| Notes |
- Article from Calgary Herald? by M.E. Gooding:
"A wedding of considerable historical interest to the Turner Valley Oilfields and other oilfieds as well, wherever the Turneyr Valley people are at present time, took place on the evening of November 28th at 8:30 p.m. at the Cambrian Heights "Church of Christ", in Calgary North Hill when MRS. FLEETIE HOVIS, widow of the late Mark Hovis who was a driller on duty when the first Dingman well blew in, in 1914, became the bride of MR. PHILLIP BERKOVICH another old timer of this district who has only recently retired form ranching in the Millarville district.
Mrs. Berkovich, the former Mrs. Hovis, is a colorful character, mentally and physicalloy very alert and a greatly respected member of this community. She is sometimes referred to by her old friends as "Mrs. Turner Valley" owing to her long association with the Turner Valley field.
The former Mrs. Hovis came to Turnery Valley with her family of boys and girls in 1914 from Ohio, U.S.A. and has resided in Black Diamond in the fine home Mr. Hovis provided for his family on the main street of the town ever since.
Mr. Berkovich came to Canada from Europe in the early boom days. He is also active and alert for his age and able to enjoy life. He was a bachelor and this, his first marriage.
Phillip was very shrewd in picking himself one of the best cooks in the country, for his wife has long been known for her culinary art and she has been a consistant exhibitor at the Priddis-Millarville Agricultural show and the winner of many prizes for her cooking and needlework.
Mirs. Berkovich has always been a great Church worker and soon after coming to the Oilfields she gathered a group around her and was instrumental in building a Church in Blakc Diamond in 1929 where she conducted the services. The "Church of Christ" still stands in Black Diamond and is now known as the Gospel Chapel under the leadership of Rev. Hawks.
At one time when Turner Valley was booming and there was not enough accomodation for the school classes, they held classes in the church fo rthe overflow of pupils.
Mrs. Berkovich is the mother of three daughters and two sons whoa re scattered in various oilfields in Canada. There are also quite a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Hearty congratulations from the entire community are offered to the couple. They will reside in ..." (the rest of the article was not available for transcribing, ts Aug. 2004)
"Cross Country" from Calgary Herald, undated:
"An event of district interest took place recently in Calgary -- Mrs. Fleetie Hovis, 87, of Blakc Diamond, was married to Phillip Berkovich, recently retired Millarville district racher and old timer of the Turner Valley oilfields district. Mrs. Berkovich is the widow of the late Mark Hovis, chief driller when the No. 1 Dingman well in Turner Valley blew into production on May 15, 1914. It was the start of the Turner Valley field. At the time of the historical event Mrs. Berkovich with six children was enroute from her home in Toledo, OHil, to join her husband in Turner Valley. She is very much apart of the hostiry of the Turner Valley oilfield, so much so that at times she is referred to as "Mrs. Turner Valley".
Mrs. Berkovich is well known for her culinary accomplishments and has been a consisten exhibitor at the Priddis-Millarville Agricultural Fair. She has won many prizesw through the years with cooking and needlework exhibitis. She was also intrumental in building a church in Black Diamond during the boom days of 1928-29 known as the Church of Christ, and conducted services there many times. It is now known as the Gospel Chapel. Mr. Berkovich recently sold his interests and the couple will reside in Black Diamond."
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