Date Range

2001

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 2001: Article: Decades Make a Life: The Story of Art Batty -Dirty Thrities and War 1935-1945. Article: Fiftieth Anniversary of the Lethbirdge Maple Leafs: World Hockey Champions by Gary Bowie Ph.D. Article: The pleasures of stitching by Mary Oordt. -Spotlight on the Lethbridge Sewing Guild. Article: Given Names by Paul Gerhart. Article: Better lives for rescued animals by Eva Lagasse. - Spotlight on Lethbridge and District Humane Society. Summer Issue 2001: Article: A Legacy? You Bet Eighteeen Holes Worth! by Katherine Wasiak. -Spotlight on Frisbee Golf in Lethbirdge. Article: 25 years of Honouring Women of Distinction by Trish Hagen. Article: A Day on the Oldman by Mike Mugford - Spotlight on activities to do on the Old Man River. Article: Traditional Elegance in Fine Dining by Katherine Wasiak. -Spotlight on Ericksen's Family Restarurant. Article: Turned on for forty-five years by Brynly Roberts. -History of Lethbridge's first TV station. Article: Decades Make A Life: The Story of Art Batty. -Building a Life: 1945-1955. Article: First Novel Set in Lethbridge by Debbie Berg. - Spotlight on John Redfern and his book "A boy must die." Article: Sixty-Five Years and Still Rollin' by James Frey - Spotlight on Kirk's Tires. Fall Issue 2001: Article: Every Kid Has Potential by Mary Greensheilds. -Spotlight on the Boys and Girl's Club. Article: Iunctus Geomatrics Corporation: Joining Space and Terra Firma by Paul Sparrow-Clark. - Spotlight on the Geogprahic Information System (GIS). Article: Decades Make A Life; The Story of Art Batty by M.Oordt. -Business, Community and Change: 1955-1965. Article: Forty Years of the Musical Passion by Katherine Wasiak. -Spothlight on the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. Article: The Little Gallery That Could: SAAG's Twenty-Five Years (1976-2001) by James Frey. -Spotlight on the Sothern Alberta Art Gallery. Winter Issue 2001: Article: Nishiki: Nikkei Tapestry, A History of Sothern Alberta Japanese Canadians by Darcy Novakowski. -Spolight on the book. Article: Making of Kainai Cheiftain by Suzanne Duncan. -Dr. Tom Melling becomes a Kainai Cheiftain. Article: Through Their Eyes by Bonnie Kennedy -Spotlight on two well known Southern Alberta Artists, Edward F. Hagell and Irene McCaugherty. Article: Looking Over his Shoulder by James Frey. -Spotlight on Bob Tarleck, the Mayor of Lethbirdge. Article: A Sculpture Park for all Seasons by Wendi Seskus-James -Spotlight on the Sculptures around the UofL Campus. Article: Decades Make a Life; The Story of Art Batty by m. Oordt. -Of Wax Museums, A Possee and a Hotel 1965-1975.

Accession No.

20241055008

Collection

Archive

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