living
# YQLNEIGHBOURS
MERCEDES FAWNS
PHOTOGRAPHY : DEJOURDAN ’ S BY LIFETOUCH
Galt Museum Archives Assistant , TRISH PURKIS , gives us a look into her own personal history .
Tell us about yourself . Where are you from ? I was born in Pincher Creek , and moved with my family to Lethbridge in 1956 . I was educated here and then took Therapeutic Recreation at the Lethbridge Community College , today ’ s Lethbridge College .
What drew you to history and the Galt Museum ? In my earlier life I had a lot of jobs : working with persons with disabilities , working at a music store , and in housekeeping . I found that I had a degenerative hip and I had to quit working altogether . While I was recuperating , I got into a college program called Career Directions that focused on what your other interests were . I found I was really interested in history . So , I did a job shadow with one of the volunteers at the museum in 1997 . From there , I became a volunteer both in the archives and in programming . Through grant programs , I obtained full-time work at the Galt Museum , three to six months at a time . Since 2000 I have been the Archives Assistant .
Do you have any hobbies ? Yes . As an extension of the work I do at the Galt Museum I ’ ve written several history books , including my family histories – my parents and grandparents . I ’ ve done about five books , mostly in the music area covering the Junior and Kiwanis bands . I ’ ve also written about the early photographers of Lethbridge , and about the early method of advertising billboards on brick .
What ’ s your favourite book that you ’ ve written ? I would say the band books because I am a musician . I was in the Lethbridge Community Band for 25 years playing clarinet . I did the band archives as well for the last five or six years before I retired .
What is your favourite part about living in Lethbridge ? Certainly not the wind ! [ My favourite part is ] the smalltown feel . I know that we ’ re heading towards the 100k population , but it only takes a few minutes to get from one place to the other , and people are friendly .
If you could offer any advice to your 16-year-old self , what would it be ? Find the course you want to go in life and stick to it . Don ’ t waiver from the path that you want to take . And accept support ; I know there ’ re a lot of people that want to help you along your way .
12 LETHBRIDGELIVING . COM MAR-APR 2017