Red Deer's Ghost Hunters

Bijna twee jaar geleden hadden Aydee en Yvonne al het plan om the ghost tour in Red Deer te volgen. Verspreid door het centrum van Red Deer staan 10 bronzen beelden, allemaal met een verhaal gerelateerd aan de stad. Vandaag kwam het er dan eindelijk van. In alle rust rondsnuffelen door het centrum, en zoeken naar de beelden. Op deze manier ontdekten we meerdere leuke plekjes van Red Deer. We hebben een uitstap gemaakt naar het LoftHuus (een gebouw dat door de Noorse Gemeenschap is gebouwd en wordt gerund); hebben het nieuwe Waterspetterpark gezien; hebben heerlijk gelunched bij Fretters; het mooie plantsoen van de gemeentetuin bekeken, enz. enz. Maar het belangrijkste van alles, we hebben enorm gelachen. Hieronder de foto's van de beelden en de uitleg erbij. Sorry dat het dit keer niet in het Nederlands is.:

Plattegrond van de toer 

 Sound the alarm! (1999)

Excitement and tension were a big part of fire fighting in Red Deer's early days, as men and horses were called to action. The excited horses in this bronze can hardly be restrained as they are being hitched to the fire wagon and the driver hurries to throw his coat on. 

 Norwegian Laft Huus (geen onderdeel van de toer dus!) vlakbij:

 Reaching Out (1999)

A brother helps his younger sister climb onto a granite boulder. In this 1940s scene, the girl wears a leg brace, the result of polio. The sculpture was created to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Down town Rotary Club and to draw attention to Rotary Internationals's PolioPlus program.

 Francis the pig. (1998)

The legend of Francis began in 1990 when he escaped from a local abattoir. For nearly five months the fugitive roamed Red Deer's parkland, eluding predators and several attempts to catch him. This freedom-loving pig was finally caught in 1991. Unfortunately, Francis succumbed to injuries he received in his capture. 

Choices!  (1995)

This railway worker confronts a dog that is standing on his hard-earned money. It is symbolic of how, after the Great Depression, many workers distrusted banks and wanted more control over their money. As a result, the credit union concept of banking became popular in the late 30s and early 40s.

Reverend Leonard Gaetz.  (1994)

 Reverend Gaetz one of Red Deer's early founding fathers, gazes down the main street of the town he helped create. The minister would often be found talking with members of the community on street corners - something he appears to be doing even to this day.

Hazel Braithwaite (2004)

In 1926, a determined young Hazel Braithwaite pushed her way through a crowd of men to exercise her right to vote. Thirty-nine years later, she was the New Democratic Party federal candidate. Braithwaite believed in women's equality and was a champion for those without a voice. (see the little statue in her hands)

 Francis Wright Galbraith (1996)

Francis Galbraith enjoys a coffee while reading his Red Deer Advocate. Galbraith became owner and editor of the Advocate in 1906. A newspaper man and a politician, Galbraith was the first mayor of the newly incorporated City of Red Deer 1913.

Let the music play! (2003)

An internationally acclaimed music director, Keith Mann, is shown here in the moment just before a concert. His hands are raised. A hush is falling over the audience. During Manns's 40-year career he conducted the Red Deer Royals Marching Show band and the Red Deer College Symphonic Winds.

 Transit Team!

 Waiting for Gordon! (2012)

Julietta Sorenson looks for her husband, Gordon, to arrive with the last bus of the day. In 1933, the Sorensens started a bus service in Red Deer and Red Deer County. They sold their town bus service to The City of Red Deer in the 1960s, leading to the city's current public transit system. 

Doris and Mickey (2004)

Doris Forbes' family found a mauled beaver in 1939 and nursed him back to health. Doris bonded with the beaver and the two became inseparable. Eventually Mickey was banished to the garage because he loved gnawing on the wooden furniture! After his story made national headlines, over 20.000 people visited the famous beaver.