Page A3
THE STETTLER INDEPENDENT NEWS
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Step this way
WELLS FURNITURE Main Street, Stettler Main Street, Stettler
403-742-3223
403-742-3223 www.wellsfurniture.ca 1-888-711-3223 1-888-711-3223
Donation RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
The Stettler Lightning junior B hockey team pitches in last week as players fill Christmas hampers with food and toys at the Stettler Community Hall. More than 100 were filled in that annual community effort.
Stettler’s effort fill hampers with food, toys at Christmas RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Thanks to Stettler-area residents’ generosity, more than 100 Christmas hampers were filled last week for households facing tough economic times this Christmas. “We delivered 120 hampers, which is comparable to last year,” said Wendy Staal, the co-ordinator of Stettler Christmas Hamper Society. “However, our monetary donations are down by about $5,000.” The society encompasses the entire Stettler region, except for Big Valley, which operates a similar service separately. Cash donations will continue to be accepted until Dec. 31. About 75 of the hampers supported families with an average of five people, while the balance were delivered to couples and singles. “These hampers are for people who need a hand-up, not a hand-out,” Staal said. “They may be able to make ends meet other times of the year, but with winter living costs higher and Christmas expenses, it’s difficult for some people to cope at this time of year.”
Stettler region residents, businesses, organizations, schools and churches continue to live up to the community’s motto as the Heart of Alberta, offering support since the annual campaign began Nov. 12. “The whole community pitches in,” said Janelle Robinson, who assisted Staal and plans to take over as the co-ordinator next year. “We thank everyone who donates and supports the program, and all the volunteers who help out in many ways. “Without the generous giving, the Christmas hamper program wouldn’t be the success it is, and many of the recipients would struggle to have a big family meal and gifts under the tree for children at Christmas.” Accepting cash donations for food only, the Christmas hamper society buys all food locally. Besides the food, hampers include other special gifts for the recipients, such as toys for children. Busy year for food bank Serving the community yearround, Stettler and District Food Bank has also been in high demand this Christmas. “We delivered hampers to 300 families last year, and we expect that
number to be about the same this year,” said food bank managing director Kathy Willis. From that total, about 75 per cent use the food bank six times a year or less, she said. With cupboards generally full, that again can be attributed to the caring and helping hands and hearts of residents, said Willis, who has headed the food bank in Stettler for the past 15 years. “The community has always been so extremely generous at this time of year and throughout the year.” While shelves in food banks are often bare just after Christmas, she said the local service has plenty of food, even with limited space in the Stettler United Church, where renovations continue. “We still have all the food the from the October food drive in storage,” Willis said. Stettler food bank relies on donations from citizens, businesses and organizations in the region, because provincial and federal governments don’t fund food banks. Cash donations help the food bank purchase perishable products, such as milk, eggs and meat. For more information, phone Willis at 403-742-4567.
Darrel Baltimore accepts donation from Verna Rock and Dean Ross of Stettler Funeral Home.
Kidsport wishes to thank Stettler Funeral Home for their donation to the program.
New Year’s Eve Gala In the pavilion at the Stettler Agriplex. No better way to bring in 2013 with your friends for dinner, dancing, refreshments and prizes.
Every ticket purchased for the event also gives you a chance to win $1000 CASH! NO MINORS Cocktails: 6 p.m. Catered Dinner: 7 p.m. Dance - 9 p.m.
$1000 Cash Giveaway at Midnight! Tickets: $40 Each includes Dinner and $1000 Cash ticket After 9 p.m.: $20 for Dance Semi-Formal Dress * 50/50 Draw * Door Prizes and more * DJ Entertainment
Tickets available from any member of the Big Valley Oil Kings’ team or directors. or call Dustin 403-740-5483 Ticket sales for the dinner cut off is December 28, 2012.
Hosted by
Town maintains business-licence fees RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Town of Stettler fees for business licences are slated to stay the same as they have for more than 10 years. At its regular meeting last Tuesday, town council approved a staff recommendation to maintain the fees at the current level of $125 for resident licences and $235 for non-resident licences. Those fees were set in 1999. Estimated to be $87,000, all revenue from the latest collection of fees will be directed to the Stettler Regional Board of Trade and Community Development, said Rob Stoutenberg, the town’s chief administrative officer. Car wash irks neighbours Since the new car wash on 61 Street opened last month, residential neighbours have expressed their concerns about the noisy equipment and bright lights at night that they say have disrupted their lifestyle. Council plans to meet with the business owner and neighbours David and Karen Bromley, who wrote a letter to the town to voice their displeasure. Town council and administration also intends to discuss the issues and try to mediate a resolution for the hours of operation, internal lights after hours, noise concerns and the business owner’s inaction to create a berm and landscaping, as
the town had ordered. With trees planned for the site, Coun. Leona Thorogood suggested pyramid trees would help muffle the noise. “We could also encour-
age homeowners to plant some trees, too,” Stoutenberg said. He said concerned residents were most disturbed by the sporadic periods of noise from the car-wash
equipment. Coun. Al Campbell said he spoke with the car-wash owner, “who is reasonable and wants to accommodate the neighbouring residential homes.”
Big Valley Oil Kings Hockey Club
Limited tickets available.
Calling All Babies Of 2012
COMMUNITY CHURCHES Remember the Reason for the Season.
ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday Worship Service – 10:30 a.m. Children's Church – 10:30 a.m.
The STETTLER INDEPENDENT presents:
Babies of 2012 If your Baby was born in 2012, you don’t want to miss putting their adorable picture in this special keepsake feature! All pictures will be published in the January 30, 2013 issue and will be entered to win a prize, compliments of the STETTLER INDEPENDENT.
$32.00 PER ENTRY - includes GST Fill out and drop off at The Stettler Independent Office 4810 - 50 Street by January 24, 2013 or email admin@stettlerindependent.com Last:____________________________________________ First:______________________ Middle:______________ Son Daughter Birthdate:______________________ Father’s Name:___________________________________ Mother’s Name:__________________________________
5712 - 48 Ave.
403-742-3211
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST STETTLER ALLIANCE CHURCH MENNONITE Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday School – 10 a.m. Service – 10:45 a.m.
10 miles south on 56 and 2 miles east
Minister Keith Klassen - 403-742-4048 Minister Lorne Toews - 403-742-8824
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF ERSKINE 10 a.m. – Family Bible Hour (a class for all ages) 11 a.m. – Worship Service w/Children's Church Senior Pastor: Rev. Ross Helgeton Youth Pastor: James Choi
403-742-5020
GRACE FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH
Morning Worship – 10:30 a.m. West of Town Centre Mall Pastor Scott Whitford Associate Pastor Brad Epp
403-742-1135
STETTLER COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Services – 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m. www.stettlercommunitychurch.org Pastor Will Brown 5717 - 50 Ave.
403-742-2210
STETTLER UNITED CHURCH 4820 - 51 Street 403-742-3387 www.stettlerunitedchurch.org
Affiliated with Fellowship of Evangelical Baptists Sunday School – 10 a.m. Morning Worship – 11 a.m. Pastor David Lilly 5923 - 51 Ave. 403-742-4400
Church service – 10:30 a.m. Nursery care, children & youth programs Everyone welcome! Minister Debbie Stockdale
ST. GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH
WORD OF LIFE CENTER
Nursery, Sunday School & Morning Worship – 10 a.m.
The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Langford, Incumbent 4817 - 51 St.
403-742-2149
Sundays – 10:30 a.m. Pastors: Nathan & Beatrice Mullen 4832 - 50 Street (Main Street, Stettler)
403-742-0040