How long have you lived in Bridgeland-Riverside?
My husband Gino and I have been living in Bridgeland since 2023, when we built a new home here. We previously lived in Bridgeland 53 years ago from 1972 to 1976.
How did you get involved in volunteering in our community?
I became interested in volunteering on the BRCA Heritage committee because of the history of Gino’s family in Bridgeland. Gino and his family settled in Bridgeland after immigrating to Canada from Italy in 1963. Gino and I built our current home on the land where he and his family lived from 1963 to 1973. My history in Bridgeland began in 1972 after Gino and I were married and moved into the community. Our first son, Domenico, was born here in 1974. My teaching career kept bringing me back to Bridgeland, and I ended up teaching at four schools here. They were Riverside School, Riverside Bungalow, Bridgeland School, and St. Angela.
What kind of volunteer activities have you done?
My first volunteer experience with the Bridgeland Community Association was to help with the ceremony for the official naming of Normie Kwong Park. This experience sparked my interest in telling the stories of sports heroes in Bridgeland.
What ideas do you have for volunteering in the future?
The focus for my volunteer work on the Heritage Committee will be to continue recording the histories of the schools in Bridgeland. I will also have another focus, and that will be to record the stories of Bridgeland Sports Heroes, athletes past and present who have achieved excellence in their chosen sport. I hope to profile them in future newsletters.
What do you like most about volunteering for the Bridgeland-Riverside?
Volunteering in Bridgeland has allowed me to meet so many wonderful and interesting people in our community. I enjoy hearing their stories of living in this special and unique community.
What is a hidden gem in Bridgeland-Riverside that you have discovered?
A hidden gem among many that I have discovered in Bridgeland is the CNIB Fragrant Garden. It is absolutely beautiful, and I love going there whenever I can.
I look forward to hearing more stories and learning more about athletes and schools in Bridgeland. If you have any information to share on these topics, please email me at [email protected].
Volunteer Janet Pittis, with her husband Gino and son Domenic
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