Community News Beverly Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors
Patrons of the Beverly Farmers’ Market celebrated in September when the market announced it would be moving indoors for the fall and winter season.
For the past several years, our local farmers’ market has operated in the west parking lot of the Riverview Crossing Shopping Centre, moving in 2020 from its previous location at the former Drake Hotel. This year, the market extended its season at the Shopping Centre for the first time, moving indoors into the common area to continue to operate outside of its typical summer season. October 8 was the final outdoor Tuesday of the market, and, without missing a beat, the market moved indoors and began there on October 15.
This change has been widely praised by the Beverly community and beyond, as it brings continued access to so many special products that you can only get at a farmers’ market. From farm fresh vegetables to locally sourced honey to homemade baking of every kind, having market goods available so close to home in the fall and winter months is a huge asset to our community. Customer Don Bourassa visits the market “to buy fresh food especially” and appreciates that the market has stayed, as “it prolongs the season” for fresh fruit and vegetables. Market manager Cornel Rusnak notes this outpouring of support from the community, stating that “going year round brings a convenience to our residents that they have not had before. As one regular customer said, they can now meet their friends each week for
coffee here, then buy what they need, go out the back door, and catch their bus home!”.
For the Shopping Centre, having the market indoors is a special way to show the community the great businesses within. Property Manager Ramona Emblin says that “the farmers’ market moving indoors has proved to be a great addition to the Centre”, noting the “vibe” that the market brings with it. “People are happy, they are enjoying the vendors, they are gathering for coffee and snacks. A lot of customers and tenants look forward to Tuesday afternoons”.
The fall and winter market isn’t just an important addition for the Beverly community, but is significant for the City as a whole. “This market is needed in the City of Edmonton due to the fact that you have only a couple of indoor farmers’ markets year round,” loose leaf tea vendor Sherry Prince says. There are not many options for fresh market goods in the winter months, and it’s special to have one so close to home. “It is great that we can bring fresh food to residents of northeast Edmonton year round”, says market manager Cornel Rusnak. With so few indoor markets over the winter, Beverly’s will undoubtedly serve to draw people into our community from all over the northeast and other areas of the City of Edmonton.
The market has already embraced the new season it is operating in, providing a trick-ortreating spot for kids in the community during its Tuesday, October 29 market. Each vendor
had candy to hand out, and numerous kids from the community came with their parents or guardians and some great costumes to trickor-treat, a special way for kids to fall in love themselves with their local farmers’ market. The day saw princesses, superheroes, dinosaurs, and numerous other great costumes!
The market now looks forward to playing an important local role in the Christmas shopping season, as so many vendors offer countless treats and treasures that make perfect Christmas gifts. Whether it’s unique flavours of wine or vodka, homemade soaps, beautiful jewelry, gift bags loaded with home-baked goodies, or Christmas flavours of delicious fudge, the market has a host of great gift ideas. The market itself encapsulates the Christmas season, notes Jamaican cuisine vendor Patrick Robinson. “Now we’re going into the festive season, what better way to bring everyone together?”.
The Beverly Farmers’ Market operates each Tuesday from 2-6pm inside the Riverview Crossing Shopping Centre common area at 3210 118 Avenue. It will run until December 17 to conclude the 2024 calendar year. Follow along with them on Facebook or Instagram for their announcement of when they’ll resume after the Christmas break!
Facebook: facebook.com/ beverlytownefarmersmarket
Instagram: @beverlymarketyeg Website: beverlyfarmersmarket.ca
See more Farmers’ Market page 3.
Beverly & Area Community News Winter 2024 Edition
The 9,000 copies of Community News are printed and circulated to the five neighborhoods within Beverly (Abbottsfield, Beacon Heights, Bergman, Beverly Heights & Rundle Heights) as well as Montrose & Newton Communities.
If you know anyone who has not received a newspaper please have them call 780.413-6244 or drop by the Beverly Business Association Office and pick up a copy.
This newspaper is a not for profit enterprise for the benefit of all residents & businesses. No one receives any compensation for time spent in producing this newspaper. We are all volunteers!
We depend on the Advertisers and Community Partners to pay for the production of this paper. The Partners are the Beverly Business Association, Beverly Farmers’ Market, Beverly Towne Community Development Society and the Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society. These four Associations feel it is important to communicate with all residents within our community. We are so very thankful to the advertisers, for without them we could not produce this newspaper. Their display Ads appear throughout this paper. Please support them as they are strong supporters of our many community initiatives!
If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or have any ideas for a community interest story, please send us a note to Community News, PO Box 20202, RPO Beverly, Edmonton Alberta T5W 5E6 or email us at info@beverlyfarmersmarket.ca
To advertise, receive advertising rates or book an Ad, please contact Joyce at 780.609-9205 or email her at jweber@greatwest.ca
Beverly Farmers’ Market vendors include:
Amazing Asian Dumplings
Maple Greenview Honey
Krazy Kanucks Jerky
My Inner Hippie Pickles and Canning
Dovhanyuk Fresh Bread Bakery
Tasty Treats Ukrainian Baking
Preeti’s Samosa Kitchen
Shady Orchards Winery
Holden Colony Farm Fresh
Vegetables and Meats
The Lemon Drop Treats, Baking, & Nut Mixes
White Lightning Vodka
Butterfly Bliss Homemade Bags, Water Bottles
Auntie Bev’s Frozen Meals
Half Corked Winery
Sunset After Dark Jamaican
Cuisine
Karen’s Kitchen Salsa
Beaded Treasures Jewelry
Safari Crafts African Clothing
Tea Boutique
Fudgalicious
Thai Sab Food Co.
Celtic Crafts
Granny Be Jammin Jams & Jellies
Cookies by Kids
Funky Fun Socks
Molly’s Kitchen Baking
JW Farm Fresh Greens
Adventure Dough Playkits
…and more!
BEVERLY FARMERS’ MARKET
TUESDAYS ~ 2:00-6:00 pm Until Dec 17, 2024
Break for Christmas & New Year
Returning February 4, until May 13, 2025 when we move outdoors !! Riverview Crossing Shopping Centre
SOME OF THE BEST FRESH FOOD VENDORS FROM IN & AROUND EDMONTON
• LOCAL Farm FRESH, Locally Grown Green House & Field Vegetables
• Oven Fresh Baking (Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Squares)
• Fudge
• Ethnic Foods: (Chinese, E. Indian, Jamaican, Ukrainian, Thai)
• Meat, Fish, Sea Food & Jerky
• Orchard Fresh BC Fruit, Local BerriesIF AVAILABLE
• Salsas, Dips, Jams, Jellies, Pickles
C
• Arts & Crafts, Jewelry
on this page or
www.beverlyfarmersmarket.ca email us at: info@beverlyfarmersmarket.ca
"Visit Us Tuesdays ~ You Will Be Surprised By The Quality & Competitive Prices!"
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A Small Strip of Land on 34 Street: A History
34 Street today is a local thoroughfare that runs through Beverly, connecting Abbott School past Riverview Crossing Shopping Centre, across 118 Avenue, toward the complex of school buildings now including Ivor Dent School, and eventually down to Rundle Park and the North Saskatchewan River. For us locals, it’s a road we may find ourselves on routinely, whether to visit the Beverly Farmers’ Market, grab groceries at No Frills, or to bring our kids to school. It’s seemingly a nondescript street, as ordinary as the ones on either side of it.
There is, however, a clue along the 34 Street, evidence that something different once existed: a strip of grassy land in front of Abbott School, extending down from 121 Avenue to 119 Avenue. The story of this thin strip of green space weaves together a rich story of Beverly history, going back all the way to the late 1800s and the days of the coal mines.
Part 1: Coal Mining in Beverly
It’s no secret coal mining is a significant piece of Olde Towne Beverly’s history. 13 million tons of coal came from Edmonton in its mining days, and 95% of that came from the Clover Bar seam in the Beverly area. In 1882, farmer C. Stewart employed William Humberstone to open a seam on his property along the North Saskatchewan River, just below the current Rundle Park Golf Course. By 1894, the Edmonton Bulletin reported “coal of very superior quality” in the area. By 1897, the Clover Bar Mine was opened. More than 20 coal mines would operate in Beverly in the first 50 years of the following century. Among the most prominent were two mines: Humberstone and Clover Bar. The Humberstone Coal Company operated on a half section bought by William Humberstone at River Lot 42, which is east of 34 Street and south of 118 Avenue. The Clover Bar Mine operated to its north, situated east of 34 Street and north of 118 Avenue up toward the future Yellowhead Trail. These two mines were bustling centres of the coal mining era that built Beverly, significant companies that employed countless workers to mine millions of tons of coal. Today, the Beverly Historical Society’s Interpretive Centre holds many artifacts from these coal mining days.
Part
2: Clover Bar Bridge
In the early 1900s, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was seeking to build a bridge across the North Saskatchewan River. They wanted to
build where the High Level Bridge now stands, but they were unable to reach an agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway, and decided to cross the river at Clover Bar instead, where the river was narrowest. Construction of the bridge began in 1907. The bridge itself was a marvel, with over 300 men hard at work on the 1,655 foot long structure, standing tall with 95 foot high piers. A 1907 edition of the Edmonton Bulletin described the project as “the longest and highest and largest bridge in every way on the new Transcontinental road from Winnipeg to Edmonton”. Steel was added in 1908, an engineering feat not matched anywhere in Canada, and the bridge was completed in 1909. The bridge was often called the Beverly Bridge, before the traffic bridge beside it was built in 1953 and given that name. The Clover Bar Bridge is still in use as part of the Canadian National Railway’s main line today. With this new bridge built, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway would quickly become the largest shipper of coal in Alberta, thanks to mines along the riverbank near this new Clover Bar Bridge.
Part 3: The Beverly Spur Tracks
With the Clover Bar Bridge completed in 1909, and prominent coal mines including Humberstone and Clover Bar operating at the turn of the century, spur lines were created off the main line of the railway, to grant rail access to the mines. These spur train lines would allow coal to be loaded and hauled away on train directly from the mines. The eastern spur, down to the Humberstone Mine, was
completed in 1910. This was called the Humberstone Spur, and was 73 car lengths long or roughly 2,920 feet. It went south along what is now 34 Street. The Clover Bar Mine moved their entrance in 1909 to be better served by this spur. A western spur also existed, though its function is unclear. The Clover Bar Mine closed in 1923, and the Humberstone Mine in 1934. It is believed the tracks of the spur were removed some time during World War II. While other prominent coal mines operated in Beverly, including the Bush (Davidson) Mine at 103 Avenue and 36 Street and the Beverly Mine at 121 Avenue and 43 Street, they did not have a connection to the spur.
Part 4:
Connecting the Dots
Today, a grassy strip exists southward from Abbott School toward 118 Avenue on 34 Street. Seemingly non-descript, it hints at the story of a state-of-the-art railway bridge, vast coal mining operations, and a track that connected the two to make Beverly a bustling, lively coal mining town. While the mines are closed and the spur is gone, the site of the tracks is still evidenced by this strip of grass, an interesting peek into how a street was shaped by operations over 100 years ago.
With thanks to Edmonton Archives and Lawrence Herzog’s Built on Coal
The Volunteering Spirit of the Ewanchuks
When talking with Alvin and Jackie Ewanchuk, two things are quickly apparent. First, they love to serve their community, and have volunteered doing so for decades. Second, they don’t do it for themselves or for recognition, as they readily point to the contributions and accomplishments of others. This volunteering spirit, of selfless service to one’s community, is special, and the Ewanchuks encapsulate it with excellence.
Jackie was “a Montrose girl”, in her own words, growing up and attending school in the Montrose/ Newton area. Alvin, meanwhile, moved to Beverly from the family farm near Lamont in 1960. Both attended Eastglen High School at the same time, but would get to know each other by working near one another. Jackie was at the Highlands A&W, and Alvin at Bill’s Esso, both where the Wayne Gretzky Drive freeway now sits. Alvin would pop into the A&W all the time, and the rest, as they say, is history. They would start dating in 1967, and get married in 1972. Beverly was certainly different back then. Alvin recalls moving into his home in Beverly in 1960 at 42 Street and 114 Avenue and there was just a slough out their back door. Jackie recalls that the streets were gravel. Alvin’s brother-in-law, Steve, ran a 40 acre farm where the Abbottsfield neighborhood now lies, and Alvin recalls the sight of Steve driving his tractor from the farm down to the Drake Hotel to grab a beer when he was thirsty. Back then, the rink was the hub. As Alvin recalls, “you spent all your time at the rink”.
Alvin would go on to work at a machinist millwright in 1975, while Jackie held various careers, including at Alberta Government Telephones, as well as raising their kids, before ultimately working as an educational assistant. They had two boys, and their
young family lived on an acreage in those earlier days, but moved back to Beverly in 1985. Like their parents, both boys attended Eastglen High School. Their youngest son went on to earn a PhD in electrical engineering and now lives in Connecticut, while the oldest went to NAIT and stayed in Edmonton. Alvin and Jackie now have two grandchildren in Edmonton. Jackie began volunteering in the community by running the skating program in 1986. Harry Ewanik then pushed Alvin and Jackie to get connected and volunteering with the Beverly Heights Variety Show. Harry would come into Alvin’s work and eventually talked him into it, and the couple then served as coat check people for the Beverly Heights Variety Show in 1986.
Rusnak, during those years. “If you had a problem, you saw Cornel or Harry”, he says.
Harry Ewanik and his wife Sylvia played a significant role in the community, and Alvin and Jackie point to them readily for their contributions. This push from Harry would lead to decades of Alvin and Jackie volunteering for the Variety Show. Over the years, Jackie did costumes, while Alvin did props, and at various points both of them served on the Variety Show committee and both at different points as the Variety Show chair. They still volunteer with set up and tear down for the show all these years later. Their oldest son has also done sound & lighting for the show.
For 15 years, up until last year, Alvin looked after the Beverly Heights Community League rink and buildings. “It seemed like there was nobody to do that kind of work”, he remembers, so he took on the maintenance. Particularly, the Community League had a tractor, and Alvin grew up on the farm, so he was the only one familiar. Alvin has overseen numerous building upgrades at the Beverly Heights Community League since. Jackie currently also serves as the Community League’s treasurer, having done so for the last four years.
With both of their boys in the Beverly Heights hockey program, the couple also naturally volunteered with sports. “If you had kids in sports, you had to volunteer”, Jackie recalls. This included many fundraisers, bingos, tournaments, and more. “It’s how you paid”. The two volunteered at the Tom Cross hockey tournament for a number of years. Alvin also coached the Beverly Blazers hockey team while his sons were in it, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Alvin honours the hard work of Harry Ewanik, as well as Cornel
Alvin and Jackie have also volunteered for numerous events at Highland United Church since 2012. They were married in the church, as was one of their sons. Jackie is also now involved with the Beverly Active Seniors Society.
On their many decades of volunteering, the Ewanchuks humbly recognize that they are part of a diverse team of wonderful individuals. “We’re a small cog,” says Jackie. “There’s so many people who have done so much here”. Quick to point out the accomplishments of others (“Harry Ewanik did everything”, says Alvin), it’s clear that the Ewanchuks do not serve their community out of a desire for recognition. Having served in so many behind-the-scenes, thankless ways over the years, the Ewanchuks have made a significant difference in Beverly, and their decades of volunteering are inspirational and special.
Alvin and Jackie are a shining example of an impressive resume
of decades of quiet service toward one’s community, out of love for one’s community. While Beverly may have seen many changes over the years, and may not be full of gravel roads, sloughs, or farmland anymore, it is certainly the case that the selfless volunteering spirit of Alvin and Jackie Ewanchuk has remained constant through all the changes.
Alvin washing the Beverly Heights Community League hall floor while simultaneously giving his granddaughter a ride.
Jackie with Joann Britz at the Variety Show in 2019.
Alvin and Jackie at the 2020 Variety Show.
Alvin coaching Beverly Heights hockey in 1991-1992.
Beverly Remembers
For 104 years, the public has gathered at the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph each November 11 to reflect and remember together. Erected in 1920 shortly after the conclusion of World War I, Beverly’s Cenotaph is one of the oldest in Canada, and carries with it a rich tradition of 104 years of Remembrance Day ceremonies.
This year saw the community gather again as it has for so many years, thousands coming together from the Beverly community, throughout the City of Edmonton, and beyond to honour those who have served and those who have given their lives to defend our country.
Starting with a special church service at Marantha Christian Reformed Church, a large procession then marched from the church along 118 Avenue to the Cenotaph, where the ceremony began.
It was a relatively warm Remembrance Day,
with no snow on the ground, as many of us will recall standing out at the Cenotaph in far colder temperatures with far more frozen toes, something no one would complain about amid such an important act of Remembrance. The ceremony was beautifully done and a meaningful time of reflection to honour those who have served and those we have lost.
The day concluded with warm drinks graciously offered by the Beverly Business Association and served by the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Group at their studio.
The Beverly Memorial Cenotaph is an integral piece of the heartbeat of Beverly, and our Remembrance Day ceremonies an immeasurably important community tradition, and we look forward to gathering again in 2025 for the 105th time.
Lest we forget.
A Fond Farewell to Take Five Coffee Shop
Warm wishes flooded in throughout September after word that beloved Beverly staple Take Five was set to close. Owner Leon Papavasiliou shut its doors for the final time on September 22, moving on to a very well earned retirement.
A key gathering spot for countless people over the course of decades, the legacy and impact of Take Five and its team is immeasurable. Whether it was the place we met to connect with friends, family, or neighbours, or it was the place we frequented because nobody in the city made better donuts, or it was one of our first places of employment, there is no denying the important role Take Five has played for so many of us. The coffee shop was well known and well loved in the community and throughout the City of Edmonton, and many flocked to visit in the final days to say thank you to Leon and to bid a fond farewell to a special space.
Take Five’s legacy spans decades, back to when Leon began
at the shop way back in 1979. At the time, it was a Country Style Donuts, until Leon would convert it into Take Five in 2000. Everything at the coffee shop was made from scratch on site, beyond their donuts to include soups, sandwiches, and count-
less baked goods. The food was high quality and delicious, and it was a staple for many in the community and beyond. Whether you were hosting a work meeting, having friends over, or treating a friend for their birthday, there’s a good chance you were stopping
through Take Five and walking out with donuts. Their donuts were a thing of legend in their own right, known as the best in the City by many. Just mentioning the words “Cream Supreme” likely causes a salivary reaction for half of the population of Beverly!
Leon, it seemed, was always at the shop, whether you popped by early in the morning or late into the evening. Sometimes seen in the back working hard on a fresh batch of baking, and sometimes sitting with patrons that were more friend than customer over a cup of coffee, it was a near impossible feat to visit without a Leon sighting.
The coffee shop will be greatly missed as a core piece of Beverly and its business community. We say a very, very big thank you to Leon, Rena, and everyone who contributed to make Take Five a cherished part of the community. Thank you for making something so special for our community. Happy retirement, Leon!
Beverly Dining Week Showcases
Our Rich Culinary Diversity
The Beverly Business Association ran its annual Beverly Dining Week event from October 11 through 21 this year, showcasing all of the many eateries along Beverly’s 118 Avenue business district.
Among many things that make the area so special, the rich culinary diversity of Beverly is a key piece of its identity, a draw for locals and those across the City of Edmonton. Whether it’s the impressive teacup shaped cheesecakes at Swiss2Go, the well loved sausage at Stawnichy’s, the quaint high teas at Old Beverly Cafe, or delicious perogies from beloved Widynowski’s, nothing brings the City of Edmonton into Beverly quite like our food.
Among what makes our food scene so special is the diversity of cultures one can choose from when dining in the area. From Senegalese to Swiss, from Italian to Ukrainian, from Chinese to Indian, from Thai to Jamaican, our business district boasts a global tapestry of tasty eateries to be explored.
Beverly Dining Week gave the public an opportunity to discover this all the more, by encouraging the City and beyond to dine in our area and discover their new favourite food spot for themselves. Through the event, patrons could submit their receipts to the Beverly Business Association to enter to win prizes, including local gift card and merch packs, Fitbits, Apple Airpods, and a 65-inch smart
TV. Receipts were submitted in droves, and it was evident that the spirit of the event was captured, that being to explore somewhere one may have never dined before, as receipts came in from every single food spot throughout Beverly, and feedback came from every corner of the City of Edmonton and beyond.
If you did not have a chance to dine in Beverly during Dining Week this October, consider supporting local and exploring the diversity of our food. Grab a treat at The Sugarist candy store, dessert at Primera Bakeshop, breakfast at JayBee’s, dinner at Pappa’s Restaurant, or check out an impressive host of other options, and see for yourself why Beverly’s food scene is so special.
Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society
10906 40 ST NW, EDMONTON, AB
Built on the coal mining and agricultural industries, Beverly has a rich pioneering history.
The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society operates the Beverly History Interpretive Centre to allow students, seniors, and the general public access to a variety of artifacts used by Beverly residents throughout the community’s 100 plus year history.
Interpretive Centre Tours
The Centre is set up to showcase the work and lifestyle of the 1930s and allows an opportunity to connect with the people who built and worked in this community.
During educational program sessions, participants are given a chance to try some hands-on pioneering activities, such as knitting, weaving, working with coal, and food preparation.
Classroom/School Visits
With a variety of programs suitable for elementary students
Our programs are directly linked to the Alberta Education Program of Studies. Area schools are also invited to join us at the Beverly Cenotaph for the Student Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Please email: Beverlyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com for more information on educational and group visits to the Interpretive Centre.
The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society
We encourage the preservation of area history through the collection of stories, photographs and memorabilia that built our community.
We would love you to share your stories and pictures with us. Join us for a cup of tea, volunteer at the Interpretive Centre, casino, or join us on the board!
WE WANT YOUR STORIES!
Do you have personal stories, photographs, or memorabilia related to Beverly’s past?
We would love to include them in our historical archives. Whether it's a family tale, an old photograph, or an artifact that holds special significance, your contributions will help us build a comprehensive picture of our community's heritage. Please share with us, so that we can honor and document the legacy of our community.
The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society
IS SEEKING A TREASURER
We are seeking a volunteer for the Treasurer position to serve the remaining term to April 2025.
The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society
Beverlyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
This role is crucial for managing our finances and supporting our mission. If you or someone you know is interested please submit your application/resume by email with a brief cover letter by :
November 20, 2024 to beverlybrz@telus.net
Thank you. Cornel Rusnak Nomination Committee Chair
The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society
WWW.BEVERLY-HISTORY.CA
THE OLDE TOWNE BEVERLY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
beverly-history.ca
According to the geographic Board of Canada’s place names of Alberta, published in 1928, Beverly was named by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1904 after Beverly township, Wentworth County, Ontario. The Ontario Beverly was the former home of R.R. Jamieson, General Superintendent of the CPR and may wll have been named after Bevelrey, a town in Yorkshire, England.
and, in some cases, fleeing persecution and oppressive regimes, these settlers came from Germany, Scotland, England, Holland, Ukraine, and other European countries. Others came from the United States, drawn by the opportunity to own land at very reasonable prices. The first River Lot and township surveys, conducted an 1882, show several newcomers as owners of land in what was to become Beverly. These River Lots were owned respectively by J.D. Hutton, J.F. Deane, James Petrie and John Holland, none of whom apparently stuck around long enough to have an impact on the future community.
It wasn't until the early days of the 20th century that settlement really kicked in to gear. In 1906, when Alberta was barely a year old, Beverly was incorporated as a hamlet. Word got out that this new place at the edge of the frontier was blessed both with rich black soil. Ideally suited to farming and with another treasure far below the soil. When rich coal seams were discovered on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, companies quickly invaded and the boom was on. Beverly Lots became quoted in real estate deals in such a far-flung quarters as England, New Zealand and Australia. By 1913, the value of assessed land in Beverly topped $3 million.
However, compared with Edmonton, Beverly property remained a bargain. The city had expanded at a tremendous rate prior to World War I, stoking the engine of economy growth and driving up real estate values. Many newcomers settled in Beverly and other outlying areas as a way of decreasing their living costs and, with work in the mines, they had found what real estate promoters had called “the ideal residence section of the city”. In reality, many of the earliest settlers in Beverly were making little working in the mines and couldn't afford to buy land or build houses. As in Edmonton, many of these working class folks were forced to live in tents.
Still the promoter's persisted. A story in the daily Capitol published June 13th, 1912 announced that the first Lots in Beverly Heights - “a high-class subdivision fronting on the Saskatchewan river, presenting an admirable view of the stream” - had been placed on the market. Within a few months it will be within a few minutes walk of a street car line affording easy and quick access to the city.” The story went on to assure readers the water, sewer, electric light and other conveniences would also be installed within a few months. “According to the terms of all agreements, a certain class of residences must be erected thus guaranteeing that there will be no unsuitable or unsightly dwellings,” the story concluded it was to be decades before those promises came to pass.
Another story in the May 17th, 1913 edition of the paper trumpeted Beverly Heights, Beverly Heights Annex, Beacon Heights and Beacon Heights Annex as a place of promise. On “March 27th, 1912, Gus Berling started work on his home out in the bush on Alberta Avenue in the face of ridicula of his friends, but today the tables have turns and he finds himself in a thickly settled community... with good prospects of street car service to the city, already having three grocery stores and a barbershop, five miles of street graded and contracts let for two and one-half miles more and a sidewalk from the car line to the most remote part of the subdivision.”
From North Edmonton Industrial Review, Published 1913 Citty of Edmonton Archives
The Adventures of the Beacon Heights Seniors
The Beacon Heights Seniors group kept busy this summer!
It began on July 5 when they attended the Badlands Passion Play at the Badlands Amphitheatre in the hills of Drumheller, a very enjoyable outing for the group to see a superb show. The group stayed in a hotel together in Three Hills, transported by a bus supplied by Hi Five Limo. On July 6, they stopped at the Ellis Bird Farm & Nature Centre near Lacombe for a great visit among the many flowers and over 200 bird houses. The photo of the group was taken at the Ellis Farm. This was followed by a tasty lunch in their café.
On August 18, the group boarded the Hi Five Limo bus again, and enjoyed a day with the Farm Day program. They visited the Homesteaders Farm, Sunny Hill Alpacas, and
FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER
Old Station Honey & Mead in New Sarepta. They concluded this trip in Beaumont at 80 Flavours Ice Cream – yum!
On September 15, the seniors had a cruise on the Edmonton River Boat! This was attended by some excited family and friends as well, and made for a sunny day of enjoyment.
Closer to home, the Beacon Heights Seniors helped with several local events, including the Beacon Heights Community League’s popular Community Rocks concert, as well as the Beverly Farmers’ Market’s annual corn roast benefiting local youth programs. The corn roast raised over $500 for the Beverly Towne Community Development Society! The seniors were also present at the Beverly Business Association’s Pancake Breakfast.
MaranathaChristianReformedChurch
invitesyoutojointhemfora FREE ChristmasDinneronChristmas DayattheAbottsfieldRecreationCentre,3010-119Avenue. Doorsopenat2:30pmanddinnerwillbeservedfrom3:00-5:00pm.
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Additionally, the group has collected and donated toward various agencies, including: Gloves for Kids, Juvenile Diabetes, Mental Health, the Humane Society, as well as underwear for Operation Friendship and snacks for the local Tegler Youth Centre!
The Seniors were also excited to celebrate two members, Viv and Joyce, as they turned 90!
The Seniors group also dines out on the 4th Thursday of the month, and have enjoyed meals together at various food spots, including Swiss Chalet, Rosslyn Canyon Grill, Hong Houng, Uncle Ed’s Restaurant, Old Beverly Café, and Nandos.
It’s been a busy season for the Beacon Heights Seniors, full of fun travels and adventures, supporting local initiatives close to home, celebrating each other, and, of course, enjoying tasty food!
HELLOBEVERLYNEIGHBOURS
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Whetheryou’retakingabreakfromswimmingorjustlookingforarelaxingescape,thehottubisyournewbestfriend. Stopbyandenjoyabitofwarmthallwinterlong.
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GettingtoACThasneverbeeneasier! We are excitedto remindeveryoneabouttheETS On-Demandtransitservice.Thisconvenient,community-drivenserviceensuresthatanyonecan makeittoACTwithoutthestressofdrivingorparking,especiallyduringicyorsnowydays.Simply bookyourrideandtheOn-Demandservicewilltakeyourighttothedoor It’s affordable,easy, and perfectforthosedayswhenyoujustdon’t wanttobravethe roads. We are STOP # 11389
TwoFreeVisitstoGetYouStarted!
Haven’tbeentoACTyet?Now’syourchance!We’reofferingtwofreetrialvisitsper yearperperson.Thisistheperfectopportunitytocheckoutourgym,hottub,pool, andmoreatnocost.Bringyourfriendsorfamily,andexperienceeverythingthat ACThastoofferwithoutanycommitment.It’sourwayofinvitingyoutoexploreour fantasticfacilityandmakeitapartofyourroutine.
TheACTAquaticandRecreationCentreisallaboutcommunity.Whetheryou’relookingforaplacetostayfit,relax,orjust escapethewintercold,we’vegotsomethingforeveryone.Staywarm,stayactive,andstayconnectedwithyourBeverley community!WelookforwardtoseeingyouatACTsoon.
The Beacon Heights Seniors Group gathers at one of many events they enjoyed over the course of the summer.
TRIVIA
1.Which of the following is NOT a church in Beverly?
a. Edmonton Bible Presbyterian Church
b. Lighthouse Baptist Church
c. Living Hope Christian Centre
d. International Pentecostal Assembly
2. Who were well known as the “couple that owns the rink” in Beverly in the 1960s and 1970s?
a. Oscar & Lila Hutton
b. Tom & Millie Cross
c. Timothy & Ellie MacDonald
d. Abraham & Dorothy Abbott
3. Which of the following is a regular favourite at Rundle Park?
a. Ninja Warrior Course
b. Disc Golf
c. Equestrian
d. Ice Sculpting
4. Who was Percy Benjamin Lawton?
a. Supervisor of Beverly Schools
b. Last mayor of Olde Towne Beverly
c. Eastglen School board chair
d. Yellowhead Trail engineer
5. Which of the following is a park in Beverly?
a. Davidson Park
b. Abbottsfield Park
c. Danilowich Park
d. Loga Park
6. What is the Beverly Heights Community League hosting on December 4?
a. Oilers watch party
b. Variety Show volunteer recruitment night
c. Escape room night
d. Skydiving lessons
Get Involved in Kids’ Gift Shop
As numbers for this event grow year over year, we estimate more than 300 families will register to participate and we need your help to ensure it’s a successful event! There are numerous ways to get involved such as donating NEW gifts-in-kind or donating financially so we can secure enough gifts for families; tax receipts available for monetary donations of $10 or more. We also welcome community to volunteer at this event by going to: bit.ly/kidsgiftshop or www.candora.ca to sign up!
Friends & Neighbours Soirée
December 6th from 7PM- 9PM
@ Riverview Crossing (3210- 118Ave)
We’re welcoming local media legend, Graham Neil, as the night’s emcee including performances from Ukrainian dance company, Cheremosh, and award-winning artist, Jason Kodie! Delight in delicious appetizers, cash bar, and a silent auction at our 3rd annual twilight Soirée.
Get your tickets for $10!
Limited quantities available: bit.ly/candorasoiree
Santa’s Village
December 7th from 12PM- 4PM @ Riverview Crossing (3210- 118Ave)
Gather the kiddos, we’ve got Santa in the building, and he’ll be taking pictures by donation! Browse the festive Christmas and holiday displays, enjoy crafts and cookie making, plus write your letters to Santa! This is a FREE, Family-Friendly event.
RSVP by heading to: bit.ly/candorasantavillage
Holiday Community Lunch on December 19th
Join us for our special holiday Community Lunch on Thursday, December 19th from 11:30AM- 12:30PM. We’re cooking up the classics including turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, fresh buns, and don’t
forget the gravy! All are welcome at our FREE Thursday Community Lunches. There can be times when we run out of food, and as such, this program is first come first served. Thank you for understanding.
Food provided by the Edmonton Food Bank
Just in time for the holidays, Auntie Bev’s launches a brand-new pack of goodies full of delicious homemade recipes. These sweet treats are the perfect addition to your frozen meals, holiday platters, and secret Santa gifts! Auntie was busy testing her tarts, brownies, and a remix on her rice krispie treats to make the perfect collection of goods for only $12.50 a box. Find them online at www.auntiebevs.ca
or in-person at their indoor winter markets. Stay tuned to their social media for market pop-ups, new recipes, and holiday markets @ auntiebevsyeg!
Beverly Towne Farmers Market Tuesdays from 2PM- 6PM (Riverview Crossing Mall 3210- 118Ave)
Sherwood Park Farmers’ Market Wednesdays from 3PM- 7PM (Emerald Hills Shopping Centre 5000 Emerald Drive)
Abbott Holiday Shopping Palooza Saturday, November 30th from 12PM- 4PM (Abbott School 12045- 34 St)
Your Contribution Makes a Difference
CANDORA is always looking for ways to improve and implement new programming based on the needs of the community – and we need your help to do this. Whether it’s $1, $10, $50, or more, your donation to The CANDORA Society of Edmonton makes an impact and provides individuals and families the resources they need to break out of social isolation. From program improvements to emergency food supplies to bigger and better community events, your contribution means a healthy and thriving neighbourhood. Please consider donating to CANDORA and watch your donation actively grow our capacities.
Tax receipts are available for donations of $10 or more. Monetary donations can be made online via bit.ly/donatetocandora or via cheque or cash dropped off to our offices at #262, 3210- 118Ave.
THANK YOU!
Get Connected!
Find a list of our current program and volunteer opportunities by scanning the QR code:
Keep in touch by following us on social media, stopping by our office or giving us a call
Auntie Bev’s Launches New Product!
Are you looking to volunteer in your community?
The Abbottsfield Recreation Centre is actively looking for any community member that shares the passion of connecting people through programming, activities, and events. If you have specific ideas on what you think will benefit our community, the ARC Board & staff are always open for discussion. Remember no matter how big or small memories share a special connection with bringing people together. Drop in with Ashley to chat!
Board meetings are on the last Monday of the month unless there is a holiday at the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre 3006 119 Ave. 780 479 5895 or email info@abbottsfieldreccentre.com
Play for a Chance to Win! Scan Below
Or visit www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/abbottsfieldarc
Abbottsfield Recreation Centre is looking for the community to help. Funds raise will go to help the ARC community facility continue to provide free to low costing program and facility.
Holiday Greetings from the Beverly Towne Community Development Society
As the winter chill sets in and the festive season approaches, the Beverly Towne Community Development Society (BTCDS) extends its warmest wishes to all our cherished community members. This is a time for togetherness, reflection, and generosity.
This November, we invite you to join us for Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back. Your contributions help us continue our vital work within the community. Donations can be made via e-transfer to beverlytown@shaw.ca or by cheque written out to Beverly Towne Community Development Society, charitable receipts are available with all donations over $50.
If you’re curious about how your donations make a difference, we encourage you to visit us at the ARC, located at 3006-119 Ave. Here, you’ll see firsthand the impact of your support on our programs and initiatives.
Thank you to everyone who supported Beverly Dining Week 2024!
We loved seeing receipts submitted from all over Edmonton and beyond – we hope you had a blast dining in Beverly and found a new favourite food spot or menu item!
Beverly culinary diversity is rich, and we invite you to keep exploring our second-tonone food scene!
Congratulations to the Beverly Dining Week 2024 prize winners!
Thank you, as well, to the Beverly community and to our many partners who attended and supported the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph!
This integral long-standing Beverly tradition would not be possible without the support of the greater Beverly community. Thank you!
Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy, and joyous Christmas season and a very Happy New Year, from the board and staff of the Beverly Business Association
Stay up to date on the latest news in Beverly’s business community by subscribing to our newsletter! Visit mybeverly.ca to sign up.
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Send to: beverlybrz@telus.net or Beverly Business Association P.O. Box 20202, RPO Beverly Edmonton, AB T5W 5E6