The main floor (left) used to be Havards Shoe Store owned by Mrs. Clara (Dederer) Gargett. There you had the black patent shoes, the Buster Browns, Penny Loafers, Suedes of all colors, Slingbacks, go-go boots, etc. Most all leather shoes with arch support which seems hard to find these days. Clara would say, never buy a shoe that doesn't bend in the middle! The center door lead to the hairdressers in the back. The Right side store was the Boutique Helene with high fashion clothes, also owned by Mrs. Clara (Dederer) Gargett. Late 1960's she sold the two stores to Mrs. Jerrine Middleton nee McWilliams who converted the two stores into one and called them Havards Boutique Helene. Thriving businesses back in the 1960's and '70's. In the basement used to be a 10 pin bowling alley, a pool hall, a night club, and at the time it burned mostly storage for the present owner who had the building torn down instead of fixing it after the fire. A great loss of a historical building for all of us in Medicine Hat.
There was nothing left of the 3rd Street SE stores, a complete incineration. The other businesses that burned down were a beautiful Wedding Shop and a Tile Shop on the South Railway SE side. The Bride's that were getting married that weekend were also devastated, as they lost their precious Wedding Dresses.
The center back of this picture is where there was a beautiful 24 year old yellow headed Amazon Parrot named Crunch who lost his life in this fire. This tragedy was 1/2 a block from the Central Block fire.
Storms are normal around here. We've seen some incredible cloud formations over the years and experienced some spectacular weather. This storm took out many trees.
This tree came down on the SE hill. Lots of rain and hail.
This one came down in Ross Glen area effecting two homes.
It passed through Medicine Hat and headed it's wrath into Saskatchewan.
This was what happened during another storm we had. I walked past here everyday to go to and from work. This day a customer came late into my store and delayed me from walking home that day at the regular time. The hail that day was amazing. The only way you could get over to the flats area was to walk, as all roads were flooded. This business, Ebel's Autobody took a hard hit and collapsed during the storm. If I had walked home at the time I usually did, it probably would have me under that rubble. I remember being greatful to the customer that delayed me from leaving. He had done a book rescue and brought in some amazing old Sci fi for me to look over.
A Goodbye to a Cowboy. Terry Ellis funeral.
100 Years of Ranching. Graham & Rose, sons Doug and Terry Ellis
Always FUN and successful is the local Bike and Toy Run held each year. Starts off in Irvine, Ab. to Medicine Hat.
Countless bikes and happy people raising money and toys for kids!
Going tobogganing at Elkwater. Being stuck didn't stop 'em!
Let's go sledding!
THAT'S LIFE
to be continued!
