Inside
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STRIKE CONTINUES P. 8 EDITORIAL P. 6
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CO-OP 65TH ANNIVERSARY P. 13-16 REDISCOVER VANDERHOOF P. 19-21
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Vanderhoof man receives Diamond Jubilee Medal At a tea on Monday, Dec. 17, John Rustad, Nechako Lakes MLA, presented Oscar Walstrom with a Diamond Jubilee Medal. The medal is being distributed to 60,000 deserving Canadians who have devoted themselves to family, community and country. Walstrom was born in Stettler, Alb., in 1926 and raised on a farm. In 1948, Walstrom's family left the farm and relocated to Vanderhoof, where he moved to a small sawmill camp in the Sob Lake area. He disliked the closed-in forest area and was considering moving back to Alberta when he met Dorothy Dye from Blackwater Road. The two married in 1950 and had two children, Tim, who lives in Vanderhoof, and Marilyn, who resides in Prince George. They built a farm near Sob Lake Road where they raised cattle, harvested hay, got involved in logging and started running a sawmill. Walstrom has long been a prominent member of the community. He was involved in the Cattleman's Association, drove the school bus in the areas of Sob Lake, Blackwater and Mapes for many years, and helped get the area connected to hydro services. He was also instrumental in establishing the MBS Community Hall and remained president for many years afterward. He was actively involved in events at rodeos and at the fair grounds and would sometimes race pony chariots. In 1994, Walstrom and his wife moved to Vanderhoof, where they later joined the Senior Friendship Center. He was president of the center for 16 years until 2011, when he stepped
down. Since the age of 13, Walstrom has enjoyed playing music. In Stettler, Alb., he started playing and singing in a band and has been performing for the public ever since. From Prince George to Mckenzie to Terrace, B.C., Walstrom has been involved with many bands. For many years he played at the Royal Canadian Legion in Vanderhoof. To this day, Walstrom and his son, Tim, have been playing at Riverside Place every week for more than 20 years. Walstrom has been playing at the Manor every month since it was built. At the Senior Friendship Center, Walstrom has organized the pot luck supper on the last Friday of the month. He has been instrumental in getting individuals and groups to practice and play music at public events. Walstrom maintains a love for old cars and still enjoys getting out on the trails on his quad and snowmobile.
John Rustad, Nechako Lakes MLA, presented Oscar Walstrom with a Diamond Jubilee Medal on Monday, Dec. 17.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Mapes kids count down to Christmas
Mapes Elementary School students perform 40 Winks, a Christmas musical, on Dec. 19.
CNC program to help Babine mill workers gain new skills Submitted Babine Forest Products workers will have an opportunity to gain skills for apprenticeships for free at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) campus in Burns Lake, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Industry Training Authority (ITA). The 19-week training program is slated to begin at the end of January and will include essential skills, job readiness skills and several industry certifications. Eligible workers will also be exposed to three trades: heavy duty mechanics, industrial mechanic/millwright and construc-
tion craft. “CNC is pleased to be a part of the recovery from the Babine mill tragedy. This program will give people in the area the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence to re-enter the workforce and prepare for a career in the trades,” said Scott Zayac, CNC associate regional director. Participants will receive funded training, as well as training allowances and other supports. The ITA is supporting this initiative with funding under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. Hampton Affiliates recently
announced they will be rebuilding Babine Forest Products, which was destroyed in a fiery explosion in January 2012. The blast killed two men, Carl Charlie and Robert Luggie Jr., and injured 44 others. It is estimated there are more than 70 former employees still available for work in the community, but the proposed mill will require updated skills. “This new, modern facility will need a local, well-trained, skilled workforce so we are assisting the college to identify training that will prepare participants for employment,” said Steve Zika, chief executive offficer for Hampton Affiliates.
Community Telephone Directory 2013 Serving Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser, Cluculz Lake, Tachie and area ADverTise your business or serviCe in The Telephone DireCTory. echako
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