Stettler pitches in to assist flood victims RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter While local communities in Stettler, Castor and Bashaw have been unscathed by major flooding that has hit a widespread part of southern Alberta and Calgary, the Stettler hospital became home for many continuing-care patients from Drumheller this week. About 30 patients were relocated to Stettler last Saturday from Drumheller Health Centre as a precautionary measure, as the Red Deer River was threatening — though waters were receding early Monday morning. Stettler was one of many hospitals used as 19 acute-care patients and 86 continuingcare residents from Drumheller were relocated to other centres in central Alberta. Residents were expected to return to Drumheller by mid-week, as levels of rivers continue to recede and community residents were alllowed to re-enter their homes. “Our thoughts are with all of the
Albertans and emergency responders in these communities,” said Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths, MLA for Battle Rive-Wainwright, in a news release. “We are doing everything we can to support local responses to the flooding and are prepared to assist wherever necessary,” said the former MLA for Castor and former teacher at Byemoor School, now representing a riding that includes Bashaw. Griffiths provided provincial leadership as the flood swept into Calgary and other areas that were evacuated. Many local businesses and organizations have initiated steps to support victims and communities. Heartland Youth Centre staged a bake sale Monday morning and raised $941 for the flood victims in High River, Calgary and elsewhere. Boston Pizza in Stettler has started to accept donations of blankets, clothing and non-perishable food items. Sobeys and Wal-Mart also welcome donations, along with ATB Financial and other local businesses.
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
Cass Docherty (left), Kalysta Miller and Katie Nimms sell goodies at a bake sale Monday in Stettler. They raised $941 for flooding victims in High River.
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June 26, 2013
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Stettler Town and Country museum is ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary and Canada Day with many events planned for the July 1 celebration on Monday.
Region plans eventful lineup Museum marks RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter
Donalda, Stettler, Big Valley and Delburne are among the central Alberta communities planning to celebrate Canada Day with festivities this Monday, July 1. Donalda After the community commemorates the Donalda School centennial from Friday through Sunday, Donalda’s focus shifts to Canada’s 146th birthday on July 1. “Most of the (Canada Day) activities will be held at Lamp Park,” said Darlene Tantrum of Donalda Community Promotions. Festivities begin with a pancake break-
fast at Sharon Lutheran Church from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Colourful floats and entries are expected to headline the parade downtown at 11 a.m. The Donalda Light Riders Drill Team will kick off entertainment that runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Entertainment includes Bashaw Sunshine Cloggers and a country market at the Donalda Community Hall. The lunch will be served by Donalda School parent council. Children’s fun will include bounce house, coin, pit and tattoos. Steak supper is on the menu at 6 p.m., with a live auction at 8 p.m., while the day ends with fireworks. Big Valley Fun for the entirefamily and student art are featured in the
Canada Day festivities in Big Valley. Art from grades 3 and 4 students will be on display at Big Valley train station after 1 p.m. “Each year, we try to use a theme or two that reflects something about Canada, and our accomplishments as a nation or our people,” said Linda Stillinger. “This year, we have two themes — one will be the community and the other will be music made in Canada.” Face-painting and a boxcar will also be open, with a display of historic photos. The steam train is set to arrive at 1 p.m., with ceremonies slated for 2:15 p.m. For the evening, a barbecue and children’s games are scheduled for the ball diamond from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by the popular evening fireworks.
Stettler Canada Day events at West Stettler Park feature music by local band Loose Change, beginning at 8 p.m. Birthday cake and fireworks are also set for the evening, which concludes with fireworks after 10 p.m. Delburne Delburne has at least 100 reasons to celebrate its centennial party, which runs from Saturday through Monday. Canada Day events include a breakfast, centennial parade, ball games, beer gardens, a tractor pull, children’s activities, gymkhana events and a vintage machinery display. It’s a jam-packed weekend in Delburne, with school tours, meals, markets, sports and dances on tap for a homecoming weekend in the community.
Canada Day LES STULBERG Independent reporter Stettler Town and Country Museum is in a celebratory mood. It will be hosting its annual Canada Day celebration, plus marking its 40th anniversary July 1, which is Monday. Chantel Heier, assistant curator and one of the three summer students at the museum, outlined the Canada Day program. “There may be a few surprises,” she said. “We are still working on a few things.” Heier said the museum is offering free admission throughout the day, during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. She said the event kicks off with a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Free speeder rides go all day. The singing of O Canada and the serving of the
40th anniversary cake is scheduled for 2 p.m. The children’s games will begin immediately after. Heier said a concession booth will be open on the grounds after the breakfast is over. Curator Wilda Gibbons reflected on the museum’s 40-year history. She said the museum received its charter in 1973 and the founding president was Ken Simon. “There were lots of volunteers and they put a lot of work into establishing the museum,” Gibbons said. Those efforts laid the ground work for today’s museum, deemed to be the fifth largest in Alberta. The museum has 26 buildings including a CN train station, courthouse, school, church, post office and general store, harness shop and pioneer homes, each displaying thousands of period artifacts.
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