NEWS FILE PHOTO heri Pister and De Seaton hold Chet and Molly in June at Pister's house. The pair has teamed up with three others to create the Southern Alberta Humane Society.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
Though it isn’t over quite yet – it is safe to say 2019 was quite a busy year around the city.
One of the biggest overlying themes for the year was ‘pets.’
It started fairly early with controversy surrounding the SPCA, with allegations that the no-kill shelter was euthanizing animals.
The SPCA saga climaxed at the group’s annual general meeting, where the results of a third-party investigator were put on display for the public.
The investigation found the SPCA to be guilty of some of the allegations and recommended a culture change.
The SPCA pledged transparency going forward.
SAHS
The original allegations against the SPCA came from then employee De Seaton.
Seaton ended up losing her job at the shelter, but quickly landed on her feet.
She teamed up with a number of Hatters in the area to create a new pet rescue organization, the Southern Alberta Humane Society.
The group began fostering and adopting out animals in the summer and will continue to serve Medicine Hat, Redcliff and the surrounding areas. The organization is also working toward getting a building. They are active on Facebook.
Pets again
Late in the year the News reported on a pair of dogs left homeless at a local boarding kennel
Petey and Rubble grabbed the hearts of Medicine Hat, with residents pouring out moral and financial support to the two dogs.
Since then, Petey has found a home but Rubble is still looking for his.
Tragedy
Sadness hit the area in June when a plane crash near Irvine killed three people.
The plane left from Medicine Hat in the morning and was slated to land in Moose Jaw roughly 90 minutes later.
A true tragedy.
Used books
It’s always a great story when someone fulfills a lifelong dream.
In October, Hatter George Giffen opened up the city’s only used book store on Dunmore Road, something he had wanted to do for more than 15 years.
Giffen spent years working in the oil business before shifting to working with taxis. He has tens of thousands of books to browse within a countless number of genres.
Reno nightmare
Carrie Renshaw was dealt a rough hand this year when a contractor quit a kitchen renovation midway through.
He also wasn’t doing a good job.
Left unsure of what to do and out a bunch of cash, Renshaw was saved by the trades community locally.
A group of businesses stepped up to create a dream kitchen for Renshaw, saving her from the nightmare she was stuck in.
Dragon duo
Hatters Laurie Haliwyz-Way and Lisa Warken got their chance to pitch their business, Literacy Lane, to the Dragons’ Den this year.
The pair travelled to Toronto to pitch their educational activities that target language, math and executive function through movement – all of which they say is based off research.
Though we do not know if the pair struck a deal with the Dragons, we do know that they were awarded the Desjardins grant to help out the marketing side of their operation.
Mr. Browne
This summer, the public was made aware of long time music teacher, Ralph Browne’s battle with cancer.
The music community rallied around Browne, hosting a concert in his honour in June.
Browne said the night was one he will remember forever.
