There is something good to be said for starting a new year with a delicious pot luck, new members, and so many ideas for historical projects that there was no time to discuss them all. So went the first meeting for 2018 of the Chestermere Historical Foundation on January 16th hosting courtesy of the Calgary Yacht Club. CHF is Looking forward to the numerous projects on the list, now more possible with the upcoming Alberta Lotteries money which will soon be financing these ideas to showcase Chestermere’s history. Thanks to the many members who came out in November to work the casino. On Jan 16th CHF welcomed two visitors, Richard Plummer, Chair of the City Streetscape Committee and Fire Chief Brian Pomrenke. Streetscape has worked before with CHF on design of bridge banners and is looking to possibly carry on with a further partnership in a unique outdoor “book” featuring local history. Chief Pomrenke reported on the work being done to complete the last phases of restoration of the 1952 Ford used as firetruck by the Chestermere Cabin Owners back in the 60s and 70s. The gratis work done on these last few steps by the firefighters has been much appreciated by CHF. On display at the meeting were five scrapbooks of memorabilia, photos, and newspaper articles collected from 1948 to the 70s by former Chestermerian Kay Lowney and given to the Calgary Yacht Club. They are presently under the watchful eye of Michael Hooper former Commodore, who is working on photographing the pages. Kay’s husband, Ed Lowney Jr., was instrumental in starting the first junior sailing club out of the CYC back in the 50s and 60s. It was exciting to hear from Program Coordinator Kay Clarke, that there will be three new program presentations on Chestermere’s history this spring; ‘Sports Excellence in Chestermere over the Years’, with Bill Peddlesden Feb 20th just following the 6:30pm Annual General Meeting; March 20th will be a presentation by Todd McBride on ‘Pre Settlement History of Chestermere’. And April 17th will be Ray Blanchard on ‘ Early Peoples of our Chestermere Area’. (Dates may change please check on webpage or in Anchor.) Anyone interested in Chestermere’s history is encouraged to contact CHF as it is seeking new Board members ( AGM Feb 20th) , and of course, please do attend any of these meetings and programs, admission is free and they are family friendly. Membership is the old fashioned price of $5 ( go to webpage, PayPal available). For more information and to read some of the new stories uploaded, go to www.chestermerehistoricalfoundation.org or call 403 200 8046.
