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Donald Thorogood worked for many years at Angus Butler Engineering beginning as a draftsman in 1955 and eventually president in 1986. Don started Thorogood Enterprises Ltd. some time later.

The XI Commonwealth Games were held in Edmonton from August 3-12, 1978. Almost 2,000 athletes and officials from 46 countries, as well as a large number of tourists, gathered in Edmonton to enjoy "the friendly games". The event was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in front of 43,000 spectators in Edmonton's new Commonwealth Stadium. The athletic events and associated cultural activities focused world-wide attention on the city of Edmonton and provided an enormous boost to the local economy. As well as Commonwealth Stadium, other facilities were constructed especially for the games, including the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre, the Strathcona Shooting Range, and the Coronation Park Lawn Bowling Greens.

The idea of bidding to host the Commonwealth Games began as early as 1970 and involved close cooperation between three different levels of government. The Government of Canada contributed $12 million, as well as various services. The Provincial Government and the City of Edmonton each contributed $11.6 million towards the cost of the event. At a more local level the organization of the games required a strong working relationship between the City of Edmonton, especially the Parks and Recreation Department, the XI Commonwealth Games Canada (1978) Foundation, and the University of Alberta.

While the Parks and Recreation Department oversaw the design and construction of facilities the Foundation was charged with the administration of the games. Although there was considerable overlap in areas of responsibility, the Foundation and its volunteer staff undertook a huge amount of work. Dr. Maury Van Vliet, the Dean of Physical Education at the University of Alberta, became President of the Foundation in 1975. Together with a board of directors and fifteen division chairmen, Dr. Van Vliet presided over an organization which at its peak included 10,000 volunteers.

The Whale Society of Edmonton was a non-profit, incorporated society which operated for five years. It was the first and, until 1981, only society in Canada which worked solely and specifically toward the preservation and public understanding of cetaceans (scientific term that describes marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises). The main concerns of the Society were public education about cetaceans and advocacy for the preservation of cetaceans and their oceanic habitat. To accomplish these goals, the Society created newsletters, hosted film nights, distributed whale-themed merchandise, and invited guest speakers to meetings.

The Whale Society of Edmonton was formally dissolved in 1983 due to a failure to elect an executive board.

The Vocal Minority Music Society (VMS) formed ca. 1983, was, according to member Herbert Tay, the first mixed gay choir in Canada, and the second gay choir to be formed, following the Vancouver Men’s Chorus. The choir’s mandate was to provide a cultural organization to bring together singers, musicians, and interested individuals, both gay and gay-supportive. Their printed goals state they wanted to foster interaction between lesbian women and gay men, as well as between the gay community and the rest of society. The choir met weekly, and new members were on a one-month trial period. The choir was particularly active from 1983 through 1985, taking part in Canadian Gay and Lesbian Association (GALA) choruses and performances.
However, by 1986 their numbers were dwindling and with interest waning, the Board of Directors for the Vocal Minority Music Society announced its dissolution in May 1987. In 1993, a new LGBQT choir, Edmonton Vocal Minority (EVM), was started by David Hicks who was active at that time with the Gay and Lesbian Community Centre of Edmonton. The name of the newly-reestablished choir was a nod to its predecessor, and EVM continues to perform in several self-produced concerts each year, and actively participates in the Canadian GALA choruses Festivals. The choir remains committed “to playing a vital role in preserving and celebrating the rich culture and history of the Queer community, while at the same time championing equality and embracing the diversity of all people regardless of sexual orientation”. (EVM webpage: http://www.evmchoir.com)

The Toronto Mail was a newspaper based in Toronto, Ontario that was founded by Thomas Charles Patterson in 1872. Beginning as the newspaper of the federal Conservative Party, the Mail declared itself independent of any political party in 1886 until it returned to its Conservative beginnings and merged with the Toronto Empire to form the The Mail and Empire in 1895. In 1936, the paper would again merge, this time with the Globe to form the Globe and Mail.

The "Suburban Times" was the creation of a group of Jasper Place businessmen in the 1950s. Jasper Place was once a separate town directly west of Edmonton. Douglas H. McLeod was a founding member of the paper, and three years after its formation, became its editor. Two years later he bought out the other shareholders and became the publisher as well. McLeod was president of the Jasper Place Chamber of Commerce and was a strong opponent of amalgamation with Edmonton in 1961.

The Senior Girls Baseball League was a league for women baseball players in Edmonton. Teams were sponsored by companies such as Eaton's and Hudson's Bay and games were played out of the Boyle Street Grounds in downtown Edmonton.

The Northwest Voyageurs Canoe and Kayak Club was established in 1964 as a part of the Canadian Youth Hosteling Association (CYHA). On 1988 November 16, the group separated from the CYHA and was incorporated under the Societies Act as a fully autonomous organization. The Club aims to promote canoeing in Alberta, as well as the exploration and preservation of Alberta's most historically significant rivers. To accomplish this, the Club organizes trips to various rivers throughout the canoeing and kayak season. Although many members of the Club have created their own paddling clubs, the Northwest Voyageurs Canoe and Kayak Club remains active and continues to offer courses ranging from safety for beginners to more advanced techniques for seasoned members.

The Nor-East Advisor was a local newspaper that was edited and published by J.A. McLaren. The newspaper was printed by Jenvrin Printing Co. and was released every Friday. The newspaper was targeted to the northeast portion of the City of Edmonton.

The Junior League of Edmonton is a charitable organization which promotes business skills in young people and has an interest in the preservation of local history.