55 years ago (1959):
A four day all expense paid trip to New York was the happy experience of a young Radium Hot Springs couple in March. Mr. and Mrs. Blair Blakley were the lucky winners of an Imperial Oil dealers’ competition. Their prize is a fun-packed itinerary in Toronto and New York.
50 years ago (1964):
Invermere was the first community in East Kootenay to file its Civil Defence Survival Plan. It was based on the premise that between 32,000 and 40,000 Calgary area residents would be evacuated here in case of emergency.
45 years ago (1969):
Vital statistics for the year in the Windermere District were released. There were 61 births, 23 deaths and 33 marriages in 1968.
40 years ago (1974):
Invermere’s new mayor, Henry Delesalle, took the oath of office and allegiance, administered by village clerk Allan Miller, during the Village of Invermere’s statutory meeting. Also taking the oaths were newly elected alderman Robert Willox and incumbent Joseph Fuller.
30 years ago (1984):
The economic development Commission of the Regional District of East Kootenay was set to disband after the Jan. 6, 1984 resignation of Wilf Nordick, its commissioner. Funding for the approximate $100,000 cost of the commission was expected to be cut off by the province at the end of the year, at which time the regional district would have to put up the money.
20 years ago (1994):
Robert Minhas was the first baby to be born in the valley in 1994. He was due to arrive in the world on Christmas Day but had the good sense to wait until New Year’s Day at 4:55 p.m. to make his appearance, bringing his parents, Raman and Jagtar of Radium Hot Springs a wealth of gifts in the Valley Echo’s 37th Annual First Baby Contest.
15 years ago (1999):
The Motel Norelle in the Wilder neighbourhood was burnt to the ground by the Invermere Volunteer Fire Department to make way for a neighbourhood pub. The building had to be demolished one way or another, so it was decided that the fire department might as well get some training from the building. Built by Anne Hecher and her late husband Rudy almost 40 years before, it was being destroyed to make way for the Station Pub.
10 years ago (2004):
Brodie Godlien experienced a terrible accident that resulted in the loss of both legs below the knee. Brodie’s courage helped him to smile in the face of adversity and get on with his life. “I realize that I’m lucky to be alive, and that’ s all that really counts,” Mr. Godlien concluded of his harrowing ordeal. He thanked residents of the valley for their help.