1957: unofficial Bow Island census counts 990 residents

Down Memory Lane #241
By Fred Mellen
These items were taken from the December 5, 1957 issue of the Bow Island Graphic Newspaper.
Bow Island
– On Sunday afternoon a meeting was held in the Community Hall of the local curling enthusiasts. At this time an election of officers was held for the coming season’s activities. Those elected included Fred Bissett, President; Laurence Halpin, Vice President; Ben Halbert, Secretary Treasurer; Ice Chairman, Lee Haughian; Finance, Dave Moench; Draws, Bill Townsend; and Entertainment, Lloyd Sevalrud. There were eighteen present for the meeting and it was decided that rinks must be made up of names and turned in by January 1st.
– Billy Gnam, who has been with the RCAF has decided to remain in Bow Island and manage the pool hall for his father, Henry Gnam.
– Mrs. C. McNeely received superficial burns to her face when the oven in her kitchen range exploded one day last week.
– The recent enumeration of the town for the voters list purposes has been completed and an unofficial census taken at the same time disclosed the fact that the population now stands at 1,025 as against the official Dominion census completed in 1956 which gave the total of 990 inhabitants. There was a slight decrease in the number of eligible voters but this was caused through the removal from the town of former residents, with new ones coming in who have not as yet qualified in length of time required as residents of Bow Island.
Foremost Section by Mrs. E.M. Lyons
– Harry Calhoun has returned from Phoenix, Arizona where he attended a Case School for dealers. He enjoyed the trip very much going by plane to Regina and Denver to Phoenix and coming back by way of Santiago, Seattle and Calgary. He found the hours of the school very long and steady as they left the hotel at 7:45 am and did not return till 9 pm.
– The Curling Club had a very good turn-out for their Carnival but as yet profits are not known. The money is to go into a fund which will pay for the artificial ice plant. The curling sweaters were won by Thomas Wilson of Lucky Strike, Jack Green, Dave Ferrel of Bow Island, Mrs. Irene Young of Burdett. There were twenty-four rinks taking part in the Cash Bonspiel, some from Milk River, Bow Island, Burdett and Foremost. In the First event Stan Degenstein took top money of $100 and the second prize of $75 was won by C. Coverdale. In the Second event, the Nick Wolfe rink won $75 and the second $50 went to the Pat Burke rink.
Burdett by Mrs. Dora Warren
– RCMP are investigating the break-in and robbery which took place here Monday morning. Ted’s General Store and Quon Yee Café were both entered and a considerable amount of merchandise was reported stolen. This is the second break-in at the café in less than a month.
– Mr. and Mrs. Frankie Heck are receiving congratulations on the birth of a son in the Taber Hospital.
This has been another Stroll Down Memory Lane with Old Fred Mellen

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