Remember When? (May 4)

A look back on what has happened in the Columbia Valley over the past 50 years for the week of May 4.

May 2

May 2

50 years ago: A graphics display was created by Dr. Phillip Vassar and Charles Culling to show the link between lung cancer and smoking.

The display was to be used as a tool to help educate teenagers at high schools in British Columbia and throughout the Valley about the dangers of smoking.

45 years ago: The Lake Windermere District Lions Club held their 16th anniversary party at the Invermere Community Centre.

The celebration took place as a fiesta-style party, with patrons in Spanish dress.

40 years ago: Several accidents took place over the course of the week, mostly involving vehicles losing control and spinning off-road.

A tractor-trailer and car also collided on Athalmer hill. Despite the numerous accidents, minimal injuries were sustained overall.

35 years ago: The paintings of local artist John Schwartz seemed to have gone missing from their display places at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Within two weeks, three paintings of Schwartz had gone missing, and two more had vanished two months earlier. It was believed the paintings were being stolen and the collected works were valued over $1,000.

30 years ago: Invermere’s Debbie Seel became the Canadian Women’s National Champion in Judo in the 56 Kilo and under-class in competitions held at Lethbridge University.

25 years ago: Invermere’s Re/Max office made its official move to 7th Avenue.

The Re/Max office had worked out of smaller facilities near the Ministry of Forests complex months before.

A grand-opening day had yet to be announced.

20 years ago: A slight fear of “beaver fever” stirred up Invermere. Beavers were carrying an intestinal bacteria illness called giardia and there was concern that the infection would get into Invermere’s surface water supply.

15 years ago: Juno award-winning blues guitarist Lester Quitzau entertained a crowd at the Blue Dog Cafe.

Quitzau performed a wide variety of original and traditional songs for the audience.

10 years ago: Columbia Valley ranchers expressed concern about Foot and Mouth Disease and its possible entry into the  Rocky Mountain trench.

While the disease was a far-away threat, if wildlife were to become infected and carry the disease throughout the valley and into livestock, the results could have been “catastrophic”.

5 years ago: A totem pole at Hoodoos Mountain Resort in Fairmont Hot Springs was carefully taken down by the new owner of the Hoodoos corner business.

The pole was taken way to be re-painted and refurbished and moved to a new location to stand again.