KREW KUTS: 1954 – Booming & Babies
By Bernie Krewski
“Barn At The Right Time; A History of the Baby Boom Generation” is the title of Doug Owram’s book published in 1996. This reflects the social and economic climate of students attending elementary school in this district, grades one to six in 1954. They received many benefits enriching their daily lives not experienced by generations before them.
Playground
The Home & School Association at its annual meeting in May, decided to purchase equipment for the school playground. These officers were elected for the coming year: president – Mrs. Reg Judson; program convenor – Miss Marion Hamilton; secretary-treasurer – Mrs. Russell Windrum; social convenor – Mrs. Joe Ferguson; finance committee – Stanley Regan; membership – Mrs. William Hall; representative to Scouting Committee – Clarence Schmale; publicity manager – Mr. William Hall; baseball representative – Russell Windrum.
Arena
Initiatives to construct an area were under by then, described as “On The Ice” in Many Trails Crossed Here, v. 1, pp. 322-323. Reflecting on those years, we now know that building eventually provided much more enjoyment than ice skating and hockey. Here are more details from 1954.
A report in the Calgary Herald on March 17 had this headline, “Drive Started For New Centre.” It described a meeting on March 15 sponsored by the Board of Trade attended by 100 people. L. R. Lewis of Lewis Construction described various options. Fr. S.J. Molnar spoke about the importance of public recreation for children. Walter Worth, who recently replaced Mr. M. Holman as school superintendent, emphasized the importance of individual citizens and groups demonstrating their willingness to help in every way possible. Mr. Worth and Harold Hall were added to the executive of the Board of Trade whose president was Jerome Gullekson.
Two weeks later the Oyen Memorial Centre Association was incorporated. The slate of officers consisted of Jerome Gullekson, president; Walter Worth, secretary; Harold Hall, treasurer; Clarence Peterson, vice-president; board of directors – William Cunningham, Florence Judson, Harry Chiliak, Ben Weller, and Reg Judson.
Fundraising
On April 9th the ”Bingo Party’ sponsored by the Board of Trade was attended by 640 people, topping the previous record of 600 attendees. The grand prize, a chesterfield suite valued at $384. 95 was won by Matt Marshall, the local barber. The Board of Trade announced it has reached two-thirds of its financial goal to establish the initial phase of arena construction.
A contract with the Alberta Wheat Pool to store wheat in the newly constructed facility was signed in November.
Fish & Game
The Goose Lake Line Fish and Game Association was organized on Sunday, March 21. Enthusiasm for such an organization was clearly demonstrated when 78 members paid membership fees. William Petrick was elected secretary and Walter Kalancha as secretary. Other members of the directorate were Reg Judson and Floyd Horne.
Future projects that were discussed included stocking fish at the Sounding Creek Dam, introducing pheasants to this district, and establishing a sanctuary for geese.
The meeting ended with the usual “tall tales” as told by sportsmen. One concerned the “big one” that got away from Floyd Horne. Another pertained to Don Sutherland’s “over and under 12 gauge shotgun.”
A month later, the Hanna Herald reported that the Oyen Fish & Game Association had 210 members.
More opportunity to enjoy life had arrived!