Cedar log home destroyed in blaze near Okotoks
By Gillian Beckett and Cindy Ballance
Wheel Staff
Memories of a vast art collection is all a mother and son have left after their
house was destroyed after a weekend fire.
On Aug. 20, DeWinton resident Pat Wilkinson returned home from a brief errand in
Okotoks to find nothing left of her 2,400-square-foot cedar log house but smoke,
ashes and smoldering beams.
According to deputy fire chief Rob Mackenzie of the Okotoks fire department, fire
crews from Okotoks and Calgary were called out to the fire scene about 10:45 am where
they found the house fully engulfed in flames.
'The cause (of the fire) is determined as a result of a gas fire range,' explained
Mackenzie.
Throughout the day, fire crews fought to save what little was left of the 30-year-old
house and to contain the blaze away from surrounding trees, a secondary residence
and out-buildings. Mackenzie explained that fire crews were also concerned with the
fire's proximity to Sandstone Coulee. Fire crews had to use water sources from Willowside
Farms in their fight to contain the fire.
'It was a defensive attack right from the start,' said Mackenzie, who added that
crews were on scene until about 6:30 pm that night.
However, efforts to save the house were in vain as the blaze gutted the house's interior,
resulting in the destruction of an extensive art collection and the death of one
cat belonging to a boarder at the house.
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Son Campbell Wilkinson said that the fire has left the family devastated considering the irreplaceable items that were consumed by the blaze.
'The inside of the house was like a museum,' said Wilkinson, who added that the art collection contained numerous antiques, carvings and Eskimo art. 'The whole family is devastated because of the fact that what we lost is definitely irreplaceable.'
Damage to the house is estimated in excess of $300,000 for the loss of house structure and its contents.
While Wilkinson explained that the family will rebuild the house as soon as possible, it will be impossible to rebuild 15 years worth of what was lost in the fire.
'We will rebuild but it will never be the same,' said Wilkinson.
As the Wilkinsons piece their home together, surrounding neighbors are also offering their support.
'The neighbors have been fantastic,' said Wilkinson. 'The door (to our home) has always been open before and it's open still.'
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Home destroyed
Okotoks fire fighters with the assistance of the Calgary fire department battled a fire which destroyed a 30-year-old cedar log home northwest of Okotoks Sunday morning. Damage is estimated at more than $300,000.
Students head back to class in one week
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
Students from across the Foothills have one more week of fun under the summer
sun until it is time to return to school.
Although some students may be suffering from the summertime blues while anticipating
10 months of homework and the occasional squeal of chalk across the chalkboard, those
blues will undoubtedly subside once students get back into the swing of things during
the first week of school.
For students attending schools within the Foothills School Division (FSD) and the
local Christ The Redeemer School Division (CRSD) classes will begin on Aug. 30 for
all schools.
However, for those who are new to the area and wish to register their children, most
Foothills schools will be open today (Wednesday).
While students spend these last few days of summer holidays looking forward to a
great school year, both school division boards are also anticipating a great year.
'There are many things I look forward to this year,' said FSD superintendent Jim
McLellan. 'One is the three-year planning process where we will be going back into
the community, talking to students and staff to see what they expect (in FSD).'
Another aspect McLellan said he looks forward to is the pilot French Immersion program
which will be available at Percy Pegler Elementary School in Okotoks.
'I'm really looking forward to the initiation of the French Immersion program in
our system,' said McLellan.
'The numbers (of enrolled students) continue to grow. We already have 24 students
and we expect the numbers will increase.'
With students being introduced to another exciting school year in the FSD on Aug.
30, McLellan explained that FSD staff will be treated to a 'welcome-back' of their
own.
On Aug. 28, Highwood High School in High River will be hosting a morning of laughter
for all FSD employees.
The day will begin at 8:30 am with breakfast followed by opening remarks from FSD
chairperson Carolyn Kaiser, McLellan and Doug Anderson, president of Alberta Teachers'
Association #16.
Then at 10 am to 11 am, the laughter really kicks off when featured speaker, comedian
Jebb Fink, hits the stage with his presentation of 'Education -- The Far Side.'
'It's intended to be a light day to kick off the school year,' said McLellan.
He added that on the same day, an orientation will be held at the division office
in High River for new staff from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
