Photo by Dave Morris
A STEP AHEAD — Tyler Stewart of the Stettler Wildcats stays out of the reach of Joshua Prevost of the Lacombe Rams en route to scoring a touchdown during Stettler’s 17-0 victory at home last Thursday in season-opening action in the Central Alberta High School Football League. For more on the Wildcats, see pages A12 and B1.
VOLUME ONE HUNDRED SIX
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER THIRTY-SEVEN
STETTLER, ALBERTA
September 12, 2012
PRICE – $1.09 Plus GST
Stettler set to sample Culture Days Full weekend of musical, recreational events slated for late September RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Keying on its diverse history, Stettler is making plans to celebrate Culture Days from Sept. 28 to 30. “The event is moving with momentum and we already have over 20 events planned and more are expected,” said Aubrey Brown, the executivedirector of the Stettler Regional Board of Trade and Community Development. Stettler was selected this summer as one of 64 communities awarded $5,000 to celebrate the fifth annual provincial celebration with free events. “We are breaking ground in that we are leading the province in the number of events in one community,” Brown said as he opened an organizing meeting last Thursday. Activities for all ages and interests are on tap for a fun-filled weekend to celebrate the rich and varied culture and heritage of the Stettler region. A family concert and dance Friday night at the Stettler Recreation Centre, a flash dance Saturday morning downtown, a tailgate farmers’ market, a skating party and a music Culture Café on Saturday night and a Gospel Café on Sunday afternoon are the major activities.
“We have an eclectic assortment of groups and interests, so they can all be reflected,” Brown said. Young dancers from Danceology in Stettler will perform, while St. James’ Gate Rocking Celtic takes the stage as the main performers at a family concert and dance Friday at the recreation centre from 8 p.m. to midnight. “It will be a showcase for some of our young dancers,” Brown said. “It should be a great night in Stettler.” Dancers plan to perform a variety of dances, including Irish, Highland and couples. On Saturday morning, downtown will be abuzz for a flash dance led by Rhonda McCullough of Danceology at 10:30 a.m. “The kids are pumped for this flash dance,” said McCullough, who noted the dance will last seven minutes. As many as 30 vendors could line Main Street for the tailgate farmers’ market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We already have 24 vendors,” said organizer Joyce Kiryk. At the market, shoppers will be able to find a variety of products, from perogies and cabbage rolls and baking, to crafts, stained glassware, greenhouse products, baby blankets and bamboo socks.
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
Stettler Board of Trade executive-director Aubrey Brown (left) and committee members Joyce Kiryk, Rhonda McCullough, Lee Penner and pastor Ross Helgeton show off posters for Culture Days in Stettler. Stettler Downtown Business Association and merchants on Main Street say they’re enthused about such activities in the commercial core. “They feel it will drive people to the downtown,” Brown said. Saturday night features a Much Music skating party at the SRC in one rink, while a Culture Café evening of musical and
performing talent is on stage in the other rink from 7 to 10 p.m. A Gospel Café of heavenly music rounds out the menu Sunday at 2 p.m. Churches and musical groups and choirs are invied to participate in an informal afternoon of music and fellowship. Groups or individuals interested in performing are requested to phone Ross Helgeton at
403-742-9507. Other Friday activities include an open house at Cabinet of Curiosities, Taste of Bosnia at the Coffee Tree (and Saturday), and children’s crafts, bannock and beef stew at Parent Link Centre from 3 to 5 p. m., and also Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday’s schedule features fall family photo shoots at Memories for
Eternity, rollerskating and blading with Heartland Rollergirls in West Stettler Park, shinny hockey at the SRC, open house at Stettler Town and Country Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday to Sunday and Red Solo Cup Party at Social Bo’s at 9 p.m. A free showing of Madagascar 3 will hit the Jewel Theatre screen Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Schools add ‘effective habits’ LES STULBERG Independent reporter The principals and teaching and support staff at Christ-King, Mother Teresa and Theresetta Catholic schools say they’re excited to offer a new three-year leadership and life-skills-enhancing program at their schools. Dr. Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of High-
ly Effective People” is slated to be implemented at East Central Alberta Catholic Separate Schools three southern schools at Stettler, Halkirk and Castor this school year. All staff participated in a three-day learning session about the program at Castor, just prior to the new school year. Theresetta principal Brian Pedersen learned of the program from an Edmonton school and suggested it be implemented locally. About six years ago, Joseph Welsh School in Red Deer initiated the program. It’s believed to
be the first school to do so in Alberta. More than a 1,000 schools are now involved with the program. “The program inspires greatness in students and finds leadership qualities in all children,” said Veronica Pinkoski, the principal at Christ-King in Stettler and Mother Teresa in Halkirk. Pinkoski said local teachers are learning the program and introducing it initially by using the language of the Covey program in a vocabulary students can understand. See ‘Habits’ on Page A7
LES STULBERG/Independent reporter
A poster at Christ-King Catholic School in Stettler shows off one of the tenets of “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” being introduced at Catholic schools.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com