Showing 212 results

Authority record
South Peace Regional Archives

Robinson, George

  • SPRA-0188
  • Person
  • Unknown

George Robinson came to the Peace County as a surveyor for the construction of the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway in 1915, but enlisted in World War I shortly after he arrived. After the war, he returned to the area to homestead in the Tranquility District near Sexsmith and later work as a supervisor for the Prairie Farm Assistance Act. Traveling from farm to farm throughout the Peace Country suited Mr. Robinson's interest as an amateur palaeontologist, allowing him to explore likely looking sites after he finished work for the day. Eventually his hobby evolved into "a widely-known private museum of prehistoric specimens numbering in the thousands, and ranging from a portion of the backbone of a Gorogosaurus to a centuries-old Indian skull, and from a petrified lobster to petrified wood filled with petrified worms." Over the years he distributed the fossils to institutions as far away as the British Museum and the New York City Museum as well as to local schools and universities. An area of particular interest to Mr. Robinson was the Bad Heart Sandstone formation, where many of his finds were made. Inside the cover of his catalogue of specimens, he notes: "The Bad Heart Sandstone is exposed on the Smoky River about 1 ½ miles downstream from the junction of the Paskwaskaw River, and where not covered by vegetation can be traced to the junction with Bad Heart River and below that can be seen at many places as far as the junction with Little Smoky River. It can also be seen, in places, up Bad Heart River for about 3 miles where the river cuts through this formation. It is also exposed in places upstream on the Kakut Creek from its junction with the Bad Heart for about two miles. An exposure also occurs a mile south of Wanham on top of the ridge. From this point north it has been eroded, it is exposed also on the Burnt River from a point about 1 ½ miles downstream from the bridge south of Rycroft to the bridge near Prestville and for some distance below that. Another exposure occurs south of Spirit River town on top of the hill about a mile south."

Rodacker, Melvin

  • SPRA-0295
  • Person
  • 1909-1980

Melvin Rodacker was born in Lumby B.C. in 1909 and moved with his family to Peoria, AB, at an early age. He arrived in Grande Prairie in 1927. He worked on the railroad in his early days, then was the J.I. Case farm implement dealer during the 1930s-50s. Next he ran the Dominion Royal Tire Shop in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and also founded the Rodacker Machine Works which became Steel Industries. From the 1940s-1970s he established Rodacker Sales and Service, the Ford/Lincoln dealership, located on the corner of 101 Ave. and 101 St. He was also the Tilden car rental franchise holder for 13 years. Mel was very active in the community: a charter member of the Kinsmen Club and later the K-40 Club. He also belonged to the Shriners Club, the Lake Saskatoon Masonic Lodge and was at one time President of the Curling Club, the Grande Prairie Athletic Association, the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and the Grande Prairie Museum. He played with the Grande Prairie Marching Band in the 1930s and led a musical group called Mel Rodacker's Old Timers in the 1930s-1940s which played over CFGP radio intermittently for over ten years, and then founded the Rhythym Knights in the 1950s. He played for and sponsored a senior fastball team, the Case Eagles in the 1930s. He managed and sponsored the Grande Prairie Mercury Baseball Team in the 1950s as well as the Grande Prairie Athletics hockey team. He also sponsored and help build the Model T Ford racer that careened around the tracks in the region in the 1940s. His community service included a term on town council in the 1940s, chairmanship of the Chamber committee that was instrumental in lobbying for the construction of the Great Slave Lake Railway from Peace River to Pine Point, NWT. In his later years, he chaired the committee which launched the Pioneer Museum in Grande Prairie and this led to a decade of involvement with its operation including several terms as president of the museum society. Mel died in 1980 and was survived by his wife, Phyllis, son Wayne and brothers Bill, Dan, Harold, Henry, Manuel and sisters Lil. Abbie, and Viola.

Romkey, Percy

  • SPRA-0058
  • Person
  • 1923-present

Percy Donald Romkey was born at Lake Saskatoon on August 18, 1923, son of William and Gyda Romkey. The family homesteaded at Huallen, and Percy attended Klondyke Trail School. In 1944, Percy enlisted as a Private in the Canadian Army. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant Corporal. He returned to Huallen to farm and work on the family farm.

Rorem (family)

  • SPRA-0355
  • Family
  • Unknown

Lyman Rorem, an American by birth, came to the Bardo district in Alberta with his parents. In 1915, he came to the Peace country to homestead and in 1916 filed on SW-10-74-9 W6 in the Valhalla district. He stayed with his uncle, Halvor Ronning the first winter while he got logs out for his house. There was an active community and Lyman fit in well, taking part in the Young People's Society, helping to teach school, taking part in a band and a choirand ,and many outdoor activites. In 1929, Hilda Solheim, his future wife, came from Nordfjord, Norway to stay with her aunt, Inga Fimrite. She and Lyman were married in 1930. Lyman was the butter maker and manager at the Valhalla Creamery at the time. Hilda was disappointed at having to give up her membership in the "Helping Hands " girls club when she married. In 1931, their first son, Torgrim (Ted), was born and in 1933, Marvin was born. Hilda was an excellent cook and operated the Valhalla coffee shop. In 1941, the family moved to Peace River town for a time so Lyman could help in the creamery there. The boys tookl their schooling in Valhalla and Marvin attended Grande Prairie High School for his grade 11-12. Ted married Kristine MacEachern, a nursing aid from Nova Scotia and they have three children: Janet Mooney, Margaret Drysdale, and Lyman (Thomas). Marvin married a school teacher, Muriel Stewart, and they have five children: Reed, Marnee Durward, Lane, Robin and Joel.

Rotary Club of Grande Prairie

  • SPRA-0601
  • Corporate body
  • 1951-present

The first organizational meeting of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie was held on January 11, 1951 at the CFGP Radio Station. Sponsored by the Edmonton Rotary Club, the group formed a provisional club and applied to Rotary International for a charter, which was granted January 22, 1951. Charter members included Ferrell Swanston, Alexander H. Brown, Percy Clubine, Robert Miller, Morley Lidster, Dave Dowser, Charles Husel, William Kerr, John Duffy, Ernie Harrison, Olaf Hanson, D. W. Pratt, Charles Litman, Donald W. Patterson, Louis Kowensky, J. B. Oliver, Harry W. Archibald, Bryant D. Richards, President Arthur J. Balfour, and directors John A. Wilson, Fred T. Johnson, Thomas B. Griffith, John H. Nelson, Elmer Logan, John Lynn, and R. Harry Watcher. Women were not admitted to Rotary Club membership in Canada until 1988. Bobbi Lambright appears to have been the first female member of the Grande Prairie Rotary Club, joining in 1991.

Rotary International, to which the local Club pays dues, was founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney. Rotary has a strong commitment to service, as evidenced in its official mottos: “Service Above Self” and “One Profits Most Who Serves Best”. Rotary members and clubs are encouraged to use the four-way test: “Is it the TRUTH?” “Is it FAIR to all concerned?” “Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?” “Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?” and to pursue service in five avenues: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service, and Youth Service.

When it was first organized, the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie was part of District 536. District 536 was renumbered in 1991, becoming District 5360. In 1998, the District was split in two, with clubs north of Ponoka becoming part of the new district 5370. At the present time, the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie is part of Area 12 of District 5370. The Districts are further grouped into Zones, with District 5370 being part of Zone 24, which includes Canada, Eastern Russia, and parts of the United States, including Alaska. Rotary International is led by the International President, every two zones are led by a Director, each District is led by a Governor, and each club is led by a local President.

As part of providing service to the local community, the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie has funded and participated in numerous projects and programs, including the building of the Golden Age Centre (1973, 1984 addition), the Legion track near Grande Prairie Composite High School (1982), Hillside School grounds Change/Dressing room (1995), Skateboard Park (1997-98), Grande Prairie Regional College distance learning equipment (2000), Salvation Army Soup Kitchen re-model and Wapiti Community Dorm upgrade (1998), Muskoseepi Park playground equipment (1998), PARDS hay barn upgrade (2000), Rotary House/Wapiti Community Dorm Society (2005), Grande Prairie Public Library community meeting room (2008), QEII Hospital helipad (2008), Sunrise House (2008), Odyssey House, Clairmont School Playground, Lawn Bowling Centre, Smith Field Soccer facility, Grande Prairie French School Playground, Grande Prairie Multi-Plex, and various other local organizations. The Club’s longest-standing project is sponsorship of the Grande Prairie Air Cadets 577 Squadron, which it first undertook in 1953.

The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie has also operated the municipal campground on the Bear Creek Reservoir since the 1970s and provided several campground upgrades and renovations. The Club also runs a bus tour of Grande Prairie for tourists. The City’s annual Clean-a-Thons/Green-a-Thons have also been run by Rotary since 1973.

The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie’s overseas projects have included participation in the Polio Plus Campaign and Operation Eyesight, funding a hospital in Belize, a Bolivia school/dormitory project, and a Guatemala Literacy Project, and purchasing used vehicles (buses, fire trucks, handi-vans, ambulances, etc.) and driving them to Mexico.

In order to have the financial backing to support their various local and overseas projects, the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie has engaged in numerous fundraising ventures, including selling birthday and anniversary calendars (up to the early 1970s), selling Rotary cookbooks, running a snack bar at the County Fairgrounds (before the grounds moved to Evergreen Park), running bingos and casinos, partnering in the Great Peace Country Duck Race from 1993 to 2007, and partnering in the Dream Home Lottery.

The club also participates in various social and networking events, including banquets, barbeques, bonspiels, and conferences, and meets weekly. The Club has met in various locations over the years, including the York Hotel, Joe’s Corner Coffee Shop, the Golden Star Restaurant, the Grande Prairie Inn, and the Quality (now the Paradise) Inn.

The Club has been involved with Rotary International and other Rotary clubs in a variety of ways over the years. In 1958 and 2012, they hosted District Conventions. The Club became involved with the International Youth Exchange program in 1974-75 and has hosted an exchange student nearly every year since. The Club has also been involved with the Group Study Exchange program since 1975. The Club participates in the Rotary Ball Tournament with other local Rotary clubs and has done so since 1992.

The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie has also been involved in sponsoring other fledgling clubs, including the Rotary Club of Fort St. John (1963), Swan City Rotary Club (1986), Rotaract Club of Grande Prairie (2001), Rotary Club of Grande Cache (2008), Interact Club of Sexsmith (2009), Grande Prairie After Five Club (2012), Grande Prairie Composite High School Interact Club, and Rotary E-Club of Canada One (2013).

Royal Canadian Legion. Ladies Auxilary to Sexsmith Branch #60 of the Canadian Legion B.E.S.L.

  • SPRA-0196
  • Corporate body
  • 1950-unknown

A meeting was held on February 6, 1950 with the Sexsmith Legion Branch #60 to organize a Ladies Auxilary to the Legion. Eleven ladies were present. Jack Thorpe chaired the meeting and Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson was elected president, Mrs. Gertha Cameron, first vice-president, Mrs. Melanie Brown, second vice-president, Mrs. Marion Brown, secretary, Mrs. Irene Thorpe, treasurer, and Mrs. June Peterson, Escort. There were seventeen charter members and meetings were held once a month. Activities over the seventeen years of the group's life included raffles, whist drives, bingos, bake sales and banquets, donations to the Polio fund and to the Edmonton Home for Ex-Servicemen's Children, work bees to scrub and polish the Memorial Center or to pack parcels for servicemen overseas, and treating themselves to a Chinese supper at the Nu Palace café. Lots of good companionship accompanied plenty of hard work.

Royal Canadian Legion. Sauve Branch 235, Eaglesham

  • SPRA-0327
  • Corporate body
  • 1947-2003

On January 21, 1936, a group of returned men gathered at the home of A.E. Powers for the purpose of forming a local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Temporary officers appointed pending the receiving of a charter were President J.P. Sauve, VP Harold Moulton, and Secretary Allan Powers. Other members present were Ted McDaid, Louis Peterson, Tony Desgagne and Xavier Lamothe. This branch also referred to themselves as "The Returned Men's Association" and held regular monthly meetings. They organized dances, planned Remembrance Day activities, and even raised money to send local children to Edmonton for the Royal Visit in 1939. There is, however, no record of any charter for this group, and it appears to have disbanded during World War II. On September 8, 1947, a formal branch of the Royal Canadian Legion was formed for the three districts of Watino, Tangent and Eaglesham. Branch 235 was named in memory of J.P. Sauve MM, who did the groundwork for the branch but was killed in an accident before the charter was obtained. Regular meetings, socials and dances raised money for community projects. In the late 40s and early 50s, their numbers were swelled by a large number of Veterans who settled in the Lassiter Project, so the Branch bought a lot in Eaglesham and moved Ray Emerson's old house into town. This was called the Legion Hut, and both the Legion and Legion Auxiliary (formed in 1952) held their meetings there, as well as regular events such as the annual Christmas Party for veteran's children. The hall was also used for many other community purposes such as health clinics, school events, and clubs. In 1947-48, membership in Sauve Branch 235 reached 200. The club regularly won awards for increasing memberships more than 6% in a year. They raised money first through holding bingos, and in the 1970s, began selling Sweepstake tickets, Lucky Sevens, Western Canadian Lottery, Provincial and Nevada tickets. They accomplished a great deal through their fundraising, starting with $500 to build a community hall. They also donated to the Polio fund and sponsored Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and juvenile hockey teams. The Legion involved themselves in the community in pratical ways as well. In 1952, they began holding a community picnic each year at different farms. In 1954, they assumed responsibility for the local curling rink by mortgaging their own Legion property and raising donations from local businesses and donated grain hauled to the local elevator. Soon they had added a hockey rink beside the curling rink with volunteer labor, and in 1958 took over the organization of the July 1st Sports Day. The rink, named the "Eaglesham Memorial Curling Rink", was sold back to the community for $1.00 in 1962. At this point, the club was low in funds and down to 34 members. They gave the now-delapidated clubhouse to a veteran to be moved to his farm and raffled off the lot. For several years they held meetings in basements. Then, in 1976 they entered a joint project with the Senior Citizens Social Club. Property was purchased and a combined club hall built, with the Legion owning 25% of the property and assets. Now they could offer lawn bowling, a pool table, a billiard table, a shuffle board, a 16 mm projector and weekly movies. They supported the Centre with weekly Friday night bingos and the sale of Nevada tickets. In 1978, the Branch erected a cenotaph in the park in Eaglesham. It is built of rocks from the Peace River and sand from the Smoky River. It was officially unveiled September 11, 1978 with members from the Legislative Assembley in attendance. In 1980, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the Centre. The Branch also has a field of honour in the Eaglesham Cemetery where a number of Veterans are interred. Royal Canadian Legion Sauve Branch 235 operated until 2003, and surrendered its charter on December 31, 2003.

Royal Canadian Legion 235. Ladies' Auxiliary

  • SPRA-0328
  • Corporate body
  • 1952-2003

Eaglesham Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion No. 235 received its charter on July 2, 1952. The area they served covered Eaglesham, Tangent and Watino. The first president was Pat Hillier and the first secretary was Joan Martin. Other charter members were Dorothy Reber, Agnes Campbell, Margaret (Peggy) Gartly, Esther Morgan, Marie Campbell, Margaret Burroughs and Edith Burroughs. The first meeting was held in the Legion Hut which was situated east of the Eaglesham Hotel. Meetings were also held at the homes of the members, especially in the winter when it was too cold in the hut. The principles, aims and objects of a Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion are the same as the local branch, and their main objective is to assist the local branch in any way they can. Activities included teas and bake sales to raise funds, and helping with the Legion activities on November 11, including catering the banquet and helping with the dance. They decorated the float each year for the fair, and operated a booth at the fair for many years. They also sent fruit baskets and flowers to the members in the hospital, and held an annual picnic for all Legion members and their families. This branch disbanded in February, 1971. In March, 1974, a new branch was formed. "Your first obligation is to Veterans and widows," they were told by District Commander Joyce Nelson. The charter President of this branch was Marlene Erickson, and the secretary was Louise Charest. Other members included treasurer Alma Felker, vice-president Fleurette Pazuik, 2nd vice-president Gloria Seward, Betty Trudel, Annie Barnhardt, Marguerite Meunier, and Alice Portelance. Beisdes caring for veterans and their widows, the new club catered to Legion Golf and Crib Tournaments, as well as to funerals, and donated to many community projects. They sent delegates to district rallies and provincial conventions, and helped with November 11 celebrations as well as taking part in parades. On April 16, 2003, the Sauve Branch No. 235 Ladies' Auxiliary surrendered its Charter.

Royal Canadian Legion. Clairmont Branch #200

  • SPRA-0166
  • Corporate body
  • 1957-1968

The Clairmont Legion records show formation of Branch #200 through donations made by 37 interested returned veterans in December, 1957. Elwood Rooney and James Duncan were a couple of the main organizers. A lean-to addition was constructed on the Clairmont Hall which became their club house. In their early years they supported the Little League Ball Club, the United Church, and the Canadian Polio campaign and looked after the renting and maintenance of the hall and club room. A Clairmont Library Board was created in 1960 and operated a library for a few years in the same facility. In 1968 the legion ceased operating and all remaining monies were forwarded to the Provincial Command. Most remaining members joined the Grande Prairie Legion at that time.

Royal Winner School District 4725

  • SPRA-0230
  • Corporate body
  • 1936-unknown

The Royal Winner School District served the Prestville-Manir area east of Rycroft. The district was formed in 1936 with R.J.Lundy, chairman, and Mrs. Peter Whelan, secretary/treasurer. The school was built on NW ¼ of Section 2, Township 78 Range 4 West of the 6th Meridian, and A.J.Kravetz was the first teacher, followed by G.D.McFarlane, and Mrs. R. Wells.

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