Well it is officially the last weekend before Christmas therefore, everyone make sure you swarm the malls and grocery stores this weekend or it won't feel like that "time of year."
Before you go into pure anxiety trying to get all those last minute items, let me ease some stress with another Friday Find from Stockmen's Memorial Foundation ready to hypnotize those eyes.
This week I bring you the story of Mr. Norman Edge.
Norman was born in 1904 to William and Sarah Edge. His father grew up working as a cowhand on numerous ranches. Before his father met his mother it was common for two or more bachelors to live together during the winter months. This allowed for some company, some card playing and work being divided in terms of cutting firewood. Many a time his father enjoyed riding to dances in Morley and Spruce Dale and he also attended Literary Society meetings in the Jumping Pond School. It was here where he would meet his future bride and the pair would elope and be married in Calgary on April 9, 1894.
Norman's parents proved to be rather fond of one another seeing as he was the second boy of a family of six sons and two little ladies. For the entirety of his life, Norman called Brushy Ridge his home. He grew up around horses and remembers a simple time where ultimate bliss would be found sitting atop an old horse in the yard.
It wasn't long before that the rodeo bug got Norman, just like it got many other great ranchers and farmers out there. Any spare time he had was spent practising his riding skills on steers and reluctant horses. He eventually entered several stampedes with his brother Ollie and, so it began.
When Norman was 20 he competed in his first Calgary Stampede. For the next 13 years, Norman wouldn't miss a Stampede and won constant competitions in bareback riding and other various events. He was extremely proud of his feats and as was his family. One of the most memorable moments in Norman's rodeo career was when he rode in the White Stadium in London, England.
After hanging up his hat from competition and rodeo, Norman spent the next 15 years judging many events at the Calgary Stampede. With a slew of trophies and prizes under his belt, Norman was no stranger to the Stampede and would ultimately be inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame at the age of 48.
At 36, Norman built a home and it was here, in front of the fireplace that overlooked a stunning view of the west where he would say "I do" to his better half, Claudia Lynn. The couple went on to have three boys all of whom continue to keep those agricultural roots deeply embedded.
Another proud accomplishment for Norman was riding in the Hooves of History cattle drive through Cochrane. Although he was one of the oldest participants at 86, he was a happy soul being able to be part of it. Norman said goodbye to friends, family and the good old rodeo in 1996.
92 years were dedicated to living that rodeo dream and that ranching lifestyle, all while keeping loved ones close. It can be said that in those 92 years, no regrets were had.
Chrissy Da Silva's weekly Stockmen's Memorial Foundation Friday Find column will now also be featured in our weekly Thursday newspaper. You can still get a preview of the column every Friday morning on www.cochranetoday.ca
