It is the car that cemented the love affair with the open road. After more than 100 years since they first rolled out of the factory, a dedicated group of enthusiasts takes the time to piece together Henry Ford’s most celebrated creations.

Members of the Foothills Model T Ford Club were through the valley last Friday evening. This was Dino-Tour 2 and they were on excursion through Central Alberta.

Vice president of the Club, Art Bent, explains that about 14 cars were at the Last Chance Saloon in Wayne, including Joe DeMott’s local Model T. The Club was on a four-day tour that began in Calgary, headed through Crossfield and then Carbon. After a night’s stay in the valley, they continued on to Stettler and Buffalo Lake before heading back to Calgary. He said the Club completed the first Dino-Tour about 14 years ago.

There was a wide selection of cars in Wayne last Friday night; from delivery trucks to touring cars and even racers.

One unique ride was long time member Robb Wolff’s Fairground Racer.  He explains when the first generation of Model T were aging, young drivers would strip them down to the bare essentials and race them around the farmyard, and eventually at fairs. 

Wolff explains that in 1941 a Lions Club-sponsored race was held at the Calgary Stampede Grounds to raise funds for War Orphans. It was a hit, partially due to the pari-mutuel betting. This race was staged for 10 years.

Wolff’s racer took parts from different vintages of Model T’s and even some farm components to make up his unique ride.

While the vehicles on the tour varied in years and from model to model, they all spark something universal in their owners. 

“You go though life slowly and enjoy the scenery as you go,” said Wolff. “I think we all have a hunter-gatherer gene. You are always looking for parts, gathering, trying to make it better. With the Model T, these are the common man’s car, and the people in the club are just common guys. There are millionaires and paupers, you don’t know which is which.” 

Police continue to investigate the events of early Sunday morning where RCMP received upwards of 13 complaints from residents of the valley related to theft and damage to property. 

The Mail reported on the theft of a truck  and trailer during this period of time, however, it appears on that evening the police had their hands full.

“We are looking into all of these calls and gathering all the evidence,” said Sergeant Kevin Charles. “We are plugging away on all of these files.”

Shortly before 4 a.m. on July 24, RCMP received a complaint of erratic driving in East Coulee. While police were responding to this initial call, five more calls for service were received. These were related to driving complaints within East Coulee and near the Hoodoo Campground. The suspect vehicle was reported to be speeding and spinning its tires. There were reports of loud noises and damages to property, possibly caused by collisions.

It is believed that this truck was the one stolen from Midland and found burning in a back alley near the Canalta Jurassic Hotel.

Over the next few hours, another five more calls for service were received regarding damage to property in the east part of the valley. There were damages to a gate, an oil and gas site and property at the Atlas Coal Mine. There was also damage to a vehicle at the Hoodoo Campground.

Charles tells inSide Drumheller, they are actively working on the file and believe the culprits may be just passing though.

“Of course we have our local criminals who make bad decisions but this isn’t a case of locals preying on locals. A lot of our property crime is travelling criminals,” he said.

Police are actively investigating all of these complaints and would ask anyone who witnessed any of these events to please call Drumheller RCMP at 403-823-7590 if you have not yet spoken with an officer.