Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. South
  3. Local News

From Blacktop to Black Gold, making history

A lunch was held at Memorial Hall May 16 in honour of the new addition of the Carlyle history book. The lunch began at 11:30 a.m. With several fresh choices of soup, sandwiches and desserts available for purchase.
By Jessica Mees
GN201210305259967AR.jpg
L-R: Michael Johnson, Pat Anderson and Lois DeGeer, winners of the book naming , pose with the cake decorator Jennifer Sedor.Jessica Mees

A lunch was held at Memorial Hall May 16 in honour of the new addition of the Carlyle history book.

The lunch began at 11:30 a.m. With several fresh choices of soup, sandwiches and desserts available for purchase. All of the food was made by volunteers and proceeds went towards publishing the new book.

The attendance was supportive, reaching over 50 people of all ages from the community.

"It's your project, it belongs to the people of Carlyle" said Lynn Brady, one of the women working on the project.

The book already features over 200 family histories, as well as stories of local business' and groups from 1982- 2012.

It cannot move to publication at Friesen of Altona printers in Manitoba until at least half the financial goal of $ 75,000 is reached. Donations can be made to Carlyle District History Book at box 2013 or a book can be reserved with a down payment of $60. You can continue to watch the funds progress on the large thermometer sign on Main Street.

Suggested names included from Blacktop to Memory Lane; Blacktop to Laptops; Blacktop and Beyond; Blacktop Eternal; From Blacktop and Beyond; Blacktop to History Beyond; Blacktop to Black Gold ; Blacktop to the Future and Blacktop to Cyberspace.

The official naming of the book took place at the wonderful luncheon and the name was displayed on a beautiful cake, decorated by Jennifer Sedor.

The unveiling took place at 12:30 p.m. and included the announcement of the winner of the naming contest; Michael Johnson. Although 2 other people also thought of the winning name, From Blacktop to Black Gold, only one could get the prize of a free copy of the book.

"Can you believe three people thought of the same name?," Johnson said shocked. "It seemed obvious to me for a name because of what the oil brings to this town. The growth we have seen in the past few years is huge. The businesses do well because of the oil and people now build houses here and buy houses at higher prices."

A contest is still currently going on for the cover sketch, and all ages are invited to participate. The winner will also be awarded one of the new books.