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Highlands celebrating 25 years of incorporation

Event features a video look at the District’s history
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Bob McMinn, the first mayor, is looking forward to the District’s 25th-anniversary celebrations on Saturday, Nov. 24. (Photo submitted)

Rick Stiebel/News staff

The fact they had the foresight to record the inaugural meeting 25 years ago will add an interesting layer of history to Highlands’ birthday celebration.

It’s fitting that Bob McMinn, the District of Highlands’ first mayor, will take part in the District’s 25th-anniversary celebration on Saturday, Nov. 24 at Highlands Community Hall. McMinn, who served as mayor from 1993 to 1999, is pleased the video recorded at the first meeting is available to be shared. Incorporation was the result of a lot of hard work by a committee of eight or nine residents, McMinn recalled. “It had a proper grassroots basis.”

Looking back on what has evolved during the past quarter of a century, McMinn said he’s pleased that efforts that began in 1993 to ensure Highlands had an abundance of green space have taken root and flourished. “We have about 40 per parkland,” he noted. “I think that’s rather unique in North America.”

The celebration gets underway at 2:30 p.m. when the doors open for residents and guests to mingle over tea, coffee, juice, canapes and finger foods. The tables in the community hall at 729 Finlayson Arm Rd. will be filled with exhibits highlighting Highlands’ history.

Some of the District’s dignitaries and residents will share a few words with those in attendance at 3:30, including acknowledgment of the volunteer spirit that makes Highlands a special place. That will be followed by the cutting of the birthday cake, which will be one of the highlights of the day, McMinn said with a chuckle. A video depicting the history of the Highlands, including interviews with former mayors, will be presented from 4 to 4:25 p.m.

Those in attendance will get another opportunity to chat and get reacquainted until it is dark, at which time the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department will put on a fireworks show.

“I hope we have a great turnout,” McMinn said. “It should be quite interesting.”


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rick.stiebel@goldstreamgazette.com