Date Range

2008

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 2008: Article: Revisting the Past -Celebrating Historic Lethbridge Week. Article: Getting Their Feet Wet -The LA Swim club is about more than learning to swim. Article: What One Dusty Historian Can Dig Up -Lethbridge's Mountainview Cemetery. Article: Riding the Silver Streak -The High Level Bridge, 100 years old. Summer Issue 2008: Article: Riding Like the Wind -Lethbridge's BMX Club Article: What One Dusty Historian Can Dig Up -St. Patrick's Cemetery. Article: Cruising Highway 23 into the 23 Century. -A trip to Vulcan Article: Go Fly A Kite! -Pincher Creek Kite Festival: Children of the Wind. Fall Issue 2008: Article: Camp 133 -Lethbridge's POW Camp. Article: Learning More Than the Language -The Lethbridge Chinese Mandarin Language School. Article: 100 years of Military History -The 18th Air Defense Regiment. Article: Why We Love Coaldale -Visiting Our Southern Alberta Communities. Winter Issue 2008: Article: They Never Came Home -The Lethbridge Cenotaph Project. Article: Mrs. Harrison's Angels -In September 1957, Elaine Harrison opened the door to her first homeroom class in Lethbridge. Article: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! -The Red Hat Society. Article: Building to Make a Difference -Habitat for Humanity Lethbridge

Accession No.

20241055015

Collection

Archive

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