50 years ago (1964):

A birthday salute from the publisher, F.B. Conduit, was published in this week’s Valley Echo. We had reached our 8th birthday and special thanks in addition to advertisers and readers were given to Dr. Coy, Dr. A.A. Dixon, Robert Talbot, the originals, who helped us get started. To the staff; Ron and Belle Ede, Winnifred Weir, Cis Newhouser, Paul Stanley and Joy Ralph.

 

45 years ago (1969):

Local Shuswap Band members signed the agreement with the Village of Invermere, leasing 32 acres of land north of the Crossroads for construction of an airport to serve the valley. Negotiations for an airport had been underway for 13 years, first with the Chamber of Commerce and then with the village when it was learned that a incorporated municipality must be responsible for construction and maintenance.

 

40 years ago (1974):

Norman and Leo Gagne of Canal Flats were first place winners in the Kootenay River canoe race, one of the sporting events featured in the annual Sam Steel Days celebrations.

 

30 years ago (1984):

The school principals for School District No. 4 (Windermere) were announced for the 1984/1985 school year. Mr. D. Gordon at David Thompson Secondary, Mr. R. E. A. Dearin at Invermere Elementary, Mr. D. Horn at J. Alfred Laird Elementary, Mr. J. J. Denhamer at Canal Flats Elementary Jr. Secondary, Mr. M. Bradford at Edgewater Elementary, Mr. R. Campsall at Windermere Elementary, Mr. R Engelbracht at Radium Elementary and Ms. M. Desjardins at Martin Morigeau Elementary.

 

20 years ago (1994):

The Regional District of East Kootenay asked for proposals for setting up recycling facilities in the Columbia Valley. “It’s part of our Year 2000 objective to reduce waste by 50 per cent,” said Rick Lindstrom, superintendent of utilities at RDEK in Cranbrook.

 

10 years ago (2004):

Thanks to an injection of cash from the provincial government, valley parents were soon to have the benefit of a new daycare facility. $224,544 was granted to the Akisqnuk First Nation Centre for the construction and implementation of a new daycare facility at the site.