Oyen Briefs: Looking back: CN station plan may kill towns
By Diana Walker
We are delighted to receive an email from Rick Brunner of Granum, Alberta, regarding the demolition of the CN station. He fills in a few more gaps.
Rick mentions that the Dave Crawford family were the last residents to live at the station. Rick attended school with John Crawford in Acadia Valley. Much later, he remembers Dave's participation in a Lions-sponsored Christmas celebration around 1980. At that time, Rick was the father of three preschool children. Santa visited the home of Julia and Gordon Berg, his kids' grandparents.
Rick and his brother Mike worked for Wally Preston of the Midland Superior/Pacific Freight Co. They delivered freight arriving at the CN station and freight destined for the Alsask military base. Rich also remembers that Frank Dobrosky replaced Wally Preston when he left that position.
An Internet photo of the CN station by Stan Styles, with freight scattered on the front platform, is dated 1979. If accurate, it suggests that demolition occurred at some point in the 1980s.
Bernie has dug up the larger story—a Canadian Press report published in the Calgary Herald on November 3, 1971. The headline was: "CN station plan may kill towns." Former Prime Minister Diefenbaker, speaking in the House of Commons, asked the government to challenge Canadian National Railways' decision to remove station agents from 285 prairie towns. He said such actions in the past turned communities into ghost towns.
Top 7 Over 70
Can you think of a neighbour, a friend, a relatives, or a family member you would like to nominate for The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta's Top 7 Over 70 awards?
Nominations are open until August 26, 2024. Online form: cfsea.ca
Any senior who is over 70 and lives in Medicine Hat or its surrounding communities of Special Areas 2, 3, 4 or M.D. of Acadia, Redcliff, Cypress County, County of Forty Mile or County of Newell is eligible to be nominated.
Ideal nominees are those who have started something different and new, or implemented a new venture or idea, after the age of 70.
The focus of the awards isn't on past accomplishments or lifetime achievements. Rather, individuals should be nominated for new accomplishments, in which they're achieving excellence.
These achievements may be based or built on previous work or commitments, but they should have a "current' flavour or different twist, or perhaps could be occurring in a complete new arena.
Awards will honour individuals 70 and over who have achieved excellence, inspired creativity, shaped innovation, and/or organized outstanding collaboration in one or more of the following areas: agriculture, health and recreation, arts & culture, science, business, volunteerism, environment, overcoming adversity, making a difference.
If you would like more information about this program visit https://cfsea.ca/top-7-70/ or share your ideas with local ambassadors Sharon Dahl 403-664-0335, Cindy Goodine, or Diana Walker 403-664-6600.