CENTRAL ALBERTANS COMPETE AT PARAPAN AM GAMES
WEDGE SALAD Here is your plan of attack for this comfort food
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Red Deer Advocate TUESDAY, AUG. 11, 2015
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KERRY WOOD DEMOLITION
PRIDE WEEK
Battle for acceptance ongoing BY CRYSTAL RHYNO ADVOCATE STAFF The colours of the rainbow will soon be out in full force. Starting on Friday, Central Alberta Pride Week will be celebrated with a proclamation at City Hall Park in Red Deer at 5 p.m. Central Alberta Pride committee ‘THERE ARE member Jennifer UPWARDS OF 10 Vanderschaeghe said the week serves as a PEOPLE INVOLVED reminder that not evIN PLANNING erybody who lives in the community is a CENTRAL ALBERTA traditional Central PRIDE BUT THERE Albertan. ARE ONLY TWO OF “There is certainly a lot of diversity withUS WHO WOULD in the communities,” SPEAK TO THE she said. While there are MEDIA. THAT’S conversations, espeBECAUSE IT’S NOT cially with the coming out of Caitlyn Jenner, SAFE TO DO THAT.’ the struggle for acceptance is not neces— JENNIFER VANDERSCHAEGHE PRIDE COMMITTEE MEMBER sarily over in Central Alberta. “There are upwards of 10 people involved in planning Central Alberta Pride but there are only two of us who would speak to the media,” said Vanderschaeghe. “That’s because it’s not safe to do that. People are worried about losing their jobs. That alone is the reason why we need to continue to have pride.” Throughout the next week, there will be ticketed and free events at locations such as Bull Skit Comedy’s night of comedy (Friday); a Passion Party (Aug. 17) and a drag queen and king show (Saturday). Witness or take part in the Fruit Float down the Red Deer River starting at Fort Normandeau on Saturday. The colourful parade of floats is expected to take four hours. Everyone is invited to float on the river in the family-fun event. Decorating floats is encouraged. Last year, the float was cancelled because of the rainy weather. Vanderschaeghe said the weather looks great for Saturday so her fingers are crossed there will be floats on the river. On Sunday, a Gaetz Memorial United Church service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., followed by a family fun barbecue at the Kiwanis Picnic Shelter at noon. Bring your own picnic lunch or buy from Ann Berry BBQ Hut. New this year is a Rainbow Tea with the Laddies of La Cage at the Golden Circle from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 18. The fun wraps up on Aug. 21 with a Pride at the Beach party at Sylvan Lake at 7 p.m.
Please see PRIDE on Page A2
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Monday marked Day 1 of the demolition of the Kerry Wood Nature Centre exhibits area. Adrian McAndry, with Brothers Installations of Edmonton, uses a reciprocating saw to tear through a wall. The redevelopment of the exhibits area will open to the public on Nov. 13, says Todd Nivens of Waskasoo Parks. ‘The original exhibit was part of the original building which opened in 1986‚‘ said Nivens. ‘Information has changed, technology has changed, the population of Red Deer has changed and its time for the original exhibit to go away.’ An exhibit with fresh information, reflecting current societal values and actions, will go in its place. The nature centre will be open to the public during construction.
Fuel thefts leave truck owners facing hefty repair bills BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF Gas is being drained from pickup trucks in Olds by a brazen thief armed with a drill. Between five and 10 fuel thefts have been reported to Olds RCMP in recent weeks by Ford truck owners, said Staff. Sgt. Joe Sangster. Even the truck of a local police officer was hit,
causing thousands of dollars in damage. The culprit or culprits use the drill to bore about a 1.5-cm hole in the gas tank to drain off fuel at night. “They’re draining probably three-quarters of a tank and the homeowner is still able to drive the vehicle. Lo and behold, when they fill up again they find they’ve got a problem.”
Please see THEFT on Page A2
Notre Dame student still in shock after claiming crown BY ADVOCATE STAFF
MISS TEENAGE CANADA
A Red Deer high school student has been crowned Miss Teenage Canada. Sarah Wojcik, 17, won a competition involving 82 finalists from across Canada on Sunday in Toronto. The Notre Dame High School student was still in shock on Monday, trying to absorb the win. “I was just being myself and I really love how they were looking at my personality,” she said about the judges. “It’s such a blur. The whole night is very a blur. I’m still in Sarah Wojcik shock that I won.” Wojcik, who is going into Grade 12 this year, first had to get past a provinciallevel pageant in March before she was able to go to
Toronto. The top 15 girls from Alberta went on to compete in the nationals. Wojcik had never entered a pageant before the Alberta competition. She will now be Canada’s representative in the Miss Teen Universe competition. She said public speaking is her strong point. Before she went to Toronto, Wojcik did charity work that included work for the Suicide Information and Education Services. She has also done work for the Free the Children non-profit organization. As Miss Teenage Canada, she will be travelling to Ecuador to work with Free the Children, as well as across Canada, speaking to children of all ages about her platform, which is focused on the subjects of bullying and self-confidence. “I’m going to do both, as well as keep up my sports and keep a part-time job.” Wojcik knows she will be busy in the year ahead
WEATHER Sunny. High 29. Low 12.
FORECAST ON A2
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but is undaunted. “I’m very blessed I hold a very high GPA that I know I’ll be able to maintain through the year. “I have some really big plans I’m planning for Red Deer as well,” she said, but she’s not quite ready to reveal them. She attended the pageant with her grandmother and aunt. Her parents are Monica and Lee Werner. The cost of her trip to Toronto was covered by local sponsors. Wojcik said the contestants in Toronto were judged on a swimsuit walk, evening gown walk, fundraising events in their home community, personal interviews with the judges, a photo shoot and behaviour. “It was really a wide variety we got scored on.” She said that she was the last girl to be called in the top 20, and from there her name just kept being called until she won. “I was just completely shocked.” Wojcik will remain in Toronto until Thursday to do interviews and a photo shoot. She said the competition had more participants than ever before.
Police dogs service training centre Training to become a working police dog takes a light-hearted bent on Wednesday at the centre south of Innisfail. Story on PAGE C1
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