The Hythe Minor Ball teams had a great season this year. There were players from 4 to 14 years of age. They learned not only slow pitch skills, but also a lot about playing as a team and showing great sportsmanship. Hythe Minor Ball is for fun, and fun was certainly had. Thanks to the dedicated coaches who came out every week and helped the kids grow as players. This year's coaches were: Brian Antonio, Greg Kjemhus, Courtney & Donna Besuyen, Loyd Bartsch, Byron Lowen and Stacey Schuett. Thank you to our team T-shirt sponsors G & S Pressure Truck, Tirecraft, Craig Hewitt Consulting, and Jim Third Contracting. Thanks also to Tags for sponsoring medallions for all the teams. The season came to a close with team BBQs and games against the parents. Hope to see you at the ball diamond next year!

BACK: Coach Brian Antonio, Caden Horseman, Ty Giebelhaus, Ryan Hewitt, Owen MacAulay, Coach Greg Kjemhus

FRONT: Jackson Alcock, Colton Tycholiz, Khai Lacey, Matthew Kjemhus, Sam Antonio

BACK: Coaches Courtney & Donna Besuyen

MIDDLE: Logan Kjemhus, Colton Hewitt, Randell Besuyen, Brennan Horseman, Layton Guise, Georgina Mineault, Tona Glover

FRONT: Justine Voss, Daymion Hounsell, Logan Tycholiz, Patrick Mineault, Maddison Peterson, Kiana Horseman

BACK: Coach Loyd Bartsch, Toni Savard, Alexandra Peterson, CJ Lind, Tyler Vig, Deanna Funk, Ryan Fletcher, Johnny Davis, Coach Byron Lowen

MIDDLE: Baeley Lowen, Troy Morgan, Matthew Peterson, Desmond Howe, Samantha Brozny, Kelsey Funk, Coach Stacey Schuett

FRONT: Riley Schuett, Ty Oakford

Laureen Dane hard at work

Laureen receives a semi load of furnishings selected by her in cooperation with architect Denzal Lobo and Chief Administrative Officer Arta Juneau. Final touches are being completed on the new wing at the Hythe Pioneer Home, which should be ready for occupancy very soon. The new medical clinic and pharmacy are expected to open by September 1, 2009. Laureen has done a wonderful job of interior decorating our new facility. She has concentrated on using as many local artisans as possible.

              Fortunately, the snow melted with amazing rapidity, and by the time the Open House started at 4:00 p.m., it was a mild, slightly windy day. The fact that it was too wet to work in the yard proved a boon for the library, as approximately 75 people came out to enjoy the festivities.

              After the speeches, and while the current and previous board members were having their pictures taken, people enjoyed coffee, cake, desserts, and the chance to visit. Those who were able to stick around (or who showed up late) got in on a barbecue, with EnCana providing both the barbecue and the burger flipper, Stan Vig.

              The Open House finished up with an author talk and slide show by Dawson Creek photographer Don Pettit. He talked about his book The Peace: a history in photographs, which was a fitting choice in the year that the area is celebrating 100 years of settlement. The room was packed and the audience attentive.

Submitted by Lori Hewitt

Well, I only have two newspaper editions (including this one) left to write in before the summer holidays, and I want to save the last one for a special story about a special lady. In this edition, I would like to showcase some of the local businesses that were started and operated here during the early years.

I have more pictures this time than I do stories, but I have been told by many people that they really enjoy the pictures that have been in the paper lately, so perhaps no one will complain.

Over the years, Hythe has been home to hotels, half way houses, cafés, restaurants, elevators, grocery stores, hardware stores, clothing stores, farm dealers, fuel stations, mills, banks, insurance agents, livery stables, schools, hospitals, an arena, post offices, garages, a train station, and many other businesses. Some still exist today, and some have vanished with the times -- but hopefully none will be forgotten. The pictures on this and the following page just go to show that Hythe has indeed had many businesses come and go over the years. All were built with great hopes for prosperous times and a better future for Hythe, and each contributed in its own way to the Hythe we live in today. This year, we are not only celebrating 100 years of settlement in Hythe and area, but on August 31st, 2009, Hythe itself will be 80 years old.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1. Hythe Half Way House (used before the 1920s)

2. Oakfords' Store, formerly owned by Salmers (note both water trough and fuel pumps out front)

3. Bird's eye view of Main Street, Hythe in the early years

4. 
   

5. Keep sending me your pictures and stories so I can have them available for all to see at the Fair on August 16th, and then later at the Tourist Information Centre. You can contact me (Lori Hewitt) at 780-356-3238 (evenings). To book a table at the Trade Show, please contact Debbie Oakford at 780-356-3921.

Submitted by Lori Hewitt

Well, I've learned a lot of history in a very short while, but I hope to learn even more. Please contact me at 780-356-3238 (evenings) if you have any pictures or stories you would like to share. They may not make it into the Headliner as there are only two more publications until summer, but they will for sure be on display at the Hythe Fair in August, as well as at the Tourist Information Booth after the Fair.

I received an interesting story about Cliff Henderson from Elaine Baker, but I will have to condense it for the paper. The complete story and pictures I received will be on display at the Fair, so please come down and check it out.

The story started off with the trail from Edson to Grande Prairie in 1910. It took A.H. McQuarrie, a government employee, one year to cut a path through more than 250 miles of dense forest and, of course, mud. Steep hills, such as Breakneck Hill, were treacherous, and even the snowshoe hares were enemies as the salt from sweat-soaked boots and horse equipment attracted them, and they would steal all the food at night. Swamp fever and hoof rot claimed many of the oxen and horses, and the mosquitoes drove both people and animals crazy. This led the settlers to favour travel in the winter months, even though they had to endure -40 degree weather, deep snow, having to melt snow for water, and trying to keep the snowshoe hares out of the water.

By the summer of 1911, a stagecoach started up and, for the price of $60.00, one person could travel from Edson to Grande Prairie. They could bring up to 60 lbs of luggage -- for an extra fee, of course. This journey would take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months.

On July 15th, 1911, a Land Office opened at Bear Creek, and Cliff filed on SW-19-73-10-W6M for the price of $10.00. On this day there were seven applications filed in Hythe. They were: Sidney Day, Walter Fizmarten, Carman "Cliff" Henderson, Oscar Lely, George O'Dell, Gabriel Tjensvold and Howard Tucker.

Cliff served in World War I at the age of 29. He arrived in England for combat training on October 14th, 1918, and the war ended on November 11th of the same year. After returning from the War, Cliff was granted a quarter section of land to farm through the Soldier Settlement Act, and went on to work with the Department of Public Works under A.H. McQuarrie as bridge foreman. On May 2nd, 1934, he married Josephine Gass, daughter of Ignatz and Katherine Gass.

1. Cliff Henderson during World War I

2. Cliff and Josie Henderson making their first garden in 1934

This year's skaters were: Kristin Dodd, Deanna Funk, Kelsey Funk, Layton Guise, Emily Harvey, Talia Harvey, Kiana Horseman, Owen MacAulay, Tyra MacKinnon, Sydney Morgan, Maddison Peterson, Karly Post, Arris Trottier, Ateya Trottier, Madison Williams and Matthew Williams. They all skated hard and had lots of fun. We would like to thank our coach, Cheryl Sterkenburg, and our assistant coaches Deanna and Kelsey Funk, for all their hard work this year.

We would also like to thank Dorothy Flaten and Darlene Stilwell for keeping us well-fed, and John Ross for keeping the ice nice and clean. We would also like to extend a big thank you to Marilyn Funk, the executive, and all of the hard-working parents. We would not be able to do it without you.

Come and join the fun next year. We look forward to seeing you!

Hythe PeeWees attend Provincials

The Hythe PeeWees were very excited to have earned the opportunity to attend Provincials in Hardisty, Alberta. The bus left on March 19th and the team played three very competitive games of hockey throughout the weekend. Their positive team spirit and strong work ethic won the team the Play Smart Award (Shaping Minds, Attitudes and Respect Together), which recognizes the good sportsmanship of the coaches, players and fans. Attending Provincials was a team-building experience the players will remember forever.

The players and parents would like to thank Lee Wiebe, Kenny Moon, Ross Hogg and Trevor Loberg for coaching and managing our team. Your endless hours of commitment to our children made this year a huge success. Your knowledge and enjoyment of hockey shone through our team.

Thank you to Andrew Tofteland for driving our bus to Provincials. We are grateful you brought us all home safely through the treacherous weather conditions.

Thank you to Hythe Tags (Sherri & Travis Peterson) for sponsoring team track suits. The team looked fantastic for Provincials!

Thank you to our sponsors for Provincials (Alliance Pipeline, Frank Baker, CIBC, CNRL, Dick's Sand & Gravel, Dowland Contracting, Hythe Elks, Hythe Golden Age Club, and Jackie & Lynn Wells), and everyone else who helped make this trip possible.

Finally, thank you to our fans -- the family and friends who cheered our team on. Go, Mustangs!

Here are a few of the things each of the students said about their morning:

Bailey - It was really fun building the wall roller coaster.

Brandon - I had a great but frustrating time. It was great, but the hill was the hard part.

Chelsey - I liked it so, so much I want to work there. It was so awesome.

Dustin K. - Thank you for a good time.

Dustin P. - I really loved to build the roller coaster.

Laura - I had a lot of fun. The only bad part is it kept falling, but I kept trying.

Logan - The only problem with ours was I was so tall, we made our track so steep that it fell off.

Neil - I really appreciated it. It was a blast.

Shania - It was fun making and helping out with roller coasters.

Shaylin - In some parts it was frustrating because my partner kept moving things, but for most of the time it was good.

Sterling - I had fun with you. I liked the part when I gave you a hug.

Sydney - I know everyone in my class loved it. I wish I had that stuff so I could build my own roller coaster because I think I would be very good at it.

Tassi - A lot were good. I wish you could come back soon.

Travis - It was fun, but hard to make.

Vincent - It was the fastest track I ever made with my friends.

TWO HYTHE MINOR HOCKEY TEAMS OFF TO PROVINCIALS!

Hythe Minor Hockey is proud to announce that both their ATOM MUSTANG and PEEWEE MUSTANG teams have been successful in making it to PROVINCIALS. The Atoms will be in Legal, AB from March 12th through 15th, and the PeeWees will be in Hardisty, AB from March 19th through 22nd, 2009.

We are proud of the teamwork, great sportsmanship and dedication all these players have shown this year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our coaches, who share in the success of both of these teams. We wish them lots of luck in their games, and hope their participation in Provincials turns out to be a great experience they'll always remember.

CONGRATULATIONS from all of Hythe Minor Hockey -- from the Executive, to the parents, to all the other players on each of the other teams.