Date Range

2015

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 2015: Article: Lethbridge's 5 years plan to end Homelessness- How did we do? - In 2007, Premier Ed Stelmach tasked the province with ending homelessness by 2019. Lethbridge took a much more ambitious approach, and in 2009 launched Bringing Lethbridge Home, our city's five-year plan to end homelessness by 2014. Did we succeed? Article: I Stand Against - Join local youth in taking a stand against bullying and it's root causes. Article: The City We've Built: Westward Ho! Or Not? - Exploring the major historical events and people who have made our city the place we live in today. Article: Newcomers to Canada... Newcomers to Lethbridge. -Coming Lethbridge from Bhutan: Indra Timsina tells his story. Mar-Apr Issue 2015: Article: Local Tales of Victory, Valour, and Camaraderie - Lethbridge's New Miltary museum officially opens it's doors April 18. Article: Pysanky - Tradition and symbolism combine in these beautiful works of art that celebrate the Ukaranian culture. Article: This City We've Built: Lethbridge's Schools - Exploring the major historical events and people who have made our city the place we live today. Article: Meet Lethbridge's New Chief of Police. - On January 5 in the city council chambers, with his family in attendance. Robert A. Davis was sworn in as the new leader of the Lethbridge Regional Police Service. May-June Issue 2015: Article: Reaching the Summit - The Southern Alberta Section of the Alpine Club of Canada. Article: New Shelves in the Neighbourhood - Coming to a neighbourhood near you: Lethbridge's new Bookmobile hit the streets on April 16. Article: This City We've Built: From Settlement to the City. -Exploring the major historical events and people who have made our city the place we live today. Article: Classical Music for Everyone - Lethbridge's newest music festival: the Centric Festival. Jul- Aug Issue 2015: Article: Rattlesnakes of Lethbridge -Learning about our local residents rattlers. Article:"nuqneH Vul-Con!" -The science fiction convention portion of Spock Days is trekking out on its ownas Vul-con. Article: This City We've Built: Prohibition -Exploring the major historical events and people who have made our city the place we live today. Sept- Oct Issue 2015: Article: Painting for Change - Local students learn how to make a diffrence through Kids Art for Cause. Article: Coming to a Community Near You: Little Lethbridge Libraries - Little Lethbridge Libraries are being placed in neighbourhoods throughout our city. Has one popped up in your community yet? Article: Warming Hearts, One Bowl at a Time. - Soup sisters and Broth Brothers has come to Lethbridge. Article: This City We've Built: 1908 Land Rush -Exploring the major historical events and people who have made our city the place we live today. Nov-Dec Issue 2015: Article: Are We Entering the Golden Age of Podcasting? - Three local podcasters engage Lethbridge one download at a time. Article: This City We've Built: The Railway -Exploring the major historical events and people who have made our city the place we live today. Article: Lethbridge Presents! -Partnering with 30 organizations in theatre, music, sports, and arts/culture/recreation, the Lethbridge pulbic library launches its expanded Lethbridge Presents program.

Accession No.

20241055022

Collection

Archive

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