Canada 150: Celebration of Our Nation

July 5, 2017 Year 6, Issue 43

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A celebration of our nation

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We are honoured to have covered southern alberta since 2011 and look forward to many years of continued service to the community

We are proudly canadian!

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Shootin’ the Breeze

July 5, 2017

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

My Little

CORNER

By Shannon Robison Momentum built all year as Canadians prepared to celebrate the 150th birthday of our country.

Local events and festivities were plentiful and infused with a noticeable sense of excitement as people came together with a renewed feeling of patriotism.

I flip-flopped several times when choosing which week was best suited to publishing our Canada 150 special section — before or after the big day.

Offering it in advance allowed additional event promotion but, in the end, it felt right to wait so the moments of Canada Day could be included.

I’m thrilled with the number of people who took time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) to share their thoughts, experiences and photos in this keepsake issue.

If you were interested but didn’t get things together before the deadline, I’ll let you in on a little secret.

Because we received more content than could be crammed into 32 pages, we’ve committed to producing an expanded version of our Canada 150 section.

I’m anticipating it will be about 60 pages and it will be available only online. It can be viewed from the Shootin’ the Breeze website or downloaded as a PDF file.

The response to sharing submissions has been wonderful, especially when a call was put out for photos from across the country. It was tough to choose which ones to use in print, but all will be

An editorial column

by Shannon Robison included in the expanded version.

The goal is to have it available by July 15. This means you still have a week to go through your photos, scrapbooks and think about stories you could share.

We have wonders and amazing beauty in our Alberta backyard that come to life when we see them through someone else’s eyes.

Submitted photos of travels to other provinces show this same beauty exists nationwide and it’s good to be reminded of that.

If you’re interested in contributing, please send an email my way — shannon@shootinthebreeze.ca.

It will be great fun to play with unlimited space.

Our crew were out in full force this weekend capturing as many moments as possible. Tyler Ryan was in Cowley, Brenda Shenton and Auralea Boldt were in Pincher Creek, Lois Johnston covered Hill Spring, Erin Fairhurst and I were in Crowsnest Pass and Arianna Korbett also lent a hand in Pincher Creek.

Just imagine how many photos there are to go through!

It was a weekend of great fun and I can honestly say that I didn’t come across anyone having a bad time.

As we catch our breath and things get back to “normal,” let yourself remember the sense of pride felt while singing O Canada on July 1st — let it grow in your heart and in your community.

The party may be over, but we can always be proud to be Canadian.

Canada Day was breezy on Parliament Hill Michelle Dobek-Koinberg and her husband, Doug, spent Canada Day in Ottawa with grandsons Justice, left, and Kayden. The photo was taken behind the Supreme Court of Canada. What a great way to celebrate our country!

Photo courtesy of Michelle Dobek-Koinberg

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July 5, 2017

Shootin’ the Breeze

Canadian abroad

By Arianna Korbett As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday, many Canadians are reflecting on what makes them a Canadian and taking the time to be proud of their country. Myself included. However, I am reflecting on a new sense of pride that I did not have until I actually left Canada for a year.

In 2014 I boarded a plane and moved to Zagreb, Croatia, as a Rotary exchange student. I observed the Croatian culture, partaking in holidays and festivities, attending a tourism high school, and my absolute favourite: going for coffee at one of their many coffee shops.

I learned basic Croatian, which was extremely hard. I tried different foods, such as patke i mlince, sarma, cevapi, and a strong brandy used in socializing called rakija. I befriended my schoolmates and adjusted to living in strangers’ homes and adopting them as my host families.

Before I left for Croatia, I was under the impression that I would be completely adopting another culture and putting my Canadian lifestyle aside. But, after my first month in Zagreb, when the excitement of a new life wore off, I began to realize that I was also there to introduce my culture to other people.

Sharing your own culture with people gives you a very strong sense of pride. I would share stories and details of the area I came from in Canada, like the Rockies and the prairies and cowboys. My friends were in awe of the deer that would eat the crab apples from my neighbour’s yard.

I described the taste of poutine, but unfortunately never had the chance to host the poutine party I had planned. The maple syrup I gave my host families disappeared in weeks, as well as the DavidsTea “Oh Canada” flavour. My second host mom called me in a panic after I returned to Canada because her friend had thrown out the maple syrup, thinking the sugar crystals on top meant it had spoiled.

I sported my Canada flag on every trip I took, even dressed as a “Canadian” with footsie pyjamas and the flag for Karnaval in February. Anytime I saw another person wearing a Canada flag on their luggage or speaking of Canada, I grew excited and talked with them of all the things we missed from back home.

Not only did I talk of the food and the scenery, but I also began to appreciate the Canadian lifestyle and all the things I took for granted. Such as our government and legal system.

I know, talking of politics is contro-

versial, but Croatia’s government had such corruption and it really showed in the way the country functioned.

The mayor of Zagreb was arrested on corruption charges within my first couple of months there. Many people are homeless and the transition from communism to capitalism within the last 20 years left many places vacant and many people on the streets without a job or a home. Homelessness exists in Canada, but not to that extent.

Also, although Croatia had very good customer service, they could be very blunt and I began to miss the politeness of Canadians.

I missed seeing the Rockies out my window, missed Kraft Dinner and not having to eat cabbage everyday.

I missed the real thick and fluffy snow-globe snow. I missed my family and friends and dog, but most of all I missed being in Canada.

We are so fortunate to live in this country. We have freedoms and rights and a government that does care about the people and tries to make the country a better place for everyone.

We have universal health care, which gives everyone the right to a healthy life or a cure.

We have multiple ethnicities in our country, introducing their own foods, languages and cultures, and for the most part Canada accepts them.

We are allowed to make a successful living, and we are allowed to do that in one of the most breathtaking and diverse cultures in the world.

People I met from all over the world have told me that one day they hope to visit Canada or return.

We are also recognized around the world as being some of the nicest people and the most welcoming. Yeah, we have silly stereotypes of living in igloos and riding moose or polar bears to school, but it could be worse.

Our country comes together to help other people and countries in times of war, natural disasters or refugee crises. Canada was even there to help out Croatia during its war 20 years ago.

Our country also gives us the opportunity to travel the world and explore, and welcomes us back with open arms.

I consider Croatia my second home. I miss the country, the people and “family” I have left behind, and the life I made for myself there. I left a part of my heart there.

And as much as I yearn to return to see everyone, sit in my coffee shop with my friends and eat those delicious cakes again, there is no other country I would rather be a part of.

And that is my Canada.

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Closed Fridays through July and August 13143 - 20th Avenue Arianna Korbett proudly displays a Canadian flag while on her Rotary exchange in Zagreb, Croatia.

Photo courtesy of Arianna Korbett

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Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

July 5, 2017

Foothills 150 medals presented to best and brightest

By Tyler Ryan Last Wednesday, scores of people who are recognized as pillars in their communities were awarded with the Foothills Canada 150 Medal.

The awards were presented by John Barlow, Foothills MP, at the Highwood Memorial Centre in High River.

Mr. Barlow congratulated all of the winners of the award, saying their “efforts, work ethic, volunteerism and activism is

Dan Crawford

Dan has donated numerous hours and days to his community of Pincher Creek. Dan is the president of his local Rotary club and is also a team player, working with the food bank and taking time to care for community gardens.

Dan is also heavily involved with the youth in his area, helping young entrepreneurs realize their potential and contributions to their communities.

what makes Canada the great place that it is today.”

There were an overwhelming number of nominations and Mr. Barlow said it was difficult to reduce the shortlist to the top 150.

When the list was finally narrowed down to the recipients, Mr. Barlow personally called the them and was astounded by how many people couldn’t believe that they had been selected.

“So many people said, ‘No way, it can’t be me,’ ” Mr. Barlow told

Frederick Bradley

Fred has made a huge impact on the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, not only during his time as an elected official, but as a volunteer, organizer and visionary. Fred is a very proud Canadian and is very proud of Crowsnest Pass and voices this at every opportunity.

He is especially passionate about the unique heritage of our area and has successfully brought the Crowsnest Historical Society from potentially closing its doors to becoming an icon. He was instrumental in the Alberta Provincial Police Barracks restoration and interpretive project, which he worked on for 15 years and which finally came to completion for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

the crowd. “So many people were humble about winning.”

The award was given to people who play an integral role in shaping their communities in a positive way.

From Pincher Creek, there were 10 winners. Three more individuals from Waterton and seven from Crowsnest Pass were also recognized for their efforts in the community.

John Clarke

John is heavily involved in organization and training for the BearSmart program in Crowsnest Pass. He is also an organizer for the annual trail cleanup in the Pass.

John is a local celebrity who uses his fame to show children and adults alike how to be safe and smart in the outdoors.

His love of the outdoors and his profound respect for both humans and animals makes him someone that we can all learn from.

Brian Reeves

Brian is an archeologist who has played a significant role in many projects around our area. He is a strong advocate for southern Alberta — more specifically, though, Waterton.

Brian is a member of the ID council in Waterton and uses his expertise to make sure Waterton’s beauty and uniqueness are preserved. At the moment he is also overseeing the review of the Province of Alberta’s archives.

Lynn Brasnett

Lynn is a backbone of Pincher Creek. She is a volunteer firefighter, a member of the Rotary club, an EMT and an owner of two businesses, and she gives selflessly of her time and items for various community events.

If there is something going on in Pincher Creek, Lynn will usually be very much involved making it happen.

Marie Everts and Sam Schofield

Daryl Ferguson

Daryl is one of the ultimate promoters of Crowsnest Pass. Following a 25-year radio career in the Pass, he still tries to help out and show the world how great his community is.

Daryl is active with the Quad Squad in the Pass and promotes off-highway vehicle safety. He has built miles of trails for the public to enjoy his home as much as he does, and annually helps with the trail cleanup, ensuring the well-being of both the people and the animals that use the routes.

Marie and Sam are two amazing individuals who are entirely committed not only to the growth of our community, but also to the health of the foothills area and Alberta. Thy dedicate any spare time they have towards the chamber of commerce, various boards, committees, sporting events and anything else in the community.

For the last year, Sam and Marie have been a vital part of the growth of the chamber and businesses in the Pincher Creek area.

Most recently, they dedicated their time to run a whole series of workshops to help businesses with social media.

As a team, they are always prepared to go the extra mile or provide the extra donation of time or product to see people succeed, showing that they are the epitome of collaboration over competition.

Ken Black

Belle Kovach

Belle is an active volunteer in Crowsnest Pass. She is a leader of the Bellecrest Community Association, organizing volunteers to assist with the beautification of both Hillcrest and Bellevue. She has also donated plenty of hours to the Crowsnest Pass Agricultural Society and is the director of the Bellecrest Seniors Association, which provides a social space for local seniors.

Belle and her sister wrote a book prior to the Hillcrest Mine Disaster centennial in 2014, called Snowing in June, which tells the stories of each miner that lost their life in the disaster. This book’s proceeds were all donated to the Crowsnest Museum.

Belle is still an active volunteer in her community and has started to pass on her skills to her children and grandchildren.

Erna Greenly

Beth Towe

Beth has made a significant impact in helping Waterton Lakes National Park become a must-see destination.

As a Waterton native with a love for nature, she has become an important local figure in the tourism industry, familiarizing travellers with the breathtaking beauty of our Rocky Mountains and the surrounding wilderness.

Erna has been a member of the Pincher Creek Legion Ladies Auxiliary for more than 35 years. She has been a key contributor, taking on many executive roles, and is currently the chaplain.

The auxiliary plays an important role in the community and the Legion, helping support the student bursary fund, the Pincher Creek hospital fund to help purchase equipment, and the Legion sports fund, which helps Legion members participate in sports activities.

The auxiliary also contributes to numerous other Pincher Creek charities as well as helping at banquets, Christmas parties, weddings and funeral lunches.​

Ken has served on the Improvement District No. 4 Waterton council since 2000. An Alberta native and a seasonal Waterton resident since the mid 1950s, Ken has served on several committees and projects working to improve life in Waterton.

Some of the projects he helped co-ordinate include the playground reconstruction project, the Waterton Foundation project and most recently the Crooked Creek Campground acquisition project. He is currently serving on the housing, recreation and corporate/business community committees.

Ken is a graduate of the University of Alberta (geology) and University of Western Ontario (business). Ken is married to Bonny and they have two adult children, Sydney and Cameron.

SEE FOOTHILLS 150,

continued on page 6

Oh, Canada

By Julie Smith-Allen Oh Canada — our home.

How blessed we are.

How grateful to those who defend and protect us and our freedom — to idle in the Timmy’s drive-through and toss our cups in the glorious open spaces of this great land.

God, please be with those who stand on guard for me and ensure that I may continue to binge-watch Netflix and like charming cat videos while thumbing my nose at Donald Trump’s America.

The Canada I love

By Ruth Jewell A long time ago, in a land far away, there was a beautiful country: filled with abundant wildlife, seemingly unlimited natural resources, fresh air, clean water and, most importantly, hope for the future.

Over time, people came from all over the world, in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Some of them helped build the railway, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Others rode the railway, stopping along the way to build towns, some of which grew into cities.

They all had one thing in common.

They were grateful for a place to call home. Often they worked long hours, receiving little pay. They didn’t complain, never forgetting the hard places they had left behind.

Many arrived at Pier 21 with only the clothes on their backs. Babies were born on ships that carried them to this brave, new world. The early pioneers were able to carve farms out of wilderness.

Others came and continue to come because of civil war. When they wake up in the morning, it is to sounds of birds singing, not guns firing. I once met a man from Burma. He walked out of his country and kept going, until he got to Canada. He said he had an aunt in Toronto.

Worldwide, the red maple leaf symbolizes Canada and the freedom she stands for. I am grateful I did not have to make the long journey of a refugee, as I was born here. Each day I am grateful that I can cycle through the mountains, stop for a coffee and not be afraid.

That is the Canada I love. May she ever be free!

Oh Canada

By Patricia Wagenaar Oh Canada — our home.

Early morning Standing on the lakeshore Looking across the water As still as a mill pond.

Then A loon calls, And when the hills answer her We turn to each other With hearts filled with love and awe.

Oh Canada

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July 5, 2017

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

FOOTHILLS 150, continued from page 4

The Ballad of Grassy Mountain Reader submission He never really liked to talk about it much, Not that anyone did, who knew, But sometimes it’s better to remember, through the hurt, Than let the oblivion bleed it through

Stanley J. Stoklosa

Stanley began his public service as an altar boy in Crowsnest Pass. Since then, he has been actively involved in offering political and social services to the people of his community.

Stanley served as a town councillor in Claresholm for 13 years, providing initiative and leadership in the improvement of utilities and public works, such as the paving of gravel streets and the installation of storm sewers.

Stanley has always cared for those in need and it has been reflected in his professional work as the head of food services at the Claresholm Care Centre. One of his finest projects was to organize and construct a monument at the entrance of the Claresholm airport that honours the sacrifices of those who trained at the former RCAF Base.

William (Bill) White

When Bill isn’t woodworking, fishing or hunting, he is giving back to his community. As the former mayor of Bellevue, he was instrumental in uniting individual administrations in Crowsnest Pass into one municipality.

Bill has also held numerous positions on community committees and boards, including the Pass Chamber of Commerce, the Cancer Society and Peter Lougheed’s advisory committee.

In 1988, Bill became an ordained minister and established the International Prayer Centre, affiliated with Prayer Canada. He also started the Lighthouse Rays singing group which holds three concerts monthly.

George Dowson

George is known to many as the “mayor of Lundbreck” — everything he does is in the interest of the entire hamlet.

After working full time in the coal mines, George retired only to volunteer full time.

He is involved in many different volunteer positions and takes pride in his jobs. Currently, he is with the Cowley Lions, Citizens on Patrol and the Lundbreck Citizens Council. George has also committed time to coaching his local high school’s baseball team and has made a lasting impression on all he has helped in his community.

Howling winds and quick-sloping snow, Greeted the workers that day, But faze their razor-sharp minds it did not, Plus their paycheque willed them to stay Who could have known what would happen, so soon?

There was certainly no way to tell, Every man in for their morning shift, that morning, Would be walking straight into Hell Down in the pit, young Phillip stood, Among 70-foot walls which blackened the sky, A wife and child at home, he had, Off to work with a sweet kiss goodbye For the last load the men came, and it happened, The thunder of great falling rock, Most, they were lucky, they got out alive, But the chance for Phillip was blocked Now, Donald, he was yelling, from up at the top, “Get help! Our Phillip! He’s buried!”

But seconds were minutes, and minutes were hours, So there seemed no time for a hurry To his waist, the rocks piled, As Phillip cried, panicked for help, He did not know what had hit him, No time, so much as to yelp

Debbie Goldstein

Charles Price

Charlie is an outstanding member of the Pincher Creek community. He is involved in numerous groups and his volunteer work has impacted many different demographics within his area.

Charlie moved to Pincher Creek in 1964. Since then he has served as a member of the Elks, both locally and at the district level. He is also an avid supporter of the conservation of wildlife, lands and water systems, and plays an active role in the Willow Valley Trophy Club and Ducks Unlimited.

On top of this, he coached Little League baseball, started a youth program to teach curling in Pincher Creek, has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 30 years, canvassed for the Heart & Stroke Foundation for the past five years, and volunteers at two seniors homes where he provides entertainment.

Joe Trotz

Anyone who has the opportunity to interact with Joe immediately becomes aware of the passion he holds for Crowsnest Pass. Joe is very active in promoting and preserving the rural, western lifestyle in the Pass.

He is the founding member of Southwest Alberta Trails Foundation and has been the director of the Crowsnest Pass Agricultural Society for the last decade. Joe is extremely knowledgeable about the trails in our area and is always trying to promote them as an economic driver in the Pass.

Joe has always stepped up to volunteer his expertise and time to help promote this area.

He is a fantastic leader with the Kananaskis Rodeo Association and has a knack for inspiring and encouraging others to also volunteer — the number of youths that volunteer during the pro rodeo is a testament to his ability.

George Mowat

Like many ranchers and farmers, George has always been there to help out neighbours and friends. George is also an amazing volunteer, helping with organizations such as 4-H, the Land Protection Association, the Snow Plow Association, Alberta Surface Rights Committee and the Anglican Church.

However, George’s biggest volunteering contribution is to Heritage Acres Farm Museum, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

At 83 years old, George still contributes over 500 hours of community service each year.

Al Baldwyn

Al is a true hero who came to the aid of a friend in need.

When Alvina Crow Shoe of the Piikani reserve had no choice but to move into a house with considerable damage, Al decided to use the money he had saved up for a vacation to pay for the materials to fix her house. Al and a friend would drive 60 miles every Monday to work on the house, never asking for assistance or compensation.

Alvina nominated Al for his endless compassion and for enhancing her quality of life.

Several years ago, a change in employment gave Debbie the chance to move anywhere in Alberta that she wanted, so she jumped at the opportunity to relocate to Crowsnest Pass permanently.

She jumped with both feet into the community and became involved with many clubs and events right from the start. She became a member of the local culture and heritage committee and volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, the Crowsnest Pass Children’s Festival and many other organizations.

She also is an early childhood educator for special needs students’ instruction in music and arts. Her passion for music and for Crowsnest Pass has helped transform and better many people’s lives.

Amid the rasped cries, Dante came with a run, Heartbroken and confused, he began to repeat, “Oh … oh … is that my son?”

All work became halted, as this is the code, For a couple of sorrowful weeks, The mine was not fit to run, anyway, The rocks slid away, to the bare and sleek In came the heavy machinery, All of the way from the East, Phillip’s crushed body was recovered, And finally laid to rest Among co-workers, friends and family, Blessings were tearfully wished, God rest your soul, sweet Phillip, You will be sadly missed The men returned to work, As this story was told to me, This was to be the very last load, Before Grassy ceased to be The orders were given at once, The coal mine was to be shut down, Nick returned for the very last time, Only to hear the snow tumbling down

Farley Wuth

Local school children refer to this man as Kootenai Brown the Second, the man who brings southern Alberta history alive at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village.

Farley has served as the curator, archivist, and guiding spirit of the museum, which this year celebrates 50 years as the premiere custodian of the history and heritage of southwestern Alberta. Intensely interested in document history, Farley has instituted the KBPV archives in order to preserve the history of the area in print by professionally conserving documents, photographs, published materials and recordings.

Farley also makes regular visits to seniors lodges and care homes and diligently assists the seniors with recording their memoirs and recollections. If you want to know anything about anything of a historical nature in the Pincher Creek area, ask Farley!

Out of the truck he sprinted, His feet never touching the ground, Ran 300 feet without looking back, His breathing a ragged, stressed sound Grassy was closed forever, Never to be mined again, For every man who worked that day, The memories will always remain Grandpa never liked to talk about it much, Not that anyone did, who knew, But sometimes it’s better to remember, through the hurt, Than to let the oblivion bleed it through.

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

July 5, 2017

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 7

Grand opening of Alberta Provincial Police Barracks celebrates past and present

By Erin Fairhurst The greatly anticipated grand opening of the Alberta Provincial Police Barracks took place with great pride and ceremony last Thursday in downtown Coleman.

A ceremonial parade from Flumerfelt Park to the site of the APP Barracks kicked off the afternoon’s events, and MP John Barlow, MLA Pat Stier, Piikani Nation member Wilfred Yellow Wings Sr. and Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter shared brief remarks with the crowd of about 250.

The mood shifted from sombre and reflective to celebratory and light-hearted as the dignitaries addressed various facets of the remarkable project.

Mr. Barlow commended the volunteers of the Crowsnest Historical Society for their “selfless dedication.”

“This is truly going to be a foundation of this community,” he said of the newly unveiled barracks. He also spoke of Alberta’s “colourful history” pertaining to Prohibition, and drew some laughs from the crowd.

Mr. Stier paid tribute to the law enforcement officers, all in dress uniform, in attendance.

“Your service is vital and commendable,” he said as the crowd applauded.

Pat Rypien, president of the historical society, presided over a moment of silence in honour of Const. Steve Lawson and all fallen officers.

“We celebrate the opening of these barracks and honour their memories,” she said.

Master of ceremonies Fred Bradley, who led the barracks restoration project, modestly downplayed his own monumental efforts and voiced his admiration for the many people who took part.

“This project,” he said, “would not have come to fruition without Chris Matthews,” executive director of the Crowsnest Museum. Pat Rypien was also lauded as a driving force behind the project.

Fred revealed some behind-thescenes history about the building.

In the early 1990s it was slated for demolition, but thanks to the efforts of Coleman resident Gary Carpenter, who parked his van in front of the building, and Monica Field, who startPhotos by Erin Fairhurst Siobhan Rasmussen, program director of the Crowsnest Museed a letter-writing campaign directed um, conducted guided tours of the APP Barracks on Saturday. at provincial and area politicians, the The facility was then open for self-guided tours for the rest of the building was saved. weekend. Donations for the project can still be made via the APP The official opening was marked Barracks crowdfunding page: www.appbarracks.com/lastrun. with a ribbon cutting, followed by a march of the colours. A beer garden reception and guided tours of the barConst. Lawson and as the police office and jail racks then took place. for the community. It is where Const. Lawson The building was renovated and restored lived, and also where he died, in the infamous with care by several local contractors, who rum-running murder that resulted in the arrest worked in strict accordance with historical conand execution of Emilio Picariello and Florence sultants and designers. The smell of fresh paint Lassandro. still lingered in the air as people ventured in to Interactive and informative exhibits line the tour the newly finished building. rooms, and visitors to the site get a sense that The site once served both as a home to the walls of the old building can indeed talk.

Members of the RCMP, both active and retired, pose in front of the newly opened APP Barracks. Several uniformed officers attended the event, including officers from Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

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July 5, 2017

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

Being kids at Beauvais Lake

By BJ Scott Beauvais Lake could be anywhere. It is the living place in our imagination, when we were kids and the summer had no worries.

It is wherever that special moment happened when we were old enough to be alone and young enough not to have any responsibilities.

Beauvais Lake is wherever and whenever uncluttered happiness surrounded us, and we never forget those moments.

My family owned a cabin at the Beauvais Lake of my childhood, about a half-hour drive from our home in Pincher Creek. Historically, the land our family owned had some significance to adults. They know it today as Scott’s Point. It was originally owned in a joint partnership between my grandfather Thomas Herron Scott and his friend Fred Forrester.

The land was unsurveyed, halved between two friends. Our cabin was built from logs cut from trees on the land. Grandpa Scott built it with help from his two sons, Jim and Tom, and other family members. The plaque that is there now says it was the “very first summer home built on the lake.”

My grandfather began construction on the cabin on May 28, 1924.

Mr. Forrester had several old motel units brought in to become his cabins. Mr. Forrester passed away in 1950 and his property was left to family who lived in Ontario. This family had a couple take care of

the property for them.

Dave was not a nice man and would do what he could to scare the Scott kids. He was always telling us stories to try and upset us. He owned a mean little dog.

One day, when us kids were down at the wharf, that dog bit my sister Shirley and would not let go. We all ran up to the cabin, the dog still hanging on to Shirley’s leg.

Mom beat the dog off of Shirley’s leg and Granny Scott made a poultice to take any poisons out of the bite. Maybe this is the reason that I am still nervous around dogs to this day. I think that Dad had a talk with Dave after that and asked them to keep their dog off of our side of the property.

Logs for the fencing around Jimmy Whitford’s grave also came from trees on the land. Jimmy was Grandpa Scott’s caretaker at the lake. He used to take Grandpa and his old cronies out hunting — he had been a big-game guide. He lived on the property for many years and that is where he wanted to be buried.

Jimmy Whitford was the original reason for Grandpa building the cabin. Jimmy wanted to live right there on the point of Beauvais Lake and Grandpa thought that he should have a cabin to live in, especially for the cold winters.

The icehouse was located behind the Forresters’ cabins but before Jimmy’s grave.

Both the Forresters and our family had our own wharves. As

Something to Crow About . . . www.CrowWorks.ca

BJ Scott’s grandfather and father at Beauvais Lake

Beauvais Lake always froze over in the winter, all the boats we had were either stored up near the cabin or taken to town for storage.

By the cabin, Dad rigged up some poles on which to suspend the boat or canoe.

In the winter we would skate on Beauvais Lake and Dad would cut ice blocks from the lake to put in the icehouse. The icehouse was also built from the same logs as the cabin. In the summer we would play in the sawdust in the icehouse.

Grandpa Scott’s children (including our dad) and then our family spent a lot of time at Beauvais.

Dad had a brother who died during the Second World War — his widow and my two cousins also spent time there. We had cousins on Mom’s side of the family who would come for vacations and spend time at the lake as well.

The cabin had a wooden floor initially, then later linoleum was added over top. This was much easier to clean! One really hot day, Mom was washing the floor.

Just Mom and my two sisters and

myself were there at that time, so Mom had on just a bra on and a pair of Shirley’s shorts, which were pretty tight on her.

Us girls were down at the dock so we did not know that some man drove in looking for directions. Of course, he knocked on the cabin door and found Mom in this brief attire — she was mortified! Possibly the last time she ever did something like that.

As the cabin was all one big room, we had three privacy screens, which are now part of the decor in the log cabin at Heritage Acres. A large cabinet with shelves on the top, with more shelves and a flour bin below a worktop, held all the pots and pans, cutlery and dishes.

The cabin was kept warm in the cool weather by a Quebec heater that also acted as a regular cook stove. Mom told us that Granny Scott could produce fine bread and cakes from that stove.

See BEAUVAIS LAKE, continued on page 9

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BEAUVAIS LAKE, continued from page 8 There was a large table in the centre of the room that would seat eight people. The cabin also had one regular double bed, one Winnipeg couch (which made out into a double bed), and another divan that would fold out and was uncomfortable but could sleep two.

My memories are a little fuzzy about what beds were there in the early years. As our family grew, Dad built a double bunk bed. This could sleep four adults or six small children.

There was an icebox that was really old. Just as you came into the cabin, there was a washstand that had a basin and soap. There were always two pails for water. One was from the lake and was used (after heating) for washing dishes, hands and clothes, if necessary, and the other was for drinking water. We would have to row across the lake to a spring on the south side to get our drinking water.

Coal-oil lanterns, or later propane lanterns, would be used at night. And where was the outhouse, do you ask?

When heading down to the lake from the cabin, you would take a turn to the left just before the slope down to the lake. Obviously there was a wellworn path.

When I was in my teens (late 1950s), Dad bought a generator. My sister Shirley’s husband, George, helped Dad build a shed behind the cabin for the generator. Then we had one or two electric lights plus an electric fridge.

Some days it would be too hot to cook in the cabin. A little two-burner stove sat a few yards away from the front door of the cabin, on a wooden stump. Also outside was a picnic table where we could eat our lunch.

To get down to the wharf you had to go down a small hill. Down by the wharf was a large flat area. Dad had obtained a large tractor rim that was used as the base for bonfires. Wooden benches sat by the wharf and lawn chairs could be moved from in front of the cabin down to the lake. Much of our time was spent down by the lake or in it.

As Beauvais was only nine miles from town, we could drive out in the morning, stay for the day, and return in the evening. As very young children, we would go out to the lake and stay for a few weeks or even a month. Dad would drive from town after work.

All of the Scott children learned how to swim at Beauvais Lake. Our mom was a very strong swimmer and taught us all before we were five years old. The water dropped off very sharply near our wharf, so it was important to be comfortable in the water. Our family were as much at home in a rowboat or a canoe as we were on dry land.

We all learned how to fish here as well — not that any of us were very lucky in this area. We would also fish from the wharf. One day my brother Jim, who was fairly young at the time, was sitting in an old canvas chair at the end of the wharf and he was fishing. This was a really old chair that probably should have already been thrown away.

Mom told him to get out of the chair before it collapsed on him. Of course he didn’t listen and the next thing we knew the chair collapsed and, in his effort to get out of it, he fell in the water. Mom had to go in after him and, as you can imagine, she was not too amused with him.

Good thing that Mom was a very good strong swimmer.

Another time that Jim was fishing off the wharf, he caught Gay in the cheek with the hook. Amazing that he was even allowed to fish after

these incidents!

A typical day at Beauvais might involve waking up in the morning at the cabin, having breakfast and then rowing across the lake to the spring to get drinking water in a pail. Then we might just row around the lake for the fun of it.

After bringing the water back to the cabin we might go for a walk and pick some flowers for Mom. Along the path leading to the cabin from the main road there were many different types of flowers. My favourites were shooting stars, crocuses, tiger lilies and yellow bells. It was such a delight to pick a bouquet for Mom because she seemed to love for us to do this. At the same time we would find some saskatoons to pick for lunch.

After having lunch and waiting the mandatory one hour to let our meal settle, we would go for a swim.

We usually kept fairly close to our dock.

Often we would have visitors and most of us got into the water at some point. Two or three would go out in the canoe and others in the row boat.

Maybe a fishing line would be put in the water. Some time would be spent lying in the sun, working on a tan.

Later in the afternoon, Mom would start to prepare supper. With five children, she would usually have one or two helpers to prepare the meal and then another couple of us would do the dishes. Sometimes we would just roast wieners down at the lake, followed by roasting marshmallows.

The night might be capped off by singing campfire songs — “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “On Top of Old Smoky” and other golden oldies.

This was a very special time in our lives, and we all have very fond memories of our childhood.

At that time there were only five other families — Lancasters, Morgans, Burnses, Winklers, Schoenings — with cabins at Beauvais. These other cabins, other than the Forresters’, were all along the north side of the lake.

We have memories of the gorgeous sunsets we saw from our bonfire pit down at the lake. Those were very carefree family times when you felt that all was right with the world.

Lying in bed at night you could often hear the loons calling. Apart from that it was so quiet.

We were so lucky to have Beauvais Lake! Not every child has a summer cottage to remember.

When we were growing up, you could drive right up to the cabin. You cannot do that now. The pathway to the cabin has grown over and it is not possible to drive a vehicle this close anymore.

This property was sold to the Province of Alberta in the late 1960s.

Sadly, they have not taken care of their investment. The cabin was left fully furnished, right down to dishes, pots and pans, and furniture. Over time this was all looted.

I have heard that people had drinking parties in the cabin and people tried to stomp the floor in. All of the windows were broken, as well as the door. The province finally put a heavy mesh on the windows and the door. As they have not maintained the cabin at all, it is caving in on itself and will soon probably just be a pile of logs.

I feel that it is very sad they did not preserve the cabin as it was sold to them. It would be interesting for people today to see what the cabin looked like in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.

Maybe it doesn’t matter. Looters can’t change anybody’s Beauvais Lake memories.

July 5, 2017

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July 5, 2017

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Charlie

By Ken Roome The work at the mine entry went as hard work does, Tired, tense men well aware of the mountain above.

Move a boulder, load the car, lay more track.

Move the loaded cars away, empty them, bring them back.

For almost a month they toiled here.

The odd piece of sheet iron and timbers showed they were near.

They cautiously moved some rocks near the top, The smell of dank mine air made them stop.

Now they had a hole big enough for a man or two.

They ate lunch and waited an hour or two.

The entry was checked for gas, then they sent four men through.

The men stood in Stygian darkness, very quiet.

In their minds, scenes of the dangers ran riot.

The miners’ lamps gave off inadequate light.

To take a step took all their might.

Only a few boulders littered the track, It should be easy to check the mine and come back.

Taking shaky breaths, they forged ahead.

Each man’s thoughts touched with dread.

Farther into the mine the men began to relax They found tools, shovels, picks and an axe.

Moving on they heard a sound, a quiet shuffle, The frightened miners gathered in a huddle.

A ghostly shuffle and occasionally a clink.

It was enough to scare a man to drink.

They knew there couldn’t be anything there of course.

Then into the faint lamplight, shuffled a horse!

Twenty-one days, living alone in the dark.

Nearly a month living on water and timber bark.

He stood shaking, grinning, boney and gnarly.

One of the miners’ favourites, a horse named Charlie One of the miners, whose pants were now wet, Trotted back to the entry for brandy and oats in a bucket.

The frightened miners went to Charlie, patted his muzzle and flanks.

Charlie lowered his head as if in thanks.

The other miner returned with food and friends, They gave Charlie brandy and oats again and again.

The happy miners gathered about, “Let’s dig a bigger hole to get poor Charlie out.”

The miners rushed to the entry on a mission.

Totally forgetting Charlie’s condition.

Abandoned again and alone in the dark, The terror was too much for Charlie’s heart.

Slowly he knelt, then lay on his right side.

He took a long, sad wheeze, then Charlie died.

The miners came back when they were done, And carried poor Charlie out to the sun.

Happy Canada 150!

Pat Stier, MLA Livingstone Macleod Communities rich in history, natural beauty and fellowship

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Alberta

By Clarice (Britton) Warren When the West was young and the land was “free” My parents came from across the sea With faith in their hearts and hope in their eyes, To build a new home beneath the western skies.

The Old Land was rigid, and hard on the poor Too many rich and too many poor.

And if you were born “below the salt,” That’s where you stayed, tho’ it wasn’t your fault.

The New World too, was toilsome and cold, But the air was clean and the people were bold.

They broke the sod and fenced the land, And gave their neighbour a helping hand.

Thru drought and flood, thru good and bad, As the years passed by I knew they were glad, Glad they had brought their children here, Where the winds swept free, and the skies were clear.

Where your neighbour was given — whatever his tongue — Respect that was due him, as one of the throng, Of determined men who developed the West, Up to the point where she is now best.

Wheat for the world, to be made into bread, To feed the hungry in years ahead.

Cattle are mighty important now — What would the West be without a cow?

Coal and oil have brought us wealth, We have beauty too, and abundant health.

Health, from flesh clean mountain air, Beauty, from nature everywhere.

This is the land the pioneers made, With strong hard hands, and souls unafraid, Through failure and fortune, heartache and toil, And always faith in the rich black soil.

Proud we are to be part of it too — A heritage from those who knew That Alberta would stand, proudly serene, With head held high, as befits a queen.

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Happy Birthday, Ron!

By Judy Lane Sometimes we don’t have to venture very far to find a diamond in the rough or, in this case, a quiet spiritual place to pray, meditate or reflect.

It’s in our own backyard.

On the grounds at St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church, located near Twin Butte, there is just such a haven. The outdoor stations of the cross, the crucifix and the grotto were the brainwave of local parishioners Bob and Nonee Bonertz.

The vision started at sunrise one morning as Bob was driving to a job site in rural Saskatchewan. The rising sun reflected on a structure in the distance. It was a church, but what caught his attention were the outdoor stations of the cross.

He shared the location with his wife, Nonee, and together the vision started to gain momentum. Bob says, “I don’t know why, but I had the urge to create something on the grounds at St. Henry’s.”

After consultation with parish priests, both past and present, the idea solidified and the stations of the cross were created. Bob decided to keep them portable and mobile so they could be moved if necessary.

Feeling drawn to create a larger sanctuary of tranquility, he created the crucifix. It stands almost 11 feet tall, and the body of Jesus is sculpted using barbed wire. It makes the suffering of Christ more realistic when you stand before it and visualize the pain caused by barbed wire compared to the suffering He endured on the cross.

The grotto came a year later. The steel shelter was created to house the mini grotto, also sculpted using barbed wire as the medium. Inside sits a replica of the Pietà sculpture originally created

by Italian sculptor Michelangelo.

It shows the Virgin Mary holding the body of her Son after His death. Mary’s face is serene and accepting; it conveys peacefulness and gives us an understanding that the suffering in life can be less painful if we have faith.

Although Bob was the creator of the physical items, Nonee worked alongside, offering support and making suggestions. She did the research and located the Pietà statue for the grotto.

July 5, 2017

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 11

Photos by Judy Lane

Bob and Nonee Bonertz are acknowledged within the grotto for their contributions on the grounds at St. Henry’s Church. Since Nonee’s passing, Bob has added an eagle sculpture to the grounds.

Daughters Tammy and Heather had been to Italy and had seen Michelangelo’s Pietà at St. Peter’s Basilica, which influenced the decision to place that particular statue.

This year Bob sculpted an eagle to place with the others. Again he used barbed wire. He was influenced by his daughter-in-law Kim Orser. Her native heritage and their belief in the majestic eagle as a messenger between heaven and us prompted him to create and erect it this spring.

Many hands make light work, and Bob is quick to say he didn’t do it alone. He has had support and help from many family and friends. People have donated materials, machines and manual labour towards the completion of each project.

And the help continues as the grass is mowed, bushes are trimmed and a watchful eye is kept by the many who visit.

I like this place. It’s peaceful and quiet and I’ve come to think of it as a chapel in God’s outdoor cathedral. The spectacular view of the mountains and the singing of the birds complete the ambience.

Everyone is invited and will have an opportunity to participate at an event at St. Henry’s Church on July 15 to celebrate its 110th anniversary as Canada celebrates its 150th. Special permission from Bishop William McGrattan from the Diocese of Calgary has been granted for a mass at 3 p.m. It will be followed by a blessing of the cemetery, walking the outdoor stations of the cross and sharing a potluck dinner.

Take a drive and enjoy some natural beauty. Your first visit won’t be your last! And don’t forA replica of the Pieta, a statue created by Michelangelo, sits in the mini get to sign the guestbook. grotto. It’s serenity holds special meaning to the Bonertz family.

Hey Canada!

By Rob Staley

Happy birthday to the best Dad and Grampa, who turned 70 on Canada Day!

Happy 150, Canada!

My house, electric church, the house of God, the true ting, the uncut block, the everyday zen mind of youthful transcendent dance — won’t forget the forest.

The forest is an angel, it’s where we all began to move to rhythms pulsing in a dark and fearsome land.

The drum, the bow, the stomping feet, the voices raised in song; it’s the original cathedral in whom we all belonged.

Winter is my country, the forest is that too; being now in retreat they make me feel so blue. I thought of asking Canada to help me raise a band of spiritual adventurers to civilize the land.

Oh! But wait my friend! That was tried before! And the sacrifices that were made were laid at empire’s door. Tekawitha, Membertou, Tecumseh, and Riel — living souls of vision risen above empire’s hell lend their spirit to the quest to break old windigo’s spell.

Canada’s no empire’s maid and though she trusted in her youth, a debt she owes should be repaid to who we really are in truth — of native dust are we and till we see the same, winter will be our country, the forest our only game.

Before I retired, I promised myself I would continue my popular music education by immersing myself in “house” music. Now I spend equal amounts of time listening to house and “real country.” During one particularly long house mix I was moved to comment on Canada. Maybe this will resonate with others.

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Shootin’ the Breeze

July 5, 2017

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

History comes to life at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village Grade 1 students from St. Michael’s School visited Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek on June 6. This was part of a weeklong series of trips to the museum to learn more about the town, Alberta, the pioneer lifestyle and Métis culture. During their extended history lesson, students had the chance to try out pioneer activities such as sifting for gold, tossing horseshoes, and branding (with paint and paper bags). Later in the week, they tried their hands at making ice cream.

Photos by Tyler Ryan

Happy Canada 150!

Enjoy a summer of fun with family and friends as we celebrate the birthday of our nation!

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Page 13

Chinook

By Muriel Shepherd

Celebrating

Canada 150!

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January. Thermometer indicates minus 30.

Over the town, sloping away toward the valley, The sky is a canopy of stars.

A forest of vapour plumes rise from the houses Into the biting almost brittle air.

Ten p.m., television off and bedtime beckons.

The crunch of footsteps in the dry snow Signals a passerby, curling broom in hand.

At last, rest in the comfort of covers, slumber comes.

A few hours pass, the sleeper is roused by a gust of wind Buffeting the house, then another.

Half aware, one realizes the atmosphere has changed, A marvel as old as time is occurring.

The “snow eater” has arrived, With it a rise in temperature to plus readings — A miracle the residents of southern Alberta enjoy And accept as our gift, But the outsider interprets as an omen of global warming.

I came to southern Alberta 71 years ago from the Manitoba prairie, a wide-eyed teenager, and when the first chinook blew through, it made an impression never to be forgotten. I was convinced I’d found heaven, and that opinion has stayed to this day.

I love my country. But I have such a deep devotion for this part of it that, though I have tried other areas briefly, I’ve always come home to this part with huge gratitude.

Glimpse of aboriginal history Blackfoot chiefs invited to Rideau Hall

By Joyce Sasse Father Albert Lacombe committed his life to working with the aboriginal people. One of the stories told in the drama Man of a Good Heart is as follows: In 1883, when the gangs laying the Canadian Pacific Railway track entered the Blackfoot reserve, the young starving warriors resented the intruders, and threatened them. Chief Crowfoot sent for Father Lacombe to try to help calm the confrontation.

In 1885, when the Riel uprising took place in Saskatchewan, Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Ranger Reservists were commissioned to protect railway and telegraph lines and help with homeland security. Father Lacombe was asked to meet with Chief Crowfoot to get the pulse of what the natives might do.

“I am a friend of the Indian and the white man,” Crowfoot said. “We will be peaceful.”

He asked the priest to tell the Queen, “Should Indians or Métis come to our reserve and ask us to join them in war, we will send them away.”

In a few months the uprising was quashed and the reservist troops were disbanded. But the prime minister was so impressed with the leadership of the Blackfoot chiefs, he asked Father Lacombe to bring the men to Ottawa so he could meet them.

It must have been quite a venture travelling east on that “demon-like iron horse” that belched its way through their land. Curious and timid at the same time, the chiefs were glued to Father Lacombe’s side. Even when they were given large hotel suites, they all insisted on sleeping in the same room with him.

The gentle priest chuckled as he recalled the reception his party received. Easterners, who believed only “savages” lived in the West, were so impressed by

Crowfoot’s dignity, physique and charisma, they held their breath when they heard him speak.

It was quite an itinerary.

They were received by the prime minister at Parliament Hill and again in his home. They were guests at Rideau Hall. Later they visited the archbishop in the palace in Montreal and were whisked off to see a huge military review in Quebec City.

Lacombe recalls being upset by the overtones of that military review and by what happened on the last evening of their visit when dignitaries presented the chiefs with stacks of rifles and ammunition. What was the government trying to tell these men? Did they have no respect for the chiefs’ sincerity?

Crowfoot stood tall before them and tried to control his emotions. But he was hurt and angry. “I don’t want these guns you would give me. I did not come to make war. Because I am here with friends, I have not even a small knife to defend myself…. Keep your guns. We have enough guns in our country!”

When his words were translated by Jean L’Heureux, Crowfoot’s pronouncement was greeted with wild bravos and cheers.

The impressionable audience was seized with the strength of his person. Someone shouted “Vive Crowfoot!”

Suddenly shawls and flowers and handsome gifts were showered onstage and the audience members assured the chiefs of their friendship. The gifts were accepted with a gracious cordiality and were brought home for their people.

All Crowfoot really wanted was for his people to be left in peace so he could find ways to take care of them.

The dramatization of this story, Man of a Good Heart, can be found on YouTube.

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Shootin’ the Breeze

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July 5, 2017

Glad to be in Gladstone

By Hilah Simmons One hundred 50 years! And to think I’ve lived one-third of that time here in Canada. Yes, I’m an immigrant, though not a refugee, and glad of it. I’ve lived over half my life here, and over a third of my life in Gladstone Valley. How did it happen?

When I was just a kid in Los Angeles, I would lie down in a vacant lot near our house, where the grass would grow longer, look at the sky and clouds, and imagine I was out in the country, on a farm or wilderness area. I couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful.

We came to Canada in 1966, straight from Arizona to the Northwest Territories. As a wife and mother, I was accompanying my husband, Norman, who had just landed his dream job as a wildlife biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service. We brought our two small children, Debby and David, with us.

Nine years in Fort Smith and seven in Yellowknife gave us wilderness adventures galore, and two more Canadian-born children, Danny and Sarah, as well as friends and colleagues. But after 16 years in the North, Norman wanted to retire in “the south.” That’s how we ended up on our ranch in Gladstone Valley, where we moved in 1982.

It has turned out to be a bit of heaven on earth, our life in Gladstone Valley. For one thing, we have a fabulous technicolour view out our kitchen window, so no one

minds washing dishes.

We were able to hike and backpack in the mountains to the south, to get to the top of Table Mountain, Whitney Peak, “Bat Ears,” Victoria Peak, and Corner Mountain or Prairie Bluff. We even walked to Waterton Lakes National Park over Avion Ridge, taking three days to get there, and three days back on another trip.

We started a vegetable garden, which I’m about to go out and work in. We’ve been able to cross-country ski, snowshoe and hike. We even learned to raise beef cattle with the help of the Everts family, learned how to move the cattle on horseback, and I became proficient at shovelling manure.

Yesterday I had two visitors to Canada over for tea, Valerie from France and Francoise from Belgium, and we started talking about what is so great about Canada.

Francoise exulted that she feels so secure and safe here. Valerie loves the wildness and beauty. Both seem to enjoy the people.

Neither our children nor we considered leaving Canada. Why? We have found such freedom here to make a difference, to learn and share what we’ve learned, and as Valerie and Francoise said, we feel safe and wild in the beautiful Rocky Mountain foothills.

The amazing natural environment and biodiversity gave me material for about 250 nature columns for the Quarter Section and the Pincher Creek Echo, written during a dozen of my 35 years in Glad-

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stone. I’m hoping to compile them in a book about the natural history of Gladstone Valley called Mother Nature and Father Time Meet at the Creek.

The rock outcrops we’ve seen and had interpreted by our Dutch geologist friend Willem Langenberg, the colourful and beautiful flowers and plants that grow wild in our pasture land and foothills, the musical birds that come in spring, bats, bugs, spiders, molluscs, reptiles, amphibians, native fish, and mammals — both predator and prey — all provide an unsurpassed tapestry of wilderness experience.

And the constellations, meteor showers, eclipses and other astronomical shows we can see from our deck and yard are also fabulous, not to mention the sunrises and sunsets. How could we not love it?

The land has been used to raise and graze cattle and horses, even bison. This is compatible with the extreme biodiversity of wild plants and animals found in the ranch land, and with the newly designated, adjacent Castle Provincial Wildland Park. Celebration of the new Castle Parks is in keeping with First Nations’ land stewardship for thousands of years; may we continue to protect this sacred trust.

Then there are the neighbours and community activities here in Gladstone and nearby in Beaver Mines: tea parties, potluck suppers and neighbours dropping in or helping each other at branding and in emergencies. Neighbours

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rescued me when I broke my hip snowshoeing, pulling me to Shentons’ house on a calf sled. Neighbours helped Sarah and Jonathan Spranza erect their greenhouse.

That’s what neighbours do around here, help each other.

Gladstone Guest Ranch has been a hub of community events ever since we came here and has given folks a chance to experience the ranch, camp and spiritual life.

At the other end of the valley, Mountain Mill Church gives us a place to worship, to have fellowship and to hold weddings, memorials and youth camps.

I could go on and on, but what I want to say is, Gladstone Valley, the Pincher Creek MD, and the amazing variety of folks from around the world have helped us all grow and participate in the Canadian way. Right here in the valley we have residents from Paraguay, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic, United States — and even “homegrown” Canadians!

Speaking of diversity, residents have many skills and professions: doctors, nurses, dentists, trainers of horses and riders, teachers, professors, environmentalists, artists, musicians, writers, quilters, craftspersons, woodworkers, metalworkers, engineers, mechanics and hospitality experts.

After 150 years of Canada being a country, I’d like to express appreciation to our First Nations people who have protected this land over the millennia.

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July 5, 2017

1905

Originally established as a provisional district of the North-West Territories in 1882, Alberta joined Confederation in 1905, along with Saskatchewan.

With the fur trade in rapid decline during the 1850s and ’60s, British North American leaders started exploiting the land’s agricultural potential. By the end of the 19th century, the Canadian West had undergone exponential change. In addition to experiencing an agricultural boom, the territories west of Ontario also saw urban development thanks to an increase in logging camps, mining centres and railway construction sites.

NATIONAL PARKS Home to five of Canada’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Alberta has no shortage of natural attractions. Named one of 2017’s top travel destinations by National Geographic, Banff National Park is every traveller’s dream. Camped between the rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Banff offers exquisite hiking trails and soothing hot springs. And don’t forget to stop at Lake Louise to marvel at some of the most turquoise waters you’ll ever see!

FESTIVALS Do you have festival fever? From world-famous rodeos to mind-blowing fringe festivals, Alberta’s city centres are nothing short of entertaining. Dubbed the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede is where ridin’, ropin’ and ranglin’ take centre

In 1883, the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Calgary, opening the floodgates to Alberta’s fertile wheat-bearing lands. Furthermore, with the United States demonstrating true expansionist aims since the time of Confederation, Canada began asserting its presence in the Prairie provinces by sending the Royal Mounted Police westward to present-day Lethbridge, where they founded Fort Macleod.

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ALBERTA

NOT TO BE MISSED A compelling destination for visitors worldwide, Alberta offers everything from breathtaking landscapes to unforgettable cultural experiences. It’s a province that belongs on every Canadian’s list of must-sees!

Shootin’ the Breeze

DID YOU KNOW? • Alberta is home to the Dinosaur Capital of the World. Situated in the middle of a colossal fossil-bearing canyon in the Drumheller Valley, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology houses more than 130,000 fossils and numerous specimens from Alberta’s badlands. In fact, Alberta is known to have one of the greatest diversities of Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils on Earth.

stage. Held every July, this 10-day celebration of western culture and hospitality features rodeos, parades, concerts, crop competitions and pancakes galore! An estimated 200,000 free pancakes are served during the Calgary Stampede each year.

But that’s not all! The Edmonton International Fringe Festival — the oldest and largest fringe theatre festival in North America — provides festivalgoers with a range of eclectic performances to enjoy: stand-up comedy, improvisational theatre, poetry reading, storytelling, etc. Held every August, the festival advocates freedom of expression and provides a platform for artists to share their work, uncensored.

• The West Edmonton Mall in the province’s capital is the largest shopping centre in North America. It covers an area of 5.3 million square feet and boasts over 800 shops, an indoor theme park and a full-service theatre, among other amenities.

EXCURSIONS Do you live for open-air adventures? Alberta is the perfect stop for thrill-seekers, no matter which time of year! Trek along the glaciers in the Columbia Icefield; straddle the Rocky Mountains’ Great Divide on snowshoe; canoe down the Bow River in Banff like the fur traders of Canada’s past; or climb to new heights up Mount Norquay’s Via Ferrata (Iron Road).

• In 2015, the southern city of Medicine Hat announced it had built enough micro homes to end chronic homelessness within its borders.

• Instead of a key to the city, dignitaries visiting Calgary receive a white felt cowboy hat: a coveted Smithbilt, no less.

• Patricia Lake in Jasper was the site of Operation Habbakuk, a top-secret Second World War military project to build a prototype aircraft carrier out of ice. The theory was that “ice ships” could bypass magnetic mines undetected. Safe to say that the operation floundered.

However, for a government that possessed almost all the powers and responsibilities of a province in its own right, Alberta, like its sister territories, lacked the financial resources to build schools and advance public works. It became clear to politicians like Sir Frederick William Haultain — an active member of the territorial legislature — that provincial status was the only way to achieve strong political power similar to that enjoyed by the existing Canadian provinces. In the early 1900s, Haultain fought tirelessly to obtain provincial self-government, and although he always advocated for one single province, in the end, Canada welcomed two: Alberta and its eastern neighbour, Saskatchewan.

Lake Louise

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN DEMONYM People from Alberta are called Albertans Wild Rose Country

OFFICIAL MOTTO Fortis et Liber (Strong and Free)

PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • Wild Rose Country • The Princess Province • The Energy Province • Texas North

A ROYAL NAMESAKE Did you know that Alberta was named in honour of Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of history’s most famous monarch, Queen Victoria, and the wife of John Campbell, former Governor General of Canada?

Our Canada

Marsh Lake, YT Photo by Michelle Erdman

Celebrating a cancer-free Canada Day Photo by Nellie Maund Stephens

Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Funday Photo by Amanda Zimmer

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, A Northern Requiem

Lundbreck Falls

Pishew Falls on the Grass River

Photo by Andy Vanderplaas

Photo by Esther Wurtz

Photo by Margaret White

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July 5, 2017

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

Photos from Canada 150 celebrations in Cowley, Crowsnest Pass, Hill Spring and Pincher Creek by Shannon Robison, Brenda Shenton, Tyler Ryan, Auralea Boldt, Erin Fairhurst and Arianna Korbett

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Shootin’ the Breeze

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Shootin’ the Breeze

July 5, 2017

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4-H Alberta is celebrating 100 years

By Tyler Ryan One hundred and one years ago, the Alberta departments of agriculture and education started a program that encouraged students to tend to a garden or raise livestock. These projects would eventually be displayed at school fairs and the intention of the program was to attract other students into the world of agriculture.

One year later, the first 4-H club was established in Olds by W.J. Elliott, who was heavily involved with the school fair program.

With the assistance of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, members of the first club were loaned $30 (equivalent to about $495 today, according to the Bank of Canada) to purchase two small sows that would be cared for and eventually shown at an exhibit at the Olds Boys and Girls Fall Fair.

The bank would return the interest charged to the members in the form of prizes at the fair. Boars were then purchased so that the members could raise piglets in the spring.

Mr. Elliott then began organizing swine clubs throughout Alberta, and by 1918 there were 255 members across clubs in 13 areas.

Fast forward to 2017 and there are now 337 4-H clubs scattered throughout the province.

Across seven Alberta regions, there are over 5,600 members spread across 57 districts and more than 700 additional Cleaver Kids.

Cleavers are the youngest group and are a bit too young to be in an

official club.

Official club membership starts at age nine, and the older members range from mid to late teens to early 20s.

From the most recent data available (2015-16), the market beef project is the most popular choice among club members, with 2,442 taking on a market beef project.

There are four clubs in the Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass area: Timber Trails Beef and Sheep Club, Foothills Beef and Sheep Club, Silver Reins Light Horse Club and Chinook Multiclub.

Adam Schoening is the district chairman for the 4-H clubs in Pincher Creek and the surrounding area. He is the former leader of the Foothills 4-H Beef and Sheep Club and was also a member of 4-H as a kid, for eight years.

“4-H did very well by me,” Adam says. He says all 4-H members benefit in one way or another because they pick up many life skills along the way.

“Absolutely, the biggest benefit is the public speaking aspect of 4-H,” Adam says.

Part of the 4-H curriculum has members give a speech about a topic of their choosing to a crowd of their peers (and parents). Even though this can be daunting for some, the public speaking require-

ment helps members build their confidence and some eventually come to love it.

Compared to other extracurricular activities, Adam says the 4-H program offers a lot more opportunities, trips, and scholarships.

“We have more scholarships available to 4-H in the southern Alberta region than anywhere else in Alberta,” Adam says.

Jim Lynch-Staunton is the leader of the Timber Trails Beef and Sheep club. As a child, he was part of a 4-H beef club and his two kids — Sophie and Mathias — are currently members of Timber Trails.

“You get to work with calves and you learn how to train them and make them tame,” Mathias says.

“It’s really neat.”

In addition to learning about how to properly care for their calves or lambs, 4-H teaches kids how to be independent and work confidently in a team, Jim says.

Parents can act as guides or mentors but the onus is on the kids “to figure out what the club activities will be, what the Christmas thing will be, and what sort of community service they’re going to do.”

Jim adds that 4-H also teaches kids about financial management.

At the end of the season, 4-H members in the beef and sheep clubs have the opportunity to sell their project animals. Although they can do what they want with

the money, a lot of the members opt to save it for college.

Ask any of the 4-H club members and they’ll tell you that there is a huge time commitment involved.

Most of the members are in school and need to balance their academic pursuits, personal lives and 4-H commitments. The animals they raise won’t feed themselves, the Silver Reins horses and riders need countless hours of work together, and members of the Chinook Multiclub may have a bunch of different projects — shooting sports, small engine mechanics and photography, among others — that they need to keep on top of.

At the end of the 4-H season, all the clubs have a district achievement day to show off the projects they’ve worked on. All of the district achievement days have passed for the four clubs but there are still a bunch of 4-H-related events to look forward to.

The centennial celebration will take place from Aug. 3 to 7 in Olds.

For more information, please visit www.4hab100.ca.

Finally, with all of this talk about 4-H, what do the four Hs stand for?

The Hs are head, heart, health and hand and they fit directly into the 4-H pledge: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, and my country.”

Fall Fair (as it was called in 1917), the members may auction off their projects to the highest bidder by season’s end.

There are more opportunities offered as members get older.

In one example, Jim says senior members can choose a project where they take care of a pen full of calves.

“It’s more of a business project,” Jim says. The members buy the calves and feed for market price and eventually sell off the calves, again at market price.

Jim says it can be difficult for some of the kids to sell off their animals at the end of the year.

Talking from personal experience, Jim remembers how hard it was to sell off the calf that he raised because by the end of the season he had grown fond

of the animal.

“It was like saying goodbye to a friend,” Jim says ruefully.

This year, both of the clubs had their district achievement day on May 29 at the Pincher Creek Horsehoe Pavillion. They were joined by the Cleaver Kids — the group who are a bit too young to be in a 4-H club.

During district achievement day, the members showed off their beef and lamb projects. In the 4-H Alberta centennial year, Kassi Wells and her lamb Donald from the Foothills club won the title district grand champion. Timber Trails member Adeline Halibert and her lamb captain Jack Sparrow won reserve grand champion.

In the market steer competition, Coulson Stauffer’s black Angus named Poseidon was crowned district grand champion and Deloy Mackenzie’s black Angus named Stalker took home the title of reserve grand champion. Both Coulson and Deloy are in the Foothills Beef and Sheep Club.

“It’s a rewarding experience to have an animal that you’re responsible for and be able to raise it and care for it,” Jim says.

Beef and Sheep 4-H Clubs teach more than farming

By Tyler Ryan Jim Lynch-Staunton is the leader of the Timber Trails Beef and Sheep 4-H Club.

His two kids, Mathias and Sophie, are also involved with Timber Trails, raising their own beef and sheep projects.

“I was in it when I was a kid,” Jim says. “In those days we were just a beef club.”

Coming from both sides of the same coin, Jim knows firsthand about the benefits that come from 4-H. He says the parents may provide support but the kids mainly run the show nowadays, giving them a stronger sense of independence.

Additionally, the club teaches life skills that may not be picked up in a classroom. Jim says the kids “learn about financial management and taking care of their

money and how to invest so that they can earn some money and be ready for when they go to college.”

Mathias and Sophie also have their own motivations for joining the club.

“It’s just a neat experience,” Matthias says. He personally enjoys being able to raise the animals.

“I kind of wanted the money, and I wanted to learn how to properly train the animals,” Sophie adds.

The beef and sheep clubs are, in a sense, an expression of how 4-H has echoed in Alberta throughout the last 100 years.

The members of the Foothills and Timber Trails clubs take care of a cow, a stier and/or a sheep through the 4-H season, much like their counterparts took care of hogs and sows 100 years ago.

And like the Olds Boys and Girls

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Grit and determination drive Silver Reins 4-H Club

By Tyler Ryan The Pincher Creek Silver Reins 4-H Light Horse Club is one of the most intense clubs offered in the area.

Spanning seven levels, Silver Reins requires a huge amount of time and dedication to reach the top.

Yvonne Terpstra, the leader of the club, says each level take anywhere between a year and two years to complete.

Most members take a least a decade to completely get through the rigorous program.

The horse club is the smallest of the clubs in the area, with only nine members. It’s also a bit different from the other clubs that revolve around animals. Unlike the beef club, for example, most of the kids keep the projects instead of selling them off.

Silver Reins has been around for 24 years.

During that time, members have honed their riding skills while also taking on other projects revolving around horses.

In the earlier levels, members learn about English and western riding.

Different saddles and tack are required because English riding

can focus on showjumping and dressage whereas western riding puts more emphasis on reining, roping and barrel racing.

As members get older, the projects that they focus on in higher levels become a lot more indepth and technical. Some of the older members may also help coach younger kids to fulfil the requirements of levels 5 to 7.

Yvonne loves what 4-H offers her children and says there are huge benefits outside of the riding aspect of the club.

Nannette Turnbull, another 4-H parent, says public speaking experience has helped build confidence in kids, and adds that as the members get older, they may compete

in regional and provincial speech competitions.

In addition to the public speaking aspect, Yvonne says, the club finds ways to contribute to the community, such as helping out with highway cleanup a couple of months ago.

“It really teaches kids that their time is valuable, but to also give back to their community,” she says.

When the younger kids first join the club at about age nine, they look to the older teenagers for guidance and support. Yvonne says the older kids tend to treat the newcomers like younger siblings and they share a tight bond.

This year, the Silver Reins 4-H Light Horse Club celebrated its

district achievement day on June 10 at Heritage Acres.

The members were judged in five categories that tested both the horses and their riders.

The most difficult category was the trail ride. Riders had to take their horses through a course simulating some of the challenges they would find in the real world.

Even though it may sound easy, opening a cattle gate while on horseback was a challenge for almost all of the riders. Despite the troubles, everyone managed to overcome the trail course.

Yvonne acknowledges that membership numbers have decreased over the years. At its peak, the club had about 30 members but a mixture of tough economic times and graduating members who may have to leave for post-secondary school has taken a toll.

She says that Silver Reins is always willing to take in more members, and that intake will hopefully start up again in September.

“I think it’s a really good program and if anyone wants to join, they’re more than welcome,” she says.

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Chinook 4-H Multi Club offers something for every interest

By Tyler Ryan What happens if you don’t like riding horses, or don’t have a big enough space to raise a cow or lamb, but still want to be involved in 4-H? Well, look no further than the 4-H Chinook Multiclub.

The multiclub is the most versatile of the clubs in the district, offering projects not available in the other clubs, like shooting sports, photography and sewing.

“The very first year of 4-H, my dad told me to do as much as I could to experience everything,” says current multiclub reporter Jillanna Hammond.

Jillanna is one of the older members of the multiclub. She says a project will exist even if there is only one member taking on the project and that in itself makes the club unique.

Myra Hammond, Jillanna’s mother, also says the multiclub is great because it gives kids a way to join 4-H even if they don’t have any agriculture or farming experience.

“I think it’s really unique that we have kids who live in town,” Myra says. “It doesn’t usually happen that way because 4-H is agriculturally based and [the multiclub] doesn’t only have agriculture.”

In addition to the three previously mentioned projects, there were four other projects offered this year: a market lamb and a lamb breeding project, market hog, mechanics, and a pheasant project.

Each club has an aspect of community service that they need to fulfil and the multiclub is no

different.

“We make food hampers for those who are in need of a meal at Christmas time,” Jillanna says.

Brooke Hammond, Jillanna’s cousin, adds that they also helped wrap Christmas presents for the young and the elderly.

“There was like 300 boxes full of food by the end of the night,” Jillanna says.

This year, the multiclub changed up how they showed off their projects for district achievement day by joining the Pincher Creek 4-H Light Horse Club at Heritage Acres on June 10.

The multiclub also changed how they sold

their lamb and hog projects by going to private sellers this year instead of auctioning them off.

The lamb and swine projects are judged for certain things such as showmanship, grooming, and how much and how well the animals have grown through the season. Some of the other projects, like shooting sports and mechanics, are not judged in the same way as the livestock projects.

Jeremy Nelson, the leader of the shooting sports and mechanics projects, says he hopes to share valuable life lessons with the kids instead of simply judging them on their shooting abilities.

“With the shooting sports, we’re learning about gun safety,” Jeremy says. On the mechanics side, he hopes to give kids tools and knowledge about how to maintain equipment independently.

Some of Chinook 4-H Multiclub’s members were asked the following question: If someone asked you why they should join the Chinook Multiclub, what would you say to them?

Jillanna: “If you want something where you can do three different at the same time … I would recommend coming into the multiclub because we have a a lot of options.”

Brooke: “I love 4-H in general because of the learning, and it introduces you to new experiences.”

Jeremy’s son, Justin Nelson: “There’s basically endless possibilities for what you can learn through 4-H, and it’s fun.”

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4-H members shine at Heritage Acres achievement day

By Tyler Ryan Heritage Acres was abuzz June 10 as both the Pincher Creek Silver Reins 4-H Light Horse Club and the Pincher Creek Chinook Multiclub showcased projects at their annual achievement day.

Silver Reins horse show riders took part in five events: showmanship and grooming, western pleasure, western horsemanship, command, and trail.

Club members were split into three groups during the Silver Reins show, which was judged by Kyle O’Brien, a former 4-H member with the Taber Rough Riders.

In the showmanship event, Kim Turnbull, Kelly Turnbull and Dakota Grineage won first place in their groups. Jessie Terpstra, Nevaeh MacKinnon and Kelly took top spot for grooming.

After the showmanship and grooming category, the riders were judged in the category of western pleasure.

Kyle says the western pleasure category is “all about making the horse seem like a pleasure to ride.”

“Even if your horse is not being the best that day, [riders] want to be smiling and pretend like their horse is the best horse in the world.”

Jessie, Maryn Christensen and Dakota took first place in the western pleasure category.

Next was western horsemanship, which differs from western pleasure because the horsemanship competition judges how well riders handle their horses. Jessie, Kelly and Dakota were the win-

ners.

The last two events were command and trail. Kyle says command is “essentially Simon Says, but on a horse” and is usually the quickest competition. He says the trail competition “is what you would find if you’re in the coulees or in real-life situations.”

During the trail competition, the 4-H members had to demonstrate how to open and close a gate from horseback, and guide their horses through a series of obstacles constructed within the pen. Kim, Dakota, and Johnny Terpstra won both competitions in their groupings.

Chinook 4-H Multiclub While Silver Reins members were putting on their showmanship events in the morning, the Chinook 4-H Multiclub was setting up for a big day too. As Silver Reins went for lunch, the shooting sports began.

Starting at 1 p.m. at the Sum-

merview Feedlot Black Powder Gun Range, three Chinook members loaded up their .22-calibre rifles and showed off their shooting skills. Ryleigh Levesque and Aynsley Nelson used Husqvarna rifles while Justin Nelson used an Ithaca rifle that has been passed down through his family.

Jeremy Nelson is the leader of the shooting projects and the small-engines project. He says that along with hands-on skills that the 4H members receive, they also get some life lessons.

“Especially with the shooting sports, we’re learning about gun safety and everything entailed within gun safety,” he says. In the small-engines projects, the focus is more on proper maintenance and teaching kids how to be self-reliant so that they can fix issues themselves.

In these projects, the members are not judged.

“The kids are just going to go

out there and have a good time,” says Jeremy. “It’s really amazing to see them come from not being able to hit an eight-inch target, to being able to put a group of bullets in about three inches.”

When the shooting project wrapped up, the Chinook 4-H Multiclub headed back to Heritage Acres to showcase more projects.

In addition to the shooting sports, there were also pheasant, sewing and photography projects.

The animal show was also a major part of the Chinook 4-H achievement day.

In the market hog show, Kalvin Bruder won grand champion hog honours and Jaxon Hammond had the reserve grand champion hog.

Jillanna Hammond won top prize in the grand showman category for hogs.

During the market sheep show, Christopher LeBlanc had the grand champion sheep and Peter Robbins had the reserve grand champion sheep. In the grand showman category, Christopher placed first and Maeran Hinch second.

Peter Robbins also showcased his breeding ewe, and next year Peter will return with his ewe and her lamb.

Even though the 4-H year is coming to an end for both clubs, there are still 4-H events on the horizon. 2017 is a special year as 4-H celebrates 100 years in the province. Centennial celebrations will take place from Aug. 3 to 7 in Olds, the birthplace of 4-H in Alberta.

Chinook 4-H Multi Club Thanks You! Thanks to the donors who supported our Achievement Day: MD of Pincher Creek Pincher Creek Co-op Judith Green Heritage Acres Bob Westrop Weston Manufacturing Jeff Hammond UFA Blackpowder Gun Club

Thanks to all our 2017 buyers of hogs and lambs:

4-H Pledge I pledge: My head to clearer thinking My heart to greater loyalty My hands to larger service and My health to better living, For my club, my community and my country.

Salvage Solutions Mikaela McQuade Caroline Hann Curtis and Marnie Delver Derrick O’Connor McNab Ranch Natasha Rowden Sachin Bhardwai Gavin Parker

David Yaganeh Calvin and Gayle Walper Jim and Kathy Welsch M&H Feedlot Justin and Kate Thompson Alvin and Lorraine Robbins Doc West

Special thanks to Norman Walker for the purchase of our scholarship hog!

The continued support from the community of Pincher Creek helps to keep 4-H going

Shootin’ the Breeze

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BRITISH COLUMBIA

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

NOT TO BE MISSED

1871

Two members of the North West Company, Simon Fraser and David Thompson, established the first European settlement in present-day British Columbia during the early 1800s. The region was used mainly for the fur trade and remained largely undeveloped for the next 50 years or so, contrasting with the rapid development underway in Eastern Canada. In 1849 the British government invested in colonizing the area, and James Douglas became the first governor of the colony of Vancouver Island in 1851.

Things were relatively calm during the next few years, but this quiet period came to an abrupt halt when gold was discovered along the lower Fraser River in 1858. Gold-seekers flocked to the area and eventually formed a second colony, this one on the mainland, called British Columbia. In 1871, the 12,000 non-aboriginal residents of the Vancouver Island and British Columbia colonies agreed to join Canada as a single province, on the condition that the federal government build a transcontinental railroad to link them to the economic mainstays of the east. British Columbia entered Confederation on July 20, 1871; 15 years later, the much-delayed Canadian Pacific Railway finally reached the province’s southwestern coast.

If you’re headed west to explore beautiful British Columbia, expect the experience to be a memorable one. This Pacific Northwest paradise has it all: ocean breezes, mountain views, incredible food, worldclass wine, rich history, vibrant culture and year-round festivals and events — not to mention Canada’s warmest weather.

During your visit, you could: • Spend a few hours exploring Canada’s first and oldest Chinatown in Victoria, or its biggest in Vancouver.

• Skinny dip at Wreck Beach.

• Swim in the warmest freshwater lake in Canada, Osoyoos Lake.

• Experience the West Coast Special: skiing and golfing on the same day.

• Enjoy the booming craft beer scene at one of 100-plus breweries and brew pubs. Or, join the fun during Vancouver Craft Beer Week, the Great Canadian Beer Festival or the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale. • Travel back to the Gold Rush era at Barkerville Historic Town.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Discover the province’s diverse aboriginal heritage at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Haida Village Centre or the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre.

• Embrace the pristine remoteness of the Great Bear Rainforest, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest and only place where it’s possible to glimpse a majestic spirit bear.

• Take in the majesty of Canada’s highest waterfall at Strathcona Provincial Park, on Vancouver Island. At 440 metres, Della Falls is eight times taller than Ontario’s Niagara Falls!

• Learn about Arctic exploration at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, prehistory at the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery, or the fur-trade era at Fort Langley National Historic Site.

• Tour one or several of B.C.’s 200plus wineries, located mainly in the gorgeous Okanagan Valley.

• Attend the annual International Bathtub Race in Nanaimo. Participants must make their way to the finish line while staying afloat in a modified bathtub. It’s quite the sight to behold!

• British Columbia is one of North America’s largest film production centres. The province’s stunning scenery was featured in the Twilight series, The Hurt Locker, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, among many other movies and TV shows.

• Rumour has it that from 1947 to 1986 it was illegal to sell a stove in Vancouver — but only on Wednesdays.

• Nessie who? Okanagan Lake is the purported home of B.C.’s own sea monster, named Ogopogo.

CREDIT: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA / COPYRIGHT: CANADA POST CORPORATION

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• B.C. has a surprising collection of roadside attractions, including the world’s largest tin soldier, push lawnmower, chainsaw, hockey stick and cross-country skis.

• Sasquatch sightings abound in B.C., and there’s even a provin-

cial park named after the elusive hairy creature located in one of its rumoured hangouts. Campers beware!

LICENCE PLATE SLOGANS

• The electric oven, egg carton and walkie-talkie were all invented in British Columbia.

DEMONYM People from B.C. are called British Columbians Beautiful British Columbia

PROVINCIAL NICKNAME The Pacific Province

A special Olympic licence plate inscribed The Best Place On Earth was available between 2007 and 2010 in celebration of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

OFFICIAL MOTTO

Splendor Sine Occasu (Splendour Without Diminishment) Osoyoos Lake

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1870

Like most of the Prairies, Manitoba began its journey to provincehood as part of Rupert’s Land, a sprawling territory that was owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company for nearly two centuries before being sold to Canada in 1868. In 1867, a man named Thomas Spence had attempted to create the Republic of Manitobah; however, poor organization and a complete lack of recognition — or even interest — from authorities in London prompted the state’s swift demise. Despite his disappointing democratic debut, Spence remained in politics and went on to serve on the council for Métis leader Louis Riel’s provisional government. Riel had established the group during the Red River Rebellion in reaction to the federal government’s complete disregard for Métis concerns. From the actions of Riel and his supporters — including Spence — emerged the Manitoba Act, a final step toward the creation of the Province of Manitoba. The act came into effect on July 15, 1870, officialising the status of Manitoba and its 15,000 residents within the Canadian Constitution.

DEMONYM People from Manitoba are called Manitobans OFFICIAL MOTTO Gloriosus et Liber (Glorious and Free) PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • The Keystone Province • The Postage Stamp Province • Land of 100,000 Lakes POSTAGE STAMP PROVINCE? Manitoba started out small: the original province was square-shaped and a mere 1/18th of its current size, thus earning its philatelic nickname.

NOT TO BE MISSED Travelling to Manitoba? This Prairie gem truly is a joy to discover. Whether you’re a wilderness fanatic or a cultural connoisseur, Canada’s central province has a little something for everyone.

FANTASTIC FESTIVALS From February’s Festival du Voyageur (Western Canada’s biggest winter celebration) to Folklorama in August (the world’s longest-running multicultural festival) Manitoba’s year-round roster of special events ensures that no matter when you visit, you’ll come across a party — or several — to attend.

MARVELLOUS MUSEUMS History buffs, science lovers and art aficionados are in for a treat. Manitoba is home to an impressive array of museums, historic sites and galleries, including Canada’s only national museum outside Ottawa: the new Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.

Awesome architecture: Manitoba’s capital city is chock-full of architectural gems, from heritage buildings in Exchange District National Historic Site to modern wonders like the Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Prehistoric pursuits: Visit Bruce (the world’s largest publicly displayed Mosasaur) and see North America’s most extensive collection of marine fossils at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden.

Prairie pioneering: Step into the skilfully restored 1895 home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald at Dalnavert Museum; discover a turn-ofthe-century Russian settlement at Mennonite Heritage Village; or explore more than 25 historic buildings at Fort la Reine Museum.

MANITOBA DID YOU KNOW?

WONDROUS WILDERNESS There’s no shortage of ways to explore Manitoba’s unique nature!

• Hike through the odd-but-beautiful Spirit Sands of Spruce Woods Provincial Park.

• Cycle along the Assiniboine River or make some feathered friends on the Bacon Ridge Birding Trail.

• Trek the rugged Pisew Falls to Kwasitchewan Falls Hiking Trail to see the highest waterfall in the province.

• Climb the limestone cliffs in Steep Rock.

• Shred the slopes at Springhill Winter Sports Park.

• Ski or snowshoe the sparkling trails of Riding Mountain National Park.

• Paddle the crystal-clear lakes of Nopiming Provincial Park, or through the granite-clad Caddy Lake Tunnels in Whiteshell.

• Duck into the Clearwater Lake Caves to see how 400 million years of geological activity can shape the landscape.

• Skate along the world’s longest naturally frozen ice trail, the Red River Mutual Trail.

• Lounge on Lake Winnipeg’s Grand Beach, one of the top-rated sandy spots in the country.

The new Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

• The city of Churchill in northern Manitoba is the polar bear capital of the world. The animals are so common that local police advise against dressing as polar bears for Halloween so as to not be confused with the real deal.

• In 1959, Winnipeg became the first city in Canada to implement an emergency phone number.

• Some of the most iconic names in Canadian rock hail from Manitoba, including the Guess Who, Neil Young, Tom Cochrane and Bachman Turner Overdrive.

• Manitobans donate more to charitable causes per capita than residents of any other province.

• The University of Manitoba, founded in 1877, is Western Canada’s oldest university. Its first graduating class, in 1880, consisted of a single person.

• The town of Gimli is home to the largest Icelandic community outside Iceland. If you’re there in August, be sure to check out Islendingadagurinn, the annual Icelandic Festival.

• Winnipeg is home to Canada’s oldest dance company (the Royal Winnipeg Ballet), outdoor theatre (Rainbow Stage) and French-language theatre (Le Cercle Molière).

LICENCE PLATE SLOGANS • 1971-75: Sunny Manitoba, 100,000 Lakes • 1976 to present: Friendly Manitoba

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15a

1867

One of the four original provinces, New Brunswick joined the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Protection, mobility and economic prosperity were the driving forces behind this revolutionary merge. Colonists, including Confederation trailblazer and government leader Samuel Leonard Tilley, believed a wider national union would further elevate New Brunswick’s local economy by providing a larger market for goods and a link to the other colonies via the Intercolonial Railway system.

At the same time, fear of invasion reigned thick in the air as the American Civil War brewed in the south. With talk of the U.S. wanting to expand northward into New Brunswick, the majority of Maritime leaders believed their best defensive tactic was to become one with the Province of Canada (formerly Upper and Lower Canada). Although this decision didn’t enjoy widespread agreement across the colony — many settlers feared their interests would be overshadowed in the greater Canadian context — the bid for Confederation prevailed, and New Brunswick became distinctly Canadian on July 1, 1867.

NOT TO BE MISSED With the best snow conditions in Atlantic Canada, some of the highest tides in the world, an abundance of natural habitats and a distinct continental climate, New Brunswick offers year-round outdoor adventures second to none.

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS One of the marine wonders of the world, the Bay of Fundy promises a true coastal experience. Bike along the Fundy Trail, watch the highest tides in the world recede from high up on Hopewell Rocks, rappel down craggy cliffs or head out on a once-in-a-lifetime whale-watching expedition.

Do you love to fish? The Miramichi River is one of the world’s most famous sites for salmon fishing. Flanked by pristine forests, the mighty Miramichi offers beautiful campgrounds, colourful trails and the best fly-fishing the world has to offer.

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 23

NEW BRUNSWICK

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

July 5, 2017

DID YOU KNOW?

Get in touch with your Acadian joie de vivre in one of New Brunswick’s most renowned cultural hubs: le Pays de la Sagouine. Located in the heart of Acadie, le Pays de la Sagouine allows travellers to discover the sights and sounds of Acadian culture through theatre, comedy, music, dance and traditional fare.

Travelling in the winter? With thousands of kilometres of ski and snowmobile trails spanning the province, New Brunswick offers the winter expedition of a lifetime. And if you’re one to venture off the beaten path, a trip to the magical ice caves deep in the Midland forests is well worth the trek.

Finally, you don’t have to travel to the tropics for beautiful sandy beaches and warm ocean waters. Considered one of North America’s finest shorelines, Parlee Beach Provincial Park is known to have the warmest salt waters north of Virginia.

• New Brunswick is the only province in Canada that is officially bilingual. While the majority of the population is English-speaking and of Anglo and Celtic ancestry, there is also a prominent francophone minority (about 33 per cent), chiefly of Acadian origin. Just over two per cent of the population belongs to a visible minority.

• Home to the McCain empire, the small town of Florenceville-Bristol is the french fry capital of the world. In fact, one-third of the world’s french fries come from New Brunswick.

• Established in 1785, the University of New Brunswick was the first official English-speaking university in Canada and one of the first public universities in all of North America.

• An eastern seaside province, New Brunswick has some of the best whale watching the world over. In fact, come summertime, up to 15 different species of whales can be spotted in the waters surrounding the Bay of Fundy.

• Speaking of the Bay of Fundy, it has the highest tides in the world, with waters rising at a rapid rate of one metre

per hour. In fact, the force of the incoming tide is so overpowering that it causes the connecting St. John River to flow backwards twice a day, every day.

PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • Picture Province • The Loyalist Province WHO WERE THE LOYALISTS? Many English-Canadians in New Brunswick share a bloodline with the American colonists known as Loyalists who supported the British cause during the American Revolution (177583). Their loyalty to the mother country led them to flee northward to British North America, where many settled in and around the St. John River Valley. This Loyalist influx — which comprised farmers, labourers and tradespeople of various cultural backgrounds, including former black slaves — provided momentum for the creation of New Brunswick.

LICENCE PLATE SLOGANS

Hopewell Rocks

OFFICIAL MOTTO Spem Reduxit

(Hope Was Restored)

DEMONYM People from New Brunswick are called New Brunswickers

• 1954-1971: Picture Province • 2010-11: Be … in this place. Être … ici on le peut.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1949

Oh, Newfoundland: Canada’s historical paradox. Did you know that England’s oldest overseas colony was actually an independent country before joining Canadian ranks in 1949? In fact, Newfoundland’s decision to join Canada contradicted the province’s lengthy history. Many decades before, Newfoundlanders brazenly rejected Confederation in favour of a destiny alongside Canada, rather than within it.

LOOKING BACK In 1907, Newfoundland acquired dominion status from the U.K., which put it on equal ground with Canada. The two countries self-governed side by side until 1933. Faced with unsustainable government debt following the First World War, rapidly declining fish prices and the astronomical cost of maintaining a trans-island railway, Newfoundland was forced to give up its independence in exchange for the Crown’s support.

NOT TO BE MISSED Every year, travellers from near and far are drawn to Canada’s eastern edge for its inspiring natural beauty and rich culture — a product of Newfoundland’s English, French, Irish and aboriginal heritage.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Between ancient rock formations, rugged coastlines, thick boreal forests and herds of wildlife (caribou, seabirds, moose, black bears, humpback whales and more), Newfoundland’s wild, natural beauty surrounds you at every turn. With its four national parks, 18 wilderness and ecological reserves, and numerous botanical gardens, there are many ways to revel in Newfoundland’s natural glory. Stand on top of the world at Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; travel back in time to where the Vikings settled some 1,000 years ago at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site; get up close to a 10,000-yearold glacial giant drifting down Iceberg Alley; or opt for a primitive camping experience

among the unspoiled forests of Terra Nova National Park.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES If you’re searching for live music and rousing theatre performances, then Newfoundland should soar to the top of your list of travel destinations. Home to some of the country’s finest writers, musicians, actors and comedians, there’s no shortage of festivals and events in Newfoundland, especially during the summer months! Set in the heart of the winding colourful streets of St. John’s, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival in August is the most-attended cultural event of the season. And if you’re a history buff, you won’t want to miss the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, which kicks off in June, as it brings Newfoundland and Labrador’s vibrant past to life. Between lighthouse picnics, art-gallery tours and walking festivals, Newfoundland is brimming with cultural experiences for every type of traveller!

• Approximately 94 per cent of the province’s total population reside on the island of Newfoundland, and half of that population live in St. John’s.

• St. John’s is the provincial capital and the oldest city in all of North America. Explorer John Cabot became the first European to sail into the harbour in 1497, although this tidbit of history has been hotly contested. According to archeological findings and the ancient tales of the Norse Sagas, the infamous Vikings may have been the first Europeans to make land in the New World, settling in Newfoundland and Labrador (or Vinland, as they called it) over 1,000 years ago.

• While the rest of Canada lives and breathes hockey, Newfoundlanders go crazy for rugby!

(They also like a good game of soccer.) Swilers Rugby Park in St. John’s is the biggest rugby stadium in all of Canada, with a capacity of 6,500 people. This difference in sports culture is due in part to the province’s long history under British rule.

Was Newfoundland to join the Confederation or return to self-government? After two consecutive referendums, Newfoundland became the 10th province to enter the Canadian Confederation on March 31, 1949, and in December 2001 an amendment was made to the Constitution to change the province’s official name to Newfoundland and Labrador.

1993-2001: A World of Difference

land English.

Gros Morne National Park

At the dawn of the Second World War, however, Newfoundland began to prosper anew, and locals aspired to break from English rule once more. But political leader Joseph (Joey) R. Smallwood, the last Father of Confederation, strongly believed a wider union with Canada would lift the province and its people out of poverty by providing a social safety net and paving the way for industrialization.

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN

DID YOU KNOW? • There are more varieties of English spoken in Newfoundland and Labrador than anywhere else in the world. In fact, the province has its own English-language dictionary and encyclopedia, the Dictionary of Newfound-

DEMONYM

People from Newfoundland and Labrador are officially called Newfoundlanders, but the colloquial term Newfie is often used in Canada to refer to the province’s locals. Considered a slur from its past use by American and Canadian military personnel stationed in the province who used the term loosely in their jokes, “Newfie” is sometimes perceived as being offensive.

However, many Newfoundlanders would argue that it’s actually a source of pride.

OFFICIAL MOTTO: Prime Regnum Dei (Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God)

• In addition to being some of the friendliest people on Earth, Newfoundlanders are known for their knack for storytelling.

PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • The Rock (in reference to the Island of Newfoundland) • The Big Land (in reference to Labrador)

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

July 5, 2017

NOVA SCOTIA

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1867

Conservative premier Charles Tupper led the way for Nova Scotia — then a prosperous colony of about 350,000 people — to become one of the original provinces to join Confederation in 1867.

He was a strong proponent of both a Maritime union and British North American union, in large part due to his belief that Nova Scotia would flourish if connected to other colonies by an inter-colonial railway.

Talks for both types of union began in 1864 at the Charlottetown Conference, but whereas the idea of a Maritime union was tabled, a confederation between the colonies was considered worth pursuing. Terms for the union were soon debated at a second conference in Quebec City. As a result, 72 guidelines were outlined in a document known as the Quebec Resolutions. Many Nova Scotians were vehemently opposed to the intended terms, especially those of financial nature. However, Charles Tupper led a majority government and was therefore able to pass the Quebec Resolutions through legislature.

NOT TO BE MISSED FRESH ATLANTIC SEAFOOD Nova Scotia is a treasure trove of eats from the sea. Fresh oysters, lobster dishes, seafood chowder, Atlantic salmon and, of course, Digby scallops — especially if you happen to be in Digby — are a must for any seafood aficionado visiting the province.

CELTIC MUSIC AND DANCING Fiddling and Cape Breton step dancing are abundantly practised in Nova Scotia. Experience them both at the Antigonish Highland Games the first week in July or at the Celtic Colours International Music Festival in October.

Alternatively, many pubs in the province often host live performances.

CABOT TRAIL Considered one of the world’s best road trips, driving the Cabot Trail — a 300-kilometre loop around Cape Breton — allows you to experience dramatic oceanside views, sparkling waterfalls, beautiful beaches, rocky cliffs and more. Cycling the loop is

DID YOU KNOW?

even more amazing (ideal times are June and September), but be prepared for steep inclines en route.

• There are 13 Mi’kmaq nations inhabiting Nova Scotia today, but their history in the area dates back 13,000 years. Over 1,500 place names in the province are of Mi’kmaq origin.

LIGHTHOUSES Peggy’s Point lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove may be the most famous, but it’s far from the only one. Nova Scotia has 160 lighthouses — more than any other province in Canada. Many of them are open to the public and others simply make for picturesque picnic spots.

• Nova Scotia is home to North America’s only tidal power plant. It harnesses power from the Bay of Fundy, which produces the world’s highest tidal ranges.

• Pirates were a serious threat in early Nova Scotia, and their crimes were ordered by law to be punished by public hanging (the final such execution occurred in Halifax in 1844). However, pirate lore including tales of buried treasure and ghostly happenings are common throughout the province into present times.

BAY OF FUNDY Experiencing the tides and abundant marine life of this unique location can be exhilarating or calming, depending on how you choose to take it in. Tidal bore rafting will make your pulse race, and viewing the tides from Cape Split involves a vigorous — but so-worthit — 16-kilometre hike. Alternatively, kayaking the waters or experiencing them at sea level from Harbourville or Parrsboro are more placid ways to enjoy this natural wonder.

• There’s more Gaelic spoken in Nova Scotia than there is in Scotland. The province houses North America’s only Gaelic College, and it also boasts the world’s largest ceilidh fiddle.

• North America’s first ferry — powered by eight horses — was established between Halifax and Dartmouth. Our country’s first ferry crime occurred on this very route when a drunk got aboard and stabbed all eight horses.

Royal assent for Confederation was given at the London Conference in 1866, and on July 1, 1867, the new legislation took effect.

• Some other firsts include: first divorce granted in the colonies (1750), first ever covered hockey rink (1863), first public library in Canada (1864), and the first Canadian hurricane warning system (1987).

• Little more than a generation ago, Africville, a black community composed of former slaves and black Loyalists, flourished in the Bedford Basin. In the mid-1960s, it was demolished and the former residents were required to disperse to other regions. A public apology for the forced eviction was issued in 2010 by the Halifax mayor.

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN

DEMONYM Those who hail from Nova Scotia are called Nova Scotians, but the term Bluenose or Bluenoser is also common. The nickname dates back to at least the late 18th century and may be derived from the blue-skinned potatoes grown in the Annapolis Valley that were once a strong component of the local diet.

Canada’s Ocean Playground

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1870

Canada purchased the expansive area owned by the Hudson’s Bay Co. — Rupert’s Land and North-Western Territory — after six months of gruelling negotiations that took place in London.

As a freshly formed nation, Canada was eager to expand its borders both north and west, and simultaneously wanted to prevent the United States from further expanding (they’d already purchased Alaska from Russia a few years earlier). Britain supported these efforts and helped facilitate the transfer.

The lands acquired more than tripled Canada’s size. They encompassed all of modern-day Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as most of northern Ontario and Quebec. The land was purchased in 1869 for £300,000, and HBC kept the titles to various trading posts and five per cent of the territory (mostly farmland in the Prairies).

However, the actual takeover was postponed due to the Red River Rebellion led by Louis Riel. As a result, appropriation only commenced on July 15, 1870. Upon Canada’s acquisition of the new region, the entire area — minus a small squaresized lot around Winnipeg that was pronounced the province of Manitoba — became known as the North-West Territories.

PHOTO : DENNIS JARVIS

Shootin’ the Breeze

PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • The Sea Bound Coast • The Land of Evangeline • Acadia (to the French) • Mi’kma’ki (to the Mi’kmaq)

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

NOT TO BE MISSED NORTHERN LIGHTS The aurora borealis are visible in the Northwest Territories up to 250 days a year.

Being located directly under the auroral oval allows for prime viewing, and low humidity and limited light pollution are also advantages. The northern lights are most likely to be spotted in August and September and again from November to April, with peaks in the conditions that create the lights occurring every 11 years.

DOGSLEDDING TOURS At one time, the only way to travel overland in the Northwest Territories in winter was by dogsled. Nowadays, snowmobiling, driving and flying have replaced this ancient method of getting around Canada’s northernmost places. However, dogsledding hasn’t completely disappeared. It’s become a popular winter sport, and competitive races are held every year. Visitors to the N.W.T. can experience dogsledding on multi-day tours or short jaunts into the winter wilderness.

NAHANNI NATIONAL PARK For unspoiled wilderness, few places on earth can compare to Nahanni National Park. This

OFFICIAL MOTTO Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (One Defends and the Other Conquers)

DID YOU KNOW?

UNESCO World Heritage Site has soaring mountain cliffs, cathedral-like canyons, rushing rivers, ancient caves, spectacular waterfalls (Virginia Falls), and luxurious hot springs. Rafting, canoeing, camping and hiking are just some of the ways this pristine park can be explored.

• The Northwest Territories has 11 officially recognized languages: English, French, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, Inuinnaqtun, North Slavey, South Slavey, Cree, Tlinchon/Dogrib, Gwich’in and Chipewyan. Citizens have the right to use any of these languages in legislative proceedings and territorial courts.

GREAT NORTH ARTS FESTIVAL Every summer in the town of Inuvik, visual artists, performers, locals and visitors alike gather over a period of 10 days to appreciate the diverse artistic traditions of the North. Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples display their creative talents, and workshops in traditional media such as beading, weaving and soapstone are a great way to have a more hands-on experience. Live performances, primarily music and dancing, are also on offer.

• The N.W.T. is home to both the largest (Great Bear) and the deepest (Great Slave) lakes in Canada.

THE SALT PLAINS Near Fort Smith in Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada’s largest national park), salt bubbles up from springs over a 200-kilometre expanse of desert-like plains. Salt-tolerant plants thrive in the area and wildlife lingering nearby is frequently spotted.

• This territory is the world’s second-biggest producer of diamonds. The diamonds are of superior quality to those found in Africa.

• The N.W.T. has no political parties. Instead, the territory’s government is made up of individuals who are voted in by their individual names rather than party affiliation. At the federal level, N.W.T. elected officials are assigned to whichever party is currently in power.

• The Northwest Territories holds the largest amount of pingos — naturally occurring mounds of earth-covered ice — in the world.

PHOTO: ADAM JONES, PH.D./GLOBAL PHOTO ARCHIVE/FLICKR

Page 24

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN • Yellowknife is the coldest city in Canada with an annual mean temperature of -5.4 C. In the north, it’s not uncommon for winter temperatures to dip down to -50.

Spectacular (Plate is shaped like a polar bear)

DEMONYM People from the Northwest Territories are called Northwest Territorians, or N.W.T.ers for short.

TERRITORIAL NICKNAMES • Canada’s Last Frontier • North of Sixty • Land of the Polar Bear • Nunatsiaq (Beautiful Land in Inuktitut)

• Ragged Ass Road in Yellowknife was so named by prospector Lou Rocher. While the name sounds rather vulgar, the original street name, Privy Road, wasn’t much better.

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

July 5, 2017

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 25

Fort Macleod Hospital Auxiliary 120th Anniversary

By Marilyn Roemer

Photo courtesy of Brenda Shenton

Kiera Greenly is surrounded by cousins, aunties, uncles, her grandma and even a friend from across the street, during the summer of 2002. She has fond memories of family gatherings at Grandma Greenly’s house on Mountain Street in Pincher Creek, where summer days were always peppered with activities for all ages and plenty of ice cream treats.

Life comes full circle in Pincher Creek

By Kiera Greenly Another special When I was place in Pincher eight months old Creek was my I was adopted grandma Erna’s from China. I am house. Whenever so lucky to live in we would visit Canada! we would get ice When I was cream sandwiches, adopted, the first a piano concert place I called home and cribbage was Kitchenergames. I have beat Waterloo, Ont. my grandma in After that, home crib many times was Abbotsford — don’t let her tell and then White you otherwise!

Rock, B.C. After Recently my seven years in grandma moved Photo by Brenda Shenton White Rock we left into Vista Village. I Young Kiera liked to play basketball beautiful British will miss her house with the chickens when visiting the Columbia for Edand all the memoranch in Gladstone Valley. monton. ries it holds.

I was anxious, As some of you excited and sad about the move. may know, I am the Summer Games White Rock was where I “grew up.” I and summer activity co-ordinator have many fond memories there like for the Town of Pincher Creek. I picking blackberries off the bushes was also fortunate enough to do this along the path near our house. job last summer. It has been a neat Moving to Edmonton led to a lot experience coming back to the town of great things, though: a wonderful that is so special to me. high school experience that I will I love that I have been able to give always remember, friends that will back to this community and plan be by my side for life, and more trips events like the children’s festival to Pincher Creek. and the float for the parade on rodeo A special place about 25 minutes weekend. I remember attending the southwest of town is the ranch festival and watching the parade where my aunt Brenda and uncle when I visited Pincher as a child.

K.C. live. While growing up we For me, it feels like things have come would always try to plan visits to full circle.

Pincher Creek. If my dad (Kerry Pincher Creek’s people are what Greenly) said we were going to makes it so great. I have met many stay at the ranch then that meant it of you around town and am starting would be an awesome trip. to catch on to the last names that are I have a lot of memories at the common around here. Whether you ranch. When I first visited, my aunt are a co-worker, an athlete compettook me down the road to meet her ing in the Summer Games, a family parents in-law, Marge and Cecil friend, someone who has attended Shenton. Marge let me “ride” a an outdoor movie night, or a local horse. It was such a cool experience business owner, I appreciate your for my adventurous two-year-old being so welcoming and friendly. self.

All the people here make this When I was eight and my brother community strong and tight-knit. was six, we wanted to go fishing with Coming from a city, I really cherish our uncle. He had a rule though; we the community feeling. I hope you had to get our own bait. So, in about don’t take it for granted. a minute I had 10 grasshoppers in I am so proud to be Canadian my container, but my brother still and to be a resident in this commuhad none. nity for a short while. Pincher will He said to me with his puppy always have a special place in my eyes, “Kiera, please?” while holding heart. I hope you all had a fun and out his container for me to take. I safe Canada Day weekend. grabbed it and stormed off to catch Happy 150th birthday to the land his grasshoppers. I just wanted to go of hockey and Tim Hortons! Cheers! fishing!

Can we help? the auxiliarians say, for 120 years of our history Proud to be there from the founding of our fort Since 1897 our hospital to support.

Let’s work together to ease someone’s pain Give comfort and solace without our own gain …

Think of it — 120 years of continuous service From horse-and-buggy days through two world wars Spanish flu — the Great Depression — the baby boom Time marching on to see men on the moon.

Our workers always did what they could.

We need this or that, medical staff would ask.

Let’s do it where able. The auxiliarians take it to task Raising money through raffles, dinners and bake sales To supply needed equipment to make care more exact.

To help where we can, that is our mission From 1897 to 2017 — of this milestone we’re proud.

The longest-existing auxiliary in all of Alberta We share 120 years of Canada’s 150 years of history With dedication and drive we look forward to the future Giving our time and effort always to nurture.

Many thanks to all members and helpers, present and past for holding hospital auxiliary ideals fast — For 120 years

Our Canada

Highway 501 near Writing on Stone Provincial Park Photo by Jodi Saucier

Miramichi River, New Brunswick Photo by Sally-Ann Taylor

Fall canoe trip in the Kawarthas, north of Peterborough Photo by David Simmons

Page 26

Shootin’ the Breeze

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

July 5, 2017

Canada is a diverse and culturally rich place to live. The second-largest country by land mass in the world, Canada is comprised of 10 provinces and three territories.

Canada is a relatively young country —

How Canada came to be

around 90 years younger in founding than the United States of America, its closest neighbour — and is celebrating its 150th birthday in 2017. However, Canada experienced a rich history prior to its official founding. Here’s a look back at how Canada came to be.

During the Age of Exploration, European nations sent out exploratory parties to find lands they could claim

as their own. North America was an area rich in natural resources, and both Great Britain and France were interested in capitalizing on those resources. In 1497, John Cabot was the first European to explore Canada. Cabot also was the first to draw a map of Canada’s East Coast.

Jacques Cartier of France also explored Canada in the early 1500s, and claimed land for the king of France. Cartier heard two captured native guides speak the Iroquoian word “kanata,” meaning “village.” While the name of Canada began appearing on maps, the region was largely known as New France, thanks to French influence and claims.

Prior to European influences in the 16th century, Canada was populated by Aboriginal Peoples who had been living on the land for thousands of years.

Early interactions between settlers and natives were tense, with various wars springing up. In addition, life as natives knew it changed dramatically upon the arrival of European traders and colonists. According to the Government of Canada, large numbers of aboriginal inhabitants died after being exposed to diseases brought by the Europeans.

Ultimately, natives and Europeans formed strong economic, religious and military bonds in the first 200 years of their coexistence in Canada, laying the foundation for

the nation that exists today.

While France maintained a heavy influence in North America, British colonies along the Atlantic seaboard helped Great Britain establish a stronghold in North America. In the 1700s, France and Great Britain battled for control of North America. In 1759, the British defeated the French in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham at Quebec City. The Seven Years War ended in 1763, and France surrendered its land in North America to Britain.

Canada flourished, but it was a series of fragmented British colonies. Much like in the United States, Canadian colonial dependence began to give way to a desire for increasing autonomy.

Colonists noted the conflict between French- and English-speaking areas of the country, a need for a common defence, the desire for a national railroad system, and a need for more opportunities to sell Canadian goods, and ultimately a confederation was born out of these needs.

Fearing more conflict with the United States after the American Revolution and support of the south during the Civil War, Britain didn’t want to have a separate colony it would have to defend on its hands.

As a result, on July 1, 1867, the British North America Act established the Dominion of Canada as a self-governing entity within the British Empire.

Canada began with four provinces. It would take more than a century to add the other six provinces and three territories that make Canada the vast nation it is today.

Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village Presents

Happy Canada 150!

Come by Rona this summer for all your home and garden needs

SUMMER DAY CAMP Ages 7 to 12 Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

July 5 to 27 and Aug. 2 to 10 $20 per child/day includes:

• Lunch • Historical costume for the day • Tours program • Activities • Learning opportunities • Storytelling • Pioneer fun Preregistration Required (two business days) Last-minute registries not accepted

403-627-4000

403-627-4100 FAX

871 Elk Avenue

Pincher Creek

Call or drop in at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village 403-627-3684 edcoordinator.kbpv@gmail.com 1037 Bev McLachlin Drive Pincher Creek

Celebrating Canada Day!

TOWN & COUNTRY LIQUOR STORE Come in and check out the

Canada 150 Specials all summer long!

Please Be Safe, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE

1027 Main Street Pincher Creek like us on facebook

30th Annual Show – August 4, 5, 6 Celebrating Barn Grand Opening Events start Friday at 3 p.m., see details on website Live entertainment all day Saturday and Sunday Pedal tractors are back!

Breakfast served Saturday and Sunday Saturday dinner with live entertainment Free admission for kids 16 and under

www.heritageacres.org

403-627-2082

From Highway 3, turn north on Highway 785 for 8.4 km then turn right

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1999

On April 1, 1999, new boundaries were drawn in Canada’s North. Carved out of the central and eastern areas of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut — which means “our land” in Inuktitut — finally became a distinct Canadian territory after years of negotiations.

IN A NUTSHELL The creation of Nunavut was the outcome of the largest aboriginal land claims agreement in Canadian history. A surge in oil, gas and mineral exploration in the North during the 1970s forced the Inuit to organize in response to the fastpaced economic developments affecting their land. (The Inuit and First Nations peoples have a spiritual connection to the land, animals and sea, and believe resources must be used wisely as a show of respect.) A traditional hunter-gatherer society, the Inuit sought self-governance as a means to protect their cultural well-being. After years of renegotiating treaties, the Canadian government finally enacted the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in 1993, which gave the Inuit a slice of the North and various rights, including wildlife and resource management. The birth of Canada’s newest, largest and northernmost territory resulted in the first major change to the country’s geopolitical map since the inclusion of Newfoundland in 1949.

NOT TO BE MISSED For a lot of travellers, Canada’s vast North is still uncharted territory. But don’t let its brisk weather and snow-filled landscapes deter you. As one of the largest unspoiled territories on Earth, Nunavut’s natural beauty promises the Arctic adventure of a lifetime!

THINGS TO DO Wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, dogsledding, snowmobiling, camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking — there are many ways adventure-seekers can experience Canada’s true North. A land brimming with history, fauna and spectacular Arctic landscapes, Nunavut has increasingly been attracting explorers from all over the globe. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Canada’s youngest territory by admiring the local wildlife (polar bears, walruses, caribou, narwhals) that gather around the floe edge; camping under the dancing lights

of the aurora borealis; sailing past glacial mountains aboard an Arctic cruise ship; embarking on a snowmobile expedition across Nunavut’s pristine wilderness; paddling down some of the world’s most beautiful rivers; or touring vibrant communities (Arctic Bay, Igloolik, Cape Dorset, Iqaluit) to experience the Inuit way of life first-hand.

CLIMATE Pack your down coats and extreme coldweather gear because Nunavut’s arctic climate can sometimes be unforgiving. Bitterly cold in the winter and cool to cold in the summer, Nunavut is home to some of the iciest communities on Earth. However, the cool days of spring bring plenty of sunshine, and the low humidity in the north helps reduce the impact of the cold.

(Our Land, Our Strength)

1867

Before Ontario was Ontario, it was part of the colony of Quebec, which was home to both French and English settlers. Unsurprisingly, religious, linguistic and social differences soon divided the area’s growing population. Both groups, eager to self-govern according to their own political views, parted ways via the Constitution Act of 1791. The act split the Quebec colony in two: the French-speaking Catholics claimed the eastern portion, Lower Canada, and the British Loyalists and American settlers took Upper Canada, Ontario’s predecessor. Lt.-Gov. John Graves Simcoe was the first leader of the new Upper Canadian society. Things went smoothly at first, but the War of 1812 set off a chain of events fuelled by political instability and rebellions on both sides of the new border. In February 1841, less than a century after their divorce, Upper and Lower Canada reunited to form the Province of Canada out of economic necessity; but the communities retained their distinct character. When talks of Confederation began, both sides were at the table, with George-Étienne Cartier representing the French speakers and John A. Macdonald, the former residents of Upper Canada. The Province of Canada was divided into Quebec and Ontario in early 1867. Together, but as separate provinces, they joined the new Dominion of Canada on July 1 of that same year. Many Fathers of Confederation were from Ontario, including Sir Alexander Campbell, James Cockburn, George Brown and the first Canadian prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald.

LICENCE PLATE SLOGANS

NEW PLATES, NEW IDENTITY At the time of separation, vehicles in Nunavut continued to circulate with the Northwest Territories’ iconic bear-shaped licence plate, introduced in 1970. Later, in 2011, Nunavut decided it was time to differentiate itself further from its former reliance, and a contest was launched to create new plates. Among the 200 designs submitted, it was Iqaluit resident Ron Froese’s beautiful night scene that captured the hearts of government officials. Today, Nunavut’s rectangular plates feature a polar bear, an inuksuk, three sets of northern lights for the territory’s three regions (Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk) and 25 stars for each of the territory’s communities. The plates bear no official slogan and feature the Inuktitut syllabics for Nunavut ( ) at the bottom.

NOT TO BE MISSED Ottawa and Toronto are amazing places to visit, but there’s a lot more to experience in Canada’s most populous province than the CN Tower and Parliament Hill. For one, Ontario’s vast and varied festival scene is truly in a league of its own. What are you looking to celebrate?

Sunfest, Markham’s Jambana One World Festival, and Belleville’s Waterfront and Ethnic Festival all have an international focus, while the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, and the Toronto Caribbean Festival, among others, shine the spotlight on one heritage in particular.

MUSIC Put on your dancing shoes! Top musical events across the province include Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival, the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Jazz Sudbury, and the one-of-a-kind Collingwood Elvis Festival.

FOOD AND DRINK Hungry? Sink your teeth into some barbecued goodness at Canada’s Largest Ribfest in Burlington. For a healthier alternative, try Carrot Fest in Bradford or the LaSalle Strawberry Festival. Thirsty? Wine lovers can sample the latest from Ontario’s wine country during Pelham Summerfest, while beer enthusiasts can head to Peterborough’s Kawartha Craft Beer Festival for a fresh pint of local ale.

FILM TIFF, the Toronto International Film Festival, may be the biggest event of its kind in the province, but there are loads of other fantastic movie-centric celebrations to check out in Ontario. Canadian creations take centre stage during the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, while the Windsor International Film Festival features flicks from both sides of the border and beyond. Ottawa hosts the world’s largest animation film festival, and Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival has a soft spot for French-language movies.

In 2008, a French-language version of the current licence plate was released. It features the translated slogan Tant à découvrir.

DID YOU KNOW? • Nunavut is Canada’s only geopolitical region that is not connected to the rest of North America by highway. In fact, Nunavut has no connecting highways; travelling between communities is largely done by aircraft, cruise ship, snowmobile and even dogsled.

• Nunavut is home to the world’s northernmost permanently inhabited settlement, Alert — a cold, hard and desolate land with a population of 62.

• Nunavut spreads over an area the size of Western Europe: 2,093,000 square kilometres.

• Nunavut has no local or city police, but has one RCMP branch located in the territory’s capital.

• In an attempt to transmit their ancestral heritage, community elders teach youth traditional skills — such as hunting, butchering and skinning of slain animals — in school.

• Nunavut has more artists per capita than any other place in the world. In fact, arts and crafts make up a significant portion of the territory’s economic activity.

ONTARIO DID YOU KNOW? • Spanning more than a million kilometres, Ontario — Canada’s second-largest province — is larger than the countries of France and Spain combined.

• In addition to pop stars (think Justin Bieber and Drake), rock bands (like Rush and the Tragically Hip) and hockey greats (hello Wayne Gretzky), Ontario has given the world an impressive crop of comedy icons, including Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Jim Carrey and Mike Meyers.

• The name Ontario is thought to derive from either the Huron word for “great lake” or the Iroquoian word for “beautiful water.” Both are incredibly appropriate seeing as the province contains more than 250,000 freshwater lakes.

• The Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, is the world’s largest nuclear power plant.

• When Ottawa’s section of the Rideau Canal freezes over, it becomes the world’s longest outdoor skating rink.

THEATRE Stratford is the Ontarian mecca for fans of the stage. The Stratford Festival hosts a massive lineup of musicals, children’s plays, pantomimes and classic pieces over the span of seven months. If you’re in the area between April and October, attending at least one performance is an absolute must.

MULTICULTURAL DISCOVERIES Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday by getting to know the diverse cultures that make our country so unique. London’s TD

• 1973-1981: Keep it beautiful • 1982 to present: Yours to Discover

NUNAVUT

• All homes in Nunavut are built on stilts to avoid melting the region’s permafrost (year-round frozen subsoil).

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• Nunavut has the highest birthrate of Canada’s provinces and territories, with 52 per cent of its population under the age of 25.

1999-2011: Explore Canada’s Arctic

OFFICIAL MOTTO

Shootin’ the Breeze

• Iqaluit is the current territorial capital and the only community within Nunavut to have received its order of status as a city.

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN DEMONYM People from Nunavut are officially referred to as Nunavummiut (Noo-na-vu-mee-uth), although the term Inuit, or its derogatory counterpart “Eskimo,” is often incorrectly used to refer to any person hailing from Canada’s Great North.

July 5, 2017

OFFICIAL MOTTO

Ut incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet

(Loyal She Began, Loyal She Remains)

• If you don’t want the Hilton selling your horse, you’d better pay for your room. Ontario law still has a clause allowing innkeepers to auction off the horse of anyone who attempts to snooze and split.

DEMONYM People from Ontario are called Ontarians

PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • The Heartland Province • The Province of Opportunity

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July 5, 2017

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

NOT TO BE MISSED

1873

Construction of a railroad on Prince Edward Island left the colony with a crippling debt. Confederation was the solution to this financial disaster, as well as an answer to the so-called Land Question (a highly contentious issue involving the system of land ownership on the Island). Canada agreed to pay out the railway debt and buy land from absentee landlords, and further promised to implement and maintain a year-round communication link with the Island. On July 1, 1873, it became official: P.E.I. was the seventh province to enter the Canadian Confederation.

The occasion was observed in Charlottetown with a small ceremony and celebration.

However, all of this occurred less than ten years after the Charlottetown Conference, during which the Maritime colonies and the Province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) first began to put together the ideas that led to Confederation. Unlike the other colonies involved, Prince Edward Island ultimately declined to partake in the union, feeling that the terms were disagreeable. Still, P.E.I.’s original involvement in the preliminary talks led to the province touting itself as the birthplace of Confederation.

FRESH, WILD LOBSTER P.E.I. has not one but two lobster seasons: the first runs from May to June and the second from August to October. The Maritime delicacy can be enjoyed at numerous restaurants on the Island or picked up at a grocery store alive or cooked. However, for a more hands-on experience, consider participating in a floating lobster boil. You’ll go out on a boat, learn about lobster fishing, help haul in traps and ultimately enjoy a lobster feast with all the trimmings aboard the vessel.

GREEN GABLES HERITAGE PLACE This iconic literary landmark is located in a national park and is a must-see for visitors to the Island. The National Historic Site in Cavendish is the inspiration and setting behind Lucy Maud Montgomery’s world-famous novel, Anne of Green Gables .

Guests are able to tour the house itself (styled to reflect Victorian-era realities) and the external grounds as well.

SANDY BEACHES Prince Edward Island has over 800 kilometres of sandy beaches. Basin Head is known for its singing sand (a mysterious phenomenon not entirely understood),

DID YOU KNOW?

Cavendish Beach — often rated one of the best in Canada — will allow you to partake in all your favourite beach activities with those famed red cliffs to keep you company, and Jacques Cartier Beach is perfect for beach camping.

• The province actually consists of more than one island — Prince Edward Island, and a few dozen much smaller islands.

Some of these minor islands are deserted, others are privately owned and a few are occupied by the Mi’kmaq peoples.

CONFEDERATION TRAIL In 1990, the railway lines in P.E.I. stopped running and all the tracks were dismantled.

The newly freed passageway became a recreational trail that can be cycled, jogged, walked or snowmobiled. The 273-kilometre gravel path crosses the Island from end to end, with additional trails branching off the main line. Some of these branches permit horseback riders. Exploring the trail is a great way to take in the beauty of Prince Edward Island.

• Prince Edward Island produces a quarter of Canada’s potatoes. Spuds have been grown on the Island since the 18th century.

• P.E.I. is the smallest Canadian province, in both size and population. However, it’s also the most densely populated (about 24 people per square kilometre).

• The Island has no major lakes or rivers (only ponds, brooks and streams); residents are therefore dependent on naturally filtered groundwater for drinking.

VICTORIA ROW The cobbled streets of Victoria Row in Charlottetown offer an abundance of cafés, restaurants, art galleries (including the Confederation Centre of the Arts), live musical performances and shops selling local products to explore. Victorian-era architecture gives the area a rustic charm, and historic buildings (such as Province House) can be toured.

• Prince Edward Island was briefly part of Nova Scotia. In 1763, after French territories in North America were officially ceded to the British, the two colonies were joined. Six years later, after much lobbying by Island proprietors, P.E.I. became its own colony once again.

• Confederation Bridge, which links Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick by road, opened in 1997. It’s 12.9 kilometres long, curved to keep drivers alert, and takes about 10 minutes to cross.

PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • Île Saint-Jean was the province’s name prior to 1799 • Garden of the Gulf • Eilean a’ Phrionnsa (Island of the Prince in Gaelic) • Epekwitk (Resting on the Waves in Mi’kmaq) • Birthplace of Confederation or Cradle of Confederation DEMONYM People from P.E.I. are called Prince Edward Islanders, or simply Islanders OFFICIAL MOTTO Parva Sub Ingenti (The Small Under the Protection of the Great)

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN

• The musical rendition of Anne of Green Gables (first performed in 1965) is officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest-running annual musical theatre production in the world.

Birthplace of Confederation

QUEBEC

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1867

Quebec and Ontario jointly made up a single province at the time of Confederation called the Province of Canada, a union that developed in 1840 in response to rising rebellions in Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec).

But things weren’t going well. In particular, governing with a single parliament run by multiple parties was a challenge. Confederation was a way to resolve this issue, as it would separate the Province of Canada into two provinces — Quebec and Ontario — and join it with other British North American colonies to form a new, federally governed country in which local issues could be provincially managed.

Co-premier Sir George-Étienne Cartier from Canada East was a strong supporter of Confederation. In addition to the reorganization of government structures, he cited the Intercolonial Railway, economic stimulus and the protection of French-Canadian interests as reasons to create the new union. While not everyone agreed (dissenters of Confederation were plentiful), Quebec officially joined the Dominion of Canada with Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on July 1, 1867.

NOT TO BE MISSED

DID YOU KNOW?

No matter where you are in Quebec, French influence is dominant and makes travelling in this province a unique adventure. A rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture are all part of the joys of visiting la belle province.

Abraham, where the British defeated the French in 1759, deserve a visit, and touring the Citadel is a must. The Château Frontenac is said to be the most-photographed hotel in the world and is also a national historic site.

FESTIVALS Quebec is well known for its joie de vivre and hosts some of the oldest, biggest and best festivals in the country. Among the most famous are the Just for Laughs comedy festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Quebec City Winter Carnival, the Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival, and the International Fireworks Competition near Montmorency Falls.

MONTREAL Possibly the most cosmopolitan city in Canada, Montreal is a thriving metropolis with a blend of North American charm and European sophistication. Traditional advice will steer you towards places like Old Montreal (the historic district), the Botanical Gardens (one of the world’s largest and most splendid) and the top of Mount Royal for a view of the Montreal skyline. However, if you want to do it like the locals, consider sipping drinks on a terrasse (patio) in the Plateau district, shopping in the Mile End, and taking in a show downtown (comedy, music, theatre).

FRENCH-CANADIAN CUISINE Poutine (french fries topped with cheese curds and fresh gravy) may be the dish most people pledge to sample when they visit Quebec, but there are others to be tasted. Cretons is a traditional pork spread seasoned with cinnamon, savory and cloves that Quebecers enjoy on toast with their breakfast. Tourtière (a meat pie), pea soup, and pancakes doused with Quebec maple syrup are also local favourites.

QUEBEC CITY The only walled city in North America outside of Mexico, Quebec City is a beacon for Canadian history lovers. The old town has quaint cobblestone streets and museums aplenty. The Plains of

BREATHTAKING VIEWS Quebec has many scenic vistas and beautiful landscapes to explore. The Gaspé Peninsula, where sea cliffs hug the shore of the St. Lawrence River, lures many visitors every year, with the quintessential selfie including Percé Rock.

Saguenay Fjord National Park is another spot of incredible beauty with acres of forests, rugged mountains and, of course, the fjord itself to enjoy.

For white sandy beaches, head to the Magdalen Islands, a Quebec archipelago specked with red cliffs and alluring coves in the Maritimes.

Quebec City

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN

• Quebec is the world’s largest producer of maple syrup. Its 48 million taps make 72 per cent of the global share, which in 2016 amounted to 148,200,000 pounds.

• In 2012, a portion of Quebec’s reserved store of syrup (worth $18 million) was stolen. Three of the men involved in the so-called Maple Syrup Heist were ultimately apprehended and convicted.

• The name “Quebec” is derived from the Algonquin word “Kebec,” which means “where the river narrows.”

• At 1.5 million square kilometres, or roughly three times the size of France, Quebec is Canada’s largest province.

• The following were invented in Quebec: peanut butter for candy (1884), the Ski-Doo (1959) and Trivial Pursuit (1979).

• Quebec is home to Canada’s oldest brewery. The Molson Coors Brewing Co. (formerly Molson Brewery) was founded in 1786 in Montreal, where it proudly stands to this day.

• Quebec is the largest producer of electricity in Canada, with more than 95 per cent of this power being hydroelectric. The province’s 61 dams have a capacity of 38,400 megawatts.

Je me souviens (I Remember)

DEMONYM People from Quebec are called Québécois, and sometimes Quebecers in English

PROVINCIAL NICKNAME La Belle Province

OFFICIAL MOTTO Je me souviens

• About 95 per cent of Québécois speak French. Montreal is the world’s second-largest French-speaking city.

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

July 5, 2017

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Proudly Canadian

Ames’ Insurance 403-627-3022 726 Main Street Pincher Creek

Garry’s Barber Shop Happy Canada 150!

WE ARE RE-OPENING JULY 4 9 A.M. TO NOON

Key Canadian facts Canada is comprised of 10 provinces and three territories, which are separated by region. These regions include the Atlantic provinces, Central Canada, the Prairie provinces, the West Coast, and the Northern Territories, according to the Government of Canada. The provinces and territories in these regions are defined by geography and the people who reside in each region. The following are some key facts about each area.

Newfoundland and Labrador: These provinces are the easternmost points in Canada and all of North America. In addition to fisheries, off-shore oil and gas extraction contributes greatly to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Prince Edward Island: Known for its red soil and agriculture, Prince Edward Island is the smallest province.

Novia Scotia: Novia Scotia is Canada’s largest eastern seaport, helping to shape a bustling shipping industry. It also has a strong Gaelic and Celtic influence and history that is celebrated with some very popular cultural festivals.

New Brunswick: New Brunswick is home to the St. John River system, the second-largest river system on North America’s Atlantic coastline.

Quebec: More than three-quarters of Quebecers speak French, but that’s not the only unique thing about the province. Quebec is also an industrial leader, serving as a home to pharmaceutical and aeronautics manufacturers.

Ontario: Ontario is Canada’s financial centre. Many people here also work in the service or manufacturing industries, which

accounts for much of Canada’s exports.

Manitoba: Manitoba is home to a large Francophone community and includes many Ukrainian settlers, while also boasting the largest aboriginal population of any province.

Saskatchewan: The province of Saskatchewan is shaped by the mining of uranium and potash and the production of grains and oil seeds.

This province also serves as the training ground for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Alberta: Alberta is home to five national parks, including Banff National Park. Alberta is also the country’s largest producer of oil, gas and beef.

British Columbia: About half of all the goods produced in British Columbia are forestry products.

British Columbia is culturally diverse and home to large Asian communities. English, Chinese and Punjabi are the most widely spoken languages in British Columbia.

Nunavut: Nunavut is a recent addition to Canada’s territories.

It was established in 1999 from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories. The population is 85 percent Inuit.

Yukon: Yukon holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada (-63 C). Mining remains a significant component of the economy.

Northwest Territories: Running through the area, the Mackenzie River, at 4,200 kilometres, is the second-longest river system in North America.

688 Main Street (same location) Pincher Creek I look forward to welcoming you back!

Helping Canadians with financial planning since 1926 Carol Budgen, PFP, RRC Consultant Investors Group Financial Services Inc. 403-563-7660 Office 1-800-667-5790 Toll Free 3004 - 227 St. Hillcrest Mines carol.budgen@investorsgroup.com

July 1, 2017 Was a Canada Day to Remember!

HAPPY 150th BIRTHDAY, CANADA!

Trucking Ltd. Lucas Sorge

Sand, gravel, landscaping rock, grader, dozer, skidsteer, mini excavator Shop: 403-627-4361 Cell: 403-627-7615 lucas@sorgetrucking.ca www.sorgetrucking.ca

P.O. Box 684 | 1176 Big Horn Avenue | Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0

Pincher Creek Veterinary Clinic 403-627-3900

1124 Waterton Ave.

Happy

Canada Day! 109 - 4TH AVENUE SOUTH WEST, HIGH RIVER, AB T1V 1M5 JOHN.BARLOW.C1@PARL.GC.CA • 403-603-3665 WWW.JOHNBARLOWMP.CA

150

Celebrating our nation...

Pincher Creek

150 Years Way to Go!

Garnet Heinzig – Store Manager Pincher Creek Location 403-627-5552 1072 Main Street www.kostfiresafety.com

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July 5, 2017

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

Our Canada Pincher Creek Photo by Tiffany Kaupp

The iceberg seen around the world, taken near Twillingate

Kugluktuk, Nunavut

Photo by Tangyne Berry

Photo courtesy of Erin Grujic

Yellowknife at -37

For the love of dance

Photo by Andy Vanderplaas

Photo by Tyler Ryan

Great Canadian Barn Dance Photo by Brian Kitchen

We need an Artist’s Touch

Artist’s Touch Fine Art Gallery * Photography Custom Picture Framing Visit us in historic downtown Coleman Next to the Legion 587-220-4457 artisttouchdonna@gmail.com

Celebrating Canada 150 403-632-6142 1348 McEachern Street Pincher Creek

Stop by Glenwood this summer!

Glenwood Pioneer Ice Cream Parlour and Museum Open Monday to Saturday Noon to 9 p.m.

78 Main Avenue Glenwood

Canada 150!

Please join us as we celebrate 150 years of Canada with books, games, crafts and more!

Wednesdays, beginning July 5th Children entering Grades 1&2 – 10:30 a.m. to noon Children entering Grades 3-5 – 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Visit the library to register and for more information

More Fun at the Library!

Drop-in Programs

Outside Karate (Shorei-Kan)

Ages 6 to 18 with Sensei Peter July 14 & 28, Aug. 25 – 11 a.m. to noon Ask library staff about waivers on arrival

Northern Leopard Frog Presentation Ages 3 to 11 with Alberta Parks July 7 – 10:30 a.m. to noon

Craft Monsters

Ages 6 to 11 Aug. 18 – 11 a.m. to noon

The Importance of Bees

Ages 3 to 11 with Alberta Parks Aug. 11 – 10:30 a.m. to noon

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1905

In the late 19th century, the European population in the part of Canada we now call Saskatchewan was rapidly growing. The Dominion Lands Act (a law that granted free land to settlers who established homesteads in the Prairies) was a large factor in their arrival.

First Nations leaders in the area had signed away their land rights in the numbered treaties, and were attempting to make the switch from a nomadic way of life to an agricultural one. However, when the treaties were broken, rebellions ensued and the rallied First Nations in the region were forcibly quelled so that Canadian expansion might continue.

At the turn of the century, the area was administered as a part of the North-West Territories, which then included all of present-day Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as large parts of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. But with the Prairie population mushrooming, a more localized government began to make sense. In 1900, local leaders began petitioning for provincial status, and in 1905 the North-West Territories was cut up to create two new provinces: Saskatchewan and Alberta.

MANITOU LAKE Saskatchewan has over 100,000 lakes, but southeast of Saskatoon you’ll find the province’s own version of the Dead Sea. Formed out of receding glaciers and fed by underground springs, Manitou Lake has an extraordinarily high content of mineral salt (three times saltier than the ocean), which makes it exceedingly buoyant. The lake is said to have healing powers, and there are even stories of Assiniboine individuals in the 19th century who went to the lake and were healed of smallpox. There’s a spa and hotel on-site to accommodate visitors.

MOOSE JAW TUNNELS At the beginning of the 20th century, officials planned to have the city of Moose Jaw run on steam power. An extensive system of tunnels was thereby dug out and then abandoned when the project was brought to an unexpected halt. Afterwards, the tunnels were put to

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SASKATCHEWAN

NOT TO BE MISSED Saskatchewan may be best known for its Prairie charm, but don’t let this reputation fool you: the province is also a refuge of crystalline lakes and rivers, dense and wild forests, stunning sandscapes, rocky cliffs and exotic tundra. The province’s varied beauty is the main lure for travellers.

July 5, 2017

DID YOU KNOW? • In 2012, Canadians voted Saskatchewan as the least beautiful province in the country.

Saskatchewanians were livid and retaliated by flooding the internet with pictures of their most stunning landscapes.

use by local criminals. During Prohibition, bootleggers used the passageways to store and transport liquor, and the channels even had their own speakeasies. Chinese immigrants facing racial discrimination also used them to evade persecution.

BIG MUDDY BADLANDS On the southern border of Saskatchewan near Coronach you’ll find the Big Muddy badlands, an area where outlaws of the Wild West once hid out. Ancient buttes, sandstone caves and wide-open expanses define the area. A guided tour will grant you access to areas normally off limits to visitors, such as ceremonial circles, rock effigies and outlaw caves.

ATHABASCA SAND DUNES The most northerly sand dunes in the world are spread across a 100-kilometre stretch around Lake Athabasca. The sand dunes are estimated to be 8,000 years old and are home to a number of plant species not found anywhere else. The area is hauntingly beautiful but also remote. Access is possible only by boat or floatplane. Other stunning sandscapes in Saskatchewan include the Great Sandhills and the sand dunes at Douglas Provincial Park.

• Saskatchewan is the only province that doesn’t observe daylight saving time.

• Saskatchewan is the name of the principal river running through the province and an anglicised version of a Cree word, kisiskâciwanisîpiy, meaning “swiftly flowing river.”

• Saskatchewan produces more NHL hockey players per capita than any other province.

Seventeen Saskatchewan-born players (including Gordie Howe) have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

• In 1947, Saskatchewan became the first province to implement medicare.

• You may already know that Saskatchewan is Canada’s largest producer of wheat, but the province also produces most of our country’s mustard, chickpeas, dry peas and lentils.

Big Muddy Badlands

LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN

• Saskatchewan has more days of sunshine per year than any other Canadian province. The sunniest town is Estevan, which boasts an annual average of 2,540 hours of sunlight.

Land of Living Skies

DEMONYM People from Saskatchewan are called Saskatchewanians and sometimes nicknamed Flat-landers

PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • Land of the Living Skies • The Bread Basket of Canada • The Wheat Province • The Land of Seed and Honey

OFFICIAL MOTTO Multis e Gentibus Vires (From Many Peoples, Strength)

COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE...

1898

The discovery of gold near Dawson City in 1896 triggered an era of unbridled mining activity known as the Klondike Gold Rush. People from all over the continent ventured to the Canadian North in hopes of snagging a slice of the gilded pie.

The region was originally part of the Northwest Territories, but this sudden influx of gold-seekers — as many as 100,000, according to some estimates — prompted the government to make Yukon a distinct federal territory in 1898.

For context, the following events also took place in Canada in 1898: • A nationwide vote found 278,380 Canadians in favour of Prohibition and 264,690 against.

Every province voted dry except Quebec. The result was deemed too close for Parliament to take any action.

• Canada Post released the world’s first Christmas-themed stamp.

• The first locomotive was put in operation on the White Pass and Yukon Railway.

• Emma Casgrain from Quebec became Canada’s first female dentist.

NOT TO BE MISSED Remote, but far from desolate, this off-the-beaten-path slice of Canada’s North delights visitors and locals alike with culinary discoveries, state-of-the-art museums and year-round festivals and events. If you’re planning to visit Yukon, make sure your to-do list includes: • A visit to the MacBride Museum of Yukon History and the Tachäl Dhäl Visitor Centre for a look at the territory’s fascinating heritage.

• A trip to the Northern Lights Centre, hopefully followed by a glimpse of the real deal.

• A dip in the Takhini Hot Springs.

• A dogsledding adventure, weather permitting.

• A hike along one of Yukon’s iconic trails (like the Cottonwood).

There’s no best time to visit Yukon, as every season brings something unique to experience.

Spring (April and May) marks nature’s

awakening. Migrating swans start to arrive and wildflowers begin to show their colours, but skiers and snowboarders still have time left to spend on the slopes.

Summer (June to August) is the season of hot days and round-the-clock sunshine.

The gorgeous — and short-lived — warm weather provides the perfect setting for festivals, events and impromptu parties.

Fall (September and October) transforms Yukon’s lush summer greenery into a spectacular red-and-gold masterpiece.

Temperatures are cool, but not overly so, creating excellent hiking conditions minus the insects.

Winter (November to March) is cold but bright. In addition to providing the right conditions for dogsledding and other traditional pursuits, it’s the best time of year to view the northern lights in all their splendour.

TERRITORIAL NICKNAME Land of the Midnight Sun

YUKON DID YOU KNOW? • Originally called Yukon Territory, the official name was shortened to simply Yukon in 2002.

• Whitehorse is the current territorial capital (and home to over 75 per cent of Yukon’s population), but it wasn’t the first: Dawson City held that title until 1952.

• With 38,200 residents, it’s the least populated of all the provinces and territories.

• Every second year, adventurous athletes take on the Yukon 1000, a 1,000-mile canoe race along the Yukon River between Whitehorse and the Dalton Highway.

Competitors paddle up to 18 hours a day over the course of seven to 12 days.

• Yukon Quest is another 1,000-mile race beginning in Whitehorse — this time during the winter. Participants travel on dogsled for 10 to 16 days until they reach Fairbanks, Alaska.

• The lowest temperature ever documented in continental North America was recorded in the village of Snag, Yukon, on Feb. 3, 1947. Local thermometers plummeted to a brisk -60 C, which is 105 degrees below the Canadian record high of 45 set in Yellow Grass, Sask.

• The Northern Pacific Railroad released the Klondiker’s List in 1897. The list, which outlined the supplies needed to support a prospector in Yukon for one year, included 150 pounds of bacon, 400 pounds of flour, five yards of mosquito netting, and a 10-by-12-foot tent intended to sleep four.

• Between 1896 and 2013, an estimated 14 million ounces of gold was mined in Yukon. At current market price, the total bounty would be worth an unfathomable $20,800,000,000 — that’s 20 billion 800 million!

LICENCE PLATE SLOGANS

• 1954-1969: Land of the Midnight Sun • 1970-1976: Home of the Klondike • 1977 to present: The Klondike

• Saskatchewan is one of the most tornado-active parts of Canada. Most years, 12 to 18 will hit the region. In 1912, the worst tornado in Canadian history, the Regina Cyclone, struck the province’s capital, claiming 28 lives and rendering 2,500 people homeless.

OFFICIAL MOTTO Yukon is one of only two Canadian jurisdictions without an official motto (neighbouring Northwest Territories is the other). However, this is about to change. Earlier this year, the Royal Canadian Legion in Whitehorse asked citizens to submit their motto ideas as part of a contest. The winning entry — Remembering Our Past, Embracing Our Future — was submitted by Legion member Darcy Grossinger and has since been approved by the Yukon Legislature. The new motto will become official this year after receiving final approval from Ottawa.

DEMONYM People from Yukon are called Yukoners, but the nickname Sourdoughs is often used colloquially. The moniker was originally given to Gold Rush miners for whom sourdough bread was crucial to surviving the harsh Yukon winters.

Page 32

Shootin’ the Breeze

July 5, 2017

Canada 150 special section — www.shootinthebreeze.ca — see an extended version online after July 15

History of Lundbreck’s Windsor Hotel

By Farley Wuth The eye-catching Windsor Hotel, noted for a unique architectural feature, served as a much-patronized Lundbreck landmark for well over half a century. It was this coal mining and ranching settlement’s only business offering both meals and temporary accommodations during the pioneer era.

Within these frontier conditions the Windsor Hotel was constructed in 1905 and officially opened in January 1906. Like many of its counterparts in the neighbouring settlements of Cowley, Pincher City and Pincher Creek, the hotel’s name was reflective of the patriotic British times in which the proprietors lived. This business proudly bore the name Windsor, the surname of the Royal Family.

The rectangular two-storey hotel boasted a number of important hospitality services. On the main floor were the publicly accessible lobby, dining room and bar. A metal-and-plastic bottle opener, now an artifact housed at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, was used in the bar during post-Second World War years.

These public rooms were supplemented by the rear kitchen, where the meals were prepared. Twenty-two rooms, most on the second floor, provided accommodations for the travelling public.

The unique structural feature was the two-storey outhouse located at the rear (to the west) of the hotel.

It was designed exclusively for hotel patrons. Historians at Heritage Park in Calgary, where the outhouse is now on exhibit, noted that its second floor was connected to the upper level of the hotel via a wooden footbridge that spanned the ground below. This was much appreciated by hotel guests, who did not have to walk down the front staircase and

through the lobby and bar to reach the outdoor privy.

The outhouse had an interesting disposal design. Its first floor boasted four stalls, while upstairs there were two. To prevent spillage, the upper-storey seats were set behind the lower-level seats, and a wooden wall was constructed behind those on the first storey, which separated them from the upper-level disposal shafts. Even though the hotel has not been in operation for nearly half a century, its sanitary system continues to be fondly etched in the community’s collective memory.

The Windsor Hotel was located on the west side of Robinson Avenue, near the settlement’s small downtown core. Immediately to its south was the Lundbreck Trading Co., another local business landmark that for decades served as a general mercantile.

For years the Windsor built up a solid reputation as a fine place to stay, to enjoy a meal or liquor service, or to hold meetings and social gatherings. Well-patronized by district residents, it was most popular with area ranchers, who welcomed its local charm and proximity to their ranches. The hotel was an especially convenient locale for the countless cattle sales and ranch meetings held over the decades.

These events attracted non-local ranchers as well.

From the early 1900s through the 1920s, a time when coal mining was at its best in Lundbreck, many miners appreciated boarding at the Windsor. For many single men who could find only temporary work at the mines, the hotel provided much-needed accommodations difficult to find elsewhere. Hearty meals were available and, for those who wished to indulge, the bar was a popular watering hole for anyone putting in a hard workday in

the nearby mines.

The 1911 dominion census provides a glimpse back at three of those early miners boarding at the Windsor.

The first listed is Italian-born Angelo Photo courtesy of Pincher Creek and District Historical Society Ansolide, whose birth dated to August 1883. He was during the First World War. Anothaffiliated with the Roman Catholic er famous visitor was Louis Hill, a Church and worked in the mines all brother of J.J. Hill, the high-pow52 weeks during 1910. The second ered railway magnate. miner, also of Italian ancestry ,was The Windsor Hotel flourished as Balliston Giachino, who was born a Lundbreck business for over half in July 1881. He secured 40 weeks a century but came to a tragic end of coal mining work the previous when it burned to the ground early year. Alexander McLeod was the in the morning of Feb. 21, 1963. third miner. Of Scottish ancestry Flames shooting out of the rear and affiliated with the Presbyterian of the building were spotted at 3:30 Church, he was born in January a.m. and, in spite of the valiant 1879. efforts of the Cowley, Bellevue and That same year a contractor, Municipal District of Pincher Creek who may have been affiliated with volunteer fire departments, suppleeither the coal mines or the Canamented by a 2,000-gallon water tank dian Pacific Railway line that ran truck owned by Jim Clinton from through Lundbreck, also boarded nearby Cowley, the fire quickly conat the hotel. Robert Alexander’s sumed the historic structure. Only ancestry was Irish and he was born the outhouse survived. in July 1881.

The work of the firefighters, The travelling public also patronalong with a calm night with little ized the Windsor Hotel. Many of wind, was credited for the fire being these were hunters who came each contained to the hotel alone, sparing autumn in pursuit of the big game the rest of the community’s downthat populated the nearby foothills town core. Financial losses were and mountains. During the post-Secpegged at $50,000. Seven guests who ond World War era, the business’s stayed at the hotel that fateful night slogan quite correctly was Where fortunately escaped without injuSportsmen Meet. ry, but lost most of their personal The backbone of the hotel’s belongings. business was with everyday citizens.

News of the hotel’s demise was However, some of its patronage carried in the regional dailies and came from well-known Canadians weeklies. An intriguing chapter in and Americans, particularly during Lundbreck’s commercial heritage its early days. One such person to had come to a devastating close. stay at the Windsor was Sir Sam Hughes, minister of militia in the dominion government of Sir Robert Borden, which held power