Looking Back - 1967: Supersonic booms heard around Neepawa

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Published on Monday, October 16, 2017

Cecil Pittman
Neepawa Banner & Press

80 years ago
Friday, October 8, 1937
The Canadian National Railways have put in special equipped cars on all passenger trains effective October 1 to handle less than car load freight. These cars are equipped with refrigerators and heated compartments for the protection of perishable freight. Cars are new and kept spotlessly clean. All freight will be picked up and delivered by the railway without cost to the shipper or consignee. The object of the railway is to furnish the most efficient service practicable.

70 years ago
Thursday, October 9, 1947
Alexander Blake Dunlop passed away on October 4 at his home in Neepawa after a lengthy illness. Although going about his duties until a few weeks ago, Blake had not been in good health for the past year. As a boy he entered a printing office in Winnipeg to learn his trade. In 1896 he came to Neepawa to assist his father in the publication of the Neepawa Press, the first issue of which was published in May 1896. For over 50 years Blake served as printer, publisher and editor of The Press. His devotion to duty and unexampled regularity were two of his outstanding qualities. Blake served the town and community for over 50 years. His father, Alexander Dunlop, one of Manitoba’s pioneer newspaper men, predeceased him in 1930 and his mother, Nellie Hursell, passed away in 1941.

60 years ago
Thursday, October 10, 1957
Ideal weather prevailed for the 50th anniversary fall fair for the Kelwood Agricultural Society. The attendance was larger than last year and entries in the horses and fowl classes evidenced more exhibitors while cattle classes had fewer.

50 years ago
Friday, October 13, 1967
Many residents of Neepawa were awakened in the early hours of this morning by two loud noises and some house shaking, presumed to have been caused by a sonic boom from a supersonic aircraft. A check was made with the Canadian Armed Forces base at Portage la Prairie later this morning, but there was no confirmation of supersonic aircraft in the district from that point. Most reports from local residents this morning indicated at least two loud “booms,” enough to waken many sleeping people. One reported looking out the window and seeing 2 or 3 planes. At the Portage airbase, the base information office told The Press that the two aircrafts capable of creating a sonic boom in the Centennaire squadron were not located at the base at this time and the office could not identify the source of the noise. Further checking is being done, but up to this time we might term it simply as a “UFN” “Unidentified Flying Noise,” to distinguish from “UFO” reports of recent weeks.

40 years ago
Thursday, October 13, 1977
While mayor Steven Juba surprised the nation by withdrawing his name from the Winnipeg mayoralty race last Friday afternoon, Neepawa residents were equally surprised to learn that councillor Fred Barker has also made  a similar move by withdrawing from the mayoralty race here. Mr. Barker’s decision created an election by acclamation for councillor Gary McElmon, who was running in opposition to him. Mr. Barker issued a statement to The Press this week in which he poses a number of questions about council, the election and related subjects, but did not attempt to answer them. The tone of his statement gave the impression that he was disappointed about many aspects of serving the town and that after 9 years as a councillor he felt that there were other, younger men and women in the community who should be able and willing to let their names stand for election.

30 years ago
Wednesday, October 14, 1987
Tuesdays and Thursdays in October and November will see the Viscount Cultural Council fall classes commence at the NACI home economics room and the Margaret Laurence home. The classes are a unique roster of activities including soap stone carving, introductory chess, basic quilting, machine appliqué and Christmas crafts for kids. The variety of activities ensures there is something for all ages to take part in, and offers a challenge to mental and hand skills.

20 years ago
Monday, October 13, 1997
A major international conference on the life of Neepawa born author Margaret Laurence will be held at the university of Manitoba Oct. 24 through 26. Sponsored by the U of M’s institutes of the humanities, the conference is being held to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Laurence’s graduation from United College. Margaret Laurence and her times will feature 26 speakers from around the world, including McMaster Universities James King. King recently completed a biography on Laurence, in which he revealed she committed suicide, rather than die a lingering death from cancer. As well, actress Dorian Kohl will perform an excerpt from her one woman play, Portrait of a Lady. The play was adapted for stage from a radio version of Laurence’s novel The Stone Angel. Brandon University held a similar conference in 1988. At that time, the 80 participants made the trek to Neepawa to see the community on which Laurence loosely based her fictional Manawaka.

10 years ago
Monday, October 8, 2007
A pack of ghosts and goblins at your door can scare your pets, but ghouls are not the only thing to be aware of on Halloween. Director of animal training and behaviour offers these tips to make sure everyone has a good time this Halloween. First, beware of unsafe holiday decorations, wires and electrical cords are an invitation to your teething pets. Use a cord container to prevent wires from being chewed or gnawed. Carving a pumpkin is fun but placing a candle inside of it may be hazardous to your pet. Candles are easily knocked over and can burn wagging tails, paws and noses. So forget the candle and use a glow stick or battery operated tea light instead. Your pets can be easily overwhelmed by trick or treaters coming and going. Manage your pets by limiting their access to the door. Use a leash or baby gate while trick or treaters are out and about.