91原创 is made up of a series of neighbourhoods or "communities," some that were developed in the past few decades, while others enjoy long, rich histories, some reaching back to the mid to late 1800s. In this neighbourhood feature package, the 91原创 Advance Times introduces its readers to a few individuals who call these various areas of town home, talk about why they settled here, and address a little history about their neighbourhoods. Hope you enjoy this package.

Brenda Haid says she has unintentionally become the 鈥渇amily historian鈥� through her volunteer work with the Alder Grove Heritage Society (AGHS). 

Her family name can be found in local records as far back as the 1950s, when her grandparents Charles Haid and Mary Zubick moved to Aldergrove in 1950 with their six children (Marie, Wilfred, Norman, Dawn, Betty, and Doreen). 

Initially, the Haids were going west from Manitoba with the goal of settling in New Westminster. With six hungry children, they stopped in Aldergrove, at the Blue Bird Cafe, for a meal. 

Following a conversation with a local bank manager, Charles was offered a small house across the street near Buckerfield鈥檚 for rent. The manager also needed some carpentry work done and, as that was Charles鈥� expertise, he offered a month鈥檚 free rent to the family in exchange. Charles soon began taking on more jobs until the family鈥檚 stay became permanent. 

He soon opened a cabinet-making shop called Haid鈥檚 Custom Woodwork, on 272 Street, where the Haids lived until 1951 when they purchased a small home on Fraser Highway. 

Charles operated the shop with his sons until his retirement in 1975. 

But around his work schedule and into his retirement, Charles was an active member of the Aldergrove community. 

Both Charles and Mary were part of the Aldergrove Agricultural Association for 25 years 鈥� Charles serving as president for 10 of those years. He was also principal of Aldergrove High and Elementary, vice-president and president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, member of the Aldergrove volunteer fire department, and member and exhalted ruler of the Aldergrove Elks. 

鈥淗e was a major community contributor,鈥� Brenda commented. 鈥淗e was in every opportunity to serve the community in some way.鈥� 

As president of the agricultural association, he pursued a joint project with the chamber to promote the growing of roses within the area, which resulted in the Aldergrove Rose Queen Pageant. 

From 1970 to 1981, the association sponsors the pageant, and the Rose Queen and princesses officiated the fall far. In 1970 and 鈥�72, it held the June Rose Show and Festival, as well as a children鈥檚 parade, and also donated roses for planters alongside Fraser Highway.

Brenda has lived in Aldergrove her whole life, and joined the AGHS about five years ago. Despite knowing most of her grandparents鈥� community work through her parents, she still learned some new details from the society鈥檚 records. 

鈥淚 found some photos and details of his involvement. Like, I knew he was part of the chamber of commerce, but I didn鈥檛 know he was one of the founding members until we found the document and saw his name on that,鈥� she laughed. 

Brenda wanted to volunteer for the AGHS because of Aldergrove鈥檚 rich history of community involvement and her family鈥檚 connection to it. 

鈥淎nd it feels good to carry on my grandpa鈥檚 community involvement,鈥� Brenda added. 

Her dad carried on Charles鈥� community work as well, volunteering with the fire department and agricultural association. Brenda鈥檚 mom and aunt became involved with the Rose Queen Pageant, as well. 

Charles passed away on Dec. 5, 1984, just a few months after Mary passed on Oct. 3 that year. 

Brenda鈥檚 fondest story of her grandparents is when the Haid鈥檚 workshop became a meeting place for community members, and it was often joked that it was unclear whether people came for the lively discussions or for her grandmother鈥檚 apple cake. 

Brenda, and several of her family members, still live in Aldergrove and continue their community involvement today. 

She works as an elementary school teacher in Surrey, something she always wanted to do. 

Her favourite thing about Aldergrove is that it still maintains its small-town feel, but isn鈥檛 too far from the cities. 

The Alder Grove Heritage Society became a registered charity in 1990, with the purpose to operate a community museum reflecting the history and development of Aldergrove, including collecting, preserving, and exhibiting artifacts of local history. 

To learn more, people can visit . 

Hidden Gem: Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park offers play

Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park opened in 2019 at Jackman Wetlands Park, designed by Chris Hartman, John Gould-Thorpe, and Stewart McIsack 鈥� also founders of the Jackman Wetlands Disc Golf Society. 

Disc golf involves players using thick, heavy, Frisbee-like discs to throw into chain baskets as targets.

With support of volunteers, the 91原创 Township, and local donors, they raised the funds and did the work necessary to create the course. 

The 40-acre course was built on a former landfill site that has been restored, covered with soil, and planted with trees. Located diagonally across from Aldergrove Regional Park, Raptor Knolls is part of the 100-acre Jackman Wetlands Park, which includes wetlands and a trail that opened last fall. The disc golf course was designed around the trail with safety in mind.

Ranked 13th in the world, the 40-acre 18-hole course, located in the 1100-block of 272 Street, serves as 鈥渉ome course鈥� for the Trinity Western University Spartans men and women鈥檚 disc golf teams, Hartmann told Black Press Media. 

鈥淭he sport is kind of exploding,鈥� Hartmann said.

Each year in June, the park is host to the annual BC Open disc golf competition presented by Discmania. 

Highlights in history: 

• 1912 鈥� Aldergrove Agricultural Association was founded by seven people, which held its first fair that September. 
• 1923 鈥� Aldergrove Elks Lodge #66 was instituted, and brother Sam Campbell as the first exalted ruler.
• 1959 鈥� Firehall No. 3 was built on Jackman Road, the second in the community after the Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1942. 
• 1963 鈥� small group of ex-soldiers from 91原创 and Matsqui District meet at the old Vasa Hall to form a Royal Canadian Legion branch in Aldergrove.