A massive explosion and fire destroyed a Sundre-area home in the spring of 1972. In a front-page story, the Round Up reported on the very close call for resident Frank Overguard. “An explosion in the basement of the Mrs. Martin Overguard home occurred on Wednesday. Frank Overguard was in the basement at the time of the explosion, and was thrown completely across to the far wall. He sustained bruises, but was able to get back upstairs and help move his mother to safety. The home was completely burned down. It appears that gas had reached the water well system in some way, causing the explosion.”
Employment centre opens
Sundre students were quick to take advantage of a new employment centre opened in town. “A student employment agency under the guidance of Mr. Myron Thompson has been opened at the Sundre School. Effective immediately, students are available for part time or odd jobs of any type. So far, more than 180 students have signed up, and so it will be possible to provide help in almost every field. Some of the jobs being sought are as typists, babysitters, bookkeepers, snow shovellers, farm hands, housekeepers, dishwashers, window cleaners, truck drivers and painters. This was started as a project of the secretarial training course, the main objective being to give practice in office procedures.”
Sundre curlers win big
A curling team from Sundre took top prize at a provincial tournament. “The Alberta Blue Cross Inter-Hospital bonspiel was held at Red Deer, with 32 rinks participating from all over Alberta. Most of the entrants came from Calgary and Edmonton, but two of the rinks came from Sundre hospital. Placing first and bringing home the big trophy were Sundre representatives Sam Campkin, Jane Sarson, Archie McKechnie and skip John Marek. In addition to receiving the trophy, the Marek rink was awarded electric shavers with all accessories and also beer mugs. Also taking part from Sundre were Neil Upham, Dr. White, Peter Brandt and Pat Campkin.”
Award for Sundre Creamery
The Sundre Creamery, located on Main Avenue and Centre Street in 1972, received a provincial award for quality. “The Sundre Creamery won the top award for quality control in the operation of their milk plant. This competition is open to all Alberta milk pasteurization plants in towns where one plant is located. Sundre Creamery has been in the top five for the past seven years and in 1971 hit the top. The manager and the pasteurizer operator received several awards, as well as letters of congratulations. It is a tremendous boost to hear in this day and age where a staff is doing a good job. Well done!”
Bush Stompers hold jamboree
The Sundre Bush Stompers held a widely popular square dancing jamboree in town. “Clubs from Torrington, Innisfail, Spruce View, Red Deer, Calgary, Penhold, and Olds participate, nine square taking the floor and there were seventy-five persons present reporting that a good time was had by all. Jim Hopkins of Spruce View Club attended as the regular caller, with assistance from guest caller Ron Carpenter of Penhold.”
Tea was terrific time
The handicraft food display and tea of the West Country of Alberta Women's Institute held in Sundre in 1972 was a great success. “There were 74 classes entered out of 117 classes. The ladies' entries were of good quality. The judges were Kristine Smith, and Sharon Seutter. Ella Mae Jones won a pair of barbeque mitts. As the day drew to a close a great many went home tired but happy.”
MP didn't have much faith in PM
In his weekly column, Sundre-area Conservative MP Robert Thompson said he didn't have much faith in Prime Minister Trudeau's planned summit with U.S. president Richard Nixon. “It would not be realistic to expect that the Nixon-Trudeau conference would achieve any major breakthrough on trade. What are the reasons for this? Perhaps the facts are concealed in the reality that this is election year for both countries. The visit could well become the non-event of the year, with the prospects of the greater number of points going to Mr. Trudeau and his election image. At the same time, unemployment took another turn for the worse this week. It is obvious that the deep-rooted problems of the Canadian economy are still very much in focus across the country.”
Revival in town
In a front-page story, and under the headline “Spiritual Awakening In Sundre”, the Round Up reported on a big church revival being held in town. “About 150 people per service from an area centered in Sundre, and extending ten miles in each direction have been in attendance. All who have attended said, ‘This is real. We haven't known God to have worked this way in lives to such an extent ever before. It doesn't mean God has changed or His methods of meeting men's needs, but it does mean that people are honestly facing the problem of sin in their lives and they confess their need to God. It is marvelous what God has done across Saskatchewan and now is doing in Alberta'.”
May Queen featured four candidates
There were four candidates in the 1972 May Queen contest in Sundre. They were Jill Cheesmure, Connie Vollmin, Phyllis Mill and Christie Sumner. The contest was held to raise money for school activities and for the new arena fund. In the end, Grade 12 student Sumner won the crown.
New premier gets rough ride
In his weekly column, Socred MLA Bob Clark wondered aloud whether new Premier Peter Lougheed was on the right track. “I hope Premier Lougheed was merely flying a kite in the provincial legislature last week. If he wasn't, if his statement concerning the government's inability to extract more of our money from foreign oil companies is what the premier truly believes, then the people of Alberta have been sold out. But the premier's statement, odd for its timing and startling for its content, displays a lack of knowledge he has about the power he has assumed. If the premier believes the government cannot undo contracts made by the previous government with oil companies, then that will be news for consultants, architects and advisors of the Social Credit government who now find themselves out of the government pie. There are some uneasy feelings concerning Premier Lougheed's personal ambitions. So the new Conservative government has shown timidity exceeded only by its inexperience.”
Triplets and quadruplets
The Round Up reported on some new arrivals on area farms. “How rare is a triplet birth in the cattle world? Certainly it is a rare enough occurrence to make news. A cow on the Juda Rivada Ranch owned by Don Sarsons gave birth last week to Simmental-Hereford cross triplet calves. The bull calf weighed 29 pounds, and the two heifer calves weighed 29 and 32 pounds. Meanwhile, on the Botham farm, a ewe gave birth to four lambs, which we understand is also quite a rare occurrence.”
Concert a hit
Despite poor weather a local concert turned out to be a hit. “An enthusiastic crowd braved the very untimely snow storm Friday evening to attend the Sundis Choralaires Concert and Talent Show. Snow and bad roads were very quickly forgotten as the curtain opened on the newly formed Sundre School Band, under the very capable and entertaining direction of Tom Evans. Their performance was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in attendance. Although entries in the show were small in number, all performances were of high calibre.”
