood in Elrose, a small town north of Swift Current. His father worked as a grain farmer, while his mother dedicated her career to teaching. Ken completed all his schooling, from Grades 1 through 12, in Elrose. He fondly recalls walking or biking to school and actively participating in a variety of school sports. A natural leader, Ken served as captain of both his high school volleyball and basketball teams—a role he humorously attributes to being the tallest player on the court.
Ken’s father passed away when he was 16 years old, a life-changing experience, but Ken did finish high school and then went to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He quit university, but then went on to DeVry Tech in Toronto to take Electronic Engineering.
Ken obtained employment at a Swift Current TV station in 1966 doing work on and off the air, being both in the studio and in control room. Then Ken was hired as a ‘newsman’ in radio in Regina. When his boss got fired, he was offered the job of news director, with very limited experience or knowledge of the position.
Phyllis and Ken met at the TV station and were later married in 1970. Phyllis moved to Regina where she was employed in the media. Then they moved back to Swift Current in 1972.
Phyllis and Ken went to Europe (Spain, etc.) in 1974 seeking a new lifestyle, but returned to Canada after 5 months. Phyllis said, “Looking back, we were very fortunate to visit Europe at the time when there were fewer tourists and we were able to visit galleries and tourist sights without line-ups. In 1974, Franco ruled Spain, so we saw a very different country than it is now. On Christmas Day, Ken played football on the beach in Torremolinos, Spain, immediately in front of our home-away-from-home, a 1- bedroom apartment immediately above a bar, for which we paid $4 a day, including breakfast. We also consulted our copy of Arthur Frommer’s Europe on $10 a Day daily.”
Phyllis and Ken resided in Lethbridge from 1975-77. Ken was hired at CJOC Radio & TV in 1975. He was a ‘commercial announcer’, because upon speaking with him, one can attest to this quality in his voice. When CJOC-TV became independent, he became News Director at CFAC-TV.
They bought a home in Stirling and have resided there since 1977. They have enjoyed their huge yard and the joys of gardening (veggies, herbs, and flowers) that it brings. Phyllis used to sell dry flower arrangements. For most of her working life, Phyllis worked in media advertising: radio, TV, newspaper, and two advertising agencies, but for 14 years she worked for Canada Post in Stirling. Phyllis has been ‘officially’ retired for 10 years.
Ken and Phyllis are deeply committed to their community and the world around them. Ken, a dedicated blood donor, gave over 100 pints during his lifetime. He was also a founding member of the “Friends” of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, where he volunteered more than 2,000 hours, sharing his passion for nature through activities like his engaging “snake talks.” Additionally, Ken devoted many years to teaching English as a Second Language with County of Warner Further Education, helping others achieve their educational goals.
A passionate conservationist, Ken is actively involved with the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society. Previously serving on its executive committee, he enthusiastically shares the Society’s mission and educates others on how to support these beautiful bluebirds.
Phyllis has been equally committed to her community, volunteering for many years with the County of Warner Further Education Council and the Stirling Lioness Club. Together, Ken and Phyllis share a deep enthusiasm for education and a profound respect for the natural world. Ken also pursued lifelong learning. While working full-time, he attended the University of Lethbridge part-time, earning a BA in Political Science in 1988—a testament to his belief that “everyone wants to be educated, don’t they?”
Over 54 years of marriage, Phyllis and Ken have travelled and hiked extensively. They enjoy learning and therefore, watch the Knowledge Network, TVOntario, and PBS to broaden their knowledge base. Phyllis has a loom and is an accomplished weaver; she also likes to read mysteries. Ken prefers to read non- fiction because of his desire to keep learning. They used to golf, but now will watch some TV sports instead. Ken used to play trumpet, clarinet, and piano, but none recently; they both like easy listening, swing, and blues music. Phyllis’ favorite meal is spaghetti and Ken’s is “anybody’s lasagna”.
Phyllis’ favourite quote comes from her grandmother Jane Burnett: ‘You’re not the only pebble on the beach.’
Ken has been a long-time user of the LSCO gym, where he maintained an active lifestyle for many years. Both Ken and Phyllis have enjoyed being involved as active members of the LSCO, finding not only opportunities to stay engaged but also forming meaningful friendships through their time at the Centre. Ken and Phyllis are very approachable and seem quite willing to meet more members as we all share the Centre in its varied ways.
Many Thanks to Phyllis and Ken for coping with a ‘walk down memory lane’ and to satisfy a curiosity about “just who are our LSCO members?”
Editors Note: Thank you to Carol for continuing to interview and write the member spotlight articles in 2024. I certainly enjoy learning about the people at the LCSO, and hope that all you readers do as well.
