The Vrooms of the Foothills: Adventures of My Childhood

Bessie Vroom Ellis published her first book,THE VROOMS OF THE FOOTHILLS Adventures of My Childhood in 2003. It is the story of her happy, adventurous childhood on her parents' ranch in the foothills of southwestern Alberta. Bessie attended one-room country schools for her elementarygrades, riding on horseback for a round trip of nearly nine miles eachday. She graduated from Pincher Creek High School and attended CalgaryNormal School. Bessie taught in a country school near Drumheller, AB,and at Waterton Park School. In Waterton, she met and married a localresident, George Annand Jr. They raised a family of four children,Edith, Evelyn, David and James. During her more than 20 years inWaterton Park, Bessie wrote feature articles and the column "WonderfulWaterton" for The Lethbridge Herald. She also contributed news items toCJOC Radio and CJLH-TV in Lethbridge, and to The Calgary Herald, CalgaryAlbertan, and the Hungry Horse News of Columbia Falls, Montana. She was active in the Girl Guides of Canada and the Anglican Church. After 15 years at home, Bessie returned to her teaching career. She updated her qualifications, through night extension classes, Summer School and day classes. Bessie was awarded a Bachelor of Education degree by the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Education degree by University of Alberta. She then taught in Lethbridge. After her remarriage in 1975, Bessie moved to Regina, SK, and taught there for another 15 years, for a total of over 29 years of service in the teaching profession. At the University of Regina, she earned a post-graduate Diploma in Educational Administration. During her years in Regina, Bessie travelled extensively in Canada, Europe, Mexico, and the United States. She was active in politics, running for political office herself, andthen working to promote the election of more women at the provincial and federal levels. In the early 1980s the Saskatchewan New DemocraticWomen (SNDW) established a fund, Bessie Ellis Fund, which assists womenrunning for nomination. In 1992 Bessie was awarded the CommemorativeMedal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, 1867 - 1992, "in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots,community and to Canada." Upon retirement, Bessie returned to herwriting. The author is currently writing a second book in the seriesentitled THE VROOMS OF THE FOOTHILLS: Pioneer Adventurers.