Some of the pages and photographs in the scrapbooks have become loose
History / Biographical
Verda Joan McDonald (nee Peden) was born in Brandon, MB on May 2, 1934. She was the middle daughter of Bill, a school principal, and Phyllis Peden. McDonald attended school at King George, Alexandra (now Betty Gibson), Earl Oxford and Brandon Collegiate Institute.
In 1951, McDonald enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at Brandon College. A fellowship program from the local YMCA enabled her to teach gym and swim programs after school and on Saturday for a small salary, which enabled her and some other students to finance their education. She graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her graduating year, McDonald served as Lady Stick for Brandon College; the title of Lady Stick was an elected position and an honour, and gave McDonald and the person elected Senior Stick, Frank McKinnon, the responsibility of leading the student council for that year. In 1956, McDonald obtained her Bachelor of Pedagogy degree, also from Brandon College, which allowed her to teach grades 1 to 12 in Manitoba.
Verda married her college sweetheart, Dick McDonald, on August 25, 1956, and the couple moved to Dauphin to teach at the Dauphin Collegiate and Technical Institute for two years. They returned to Brandon in September 1958, and Verda proceeded to teach at Brandon Collegiate, Neelin High School and Vincent Massey until December 1960.
When Dick finished his degree at Brandon College and started teaching, Verda stayed at home to raise their three sons, Rick, Paul and Daren. During this time she began her many years of volunteering within the community. She served seven years on each of the following three boards: The Brandon Schools Instrumental Music Association; The Brandon University Alumni Board; and The Board of Fairview Nursing Home. She became President of each board during her term.
McDonald supported her husband throughouet his teaching and financial career, as well as his strong involvement in the Artillery Reserve Army with the 26th Field Regiment where he served as Commander and later Honorary Colonel. Both McDonald and her husband maintained strong ties with Brandon University and have contributed generously to funding campaign and scholarships. The Sports Wall of Fame in the Health Living Centre on the Brandon University campus is named in their honour.
In addition to their involvement with Brandon University, the McDonald's were members of the Kinsmen, K40 service club, gold and bridge clubs and enjoyed many years together in Brandon. They enjoyed going on cruise ship holidays and visited many countries together.
Since Dick's death in September 2015, Verda has tried to maintain her involvment in university activities. She continues to reside in Brandon, MB.
Custodial History
Records were created and collected by Verda McDonald during her years as a student and alumna of Brandon College/Brandon University. The records were stored in her home until their donation to the McKee Archives in 2015.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records dealing with Verda McDonald's experiences as a student and alumna at Brandon College/University. The majority of the collection contains records from the early 1950s during McDonald's college years (1951-1955). These records, which cover the social and athletic aspects of Brandon College in the 1950s, provide a detailed look at college student life during this time period. The collection also contains a small number of records (1955-2005), documenting McDonald's experiences as an alumna of Brandon College/University.
The collection consists of four scrapbooks, which contain photographs, newspaper clippings, graduation cards, lyrics for class songs, and programs for graduation banquets, school dances, graduation ceremonies and drama productions. The scrapbooks also contain ephemera such as sports emblems, table decorations, election paraphernalia. It also includes McDonald's oath of office from when she was sworn in as Lady Stick, as well as her acceptance speech from the same ceremony.
The three file folders in the collection include: a list written by Frank McKinnon, a classmate of McDonald's, outlining his reasons for coming to Brandon College and his recollections of being a student at Brandon College; the rules of Clark Hall residence hall; and pamphlets for various celebrations and events at Brandon University (Homecoming 2009, Homecoming 2006, Reunion Weekend 2005, Reunion Weekend 2004, Homecoming 1995 and 1995 Reconovocation program, Homecoming 1980, 1975 Open House).
Finally, the collection contains 18 loose photographs. A number of the photos document important reunions for the Class of 1955 (40th Anniversary in 1995, 50th Anniversary in 2005), while others were taken at alumni events over the years (1988-1997). There is one postcard of Brandon University buildings (Original Building and Clark Hall, McMaster Hall and the Queen Elizabeth II School of Music building). Some of the 1995 reunion photos include images of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall under renovation. Also included are a composite portrait of the Class of 1955 and class portraits Arts and Science for the Class of 1960.
Notes
History/Bio information provided by Verda McDonald. Description by Emily Bate (October 2016) and Christy Henry.
Photograph of an northeast corner 10th Street and Princess Avenue and the rear of buildings facing 200 block on 9th Street. The business in foreground is Thunderbird Bowl. The rear of the Brandon Inn is in the background.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Tara's Bulba," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre and similiar vehicles captured in the photograph.
Photograph shows a view of downtown Brandon from the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Thunderbird Bowl is in the foreground. Painted advertisements on the sides of buildings include: The Mitrou's Cafe and Tea Room and Brandon Musical Supply Ltd. Vehicles parked on 10th Street are facing north.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Tara's Bulba," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre and similiar vehicles captured in the photograph.
Photograph shows the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue facing east. In the background the following Brandon businesses can be seen: back of the Brandon Inn, B/A gas station, The Princess Cafe, and the Central Fire Hall.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Tara's Bulba," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre and similiar vehicles captured in the photograph.
Photograph shows the east side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba. The Strand Theatre marquee shows "Gidget" starring Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson. Other businesses in the Strand Block include: Ted Heming Jewellers, Waddell's, and Metropolitan Life.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Gidget," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre
Photograph shows the recently constructed Strathcona Block. H. Lamontagne & Co. Ltd., Wholesale, occupies the ground floor. Scaffolding is suspended from the north side of the building. Buildings have yet to be erected to the north and south sides of the Strathcona Block.
Notes
Back of photograph is stamped: Hughes & Co. Ltd., 1009 Princess Ave., Brandon, Man.
Photograph of an east side of 10th Street facing north from Princess Avenue. Visible businesses include: Thunderbird Bowl, Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, Strand Theatre, Trans Canada Credit Loans, Ted Heming Jewellers, Carlton Cafe, McKenzie Seeds, Clement Block, Mitrou's Cafe and Tea Room, and Brandon Musical Supply Ltd. Vehicles parked on 10th Street are facing north.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Tara's Bulba," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre and similiar vehicles captured in the photograph.
The Brandon Daily Sun (26 May 1924, 16) reported the annual church parade of Brandon Lodge 173 Sons of England was held on Sunday, May 25, 1924. The Brandon City Band lead the parade with H.J. Barter, P.P., serving as parade marshal. Over 100 members paraded to St. Mary's Church. Representatives from a variety of lodges participated, including Alexander, Neepawa, Souris, Wawanesa, and Lodge Carpenter Juveniles.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a parade travelling southwards on 10th Street between Rosser and Princess Avenues. A mounted rider wearing white appears to be leading the parade. A car draped with American and British flags follows. A band follows the vehicle. Individuals wearing white hats walk up the street.
Business visible on the west side (100-block) of 10th Street include: Doig, Rankin, & Robertson, Limited; Bowling Alley, Billiards; Olympia Cafe Candies. The second storey on the Hughes Building has not been erected. The Alexandra Block, Strathcona Block, Olympia Block are visible. A large Union Jack flys from the Canadian Pacific Station. Vehicles are diagonally parked on both sides of 10th Street.
Notes
Back of photograph is stamped: Hughes & Co. Ltd., 1009 Princess Ave., Brandon, Man. Date for photograph obtained from licence plates.
Photograph shows Ted Heming Jewellers on the east side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, with the Strand Theatre to the south of the building complex. Other visible businesses in the Strand Block include: Hughes & Co. Ltd., Smart's Stationery, Waddell's, and Metropolitan Life.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Gidget," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre
Photograph shows the Strand Block on the east side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba. Visible businesses in the Strand Block include: Hughes & Co. Ltd., Smart's Stationery, Waddell's, the Strand Theatre, and Metropolitan Life.
Notes
Back of the photograph is stamped: Clark Smith Studio, per July 27/59
Photograph of east side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, between Rosser and Princess Avenues. Visible businesses include: The Bank of Montreal, Barclay's Shoe Store, Carlton Cafe (in the former Cigar Factory), and Ted Heming Jewellers. The McKenzie Seed building is visible in the background.
Photograph shows the east side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, between Rosser and Princess Avenues. Businesses visible in the Brown Block include (from north to south): Singer, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, O. Stark & Son, Elna Sewing Centre, and Canadian Pacific Telegraphs. The Prince Edward Hotel is visible in the background.
Doig's, originally located on Rosser Avenue, moved to the 10th Street location in 1921.
Scope and Content
Photograph of west side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, facing northwest. Visible businesses in the Alexander Block include Doig's, Box Brothers Hardware and Allied Hardware Stores, followed by Simpsons-Sears and Barry Neill Men's Wear in the Strathcona Block. The Johnny Smith Block is visible in the background.
Photograph shows the intersection, facing northwest, at 10th Street and Princess Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba. Fitwell Tailors can be seen on the south side of Princess Avenue. Doig's Home Furnishings and The Manufactuerers Life can be seen on the northwest corner. Traffic appears to be travelling both ways on Princess Avenue.
Photograph shows the west side of the 100-block of 10th Street facing northwest. Visible businesses include: Bottomley's Furniture, Recreation Bowling & Billiards, Fashion Fabrics, Brandon News & Record Shop, Bass' Storkland, Beneficial Finance Co., and the Kresge Store. The Johnny Smith Block is visible in the background.
Photograph of west side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, facing northwest. Visible businesses in the Alexandra Block include Doig's, Box Brothers Hardware and Allied Hardware Stores, followed by Simpsons-Sears and Barry Neill Men's Wear in the Strathcona Block. The Johnny Smith Block is visible in the background.
Photograph shows the west side of 10th Street between Rosser and Princess Avenues. Visible businesses include: Brandon News & Record Shop, Fashion Fabrics, Recreation Bowling & Billiards, Bottomley's, Barry Neill Men's Wear, Simpsons-Sears. Painted on the north face of the Strathcona Block are two advertisements, one for Sutherland and Robertson [Grocery] and the other for Boyd Electric Co. Ltd. Union Jack flags hang from some businesses and light standards.
Photograph shows the west side of 10th Street between Rosser and Princess Avenues. Visible businesses include: Recreation Bowling & Billiards, Bottomley's, Barry Neill Men's Wear, Simpsons-Sears, Allied Hardware Stores, Box Brothers Hardware, Doig's. Painted on the north face of the Strathcona Block are two advertisements, one for Sutherland and Robertson [Grocery] and the other for Boyd Electric Co. Ltd.
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