Ponoka News, March 18, 2015

WWW.PONOKANEWS.COM

CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY Vol. 67, No. 12 | WEDNESDAY, MAR. 18, 2015 | 403-783-3311 | EDITORIAL@PONOKANEWS.COM

Lacoka Warriors proud to host Bantam B provincials Story on page 38

Ponoka and Districts have always had a long and proud tradition of ‘striking up the band’ Story on page 5

Spirit Day Ponoka Elementary School students and members of the Ponoka Midget Wolves play a rousing game of floor hockey during school’s Tundra Hockey Spirit Day celebration, Friday, March 13. Please see our story on page 35.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

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2 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Town council approves new subdivision fee schedule

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Ponoka Town Council adopted a new regulation regarding the subdivision

fees and approvals, to fill a gap in their recent decision to use the services of the Park-

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land Community Planning Services (PCPS) for the next three years in managing the process.

One of the requirements of the Municipal Government Act is that an agency such as PCPS must have its own subdivision fees and those fees must be used if the agency processes applications.

In the introduction to council agenda item for its regular Tuesday, March 10 meeting, CAO Rachel Kunz wrote that in order for applicants to pay for PCPS fees, the old bylaw with the town’s fees would need to be

repealed. In the new arrangement, PCPS will forward payment from new fees to the Town of Ponoka.

Kunz presented council with three options: • PCPS processes all the applications on behalf of the town but the town continue to be the subdivision authority.

• Have PCPS process all applications and be the subdivision approval authority.

• The town continues to process subdivision applications and remains the subdivision approval

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authority.

“If we accept the option 1, we’ll have to go along with their fee schedule,” said Mayor Rick Bonnett.

He says the goal is to ensure there are no issues with applicants during construction season.

Coun. Carla Prediger wants a timely review of PCPS’s performance to give council a chance to review how the process works.

“To make sure what we’re wanting from this group is consistent and what we’re hoping to have,” she said explaining her wish.

Council approved the first option and had to rescind its previous fee schedule and approve PCPS’s fee schedule as a new bylaw. Council gave three readings of the bylaw and approved the new fees.

There are some differences to the fees. PCPS application fee is $700 for three lots or less and $800 for four lots or more, compared to a flat fee of $500 for the town.

PCPS’s fee schedule is slightly more detailed and includes a $700 per lot fee — with remnant parcels, roads, reserve lots and public utility lots being exempt — compared to $125 for the town.

Another increase is in the endorsement time extension of unregistered survey plan to $250 from $125.

The remaining fees are similar in pricing.

Open house planned to discuss off-site levies Council directed administration to host a public information session on proposed changes to the Town of Ponoka’s outdated off-site levies.

Kunz included the report in the council agenda package. The detailed report by Tagish Engineering provides recommendations and comparisons to fees from nearby communities.

“The off-site levies we use right now are from 1998,” said Kunz.

These off-site levies help the town pay for future infrastructure needs as the community grows. The report splits the town into four areas and determines infrastructure costs for water, sanitary sewer, the waste-water treatment facility, storm water and transportation.

A date has not yet been set for a public information session.

“We’ve gotta get the discussion out there,” said Bonnett.

PONOKA NEWS 3

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Collision near Ponoka claims www.ponokanews.com life of 16-year-old youth PONOKA NEWS STAFF

Many high school students and teaching staff in Ponoka are struggling to deal with the death of a 16-yearold boy involved in a collision last weekend.

Emergency crews were called to the scene of a twovehicle collision Saturday, March 14 on Highway 53 and Range Road 262. The boy

was driving a 2007 Chevy Silverado eastbound, which collided with the rear end of a 2008 International 7000 series flat deck truck that was in the process of turning left on Range Road 262.

Members of the Ponoka Fire Department were called to assist and extricate the victim who was then taken to the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre. He was later taken

by STARS Air Ambulance to the Stollery Hospital in Edmonton.

The youth later died as a result of his injuries. The driver of the International truck was not injured and alcohol and road conditions were not a factor in the collision.

The boy was from Bluffton but went to school in Ponoka. His name is not being released.

Firearms found in vehicle during traffic stop

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

A speeding motorist helped secure his own arrest after police found two firearms in his vehicle last week.

Members of the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Unit pulled over the driver of a GMC Sierra Saturday, March 14 for travelling 144 km/h on Highway 2. A search of the man’s vehicle found the firearms unsecured and some drug paraphernalia was also located.

Police charged the 23-year-old Slave Lake man with unauthorized possession of firearms, driving while unauthorized and speeding.

Fraud victim sends money through wire transfer A Kijiji online ad to rent a home with no specific address has proven to be an effective way of enticing money from victims.

The most recent case last week involved a person who was looking for a place in Red Deer. The 24-year-old woman found a home on the classifieds website Kijiji but there was no specific address, just a street location.

The business advertising the location is reported to have an address in England and the victim was asked to send wire transfer of money to their business. No contract was signed and the victim is now out of money as the apartment was not theirs to rent out.

Potential credit card fraud Police are looking for two men believed to have a stolen credit card in their possession last week.

The two men entered a downtown store and attempted to buy some prepaid credit cards but when asked for identification, they became belligerent. One did provide some I.D. with the name Justin Trosseau from Quebec, but there was no

further information.

Motorcyclist tagged at 180 km/h A motorcyclist’s decision to speed up after police put on their emergency lights led to additional charges being laid.

Members of the traffic unit witnessed a Kawasaki Ninja 650 travelling at a high rate of speed last week and when they attempted to pull him over, the rider sped up to 180 km/h and went in between two vehicles.

He then slowed down and pulled over. Police charged the 24-year-old man from Calgary with dangerous driving, flight from police while

being pursued, misuse of a licence plate and having no registration or insurance.

Correction: Last week’s police briefs story related to the doublerollover states the 39-year-old driver of the Chevy pickup was charged. The 39-year-old driver was indeed charged but was driving the Lexus.

We regret the error.

Ponoka RCMP and the Integrated Traffic Unit took 99 calls for service.

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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4 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Religion

Your Guide To Local Houses of Worship

A retake on the Ten Commandments

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. & James Crosina - Fac. of Community Life

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! phone: 403-783-6962 • 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 WORD OF LIFE CHURCH Pastor Rob McArthur

403-783-5659

Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.

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

I thought I’d offer another perspective on the Ten Commandments or the Law. You can read them for yourself in the Bible (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5).

Both Jews and Christians have valued the Ten Commandments for thousands of years. They are the foundation of Western law and society. However, they have been interpreted quite differently even among Christians.

Some believe these laws can make people good or make society “better.” I suppose they might if we could actually keep them. Instead, we fail their commands time and time again. If there is one thing though the Law does accomplish, it is to make people self-righteous.

So if we can’t keep

Pastor Tim Graff

them, do the Ten Commandments have a purpose? Christians of the Lutheran Confession have identified three purposes for the Law. The first is to curb evil in the world. They are like

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SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

Ponoka United Church Hall 1 5020 - 52 Avenue

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

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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

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those rumble strips on the side of the highway, warning us when we drift from the safety of the main path.

They are also a warning to keep us from the punishment that comes to those who break the Law. The second purpose of the Law is to reveal our sinful condition. It’s like a mirror in which we see ourselves as we actually are: sinners. The Law clearly shows us that we do not and cannot truly fear, love and trust God above everything else and that we cannot even love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Since the Law reflects God’s holy expectations, the breaking of the Law declares that we are sinners, separated from God and therefore, both condemned and deserving God’s wrath.

Sin is the human condition of individuals and our society as a whole, and as hard as we try, there is no way out from under it. We are sinners (Romans 3:23), law breakers, condemned and like the walking dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) on death row. That is the human condition since Adam and Eve freely chose to disobey God (Genesis 3).

I know most people don’t really like that message from God’s Word.

People call it negative thinking. People would rather turn to anything that will help them hide their brokenness (John 3:20) or convince them that they can somehow fix it themselves. This attitude has even affected many churches where self-help sermons lure people into

a death trap. But there is good news here, too.

The second purpose of the Law is also to reveal our need for a Savior and specifically, to drive us to Christ. Jesus came calling people to repentance (Mark 1:15). Repentance is an action of God’s Spirit turning us from our sin and toward the Crucified Christ who has fulfilled the Law perfectly in his life and then taken our sin upon himself and died for us that we might be forgiven.

This is the Gospel witnessed by the Scriptures, proclaimed by the apostles and the message of every evangelical and catholic church. The Law judges and condemns us, but the Gospel is God’s grace in Christ to all who believe.

The third function of the Law is as a rule. Even after conversion, Christians continue to need the Law. Here the Law, through the power of the Holy Spirit and faith, guides the forgiven child of God into a life a life of love and service toward both God and neighbour. Even though God’s baptized cannot obey the Law fully, the Law continues to guide us back to repentance and into the waiting arms of the Crucified One where there is always grace and mercy.

So while the Law in the form of the Ten Commandments is good (Romans 7:13), its ultimate purpose is not to make us good or our society better, but to reveal our sin and to point us in faith to Christ, the One who has made right all that is wrong with you and me and us together. Thanks be to God!

stachurch@shaw.ca

ST. MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Rev. Donna Willer Rev. Marty Tuer, Honourary Assistant 5120 - 49 Ave. Ponoka

403-783-4329

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

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

ZION CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Pastor Fred Knip 9 miles east on Hwy 53 403-782-9877 Jr. Church during service for children Sunday Service 10:30 am

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PONOKA NEWS 5

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Reflections of Ponoka

Ponoka Bands Ponoka and districts have always had the long and proud tradition of ‘striking up the band’ for countless occasions over the years.

Here is a 1970s photo of the Ponoka School Band under the direction of Mr. Victor Wright. Shown in the back row from left to right: Richard Piercy, George Ward, Jay Farnham, Brad Vold, Gary Vande Bunte, Ralph Benning, Grant Acheson, and Terry Fossen; then in the middle is: Aaron Crowhurst,

Wayne Ungstad, Leslie McCrimmon, Everett Merril, Henry Borgs, Robin Taylor, Gerald Spelrem, Marvin Bragg, and Jim Hamilton. In the second row from left to right are: Carol Dietz, Colette Vold, Rita Woelfing, Cheryl Fossen, Judy White, Rosemary Backus, Caroline Banco, Janet Nuefeldt, Deb Piercy, Marilee Spelrem,

and Leslie Ward; while seated in front is: Mary Ross, Brenda Schmidt, Francis Parker, Caroline Reeves, Fern Dietz, Dianne Isaac, Mr. Victor Wright, Mary Baker, Patsy Merril, Audrey Spink, Judy Tough, Beva Farnham, and Brenda Woodfin. Missing from the photo were band members Janna Pederson, Robin Weaver, Susan Wills, and Peter Backus.

Photo courtesy of the Spink family

The long and colorful history of our Ponoka bands

BY MIKE RAINONE AND JACK SPINK

In the early settlement of our community and surrounding districts, many great stories are told of the small but spirited bands who travelled around the rugged area bringing the joy of music to countless events where families and friends had gathered together to take a break from their gruelling work schedules. From the early 1900s, the popular social and recreational events that everyone enjoyed included district picnics, ball games, dances, rodeos, fairs, weddings and countless other occasions, to which many folks always managed to bring along their instruments, struck up a tune, and got the whole family involved for a few delightful hours of fun, which soon became a proud and spirited community tradition.

The first mention of an official, organized Ponoka Town Band was around 1910-1912 when a gentleman from the Hazel Hill district just west of town fondly known as ‘farmer steel’ put together a small band consisting of men from around the district. One of the first photos in the Ponoka Panorama history book featured a well dressed group of eight men with their brass instruments and set of drums, who loved to play for functions near and far whenever invited. When this first group disbanded, former members Vern and Laren Smith reorganized another small orchestra, which became very popular, and throughout the 1920-30s, under the direction of Mr. Chris Smith grew into a very large and talented Ponoka Community Band. One of the most

delightful tales from the colorful beginning of our ‘big band era’ in Ponoka occurred in 1910 when a CPR train packed with bands and revellers from Edmonton on the way to a rally in Red Deer derailed just outside of Ponoka early one morning. The townsfolk responded quickly, rushing out quickly with horse drawn wagons and carts to pick up the stranded passengers, brought them into town, extended every hospitality, and offered their homes and hotels overnight until the cars were put back on the tracks. It was truly a gala event, as the bars got permission to stay open, and the next morning the visitors showed their great appreciation by marching through the streets of the community and loudly presenting their musical skills before heading off the Red Deer.

The keen inspiration of music also spread to our local schools, and in the late 1930s a Glee Club and small orchestra were organized by a teacher, Miss Jean Knowlan. In 1946, Principal Mr. Howard Larson encouraged the formation of a band program, which was soon a welcome addition to school dances, and at many events around the community. Over the years, many talented junior and senior high school students, under the direction of Mrs. Atha Topley, Robin Stuart and others, would present some delightful operettas and concerts with music and song. These energetic musical programs were offered to all the students of the elementary school by Mrs. Esther Johnson for many years. The community and districts always responded with great gusto to the school music and band programs, donating

all sorts of instruments and funds, and inviting them to take part in many year-round activities. Heading into the 50s and 60s, the prestigious high school band received extra direction and leadership from Victor and Harry Wright, made numerous public appearances, and won countless awards at competitions and parades throughout the province.

In the mid 1970s, the Ponoka Composite High School Concert Band Director Mr. Lee McCullough decided that the group should make the transformation into a marching band. Jack Spink, winner of an annual Harry Wright Memorial Award, had spent a summer attending a junior band director’s course which Lee instructed. This young local musician was given the challenging task of taking over as the new drum major, as well as teaching the 50 or so band students from grades 8 to 12 how to march. Regular practices on the school soccer field went so well that McCullough formed a parents’ support group, entered the band into the Moose Jaw Kiwanis International Band Festival, where they proudly placed second, and then were honoured to march in several Ponoka Stampede parades. That proud tradition of music has carried on at our Ponoka and district schools for many years.

Over the years many individuals and organizations rallied to keep a Ponoka Town Band going and growing. Some of the earlier promoters and leaders were Mr. O.B. Knipfel, Dr. Don Culham, George Gage, Tom Chandler of the P.M.H. staff, and Harry Wright. Around 1949-53, a teacher, Mr. Harold Brulhart was conducting a junior high boys’ band in the

community, and also a trained a group of young ladies to serve as flashy majorettes, who would march regularly with the local bands. Many of our enthusiastic young musicians were thrilled to graduate into the senior town band over the years, and when the interested faded a little after the war, it was taken over by the experienced leadership of Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Harry Wright for the Royal Canadian Legion in Ponoka. David Spink fondly remembers that the group practised upstairs in the old town hall, and always looked forward to setting up behind the player’s box at every exciting home game of the Ponoka Stampeders senior hockey team at the old arena. When the local team scored, they played a rousing march, but if the opposition scored the band responded with the March of Saul, a funeral march. The old band also was an annual popular addition to many Ponoka Stampede parades, riding in a hayrack and presenting their music to huge crowds along the route.

The Legion sponsored the organization of the first drum and bugle marching band in 1947, a few of the initial 12 members included Harry Anderson and Jack Twa on the snare drums and David Spink on the bass drum, and they played for Air Cadet Inspections and parades. Our present #65 Air Cadet squadron is revitalizing that same great music tradition by forming a new band, with practices held on Tuesday nights at the Cadet Hall. More on the band and all cadet programs are available by contacting Lt. Jeannie Mortenson or Tracey Fiedler at 403-783-4181.

Remember When...

Photo courtesy of Fort Ostell Museum

At this time of the year, one always thinks about floods and this 1990s photo vividly shows the sudden force that our lazy old Battle River can suddenly unleash. The fast moving water was only a few feet from the bottom of the old black railway trestle, and in its aftermath did a lot of damage to the walking trails and into the Riverside district for a few scary days.

6 PONOKA NEWS

Opinion

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Scaremongering as election platform?

Mustafa Eric

Editor Albert Einstein described insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

If he had been alive, he could well have used the definition to refer to the third western military coalition, once again trying, unsuccessfully, to root out Islamic extremism: USled military campaigns in Afghanistan in 2001, Iraq 2003 and now again in Iraq, this time also expanding into Syria, have been nothing but ineffective.

Each of these military campaigns has just helped Islamic terrorists to swell their ranks by recruiting more militants to their cause and expanding their area of operations. Last week’s media were full of news reporting that Islamic State has now not only become operational in Pakistan and Libya, but Nigeria’s Boko Haram and several other Islamic militant groups in the Middle East have declared their obedience to the selfstyled khalif (prophet’s successor), the head of the Islamic State.

Canadian media were also reporting something else last week: Turkish police had arrested a Syrian

citizen, who had connections to Canadian embassy in Jordan, and he was observed to be helping three young British women to join the ranks of the Islamic State. (I happened to be driving for quite some time on Friday, March 13 and noticed that CBC radio changed the wording of the news story on this man four times, to make that connection sound vaguer and vaguer in each newscast.)

Minister of Public Safety Steven Blaney refused to make any information available to the public on grounds that he would not comment on intelligence operations. Efforts by opposition MPs to have some questions answered on the parliament floor also proved futile.

Let’s face it, the world of intelligence gathering is murky, complex, confusing and treacherous. And it is not uncommon for intelligence agencies to use various assets permanently or temporarily to achieve certain results. But if an agent, operative, functionary or an asset (whatever that Syrian person might be) is caught doing something directly in contravention of what the government here is trying (to appear?) to achieve, the priority for secrecy of the operations is (or should be) overridden by the need of the public to know what the government is really doing.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been pushing Bill C-51 through the parliament in a big rush, despite the fact that Supreme Court judges, professors of law and legal experts have openly said that existing legislation is adequate to achieve the goals that the

bill is supposed to accomplish.

And then you suddenly have the government paying their respects to veterans enhancing their benefits.

(Not that the veterans don’t deserve the benefits, but isn’t the timing a bit suspicious coming only a few months before the election campaign?)

And add to that the latest announcement by the newly installed Defence Minister Jason Kenney that the government will not rule out expanding the mission of the Canadian military contingent to include Syrian territories in the anti-ISIS operations; what do we have at hand?

The great Hollywood actor Henry Fonda, in his probably only part as a villain in a movie, delivers a great line in the movie “Once Upon a Time in the West”: “They scare better when they die,” he says referring to people whom he was hired to force away from their land for his boss to acquire.

The thought of dying in an act of terrorism is probably enough for a lot of people in this country to crave the protection of the state and the fear of that thought could be a very influential instrument in cajoling people to believe that they should give up their liberties in return for security.

I just can’t help asking myself: With oil revenue-dependent economic policies in tatters, are we going to see a militaristic/ security-focused Conservative election platform with the Canadian military contingent in the anti-ISIS coalition made to wave the flag for it?

Government plays politics over security Terrorism is a real and horrifying threat, and we need a solution. The federal government has had a lot of time to do something about it: Canadian security agencies foiled a plan in 2006, arresting 18 people and preventing the bombing of parliament and other important institutions. This winter, several of our military were murdered and our parliament attacked. Last month, an international terrorist group urged its members to bomb West Edmonton Mall. We have all seen what those monsters will do; we would be idiotic not to take terrorism very seriously indeed.

So why has our federal government continually reduced funding to the agencies that protect us? Defence Minister Jason Kenney says that the budget has grown from $14 billion to $20 billion since 2006, but that’s misleading. That figure is not adjusted for inflation and, even though the budget might have increased, they weren’t allowed to spend it. The reality is that our federal government has prevented our military, RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Agency from spending $11 billion since 2007. The Canadian Press published a news item on Feb. 20 that public accounts records show spending is down by 13 per cent at defence, seven per cent at CSIS and by 20 per cent

with the RCMP. So our government has allocated a bigger budget so they can say they have in the news, but quietly won’t let them spend it. That’s a sneaky tactic and we deserve better.

So if Bill C-51 isn’t about stopping terrorist plots, what is it about? And, even if we get a balanced law that addresses terrorist threats and protects our privacy, it cannot do us much good if Harper’s government refuses to fund enforcement.

We have to watch what happens, and not accept the government’s spin when it comes to our security. Let’s not forget that CSIS got in big trouble in 2013 for misleading the federal court because it wanted to spy illegally on Canadians living abroad.

Now, I am all for spying on Canadians if they are involved in terrorist activities. But our spy agencies must be accountable to somebody: that’s part of the job description for parliament and our courts.

What bothers me more than anything is that our government is using the very real threat of terrorism to play politics instead of coming clean about what they are actually doing.

Nora Abercrombie Lindbrook, AB

Be environmentally friendly RECYCLE YOUR PAPER!

PONOKA NEWS 7

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Prentice’s options but whose shoes any one of us could end up in.

That will be the criteria by which the next government will be judged.

George Jason

YOUR PAPER!

There have been lots of talk that in the next few weeks an Alberta provincial election will be called, a year before the PCs mandate runs out.

Premier Prentice’s comments about “looking in the mirror” to see who’s responsible for what has happened to the Alberta economy has caused a province-wide reaction. For a politician noted for his measured reactions, the comments sent off a verbal explosion.

One would have hoped that with his well practiced lawyerly skills, the premier could have acknowledged that the party that he heads could have leveraged fiscal policy decades earlier in a proactive way. He could also have recognized that a new era of fiscal management needs to be created.

With many of the Wildrose party co-opted and the Liberals facing a leadership convention next year, it is unclear what opposition

will be elected to stop the steamrolling of legislation without meaningful debate or discussion.

It would be sad if Premier Prentice takes a page out of the federal Conservatives’ playbook and caters to specific interests to maintain power, despite reasonable alternatives and evidence-based information.

Hopefully, he sees beyond mere political interests and opportunism and recognizes that there are vulnerable individuals and families who might not be important political players,

RECYCLE

Dear Editor,

Town Times

Ponoka, AB T4J 1P7 Ph: 403-783-4431 | Fax: 403-783-6745 | Email: town@ponoka.org Or Check us out Online: www.ponoka.ca

NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Important Reminder! To avoid a ticket or a tow, please obey the NO PARKING signs in place to allow Town Crews to work safely and completely clear snow from our streets. Residents have 48 hours to clear the sidewalk in front of their homes and properties after a snowfall. The bylaw relating to these activities is Traffic Bylaw 200-06. We have posted it on the home page of our website for your convenience. The 2015 Snow Removal Routes Map is also posted on the home page - www.ponoka.ca.

Thank you for doing your part to make us all Ponoka Proud!

Real Services for Residents Starting next week, Pole-Tech Ltd. will begin inspecting Wooden Utility Poles in town. Electrical Regulations specify that Wooden Power poles must be inspected every seven years. The Town wants to be sure that poles are in good shape. This includes treating the poles to prevent wood rot or insect infestation. Four crews will be working around town doing such work as: overall visual safety inspections; above ground inspections; partial excavation; sounding and boring. They will also conduct field inspections, evaluations, treatments, pole marking and data collection, and will report back to the Town as they carry out their work. If you have any questions, please contact Public Works: 403-783-0159

EVENTS AND RECREATION What’s up at Ponoka FCSS...

For more information or to register for any of the following events please contact Shelly Van Eaton 403.783.4462 Lunch & Learn with Money Mentors (sponsored by Ponoka FCSS) March 26th 12-1pm at Ponoka FCSS Boardroom - Break the Cycle April 9th 12-1pm at Ponoka FCSS Boardroom - Credit I.Q. April 23rd 12-1pm at Ponoka FCSS Boardroom - Enrich Your Kids (adults only at course please)

Seniors needing FREE transportation to go walking at the Ag Event Centre Any Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, call Shelly @ 403.783.4462

Road Trips!

FCSS will cover transportation costs, individuals wanting to go pay the cost of their ticket.

Please call ASAP to guarantee tickets! $57 March 22nd: Sadie Flynn Comes to Big Oak DINNER THEATER – Red Deer $25 April 18th: The Wardens - Banff music trio – Tees Hall

Volunteer Tax Clinics coming • March 17th 9:30-Noon (Seniors Drop In) • April 1st 1:30-3:30 (FCSS Office) • April 9th 9:30-Noon (Seniors Drop In)

National Volunteer Week Celebration!

April 12, 2015 at 1:30pm ~ Kinsmen Rec Centre Ponoka FCSS, Town of Ponoka, Ponoka Country and Ponoka Gym Club would like the entire community to mark your calendars to attend an afternoon of enjoyment including entertainment and an ice cream parlor!

Library News

PSC Broncs News Naomi Froese PSC Reach REACH for the Top is one of the many sports offered at our school, and is a great source of fun for many students! REACH consists of four player teams who get to hit a buzzer when they know the answer to a question, providing us with a great non athletic event to compete in. Ponoka Secondary Campus had two Senior teams and one Junior team compete in the tournaments this year. The Juniors played hard, had fun, and ended up placing in the 7th out of 13 middle of their pool which is very good! The two senior teams played lots and had fun as well, placing in the top of their pool. The school always hosts two out of the three tournaments held each year and we would like to send out a great big thank you to everyone who helps to let it run smoothly and efficiently. The last final thank you, probably most important of all, we would like to officially recognize our coaches for all the hard work they do. Thank you to Pauline Mercer and Rob Haggarty, especially for leading us in the right direction. Mercer has just started helping out with REACH and is already a great advocate to the sport, while Mr. Haggarty has been coaching and organizing for many years, making him invaluable to this school program. We would not be where we are if it weren’t for our coaches, so as Mr. Haggarty always says: “Thank your coaches, and have fun.” We will be sending a Senior team to the Provincials REACH Tournament hosted by Red Deer in April, where we hope to do just that and represent our school well!

The picture in last week·s (Mar. 11) PSC Broncs News ad was not that of Allecia Verheire.

Allecia did in fact write the article but was incorrectly identiӾed. We apologize for the error.

This Week At PSC March 19 - March 22 March 19-22 – Sr. Boys Provincials Fort McMurray March 20 – PD Day March 22 – Badminton Please visit our website for all upcoming events and exciting news!

www.psc@wolfcreek.ab.ca

LIBRARY PHOTO CONTEST: Ponoka Jubilee Library wants to see your photos! Take your best LIBRARY THEMED digital photo, and submit it to the Library between March 1st-March 31st for your chance to win a KOBO Aura 6” eReader. It could be a photo of someone reading, a pile of books, or even of Charlie the Library Cat, as long as it relates to the Library. Full details/rules and entry forms are available at Ponoka Jubilee Library (5110 48 Avenue), or on our website at www.ponokalibrary.prl.ab.ca. Good luck!

DESSERT WINE TASTING: Ponoka Jubilee Library is hosting its 4th Wine Tasting! ‘Uncorked’ is a dessert wine tasting session and is being held on Saturday April 18th, starting at 7:00 pm. It will feature 8 different dessert wines from around the world along with food pairings. Tickets prices are $40/per person, and can be purchased at the Library at 5110 48 Avenue. All participants must be 18+. Tickets are limited, so gets yours today!

CANADIAN FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE: Ponoka Jubilee Library is hosting a Non-restricted Canadian Firearms Safety Course on Sunday April 26th from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. You must pre-register, cost is $120.00/person. Space is limited. Go to www.albertafirearmscourse.com for more information, or contact the Library at 403-783-3843.

Like us on FACEBOOK to stay up to date on all our events!

Aquaplex Update Spring Break Lessons • March 30 - April 2. Register Now! FREE Spring Break Public swim sponsored by Tim Horton’s!!

For more information and schedules visit http://www.ponoka.ca/community/recreation/aquaplex

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** Outdoor Rink Hours are Dawn - 11pm, please use responsibly.

COUNCIL UPDATES & BYLAW INFO Next Town Council Meeting March 24, 2015 @ 7 pm.

Visit our website @ www.ponoka.ca for copy of the agenda.

DID YOU KNOW...???

• You can help the planet by buying an inexpensive reusable water bottle, and not buying plastic disposable bottles! This saves the planet and reduces toxins from the bottle entering your body! Cool!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Be kind, don’t judge, and have respect for others. If we can all do this, the world would be a better place. The point is to teach this to the next generation” ~ Jasmine Guinness

8 PONOKA NEWS

UP-TO-DATE NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

www.ponokanews.com

Dog spray leads to restricted weapons conviction

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

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A man who pled guilty to possession of a restricted weapon was sentenced to 25 days in jail at the Ponoka provincial court on Friday, March 13.

Dolphus Buffalo had been in custody for six days, giving him 9 days credit. He will see another 16 days of incarceration.

On March 8 of this year, at approximately 1:45 a.m. an RCMP patrol observed a man stumbling down a Ponoka street.

Buffalo was approached by the cruiser and identified himself as Joey Buffalo.

The Crown told the court, according to the RCMP officer at the site, Buffalo was heavily intoxicated, swaying and

Ponoka, AB 4209 HWY 2A Thursday March. 26 9am- 6pm

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drooling on himself.

Buffalo was informed he was under arrest for public intoxication and the officer asked him several times to remove his hands from his pockets. Once he finally did, a liquor bottle fell to the ground.

As the RCMP member kicked it to the side, Buffalo had put his hands back in his pocket, leading to several more requests to once again bring them out.

The member noticed the red label of OC spray — dog repellent spray — in the hand coming out of his pocket.

The court was informed by the Crown that the officer believed Buffalo’s thumb was on the nozzle and that he was in danger; resulting in Buffalo being taken down by the officer.

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incident, Buffalo is already subject to a 12 year restricted weapon prohibition.

Duty council told the court Buffalo, in his intoxicated state, thought he was being asked to remove the items from his pocket and he had the spray because wild feral dogs are an issue on the reserves.

Over the last 14 years, Buffalo has had 39 convictions. There have been no charges relating to violent behavior post-2012.

Intoxicated man drives, dragging muffler A man who pled guilty to driving without a license and driving over .08 was sentenced to a one-year driving prohibition and a $2,530 fine.

On April 4, 2014 Ponoka RCMP noticed a vehicle driving southbound on Highway 2 with sparks shooting from the back of it.

The vehicle’s muffler was dragging on the ground and when the member stopped the car, the smell of alcohol was permeating from its interior.

When asked, the driver, Garret Littlechild, 31, said he did not have his license.

There were multiple alcohol containers inside the vehicle and Littlechild failed the roadside test.

He was taken back to the Ponoka detachment and provided two breath samples at .29 and .27.

Littlechild also pled guilty on failing to appear, relating to the matter.

Failing to provide sample leads to criminal charges After pleading guilty to failing to provide a breath sample, a woman was sentenced to pay a $1,000 fine and one-year driving prohibition.

On Jan. 25, 2015, RCMP spotted a vehicle on 51 Street in Ponoka, travelling with a broken taillight, a flat tire and a smashed windshield.

Driving was Corrine Saddleback, who admitted to driving that night but stated she would not provide a breath sample, even after the officer explained doing so could lead to criminal charges.

Saddleback told the court she was aware her tire had a slow leak the night of the incident but that she had not been aware of the taillight.

After pleading guilty, she also told the court she did not fully understand that not providing a breath sample that night, as opposed to a later time, would lead to criminal charges.

PONOKA NEWS 9

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

County wants increased policing in rural areas

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

Ponoka RCMP staff sergeant Cameron Chisholm recently visited Ponoka County council in an effort to align the detachment’s goals with the county’s priorities.

Chisholm told councillors assaults in the area jumped from 13 to 21 in one year, from 2013 to 2014. “Most of them are actually domestic violence matters.”

Arsons in the county also rose from one incident to five.

Many of the property offences committed are drug related and Chisholm says outsiders passing through the county are behind most of the cases. “Drugs and crime go hand in hand,” he said.

In the coming year, Chisholm’s goal for the detachment is to crack down on meth traffickers and repeat offenders, he feels this should line up with county needs.

“When I look at what’s going on, it kind of passes over what’s going on the in county,” said Chisholm.

“The theory is if you focus on those folks … you’ll have a crime reduction,” he added.

Reeve Paul McLauchlin voiced it is the property offenses he is finding as one of the largest concerns of the ratepayers.

Correspondingly, visibility seems to be one of the most prominent needs on the county’s radar. “Visibility is very important,” said county peace officer Les Squires, who was sitting in the audience for the meeting.

“We need a lot more people for sure,” agreed county CAO Charlie Cutforth.

Legacy Ford of Ponoka wins national award from Ford of Canada Legacy Ford has become one of the recipients of the 2014 President’s Award given to Ford dealerships around the country that excel in customer service and sales.

A press release issued by Ford Canada quotes Legacy Ford principals Del and Charlene Bouck as saying “Earning The President’s Award signifies our entire staff’s dedication to delivering superior customer satisfaction day in and day out.”

The President’s Award, Ford of Canada’s highest dealership honour, is presented annually to those dealerships who demonstrate outstanding achievement in sales and customer satisfaction.

Environmental concerns challenge road allowance

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

Request for a road allowance lease approval led to concerns regarding the environment and complaints of rural partying at Ponoka County council’s Tuesday, March 10 meeting.

Near the 600-meter road allowance — located on Range Road 265, north of Township Road 425 — sits a cluster of trees, which were causing concerns for a few nearby landowners.

Herman Verhoef, the landowner applying for the lease, says he does not plan on removing any of the trees but wants to clear some of the area of weeds so he can farm. “If it is on my land, of course, I can do it,” he said at the council meeting.

Nearby landowner Rosalie Hodges was apprehensive of how removing the trees would affect wildlife in the

area. “My concern is the conservation of the flora and fauna that is there.”

She says animals and wildflowers have been disappearing from the area.

Another landowner, Kenneth Malterer, wants part of the area cleared for security reasons. With the coverage the trees provide, he feels younger people will take advantage for parties and irresponsible driving.

“You’re going to get that whether it’s a road or not a road,” Hodges countered.

Malterer also believes the black poplars are not valuable and would support Verhoef in a decision to clear the trees.

Council approved first reading of the application on the matter and it’s now been sent to the Ministry of Transportation for approval.

In the meantime, Verhoef has been told he cannot remove any trees from the area.

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Country residential hobby farm zoning approved Ponoka County councillors approved the three necessary readings for a rezoning request for 27 acres from agriculture to country residential hobby farm in one fell swoop at their meeting, despite objections from a consultancy group.

The request came from Dan Brachmann and the 27 acres in question sits on the far side of a parcel near Secondary Highway 792 and Township Road 442.

There is a pre-existing subdivision on the quarter, but the land sits on a reclaimed gravel pit and contains marginal agricultural land.

Alberta Transportation had no qualms with rezoning the land to country residen-

tial hobby farm to allow for future subdivision of the rezoned area.

Despite there being no objection from any other party, West Central Planning

Agency, a consultancy group, informed the county it could not support the application because it was not consistent with the “subdivision allowed” policies.

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Friday, March 20 PD day—No school for students Monday, March 23 Open attendance Wednesday, March 25 Night School—All staff here

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Horsemanship Public speaking Be familiar with RODEO Outgoing personality Ability to attend events and make appearances

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Box 4336, 5616 - 39 Ave. Ponoka, AB T4J 1R7 Resumes accepted until 4pm on April 1, 2015

10 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

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Town councillors appointed to subdivision appeal board

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

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Two vacancies on the Town of Ponoka’s subdivision and development

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Publishes: March 25 Deadline: Friday, March 20

appeal board necessitated the appointment of two councillors to it.

Despite advertising to seek two applicants to the board, no applications were received, explained CAO Rachel Kunz. She told councillors during the regular Tuesday, March 10 meeting that there needs to be five people on the board and there were three.

The last time the board met was during an appeal in August 2013. While the board only meets when there is an appeal, it is quasi-judicial.

Council appointed Mayor Rick Bonnett and Coun. Sandra Lyon

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to the appeal board.

CAO Rachel Kunz said council needed to make the appointments in the event there is an appeal. “If we have an appeal tomorrow, we cannot review the appeal and there is one coming up.”

“I think it’s beneficial in light of the way our council works in how we like to be involved,” said Coun. Teri Underhill.

To ensure the T’s were crossed the I’s were dotted, council had to repeal the administrative bylaw regarding the appeal board and then approve a new one with new definitions and clarity.

New members to the board will receive a full day of special training March 26 in Red Deer.

Changes to Committee of the Whole format Council approved

changes to how Committee of the Whole meetings work.

Rather than present information for the next council meeting, it will be used as discussion for work on future bylaws and current policies.

Motions from council Council requested administration research the potential of camping at the ball diamonds.

Coun. Carla Prediger made the request stating it was a special request from the recreation committee.

She wants administration to research if there are any existing bylaws in other communities regarding camping at ball diamonds.

In the past, the answer was not to allow special requests as there were some liability concerns and issues with dealing with garbage.

Spring Car Care PUBLIC NOTICE

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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY’S LAND USE BYLAW

Publishes: March 25 Deadline: Friday, March 20

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Bylaw No. 1202/15

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April 12-18, 2015

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Lacombe County Council has given first reading to Bylaw No. 1202/15 the purpose of which is to amend the general regulations the County’s Land Use Bylaw. The amendments are being proposed to provide greater clarity to the regulations, address any issues which have arisen since the last amendments to the Bylaw and to support the new policies outlined in the Hamlet of Mirror Area Structure Plan. Examples of some of these amendments being proposed include:

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A new definition for ‘kennel’ is being added to the definitions; Increasing the minimum standards in the landscaping regulations; Changing the required landscaping from m² (ft²) to linear frontage; Reducing the setback between Recreational Vehicles and Park Models to 3 m (10 ft) Adding campground minor, major, and intermediate to the H-C Commercial District and H-PR Recreational District in the Hamlet of Mirror; A new HR3 Residential District (Hamlet of Mirror) which allows for larger lots of up to 0.4 ha (1 ac) and communal wastewater servicing; and Two (2) non-resident employees to be permitted to work in a major home based business in the proposed HR3 Residential District (Hamlet of Mirror).

A copy of the Bylaw with the proposed amendments may be obtained from the County’s Planning and Development Department or by visiting the County’s website at www.lacombecounty.com.

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TO BOOK YOUR SPACE CALL 403-783-3311 OR EMAIL sales@ponokanews.com

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed Bylaw amendments will have an opportunity to do so at a public hearing which has been arranged for: Date: Time: Place:

Thursday, April 9, 2015 9:00 AM Lacombe County Administration Office located 2½ miles west of Highway 2 at the intersection of Spruceville Road and Highway 12

If you are unable to attend the hearing, written submissions can be made to the County. You will, however, need to ensure that your comments are received by the County prior to the date of the hearing. Your comments can be sent by email to info@lacombecounty.com, by fax to 403-782-3820 or by mail to RR 3, Lacombe AB T4L 2N3. All submissions will be public information.

For more information, please contact the Planning and Development Department.

Dale Freitag, RPP, MCIP Manager of Planning Services

PONOKA NEWS 11

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Employment program helps those looking for a leg up

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

A 17-week employment program in Ponoka for young adults is providing important jobs skills and training.

An open house was held Thursday, March 12 in Ponoka to celebrate the accomplishments of participants in the program and to introduce others to it.

Called ReBrand, the program is provided by the McBride Group, with financial support from the Canadian government and comes in two parts, explained program co-ordinator Lisa Hollingsworth. “A lot of people just need that first step.”

The first part includes 10 weeks of group training and sessions for a maximum of 10 people, Hollingsworth explained. The purpose of the ReBrand program is to give participants some hands on training that will benefit them for years to come.

The group based employment skills programming covers five different areas: • Personal development: self-awareness, self-esteem, communication, problem solving and decision making, anger management, conflict resolution, assertiveness, stress management, time management and money management.

• Career path management: job search techniques, career planning and goal setting, resumes, cover letters, portfolios and interviews.

• Educational/vocational planning • Labour standards and human rights • Certification for: St. John Ambulance First Aid – Level C CPR and AED, Alberta Health Services Home Study in Food Safety, WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Money Mentors, Computer Literacy and True Colors.

One of the benefits of the program is participants are paid minimum wage to learn valuable skills such as stress and time management as well as communication skills, said Hollingsworth. Once the 10 weeks are complete the next step is to get some on-thejob training. If they complete the full 17-week course, participants are eligible for a monetary bonus.

The entire program is intended to get people into a job and to help them stay there.

For one participant, the ReBrand program was a dream come true. Cassy Smith heard there was an opportunity to try the program out and she

jumped at the chance.

Smith says she used to be a cook but had been out of work for almost a year.

With help from the program

she has secured a job cooking at the Sunrise Village in Ponoka. Among the training she had was a food safety course, first-aid and WHMIS

With help from an employment program in Ponoka called ReBrand, Cassy Smith has been able to secure a job after being out of work for almost a year.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

training.

“I feel blessed that I got a job out of it for what I was trying to get,” said Smith.

She says the group sessions were quite helpful for her and was asked if she would do the course again, Smith immediately said “yes.”

“It will help me succeed and go further and accomplish my goals in the future,” explained Smith.

Hollingsworth says planners will start recruiting for their next class and she is excited to see a new group of students.

There are some requirements for participants: they

cannot be on unemployment insurance or be eligible for it, have to be out of school and they should be ready and willing to work. Hollingsworth says there is also wage subsidy for employers who hire individuals for work training.

While this new group of students had some challenges along the way, Hollingsworth was most impressed with their dedication to completing the program. She said programmers could see changes and improvements in students every day of the course.

For more information on the ReBrand program contact Hollingsworth at 403-7905000.

12 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Ponoka Figure Skating Club 2015 carnival award winners

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

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Ponoka’s figure skating club took to the ice, Saturday March 14 with a flurry of costumes and music for the club’s annual Skate Carnival, called The Good The Bad and The Ugly.

Skaters of all levels took part in the festivities and pieces included a Red Cross/army themed salute, the story of the Ugly Duckling and two solos by graduating skaters.

CanSkater of the Year: Nevaeh Schumacher Spirit of Skating: CanSkate - Jayden Vold Pre-CanSkate - Paige Hinton Program Assistant of the Year: Morgan Blanchard Beginner 2 Synchro: Mallory McNally StarSkate Skills: Geraldine Catalbas StarSkate Dance/Free Skate: Sara DeIure StarSkate Congeniality: Makena Grant Graduation Award: Brian Hoar and Kyla Waknuk Volunteer of the Year: Robin Abt

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PONOKA NEWS 13

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

PSC will require JOHN W. LOW Agencies Inc. 403-783-5512 parents to be present in COMMERCIAL registration renewals 5118 - 50th Street, Ponoka 1-800-392-8658

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BY MUSTAFA ERIC

Ponoka Secondary Campus (PSC) students will have to be accompanied by their parents when they go to the school to renew their registrations at the beginning of the next school year as the school administration thinks this could help all three sides to benefit more from the education process.

“It is a requirement because we want to meet each of the parents,” said Assistant Principal Ron Rarick. “We want to meet the parents and keep the families informed about what’s going on.”

PSC administration believes there are several good results that could come out from parental involvement in the process, foremost among them being the students not having to decide on their own what courses to take and what programs to join during the school year. If the parents get involved at the very beginning of the school year, the thinking goes, the students will have more parental support in the course of their studies.

It is also meant to create awareness on the part of parents with regard to the availability of options for their children when they select which courses to take in addition to informing the parents about the structures that are created to support the students like the teacher-advisor class.

Rarick said in the past they tried to ensure parent involvement by sending packages to homes for students to look through with their parents and make their selection of courses based on that process, but that effort does not seem to have produced the desired results.

Having the parental involvement during the registration process will help the school administration in another way as well: The teaching staff and the administration will not have to deal with numerous requests from students wishing to change their courses just one month after the school starts as they will have made more informed choices with their parents’ support.

Rarick is realistic and he knows that despite it is being introduced as a requirement, they might not be able to meet as many parents as they wish. “We recognize we are not going to get everybody, but I am sure we will meet a lot (of parents),” he said.

For those parents who have more than one of their kids at school, the PSC administration promises that they will not have to visit the school for each children to get registered, there will be enough preparation and coordination that once parents visit the school, they will be able to discuss the programs for all of their children with teacher advisors.

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14 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Diplomas lose ground in students’ overall marks

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

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A movement that took hold late last year has just reached a conclusion with Alberta Education finally agreeding to changing the weighting in diploma grades from a 50/50 split to enhancing teacher’s mark to 70 percent while diminishing final exam weight to 30.

The Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) board of trustees voted yes on the matter at the Alberta School Board Associations (ASBA) annual fall meeting, Nov. 16 to 18, 2014 and the ASBA as a whole was also pushing for the change.

“This decision was a long time coming and it positively impacts high school students in this province,” said ASBA President Helen Clease, in a press release on the organization’s website. “Today’s decision will be met with cheers from students, parents and staff. Communities have been telling school boards for a long time that this is one of their priorities.”

WCPS superintendent Larry Jacobs is also pleased with the change, and he personally took part in the drafting of the press release

by Alberta Education on Monday, March 16.

Jacobs says the primary benefit for students is the government has finally come to the realization that they work in school for an entire year. “A lot of students do work over the entire year, that will give you a better idea of their understanding.”

Many students feel too pressured by the daunting diploma exams and Jacobs says the 50/50 split may not have been the best way to get a feel of what they could actually accomplish.

Alberta Education feels the 70/30 split may have a positive effect on drop-out rates and an increase in the number of students eligible for the Rutherford Scholarship. continued on page 15

PONOKA NEWS 15

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Province plans to face financial challenges head-on

BY SARAH MAETCHE BLACK PRESS

Premier Jim Prentice reaffirmed on March 13 that his government will face fiscal challenges head-on in an effort to get off the energy revenue rollercoaster and to diversify the economy.

The Premier visited Lacombe last Friday, joined

by Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Rod Fox at the Legion to speak with Albertans about what the government is doing to remedy the financial challenges.

While Prentice didn’t allude to any of the items that will or will not be included in the provincial budget expected on March 26, he said his presence in Lacombe was first and foremost to commend Fox for his great job in representing the people of Lacombe-Ponoka constituency.

“I’m proud to have him as part of our team,” said Prentice. “He does a great job representing the people here in this community.”

Prentice didn’t even hint at a possible spring election, but indicated, and furthering more speculation, that the PC party plans to have all of their candidates in place by the end of the month.

“You need to be ready,” he said. “We’ve got great candidates, great people being nominated and elected for our party right across the province — You know, young dynamic candidates

Rod’s age and others. It’s really exciting.”

As of Monday, the provincial PC party will have 60 of the 87 candidates nominated across Alberta.

Prentice said Albertans are currently facing challenging times and the “best way to deal with those challenges is to deal with them head-on.” He said the current financial circumstances of the province boil down to oil prices.

“We’ve been through ups and down before in this province,” he said. “But the truth is this one may be a little bit steeper in terms of how quickly it happened.”

Indicating that the province’s current financial state may be a reality for the next few years, the government is preparing for lower market oil prices than under $80 a barrel.

“We are going to have to be tough and resilient the way that we always have been as Albertans,” he said.

“Our economy is not the issue in this province. The economy is more diversified than people realize.”

Sighting a strong agriculture and ranching sector, Prentice stated there is some need to enhance the province’s ability to export into the Asia-Pacific basin.

“We have a strong farming community and we are doing just fine on that front,” he said. He added that the forestry sector, tourism and research sec-

Premier visits Lacombe – Premier Jim Prentice made a stop in Lacombe, joined by Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Rod Fox, for a meet and greet with local citizens at the Legion on March 13.

a $6 billion hole the year after that, and $5 billion year after year as far as the eye can see,” he said. “We’ve had enough of this rollercoaster.”

He said the government has been consulting with Albertans about how to solve the financial crisis and what he has been hearing is that the government should take a “measured, balanced approach,” while avoiding slashing services.

“The budget is not a single-year budget but it will also be a 10-year fiscal plan of how we manage this, how we get ourselves off the rollercoaster and how we do it in a way that is fair and balanced,” said Prentice.

“We are taking an approach that will be quite measured in terms of

front-line services. We are actually making some improvements as a matter of fact.”

He said what he was also hearing from Albertans was that they were wanting to be a part of the solution.

“We’ve heard back from folks,” he said. “You are going to see a government that not only asks Albertans to step up and solve this problem, but is also taking action to reduce waste.

“We are going to be more efficient as a government and we are going to take steps to diversify the economy,” he said. “We are going to emerge from our current circumstances …

We are going to come out tougher and stronger than when we went into it. But we need to stand together.

That’s the real key.”

Sarah Maetche/Black Press

tor within universities are also firing on all cylinders, boosting the economy.

The real problem lends to the lack of diversifying the revenue base, said Prentice.

“It’s really not the economy,” he said. “It will carry us through this. The problem is that we became too dependent on oil revenue to balance our budget.”

The reduction of royalties the province receives from oil has led to an evaporation of government funds.

“That’s left basically a $7 billion hole in our budget for the year coming up, and

The Ponoka & District ct Chamber of Commerce rce is in need of entertainmentt for the upcoming

continued from page 14 In the past, a concern of many was how, with a 70/30 split in the teachers’ favour, it could be ensured all students would receive the same treatment and standards.

Jacobs feels by following Saskatchewan’s example, the system can succeed.

“Provide training for teachers so they will understand access accurately,” he said.

The concept of providing teachers across the province with a common template is called inter-rater reliability. “That’s going to be crucial a critical component,” said Jacobs.

The change will come into affect Sept. 1 of this year, as some students have already written a bout of exams with the 50/50 mark division.

Jacobs says, with the change, post secondary institutions are going to have to

adjust how they evaluate prospective students “which I don’t think is a bad thing.”

“Post secondary institutions have leaned heavily in the past on the diplomas to rank students, for lack of a better word,” he added.

Dual credit partnerships Also recently announced was a new duel credit opportunity that will give students the ability to earn post-secondary credits or workplace certification while still in high school.

“These partnerships support school boards’ efforts to create new pathways for student learning. Anytime we can create these opportunities for students, it is a good thing,”said Clease.

“Both announcements will make a difference to our high school students. We welcome these initiatives,” she added.

TRADE FAIR April 17 & 18 If you can: - sing - dance - play a musical instrument - or have any other type of talent please contact: Judy Dick, Ponoka News 403-783-3311 Email: manager@ponokanews.com or Les Jaster, Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce 403-783-3888 Email: chamber@ponoka.org

16 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Putin’s Resurrection

BY GWYNNE DYER THINK GLOBALLY

If he just had the ‘flu, why didn’t they say that he just had the ‘flu? We’d all have sent him get-well cards, and that would have been the end of it.

The lengthy and mysterious absence of Vladimir Putin ended on Monday, when the Russian president emerged in St. Petersburg to greet the visiting president of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev. The only explanation he offered for his 11day disappearance from public view was that “It would be boring without gossip.”

The rumour mill certainly went into overdrive during his absence. He had suffered a stroke. He was in Switzerland for the birth of his child with his alleged girlfriend, gymnast Alina Kabayeva. He’d had a face-lift, or maybe just another

botox job. There had been a palace coup, perhaps connected in some way to the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov last month.

All mere speculation, whose only useful function was to hold the ads apart. The Kremlin remains, as it was in Communist and Tsarist times, a place of perpetual intrigue, and Kremlinology is as imprecise a science as ever. There are clearly rival factions struggling to influence Putin’s decisions, but nobody can clearly say what they want or even who belongs to which one.

Why, for example, was Putin’s first action after his resurrection an order to put the Russian navy on full combat readiness in the Arctic, of all places? That’s a long way from Ukraine, which is the focus of the current confrontation between Russia and the Western powers.

Is Putin opening up a new front,

or just demonstrating his resolve?

And if so, who is the demonstration aimed at? NATO? Some faction in the Kremlin? Both?

The problem with an opaque regime like Putin’s is the difficulty in reading its motives and intentions. Even democratic governments like that of the United States can be reckless and unpredictable – consider President George W. Bush’s decisions after 9/11 – but American policy is a miracle of transparency compared to the decision-making process in Moscow. The difference is stark, and it has serious effects in the real world.

At the moment, for example, there is a major debate underway in Washington (and in other NATO capitals as well) about whether Putin must now be seen as an “expansionist” leader who has to be stopped before he goes any farther. The debate strongly resembles the one about Soviet

intentions after the Second World War, which ended in a Western decision that the Soviet Union was an expansionist power that had to be “contained”.

The debate back then drew heavily on analogies with the rise of Hitler in the 1930s and the failure of the policy of “appeasement” – and the decision to surround the Soviet Union with alliances and military bases, right or wrong, led to an extremely dangerous 40-year Cold War. Hitler has been dead for 70 years and the world is now a very different place, but here comes the same old debate again. If you argue in Washington today that Putin’s actions in Ukraine are not the first step in his plan for world conquest, but just a clumsy over-reaction to the overthrow of pro-Russian former president Viktor Yanukovych by the rebels in Kiev a year ago, you can be sure that various people will accuse you of being an appeaser.

They don’t even understand what the “appeasement” policy actually involved. British de-

fence spending, for example, more than doubled in the five years between Hitler’s rise to power and the decision to go to war with Hitler. They knew they might have to fight him in the end, but they used the time before they were ready to fight to see if he could be appeased by giving him back some of the territory Germany had lost after the First World War. If it had worked, it would have been a lot cheaper than fighting a second world war.

In the end it didn’t work, and so Britain and France went to war. But it is extremely unlikely that the NATO powers are in a similar situation now. For one thing, they never really disarmed after the end of the Cold War, so they don’t have to re-arm now even if Putin does turn out to have big plans.

If Putin really is planning on world conquest – or at least on recreating the old Soviet Union – then he has left it very late. Hitler started grabbing territory within a couple of years of coming to

power. Apart from a little war with Georgia (which Georgia started), Putin has waited fifteen years to make his first move. If he does have a plan, it’s a very slow-moving one.

Besides, his strategists will be warning him that Russia could not hold up its end of a new Cold War for very long. Russia has only half the population of the old Soviet Union, and it is now a largely de-industrialised petro-state with a GDP comparable to Italy’s. He is probably just blundering around, trying desperately to save face after his humiliation in last year’s Ukrainian revolution.

Unfortunately, what goes on inside the Kremlin is so obscure that nobody can be sure of his ultimate intentions. That leaves a nice large space for the hawks in the West to play in, and they are taking full advantage of it.

But Putin probably just had a bad case of ‘flu.

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

Laurie Blakeman shakes up Alberta politics Her decision to represent 3 political parties in the next election reflects the sorry state of democracy in Alberta

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BY DOREEN BARRIE TROY MEDIA COLUMNIST

What Uber has done to the taxi industry, disrupting businessas-usual and causing an uproar, Laurie Blakeman is trying to do in the political marketplace. Her decision to wear three partisan hats in the upcoming Alberta election is just the sort of disruptive initiative in the political market that fits the model.

Blakeman's novel idea is to represent three parties in the upcoming provincial election.

Opponents will label her a hydraheaded monster, who will ruin the chances of meaningful change and destroy the Liberal party. They will point out that, under the Elections Act, such a move is not possible, ask which party will receive money donated to her, etc., etc. However, this is a creative, courageous and

long-overdue move to shake up the political establishment.

For decades the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) have straddled the political landscape like a colossus, dismissing their opponents as free-spending socialists who lack the ability to manage money. But after Peter Lougheed stepped down, the combined vote of non- conservative parties began to grow, reaching a high of 51 per cent in 1993 and averaging 40 per cent since then. While the share of the popular vote does not have a bearing on the number of seats a party wins, it is a clear indicator of voter preferences.

Put another way, there is solid support for the values espoused by these parties although their representation in the legislature has often been negligible, averaging 18 per cent.

Our first-past-the-post elec-

toral system is to blame for producing a result that is often a far cry from the expressed wishes of voters. Sadly, another artifact of the electoral system is that it strips political parties of any incentive to cooperate with their rivals even if they are like extended family.

Over the years, there have been moves to merge parties, and attempts to reach agreement at the constituency level to run or not run candidates in select ridings. These have come to naught for a number of perfectly understandable reasons: Parties have distinctive priorities, values and world views. They have "brands" and brand-loyalty which, in some cases, spans generations. The only way they can implement their ideas is to win office, and this produces a single-minded drive to achieve that goal. The adversarial nature of our parliamentary system sets

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Dennis Jones from Servus Credit Union will talk on “Recognizing Fraud.”

Regular Jam Session every Saturday at 1:00pm PONOKA ART CLUB CLASSES 21 Mar Watercolor Landscapes - Frank Haddock 28 Mar Oils - Grant Ursuliak Classes held at Drop In Centre - 10am - 4 pm Cost $25.00 paid at class Contact Lyla Lang Langford 403-783-1887 or Bernice Edwards 403-783-6858 Pickleball cancelled until spring. Watch for announcement of start up.

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them up to be hyper-competitive.

All these factors contribute to a disinclination to entertain any thought of merging or even any cooperation short of a merger.

Having said that, however, there comes a time, and this moment is arguably one of them, when it is necessary to put aside these considerations for the greater public good. Alberta has been ruled by the same party for over four decades, most of that time with a commanding majority of seats. Having seen an effective opposition party in action, Albertans will be disappointed if the legislature is once again reduced to its customary impotence. Although many Albertans didn't support the Wildrose Party, they were impressed at the success their MLAs had in holding the government to account.

With both the Liberals and the Wildrose leaderless, the way is clear for the PCs to sweep the province with very little effort. NDP leader Rachel Notley's position is the strongest among the opposition parties and it is no doubt her hope that her party will be able to make gains at the expense of her rivals.

But this is also an opportunity for her to rise above partisan thinking and consider working with the other parties in this unprecedented situation.

Politics can be a very grubby business and we have certainly seen evidence of this in the last year. However, it doesn't have to be. The leader of the NDP can engage in politics-as-usual, trampling her rivals when they are at their weakest, thus helping the PCs to retain their grip on power. Conversely, she can demonstrate that politicians can behave in an honourable way by considering even a minimal degree of cooperation. Party members in all non-conservative parties must also demonstrate more flexibility.

Laurie Blakeman has tossed a stick of dynamite onto the political landscape in the hope she will disrupt it. Let us hope that it stirs up reaction and touches off a debate about the sorry state of democracy in Alberta.

Doreen Barrie is a Political Scientist at the University of Calgary. Her latest book is The Other Alberta: Decoding a Political Enigma.

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PONOKA NEWS 17

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

AGRICULTURE

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18 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Alarming report from NFU on threats to Canadian agriculture

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

With the Agricultural Growth Act, known widely

as Bill C-18, now having reached royal assent and practically become part of Canadian legislation, Ca-

nadian farmers have a lot more reasons to be concerned about their future as farmers, according to a re-

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cent report by the National Farmers Union (NFU).

The report “Losing Our Grip-2015 Update” portrays a quite grim picture with regard to corporate interests encroaching on the farming communities of Canada and warns that the currently existing trends could amount to an existential threat for Canadian food sovereignty within a few decades.

“Canadians want family farmers to produce our food and to have the autonomy to do it in a way that supports their communities and takes care of the land for future generations. Without better farm policy and laws with real teeth, absentee landlords seeking to make the highest possible return for their shareholders will be calling the shots, and the work of farming will be done by low-paid sea-

sonal employees or farmers forced to lease land, making it difficult for them to make long-term investments to care for the land,” said Jan Slomp, NFU President in a statement on the occasion of the release of the report.

“We are calling for policies, programs and laws that will ensure that Canada’s farmland is under the control of local farmers, which is one of the key elements of food sovereignty.”

The latest publication is actually an update to a major report by the NFU on Canadian agriculture and the challenges it faces which was released in 2010 with the name “Losing Our Grip: How Corporate Farmland Buy-up, Rising Farm Debt, and Agribusiness Financing of Inputs Threaten Family Farms and Food Sovereignty”.

The executive summary of the latest update states that the traditional farming system of Canada, whereby farming land is owned and worked by individual farmers, farmer families or cooperatives “is under serious threat by corporations and investors –including some of our own pension funds – that are seeking greater control over Canada’s agriculture and a bigger share of the wealth that farmers produce.” continued on page 19

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PONOKA NEWS 19

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

NFU report to Canadian agriculture continued from page 18 The report underlines both demographic and economic trends as feeding into the continuation and acceleration of the phenomenon with younger generations of the farmer families seeking their future in urban communities while the farming land increasingly becomes a commodity rather than a fundamental asset to maintain a way life.

With multinational corporations targeting more and more farming land to operate in order to expand their businesses, including trying new seed breeding technologies, in addition to foreign governments and investment institutions buying up land all around the world, aging farming communities in Canada are fast becoming easy prey to corporate greed, with many older farmers having to sell their farmland when they are unable to meet their debt obligations to creditor institutions, according to the report.

The data published in

the report shows Canada’s farming land shrank by seven million acres, or by about 4 per cent, describing this development as a serious threat to Canada’s food sovereignty.

In addition, the rise in the price of farmland over the last decade has been a source of double negative impact: While retiring farmers find it convenient to sell their farmland to new owners who may not always be willing to work the land, the high prices deter many young people from dreaming of buying up their piece of land to launch farming operations.

Rising farm debt The NFU report also looks at the increasing farm debt and warns that the newly introduced Agricul-

tural Growth Act could play a major part in accelerating the trend in just a few years as farmers will now face the possibility of having to pay fees for their own seed.

The figures quoted in the report show that farm debt has grown by more than 10 per cent in just three years from 2010 to 2013, reaching almost $80 billion.

Unhealthy and “unregulated” lending practices whereby farmers have to receive loans in exchange for future harvests at low fixed prices are also putting great pressure on the borrowers, according to the report.

Recommendations The main emphasis of the recommendations listed in the executive summary of the report is on the matter of securing the land ownership

“Farmland investment companies are shifting Canadian farmland ownership from actual farmers to a new class of absentee landlords.”

Losing Our Grip-2015 Update report

for Canadian farmers. The report urges a unified set of land ownership framework to be adopted by all the provinces and territories, with adequate taxation arrangements being made to ensure that Canadian ownership of farming land is

encouraged.

“The Government of Canada and the provinces must set up mechanisms for farm family intergenerational land transfers that do not rely on loans and interest payments. Governments must find ways for young

and new farmers to gain secure access to farmland that does not require massive indebtedness,” the report stresses.

It also urges strict restrictions to the transfer of farming land to non-agricultural use.

I am proud of my farming roots in Central Alberta and I am committed to ensuring that farms and farm families continue to have every opportunity to be successful for generations to come.

20 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Proper poultry care remains top priority with old and new care trends

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

A trend is becoming more popular amongst Alberta poultry producers: expanding barns and operations for the same amount of chickens. But making chicken health a top priority is nothing new to the industry.

“Many of our producers are expanding their existing operations,” said Karen Kirkwood, executive director with Alberta Chicken Producers.

In Alberta, the poultry industry is facing a bright future, and across the country more than 90 per cent of chicken farms are family owned and operated.

“There’s an opportunity for our producers to grow more products,” said Kirkwood.

Many of the expansions can be attributed to making sure the barns provide enough space and the chickens are grown responsibly.

Kirkwood says most of Alberta’s chickens are raised for meat production and having the large barns for the birds is beneficial. “They are free to roam, they aren’t kept in cages.”

In 2004 Alberta implemented a mandatory food safety program. “We were the leaders in the country for having our producers certified in this program,” said Kirkwood.

However, she says Alberta’s producers and its poultry industry has been proactive in developing and adhering to its own animal care programs.

“Our industry has been a leader in animal care,” said Kirkwood. She says those with Alberta Chicken Producers must be annually certified in the organization’s animal care program in order to maintain their licensing.

The program covers industry areas such as stocking density, the amount of feeders and waterers in a barn, nutrition management and barn management.

Biosecurity at the farm level is also a priority for producers. “It’s basically about keeping the chickens healthy and safe,”

said Kirkwood.

A large part of this practice is making sure bugs and germs from the outside world are not exposed to the flocks. This goes as far as ensuring visitors to poultry farms change shoes or wear footwear covers, hairnets and other articles of clothing cover deemed appropriate. Kirkwood says many are not able to drive their vehicles near the barns to keep foreign pollutants away.

“It’s really about minimizing any contamination,” said Kirkwood.

Because the producers uphold the programs, knowing a extra work short-term holds many benefits in the long run, Kirkwood says chickens produced in Alberta are healthy and of a high quality.

Healthy birds also benefit the industry as a whole and the consumers, as Kirkwood says with good practices in place the products can be trusted by consumers.

Hormone and steroid use in poultry production was banned in Canada 50 years ago and antibiotics are something the industry keeps in check.

In May 2014, the use of category 1 antibiotics, those commonly found in human medication, was also banned.

Kirkwood explains that there is a consumer perception when it came to the antibiotics and the poultry industry felt an accompanying response was warranted.

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PONOKA NEWS 21

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

With spring comes crop’s enemies

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

With a mild winter and the beginnings of spring on the horizon, how planting season starts will depend on how wet or dry the land becomes.

Shayne Steffen, Ponoka County manager of agricultural services, says if central Alberta sees a dry spring this year, farmers will be able to get out to their fields earlier, possible giving them a boost in the fight against crop diseases.

“For example, clubroot spores will move throughout the field in water and move best in saturated fields where the spores can move throughout the soil profile and find the roots of the Canola plants,” said Steffen.

Dry land will help minimize the movement of clubroot, and reduce the chances of a severe infection.

“Virulent blackleg of canola is making a return to canola fields throughout the province so producers need to be vigilant and scout for this disease,” said Steffen.

Ponoka County will be scouting fields for clubroot and virulent blackleg this year. If found, there will be a probation for growing canola in that area and a directive for seed taken off the field and sold for crush, says Steffen.

It is not only crop diseases farmers need to look out for, as many varieties of weeds can also cause issues with the land. In pastures, it is the dry weather that allows them to take hold, especially if the pasture is heavily grazed.

“Weeds in cropping situations typically are controlled through pre-plant and in crop herbicides,” said Steffen.

“Canada thistle, absinthe wormwood and toadflax are some of the more invasive pasture weeds that can be controlled with spot treatment.These weeds are also considered noxious in Ponoka County,” he added.

Absinthe wormwood had its status raised to noxious in Ponoka County a few years ago. Steffen says now that farmers have had time to buy into the idea, the county is

going to start cracking down on where it is found.

“There are a myriad of seed treatments and fungicides for different crops and these may assist in controlling seed pests, disease and fungal infections; it all depends on the crop seeded and the pest or disease issue,” said Steffen.

At the time, there is no economical treatment for clubroot and Steffen suggests when farmers plant their crops, they choose the clubroot resistant variety and maintain a minimum one-infour-year crop rotation.

Farmers also need to be aware of the animal pests that can damage crops.

If the season is hot and dry, there is a possibility of grasshoppers being an issue, as they are on an upward population trend.

“Gophers were not a

problem last year and although there may be a few areas with some RGS issues, most areas should see low to moderate populations,” said Steffen.

Gophers can be combated with strychnine. However, the raw product comes from

India and there is almost none available in the province, currently.

Ponoka County has none available for farmers and Steffen says the stocking the product was becoming financially inefficient due to low demand.

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22 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Bos’s dairy farm tackles new frontier, wins Young Farmers award

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

In their last year of eligibility, the Bos family, owner/operators of the Rock Ridge Dairy plant and dairy farm, was awarded the provincial Outstanding Young Farmers award.

The farm is owned by Patrick and Cherylynn Bos and they received the award in February in Banff at the annual Outstanding Young Farmers celebratory event and meeting.

“It was just a really great honour,” said Cherylynn.

“It was nice to get some recognition after all the years of hard work we put into the farm,” she added.

Those involved in the award process must first be nominated then fill out the lengthy application process.

“My mother nominated us,” Cherylynn explained.

“You have to be nominated before you’re 40. I turn 40 in two months,” Patrick added.

The farm was also nominated five years ago for the award.

Patrick and Cherylynn Bos, recently received the provincial Outstanding Young Farmers Award for the advancements they are contributing to the North American goat dairy industry.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

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“We found it to be a really interesting experience,” said Cherylynn.

The Bos’s were then nominated for the two years following, but Patrick and Cherylynn decided they were not ready for the process.

The Outstanding Young Farmers award program takes seven operations from seven different regions across Canada. The winner from each region then competes in a national competition, which takes place in Edmonton in November 2015.

During the two day judging competition judges looked at the history of each farming operation, the owners’ involvement in the industry or their community, operational advancement and financial aspects.

Each group of competitors also had to make a PowerPoint presentation to the judging panel, which included staff from ATB Financial, a main sponsor of the award, and alumni recipients.

“It was a good process to go through because it really made you evaluate your own farm,” said Cherylynn. She feels having to layout the farm’s progress for the judges was a good reminder for her and Patrick of the accomplishments they have achieved.

Cherylynn credits a lot of the farm’s success to the support of their family. “We’re here today in big part because of Patrick’s family. They’ve been really supportive of the transition of the farm to the next generation. They’ve enabled us.”

Patrick says during the competition the judges also had advice for the presenting farms.

Cherylynn joked the best advice she heard was “take a long vacation”, but Patrick added it is a goal they are actually working toward.

“That’s the most crucial part for us, getting our farm to a place where it can operate without us,” he explained.

Operations advancements This summer the couple is set to finish building a new barn and accompanying building to house their new parlor; a semiautomatic goat milking machine.

While the farm is already the largest of its kind in western Canada, this new expansion will give Rock Ridge Dairy an even larger lead.

The farm has approximately 1,400 goats on site and 600 for milking. Patrick says it takes eight hours a day just to milk them all. “We hope to get up to 900 this year and 1,200 next year if possible.”

The near parlor that is going to be installed will be able to milk 900 goats per hour.

“It’ll be life changing for our farm,” said Cherylynn.

Last April Patrick travelled to Holland to see a variety of options and settled on the parlor design he is bringing to the farm. However, he was not completely satisfied and has made some adjustments to make the machine more user-friendly.

“It’ll be the first one of its kind in North America,” said Patrick.

Between the parlor — with parts coming from Holland and Israel, and locally — and the two new buildings, the project costs $1.2 million.

Together the buildings total almost 50,000 square feet.

Construction began last summer but Patrick says he decided on the project in January 2014.

As part of a pilot project called Farm-On Technology, which awards 10 farms across the province that are doing something very different than the rest of the industry, Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency is paying 20 per cent of the Bosís bill for the new parlor.

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PONOKA NEWS 23

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Animal welfare among top priorities for large retailers

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

One of the biggest shifts in consumer priorities the Loblaws group of companies observed a few years ago was how livestock producers treat their animals.

That shift has given one of Canada’s largest retailers food for thought, explained Bob Chant, senior vice-president of corporate affairs and communications. He spoke at the Social License in Agriculture conference in Leduc Thursday, March 12.

Customer satisfaction is paramount to success Most recently, the list of most important priorities for consumers was listed as local sourcing-53 per cent; healthier choices-49 per cent; waste reduction-41 per cent and animal welfare-40 per cent.

“If we don’t get it right with our customers, it’s no good,” said Chant.

To do that however, Loblaws works closely with its suppliers areas such as palm oil, consumers’ health and they have a goal to be fully sustainable with their seafood products. He estimates sustainability at 88 to 89 per cent. “We haven’t quite got to 100 per cent sustainable point yet. But we will.”

He wanted producers to know that it is a growing trend with large companies to have a system in place; and transparency, a key topic at the conference, is another area that will bring benefits to farmers. The trick for

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Loblaws, he said, is consultation with all stakeholders; not just animal rights groups but also producers.

Consumers trust corporate responsibility Chant says if large corporations show a strong commitment to community investment people tend to trust them more. He says the issue is not how much money a company makes but how engaged they are with the community.

“If you get it right, they’ll cheer you on,” he explained.

Thanks To Our AG Community

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24 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

McDonald’s working with producers on beef sustainability

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

McDonald’s Canada is in the midst of a plan to become 100 per cent sustainable when it comes to beef production. Here Jeffrey Fitzpatrick-Stilwell, senior manager, sustainability of McDonald’s explains the company’s goals during a Social License in Agriculture conference Thursday, March 12 in Leduc.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

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With 34,000 restaurants across 120 countries serving 70 million people per day, any decision made by McDonald’s restaurants will have a major effect on industries across the globe.

In recent years, consumer demand for sustainability and transparency has grown and the company is taking big steps in answering those concerns, explained Jeffrey Fitzpatrick-Stilwell, senior manager of sustainability at McDonald’s Canada.

He told participants of the Social License in Agriculture conference in Leduc Thursday, March 12 that customers are interested in how what they are eating will affect them. “What they’re most concerned about is the integrity of what theyíre eating.”

Farmers and producers continue to be the most trusted groups in the food chain supply, while large corporations, like McDonald’s are among the least trusted. Because of that, McDonald’s is working to improve trust by increasing transparency.

Ponoka County Ponoka County Council / Agricultural Service Board Division 1 Bryce Liddle

Division 2 Mark Matejka

Division 3 Doug Weir

Division 4 Paul McLauchlin

Division 5 Nancy Hartford

On behalf of the Ponoka County Agriculture Service Board we would like to offer our continued support and encouragement to the vibrant local Ponoka County agriculture industry. As a board we strive to meet the needs of our local residents and landowners and look to our involvement as a true partnership whose goal is to provide for your success. We wish our farmers and ranchers of all types and sizes in the agriculture industry continued success in 2015.

– Paul McLauchlin, Reeve

4205 Highway #2A, Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1V9 Phone: 403-783-3333 Fax: 403-783-6965 Email: PonokaCounty@PonokaCounty.com

Education and transparency For some consumers it is about education; Fitzpatrick-Stilwell says many consumers don’t have a reference point for what a big farm operation looks like. Some believe a big operation would have 100 animals, a big different from the reality.

The company made a bold, if vague, promise to create a verified sustainable beef industry in Canada a few years ago. FitzpatrickStilwell says it was not to be evasive but to allow the plan to grow and change. McDonald’s has been working with producers in all parts of the supply chain to figure this problem out.

Certifications and verifications are different for many industries, so the company has been working with a group called the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef to find the best answer. FitzpatrickStilwell says McDonald’s is not looking to reinvent the wheel, but instead collaborate with all stakeholders.

“It’s about the outcome,” he stressed.

Big Mac of a challenge Several types of burgers, including the Big Mac, are billion dollar products at McDonald’s and becoming sustainable is going to be a challenge.

F i t z p a t r i c k - S t i lw e l l said the company specifically did not put concrete plans in place because it is still growing and changing.

While the overall goal is to reach some sustainability by 2016, he added how that will look and how that is verified will be another challenge.

“It is a pilot project. It’s not perfect. It’s not supposed to be,” he said.

The path to verification Canada makes the ideal country to start this pilot project, added FitzpatrickStilwell, because there are

This paper is

already sustainable plans in place. While doing this, the company continues to listen to advice and communicate progress with consumers and he reminded attendees the process is not about certification, but verification.

“It’s about allowing producers to tell the story,” he said.

Currently there are 38 indicators for verification: • Natural resources (7) • Communication and people (7) • Animal health and welfare (13) • Food (3) • Efficiency and innovation (8) Fitzpatrick-Stilwell says he expects this to change as the pilot project continues to grow.

Reinforcing the need for transparency Animal rights groups can sometimes have hidden agendas, explained speaker Kay Johnson-Smith, CEO of Animal Agricultural Alliance. She spoke about how farmers and producers can increase their transparency to deal with extreme tactics by some advocacy groups.

“Hire someone who can work with your employees and can provide some quality assessment,” she offered.

She referred to a farm in the United States called Cooper Farms C.A.R.E.S., which welcomes discussion from consumers. They have windows in their barns to allow people a chance to watch the process.

Another company called Fair Oaks Farms has a feature called The Pig Adventure, which has glass windows in its pig barn and tours are offered to people interested in how the industry works.

She advises engagement with consumers is becoming an increasingly important part of the industry. “You’re voice as producers is going to mean a whole lot more with legislators than with lobbyists.”

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PONOKA NEWS 25

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Fertilizer prices expected to remain high say analysts

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Farmers looking to get a good deal on their fertilizer this season will be waiting for a while, say analysts with Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

In the spring, prices are always higher than other times of the year, says J.P. Gervais, chief agricultural economist with FCC, mostly because farmers use it the most during planting season.

In April, 2014, the FCC forecast the rates would drop to $500 per ton in 2015 for urea and phosphate but production has not increased, leading to higher prices. “We keep expecting more production to come online,” insisted Gervais.

As of March 11, data from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development shows phosphate peaking at just over $800 per ton in June 2014, and dropping to just over $790 per ton last January. Urea prices peaked at

just under $750 per ton in June and dropped to just over $600 per ton last January.

“Overall demand hasn’t slowed down much and we haven’t seen the supplies as projected,” Gervais added.

He expects the market to move sideways for some time. Farmers are trying to manage these expenses by storing as much product as possible and buying in the fall, when the rates are slightly lower. However, with a lower Canadian dollar, a farmer’s purchasing power is going to be limited.

“I think we’ve seen more producers expand the storage capacity on the farm,” said Gervais.

The question Gervais often hears is, “Is this good or bad?” but he suggests the real questions people should be asking are “Why is it (prices) up and why is it down?”

Oil prices are down because of a saturated market but the demand for ag related products are still there, which Gervais feels is good for the industry. If the demand was also down then “you would probably notice weakness in agricultural commodities.”

When looking at the current market, Gervais says analysts at FCC consider urea and phosphate prices to forecast future rates. Despite the desire for more fertilizer, manufacturers have not increased production to meet that demand.

J.P. Gervais, chief agricultural economist with Farm Credit Canada

Oil & Filter Sale March 1 – 31 When looking at the fertilizer prices per tonne, analysts at Farm Credit Canada consider urea and phosphate. Here a farmer pours urea from his hand.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

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26 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Silver Valley West Central 4-H Rebel Riders 4-H Riders news

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properly and make sure you have a good first impression when you enter the show ring from Randi McCook. We are also having another clinic on how to do our makeup for the show ring from a MAC cosmetic specialist.

For the month of May, we will be having many practice rides for the upcoming Regional Horse Show on May 29-31 at Westerner Park in Red Deer.

As well, we have just started a fundraiser for our club which is selling hanging baskets from Meadowbrook Greenhouse.

Our club is an energetic group who just love to show our horses!

RECYCLE

we all took a part in. In February, Macey McPherson and Allayna Hoy (junior), Rachel Devet (intermediate), and Shelby Devet and Caitlyn Malyk (senior) all won first and second place respectively, allowing us to move on to zone public speaking. At the zone public speaking event, Macey Macpherson (second junior) and Shelby Devet (first senior) won and moved onto district public speaking.

In March, we had a mini clinic on how to dress

YOUR PAPER!

Hi, my name is Rachel Devet and I’m the club reporter of the West Central Rebel Riders for the 20142015 year. We are a horse club that trains for showing like Western pleasure and equitation, English pleasure and equitation, and trail.

We have meetings the first Wednesday of every month to discuss what we will be doing for the up and coming month.

In the months of February and March, there was a communications event that

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Our club has had a very busy winter, 4-H is very active in the community. In December, we had a number of volunteering efforts that included the set up of the Festival of Trees gala evening and being hostesses for six performances Klaglahachie Dinner theatre Anne of Green Gables.

In our December meeting, we discussed future activities that include our Christmas Party, winter fun day, special project day, record books. Our monthly ride at the Calnash Ag Centre was themed an “Ugly Christmas sweater”

and lots of fun was had by all attendees, including our horses.

January was a busy month that included our meeting, a trip to a Red Deer Rebels game, public speaking competition, horse judging workshop and multi-species judging workshop. Our monthly ride was themed “neon” and riders and horses could glow in the dark.

Public speaking is one of very important skills taught in 4H and public speaking competition was our main focus in February. Our Club event was held Feb. 1, the top speakers were in seniors first Rebecca Wesner, second

Brenna McCaughey, in intermediate first Sarah Archibald, second Meggie MacKenzie, in junior first Halie Archibald, second Reese MacPherson, who moved onto zone competition Feb. 22. Zone event was very competitive and Brenna McCaughey, Sarah Archibald and Halie Archibald advanced to district competition.

Thank you to the Ponoka Golf Club for hosting both days of competition. Also in February, our members attended a multi-species judging competition at the Ag Centre.

Congratulations to Hayden Huseby for placing third in districts.

Winfield 4-H News ALISON WALKER AND MEGHANN SMAWLEY CLUB REPORTERS

This past week the members of the Winfield 4-H Gait Riders attended a multi-species judging clinic at the Calnash Centre in Ponoka.

Congratulations to all

of the members that attended, they all did very well.

A big thanks to all of our judges from this year’s club and zones public speaking!

Congratulations to all of the participants, and those who moved on to Zones!

A big thanks to everyone who came to support

the speakers both in club level and zones!

We have all begun to think about show season and are working very hard with our horses and ourselves to achieve the best we can. Show season is only a couple months around the corner and we are all looking forward to begin showing.

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Join us for: Black Elk Cutting May 20 - 25 High School Scholarship Deadline May 31 Alberta Reined Cow Horse July 3 - 5 Home, Hobby & Horticultural Show August 21 & 22 MUDD Youth ATV Safety Course August - Check our website for more details Black Elk Cutting September 10 - 13 Gold Buckle Amateur Rodeo September 26 - 27 Ponoka Women’s Conference October 3 For registration forms and other opportunities visit our website: www.ponokaagsociety.ca

PONOKA NEWS 27

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

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28 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

A message from Ponoka Ag Society 2015 LAURAINE WEIR PRESIDENT, PAS

A revised business plan, some new younger board members, and a new year sees the Ponoka Ag Society (PAS) dedicated to supporting past events such as the Home Hobby and Horticultural Show, but also adding new ones such as “Farming with Horses” and an amateur rodeo which we anticipate to be a huge success.

Our event schedule for 2015 includes: May 20 - 25 Black Elk Cutting May 31 High School Scholarship Deadline July 3 - 5

Alberta Reined Cow Horse August 21 - 22 Home, Hobby, and Horticultural Show August MUDD Youth ATV Safety Course September 10 - 13 Black Elk Cutting September 26 - 27 Gold Buckle Amateur Rodeo October 3 Ponoka Women’s Conference For a complete list of events at the Calnash Ag Event Centre please check their website or the Ponoka News. These events are all realized with some direction from the 12-member Ponoka Ag Society board, the staff at the Calnash Ag Event Centre and a ton of input, organization, and volunteer hours from our membership and many willing people in the community.

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A big change for the PAS Board has been to move under its umbrella the operation side of the Calnash Ag Event Centre, which in turn allows us to access some provincial grant dollars to help operate the facility and pay down debt. Without this move, we would not be able to qualify for those grants. The centre continues to work under the direction of its own board and has an incredible staff, however, it does add another hat to the heads of the Ponoka Ag Society Board.

Having said that, we are immensely proud of what Ponoka has done with regards to the ag building. In 1998, requests from various organizations in the community were being made for an agricultural facility.

Ten years later in 2008, four partners (the County of Ponoka, the Town of Ponoka, the Ponoka Stam-

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pede Association, and the Ponoka Ag Society) made a commitment to work together to pursue funding and share resources to make the 12 million dollar facility a reality. Contributions in terms of dollars, resources, personal and expertise from the Ponoka Stampede Association and the County of Ponoka cannot be undervalued.

Today the centre has become a world class facility, attracting 20,000 to 25,000 people a year to its various functions. Thousands who come visit the Rodeo Hall of Fame, savour our rural based western heritage and hospitality and leave behind money, directly or indirectly, in Ponoka. The Calnash Ag Event Centre has become a major economic driver in our community.

Our short term goal is to maximize its use and to see it finished. Original

plans included a covered area between the barn and the arena. Completed, this area would accommodate larger cattle shows/sales and equestrian shows, and allow for more space for the 4-H beef shows and sales. As Ponoka moves forward on this project, we are always looking for local people and businesses to support Ponoka and this project. Whether you are one citizen or a large company, consider becoming an event naming sponsor, purchasing a box stall in your or a family member’s name, partnering with us or another business to help pave the lot, install showers, or hang a banner in the Encana Arena.

If you have questions, please contact Joyce Vold at the building or visit the Ponoka Ag Society or the Calnash Ag Event Centre websites.

Ponoka Agricultural Society president Lauraine Weir

KJ’s Repair Service • Ag & Heavy Duty Repair • Truck Inspections

If you choose to make significant changes or additions to your property, notify your Insurance Broker. Full disclosure of all details of the risk is needed in order for your insurance to be effective.

To save even more money on insurance, increase your deductible. By doing this, you agree to pay a little more of the loss when you have a claim, but your premiums are reduced.

Please contact Jones Agencies for the complete listing of Optional coverage available for Your Farm Insurance Policy.

Phone for a free quote today!

403-783-3976

Proud to be serving Ponoka and area for over 25 years

403-783-4729

PONOKA NEWS 29

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Incentives, instruction provided to decommission wells

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

Central Alberta farmers are getting an education from Alberta Environment on the importance of decommissioning water wells, which are no longer in use.

A workshop was held at the Schultz Hall on Highway 53 on Thursday, March 12 for farmers interested on learning more about the process, environmental factors and possible health concerns.

“You are responsible for the wells on your property,” Alberta agricultural water engineer Brandon Leask told the audience.

When it comes to wells, Leask says the number one enemy organizations and the landowners themselves face is old abandoned wells.

When an active well is no longer producing adequately, it is abandoned.

However, if it is not properly plugged, it can affect a new well drilled in the same area.

“Abandoning a water well is just what it sounds like; walking away and doing nothing about it,” said Leask.

He says in the past, it has been peopleís mindset to simply abandon old wells. However, he wants to change that perception and keep landowners proactive when it comes to handling old wells.

Wells can be plugged with special expanding clay called bentonite then capped with clean clay.

While casing does not always have to be removed – in the case of some very old well sometimes it is not pos-

Alberta agricultural water engineer Brandon Leask gave a workshop encouraging farmers to decommission old wells at the Schultz Hall on Thursday, March 12.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

sible – the liner should be pulled before filling the well. If it is not, there is a potential for inter-aquifer mixing.

Bridging can also occur if the bentonite is not sifted before entering the well. The fine dust will settle on the water and expand before the chips can fill the well; leaving everything below the waterline untouched.

“What we recommend is it is done by a professional water well contractor,” said Leask.

“Probably the reason most of you are here is you are interested in doing it yourself,” he added.

In order to properly do this, landowners must first obtain the records of the well, sketch the well, measure how much bentonite is needed, disinfect the well and remove the liner.

After a well is plugged, surface reclamation must take place; it is required the casing be cut off below the grade.

The cost of decommissioning a well varies depending on the method used, casing size, well depth and difficulty removing the casing. “It’s not so simple as just pouring chips down,” said Leask.

One of the questions Leask received was, what happens if there is a pre-existing abandoned well on newly purchased property. “It’s the current owners (responsibility),” said Leask.

For landowners with wells that were on the land before them, Leask’s advice is to call in a trusted well driller to investigate its depth and how much bentonite is needed to plug it.

Since 1972, landowners have had to submit reports and nowadays many wells have GPS references to help locate them.

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As an incentive for people to decommission their old wells, farmers are now encouraged to submit a water management plan for eligibility in the Growing Forward 2 program.

Standard incentive projects pay onethird of the cost, up to $5,000; special incentives pay 50 per cent to different maximums. When it comes to decommissioning water wells, farmers can get up to $2,000 per well, up to three wells.

However, to maintain eligibility, the work must be done by a licensed water well contractor, a long-term water management

plan must be approved prior to construction and the person must be an active farmer, rancher or producer.

“We have a higher payout because there’s a lot of liability,” said Leask; it is the aquifers at stake, he added.

He also encourages landowners to talk to their counties about water well decommissioning rebate programs because not everyone is covered under Growing Forward 2. “Our grant program helps farmers.

There’s a whole acreage community out there our program doesn’t help,” he concluded.

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Summer camp filled with quality and fun horse time including: • Basic horse care, grooming, tack, equine ürst aid, riding lessons • Equine Assisted learning and Growth exercises • On the ground and on horseback games • Visits/Presentations of equine specialists (vet, farrier, etc..)

• Introductions to onsiteƬcanine rescues; help bath, brush, feed + water

AND MORE! Any questions please send an email or call Veronique Michaud-Rettman • 403-597-6268 Healing Soles Ltd • www.healingsolesltd.com

30 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

High demand provides a boost for bison farmers JOEL VAN DER VEEN/IBLACK PRESS REPORTER

Growing demand for bison meat has proven to be a boon for farmers in Alberta, according to an industry representative.

“I think we’ve got a pretty bright future all around,” said Linda Sautner, office manager of the Bison Producers of Alberta, based in Nisku.

Sautner, who was busily preparing for the Wildrose Bison Convention, held March 13 and 14 in Ponoka, said that while the bison industry here hasn’t reached the peaks of its late-‘90s heyday, there’s plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

Bison meat has developed a reputation as a healthy substitute for other meats, leading to what she called a “paradigm shift” and a growing demand for the product, as many heart and health experts have recommended it to patients.

“The meat is very nutritious,” she said, explaining that it is high in protein and iron, and low in fat and cholesterol compared to other types of red meat. “A serving can be smaller and still fill you up the way a larger serving of another kind of meat can.”

The re-opening of the U.S. border and the decreased value of the Canadian dollar has also helped expand the market for Alberta’s bison meat, and as a result, Sautner said, farmers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand.

“When something pays well, people look to it as an opportunity,” she said.

The Alberta organization has 127 member farms registered for 2015, but Sautner said she estimates there are about 200 bison farms in the province in total.

She added that many of these also have other opera-

Up for sale – These two bison bulls were up for auction in last year’s annual convention and sale of Canada Bison Association.

File Photo

tions in addition to raising bison, estimating that there are about 65,000 bison in the province altogether.

Commercial bison farming in Alberta reached its

SALUTING ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY One of Alberta’s great strengths is the agriculture industry and the values it still portrays in today’s lifestyle.

It is my honour to work for the Agriculture Industry in the Lacombe/ Ponoka Constituency.

Rod Fox, MLA Lacombe - Ponoka

Ponoka Co-op Oils Ltd. 4700 - Hwy 2A, Ponoka 403-783-4288

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prime in the late 1990s, as an up-and-coming industry that seemed rife with opportunity.

“There was money in the oilfield and a lot of people were using it that way,” recalled Sautner.

However, the closing of the U.S. border in 2003 following the mad cow disease scare hit the industry hard, as the ban applied to all ruminants. This effectively cut off 75 per cent of the market.

“We could no longer send our animals or our meat across the border,” Sautner said. “A lot of people decided to get out of raising bison.”

The market has slowly built back up, especially in the last five years. Sautner said that while she doesn’t anticipate it reaching those peak levels again, today the prices are good and demand is high. continued on page 31

Central Office Supplies Ltd. 5026 Chipman Ave. Phone: 403-783-2299 Fax: 403-783-2371 www.centralofficesupplies.com

Saluting the Agriculture Community during Ag Week

PONOKA NEWS 31

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Check us out online at www.ponokanews.com

High demand for bison

RECYCLE

YOUR PAPER!

continued from page 30 She said the “energy and excitement” in the industry is evident from the registration numbers for this year’s convention, with 125 registered for the Friday night banquet and 140 expected to attend their annual general meeting and other events on Saturday.

For more information, visit bisoncentre.com or call 780-955-1995.

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• Engineered joist & roof trusses

• Concrete products stucco, cement supplies & rebar

• Tools & hardware

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• Housewares & cleaning supplies

• Landscaping blocks, retaining walls & pavers

• Lighting & electrical

• Millwork - Interior doors & mouldings

• Plumbing & heating

• Paint & sundries - BeautiTone & Benjamin Moore

• Cabinets & vanities

• Basic automotive & RV supplies

SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE

• Pet food & supplies • Special orders

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403-783-5200

32 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

2015

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Shear Harrow 34’ (for mole hills) ..................................................................... $375/day or $250/half day Chain Harrow 34’ ............................................................................................ $265/day or $175/half day 20’ Shear Harrow ............................................................................................ $235/day or $140/half day 20’ Chain Harrow ............................................................................................. $185/day or $115/half day Landroller 14’ .................................................................................................. $1.50/acre Minimum $150 Pasture Aerator 16’.......................................................................................... $195/day or $125/half day

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Flatdeck Trailer 16’ Car Trailer ..........................................................................................$95/day or $60/half day Flatdeck Trailer 24’ Gooseneck with Beavertails ......................................................... $150/day or $100/half day Enclosed Trailer 8’ x 20’ x 61/2’ ................................................................................... $150/day or $100/half day High Speed Disc 24’ ....................................................................................... $8.50/acre or $1575 Minimum/day High Speed Disc 33’ ....................................................................................... $8.50/acre or $1950 Minimum/day Field Disk 29’ ............................................................................................................ $9.00/acre Minimum $1125 Heavy Disk 22’ .......................................................................................................... $9.50/acre Minimum $895 Heavy Disk 14’ .......................................................................................................... $9.50/acre Minimum $595 Heavy Harrow 62’ ..................................................................................................... $2.75/acre Minimum $625 Heavy Harrow 50’ ..................................................................................................... $2.75/acre Minimum $550 Landroller 50’ ............................................................................................................ $2.75/acre Minimum $525 Kuhn Rake 12 Wheel .................................................................................................. $325/day or $210/half day Kuhn Manure Spreader w/Vertical Beaters ................................................................. $525/day or $315/half day Post Pounder with Engine .......................................................................................... $140/day or $100/half day Rotary Mower 15’........................................................................................................ $495/day or $325/half day Grain Vac .................................................................................................................... $325/day or $210/half day Rock Picker ................................................................................................................ $375/day or $265/half day Haukaas Bale Carrier - 10 bale .................................................................................. $395/day or $250/half day Grain bag extractor ................................................................................................ $800/bag Minimum $400/day

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Heavy Harrow 40’ ..................................................................................................... $2.75/acre Minimum $450 Landscraper 10 yard ................................................................................................... $475/day or $325/half day Pull Blade 12’ ............................................................................................................ $365/day or $265/half day Log Splitter............................................................................................................................................ $85/day Rotary Mower 26’........................................................................................................... $5.25/acre or $750/day

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PONOKA NEWS 33

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The joy of grandparents shopping for babies

Mike Rainone Hammertime Since the birth of our latest grandchild (number 5) in Australia in November, we have had the great thrill of visiting and googgling with him and his proud parents on Face time over the past five months. What we are now really looking forward to is later this month when our son Andrew, his wife Tara and little Liam are coming home to visit us on their way back to working on the big farm in Saskatchewan.

Lately we have had a whole lot of fun going into the baby section of every store and picking out some cute outfits for little boys that will hopefully fit now or well into the future. I must be getting old and mellowed because it has been a long time since we went shopping for little booties, bonnets and noisy and cuddly toys that squeak, go round and round and sing songs, and I didn’t get stressed or bored at all.

While browsing through the baby-section, I was able to fondly recognize some of the age-old standbys such as baby-powder, Vaseline, pablum and multi-flavours of tiny bottles of baby-food, which most of us as parents were forced to taste-test (yucky) before trying to coax our little duffers to devour. I was overwhelmed by

all the new fancy toys, furniture and gadgets that are apparently now required to bring up healthy and bouncy babies these days. My biggest shock occurred when I realized just how many varieties there are of those fancy new just stick-me-on diapers, which in most cases have replaced those fluffy and soft cloth models that my mother used to hang on the outside line to dry every morning. Once I got a little older, mom always told me that we were so poor when I was born that I had to sleep in a drawer, that she had to put vinegar on my thumb to stop me from sucking, and insisted every day that I should eat everything that was put in front of me if I wanted to grow as big as my dad.

The kids asked us to pick out a new car seat that they had ordered in Canada to use for their trip to Saskatchewan, as well as for travels throughout the summer. Remember back when we used to hold our kids tightly on our laps when we ventured out in a vehicle, and that the only portables that we carried for outings were the potties and the neat baby-seats that we strapped to the back of our bikes? Once we got the seat unpacked at home, we now have to figure out how to attach it into the back seat of our car, as strict new government regulations tell us that the poor child has to look out the back window until they get to be 30 pounds, then get flipped around to smile at everyone in the front seat for a few more months. We also got them a handy-dandy pack and play pen and bed, which sets up in seconds, then folds up like an accordion for storage.

Throughout this exciting process of welcoming a tiny new and precious addition to our families, we likely can’t help look-

ing back at those glorious adventures several decades ago when we were bringing up our children. As dads, we had to get pretty good at changing diapers, got stuck several times with those big safety pins, but now as grandparents we will have to get used to that traditional smell of poop and baby-powder around the house once again. If we get to babysit the little guy, I know that my wife will take on the strong maternal role, but I have always enjoyed spoon-feeding all the other ones, as long as I am wearing an apron.

When it comes to handling a bottle, I love to snugglesing and rock, but I hope someone else volunteers to do the burping, and the perfect ending is when we both fall asleep together on the couch full and happy.

But if all else fails, please pass me the darn soother.

It is a well known fact that grandparents have the softest knees, best cuddles, and hugs, and are usually a real soft touch, especially when those tiny babies get a little older.

Whatever the case, as grandparents we have and always will be proud as punch to pamper and push all of our grandchildren around the neighbourhood in their strollers so that everyone can admire them.

Who knows, a few might even say that he or she looks a little like grandma when she was young, or has grandpas’ cheeks, 71 years ago, without the beard of course. Please continue to cherish every second of this ongoing and traditional ‘family connection’ over the years, pausing to look back at the countless precious memories, while always hoping and praying that ‘our way’ and our support and inspiration will always turn out for the best.

Have a great week, all of you..

Favourable roles

Brennan Turner FarmLead The U.S.D.A. came out with their March installment of the world agricultural supply and demand estimates but the event was relatively muted per usual, as the big release to watch is the Grain Stocks and Prospective Plantings report at the end of this month. The report showed corn ending stocks were dropped by 50 million bushels to 1.78 Billion thanks to increased exports and feed use by a combined 100 million bushels (although ethanol use did drop by 50 million bushels). U.S. ending stocks for wheat and soybeans were relatively unchanged at 691 million and 385 million bushels respectively, which was somewhat surprising for the latter given decent exports in February. With the South American harvest picking up steam, more eyes are turning to the northern hemisphere (have you considered taking your drill out yet?) and its generally favourable growing conditions. Accordingly, front month contracts are starting to head towards their fall/ winter counterparts, which is why the wheat complex had its largest one-week fall since September to start the month of March.

Globally, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization came out with its first estimates of the 2015/16 crop year, pegging total global wheat production at 720 million tonnes, the highest out of all the early-year forecasts (A.B.A.R.E.S. at 707, I.G.C. at 705, and A.A.F.C.

at 710) and slightly smaller than this year’s crop of about 727M tonnes. In the Black Sea, the F.A.O. expects Russian wheat production to fall 6.8 per cent year-over-year to 55 million tonnes, while Ukrainian output is expected to fall 8.3 per cent to 22 million tonnes. For the rest of the E.U., they also see a slightly smaller crop than last year (147 million tonnes, -5.5 per cent year-over-year), citing some tougher winter weather in Eastern regions, but raised expectations for Turkey, Canada, and Australian production.

One last thing to keep an eye on is the maze of central bank policies and its variable effects on currencies. Currently, the U.S. Dollar is at its strongest level since 2003, making new records against various other currencies, and an interest rate cut expected by the U.S. Federal Reserve this summer could amplify this. The Bank of England, Canada, Australia, and E.U. have all kept their interest rates steady over the past month but so far in 2015, 25 different countries have seen their central banks cut interest rates as they try to spur demand, including supereconomies China and India. This contrasts their B.R.I.C.-nation brethren Russia and Brazil who have raised rates in attempts to

control inflation. In a bit of a surprise move, China lowered its economic growth forecast to seven per cent in 2015, its lowest level in nearly 25 years! With lowered growth expectations amidst its rate cut and monetary easing, we need to keep a close eye on China (if you didn’t already notice, they consume a fair amount of grain). Basically, the focus of the People’s Republic seems to be on short-term growth, rather than long-term reform/restructuring, which in turn raises questions about China’s long-term role as a global economic growth engine.

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 riskfree, transparent online and now mobile grain marketplace (app available for iOS and 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 (1855-332-7653).

VJV MARKET REPORT MARKET REPORT MARCH 11, 2015

On Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 3303 head of cattle went through our rings - TOTAL - 3303

SLAUGHTER CATTLE D1 - D2 cows D3 - D4 cows Good Holstein cows Medium Holstein cows Heiferettes Bologna Bulls

130.00 -148.00 120.00-135.00 120.00-133.00 115.00-125.00 140.00-150.00 150.00-175.00

Feeder bulls 140.00-160.00 Good Bred Cows 2200.00-2575.00 Older Bred Cows N/A Good Bred Heifers: N/A Cow/calf pairs (younger) N/A Cow/Calf pairs (older) N/A

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

215.00-225.00 225.00-231.00 235.00-250.00 260.00-280.00 280.00-310.00 300.00-340.00 330.00-360.00 NONE

Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers

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

160.00-200.00 190.00-340.00 200.00-820.00 1.25-8.00 0.50-3.75 -

Rd Bales Rd Bales Rd Bales

170.00-190.00 200.00-215.00 220.00-235.00 240.00-255.00 260.00-285.00 290.00-320.00 310.00-340.00 NONE

80.00-87.50 NONE NONE

MARCH 20, 2015 BRED COW SALE - DISPERSAL OF 525 BRED COWS Vold Jones & Vold Auction Co. Ltd. | Dawson Creek Auction Vold Jones & Vold Co. Ltd. © 2006 4410-Hwy 2A, Ponoka Alberta, Canada, T4J 1J8

34 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

FCSS prepares for volunteer appreciation banquet and celebration

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Be environmentally friendly RECYCLE YOUR PAPER!

Planning a Spring Auction?

Take Advantage of our 51 Years in the Auction Business.

We conduct Alberta’s Largest Single Day Farm Machinery Consignment Auction held four times per year for the past 35 years.

We offer:

Volunteers in the community will have their day to shine during Ponokaís Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) volunteer banquet set for Sunday, April 12 at the Kinsmen Community Centre.

The event will be held during Volunteer Week, April 12 through 18, a time dedicated to recognizing individuals who have gone over and above the call of duty to help their community. The appreciation event will include entertainment from comedian Jebb Fink, explained Shelly Van Ea-

ton, program co-ordinator with FCSS. “Many organizations rely immensely on volunteers, so we are always on the lookout for more to sign up,” she said.

Van Eaton feels the celebration will not only recognize those community helpers but will also show

people that there are many ways a person can help out.

“Maybe picking up groceries for their neighbor or mowing a lawn for an elderly person in need, volunteerism has many faces,” she noted.

Some individuals help with their local organizations and others may find

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Ponoka 2015 Upcoming Sale Dates: April 17 - 35th Annual Spring Machinery Consignment Sale Rimbey, Alberta. Including a farm sale for Lloyd Tulloch & Bill Walker Monday, April 27 - Farm Sale for John Fawcett - Bluffton, Alberta Saturday, May 9 - Unreserved Real Estate & Farm Sale for the estate of Glen Fawcett June 19 - 35th Annual Summer Machinery Consignment Sale - Rimbey, Alberta June 28 - Unreserved Real Estate & Shop Tool Sale for Sandra Koening - Rimbey, Alberta August 14 - 35th Annual Pre-Harvest Machinery Consignment Sale - Rimbey, Alberta October 16 - 35th Annual Fall Machinery Consignment Sale Rimbey, Alberta

Whether you have one piece or a complete line of machinery give Allen a call at (403) 783-0556 to discuss the best option for you to realize top dollars.

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd. (403) 843-2747 Office Rimbey, Alberta

RECYCLE

VISITOR’S GUIDE YOUR

2015

& BUSINESS DIRECTORY Y From the Ponoka Stampede to the beautiful Battle River valley, Ponoka offers many attractions to tourists and visitors. The Ponoka News will be publishing a 2015 Ponoka Visitor’s Guide in May. Presented in pony-tabloid format with a full colour glossy cover, the 2015 Ponoka Visitor’s Guide will provide essential information for visitors and tourists who come to our community.

COVER INCLUDES FULL COLOUR

Back Cover: $1135 Inside Front: $885 $885 With a distribution of 10,000 copies, the 2015 Inside Back: Ponoka Visitor’s Guide will be circulated to visitor Cover Deadline: information centres throughout Alberta, as well as April 24, 2015 at 12 NOON local hotels, motels, bed & breakfast facilities and retail shops.

Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to promote your products and services.

DISPLAY ADS Business Card: $105 1 ⁄4 Pg (31⁄4”x5”): $180 1 ⁄2 Pg (63⁄4”x5”): $325 $605 Full Pg (101⁄4”x5”): Advertising Deadline: April 24, 2015 at 12 NOON All ads include full colour.

License No. 165690

Email: abolson@telusplanet.net Homepage: allenolsonauction.com

they are more comfortable in other ways.

‘Some people in our community put forth efforts of kindness daily and ask nothing in return.

Volunteerism is the purest natural resource in a community that we hope never runs dry,’ she added.

Among the fun parts of the banquet will be an ice cream parlor for attendees.

The event is an invitation to the public and anyone interested must RSVP by Wednesday, April 1 to guarantee a ticket. For more information call Van Eaton at 403-783-4462 or email programc@telus.net.

PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK YOUR SPACE: 403-783-3311 • FAX: 403-783-6300

PAPER!

PONOKA NEWS 35

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Provincials’ spirit starts early with PES Tundra Hockey Day

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

It was a day to celebrate community, team spirit, camaraderie and Canada’s national pastime as Ponoka Elementary School (PES), Alberta Hockey and Tundra Process Solutions honoured the upcoming hockey provincials; hosted by the Ponoka Midget Wolves.

On Friday, March 13, PES was taken over by an icy fervor as the staff and students set aside regular classes in favour of the Tundra Hockey Spirit Day. Laverne Klimec, of the provincial hockey planning committee, says the whole event came about simply from the check of a box on the form the Wolves used to apply to host provincials.

“When we applied as a committee . . . to host it, there was box that asked would you be willing to participate in the hockey spirit day Tundra was hosting,” Klimec explained.

The day was meant to include the community in the provincials it would be hosting and when the Wolves were awarded Klimec went straight to the PES to speak with principal Lois Spate.

“I was happy maybe to have a noon hour and have the boys (Midget Wolves) come down and talk to the kids,” said Klimec.

However, Spate felt the idea fit in nicely with the school’s themed assemblies and Ponoka’s Tundra Hockey Spirit Day snowballed from there.

“Really it was Lois, who set the skeleton,” said Klimec.

The PES event included assemblies for different age groups in which the Midget Wolves where honoured and awareness was raised for the upcoming provincials. Students then rotated through three different hockey stations:

Ponoka Elementary School students spend some time asking hockey questions with members of the Ponoka Midget Wolves during school’s Tundra Hockey Spirit Day celebration, Friday March 13.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

hockey skills in the gym, singing in the music room and reading in the library, each was manned by Wolves players.

“I just had to get the boys to buy into it,” said Klimec.

“But when we got them in there, they didn’t want to leave.”

Klimec wanted to use the day as an opportunity to get the Wolves into the elementary school because she felt it would be an effective way to have them bond with the young children who look up to them. “The little kids just thought it was so fun.”

Klimec says, years ago, her son Matt Klimec was chosen as a runner for the team hosting provincials in town.

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Guest Consignor: Runaway Ranch Kurt Wilkie Arlene Butler 403-318-3579

Now that he plays for the Wolves, she feels it is nice to have him on the other side of that relationship.

Tundra visited nine communities hosting the Hockey Spirit Day and Klimec says they were so impressed with Ponoka that the community was awarded the spot of feature community.

“It was an incredibly amazing day,” said Klimec.

She is also proud of the Hockey Spirit Day and the teamwork between Alberta Hockey, Tundra, the Wolves and PES because the event has held in such a way that in also celebrated literacy, music and the arts.

35TH ANNUAL SPRING MACHINERY CONSIGNMENT AUCTION FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 • RIMBEY, ALBERTA

Selling equipment to all four Western provinces and the Northern USA. Listings are now being accepted for the Spring Machinery Consignment Auction.

All items must be listed by Tuesday, March 17, 2015 to be included on our Sales Posters, Newspaper, Radio Advertising, Web Page and extensive mailing lists.

Listings Already Include Farm Dispersals for Lloyd Tulloch of Crestomere, Alberta, Bill Walker of Falun, Alberta & Jan Slomp of Rimbey, Alberta. Plus an Antique Collection of Allis Chalmers Equipment from Elvin Gladwin of Bentley, Alberta.

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36 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Sports

Broncs head to provincials for a second year in a row

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE AND AMELIA NAISMITH

Broncs’ Ryan Haines goes for the rebound Monday, March 9 during a playoff game against the Sylvan Lake Lakers. The Broncs earned a spot at provincials for a second year in a row.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

For the second consecutive year, the Broncs boys’ senior basketball team is heading to provincials after claiming the Central Zone silver medal in a 61-49 win against the Sylvan Lake Lakers, Friday March 13.

Earning the playoffs berth was not easy for the Broncs, who had to defeat the Sylvan Lake Lakers March 13 after losing to the Wetaskiwin Sabres two days prior.

This would be the second time in a week the Broncs tipped off against the Lakers after also beating them Monday, March 9.

Coach Blaine Haines is

thrilled to be heading back to provincials for the tenth time in his 25 years coaching in Ponoka. “Of course as a coach of 25 years, you want to go out on a win.

I’m very excited and relieved, too,” he said after the game.

Haines will also be able to share the experience of one last time at provincials with his team and twin boys, Ryan and Keenan Haines, who graduate from the school and the team this year.

The Broncs began the March 13 game slowly, as the team struggled to score and the Lakers pulled ahead. “We’ve done that for three games straight,” said Haines.

“To their credit, they fight back,” he added.

The second half of the game was a war as both teams fought to dominate the court. “Both teams wanted it and both teams played their hearts out,” said Haines.

The Broncs defeated the Lakers 57-47 at Monday’s game, which propelled them forward in playoffs.

The next step to provincials was to win against the Sabres, but as they lost that game, the Broncs faced a sudden death challenge against the Lakers.

The top two teams in the league can compete in provincials and the Broncs had to win to make it. continued on page 39

Kings dominate CWAJHAA tournament

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

The St. Augustine Catholic School’s junior high Kings blew up the court at the CWAJHAA tournament over the weekend with a series of assertive wins.

After beating the Lacombe Christian School in the championship game 51-44 on Saturday, March 14, the boys were crowned the gold medal winners of the CWAJHAA “JJ” Boys tournament.

The Kings played their first two of three games Friday evening, winning both games 33- 18 and 60-34, respectively.

“Overall it was pretty good. We were prepared for Lacombe Christian in the finals,” said assistant coach Kristin Prediger.

The two teams had already played each other three times over the course of the season, with Lacombe winning twice.

“It could have gone either way,” said Prediger, refer-

ring to the gold medal game.

Aside from winning, Prediger says the team’s shining moment was when they rallied to battle after learning their head coach would not be able to come to the tournament.

However, she says coach Kevin Prediger has taught them so much over the year and they were ready to come together for the win, using the skills they acquired under the head coach.

“They were upset, they didn’t think they could do it. It took a lot of heart to think they could win,” said Prediger.

“They pushed through it.”

She is also proud of the team’s younger players, some still in Grade 7, who took to the court and scored. “My team just lights up,” she said.

The Kings’ final game is when all the boys’ hard work and practice finally came to head, says Prediger. “We actually worked together as a team,” she commented.

Ponoka Office: 403-783-3315 Bashaw Office (Tues): 780-372-3627 Wetaskiwin Office (Mon & Thurs): 780-352-6488

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continued on page 39

Nathan Padilla sails toward the basket during St. Augustine Catholic School’s Kings junior boys last game of the CWAJHAA tournament, March 13 and 14. The boys played Lacombe Christian School and won, 51-44.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

WANT TO KNOW IF THE LIONS COMMUNITY BUS IS AVAILABLE?

C heck O ut

our Bus Calendar at ponokalions.ca

PONOKA NEWS 37

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Gators 2015 season set to start SUBMITTED

Registration for the upcoming Gators summer swim season is set to open right away. Mass registration is scheduled for March 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Aquaplex. As always, the club is excited to welcome back returning swimmers from prior years. Additionally, new swimmers are always welcome.

Swimmers who are new to the club should be ready for a quick dip in the pool to meet the coaches and show their skills. New registrants

should bring a cheque and their bathing suit and towel.

New Gators must be 4 years old as of April and be able to swim at least 10m unassisted.

Each year, Gators receive excellent coaching, lots of pool time, small group work and a free swim cap.

The Ponoka Gators are one of the top small teams in the porovince and each year a number of swimmers attend swim meets regularly including the culminating regional and

provincial swim meets.

Practices run Monday-Friday and range from twice per week to five swims per week. More information and registration costs can be found at ponokagators. webs.com or by emailing coach Jon at gators.coaches.2015@gmail.com.

Registration for the Ponoka Gators is set for March 24 at the Aquaplex from 6 to 8 p.m.

File photo

Midget Wolves prepare for Midget B provincials at home PONOKA NEWS STAFF

The Midget A Fountain Tire Wolves are readying themselves for a busy weekend as they host provincials this year.

Opening ceremonies for Hockey Alberta’s Midget B provincials starts Thursday, March 19 at 3 p.m. at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex.

While the Wolves will be working hard at home, the Midget B Wespro Stampeders are heading to Kneehill for the Midget C provincials.

Bantams lose in semis The Ponoka Bantam Moose competed in Viking for the Bantam C provincials title but lost in the semi finals. The Moose were undefeated going into the semi finals.

Peewee The Ponoka Peewee Elks defeated Bashaw in a best of three semi finals last week with the last game played Monday, March 9 at home. The Elks won 5-3 in the final game with goals from Joel Hollingsworth (2), Jake Simanton (2) and Braeden Toporowski.

They then played in Wainwright in the finals series March 14 losing 4-1. Joel Hollingsworth scored the only goal of the game.

Their second game in the series was played March 15 at home where they earned a 3-2 win in over time. The final game is March 20 in Wainwright.

The Peewee McDonalds lost their March 12 playoff game 10-0 to the Thunderstars and then lost their March 15 game to Maskwacis Peewee C Hawks 15-7. Scorers in that game were Ethan Little (5), Adam Hoag, and Mac Underhill.

Atom Ponoka Calnash Trucking played the Rimbey Atom B March 15 with a 5-1 win at home. Scorers were Trace Tonneson (2), Nevin Thompson, Kobe Schmidt and Kevin Kammer.

Midget and Atom girls heading to provincials Both the Lacoka Atom and Midget girls teams are heading to provincials this year.

The Midget girls are travelling to Vermillion for the Midget B female provincials and the Atom female team is heading to Camrose.

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38 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Lacoka Warriors proud to host Bantam B provincials

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

They made a valiant effort but the competition was just too tough for the Lacoka Warriors who hosted the Bantam B provincials in Lacombe over the second half of last week.

Competition was fierce with the 10 best teams in the province vying for bragging rights and the coveted provincial banner during provincials, which started Thursday, March 12 and ended Sunday.

The Warriors started strong with their first game Friday morning defeating Edmonton 7-1. On an interesting side note, the Edmonton goalie proved skilled in her position over the weekend. She had over 200 shots against her net and she let in only 10, seven of which were Lacokaís.

Their second game later in the day proved a challenge as they faced off against Stettler Storm, who were the eventual provincial champions. Lacoka lost the game 5-2. They

played the Lloydminster Blazers on Saturday losing a close game 3-2, which put them out of the running to make it to the semi-finals.

The Warriors’ last game of the weekend was against the Spruce Grove Rebels, which they finished on a high note winning 9-1.

Coach Mark Sieben said they knew they were up against some tough teams; Lloydminster and Stettler have defeated the Warriors before.

In an effort to allow players gain more experience, Warriors coaches made the decision to bring up players from the Peewee team partly to fill their roster, but primarily to give the younger players a chance to play a high level of hockey.

“Nine of our 14 girls have never had the experience of being at provincials before,” said Sieben.

He says the Lacoka program is relatively young and coaches felt the experience would help the younger players, who

COME OUT AND CHEER ON THE PONOKA MIDGET WOLVES Thursday, March 19 - 8:15 pm Friday, March 20 - 2:30 pm Saturday, March 20 - 6:30 pm A complete schedule posted at the Arena Complex Semi Finals, Sunday, March 13 8:00 am & 10:45 am Championship Final Sunday, March 22 - 4:30 pm

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Lacoka Warriors goalie Heather Schellenberg makes a save Saturday, March 14 during provincials in Lacombe. The Warriors won two and lost two in the round robin, taking them out of contention for semi finals.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

have played with the Bantam team before during the regular season, a better understanding of the competition. “We put one in each game just to give Platinum Sponsor Town Of Ponoka Gold Sponsor Ponoka Minor Hockey Silver/Game Sponsors County of Ponoka Canyon Technical Services CT Inspection Services Wedins Team & Corporate Ponoka Cooperative Oils Ltd. Cilantro and Chive Ponoka Jr. B Stampeders McDonalds Bronze Sponsors Will’s Welding Ponoka Rotary Club CIBC Vold Jones Vold Auction Co. Bob Ronnie Catering Boston Pizza Embroidery ‘N’ Stuff Big Picture of Design Inc. Strand Printing Shoppers Drug Mart Canadian Linen Ponoka News We Believe In Sports Sponsors SIRRS LP Dr. Leslie Gill Dolman Dental Ponoka Physiotherapy Ponoka Fertilizer Dr. Rick Barr Cervus Equipment Accu Publishing

them a feel.”

With the season over, Sieben says four players will move to Midgets next year, which bodes well for the team as long as they can garner interest from the Peewee aged kids.

“We did have one brand new player this year that never played hockey,” said Sieben.

Organizers pleased with weekend events Tournament chairperson Sharon Klinger said since the Lacoka program is only in its fourth year, planners wanted to get all the Lacoka teams involved in the weekend.

She says the biggest

goal was to create strong memories for the players and getting the other teams involved was an important aspect of the weekend. The Midget girls’ team also came to help out.

Klinger credits coorganizer Tracey Grant and team manager Lara Fodor for creating a wellorganized weekend and for garnering strong corporate support and sponsorship.

“You can’t say enough for the volunteers and the sponsors,” said Klinger.

Support came from businesses and parents in Lacombe and Ponoka and from both municipalities, she added.

“Our program’s a success and they (players) are having fun,” said Klinger of the entire Lacoka program. The program is still developing and Klinger feels they are constantly growing.

“For this season, three out of four teams are going to provincials,” she stated proudly.

Lacoka Atom girls head to Camrose this weekend for female Atom provincials. “We wanted them to have this experience with our girls,” added Klinger.

Midget girls head to Vermillion for the Midget B provincials.

Ponoka Minor Ball IS STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR

Softball and Baseball Registration forms can be picked up and dropped off at the Ponoka Aquaplex League Season for both divisions

starts in May KEEP IN TOUCH WITH

Ponoka Minor Ball through our Facebook page or call Marcie 403-704-2242

PONOKA NEWS 39

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Broncs head to provincials for a second year in a row continued from page 36

The Broncs played tough against Wetaskiwin in the first half and managed to stay close behind with the scoreboard standing at 26-23 at the half. “But in the last five minutes of the third, the wheels came off. We just couldn’t hit any shots and they caught fire,” explained Haines of the Wetaskiwin game.

With a few sick players during the game, Haines made the strategic decision to bench two starters so they could be ready for the Friday game. “Saving them for the provincial berth game . . . became the priority,” he said.

While the Lakers are done for the season, the Broncs and the Sabres head to provincials, to be held in Fort McMurray, March 19 to 21.

15033UC0

Kings dominate CWAJHAA tournament continued from page 36

“We had a lot of energy, that’s how we won this game. We play with heart,” she added.

Over the season, the boys have struggled with teamwork, but that was not the case during the tournament. “They finally, finally did it this weekend. They worked really hard for this,” said Prediger.

Passing was also a concept the boys struggled with earlier, but during their three games the players could move more the ball efficiently over the court without too many turnovers.

As the final game progressed, both teams increased their intensity on the court, but Prediger feels the boys were not dominated. “It was on fire. They’re very aggressive. They wanted to win,” said Prediger.

Visit us online at www.ponokanews.com

40 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Midget B boys on their way to championship

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

Ponoka Midget Wespro Stampeders are well on their way to the league championship after winning their first game of the best-of-three final series against Stettler’s Midget C team in their opponents’ home arena on Sunday, March 15.

Ponoka boys opened the scoring in the first period with Braeden Korchinski putting the only number of the first period on the scoreboard in the 14th minute.

The home side launched a spectacular comeback effort in the second period after Korchinski’s second goal in the 12th minute and scored three in succession finishing the second 20 minutes with a 3-2 lead.

Stampeders, however, were not in a mood to let the opportunity slip away and as soon as the third period began, Korchinski made the statement sealing his personal hat trick. He was followed shortly by Josh Vold and Rylee DeJonge declaring the final score of the game for the Ponoka side 5-3.

Earlier, the Stampeders closed their semi-final series with Rocky Renegades with a brilliant 10-4 home victory on Thursday, March 12, when the second period of the game looked as much like an ice skating show as a hockey game. After the first period ended with a 2-1 lead for the Ponoka boys, the second period saw picture-perfect, precision execution of offensive plays by the Stampeders with esthetic moves by Ponoka players adding fun to excitement.

Lewis McDowell scored four, Lea James and Kolby Rattray added two each, with Josh Vold and Noah Spelrem completing the tally with a goal apiece.

As Ponopka News went to press Tuesday evening, March 17, Wespro Stampeders were hosting Stettler Midget B at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex in what could be the championship game of the league.

Lewis McDowell scores the third goal for the Midget B Stampeders against Rocky Renegades during their Thursday, March 12 game.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

FIREARM SAFETY

CANADIAN COURSE This is the course you need to get your firearms license.

Saturday, April 4, 8 am Ponoka Legion 3911 Hwy 2A Non-restricted course and exam $120 Restricted Firearms exam available $100 Combined $200

To register call Guy 780-461-7686

Kings U15 Boys Black Volleyball Team - The Central Alberta Kings U15 Boys Black volleyball team, featuring players from Red Deer, Lacombe and Ponoka placed second at Volleyball Alberta’s Premier # 2 tournament. In the gold medal match against Nooks, the Kings had opportunities to win but came upƬshort losing in 3 sets 25-21, 2628, 4-15. The next action for the Kings is Premier Tournament # 3 in Grande Prairie April 11th and 12th.

PONOKA MINOR SOCCER ASSOCIATION

OUTDOOR

REGISTRATION

2015

We are still accepting registrations for House League and competitive soccer.

Registration forms available at the Ponoka Aquaplex or online.

REGISTRATION ACCEPTED UNTIL MARCH 31, 2015 registrar@ponokasoccer.ca • www.ponokasoccer.ca

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Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015

PONOKA NEWS 41

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Obituaries

Obituaries

Syd Vopni Sydney Vopni passed away March 11, 2015 after a battle with cancer. Syd was born July 3, 1949, first born to Gerald and Jean Vopni of Kenville, MB. Syd worked in the logging industry, farmed and ran a backhoe business throughout his life. He leaves to mourn his wife Joyce (Campbell); daughter Rhonda (Joel) Grenier and their daughters, Janessa and Skyla of Airdrie, AB; son Kelly (Kristin) and their daughters, Brooke and Haley of Red Deer, AB. He also leaves behind his mother Jean Vopni of Swan River, MB; sister Susan (Bill) of Edmonton, AB; sister Carla (Dennis) of Swan River, MB; and brother Miles (Andrea) of Sylvan Lake, AB, along with numerous other relations. In addition, he leaves behind extended family: sister in law Jean Adamchuk of Minitonas, MB; brother in law Ken Campbell of Swan River, MB; brother in law Lawrence (Carmen) Campbell of Red Deer, AB; and sister in law Marion (Keith) Barber of Eckville, AB. Syd was predeceased by his father Gerald, sister in law Betty Campbell and brother in law Pete Adamchuk. Syd will be remembered as a dedicated worker, a caring and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is forever in our hearts. At Syd’s request, there will not be a funeral.

Cremation is to take place and burial in the Harlington Riverside Cemetary at Kenville, MB will take place at a later date. Donations may be made in Syd’s honor, to the Red Deer Hospice Society at 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4R 3S6. The dedicated people in this hospice filled Syd’s final days with compassion and the dignity he so well deserved. To express condolences to Syd’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A WOMBOLD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME ~

GODDARD Stanley Lyle Goddard of Ponoka passed away peacefully in his sleep at Northcott Care Centre on March 12, 2015 at 81 years of age. At his request cremation was entrusted to Trinity Funeral Home, Edmonton. No funeral will be held.

Obituaries

Alice MacTavish March 10, 2015 Alice Louise (Kibblewhite) MacTavish was born on April 29, 1923 and was raised in Balzac. Marrying Stanley MacTavish in 1949 they resided in the Homeglen district. Alice is survived by her sister Shirley Sutton; daughters Lavina Currie, Beryl Matheson, Patricia (Reg) Menzies, and Yvonne (Stan) Wickberg; grandchildren C l a y ton (Jessica) Nelson, Kari (Cam) Mertz, Tyler (Beatrice) Untinen, Erica (Trevor) Block, Matt (Heidi) Untinen, Brenda (Ken) Meijer, Nicole Wickberg, April (Jamie) McDonald, Sarah (TJ) Adcock, Tina (James) Dykstra, and Karin (Adam) Richardson; along with 21 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Stanley in 1996, 9 brothers and sisters, son-inlaw Roy Matheson, and grandson Travis Untinen. Alice lived her life on a farm where she could enjoy a good cup of coffee while looking out her living room window across the valley. She loved knitting, sewing and playing games with anyone who was willing to compete with her. A Graveside Service was held at the Dakota Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13th with a Celebration of Life following at 2:00 p.m. at the Homeglen Hall. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Alice’s honour to the Alzheimer Society or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta. To express condolences to Alice’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

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

Celebrations DR. KINASH RETIRING

Obituaries

EMAIL: classifieds@ponokanews.com

After over 32 years practicing medicine in Lacombe, Alberta; Dr. Barbara Kinash will be retiring, June 15, 2015.

A new physician has been recruited to take over care of her patients and records.

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JANET VOLD On March 12, 2015 Janet Vold of Ponoka passed away at the age of 64 years. Janet will be lovingly remembered by her sisters Sharon Olson (Lonny) and Brenda Vold; nephews Shelbey Louis (Paige) and LaRue Olson (Mallory); nieces Laine Olson, Jocelyn Louis, Camille Louis, and Ashlee Jaegar (Kevin); great-nephew Twister Louis; uncles Harry (Karen) and Ralph (Del); as well as several cousins and extended family. Janet was predeceased by her parents Clifford and Marion Vold. A Memorial Service will be held for Janet at the Stagecoach Saloon at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2015. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Rodeo Historical Society (which operates the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame) or the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine Team. To express condolences to Janet’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME

~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

Card Of Thanks

THANK YOU Opal Spelrem would like to thank everybody who came to her party, sent cards and flowers or came to Northcott to visit her. Mom really enjoyed her party and seeing so many. Thank you to all who made Mom’s 100th so great!

Sylvia & Murray, Jan & Bob, Gary & Darlene, Deryl & Pat, Roger & Norma

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42 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015

announcements Obituaries

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MERRYWEATHER E. Lee On March 9, 2015 Mrs. E. Lee Merryweather of Ponoka passed away at the age of 91 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Hilary Stiles, Leslie Chernick (Dennis), and Lorne Merryweather (Kirsten); grandchildren Jae, Scott(Karie), Melissa Dustan), Morgen, Erin, Leanne (Cody), Chris, Faith, and Elyse; greatgrandchildren Madison, Jaxson, Aidan, Connor, Nate, Nolan, Anna, and Emma; and her sister-in-law Beryl Brenner.

She was predeceased by her husband Howard in June 2010, sister Dorothy Luebkert, and son-in-law Jim Stiles.

A Funeral Service was held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015.

Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to any charity of your choice. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A WOMBOLD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME ~

#50 - # 70

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

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BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS

On February 16, 2015 Mrs. Hilda Parent of Ponoka passed away at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre at the age of 77 years. Hilda is lovingly remembered by her children Deb (Bill) White, Brian (Lori) Parent, and Donna (Randy) Hammond; grandchildren Kari (Dan) Kammerlock, David (Jordis) Parent, Amanda (Aaron) S l u c h i n s ki, Nicole (David) Reynolds, Janelle Parent, and Kimberly Parent; great-grandchildren Aubree Reynolds and Nathan Kammerlock; sister Irene Kistenfeger; sisterin-law Veronica Saken; as well as many other family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband William, brother Walter Saken, and brother-in-law Joe Kistenfeger. A Funeral Service celebrating Hilda’s life was held at the Ponoka Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20th with the Interment Service following at the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to S.T.A.R.S.. To express condolences to Hilda’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME

~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

EDMONTON STAMP CLUB . 2015 Spring National Stamp Show.

March 28 - 29. Central Lion’s Recreational Centre. Saturday 10 - 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 - 4 p.m., 111 Ave. & 113 St., Edmonton. Stamps for sale, junior table, exhibits; www. edmontonstampclub.com.

SPRING SALE on now!

Test your “Luck o the Amish” & get up to 20% off your Simply Amish furniture purchase.

Custom, solid hardwood, handcrafted, heirloom quality furniture. Simply Amish Edmonton, 780-701-0284.

Looking for a new pet?

Check out Classifieds to find the purrfect pet.

Meetings

59

Meetings

59

Ponoka Wheelchair Van Society

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Monday, March 23 at 7:00 pm

Senior Drop In Centre Everyone Welcome!

403-783-3112

52

Coming Events

Is someone at your local paper an exceptional community volunteer?

Nominate them for the 12345 George Meyer

Visit www.awna.com/leadership-award for details & nomination form Nominations Close March 31, 2015

810 Northcott Care Center

is currently seeking caring and motivated

Registered Nurses

Quali¿cations and skills include: • Must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program with current CARNA registration.

• Experience in long term care an asset.

• Ability to work both independently and as a team in a multi-disciplinary environment.

W

• Excellent leadership, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

hether it happened Yesterday or Today, Whatever you want to say, To celebrate your special day...

~ Say it with a classified

ANNOUNCEMENT 1-877-223-3311 309-3300

Email: classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com

Hair Stylists

760

WILD ORCHID SALON & Spa, Jasper, Alberta seeking Licensed Hairstylists & Registered Massage Therapists!

Accommodation available, travel & bonus incentives.

Please send resume & references to: info@ wildorchidjasper.com; www.wildorchidjasper.com.

780-852-2111.

Farm Work

755

DAIRY Herdsperson required for fulltime permanent position on dairy farm near Bashaw Alberta. Duties include monitoring cattle health, balance feed rations, artificial insemination, general farm duties as milking and feeding. Experience required 1-2 yrs min. as herd manager. Post secondary agriculture diploma.

Wages start at $25.00 per hour. Please apply by email to Henk Oosterink RR # 1, Bashaw, T0B0H0 evalleydairy@xplornet.ca

Medical

MEDICAL TRAINEES needed now! Hospitals & doctor’s offices need certified medical office & administrative staff! No experience needed! We can get you trained! Local job placement assistance available when training is completed. Call for program details!

1-888-627-0297.

Whatever You’re Selling...

We Have The Paper You Need!

CLASSIFIEDS 1-877-223-3311 CALL NOW TO FIND OUT MORE

790

Wetaskiwin Value Drug Mart is looking for a

Certified Pharmacy Technician

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Professionals

ALATEEN

Weekly meetings Tuesdays @ 8 p.m.

Neighborhood Place 5110 - 49 Ave. Ponoka For more info.

403-783-4557 or 403-783-8371

#700 - #920

Ponoka Legion If you have a team or are looking to be placed on a team you must attend the meeting!

Contact Tricia Wigston at 403-358-9523 with any questions

difference

59

790

THURSDAY, MAR 26 AT 7PM

make a

Meetings

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

ALCOHOLICS Neighborhood Place ANONYMOUS Medical 5110 - 49 Ave., Ponoka Monday night meetings For more info 403-783-4557 at the Anglican Church MEDICAL Ponoka 8:30 p.m. Phone TRANSCRIPTION is an THURSDAY AA Meetings 403-783-0719 for info. in-demand career in at 8:30 p.m. in the Canada! Employers have Catholic Church basement. work-at-home positions 52 Street & 52 Ave. available. Get the online Ponoka. training you need from an 403-783-4347 employer-trusted program.

403-783-3442 Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-888-528-0809 to start training for your work-atEmployment home career today!

OKA MIXED SLOW PITC N O H P Registration Night

Mentors HILDA PARENT

52

Required Qualifications: Experience as a Pharmacy Technician or certification from an accredited Pharmacy Technician program; excellent organizational skills and detail orientation; strong communication skills; demonstrated customer service experience; strong motivation to succeed; proficient computer/data/entry skills. We are a busy pharmacy and you will work in a highly efficient team environment that uses cutting edge technology to best serve their patients.

Please forward your resume to Wetaskiwin Value Drug Mart: 5215A-50 Ave., Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 0S7

wetaskiwin@valuedrugmart.com Restaurant/ Hotel

820

Join the team at one of Alberta's most progressive restaurants.

-IMMEDIATE OPENINGS“care in the community”

Full-time permanent & casual positions.

Competitive wage, travel allowance, health and dental bene¿ts, RRSP program and a positive working environment!

Located on the east side of Ponoka, overlooking the scenic Battle River Valley, Northcott Care Center is a 73 bed nursing home committed to providing quality care to the residents of our community.

We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your employment future.

If you are interested in starting a new and rewarding career, please fax your resume to 403-783-6420 or call 403-783-4764. Email: tserle@northcottcarecentre.com Website: www.qualicarehealthservices.com

• Line Cooks (Full & Part-Time) We offer great Top Wages & Benefits.

Please apply in person with resume to Executive Chef Jeff Chambers.

103, 3840 - 56 Street

Wetaskiwin

Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY

Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015

Restaurant/ Hotel

820

Trades

PONOKA NEWS 43

850

HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE Class 1 or 3 Operators. Full-time and Part-time positions available. Openings in several Alberta areas. Fax THE RUSTY PELICAN is resume to Carillion Cananow accepting resumes for da 780-449-0574 or email: 4 F/T Exp’d mcroft@carillionalberta.ca.

LINE COOKS at Positions to start April, all stations. MUST HAVE: 2015. Please state what position and location you • 2 yrs. relevant exp., are interested in. completion of High School, be reliable, JOURNALISTS, Graphic Artists, Marketing and self motivated, work more. Alberta’s weekly well under limited supervision in fast newspapers are looking for people like you. Post paced environment. your resume online. Free.

Visit: Salary is $14 - $18./hr. 40 awna.com/for-job-seekers. hr. wk. dependant on exp.

733644 Ab Ltd. O/A The Rusty Pelican Location of employment: 4105 2079 - 50 Ave. Red Deer, AB T4R 1Z4 email: bennett2014.bkkp@ gmail.com or Call 403-347-1414 or Fax to: 403-347-1161 Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Trades

Business Opportunities

870

Business Opportunities

THE DISABILITY Tax Credit. $1,500 yearly tax credit. $15,000 lump sum refund (on average).

Covers: hip/knee replacements, back conditions & restrictions in walking and dressing 1-844-453-5372.

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

AG EQUIPMENT

880

Misc.

Help

Allowance not cutting it ?

JOIN THE

PONOKA NEWS Carrier Team!

GET SOME

EXERCISE EARN EXTRA

MONEY

880

Misc.

Help

Rimbey Implements Ltd.

STA M P E D E

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.

SAWMILLS from only $4,397. Make money & save money with your own bandmill. Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & dvd: www.Norwood Sawmills.com/400OT. 1-800-566-6899 ext.

400OT.

870

Al York

General Manager Cell: (403) 783-0593 Bus: (403) 843-3700

is now

AND WIN

HIRING

P/T and

850

Rimbey, AB

F/T cashiers

PRIZES! Reliable carriers are automatically entered into a monthly draw WIN an additional $50!

Keep up the good work and your name will be entered to win a $400 GIFT CERTIFICATE!

Fax: (403) 843-3430

ANIMAL SERVICES

Each week the PONOKA NEWS reaches residents where they live, work and farm. In town our papers are delivered door to door by reliable carriers and WE COULD USE MORE HELP.

If you are interested in a LOCAL ROUTE please contact

Please drop Is looking for a LICENSED AUTOMOTIVE TECH The successful candidate must be able to excel in a fast paced environment.

In addition to a full tire shop our mechanical services include: brakes, wheel alignments, suspensions, air conditioning and full maintenance packages.

If you have a positive attitude and an excellent work ethic we want to hear from you Please email resumes to JWitvoet@integradtire.com Or fax ATTN: J. Witvoet 403-783-4975 Or drop off at 6220 48 Ave, Ponoka ATTN: J. Witvoet

SUSAN WHITECOTTON at 403-783-3311

PLUMBING

off resumes in person or fax 403-783-8273

Employment Training

900 Funded in part by the Government of Canada.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada.

CARPENTER’S HELPER Ponoka area. Wage dependant on experience.

403-391-8385

Trades

850

Our Wetaskiwin Distribution Centre currently has the following opportunity...

Truck / Trailer Mechanic

Afternoon Shift working 4 - 10 hr shifts.

Come be a part of the nations most visible and safest fleet in Canada.

Home Hardware, a part of Canada for over 40 years and now with over 1,000 stores across Canada. We offer long term secure employment with competitive wages, bonuses, medical and dental coverage, and a company pension.

If you are interested in becoming part of the great team at Home Hardware, drop off an application to 6410 - 36 Street, Wetaskiwin or email resume to: hrwetaskiwin@homehardware.ca

12345 NOW TAKING ONLINE APPLIACTIONS APPLICATIONS ONLINE

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

Are you a Métis student in the last year of post-secondary studies, or an apprentice in technical training? Now you can apply for financial assistance from the comfort of your couch/car/cafe.

Visit apply.rupertsland.org on your computer, tablet or mobile device!

Of if you’d still like to talk to us you can! Call toll-free at 1-888-486-3847 or visit metisemployment.ca to find the office nearest you.

MÉTIS YOUTH SUMMER PLACEMENT PROGRAM

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

12345

If you’re a Métis youth between 15 – 30 years old, and going back to school this fall, Métis Training to Employment Services can give you the assistance you need to land that summer job where you can gain employable skills and the pay cheque you deserve.

Call 1-888-48-MÉTIS (1-888-486-3847) online at: www.metisemployment.ca

Funded in part by the Government of Canada.

GET YOUR BUSINESS OUT THERE hrwetaskiwin@homehardware.ca

A & J AUTOMOTIVE A & J AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

CALL CLASSIFIEDS 1-877-223-3311

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311

44 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015

PLUMBING SHANDALL PLUMBING LTD. JAMES AVERY

Misc.

Services

880

Misc.

Help

Are you stuck in a boring, dead end job???

“Reasonable rates on all your plumbing needs�

Gas Fitting - Home Renovations - Drain Cleaning -24 HOUR SERVICE-

Are you are a person who enjoys a challenge, working hard, and the satisfaction of a job well done at the end of the day?

5306 - 60 ST, PONOKA, AB T4J 1K7 PH: (403) 783-6372 • FAX (403) 783-6345

Are you looking for a winning team that you can grow and build your future with?

BOBCAT SERVICES

If so, we want to get to know you better!

Sur-B Enterprises Ltd.

BOBCAT SERVICE • Snow Removal • Driveways & Parking Lots • Post-Hole Augering - 6, 9, 12, 15 • Corral Cleaning • Gradingor&Cell: Construction Call Jim Ashbough 403-783-2764 403-588-0599 Jack 403-783-5283 or Cell: 403-588-0597 Call JimSurbey Ashbough 783-2764 or Cell: 588-0599 Jack Surbey 783-5283 Cell: 588-0597

A leading manufacturer of Dairy Feed is currently seeking a Production/Labourer Employee Full Training will be provided Forklift experience and a Class 3 driver’s license an asset, but not necessary.

Email/Fax Resumes to: Mark.bishop@nutri-source.ca 403-948-4578

OVERHEAD DOORS Volunteers Wanted

PONOKA LIONS CLUB REQUIRES

www.doorsondemand.ca

403-963-5000 Reaching 6000 households weekly

For just

$30 per week this space could be yours!

403-783-3311 BOTTLE DEPOT

Business Services #1000 - #1430

Carpentry

BUS DRIVERS

1062

JOURNEYMAN CARPENTER FOR HIRE

Specializing in new home construction, home renos, decking, fencing.

Also commercial building & renos.

25 YRS EXPERIENCE

CALL GARY 403-704-3641 Landscaping

1260

CRIMINAL RECORD? Think: Canadian pardon.

U.S. travel waiver.

Divorce? Simple. Fast.

Inexpensive. Debt recovery?

Alberta collection to $25,000. Calgary 403-228-1300/ 1-800-347-2540.

Misc.

Services

1290

This Is A Volunteer Position With Honorarium • Class 1 license • Clean abstract required • Mechanically inclined • Shared schedule with other drivers Apply with resume and abstract to Ponoka Lions Club – ponokalions.ca or phone 403-340-9247 for more info

Looking for a place to live?

Take a tour through the CLASSIFIEDS

Welding

1410

Welding

1410

PONOKA BOTTLE DEPOT

Misc.

Services

1290

10 am - 5 pm

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

FAX: (403) 783-8178

Tues - Fri: 8:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday: 9 am-3 pm

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

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.

Reached a Milestone?

Share it!

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

FOR fast results: Classified Want Ads. Phone 1-877223-3311.

Well Drilling

1400

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

403-783-6272

www.clinkerskennels.ca

Rental Misc

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

1.887.223.3311 Misc.

Services

1290

Need RV or Self Storage?

First Call Towing

783-3636

OUR SPECIALITY

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

Berni's Refrigeration and Appliance Service

403-783-4880

995 plus GST/HST

Well Drilling

1400

Well Drilling

1400

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

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

1350

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

Also RV storage.

Secure compound.

Call Keith at

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

MAIN: (403) 783-7591

Motorcycles & ATV’s

GET BACK on track!

Bad credit? Bills?

Unemployed? Need money? We lend! If you own your own home you qualify.

Pioneer Acceptance Corp.

Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420; www.pioneerwest.com.

Value Ad Network

3, 5520 Hwy 2A (Across from Husky)

1318

CLINKERS KENNELS

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

We Now Recycle Milk Cartons for Deposit

Pet Services

Unplanned pregnancy may be difďŹ cult to face.

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

Place your ad in this newspaper and12345 province wide $

Closed Sundays & Holidays

SALES & SERVICE

1315

Squeezthee MOST out of your advertising dollars

Open Monday - Saturday

403-783-6875

parent isn’t

1240 easy . . .

LOOKING FOR a shop?

Post Frame Buildings.

AFAB Industries has experience, expertise, reliability and great construction practices. For a free quote, contact Ryan Smith 403-818-0797 or email: ryan.afab@gmail.com.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted

Being a new

Personal Services

REFORESTATION NURSERY SEEDLINGS of hardy trees, shrubs, & berries for shelterbelts or landscaping. Full boxes as low as $0.99/tree. Free shipping. Replacement guarantee.

1-866-873-3846 or www.treetime.ca.

Legal Services

890

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

1530

AUCTION Sales Wed. @ 6 pm.

Antique sales 1st. Sun. of the month @ 1 pm. Mar.1 Moose Hall 2 miles south of Ponoka on 2A WE BUY FOR CASH. 403-304-4791 Check website for full listings www.bigstrapperauctions.net

EASY!

The easy way to find a buyer for items you want to sell is with a Classified want ad. Phone 1-877-2233311

Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015

Auctions

1530

COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION. 5th Annual Edmonton Motor Show Collector Car Auction.

April 10-12. Edmonton Expo Centre. Over 80,000 spectators. Over 80% sold last year. Consign today.

1-888-296-0528 ext. 103; EGauctions.com.

EXECUTIVE BUNGALOW - 3842+/- sq. ft. on 33.98 title acres & 5.50 Acre Lot w/32, 440+/- sq. ft.

Commercial Industrial Buildings. Ritchie Bros.

Auctioneers Unreserved Auction, May 7, Getkate Property near Lethbridge, Alberta. Jerry Hodge: 780-706-6652; rbauction.com/realestate.

WHEATLAND AUCTIONS Spring Consignment Auction. April 18, 10 a.m. in Cheadle, Alberta. Farm equipment, vehicles, heavy equipment, RVs, etc.

Consign now! Call 403-669-1109; www. wheatlandauctions.com.

Building Supplies

1550

METAL ROOFING & SIDING. 30+ colours available at over 40 Distributors. 40 year warranty. 48 hour Express Service available at select supporting Distributors.

Call 1-888-263-8254.

EquipmentMisc.

1620

A-STEEL SHIPPING Dry Storage Containers. Used 20’ & 40’ Seacans high cube & insulated containers 40’ HC. Winter Specials in stock now. Self unloading delivery. Phone toll free 1-866-528-7108; www.rtccontainer.com.

Firewood

1660

LOGS

Semi loads of pine, spruce, tamarack, poplar.

Price depends on location.

Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346

AN EXCELLENT CHOICE WHERE YOUR AD REACHES RURAL READERS

CALL 1-877-223-3311 CLASSIFIEDS HOT-LINE WHATEVER YOU’RE SELLING...

WE HAVE THE PAPER YOU NEED!

Auctions

PONOKA NEWS 45

Livestock

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

Livestock

2100

30 Bulls For Sale

Registered Yearlings

Black Angus Call Jim (780)

387-6050

BAR-DALE LIMOUSIN, ERSKINE, AB. 40, two year old virgin bulls for sale at the farm.

Fully guaranteed.

Call Carole Barclay at 403-742-4825, Terry 403-740-5037 Ricky 403-740-5711. email bardale@xplornet.com REPUTATION Shorthorn yearling bulls, halter broken, quiet, reasonably priced. Call Jennifer 403-704-6121

Acreages/ Farms

2100

RED and black Angus bulls, semen tested and delivery can be arranged.

E & L Ranching in Bowden, Eric @ 403 391-2259. Evenings @ 403 224-2396

2130

Poultry

ORDER NOW For Pick Up on April 18, 24 or 25.

19 weeks old Isa Brown laying hens.

Linden, AB 403-546-3130

2140

Horses

WE BUY HORSES: broke, un-broke, or unwanted.

Jerry Dodds 403-783-0303

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.

SQUARE hay bales, horse hay quality, 90% meadow brome, 10% alfalfa, no rain, plus second-cut alfalfa. 403-741-4353

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

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

BEAUTIFUL LOCATION!

1 bdrm, 1 bath apt suite Appliances incl $800 plus DD & utilities N/S, N/P, No partiers Plenty of parking available

780-898-7290 PONOKA 1 bdrm. clean quiet adult building, no pets $735/mo. plus power avail., heat/water incld.

Feb. 1, 403-348-6594

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

403-357-0287

Wanted to Rent Pasture #3250 - #3390 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

Houses/ Duplexes

3050

3 BEDROOM IN 4-PLEX, IN PONOKA. 4 appliances. Close to swimming pool & seniors drop-in Centre, no pets, mature tenants only 403-783-5493

3180

HORSE pasture for rent, north of Ponoka, Hwy 2A. Ref. avail. 403-391-8385

+

A Star Makes Your Ad A Winner!

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

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

Houses For Sale

DR. HUGH PORTER • DR. RICK BARR • DR. JEFF BARR DR. GREG EDWARDS • DR. STELIAN LISMAN DR. DAVE CHORKWA

4020

- General Dentistry - Orthodontics - Cosmetic Dentistry - Bonding - Veneers - Bleaching - White or Gold Fillings - Crown and Bridge - Implant Restorations

RENO’D FULL DUPLEX in Ponoka.

3 bdrm., 1 bath per side. $257,000. 403-963-0204

1-877-223-3311 To Place Your Ad Now!

+ Public Notices

DR. STEVE CALDER BS C DDS

Real Estate #4000 - #4190

“WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOME NEW PATIENTS”

This paper is

CALL:

3020

4 BDRM. house, Ponoka on quiet cul-de-sac, fully fenced yard, det. single garage, fresh paint, new blinds, 5 newer appliance, ceiling fans in every room, fully dev. bsmt., 3 1/2 baths, absolutely NO Pets or smokers. $1500. rent/sd., tenant pays all utilities. Min. 12 months lease. Avail. immediately.

403-619-5758

4 Plexes/ 6 Plexes

3010

RIMBEYDENTALCARE

FOR RENT

For Rent #3000 - #3200

DENTISTRY

3060

Suites

EYE CARE

100%

able Recycl

Drs. Heimdahl, ZoBell & Kallal 403-783-5575 1-800-662-7168 WWW.4YOUREYESONLY.CA

6010

-

•

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

PONOKA COOPERATIVE OILS LTD 4700 Hwy 2A • Ponoka, AB T4J 1K3

For Sale by Tender

8AM - 12:30PM • 1PM - 5PM

BOBCAT SERVICES

2003 Freightliner FL112 Truck

BRUCE’S BOBCAT

216,000 kms

Large & Small Jobs

9974 Hours

ANYTHING ANYT & EVER EVERYTHING

Mercedes 350 HP 13 Speed Eaton Fuller Transmission 14,000 lb Front Axle

3060

Suites

• 32' x 24' triple garage, 12' x 10' shed, 40' x 30' horse barn, 8' x 12' storage shed • Well pump was changed in 2013.

• Acreage is mainly fenced and backs onto ravine

AVAILABLE APRIL 1 Bachelor suite $600/month Utilities included 403-790-6011

Call Daryl Abram or Harry Pederson Royal LePage Gateway Realty Leduc Office: #5, 5110-50 St Office: (780) 986-8407 | dabram@royallepage.ca “I am NEVER too busy for your referrals”

2 BDRM in PONOKA incld’s util’s, washer/dryer, no pets, non partier, N/S. Working tenant only. 403-704-1645

389,900

$ • Walkout 1068 sq ft bungalow on 12.83 acres ½ mile off Hwy 795 • 3 bdrm, 2 bath, open concept with vaulted ceilings • New carpet in main floor bdrms • Wood burning fireplace, cold room, 20' x 12' deck off dining area

1530

Public Notices

40,000 lb Rear Axle Air Brakes AM/FM Stero Dual Fuel Tanks

Truck and tank sold as a unit as is Highest or any tender may not be accepted

Tenders close March 31, 2015 Please submit tenders to the above address Or email: coopoils@telus.net Any questions please contact Clayton at 403-783-4288

6010

FARM LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER

12345

HEATING

Truck has five compartments 16,800 Litre aluminum tank Single fuel pump

The following property located in Leduc County, Alberta is offered for sale by tender, subject to the restrictions on the existing title, namely:

1.

2.

3.

403-783-0663

N 1/2 of SE 22-49-1 W5 (containing approximately 80 acres) S 1/2 of SE 22-49-1 W5 (containing approximately 80 acres) NW 23-49-1 W5 (containing approximately 160 acres)

12345

NORMAL ADJUSTMENTS APPLY ON CLOSING.

Further information can be provided by contacting Walter A. Moskal at 3801A-51 Ave (P.O. Box 1680), Lloydminster, Alberta S9V 1K6 (780) 875-7671.

TENDERS must be made in writing accompanied by certified cheque for 5% of the the tender price as a deposit, payable to ROBERTSON MOSKAL SARSONS - “IN TRUST” and identified as “Tender re: Estate of Walter Kremko - File 5446.13324 WAM” the “highest” or any tender not neccessarily accepted, but in the event of acceptance the successful tender will be notified and unsuccessful tender deposits returned.

The terms of sale shall be cash with the balance payable no later than 30 days after acceptance by the estate.

Tenders will be received by the undersigned until 12 o’clock noon on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the following address: ROBERTSON MOSKAL SARSONS Barristers & Solicitors 3801A - 51 Avenue P.O. Box 1680 LLOYDMINSTER SK/AB S9V 1K6

“Committed to your comfort”

Robin Esau

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

robin@KlesAir.com www.KlesMechanical.com

Advertise your business in the Business Directory!

46 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015

HEATING & EAVESTROUGHING

Condos/ Townhouses

4040

FOR SALE

Commercial - Residential Installations - Repair

3912 - 66 St, Ponoka www.wcmltd.ca

403.783.3501 wcmltd@telus.net

ROOFING

ROY’S ROOFING & SIDING

Bright 2 bdrm 1 bath condo At TAMARACK COURT Great ýoor space and storage $151,500 Lisa Suarez, Royal LePage Lifestyles Realty 403-782-3171

Public Notices

VETERINARY SERVICES

Ultrasound-aided ReproducƟve Programs CETA CerƟĮed Dairy and Beef Embryo Transfer Herd Health

Phone 403-391-1684 ʹͶ

Dr. Bruce Wine

CHOOSE FROM 8 Brand New Triple M 20x76 kitchen special spec manufactured homes starting at $138,500 and save over $5000! For more information call United Homes Canada 1-800-461-7632 or visit our site at www. unitedhomescanada.com.

HIGH CASH PRODUCING vending machines. $1.00 vend = .70 profit. All on location in your area.

Selling due to illness. Call 1-866-668-6629 for details.

Buildings For Sale

VETERINARY SERVICES

Ponoka Veterinary Clinic Financial #4400 - #4430

Investments ......................4410 Money Wanted ................4420 Money to Loan ................4430

4430

Money To Loan

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.

Public Notice #6000

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

• Provide in a professional manner cleaning / custodial services on a daily basis ensuring that the administration and school facilities retain a high level of cleanliness for students and staff.

• Ensure that the necessary equipment and supplies are provided as necessary and are maintained at all times.

• Hire and maintain adequate staff to cover contract duties.

• Provide a detailed budget for services, HR and supplies.

Hillbilly Tree Mulching Ltd.

Please forward your proposal to: “Tender for custodial Services” Nipisihkopahk Education Authority Box 658 Maskwacis, Alberta T0C 1N0 Tel: (780) 585-2211 Fax: (780) 585-3857 Attn: Kevin Wells, Superintendent Email: kwells@scnea.com

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ices

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VETERINARY SERVICES

Whatever you SELL...

Advertise it HERE!

Reaching 6000 households weekly

For just

$30 per week this space could be yours!

403-783-3311

T4J 1M1

THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS FOR

$30

PER WEEK.

CALL 4037833311 PONOKA PLUMBING & HEATING

Hours of Business: Monday - Friday 7:30 8:00 am - 5 pm

JESSE ZINTER Office - 403-783-5489

WATER WELL DRILLING SERVICES are

up

chen

Kit

•

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rw ppe • Tu

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

Public Notices

6010

WATER WELL SERVICE

Request for Proposals - External Auditor

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. Jasmine Hardy

5502 - Hwy 2A Ponoka, AB

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

Wolf Creek Public Schools

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

24 Hr. Emergency 403-783-4348

We now carry a complete line of Ritchie Stockwater parts

Can do trees up to 15” wide

1.403.318.0498 1.403.358.0452

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

• JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER REQUIRED

d

an •C

The deadline to submit your proposal is Friday, April 17, 2015.

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 pm.

MULCHING TO SUIT ALL NEEDS

Dr. Murray Jacobson Dr. Clayton West Dr. Ashley Shannon

PLUMBING

The Nipisihkopahk Education Authority is seeking proposals to provide custodial services to the NEA Administration Office and all NEA schools (3 schools located in Maskwacis, Alberta and 1 school in Mameo Beach, Alberta). The successful proposal must:

TREE MULCHING

Doug Casey

4150

STEEL BUILDINGS “Spring Sales with Hot Savings!” All steel building models and sizes are now on sale. Get your building deal while it’s hot. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422; www.pioneersteel.ca.

Tender Packages available at: Nipisihkopahk Education Authority Main office

• FENCE LINES • CUT LINES • POWER LINES • PIPELINES • BRUSH & BUSH • STUMPS

4140

TENDER FOR CUSTODIAL SERVICES NIPISIHKOPAHK EDUCATION AUTHORITY

403-740-6081

On-Farm Mobile Veterinary Services

75 HOMES BUILT and ready for delivery. Take an additional $5,000 - $7,500 off all stock. 20’ X 76’ models, loaded with options. Toll free 1-855-463-0084; www. jandelhomes.com.

Businesses For Sale

6010

• Siding • RooÀng • Fascia • SofÀt • Windows • Sheds

Bovine Veterinary Services

4090

Manufactured Homes

Wolf Creek Public Schools seeks proposals from interested public accounting ürms for the provision of independent audit services in accordance with the requirements of Section 149 of the Alberta School Act. The Request for Proposal and copies of the Division ünancial statements may be obtained on the Wolf Creek Public Schools website at www.wolfcreek.ab.ca Proposals will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2015.

The lowest proposal will not necessarily be accepted. The Board reserves the right to request additional information from companies and to decline any or all proposals made.

Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked “PROPOSAL FOR EXTERNAL AUDIT” and addressed to: Joe Henderson, CGA, CSBO Secretary-Treasurer Wolf Creek Public Schools 6000 Highway 2A Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1P6 Faxed and email proposals will be not be accepted.

ECKLUND

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

Advertise your business in the Business Directory!

PONOKA NEWS 45

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Public Notices

6010

Adult approach to kids’ stuff

ATTENTION LOCAL DEVELOPERS Off Site Levies Open House March 31, 2015 6 - 8 pm Ponoka Town Hall Council Chambers The Town of Ponoka invites you to attend an Open House to learn about proposed Oû Site Levies for future subdivision, development and redevelopment projects in the Town.

Section 648 of the Municipal Government Act provides the Town with the ability to collect Oû Site Levies to ensure that development contributes to the costs of expanding and constructing services including water, sanitary sewer, storm water and road systems.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPEN HOUSE, PLEASE CALL

403-783-4431 or email town@ponoka.org

Welcome Home!

Celebrating the birth of your child?

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

1-877-223-3311 CLASSIFIEDS

Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm Hey, what do you know?

It’s a good question, and the answer is that you probably know a lot.

You know enough to do your job, not run with scissors, find food, and keep out of trouble. You, in fact, know more than you think you know.

But then again, there are a few holes in your knowledge that you might like to fill. And in the new book “ASAP Science” by Mitchell Moffit & Greg Brown, you’ll use science to do it.

You hear rumors. On social media, at the club, from your friends, wrong information is passed around, taken as truth, and passed back. And if it still doesn’t sound right, it genuinely makes you wonder…

Which, for instance, really did come first: the chicken or the egg?

It might seem like a no-brainer because everything comes from an egg, doesn’t it? The total answer has to do with semantics, genetics, and mutations, and it might surprise you.

Your grandma always told you not to go outside without a coat or you’ll catch a cold. No matter how many times you told her that a cold was a virus, she insisted. So would you believe that Granny might’ve been a little bit right?

Or, take shaving: once you start, you have to keep doing it because the hair grows back thicker and darker, right? Wrong! This book will tell you why, and it will also explain why men seem to be hairier than women.

Drop your food and call “Five Second Rule” – or not? High-tech studies (done with bologna and plain old flooring) show that it all depends on what you drop and where. Overall, what scientists say may change your mind in one second.

In this book, you’ll learn who feels pain more, men or women.

You’ll see why you close your eyes when you sneeze (and it’s not to keep your eyeballs from falling out). You’ll learn whether you’re in danger of

spontaneously combusting, why snot is good, whether a zombie apocalypse could really happen, how to heal heartbreak, and why the simple act of reading can help you lose weight.

And a cure for hiccups? It’s here, too, but you probably won’t like it…

Chicken or egg? Dance or sit it out? Beer before liquor or…? It’s those hard questions that make you lose sleep, so just stop tossing and turning. Instead, turn to “ASAP Science.”

By using colorful drawings and the mind-bending subjects they’re known for on their YouTube channel, authors Mitchell Moffit & Greg Brown solve the kind of niggling conundrums that plague every bar bet, idle thought, and embarrassing kids’ question known to humankind. They’re playful in doing that – but they’re not silly. No, Moffit and Brown prove (and disprove) rumors and “unexplained phenomena” through real scientific methods and authentic research. And that makes serious fun.

If you’ve ever wondered about the Big Questions but didn’t know where to ask, stop now and find this book. For grown-up kids, “ASAP Science” solves mysteries and you’ll like that, you know?

“ASAP Science” by Mitchell Moffit & Greg Brown c.2015, Scribner $22.99 / $27.50 Canada 256 pages

In Its Greatest Moments, Wine Provides an Idealized Reality

BY DAVID WHITE

Fifteen years ago, Stephen Tanzer, one of the world’s leading wine critics, described the Cabernet Sauvignon from Ridge’s 1991 harvest in Monte Bello Vineyard as “among the top dozen made in California during the last 20 years.”

So when I tasted the wine on January 16, 2012, my expectations were high. A few friends and I had gathered at a local steakhouse to explore some of California’s top wines from the 1990s; bottles from producers like Seavey, Dominus, Chappellet, and Dunn were on the table. And the Ridge outclassed everything. The wine, grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains, exploded out of the glass with sweet, fleshy fruit, wild herbs, and graphite.

It was concentrated but light on its feet. The finish lingered impressively.

The Ridge Monte Bello stopped us in our tracks. It was as if we had discovered the Holy Grail. Without question, it was the best California wine I’d ever had.

That evening, I went home and checked Wine-Searcher.com -- a website that combs through the inventory of nearly 14,000 U.S. wine shops -- to see if the wine was available for sale.

It wasn’t. But I desperately wanted to recreate that initial experience. So when I learned, sixteen months later, that a collector in Florida was look-

ing to sell some 1991 Monte Bello, I bought two bottles.

I drank both within a year, opening up my final bottle last January with two friends who had just welcomed a baby. This past Christmas, those friends left me speechless when they gave me a bottle of the wine. Remembering that I’d described it as the best California wine I’d ever tasted, they purchased a bottle when they spotted it online.

That bottle was opened over lunch this past Saturday in New York. It was as thrilling and delicious as it was three years ago. Just as important, though, it demonstrated that great wine is more than just a beverage.

By uncorking the 1991 Ridge Monte Bello, I was able to tell five friends, old and new alike, why the wine meant so much to me. Two California winemakers were present, so the wine quickly inspired a profound conversation about the Santa Cruz Mountains and the past, present, and future of California Cabernet.

Pleasure matters, obviously. But those of us who obsess over what we drink aren’t just looking for something tasty; we’re looking for an experience, an indescribable story that only wine can tell.

That combination revealed itself again on Saturday evening when my group met up with two others at Marta, a hot new Italian restaurant just north

of Madison Square Park. One of the friends who joined us brought a 1971 Aglianico from Mastroberardino, an Italian winery in Campania. In part, he purchased it because of the vintage; he was born in 1971. He brought the wine to dinner because one of our companions is infatuated by old Italian wines, so he knew it’d be appreciated. When we noticed that the restaurant had the 1998 offering of the same wine on its list, we ordered it for a side-by-side comparison.

Both wines were positively arresting. And, like the Ridge, the two Aglianicos offered us something beyond deliciousness. The side-by-side comparison inspired a conversation about the remarkable value offered by many Italian wines -- and the seductiveness and sensuality of old wine.

Saturday’s experiences help illuminate my obsession with wine. No other beverage can so connect us to the past, offering a window to other places and cultures. Alcohol matters, of course, but no other drink can so effectively link us to one another, inspiring conversations about life’s deepest questions. Wine is romantic.

In its greatest moments, it provides far more than pleasure; it provides an idealized reality.

David White is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com, which was named “Best Overall Wine Blog” at the 2013 Wine Blog Awards.

48 PONOKA NEWS

REBATES are back!

MARCH

M

s s e n ad

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

0%

available on many models

2015 Ford Escape SE T1056 MSRP $31,499 COSTCO REBATE (1000)

2014 Ford F150 S/Cab / XLT 4X4 T0761 MSRP $47,459 COSTCO REBATE (1000)

2014 4 Ford F150 C/Cab XLT 5.0L T0570 MSRP $49,264 COSTCO REBATE (1000)

or $199 BW@72mths@0.9%

or $209 BW@84mths

or $236 BW@84mths

SALE PRICE $28,997

SALE PRICE $29,977

SALE PRICE $33,977

Western Edition

2015 Ford F250 C/Cab XLT T0824 MSRP $53,574 COSTCO REBATE (1000)

2015 Ford E Explorer plorer XLT Leather Le ther AWD T1049 MSRP $44,299 COSTCO REBATE (1000)

2015 Ford F350 C/Cab XLT Diesel T0640 MSRP $66,889 COSTCO REBATE (1000)

or $279 BW@84mths

or $288 BW@72mths@0.9%

or $346 BW@84mths

SALE PRICE $39,977

SALE PRICE $41,250

SALE PRICE $49,997

MTHS FINANCING BASED ON 84 MTHS OAC 4.99% EG T0761 84 MTHS INTEREST $6039 TOTAL PMTS OVER 84 $38103

OVER 200 USED AVAILABLE IN STOCK 2011 Ford Fiesta SES C0598A

2009 Lincoln MKS AWD T0620A

2014 Volkswagon Jetta TDI ONLY 7K L0425

$12,992

$19,992

$26,950

or $123 BW@60mths

or $193 BW@60mths

or $188 BW@84mths

2012 GMC Yukon XL K 1500 SLT T1047C

2011 Ford F350 Super Duty Lariat P0461

2014 Ford Expedition LTD P0446

$37,992

$39,992

$47,500

or $309 BW@72mths

or $325 BW@72mths

or $339 BW@72mths

PMTS OAC 5.99%

“Let your Legacy start here.”

www.legacyfordponoka.ca

YOUR LEGACY TEAM

Pat Boardman Trevor Feragen Bob Mass Sales Consultant Sales Consultant Sales Manager

Leanne Burton Sales Consultant