Date Range

2005

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 2005: Article: Diamond Memories -The Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion, General Stewart Branch No.44 celbrates their sixtieth anniversary. Article: Taking the Past to Heart -An artifact at the Galt brings family history alive. Article: Dog Love Excellent Therapy - The Pet Therapy programme of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital brightens everyones day. Article: Metals to Ideas -Putting a historic building to modern use. Summer Issue 2005: Article: Rolling Thunder -On July 15-17, 2005, Harley Owners Group, Lethbridge Chapter, welcomes bikers from all over North America. Article: Special Olympians -Alberta Special Olympics arrive in Lethbridge, July 1-3, 2005. Article: Garden of Leisure -Galt Gardens as seen from the past demonstrates that Lethbridge people always wanted a splendid downtown park. Article: Yesterday Once More - Cardston's Carriage House theatre is a labour of love of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Russell and the whole community. Fall Issue 2005: Article: Oh, Give me a home... life on McIntyre. -A Ranch begun in 1894 offers a glimpse today of what this type of prairie life was like then. Article: Thankfully Still Thriving - A look at places around Lethbridge that keep the city lively. Article: Underneath the Land -There is excitement underground from dinosaur fossils to ammonite, from coal to remains from early cultures. Article: Kindness to Strangers -For over 100 years, immigrants to southwestern alberta have been warmly received by earlier immigrants and their descendants. Winter Issue 2005: Article: A Civil Service -The first of three articles that examines the relationship of southern alberta to the canadian military located here. Article: Citizenship and Sociability -The Canadian Federation of University Women recently celebrated sixty years as an active chapter in Lethbridge. Article: High Level Bridge -The loads it has known since 1909! Article: Famous Claresholm -Sharing it's centennial with the province of Alberta, Claresholm has much to show with pride.

Accession No.

20241055012

Collection

Archive

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