JOHN MacNEIL/Independent editor
JUMPING INTO SUMMER — Zack Werbowesky, 15, of Stettler clears the water-tower bank on his bicycle on Sunday morning during Canada Day celebrations in Stettler. Werbowesky was one of the volunteers at the Canada Day Family Fun Run, which started and finished at the nearby Sobeys. For race results, see Page A10.
Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 105 years
VOLUME ONE HUNDRED SIX
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER TWENTY-SEVEN
STETTLER, ALBERTA
July 4, 2012
PRICE – $1.09 Plus GST
Hundreds reunite for Donalda’s centennial R ICHARD FROESE Independent reporter
LES STULBERG/Independent reporter
Alberta Prairie steam train approaches the 100-year-old Big Valley train station, where the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Guard, RCMP, a bagpiper and others await to greet the Canada Day visitors Sunday for a multitude of anniversary celebrations.
Train tracks Big Valley party LES STULBEERG Independent reporter Amid bright blue skies and waving red and white Canada flags, patriotic folks at Big Valley celebrated Canada’s 145th birthday, the 100th year of the Big Valley’s train station, and the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, in grand style Sunday. Rolling into town just ahead of schedule, the Alberta Prairie steam train decorated with many Canada flags was greeted by the Legion Colour Guard of Big Valley and Stettler, officers of the RCMP from the Stettler detachment and the music of bagpipes
played by Brian O’Neil of Innisfail, as well as many Canada Day celebrants waiting on the station platform. Several of the 386 passengers who stepped off the train, young and old alike, as well as spectators, were caught up in the patriotism of the day, wearing red and white, waving miniature Canada flags or wearing period costumes from eras of the past. The steam train, pulled by Engine 41, was driven by 79-year-old engineer Harry Home of Jasper. The trip from Stettler took one hour and 40 minutes, including a stop for a “train robbery.” The train also slowed down as it passed the famed Engine 6060, parked at Warden. That engine had pulled the train carrying Princess Elizabeth on her 1951 visit to Canada,
before becoming Queen Elizabeth. “The steam train excursions here have a terrific future,” Home said. “I have been all over the world and have seen many train-fan trips, but none can compare with this one.” The afternoon festivities included the reaffirmation ceremony of the 1912 train station built by the Canadian Northern Railroad. Don Totten, vice president of the Rocky Mountain Rail Society, was MC for the short ceremony, which opened with O Canada and closed with God Save the Queen. The Legion Colour Guard and RCMP constables Lewadniuk and Yome presided as Big Valley Mayor Gayle Knudson read the reaffirmation oath — repeated by those in attendance. Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman also
attended the ceremony. Big Valley school principal Corey Raugust spoke on the history of the Canadians before us. “Today, as we celebrate being part of a great nation, it is also time to reflect,” Raugust said. “If we look back to 1867 on this spot, you may have seen our first nation’s people or Métis following the buffalo herds. In less than 50 years, the buffalo were gone and the railway had arrived. When the railway came, new Canadians chose to settle here and make a home. “Two world conflicts took place and young people from this community walked on this station platform and boarded a train similar to the one here today. Some returned, many — too many — did not. “Today, you see a time capsule here of Canadian
prairie life; a passenger steam train positioned at the train station, with a roundhouse and grain elevator to the south. How fortunate we are to have this glimpse of our Canadian roots.” After the ceremony, the dignitaries, along with the Legion Colour Guard and RCMP constables, gathered at the steam train for the photos. “Our village doubles in size when the steam train visits,” said Mayor Knudson, who described the reaffirmation ceremony as “very sentimental.” The passengers boarded the train for the return trip to Stettler, with bagpipes playing as the train pulled away from the historic train station. Leaving the picturesque village behind, almost 400 passengers took with them the memories of spending Canada Day in Big Valley.
Filled with history as the home of “the world’s largest lamp,” Donalda was in the spotlight as about 1,000 people celebrated the village’s centennial during the Canada Day weekend. “We figured we had about 1,000 people on Saturday and about 550 on Canada Day, and about 100 entries for the parade,” said Beth Fulton, who chaired the organizing committee. Historic and Canada Day themes mixed in the parade, which was about 45 minutes long. “People were very impressed that a community this small could host such a big event,” Fulton said. With a population of 259, locals welcomed former residents back home to reflect on Donalda’s past and eye the future of a village that was incorporated on Dec. 30, 1912. “It was a fantastic reunion for former residents,” said Mayor Bruce Gartside, who moved to Donalda just four years ago, and also served on the centennial organizing committee. “I saw people meeting other people for the first time in 50 years — some people who thought they would never see each other again.” At 96 years young, Rosie Vallet and Don McKay were honoured in the parade as the oldest residents, though McKay was unable to attend. See ‘Donalda’ on Page A2
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