28 Aug
Featured

Lightning struck

Amanda BorysAugust 28, 2023

 Sprites, elves, and blue jets. Gnomes, trolls, pixies, blue starters, and upward super bolts! All the ingredients for a good fairy tale or — a bad storm!?!

All of these are forms of high-altitude lightning, but the most dangerous for people is sheet lightning.

In Canada, 90 per cent of lightning-related deaths have occurred in four provinces – Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. And about 85 per cent of those deaths were men.

Calgary has seen its share of electrified demises.

In 1915 sweethearts Charles Tawse and May Swindell were struck down at an intersection in Mount Royal, while Staff Sergeant Bossange of the...

17 Aug
Featured

One Hundred and Eleven Days

Andrew McCutcheonAugust 17, 2023

50 years of history is a long, long time.

Most of the historical stories we have covered have gone back into the archives, but this one focuses on something a bit more recent. It is unique because it is the only time in 50 years that Kerby Centre has closed its doors.

People may be sick of hearing about it, but COVID-19 changed the world over, and Kerby Centre was no exception. Even now, the remnants of the virus still loom in the background, but after three years, since seemingly have returned to some semblance of normalcy.

But those were a long three...

4 Aug
Featured

The 1916 Soldiers’ Riot

Amanda BorysAugust 4, 2023

The White Lunch restaurant occupied the ground floor of the building at 128 8th Ave S.E., (where the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre stands now) with a second location at 108 9th Ave S.W. (near what is currently Banker’s Hall)It was...

31 Jul
Featured

Big sister, little sister

Barbara EllisJuly 31, 2023

For the better part of seven decades, I had a big sister and she meant the world to me.Unfortunately, I lost her a couple of years ago, but not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. We...

14 Jul
Featured | Wellness & Healthy Aging

Be a Good Neighbour

Deborah MaierJuly 14, 2023

There’s nothing like working in the front yard garden to call the neighbours over. On their way to get the mail or while out walking the dog, they’ll come by to see what you’re doing. Gardening is an easy conversation...

5 Jul
Featured

Does Crime Pay?

Amanda BorysJuly 5, 2023

John Coward was late for supper. This in itself did not worry his wife Gertrude, for Coward was a hard worker who took good care of her and their five children, Evelyn, George Jr. (known as Link), W.W., Harold, and...

31 May
Featured

Birdies

Stew PerramMay 31, 2023

I played my first golf game for 2023 yesterday. While the shots were reminiscent of the previous season, there were two birdies worth reflecting upon.From the tee box on Number 9, a vast fairway lay before me ready to accept...

15 May
Featured

Calgary’s Downton Abbey connection

Amanda BorysMay 15, 2023

Fans of Downton Abbey no doubt remember Season 4 of the popular show when Rose McLaren was “Presented at Court.” Among the plot lines was the theft of a love letter between the Prince of Wales and his mistress, Freda...

12 May
Featured | Wellness & Healthy Aging

Build your prairie garden

Deborah MaierMay 12, 2023

Spring on the prairies is beautiful. Interspersed along clumps of tall and short grasses that undulate in the breeze are bright yellow, pink, and blue blossoms. Then, as the seasons change, the grasses change colour and the flower colour palette moves...

3 May
Featured | Opinion

Time after time after time

Barbara EllisMay 3, 2023

I was standing in front of my microwave, watching my cup going round and round and wishing it would take less time to heat my coffee.As I stood there, I began to help the machine count the seconds down to...

29 Apr
Featured | Money

When is the best time to move?

Debra MolzanApril 29, 2023

The real estate market typically heats up during the spring months. In the past, this means more buyers are looking to purchase properties. But wait a minute! Everyone’s situation is unique. Not all homeowners or home buyers pick the spring...