69 years ago ...
From the issue of March 5, 1941

Benalto - Local farmers learned some of the latest developments in farming as applied to this district Friday afternoon at the second annual agricultural short course staged by the provincial department of agriculture under the auspices of the Benalto Agricultural Society. Some of the talks were illustrated with moving pictures.
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Sixteen rinks play in Sylvan Lake bonspiel. Visiting rinks from Benalto (3), Bentley, Evarts, Leslieville, Red Deer and Rimbey. Good ice, moderate temperatures.
Play in the annual bonspiel got underway Tuesday morning with eight visiting and eight local rinks.
Considerable fun was caused by a cow bell which is violently run whenever a player fails to get his rock over the hog line. When this occurs the player has to deposit 5 cents in a box and the 'fines' so received are turned over to the local branch of the Canadian Red Cross. The first days takings produced $3.59.
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The community committee (organized to arrange for the sending of parcels to all Sylvan Lake soldiers) met Monday evening and received the financial report concerning pre-Christmas activities.
The report showed receipts of $82.18 and disbursements of $80.50 with a bank balance of $1.68.
It was decided to change the name of the organization to the Soldier's Christmas Cheer Fund.

50 years ago ...
From the issue of March 3, 1960

For education week, the staff of Sylvan Lake School will hold an open house.
Theme is Arithmetic Throughout The Grades. Each room will have an outline of the arithmetic course for that grade on the blackboard.
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CNR brought in 84 carloads of 24-inch pipe to Prevo this week for the Alberta Gas Trunkline, to be used this summer when the pipeline will be constructed from Innisfail, through Prevo, to the Homeglen gas field at Rimbey.

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There is always a first time. It all started with the building of a new school with a gymnasium and from this came the formation of girls and boys basketball teams. Sylvan Lake entered a league where they won a few and lost a few games. But the big game took place Saturday at Eckville. Sylvan Lake boys defeated David Thompson and Rocky Mountain House to win their first league trophy.

69 years ago ...
From the issue of February 19, 1941

A wedding of much local interest took place on Saturday when Ida Amelia Pass was united in marriage to Percy Duffield, mayor and well known businessman of Sylvan Lake.
The ceremony took place at the home of the bride under an arch of pink and white streamers and a profusion of flowers.
Following the ceremony the bridal party sat at the wedding breakfast. The bride's table was beautifully decorated with roses and carnations, and pink tapers in silver candelabra flanked a three tier wedding cake. The long table at which the guests sat was gay with daffodils, carnations and tall white candles.
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Mrs. Gordon Simpson moved her Ladieswear business to the deBarathy building, one door south of the post office, last week.
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Recent milk inspections at Sylvan Dairy were most satisfactory. A high standard is maintained in purity test and cleanliness.
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There were 13 tables of bridge at the IODE card party held at the hotel Thursday evening.

50 years ago ...
From the issue of February 18, 1960

Unofficial figures from Wednesday's voting in two school divisions of Red Deer School Division showed that two incumbent members were ousted by close margins. Jack Innes of Sylvan Lake lost to Stan Swainson of Burnt Lake, 144 votes to 155. Voting each of Red Deer gave S. B. Austin of Delburne 233 votes against 231 votes in favour of former board chairman B. G. Lawrence.
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The Farmers' Bonspiel held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, drew an entry of 28 rinks, representing Bentley, Rainy Creek, Durham, Prevo, Burnt Lake, Marianne, Centreville, Evarts, Benalto and Kuusamo districts. Each rink had one town curler from the Sylvan Lake Curling Club, in most cases playing the third position.
It was a family affair at the rink for the three days, with husbands, wives, sons and daughters of district farm families taking part in the curling. The small fry brought their toys and enjoyed making new friends while Mom or Dad were curling. The farm ladies, assisted by members of the Ladies' Curling Club, were kept busy serving hot soup, coffee, sandwiches, doughnuts and pie ­— all on the house — to help make the bonspiel and enjoyable social event.