Vernon Lakers 1980-1981 Season

NEWS ITEMS

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

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Note: Articles for individual games can be found beside each game score under heading 'RECAP' as Gm# (source)

NOTE: The Vernon Museum & Archives does not have the physical copies of the Vernon Daily News after October 1976 to the end of June 11,1982. However, they do have the PDFs so, I have extracted the sports page from those as needed. These pages may contain more articles than the one I have listed.


In case you missed it!

  • April 28 1979: Canadians' owners hope to sell team (source)
  • June 25 1979: Canadians out of BCJHL (source)

Off-season

  • June 7, 1980: Junior club faces obstacles (source)
  • June 13, 1980: Vernon rejoins junior A league (source)
  • July 8 1980: Junior team is ready to roll (source)
  • July 10 1980: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • July 11 1980: Juniors appoint assistant coach (source)
  • August 1 1980: Lakers preparing for junior season (source)
  • August 7 1980: Juniors granted a break (source)
  • August 22 1980: Lakers land top prospect (source)
  • August 27 1980: Lakers acquire promising goalie (source)
  • August 30 1980: NCAA getting tough with Canadian juniors / Young hockey players have a tough decision (source)

Training Camp & Exhibition

  • September 3 1980: 60 players at Lakers' camp (source)
  • September 4 1980: More players arrive - Neeld hopes to stay (source)
  • September 5 1980: Lakers play this weekend (source)
  • September 6 1980: Lakers reduce roster to 33 (source)
  • September 10 1980: Lakers' training camp reduced to 24 players (source)
  • September 16 1980: KENDALL'S KORNER / GM suspended and Neeld traded (source)

Season

  • September 19 1980: Lakers to battle Penticton (source)
  • September 26 1980: Lakers trim roster to 20 (source)
  • September 27 1980: Cents host Lakers (source)
  • September 30 1980: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • October 8 1980: Clippers crush Chilliwack Colts (source)
  • October 10 1980: Buckaroos drop game to Rockets (source)
  • October 11 1980: Vernon hopes to end slump (source)
  • October 17 1980: Knights host Lakers tonight (source)
  • October 24 1980: Colts remain winles (source)
  • October 25 1980: Lakers make major changes (source)
  • October 29 1980: Junior referees boycott (source)
  • October 30 1980: Referee walkout averted (source)
  • November 4 1980: Knights host Lakers tonight / SPORTS SCOREBOARD - BCJHL Standings (source)
  • November 5 1980: Lakers' coach resigns (source)
  • November 6 1980: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • November 8 1980: Rockets host Lakers tonight / REVELSTOKE DROPS BUCKS (source)
  • November 14 1980: Sockeyes beat Nor Wes Caps (source)
  • November 18 1980: Lakers still looking for right combination (source)
  • November 20 1980: Cents to hot Lakers (source)
  • November 22 1980: Lakers host Bucks tonight (source)
  • November 25 1980: Fish believes Lakers 'will win their share' (source)
  • November 28 1980: Rockets blank Knights (source)
  • December 2 1980: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-BCJHL (source)
  • December 3 1980: Olsen returns home-should help Lakers (source)
  • December 6 1980: Lakers without a team captain (source)
  • December 9 1980: Lakers to host Merritt / SPORTS SCOREBOARD-BCJHL (source)
  • December 10 1980: Centennials may fold (source)
  • December 12 1980: Centennials remain in B.C. junior league (source)
  • December 16 1980: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-BCJHL (source)
  • December 17 1980: Walking wounded return Saturday (source)
  • December 18 1980: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • December 19 1980: Junior team schedules Fan Appreciation Night (source)
  • December 20 1980: Cents host Lakers (source)
  • December 24 1980: Lakers enjoy holiday break (source)
  • December 27 1980: Vernon stocks Swift Current (source)
  • December 29 1980: Junior team in jeopardy (source)
  • December 30 1980: Junior club will operate (source)
  • December 31 1980: Smith traded to Buckaroos (source)
  • January 6 1981: Vernon junior team loses key personnel (source)
  • January 7 1981: Loss of players won't stop Lakers / SPORTS SCOREBOARD-BCJHL (source)
  • January 8 1981: Forward returns to junior squad (source)
  • January 9 1981: Laker's bus in collision near Kamloops (source)
  • January 13 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • January 15 1981: Five Clippers on Coast squad (source)
  • January 16 1981: Leschuk named to Coast team / All-star squad ignores Lakers (source)
  • January 20 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • January 21 1981: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-BCJHL (source)
  • January 22 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • January 23 1981: Nanaimo fans to sip suds (source)
  • January 28 1981: Vernon players on all-star team (source)
  • January 29 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER / Coast Division starts playoffs / All-sars battle to tie (source) / (source)
  • January 31 1981: Lakers can act as the spoilers / SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUND-UP-B.C. Junior (source)
  • February 3 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • February 4 1981: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUND-UP-B.C. Junior (source)
  • February 5 1981: Clippers fight back for win (source)
  • February 7 1981: Goalie joins Lakers (source)
  • February 9 1981: ...Vernon Coach quits (source)
  • February 10 1981: Bruins release Neeld (source)
  • February 12 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • February 13 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER (source)
  • February 17 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER / Sockeyes stay alive by beating Abbotsford (source)
  • February 19 1981: KENDALL'S KORNER / Lang rejoins Vernon juniors (source)

BCJHL Playoffs

  • March 4 1981: Merritt nips Kelowna in BCJHL playoff action (source)
  • March 5 1981: Knights take 2-0 lead in semi-final series (source)
  • March 7 1981: Bucks edge Cents in junior playoffs (source)
  • March 9 1981: Knights take lead in series (source)
  • March 11 1981: Knights advance to finals (source)
  • March 12 1981: Cents eliminated in seventh game (source)
  • March 13 1981: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUNDUP-B.C. Junior (source)
  • March 16 1981: Kelowna takes lead in series (source)
  • March 18 1981: Knights defeat Buckaroos / SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUNDUP-B.C. Junior (source)
  • March 19 1981: KELOWNA LEADS INTERIOR SERIES (source)
  • March 20 1981: Penticton evens series (source)
  • March 21 1981: Knights win Interior title (source)
  • March 23 1981: KNIGHTS LEAD BCJHL SERIES (source)
  • March 25 1981: Flyers defeat Knights (source)
  • March 26 1981: FLYERS TIE FINAL SERIES (source)
  • March 27 1981: Flyers lead Knights (source)
  • March 30 1981: Knights capture title in overtime (source)

Provincials

  • March 31 1981: Penticton host series (source)
  • April 1 1981: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUND-UP-B.C. Junior (source)
  • April 2 1981: Knights sweep series (source)

BC versus Alberta

  • April 4 1981: Penticton to host St. Albert (source)
  • April 6 1981: SAINTS LEAD JUNIOR SERIES (source)
  • April 9 1981: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUND-UP-Centennial Cup (source)
  • April 10 1981: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUND-UP-Centennial Cup (source)
  • April 13 1981: SPORTS SCOREBOARD-HOCKEY ROUND-UP-Centennial Cup (source)

Lakers Post-Season

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REGULAR SEASON PLAYER STATS (Sortable Table)

No. Pos Player GP G A TP PIM
- G Aarsen, Hank Jr. cu - - - - -
- RW Amies, Brian re X - - - - -
6 LW/D Anderson, Darcy to s - - - - -
- LW Balfour, Kevin* v 'C' - - - - -
- G Balint, Jim* s v m re X - - - - -
19 RW/C Bondaruk, Wayne* v - - - - -
- D Cheba, Brian re X - - - - -
- D Creelmen, Les s q X - - - - -
- F DeVries, Tom* r cu - - - - -
10 RW Dougherty, Bruce* s r q X - - - - -
10 LW/C Fish, Dave* r q X - - - - -
- D Foulds, Roger to s q X - - - - -
- D Godard, Tom to re X - - - - -
- - Hampton, Glenn - - - - -
12 W/C Hascarl, Dean s v 'C^' - - - - -
- - Hildebrand, Luke cu - - - - -
- D Hora, Darryl* v re X - - - - -
- G Imrie, Dave to s re/q X
'Imbie'
- - - - -
- F Ingram, Brain* re X - - - - -
- F Itterman, Ron cu - - - - -
9 F James, Daryl to s q X
"Darryl, Darrell"
- - - - -
- - Kashuba, Rod cu - - - - -
1 G Lang, Mark m
'Lange'
- - - - -
3 D Lepine, Darcy* r - - - - -
- D McDonald, Murray* - - - - -
- F McNeil, Ken* re X - - - - -
4 D Morden, Bob* r - - - - -
17 F/D Neeld, John s v m 'C' X 0 0 0 0 0
16 RW Odiorne, Ritchie* v - - - - -
8 D Olsen, Gord r s q X - - - - -
- G Orvis, Dwayne cu - - - - -
7 F Panjac, Jerry cu - - - - -
15 LW/C Peoples, Vaughan* v 'C' - - - - -
17 F Poirier, Kevin r - - - - -
- - Popilchak, David cu - - - - -
- C Reimer, Mel cu - - - - -
18 D Robbins, Lee s v - - - - -
- G Slizak, Rex v q X - - - - -
- RW Smith, Earl* v 'C' X - - - - -
- LW Trentini, Rod* r q X - - - - -
- LW/RW Vest, Jeff* - - - - -
- D Walters, Dave* re X - - - - -
20 D Weibe, Mike r - - - - -
- D Weighill, Tim re X - - - - -
- D Wethal, Darren* r re X - - - - -
- F Williment, Ray Jr. - - - - -
- F Willick, Mark to X - - - - -
- G Wilson, Terry r - - - - -
30 G Zupp, Darren* r re/q X - - - - -

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REGULAR SEASON GOALIE STATS

# GOALIE GP MIN GA AVG W L T SVS SA% PIM
30 Zupp, Darren r re/q X - - - - - - - - - -
- Slizak, Rex q X - - - - - - - - - -
1 Lang, Mark m - - - - - - - - - -
- Imrie, Dave to s re/q X
'Imbie'
- - - - - - - - - -
- Balint, Jim re X - - - - - - - - - -
- Aarsen, Hank Jr. cu - - - - - - - - - -
- Orvis, Dwayne cu - - - - - - - - - -
- Wilson, Terry r re X - - - - - - - - - -

PLAYER TRANSACTIONS

PLAYER TRANSACTIONS

  • 01-Aug-80 Sign Dean Hascarl (F)
  • Sept-80 Quit Dean Hascarl (F) stays home and will play for Revelstoke Rockets
  • 11-Oct-80 Add Dean Hascarl (F) who played for but, did not sign with the Revelstoke Rockets
  • 09-Feb-81 Quit Dean Hascarl when boading bus, only 15 players including 2 goalies showed up
  • ??-Feb-81 Re-joins Dean Hascarl team
  • 22-Aug-80 Sign Bruce Dougherty (RW) played for Enderby juvenile reps in 1979-80
  • 25-Oct-80 Quit Bruce Dougherty (RW)
  • 08-Jan-81 Re-joins Bruce Dougherty
  • 27-Aug-80 Sign Jim Balint, 19 (G) played for Kamloops Rockets, '78-'79 that same year was called-up for Calgary Wranglers(WHL). In 1979-80 played junior B in Invermere
  • 18-Nov-80 Release Jim Balint (G)
  • 27-Aug-80 Sign Earl Smith played for Merritt Centennials past two years
  • 05-Nov-80 Quit Earl Smith (RW)
  • 12-Nov-80 Re-add Earl Smith (RW) joins team as captain
  • 06-Dec-80 Quit Earl Smith (RW)
  • 31-Dec-80 Trade Earl Smith (RW) playing rights traded to Kelowna Buckaroos for cash and a player to be determined
  • 10-Sep-80 Sign John Neeld played for Seatle Breakers in 1979-80. Played for Vernon Canadians in 1978-79
  • 19-Sept-80 Granted John Neeld leave of absence, went home to decide his future. The Seatle Breakers(WHL) traded his rights to New Westminster Bruins (WHL)
  • 10-Sep-80 Release Paul Johnson (F) & Ron Tasker (D)
  • 19-Sept-80 Add Tom DeVries leave of absence, went home to decide his future. The Seatle Breakers(WHL) traded his rights to New Westminster Bruins (WHL)
  • 20-Sept-80 Released Tom DeVries now a call-up from the juvenile reps
  • 20-Sept-80 Quit Rex Slizak (G)
  • 27-Sept-80 Re-Add Rex Slizak (G) who rejoins the team
  • 11-Oct-80 Release Rex Slizak (G)
  • 25-Nov-80 Re-Add Rex Slizak (G)
  • 06-Jan-81 Quit Rex Slizak
  • 10-Jan-81 Re-join Rex Slizak for one game so, team did not default
  • 20-Sept-80 Quit/Released Dallas Gaume for a personal matter
  • 22-Sept-80 Added Kevin Poirier from Seatle Breakers(WHL)
  • 26-Sept-80 Release Darren Zupp (G), Dave Walters (D), Ken McNeil (F)
  • 06-Oct-80 Re-Add Darren Zupp (G) to roster
  • 02-Feb-81 Quit Darren Zupp (G) around the same time as Mark Lang (G)
  • 29-Sept-80 Add Ray Williment Jr. (F) to roster
  • 29-Sept-80 Tryout Steve Olesuck released by New Westminster Bruins(WHL)
  • 02-Oct-80 Add Mike Weibe, 17 (D) from Abbotsford Flyers for future considerations
  • 06-Jan-81 Quit Mike Weibe
  • 07-Jan-81 Re-joins Mike Weibe reconsided and stays with Lakers
  • 11-Oct-80 Add Brian Amies (F) from Smithers
  • 25-Oct-80 Release Brian Amies (F)
  • 14-Oct-80 Add Rick Cheba (D) played for Vernon Cougars(NOHL, senior)
  • 25-Oct-80 Release Rick Cheba (D)
  • 14-Oct-80 Cut Brian Ingram (f)
  • 15-Oct-80 Call-up Mel Reimer (C) from midget reps
  • 18-Oct-80 Add Mark Lang (G) from Winnipeg Warriors
  • 02-Feb-81 Quit Mark Lang (G) after a 19-6 loss
  • 19-Feb-81 Re-joins Mark Lang (G) for rest of season
  • 18-Oct-80 Added Tim Weighill
  • 25-Oct-80 Release Tim Weighill (D)
  • 25-Oct-80 Release Darren Wethal, (D)Daryl Hora (D)
  • 25-Oct-80 Tryouts/ Sign Tom Godard, 15 (D) from Fort St. James, Roger Foulds (D) quit the Merritt Centennials, Mark Willick (F) from Fort St. James, Daryl James (F) from Revelstoke Rockets
  • 18-Nov-80 Release Tom Godard (D) assigned to Invermere junior B team
  • 06-Jan-81 Quit Roger Foulds
  • 09-Feb-81 Quit Darryl James when boading bus, only 15 players including 2 goalies showed up
  • 17-Nov-80 Sign Les Creelmen (D/F) from Vernon Cougars(NOHL,senior)
  • 06-Jan-81 Quit Les Creelman
  • 10-Jan-81 Re-joins Les Creelman for one game so, team did not default
  • 21-Jan-81 Re-joins Les Creelman team for the season
  • 09-Feb-81 Quit Les Creelman when boading bus, only 15 players including 2 goalies showed up
  • 18-Nov-80 Tryout & Sign Dave Imbie (G) from Merritt Centennials
  • Released Dave Imbie (G) at some point before February '81
  • Darcy Anderson (LW/D) from Vernon Cougars(NOHL, senior)
  • 03-Dec-80 Sign Gord Olsen, 16 (D) released from Regina Blues (SJHL)
  • 09-Feb-81 Quit Gord Olsen when boading bus, only 15 players including 2 goalies showed up
  • 03-Dec-80 Quit Rod Trentini (LW)
  • 06-Jan-81 Quit Dave Fish along with four others
  • 10-Jan-81 Call-up Ron Itterman & one other plus two goalies (unnamed) from juveniles reps
  • 12-Jan-81 Call-up Jerry Panjac Vernon minor hockey player
  • 21-Jan-81 Add Lee Robbins cut from Regina Blues (SJHL)
  • 02-Feb-81 Call-up Hank Aarsen Jr., 15 (G) from Vernon midget house league
  • 07-Feb-81 Add Terry Wilson (G) for four games, a Laker training camp cut, on loan from an Edmonton juvenile team
  • 19-Feb-81 Quit Terry Wilson (G) returned to his Edmonton juvenile team
  • 07-Feb-81 Call-up Ron Itterman, Rod Kashuba, David Popilchak, Luke Hilderbrand Vernon juvenile reps
  • 16-Feb-81 Add Glen Hampton
  • 27-Feb-81 Call-up Dwayne Orvis (G)

GAME SCORES

GAME SCORES & RECAPS

EXHIBITION GAMES
SEPTEMBER OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
6 Sat. v Penticton Knight
at Castlegar
2 13 EX Gm 1 (source)
7 Sun. 7pm v Penticton Knights
at Osoyoos
1 6 EX Gm 2 Game called
in 2nd period (source)
12 @ Kelowna Buckaroos
at Rutland
2 5 EX Gm 3 (source)
13 v Kelowna Buckaroos 8 7 EX Gm 4 (source)
14 @ Revelstoke Rockets 8 10 EX Gm 5 (source)
16 v Revelstoke Rockets 8 6 EX Gm 6 (source)

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REGULAR SEASON GAMES

REGULAR SEASON GAMES
SEPTEMBER OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
19 Fri @ Pentiction Knights 1 6 Gm 1 (source)
21 Sun.7pm v Penticton 6 3 Gm 2 (source)
27 Sat. @ Merritt Centennials 4 5 ot Gm 3 (source)
28 Sun. 7pm V Kelowna Buckaroos 4 8 Gm 4 (source)
OCTOBER OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
2 Thur. @ Revlestoke Rockets 4 8 Gm 5 (source)
3 Fri. 830pm v Merritt 9 10 ot Gm 6 (source)
4 Sat. @ Kelowna 4 5 ot Gm 7 (source)
11 Sat. @ Revelstoke 2 7 Gm 8 (source)
12 Sun. 7pm v Penticton 4 7 Gm 9 (source)
14 Tue. 8pm v Revelstoke 2 10 Gm 10 (source)
17 Fri. @ Penticton 1 3 Gm 11 (source)
19 Sun. 2pm v Revelstoke 3 9 Gm 12 (source)
25 Sat. @ Merritt 7 6 Gm 13 (source)
26 Sun. 7pm v Kelowna 7 9 Gm 14 (source)
31 Fri. 830pm v Merritt 0 10 Gm 15 (source)
NOVEMBER OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
1 Sat. @ Kelowna 3 8 Gm 16 (source)
4 Tue. @ Penticton 1 7 Gm 17 (source)
8 Sat. @ Revelstoke 3 7 Gm 18 (source)
11 Tue. 8pm v Revelstoke 4 5 Gm 19 (source)
14 Fri. @ Penticton 6 3 Gm 20 (source)
16 Sun. 7pm v Revelstoke 7 5 Gm 21 (source)
18 Tue. @ Kelowna 4 8 Gm 22 (source)
20 Thu. @ Merritt 2 10 Gm 23 (source)
22 Sat. 8pm v Kelowna 6 3 Gm 24 (source)
25 Tue 8pm v Penticton 7 5 Gm 25 (source)
28 Fri 830pm v Merritt 6 12 Gm 26 (source)
29 Sat @ Kelowna 1 9 Gm 27 (source)
DECEMBER OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
6 Sat @ Revelstoke 3 11 Gm 28 (source)
7 Sun. 7pm v Penticton 3 6 Gm 29 (source)
9 Tue. v Merritt X X Gm Cancelled (source)
12 Fri. @ Penticton 6 9 Gm 30 (source)
13 Sat. 8pm v Penticton 7 4 Gm 31 (source)
14 Sun. 7pm v Revelstoke 3 7 Gm 32 (source)
20 Sat. @ Merritt X X Gm Postponed (source)
21 Sun. 7pm v Kelowna 1 7 Gm 33 (source)
JANUARY OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
2 Fri. 830pm v Merritt 6 5 ot Gm 34 (source)
3 Sat. @ Revelsoke 2 12 Gm 35 (source)
4 Sun. 7pm v Kelowna 5 11 Gm 36 (source)
8 Thu. @ Merritt X X Gm Postponed (source)
Bus Crash
9 Fri. v Merritt 5 7 Gm 37 (source)
10 Sat. @ Kelowna 3 15 Gm 38 (source)
JANURAY 10 ROSTER DEADLINE
17 Sat. @ Revelstoke
In Nakusp
3 10 Gm 39 (source)
18 Sun. 7pm v Penticton 4 6 Gm 40 (source)
20 Tue. @ Merritt 4 5 Gm 41 (source)
Make-up game of Dec 20
23 Fri. @ Penticton 4 8 Gm 42 (source)
25 Sun. 7pm v Revelstoke
In Nakusp
4 8 Gm 43 (source)
31 Sat. 8pm v Kelowna 6 19 Gm 44 (source)
FEBRUARY OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
1 Sun. @ Merritt 0 10 Gm 45 (source)
7 Sat. @ Revelstoke L W Gm 46 Defaulted (source)
8 Sun. 7pm v Penticton 5 6 ot Gm 47 (source)
11 Wed. 8pm v Merritt X X Gm Postponed (source)
14 Sat. @ Kelowna 3 20 Gm 48 (source)
19 Thu. @ Merritt
In Logan Lake
4 10 Gm 49 (source)
Make-up, Gm Jan 8
20 Fri. @ Penticton 1 3 Gm 50 (source)
22 Sun. 7pm v Revelstoke 4 5 Gm 51 (source)
24 Tue. @ Kelowna 0 7 Gm 52 (source)
25 Wed. @ Revelstoke 2 12 Gm 53 (source)
26 Thu. v Merritt 3 13 Gm 54 (source)
Make-up game, Feb 11
28 Sat. 8pm v Kelowna 1 7 Gm 55 (source)
MARCH OPPONENT GF GA RECAP
1 Sun. @ Merritt 2 9 Gm 56 (source)

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REGULAR SEASON TOTALS

GP W L T GF GA TP
56 8 48 0 202 440 16

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TEAM PERSONEL

TEAM PERSONEL

POSITION NAME
OWNERS Vern Dye, Hank Aarsen Sr. & Group(8)
PRESIDENT & G. M. Hank Aarsen Sr.
Director Al Thomas
Head Coach 1. Russ Newton, 29, resigned Nov 1-4, '80
2. Gary Criss(Interim Coach), quit Feb 8, '81
3. Jack Bodnaruk(Interim Coach)
Assistant Coach 1. Ken Brown-John,25, resigned early Oct '80
2. Terry Price, 3 games as a fill-in
3. Al Thomas, as of Feb 9, '81
Practice Coach Walt Trentini
Trainer Terry Price
Stick Boy Hank Aarsen Jr.
Bus Driver Terry Price

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PAGE CONTRIBUTERS


PAGE CONTRIBUTERS

  • Mark Lang via email, Feb/6/2022
  • 1980-81 Program
  • Vancouver Sun - Online Access to British Columbia Historical Newspapers
  • Vernon News Articles - The Museum & Archives of Vernon via Gwyn Evans

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