This is the old Discussion forum for the book Trap-Lines North. The messages in this forum are still viewable by anyone. However, to post new questions, thoughts or information please register at the new Trap-Lines North message board. Look forward to seeing you there!
From: Russ Kerr
Date: 13 Nov 2005
Time: 22:50:56
This is the second time I typed this out tonight. Not sure what happened to the first one when I posted it. Here goes again.From an early age I lived & breathed TLN (You know what I'm talking about)I was 28 years old living in Flin Flon Manitoba. I had always wondered if Jim was still on the trapline of even still alive. I had wanted to try and contact him for years but didn't have the nerve. My wife encourage me to try. Not finding a phone listing in Nakina for any Vanderbecks I put an add in the Geraldton times asking if anyone had any imformation about Jim or Linday Vanderbeck. (There wasn't newspaper out of nakina at he time) I recieved 1 reply dated Sept 26/80 from a fellow by the name of Alvin B Hakansson from Nakina. He said he moved to Nakina in 1939 and new Lindsay but he had passed away. He said he never new Jim but thought he might live in Sudbury Ontario. I called imformation and they had 1 listing for a J Vanderbeck so i called that number. (My heart was racing wildley)When he answered I said is this Jim Vanderbeck? He said yes it is. I said the same Jim Vanderbeck who lived in nakina. He said yes it is. We talked for I;m guessing an hour but it could easily been longer. At he end of our conversation he say's how about the wife and I come up and vist you next summer? ( I Know its hard to believe but true)They came by passenger train to The Pas Manitoba and my wife, kids & I picked them up there. We rented a log cabin at Jan Lake Saskatchewan. We fished and visited and had a great time. We spent 2 weeks together. Wonderful people. jim and Helen's visit is something I will never forget. It's sometimes hard to believe this even happened and feels like i;m writing a fiction novel. ( I was a little dissapointed he wasn't still up north mushing dogs on the trapline but i got over it. Russ