Opa Tales

We look back and reflect on the past for Albert. Almost 90 years of life and experiences.

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In this episode, Albert recalls childhood home, the secret room of "goodies" during the war. Many trips to Tillsonburg leads to moving to Tillsonburg.

In this episode we revisit brother Theo's death as well as visit to Belgium to see the War Cemetaries and Flanders Field. We also revisit eye problems that started abroad, but resulted in different doctors and procedures ending with success with Dr. Louie in Woodstock.

In this episode we recall visiting Mink farm and getting brother Jo's tapes. We also recall meeting Charles Dickens and how a Walnut Tree leads to meeting Captain Pettinger.

In this episode, Fun, Tilly, Johan and Marie make a surprise visit to Canada. Bird Feeder sales take off and the assembly line begins. Albert and John visit Holland were they go to Groesbeck Cemetery. Fun and Albert revisited Asten Seminar and it brings back memories.

In this episode, Albert & Hanny's first Vacation. The first Christmas with the Solis family. More vacations.

In this episode Opa revisits Elora Gorge visiting how John's job at Cashway leads to a live long friendship with the Nicholsons.

In this episode we talk about Albert's introduction to Woodshows. We learn about the ways that Albert acquired his table saws and annual visits to the Woodstock Woodshow with Dave Long.

In this episode Tamara is homesick at University. We also reminiscent about times with Johan and Marie Vloet. We also remember the first Christmas with Tamara, her husband and the In-laws and the first meeting of the future father of three Grandchildren.

In this episode, Albert talks about difficulty with King Church Motors construction and old dump. The start of Deville Produce Market and finally the health issues and passing of the rest of Alberts siblings.

In this episode construction on a cabin in Lake Scugog leads interesting experiences with cops and Trader Joe. We also revisit memories of Headmaster Schols and meeting again decades later.

In 1983, Albert had visitors from Holland and revisited Holland to see Groesbeck Cemetery. Sonja marries Doug and Albert's first grandchild is born.

In this episode visits by Theo & Annie and Harry & Mien to Canada and sightseeing to some of the many interesting things Canada has to Offer. 25th Wedding Anniversary and Tam's 16th Birthday celebration.

In this episode, we return from our first visit to Holland and learn Sonya has eloped. More demolition leads to meeting interesting people and Jeremiah the Crow; Remember Terry Fox running past the house and debts final catch up and Bankruptcy is necessary.

In this podcast we reminisce about bidding on the demolition for the Pickering Airport and enjoying the multi-national festivals in the area. An unexpected sudden demolition prevents the move of an historic mansion and the first trip back home in 24 years brings back fond memories.

In this episode we pickup after a few weeks off due to Covid-19 lockdown. We talk about using the kids as collateral for restaurant bill and review the dogs through the years

In this episode we talk about moving into the Dundas Street residence and all the work done around the house and property to make it ideal for Albert's demolition work. We review some interesting findings during some of the demolition work that was done.

In this episode, we hear about Charley Santos and how meeting him leads to Mercedes, fancy restaurants and help moving from the Brooklyn residence to a "fixer upper" on Dundas street in Whitby.

In this episode a visit to Cullen Gardens and Honest Ed's restaurants. Opa starts learning how to lay bricks and getting into the demolition game. Some unexpected surprises are found while doing demolitions and making some fire wood ends up with a trip to the emergency room.

In this episodes, we talk about memories of "losing" John, brother Theo visits Canada for the first time; with trips to the Falls, up North and the CN Tower.

In this episode we hear about Snowball the Cat, Complaints about Truck parking lead to a move to Brooklyn where the animals in the family continue to grow.

In this episode, Albert leaves Dunlop to pursue his own business in Trucking. Starting as a single truck, growing into a fleet of 5 and ultimately the end of the trucking business.

In this episode, John is born and having a son is different than the two girls. Childhood memories of the children and reviewed and some comparisons to Opa's own childhood and family are made.

After a bit of a break due to Covid-19 restrictions we are back. Albert learns the ins and outs of body work and car painting, briefly has a dog Houdini and a leaky tap repair becomes an unexpected task.

In this episode, Albert and family need to leave their Byron Street home and return to their wedding day apartment. Tough financial times lead to some "odd" jobs, and tragedy as Sonya is diagnosed with Tuberculosis and is required to be sent away for treatment.

In this episode, Mom & Dad Verhaegh visit, helping with renovations on Byron Street home and trips to Niagara Falls and Algonquin Park. Silver the dog is welcomed to the family for a brief but loving time.

In this episode, first child (Sonya) is born. As the family gets bigger, new accommodations are purchased on Byron Street along with alot of renovations.

In this episode, we talk about the Wedding Day, Honeymoon in Kingston and spending time at Fairport Beach.

In this episode, Albert moves to Keele St. Apartments where Caspar & Agnes are living to be closer to Hanny. A upgrade is made in automobiles and weddings are in the air. This results in a "proposal" with Hanny and preparations for the wedding.

In this episode, we are entering 1956, with tales of Wilbert & Bertha, a date ends in some mud slinging, a table saw is contested and Leo's Birthday party results in biggest change in Albert's life.

Sept 1955, GM Strike leads Opa to New Home electrical work and then Dunlop. Here he meets new roommate and gets his first car, which quickly leads to his second car.

In this episode, Albert arrives for work in Oshawa, working on the GM Assembly line, Whitby move, Learning Euchre and finally leaving GM as Strike looms.

In this episode, Albert arrives in Toronto with no money and no home and navigates his way through some tough times with the generosity of a couple of strangers.

In this episode, Opa is of the Sudbury to look for opportunity in the mining town but timing is not good. Different Boarding houses and different jobs and French Canadian hospitality.

In this episode, we have landed in Canada. Stop off in Winnipeg and then train ride to the North to Fort Churchill. We talk about life in Fort Churchill and the first few months in Canada.

In this episode we hear about High Class dining at the Silver Seepaerd, "Fishing" with a Horse & Carriage and travelling from Holland to Canada aboard the Zuijder Kruis.

In this episode, we talk about Opa's friendship with Fun, some more flirtation with the fairer sex and missing curfew.

In this episode we review some more stores from late teens and early twenties at home. Helping out with washroom smells. Albert gets into Bicycle Racing and the girlfriends that follow along with an Eel Heist and the events that lead up to departure to Canada.

In this episode we pick up with first jobs post seminary. From paying to work, to different jobs including Radio Installations, Convent Laundry work and Rotterdam Ship work. We also hear a little more of the escapades as a kid with Wiel.

In this episode we pickup from the British troops entering the town for liberation from the Germans. Albert continues his education in the Seminary and with the help of Bep, finds his true calling.

On this podcast we hear more stores of childhood and the teen years. Wiel and Opa's adventures on the river, near the cows, in the chicken coop. Liberation comes and the British Troops arrive in town.

On this podcast we hear more stores of childhood and the teen years. What it was like during the war and the different adventures Opa got into with Wiel.

On this podcast we hear some details of early childhood. Games and children in the neighbourhood, early anatomy lessons and weekly confessionals.

On this podcast we hear some details on what discipline was like in school. We also hear how a visit from Saint Nicholas almost resulted in a Burlap Bag Abduction to Spain and how Dad's Six Sense likely prevent some serious injury.

On this podcast, we hear about brother Jozef (Josephus) and some childhood exploits involving Weeding, making Birch Tree Wine and playing "wingman" to Wiel Bardoel.

On this podcast we spend some more time talking about Jo and more of his life and hardships. We hear about the power of the Priest and the fondness of chess and the special spot "the rings" hold in Opa's heart

On this podcast we meet Opa's two older brothers Jo (Johannes) , Harry (Henricus). We hear about their lives and how an high school friends became enemies and how a return from the army lead to paying someone to sit on a chair.

On this podcast we meet Opa's two older sisters, Ria (Maria) and Anny (Johanna). We hear about their lives and how a secret pack of cigarettes and a missed loaf of bread leads to love.

On this podcast we delve a little into Opa's paternal family. We learn about his father's side, with a few stories that include fond memories of a chair, smoking bush and bull watching. We also hear of one of the scariest moments in Opa's life.

We talk through Opa's mother's family, with details on his Uncle Gradus and early meeting with Opa's father. Visits back to Holland to meet with family as an adult. We also review the day "forbidden" book and the day of Opa's mothers death. All which start the early desires to leave Holland and start life away from home. Note: Book was "De mijn by Emile Zola.