55 years ago (1960):
A 165-trailer caravan stopped at David Thompson Memorial Park at the Crossroads. The trailers displayed license plates from every state in the union, except for Hawaii. It was all part of the annual Wally Byam Caravan Tour, which always went through parts of Canada.
50 years ago (1965):
Branch 71, Royal Canadian Legion, held a mortgage burning event in Invermere, which drew attendees from Michel, Natal, Kimberley and Edgewater. The match was struck by Legion Charter Member Ernest Ede of Windermere.
45 years ago (1970):
Hecher’s Motel in Invermere was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Lane. Still, Mrs. Hecher, Formally of England, said she planned on staying in Invermere. “I couldn’t think of living anywhere but in our beautiful valley,” she said.
35 years ago (1980):
B.C’s Lands, Parks, and Housing Minister James Chabot, formally opened the new $840,000 Athalmer overhead on the Athalmer-Invermere Road. The bridge, over the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, eliminated the crossing over the highway.
30 years ago (1985):
Al Chapman, a long-time industrial education teacher at DTSS, was elected president of the Windermere District Teacher’s Association. Chapman said he would, “seek to redress the financial restraints placed by government on education.”
20 years ago (1995):
Sign vandalism in Invermere had public officials frustrated. Gene Sobolewski, Invermere’s director of municipal works estimated taxpayers had shelled out $4,500 thus far in 1995 alone to replace signs vandals had defaced or moved to different locations around town. “It seems to be quite an ongoing event that occurs every weekend,” Sobolewski said.
15 years ago (2000):
The Village of Radium Hot Springs recieved a $50,000 provincial beautification grant, which could be used on projects like wheelchair ramps, pathway paving, accessible washrooms and lighting. MLA Jim Doyle presented Radium Mayor Greg Deck with the cheque, noting how pleased he was with the state of the village already. “They deserve a lot of credit,” Doyle said.
10 years ago (2005):
Six local participants raced their hearts out at the Windermere Loop Triathlon. Kelly Jamison of Invermere was the best of the group, finishing 34th out of approximately 250 racers. Right behind her, Windermere’s Margot Paterson and Invermere’s Michelle Weis finished 36th and 39th respectively.