Looking back - 1995: Riverside Cemetery tree stolen for Christmas

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Published on Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Photo courtesy of Cecil Pittman archives. 80 years ago, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1935: The new closed in arena has brought hours of enjoyment to the town and rural citizens.

By Cecil Pittman

The Neepawa Press

80 years ago, Tuesday December 31, 1935,

“Isn’t this just lovely!” was the expression of a lady at the new municipal rink, Christmas afternoon as she was enjoying to the full her skate to the music. It was all the more appreciated because Neepawa had been without a closed in rink with the convenience and comforts such offers for several years, as we have been practically deprived of a much enjoyed recreation during that time.

According to figures received from councilor Dr. G. H. MacDonald, the approximate cost of the rink proper was $10,102. The contract price was for $9,750. The heating, plumbing, relief excavating, music box, architect fees and other extras will amount to about $1,500.

70 years ago, Thursday December 27, 1945,

Festive fowl: More than 180,000 turkeys, weighing two and one-quarter million pounds were carried over Canadian National lines from western Canada, it has been announced. Some 60 refrigerator cars were involved in the shipment.

60 years ago, Thursday December 27, 1955,

Mentmore: Mentmore had the honor of having the first New Year’s baby in 1955 in the Neepawa Hospital when Sydney James, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Brown, made his debut.  

50 years ago, Tuesday December 21, 1965,

We got a postcard from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lee Monday, which was mailed from Tokyo and Frank said they had toured the beautiful city and were leaving the next day (December 16) for Formosa, where they will spend Christmas. They expect to be in Hong Kong by New Year’s Day and extended greetings to all their friends here.

40 years ago, Thursday December 25, 1975,

Once again the town of Neepawa has been chosen as the “most beautiful in Manitoba” and received shipment of the Association of Good Roads trophy.

This would not be possible, of course, if were not for the cooperation of the citizens of our fair town who take so much pride in maintaining an attractive environment for all to enjoy.

30 years ago, Thursday December 19, 1985,

If you drink, don’t drive.

It’s a simple enough message, it is just a question of obeying it.

For the driver who has been drinking, taking the gamble of driving while impaired is like playing Russian Roulette with all chambers of the gun loaded, not only because it presents a hazard on the road, but because of the new stiffer penalties introduced by the federal government, Dec. 4.

Justice minister John Crosbie announced the amendment to the Canadian Criminal Code calling for first-time offenders to be fined $300 or more and to be prohibited from driving for three months or longer.

20 years ago, Monday December 19, 1995,

Blair McLaughlin of Neepawa was elected chairman of the Canadian Hatcheries Federation at the federation’s 58th annual convention. The federation represents broiler and commercial egg hatcheries in Canada. As chairman of the eight-member board, McLaughlin will represent members’ concerns to government, producer boards and national agencies.

10 years ago, Monday December 19, 2005,

“Two weeks before Christmas and somewhere in town, a creature was stirring- cutting a tree down.

The creature was crafty, that’s for sure, because this wasn’t just any old tree, no sir.”

But, enough of the rhyming. What makes the theft of the Christmas tree so unusual is that it wasn’t in a tree lot, or even a snow-covered field. This tree was smack, dead in the middle of Neepawa’s Riverside Cemetery.

Town of Neepawa Public Works employee Jack Follows said over the years, trees have been clipped by drivers on the narrow cemetery lanes, but this is the first time one’s ever been chopped down for a Christmas tree.

“We’ve been pretty lucky over the years”, he said. “Nothing like this has ever happened before.”