Date Range

2019

Description Level

Series

Creator

Lethbridge Living Magazine

Physical Description

Five Issues

History Biographical

Lethbridge Living magazine was founded in 1994 by Robins Southern Printing, then owned by Lethbridge mayor, David Carpenter. From the onset, it was decided that the magazine would publish quarterly, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. The founding principle behind the magazine was that Lethbridge is a far more interesting and diverse city than most people could imagine. That proved to be correct as the subsequent human-interest stories that it featured were to prove. At the core of this new, glossy magazine were Rick Gillis, publisher; Len Phillips, general manager, Darcy Novakowski, editor/art director; and Martin Oordt, associate editor. The magazine had an incredibly strong group of feature writers who were responsible for its outstanding content. It also worked closely with several local photographers to ensure the quality of the finished product. Lethbridge Living enjoyed the support of dozens of local businesses who recognized the importance of a quality format to advertise their products and services. Initially, the magazine was printed on Robins’ new four-colour press and distributed through Canada Post throughout the city. Cost of printing and distribution were the major expenses that this new magazine encountered. Robins Southern continued to publish up until the Winter edition of 1996, when it was purchased by Martin Oordt and his wife, Mary who continued it successfully for several more years. Tim and Jenn Rempel purchased Lethbridge living in late 2006, taking over its operation in January 2007. Jenn had been a writer and photographer for the magazine for a number of years prior. During their tenure as the magazine’s publishers, Jenn took on the editorial tasks while Tim took on the sales tasks. The magazine went from publishing four issues/year to six, and the team grew from three to five full-time employees and approximately 15 freelance staff, as well as offering a number of home delivery positions. Practicum placements for College and University students were also offered. The publishing umbrella of Lethbridge living grew to include approximately 20 publications/year as different organizations sought to partner and distribute with the Lethbridge living brand. In 2017 the magazine was sold to Dana Inkster. While working as the Communications Officer at The Galt Dana Inkster decided to start a new chapter as Owner and Publisher of Lethbridge Living Magazine to complement her passion for storytelling as a documentary filmmaker. She was able to make the purchase with the inheritance from her biological mother Majorie McKenzie Lethbridge Living was able to reach it 25-year milestone. Mercedes Fawns and Melissa Villeneuve served as editors in these years. The COVID pandemic devasted local businesses that were lifeblood of Lethbridge Living as local advertisers since its inception. The 21st Century impact of social media stories, digital advertising and the exponential increase in the cost of printing and distribution, 2020 marked the end of the glossy magazine era for Lethbridge Living. Dana Inkster decided to make the community archive accessible by donating all hard copies to the Galt Museum & Archives in 2024.

Scope and Content

Jan-March Issue 2019: Article: By The Bridge - Preserving Indigenious Languages Article: Be Heard. Find Help. Begin to Heal. - Inside the new Chinook Sexual Assualt Centre. Article: Living Culture: Richard Odei - Learn about the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association's new leader and what's planned to celebrate Black History Month in February. Article: 100 Kids Who Care - Tiny humans who are making a BIG difference. April-May Issue 2019: Article: Living Culture: Preserving Blackfoot Language -What does the UN's International Year of Indigenious Languages mean for the Blackfoot language in Southern Alberta? Article: Living Humour - GOOD TIMES to be had at Lethbridge's Newest Comedy Club. Article: Not Your Average Caddyshack - Golfers and marmots coexist at the Lethbridge Country Club. Article: More Than A Comic Shop - Building community beyond the comic book pages. June- August Issue 2019: Article: Stitch it Forward - A local group looks to create custom clothing items for those in need. Article: Pure Power, Pure Thrill - Live wrestling gains a following in Southern Alberta. Article: Spreading Kindness - Women making a diffrence in our community. Article: Living Culture: Caribbean Carnival -CariBridge presents the second biennial Carribbean Carnival. Sept-Oct Issue 2019: Article: In Sync: The Belles Of The Pool - The Lethbridge Synchrobelles Swimming Club continues to make waves after 50 years. Article: Passing The Torch - Meet the newly appointed Chief of Fire and Emergency Services Marc Rathwell. Article: Living Culture: In Honour of Reconciliation Week 2019 - Honouring reconciliation champions in our community. Article: Inspiring & Aspiring: Lethbridge, Brighter Together - A column inspired by Economic Development Lethbridge. Nov-Dec Issue 2019: Article: Family First - Family Centre celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Article: The Right Thing To Do - The Boulet family continues to uplift our community, in the face of unspeakable tragedy. Article: Kindness Crusaders (Of The Kindergarten Kind). - The impact of random acts of kindness taught early in the classroom.

Accession No.

20241055026

Collection

Archive

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