Canadian Northern Society
P.O.
Box 142, Big Valley, Alberta T0J 0G0
Dominion of Canada
Telephone: +1 403 876 2242
|
Canadian Northern Society
P.O.
Box 142, Big Valley, Alberta T0J 0G0
Dominion of Canada
Telephone: +1 403 876 2242
|
We welcome the following new members to the society:
“I was very impressed with the quality of the preservation and the collections at Big Valley, Meeting Creek and Camrose. We were also fortunate to see the Alberta Prairie Rail Tour at Big Valley led by the 6060. I hope that my membership will further assist the society.” — Graham H. Macdonald, Baden, Ontario
“Thank you very much to Glenys Smith for your help in finding pictures and information on the railway siding at Hackett, Alberta. I had tried to find some information at larger archival institutions and was unsuccessful. The copy of the photograph of the Hackett grain elevators and the plan of the railway station shelter were much appreciated. Your friendliness in your replies to my question is a true reflection of western Canadian hospitality. Enclosed is a donation to cover mailing costs.” — George Robinson, Trenton, Ontario
On July 15, long-time society member and supporter Mr. Gwyn Morgan, together with his wife Ms. Pat Trottier made a $5000 donation to the ongoing operation and maintenance of the Camrose Railway Station and Park and to the Morgan Garden Railway. This latest donation is sincerely appreciated and will assist greatly with the programs the society is undertaking at the site this year. Thank you, Gwyn and Pat!
Thank you to Gordon and Arlene Hay of Camrose, Karen Smith of Camrose and Phyllis Robertson of Camrose for the cash donation for the “Buy-a-tie” project.
The society thanks Alma Falk of Camrose for her cash donation. Also thanks to Marian Peterson of Calgary for the cash donation made to the society.
Special thanks to Mr. Larry Klaus for the $100 donation in memory of Ralph Klaus in conjunction with the Big Valley Ralph Klaus Memorial Golf Tournament held this summer.
Thank you to Kate Pasula for her cash donation to the society.
Thanks to the support of the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation and Alberta Lotteries, the driveway of the Meeting Creek elevator has now been reshingled with classic cedar shingles. The work has vastly improved the appearance of the historic 1917 structure and ensured prevention of further deterioration of the roof structure.
I wanted our street to have the prettiest Christmas decorations in the neighbourhood, so I strung coloured balls from house to house, all the way down the block. And I did all the electrical wiring myself. If you’d like further information, just drive down Moorpark Street in North Hollywood. We’re the third pile of ashes from the corner. — Bob Hope
The Canadian Northern Society is pleased to announce that Ms. Karen Smith, an employee at the Cargill Specialty Canola Oils facility at Camrose and an active member of the society is the recipient of a Cargill Cares Volunteer Award.
Cargill Inc. values the time and skills that employees give to not-for-profit organizations such as the Canadian Northern Society. Three times per year employees and retirees are recognized with Cargill Cares Awards for outstanding service in our communities. Recipients of the award receive a Cargill Cares gift and are recognized on the Cargill Intranet and within their business groups. In addition, a US$1000 cash award is provided to the non-profit organization for which the employee volunteers.
Karen Smith has been recognized for her dedication and volunteer effort at the Canadian Northern Society’s Meeting Creek railway station and grain elevator heritage site. This site features a historic 1913 Canadian Northern Railway Third Class station and a 1917 wood-cribbed Alberta Pacific Grain elevator — one of the last of the prairie sentinels.
Cargill is pleased to recognize the effort of the society’s volunteers in preserving western Canada’s agricultural heritage at Meeting Creek. The funds received by the Canadian Northern Society will be used toward upcoming spring 2003 repairs required to the Meeting Creek grain elevator’s walkways.
Another tourist season has come and gone, and again the hard work of the Canadian Northern Society, the Big Valley Historical Society, and the local Communities in Bloom volunteers has paid off in Big Valley as the community is again a leader in the national Communities in Bloom competition. This year special mention was made of the railway roundhouse interpretive centre, the grain elevator and railway station, and Saint Edmund’s Church as heritage sites. The community received an 85.3% overall score, which included categories in tidiness, environ-mental effort, community involvement, heritage, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floral displays, and turf and groomed cover areas. Congratulations to all of those whose continued efforts annually make Big Valley proud.
The society wishes to thank and acknowledge the support of:
Long-time Canadian Northern Society member and supporter Harry R. J. Home was the very first inductee into the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at Big Valley station on September 22, 2002. The ceremony was unique in that Harry arrived at the throttle of steam locomotive 6060, leading the scheduled Alberta Prairie excursion train from Stettler to Big Valley. “This individual to many of us is a true railway hero,” remarked Shawn Smith representing the Railway Association of Canada at this event. “He is one of the last steam locomotive engineers whose careers have spanned the twilight of steam power to the operation of today’s modern and fuel efficient diesel locomotives of Canada’s railways.”
The Canadian Northern Society President and Chairman of the Hall of Fame presented Harry with a Canadian Railway Hall of Fame plaque, designed by Lorrie Tiegs of the society. Don Gillespie of Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, and His Worship Len Waters, mayor of the Village of Big Valley, took part in the ceremony honouring Harry, which was enjoyed by approximately 100 visitors and Alberta Prairie guests.
In addition, Harry was surprised by a special presentation by his former employer — Canadian National Railways. The station location “Jasper West” located at Mile 0.5 Albreda Subdivision just west of Jasper station, on CN’s main line to Vancouver, was renamed Home in Harry’s honour. Mr. Brian Kalin, superintendent for CN was on hand to make the special presentation.
Harry was very pleased and visibly moved by the recognition. “I’ve always been honoured to be a locomotive engineer. I consider myself a very lucky man and I think the job on the railroad for me was never a job, it was always an adventure. I never tired of it.”
There was very positive coverage from CBC Radio and local television, CHQR Radio in Calgary, Calgary Herald as well as local papers. Edmonton Journal also picked up the story in the business section. Thanks are due to Alberta Prairie, CN, and Central Western Railway for really making this day a success and to the Railway Association Staff for their support.
Other presentations have been made to the Township of Bonfield, Ontario (where the first spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven) and the City of Montréal, which were inducted to the Communities Category. Also, Industrial Achievement Awards were made to Robert Ritchie (president and chief executive officer of Canadian Pacific Railway) and Paul Tellier (president and chief executive officer of Canadian National).
See all of the 2002 inductee profiles on the Hall of Fame Web site
1997-12-08 (5 years ago): the Carlton Trail Railway (Omnitrax) takes over the operation of two CN lines in north western Saskatchewan.
The tea room is now closed for regular hours with openings for group bookings and schools to continue throughout the winter.
The Ukrainian smorg held on August 17 was very successful with 250 persons attending. The efficient but exhausted volunteers managed to assist with the cooking of more food and the large stack of dishes. Paper plates would have solved our problem had we any idea that so many people from the summer games would come. Judy Somers and Karen Smith loaned costumes and music to make the atmosphere. Judy has offered to have the Velselka Dancers dance and assist with hostessing next year. Thank you to Tim Mugford, Bruce Smith, Dorothy Lysons, Shirley McIntosch and Kathy Murray for your help.
Earlier this summer the station honoured The Queen on her jubilee year with traditional English food and a royalty display. A Queen Elizabeth rose was planted in the Morgan Railway Gardens this spring and was officially dedicated on September 14.
On August 24, Norm and Carol Prestage, Kathy Murray and Gwen Lister ran the tea room serving a special “Blast to the Past” 1967 menu that was served on a CNR dining car. Norm wore a conductor suit and the service and the room was made to give an atmosphere of the dining car complete with as much silver service as we had available.
On September 6, 32 volunteers attended our annual Corn Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the station. Our list of volunteers has grown to 55. Walter Kittler and Alice were our special guests. Walter told several stories from his book which now is in our library. Fellow volunteers have helped us in so many ways over the past year and we are very thankful to them. Leo Firrard was the new owner of the needlepoint train picture donated by Kathy Murray. The auction raised $120 for the Canadian Northern Society. Thank you to all who placed bids and to Kathy for her generous donation of such a beautiful picture.
We have sold two elevator trellises and four Barnwood birdhouse planters over the summer, with an order for two birdhouses for Christmas. thank you to Murray Roy who has donated his time and many materials to the society to do this. Next year we will be donating an elevator trellis to Big Valley.
EnCana has donated a Dell computer and a laser printer to the Canadian Northern Society for use in the library and archives. Fred Murray continues to work diligently on data basing our archives. Norseman Pontiac staff have donated their bottles to the society. The money is used for stationery and printer expenses. Thank you to Frank Fleury who brings the bottles to the station.
Thank you to Leo Girard, Murray Roy, Bruce Smith, and Eric Wiggins for completing the stabilization of the 1920 tool shed on site. The goal this fall was to get the tool shed ready for winter and continue restoration next spring.
We have had two successful school programs with Bawlf and Heisler schools this fall. Thank you to the volunteers who assisted as it takes about 10 volunteers to run each day. We had our first two-hour program for the Beavers Club. The afternoon went very well and we are looking into developing a program for the Brownies as well.
The raffle afghan draw took place November 5. Rose Saruga from Camrose won the hand-made afghan made by Kathryn Osborne. We raised $109 through the draw. Thank you Kathryn for your afghan donation.
Bruce and Glenys Smith attended the Alberta Museums Conference at Wetaskiwin this fall. They found the workshops very information. Glenys is presently working on funding proposals and Bruce has been cleaning and reorganizing the Canadian Northern Society displays from information gathered at this conference.
The Battle River Community Foundation has made a grant of $500 to the Canadian Northern Society for the Camrose Railway Station, Museum and Park. The grant was made from the Bob and Mazo O’Riordan Memorial Fund, which was established five years ago by Robbie O’Riordan in memory of her parents, who were active members of the Camrose community for many years. The society sincerely thanks all involved in making this donation which will help assist the Camrose Railway Station in its many ongoing activities and restorations.
On September 14, the Canadian Northern Society celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen at the Camrose Railway Station and Morgan Garden Railway. A ceremony was held by the Society to dedicate a special war memorial, and a “Queen Elizabeth rose” in the railway garden. Karen Smith was the master of ceremonies for an afternoon event that included participation from the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the community at large. Dean Tiegs, society secretary, and Gwyn Morgan and Pat Trottier, long-time society members, unveiled the veterans’ memorial, which honours Gwyn’s late uncle Gwynfryn (see last edition of the Chronicle for a feature on Gwynfryn Morgan) and other Canadian war heroes.
At the ceremony, Dean Tiegs presented the society’s special Golden Jubilee donation to the Jubilee Appeal for Commonwealth Veterans. This fund helps with the basic needs of war veterans in poor Commonwealth countries.
Following the ceremony, society Vice-President Tim Mugford hosted a special Golden Jubilee tea served in the station tea room. Guests were presented with special Golden Jubilee lapel pins and flags courtesy of the Dominion government. In appreciation of his participation and continued support to the Society, Mr. Gwyn Morgan was also presented with the Canadian Red Ensign that had been used in the unveiling ceremony of the Society’s veteran’s memorial.
Gwyn Morgan commented on the occasion, “Pat and I are pleased that a few years ago during its development, the Canadian Northern Society named the Morgan Railway Garden for me.” (due to his support of the Society through the years) “However, after today’s ceremony, I would like to think that the Garden be now named in honour of my uncle Gwynfryn who was lost in the service of his country overseas during the Second World War.” The Canadian Northern Society was honoured to celebrate Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee in a fitting fashion of tribute to those who served our country, and by giving back to the community to benefit others.
1967-11-16 (35 years ago): Canadian Pacific begins testing Canada’s first remote-controlled mid-train diesel locomotives in regular freight service, using new “Robot” radio-command system.
By Elaine Shein, The Western Producer, April 11, 2002
After Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother died March 30, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets or filed past her coffin to show their respect and grief. Many Canadians have warm memories of the Queen Mother, some of them relating to her first visit to Canada. Western Canada figured prominently in the tour, and farm families especially welcomed a diversion from a troubled world.
Against a backdrop of a decade of poor crops, low prices, high unemployment and the threat of war, there came news of a six-week Canadian visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the first time a reigning monarch would visit this country.
The crowds welcomed the King and Queen everywhere on their official itinerary, which included Ottawa, Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Banff, Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster, Chilliwack, Jasper, Saskatoon and Melville.
The Queen quickly won over the large crowds and the media. She was referred to as charming, dignified, and possessing a “warm, intimate smile” as pictures captured her waving to the people.
In Ontario, “farmers stood at attention in their fields and farm houses were gaily decorated in honour of the occasion,” reported the May 25, 1939 Western Producer.
At Portage la Prairie and Brandon, “thousands of cheering people assembled from the surrounding districts and gave them a tumultuous welcome.”
Even wildlife played a part. “At one point where the train was stopped to allow the King and Queen to take a short walk, they made the acquaintance of a gopher whose antics amused them.” The June 8 Producer featured a photo of a 27 m grain elevator in Melville painted with the words “Welcome to Their Majesties”; the elevator and train station were adorned with banners and flags and lit with floodlights.
The crowds were huge: 200 000 in Edmonton, 150 000 in Saskatoon who “greeted them with western informality and affection.” Melville attracted 60 000 people, and large crowds also gathered at Biggar and Watrous.
Smaller communities were noted. “As inspiring was the welcome they got at towns and villages along the route. At Unity, in western Saskatchewan, about 30 000 people were there to meet Their Majesties. At Tako, the train made an unexpected 20 min stop and Their Majesties enjoyed a quiet walk, snapping pictures of a typical prairie village.”
“They talked with townspeople and farmers in the almost-deserted village. Most of the people had gone elsewhere to greet the King and Queen.”
“At Artland, another village in western Saskatchewan, the train made a 10 min stop and almost left without the royal couple who were chatting with people gathered at the station.” Many people called the royal visit the “biggest thrill” they would ever experience and would forever cherish.
Who is never hungry at Christmas? The turkey — he is always stuffed!
The Canadian Northern Society wishes all of its members and volunteers a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year.
Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions season ended on October 19. To receive a copy of next year’s schedule contact Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, P.O. Box 1600, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0, Canada, telephone +1 403 742 2811, fax +1 403 742 2844, e-mail <info@absteamtrain.com>.