Readers reflect on the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, Part Two

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Reminiscing about the 1988 Winter Olympics was a favourite pastime for many years in Calgary. Now, 35 years later, what do people remember about the Games? Here are numerous responses we received via emails, letters, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook on the 35th anniversary of those Olympics.

“An amazing time. The city should be so proud. So much excitement for everyone. Loved it all. Yahoo!” — Maureen Hutchens on Facebook

“What an exhilarating time to live in Calgary! We had visitors from the Bahamas and Holland, had Bahamian, Dutch and Canadian flags in our windows. I worked at Shell who was a sponsor and how sweet that was.” — Suzette Abbott via email

“These were the best Olympics ever . . . It was so much fun to be a part of that.” — Sandra McLay on Facebook

“This was fantastic! Brought back so many memories!” — marilyn.happy1962 on Instagram

“We were at the ski jump . . . It started off cold and by noon, we were in T-shirts.” — Michael Popowich on Facebook

“I recall Eddie the Eagle well. He won over the hearts of Calgarians. As a native Calgarian . . . I recall that all of the world press agents couldn’t get over how mild our weather was. . . They thought they were travelling to the ‘frigid North!’ We even had to make a lot more snow at C.O.P. . . . in order for the ski jumping events to take place. I recall thinking this is a ‘new’ weather scenario for us. So, for me global warming/climate change started way back in 1988 in Calgary.” — corinnematthewslinder on Instagram

“The ‘88 Winter Olympics was truly awesome!! It showed the world what a great city Calgary is in hosting the games onto the International stage!! Great fun was had by all!!” — Sheila Louise on Facebook

“Such fun” — shibby7244 on Instagram

“I was 16 at the time. So much fun at Olympic Plaza meeting all the athletes. Oh the days of youth.” — Lynn Jack-killen on Facebook

“Loved it! Such a joy to have been there!” — anne_sorbie on Instagram

“An amazing time. The city should be so proud. So much excitement for everyone. Loved it all. Yahoo.” — Maureen Hutchens on Facebook

“My friend Alderman Ron Leigh at that time was entertaining a fellow from Finland as Helsinki was the next Olympics. He asked Ron how they trained the people of Alberta to be so friendly. Ron says, ‘That’s the way we are.’ Hope it continues.” — Tom Boucher on Facebook

“What a skate (Elizabeth Manley’s performance) it was!!” — crystolwood on Instagram

“Brian Orser has continued to promote skating to Canadian youth! A true champion!” — lmcfadn on Instagram

“So much fun! Best experience ever as a volunteer!” — Julie Hutchinson on Facebook

“I will never forget the thrill of singing in the 1000-plus member choir at the opening ceremonies. It was definitely worth all the long, freezing cold rehearsals.” — Fran Floen on Facebook

“I was a volunteer at the main press centre and saw the (Jamaican) bobsled turned over on TV. . . I just screamed thinking that they were all going to be beheaded. . .” (Luckily, no one suffered major injuries.) — nakiska74 on Instagram

“Love these Olympic memories.” — londonbarbersyyc on Instagram

“I can hear the ’88 Olympic theme song in my head as I look at these pictures.” — bathtubbikes on Instagram

“Inspiring and extraordinary experience.” — Pete Kelly on Facebook

“I was a volunteer driver in Canmore! A great month of memories!” — Cindy Lisenchuk Simpson on Facebook

“I worked at Woolworths at North Hill Mall at the time. I remember a team of men from I think skiing came to the store and asked me in broken English where the ‘dungarees’ were. I had no idea what those were; I never heard that word before, so I had them draw a picture of what they were looking for. I was 17 and surrounded (by) these handsome foreigners. It was thrilling. They were so polite and thankful for my help.” — Patricia Bezel on Facebook

“It was a great time in Alberta.” — Magaly De la Vega on Facebook

“We drove across the country to be there; wonderful.” — Liz Sharp on Facebook

“I opened a sign company in 1985 . . . The U of C called my company and asked if we would consider tendering an offer . . . Many of those signs are still at McMahon and I was glad to have contributed to those games.” — Don L. via email

“I remember those days as if they were yesterday!”  Karin Baumgardner on Facebook

“I waitressed through the Olympics. Met so many Great people. Made a lot of money too! A Great year!!” — Anne Marie Brogan on Facebook

“I was in Grade 9 in Red Deer. My entire school went to the Olympics. One day for each grade and we wandered around downtown on our own. Can you imagine being able to do that now? We were supposed to go to ski jumping and bobsled that day but it was too windy, so our teacher traded our tickets with a scalper for a Germany/Czech hockey game. Got to see Gordeeava and Grinkov get their medals, and Karen Percy.” — Kari Pruden.

And in response to the above post: “I traded those tickets in the back alley behind the Bay parkade. It was an interesting adventure. Here is a video from back then:  https://youtu.be/6mzXF40359k . . .  Thanks for remembering my great ticket caper. Many students have commented to me over the years what a great experience it was to go to the Olympics in Calgary. For me it was one hi-light of my teaching career.” — Rob Porkka on Facebook

“Aww, the good old days when Calgary was thriving and the atmosphere was so exciting, happy, full of hope and promise. I miss those days and wish Calgary was even somewhat like that now.” — Janet McCallum on Facebook

“I was a nurse volunteer at the Olympic Village on the U of C campus and met many terrific athletes. I’ll never forget that time.” — Claudette Westerbeek on Facebook

“Fabulous experience. Doesn’t seem that long ago, how time flies.” — Ann Birch on Facebook

“So much fun!! I lived in Calgary at the time the city was buzzing with excitement!” — Mary-Ann McDonald

“Remember that day like it was yesterday. Cold on opening day, then got really warm. T-shirt weather. Such good memories collecting pins.” — Sharon Roberts

“And don’t forget the theme, The Spirit Sings exhibition. Still have my book and poster.” — Suzette Abbott on Facebook

“Yes, and the literary festival that happened along side the Games was awesome. I remember. I was there.” — Bob Stallworthy on Facebook

“I was one of the volunteers at McMahon Stadium that day (the closing ceremonies.) Surreal.” — cainmmcons on Instagram

“I was there. I will never forget that day (the closing ceremonies.)” — lisa_antonia on Instagram

“Best family experience!!! We all volunteered.” — Robbie Temple on Facebook

“I wish we could do this again. Especially before the next generation of oldies expire. These young people today have to see and experience the free spirit of sportsmanship and how the extreme volunteerism brought Calgary and the world together.” — Rosie Decnodder on Facebook

“It was the City of Calgary showing the world what all the people did to bring the Olympics to Calgary and all the great volunteers to pull it off. It’s just a shame that all levels of government from civic to provincial to federal that won’t keep all the venues, the Saddledome, COP bobsled and luge in operating condition and waste all our tax dollars on meaningless projects. As a born and proud Calgarian, it’s quite shameful indeed.” — Terence Pfeifer

“Oh what a thrill it was to be in the opening ceremony!! Still have my costume and everything to go with! What a great memory thanks for sharing!!” — Rhonda Taylor on Facebook

“I lived in Canmore at the time and they brought the torch to the opening ceremonies at the Nordic Center. We all stood out there waiting to watch it pass in the cold for a really long time.” — Cindy Carr Robison

“I was a volunteer for the ’88 Olympics and to this day think it was one of the best things I ever did.” — Winn Clark on Facebook

“We were there. . . Loved the square dancers!” — Beverley Farkas on Facebook

“I still have all 10 days worth of Calgary Herald newspapers (complete). It’s amazing to look through them once in a while and remember the world back then.” — Doris Gregor on Facebook

“I have great memories of skating in the closing ceremonies.” — Rhonda Dernichuk on Facebook

“We were also there, with a huge involvement in the Games! Sad to see the flame go out! Those little candles were spectacular….Best memories for me.” — Jan Joynt on Facebook

“I have memories of the watching the Olympics when I was three years old and fell in love with figure skating and watching Elizabeth Manley.” — Tiffany Fuhr on Facebook

“My husband trained for two years with the Olympic ski patrol and we billeted another patroller as they both volunteered at Nakiska during the Olympics. So many friends and companies worked together. Incredibly disappointed that today’s Calgarians could not see the future potential of hosting another Games and its investment in our city, tourism, and sports facilities.” — Lynn Ferguson

“What a blast it was! I went to as many events as possible! An incredible experience.” — Raye Weber on Facebook

“We had a blast!! International 16-day party!!” — Marg Taylor on Facebook

“It was wonderful. We were there.” — Richard O’reilly on Facebook

“I wasn’t here but it’s what first got me interested in Calgary.” — Peter Loverig on Facebook

“Remember it like it was yesterday. So exciting. Olympic Plaza, tower lit every night, trucking in snow cause we were having a chinook.” — Janice Costello Kellogg on Facebook

“Still the best winter Olympics ever. I keep saying they should’ve just made Calgary the permanent site for the Winter Olympics.” — Jacques Huckson on Facebook.

“So amazing and so many beautiful people were so kind to each other!” — Ruth Loughlin

“A magical time!” — Bonnie Grant on Facebook

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To read more about the 1988 Winter Olympics, check out the following and scroll to the bottom of any of these posts to share your memories and join the conversation in the “Comments” section.

Test your Calgary Olympic IQ: 20 Questions — Let us know how you do!

35 Unforgettable Photos from 35 Years Ago: Calgary Welcomed the World to the 1988 Winter Olympics

35 years later, Calgary’s Winter Olympics legacy lives on but is starting to show its age

Ken Read: The legacy of the ’88 Games — How Calgary and region can elevate sport to benefit all

Video: Calgary now and then — 35 years ago in Stampede city

Video: Choir serenades Central Library crowd with Olympics-themed show

Readers reflect on the Calgary Winter Olympics, 35 years later

Readers reflect on the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, Part Two

Olympic Rewind Day One: Successes and secrets of Calgary’s 1988 Winter Olympics

Olympic Rewind Day Two: A Finn flies, Jansen falls and Eddie soars — ‘Now I’m an Olympian’

Olympic Rewind Day Three: Let the pin trading begin

Olympic Rewind Day Four: Scalpers say business is up while sex workers see a slowdown

Olympic Rewind Day Five: Games become the biggest bash in city’s history

Olympic Rewind Day Six: Luge crowds grow; Orser sparkles; men’s hockey disappoints

Olympic Rewind Day Seven: Canada gets its first medal

Olympic Rewind Day Eight: Battle of the Brians

Olympic Rewind Day Nine: Golf Course opens during Calgary’s ‘Winter’ Olympics

Olympic Rewind Day 10: Another precious medal for Percy

Olympie Rewind Day 11: A medal haul for Canadian speedsters, fliers and gliders

Olympic Rewind Day 12: Soviets crush Canadians’ golden dreams

Olympic Rewind Day 13: Controversial judging, disqualified Canadians and a tragic skiing accident

Olympic Rewind Day 14: Games spirit shines brightly

Olympic Rewind Day 15: The Manley miracle on ice

Olympic Rewind Day 16: Thousands of Calgarians can say, ‘I helped. I was part of it.’

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