Looking Back — Feb. 20, 2024

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/02/2024 (576 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

The Most Rev. H.H. Clark, Anglican Church primate of all Canada, was presented with an honorary citizen’s certificate by Mayor S.A. Magnacca. It was Clark’s first official visit to Brandon since taking over the top Anglican post in Canada.

Donald Sutherland and his Roseland rink of Gordon McDonald, Sidney Fox and Gladys Williamson captured the major competition and the silver trophy by beating Brandon’s Jim Fedoruk in the Roseland mixed annual bonspiel final.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Jack Dobson, plant operation manager at Simplot Chemicals, was one of three people named to the Brandon and District United Appeal board of directors at the annual meeting last night at the Agricultural Extension Centre.

The annual report of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission for the year ending last March 31 shows an increase in the amount of alcoholic beverages sold to 19 million imperial gallons, valued at $112 million.

FORTY YEARS AGO

At a press conference, Stan Davison, vice-chairman of the Bank of Montreal, said Brandon will be the site of a new commercial banking office. The office is one of 100 the bank is setting up across the country in an effort to specialize its services for farmers and other commercial customers.

Earl Jessiman made an official announcement that he had signed as the new manager of the American Hockey League’s Fredericton Express rather than return to the position at the helm of the Brandon University Bobcats.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Bosnian Serbs have pulled back most of their guns from hills surrounding Sarajevo, averting a threat of NATO air strikes.

The Brandon Sun, in an effort to help out selected charitable organizations, has organized a “Jeans Day for Charity” campaign. On the last Friday of each month employers relax normal dress practices and allow their staff to work in jeans or other casual dress on that day. Those wishing to participate must donate $2 to the selected charity for that month.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Ken Waddell wants to work with Stephen Harper if he’s chosen as the member of Parliament for Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette in the next election. Waddell announced he will back the former leader of the Canadian Alliance in his bid to lead the new Conservative party and is challenging his competition for the local Conservative nomination to come out and say who they will support.

At 83, Fred McGuinness’ lifelong love affair with words has won him the Order of Canada, which he’ll pick up Friday from Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson in Ottawa. He’s being honoured for more than four decades of work telling the stories of ordinary folk in Western Canada through his extensive work in publishing and broadcasting.

TEN YEARS AGO

There’s no doubt about it — Brandonites will soon be digging deeper into their pockets to pay taxes. Brandon’s average residential property owner could expect to see a nearly $68 tax hike, when the city’s 1.4 per cent tax increase is combined with the school division’s tentative 2.9 per cent tax increase, according to city treasurer Dean Hammond.

Transit riders overall are “happy” with permanent changes made to two North Hill bus routes, according to Brandon Transit manager Carla Richardson. It has been more than two weeks since transit’s Route 3 and Route 7 were cancelled and replaced with Route 4 and Route 5. Although the public has been invited to provide transit officials with feedback either online or by telephone, it has been “very quiet,” Richardson said.