[BCMA] For Immediate Release

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

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Summary of Press Release

Who: Port Moody Station Museum – 604-939-1648

What: Ninety-Six Year Old Volunteer Recognized as Driving Force Behind Local
Event

When: September 2011

Where: Ioco Rd. & 1st Ave., Port Moody

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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



*Ninety-Six Year Old Volunteer Recognized as Driving Force Behind Local
Event*



*PORT MOODY, BC September 2011 –* This October marks the 10th anniversary of
Ioco Ghost Town Days. The event was begun in celebration of the
establishment of the former Ioco town site as a designated heritage area.  And
helping to make all of this happen was one ninety-six year old woman.



Mary Anne Cooper isn’t from Ioco, but you wouldn’t know it to hear her talk.
Over the last fifteen years, she has made it her mission to preserve the
town’s rich history. Having been a professional in conservation education
and living near the former Ioco town, Mary Anne could not stand idly by as
the town’s buildings were threatened to be demolished. Mary Anne was one of
a group of locals who worked tirelessly to get the City of Port Moody to
designate the area a heritage site. Despite being considered impossible by
most, in 2002 the City passed a by law protecting the site.  In celebration
of this event, Ioco Ghost Town Days was born.



Ioco Ghost Town Days is a free family event where locals can come together
for good old fashioned fun while learning about the heritage of the former
Ioco town. In spite of her growing age, Mary Anne helped lead a group of
volunteers to continue to put on the event for eight years. Over those
years, Ioco Ghost Town Days has had numerous performers and various
activities. According to Cooper, “My favourite activity was always the skit.
Locals would get together and play characters from Ioco’s past. This was how
we told the importance of Ioco’s history to the people who came.”



Last year, Mary Anne decided to pass the torch to the Port Moody Heritage
Society. This year, Heritage Society has organized a two day event on
October 1st and 2nd. On October 1st Ioco residents will reunite at the old
lawn bowling green. On October 2nd, the big show will return with ten
different performing acts, tours of the town in antique cars, artisan
displays, pony rides, kids’ crafts and much more. Keeping in the tradition
of celebrating local heritage and with a spirit of community, the event is
free to everyone.



Rebecca Clarke, representative for the Heritage Society says, “It has been
amazing working with Mary Anne. I have never met someone so dedicated to
their cause and committed to making it fun at the same time. It is an honour
to work with someone who has witnessed over ninety years of history first
hand and is still making history every day.”



But Mary Anne is not finished. She still works with the Ioco Days event in
an advisory capacity but not being the primary coordinator allows her more
time to follow her passion - advocating for the preservation of Ioco. She
dreams of making the site a place full of life where people can come
together to learn. Thanks to her work in preserving Ioco’s heritage, Mary
Anne has been nominated for the 2011 Ruby Nobbs Achievement Award offered by
the Heritage Society of BC.



For more information about Ioco Ghost Town Days visit
www.portmoodymuseum.org.

Contact: Rebecca Clarke, Museum Coordinator

Port Moody Station Museum

Tel: 604-939-1648

Email: rebecca at portmoodymuseum.org
www.portmoodymuseum.org
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*
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*Rebecca Clarke, Museum Coordinator*

Port Moody Station Museum
2734 Murray St.
Port Moody, BC V3H 1X2
604-939-1648
www.portmoodymuseum.org
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