In the days of the pioneers when horses were the primary mode of transportation and the Town of Rimbey existed only on the peripheral edge of development, three brothers came to the area to begin a new life.
These men, Ben, Jim and Sam Rimbey played an integral role in creating the urban centre which was to bear their name.
As it turns out, this little nugget of history was of particular interest to Scott Cummings, a man living in Redding, California. After learning about his family lineage, he discovered his family roots were linked to these long ago pioneers.
“My mom was Marjorie Rimbey,” he said. “Her dad was Carol Rimbey and his great, great uncle was Jacob. Jacob was father to those three boys.”
Although Scott Cummings had never even been to Canada, much less Rimbey, he was fascinated with the story. This year he and his wife Cathi decided to make the trip to the town his ancestors had helped build.
“We just decided to go and check out Rimbey, Canada,” he said. “And here we are.”
The couple rolled into town last Tuesday, checking in at the Best Western Hotel.
Their first impression was that of a small town, much smaller than they had originally anticipated.
“We thought the population was around 6,000,” he said.
The couple have toured the Beatty House, Pas Ka Poo Park and the cemetery and checked out a few eateries. On Wednesday they stopped by the Rimbey Review office.
They said they were impressed with the friendliness that has been shown them, the cleanliness of the town, and the industry in the area.
“There is a great deal of friendliness,” said Cathi. “Everyone has treated us so very well.”
They also like the fact people don’t seem to be in a rush and are willing to stop and chat.
On their way to Rimbey, the Cummings traveled through Banff National Park. They loved the mountains and the glaciers.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as fantastic as the Canadian Rockies,” said Scott. “And the glaciers are majestic.”
The change from Fahrenheit to Celsius and from miles to kilometers has presented somewhat of a challenge for the California couple. They also noted the cost of a Budweiser Beer is quite a bit higher.
But they found food prices comparable and they noted the meals they were served were delicious.
Overall, their stay in Rimbey was enjoyable and full of unexpected acts of kindness and delightful moments to be remembered.
They especially enjoyed Pas Ka Poo Park.
“The buildings were awesome and they each had their own smell that belonged to days gone by,” said Scott.