Today in High Prairie! See what’s happening today in town, celebrity birthdays, local history, world history and your daily horoscope. Please send your birthdays and community events to southpeacenews@hotmail.com and/or spneditor@outlook.com.

What’s Happening Today – December 8, 2024

Attend the church of your choice.

1:30 p.m. – Enjoy cribbage games at the HP Golden Age Centre, 4824-53 Ave.

6:30 p.m. – Enilda & District Society for Rec & Culture meets at Enilda Bowling Alley.

Today’s Celebrity Birthdays – December 8, 2024

65 BC – Horace, Roman Poet

1765 – Eli Whitney, Cotton Gin Inventor

1861 – William C. Durant, Founded General Motors

1894 – E.C. Segar, Popeye Cartoonist

1899 – John Qualen, Casablanca Actor

1911 – Lee J. Cobb, On the Waterfront Actor

1925 – Sammy Davis Jr., Candy Man Singer

1933 – Flip Wilson, Flip Wilson Show

1936 – David Carradine, Kung Fu Actor

1937 – James MacArthur, Hawaii 5-0 Actor

1942 – Bobby Elliott, The Hollies Drummer

1943 – Jim Morrison, The Doors Singer

1946 – John Rubinstein, Boys from Brazil Actor

1947 – Gregg Allman, Allman Brothers Band

1948 – Jimmy Lai, Giordano Founder

1950 – Jimmy Farrar, Molly Hatchet Vocalist

1950 – Dan Hartman, Edgar Winter Group Musician

1953 – Kim Basinger, American Actress

1957 – Phil Collen, Def Leppard Guitarist

1964 – Teri Hatcher, Desperate Housewives Actress

1966 – Sinead O’Connor, Nothing Compares 2 U Singer

1968 – Michael Cole, WWE Broadcaster

1976 – Dominic Monaghan, Lord of the Rings Actor

1978 – Ian Somerhalder, Vampire Diaries Actor

1984 – Sam Hunt, Take Your Time Singer

1989 – Drew Doughty, Los Angeles King

This Day in Local History – December 8, 2024

Dec. 8, 1913: Jack Russell opens a blacksmith shop in Grouard.

Dec. 8, 1913: Verner Maurice is elected president of the Grouard Board of Trade.

Dec. 8, 1914: The High Prairie Board of Trade is formed at Thompson’s store with J.M. Cull as secretary.

Dec. 8, 1971: Alberta Government Telephones announces plans to remove its obsolete poles in High Prairie town limits.

Dec. 8, 1971: High Prairie RCMP request that town council set up a Highway Patrol in town.

Dec. 8, 1973: Tom Iannone scores five goals to lead the visiting High Prairie Regals to a 9-2 win over the Fairview Elks.

Dec. 8, 1977: The High Prairie Recreation Board agrees to set up an outdoor ice rink at Prairie River Junior High School.

Dec. 8, 1979: Five local teens are killed in an auto accident: Earl Chalifoux, 18, Dennis Belcourt, 17, Sandra Cardinal, 15, Raymond Bellerose, 15, and Joan Thibault, 13.

Dec. 8, 1984: For only the second time in 10 years, a team from the Smoky River area does not win the Divisional boy’s volleyball title. St. Andrew’s defeats Girouxville in the final 15-10, 15-12.

Dec. 8, 1984: Fort St. John’s Gene Johnston wins the men’s title and Falher’s Lynne Courchesne the women’s title at a badminton tournament held in High Prairie.

Dec. 8, 1987: Steven Matthews scores 17 seconds into the game and the High Prairie Regals go on to defeat visiting Grande Prairie 4-3.

Dec. 8, 1988: Steven Matthews scores in overtime to give the visiting High Prairie Regals a 7-6 win in Valleyview.

Dec. 8, 1990: Ken Asmussen scores twice as the visiting Manning Comets defeat the High Prairie Regals a 4-2.

Dec. 8, 1991: The Midnight Twilight Tourist Association announces they will build a new head office in St. Albert. Slave Lake and Kinuso had submitted bids for the office.

Dec. 8, 1991: Dale Campbell’s rink wins six of seven games and wins the Slave Lake Cash Bonspiel and $2,500.

Dec. 8, 1992: Ivan Cunningham scores four goals as the hometown High Prairie Regals defeat the Valleyview Jets 8-4.

Dec. 8, 1994: Peavine’s Al Anderson leaves the Slave Lake Wolves to play for the Lakeland Eagles.

Dec. 8, 1994: Kevin Clemens and Chris Gall each score twice in the first period and the visiting Peace River Stampeders go on to defeat the Lakeland Eagles 9-8.

Dec. 8, 2001: The High Prairie Regals suffer their worst-ever defeat in franchise history at Dawson Creek losing 21-1 to the Canucks.

Dec. 8, 2005: High Prairie fills a van in less than one minute in the Monahan Ford Hamper Scamper.

Dec. 8, 2005: Plains Marketing Canada holds an open house to celebrate the opening of its fractionation plant east of High Prairie.

Dec. 8, 2006: Debbie N. Willier, 41, dies in an accident at Enilda.

Dec. 8, 2010: The M.D. of Big Lakes approves raises in their monthly honourariums. The reeve’s is increased to $1,200 from $800 while the deputy reeve’s rises to $900 from $650 and councillors to $800 from $500.

Dec. 8, 2010: The M.D. of Big Lakes refuses a proposal from CAO Harvey Prockiw to close the office between Christmas and New Year’s.

Dec. 8, 2011: Hockey star Theo Fleury visits Peavine Bishop Routhier School and shares his life experiences with students.

Dec. 8, 2013: David Marx’s rink qualifies for the 2014 Alberta Master’s Provincials in Edmonton after winning two straight games at zones. Members of the rink include third Bernie Poloz, second Vic Shapka and lead Jerry Nessman.

Dec. 8, 2015: The three-time defending NPHL champion Spirit River Rangers come to town and hand the High Prairie Regals their eleventh straight loss to open the season 10-3.

Dec. 8, 2017: The High Prairie Regals are blanked 8-0 at Grande Prairie. It was the club’s third game in four days.

Dec. 8-9, 2017: The E.W. Pratt Chargers men’s team places second at the Tonesha Walker Basketball Tournament after losing 83-77 in the final to the High Level Bears. Meanwhile, the Lady Chargers also win silver after losing the final 60-44 to the Worsley Wildcats.

This Day in World History – December 8, 2024

1777 – Capt. James Cook leaves Society Islands.

1792 – First cremation in US: Henry Laurens.

1813 – Ludwig van Beethoven’s 7th Symphony in A, premieres in Vienna.

1869 – Timothy Eaton founds T. Eaton Co. Limited in Toronto.

1874 – Jesse James’ gang takes train at Muncie, Kansas.

1909 – Bird banding society found.

1915 – John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” appears in “Punch” magazine.

1931 – Coaxial cable patented.

1952 – First TV acknowledgement of pregnancy on I Love Lucy.

1962 – Funeral for Queen Wilhelmina of Holland.

1965 – Pope Paul VI signs second Vatican council.

1966 – US & USSR sign treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons in outer space.

1974 – Greek monarchy rejected by referendum.

1987 – Flyers’ Ron Hextall becomes first goalie to actually score a goal.

1992 – Galileo’s nearest approach to Jupiter [303 km].

1992 – NBC announces that “Cheers” will go off the air in May 1993.

2004 – South American Community of Nations established.

2012 – UN climate conference agrees to extend the Kyoto Protocol to 2020.

Today’s Horoscopes – December 8, 2024

Aries [March 21 – April 20] – An increased level of ESP and imagination could have you feeling more creative and artistic! You might want to channel this energy into writing, painting, or adding touches to your living room! You are likely to be especially attuned to the thoughts and feelings of others, particularly family! You could grow closer, especially if you sense what they need even before they do!

Taurus [April 21 – May 21] – An attractive neighbour with whom you seem to share a bond could become a friend! A group you are affiliated with could be expressing highly idealized goals and purposes! These goals are likely to be admirable, but they may not be all that realistic! Bear that in mind before committing to any course of action! You need more facts before you can proceed!

Gemini [May 22 – June 21] – Dreams of a new career could fill your mind today, perhaps because of too much stress in your current one! You might even think of becoming a movie star! Go for your dream if you feel it is what you want! Remember that any moneymaking enterprise, no matter how creative, is still a business! Make use of your natural business talent to find out what you need to know!

Cancer [June 22 – July 22] – Spiritual goals may be at the top of your priority list now! You may be looking for online metaphysical seminars or meditation workshops, perhaps taking place in a distant state or foreign country! You are likely to find it difficult to make a decision about any options right now! Whatever you are considering, make sure you know all the facts before making a choice of any kind!

Leo [July 23 – Aug. 23] – Lovely dreams could spark your imagination and get your artistic abilities going! You could learn a lot about yourself and whatever has been limiting you! Write down whatever comes your way so you can work with it later, but do not try to make sense of it today! Wait a while and then consider everything in a more practical light! You may be surprised at the difference in you!

Virgo [Aug. 24 – Sept. 22] – A new friend could arrive today! You are probably going to like this person very much! He or she probably shares many of your interests! You could become close friends! The downside is you are not likely to see anyone as they really are, only an idealized picture! When you meet this person, try to see the real person behind the mask and accept them as they are!

Libra [Sept. 23 – Oct. 23] – If you have been thinking about a job change or even a new career, a chance interaction could provide the opportunity! However, remember, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Get the facts as clearly as you can! Consider all the ins and outs before committing yourself or getting too excited about it! If you still want to pursue the opportunity, go for it!

Scorpio [Oct. 24 – Nov. 22] – A journey by air to a distant place might be on your mind, though you might not make it for a long time! Knowledge is important to you, and you can be insatiably curious! This is likely to be one of those days! A friend or lover could bring some new information that sparks your curiosity, perhaps something related to astrology or the occult! You will want to pursue it!

Sagittarius [Nov. 23 – Dec. 21] – The desire to beautify your home could hit you full force today! Perhaps you are expecting future visitors or house guests and want to make a good impression! You could prowl through online antique stores looking for knickknacks! You might set your sights on doing something a bit more ambitious than you originally planned! Enjoy yourself but be careful! You do not want to tire yourself out!

Capricorn [Dec. 22 – Jan. 20] – A new neighbour could arrive who you feel especially drawn to! You might have high hopes for a friendship with this person! He or she may seem especially congenial and share a lot of your interests, and this could seem almost too perfect! However, you are in just the mood to idealize new relationships, so do not get too excited until you get to know this person better!

Aquarius [Jan. 21 – Feb. 18] – You could be feeling especially sociable today! Maybe there is a virtual party of some kind you want to be invited to! You could hear some good news, and there is probably some truth to it, but take everything you hear through the grapevine with a grain of salt! Not everything you hear is based on fact! If you can, go to someone in a position to know and find out from him or her!

Pisces [Feb. 19 – March 20] – You are feeling especially loving, attractive, and romantic, so romance is likely to be on your mind! Romantic novels and movies could seem especially appealing! If you are currently involved, you will probably receive a lot of attention from your mate! If not, expect to receive admiring glances from those around you, including strangers! You could meet a potential date but take care to get to know this person before getting too excited!