Story and photos by Marg Seregelyi
Valley East is having a year long party in 2004 as it celebrates its 100th birthday.
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CLAUDETTE LAHTI-OUWENS, chair of the Valley East Heritage Committee, sits in front of the Valley East 100th Anniversary Celebration sign on Hwy. 69 N. |
The fastest growing community in the City of Greater Sudbury is now home to almost 30,000 residents and many of them are planning to participate in the some of the 100th anniversary celebrations set for the next few months.
Over 100 families settled in the Main St. area of Blezard Valley during the turn of the century, which marked the beginning of what would become Valley East decades later.
Valley East now consists of Val Caron, Hanmer, Val Therese and McRae Heights.
For many who live in and love Valley East, it has become a community within a city as there is affordable housing, outstanding recreational facilities, fine restaurants and shopping and an outstanding quality of life. It?s also a great place to raise children.
The planning for the 100th anniversary party began more than six years ago back in 1997.
?It?s not easy to do a year long celebration,? says Claudette Lahti-Ouwens. chair of the Valley East Heritage Committee.
The committee?s first mandate was to publish the History of Valley East Book.
It was launched in September 2002 with 3,000 printed copies. The committee collected over 2,000 photographs from the community and more than 900 were used in the book.
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Henri St. Germain of St. Germain Farm Museum on Dominion Drive in Hanmer will open its doors May 21 as part of the year-long celebrations. |
?The second mandate was the archive,? explains Lahti-Ouwens. ?The City of Greater Sudbury is now in the process of incorporating the Valley East archive into a digitalized project. Valley East (archiving) is being done this year because of the celebration.?
The project called A Living Legacy will allow photos to be downloaded by members of the public.
The third mandate was to come up with the framework and a list of community events for the 2004 anniversary celebration.
Five of the Heritage Committee members currently volunteer their time to organize the long series of events being planned over the coming months.
Many local Valley East businesses, organizations, religious groups and schools have jumped on board with the celebrations. A dance at The Old Age
Club in Hanmer will have people dancing in era costumes May 8. The St. Germaine Farm Museum in Hanmer is opening its doors May 21.
Greater Sudbury Modelers in Hanmer will have their Grand Opening with a radio controlled aircraft show and barbecue July 3 and 4.
Junior and Senior Kings and Queens have been crowned and a parade is being planned for September.
More businesses and organizations are continuing to add to the list of events at no cost. ?We provide the calendar of events and the billboards to advertise the event,? said Lahti-Ouwens.
She describes the celebration as ?a community coming together and harvesting the spirit. It?s really given them a medium to come together.?
Anyone wishing to add to the list of events can e-mail to [email protected] or phone Claudette Lahti-Ouwens at 897-2113.
