Community Leader Marks 90th Year
Elsie Beggs is celebrating her 90th birthday on July 12.
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Updated: July 06, 2009 2:34 PM
The community is invited to attend the 90th birthday party for one of Aldergrove's longest-serving volunteers, Elsie Beggs.
Elsie is one of the living, original founding members of the Royal Purple in Aldergrove — over 65 years — otherwise known as the Ladies Auxiliary of the Elks. Over the years, the Aldergrove Royal Purple have raised and contributed tens of thousands of dollars to worthy charities and the Township of Langley. The children's water spray park beside Aldergrove outdoor pool is just one example.
Elsie is a member of the United Church Ladies Auxiliary. We have lost count on how many pies, sandwiches and desserts she has made over the years, all for charity.
Elsie is a member of the original Aldergrove Agricultural Association that along with others in the community, developed and saw the opening of Aldergrove Park (now known as Philip Jackman Park) and the first lit ball diamond in B.C. Because of their efforts, the first softball portion of the British Empire Games (now called the Commonwealth Games) was held here in 1954, bringing the international spotlight to Aldergrove. The park, the first in the municipality, was later donated to the Township of Langley.
Along with Pete Swensson, Elsie and her late husband, Trevor, were instrumental in establishing the original Langley Walk and spent many of the early years of that event working to establish what it is today.
Trevor and Elsie also established the Beggs Hardware store in Aldergrove.
While living on the farm in Huntiingdon as a young girl during the Second World War, she was often out all night watching for planes that may have come into the west coast. Elsie also packed sand bags at the top of Pemberton Hill (Bradner Road) during the big Fraser River flood of 1949.
Elsie is a member of the Alder Grove Heritage Society. She is a two-term president of the Seniors Network in Aldergrove and currently serves as past president. She has served two terms as treasurer on the Creekside Strata Council where she lives.
This explains why her children, Dianne, Myrna and Murray, feel so proud of her, and their dad, Trevor, who both have contributed so much to Aldergrove.
Elsie's 90th birthday will be held at the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre on July 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.
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