Ponoka News, January 08, 2014

DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF PONOKA

www.ponokanews.com Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Vol. 66, No. 2

403-783-3311

editorial@ponokanews.com

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Proud mom: Nina Oppel holds her newborn baby, Kevin John Oppel, Jan. 3. He was the first baby born in Ponoka in 2014. Please see story on page 12.

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Page 2 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

A year in review through Ponoka News headlines STARS new helicopter just arrived in Alberta (Jan. 2) Ponoka Comp reviews actions after gun threat (Jan. 9) Ponoka RCMP were called immediately. A partial lockdown was in place and staff were notified, shortly after that the student who allegedly threatened violence was placed in custody.

“Gentle” Ponoka man murdered at Calgary party (Jan. 16) A young Ponoka Comp grad murdered at a Calgary house party last weekend is being remembered as a gentle giant of a man.

Brett Wiese, 20, son of Jody and Brenda Wiese of Ponoka, was stabbed by two party crashers at a home in the northwest part of the city.

Ponoka: Impaired Driving Capital (Jan. 23) “Welcome to the Impaired Driving Capital of Canada.”

RCMP Staff Sgt. Cameron Chisholm opened his presentation at the Jan. 15 Coffee with Council meeting with that provocative statement.

“It’s very sad when you have to say that but that’s the reality we have in front of us.”

Ag event centre board faces challenges to success (Jan. 30) The Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society (PAECS) faces many challenges not the least of which is communicating its financial position to the community.

Family deals with pit bull bite to their child (Feb. 6) Nine months after a pitbull bit a girl on her arm, requiring 14 stitches, the case

went to court Jan. 29 as Jill and Rob Little, the parents of the girl bitten, wanted to have certain conditions placed on the dog, such as being neutered, using a muzzle when going for a walk and obedience training.

County pulls support for ag event centre (Feb. 13) Ponoka County has withdrawn its financial support for the Calnash Trucking Ag Event Centre. The decision was made after negations with the Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society (PAECS) to create equitable representation on the board fellthrough.

Ag event centre manager fired (Feb. 20) Ag event centre manager Chas Lambert has been fired. Just two and a half weeks after its annual general meeting, the Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society (PAECS) fired Lambert on Feb. 13 without notice or reason.

Despite setbacks PAECS Board moving forward (Feb. 27) Town considers options for new RCMP building (March 6) Municipal development plan almost complete (March 13) Airport requests money and membership (March 20) Ponoka County council has been requested to renew its membership in Ponoka’s Airport Commission and resume returning tax revenue generated by the hangers, which is approximately $7,000.

The county used to return the revenue to the airport but stopped more than one year ago.

Highway pile-up injures 100 on Highway 2 (March 27)

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Ponoka residents face 2.44 per cent tax increase (April 3) Teachers’ framework agreement ratified by school board (April 10) The Alberta government’s teacher framework agreement has been ratified by Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) board of trustees.

New commercial area planned (April 17) The property is located on 4800 60 Street just north of the Iron Horse restaurant, explained CAO Brad Watson at a regular town council meeting April 9. “They’re asking for a split zoning.”

PCHS designs new program (April 24) An educational program designed to encourage schools to redevelop the way they support student learning has been extended for another three years.

Local street improvement contract amended (May 1) Town balks on school resource officer (May 8) Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) is going to have to look for another option to pay for a school resource officer (SRO). Ponoka town council has decided not to share the cost of a SRO with the division and Ponoka County.

Residents speak up on business bylaw (May 15) A second public meeting was held May 7 at the Kinsmen Community Centre. The first meeting was held Jan. 15 — after council passed first reading on the business hours bylaw Nov. 27 — to hear from speakers including RCMP Staff Sgt. Cameron Chisholm.

Bonnett’s notice of motion falls flat (May 22) The first notice of motion by Coun. Rick Bonnett to see some organizational changes to the Town of Ponoka’s administration fell flat in the town council. Some councillors were confused with the wording and felt the motion was more of a discussion item.

Town makes offer to 38th St. (May 29) In an effort to bring issues to a close, the Town of Ponoka has offered $56,690 to 38 Street residents. This is the first acknowledgement from the town that residents were overcharged for services in a 2006 local improvement project.

Booze bylaw passes (June 5) Ponoka’s business hours bylaw has passed by a vote of 4-3; liquor stores and off-sales liquor outlets must close by 10 p.m. — except during the official days of the Ponoka Stampede. Third reading of the bylaw was passed at council’s May 28 regular meeting, which left liquor storeowners stunned.

Ponoka baby born on Highway 2, healthy and strong (June 12) Baby Pieter was born May 28 at 2:40 a.m. with a healthy weight of 8 pounds 1 ounce and 20 inches long.

But what is perhaps more remarkable is Pieter was born on Highway 2 at a truck pullout just south of Leduc.

Operations director Mikes Lewis resigns position (June 19) Residents have choice as Gill joins race for mayor (June 26) Town drops land price to speed up sale at industrial park (July 3) A tabled motion from Coun. Rick Bonnett was brought back to council June 24 to make a final decision on a property in the Southwest Industrial Park. The price was reduced to $180,000 from $225,000 after councillors argued the merits of lowering the price.

New MDP in first stages of consultation (July 10) Teen given probation for school threat (July 17) The high school senior who threatened gun violence against his classmates via text message last Christmas has been sentenced to 12 months probation.

Ponoka CIBC robbed at knifepoint (July 24) The CIBC in Ponoka was robbed at knifepoint July 17 at 10:30 a.m. Police are looking for a Caucasian man approximately 25 to 40 years old with a large mark on the back of his left hand between his thumb and index finger.

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Permit application fees see an increase for developers (July 31) Town adopts stormwater plan for developing annexed land (Aug. 7) This plan ensures requirements are in place for development over a 358-hectare area northwest of Ponoka where lands were annexed into the town.

Bench project brings better access to downtown (Aug.14) Creation of more rest stops is giving Ponoka’s aging residents an opportunity to be more active.

Lift station flood proofing project approved by council (Aug.21) With flooding a big concern in Alberta, the Town of Ponoka is flood-proofing a lift station along the Battle Rive.

County council examines Bethany Group concerns (Aug. 28) Ponoka County councillors are taking the Bethany Group to task over recent changes in operations at Golden Leisure Lodge in Rimbey.

Sewage seeps into homes after heavy rain downpour (Sept. 4) Teri Underhill received a call at her home at 61 Avenue near 59 Street in the early morning hours of Aug. 12. It was from a neighbour whose basement was flooding with sewage and advised her to check the basement.

Town shuts down medical marijuana grow op (Sept.

11) A medical marijuana grow operation licensed by the federal government has been shut down by the Town of Ponoka.

Ponoka’s MDP passes with few objections from residents (Sept. 18) Landowners concerned with rezoning applications (Sept. 25) Despite neighbours’ objection, Ponoka County council has approved two rezoning applications submitted by the same landowner, Dennis Hopper.

Airport lease rates increase (Oct. 2) Airport lease rates in Ponoka are rising by five per cent.

Brothers run for office (Oct.9) County resident Jerry Bonnett, 60, handed in his nomination for division 2 while his brother Rick, 47, put his name forward to be mayor for the Town of Ponoka.

Hobbema youth found shot to death in open area (Oct.16) Hobbema RCMP and EMS crews responded to a call Oct. 12 at 8:43 a.m. of a youth found unresponsive in an open area of the Samson Cree Nation town site. The victim was identified as Teagan Johnson, 15, and it was confirmed by the medical examiner that the cause of death was a gunshot wound.

Mayoral race goes to recount (Oct. 23) Monday’s elections in the town and county of Ponoka produced unexpectedly interesting results with mayoralty hanging in the balance, pending a recount and both town and county councils welcoming an overwhelming majority of fresh faces, with only one incumbent retaining their seats in each of the governing bodies.

Recreation top priority for new mayor (Oct. 30) Stampede board, financially secure and looking to expand (Nov. 6) County no longer seeks equal PAECS representation (Nov. 13) After a unanimous vote among councillors, county is not seeking equal representation on the Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society (PAECS) board — to match the Stampede Association and the Ponoka Agriculture Society — and is content with only one representative.

CIBC bank robber pleads guilty to summer robbery (Nov. 20) The man charged with robbing the CIBC bank this summer has pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery at a recent court session in Cold Lake. Joseph Rodgers’ sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29 in the same provincial court.

Ponoka staff laid off after Encana restructuring (Nov. 27) Kohlman seeks resolution on 38 St. from new council (Dec. 4) The unending story of 38 Street improvement dispute was once again on the agenda of the Town Council on Tuesday, Nov 26.

Ponoka sees growth in some areas in 2013 (Dec. 11) Town approves 5.33 per cent tax increase for 2014 (Dec. 18) Council approved the tax hike during its regular meeting Dec. 10, which provides an additional $256,000 in revenues.

County in good position heading into new year (Dec. 25) Even as council faced its green beginnings and each councillor stepped into their learning curve, Reeve Paul McLauchlin says the culture of the county hasn’t changed and council remains focused on small government and the people.

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 3

Ponoka man released on conditions after assault charge

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A Drumheller woman received several injuries Jan. 3 after her ex-boyfriend assaulted her.

Police were called to the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre at 1:30 a.m. to speak with a 31-year-old woman from Drumheller who suffered injuries to her head, neck and wrist. The woman was visiting her ex, a 37-year-old Ponoka man, when, after drinking wine together, the man became angry and started throwing her personal belongings out of his home.

He took one set of her keys and when she attempted to leave, tackled her, put her in a headlock and bashed her head on the floor. She was able to escape to a friend’s house before she was taken to the hospital.

It is reported she had three glasses of wine and he imbibed four bottles of wine before assaulting her.

There is a history of violence in the relationship: the man previously assaulted the woman in February in Drayton Valley.

The man was charged with assault and has received several conditions including no alcohol, no contact with the victim and not to be in contact with any firearms. Four firearms were seized from the residence and the man turned in ammunition. He was released on $500 cash recognizance for the most recent occurrence and $250 for the February altercation.

There was a previous no contact order between the two.

Barn roof collapses The Ponoka Fire Department received a call of a collapsed barn roof Jan. 5 at 5:30 a.m. on Secondary Highway 795 west of Highway 2.

A portion of the barn roof collapsed but there were no other details at press time. It is believed the barn holds more than 200 head of cattle and those animals were moved to a farm east of Ponoka to provide assistance. Heavy snow may have been a factor in the collapse.

Power pole collision Power was out in some parts of Ponoka Dec. 30 after a semi-trailer backed into a power pole in the alleyway behind IGA. The pole was broken in such a way that it was almost hanging from the wires.

A 41-year-old driver from Innisfail was charged with backing unsafely.

Marijuana found in vehicle An expired licence plate helped nab a man Dec. 27 at 2:45 p.m. in possession of marijuana.

A 51-year-old Ponoka man was driving a black 2009 Volvo sedan on 57 Avenue when police noticed the expired licence plate. He was pulled over and the officer sensed the smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The driver admitted to having consumed the drug prior and was charged with possession of a controlled substance and he received a ticket for driving a vehicle with an expired licence plate.

Snowmobiles on private property Police responded to a call of snowmobiles on a property on Range Road 263 and Township Road 430 Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. The homeowner called police

to ask officers to speak with the riders but as the cruiser approached, they left the scene.

Break and enter Staff at a business on the 4200 block of 67 Street were able to stop culprits from stealing anything Jan. 4 at 9 p.m.

Suspects broke a window to get into the business but employees were still working so the culprits fled.

There are no witnesses to identify who broke in.

Party bus gets stuck A wrong turn for a party bus gave 35 passengers an inconvenient few hours Jan. 5. The driver of the bus took a wrong turn and become stuck in the snow on Range Road 243 at 12:30 a.m.

Police arrived at the scene to assist while taxis ferried the passengers to a safe place. The snow was high enough that officers parked a distance away and walked over to help. One passenger became so concerned he kept calling 911 for help, until he realized they were already outside helping. It was minus 28 degrees C at the time.

If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.

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Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

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)

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PONOKA UNITED CHURCH Minister: Beatrix Schirner

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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

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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

Speakers (l-r) Mario Swampy of Samson Council, MP Blaine Calkins, Chief Craig Mackinaw and former Wetaskiwin MP Wilton Littlechild announce the federal government funding at the Nipisihkopahk Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 6.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

Federal government provides $2.89m for crime prevention in Maskwacis

By Mustafa Eric

and will be designed to prevent violence before it happens.

Calkins said in his statement it was unfortunate that tragic events like the shooting of two small children had turned out to be the main reason for securing the funding for the youth program.

But he expressed confidence that the program would make a major contribution to the strengthening of safety and security in Maskawcis.

Littlechild said “This will mark a day when Maskwacis turn to a new direction.”

Swampy of Samson Cree council said the program, product of years of work, was a timely initiative.

“The ground is fertile, the community is ready to embrace this project,” he said.

Chief Mackinaw of Ermineskin Cree nation said the launch of the program, coming simultaneously with the change of the name PONOKA RISING of their territory from to MaskSUN CLUBHOUSE Hobbema wacis, would help the transformation of the

Government of Canada has announced that it is to provide some $2.9m for the implementation of “Maskwacis Youth Initiative”, a five-year U.S-inspired crime prevention program in the Maskwacis First Nation communities, in an effort to reduce gang violence and persuade youth not to get involved with criminal activities.

Blaine Calkins, Wetaskiwin MP, flanked by Chief Craig Mackinaw of Ermineskin Cree, Councillor Mario Swampy of Samson Cree nation and former Wetaskiwin MP Wilton Littlechild made the announcement on behalf of Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, at the Nipisihkopahk Elementary School in Maskwacis.

The program targets an estimated 600 youths aged between 14 and 25

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culture among the four First Nations communities for the better.

According to the announcement, the program is modeled on the “Chicago cease-fire” scheme, which is reported to have been successful in reducing gang violence by up to 70 per cent in some communities in the metropolitan area.

The project aims to employ the negative experiences of former gang members to reach out to high-risk members among the youth in the community and communicate with them with a view to reducing victimization, re-victimization, reoffending and coming into contact with the justice system.

Key will be the work of outreach workers and so-called “violence interruptors” in ensuring that potential gang members can realize the consequences of their possible criminal actions.

Councillor Swampy, who disclosed during the press conference that he had been involved in criminal activity himself some 20 years ago, said most of the gang violence is retaliatory action and that it was important to stop the cycle of violence by blocking retaliation and finding ways of establishing rapport between rivals.

“There is no magic bullet, there is no quick fix,” he said, adding that they were hopeful that the program would produce positive results in time.

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Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 5

Reflections of Ponoka

The best is an age-old gathering of good times, family, and friends!

By Mike Rainone for the News One of the most enjoyable and long-standing events of our year round social calendar is a gala gathering of family and friends for the celebration of a reunion, anniversary, or very special event that honours generations of cherished memories of both yesterday and today. Down through the years we have all had the pleasure of joining in on some of these gala occasions that share the joys of marriage milestones, the school grad class of years gone by, ongoing family reunions, or simply fun gettogethers of the old sports teams, the volunteer Fire Department, your work gang, your church, club, or organizations, and on and on from the past and into the future.

It is such a thrill to arrive at one of these grand functions and rekindle old friendships, wondering what your first high school sweetheart looks like now or if the class jock is still a snob, and then having to read the name tags just to recognize them after so many cherished years. After lunch and a few drinks and everyone has settled in, we can now look forward to a casual but fabulous weekend of swapping pictures, memories, and memorabilia, and trying to shake it up and perform just like you did so many years ago. Perhaps at these funfunctions participants may take part in on a pick-up game of the sport or game that they used to excel, inviting the kids and spouses to join in, but hoping that they will not show them up along the way.

One should never be afraid to ask those old mates what happened to their long blond locks or greasy side-burns, if they married someone much younger than them, is that your original hair color, if they have any grandchildren, or if they finally became the CEO of some big company, a teacher, or a fitness instructor?

Each get-together is unique from others, being hosted in big back yards, churches, schools, community halls, campgrounds, or just about any place where jolly bunches of any numbers can plan their fun together, share way to much food, and have absolutely no problem getting everyone to join in. On most occasions everyone will try to stay up with the rest of the crowd, while others will get the children settled, then really dig in their heels into the wee small hours, hoping that no one will suffer to much or not roll out to early the next morning. Amongst the hugs, the handshakes, and the exaggerated stories, your function will certainly turn out to be one that you and I will never forget, ending with a fran-

Photo submitted

The Ponoka Composite High School Graduation Class of 1963 gathered to celebrate their 50th reunion on the weekend of September 13-15, 2013 in the community where they had so much fun growing up and earned an education along the way! Shown in the picture from left to right, back row, are classmates: Ken Pohl, George McKenzie, Gerry Field, Tom Doran, Larry Henkleman, Dave Schnell, Walter Schmidt, Carl Jensen, and Ron Sweet, and then in row four Is: Garry Humphreys, Jim Kolman, Gilbert Lance, Louis Peterson, Ed Andrychuck, Ken Williams, Ernie Matt, Don Sutherland, and Richard Clark. Standing in row three from left to right is: Vern Bruns, Larry Kleckner, Violet (Fleck) Lorenz, Sharon (McLaren) Erickson, Terry (Doran) Haakonson, Lynn (Taggart) Houcher, Jennie (Risto) Nauroth, Carol (Newton) Jensen, Jorgen Sveistrup, Gord Jones, and Ron McDowell; and shown in row two are: Mike Parker, Gloria (McCue) Konelskey, Marian Sweet-Wright, Elaine (Stuart) Bruns, Sandra Lindsay, (Tonnae Watts), Donna (Delong) Hutchison, Helen (Stretch) Haasdyk, Dell Sutton, Annie (Hanson) Kellington, Carol (Hughes) Potts, Gail (Beach) Chudleigh, and Dick (Richard Osokin); then seated in the first row (L to R) are: Leona (Nichols) Kofoed, Shirley (DeSpigelaere) Johns, Pat (Bonnet) Stark, Janet (Hastie) Grinton, Karen (Calvert) White, Kris (Younge) Jones, Fern (Paulson) Zurawell, Janet Hingst-Aishford, Vivian Baumgartner, Sharon (Donaghy) McLean, and Shirley (Roesti) Onesto. Missing from the photo was that always jovial class-mate Marty Schmidt! tic exchange of phone numbers and email addresses, as well as planning the next big bash, for just a few years from now.

We love to share your stories!

The Ponoka News have been so pleased to be involved in many of these special events, either by advance publicity for the exciting function, as well as sharing the photos and great memories after your anniversary, reunion, or gathering is over. Many of these stories have been fea-

tured on our Reflections and Remember When? page, which has been published for over five years and which we would love to keep going into the future for the interest of our thousands of town and district readers, as well as those who join us each week on Internet and other communication venues.

If you would like us to assist you both before and after your historical community event please give the Ponoka News

a call at 403-783-3311 or contact yours truly, Mike Rainone at 403-341-5750 or email: jrainone@telus.net. Casual interviews will be arranged at your convenience and your photos will be scanned and safely returned immediately. Thank you for all your wonderful support in the past, and hopefully we can continue to carry on and remember those memorable years through these ongoing colorful stories and pictures.

Photo submitted

Remember when

So we are being blitzed with snow this winter, with already close to 200 centimetres falling in the Central Alberta area, and may be heading for an all-time record?? This classic photo was taken in the Blindman Valley to the west and shows the aftermath of a wicked 1950 blizzard which kept the entire area stranded for days before the neighbours gathered together with their shovels to open the main road and conquer the wrath of ‘Old Man Winter’, at least for the time being! By the way, the record snow-fall in North America was over 1700 inches on Mount Rainer in Washington in the mid-1990s.!

Page 6 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Opinion The Dilemma of Religion In East Asian cultures, the guidAs you may have been following, an ance and teachings to reach purity/ interesting debate has been shaping up nirvana/deliverance came from human on the pages of Ponoka News over varibeings who were worshipped for ous aspects of religion. their qualities, like Buddha, ConfuThe discussion started with a report cius or Laozi (who is considered the on the deliberations by the trustees of the founder of the philosophy/religion of Wolf Creek School Board on religious Taoism). education as part of the curriculum three These belief systems were mostly weeks ago and expanded to the issue of individualistic unlike the Abrahamic/ ongoing changes in Christianity and to monotheist religions, which shaped and the history of those changes, going back dominated not only the thinking and beto Reformation spearheaded by Martin Mustafa Eric haviour of the individuals, but also the Luther some five centuries ago.

Editor norms of the societies those individuals It is interesting to note that the excollectively formed. To ensure control change of opinions on these religious matters through letters to the editor by Ponoka resi- over their subjects and their societal order, both Chrisdents comes at a time when even the philosophical tianity and Islam –and Judaism as well - established affiliation of the new leader of the Catholic church, rules, structures and hierarchies to control massive Pope Francis, is being questioned. (A recommended populations.

Fast forward to the present, the organized religion piece of reading is @ http://blogs.reuters.com/nichowith a mass following, be it Islam or Christianity, has las-wapshott/2013/12/30/the-popes-divisions/) So the debate on religion is not only local, but uni- turned out to be capable of not only admirable good –as they were supposed to be - but also of despicable versal as it has been for centuries.

From the passionate language used in the submis- evil. Suffice to remember the sexual abuse of children sions for publication in Ponoka News, it is easy to within the Catholic church establishment and the terconclude that religion plays still a dominant role in ror and oppression forced on the citizens of countries ruled by strict Islamic regimes like Saudi Arabia and how people think and act.

Since the time of pagan cultures, humanity has Iran.

So here is the question: How much do we still need sought guidance, protection and forgiveness in the thought of the existence of a supreme force, far above organized religion at this time and stage of human development? the capacities of the layman.

themselves and try to reach out to/communicate with/worship their deities in their solitude, in their own way?

If yes, how? If not, why not?

If religions, all of them without exception, are paths for individuals to follow in their endeavours to become better persons, can we let everybody be

Getting your flu shot is now critical I usually try to keep this old coloverwhelming stress umn upbeat and positive, but this that will be placed week, after spending four days in on all Provincial the hospital, I am extremely conHospitals and other cerned about the sudden invasion health facilities by the of the HINI flu virus in Alberta. By onslaught of the influthis past weekend, there have been enza.

965 lab-confirmed cases of influenPLEASE-PLEASE za in our province, which has been consider getting your an extremely large escalation of the flu-shot today, not Mike Rainone disease, and has resulted in over 250 only to protect yourHammertime hospitalizations and five deaths. selves, but also your Our government has continued family, work-mates, to offer the free immunization of the neighbours, friends, flu vaccine since the fall of 2013 for all Al- and community. Check the Ponoka News berta citizens from the ages of six months and your Health Unit for locations of Immuand beyond. Unfortunately up to the pres- nization Clinics in this area or elsewhere. In ent time, only 21 per cent (450,000 shots) this case just a few seconds of discomfort of Albertans have been immunized, includ- could go a very long way in preventing a ing just fewer than 50% of our health care whole lot of pain and suffering in the future. workers. Mass immunization clinics have Thank you for your care and co-operation. been reopened to encourage all eligible citi- Now just a little on the bright side. zens to get this vital influenza shot before a testimony to a true friendship. the disease gets out of control or reaches A man brought home his best buddy epidemic proportions. Health Minister Fred for dinner one night unannounced at 5:30 Horne has also stressed that 100 per cent p.m. after work. His wife immediately beof those working in the health care system gan screaming at him and his friend just must be immunized so that they will remain nonchalantly sat there and listened in. “My prepared and able to serve the expected hair and makeup are not done, the house is

PONOKA

a mess, the dishes are not done, I’m still in my pajamas, and I can’t be bothered with cooking tonight. What in the world did you bring him home for?” she firmly asked.

“Because he’s thinking about getting married,” her husband quietly replied.

The psychiatrist versus the bartender.

The young man had suffered a terrible dilemma ever since he was a child, fearing that someone was under his bed at night, so finally he went to the local shrink.

‘I’ve got problems. Every time I go to bed I think that there’s somebody under it.

I’m really scared, and I think that I am going to go crazy.’ explained the young man.

“Just put yourself in my hands for one year” said the shrink. “Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears of yours.”

“How much do you charge?” the wouldbe patient inquired. “$80.00 per visit,” replied the doctor. Shocked the young man quickly replied, “I’ll sleep on it”, and then left the office.

Six months later, the well-to-do psychiatrist met the young man on the street.

“Why didn’t you come to see me about those fears that you were having?” he asked.

“Well, eighty bucks a visit is an awful lot of

money, and a friendly bartender cured me for $10.00. I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went out and bought me a brand new souped up pick-up truck.”

“Is that so,” the disgruntled doctor replied with a bit of an attitude, “and how may I ask did a bartender cure you?” “He told me to cut the legs off the bed, and there ain’t nobody under there now.” Just goes to show you that sometimes it’s best to ignore the shrinks and the no-it-alls.... go have a drink, and chat with your friendly neighbourhood bartender.

My belated New Year’s greeting to you all.

May peace break into your home and may thieves steal all your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100.00 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline, and may laughter assault your lips.

May happiness slap you across the face, and may all your tears be those of joy.

May the problems you had forget your home address, and in the most simple of wishes, May 2014 be the next best year of your life.. Bundle up warm and have a great week, all of you..

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, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 7

Level of public services enraging Dear Editor, I am writing to you today to express my frustration with how the public services are unsatisfactory.

It’s New Year’s Eve and I just came back from the outdoor rink.

And to no surprise, there were about 6-7 inches of snow covering the ice surface. Knowing better not to pack my three children up to go skating on New Year’s eve at the only rink in town, but to make sure that the people running this facility actually did their job first was a wise choice.

This has been the fifth time in the four years I have lived here that this has happened.

Having moved here from Red Deer, where there are 60+ outdoor rinks maintained over three times a week, our inability to maintain one is sad.

After being let down again, I proceeded to the rec facility to find someone to speak with about it.

The man I spoke with told me he was in charge of the outdoor facility. I asked him if he was aware that there were 6-7 inches of snow covering the ice surface. He said “Yes, I am aware of that, it snowed last

night.” I replied that there was still 6-7 inches of snow on it today.

I then asked him if he was aware that it is New Year’s Eve today, and that this is the only outdoor ice surface to skate on in this town. His response was that “there may be 20 cm of snow falling tonight and tomorrow.”

I finally came to the understanding that if it snows, or may snow, in Ponoka, Alberta, CANADA! then the public works people do not have to do their job and maintain the only facility left responsible to them.

Disturbed, I turned and walked away. I went out to the rink where a couple of grandparents and a father and mother had spent hours shoveling a small section of the surface for a couple of 6-7 year old kids could skate, while the people paid through taxes, drank coffee and enjoyed a party in the lobby of the rec facility. With a broken heart full of rage, I had to write my first letter to the editor.

I pray it never happens again.

Ben Quine Ponoka

Thanks to an RCMP Officer Dear Editor, I would like to say a thank you to one of your off duty police officers after I watched how he was treated by a man parking in a handicap stall.

On the weekend, I watched a vehicle pull in to a handicap parking stall at No Frills. The truck did not have any sticker or signs showing it had the right to park there. I watched the driver get out and walk like there were no health problems. I was a bit miffed and annoyed that yet another person took a handicap spot.

The officer pointed out to him it was a handicap parking spot and he needed to move. The man driving looked right at the officer, gave him the finger, then walked back to his truck, reached up in the sun visor of the truck and pulled out a blue handicap parking pass.

I would like him to know that I for one appreciate what he did speaking up for what is right and

questioning that move. How often we see lazy uncaring people take advantage of that parking over whom it is rightfully meant for and we all just turn a blind eye and say nothing.

Now I watch a person defend a disability and he is abused by the very person it is meant for. Instead of saying thank you and “sorry for not putting the sign in my window” and showing some appreciation and understanding, the officer gets the finger.

I for one appreciate what you did sir and thank you. I will also thank you on behalf of the person who used the spot that gave you the finger because they were too lazy to display the sign and too caught up in themselves to realize you were defending their right to use that spot.

Thank you Jannette Wallace Ponoka

Thank you to the Old Iron Horse Restaurant Dear Editor, January 1, 2014, the owner of the Old Iron Horse Restaurant and his staff presented a delicious turkey dinner, in keeping with the holiday season, to the Ponoka White Caner group and several other non-profit organizations. Friendship and fellowship were the order of the day for all who attended this gracious occa-

sion.

Thank you, Tom, Michelle and staff, for your kind generosity to those who struggle with disabilities in this community.

We wish you all peace, health and prosperity in 2014.

Christine Kawamura Ponoka White Caner group

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

NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Business Licenses Are Now Due! The 2014 Business License Renewal Notices have been sent out and are due no later than the close of business on January 31, 2014. Inquiries can be directed to 403.783.0119.

Advertise on the Community Event Sign The Town’s electronic Community Event Sign is available for all local non-profit and community groups to use to promote and advertise their activities, functions and/or events. It is not intended for use by commercial, political or profit based businesses or groups. The fees for advertising are $25 + GST per week and must be pre-paid prior to advertising. Bookings are taken through the Town Hall (5102-48 Ave). Event submission forms available at the front counters.

E-Waste Recycling in Ponoka Computer equipment and televisions can be dropped off at Ponoka County’s Waste Transfer Station which is located ½ mile west of Ponoka Chrysler on 39th Avenue. No Charge.

Hours of operation are: Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9 am-5 pm.

Thank you for your part in caring for our environment.

Christmas Tree Pickup The Town’s Public Works crew will be picking up Christmas Trees beginning January 13th Weather Permitting. Crews will only pick-up trees placed next to residential garbage pick-up location i.e. Next to your garbage stand. Trees should NOT be wrapped in plastic. Christmas trees may also be dropped at the Waste Transfer Station at no charge from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Waste Transfer Station Hours Tuesday through Saturday – 10 am to 4 pm There is a minimum tipping fee of $7.50 per visit.

There is no charge for compostable materials (grass clippings, garden waste, leaves, branches) or tires.

Call 403-783-8328 for more information.

EVENTS AND RECREATION Employment Opportunities Qualified Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors Rink Attendant (PT/Seasonal): For the upcoming 2013-14 ice skating season at the Arena Complex. Hours of work will be primarily evenings and weekends.

Casual Equipment Operator I – Arena Complex: Previous work experience with artificial ice maintenance, ice resurfacer operations and maintenance, and general building maintenance/ janitorial are preferred. For more details on these positions, contact 403-783-0118.

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 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!

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 January 14, 2014 @ 7 pm Visit www.ponoka.ca for copy of the agenda.

2014 Dog Licenses Now Due Take Advantage of the Lower Rate - Pay Before February 1st $25.00 Per Dog Now! Price will go up to $40.00 after February 1st.

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.

I used to stare up at the sky trying to see where the snowflakes were born. I could do it for hours. Well, minutes. But it was always the waiting that was the most fun. ~ Author unknown, from a package of Starbucks coffee, 2010

Page 8 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Free New Year’s Day lunch raises $740 for Ermineskin Elementary School

By Mustafa Eric For the second year in a row, Tom and Michelle Lam threw open the doors of their Old Iron Horse Restaurant on 2014 New Year’s Day for a free lunch to all those who wanted to respond to the invitation.

The 2013 event was conceived of as a goodwill gesture, but this year it had a different focus.

“Two Thanksgivings ago, my uncle passed away and our family was very sad and we couldn’t go back home to be with them. So we wanted to do something that would make us feel good,” is how Tom explained the idea of offering new year day’s free lunches to townspeople first came about.

But this year’s event was designed with a more specific goal in mind: raising money for the Ermineskin elementary school playground.

“We have a customer and we developed a very close relationship with her over time,” explained Lam. “She used to work at Ermineskin Elementary School but now she has retired. She liked the school and her job so much that we thought we could show our respect to her dedication by supporting the school.”

There was no minimum amount of donation requested and everyone was welcome without the condition of having to make a contribution.

Some 120 guests filled the restaurant beginning at 11 a.m. in the morning with the majority being seniors, some of them transported to the restaurant thanks to the services of the Ponoka Wheelchair Van Transport Society.

“It was the same number of guests as last year,“ said Lam. The total of $740 raised through the donations will be passed over to the Ermineskin Elementary School.

Michelle and Tom Lam were visibly happy on Jan. 1 to be serving a free turkey lunch to guests to raise funds for a good cause.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

Ponoka MLA assesses 2013

By Amelia Naismith

transportation in nonemergency situations.

To finish off what’s “We want them on the been a busy year for the frontline, doing the job Lacombe-Ponoka MLA, they’re there to do,” he Rod Fox has been adding stressed. more to his plate.

But Fox isn’t alone “My critic portfolio in his endeavours and he has changed,” he said. Fox sees community groups is now the official critic for Rod Fox continuing to strive for International and IntergovMLA their municipalities and ernmental Relations. good will. For him, the Fox is also the vicehighlights of the year were the people chair of the Alberta Economic Futures themselves.

Legislative Committee. “I’m still on Two such groups Fox named were private (members’) bills as well,” he the Lacombe and Ponoka Big Brothadded. ers Big Sisters as they support the For the MLA, some of the big- provinces future leaders, and Ponoka’s gest challenges of 2013 came from the Klaglahachie Fine Arts Society. province’s capital. Fox is dismayed “They always put on a wonderful with Edmonton and he feels the Alberta performance,” said Fox, who is a huge Government is growing more and more fan of this year’s Sound Of Music, and detached. was particularly impressed with the talOne of the causes for concern he ent of Megan Sweet who played Maria. mentioned is the debt that continues Fox also enjoys the town’s annual under the government’s eye. “Vulner- Ponoka Stampede and went on to say able Albertans are slipping through the he can’t express how proud he is of cracks.”

Ponoka as residents continue to invite “They good news is we’re up there the world into their town year after year and we’re fighting,” he added. for the event. “The Ponoka Stampede Another time consuming effort has sticks out every year. The planners and been acting as a counter-balance as the volunteers, they do an amazing job.” province centralizes EMS and emer“It’s got to be the premier event in gency services. Fox says the battle is Alberta,” he added. standing up for rural municipalities, Fox says he has continually been such as Ponoka, to ensure they re- honoured by the responsibilities beceive the services they require while stowed upon him by the people. “It’s the province watches emergency pro- an honour to go up to Edmonton and viders remain unnecessarily tied up tell the world what a good job they’re in hospitals, and the vehicles used as doing.”

Champion’s Centre shuts its doors after 10 years

By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye Seven men with mental disabilities have been ejected and their whereabouts are unknown after the Champion’s Centre closed its doors Dec. 31 due to financial troubles.

The centre provided support to mental health patients, many of whom suffered from schizophrenia, explained manager Jodi MacKay. They were former patients at institutions such as the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury and Red Deer and Wetaskiwin hospitals. Some needed help transitioning from these institutions to everyday life.

“They were either going to be long-term…or they were just going to transition into the community,” explained MacKay. MacKay had no local board of directors to provide guidance but was able to keep the centre from closing for a year and a half. She was hired in July 2012 and did not realize the state of affairs at the centre. “I wasn’t exactly told the truth about the financial trouble it was in.”

At the time she was hired, members of the centre’s board of directors resigned from their position and no others took on the job. MacKay and staff members were left without board direction after September, 2012. They took on the task of trying to keep the centre stay afloat. There was little input from the Champion’s Centre national office in Brooks and as a result, MacKay turned to different church groups for help, she explained.

“It’s really hard to run a non-profit organization with absolutely no funding,” she said.

Some help came in the form of staff member Maryanne Estelle whose husband suffers mental illness, she tried to provide the support that a board of directors would. Estelle and the other staff at the centre were laid off in February because of the lack of funds but she stayed on and volunteered her time with the centre.

“Over half of my wages when I worked here went back into the centre,” said Estelle.

“It was because of our heart this place stayed open,” added MacKay. They received calls from groups such as the RCMP, hospitals and Family and Community Support Services who needed to provide a temporary home for individuals.

Getting donations proved a challenge for MacKay; she found there was a negative connotation from the centre but is unsure why. This became clear when she hosted a magic show fundraiser last year that was not successful.

To tackle that she and Estelle worked closely to develop stronger relationships with some church groups and found some support, especially from the Lutheran Trinity Church. “It started to turn around, which was amazing.”

MacKay said every dollar they received in donation went back into the centre’s operations.

“Everything that made it into this building made the gentlemen’s lives that much better.”

Now their clients’ futures are uncertain. “We desperately need homes for these people,” said Estelle.

Calls to executive director Joel Goodnough in Brooks were not returned.

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 9

A book in tune with the winter “The Quiet Season: Rememberin it, travelling by car and on foot ing Country Winters” by Jerry Apps through it, and hoping that Santa c.2013, Wisconsin Historical Society could handle it. He recalls when Press $22.5 / higher in Canada 150 neighbors took care of neighbors pages and dances were held in someone’s It snowed overnight. dining room. And he remembers the You saw it first thing this mornperfection of winter some 70 years ing, and you grumbled. You know ago, its loveliness and its magic. how much extra work that stuff is: I’m not sure where it came from, shoveling, brushing, scraping. Evbut reading “The Quiet Season” Terri erything needs more time to warm up gave me a definite sense of pulseSchlichenmeyer and get going – including you. slowing calmness.

Sure, snow is pretty… for about Maybe that’s because author The Bookworm ten minutes. Or, as you’ll see in “The Jerry Apps – who often mentions his Quiet Season” by Jerry Apps, it’s love of a good story – is himself the beautiful for a lifetime. teller of tales that circle around community in a Born to a pair of farmers in the “midst of the TV-less, packed-calendar-free, horse-drawn but Great Depression,” Jerry Apps says that, save but hard-working world that fewer and fewer folks refor his time spent in the Army, he’s never missed a member. They’re told with awe, gratitude, grace, Wisconsin winter. For folks in snowy climes, win- more than a little knee-slapping – and lots of love ter reminds us that “we are not in charge,” he says. for the way things were, the rotation of the seaThe winters of 1939-1947 were particularly sons, the bounty of the land, and the perseverance memorable for Apps. Electricity hadn’t yet come of its people. to his parents’ farm - it didn’t arrive until the spring This is the kind of book that elders will read of ’47 – which meant that milking cows and fetch- and read again. It’s a book you’ll want to give to a ing water was all done by hand. Dinner was made whiner. It’s one you’ll be glad to curl up with beon a wood-burning stove that served both to pre- cause, though it’s mostly about winter, “The Quiet pare food and to heat the kitchen. Homework for Season” will leave you warm. the three Apps boys was done by kerosene lamp.

Apps remembers how his father prepared for winter by “making wood” from dead oak trees and hauling it closer to the house. The family butchered a hog every fall because they “needed the meat if we were going to survive the long winter.”

Produce from garden and field was laid in for the Your season. source Even when there was a snowstorm, the three for your Apps boys had to walk to school and they tried not to miss a day. The season’s first snow was espelocal cially exciting; says Apps, he and his classmates news were “running around like we were possessed by first snowfall demons.” As white stuff piled up, his teacher in the one-room schoolhouse tapped one of the bigger children to shovel a path to the outhouses.

Apps recalls playing in the snow, and wading through waist-high drifts. He remembers hunting

CONGRATULATIONS from the Kinsmen Club of Ponoka

UPCOMING CLASSES

– JANUARY –

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Zumba is a fun, effective, easy to follow, calorie burning party!

Mondays, 7 pm - 8 pm, 9 classes, Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, Mar. 10, 17, 24, 31 $79 per person Thursdays, 7 pm - 8 pm, 9 classes, Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, Mar 6, 13, 20, 22 $79 per person Sign up for both Monday and Thursday classes for

$139 per person Ponoka Elementary School Gym

DROP-IN TABLET OR E-READER HELP SESSION Bring your tablet or e-reader to the Ponoka Jubilee Library for help and tips on using these devices.

No registration required.

Saturday, Jan 18, 11 am to 1 pm

Wonderful Wyatt!

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To adopt call 403-783-7447 Ponoka Animal Services (Old MacDonald Kennels) Check our website

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Ponoka Art Club Classes Coloured Pencil with Dee Poisson For all levels. Sat. Jan. 11, 2014 all levels Watercolour: Loose & Free Landscapes with Sonja Zacharias - for all levels Sat. Jan. 25. To register for art club classes call Lyla at 403-783-1887 or Marilynne at 403-783-4669

Call Ponoka Adult Learning to register for any of these classes

403-783-3285

Katriena Ridder was the lucky draw winner of the recent Kinsmen fundraiser. Kinsman Andrew Middleton, manager of The Brick presents Katriena, her husband Rowland, son Jayden and daughter Amber with the main prize of a $5000 bedroom suite complete with mattress and boxspring.

$100 cash winners were: Bruce Olmsted Bonnie Bandfeld Marilyn Pinksen Susan Stokes

Anna Millar Justin Westby Kevin berg Heather Baich

Jennifer Bartley Randy Meyer Rhonda McLaughlin Kelly Johnson

Thank you to everyone for supporting the Ponoka Kinsmen Club

Page 10 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Downside Risk

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Ponoka Capitol Theatre 4904 - 50th St. Ph. 403-783-3639

PLAYING Jan. 10 to 16 SCREEN #1

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The big news hitting the market has been focused on China as they continue to reject U.S. corn shipments (rumours are now at over 600,000 tonnes, or 30 per cent of U.S. shipments year-to-date, in less than 5 weeks!) while FC Stone says China is likely to start cancelling soybean orders in early 2014, putting current downside pressure on the market.

With South America’s soybean crop still up in the air, soybean prices are staying high relative to canola prices (the canola crop is already in the bin

so there aren’t any unanswered questions). Ultimately though, I wouldn’t be surprised if China started cancelling in the last few days of December (they did so last year), when most of the market is far from a trading screen. Even though market volatility is bound to increase with less participants at the trading table, the large supply of grain inventories this year could soften how big the moves are. Another important headline to keep abreast of was the introduction of a bill by U.S. senators to repeal the corn ethanol mandate. The proposed law would remove all requirements to use corn to produce the biofuel, giving an opening to soybean, cellulosic, and other low-carbon advanced biofuels.

Or as bill-sponsoring Oklahoman Republican DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE PRESENTS Senator Tom Coburn said, “Eliminating this mandate will let market forces, rather than political and parochial forces, determine how to diversify fuel This children’s drama course is designed to help supplies in an everyoung actors (ages 6-12) become comfortable on changing marketplace.” the stage and explore their creativity while offered At these lower prices, in a safe and caring environment. it’s hard not to think Participants will learn basic stage directions, how that corn acres in the to audition for theatre, play theatre games, and U.S. (and likely elseexplore character development through creativity. where) will go down The course will culminate in a performance for for the 2014/15 crop. family and friends. The course will be directed by

Street’s

Performers

Airyn Street.

Where: When: Dates:

Tuesdays & Matinees

$

all 400 seats

Cost: Age:

Ponoka United Church Monday evenings 6 - 7:30 pm January 13, 20, 27 February 3, 10, 24 March 3, 10, 17 March 19 - Performance for family & friends $100 per child 6-12 years of age (must be 6 years old as of June 1, 2013)

For more information, please call 403-704-3099 or 403-783-2202

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SPONSOR NAME: ___________________________________________ (will appear on plaque in lobby) ADDRESS: _________________________________________________ _______________________________ POSTAL CODE: ____________ PHONE: __________________ EMAIL: __________________________ $

25 per Sq Foot x_________________ Sq Feet = Total: $ ___________ Charitable donation receipts will be issued.

Farm Lead Brennan Turner Speaking of prices, agricultural bank Rabobank says that soybeans could be the worst performing commodity in 2014 due to the rebuilding of stocks this past year.

The Dutch multinational says that the price of the oilseed (November 2014 contract) could decline 20 per cent to $10.70 a bushel by the end of 2014. As for corn, the bank sees prices trending slightly slower to about $4.10 while Chicago wheat prices are seen “steadying” around $6.40 for most of 2014. With decent production expected for both wheat and corn, the bank says that they expect wheat prices to maintain its strong premium over corn. Morgan Stanley, however, thinks a bit more bearish, pegging 2014/15 average prices at $4.20 for corn, $5.50 for Chicago wheat, & $9.80 for soybeans. This is especially interesting since the U.S.D.A. just put out their 2013 final costs of production at $4.10 for corn, $6.49 for wheat, and $9.90 for soybeans.

If soybean prices are expected

to fall, Argentine soybean producers may want to start selling. The country’s farmers continue to use soybeans as a hedge against a falling peso (its value is down 22 per cent in the last year). As soybeans are priced in US dollars, as the peso falls, Argentinian producers can collect more pesos for the same amount of soybeans, making hoarding their supply a legitimate hedge. Planting of the soybean crop across South America is close to being complete and conditions are pretty good so far. This is also the case for much of the European and North American winter wheat crop as decent snow cover and relatively cool temperatures have softened any winterkill risk. At the end of the day, (as we approach the end of the year), crops currently in the ground in decent standing and it’ll be hard for the market bulls to grab any attention.

To growth, Brennan Turner President, FarmLead.com Brennan Turner is originally from Foam Lake, SK, where his family started farming the land in the 1920s. After completing his degree in economics from Yale University and then playing some pro hockey, Mr. Turner spent some time working in finance before starting FarmLead. com, a risk-free, transparent online and now mobile grain marketplace (app available for iOS & Android).

His weekly column is a summary of his free, daily market note, the FarmLead Breakfast Brief. He can be reached via email (b.turner@ farmlead.com) or phone (1-855-3327653).

BRINGING YOU UP TO DATE ONLINE & IN PRINT

WEEKLY

www.ponokanews.com

Ponoka Drop-In Activities 5015 – 46 Avenue

Monday Billiards 9:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday 50 cents per game.

Honor system.

Monday Bridge 1:15 p.m.

Monday1:30 p.m Whist Tuesday and Thursday Exercise class 9:30 a.m. fun exercise Tuesday Shuffleboard 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Sewing Guild 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday Cribbage 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday Duplicate Bridge 7:00 p.m Wednesday Floor Curling 7:00 p.m.

Thursday Weaving 1:00 p.m. Phone Betty @ 783-3029 Thursday Partner Bridge 1:15 p.m.

Thursday Art Club – Noon to 4:00 pm Thursday Pickle Ball 7:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 1:00 p.m.

Friday “500” 1:00 p.m.

Memberships still available. $10.00 person. Really inexpensive.

To rent our facility contact Dorothy @ (403) 783-3027 or George @ (403) 783- 3514 or leave a message @ (403) 783-5012. Rentals are increasing and we would like to invite our town administration, business groups, and general public (Wedding, funeral, and Birthday groups), to inquire about rentals services and prices early in their planning. We may fit your bill!

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 11

Nominations open for Community Justice Awards Government of Alberta has announced that nominations are being accepted for 2014 Alberta Community Justice Awards until Feb. 7 to enable recognition of leaders who contribute to strengthening of safety and security in their communities.

“We invite you to help recognize people in your communities who go the extra mile to prevent and address crime in Alberta neighbourhoods by nominating them for this prestigious award,“ said a press release by the Ministry of Justice.

“Jonathan Denis, the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, encourages you to nominate a local leader,” it said.

Beth Reitz of Ponoka was last year one of the recipients of the award.

The statement said Reitz was deemed worthy of the award for taking on “a number of leadership roles in various local organizations which encourage positive and healthy choices by youth.”

Sledding speedster: Kayla Vreugdenhill holds on tight while sledding Jan. 3 at the Stampede Grounds. Despite a windy day, kids were out sledding at the hill.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

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According to the press release, the awards are meant to honour individuals, youth, crime prevention organizations, victim services, restorative justice organizations and police.

To nominate a person, business or group application forms which are available on line must be submitted by noon on February 7, 2014.

Selection criteria include leadership – demonstrating exceptional leadership ability in the area of local concern; innovation – demonstrating innovative solutions or approaches in their work; service enhancement – taking deliberate and logical steps to enhance the services they currently provide; community mobilization – effectively mobilizing the broader community to address issues of local concern and partnerships and collaboration – building connections and effective partnerships with agencies and parallel organizations in the community.

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Page 12 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Family welcomes first baby of the New Year to Ponoka

By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye The first baby of 2014 in Ponoka was born a healthy six pounds and 14 ounces Jan. 2 at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre.

quickly, Mrs. Oppel said.

“It went really good. I never needed any medication or anything,” she went on.

“The kids were home from school so that helped a little,” added Mr. Oppel. “So

Harald and Nina Oppel welcomed their son Kevin John Oppel, their sixth child, at 3 p.m., 23 hours after Mrs. Oppel’s water broke. However, hard labour was only one hour and went relatively

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there was no stress there.”

Kevin was actually born three weeks early and their family physician, Dr. Schalk Greyling, was away but the Oppels received assistance from Dr. Greg Chan, one medical student and an assortment of nurses.

“The nurses are really great,” stated Mrs. Oppel.

She has had positive experiences with five of her children being born at the Ponoka hospital and only one was born in Red Deer.

“It’s a great town to live in,” added Mr. Oppel.

The Oppels wanted to keep the gender of their new baby a surprise, not only for their five other children but also for themselves. However the oldest child, Denise was provided the gender so family in Austria would be able to know. Mrs. Oppel handed her daughter a piece of paper and waited for the big day.

Keeping the gender a secret was a challenge, said Denise. “Because everyone was asking me.”

They received help from Mr. Oppel’s parents who were able to watch the older children while the baby was born. The Oppels have lived in Ponoka since 1995 and Mrs. Oppel said she does not plan on having any more children.

Busy week at the hospital The week leading up to New Years Eve, staff at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre helped deliver 11 babies from Dec. 23rd to the 30th. Kevin was followed by two other babies; the second baby of 2014 was born just after midnight of Jan. 3 and the third baby was born three hours later on the same day.

There was an increase in babies born at the hospital as well: by the end of 2013, 108 babies had been delivered compared to 89 in 2012.

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Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 13

Cree nations celebrate reclamation of Maskwacis name for their territory

By Mustafa Eric

name back, we can start following our ways, do the things we have always wanted to do and we don’t depend on the name Hobbema any more, which is good for all of us,” Mackinaw said.

“It (the name change) will now start the process of looking at the past and at what we have now, moving on with learning more about our culture, practicing it and passing it on to our youth,” he concluded.

The combined reserve land base of the four First Nations collectively known as Maskwacis Cree is comprised of some 319.8 square kilometers located in the area known as Maskwacis and Pigeon Lake.

The Neyaskwayak (the Northern treeline) or Ermineskin Cree Nation, Kispahtinaw (the end of the hill) or Louis Bull Tribe, Akamihk (across – the river) or Montana First Nation, and Nipisihkopahk (willow meadows) or Samson Cree Nation have been campaigning for the name change for almost two years.

It was in March 2012 that Marvin Yellowbird and 11 of the 12 council members of the Samson Cree nation signed a document stating they were re-affirming their power over traditional territory. Their statement was supported by Ermineskin Cree, Louis Bull Tribe and Montana Band.

Since 1891, Maskwacis was referred to as “Hobbema”, after a Dutch landscape painter who was admired by the then President of the Canadian Pacific Railway. When the railway line between Edmonton and Calgary was built, he chose “Hobbema” as the name for the flag station established in Maskwacis territory.

Samson Cree declared early in the fall that they had been notified by the provincial government that their request for the change of the name of territory was approved and would be effective as of Jan. 1, 2014.

Cree nations of Maskwacis, the newly officially recognized name of the territory formerly known as Hobbema, celebrated the restoration of the name of their ancestral land at the Peter Bull Memorial Centre until the small hours of the New Year’s day.

With representatives of various First Nations from other parts of Alberta joining the festivities, wave after wave of dancers performed the round dance to the rhythm of the drummers at the centre of the big hall as the final day of the year 2013 ticked off to its completion and gave way to 2014.

Throughout the night, there were give-aways and raffle draws for a variety of items as well as celebrations to recognize emergency and security staff ensuring safety and security of Cree nations.

Chief Marvin Yellowbird of Samson Cree Nation, who officially applied to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs last summer to gain recognition for the ancestral name of the territory on behalf of the four nations, said the change of the name was “of great cultural and spiritual significance in terms of defining who we are as Maskwacis people.”

“From time immemorial, we have always been the people of the Bare Hills and we came by treaty to our rightful place in this land as we are the Maskwacis people.”

“The term Maskwacis means bare hills,“ continued Yellowbird.

“We are connected to the land and as people of the bare hills, I think it (the restoration of the name) will strengthen our spirituality as well as our cultural heritage in terms of moving forward and bringing the four nations, Samson, Ermineskin, Louis Bull and Montana together as one Maskwacis Nation,” he concluded.

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Cree people of all ages performing the midnight round dance at the Peter Bull Memorial to mark the change of the name of their reserve territory to Maskwacis.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

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Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

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Ponoka Office: 403-783-3315 Bashaw Office (Tues.): 403-372-3627 Wetaskiwin Office (Thurs.): 780-352-6488 SERVICES OFFERED • Personal & Corporate Income Tax Planning • Tax Return Preparation • Accounting & Audit Services • Estate Planning • Business Advisory Service • CAIS Program Assistance

February 2

403-783-6600

Young cowboy takes Ultimate Cowboy title

By Amelia Naismith After finishing last year’s Rodeo Masters Ultimate Cowboy Challenge in a second/third place split, bull rider Clay Elliott came back for the second annual event and claimed the Ultimate Cowboy title.

Elliott, 19, of Nansen, was only one of two Ultimate Cowboy competitors returning from last year.

“I kind of had a better idea of what to expect.”

“I love this kind of event. There’s a select few that can do it and I’m proud to be one of them,” he added.

Second to winning, Elliott’s crowning moment of the event was getting onto a bareback bronc, which was also where most of his pre-event nerves came from. “I guess Bar C5 has some pretty good ones. I’ve never been on a bareback horse before.”

Despite knowing what lay ahead of him as he helped ring in the New Year, Elliott figured the evening would be a “fair deal” for everyone, as each cowboy has their own strengths and weaknesses around the six mandatory rodeo events.

The compulsory participation rule was new this year, along with a deduction of five points from a cowboy’s standing for each event they chose not to ride in as a counter-consequence, was added the morning of the event during the competitors preevent meeting by event organizer Scott Wyzykoski.

“I like the six event thing. I think it’s really impressive how much they’ve added. I’d say keep building it up,” said Elliott.

Wyzykoski was just as impressed with Elliott’s return for the title as Elliott was with the expansion of the New Year’s Eve event. “I expect him only to get better,” said Wyzykoski.

Elliott beat second place winner Garrett Smith,

an 18-year-old bull rider, by 1.67th of a point. For Wyzykoski, seeing two of the youngest cowboys, who also attend the same university—Panhandle State in Oklahoma—take home first and second place was an event highlight.

Garrett and his steer wrestling brother Wyatt, 25, signed onto the event only four days before it took place, after Wyzykoski lost three competitors, last year’s champion Jeremy Harden and his brothers Josh and Colter, to more pressing family matters.

The Smith brothers hail from Rexburg, Idaho but they’re no small potatoes in the sport of rodeo.

Garrett won the National High School Rodeo Finals All-Around Cowboy three consecutive years, making him the first person in history to do so.

They’re also the only set of brothers to have won the All-Around title at those finals.

After receiving a call from Wyzykoski the boys immediately flew from Phoenix, Az., where they had just arrived to prepare for winter rodeos, to Edmonton. “We hadn’t even got the stuff unloaded yet,” said Wyatt.

“We were both pretty excited, our dad had told us about it before,” he added.

Although he was hoping for a win, Garrett loved the event and is already hoping to be asked back for the 2014 Ultimate Cowboy Challenge. “This was a lot of fun, it was worth being in the cold for.”

While Wyatt wishes his night had gone better he also had a “blast” and agrees the challenge beat spending New Year’s in warm Arizona. “I wish we had something like this in the states.”

When they received the call, both boys knew this type of event was for them. “It kind of fits us, we like to do more than one event,” said Wyatt. continued on p.23

Clay Elliott leaps off his horse to his calf as he rushes to get the fastest time during the tie-down roping portion of the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

Stampeders’ flame dwindles

By Mustafa Eric

Kane Welk (88) scores the third goal for the Stampeders tying the game at 3-3 but the equality lasted only two minutes.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

Ponoka’s representatives in the Junior Heritage League lost both of their games last weekend but head coach Mark Dobler said his confidence in his team remained intact.

Stampeders lost to Airdrie Thunder 4-1 on Friday Jan. 3 and Dobler said it was the first game after the Christmas/ New Year break and his players were not totally concentrated on their game.

On Saturday, Jan. 4, the local boys hosted Mountainview Colts and, after a sluggish first period, they showed some signs of reviving the magic touch that allowed them to go head to head with the league’s top teams before the Christmas break.

Dobler agreed that his players were not themselves in the first period but said they had focused more on the game in the second and third periods.

Stampeders could not score until the

middle of the second period, but once they did through Kane Welk, they were fired-up and intensified pressure on the Colts’ net.

In the third period, Chandler Knibb raised the stakes by keeping the Stampeders in the game and Welk tied the game at 3-3 as the clock ticked towards the last 10 minutes of the game.

But Colts responded in kind swiftly and took the lead again, and when coach Dobler sidelined the goalie in the hope of equalizing in the last minute, Colts sent the puck into the empty net twice sealing the score at 6-3.

“Obviously we would like to have a few wins, but the team is coming along really well, we have changed the culture and there is much more discipline than in the past, I am happy now, “ said Dobler.

Stampeders will next host Coaldale on Saturday, Jan. 11 and travel to Okotoks on Sunday.

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 15

Two Peewee boys to show up at Winter Games

By Amelia Naismith The careers of two young hockey players are steaming ahead, as the boys have skated their way into the Alberta Winter Games, Feb 6 to 8, 2014.

Last spring both Jared Rice and Noah Hackett, now both 12, were chosen as a select few to join an Alberta team on a whirlwind hockey tour through Europe and now the boys, who play on the same Ponoka Peewee A team, will take on the Winter Games with each other.

This is the first year the boys have attended the Winter Games and the first year tryouts for the event has been held in this format for hockey.

The boys had to take part in four tryout sessions to see if they were a fit match and Jared’s father, Cam Rice says 120 boys from central Alberta alone tried out.

For Hackett, captain of his Peewee team, the tryouts were demanding but still fun. “You really have to push yourself if the drills are hard and if you’re tired you have to keep going if you want to make the team.”

Although he was nervous about his performance in relation to making the team, he believed his second, third and fourth went well. “All the kids are high level. There isn’t one kid who isn’t as good as the others.”

“I’m confident, I’m excited,” he added.

Rice agreed the tryouts were a test for both boys and was a little more nervous to see if he’d made the team. “The kids, they were pretty good. It was pretty tough competition.”

When he did find out he was getting the opportunity to play in the Winter Games, Rice was excited and relieved. “It was important for me to make the Noah Hackett, captain of his Peewee A hockey team, dodges team, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Jared Rice looks to send the puck up the ice during a Peewee This year’s games take place in Banff and Can- several opposing players during on of the team’s December A game.

Photo by Amelia Naismith more. games.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

Ponoka minor hockey teams try to keep focus mid-season Ponoka Atom A and Bentley Atom Canucks drew 4-4 in their game in Bentley on Sunday. Kael Street scored twice with Joshua David and Levi Busat adding one each to the tally.

Results for Ponoka Atom B from their game Jan. 4 against Sylvan Lake were not posted at press time.

Ponoka Peewee A Ponoka Peewee hosted Innisfail Flyers on Friday, Jan. 3 and drew 5-5 with the visitors, Jayden Nokohoo scored a hat trick with Aldan Gratton and Noah Hackett put the additional numbers on the scoreboard.

Their second game and third game of the weekend was Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 against the Blackfalds Bulldogs, the first at home and the latter was away at Blackfalds.

Ponoka won handsomely 9-1 on Jan. 4. Noah Hackett scored seven of the total tally Jared Rice and Aldon Gratton adding one each to the board.

Ponoka’s Jan. 5 game against the Bulldogs was a different story: They lost 5-3 in the away game with Emett Norn, Ryan Lefebvre and Noah Hackett doing the honors for the local boys.

Midget A Wolves The Wolves played two games last weekend both of which ended in draw: 5-5 and 4-4, against the Innisfail Kinsmen Flyers at home on Jan. 3 and against Rocky Royals on the road Jan. 5 respectively.

Scorers against Flyers were Denver Norn, Tyson Matejka, Colton Sommerville, Dustin Bell and Matthew Klimec.

In the game against Royals, Kellyn

Pritchard, Dustin Bell, Chase Staldeker and Jordan Wombold made up the tally.

Midget B The Midget B team also played two games, both at home. The first was Jan. 4 against the Red Deer Baker Hughes and the second was Jan. 5 against the Red Deer Can Pro Hockey team.

The first game was a close 3-4 loss against Baker Hughes. Owen Leighton, Braeden Korchinski and Jarret Henderson scored for the boys. In their second game however, the team stayed strong to beat Can Pro Hockey 3-1. Brett Cissell, Ethan Dueck and Shaw Wilton brought the win to the Midget B team.

Lacoka female hockey teams First up for the weekend was the Lacoka Bantam female team, which had two games; first on Jan. 4 in Lacombe against the Tofield Titans. The Titans outplayed Lacoka with a 4-2 win. Kelly Rae Siebn and Camryn Fodor were the scorers. Their second game was against the Endmoor Bantam team Jan. 5 in Ponoka, which proved a tough defensive game for both teams.

The final score was 1-1 with Rachael Wood scoring in the second period and Endmoor tying the game with 12:26 left in the third period.

Lacoka Midget Female Rockets The Rockets had a strong showing away in Warburg Jan. 5 against the Warburg Midget Wolves. Danica Polson, Emily McLennan, Jesse Stretch and Jayde Rehbein scored one goal each to to tie the game at 4-4.

Curlers in charity ‘spiel

Young curlers for a cause: The boys and girls Broncs curling teams competed at the Ronald McDonald House charity bonspiel last weekend. Both teams placed second in their age group and the curlers raised $1,095 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. The girls won three of their four games and the boys finished with a record of 2-1-1. Pictured are: Mathew Hageman, Andrew Jones, Reid Carruthers (Jeff Stoughton Rink), Emma Miskew (Rachael Holman Rink), Drew Wesner and Danny Lysons Photo submitted

Page 16 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

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Obituaries

Obituaries

ELSIE TRAPTOW 1913 - 2013 Elsie Traptow of Ponoka, Alberta passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at the age of 100. She was predeceased by her husband Fred (1981) and daughter Marion (1992).

Elsie will be remembered for her love of gardening, quilting, playing cards and farm life. Once a farm girl, always a farm girl.

Her last days were filled with precious time spent with all of her family. Elsie will be greatly missed by her son Marvin and daughter Elaine; grandchildren Erin Jolly (Garth), Eric Baker (Melissa), Dane Baker (Tara); greatgrandchildren Austin, Jake, Blake and Luke; sisters Helen Kikel, Selma Sand and Luella Krefting. A celebration of her life was held on Monday, January 6, 2014 1:00 p.m. at the Kinsmen Community Centre in Ponoka. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made the Rimoka Housing Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.

To express condolences to Elsie’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted to PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

Obituaries

LOWIS Samuel Thompson “Tom” Tom was born in Hanna, Alberta on February 29, 1964 and passed away in Calgary, Alberta on December 15, 2013. He leaves to mourn his passing his sisters Cathy (Jim) Mass and Rita Lowis; nieces and nephews Marsha Hampton, Daniel (Tarina) Hampton, Tania (Josh) Taylor, Karen (Brad) Benoit and Brent (Deanna) Venables; eight great-nieces and nephews; his uncle Joe Lowis; and cousins Rhonda (Don) Easton and Glenda (Bruce) Hazelden. He was predeceased by his parents Sam and Gladys Lowis and his brother Jim. A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2013 at the Ponoka Funeral Home.

Memorial donations in Tom’s honor may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta.

To express condolences to Tom’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~ 403.783.3122

KEVAN BURKE HILL September 30, 1963 - December 22, 2013 FISHER Mrs. L. Fern Fisher of Rimbey, Alberta passed away at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre, Wetaskiwin on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the age of 81 years.

Fern will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her two sons, Bryan (Brenda) Gallaugher of Wetaskiwin; and Robert Gallaugher of Stettler; her two daughters, Dianna (Garry) Hammond of Alder Flats; and Mary (Jim) Walker of Calgary; one stepson, Jack (Debbie) Fisher; and three stepdaughters, Moira Gates, Myrna Nadworny, a n d M a r y ( To d d ) N e l s o n ; a s w e l l a s n u m e r o u s grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by two brothers, Bob (Sue) Taylor of Winfield; and Ed (Wendy) Taylor of Wetaskiwin; and one sister, Judy (Gordon) Grinde of Wetaskiwin; in addition to many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Fern was predeceased by her husband, Henry in 2008; one son, Elmer; two brothers, Billy and Gordon; and two sisters, Donna Kruse and Norma Lefferson.

An Open House in Celebration of Fern’s Life was held at the Wetaskiwin Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 1559, 4915 - 49 Street, Wetaskiwin on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Cremation took place at the Central Alberta Crematorium, Red Deer. An Interment of Fern’s Cremated Remains will take place at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery, Ponoka. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Fern’s Memory may be made directly to the CNIB, #4 - 5015 - 48 Street, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 1S9.

Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net Cremation Arrangements for the Late Mrs. L. Fern Fisher entrusted to the care of OBERHAMMER FUNERAL CHAPELS Rimbey, AB. 1-403-843-4445

Kevan passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013 with family and friends by his side. He was born in Regina at the Grey Nuns Hospital to Mae (Kilpatrick) and Wes Hill.

He attended Connaught School and Sheldon Williams Collegiate. Kevan started work at Dominion Grocery in 1980 and started with Safeway when Dominion changed over. He was with Safeway for 33 years in many departments. Kevan was predeceased by his parents, Wes and Mae Hill (Bob Miller). He is survived by his sisters, Joanne Hill of Regina and Anita (Frank) Kendall of Lacombe, AB; nieces, Dinah (Jon) Watchuk and son Hudson of Edmonton, AB and Meagan (Kevin) Sejdl and sons Dustin and Kyle on Ponoka, AB; aunt Joyce Hill of Moosomin; lifelong friend and neighbor Lawrence Serge; many cousins and their families across Canada; as well as many special Safeway friends. Thank you to all the neighbors, relatives and co-workers who visited in the last three weeks. Thanks to Lawrence Serge and Ken Kenville for all their driving and snow blowing. Thank you to the staff at the Pasqua Hospital and Regina General Hospital MPICU for the wonderful care. Memorial Service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Friday, December 27, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place in the spring with his parents in Regina Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kevan, may be made to the Canadian Liver Foundation, Suite 801, 3100 Steeles Avenue East, Markham, ON, L3R 8T3 with the funds being directed towards Alpha 1- antitrypsin deficiency research. “Kevan can eat peanuts and play with cats and dogs in Heaven”. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com

Card Of Thanks

In Memoriam

Although you’re gone, you’re not forgotten This I tell you true By family and lots of friends Dean, we still miss you.

The family of Evelyn LeClaire would like to express their heartfelt thank you to all who helped with her final days and farewell. Dr. Halse for his years of medical care, and staff at the Ponoka Long Term Care Centre for their care of her for the last 2 1/2 years.

Marlan Wombold and staff, you go beyond your expected duties, helped us to deal with this as a friend.

Pastor Paul Spate for officiating a beautiful tribute, Sheila Val Alsyne for singing one of Evelyn’s favorite hymns, Val Teeling for playing piano, Micheal Schmidt for running sound, the Mary Martha Group for the lunch and Carol and staff from Flowers For You for honouring a fellow florist with your beautiful flower arrangements.

Thank you to all our friends for the condolences, prayer, food, flowers and cards, we all appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Ever remembered by Dad, Leon, Deborah, Stephanie, Jessie and Ethan Dubitz

Sincerely, Norm LeClaire, Norlyn Tangjerd, Brenda MacPherson, Darlene Woodbridge and all our family members. God Bless you all.

Dean Michael Dubitz Time sure flies when we reflect On loved ones that have passed Fourteen years have come and gone Since we did see you last.

We’ll not forget that “impish smile” And “How’s she goin eh?”

That big broad smile and hearty laugh We hear it yet today.

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 17

In Memoriam

Obituaries

In memory of our son/brother BRETT MARSHAL WIESE August 1, 1992 - January 12, 2013 We can shed tears that you are gone, Or we can smile because you lived.

We can close our eyes and pray that you will come back, Or we can open our eyes and see all that you have left.

Our hearts can be empty because we can’t see you, Or we can be full of the love that you shared.

We can turn our backs on tomorrow and live yesterday, Or we can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

We can remember you and only that you are gone, Or we can cherish your memory and let it live on.

We can cry and close our minds, be empty and turn our backs, Or we can do what you want...

Smile, open our eyes, Love and go on....

We love you deeply and desperately miss you!

Love Mom, Dad and Morgan

Card Of Thanks

From Debbie Donnelly’s Grateful Family In the early morning of December 26th, 2013, we lost someone very special to our hearts. Our Mom, our Grandma D, our Sister, our Daughter, our Aunty, our Friend.

She was forced to deal with many physical limitations during much of her 59 years on this earth. She was always resilient, forging ahead, NEVER looking back.

We want to take this time to share our deepest thanks to anyone who has ever had the honor of knowing and caring for Mom. For those of you who physically cared for Mom, in her own home or in a hospital, we thank you. Ponoka HomeCare and FCSS, for years you have provided Mom with professional, yet compassionate care. Since her arrival back home in March 2013, after a very lengthy stay in the hospital, Homecare and the FCSS program and workers gave her something that was as important as family to her-INDEPENDENCE. She lived her last 9 months of life in her own home, newly renovated to suit her needs.

You may never know the magnitude of this gift. Each of you offered your care in a different way, through a smile, or a story, and she accepted and embraced you all. Wear those Olympic mitts she bought for you and smile, knowing that you helped her live her dream. Thank you.

We extend the most heartfelt thanks to Dr. Nawrot in Rimbey. You tackled Mom’s issues with determination, always searching for a solution. You understood Mom. You will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you.

Jamil Rawji, you were very special to Mom. She always appreciated that she could call you about anything. You and your family were very important to her. Thank you.

To the Ponoka Handivan Crew-Dick and Beth, Dennis, Joan and Kim, you gave Mom opportunities to be independent, to get to many events that were so very special to her.

Every time I see one of you driving a van, I will smile. Thank you.

Mom’s last hours were spent at Red Deer Regional Hospital. To Jillian Lindstrand, who we only met on Christmas Day. You cared for Mom so well when you knew that she was so unwell. Dr. Mirage, Dr. Hardy and Dr. Mark, you tried your hardest during surgery. Judy and Dr. Lee from the I.C.U-you were compassionate and informative in our darkest hours. Thank you.

There are many beautiful things about living in a small town.

I have discovered that, in death, there is even more beauty.

Marlon and Crew from the Ponoka Funeral Home. WOW. Mom would have loved you, Marlon. You even wore your pajama pants to her pajama party. Through your support, we were able to honor Mom in every way that she would have liked.

You were a strong set of shoulders and a warm embrace when we needed you. Thank you.

Beatrix Schirner, you led a beautiful service for Mom. You sat with us for hours, allowing us to share with you who Mom was. You directed many of your words to the children in the congregation, reading them a story and comforting all of us.

Thank you to Linda and Graham for making the service beautiful.

I know that you are only a hug away. Thank you.

Carol at Flowers for You, you let us talk and cry, and held us tight.

Mom would have loved the arrangement that you made for her. Thank you.

Bob and Bonnie, you provided us all with a wonderful lunch after a final farewell to Mom. Marlene, we are so glad that you got to share a bit of the day with us.

To Rod and Carol and all of the Ronnie families that have had Mom over and treated her like family, thank you. She enjoyed each and every one of you.

To every single person who has sent flowers, cards, gifts, food, texts, emails, facebook messages, hugs, love and support, we thank you. Your love is felt on all kinds of levels.

As we try to navigate this life without Mom, we will know how loved we are from the amazing people in our community. Our thank you for your love will be given in a donation in remembrance of Mom. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to Ponoka FCSS or Ponoka Wheelchair Van Society. We will always hold both of these programs close to our hearts.

Warmest thanks!

Jenny, Sheldon, Brodie and Nash Ronnie Joline, Greg, Scott, Keilan and Angelia Scobie All of Mom’s extended family

LeCLAIRE Evelyn Mae (Muncaster) Evelyn Mae was born to William and May Muncaster July 8, 1919 in Provost, Alberta. She was the 4th child of 5 children.

She grew up on the farm in Wainwright, attending elementary school in Greenshields and high school in Wainwright, then on to business school. She married her first husband Al Denson and lived in the Elkhorn District. They moved to Greenshields where Evelyn taught school. Then moved to Ponoka along with the entire Muncaster family. She had an entrepreneur’s heart and started her own flower shop in town.

She married Norman LeClaire in Leduc on September 28, 1959.

They moved to Camrose and invested in an electronics sales and service business in the front of the building and a flower shop in the back. Shortly after this they moved to Peace River. Then they sold and moved to Edmonton. They were there for two years then moved to Ponoka in 1968. Evelyn and Norm continued working together in businesses they bought in Ponoka. Norm fixed TVs and Evelyn took care of the books, with them working side by side in sales. Before retirement, the last business they owned was a very successful LeClaire TV Centre, Radio Shack. Evelyn’s retirement years were spent taking care of her grandchildren and loving every minute of it.

Evelyn had many vocations in her lifetime. She was a florist, bookkeeper, teacher, hairdresser, clerk, and salesperson. She was very intelligent, artistic and creative. She loved gardening, sewing, knitting, painting, crocheting, and ran a ceramics business out of her home. She also thoroughly enjoyed camping with family and friends. Her greatest love was getting the family together for a meal that she prepared. Christmas saw the tree piled high with presents and food galore for her kids and grandkids.

She gave her life to Jesus Christ at a Billy Graham crusade many years ago and she always spoke of the assurance of her promise of eternity with her Lord.

Evelyn is survived by her loving husband of 54 years Norman, her daughter Darlene (Jim) Woodbridge, her son Brian Denson, her daughter Norlyn (Jim) Tangjerd, and her daughter Brenda (Rob) MacPherson. Her grandchildren Marilyn (Bruce) Woodbridge, Doug (Christina) Woodbridge, Jared (Brooke) Tangjerd, Jamie Tangjerd, Bryce (Brandi) Swier, Brant (Tammy) Swier, Brady (Caitlin) Swier, and Reese MacPherson. Great-grandchildren Kristi, Kaitlyn, Kru, Kaleb, Kamryn, Zaffery, Lola, Wyatt and Landen.

Evelyn passed away on December 21, 2013 at the age of 94 at the Ponoka Hospital and Long-Term Care Centre. She was the last of her family and was predeceased by her parents May and William Muncaster and her siblings Violet, Cecil, Varley, and Lila.

A funeral service celebrating Evelyn’s life was held December 30, 2013 at Ponoka First Baptist Church. Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or Ponoka Wheelchair Van Society.

Arrangements entrusted to PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

www.ponokanews.com Obituaries

Debbie Donnelly She Rocked! We Loved Her!!

On December 26, 2013 Debbie Donnelly of Ponoka passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Debbie will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Joline (Greg), Scottland, Keilan and Angelia Scobie, and Jenny (Sheldon), Brodie and Nash Ronnie; her mom Irene Rosin; her sisters Shirley (Gilles) Joly, Brenda Holowaty and Christina (Ken) Jeske; her brothers Mike (Kathy) Gergely and Matt (Sue) Gergely; her very special nieces and nephews Micheal Todd (Nicole), Tony (Darlene), Arjay (Kylie), Cheryl (Trevor), Kimmy (Greg), Tyler (Georgie), Andrew, Cam, Kyle, Savannah, Nikolaus, Josef, Hayley, Darian, Adé, Zoey, Silas and Bernadette; and her honorary grandkids Quinn, Blaine and Brandt Cabay. A Funeral Service to celebrate Debbie’s life was held at the Ponoka United Church on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Ponoka Wheelchair Van Society or Ponoka F.C.S.S..

To express condolences to Debbie’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

Reached a Milestone?

Share It! 1.877.223.3311

Page 18 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Obituaries

Meetings

Helena Bloomquist Helena Olga Bloomquist passed away on December 20, 2013 in Ponoka at the age of 84 years. She was born on August 18, 1929 to Gottlieb and Olga Stadel of Bashaw, Alberta. Helena was the second oldest in a family of 4 boys and 4 girls and was raised on the family farm in the Manfred district. She received her education at Manfred, Bashaw, and Lacombe. After graduating from Grade 12, Helena worked for one year as a supervisor at the Calumet school and while there she met Stanley. They were married on December 26, 1948 and were blessed to have 4 children complete the family. They attended the Zion Lutheran Church in Bashaw where Helena taught Sunday School. In later years they worshiped at the Asker Lutheran Church. Helena was a faithful, long time member of the Calumet Ladies Aid. She also enjoyed curling at Calumet with Stan and both were involved at the Mecca Glen Parent and Teacher Association. Besides being a strong support on the farm, she worked for many years in the dietary department at Alberta Hospital Ponoka. Helena enjoyed the simple things in life like gardening, visiting, and travelling. She had a real love of crossword puzzles and was known to frequent the bingo halls on a fairly regular basis. She was known for her kindness and hospitality. The coffee pot was always on. When the grandchildren started arriving, a whole new chapter in Helena’s life unfolded. She spent hours entertaining and playing with them even going “hunting” in the bushes. Helena loved living on the farm and did so until health concerns necessitated a move to the Golden Leisure Lodge in Ponoka.

She spent the last few months of her life in hospital and long term care. Even though her health was declining, Helena never lost her gentle, sweet spirit. Helena is survived by her son Warren (Alice) Bloomquist of Ponoka, grandson Eric (Deanna) and greatgrandchildren Gabrielle, Michael, Ethan, and Caleb; grandson Kurt of Ponoka; and granddaughter Britt (Colin Pasiechnik) of Lloydminster, SK; son Wayne (Rosanna) Bloomquist of Surrey, B.C. and grandchildren Braden, Kirsten, and Dana; daughter Brenda (Kelvin) Fishley of Calgary and grandchildren Megan and Aaron; and grandson Matthew Jensen; brother Ben Stadel of Bashaw; sister Ruth (Ed) Schneider of Bashaw; sister Meta Freitag of Saskatoon, SK; Ed (Phyllis) Stadel of Edmonton; Lora (Mel) Stromberg of Stettler; and Herman (Jane) Stadel of Millet; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. She was predeceased by her husband Stanley, daughter Carol Jensen, brother Ewald Stadel, sister-in-law Elsie Stadel, and brother-inlaw Walter Freitag. An Interment Service was held on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Calumet Cemetery with a Memorial Service following at the Ponoka Funeral Home.

Charitable donations may be made to the Calumet Community Society, the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a charity of your choice. To express condolences to Helena’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

Card Of Thanks

What’s Happening #50 - # 70

The family of the late Helena Bloomquist would like to thank the following for the support and special care that was extended over the last few years.

To the Golden Leisure Lodge, the Ponoka General Hospital, Northcott Centre, and all the staff at these locations for the wonderful, compassionate care that was extended to Mom. To Marlon and Sheila at the Ponoka Funeral Home, Patti, Maren, Bethany, and Judite Vold, Debbie Zepick, and Bob Ronnie Catering for your contributions at Mom’s memorial service.

You helped make a difficult time easier to bear.

And to our family, friends, and neighbors for the well-wishes, food, cards, and support. A special Thank You to those who prepared the Calumet Cemetery in such adverse weather conditions.

We are blessed to have all of you in our lives.

In lieu of extending individual thanks, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta will be made.

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

Coming Events

52

ALATEEN

Weekly meetings Tuesdays @ 8 p.m.

Neighborhood Place 5115 49 Ave. Ponoka For more info.

403-783-4557 or 403-783-8371

800

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.

403-783-4347

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

Caregivers/ Aides

710

CAPABLE PERSON required to assist a 150 lb quadriplegic man with daily activities and exercises.

Ability to assist in pool therapy is an asset.

Clean criminal check.

24 hrs/wk at $15 to $16/ hr plus mileage.

Junior Travel Agent $2500 Bonus Every 100 days

GT CHANDLER CONTRACTING Has Openings for BOILER OPERATORS Please email resume to: info@gtchandler.com or fax to: 403-886-2223

LANGAN SITE SERVICES LTD.

in Ponoka county, supplies oilfield septic containment & disposal throughout AB. We require Driver Operators for small vac trucks. Oilfield exp. is an asset. Must have H2S, First Aid, TDG, clean driver’s abstract & Class 5 license, drug testing. $20/ hr. to start, home every night, benefits.

Fax resume to Dan 403-704-1127 or email: dan @langansiteservices.com

TOPLINE OILFIELD HAULING

is a busy & growing oilfield trucking company looking for EXPERIENCED WINCH TRUCK DRIVERS & SWAMPERS Successful candidates will receive top wages & benefits.

Valid Class 1 licence is necessary & oilfield tickets are an asset.

Please forward all resumes to: topline@telus.net

Has Opening for all positions! Immediately.

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

52

Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10am – 3pm

403-783-3112

830

Bashaw Sports Centre

We offer competitive hourly compensation, flexible hours, and good working conditions.

Please fax your resume in confidence to: Bashaw Sports at 780-372-4447 We appreciate all who take the time to apply and thank you for your application, but only those being considered for an interview will be notified.

Trades

Please place bottles at curb marked for 1st Ponoka Scouts.

Bottles can be dropped off at the Scout Hall, 3924 46A St. Close.

To arrange for pickup call 403-704-9615 or 403-704-6049.

850

TKS CONTROLS LTD.

4605 - 41 St., Stettler

www.tkscontrols.ca

We are currently seeking applications for full time positions of:

INSTRUMENTATION Journeyman & Apprentice

ELECTRICIANS

3rd & 4th Year and Journeyman Email resume to roxann@tkscontrols.ca For more information call

403-740-4071

TREELINE WELL SERVICES

ANNUAL BOTTLE DRIVE

difference

Sales & Distributors

• Excellent customer service skills • Retail sales experience • Valid Firearms License • Good working knowledge of firearms, ammunition and general sporting good items.

1 Ponoka Scout Group

make a

Part-time • Travel experience • Bookkeeping background an asset • Attention to detail and able to work independently a must Call Ponoka Travel 403-783-5252 Or email resume to ptravel@telus.net

Has an opening for a Full Time employee with:

St

Mentors

720

Clerical

– Wanted –

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS Night Foremen, Day & Night Operators Must have H2S, First Aid, valid driver’s license.

Pre-employment Drug screening Competitive Wages.

Benefit Package Please submit resume with references to: ALCOHOLICS apply@wespro.ca ANONYMOUS or by fax to (403) 783-8004 Monday night meetings Only individuals selected for at the Anglican Church interviews will be contacted Ponoka 8:30 p.m. Phone 403-783-0719 for info.

Events

1.877.223.3311

Celebrate Your Marriage

Oilfield

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

BIG BROTHERS 403-783-5873 AND BIG SISTERS Coming

Warren & Alice, Wayne & Rosanna, Brenda & Kelvin, & families, and Matthew Jensen.

Announcements

59

Trades

850

Keeping you on the move!

Integra Tire in Ponoka is seeking a

JOURNEYMAN MECHANIC We have a well equipped shop Our management & staff are eager to have you join our team.

Email your resume to ponoka@integratire.com or stop by the store and ask for Jesse.

6220-48 Ave. Ponoka, AB Ph: 403-783-3998 www.integratire.com ponoka@integratire.com

ponokanews.com

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

850

Trades

PONOKA NEWS Page 19

Professionals

810

Trades

AG EQUIPMENT

850

SEEKING A CAREER in the Community Newspaper business? Post your resume for FREE right where the publishers are looking. Visit: www.awna.com/resumes_add.php

Taking applications for

MACHINIST Apprentice or Journeyman Welding experience an asset.

General Repair / Manufacturing Shop Benefit pkg. available.

Please fax resume to 403-742-8833

WETASKIWIN READY MIX

Now Hiring • FULL TIME MECHANIC • BATCH/DISPATCH PERSONNEL Please apply with resume 5410 - 50 Street, Wetaskiwin or email

Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY

F/T SATELLITE INSTALLERS - Good hours, home every night, $4000-$6000/mo.

Contractor must have truck or van. Tools, supplies & ladders required. Training provided, no experience needed. Apply to: satjobs@shaw.ca 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. Friendly town just 2 hours from major urban centres. More info at: hannachrysler.ca.

Fax 403-854-2845; Email: chrysler@telusplanet.net CELEBRATIONS HAPPEN EVERY DAY IN CLASSIFIEDS

or Fax (780) 352-1607

860 Arnett & Burgess is now accepting applications for the following:

CLASS 1 TRUCK DRIVER 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

880

is looking to hire full time

• LOADER OPERATOR • INSIDE DISMANTLER to join our team

• Automotive knowledge an asset.

• Applicant must have a positive attitude and willingness to take on new challenges.

We offer competitive wages, excellent benefit plan and retirement package.

To apply please email resumé to tpgadbois@lkqcorp.com or call 403-913-4413 or deliver to 430054 Don Laing Business Park, RR261, Lot 2. Ponoka

BUS MECHANIC Lacombe Bus Shop For further speci¿cs on the above position, please visit Wolf Creek Public Schools’ website at www.wolfcreek.ab.ca, or contact the Division Of¿ce at 403-783-3473.

Rimbey Implements Ltd.

Al York Misc.

Help

General Manager Cell: (403) 783-0593

880

Bus: (403) 843-3700

Rimbey, AB

Fax: (403) 843-3430

ANIMAL SERVICES

Associate Insurance Advisor Discover a better place to grow your career; a place that's caring, engaging and rewarding.

The Opportunity

dmarkevich@wetaskiwinrm.com

Truckers/ Drivers

invites applications for the following position:

850

Trades

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

SHUNDA CONSTRUCTION Requires

Site Superintendents & Foremen

For Alberta sites.

Email resume to: admin@shunda.ca VAC & STEAM Truck Operator. Valid Class 1 or 3, Safety Tickets, Top Wage, Benefits, Camp Work, Experience an Asset. Email/Fax Resume: 780-458-8701, bryksent@telus.net.

Truckers/ Drivers

860

RONCO OILFIELD HAULING Sylvan Lake. Openings for Picker operator, bed truck drivers and winch tractor.

Top wages and benefits.

Email resume tom@ roncooilfield.ca or fax. 403-887-4892 WANT TO SEE the country? Semi retired?

We are looking for 1 ton O/O to transport RVs throughout North America.

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

Something for Everyone Everyday in Classifieds

Battle River Insurance Ltd / The Co-operators, in Ponoka is looking for an Associate Insurance Advisor I. Our Associate Insurance Advisors are insurance professionals trained in client service, and provide the highest level of service available anywhere in the industry.

Your Qualifications • • • • • • • •

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

The Reward • •

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.

DID YOU KNOW This paper is

% 0 0 1 le?

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This space could be yours for $

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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, Jan. 8, 2014

BOBCAT SERVICES Sur-B Enterprises Ltd.

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

Truckers/ Drivers

860

DELIVERY

DRIVER

OVERHEAD DOORS Must have own vehicle

Business Opportunities

870

LEARN FROM HOME. Earn from home. Huge is a demand for Medical Transcriptionists. Start your online learning today with CanScribe Career College; www.canscribe.com.

1-800-466-1535; info@canscribe.com.

Misc.

Help

880

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311 BOTTLE DEPOT

PONOKA BOTTLE DEPOT Open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

LOT ATTENDANT This job would include organizing all new units which come into the dealership, making sure they are scheduled to be cleaned, coordinating all conditioning of units, taking pictures and organizing the lot accordingly.

Creative ideas, organizational skills, timely response are all qualities we are seeking.

Resumes can be dropped off at the dealership 6510-39 Ave. or apply via email to: dbrown@ponokachrysler.com or fax 403-783-8140.

Misc.

Help

880

in Ponoka County is looking for

LABOURERS COLLECTION TRUCK DRIVERS We oer full-time year round employment, competitive wages and employee beneďŹ ts.

If interested, please contact: Michael Haworth Tel: 780-455-9350 ext. 2 Cell: 780-499-2029 Fax: 780-452-5666 Email: mhaworth@cuttingedgerubber.com

in Ponoka, has immediate opening for

SWAMPERS Please submit resumes to 6526 - 44 Ave Ponoka, AB T4J 1J8 Fax: 403-783-3011 or Email: hr@calnashtrucking.com Tired of Standing?

Find something to sit on in Classifieds

ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

We Now Recycle Milk Cartons for Deposit

WINTER START

3, 5520 Hwy 2A (Across from Husky)

GED PREPARATION Jan. 14 or Feb. 10 STARTS

403-783-6875 SALES & SERVICE

Misc.

Help

SPRING START

880

Community Support Worker Trades Prep Programs Gov’t of Alberta Funding may be available.

403-340-1930 www.academicexpress.ca

requires a 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

FULL TIME / PART TIME STYLIST - Experience with clientele preferred - Must be willing to work every other Saturday as well as every other Wednesday until 8pm

Interested applicants please fax resume to 403-783-8010 Closing date Jan. 27, 2014 Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

THERE IS A CRITICAL need for Medical Transcriptionists across Canada. Work from home.

CanScribe graduates welcome and encouraged to apply. Apply through MTR at www.hds-mt.com/jobs.

Business Services #1000 - #1430

Legal Services

ACADEMIC Express

Closed Sundays & Holidays

900

SALES MADE for you! Our professional sales team call your prospects for you, so you don’t have to. You make between $1000 up to $3800 a sale; http:tinyurl.com/m59r33v.

Please reply in person with resume to

Pizza D’Oro #7 5103 - 48 Ave.

Employment Training

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

Employment Training

900

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT Operator School. No Simulators.

In-the-seat training. Real world tasks. Weekly start dates. Job board! Funding options. Sign up online! iheschool.com.

1-866-399-3853 MASSAGE CAREER. Train full-time or part-time at our highly regarded, progressive school.

Small classes, individual attention, confident graduates!

1-877-646-1018; www. albertainstituteofmassage.com

1260

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/ 1-800-347-2540; www.accesslegalresearch.com

Misc.

Services

1290

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.

ATTENTION HOME BUILDERS! No Warranty = No Building Permit.

Contact Blanket Home Warranty for details.

1-888-925-2653; www.blanketltd.ca

Misc.

Help

Misc.

Help

880 CALNASH TRUCKING LTD

IN PONOKA requires an immediate

SHOP/PARTS PERSON The responsibilities will include ordering and organizing parts, data entry, record keeping and general shop duties. Reporting directly to the operations manager, the individual will have excellent communication skills, organized and general computer knowledge. Some training will be provided, but must have some general trucking and parts background.

Excellent wages and company benefits Please submit applications to: Calnash Trucking 6526 44 Avenue, Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1J8 Fax: (403) 783-3011 E-mail: hr@calnashtrucking.com (Attn: Shop/Parts Person) Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

No Phone calls please.

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

WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU! 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

880 SWITCHING CONDUCTORS/OPERATORS

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Employment Training

900 a div. of Kokotilo Holdings Inc. Funded in part by the Government of Canada.

12345 PREPARE FOR A FOR CAREER IN PREPARE A CAREER INApplication FIREFIGHTING & POLICING FIREFIGHTING & POLICING Deadline: January 10, 2014

MÉTIS EMERGENCY MÉTIS EMERGENCY SERVICES PREPARATION SERVICES PREPARATION 1-888-48-MÉTIS

783-3311 GET YOUR BUSINESS OUT THERE

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 21

DENTISTRY

RIMBEYDENTALCARE DR. STEVE CALDER BS C DDS

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

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

Misc.

Services

Misc.

Services

1290

Misc.

Services

New, dependable, affordable Inglis & Whirlpool household appliances.

Refrigeration

The Most Famous Basket in the World

If you have just moved into a new home, or have a new baby, it’s time to call your Welcome Wagon hostess.

and Appliance Service We deliver & install your purchases.

403-783-4880 1410

Welding

Heather Goodwin 403-704-3647 heathermccg@shaw.ca

Personal Services

-

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

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

This space could be yours for $

MAIN: (403) 783-7591 FAX: (403) 783-8178

30

Website: www.harbinwelding.com E-mail: bharbin@telus.net

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311 HEATING

Misc.

Services

1290

Misc.

Services

1290

1315

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+).

Start your career!

See Help Wanted

Misc.

Services

Place your ad in this newspaper and12345 province wide $ Robin Esau

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

robin@KlesAir.com www.KlesMechanical.com

Advertise your business in the Business Directory!

995

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

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

403-783-6272

www.clinkerskennels.ca We change daily to serve you better.

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 ReproducĆ&#x;ve Programs CETA CerĆ&#x;ÄŽed Dairy and Beef Embryo Transfer Herd Health

Phone 403-391-1684 Dr. Bruce Wine

1350

Need RV or Self Storage?

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

Also RV storage.

Secure compound.

Call Keith at

First Call Towing

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE FOR JUST

$

30

PER WEEK. REACHING 6000 HOUSEHOLDS PER WEEK.

783-3636

DO YOUR

This space could be yours for $

PART

Call 403-783-3311

YOUR

30

PER WEEK

VETERINARY SERVICES

PAPER!

plus GST/HST

Value Ad Network

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

1318

1290 RECYCLE

Squeezthee MOST out of your advertising dollars

“Committed to your comfort�

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

Rental Misc

Drs. Heimdahl, ZoBell & Kallal •

HEATING & EAVESTROUGHING

Í´Íś Š‘—” Â?‡”‰‡Â?…› ƒŽŽ

1410

403-783-5575 1-800-662-7168

1315

CLINKERS KENNELS

Berni's

Welding

Personal Services

Pet Services

EYE CARE

WWW.4YOUREYESONLY.CA

1290

Bringing you Gifts & Greetings

New Appliances Needed?

- General Dentistry - Orthodontics - Cosmetic Dentistry - Bonding - Veneers - Bleaching - White or Gold Fillings - Crown and Bridge - Implant Restorations “WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOME NEW PATIENTS�

1290

)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

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

Reaching 6000 households weekly

For just

$30 per week this space could be yours!

403-783-3311

Page 22 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

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

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 Reaching 6000 households weekly

For just

$30 per week this space could be yours!

403-783-3311

Health & Beauty

Buy & Sell #1500 - #1990 Aircraft ..............................1510 Antiques & Art ..................1520 Auctions ............................1530 Bicycles ............................1540 Building Supplies ..............1550 Business Machines ..........1560 Cameras & Accessories ..1570 Children’s Items ................1580 Clothing ............................1590 Computers ........................1600 Concert & Event Tickets ..1610 Equipment - Misc. ............1620 Equipment - Heavy ..........1630 Tools ................................1640 Farmers’ Market & Food Basket......................1650 Firewood ..........................1660 Lumber ............................1670 Garden Supplies ..............1680 Lawn Tractors ..................1690 Health, Dietary, Beauty ....1700 Household Appliances......1710 Household Furnishings ....1720 TV’s, Stereos, VCR’s ........1730 Hot Tubs & Accessories ..1740 Jewellery ..........................1750 Kid’s Deals........................1755 Misc. For Sale ..................1760 Musical Instruments..........1770 Music Lessons..................1780 Piano & Organs ................1790 Office Supplies ................1800 Pets & Supplies ................1810 Pet Services ....................1820 Cats ..................................1830 Dogs ................................1840 Sports Cards ....................1850 Sporting Goods ................1860 Collectors’ Items ..............1870 Swap, Barter & Trade ......1880 Travel Packages ..............1900 Wedding Supplies ............1910 Recycled Products............1920 Wanted to Buy ..................1930 Items to Give Away ..........1940

Auctions

1530

BIG STRAPPER AUCTIONS SALES EVERY WED. @ 6 pm.

Moose Hall 2 miles south of Ponoka on 2A Resuming Weekly Sales Wed. Jan. 15, 6 pm FIRST ANTIQUE SALE Sun. Feb. 2, 1 pm WE BUY FOR CASH. 403-304-4791 Check website for full listing www.bigstrapperauctions.net

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

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 BUILDING. “The Big Year End Clear Out!� 20x22 $4,259. 25x24 $4,684. 30x34 $6,895.

35x36 $9,190. 40x48 $12,526. 47x70 $17,200.

One end wall included.

Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422; www.pioneersteel.ca.

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

Semi loads of pine, spruce, tamarack, poplar.

Price depends on location.

Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346

HOSPITAL Bed, all electric, like new, 2 lift poles, $2000.

403-227-2505 Innisfail

Misc. for Sale

1760

www.shopsozo.com NEW on-line store selling select coffee All orders are delivered to you by Purolator courier The store also sells beverage drinks made from Coffeeberry juice with no sugar added.

Please contact Stanley Kerbes at

403-790-7696 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.

Dogs

4 Plexes/ 6 Plexes

1700

1840

For Rent #3000 - #3200 Acreages/Farms ..............3010 Houses/Duplexes ............3020 Condos/Townhouses........3030 Manufactured Homes ......3040 Four Plexes/Six Plexes ....3050 Suites ..............................3060 Cottages/Seasonal ..........3070 Roommates Wanted ........3080 Rooms for Rent................3090 Motels/Hotels ..................3100 Offices ..............................3110 Stores/Commercial ..........3120 Industrial ..........................3130 Warehouse Space............3140 Garage Space..................3150 Storage Space ................3160 Land ................................3170 Pasture ............................3180 Mobile Lot ........................3190 Misc. for Rent ..................3200

Acreages/Farms ..............3255 Houses/Duplexes ............3260 Suites ..............................3270 Rooms..............................3280 Manufactured Homes ......3290 Housesitting Wanted ........3300 Garage Space..................3310 Storage Space ................3320 Stores/Commercial ..........3330 Office Space ....................3340 Industrial ..........................3350 Warehouse Space............3360 Resorts & Cottages..........3370 Pasture/Land....................3380 Mobile Lot ........................3390

3020

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.

LACOMBE COUNTRY FEED STORE, Come see us at: 4836 45A St. Lacombe, Ab Pet Food, Horse, Poultry ALL THE FEED YOUR ANIMALS NEED! 403-782-3333

Seed Grain

2200

WANTED. Hannas Seeds seeking distributors for forage, turf, native and reclamation seed. Good commissions. Contact Dave at 1-800-661-1529 or dave@hannasseeds.com.

4020

B R I G H T , completely renovated 3 BRM in 4-PLEX With 4 appliances Heat & water included, N/P Avail Feb.

403-783-0471 Suites

3060

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

403-357-0287

3 BDRM HOUSE 5 APPLIANCES

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

with

Manufactured Double car garage Homes Close to General Hosp UNITED HOMES CANADA invites you to view our N/S, N/P Heated display homes. $1700/month Purchase today at 2012 pricing. Inventory clearance $ 1500 DD starting at $92,500.; Available immediately

Agricultural #2000 - #2290

Houses For Sale

Wanted to Rent #3250 - #3390

Houses/ Duplexes EXTRA FLUFFY & extremely cute! Teacup Babydoll Morkies†(very tiny).

Call 587-987-3422 or email wendyschedel@gmail.com

3050

403-783-3064 or 403-350-0187 NEW 3 BDRM 1800 SQ FT HOUSE with gas ďŹ replace on Wolf Creek Golf Course 2 car garage $2000/month

403-302-7984 PONOKA 3 bdrm. newer townhouse, 3 bath, 5 appls. rent $1295. 403-704-1221 PONOKA 5 BDRM. FULLY DEVELOPED DUPLEX. $1395/mo. 403-704-1221 RIMBEY 4 bdrm. house w/ att. garage, 4 appls, no pets, n/s, 403-704-3634

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.

4090

The right place to find the right person for the job.

www.unitedhomescanada.com 148 Eastlake Blvd., Airdrie.

1-800-461-7632.

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

Money To Loan

4430

BANK SAID NO? Bank on us! Equity Mortgages for purchases, debt consolidation, foreclosures, renovations.

Bruised credit, self-employed, unemployed ok.

Dave Fitzpatrick: www.albertalending.ca.

587-437-8437, Belmor Mortgage.

Businesses For Sale

403.783.3311

4140 Be Your Own BOSS Own Your Own Hardware Store

$Q H[LVWLQJ SURÂżWDEOH 758 +DUGZDUH EXVLQHVV LV IRU VDOH LQ 12345

Slave Lake, ALBERTA

)RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ FRQWDFW 7586(59 &$1$'$

www.truserv.ca

becomeadealer@truserv.ca

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

PONOKA NEWS Page 23

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. WATER WELL DRILLING SERVICES

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 Email: darcysdrillingservices@hotmail.com

WATER WELL SERVICE

ECKLUND

Money To Loan

4430

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.

DROWNING IN DEBT? Cut debts more than 60% & debt free in half the time!

Avoid bankruptcy! Free consultation; www.mydebtsolution.com or toll free 1-877-556-3500.

BBB rated A+.

Transportation #5000-5300

Automotive Services ........5010 Antique & Classic Autos ....5020 Cars ..................................5030 SUV’s................................5040 Trucks ..............................5050 Heavy Trucks....................5060 Vans/Buses ......................5070 Motorcycles ......................5080 Campers ..........................5090 Motorhomes......................5100 5th Wheels........................5110 Holiday Trailers ................5120 Tent Trailers ......................5130 Utility Trailers ....................5140 ATV’s ................................5150 Boats & Marine ................5160 Snowmobiles ....................5170 Tires, Parts & Accessories ......................5180 Auto Wreckers ..................5190 Vehicles Wanted ..............5200 Car/Truck Rental ..............5210 Recreational Vehicle Rental ..............................5220 Trailer Rental ....................5230 Misc. Automotive ..............5240 RV’s ..................................5300

Tires, Parts Acces.

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 (Lloydminster).

Buying or Selling your home?

Check out Homes for Sale in Classifieds Looking for a new pet?

Check out Classifieds to find the purrfect pet.

WHAT CAN THE CLASSIFIEDS DO FOR YOU???

Coming Events Obituaries Memorials Pets Lost/Found Classes Vacation Homes Personals Fitness Arts/Crafts Realtors Babysitters Condos Volunteers Career Planning Legal Aid Tutors Oilfield Announcements Trades Vehicles Public Notices Rentals Acreages Motorcycles Business Opportunities Cottages Livestock Grain/Feed/Hay Tractors Pasture land Campers/RVs Extra Income Security Registrations Meetings Repairs Farmers Markets Trade Fairs Rodeos & MUCH MORE!

Water Well Service • 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

Public Notice #6000

Public Notices ..................6010 Special Features ..............6050

Public Notices

6010

NOTICE Effective January 1, 2014 I will no longer be taking any business.

Thank you to everyone for your patronage over the past 20 years.

CALL LEEN VOGELAAR 403-704-0919

Joel Koehler Tree Topping, Pruning & Truss Hanging

Rodeo Master bull rider Dustin Tomkins come off Bar C5’s Sugar Bear face first during the Ultimate Cowboys Challenge.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

Ultimate cowboy title… continued from p. 14 The brothers know many cowboys spend their careers focusing on one or two events and were looking forward to just watching everybody try something new. “I think it’s going to be the most fun watching the other guys.

I hear guys come here and just have a good time,” said Garrett.

The only event the brothers weren’t looking forward to was bareback, as both had decided to retire from the event after high school. Wyatt explained he didn’t like process of bareback riding and shoulder injury from football played into Garrett’s decision. “I had all the other events so I just kind of let that one go to waste,” he stated.

The same couldn’t be said for saddlebronc rider Lane Watt, 20, who was tugging at the reins to get the event started, climb down onto a bareback horse and compare the two events.

“I’ve always wanted to try bareback . . . It might go a little rough at spots.”

Ty Ellis, 18, of Sonningdale, Sask. had also never tried bareback and hours before the challenge began the steer wrestler and bull rider could feel his anticipation growing. But for him the events weren’t about competing against the other cowboys. “I like to compete against myself and do the best I can.”

The other Ultimate Cowboy competitors included: Branden Dillman, 22, a roughstock cowboy from Rocky Mountain House, Travis Reay, 34, who lives in Mayerthorpe and competes in steer wrestling and saddlebronc, and Logan Hodson, a 29-year-old bareback and saddlebronc rider from Telkwa BC. Hodson was also the only challenge competitor to also ride in the Rodeo Masters section of the event, a new portion added this year by Wyzykoski.

In order to expand the event, Wyzykoski decided to bring in between four and seven professional riders for special Rodeo Masters, side-pot showdowns in each of the three timed events, the roughstock events and barrel racing. “It was a much higher calibre of competition,” said Wyzykoski, referring to the new format of the event.

Some of the Rodeo Masters included last year’s Ultimate Cowboy competitor Jake Vold, last year’s side-pot challenger Curtis Cassidy, of Donalda, and barrel racer Shan-

non Leguerrier, also of Donalda.

“It’s a good warm up practice session before the winter rodeos in the States,” said Cassidy, referring to his involvement in the evening. He added it’s also a good opportunity to run younger horses.

“It’s a good event and a good deal. (It’s) a way to bring the rodeo community together for New Year’s.”

Cassidy, who came in fourth in the timed events challenge, with Baillie Milan taking first, Tanner Milan in second and Trygve Pugh coming in third, likes trying his hand against the other timed event professional and coming out for a good time.

With the Rodeo Masters special events each holding a pot of only $1,000 he chuckled and said he was just there for fun and the practice.

Vold agrees his participation this year made a perfect practice round for his upcoming rodeos. He feels “it’s a good deal” and having more riders makes for a better show.

Last year’s other second/third place winner, bull rider Steven Turner, also found a way to stay involved despite a recent hip surgery.

Turner returned as a judge. “It just sucks being hurt, not being able to ride, but it’s a fun event.”

For future Ultimate Cowboy challengers Turner says the best ways to win are to remember to have fun and keep an open mind.

“Just because everyone here is good at one or two events but you have to do them all . . . Mainly it’s just to have fun. That’s what it’s all about for us cowboys, we’re all friends.”

With an attendance of 1,100 Wyzykoski says one of the biggest challenges of the evening was the weather and already he’s thinking of how to make the challenge even better for next year. “We still have some improvements to make, some fine tuning.”

“Next year we’re going to streamline it; just a straight rodeo event.” Wyzykoski feels the Calcutta interrupted the flow too much and doesn’t believe the 2014 challenge will include a live Calcutta. Instead he’s thinking of holding in an online forum.

Wyzykoski had a few other changes in mind and is excited to present the continually growing Ultimate Cowboy Challenge again next December.

Page 24 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

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