Walk-a-Mile returns in person

By Lori Larsen

The Camrose Women’s Shelter Society (CWSS) is excited to once again be offering Camrose and area citizens, specifically men, an opportunity to “walka-mile” in high heeled red shoes as part of the international Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event to raise awareness on the longstanding effects of violence on women and children and of gender-based violence.

This year the Shelter will be providing a hybrid option for those wishing to participate in this important event.

Participants can chose to walk in the Kick’N Country Parade being held on Thursday, July 28 10:30 a.m., or similar to 2020s very successful event, participants can participate virtually by sending in a photo/video of the participant(s) doing their own version of walking/riding/lifting weights or other fun choices, in red shoes, to CWSS that will be shared with the community on Facebook and Instagram.

“CWSS wants to build awareness of the increasing need for shelter accommodations and services since the removal of COVID-19 restrictions,” explained CWSS executive director Nora-Lee Rear.

“From early 2017 to March 2020, CWSS has been at full capacity as far as services it was able to provide. CWSS could easily be back to meeting this demand soon, based on current trends.”

Grateful for all the community support CWSS has and continues to receive and while this is one of the organization’s largest fundraisers, more importantly organizers encourage participants to come out (or send in videos) and walk side by side with others showing solidarity for victims of women and children and gender-based violence.

“We are happy with any amount of recruited walkers and want the walkers to enjoy the experience and

have fun this year.”

All proceeds raised from the Walk A Mile (Camrose) event will benefit the Camrose Women’s Shelter by supporting the continuance of the Shelter and the services and programs offered.

For anyone interested in participating in either options for the event contact the Camrose Women’s Shelter at admin@camrosewomenshelter.org or by telephone at 780-679-4975, extension 8.

Red shoes will be provided and participants can arrange to have their feet sized at Sole City Shoes.

For those participating in the Kick’N Country Parade walk, the CWSS will be hosting a staging area in the parking lot of Aarons Furniture (2-5000 -51 Ave).

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

Showing their support for the Camrose Women’s Shelter Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event taking place during the Kick’N Country Parade (or virtually) by donning a pair of the symbolic red high heeled shoes, are left to right Trevor Vinet, Camrose Women’s Shelter executive director NoraLee Rear and Kodiaks player Cooper Sharp.

Museum donation of indigenous artifact

By Lori Larsen

If it is true that history repeats itself, then it is for sure the case with former Camrose area resident Ray Williams, who recently paid a visit to the Camrose and District Centennial Museum to see if an artifact he had donated 64 years earlier was still part of the museum collection.

Ray’s story was originally featured in a news article 64 years ago, and with the past being repeated, is once again the topic of headlines.

Ray grew up on a farm approximately three and a half miles north east of Camrose and in 1958 found a rock on the family farm while helping his father Martin Mereck.

Even at the young age of 10, Ray thought this rock was special, and in fact thought it might be an indigenous artifact.

He decided to donate the rock to the Camrose Historical Society.

“The museum wasn’t open until 1967 but it eventually found its way into our collection,” said City of Camrose Museum coordinator Jayda Calon.

“He was quite excited that we had it and tracked it down for him.”

The rock will continue to take up a special place at the museum along with

other precious items that have been donated, researched, catalogued and displayed or secured by museum staff and volunteers. “These donations are vital to our collection as they each hold such unique stories like this one,” commented Calon. “These stories are what hold the museum institution together, as they write the past and path to our present day understanding and discovery.”

The museum is a place where the community’s past and the rich history of this area is carefully and thoughtfully preserved for the benefit of visitors today and in the future.

The Museum is filled with beautifully displayed artifacts and items that signify important moments in history but also the lives of everyday people from the past.

“With these artifacts we can fill in parts of Camrose’s past and become familiar with the local people who once possessed these items,” continued Calon.

“With these graciously donated items we can build narratives that make connections to one another and create different histories. In the case of Rays’ rock, this is just another example of coming full circle to create a new piece of history.”

The staff and volunteers at the museum welcome donations, but ask that all donations be arranged through staff so items can be carefully examined and determined if the Camrose museum is the right fit.

A visit to the museum is well worth the time spent and a great way to spend time with family or friends gazing through the invisible looking glass into the past.

The museum is located at 4522-53 Sreet, Camrose and summer hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

For more information on the museum, visit the City of Camrose website at www.camrose.ca/en/ living-here/camrose-anddistrict-museum.aspx or telephone 780-672-3298.

Submitted

Ray Williams hangs onto the rock he donated to the Camrose Historical Society in 1985 which was then passed onto Camrose and District Centennial Museum.

The automotive section of

Gochko enjoys the Longhorn truck box

By Murray Green

Dale Gochko owns a 1972 GMC Longhorn truck.

“I like the extra long eight and a half foot box. I put the truck back together the way it was after going through it. The colour is the same as GMC had when it came out of the factory,” said Dale. “I tried to keep it original, the way it was intended to be,” explained Dale.

Chevrolet and GMC are trucks that share many similarities when it comes to the drivetrain and the overall appearance.

“I put new wood in the box. It is now oak wood and I stained it to match the same colour as the paint, as close as we could get. The truck still has the original seat, tilt power steering and power brakes. That is about all of the options that were on it.”

The C/K was Chevrolet and GMC’s full-size pickup truck line from October 1959 until 2000 in the United States and Canada. The C indicated two-wheel drive and K indicated fourwheel drive.

“It was hard to find some of the parts. I had to dig deep in a lot of corners. There a lot of these trucks still on the road. The hard part is finding the hub caps for the three-quarter ton, because over the years people put different wheels

LONGHORN SPECIAL

Murray Green, Camrose Booster

Dale Gochko likes cruising in his 1972 GMC Longhorn not only to car shows, but anywhere he can drive it. Longhorns were built with eight-and-a-half foot boxes to carry longer loads.

and rims on and the hub caps were crushed,” shared Dale.

The trim levels were rearranged on GMCs, with the Custom now being the lowest level (the Deluxe being dropped) and the

FUN FACTS

The 1972 models were very similar to the 1971 models, with the only change being the rear view mirror was glued to the windshield rather than bolted to top of the cab, and metal or vinyl-covered flat door panels were no longer available; all trim level door panels were molded plastic with integral armrests and wood grain inserts on Cheyenne and Sierra trim levels. Internal differences include a new door panel design and the addition of a strengthening screw on the inside of the door below the vent window division bar.

Chevrolet and GMC still have their fair share of differences. Two-wheel-drive, long-box trucks are the easiest examples to find these days as they were produced in the greatest quantities. Four-wheel-drive pickups are considerably rarer, especially short-wheelbase half-tons. In the case of the Blazer, four-wheel drives are the norm and two-wheel-drive Blazers, introduced in 1970, are unusual.

For restoration, it should also be noted that the door and window cranks were slightly longer due to the molded plastic door panels, and the vent windows were now secured with a single screw on the inside of the door, thus differentiating it from the 1971 model year. Sierra and Sierra Grande becoming separate trim levels at the top of the lineup rather than option packages as before.

“The truck is about 98 percent stock. It has a 350 engine with a 700R transmission, so I can get some speed out of it. I found this vehicle out in Duffield. It was in a quonset with the original camper on it. I took off the camper as soon as I got it home because it wasn’t going to be used anymore,” added Dale.

In 1971, the front brakes on all light-duty trucks were switched from drum brakes to disc brakes, resulting in much less brake fade under heavy use. That continued into 1972.

“I’m a truck guy, just like trucks. I like the way they handle and I was raised on trucks. I’m not comfortable in a car, I have to drive trucks. I also drive truck for a living too,” said Dale.

“I love this body style, the lines of this truck. This is the last year of this style before going with the square body. I drive it everywhere I go. I wanted this truck to drive and I’ve been to Saskatoon and across Alberta with it. I enjoy going down the road with it and people waving because they appreciate the old trucks. I go to car shows, and people want to talk about the Longhorn because there are not too many left.”

He took a few leaf springs out to give it a smoother ride.

Are you the owner of Collector Auto, Auto Memories or Auto Memorabilia?

If you have a vintage ride (rebuilt or original), if you’re in the midst of a restoration, or if you’re building a “rat” or a street rod, we’d like to hear from you. We may want to profile your project. Likewise, if you own vintage automotive tools, old diagnostic equipment or other tools or techniques of the trade, please contact us. We’re eager to write and report on these kinds of topics. And, our readers want to see what interests you! Contact Murray Green, News Reporter