The photograph, sent by George Hodgins of Kennedy, Sask., is a black and white shot of two people and two calves. Writing on the front, faded to sepia, says the calves sold for $44.
Hodgins’ attached note indicates this particular photo has been to Italy and back, safe and sound. His mother sent it to his brother in about 1943 while he was fighting in the Second World War.
Such is the quality of fascinating material being sent to The Western Producer for its Birthday Book, which is a series of weekly advertisements featuring words and photos from readers. We’ve asked you to share your stories to help us celebrate our 80th anniversary and the response has been both educational and heartwarming.
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“I wish you a happy birthday and hope you can keep informing farmers on many new ideas,” wrote the gracious Helen Kane of Watrous, Sask.
Michael Kleinser of Biggar, Sask., sent this note: “The Western Producer is the only paper where you can find anything and everything …”
Wrote Elmer Armstrong of Virden, Man.: “Though I am a retired farmer and almost 80 myself, I still find many items of interest, especially letters to the editor.”
Barbara Wurz of Barons, Alta., sent a hilarious photo of her niece being licked nearly raw by an affectionate puppy. “How could farmers be without your paper,” asks Wurz in her attached note. “We enjoy it and it brings us many hours of reading and advice.”
Willie DeBackere of Yorkton, Sask., says the Producer helped him learn English after he emigrated from Holland as a youngster.
Marilyn Noble of Lloydminster, Alta., sent an amazing photo of a coyote that actually climbed a tree in pursuit of a magpie.
Willie Hildebrandt of Carstairs, Alta., sent a photo of three generations of Hildebrandts: Willie, Alan, Austin and Joshua look happy perched on a huge load of straw, their blue jeans the same shade as the prairie sky.
You’ll see some of these submissions in the weekly Birthday Book ad (this week it’s on page 116) but it is already evident that there won’t be room in an anniversary year’s worth of weekly ads for the wealth of material provided .
That’s why we’re happy to tell you there is room for it on the Western Producer website at www.producer.com. Visit the site and click on the Birthday Book icon at the top of the page. We’ll add material as it becomes available.
Allow us to share with you the wealth provided by so many Producer readers.
