2001 - 10 YEARS AGO
• Big Valley School teacher Nadine Maxwell recently received the Pan Canadian Student’s Choice Award. She was nominated for the award by Stephanie McComb, a grade seven student at Big Valley School whom Maxwell taught in grade three a few years ago. The award is given to teachers who have had a positive influence on a student’s life, which Maxwell said she feels is a great compliment.
• Bring on the curlers: the Blue Arena at the Stettler Recreation Centre was transformed into a top notch curling facility over a four-day period, in preparation for this week’s 2001 Safeway Select Men’s Provincial Curling Championships.
1991 - 20 YEARS AGO
• Residents of Stettler and area will again converge on West Stettler Park for the Family Day celebration. The event has been renamed “Stettler Snowfest,” since the name “Winterfest” has been claimed by the city of Kimberly, B.C.
• Jewelry worth an estimated $12,000 was taken from Wares Jewellers in Stettler last week, in what police are calling a “bash and grab.” Thieves had smashed in the front door of the Main Street store, and broken into several display cases.
1981 - 30 YEARS AGO
• Secretary-manager Dorothy Lohr reported that 4-H will have its own day at the Stettler County Fair in August. Committees have been named for beef, dairy and horse shows and displays.
• The first rodeo of the Botha Roping and Riding Club was held at Mailer Ranch, with a dance in Both Hall Saturday evening. The club appreciates the help they received from the community.
1971 - 40 YEARS AGO
• Feb. 6, 1971 marked the completion of construction, and the official opening of the Stettler School District’s new facilities in their three schools; Elementary, Junior High and High School. The high school alone now serves 650 students, with an expected increase in the future.
• Members of the Willow Canyon Ski Club will be participating in a Ski-a-thon at the ski hill north of Donalda. Money raised by this project will be used by the club to help pay development costs in building the ski hill.
1961 - 50 YEARS AGO
• A gala evening was enjoyed by 250 guests at the Firemen’s Ball in Memorial Hall. The dance will be held in honour of new Fire Chief Jim Airey and new Deputy Fire Chief Norm Pickett.
• Lillian Gabriel was recently crowned queen of the fifth annual Big Valley Ice Carnival. Although warm weather forced cancellation of the hockey games, other activities went ahead as scheduled.
1951 - 60 YEARS AGO
• “You’ll be cookin’ with gas before snow blows next fall.” So say the contractors for Stettler Gas Company. By May 1 gas will be supplied to the first customer, Stettler Municipal Hospital, and soon after to most of the 600 homes and 77 business places which can take gas.
• Plans for Stettler Rotarians third annual ice carnival, which will star Edmonton professionals Lillian Johnstone and Murdo Monro, are now completed. The big two day show will feature around 70 local skaters.
1941 - 70 YEARS AGO
• A hockey game between Stettler East and Stettler West will be staged at the local arena. Proceeds of the game will go towards buying cigarettes for the Stettler and district boys serving overseas.
• Camrose Maroons will play at Stettler in the first game of the playoffs, and Camrose will run a special train to Stettler. The Imperials will journey to Camrose for the second game on another special train.
1931 - 80 YEARS AGO
• There was an attendance of 62 at Gadsby Masonic Hall to hear the debate “Resolved that married women should not work outside their own homes.” Affirmative speakers were Gordon Brubaker and Alvin Isbister; for the negative were E.T. Gravely and W. Dean.
• Each morning we wonder how the weatherman can get give us another such beautiful sunny day. The caragana hedges are showing some “too early” leaves, and the poplars are sending out adventuresome catkins.
1921 - 90 YEARS AGO
• A big unreserved auction sale will be held at Stewartwyn School, with proceeds to go towards purchasing a piano for the school. The sale will consist of cattle, machinery, seed, feed, potatoes, and household goods.
• The Van Benito Cigar Factory resumed operations today, after being closed for the past two months. Orders are coming fast enough now so that it is expected that the factory will be kept open.
1911 - 100 YEARS AGO
• J.R. Hendry’s general store and residence at Botha were both destroyed by fire early Sunday morning. The origin of the fire is not known. Everything is a total loss.
• The new school in Red Willow opened recently with Miss Mary Swanson as teacher. It is a roomy building with a belfry tower well-lighted, modern and up-to-date in its equipment.