Ponoka News, December 25, 2013

Merry !

Christmas Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

Vol. 65, No. 52

403-783-3311

editorial@ponokanews.com

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Page 2 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

County in good position heading into new year

By Amelia Naismith Ponoka County has seen many achievements, changes and challenges over the past year, some stemming from provincial government and flowing all the way down to municipal operations.

The biggest change the county faced was a practically brand new council after the public turned a huge change during the October election.

“I think the biggest thing is bringing in the new council and having a fresh new outlook,” said Reeve Paul McLauchlin.

Even as council faced its green beginnings and each councillor stepped into their learning curve, McLauchlin says the culture of the county hasn’t changed and council remains focused on small government and the people.

Being an election year, across the province many new councils came into being. “I think our second biggest challenge is just working together, working with other advisories,” said McLauchlin.

So far, he feels sandbox has been a generally happy and successful place.

Another challenge came from the shrinking pool of provincial finances available to the county. They’ve seen a

reduction of the MSI grant and the termination of Bridge Program funds. “Going into the new year we’re going to have to allocate some of our own funds for them (bridges),” said McLauchlin.

Despite tightening funds, the county was able to agree on two loan guarantees of $1.8 million each, one for the Calnash Ag Event Centre and the other for the Rimbey AgRim Centre. The guarantees are just as they say, loans, and will have no impact on the financial position of the county.

Through provincial funding, the county was able to complete its 10-year road program with no increase in taxes.

McLauchlin says council may look into a new program next year. “So that was a pretty big accomplishment.”

“We had a few contributions to a few community organizations,” he added, naming the AgRim Centre and PAECS and the land donation to the Rimoka Housing Foundation as a few larger ones.

McLauchlin says the county is in good financial shape and even the loan guarantees won’t affect the its borrowing capabilities. “I just don’t think we’ll need it.”

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Wolf Creek Schools wants a handle on disability costs

By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye High payouts for sick leave have left Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) seeking a way to manage the situation.

In 2013, WCPS paid $561,000 in sick leave up to 90 days, explained Jayson Lovell, assistant superintendent for people services. “We’ve had to top up the amount and actually grow it a little bit.”

He asked trustees during the Dec. 17 board meeting to approve contracting Eric Hemming, of Hemming Disability Management Services, for six months.

“This is a very proactive approach,” said Lovell.

He feels WCPS has a responsibility to help staff who may be taking many sick days. He wants the Alberta Teacher’s Association to be part of the process so that the group understands the motivation behind hiring Hemming, which Lovell estimates to bring a cost at $40,000.

Typically when an employee takes time off, they tend to drift away from the organization and Lovell wants to see how WCPS can bridge that gap. “Employees literally drift off into a place where they’re disconnected.”

He feels WCPS can help employees keep their job and benefits with a proactive approach to helping them.

If staff go into long-term disability, past 90 days, they take approximately 30 per cent pay cut but it the school division can help bring them back to work within 90 days there is some benefit to them and WCPS. Tracking how well this plan works, and whether it saves money, will prove a challenge but Lovell intends to give trustees month-to-month information regarding the number staff on disability and sick leave. Hemming and Lovell will meet with trustees after six months with results. “The duration of absence, I think, will be decreased,” said Lovell.

Lovell wants Hemming to be as proactive as possible with staff and if this program does well, he hopes for a

Chamber of Commerce spent 2013 growing

By Amelia Naismith Over the course of 2013, the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce kept itself busy with both new and traditional activities.

Executive manager Les Jaster says the Chamber became involved in four new areas over the past year,

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long-term plan.

Trustee Bob Huff asked if the job is too demanding for staff who go on disability. “How are we going to deal with that?”

Lovell believes there will be a more proactive approach in communicating with staff and he hopes to ensure workers stay connected to their job. “There will be a comprehensive communication plan (for staff) to know this support is available to them.”

An early intervention program at WCPS is another tool meant to help, Lovell said, but it has not been used much. There has not been the means to provide early intervention in the division and this program should address that issue.

“I anticipate this early intervention program will be accessed a lot more frequently,” said Lovell.

Trustee Lorrie Jess’s worry was having another person at the WCPS offices and the feedback from people.

“We have to communicate it in a way that there’s understanding in the intent and purpose of this,” replied Lovell. “The secondary part, I think, is critical is the benefit to the employees.”

Many organizations are now realizing the importance of disability management, he added. “It’s an investment in our people and organization.”

If implemented correctly, Lovell believes WCPS will save money and help staff.

Trustee Barb Walker favored the request as she feels when teachers go on disability, this negatively affects the students as well. With this program, trustees will also have better information regarding sick leave without making assumptions.

Huff agreed. “It can provide us with some proactive planning down the road.”

Money to hire Hemming will come from WCPS’s disability fund.

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including co-sponsoring the Jeff Mowatt Art of Customer Service event last May. It focused on teaching participating organizations — including the Chamber, which helped sponsor as well as attended — how to strengthen customer loyalty, increase spending per customer and recharge customer service teamwork.

“We provided a sponsorship for the new project, the one-eighth mile drag race that took place out at the airport. Heck of a good deal that was,” said Jaster.

The Chamber also co-sponsored the Engaging Our Aboriginal Workforce seminar that took place in October, and “we’re co-sponsoring Ian Hill in becoming a community builder,” said Jaster.

At the Jan. 21 Annual General Meeting, the Chamber will be choosing the new executive.

Subway Fresh The Chamber’s net income for November was Try our $13,000, but after payables $6,000 remained.

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PONOKA NEWS Page 3

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Blood sat in a supervisor position for a sixmonth trial, which became a permanent position.

“From there I was encouraged for the management position.”

In 2013 both of Blood’s children moved to Alberta. “Both the wife and I kind of missed them.”

After he and his wife moved to Alberta, Blood was interviewed for positions in southern Alberta and Red Deer. It was in one of Lacombe’s newspapers that he saw the position advertised for the school division. “It was basically the same thing I’d been doing . . . Except instead of city buses, it was school buses.”

When he isn’t dealing with Alberta’s consistently shifting weather, Blood’s been spending his time getting to know the bus drivers, and in the new year he’ll begin getting to know the school principals.

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In the midst of a large snowstorm—one of several to blast Ponoka in the last few weeks— Wolf Creek Public School’s new transportation manager was welcomed to his job.

“It was interesting to say the least,” said John Blood of his first day, Dec. 2.

Blood, who came to Alberta from the Halifax area, is used to dealing with huge amounts of snow and buses. For 13 years, Blood worked for Halifax’s metro transit; as a driver for seven years, a supervisor for two and the rest as manager.

“I was used to dealing with that in Nova Scotia,” said Blood. “Most of the time in the city of Halifax, the buses were just delayed.”

When action stemming from snowstorm needed to be taken, he would report to a supervisor, who in turn would report to the city’s mayor and a decision would be made.

With the snow wreaking havoc on his first day, the buses ran on Dec. 2. “The buses ran, and due to the snow, weather and road conditions it was decided to end school early and get all the kids and drivers home (during) daylight.”

Before moving to Canada and working for the City of Halifax, Blood spent 20 years in England’s Royal Air Force. During the year he spent in Goose Bay, 1984 to 1985, Blood met his future wife. “I went back to the UK and we kept in touch.”

Eventually she moved to Wales, where he was based at the time, and they were married. After spending time in Germany and Italy and then back in the UK, the couple with their two children relocated to just outside Halifax.

“I did some long haul trucking down the east coast down to the States,” said Blood. He also started and owned his own printing business for one year and drove a limousine.

Four years after the move, he started with city transit, which he thoroughly enjoyed. “You’re kind of your own boss. I like mixing with people.

It was rewarding picking people up every day.”

Blood says it was many of the same people each day and he got to know them and experience the diversity of people within the city.

When his children were younger, working as a driver suited him better because of the schedule and the family time it allowed for. But as they grew into teenagers, being home on the weekends wasn’t as important.

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The demographics for Crestomere School are changing.

There used to be a strong farming community in the area, but principal Penny Mueller said many of the new families own acreages. She gave Wolf Creek School (WCPS) trustees a snapshot Dec. 17 of how the school year has been.

“I would love to have you out at the school,” she said. “You can’t really explain it unless you’re there.”

There are a large number of young families with young children in the Gull Lake area and Mueller expects growth at Crestomere School in the near future. Despite a small parent council, she said many parents are involved in the school activities.

“They help our school with coaching and hot lunches and lots of different activities,” Mueller explained.

The Friends of Crestomere School fundraising group raised more than $200,000 for a new playground, which she feels is a strong sign of support.

Mueller and teachers try to be role models for students because, “We want them to take ownership for the school.”

Teachers have used WCPS’s Excellent Learning Environment (ELE) programs to educate students, which is something they have worked on for the last two years. To determine how well the project has been going, staff and students have filled out surveys and Muller finds the results encouraging.

“That helped us define some of the goals we wanted to work on this year,” she said.

Using these ELE programs has also brought students from different grades together; one of the principles of the program is to let students investigate a subject at their own pace. A presentation on depression by one group

impressed trustee chairperson Trudy Bratland. She liked it well enough that she hoped the rest of the trustees could see it.

Students are also proving themselves in Provincial Achievement Tests. Many, if not all, are meeting provincial standards and a small group is even excelling. The school has 122 students and 79 families and surveys to parents — 67 per cent completed — show a positive response to Mueller and staff.

Mueller said Crestomere School has a high population of special needs students, 18 per cent, which has affected their spending as one education assistant has received sign language training to help a deaf student. Despite the extra cost, she enjoys having a diverse student population.

“They’re integrated right into the classroom,” said Mueller.

She said some years showed less special needs students and there was no real trend in how many come to Crestomere School.

Three cases of vandalism last year caused some concern. She said it was a significant safety concern but appears to be over.

The school also has a large garden that has produced so many potatoes staff can’t keep up. They have had a French-fries festival and the next day had shepherd’s pie lunch.

Teachers, parents and staff have also begun training in the Olweus program, which is targeted at bullying in schools. Meuller was unable to say how things had progressed as they were still learning about it, but felt there wass potential to benefit the school. Bus drivers will also be trained in Olweus.

“It’s an awareness project as much as it is a prevention project,” she said.

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Page 4 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

Your Guide To Local Houses of Worship CHURCH DIRECTORY Associated Gospel Churches of Canada

CHURCH OF THE OPEN BIBLE Pastor Jerry Preheim • Pastor Matt Sealy 3704 - 42 St. Ponoka 403-783-6500 Worship Service 11:00 a.m. • churchoftheopenbible@telus.net

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PONOKA

Sr. Pastor Paul Spate Erin Dirsten - Fac. Youth & Family Min. 5109 - 57 Ave. Ponoka www.fbcponoka.org 403-783-5533 Bible Discovery Hour 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

NEW COVENANT BAPTIST REFORMED CHURCH Currently meeting at Ponoka Christian School 6300-50 St. Worship Service Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Everyone Welcome! www.baptistreformedponoka.org

PARKLAND REFORMED CHURCH South on 2A, West on Spruce Road 403-783-1888 Worship Service 10:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Rev. Mitch Ramkissoon www.parklandurc.org

PONOKA ALLIANCE CHURCH 4215 - 46 St. Pastor Norm Dibben 403-783-3958 Sunday Service 11:00 a.m.

The Christian & Missionary Alliance

PONOKA WORD OF LIFE CHURCH Pastor Rob McArthur

403-783-5659

Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.

Corner of Hwy 53 & Hwy 2A (former Crossroads Restaurant)

www.wordoflife.ca

PONOKA UNITED CHURCH Minister: Beatrix Schirner

ponokaunited@shaw.ca

Sunday Service 10:00 am.

5020-52 Ave. Ponoka

Phone: 403-783-4087

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH PASTOR DAVE BEAUDOIN 6230-57 Ave. Ph. 403-783-6404 Saturdays 9:30 - 12 Noon dsjjb@xplornet.com ponokaadventist.ca

SONRISE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

Pastor W. Delleman Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

½ mile south of Centennial Centre for Mental Health & Brain Injury

403-783-6012 • www.sonriseponoka.com

ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH Fr. Chris Gnanaprakasam, S.A.C. Mass Times: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 9:00 a.m. Sunday

5113 - 52 Ave., Ponoka, T4J 1H6 403-783-4048 stachurch@shaw.ca

ST. MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Ven. Michael Sung, Priest in Charge Deacons - Rev. Jessie Pei and Rev. Doreen Scott 5120 - 49 Ave. Ponoka

403-783-4329

Sunday Service: Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. www.stmarysanglicanponoka.com

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 5501 - 54 Ave. Ponoka 403-783-4141 Sunday Service: 10:30am Sunday School: 10:30am Pastor Tim Graff • trinityponoka.ca

ZION CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Pastor Fred Knip 9 miles east on Hwy 53 (403) 782-9877 Jr. Church during service for children Sunday Service 9:30 am

Ken Merill (left), Farmers Market president, presents Bob Hepp with $131 for the Community Christmas Dinner. The funds were collected through the 50/50 draw of the Christmas Farmers Market.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

Students at Mecca Glen School embrace technology

By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

a part of the program.”

Despite some low student numGrade 4 students and up at Mecca bers in the younger grades, Libby Glen School are becoming more insees many young families in the area. volved in the technology world.

Until those children grow up and are Some classes feature lessons from ready for school though, he has had teachers using YouTube and accessto combine classes for Grades 1 and ing that information with Chrome 2, and Grades 2 and 3. Libby said Books, said principal Al Libby. there was some concern from parents Trustees of the board of Wolf Creek that their children’s education would Public Schools (WCPS) division be missed. A meeting in late August heard Libby update them on Mecca helped alleviate fears.

Glen School’s growth over the year “We showed them (parents) our during the Dec. 17 regular meeting of student assessment results. What we the board. Like Crestomere School were doing with differentiating in(see story on page 3), Mecca Glen is struction and technology and why it part of a pilot anti-bullying project worked best to do it this way,” said called Olweus. Libby and staff are Libby. still learning about the practice beTeachers have been using WCPS’s fore it is implemented after the New Excellent Learning Environments Year.

(ELE) and have been evaluating the “It’s a learning experience for all programs with central office adminof us,” he said. “Everybody has to be istration. The goal was to give teachers’ a nonthreatening meeting to PONOKA RISING discuss their growth and implementation of SUN CLUBHOUSE the program. It “really helped them to stay fo-

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cused on professional development.”

One of the things Libby has implemented is to get an idea of where students are in their comprehension of lessons. He is providing three Gates-MacGinitie reading tests a year to determine what students need for teaching.

“You can put more weight on the data as you track it over a couple years,” said Libby.

The results will help teachers determine what level of teaching is needed for each student. The school also has a reading program where students take 10 minutes every day to read.

Libby’s goal this year is to increase exposure to the arts and he has a day trip planned for Edmonton.

As for Provincial Assessment Tests, Libby has seen growth in the last two years of students’ learning. Many students showed a strong understanding of the sciences with all grades excelling above the average.

Some parts of the school need updating and the principal said he is going to start looking at fundraising to replace their aging playground. He estimates the cost at $100,000 to $150,000.

Trustees showed interest in some of the advancements teachers have made with technology and teaching lessons in class. Junior high teacher Adam Troistky has been using YouTube and IPads to give students the lesson outlines. For 10 minutes they review the video and can rewind a section if they don’t understand the explanation. Using Chrome Books, they will complete the lesson and Troitsky can help students while they work.

Trustee Barb Walker asked how they can share that with other teachers. Gerry Varty, assistant superintendent of learning support and system improvement, replied that would come eventually.

“There’s a number of schools that are doing the same thing.”

Varty suggested that sharing will eventually start to happen but he suggested teachers would see value in creating their own program.

“It’s a real growth activity,” said Varty.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

PONOKA NEWS Page 5

Remember when

Photo courtesy of Ponoka Herald

On a stormy day in the 1950’s Santa’s sleigh got stuck during a special trip to Ponoka, so he parked his reindeers, borrowed a helicopter and made it just in time to meet a huge crowd in front of the Canadian Pacific Railway station. While the local tow truck was pulling the grand old man’s sleigh out of the drifts, he visited with the masses in town, got their wish lists, and then headed off for worldly destinations the usual way!

Time to enjoy Christmas holidays to the fullest Believe it or not, some people do try to relax over the Christmas holidays, finding some quality time to go skiing with the family, visiting with relatives and friends, and hopefully forgetting about the other 51 weeks of rigours and stress during work and school, at least for a few glorious days. Never mind if you didn’t get all your shopping done; there will always be enough to go around, or share, or swap after the Boxing Day madhouse.

One of the most refreshing treats of these festive holidays is to be able to take some time after the fiest, the folly, and the gift exchange to get outside and enjoy the brisk winter air, to walk, to skate, to stay up late, and to play with all those new toys that slip, slide, jump ramps, and create screams and happy bruises. Over the holidays, there should be no worry about our over-indulging, spending too much money, or missing any sleep, because we will have all of January to chase our New Year’s resolutions, lose weight, balance the budget, and to nap through those long cold nights and days away. Whatever the case, please don’t forget to give a special treat to your paper boys and girls, the mail carriers, and everyone else who goes out of their way all year round to keep us all happy.

Why we don’t ever want politics in Christmas.

‘Twas the night before Christmas and Santa’s a wreck...

How to live in a world due compensation. that’s politically correct?

So half of his reindeer His workers no longer were gone, and so was his would answer to ‘Elves’. wife, ‘Vertically challenged’ Who suddenly said she’d they were calling themselves. had enough of this life.

And labour conditions at She had joined a selfthe North Pole were alleged help group, packed, left in by the union to stifle the soul. a whiz, demanding now that Mike Rainone Four reindeers had her title was Ms. Hammertime vanished, without much proAnd as for the gifts, he’d priety, released to the woods never had a notion, that makby the Humane Society. ing a choice can cause such And equal employment had made it commotion. quite clear, that Santa had better no use Nothing of leather, nothing of fur, just reindeer. which meant nothing for him and nothing So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cu- for her. pid were replaced by 4 pigs, which really Nothing that might be construed to looked silly. pollute, nothing to aim, nothing to shoot.

The runners had been removed from Nothing that clamoured or made lots his sleigh; the ruts termed dangerous by of noise, nothing for just girls or just boys. the E.P.A. No candy or sweets, they were bad for And people had started to call the the tooth, and nothing that seemed to emcops, when they heard sled noises on their bellish the truth. rooftops.

And fairy tales, while not yet forbidSecond hand smoke from Santa’s pipe den, were like Ken and Barbie, better off had his workers quite frightened, hidden.

His fur trimmed red suit was called No baseball, no football...someone ‘unenlighted.” could get hurt, and playing sports might And to show you the strangeness of expose kids to dirt. life’s ebbs and flows, Dolls were claimed by some to be sexRudolph was suing over the unauthor- ist, while playing Nintendo may be hard ised use of his nose, on the brain.

And had gone on Geraldo, in front of So poor old Santa just stood there dithe nation, demanding millions in over- shevelled and perplexed, wondering what

to do next.

As always he tried to be merry and gay, but you’ve got to be careful about that word today.

His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground, nothing fully acceptable was to be found.

Something special was needed, a gift he might give without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision, each group of people, and every religion.

It must now be a joy for every ethnicity, every hue, everyone, and everywhere.... even you.

So here is that gift, its’ price beyond worth...may you and your loved ones always enjoy Peace on Earth and good will towards all men.

Please remember that those individuals, families, visitors and friends who have not made plans for Christmas dinner you will be warmly welcomed at the annual Ponoka Community Christmas Dinner on Wednesday-December 25 at the Kinsmen Centre. The gala affair will feature coffee and entertainment from 10:00 a.m. until 12 noon, followed by a scrumptious Turkey Buffet and all the trimming from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. All the very best of the season to your family from mine, as well as enjoying a great week with family and friends all of you..

Page 6 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

Opinion Saying good-bye to 2013 This is the last edition of Ponoka took a huge leap at its Communist News in 2013. Our next one will come Party Central Committee meeting in out on January 1, 2014, a new edition November to open the world’s second on the first day of the new year. largest economy further to reform. In Anniversaries, birthdays and other the meantime, Russia’s Vladimir Putin milestones, like the beginning of a new continued to reestablish Moscow’s inyear, are good points in time for us to fluence on former Soviet republics. take a step back, reflect, take stock of In our southern neighbor, Presithe period left behind, and do this withdent Barack Obama lost a lot of out missing the joy of the moment. support due to its mishandling of both At the local front, there is much the healthcare reform and international room for hope and expectation for the diplomacy.

Mustafa Eric new year following the results proLooking ahead as 2013 draws Editor duced by the municipal elections in to a close, I, for one, am particularly October with new blood coming into concerned about the quietly brewing both town and county councils with promises of financial storm that might very well hit us in the more efficient management of various issues im- course of the next 12 months. pacting the lives of residents. While it is too early to For those who may not be interested in or followmake a judgment on the success of the new munici- ing the recent developments in the global economy, pal councils, discussions in regular council meetings it is quite recommendable to do some bedtime readsignal new approaches in addressing the problems. ing (although there is the possibility of completely At the national level, the Harper government has losing your sleep over what you read) with regard to had another year of discouraging performance with how the financial markets are living in an artificial new scandals hitting headlines frequently with the heaven, leading the investors to take risks that may concept of “accountability” seemingly lost com- end up causing huge losses in the possibility of a new pletely in the corridors of power in Ottawa. financial crisis.

In the international scene, Middle East remained With some key indicators having returned to the the hot news item throughout the year with the civil levels that prevailed just prior to the 2008 implosion war in Syria, the military coup against the Moslem of the markets, the importance of caution in keeping Brotherhood government in Egypt and nuclear talks one’s assets safe cannot be overstated. between Iran and the western powers while China Happy New Year!

Bill 46 is a prerequisite for any hope at a balanced budget Derek Fildebrandt: Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta Director Alberta’s government finally got it.

There is no hope of a balanced budget in this province unless our government manages to control the spiraling costs of its government employees.

According to data obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) from Statistics Canada, the average weekly earnings of Alberta’s provincial government employees have skyrocketed by 17 per cent in just the last five years. Add to this the government’s own data showing that the average core provincial government employee costs taxpayers an average $120,000 a year in salaries, wages and benefits.

While there are many deserving and hard working members of the Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE), its leadership hasn’t grasped the seriousness of the province’s fiscal situation. Rather than work with the government to address the very serious problems with the costs of public sector employee compensation, they walked away from the negotiating table.

And so the government did what few

PONOKA

would have expected: they got tough. The government introduced Bill 45 and Bill 46, which should end any illusions about where they stand.

It’s doubtful that Premier Redford and Finance Minister Doug Horner were spoiling for a fight with a constituency that many consider essential to their electoral coalition. But if Premier Redford is to have even a prayer of a chance of going into the next election with a balanced budget – let alone meet her promise to do so before March 31 of 2014 – then she and the finance minister had to make a choice.

Bill 46, AKA the Public Sector Salary Restraint Act is the government’s response to AUPE walking away from negotiations.

In the event that AUPE fails to come back to the table and strike a deal, the bill will legislate one in its place. It will provide no raise in the first year, a lump sum payout of $875 for most employees in year two, and provide 1 per cent compounding raises in years three and four.

It’s not quite hardball considering the generous state of affairs described above.

When Ralph Klein won the premier’s chair on a promise to wage war on the deficit, he

negotiated a 5 per cent rollback in government wages and benefits.

The deal proposed in Bill 46 is a far cry from this, but it is nonetheless a serious attempt at holding the line on government employee compensation while the private sector catches up.

When the government and its unions fail to reach a deal, it traditionally goes to binding arbitration. Unfortunately, arbitration in the province has a bad history of awarding above-inflation salary increases, even in times of recession and deficits.

There is no good reason for anyone but our elected legislators having the final say on the province’s budget.

A reasonable compromise might have been to amend the legislation governing binding arbitration to reflect the fiscal realities of the province. Arbiters in the private sector generally do not award raises when a company is hemorrhaging money or is unprofitable. Similarly, arbiters should be required to consider the ability of the government and taxpayers to pay within the current revenue and spending framework when they impose an agreement. Jim Wilson, an Ontario MPP has put forward a

private member’s bill that would do just this in Ontario.

Bill 45 (the Public Sector Services Continuation Act) is Bill 46’s little brother. It modernizes existing penalties for illegal, wildcat strikes and from now on, government unions that strike illegally will be forced to compensate taxpayers by paying into a civil liability fund.

Bill 45 makes threatening a wildcat strike illegal, and this is where things get a bit sticky. Union members have legitimate concerns about the effect of this portion of the bill on their freedom of speech. However, the fines were last set in 1993 and they undoubtedly needed to be beefed up.

There is always the chance that bills 45 and 46 are a ruse meant to draw AUPE back to the table and accept a more generous deal. Sort of like being offered the choice of Buckley’s cough medicine or Flintstones’ vitamins.

Even if this is the government’s line in the sand, we should be under no illusions that these measures on their own will balance the budget or stop Alberta’s pilling on debt, but they are a necessity if the government is to even attempt.

News Judy Dick Manager

Mustafa Eric Editor

Jeff Heyden-Kaye Reporter

Amelia Naismith Reporter

Karen Douglass Susan Whitecotton Sales Administration

5019A Chipman Ave., Box 4217, Ponoka, AB. T4J 1R6 manager@ponokanews.com editorial@ponokanews.com reporter@ponokanews.com rovingreporter@ponokanews.com sales@ponokanews.com admin@ponokanews.com Phone: 403.783.3311 Fax: 403.783.6300 Email: editorial@ponokanews.com All editorial content, advertising content and concepts are protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is forbidden.

Published every Wednesday by PNG Prairie Newspaper Group in community with: Regional Publisher, Fred Gorman

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

PONOKA NEWS Page 7

Dealing with moral issues Dear Editor: The Federal Minister of Industry James Moore recently apologized for remarks he made after a question from a reporter.

The reporter had asked him about childhood poverty in British Columbia. “It is not my job to feed my neighbour’s child”, he said initially.

Later in a statement the minister apologized noting “....that I made an insensitive remark that I deeply regret.”

Conservative political philosophy often has clear views about government intervention on a range of issues from privatizing public utilities and resources to health care, unemployment benefits, pensions and poverty.

The laissez-faire, independent spirit is often evident from the Prime Minister’s comments and those of his ministers.

Some issues though are not exclusively about efficient and effective government or balancing the federal books. Some issues are primarily moral ones, and direct us to our values, what is most important to us.

It is there, I believe, that we have to engage in serious listening and re-

flection. That is not always easy.

In memorializing Nelson Mandela recently, I was curious about the years before he was imprisoned, the decades of the ‘40s and ‘50s. It appears, and it is clearly worth researching further, that all kinds of attempts were made to gain a political voice in government for the disenfranchised. The litany of attempts were numerous, virtually several attempts a month in the ‘50s.

The organization he was head of, the ANC, goes back further than that, of course, to 1912 , six years before Mandela was born- a lesson in long term perseverance.

Political parties are strongly invested in their histories, their policies and their attitudes towards the general public and no matter what the political stripe it is easy to become defensive or argumentative, narrow and too sharply focused.

It might take decades to change our style beyond the classic format evidenced in our parliamentary question period. But perhaps a place to start might be with our neighbours, a block at a time, in our own communities.

George Jason

Town Times

Come visit us: 5102 -48 Avenue; Ponoka, AB T4J 1P7 Phone: 403-783-4431 Fax: 403-783-6745 Email: town@ponoka.org Or Check us out Online: www.ponoka.ca

SEASON’S GREETINGS TO ALL

From The Town of Ponoka Council & Staff!

Town Hall Holiday Hours December 24 – Closed at 12 noon December 25 & 26 - Closed January 1, 2013 – Closed

NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Garbage pick-up regularly scheduled for Christmas day will be picked up on Friday December 27. Boxing Day garbage service will be on an “as usual” basis.

The same schedule will apply for New Years. Wednesday garbage will be picked up on Friday, January 3.

RECYCLING CARDBOARD: Please help us keep our Recycle Depot neat and orderly. Please refrain from dropping off cardboard and paper until Friday, December 27 when staff will be working at the Recycle Depot. Thank you for your consideration.

Business Licenses Are Now Due! The 2014 Business License Renewal Notices have been sent out. Reminder that business licenses expire December 31, 2013. Please contact 403-783-0119 for more information

12 EASY PAYMENTS! Take advantage of a more convenient and feasible way of paying your property taxes! Sign up for Pre-authorized Monthly Tax Payment Plan for payment of 2014 property taxes. We will need a VOID cheque and a signature for authorization. No need to re-apply if you are already signed up. Stop in at the Town Hall or call Val @ 403-783-0127 for more information. Deadline for signing up is December 20, 2013.

2014 Dog Licenses Available $25.00 Per Dog until January 31st, then the cost returns to the regular price of $40.00. All dogs over the age of three months must be licensed. As per Bylaw 114-01, owners will be fined $50 for dogs caught not wearing a current dog tag. Thank you for being a responsible dog owner.

Volunteers Needed For Community Christmas Ponoka’s Community Christmas Dinner program (held on December 25th) is in need of volunteers.

Contact Val at 403-783-8799 for more information.

EVENTS AND RECREATION Employment Opportunities

Long Stay Deluxe 2 bdrm Suites 4205 - 64 St., Ponoka, AB Includes: Fridge, Stove, Fireplace, Air Conditioning, Window Coverings, Oak Cabinetry with Corian Countertops, Balcony, High Security Card Locks. (Fully Furnished Extra).

Qualified Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors Rink Attendant (PT/Seasonal) Application forms are available at www.ponoka.ca. Submit your application to the Town Office at 5102-48 Avenue or email HR@ponoka.org.

Recreation Facilities Schedule is On-line Check it out at www.ponoka.ca and click on ‘Recreation in Ponoka’.

Aquaplex Update - Christmas Holiday Public Swim 1- 3 pm.

- There will be no evening swims over Christmas. Please check the Christmas holiday Schedule for times!

- Burn those Christmas Calories, Fitness classes run daily 8:30-9:30am, and Tuesday Aqua Zumba 7:30-8:30pm, Thursday Deep water Fitness 7:30-8:30pm. Lap Swim is great for low impact cardio! Runs daily!

Arena Closures During the Holiday Season Closed from December 24-27 inclusive

Open December 28 - 31

Open January 2, 2014

Public Skating: Proudly sponsored by Ponoka Lions Monday - Thursday: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm **Shinny Hockey on Weekdays only**

COUNCIL UPDATES & BYLAW INFO Next Town Council Meetings January14, 2014 @ 7 pm Check out our website @ www.ponoka.ca for copy of the agenda.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Daily, Weekly, Monthly. No Pets.

Call ERNIE at 780-335-6767

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas. ~ W. C. Jones

Page 8 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

Roxann Vaos, communications representative for the Edmonton Food Bank, (left), and Cherylynn Bos of Rock Ridge Dairy show off some of the fresh milk that’s going to be distributed to food banks around central Alberta.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

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Family dairy farm makes food bank milk run

By Amelia Naismith Quadrupling last year’s effort, the Bos family farm and their line of Rock Ridge Dairy products is donating approximately 3,600 litres of milk to food banks around central Alberta.

They will be delivering the milk to the Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Lacombe food banks starting Dec. 19, with a trip to Edmonton. “We’ll just have to co-ordinate the other locations,” said Cherylynn Bos. Edmonton and Calgary will both receive between 1,000 and 1,200 litres of milk, Red Deer will be given 500 and 400 is going to Lacombe.

This is the second year the Bos family have made the food bank run. “We did this last year and we really think we just do so much every day with our nose to the grindstone, it’s nice to get out there in the community,” said Bos She and her husband were able to expand the project when Albert Milk stepped in and donated the 4,000 litres. “With Alberta Milk coming in, we were really excited,” said Bos.

Rock Ridge only has to provide packaging and transport, as well as process the milk. “We have to standardize it,” she explained, stating a little of the original 4,000 will be lost to cream, leaving them with the 3,600 total.

“Alone, all we could do is a little bit,” said Bos, thanking Alberta Milk for providing the milk, which sits at an $11,000 to $12,000 in retail value.

This year Bos asked the food banks how much milk they think they would need. Edmonton said as much as could be spared and Calgary came back saying they go through 20,000 litres per month. “I was thinking our donation is so small,” said Bos. “It’s just a drop in the bucket.”

Calgary is one consolidated food bank, set up similar to a grocery store, while Edmonton has 40 depots located around the city. Because Edmonton fills the hampers of the orders placed then ships them to the correct depot they aren’t normally able to deal with volatile products such as milk and meat.

“One thing we’re not able to provide to all of our clients consistently is fresh milk,” said Edmonton Food Bank communication representative Roxann Vaos.

“It’s like getting something rare and special at Christmas,” she added.

Vaos says the EdHours: D monton operation has a Dec. 27, Jan. 3 capacity for 12,000 to 9:30am - 6pm 13,000 people per month Dec. 28, Dec. 31, Jan. 4 and last year when the Jan 2 -–4pm 9:30-5 9:30am milk was delivered it was Dec. 30, Jan. 2 all gone in under two 9:30am - 5pm hours.

Because she feels more can be done, Bos is issuing a challenge to the other food and dairy processing plants. “There’s a lot of food processors in Alberta. I just want to challenge any local food processors, especially 403-790-2878 dairy ones, to top our donations.”

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PONOKA NEWS Page 9

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11 Page 10 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

Nelson Mandela: CALL 403-783-3311 Peace at Last he Business of Cattle GET YOUR BUSINESS OUT THERE

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Call Karen at 403-783-3311

The Catholic Church consecrates saints with less pomp and sentimentality than was lavished on Nelson Mandela during the week-long media orgy that we have just been through.

The problem was that everybody in the media knew well in advance that he was dying, and had time to invest millions in preparing to “cover” the event. Hotel rooms and telecom facilities were booked, crews and anchors were deployed, and the expense had to be justified by roundthe-clock coverage of funeral orations, vox pop interviews, and talking heads.

And of course all the world’s politicians showed up for the greatest photo op of the decade, including many who had condemned Mandela as a terrorist before he pulled off a peaceful transition from apartheid to majority rule in South Africa. But now that the babble of rhetoric has died down and just before the myth was takes over completely,

Ponoka Enjoy a luxurious night at Western Budget Motel!

Gwynne Dyer Guest Columnist

let us talk honestly about who he was and what he accomplished.

The man whom they buried at Qunu on Sunday was arrested by the white minority regime in 1963, probably on a tip from the US Central Intelligence Agency.

He was the head of the African National Congress’s military wing at the time, and continued to back its campaign of sabotage and attacks on military and police targets throughout his 27 years in prison.

It was a different time, when US President Ronald Reagan could declare that the apartheid regime was “essential to the Free World,” and the ANC’s main international supporters were the Soviet Union and Cuba. Mandela might have ended up as a man of violence if he had not gone to prison.

Instead, in prison, he had the time to develop his ideas about reconciliation and persuade the other ANC leaders who were also confined to Robben Island of their value. By the time he came out of prison in 1990, he had become the man that everybody knew they could trust – including the whites.

During the next four years, when he and F.W. De Klerk, the last white president, negotiated the transfer of power from the white minority to the black majority, he really was the indispensable

man. His commitment to reconciliation was so visible and genuine that whites were willing to do what had once seemed inconceivable: to hand over power before they absolutely had to.

If you want to know what South Africa would have looked like if the whites had clung to power down to the last ditch, look at Syria today. But it was not only Mandela who saved the country from that fate: they gave the Nobel Peace Prize to both Mandela and De Klerk, because the miracle could not have happened if De Klerk had not had the will and the skill to lead his own Afrikaner tribe out of power.

Then, after the first free election in 1994, Mandela became the president, and frankly he wasn’t very good at it. He had no executive experience, nor much aptitude for it. But he did his country one last big favour: he retired at the end of his first term rather than clinging to power. And he even had a few good years left to enjoy his family before age began to drag him down.

He was not a saint; he was just a man. But he was the right man at the right time.

Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.

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Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013 PONOKA NEWS Page 11

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Page 14 PONOKA NEWS

Merry Christmas from READ ALL Renegade Riders ABOUT

IT IN Tasha Sierpinski All you need to Club Reporter THE start your morning Ponoka 4-H Renegade Riders

when loping or cantering, and even emergency stops. By the time our day was done, so were our trusty Ole Mother Nature sure has mounts. We were all pooped out.

Call I should also mention that we are blasted403-783-3311 us with some not so nice When you also currently selling Belgian Chocweather.

But we managed to keep STAY ADVERTISE olates for our latest fundraiser, which our spirits up by having our club’s Call us at 403-783-3311 INFORMED 403-783-3311 will help us bring in clinicians, www.ponokanews.com annual Christmas party, which consisted of a potluck supper, a Chinese Equine Bombproofing Clinic, equine gift exchange and then we went education and more. So thank you bowling after. By judging from all for your support.

Did you know that if you see a the laughter and joking around, evhorse shivering, its not because it’s eryone had a lot of fun.

On December 15, we had a full cold? It’s because it chooses to shivday club ride. We worked on safety, er to create heat instead of walking leading our horses properly, show- around to generate heat.

Merry Christmas and a Happy manship, turning our horses on their haunches, picking up the correct lead New Year from all of us to all of you!

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Bountiful crops make 2013 a year for the history books Verlyn Olson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development I think Alberta’s producers would disagree Call with the adage that 13 is an unlucky number as 403-783-3311 2013 has been a record-breaker for many commodities grown in our province.

Statistics Canada recently released the final crop production estimates and this year is truly a banner year. Total production of principal field crops is up more than 26 per cent from last year and total production of principal field crops is almost 27 million tonnes.

Those crops would fill approximately 300,000 rail cars, making a train that is long enough to stretch from Edmonton to Acapulco, Mexico.

Statistics Canada’s third quarter data was also recently released and it shows that from January to September of this year the total farm cash receipts in Alberta was a record $9.1 billion. That’s up 2.1 per cent from the same time period in 2012. We are leading the nation and this is great news for all.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the lingo, farm cash receipts is the term for the cash income producers receive from the sale of agricultural commodities as well as direct program payments to support the agriculture sector.

We all know how fickle Mother Nature can be and last year many producers were dealing with hail-damaged crops and dashed hopes. The 2012 growing season was a record-breaker with more than 11,000 claims totaling $460 million. This year, Mother Nature was a kinder, gentler soul to our producers.

For Albertans, terrific crops are more than

A two-day conference for grain producers, crop advisors and industry partners to interface with leading agriculture scientists about relevant soils and crops issues in Alberta will be held at Red Deer Sheraton Hotel on January 14 and 15.

Detailed information about topics to be discussed can be found at the link http://tinyurl.com/lartec3 Contact information: Ag-Info Centre Phone: 1-800-387-6030

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Good Bred Cows 1000.00-1150.00 Older Bred Cows N/A Good Bred Heifers: 900.00-1200.00 Cow/calf pairs (younger) NONE Cow/Calf pairs (older) N/A

STOCKERS AND FEEDERS Good Feeder Steers 1000 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 900 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 800 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 700 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 600 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 500 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 400 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 300 lbs Plus:

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Dairy Steers Baby Calves Dairy Type: Baby Calves Beef Type: Hay: Sq Bales Straw: Sq. Bales Greenfeed: Sq. Bales.

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Farm Tech Conference The dates for FarmTech 2014 are January 28, 29 & 30 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre at Northlands. Registration is now open. To take advantage of early bird savings, those interested should register before January 10, 2014 Alberta Wheat Commission - AGM In conjunction with FarmTech, attendees do not need to be registered for FarmTech to attend the AGM January 29, 2014 at 11:30 AM in Hall E. BRINGING YOU UP TO DATE ONLINE & IN PRINT

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just a picture-taking moment. Once the fields are plucked and the bounty is in the bin, it might be easy to forget how powerful the industry actually is. Many tend to forget that Alberta is not just energy, it’s also agriculture.

For producers, months of work is finally financially rewarded. That cash in hand is often spent in the smaller centers helping rural business owners survive and thrive. Some of those dollars end up in urban malls, restaurants, car dealerships and stores. Either way it’s a win-win for the Alberta economy which humsCALL along with few hiccups 403-783-3311 thanks to its residents.

CALL To ensure our economy continues to hum 403-783-3311 along, I am working diligently with my provincial and federal counterparts to ensure that the United States’ mandatory Country of Origin Labeling regulation is repealed. It is unnecessary and expensive for our producers and those costs will editorial@ponokanews.com ultimately trickle down to consumers.

For those of us who like to eat, and I know there are a few of us around, a great yield ensures STAY INFORMED that we can continue to indulge in many of the foods we love, and sell them to markets both near and far.

We have much to be thankful for as we head into this busy Christmas season. I wish you all Call 403-783-3311 a wonderful holiday and all the best for a safe, to submit photos, healthy and wealthy 2014. letters to the editor or READ If you have any ALL questions or comments about advertise. this column or agriculture ABOUT and rural development, I would like to hearITfrom IN you. Please contact my All you need to THE or follow me on Faceoffice at morning (780) 427-2137 start your book (https://www.facebook.com/verlynolsonmla) CallTwitter 403-783-3311 and (https://twitter.com/VerlynOlsonMLA) When you STAY ADVERTISE us at 403-783-3311 INFORMED Call 403-783-3311 www.ponokanews.com

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Blaine Calkins visits with Tully Johnson during his holiday open house, Dec. 18.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

When you

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welcomes letters to the editor.

We reserve the right to edit for brevity, clarity and legal issues as well as to reject letters outright.

Letters shouldn’t exceed 500 words.

Only signed letters will be considered for publication.

Please include an address & daytime contact number for verification of authenticity.

The Editor, Ponoka News, Box 4217, Ponoka, AB T4J 1R6 Tel: 403-783-3311 Fax:403-783-6300 editorial@ponokanews.com

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Ermineskin Cree aim for increased management efficiency

By Mustafa Eric Neyaskweyak Group of Companies Inc. (NGCI), a new amalgamation of enterprises run by Ermineskin Cree Nation held its first annual general meeting last week with a view to enhance economic activities and generation of wealth for the community by centralizing certain decision making processes.

The new group was established in March 2013, bringing together Ermineskin Tribal Enterprises Ltd, Ermineskin Resource Development and commercial operations of the Ermineskin nation under one roof in order to optimize the management of operations and resources.

“The (Ermineskin Cree) Nation passed the Band Council Resolution back in April 2013 in order to move forward with consolidating the existing group of companies and creating new companies to bring growth and wealth to the community,” said Trent Blind, Chairman of the Board of the NGCI, himself a Treaty 4 Na-

tion member from Saskatchewan.

The NGCI aims to build on the currently ongoing commercial operations like the gas bar and a mall operation as well as the property base and to create partnerships with outside organizations and companies to generate revenue that will benefit the community.

Ermineskin Cree have properties in a wide area in Alberta as well as in Parksville, B.C. Blind said currently they were currently receiving lease revenues from off-reserve property as well as oil and gas operations.

Looking to the future, ”Based on the feasibility study that the chief and council commissioned with a group of consultants, we discovered that the main economic driver for this region is agriculture, so one of our focuses is to put to the best use and get maximum value for the land the nation owns,” said Blind.

“Just recently we commissioned another study for soil sampling and feasibility study for the lands owned by the nation.”

“Our main focus for the future is, basically, to create agricultural value and opportunities off those lands,” Blind said, adding “In addition to that, we are looking at off-reserve investments to support nation members be it students attending postsecondary schools by providing sustainable housing for them or for elders or nation members who have to stay in the cities for extended periods for health reasons.”

Blind said they were also planning to invite industry partners that have the capacity and the capital and in many cases the clients to build joint operations like pipeline construction, welding and provision of vacuum trucks to service the oil and gas sector.

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Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

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Mixed results in St. A basketball

By Amelia Naismith The royals took to their court Dec. 18, resulting in the St. Augustine Queens winning their basketball game while the boys fell just short of the same ending.

Both the senior Kings and Queens faced Delburne, with the girls finishing with a score of 39-34 and the boys with 58-38.

This year both are young teams; Queens coach Holly Maier says she has only three Grade 12 players and seven of her 15 are in Grade 10.

She and the Kings coach, Adam Bowie, say they aren’t looking for wins this season but want to work on improving the players, both with a focus on defense.

“We’re learning a new offence. Every game practice, it improves,” said Maier.

“They girls did very good. They played a strong defence and it’s usually defence that wins the game,” she added.

This was the girls’ fifth league game of the season and the first they won. Maier wasn’t expecting the win and it came as a nice surprise for the team.

In comparing notes before the game with Delburne’s coach, she found both teams had been beaten by the same other teams and they were evenly matched. “They had a lot of heart and hustle,” she said, referring to Delburne.

“They (Queens) fought until the very end,” she added. Maier says girls can have a tendency to turn

Kristin Prediger lunges toward an opposing Delburn player in an attempt to gain control of the ball during the senior Queens Dec. 18 game.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

on their own teammates during low points in a game and she was thrilled the Queens stayed positive, focusing on their plays and teamwork.

Bowie also thought his boys played hard until the end with a strong defence. “It was really good tonight. I thought we did a really good job denying the passers.”

“There was good intensity. They boys play strong whether they’re 20

up or 20 down,” he added.

This season he’s going to help the team work in the parts of the game they can control, such as defence, to dictate the game because offence can’t always be controlled. “Defence should always be on, we should always be 100 per cent.”

“We’re going the right direction,” he added.

Ryndale Camat is sandwiched between two larger Delburne players and manages to escape and retain the ball during the senior Kings Dec. 18 game.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

PONOKA NEWS Page 17

Getting Married?

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Buying or Selling you need the

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YOUR BABY’S BIRTH OR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN THE

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Merry Christmas from Ponoka’s Pool Sharks: (back-left to right) Brigham Day, Lanny Wildcat, Mckenna Christensen, Blake Shimp, Caleb Froese, Shannon Bendera (seated) Emily Lehr, Naomi Froese, Nesha Soosay, Jaylen Christensen (front) Hyrum Day braved Subway Freshthe snow to say good-bye to 2013 in their swimming suits.

Contributed photo

the Ultimate Cowboy Championship

Rodeo school nurtures future Ultimate Cowboys

By Amelia Naismith The 2013 Ultimate Cowboy exCall travaganza is being expanded by one 403-783-3311 of the rodeo greats in the form of a three-day rodeo school.

Rod Hay is picking up where event organizer Scott Wyzykoski left off last year by hosting both advanced and beginner sessions for riders from British Columbia to Saskatchewan.

The school, which begins at 10 a.m. each morning, runs from Dec. 28 to 30. Dec. 28 will address the beginners while the last two sessions focus on more seasoned riders.

The evening of Dec. 30 also features a bucking horse futurity. “At the end of the school, it’s like a final exam to see how they do,” said Hay, referring to those who’ll partake in the more difficult schools.

The futurity will bring in 10 stock contractors, including the Calgary Stampede and Vern MacDonald.

“They’re competing to see who has CALL the best horses,” said Hay. 403-783-3311 The evening also boasts $2,000 in prize money, $1,000 for top riders and another $1,000 to best stock.

Hay expects 16 beginners and 24 advanced rodeo youths. editorial@ponokanews.com

SEE NEWS HAPPENING? SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS Email: editorial@ponokanews.com

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Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

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What’s Happening #50 - # 70

SIDOR Linda Lee (Northcott) January 23, 1958 - December 14, 2013 It is with heavy hearts and immense sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend from a lengthy illness on December 14, 2013 at the age of 55 at the Stettler Hospital & Care Center, with her family at her side.

Linda went to be with Lord where she is now pain free.

Linda was born on January 23, 1958 at Ponoka, Alberta. She will always be loved, greatly missed and fondly remembered by daughter Lisa Gallais (Travis Gallais) of Red Deer, AB, father Bill Northcott of Warburg, AB, sister Shelley (Pete) Cretney of Lacombe, AB, nephew Kenny (Veronica) Munn of Ponoka, AB, nephew Cody and Tanner Cassidy of Calgary, AB, niece Cathy Markovich (Johnson) and other extended family and friends.

She was predeceased by her mother Marion Northcott in 2011 of Lacombe, AB, uncles Herman and Chris Ekeli in 2007, sister Marianne Sharkey in 2010 and nephew Darcy Munn in 1992.

Linda’s gentle, warm and giving heart touched so many people throughout her life. She always had a soft spot for that less fortunate or individuals who struggled with everyday matters. She always took time to say hi, give a gift and most of all lend a helping hand or a listening ear, hoping it would bring about a brighter day.

Linda had a life-long love affair for her Harley Davidson bike. She spoke about how riding her bike gave her freedom from everyday troubles and gave her the strength and confidence to be the strong woman that she was.

Her love for animals was evident, but most of all she loved birds. Watching them soar free in the sky without worry or interruption was Linda’s plan for herself after she was in the care of the Lord’s hands. Linda may you watch over us all and protect us from the trials and tribulations of life. May you fly across the blue sky as free as a bird and feel the freedom underneath your wings.

Linda had a passion for music and singing. Her voice was a gift from God and you could find Linda at a Karaoke sharing her love for music to the public. Cooking was a talent and many of meals did her blessed hands prepare. Crocheting too was an art of her hands. Many of these blankets made, will be wrapping around loved ones on a cold winter’s night.

Linda and family would like to thank Dr. Fairfax, homecare and acute care nurses for their hard work and endless hours caring for her through her journey.

In honoring Linda’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service. Donations in memory of Linda may be made to the Red Deer Women’s Shelter c/o Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, Box 1780, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0, who have been entrusted with the care and arrangements.

To send or view condolences to Linda’s family please visit www.stettlerfuneralhome.com

LARRY ALLAN TWA 1951 - 2013 Larry passed away suddenly at his home in Lacombe, Alberta, on Friday 13 December 2013. He formerly resided at Morningside, Alberta. He was born to George W. and Ruth M. Twa at Stettler, Alberta on Tuesday 14 August 1951 and was raised on the family farm near Talbot, Alberta. He is survived by his son Michael A. (Crystal) Twa of Smith, Alberta and daughter Michelle F. (Rodney) Ball of Castor, Alberta as well as grandchildren: Kaleb and Allyson Twa; Alyssa, Cody and Tamara Ball.

He is also survived by 7 siblings: Carole Tkach, Theresa Kobi, Judy Bullick, Greg Twa, Beryl Doyle, Roxanne Osetsky and Brett Twa and families. At Larry’s request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Stars Air Ambulance, 1441 Aviation Park N.E. Box 570, Calgary, AB. T2E 8M7 or other charity of your choice. Condolences may be made by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca

52

Coming Events

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59

AL-ANON WEEKLY MEETING FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF ALCOHOLICS. Tuesdays 8 p.m.

Neighborhood Place 5115 - 49 Ave., Ponoka For more info 403-783-4557

Marguerite Gore December 30, 2005

Tell it to the World in the Classified Announcements

Arts & Crafts Shows ..................50 Class Registrations....................51 Coming Events ..........................52 Lost ............................................54 Found ........................................56 Companions ..............................58 Personals...................................60 Bingos........................................64 Fitness & Sports ........................66 Happy Ads .................................70

She walks with us down quiet paths.

And speaks in wind and rain, For the magic power of memory, Gives her back to us again.

Forever in our hearts Charmaine, Kim and families.

ALATEEN

Weekly meetings Tuesdays @ 8 p.m.

Neighborhood Place 5115 49 Ave. Ponoka For more info.

403-783-4557 or 403-783-8371 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Monday night meetings at the Anglican Church Ponoka 8:30 p.m. Phone 403-783-0719 for info.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

59

Meetings

PONOKA NEWS Page 19

800

Oilfield

THURSDAY AA Meetings at 8:30 p.m. in the Catholic Church basement. 52 Street & 52 Ave. Ponoka.

Open meetings first Thursday of the month, Everyone Welcome.

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60

Personals

Is someone’s drinking causing you problems?

AL-ANON 403-346-0320

TANKMASTER RENTALS requires Labour Crew supervisor for Central Ab. Pipe fitting & light picker exp. would be an asset .

Oilfield tickets and clean driver’s licence req’d.

Competitive wages and benefits. m.morton@tankmaster.ca or fax 403-340-8818 Looking for a new pet?

Check out Classifieds to find the purrfect pet.

Employment #700 - #920 Caregivers/Aides................710 Clerical ..............................720 Computer Personnel ..........730 Dental ................................740 Estheticians........................750 Hair Stylists ........................760 Janitorial ............................770 Legal ..................................780 Medical ..............................790 Oilfield ................................800 Professionals......................810 Restaurant/Hotel ................820 Sales & Distributors ..........830 Teachers/Tutors..................840 Trades ................................850 Truckers/Drivers ................860 Business Opportunities......870 Miscellaneous ....................880 Volunteers Wanted ............890 Positions Wanted ..............895 Employment Training ........900 Career Planning ................920

Janitorial

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All applicants must have current H2S, Class 5 with Q Endorsement, (No GDL licenses) and First Aid. We offer competitive wages & excellent benefits.

Please include 2 work reference names and numbers.

Please fax resume to: 403-264-6725 Or email to: tannis@treelinewell.com No phone calls please. www.treelinewell.com

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IRON WING HOLDINGS LTD. now accepting resumes for Journeyman Mechanic and Class 1 Tank Truck Drivers. Send resume: Attention: Laurier Laprise.

Email: laurier.l@ironwing.ca or fax 780-396-0078.

JOURNEYMAN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN(S) in Hanna Alberta.

Hanna Chrysler Ltd. offers competitive wages, relocation allowance, negotiable depending on experience. Bright, modern shop. Full-time permanent with benefits.

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AG EQUIPMENT

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Applicants should be a journeyman, registered apprentice or person interested in apprenticeship. Competitive wages and benefits. All those considered for an interview will be contacted. Email Resumes to mechserve@outlook.com.

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52

Coming Events

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Bidell offers a competitive wage, company paid health benefits & best in the business savings plan.

Please submit your resume to: careers@bidell.com or fax to: 403.236.0345 www.bidell.com

TANKMASTER RENTALS req’s Exp’d Class 1 Fluid Haulers for Central Alberta. Oilfield tickets req’d. Competitive wages and benefits. m.morton@tankmaster.ca or fax 403-340-8818

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PONOKA Publishing Dates: WEDNESDAY DEC. 25 Deadline Wed. Dec. 18 @ NOON

• •

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• • •

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•

Happy Holidays to You and Your Families!

•

•

General Insurance License is required or must obtain within two (2) months Meet all provincial-licensing requirements in accordance with continuing education in order to obtain and maintain all licenses One (1) year sales and service experience or related business experience is preferred Knowledge or experience with selling techniques is preferred Knowledge of auto and property insurance products is an asset Skilled in communication (verbal and written), organization, time management, client service, decision making Candidate must be comfortable in a technology dependent environment including proficiency with Microsoft Office Valid driver’s license may be required

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A full time position with one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada Opportunity for career development including education opportunities, continuous training and career planning • Commitment to staff wellness including a comprehensive employee assistance program • A generous compensation package including a competitive salary and benefits program, including 3 weeks of vacation in • your first full year of employment • Opportunity to work for a company that is dedicated to giving back to your community through volunteering and an emphasis on environmental and sustainable business practices If you are interested in a career with The Co-operators, please drop off a Cover Letter and Resume at our office in Ponoka. Candidates will be contacted by January 17, 2014.

Want to learn more or have questions about this opportunity, please contact Greg Braat, Financial Advisor / Owner.

About The Co-operators The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is ranked #3 among the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada by Corporate Knights, and listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada. For more information visit

http://www.cooperators.ca.

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311 AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

A & J AUTOMOTIVE A & J AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR 6701 - 46 Ave. 6701 46 Ave. Ponoka, AB - T4J 1J8 Ponoka, T4J 1J8 (403)AB783-8755 (403) 783-8755 Al Dickhaut Owner/Operator Al Dickhaut Owner/Operator

VET SERVICES VERBRUGGEN Veterinary Services • Beef preg-checking with ultrasound • Mobile service for all large animals • Medication & Vaccines • 24/7 on call

403-704-6650

Page 20 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

BOBCAT SERVICES

850

Trades

Misc.

Help

Sur-B Enterprises Ltd.

880

BOBCAT SERVICE • Snow Removal • Driveways & Parking Lots • Post-Hole Augering - 6, 9, 12, 15 • Corral Cleaning • Grading & Construction Call 403-783-2764 403-588-0599 CallJim JimAshbough Ashbough 783-2764ororCell: Cell: 588-0599 Jack Surbey 403-783-5283 Cell: 403-588-0597 Jack Surbey 783-5283orCell: 588-0597

OVERHEAD DOORS

PETROFIELD Industries, the Leader in manufacturing Hydrovac trucks, is accepting resumes for the following positions: * General Labourers * Industrial Painters * Sandblasters * Material Handler * Automotive Electrical Technician * Journeyman Welder / Apprentice * 2nd Yr Welder with Aluminum experience Visit our website at: www.tornadotrucks.com for more details. Our Company has an enthusiastic fast paced working environment, with advancement possibilities for the motivated person, and offers an excellent benefit package. fax 403-742-5544 e-mail: hr@petrofield.com

Truckers/ Drivers

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311

Truckers/ Drivers

BOTTLE DEPOT

10 am - 5 pm

3, 5520 Hwy 2A (Across from Husky)

403-783-6875 SALES & SERVICE

Motorcycles & ATV’s Tues - Fri: 8:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday: 9 am-3 pm

403-783-5185 1-800-662-7135 Fax: 403-783-4635

Reaching 6000 households weekly for just

30

$

PER WEEK

This space could be yours!

403-783-3311

CRIMINAL RECORD? Think: Canadian pardon.

U.S. travel waiver.

(24 hour record check).

Divorce? Simple. Fast.

Inexpensive. Debt recovery?

Alberta collection to $25,000. Calgary 403-228-1300 or 1-800-347-2540; www. accesslegalresearch.com.

Classifieds...costs so little Saves you so much!

Misc.

Services

1290

REQUIRED Production Welder Painter Shop Laborer Polisher Full or Part Time Crestomere area BANDIT INDUSTRIES 403-783-4284

If you have computer, communication, and problem solving skills we will trade those for a performance based wage package, complete with beneďŹ ts, and monthly bonuses.

Check us out on Dealer Rater - we are the home of happy customers.

Reply in conďŹ dence by email: cpateman@ponokachrysler.com Craig Pateman Service Manager Fax :403-783-8140

CLINKERS KENNELS

Being a new parent isn’t

Rental Misc

Volunteers Wanted

890

TOWN OF PONOKA SUBDIVISION & DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD

1318

403-783-6272

1350

Need RV or Self Storage?

The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board has two upcoming vacancies.

Any person interested in serving on the Board is requested to submit a completed Application on or before January 6, 2014 to the Town of Ponoka.

Application Forms are available at the Town Office: 5102 - 48th Avenue Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1P7 or on the Town’s website at: www.ponoka.ca

Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY Misc.

Services

8’ X 10’ mini storage units available for rent.

Also RV storage.

Secure compound.

Call Keith at

1290

Misc.

Services

1290

OUR SPECIALITY

Repair of any cooling or refrigeration system as well as large household appliances.

First Call Towing

860

WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!

Pet Services

www.clinkerskennels.ca

Business Services #1000 - #1430

ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING AS A SERVICE ADVISOR, BUT WOULD LIKE A CHANGE?

TRUE PSYCHICS! For Answers call now 24/7 Toll Free 1-877-342-3036; Mobile: # 4486; www.truepsychics.ca.

Start your career!

See Help Wanted

HOURS: Mon - Thurs 9 am - 12 Noon; 4 pm - 6 pm; Fri. 9 am - 12 Noon; 4 pm - 7 pm; Sat. 9 a.m. - 12 noon; Sun. 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. & 4 - 7 p.m.

easy . . .

880

1315

Personal Services

* Quality Boarding for your dogs & cats *Proof of vaccinations and advance bookings required

INTERESTED IN THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER BUSINESS? Alberta’s weekly newspapers are looking for people like you.

Post your resume online.

FREE. Visit: www. awna.com/resumes_add.php

Must have experience moving heavy equipment that is related to pipeline construction.

Clean abstract.

Competitive wage.

Benefits available.

Please fax resumes to 780-372-4238 Or email to: jobs@abpipeliners.com Misc.

Help

1260

hr@calnashtrucking.com

CLASS 1 TRUCK DRIVER

Open Monday - Saturday

We Now Recycle Milk Cartons for Deposit

SWAMPERS Please submit resumes to 6526 - 44 Ave Ponoka, AB T4J 1J8 Fax: 403-783-3011 or Email:

Arnett & Burgess is now accepting applications for the following:

PONOKA BOTTLE DEPOT Closed Sundays & Holidays

860

Tired of semi truck driving?

Haul RVs from USA to Western Canada!

1 ton trucks required.

1-800-867-6233; www.roadexservices.com.

TELL it all! Tell it well! Make your ads sell for you by giving full description of goods or services offered. Include prices and terms. Phone 1-877-223-3311 for a friendly ad taker.

in Ponoka, has immediate opening for

Legal Services

783-3636 Heather Goodwin 403-704-3647 heathermccg@shaw.ca DISCONNECTED PHONE? Phone Factory Home Phone Service.

No one refused!

Low monthly rate!

Calling features and unlimited long distance available. Call Phone Factory today!

1-877-336-2274; www.phonefactory.ca.

Ironman Scrap Metal Recovery picking up scrap again! Farm machinery, vehicles & industrial. Serving

Training for life First Aid Training teaches how to respond confidently when injuries occur.

Misc.

Services

Unplanned pregnancy may be difďŹ cult to face.

We care. For conďŹ dential help call 403-343-1611 (24 hrs.)

DATING SERVICE. Long-term/short-term relationships. Free to try!

1-877-297-9883.

Live intimate conversation, Call #7878 or 1-888-534-6984.

Live adult 1on1 Call 1-866-311-9640 or #5015.

Meet local single ladies.

1-877-804-5381. (18+).

and Appliance Service

1290

Misc.

Services

1290

Misc.

Services

1290

e Squeezthe MOST out of your advertising dollars Place your ad in this newspaper and12345 province wide $

NEED TO ADVERTISE? Province wide classifieds.

Reach over 1 million readers weekly.

Only $269. + GST (based on 25 words or less).

Call this newspaper NOW for details or call 1-800-282-6903 ext. 228.

1315

Refrigeration

403-783-4880

Central AB. 403-318-4346

Personal Services

Berni's

with a combined circulation of over 800,000 for only...

995 plus GST/HST

Value Ad Network

Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email andrea@awna.com or visit this community newspaper

Well Drilling

1400

Well Drilling

1400

Well Drilling

1400

RURAL WATER TREATMENT (Province Wide) Tell them Danny Hooper sent you

)RON &ILTERS s 3OFTENERS s $ISTILLERS s 2EVERSE /SMOSIS h+ONTINUOUS 3HOKv #HLORINATOR 0ATENTED 7HOLE (OUSE 2EVERSE /SMOSIS 3YSTEM

12345 7ITHIN MILES OF %DMONTON

7ATER 7ELL $RILLING 2ED $EER #ALGARY .EW 'OVERNMENT WATER WELL GRANT STARTS !PRIL 4IME 0AYMENT 0LAN / ! # FOR WATER WELLS AND WATER TREATMENT

")' )2/.

View our 29 patented and patent pending inventions online at

www.1800bigiron.com

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

PONOKA NEWS Page 21

DENTISTRY

Misc. for Sale

RIMBEYDENTALCARE DR. STEVE CALDER BS C DDS

Buy & Sell #1500 - #1990

Family Friendly Dentistry Box 1100 4905 50 St. Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0

Auctions Ph. (403) 843-2173 Fax: (403) 843-2607

DENTAL CARE BIRCHLAND DENTAL CLINIC PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY

403-783-5225 • 403-783-5235 5118 - 51 Ave., Ponoka, AB T4J 1R5

DR. HUGH PORTER • DR. RICK BARR DR. JEFF BARR • DR. GREG EDWARDS - General Dentistry - Orthodontics - Cosmetic Dentistry - Bonding - Veneers - Bleaching - White or Gold Fillings - Crown and Bridge - Implant Restorations “WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOME NEW PATIENTS”

EYE CARE Drs. Heimdahl & ZoBell

1530

BIG STRAPPER AUCTIONS SALES EVERY WED. @ 6 pm.

Moose Hall 2 miles south of Ponoka on 2A

-

•

5120-51ST AVE, PONOKA

ADVANCED EYE HEALTH & VISION EXAMS CONSULTATION & REFERRAL SERVICES DESIGNER EYE WEAR & CONTACT LENSES INSURED MEDICAL EYECARE SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES

NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME

OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8AM - 12:30PM • 1PM - 5PM

This space could be yours for $

30

RESUMING MID JANUARY WE BUY FOR CASH. 403-304-4791 Check website for full listing www.bigstrapperauctions.net

WARD’S AUCTIONS Antiques/Estate Auction.

Jan. 5 and 6, 11802 - 145 St., Edmonton.

780-451-4549.

Taking consignments now for Feb. 8 Firearms and related auction.

Online bidding and pictures at www.WardsAuctions.com.

Building Supplies

1550

METAL ROOFING & SIDING. Very competitive prices!

Largest colour selection in Western Canada.

Available at over 25 Alberta Distribution Locations.

40 Year Warranty.

Call 1-888-263-8254.

STEEL BUILDINGS/ METAL BUILDINGS 60% off!

20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100, sell for balance owed!

Call 1-800-457-2206; www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

Firewood

1660

LOGS

HEATING

Wanted To Buy

1930

TAMARACK

Lil Mule Logging Inc. is now buying standing Tamarack. Minimum 10 acres. 403-318-4346

Semi loads of pine, spruce, tamarack, poplar.

Price depends on location.

Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346

Welding

1410

4 Plexes/ 6 Plexes

For Rent #3000 - #3200 Houses/ Duplexes

3020

House for Rent in Ponoka Rent $990; D/D $990 Town bill included in rent

3050

Beautiful fully renovated 3 plex for rent 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 2 decks New stove, fridge, front load washer and dryer View of river Heat & water included

Call 403-963-3374 or 403-783-4959

(water/sewer/garbage disposal)

NO ANTIQUE SALES IN JANUARY

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311

EVERY WATER WELL on earth should have the patented “Kontinuous Shok” Chlorinator from Big Iron Drilling! Why? Save thousands of lives every year. www.1-800bigiron.com.

Phone 1-800-BIG-IRON.

LAST SALE OF THE SEASON DEC. 18

403-783-5575 1-800-662-7168 WWW.4YOUREYESONLY.CA

1760

Agricultural #2000 - #2290 Farm Equipment ..............2010 Haying Equipment ............2020 Tractors ............................2030 Combines & Headers ......2040 Fertilizer Equipment..........2050 Misc. Farm Machinery ......2060 Equipment Wanted ..........2070 Farm Custom Work ..........2080 Farm Auctions ..................2090 Livestock ..........................2100 Livestock - Exotic..............2110 Sheep ..............................2120 Poultry ..............................2130 Horses ..............................2140 Horse Boarding ................2150 Riding Supplies ................2160 Horse/Stock Trailers ........2170 Pasture Wanted ................2180 Grain, Feed, Hay ..............2190 Seed Grain ......................2200 Seeding & Tillage ............2210

Grain, Feed Hay

2190

HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola.

Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain.

“On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252.

ROUND hay bales. Cheap Free delivery. Self unloading. No Sunday calls Please. 403-843-6380

Seed Grain

2200

WANTED. Hannas Seeds seeking distributors for forage, turf, native & reclamation seed.

Good commissions.

Contact Dave at 1-800-661-1529 or dave@hannasseeds.com

Welding

5 appliances, n/s, n/p 3 bedrooms; 1.5 bathrooms References required.

Available Immediately.

Call 403-783-2370 or text 403-704-5554

Manufactured Homes

3040

NORTH of Rimbey furn. 3 bdrm. mobile home, on horse ranch, all utils. incld’ n/s, $1200. rent/dd. Avail.

Immed. 403-843-3684 PONOKA MOOSE LODGE IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS For the rental of a modular home site.

Please contact Lynn at 403-358-6580 for details.

CLASSIFIED Want Ads do more things for more people than any other form of advertising. Phone 1-877223-3311

Houses For Sale

Suites

3060

* RIVERSIDE APTS. * Newly renovated 1 & 2 bedroom units in Ponoka: 3724-45 Street.

403-357-0287

Land

3170

FARMLAND WANTED Cropland & Pasture in Bashaw, Donalda Mecca Glen areas.

780-372-2195 or 403-323-9744

HEATING & EAVESTROUGHING

Commercial - Residential Installations - Repair

3912 - 66 St, Ponoka www.wcmltd.ca

403.783.3501 wcmltd@telus.net

VETERINARY SERVICES

Bovine Veterinary Services On-Farm Mobile Veterinary Services Ultrasound-aided ReproducƟve Programs CETA CerƟĮed Dairy and Beef Embryo Transfer Herd Health

Phone 403-391-1684 Dr. Bruce Wine

ʹͶ

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE FOR JUST

$

30

PER WEEK.

REACHING 6000 HOUSEHOLDS PER WEEK.

4020 This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311 VETERINARY SERVICES

1410

“Committed to your comfort”

Robin Esau

Ph: 403-782-7722 Fax: 403-782-7499

Southwest Industrial Park 4102-64 St., Ponoka 403-783-5200

robin@KlesAir.com www.KlesMechanical.com

Advertise your business in the Business Directory!

8 a.m. - 5 p.m Mon. to Sat. • Open late Thursday 24-hour Emergency Call Dr. Bill Frischke • Dr. Kelly Loree • Dr. Leighton Coma Dr. Trevor Hook • Dr. Patricia Kelly

• B-PRESSURE • PIPELINE • OILFIELD • ASME Section VIII Division I VESSEL FABRICATION & PIPING • SHOP/PORTABLE • CNC PLASMA CUTTING • ALUMINUM • SHEARING & FORMING

MAIN: (403) 783-7591 FAX: (403) 783-8178 Website: www.harbinwelding.com E-mail: bharbin@telus.net

Reaching 6000 households weekly

For just

$30 per week this space could be yours!

403-783-3311

Page 22 PONOKA NEWS

PLUMBING SHANDALL PLUMBING LTD. JAMES AVERY “Reasonable rates on all your plumbing needs” Gas Fitting - Home Renovations - Drain Cleaning -24 HOUR SERVICE5306 - 60 ST, PONOKA, AB T4J 1K7 PH: (403) 783-6372 • FAX (403) 783-6345

PLUMBING

PONOKA PLUMBING & HEATING We now carry a complete line of Ritchie Stockwater parts Hours of Business: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5 pm

5110 -50 Street Box 4414 Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1R7

JESSE ZINTER Office - 403-783-5489

Real Estate #4000 - #4190

Realtors & Services..........4010 Houses for Sale................4020 Houses Wanted ................4030 Condos/Townhouses ........4040 Acreages ..........................4050 Acreages Wanted ............4060 Farms/Land ......................4070 Farms/Land Wanted ........4080 Manufactured/ Mobile Homes ..................4090 Income Property ..............4100 Commercial Property ......4110 Industrial Property ............4120 Cottages/Resort Property ..4130 Businesses for Sale..........4140 Buildings for Sale ............4150 Lots for Sale ....................4160 Out of Town Property ......4170 Investment Opportunities ..4180 Mortgages Bought/Sold....4190

4090

Manufactured Homes

UNITED HOMES CANADA invites you to view our Heated display homes.

Purchase today at 2012 pricing. Inventory clearance starting at $92,500.; www. unitedhomescanada.com.

148 Eastlake Blvd., Airdrie.

1-800-461-7632.

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311 PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS

LittleJONS’ Hand Wash Stations Handicap Units Trailer Units New Solar Powered Units with Running Water

Serving Central Today!

Alberta Book On-Line

403.783.8322

www.littlejons.ca

Reaching 6000 households weekly for just

30

$

PER WEEK

This space could be yours!

403-783-3311

Financial #4400 - #4430 Investments ......................4410 Money Wanted ................4420 Money to Loan ................4430

Money To Loan

For just

$30 per week this space could be yours!

Celebrating the birth of your child?

Share your happy news with family & friends with a special announcement in the Classifieds “Announcement” section.

VETERINARY SERVICES

Ponoka Veterinary Clinic Dr. Murray Jacobson Dr. Clayton West Dr. Ashley Shannon

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm Sat. 9 am - 4:30 pm

24 Hr. Emergency 403-783-4348

5502 - Hwy 2A Ponoka, AB

T4J 1M1

THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS FOR

$30

PER WEEK.

CALL 4037833311 ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE FOR JUST

$

30

PER WEEK.

REACHING 6000 HOUSEHOLDS PER WEEK.

4430

WATER WELL DRILLING SERVICES

DO YOU NEED to borrow money - Now? If you own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits will lend you money - It’s that simple. 1-877-486-2161.

Darcy’s Drilling Services • water wells drilled & serviced • new pump & pressure system installations • all types of pump repairs • well shocking Darcy Schmidt Ph: (403) 783-2220 Fax: (403) 783-8828

Transportation #5000-5300

Email: darcysdrillingservices@hotmail.com

5080

WATER WELL SERVICE

Motorcycles

WIN A 2014 HARLEY-DAVIDSON(R) ROAD KING FLHR. Only 499 tickets sold.

3 early bird draws. $100/ticket.

June 20 draw.

Proceeds support Harley-Davidson Technician & Motorsports Programs at GPRC Fairview Campus.

1-888-999-7882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

Tires, Parts Acces.

Reaching 6000 households weekly

Welcome Home!

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

5180

WRECKING AUTO-TRUCKS. Parts to fit over 500 trucks.

Lots of Dodge, GMC, Ford, imports.

We ship anywhere.

Lots of Dodge, diesel, 4x4 stuff. Trucks up to 3 tons.

North-East Recyclers 780-875-0270.

ECKLUND Water Well Service

1-877-223-3311 CLASSIFIEDS

• Install & Service Pumps • Shock Wells • Pressure Systems Serviced & Installed Home: (403) 783-3712 Cell: (403) 704-3413

CUSTOM TUB GRINDING • Different screens for bedding & feed • 600 HP truck driven for fast grinding • Minimum Charge 2 HRS @ $220/HR

403-783-3311

CALL LEEN VOGELAAR 403-704-0919

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

PONOKA NEWS Page 23

1 DAY ONLY! THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26

BOXING DAY SALE

50

UP TO

%

OFF ALL SEASONAL MERCHANDISE!

*

*While quantities last. No rain checks.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 IS

SENIORS’ DAY! SAVE

20

%

WITH A SHOPPERS OPTIMUM CARD* ON REGULAR PRICED MERCHANDISE**

BONUS OFFER

RECEIVE A

10

$

SHOPPERS DRUG MART

BONUS CARD

ON A PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE**

See back page of flyer inserted into Dec. 18 issue of Ponoka News **

Page 24 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013

Endless Joy

$1000 Costco Rebate Is

Back

Year End Sale

2013 FORD FIESTA SE

2014 FORD FOCUS SE

2014 FORD D ESC ESCAPE S

Stk.#C0084.

Auto, Sunroof MSRP $22,024

Stk.#C0402.

Auto, winter pkg MSRP $23,764

Stk.#T0346 MSRP $26,729

YEAR END PRICE $16,995 OR $124 BW

YEAR END PRICE $18,985 OR $138 BW

YEAR END PRICE $21,950 OR $159 BW

2013 FORD F150 CREW C CAB XLT

2013 FORD F150 CREW CAB XTR ECOBOOST

0%

FOR 60 MTHS ON MOST MODELS EXTRA $500 CHRISTMAS CASH

2013 FORD F150 S/CAB XLT S/C St Stk.#T0296/ 5.0L 5 /AUTO MSRP $40,949 $

YEAR END PRICE $26,950 OR $194BW

2014 FORD F250 CREW CAB XLT

2013 FORD F150 CREW CAB FX4

Stk. #T0389 5.0L Auto MSRP $45,549

Stk.#T0169 MSRP $49,549

Stk.#T0321 MSRP $52,245

Stk.#T0282 Leather, nav, moon roof MSRP $55,519 M

YEAR END PRICE $30,985 OR $223 BW

YEAR END PRICE $34,988 OR $251 BW

YEAR END PRICE $39,955 OR $287 BW

YEAR END PRICE $39,986 OR $287 BW

DECEMBER

DEALS

LEGACY USED CLEARANCE CENTRE - OVER 200 USED TO CHOOSE FROM 2007 JEEP CHEROKEE SUV

2008 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT Stk.

Stk. #L0119

$11995 OR $129 BW

2009 FORD ESCAPE SLT

Stk.#L0238

Stk.#L0186 leather, moon roof

#L0160

$12995 OR $129 BW 2013 DODGE DART

2008 FORD F150 XTR Stk. #T0090B

$17995 OR $169 BW

2011 KIA SOUL SPORT

Stk.# L0219

$18,995 OR $137 BW

2011 DODGE RAM 1500

2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLT

$12996 OR $119 BW

$16995 OR $169 BW

2011 JEEP LIBERTY LTD

2010 FORD RANGER SCAB XLT 4X4

Stk.# L0258

$18,995 OR $138 BW 2011 FORD F150 SUPERCREW Stk.#T0017A

Stk. #T0357A

$18,850 OR $158 BW 2011 TOYOTA SR5 Stk. #L0218 mega cab

Stk.#L0122

Stk. T0110A

$21995 OR $179 BW

$22995 OR $189 BW

$26995 OR $223 BW

$29,895 OR $293 BW

USED IS BASED SED ON 60 60-84 84 M MONTHS DEPENDING EN ON N YEA YEAR/5 Y YEAR/5.9%/0 5 9%/0 9 /0 DOW DOWN/ALL WN/ALL AL ALL OAC OAC. SOME ME VEHICLES VEH NOT N EXA EXACTLY ACTLY LY AS IILLUSTRATED ILLUST

“Let your Legacy start here.”

www.legacyfordponoka.ca

YOUR LEGACY TEAM

Pat Boardman Trevor Feragen Sales Manager Sales Consultant

Bob Mass Sales Consultant