Alaska Highway Newspaper

06/11/2025

06/11/2025

The countdown to our Christmas Market opening reception is on! Support local this holiday season at Peace Gallery North. Every year Peace Gallery North gathers together some of our most prolific artists to put on a month long Christmas Market. Drink hot chocolate, browse the store, meet some of the artists and be merry with us at the opening reception of this year’s market on Friday, November 28th at 6:00. The market will be on every day during the gallery’s regular hours of Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-5pm until December 23rd. Peace Gallery North will also be holding special Christmas Eve hours on December 24th from 10am-1pm.

06/11/2025

Young Ron Yipp sits on Rene Dhenin’s original taxi on what is now 100th Ave in this photograph. The taxi in the photo is decked out with royal union flags (Union Jacks) possibly for Dominion Day. Note Glacier Drugstore in the background.

This photo is taken within a few years of the Yipp family moving to Fort St. John in 1947. Queenie and George Yipp moved to work at the Condill Cafe with Ron’s Uncles – Doug, George, and Chuck Mah. They later bought the café from the Mahs. Queenie and George brought their two young boys, Ken and Ron (and later had a daughter, Sheila).

Rene Dhenin ate at the Condill Cafe all the time and got to know the Yipps well (hence letting Ron sit on his taxi!) This photo was just the beginning of Ron’s connection to Rene.

Ron recalled. “One year my Dad had to have an operation so Mom had to run the cafe and look after my brother and I who were 9 & 10 years old. Rene… asked Mom why she looked so worried. She said that my dad had to have an operation and she didn’t know what to do with us. Rene said: “well if you don’t mind them getting a little dirty, I’ll take them to the ranch.” At that time he owned a ranch at Starter Creek at the north end of Charlie Lake. We went there and watched Rene break a string of pack horses for a big hunting party that he was guiding for.”

The following year Rene bought the ranch on the Peace River. Ron and Ken went there for the summer. Ken didn’t like the ranch and didn’t go back. Ron worked with Rene as a cowboy:

“I would usually go down to the ranch for cattle roundup, branding and occasionally horse roundup and did this almost every year for 30 years. I also spent several summers riding a hay rake, fencing, building corrals, cutting fence posts and cleaning cow s**t up to my knees from cow sheds. The one year that I did that my Mom wouldn’t let me in the house until after I had stripped all my clothes off outside. My Dad could never understand why a nice Chinese boy would pick cow s**t and horses over waiting on tables.”

Ron donated this photograph to the museum in 2025.

06/11/2025

❄️✨ Your idea could be part of Winter Fest 2026!

The City of Fort St. John, with our community partners, is offering Micro Grants up to $1,200 to support independently organized Winter Fest Activities happening all February long!
Whether it’s a curling bonspiel, art workshop, jam night, or snowshoe adventure — we want to help you bring your ideas to life.
Hosting a Winter Fest Activity is a great way to:

• Connect with the community 💙
• Showcase your business or organization
• Celebrate winter together!

All funded activities will be featured in the official Winter Fest Schedule and promoted on the City’s website, social media, and print materials.

📅 Apply by December 6, 2025 and help make Winter Fest unforgettable!
👉 https://f.mtr.cool/mblgugbpte

06/11/2025

🎅✨ We still can’t stop smiling about last year’s winning Santa Claus Parade Float. Entered by Haab Ventures Ltd. and Jocks Carpet Care & Restoration and complete with suspended reindeer! 🦌

Does your business or organization have a fun, festive idea for this year’s parade? 🎁 The Float Application is now open, and we can’t wait to see your creativity light up the streets of Fort St. John! And don’t forget to save the date, the City of Fort St. John Santa Claus Parade and Tree Light up is happening on Saturday, December 6!

Float Application Deadline: December 1, Apply today:
👉https://f.mtr.cool/ksazlqxojp

03/11/2025

Join us as we honor those who gave their lives for our freedom at Taylor’s annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. The service will feature the Color Guard March, special guest speakers, and will conclude with a light lunch.

Order your wreath from the Fort St. John Royal Canadian Legion or the Community Services Hub. Please ensure to have all wreaths brought to the Community Services Hub by Friday, November 7th, at 4:30pm.

If you would like to participate in the March or have questions, call the Community Services Hub at 250-789-2828.

03/11/2025

Today the Artist Spotlight is on Karen Heathman. Karen is one of our best sellers at the Gallery and it's no wonder given the beautiful pieces she creates. We carry a variety of her mugs, bowls, and other home goods- all of which have recently been restocked!

03/11/2025

03/11/2025

03/11/2025

Great game tonight as the Huskies add another W to the win column!🔥

🚨Willms
🍎Burgher
🍎Ungstad

🚨Hoskyn
🍎Ungstad

🚨Hoskyn
🍎Ungstad
🍎Lequiere

🚨Bookham
🍎Alexander

🚨Bourgeois
🍎Batchelor
🍎Flodell