The Stettler Public Library hosted a launch party on Saturday, Jan. 17, to celebrate the upcoming Stettler & District History book set.
The event drew local residents, contributors & community leaders to highlight the efforts of 40 to 50 volunteers who’ve spent the past nine years compiling the region’s history.
Stan Eichhorn of the Stettler & District History Book Committee, said the project is now seeking pre-orders to move ahead with printing.
“We’ve asked for $200 as a pre-order amount, & have said the set of books will not exceed $400.”
According to Eichhorn, the book set will include more than 1,200 local family histories, along with excerpts from over 1,000 Stettler area businesses.
He noted preserving this information was the key motivation behind the project.
“There’s a lot of information that is being lost over time that we thought should be put down in print so that it’s available for the future,” Eichhorn said.
“No question, we’re into the tens of thousands of hours as far as volunteer time is concerned.”
Stettler Mayor Gord Lawlor & County of Stettler Reeve Larry Clarke attended the launch to commend the volunteers & committee members for their work.
Lawlor reflected on the community value of the project, noting that the books will serve as a long-term record for future generations.
“When I’m gone, that’s going to provide them with the knowledge of what our family brought to this community for 30 years,” Lawlor said.
“This book set goes back decades & decades to when Stettler was incorporated in 1906.”
Eichhorn adds once the pre-order target is reached, the books should move quickly into production.
Printing is anticipated to take up to one month, followed by a few months for hand-binding.
“We’ve asked the bookbinder to do 200 sets at a time so that we can start offering the books as soon as he’s done, then the next 200, & carry on that way.”
More information on the project, including pre-order details, is available at www.stettleranddistricthistorybook.com.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
