Date Range

1998

Description Level

Series

Creator

Lethbridge Living Magazine

Physical Description

Four 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

Spring Issue 1998: Article: Museum Treasures by Kevin MacLean -Discussing Wasyl Chobatar. the first and only person to be executed in the muncipality of Lethbridge. Article: London Road B & B by Darcy Novakowski. -Discussing London Road Bed and Breakfast. Article: Violinist, Fiddler and Fly Fisherman by Debbie Berg. -Discussing Norbert Boehm. Summer Issue 1998: Article: Talk of the Town by m.oordt. -Nikka Yuko Gardrens -Treasures of Memory- CP Rail Trucks Article: Places to Go, Lives to be Lived by E Paul Gerhart. -Discussing Alternative School Options, Specifically 5th on 5th XXXYouth Services. Article: J.T Heninger's Legacy by Brynly Roberts. -Farmer, sheep rancher and enviromentalist J.T Heninger boasts an impressive legacy. Article: A Corner Store Built on Passion by Clayton Grose. - The history of Danny's grocery and it's owner, Charlie Jang. Fall Issue 1998: Article: Ecole la Verendrye- A Praire School by E. Paul Gerhart. -Discussing Francophone Schooling in Lethbirdge. Article: Mehndi...Body Art by Colette Archson. Article: What a life... Southern Alberta Polticians on the Move by James Frey. Article: Whatever Happened to Bill Matheson, Weatherman by Colette Acheson. -Spotlight on the life of Bill Matheson. Article: A Century of Iron... the Davies Family by Paul Deleske. -Discussing the 100th Anniversary of Lethbridge Iron Works and their contributions to the community. Article: A Different Battlefield by Diane. S. Visser. -Examining the Relationship Between POW's and Local Residents during WW2. Article: Showing off Memories by Mary Oordt. -Showcasing wedding garments from 1873-1998. Winter Issue 1998: Article: Steve & Vincie Fallwell: Twenty-One Months Later by Colette Acheson. Article: Light Thru Windows by Mary Oordt. -Surveying stained glass in different churchs. Article: The Lure of Railroading by Terry Halden. Article: Gifts of Love by Sheelagh Matthews. -Spotlight on Adoption Options.

Accession No.

20241055005

Collection

Archive

Less detail