Date Range

2000

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 2000: Article: Come on Downtown, that is! by Bonnie Kennedy. - Discussing the intiatives and goals of the Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ). Article: Freely Given by E. Paul Gerhart. -Birthright organization discusses pregnancy options. Article: A Century in Review by Wilma Wood. Article: A taste of New Italy on Third Avenue by Darcy Novakowski. Article: Fitz Designer, Fitz Canada by Mary Oodt. -The story of Marijke Reitsma and her fashion label. Article: Too Hip For You by Colette Acheson. -The story Pam and her businesses in Lethbridge. Summer Issue 2000: Article: The Piano celbrates its 300th Anniversary in 2000 by Wilma Wood. Article: One Hundred Years: Still Managing the Flow of Life by Eva Legasse. -Discussing the history of irrigation and water in Lethbridge. Article: Chief Justice Mclachlin by Sheelagh Matthews. Article: Paradise Canyon: A Lifestyle Just Waiting to be Discovered by Darcy Novakowski. Article: The Bookstore that could, did and does by James Frey. Fall Issue 2000: Article: Planning for more change by m. Oordt. Article: Hands Across the Country by Paul Hawryluk -Discussing the Summer Language Bursary Program. Article: Presidents Leave and Arrive by Paul Gerhart. - UofL Presidents give their remarks upon leave and arrival. Article: A building puzzle by Irma Dogterom Article: A Dream Delivered by Ian Byrd. - Discussing City Hall. Article: A New Lease on Life by Katherine Wasiak. -The collaboration of Kitchen Centre and Lealta Building Supplies. Article: On the Road Again by James Frey. -Discussing traffic in Lethbridge. Winter Issue 2000: Article: Fifty Years of Food & Coffee by Pat Urano. -Spotlight on the Paramount Coffee House. Article: See you there... at Lethbridge singles club by Eva Lagasse. Article: Beyond the pages by Paul Gerhart -Discussing Lethbirdge Public Library. Article: Travel for the holidays by Greg Ellis Article: Decades Make a Life; The Story of Art Batty by m.oordt. Article: An Angel of the Prairies by Brynly Roberts. -Discussing Isobella Evans Article: Who would have guessed by Mary Oordt. -Spotlight on the Beazer family.

Accession No.

20241055007

Collection

Archive

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