2001 - 10 YEARS AGO
• The letters ILO were once again a topic of discussion around the table at the January 17 County of Stettler council meeting. This time it was recommendations from the Intensive Livestock Operation steering committee that were brought forward. While council looked over the report cover to cover, before recommendations from the steering committee are adopted, they will be taken to the public for their opinion.
• The Stettler Recreation Centre is about to take the Pepsi Plunge. Negotiations are ongoing between the Town of Stettler and the Pepsi Cola Bottling Group to give Pepsi exclusive soft drink rights to the rec centre, as well as the Stettler Community Hall. If the agreement is passed, it would see the Pepsi Cola Bottling Group provide the town with an up front payment of $5,000, as well as $10,000 per year for the next five years. Although the agreement would actually be for eight years, the town wouldn’t receive any additional money from Pepsi over the final three years of the contract.
1991 - 20 YEARS AGO
• The Endiang community hall was crowded with well-wishers as Shell Canada hosted a farewell for Wayne and Lois Ballinger and ‘”thanks for patronage for 65 years” to their many customers. Wayne has just retired from the business started in 1926 by his parents Tillie and Ercy Ballinger.
• The original bulletin board from the Donalda train station, which has been held by the Alberta Railway Museum, was recently returned to Donalda and District Museum and Canadian Northern Society, and will be mounted on a station building at Donalda.
1981 - 30 YEARS AGO
• Little Red Hen Dry Cleaners will hold their grand opening Jan. 29 in the Benson Development Complex next door to the Red Rooster. Owners-operators Frank and Connie Bobinski will be using the most modern equipment available in the drycleaning industry.
• The Waverly Bandoliers will hold Central Alberta’s first indoor marching band colour guard competition in the Stettler high school gym. The spectacular festival will feature marching units from Edmonton and Calgary.
1971 - 40 YEARS AGO
• The community of Big Valley has proudly opened the $12,000 additional facilities for waiting rooms, rest rooms, and an artificial ice plant. Officiating at the opening were Mayor Evan Grover, County Councillor Lloyd Duncan and athletic association president Harlan Turville.
• On being Canadian: “We’re not bragging people - we’d just as soon let the facts and accomplishments do the talking for us. Maybe this method does not yell very loud, but it’s a little more solid, and I reckon that makes us a solid type of people.” - Robert Leggett
1961 - 50 YEARS AGO
• Stettler residents were shocked Monday morning by what seemed to be an explosion. Buildings shook, but no damage was done. Popular conjecture places the blame on a jet aeroplane breaking the sound barrier.
• Lyle Smith of Donalda is a winner in the National Rodeo Finals at Dallas, Texas. The Alberta cowboy won the saddle bronc riding event in its third go-round.
1951 - 60 YEARS AGO
• In an effort to secure a new name for Jake’s Butte School, a competition was held in that district. The chosen name of Pleasant View was submitted by Mrs. W.H. Wilkie, Mrs. Kay Beringer and Mrs. R.H. Duncan.
• F-L G.A. “Bud” Heck of Stettler was the winner of the McKenna Trophy at the Empire Test Pilots’ School at Fairborough, England. F-L Heck is the second Canadian to top the course at the school, which turns out the most highly qualified test pilots in the world.
1941 - 70 YEARS AGO
• The Stettler High School girls’ hockey team will play the Bashaw girls under the capable management of “Pop” Horne. Come and see some real stick-whacking and hair-pulling.
• Congratulations to Eddie Knowles of Byemoor Oat Club for his win in open competition, which gained him a free trip to the Seed Fair in Edmonton.
1931 - 80 YEARS AGO
• “With a feeling of considerable relief, we learn from a medical publicist’s column that hair dyes do not affect the brain, if any.” Detroit News
• Don’t forget the Hard Times Dance to be held in Nevis School, Jan. 30. A fine of 25 cents for all jewelry and good clothes. Prizes will be given for best lady’s and gent’s costumes.
1921 - 90 YEARS AGO
• The Fourth Annual Poultry Show, held under the auspices of the Stettler Agriculture Society in Saunders Hall, came to a very satisfactory close, and exhibitors have cause to feel proud of both the quality and number of birds shown. The silver cup for best display of Buff Rocks was awarded to C. Swanson, a local breeder.
• The curling rink skipped by Percy Lee, with O’Callaghan, Devereaux and McKinnon, has won nine straight games with no losses in the local schedule.
1911 - 100 YEARS AGO
• We the undersigned do hereby agree that the following rates will go into effect on and after Feb. 1, 1911. Single meal, 35 cents. Meal ticket, $5. - Royal Hotel and Dominion Hotel.
• Letters have been pouring into the office of the board of trade from all parts of the world asking for pamphlets of Stettler and district. Farmers in the district are using the special “Heart of Alberta” envelopes for the correspondence with friends from a distance.