The theme of past, present and future runs through the 2013 edition of Report on Central Alberta — which will appear in mailboxes around Central Alberta this week.
The Red Deer Advocate special section, an annual effort, this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of the City of Red Deer, as well as several surrounding communities and institutions.
Two new sections, Centennial and Milestones, document significant events in area history. The Centennial section concentrates on Red Deer, looking at some of its bright ideas, and explaining the origin of many of its placenames.
Milestones chronicles the development of Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Delburne and Elnora, communities that also mark centennials this year.
A host of Central Alberta groups and institutions mark important anniversaries this year.
The Learning section is dominated by several stories about Olds College, which turns 100 years old this year.
A timeline of its history shows how it has grown from its humble beginnings as an agricultural school in 1913.
It now boasts a modern campus that includes an innovations centre and programs on everything from golf course management to costume cutting.
Stories and photographs about historical and current events populate all of the sections, including Culture, Health, Sports, Energy and Economy.
Stories in these sections include a look at the milestones of Red Deer College athletic programs, and stories and photographs of several old rock bands.
Stories also chart important industries in Central Alberta including the petrochemical and livestock industries.
The Advocate commemorates some of the events and people with this special edition of historical and present photos and stories.
This is the 13th edition of our largest and most important supplement. It is a product that we put out each spring with pride.
Report on Central Alberta has always been a publication that readers, business people and advertisers tend to save. This year there are even more reasons to make this a collectors’ edition.
The 2013 Report on Central Alberta will be delivered to every home in Red Deer and to every Advocate subscriber in Central Alberta by Wednesday. If you did not receive a copy, or if you would like more copies, please contact Ken Kowalchuk, Advocate special sections co-ordinator, at 403-314-4392.
cmartindale@www.reddeeradvocate.com