SIXTY YEARS AGO

More than 450 Kinsmen and Kinettes representing 33 clubs from Ontario to Saskatchewan converged on Brandon for the annual convention of District No. 2.

Prof. Norma E. Walmsley of Brandon College was named president of the Brandon branch of the United Nations Association in Canada.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

An agreement was signed this morning between the city, Brandon University, Centennial Auditorium Inc., and the provincial government, resolving the financial problems of the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

Walter Borotsik’s efforts were rewarded for his 20-odd years working with minor sports in the Brandon area when he was named the recipient of the Christie Community Award.

FORTY YEARS AGO

The Department of Health has authorized the use of heroin as a painkiller in clinical trials to begin this fall, Health Minister Monique Begin has announced.

The federal government will spend up to $6 million on long-awaited improvements to the Brandon airport, including a runway extension.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

A restaurant and appliance store were razed by fire on the weekend in Strathclair. Choy’s Cafe and Allen Choy & Sons Sales and Service at 58 Main St. were destroyed at an estimated loss of more than $350,000.

Chad Johnson hasn’t lived in Brandon since 1987, but he played home-field advantage to the hilt yesterday when the 26-year-old Winnipeg physiotherapist entered the 20-kilometre event at the 14th annual Brandon YMCA Spring Run-off and proceeded to run away with top overall honours in the men’s division.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce has four new members after its 2003 board of directors election. Laird Lidster, Sean Farnell, Sally Howard and Greg Hutsal were elected to two-year terms on the chamber by the 327 people who mailed in ballots. Jeanne Millis and Dave Baxter were also re-elected to the board to serve for another two years. They join incoming president Barry Cullen, Brian Baker, Barry Hartley, Barb Bragg, Randy Brown, Nonny Cancade and Barb Webber as the members for the 2003 board. Dan Trotter will also continue to sit as an appointee on the chamber board as its past-president.

TEN YEARS AGO

A horrific crash just west of Kemnay on the Trans-Canada Highway has killed at least one person. RCMP, fire and emergency crews were still investigating the fatal collision and by late afternoon, the cause of the crash had not been confirmed. An RCMP traffic analyst was also assisting at the scene. RCMP said more information will be released as the investigation continues.

The demolition of a wall adjacent to Fowles Barbershop has compromised the structure of the building, effectively putting Ken Fowles out of business, says engineer Phil Dorn. Dorn, who represents Fowles, met with the City of Brandon representatives on site of the demolition at Ninth Street and Princess Avenue on Tuesday, where he advised them against taking down the north wall of the former Brandon Inn.