Our loyal readers
We couldn’t possibly celebrate 100 years of publishing without thanking those who make it all possible: you. Whether you read us in print or online, in Vancouver or Vietnam, in your home or a coff ee shop or even on a boat, we thank you. We’re very proud
Quite some time ago, The Vancouver Sun newspaper had a column on the comics page for pen pals. I think in 1945 or possibly 1946 I decided to write to someone whose name was in this column. I chose someone who was the same age as me and who had a funny ( to me) name.
It was Muriel Crombelholme and she lived in Manchester, England. We wrote throughout our teen years, when I was in nurses training and had little money for stamps, when we were married and had little children with little time to spare and we continue to do so.
We finally met in person when we took our sons on a trip to Europe in 1973. Since that time, we have continued in our friendship with visits and travels together, including trips to Denmark, France, Switzerland, Japan and the United States, plus lots of B. C. and a train trip across Canada. It has been an invaluable friendship that could not have happened without the help of The Vancouver Sun. Doreen Sharp Special to The Sun
Fond memories of Uncle Ben
I grew up in Vancouver and the biggest part of my life as a child was the Sun Ray Club. I wrote to pen pals around the world that I met through the club.
My best memories are of Uncle Ben himself, who lived down the street from us and would let us visit after school. The best memory is of my 10th birthday when he visited my home to celebrate with my cousins and friends and read the comics to us, just as he did every day on the radio.
I still have the photo of the old newspaper of Dec. 30, 1948. It is really yellow and getting tattered, but it was the most exciting day of my young life. Thelma Bell Special to The Sun
Sun Ray Club delights
Close to 40 years ago, I was a Sun Ray Club member. My biggest delight, after receiving my membership pin in the mail, was receiving my first letter from my pen pal, who I found through the Sun Ray Club. We still correspond to this day.
Ruth lives in England and has visited me twice over the past 40 years. I thank The Sun for finding me a wonderful friend across the sea who I wouldn’t have found otherwise. Anna Murray Special to The Sun
A writer was born
You might say that The Vancouver Sun started me on my path as a writer. They published my first piece — a Voices column. It was heady stuff. My words in print for everyone to read — and I got paid, too.
That one column 20 years ago was the start of my journey of self- discovery that writing brings about. I have had several pieces published since in The Sun and in other publications, but that first piece gave me the confidence I needed. I haven’t stopped writing since. Pamela Kent Special to The Sun
The Sun also rises
My husband and I emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada, specifically Vancouver, in 1957. We rented a house with another couple of Dutch people who had a young son, Jan, aged nine years.
They quickly subscribed to your newspaper and one day, the newspaper boy knocked on their door. Jan opened the door, the newspaper boy loudly said, “Collecting for The SUN!”
Astonished, Jan turned around, called his mother and, in utter amazement, exclaimed, “Do we have to pay for the sun, here?”
Needless to say, we all collapsed in giggles and dined out on that story for months to come. Fiesta de Vries Special to The Sun
Comics brought laughs, literacy
I learned to read by your comic section when I was four or five years old. I will be 91 years old on Feb. 28, 2012.
I’ve enjoyed your paper all these years. My parents subscribed to The Sun in Vancouver before I was born. I subscribed when I was out on my own, working on the old Woodward’s store.
I met my future husband from New Westminster, Gordon French. He passed away in 2003. He delivered The Vancouver Sun all through the 1930s, until he joined the RCMP. We took papers all our lives and I still do, in White Rock.
I’ve liked all correspondents over the years. Pete Mcmartin is my favourite today. Hazel French Special to The Sun