Today in High Prairie! See what’s happening today in town, local birthdays, celebrity birthdays, local history, world history and your daily horoscope. Please send your birthdays and community events to southpeacenews@hotmail.com and statsmanchris@hotmail.com

What’s Happening Today – October 16, 2019

Free Play at HP CRC Office 10 a.m.-noon.

Parent n’ Tots at Sunset House at 10 a.m.

Storytime for Kids 3-5 Yrs HP Library 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Baby & Me at HP CRC Office at 1 p.m.

Parent n’ Tots at Enilda at 1 p.m.

Marigold Farmer’s Market from 1-6 p.m.

Today’s Local Birthdays – High Prairie – October 16, 2019

Michaela Dvornek

Lonnie Willier

Today’s Local Birthday – Faust – October 16, 2019

Daniel Crawford

Today’s Celebrity Birthdays – October 16, 2019

1430 – King James II, King of Scotland

1854 – Oscar Wilde, Irish Writer/Poet

1925 – Angela Lansbury, Murder She Wrote Actress

1941 – Tim McCarver, Sports Broadcaster

1943 – Fred Turner, BTO Vocalist

1946 – Suzanne Somers, Three’s Company Actress

1947 – Bob Weir, Grateful Dead Guitarist

1947 – David Zucker, Airplane Director

1958 – Tim Robbins, Shawshank Redemption Actor

1959 – Gary Kemp, Spandau Ballet Guitarist

1974 – Paul Kariya, Anaheim Mighty Ducks

This Day in Local History – October 16, 2019

Oct. 16, 1963: Only 16 per cent of the voters turn out for the municipal election. Mayor Max Vanderaegen is elected by acclamation: Mel Taylor, John Enns and Dr. Sweet elected as councillors. Only 196 of 1,192 eligible voters cast ballots.

Oct. 16, 1985: South Peace News reports that Valleyview businessman Dick Gillespie purchases the Hi Lodge Motel, which was in receivership, and plans on re-opening it under the name of Raven Motor Inn.

Oct. 16, 1989: Rollie Johnson is elected mayor of High Prairie. In the referendum ballot, fluoridation passes 500-162.

Oct. 16, 1991: South Peace News reports that the Faust Community League receives a $19,000 grant for constructing a skating rink, upgrading a sheltered facility near the ball diamond and a camp kitchen for a local park.

Oct. 16, 1992: Ray’s Gas Bar celebrates its grand opening one mile east of the Grouard turnoff on Highway 2.

Oct. 16, 1993: The E.W. Pratt Chargers sweep both titles at the St. Andrew’s Invitational Volleyball Tournament. The women defeat St. Andrew’s 15-11, 15-4 in the final while the men defeat Valleyview 15-10, 8-15, 15-13.

Oct. 16, 1996: Athabasca MP David Chatters is angry over poor federal government phone service. He says 30 million calls go unanswered each year because lines are busy or the caller abandons the line.

Oct. 16, 1997: Eight Grouard residents are charged with various Fish and Wildlife crimes after the group concludes an undercover operation.

Oct. 16, 2000: High Prairie RCMP continue their search for a missing woman. Marina Ayala, 31, was last seen several weeks ago and family were looking for her. She is later found safe.

Oct. 16, 2000: Crown prosecutor Rod Clark files a stay of charges against RaiLink of failure to prevent a fire from spreading Aug. 3, 1999. The trial was set for Oct. 19-20 but the Crown charged RaiLink Ltd. instead of RaiLink Canada Ltd. Since the wrong corporate company was charged, the charge was stayed.

Oct. 16, 2000: The High Prairie Recreation Board amends it smoking policy to make the Sports Palace totally smoke-free. Previously, smoking on the pad was allowed for special events.

Oct. 16, 2001: Rock band Trooper pays a visit to Barry’s Bar and Grill in High Prairie.

Oct. 16, 2007: Tolko Industries in High Prairie cuts 14 jobs citing poor market conditions, the rising Canadian dollar and escalating production costs. Four months earlier, Tolko slashed more jobs.

Oct. 16, 2008: The Lesser Slave Lake Economic Alliance unveils its new promotional video.

Oct. 16, 2010: E.W. Pratt High School Grade 11 student Dyanna Monteith wins the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association Sportsmanship Pin after helping a distressed runner at Provincials in Vermilion.

Oct. 16, 2013: South Peace News, with the help of the High Prairie and District Children’s Resource Council, sets up a photo in M.D. council chambers of young children sitting in councillors’ seats to promote the municipal election and to urge voters to think of children’s issues when they vote.

Oct. 16, 2013: Kees and Christine VandeBurgt open KC’s Factory Direct Furniture in the south side of the KBS-TV Building.

Oct. 16, 2015: High Prairie School Division celebrates the grand opening of the High Prairie School Division Learning Support Centre.

Oct. 16-18, 2017: High Prairie and area residents gather at the Legion Hall to create a special mural mosaic for Canada 150.

Oct. 16, 2017: Brian Panasiuk defeats Linda Cox 415-234 to win the election for mayor in High Prairie. All incumbent councillors are re-elected; Judy Stenhouse is the only new face on council.

Oct. 16, 2017: Big Lakes County elects three new members to its council. Winning are Fern Welch in Grouard, Richard Simard in Joussard, and Donald Bissell in Enilda – Big Meadow.

Oct. 16, 2017: After a promise is made to deliver up-to-date municipal election results, South Peace News’ Website crashes due to high demand. The site receives 4,000 hits in one hour.

This Day in World History – October 16, 2019

1384 – Jadwiga is crowned King of Poland, despite being a woman.

1600 – Olivier van Noorts ships reach Philippines.

1710 – British troops occupy Port Royal, N.S.

1813 – Battle of Leipzig, largest battle in Europe prior to WWI.

1846 – Dentist William T Morton demonstrates effectiveness of ether.

1867 – Alaska adopts Gregorian calendar, crosses international date line.

1869 – Hotel in Boston becomes 1st to have indoor plumbing.

1913 – George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion” premieres.

1923 – Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio founded.

1923 – John Harwood patents self-winding watch.

1925 – Texas School Board prohibits teaching of evolution.

1934 – Mao Zedong & 25,000 troops begin 6,000-mile Long March.

1940 – Warsaw Ghetto is formed by German Gov-Gen. Hans Frank.

1941 – Germany advances within 60 miles (96 K) of Moscow.

1942 – Cyclone in Bay of Bengal kills 40,000 south of Calcutta.

1946 – 10 Nazi leaders are hanged as war criminals after Nuremberg trials.

1951 – 1st PM of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, is assassinated.

1953 – Fidel Castro sentenced to 15 years in Havana.

1962 – Cuban missile crisis begins.

1964 – China becomes world’s 5th nuclear power.

1968 – US athletes give the Black Power at Mexico City Olympics.

1970 – Pierre Trudeau invokes the War Measures Act during October crisis.

1972 – Rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival breaks up.

1973 – Israeli tanks under Gen Sharon move through Suez Canal.

1982 – Mt. Palomar Observatory 1st to detect Halley’s comet on 13th return.

1985 – Intel introduces 32-bit 80386 microcomputer chip.

1987 – 175-kph winds cause blackout in London, much of southern England.

1990 – US forces reach 200,000 in Persian Gulf.

1992 – 1,700th David Letterman Show.

1992 – “Gilligan’s Island” TV pilot filmed in 1964 1st shown on TV.

1998 – Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet arrested in London.

2016 – Ed Whitlock, 85, oldest person to complete a marathon under 4 hours.

Today’s Horoscopes – October 16, 2019

Cancer [June 22 – July 22] – Today’s planetary aspects may have you experiencing a little cabin fever. If you have the urge to go off by yourself for a while, do so. Try a new diversion. Drive down a country road you’ve never explored. Find some antique shops. You probably need a break from your daily routine. You’ll feel revitalized.

Leo [July 23 – Aug. 23] – OK, the party’s over. Time to put away the sinful pleasures, the champagne, the chocolate truffles, and who knows what else. Take a good look at your home and get serious about putting things in order. A reality check is looming. Today would be a good day to get ready by tidying up the house and getting your brain in gear.

Virgo [Aug. 24 – Sept. 22] – You may be experiencing a wonderful openness to new ideas and grand plans. You’re enjoying an active imagination and your intuition is sharp. Trust in your self-awareness and confidence. If a friend with a negative attitude tries to dissuade you from your plans, keep it in perspective. Consider the source. Stay in tune with your initiatives and you’ll succeed.

Libra [Sept. 23 – Oct. 23] – If you’re feeling restless today, don’t fight it. Use your energy to do something physical. Go for a walk or play tennis. Anything that helps you release the excess energy will feel good. It’s important that you pay attention to your body’s signals. Getting a good night’s rest will have you feeling refreshed tomorrow. You’ll be able to deal with the tasks at hand.

Scorpio [Oct. 24 – Nov. 22] – You don’t want to sit still for a minute. You may make people dizzy with your energy, and you’re itching to get away. You may be contemplating a long trip abroad. It’s fine to fantasize about all the choices out there, but don’t commit to anything today. Your imagination and spirit are a bit too high to settle on anything in particular. Just enjoy all the choices for now.

Sagittarius [Nov. 23 – Dec. 21] – This would be a good day to pursue some new interests. Perhaps you’ve recently discovered a book that opens up new areas for you. If dreams recently punctuated your sleep, try to recall the general feeling you had and reflect on that for a while. You’ll probably realize it’s only emotional residue from all the exhaustion of the past few weeks catching up with you.

Capricorn [Dec. 22 – Jan. 20] – Are you fed up with everyone around you now? Are you fantasizing about walking out the door and not returning? Go ahead – just for today! You probably need a break from everyone. Why not get a massage and float away for a while? Your family will be happy to have you back, especially if you left them with plenty of assignments.

Aquarius [Jan. 21 – Feb. 18] – The main things you need to do today are relax and enjoy your day. You may be feeling a bit under the weather and have a trip coming up that doesn’t exactly thrill you. Stay alert, because you may receive an important message today from someone far away. You may also have a visitor arriving from out of town.

Pisces [Feb. 19 – March 20] – Cupid may have struck you unawares. Your libido could be in high gear today and you’re ready for love. You look and feel great. Try your best to reach the one you love. If it isn’t possible to get together this evening, see if you can plan a romantic interlude soon. If all else fails, dive into a romance novel and escape that way.

Aries [March 21 – April 20] – Today you may come down from your recent high with a thud. If you feel irritable dealing with everyday chores, you’re not alone. Your mood may be exacerbated by a visit from an even grumpier friend. If you’re feeling cooped up with the detritus of family life, take a break and go for a long walk to clear your head and raise your spirits. Tomorrow is another day.

Taurus [April 21 – May 21] – Today may be taken up with doing a lot of last-minute errands. You may be called on to referee a dispute among colleagues, relatives, or neighbours. Depending on the nature of the spat, you may be able to broker a temporary truce, but don’t be too hard on yourself if tempers simmer despite your best efforts. Try and make relaxation a priority.

Gemini [May 22 – June 21] – Are you experiencing a shopping hangover today? Are you worried that you outdid yourself despite your best intentions? Don’t fret. You’ll be back on track soon. Cash will begin flowing again and your lifestyle won’t suffer. Instead of worrying about money, pay attention to your creative outlets. Follow that instinct and see where it takes you!