Woman hopes to find local history buffs for children’s book project

Anyone who may be able to provide some historical background on Medicine Hat is wanted by a local resident for some children’s books.

“My goal is to share with our youngsters some of the interesting history of our local and regional area,” said Holly Enslen, who is hoping to talk with people who remember anecdotes or experiences about the Tabor Candy Company factory on Smelter Avenue, former students of St. Theresa Academy that once stood on the hill at the top of Altawana Drive, former staff of the Corona and Assiniboia hotels, city bus drivers of the 1950s and 1960s, those with memories or records of elementary school events in the 1930s to the early 1960s, those who remember the popular roller rink originally situated in Riverside and memories of Halloween — Medicine Hat Style — from the 1930s to the 1960s.

“I would also love to see any old photos of these locations (or others) that city residents are willing to share and perhaps allow me to copy,” said Enslen, who has worked with children for many years, including the past 13 as an educational assistant.

Her goal is to write children’s books with an historical theme.

It was while she was a Grade 3 student at Vincent Massey School that she had her first taste of history, and she loved it.

“Our class was taking a unit on the ‘Pioneers’ and from that time on my favourite thing to do was read historical memoirs and fiction as well as visit as many museums as possible,” said Enslen.

If you have information and photos that you believe may be of interest to Holly Enslen please telephone her at 403-527-8957 or email her: vhenslen@yahoo.ca