cabs enclosed in glass, and trucks began appearing in Ogema. Farm: Tractors began to take over from horses. Town: Cement Sidewalks started in 1927 and were financed by debentures. Scouting: started in 1927 with three patrols and held summer camps in Willow Bunch Lake. Leading up to the Depression 1928 marked a high in wheat production. However, for years farmers burned their fields to get rid of stubble and make way for the next year's crop. They did not understand at the time that this could take all the moisture from the ground. Around the beginning of the 1930s, rainfall declined and the soil dried, harming plant-roots. Wind turned to gales that lasted days and at times the sun turned "blood red". 1930s The "Dirty Thirties" were a bad time for Ogema. Not much was growing and the drought was deep; wells ran dry and water had to be hauled in. The Canadian government sent "relief" cars that brought in vegetables, fish, bedding, and other basics to the rural residents. Settlers faced "hot dry winds, dust storms, and grasshoppers." Transportation In the 1930s, there was a food and gas shortage. Many took the engines out of their cars and attached horses to the front. They were called "Bennett Buggies" Population Ogema experienced an "exodus" during this time. Problems arose as people weren't able to afford their property taxes and many families packed up and left, others stayed and tried their best. Farming The government offered financial assistance to farmers for dugouts and set up "community pastures." Farmers were now also faced with the task of finding rust-resistant wheat. 1940-1945 The Second World War hit closer to home than previous wars for the people of Ogema, as now there were radios that broadcast daily reports. The lack of laborers forced farmers to invest in better machinery, which helped increase production. Quickly there was a grain surplus and thus more storage places and quonsets were built. As well, ration books were needed for things such as gasoline and "imported food stuffs." WW2 "Honour Roll" Babb, Z; Birney, J.F.; Booth, W.; Cojocari, D.; Coubrough, G.T.; Gauley, A.; Gebert, J.; Jones, W.E.; Krasium, G.; Lemke, J.; Mackenzie, E.N.; Miller, H.; Pagan, G.; Richmond, H.; Smailes, F.; Smith, E.D.; Scott, R.B.; Scott, R.T.; Woods, S.; Woolhether, S. Mayors Ogema had 6 mayors between 1920-1945 A.F. Class (1920-1922) Hugh Townsend (1923-1930) Harry Brogden (1930-1933) Harry King