New Uptowne co-ordinators named

Uptowne Olds has two new co-ordinators.

Debbie Ohlhausen, who owns the Different Strokes gallery on 50th Avenue is sharing the position with local resident Carla Victor, who at one time worked for Mountain View Publishing as a photographer.

That announcement was made during the monthly Uptowne Olds committee meeting last week. Committee member Rita Thompson said a one-year contract has been signed.

They replace Colleen Gustavson of the Olds Institute who served for months as a part-time interim co-ordinator after the position became vacant.

Ohlhausen will look after the organization and paperwork involved in the job.

She will also co-ordinate the many events held in Uptowne to attract business and visitors, such as Midnight Madness, Summer Oldstice, Artwalk, A Taste of Uptowne Olds and Halloween Howl.

The job also includes working with heritage advisor Michelle Jorgansen.

In addition, Ohlhausen and Victor will meet with existing and potential Uptowne members. That work will include creating profiles of those businesses, etc., which will be showcased in local news media, including the Albertan.

They will also work on new marketing ideas for Uptowne Olds.

“Carla will be key in gathering the information for the profiles of the Uptowne membership. Hopefully most businesses will be able to complete their own profile, but if they need help, Carla will be able to provide useful information,” Ohlhausen says.

Ohlhausen's gallery will double as the Uptowne Olds office.

“I firmly believe that the uptowne of any community expresses what the community is like. It should be the historical, cultural and commercial district in any town or city,” she said in a release to Uptowne members.

“Carla Victor is well known in the Olds area for her past work at our newspaper and her enthusiasm about Uptowne Olds. Both Carla and I look forward to working with everyone during the coming year.”

“Thank you for stepping up,” Uptowne Olds Committee chair Leon Durand said as the announcement was made.

“We had some room in the budget to be able to do it. But of course, we still need to make sure that we keep our membership strong so that we can continue to have a part-time co-ordinator to help us out,” Durand said.

“So thank you to everybody who has paid their membership. And to those who haven't, now you know why we need it,” he added, noting the membership fee also helps cover Uptowne marketing costs.

Durand thanked Gustavson for filling in as interim co-ordinator.

He gave her a gift and a hug.

“I really enjoyed my time with Uptowne Olds and I'm sure I'll be meeting with most of you (again some time),” Gustavson said. “I think that Debbie and Carla are going to do a fantastic job.”

Victor could not be reached for comment by press time.

[email protected]