Big Valley Bulletin
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.
On a historical note, the Big Valley station is a Canadian Northern railway station. Jan. 23, 2015 marked the centennial of the “Last Spike” of the Canadian Northern Pacific Railway – a historic event that signified the completion of Canada’s third transcontinental railway.
The Canadian Northern Railway was a unique Canadian enterprise – brought about through the entrepreneurship of its chief promoters - Sir William Mackenzie and Sir Donald Mann. The company evolved from a Manitoba short line in 1896, to a system of over 9000 miles in seven provinces by 1917. Despite their valiant efforts, the Canadian Northern fell victim to challenging economic circumstances – over-expansion, recession, World War One and spiraling costs of construction – that resulted in its nationalization by the Dominion Government in December 1918. One hundred years after its last spike Mackenzie and Mann’s legacy endures. The Canadian Northern Railway was responsible for the development of hundreds of communities in western Canada, including Big Valley.
The Canadian Northern Society, a group active in the preservation of Canadian Northern Railway heritage since 1986, will be presenting “The Railway King”, a production profiling Sir William Mackenzie, at a Reader’s Theatre event in Camrose, Alberta. There will be two performances, April 17and 18. Further information can be obtained at www.canadiannorthern.ca, and tickets obtained by contacting the Society.
Big Valley Minor Hockey is proud to be hosting the Hockey Alberta Peewee D Provincial Tournament on March 19 to 22. 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.
The Big Valley Library is very pleased to be hosting “Painting with Rose”, oil painting classes utilizing Bob Ross’ “The Joy of Painting” how to DVDs. Classes are scheduled for Mondays, Feb. 2, 10 and 17 and Saturdays, Mar. 7 and 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the library.
Fourteen players came out for crib at the Big Valley Inn on Sunday, Feb. 1. Congratulations go out to Dale Kobi for winning all eight games and first place. Lillian Kirtley went home with second place, Len Shaw third and Caroline Pound took home the booby prize. Betty Bell won the regular draw while Ernie Petrussa won the 50/50 draw. The next Big Valley Inn crib tournament will be on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m.
January traditionally has been the time to look ahead to what the new year will have in store for us, but it is also a time to look back in gratitude for all the goodness the past year has brought us. The Big Valley United Church would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all the many folks that helped out throughout 2014; whether it was with lawn mowing, snow shoveling, filling food hampers, providing music…the list goes on. We are blessed by the people of Big Valley’s caring and generous community. Thank you all.
Note: Services at the Big Valley United Church take place at 11 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.