Date Range

2012

Description Level

Series

Creator

Lethbridge Living Magazine

Physical Description

Six 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

Jan-Feb Issue 2012: Article: Historic Spaces and Places in Southern Alberta -Blairmore's Gushul Studio Article: Talking Pictures -The University of Lethbridge New Media Film Series. Article: Our Alberta Accent - Don't think you have an accent? Think Again! A new university of Lethbridge study focuses on our regional way of speaking. Article: Finding a Forever Home - Thinking of adopting a pet? Why not look to oneof the local shelters or rescue groups first, and offer one of these pets a chance at their forever home Mar-April Issue 2012: Article: Women of Steel - The Lethbridge Steel. This Isn't Your Daddies Football. Article: The Perfect Choice -"My choice, my path, my future," is the motto for Lethbridge's Victoria Park High School, and the teachers, staff and students wouldn't have it any other way. Article: CSI:LA -The Lethbridge Regional Police Service's Forensic Identification Unit-what they do and how they do it. Article: Historic Spaces and Places in Southern Alberta -The Latter Day Saints Park Avenue Chapel, Raymond. May-June Issue 2012: Article: Historic Spaces and Places in Southern Alberta - Monnonite Brethern Church, Coaldale. Article: Healing Arts: Nourishing the Mind, Body and Spirit - This 23 year-old program at the Chinook Regional Hospital proves that the arts do assist in the healing process. Article: If These Walls Could Talk - Fort Macleod's Empress Theatre, celebrating 100 years. Article: Vibrant Lethbridge: Working to reduce poverty in our City. - At 13 per cent, Lethbridge has the third highest poverty rate, after Calgary and Edmonton, in Alberta. What are we going to do to change that? Vibrant Lethbridge has some ideas to change that. July- August Issue 2012: Article: Historic Spaces and Places in Southern Alberta - The Canadian Pacific Railway Station, High River. Article: All the World's A Stage... -Shakespeare in the Park returns to Galt Gardens. Article: The Ball's in Our Court: Lethbridge Hosts the 2012 Alberta Summer Games. -The 2012 Alberta Summer Games, July 26-29, are about more than just sports. Article: Sniffing Out Bad Behaviour - A look at LRPS K9 Unit. Sept- Oct Issue 2012: Article: Historic Spaces and Places in Southern Alberta - The Andreas Michelsen Farmstead, Stirling. Article: Extreme Makeover: The ENMAX Centre Edition - ENMAXimizing its space has turned the ENMAX Centre into a brand new entertainment facility for Southern Alberta. Article: La Cite des Prairies -The French Community Centre, La Cite des Prairies, is a place to share both francophone and anglophone cultures. Article: Get Caught Up in Art Days - It's back, and it's better than ever! Lethbridge Art Days. Nov- Dec Issue 2012: Article: Representing Canada: Our Local Olympians - It's the opportunity few have- the chance to represent our country at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These are Lethbridge's Olympic Heroes. Article: Historic Spaces and Places in Southern Alberta - The Carmangay United Church, Carmangay. Article: Downtown's Bright Lights - Downtown Lethbridge celebrates with the 12th Anuual Bright Lights Festival. Article: Ringing in the New Year-108 Times! - Celebrate the old and new years with the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden Bell Ringing Ceremony.

Accession No.

20241055019

Collection

Archive

Less detail