Comments for Life Above The 50th

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Brentt Allen

Brentt Allen — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:27:05 +0000

I was at GRF for roughly 2 months, Sept-Nov of ‘95 and it really was like Lisa and Dorcas described. I think the thing that stands out most in my mind is when I was out cutting firewood on one of the seismic lines with all the fellas, we had a Bull Moose come down the mountain, and as everyone else around me was climbing the nearest tree, I was standing speechless with an idling chainsaw in my hand. Of course, I’d never seen a Bull Moose before, much less that close to me. He couldn’t have been 5o meters/yards from me and I didn’t even blink, and he was gone. Northern lights? I remember that too. I also remember fishing for Trout on the river, and hunting Grouse on the airstrip. Feeding the horses, cows, chickens and other farm animals, and baling hay on machines pulled by yoke oxen.

GRF is a fond 2 months of my memories. I still keep in contact with several of the people I came to know, and love while living there.

If I had a chance, I’d go back to that time and live it all over again without question.

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Paul Petroccione

Paul Petroccione — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:22:02 +0000

Hi Haidi, I remember you and your brother and mom and dad. They actually came to visit us once here years ago. We live in northern NY state, about a half hour from the Canadian border, near Ottawa. Our kids are all grown, of course, three out of four are married and all are out of the house.

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by tellesca

tellesca — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:08:27 +0000

Hello Paul. This blog was written by Haidi Wimbush – you were my Fourth Grade teacher. It was a great to hear from you. Where are you and your family now?

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Paul Petroccione

Paul Petroccione — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:04:07 +0000

I’m the Paul that Kirk says he used to go with to milk cows. My wife, Linda and I lived at Graham from 73 to 83. Lorraine, when we first arrived (in our early 20’s) your husband was building our cabin, while we lived with someone else. It was 30 below when we arrived and stayed that way for several weeks.
Obviously I remember you well, David. It was a priveledge to have you in our home for that period of time when your folks were traveling.
When we left in 1983 many of the first generation were still there. To put in a nutshell my reason for leaving, I’d say that we had begun to have way too much power and influence over one another’s lives–probably a weak area in many small communities, especially “religious” ones.
There are many things about our time at Graham River that I’ll always value, and some things I wouldn’t repeat if you paid me, but I suppose that’s life.
It was fun to visit this site and read what you all had to say.

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Lorraine Girouard

Lorraine Girouard — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:57:18 +0000

I can’t figure out just ”why” my website addy doesn’t appear: I must be doing something wrong.
How about this:

http.//members.tripod.com/~lorgrd/home.html

There are well over 400 pages… and growing!

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Lorraine Girouard

Lorraine Girouard — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:54:30 +0000

I’m enclosing the addy to one of my websites: it is my total, up-to-date biography……..you might want to skip down to where our family converted a school bus and all 10 of us, headed for the Canadian border… heading to the Graham River Farm… and after.
“HI” to Tony Buerge……..I remember you and your oldest sister and brother, Danny, I think. I remember your Dad and one of your little brothers, and I will always remember your Mom, Susie, and your youngest brother. Hope that all is well with you; that you are being blessed in Alaska…and, are also a blessing.

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Rose Ong-Girouard

Rose Ong-Girouard — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:47:26 +0000

Hi All,
My name is Rose Ong (Girouard), the oldest of the eight children that Lorraine spoke of above. My memories of Graham River were all fond ones. I only lived there from 1972-1975 and then moved north to Hoonah, Alaska. It seems such a shame that your time at Graham was so short. Thank you for your recollections; reminded me of a simpler, more peaceful way of life I once embraced.

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by GRF Dave

GRF Dave — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:11:23 +0000

I am finally getting around to reading the above article! The time here with Nick & Haidi was a pleasure not easily forgotten. While they have moved on, their personal touches will always be here. Graham River was, is and always will be, bigger than the people living there at the moment. The ones living on the property are merely the caretakers of a dream and a vision. The ones who realize that are the ones who got the most out of GRF. The ones who left bitter and angry are the ones who, more often than not, wanted something material out of it. Maybe security, maybe money, maybe babysitters, it could be anything. The the ones who carry the vision in their hearts and live their life to create that vision and want to see it through to fruition regardless if they are here at the end or not will be the ones who are blessed.

I consider myself blessed to be a part of the early days at GRF and again to see it transition into the next phase. We are not going to be the last ones here and we certainly will not be here the longest. But we will do everything in our power to see the vision, that people gave their lives, money and families for, carried out and lifted high for all to see.

David Smith

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Mary Cox (Girouard)

Mary Cox (Girouard) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:17:06 +0000

As a child of 10 years of age when I moved to GRF with my family (mother is the above reply) in 1972, I saw things from a child’s eyes. There were good times and bad times. Things that could be shared all these years later, and things that are best left quiet and private. Overall, it was an experience I would have never gotten to live through if my parents hadn’t made the decision to move us 8 children to GRF. If Janice Stutzman is out there….I’d love to hear from you!

Comment on History of Graham River Farm by Lorraine Girouard

Lorraine Girouard — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:11:02 +0000

So great to find Graham River Farm online!
We came to the farm in 1972; and spent the very first winter out there. We came from MA, in a converted school bus, with 8 of our children: we lived there until 1976, when we moved to town and later to the Lower Mainland of B.C. Canada.
You might like to read all about our adventure, on one of my websites (I’ve sent the address, above).
So happy to hear that “little David” (as we called him), lives on the farm with his wife and family: God’s richest blessings to them!