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Paintearth throws a 50-year party

The County of Paintearth No. 18 celebrated its 50 years as a county in grand style last Wednesday at the Castor Community Hall.
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More than 450 people gathered at the Castor Community Hall last Wednesday as the County of Paintearth marked its 50th anniversary. Guests enjoyed a meal and entertainment.

The County of Paintearth No. 18 celebrated its 50 years as a county in grand style last Wednesday at the Castor Community Hall.

More than 450 people attended a program filled with local entertainment, congratulatory presentations, a meal, and local marketplace and information booths.

The gathering was welcomed by George Glazier, county reeve for the past seven years.

“I am proud to see the County of Paintearth grow and be sustainable, have a 30- to 40-year supply of gravel to maintain roads and have good urban partnerships — our neighbours are an important part of this celebration,” Glazier said.

Glazier acknowledged former staff and councillors for making Paintearth “a great place to work, play and grow.”

“We are very proud of the County of Paintearth — it is more than roads and bridges — it is community involved,” said Tarolyn Peach, the county’s CAO for the past three years.

“The celebration was an awesome success. We are very pleased so many people came out.”

When asked what the biggest changes were in the past 50 years in the county, Glazier said they were the addition of the three water reservoirs at Halkirk, Crowfoot Crossing and Coronation. That was followed by the improvement of equipment used to build roads.

Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman gave a brief address before presentations were made by neighbouring municipalities.

Bob Barrs, president of AAMDC (Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties), presented Reeve Glazier with a gift on behalf of the provincial organization.

Similar presentations were made by representatives of Rocky View County, Ponoka County, Lacombe County, M.D. of Provost, County of Stettler, Kneehill County, Town of Coronation, Town of Killam, STARS and Life Wide Living.

The event was originally planned for the County of Paintearth yard, where its new administration building was recently constructed at Crowfoot Crossing, at the intersection of highways 12 and 36, but recent heavy rain dampened that idea, forcing the change of venue.

Soggy conditions also cancelled the tours Capital Power was planning to the Halkirk Wind Project sites. Instead, Capital Power set up an information booth at the hall to answer questions.

Jennifer Lowry, senior public consultation advisor with Capital Power Corporation, said the first tower of the 83 towers in the project should go up just after mid-July.

The afternoon entertainment was supplied by the local talent of Paper Bag Skirt, Angelina Weber accompanied by Veronica Weber, and Max Schaffner, Zinger Brothers, Darren Mackie and Dan Kinakin.

History of the municipality actually dates back much further than 50 years; it was first known as I.D. No. 19 –J4.

In 1913, the name was changed to Local Improvement District No. 365, and in 1914, was re-named M.D. of Progress No. 365.

The M.D. of Paintearth was formed in 1944 by amalgamating the M.D. of Progress, M.D. of Stocks, M.D. of Coronation, M.D. of Dublin and M.D. of Sullivan.

In 1962, the M.D. of Paintearth and the Castor School District were united to form the County of Paintearth No. 18.

The name Paintearth was derived from Paintearth Creek, a creek in the northern part of the district, so called by the native people because of the red clay found there, used to smear on their faces in preparation for battle.