Looking back - 1947: Arden plane lost

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By Cecil Pittman

Neepawa Banner & Press

80 years ago. Friday, December 3, 1937: If an increase in the number of telephone subscribers is any indication of progress and prosperity, Neepawa and district are on the upgrade. The new directory has been distributed and there are 622 numbers listed as compared with 583 in the previous issue.

70 years ago. Thursday, December 4, 1947: Search still continues for the lost Mitchell photographic plane lost since October 18 last. The plane piloted by Ben Cook, formally of Arden, Manitoba, was last heard from when it sought weather information from the Crescent Valley weather station while on a flight from Calgary to Penticton, B.C. The rugged mountainous country over which the plane had to pass and poor flying weather make search very difficult especially when no definite routes are followed by planes of this type and crew. Although several weeks have elapsed it is hoped that the crew and passengers are safe possibly in some remote mountain settlement without communication with the outside world. 

60 years ago. Friday, December 13, 1957: Members of the Neepawa Rotary Club will again man the Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Kettle for the two Saturdays proceeding Christmas. As in former years there will be only one kettle situated on Mountain Avenue, which will be manned from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 14 and 24. Residents of town and country are urged to contribute generously to this worthy cause. All proceeds will be spent by the Salvation Army in local relief work.

50 years ago. Tuesday, December 5, 1967: Public response to The Neepawa Lions Club’s annual drive for toys has been so good that the club will not require anymore for this year. The many donations of toys will be distributed by the Children’s Aid Society to needy families in this and other districts between here and Portage la Prairie. The Neepawa Lions Club expresses its thanks to the residents of Neepawa and district for their cooperation in this project. 

40 years ago. Thursday, December 8, 1977: At its regular Sunday worship service on December 11, Neepawa United Church will present a special program of Christmas music, preformed by the Singing Carillons of Stonewall, Manitoba. The program will include handbell ringing, singing and instrumental numbers. The singing Carillons have been singing and ringing since the fall of 1973. In 1976, they won the award for the best TV special in Canada, for a program which originated at CKY Studios in Winnipeg. The group’s program of Christmas music is about 45 minutes in duration. Everyone is welcome to attend this special Christmas service. 

30 years ago. Wednesday, December 2, 1987: Electrical fault suspected in house fire. Neepawa fire chief Don Evenson said faulty electrical wiring is suspected as the cause of a fire which broke out in a home during the early morning of Dec. 1. Evenson said the Neepawa volunteer fire department was called to a fire at 155 Hamilton Street at 3 a.m., and within one hour had extinguished the fire in the space between the upper and lower levels of the home. Evenson said there was “quite a bit of damage to the first level ceiling and second level floor, and a bit of damage caused by the fire around the attic entrance. Evenson said no injuries were sustained during the fire. 

20 years ago. Monday, December 1, 1997: The Neepawa Collegiate drama club has purchased two theatrical follow spot lights that will be made available for community productions. Money for the lights, which cost $2,800, came from a fund in memory of former NACI student Scott McCracken, the NACI drama reunion, the class of 1997 and the Whitemud Comedy Company. 

10 years ago. Monday, December 10, 2007: Eric Davidson has been appointed staff - sergeant of the Spruce Plains RCMP area, which includes Neepawa, Minnedosa, Gladstone and surrounding municipalities. Davidson has served with the Minnedosa detachment since 1998, after transferring from the serious crimes unit in Winnipeg. He will be based in Neepawa.