Date Range

2016

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 2016: Article: Faces of Significance -Celebrating 80 years with the Lethbridge Artists Club. Article: A River Run Through It - Connecting East and West Lethbridge. Article: 100 Women Who Care -Two local women bring a new charity concept to Lethbridge. Article: Building A Brighter Future, One Neighbourhood At A Time -Learning about the Council of Lethbridge Neighbourhoods. Mar-Apr Issue 2016: Article: Move from the sofa to SOFA - Established in our city for close to 25 years, the Southern Oldtimers Football Association is a great opportunity for soccer enthusiasts to get out and play. Article: It Happened in Lethbridge: Fact or Fiction? -12 tales from Lethbridge's history-Which are fact and which are fiction? Article: Record Store Day -Celebrating the local independent music store. May-June Issue 2016: Article: Lethbridge BMX -If you can ride a bike, you can race. Article: Celebrating the High-Level Bridge. -How much do you really know about the High Level Bridge? Article: Your Path to Summer Festival Fun -Navigating your way through the 2016 festival lineup? July-August Issue 2016: Article: Youth One - Youth One is engaging, empowering, and uniting the youth of our community. Article: Lobbing the Ball -The Lethbridge Tennis Club. Article: Waving the Checkered Flag -Did you know that our city's love of car racing and automobile demonstrations and events spans over 100 years. Article: How Does Your Community Garden Grow? -Community gardens are sprouting up throughout the city and bringing local residents together over the food they grow. Sept-Oct Issue 2016: Article: Youth in Action -Eleven members strong, Lethbridge's Advisory Council is responsible for ensuring the voices of young people throughout the community are heard. Article: Fast Ice - If you can stand and move on skates, you can learn to speed skate with the Lethbridge Speed Skating Association. Article: Catalogue Homes - Imagine opening up the Sears or Eaton's catalogue and ordering your home. In the early days of the 20th century, that was an option. Nov-Dec Issue 2016: Article: Introducing the saga of SAAG - The Southern Alberta Art Gallery celebrates 40 years. Article: Southern Alberta's Sweet History - The sugar beet industry in Southern Alberta has shaped and influenced the development of our area in a number of different ways. Article: A Perfect Climate for Newcomers - Learning why Lethbridge has become the go-to destination in Canada for Bhutanese refugees.

Accession No.

20241057023

Collection

Archive

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