Looking Back — July 15, 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/07/2023 (1153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

Bruce Kent, one of the fastest-rising trap shooters in the province, captured the High Overall Championship in the Manitoba Provincial Trap Championship at the Brandon Gun Club. He smashed 365 of 400 targets in the three-day event.

Fifty-six hours of freedom ended without a struggle as RCMP took back into custody two escaped convicts from the Brandon provincial jail.

Ronald Leslie Tarr was awarded the British Empire Medal for Gallantry (Civil Division) in a ceremony at Stanley Park. He received the award for an act of heroism that saved the life of Roy Martell while working on power poles at Camp Shilo.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Legislation that will raise family allowances from the current average of $7.41 a month for each child to a new average of $20 was introduced in the Commons yesterday.

Bill Campbell of Brandon has gained a berth on the Winnipeg-dominated Manitoba Water Ski Team that will compete in the Canada Summer Games to be held in Burnaby, B.C., next month.

FORTY YEARS AGO

Simplot Canada Co. Ltd. cannot meet a government order limiting ammonia emissions from its Brandon fertilizer plant, company officials said at a hearing today.

Dr. Doreen Moggey of Ninette will take over as medical director of Brandon Mental Health Centre on Aug. 1, replacing Dr. Andrew Moyes, who retired last month after 21 years in the position.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

A new concept in seniors housing has arrived in Brandon with today’s open house at the Patio Display Home located at Queens Avenue and 12th Street. The 6.5-acre site, former location of the city works department, will soon become the Brandon Senior Village. Dr. Stuart Hampton addressed a gathering at the opening of the display home yesterday.

The skirl of the pipes and the thunder of kettledrums echoed across CFB Lahr as Germany said farewell to departing Canadian soldiers. The stationing of Canadian troops in Germany is now all but over, after 42 years of NATO service. Canada’s two military bases in Europe — at Lahr and nearby Baden-Soellingen in southwestern Germany — will close over the next year due to defence cuts.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Provincial taxpayers will cough up about $250,000 to pay for the repaving of 18th Street, says Transportation Minister Scott Smith. The nine-day construction job at the end of June — spurred on after pavement poured on the commercial strip in July 2002 didn’t set properly — was split between the province and its contractor, Maple Leaf Construction.

Seven men will enter the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame this Friday during a ceremony at the Keystone Centre. Six of the seven are Manitobans, while the final entrant to the hall is J.R. Simplot, the Idaho potato baron and founder of Simplot, one of the largest agricultural companies in North America. Other inductees include Abram Ens of Rhineland, Glen McDowell of Miami and Douglas Smith of Oak Lake. Ernest McCausland of Boissevain, and Alexander Runciman and Dr. Baldur Stefansson, both of Winnipeg, will be inducted posthumously.

TEN YEARS AGO

The storm-ravaged village of Pipestone continues to pick up the pieces. Winds from a possible tornado raced through southwestern Manitoba on Saturday evening, ripping roofs from buildings, snapping power lines, pushing trees onto cars and homes and leaving debris scattered throughout the area. Golf ball-sized hail apparently smashed through car windows and caused substantial loss to surrounding farm crops.

Residents of a Manitoba Old Order Mennonite community, which has had its children apprehended over allegations of physical abuse, look forward to being with their children again some day — and they say they’re willing to work toward that goal with authorities.