"She Made Them Family: A Wartime Scrapbook from the Prairies" by author Anne Gafiuk was launched on Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre. “She Made Them Family” is based on the World War II scrapbook compiled by Mrs. Alice Spackman of Okotoks.

Over 75 years ago Mrs. Spackman carefully started a scrapbook. She saved letters, clippings and notes from several local men and women who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Navy and Army during World War II. She also opened her home and became a second ‘mum’ to numerous pilots who were training at the British Commonwealth Elementary Flying Training School near DeWinton, making all of them feel like family.

Author Anne Gafiuk has brought Mrs. Spackman’s scrapbook to life. Hours of additional research and interviews has further enhanced the scrapbook and has resulted in a very unique and personal account of the war years.