BIG VALLEY BULLETIN
Back in 1918, a number of small municipal districts were formed in our area of the province and Big Valley became part of the Vimy Municipal District. In 1943, the Municipal District of Stettler was formed by an amalgamation of all or parts of nine different municipal districts. A few of the municipalities that were combined were Waverley no. 367 (main office in Erskine), Success No. 336 (main office in Byemoor), Dublin No. 366 (main office in Gadsby) and Vimy No. 337 (main office in Big Valley). In our early Big Valley newspapers, there are council reports from our village or town council as well as separate reports from the Vimy Municipal Council. The Vimy Municipal Council meetings were held at the municipal office, which is a tiny little metal shack that still sits on Big Valley’s Main Street. It is so small it is amazing that more than three people could sit down in there at the same time. According to the June 10, 1925 Big Valley Journal, a meeting was held there with Secretary Biggs, Reeve Sutfin and Councillors Darkin, Foote, Sandberg, Hockley and Pivert. They must have been crowded in there elbow to elbow.
In 1955, the Stettler Municipal District incorporated to become the County of Stettler, so this year, the County of Stettler celebrates its 60th anniversary. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Big Valley Historical Society for continuing to share these interesting historical tidbits. The next meeting of the Big Valley Historical Society will be on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at the railway station. Anyone can attend and visitors are always welcome. 2015 memberships are now due.
Twelve players came out for crib at the Big Valley Inn on Sunday, Feb. 8. Dennis Johnson placed first, Margaret Levesque tied with Stan Nattestad for second and Dorothy Annabel placed third. Len Shaw took home the booby. Gloria Emblau won the regular draw and Stan Nattestad won the 50/50. Welcome to newcomers Dale and Joy Kobi as well Marie Ridley. The next Big Valley Inn crib tournament will be on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.
At the Big Valley Drop-in Centre’s Wednesday, Feb. 4 crib night, first place went to Ron, second to Connie, and third to Lynne. On Sunday, Feb. 8, first went to Ron, second to Bob, third to Earl and Connie took home the booby. Drop-in crib takes place Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m.
Also at the drop-in centre, canasta is on Mondays at 7 p.m., floor curling is on Tuesday and Friday afternoons at 1 p.m. and February’s potluck and meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 12 noon. The next community pancake supper is on Monday, Feb. 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
The Big Valley Oil Kings are set to play the Tofield Satellites in the Battle River Hockey League’s best of seven semi-final playoffs. The series will start in Tofield this Friday, Feb. 13 then return to Big Valley for game 2 at the Agriplex on Saturday, Feb. 14. Let’s pack the arena to support our Kings in this exciting playoff action.
Don’t forget Big Valley Minor Hockey will be hosting the Hockey Alberta Peewee D Provincial Tournament on March 19 to 22, 2015. There are many volunteer and sponsorship opportunities available. We need your help to make this a successful event. If you would like to be involved, please contact Dan or Andrea Webster at 403-876-2064.