On Saturday the dedicated Historical Foundation Members, Invited guests, interested residents and Town Council Representatives attended an informal “unveiling” of the last two murals that came about from a collaborative group effort between EPCOR, the Historical Foundation, and Town of Chestermere. These murals are a tribute to the early lake days of the forties and are featured at the boat launch at John Peake Park. The day’s morning event also took the group to a presentation down the north lake path to the new Fresno Scraper exhibit.
These last two murals complete the project which started from a discussion over two years ago in Dan Skidmore’s EPCOR office between himself and Jen Peddlesden. Their serendipitous meeting would evolve into a process that would see Chestermere’s history documented in black and white murals on the Lift Station Number #10 as well as the two new pictures down at the boat launch. This last installment came about through conversation with the town.
In Peddlesden’s speech about our town’s history, she said,” If we have nothing else (referring to the lack of historical buildings) we have a treasure trove of photos to document our history. We are on our way to be known as Mural Central.” She also made reference to the photo gallery presently housed in the library’s back hall.
Of the project Matthews said,”I am excited to see this showcase of our history, who we were and who we are now,” in this combining of past and present which further enhances the enjoyment of our town.
The two murals depict earlier lake shots when the countryside was bare prairie dotted with the occasional boathouse and the original community center. The portrait of Eva Roberts is iconic of the forties with Robert standing posed in the doorway of the family’s cabin dressed in the then practical trousers with a tucked in button up blouse. This stunning and captivating portrait was taken by American born portrait photographer William Roland Stillings, of Stillings Photography, Calgary. The original community center can be seen across the lake. It was Robert’s love of sailing that brought the family to living at the lake. Her brother Bill’s family still resides at the property located today on the east side. Bill’s wife Pat and their children Janice and Darren were honored to take part in the ceremony.
The second picture captures the days of the original Chestermere Yacht Club when it was located by what is now the Landing. Sitting on the dock sporting a captain’s hat is Fred Paasche, founding member of the Cabin Owner’s Association. This photograph documents the original allowed boathouses, Chestermere’s earliest sailboats, as well as recording the models of cars driven at the time. Paasche’s grandson Roy Berg, who still lives on the family property with his wife Barb, said that the location of the yacht club had to be moved to its present location because of the unfavorable winds down at the lake’s north end.
The day took this group down the path to the Fresno exhibit which was finished in time for the visit of the Communities in Bloom Judging Panel in August which required a historical component for consideration. Councilor Heather Davies, who is part of the Streetscape Committee which worked in collaboration on the project, said, “I give my compliments to the partners on their enthusiasm for this historic Public Art installment. These are amazing to collect for a town.”
Ken Groves was on hand to share the background of the Fresno Scraper which was originally gifted to his father for his work using it on eleven miles of Highway 36 north of Hanna. This implement was the original road building equipment of its time, pulled by 4 horses. Frenso scrapers of these types were also used in the making of the town’s lake. Groves shared an interesting anecdote as a young man helping his father with the roadwork, “In about 1944 or 1945, for 2 days labor, I received four dollars and fifty cents, and income tax was still taken off that!”
Stu Hutchinson, Town Councilor, also told the group of Groves’ commitment to the restoration of windmills throughout the area. Grove has brought back to life 17 windmills through his work, one of which can be seen at Elliston Park on Calgary’s east side, along 17 Avenue SE.
Peddlesden said she is looking forward to other partnerships that may come about in the Foundation’s ongoing work to enhance the town’s profile while promoting history. She said, “New equipment is coming in all the time.”
The Historical Foundation wishes to thank Brent Lovac, EPCOR Site Manager for Chestermere and Strathmore, for his company’s generosity in helping to fulfill this vision for our community.
For all you theatre buffs who are looking for a fall/ Remembrance Day event consider coming to the War Brides desert theatre production on November 2. This partnership with the Historical Foundation and Aspen Crossing Theatre Group will feature a heartwarming story based on the marriage unions that came to be as a result of Canadian troops going overseas during World War two. Tickets are $35 each and can be picked up at the General Store, Chestermere Library, the Rec Center or by calling (403) 272-3764, or (403) 236-7258, You can also check out the foundation’s website at www.chestermerehistory.org for more information.
