Ghost # 8

    Our city recently finished a major bus terminal and parking facility. It was a project completed over a ten year period. 

   Before our city started it's own public transit system in the 1960's, a  private company provided limited service. At that time the city was less than 20000 in population. 

    A couple provided the service. Gordon drove the bus and his wife ran a small restaurant /bus terminal. The wife was the director /scheduler/operator/ticket seller and was energetic and well liked.

  So the city fathers thought that our new transit terminal should have a name so it was decided to call it Sorensen Station after the couple who operated the little bus system.

    The statue is placed outside the new bus terminal and is called Waiting for Gordon. I think the artist caught the energy this women had to run a very original and creative business.

A working woman with a cup of coffee ready for Gordon

This lady got things done.

Ghost #7

    This statue was made to honor Hazel Braithwaite who was a leader in early women's movements. In 1926 she pushed her way by men who were attempting to stop her from voting in the provincial election.

    Hazel belonged to many organizations that helped people and had roots to the agricultural industry. Hazel ran for the Alberta legislature in 1965. Hazel died in 1989.

    This sculpture certainly shows her determination to bring about changes that would benefit all people. And all people included women and all people would be equal.

A very powerful lady who could get things done.

I can't find out what the female sculpture in her hands means.

Ghost #6

    Ghost # 6 was to honor Keith Mann who was a band leader and music instructor in Red Deer. Keith was extremely active in the local college music program as well as community bands. He was active in local, provincial, national and international professional associations. Music was everything to Keith.

    Now Keith was a very energetic and active person. I'm disappointed with this statue as it doesn't get at the key part of Keith. 

    Sadly Keith was killed in a motor cycle accident. He was a great loss to music and our community.

    The statue is called Let the Music Begin

Ready for the music to start.

Looking to see that everybody was ready.

Ghost #5

    The fifth ghost done was to keep the story of Red Deer's most famous pig alive. Francis had been delivered to the local abattoir and escaped. He was on the loose for several weeks and was very difficult to catch. It was winter so he could be tracked. He was bated with food but would not take the bait. Finally they say him and used a tranquilizer dart. A local farmer took Francis, but Francis died a few days later because the tranquilizer dart had injured internal organs. 

    So the story of Francis was gripping but ended sadly. So this ghost honors poor old Francis.

Francis charging through the brush

Francis evading the trappers

Ghost #4

      Ghost number four is called Sounding the Alarm. It's  a tribute to local firefighters. There was a large tragic fire here in 1904 and after that the local fire department was formed.

      This is the most elaborate of all the statues as it has four separate figures and the fire wagon. 

      Sound the Alarm sits in front of the children's library which was at one time the main fire hall and before that an armory.

The the left side shows the  first phase of the local library . On the right is the old fire hall with Sound the Alarm right at to corner.  The brick building with the tower was the old fire hall.

Harnessing some high strung horses.

I think the artist caught the excitement in this statue with the horses and men getting ready to go to a fire.

The driver was doing all he could to keep control of his horses.

Ghost #3

    The third ghost on the series is Francis Galbraith who established our local paper in 1906.

    Here he is reading his hot off the press paper and having a cup of coffee. 

   To me the artist caught the editor deep in thought while reading an article in his paper.

Yes, I got it right!