Bring on those dog days, we need ’em
By COLLIN GALLANT on July 6, 2019.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant As Canada Day passed and June turned into July, we reached the mid-point of the year. I think we should all congratulate ourselves. My cellphone is still dating cheques “2018,” and there’s no doubt the last six months have been a serious game of harem-scarem. But dog days are upon us. School buzzers went. Golf balls are floating through the air. A furious session in the Alberta legislature ended on Friday. I’m sensing the need for a well-deserved recharge in the general public. At some point recently the Stanley Cup was apparently awarded to the St. Louis Blues, but we’re still awaiting confirmation. Can anyone say for certain what’s the status of the new North American free trade deal? Of course, there will be serious and important items that the News will cover in depth, but in terms of major announcements and the like, governments like most folks will be gearing down for a stretch. Get your rest while you can, however. For the year, we’re one election down and one to go. Rail ramblings A few train-related items this week for the basis of a roundup, not the least of which is that loads of big-inch pipe continue to roll through the Medicine Hat yard. Other items of note: – Bill Lawson, of Redcliff, arrived at the News office this week researching a head-on train crash that happened near Bowell on March 15, 1940. Why the curiosity? Lawson was on the train as a three-year-old travelling with his father who was heading overseas. It’s the last time they saw each other. We have the articles here, but Lawson is looking for pictures and is making an appeal to old timers to have a look through their old family albums (call me at the News if you find anything); – Word comes from the region that the laydown yard in Foremost that is receiving the components of the Whitla Wind farm has been officially named after Len Mitzel. It honours the former MLA who was the driving force behind the creation of the Forty Mile Rail shortline that services the region between Foremost and Stirling; – As well, the Great Western Shortline, across the Saskatchewan line, has acquired the Fife Lake Railway. That shortline runs southward of Assiniboia and adds to the eastern region of the loop that also connects Consul, Shaunavon and Bracken to the Swift Current area. That other inquiry Albertans were equally amused and enraged when B.C. Premier Joe Horgan asked for a formal review of why gasoline prices were so high in the spring. Now, Hatters are demanding similar action. A look ahead It’s a light week for official city business. The Stampede Queen contest begins Wednesday with horsemanship competition and concludes at the kick-off dance on July 13. Preparations are also well underway for the annual garden tour set for Sunday, July 14. 100 years ago Continued drought and low river levels in the city led council to consider having firemen ration water for gardens by directing it from hydrants, the News reported on July 7, 1919. As well in town a newly announced Dominion Bank building will be “notable addition to Sixth Ave. and a handsome building.” A Fourth of July picnic at Dr. Anderson’s farm drew nearly 1,000 and was sponsored by members of the Blue Grass local of the Untied Farmers of Alberta (Jenner area). A day of sports, a baby contest and “old-time barn dance.” Hail losses of 90 per cent were reported in Etzikom. The war department announced that 43,000 troops remained in uniform in Europe, noting four-fifths of veterans, had been returned to Canada. A Franco-British defence pact signed as an adjunct of the Treaty of Versailles imposed no obligation of British Dominions to come to the aid of France in case of German aggression. A coroner’s jury in Winnipeg declared there was no proof a bullet that killed a strikers in that city was fired by police. Labour groups announced they planned to “redeem” the stature for unions following riots that ended a general strike in that city and elsewhere. Elsewhere, miners in Nova Scotia won a five-day week after their strike and farm leaders vowed a political campaign with the goal of winning 80 seats in the next federal election. Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. reach him at 403-528-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com 28-27
