Lacombe Express, December 17, 2015

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www.lacombeexpress.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

CELEBRATION: The Lacombe community gathers to open the long awaited YU-Turn home – PG 3

LIMITLESS: A new superhero plans to help fundraise to build Mamawi Atosketan Native School – PG 9

CLASSIC: Red Deer College presents annual tradition of The Nutcracker this weekend – PG 15

LIKE LIGHTNING - The Lacombe Rams’ senior basketball teams hosted their first home games of the season on Tuesday night. The Rams’ senior girls chased the Sabres throughout the first half of the game, but were in the end outscored by the Wetaskiwin team.

Sarah Maetche/Lacombe Express

2 LACOMBE EXPRESS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 3

YU-Turn Skill Development Home officially opens Community members join together to bring project to fruition

BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS

I

t started out as an idea. A simple idea a mere three years ago - meet the needs of youth in the community by providing them not only a safe place to rest their heads, but also the support to live full lives into the future - a place to truly belong.

This was a shared vision by Executive Director Jake Schellenberg and Housing Director Char Lockhart of Central Alberta Youth Unlimited (CAYU). Now it has become a reality through the YU-Turn Skill Development Home.

A home located on a quiet street in Lacombe will now be a place where four young men will call home.

CAYU representatives, dignitaries, volunteers, donors, neighbours and community members gathered at the home last Thursday for the grand opening.

Schellenberg provided a brief timeline of how the YU-Turn project formed.

“Several years ago, we opened up a youth centre in Lacombe,” he said. “That happened because of the needs our workers saw in local schools. We were excited to do that in order to serve this community.

This project here is also a result of the needs that our workers see as they work with kids in schools.”

Schellenberg said for CAYU, it is important to have the right people in the right place, and such was the case when Housing Director Char Lockhart joined the team three years ago and began to work on the project.

“I know the road hasn’t been completed yet,” said Lockhart. “This road has a long mile left in it and we are very excited for what those miles will hold.”

She added that working with young people in the City for almost two decades has shone a spotlight on the need to increase support for many youths who have grown up in challenging situations.

“We are excited to have another tool at our disposal to see those we work with walk into their full potential and find hope in that process,” said Lockhart.

“Through this program, we look forward to helping 16- to 24-year-old young men become holistically healthy, fully independent community contributors.

“This home is really about creating family. It will create family for young people who do not necessarily have a good experience with family.”

Lockhart noted that the project is much bigger than herself, Schellenberg, or the renovation.

“This is a community-wide project and that is part of why we are so excited.”

Lockhart said many people were involved in the project, not only in the

WELCOME HOME - Central Alberta Youth Unlimited (CAYU) celebrated the grand opening of the YU-Turn Skill Development Home on Dec. 10th. From left, Mark Willerth, Lacombe Knights of Columbus Representative Jim Maloney, CAYU Housing Director Char Lockhart, CAYU representative Melissa Kipers, Castle Wolf Creek Building Supplies Ltd. Owner John Diregt, City of Lacombe Mayor Steve Christie and CAYU Executive Director Jake Schellenberg.

Sarah Maetche/Lacombe Express planning or funding stage, but also in the renovation stage, that took around five months to complete. “We know for sure we are at over 400 volunteer hours just for getting this home ready,” she said.

City of Lacombe Mayor Steve Christie said council has been watching the project form for three years. Through the City’s Affordable Housing Committee, $80,000 was granted to the project, to allow for the purchase of the home.

“It’s all because of the hard work and the needs seen in the community,” he said. “It is so comforting to know as a council and as a city that we have people in the community looking after our needs.”

Christie noted not only is this project a first in Lacombe, but it is also a first of its kind in the province.

Outreach School Social Worker and Steering Committee Member Laurie Smith said the home will fill a huge need in the community, as some youths in the area are often couch surfing.

“They go wherever they can find a safe and warm place to lay their head,” she said. “Without the ability to have food, clothing and shelter, a sense of belonging

or a sense of safety, they are not able to achieve to their fullest potential. That is something that YU-Turn house is going to provide. It is going to be their shelter, their safety, a place where they belong.”

The Lacombe Knights of Columbus were the very first community group to get behind the project and provide seed money.

“For the Knights of Columbus, our main goal is to help disadvantaged youth and when we heard about this project, we immediately sat down as a committee and looked over the plan,” said Knights of Columbus Representative Jim Maloney.

The Knights have also donated funds raised from the last two Oktoberfests to the YU-Turn housing project.

Owner of Castle Wolf Creek Building Supplies John Deregt said as a supporter of CAYU and the YU-Turn house, he is very excited to see how the program will impact the lives of young people in the City.

“As a local business, we believe that when we work together with other community organizations, we have the opportunity to truly make our City a better place,” he said.

Community donor Mill Vincett said after taking a tour of the residence that

the home was tailor-made for young men.

“Although having no children of his own, my late husband Fred became a ski instructor,” she said. “For 20 years he taught a multitude of children to downhill ski. I hope he knows that now he has had a hand in helping young men to take a new step uphill.”

The YU-Turn Skill Development Home is managed by a house parent who lives full-time in the home with the youths. A youth worker will also provide individualized programming to each resident.

“It has been an incredible privilege to have the whole community come together and what is maybe even more incredible, is how we may impact the lives together of young people, not just for today, and not just for one person, but for an entire generation,” said Lockhart.

When asked if YU-Turn would pursue another project similar in nature, due to the high demand in the community, Lockhart said the group are ‘visionaries,’ and that they will see what the future holds.

The four new residents will move into the home sometime in January.

Thank you for your generosity.

In the spirit of the season, we would like to express our deep gratitude for the support you have shown us this year.

Wishing everyone a Joyous holiday season and a very happy New Year.

news@lacombeexpress.com

4 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

City Page lacombe.ca

Find The Right Fitness Fit for You

Garbage and Recycling Holiday Schedule Garbage/Recycling normally picked up on Thursday, December 24, 2015 will instead be collected on Tuesday, December 22, 2015.

Garbage/Recycling normally picked up on Friday, December 25, 2015 will instead be collected on Wednesday, December 23, 2015.

Garbage/Recycling normally picked up on Monday, December 28, 2015 will instead be collected on Tuesday, December 29, 2015.

Arthur Christmas

Visit www.lacombe.ca/solid-waste for more information.

Activities include yoga, pilates, cross Ă&#x20AC;W WKH J\P GDQFLQJ VSLQ FODVV ERRW camp and swimming.

For more information call 403.782.1267 or go to www.lacombe.ca/choosewell

Annual Property Tax Bills Can Be A Real Pain In The Neck!

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Garbage/Recycling normally picked up on Friday, January 1, 2016 will instead be collected on Thursday, December 31, 2015.

Watch for more details in January on this NEW upcoming program which gives you the opportunity to try a variety of different physical activities.

ight N e i v o M at the

SHOW STARTS Friday, December 18th at the pool TIME: 7pm Advanced tickets are NOW on sale! $7.00 Individual Ticket $20.00 Family Ticket

For more information call 403.782.1278

For more information on Echo Energy, or to sign up and save, call 403.782.1263 or go to www.echoenergy.ca.

If you want the ease and affordability of small, monthly payments, sign up for the pre-authorized, Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP).

Eliminate the chore of writing cheques; setting payment reminders; dealing with postage costs; or worrying about late fees. There are no service charges or fees for enrolling in this pre-authorized payment plan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; plus setup is easy!

1 Complete and submit the Authorization Agreement for the plan, along with a void cheque. The form can be picked up in person at City Hall (5432 56 Avenue, Lacombe, Alberta) or on-line at: http://www.lacombe.ca/living/taxes-assessment 2 Payments will be withdrawn automatically from your bank account on the 16th of each month.

Ease the pain, with the Tax Installment Payment Plan.

For Information Contact: Marc Perreault 403-782-1257 mperreault@lacombe.ca

Power your home. Empower your community.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 5

City Page ss g Mayor’s Holiday Message The holiday season is a great time for all of us to gather in celebration with our loved ones, to reflect on the past, and to look forward to the upcoming year with hope and enthusiasm. It also gives us an opportunity to be thankful for our many blessings, and reminds us to lend a hand to those who are less fortunate.

lacombe.ca

What’s Happening?

Lacombe is lucky to be home to a great number of caring people who show true community spirit by devoting themselves to helping others, and to make our city more livable.

I want to recognize our volunteers, community groups and organizations, not only for their tireless efforts throughout the year, but especially during this time of the year as they extend a helping b hand to those in need. Without their compassion, generosity and h hard work, Lacombe would not be such a wonderful place to call h home. Thank you all for your many, many contributions, and for h making a positive difference in so many lives. m I am also thankful for the hard work and dedication of my fellow ccouncillors and the staff at the City of Lacombe, who all are ccommitted to working with residents to make Lacombe a safer, more inclusive and prosperous community. I consider myself fortunate m tto serve with such dedicated and passionate people who truly care aabout our city. I am confident that together we can overcome any cchallenge and achieve great things for our community.

On behalf of Council and staff of the City of Lacombe, I wish you and O yyours a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. May the holidays rrefresh your spirit and bring you new inspiration and joy in 2016.

- Mayor Steve Christie

How How to to Have Have a a `Greener` `Greener` Christmas Christmas During the holiday season, typical household trash sent to landfill increases by more than 25 percent, with the bulk of this increased waste consisting of shopping bags, product packaging, and wrapping paper. Luckily, there are a number of ways that we all can help reduce the environmental impact of the holiday season: •

•

•

Shop for your gifts at local shops and craft fairs, check out second-hand stores, or even pass on an unneeded item.

Re-gifting makes perfect sense.

Use newspaper, fabric scraps or environmentally friendly gift wrap instead of metallic/foil wrapping paper. Reuse gift wrap when possible.

Create memories, not garbage, by giving gifts like classes, health and wellness experiences, and event tickets.

A lot of consumer electronics are given as gifts during the holiday season, which results in old/broken electronic items being discarded. Lacombe residents can safely dispose of their unwanted televisions, computers, printers, monitors, laptops, and related accessories by taking them to the Operations Building (5444 - 56 Ave) year-round.

Also, residents can recycle their disposable and rechargeable dry cell batteries, as well as unwanted cell phones and chargers for free at City Hall (5432-56 Ave) during regular business hours.

City Council Dates Lacombe City Council Meetings are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Meeting agendas are posted online at www.lacombe.ca by 3 p.m. on the Friday before every Council Meeting.

The next scheduled Council Meeting dates and times are: • Monday, January 11, 2016, at 5 p.m.

• Monday, January 25, 2016, at 5 p.m.

• Monday, February 8, 2016, at 5 p.m.

• Upcoming Events Holiday Fireworks- December 21, 2015 at Cranna Lake8:30 p.m. Come down early to toboggan and skate the evening away.

Annual Pool Shut Down - December 20, 2015- January 10, 2016. The pool will reopen on January 11, 2016.

Season or term pass holders can use their KAC passes at either Ponoka Aquaplex or Burman University during this time. Please remember to bring your card as proof of membership.

Movie Night at the Pool- Friday, December 18 from 7 p.m. 9 p.m. Advanced tickets are now on sale.

December is Draw and Save for all passes at the pool. Get 5%, 10%, or 15% off when you purchase a membership.

Reminders Holiday Garbage and Recycling Please visit www.lacombe.ca/garbage to see your holiday waste collection schedule.

Echo Energy Promotion Sign up and we will donate $20 to your choice of participating charity or community group. Power your home; Empower your community. To sign up or for more info call 403.782.1263 or go to: www.echoenergy.ca.

Winter Registration for all swim programs has started! For more information or to sign up call 403.782.1275.

Volunteer Opportunities The City of Lacombe is currently seeking a number of community- minded citizens to serve on the Affordable Housing Steering Committee and the Art Collection Committee. Request an application by calling 403.782.1287 or email rpettibone@lacombe.ca. www.lacombe.ca

6 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

City council passes 2016 budgets

BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS City of Lacombe councillors have passed the 2016 operating and capital budgets.

Councillors approved the budget on Monday night, which includes a 3.61% tax rate increase.

The total budget consists of an operating budget of $31,967,309 and a capital budget of $14,248,948.

Last week councillors were sitting in a very different position, looking directly at a 5.29% tax rate increase for taxpayers unless reductions were made to the operating budget.

At their last regular council meeting, council voted to axe the photo radar program, which left a rather large hole in the City’s revenue projection for 2016.

After a lengthy discussion at a commit-

tee meeting, councillors made reductions to some programs and services, bringing the proposed tax rate increase for 2016 down to 3.91%.

At the committee meeting, Councillor Reuben Konnik had suggested a few additional items that could also be trimmed from the budget, like training, office supplies and advertising, and with those reductions closely looked at and then applied, administration brought back the operating budget for approval with a yet again a lowered tax rate increase, 3.61%.

Although the process was not as cut and dried as other years, councillors were moderately pleased with the results of this year’s budget and lowering the tax rate increase.

“The process was difficult and it is always hard to come up with a number that works for everyone,” said Konnik.

Councillor Bill McQuesten said that he was concerned some of the items that were initially included in the 2016 operating budget were deferred until the following year.

“I don’t want to pat ourselves on the back just yet,” he said. “Over a two year span, you have to think long-term and there’s a chance we might have done ourselves a disservice by cutting a little too much.”

Councillor Wayne Rempel echoed McQuesten’s concern.

“It’s nice that we can keep our tax rate low but we do have to think long-term and we have to understand that as much as no one likes paying taxes, it’s a reality,” he said.

“We can do our best at a reasonable rate.”

Mayor Steve Christie said that it is a challenge to keep a balance during these economic times.

“I just want to thank council as well for looking at that balance, looking at what’s

fair, what the needs are, what the wants are and making those decisions,” he said.

Christie added that they were very close in hitting their initial targeted tax rate increase for 2016.

Highlights in the 2016 capital budget include a paving and sidewalk replacement program, the final phases of safety code upgrades to the Lacombe arena, the addition of the police service dispatch services, the park space rehabilitation plan, a new score clock at Michener Park and annual fleet and equipment replacement programs.

Both the operating budget and capital budget passed with one councillor in opposition.

MacQuarrie said council will be reviewing the mill rate bylaw in April and there may be the opportunity to reduce the property tax increase even further.

POLICE BRIEFS LPS INVESTIGATE HOMICIDE Just after midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 9th, LPS were called to a residence on 53 St. along the 5100 block about a disturbance.

“Upon arrival police found several persons in the residence including two males suffering serious injuries,” said LPS Inspector Lorne Blumhagen.

One male was transported to the Red Deer Regional Hospital by EMS. The second injured male, 26-year-old Brent John Forgie of Leduc, succumbed to his

injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

With the assistance of the Calgary Medical Examiners’ office, an autopsy confirmed Brent Forgie’s death was a homicide, said Blumhagen.

At the scene, LPS took two males into custody. One male suspect, Jesse Vankroonenburgh, 23, from Calgary, was charged with assault causing bodily harm in relation to the male victim transported to the hospital.

LPS continue to investigate the incident along with the assistance of the Red Deer Forensic Identification Services

MERRY

CHRISTMAS! Wishing you and your family every happiness this holiday season.

by Sarah Maetche and the medical examiner’s office.

“This senseless loss of life is tragic,” said LPS Chief Steve Murray. “No community is immune from violence, but this sort of criminal behaviour is so out of character for Lacombe.

The impact on the neighbourhood and entire community is significant.”

Blumhagen said the incident occurred in a residence that was not previously known to police. Those involved in the incident were also not previously known to police.

At the time of publication, charges related to the homicide are still pending.

RCMP SHUTS DOWN GROW OPERATION IN ALIX On Dec. 3rd, Bashaw RCMP with the assistance of ALERT Green Team North executed a search warrant on a residence

in Alix in which there was a marijuana grow operation.

Inside the residence, officers located 76 marijuana plants as well as two marijuana plants in a greenhouse. The estimated street value of the marijuana seized is $93,000.

Grow operation equipment valued at $7,000 also was found at the residence and seized by police.

Bashaw RCMP continue to investigate this matter and ask anyone with any information to call the Bashaw RCMP at 780-372-3793.

POLICE INVESTIGATE THEFT OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Blackfalds RCMP are investigating the theft of recreational vehicles valued over $75,000.

Between Oct. 25th to Oct. 29th, a 2013 Razorback toy

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Best wishes for the New Year.

January 1, 2016 will see increased fees for City of Lacombe Planning and Development Services The fee increase is to ensure that the City is competitive with surrounding

municipalities. You are encouraged to submit your application prior to January 1, 2016 for consideration under the old fee schedule. Any permit applied for PRIOR to January 1, 2016 will be charged under the old fee system.

City Council is exploring an increase to the Safety Codes Fees (building, electrical, plumbing and gas permits). Proposed changes can also be viewed at the website listed below and you are invited to provide comment to the City by emailing Lyla Peter at lpeter@lacombe.ca.

Ron Orr, MLA Lacombe - Ponoka #101 4892 46 Street, Lacombe, AB

403-782-7725 lacombe.ponoka@assembly.ab.ca

news@lacombeexpress.com

For more information on the proposed fee changes, including a full list of the fee changes, please see the ‘What’s New’ page under the Planning and Development Department’s webpage: http://lacombe.ca/doing-business/planning-and-development-services/what-s-new

hauler travel trailer was stolen from an fenced compound in the Clearview Industrial Park, south of Red Deer.

Contained in the toy hauler was a Razer side-by-side as well as a motorcycle: -2013 Razorback RZ Toy hauler Travel Trailer- Alberta license 4MH389 - white with black stripes and the word ‘Razorback’ in black letters on the side.

-2012 Polaris Ranger Razer 900XP Alberta license EFE78 - red.

-2007 Yamaha YZ250F Alberta licence ESE39 - blue.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information regarding the theft or who knows the current whereabouts of the items to contact Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3300.

POLICE NEED HELP IN IDENTIFYING SUSPECTS Blackfalds RCMP are requesting the public’s assistance

in identifying two suspects involved in a break and enter.

On Nov. 30th at approximately 3:30 a.m. a male and female entered a secured compound in Clearview Industrial Park. The suspects gained access to a building and stole two Dell laptop computers and keys. It is believed they were driving a silver Chevrolet car.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information regarding the identity of the two suspects to contact Blackfalds RCMP at 403-8853300.

If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or via the Internet at www.tipsubmit.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), you may be eligible for a cash reward.

Welcomes you to our Christmas Day Worship Service on Friday, December 25, at 10 AM. Please join us as we celebrate the greatest cause for joy ever, the birth of God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah, our Savior and Lord!

We presently meet in the building of the Church of the Nazarene, located at 4930 Woodland Drive. Nursery provided.

For more information, please contact Rev. Barry Beukema at 403-789-7787 or pastor@redeemer-urc.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 7

OPINION

5019A - 51 St Lacombe, AB T4L 2A3

403-782-5303

Editor

Sarah Maetche 403-782-5306 news@lacombeexpress.com

Reporter

Zachary Cormier

zcormier@lacombeexpress.com

Customer Service

Hilary Stone

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Publisher

Tracey Scheveers

publisher@lacombeexpress.com

The Lacombe Express is a proud newspaper of

Copyright.

No material - news, photographs or advertising - may be reproduced without the express written consent of the Publisher. Failure to obtain such consent may result in legal action without further notice.

Canadian Media Circulation Audit

Driven to distraction - Alberta’s law packs punch We’ve all seen it. That one driver who chooses to focus on their phone more than the road ahead of them.

This type of action is not only irresponsible, but is also incredibly unsafe and could cost someone’s life.

Since the province’s distracted driving law, which previously carried a $172 fine, was rolled out in 2011, the roads are supposed to be much safer.

Now after four years, it was time to revisit the law and question whether it is working in getting the message across to drivers to change their habits.

Last week, before the fall session at the Legislature was brought to a close, Transportation Minister Brian Mason announced the gov-

ernment has made changes to the regulations in the Traffic Safety Act, hence strengthening the law.

As of Jan. 1st, law enforcement is now permitted to issue three demerit points along with a $287 fine for distracted driving. The new regulations apply to offences involving hand-held devices like cellphones and GPS devices, along with reading materials, food items and personal hygiene products.

“From September 2011 to March of this year, there were more than 87,000 convictions for distracted driving, and despite our best efforts, distracted driving remains a real danger, with convictions increasing year over year,” noted Mason during a press conference.

“Given these numbers, we are following through on Albertans’ wishes for stronger penalties for distracted driving.”

Of the 87,000 convictions detailed by Mason, around 90% were for using hand-held devices while driving. According to government stats, from 2014 to 2015, male drivers made up two-thirds of all convictions. Young male drivers, in between ages 22 to 34 had the highest conviction rates.

Alberta RCMP Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan spoke on behalf of all police and emergency services within the province. “Don’t drive while distracted,” she said. “Distracted driving can be deadly, and although police will be enforcing

distracted driving laws, all drivers can make Alberta’s roads safer.”

In theory, like all of our laws, the distracted driving law is supposed to work. It seems drivers were willing to just pay the fine and continue on with their habits, without seeing many repercussions.

Back in 2011, some naysayers warned the government that in other jurisdictions, where there is similar legislation, the distracted driving law might not be effective.

This begs the question, if the current law wasn’t working, how sure are we that a slightly tougher law with demerit points will?

A heftier penalty to distracted driving, in particular texting and driving, may wake up some drivers.

Syrians aren’t only refugees needing help While Canada rushes to accommodate 25,000 people who have fled the nightmare of the Islamic State, we must not neglect the plight of people elsewhere in the world who need a safe haven.

Just a few weeks ago, for instance, Canadian leaders stood by silently as Thailand’s military government deported two more refugees - Jiang Yefei and Dong Guoping – to China while they were under United Nations protection orders.

While their families arrived safely in Canada, Jiang and Dong were illegally bundled back across the border where they will undoubtedly face further punishment for the ‘crimes’ of seeking democratic reform in a country that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once described as ‘a dictatorship.’ And yet, just as prison doors were slamming behind Jiang and Dong, Trudeau

Joseph

SHI shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed his hopes for “an era of greater co-operation and mutual benefit for both Canada and China in the coming years.”

News reports indicated that, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, Trudeau privately raised the issue of human rights, “about which they would not always agree” with Xi. But there were no public statements to support this and no substantive media interest in the subject.

None of this helps Jiang and Dong. Nor does it help the dozens of others in peril of having international law and their rights

violated if they are returned by Thai authorities to China. They once navigated that same border in the hope that Canada might give them haven from the repression of Xi’s regime.

Nor is it of any help to millions in China and Thailand who live with a fear of government that the average Canadian cannot even begin to imagine.

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, we should differentiate between economic migrants and others. It says that a refugee is someone who, “Owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.”

Millions of people have

sought and been granted UN protection since that definition was put into place. And yet, as the cases of Jiang and Dong illustrate, since the 2014 coup in Thailand, that protection has been savagely flouted.

Trudeau, speaking at the G20 meetings in Antalya, Turkey, said a country should not be defined by, “National identity or ethnicity or language or background but on values,” such as openness, respect, compassion, “A willingness to work hard and be there for each other.”

Surely that means being there for all those who struggle for freedom; and that among those values Canadians share is an unflinching belief in the human rights of all people.

In a fresh era of transparency, Canadians should demand that their leaders speak openly and freely on matters of rights. And we should demand that

Thailand, one of our leading trade partners among Association of Southeast Asian Nations, honour the sanctity of UN protection orders. That means that people under UN protection orders after fleeing oppression in China should not be arrested and returned to face further punishment.

The Trudeau government is right to open Canada to Syrian refugees. But the government will be wrong if it doesn’t act immediately to help those at risk elsewhere. That means declaring - bravely, directly and freely - Canada’s opposition to the monstrous abuse of refugee and human rights taking place in Thailand and China.

Joseph Shi spent seven years in a Chinese prison before coming to Canada as a refugee. Today he is a business owner and municipal councillor in Cremona. His column is supplied by Troy Media.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lacombe food bank thanks community The CPR Holiday Train decorated in its regalia rolled into Lacombe on time bringing shouts of glee, “The train is coming!”

The weather could not have been more delightful. The largest crowd in years included young and old, children and seniors, singles and families.

The Lacombe Community Food Bank has always been prepared to receive non-perishable packages and tins. However, this year, we weren’t prepared for the surprises of a late evening train arrival. We had

to set up emergency food drop-off centres and requested responsible persons last minute to man them.

Kari, having just moved into Lacombe the end of June, and another unknown couple took on the responsibility looking after the donated food items.

Bruce, another gentleman with his sons, offered his pickup truck to carry the goods to the food bank. Dan and his wife Betty and another group of unknown folks, helped load up the three vehicles, carrying

boxes from the drop-off centres and again helping to unload at the food bank.

Once the train departed and crowds subsided, the loaded vehicles drove to the food bank to unload. It is estimated the townspeople donated over a tonne of food and several persons made financial contributions. A number of these volunteers expressed the joy of volunteering leaving their phone numbers with the food bank should it need help in the future.

A word of grateful appreciation goes to

the CP Railway company in sponsoring this fine gesture. Several government and City officials and the general manager of the food bank expressed their gratitude.

The food bank wishes to thank all who contributed the food items and to all who volunteered their services, planned or ‘on the spur of the moment.’ Truly it can be said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Edward Reimche Lacombe Community Food Bank board member

8 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

fyi EVENTS The FYI, Community Events Calendar is a free-of-charge service for not-for-profit organizations and upcoming community events within the Lacombe and Blackfalds region. To submit your information, please email news@ lacombeexpress.com, call 403782-5306 or fax 403-782-5344.

If you would like your event or organization to be included, please submit your information to the editor by noon, the Monday before the publication date.

Lacombe Legion Community Breakfast: Dec. 20th from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Legion. Adults, $12/each, Children 12 and under - $3.

Armchair Travel Series: Friends of the Library presents Eadie Jones who will inform everyone attending of her nephews trip to Japan and experiences in the Armchair Travel Series. Jan. 12th 7 p.m. at the LMC County Room.

Light refreshments will be served after the presentation. Free admission, everyone welcome.

The Lincoln Hall Society presents its annual Dinner and Entertainment Night on Feb. 6th. Dinner and comedy show, catered by Bob Ronnie and starring Lars Callieou (has opened for Jeff Foxworthy). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Supper at 6 p.m., Show at 8 p.m. All tickets $50/person.

Tickets ready for Christmas giving. Advance sales end Feb. 2nd.

Calling all musicians! A jazzy new place to blow your horn or strum your strings - A jam session every second and fourth Thursday from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Lacombe Legion. $2 a person. For more information, call Rod at 403-782-1842.

Lacombe Rotary New Year’s Eve Fundraiser: Celebrate the New Year in style on Thursday, Dec. 31st 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.

Midnight hors d’oeuvres.

Ticket $35 a person. Fundraising event for Veronica Willington. For tickets contact Robbin Huseby 403-391-2750

Your weekly Community Events Calendar

or Sunny 94 at 403-786-0194.

The Lacombe Legion is hosting a tour for adults of Canadian battlefields in Holland, Belgium and France from March 25th to April 3rd, 2016. Highlights will include tours of Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris as well as Vimy Ridge, The Juno Beach Center, the Normandy beaches, the home of Anne Frank, Ypres, Passchendaele, Flanders Field and much more.

A detailed itinerary including cost is available at the Lacombe Branch of the Legion or you can request one to be e-mailed to you at the e-mail that follows.

For more information phone

Meets Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. contact Jessica at 403-352-5486 or jessmick16@gmail.com.

St. Andrew’s United Church Adult Choir for those 18 and older. Practices on Wednesdays from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. Contact Roberta at 403-782-0443 for more information. Cost is free.

Invitation to join CNIB Peer Support Group: The Peer Support Group is a program dedicated to helping CNIB clients adjust to vision loss. Feelings of fear, anxiety, intimidation and anger are extremely common in adults who are diagnosed with vision loss. The goal of the group is to help transform these feelings

coffee at the Senior Centre.

Kozy Korner Music Jam on Sundays from 1:30p.m. to 4 p.m. The next jam is on Dec. 13th. In the New Year, jams will be on Jan. 10th, Feb. 14th, March 13th and April 10th. Entertainers are free. Lunch goodies by donation. For more information call 403-885-4493.

Lacombe Dance Lessons – social and choreographed ballroom dancing. Traditional Two-step or Cha Cha/Jive. For details phone Cliff at 403-782-4094.

Quilting and crafts held at Blackfalds United Church on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. Help make quilts or bring your own quilt/

If you are reading this, so are your potential customers.

This valuable space is now available – call the Lacombe Express today!

403-782-5303 Corvin at 403 357-0377 or email cuhrbach@gmail.com.

The Parkland Classical Singers, a community choir based in Lacombe, is looking for more members. If you like to sing, please join us. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Community Church, beginning Oct. 15th. Two performances: Christmas 2015 and Spring 2016. For more information, call Carolyn 403-782-7365.

The Red Deer Legion Pipe Band is actively recruiting experienced and inexperienced people from the Central Alberta area, who are interested in joining the pipe band. Anyone with piping or drumming experience, or if you would like to learn piping or drumming, are asked to please contact us at 403-782-7183.

Practices are held at the Red Deer Legion on Tuesdays at 7:00.

St. Andrew’s United Church youth choir for ages five to 18.

into those of confidence and independence through education and group discussions.

The program is facilitated by a volunteer who has gone through the process of adjusting to a life with vision loss. The group offers seniors a way to connect to others experiencing similar challenges. Participants receive empowering, practical and useful information about vision loss and how CNIB services can help, as well as suggestions from other participants on how to reduce the impact of vision loss on their daily lives. There is no cost to participate in the program which will meet once per month.

The group meets at the Spruce Terrace located at 5002 – 51 Ave. Lacombe Walking Group Wednesdays from 12-12:30 at Medcombe Walk-In-Clinic.

No Registration required.

Kozy Korner — Tuesday Dinners every week at noon. The hot meal includes dessert and

craft to work on. Check out our website at blackfaldsunitedchurch.com or call 403-8854780 for more information.

The Lacombe Legion has bingo on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the upstairs hall. Coffee time runs Wednesdays from 9:30-11 a.m. ($2 for coffee, tea and cookies).

On Fridays, there are four meat draws and tickets are $2/set of three tickets. Draw starts at 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays, there are four meat draws which start at 4:30 p.m. Chase the ace starts after meat draws.

Parkinson Alberta Education offers supports groups for persons with Parkinson disease, family members and caregivers at the following Central Alberta locations: Red Deer, Lacombe, Innisfail, Olds, Three Hills and Castor. Visit www.parkinsonalberta.ca for more information.

New to Lacombe? Contact Lacombe Welcome Wagon for free maps, information about the City &

area, as well as free gifts from local businesses. New baby in the family? Contact Donna Korpess with the Lacombe Welcome Wagon at 403-7820475 for free information, baby product samples as well as free gifts from local businesses.

Youth Unlimited Drop-in Activities: Drop-in activities run every Tuesday from 6 – 9 p.m. with ball hockey on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 – 9 p.m. Girls only drop-in is also Wednesdays from 6 – 9 p.m. Thursdays Grade 3-6 drop-in program runs from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. and Grade 4 and up program from 6 – 9 p.m. Cost is 2$ for drop-in and ball hockey with dropin 10 passes at $10 and ball hockey season pass at $50.

Taoist Tai Chi a relaxing, low impact exercise; continuing classes year round, for those who have completed beginners or have learned Taoist Tai Chi before. Participate in classes of your choice. Available in Red Deer, Lacombe, Rocky Mountain House and Innisfail. Contact 403-3466772 for more information.

Affirm – providing safe and confidential support to people of all sexual orientation and identity, their families and friends. We meet in Lacombe. For more information, call Marg at 403-7821887 or Ross at 403-782-3671.

Imperial Daughters of the Empire is a non-profit women’s volunteer program that raises money in support of numerous initiatives supporting education. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month and begin at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church. For more information about the group, feel free to contact Mary Lou Wilson 403-782-3923.

Lacombe Art Guild – The Lacombe Art Guild offers classes two Tuesday evenings a month and one full Saturday. Memberships are $15 a year and the club runs from October to May. Classes offered are in all mediums and beginner to experienced are encouraged to join. For information please contact Donna at 403-7829190 or Penny 403-782-7739.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 9

New superhero to help with school’s fundraising efforts

BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS Situated around 25 minutes north of Lacombe is the Mamawi Atosketan Native School (MANS), a privately funded educational facility that welcomes students from the four bands of Maskwacis Cree Nation.

Enter SUPER-MANS, a new hero who does not aim to save the world, but plans to help fundraise to build a new facility to accommodate the school’s growing high school population.

The group hopes to construct the new portion of the school over the next few years, but funding is required to make the vision a reality.

The new school super hero SUPER-MANS, is a recognizable figure to the students and is a character portrayed

by Lacombe-based Pastor Lyle Notice. The ‘super’ in SUPERMANS stands for: small useful people expanding resources for MANS. The project is spawned off a similar idea developed in an Edmonton church that gives kids an opportunity to use their own creativity and imaginations to help others gain an education.

On Dec. 4th, SUPER-MANS made his debut at the school

through a short skit. The students were immediately engaged when SUPER-MANS popped out of a Christmas tree box, after unruly student (played by Luke Bannis) kicked it, frustrated with school and life.

Following the presentation, T-shirts were given out to each student along with a mission use the resources in your classroom to fundraise for a new school.

Notice said that he is more than happy to be the ‘mascot’ for the fundraiser for a school that promotes hope and a future.

“I would love to see it have more capacity,” he said of MANS. “It is a place where they learn about hope.”

“Everyone loves superheroes because they overcome evil,” Notice said of the character SUPER-MANS. “I really hope I inspire and foster hope.”

SUPER-MANS will be making appearances all across the province over the next few months.

A life-size cut out was also created, so students and visitors to the Alberta Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church office in Lacombe can take a selfie with SUPER-MANS in promotion of the initiative.

Lynn McDowell, MANS campaign manager, said the project

is designed to engage the students in the fundraising efforts.

“SUPER-MANS really catches the kids’ imaginations,” she said. “We want to turn their goodwill into action, as part of the community.”

Through the superhero and the bridge campaign, the group is aiming to raise $4.9 million, which will not only include a new facility, but also a transportation program, a nutrition program and expand post-secondary support for students.

“We are trying to also raise funds for an after school program to run from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,” she said. “We want to offer a place that is safe and away from gangs during those hours. We also want to include components that bridge the gap from here to university, so they have options.”

Right after the presentation from SUPER-MANS, the students began to brainstorm with their teacher and fellow classmates about what they could do as a group for a fundraiser.

One classroom suggested a bake sale. Another talked over selling bead-work. The possibilities seem endless.

A timeline for the fundraising project was not provided at the LIMITLESS - SUPER-MANS, along with some help from Luke Bannis, time. presented a skit for the students at Mamawi Atosketan Native School on news@lacombeexpress.com

Dec. 4th.

Sarah Maetche/Lacombe Express

Community Christmas Dinner to be held Dec. 25th

BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS Looking for a place to go for dinner on Christmas Day? The Lacombe Community Christmas Dinner is returning this year.

Co-organizer Cora Hoekstra said the long-running community dinner is open to everyone within the community.

“All are welcome,” she said. “Come and enjoy a turkey dinner with your neighbours.”

For the dinner, the Lacombe Memorial Centre will be transformed for the meal with decorated tables and a Christmaslike atmosphere.

“We really make it special,” said Hoekstra. “It is a nice affair.”

The dinner will be a buffet-style traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings.

Afterwards, there will be some games for those in attendance and singing of carols to round off the day.

Hoekstra said the group is expecting a couple hundred attendees but each year is different. The organizers are flexible to accommodate everyone who attends.

Bethel Christian Reformed Church is the main sponsor of the dinner, but other businesses and organizations in the community pitch in to make the dinner a reality each year.

Hoekstra said as of Dec. 11th, the group has enough volunteers to successfully run the dinner, but she encourages those who still want to volunteer their time, to attend and engage in conversation with those at the dinner who may benefit from a friendly face during the holiday season.

“Many people underestimate the value

of conversation,” she said. “Come and visit for the meal. Be that friendly face at the table. Sit and engage in conversation.”

The Lacombe Community Christmas

Dinner will be held on Dec. 25th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. The dinner is free and open to everyone.

For more information contact the Lacombe Neighbourhood Place at 403782-0886. news@lacombeexpress.com

TEAMWORK - Last week a group of volunteers from Red Deer, Caroline, Lacombe, the Central Alberta Woodworkers Guild and Kajona Builders from Ponoka worked on installing new windows and roof lines on the two new duplexes being built by Habitat for Humanity in the Mackenzie Ranch subdivision in southeast Lacombe. photo submitted

10 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

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LACOMBE EXPRESS 11

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 13

Lacombe Express

deadline: Monday @ noon

CLASSIFIEDS To place an ad, call Toll Free: 1.877.223.3311 or email: classifieds@lacombeexpress.com

Coming Events

52

Coming Events

52

Coming Events

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LACOMBE EXPRESS

52

CELEBRATIONS HAPPEN EVERY DAY IN CLASSIFIEDS

THE LLOYDMINSTER EXHIBITIONS Pride of the Prairies Bull Show and Sale. March 6 - 7, 2016.

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14 LACOMBE EXPRESS Legal Services

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3180

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4160

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 15

ARTS & LEISURE

RDC ballet presents magical tradition of The Nutcracker

BY MARK WEBER LACOMBE EXPRESS There aren’t many Christmas-themed productions that attract such a loyal following as The Nutcracker.

After more than 100 years, Tchaikovsky’s stunning musical score, set against the story of an epic battle between mice and toy soldiers, still draws holiday crowds.

Over the past several years, it’s turned into a sparkling annual tradition at Red Deer College as well.

Performances run Dec. 18th at 7 p.m., Dec. 19th at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 20th at 1:30 p.m. on the College Arts Centre mainstage.

The Nutcracker is based on a book called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, published by German writer E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816. Hoffman, a German writer, composer, caricaturist, and painter was known for his stories in which supernatural characters reveal people’s hidden secrets.

Of course, there’s the elegant score written by Russian composer Tchaikovsky as well. He began work on the project in early 1892 before beginning a tour of the United States, completing it later that summer.

As to the story, Clara receives a cherished nutcracker from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmier.

After everyone has gone to bed for the evening, strange things begin to happen.

Clara watches as rats and soldiers battle for victory. She is guided through falling snow and taken to the Land of Sweets where sweets from around the world dance in her honour.

Many versions of the story have been published as children’s books, and it’s been said that in his stories Hoffmann combined wild flights of imagination with vivid and convincing examinations of human character and psychology.

As a ballet, The Nutcracker made its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in December of 1892.

“I started with the production in 1999 but have been directing it since 2002,” explains Director Tania Strader of the local production at RDC. “I love directing The Nutcracker every year because it is as traditional as the Christmas tree - I love Christmas and the spirit surrounding it, which includes the ballet.”

Strader said the classic production continues to draw audiences because of a sense of ‘timelessness’ about it. Plus, it’s just intrinsically magical.

CLASSIC - Dancers surround Helena Rickards, 16, playing the role of Dew Drop the Fairy during final rehearsals of The Nutcracker, to be performed at Red Deer College this weekend as part of an annual tradition.

Kalisha Mendonsa/Lacombe Express “Although the story remains relatively the same, it is the small differences that keep it new, fresh, and exciting,” she added. “This production is special because of so many things - the cast is made up of mainly children under the age of 18, we rehearse for almost four months and become what we call our ‘nutty’ family, and it is a different experience than your regular dance lessons. Here they take what they have learned and apply it to become a character!”

Strader added this year, she has taken the story back to its origins but added a few modern day twists as well.

“I feel that a lot is happening in the world today that creating a tradition with clean foundations is so important,” she said. “There is so much hustle and bustle these days, it is nice to go back to a simpler time when kids could be kids.”

According to dance.about.com, the first showing of The Nutcracker didn’t go over particularly well.

“Even though Czar Alexander III was delighted with the ballet, The Nutcracker was not an instant success. However,

the ballet gained popularity with future productions, especially in the United States.

“The first performance of The Nutcracker in the United States was by the San Francisco Opera Ballet, in 1944. The production was directed by William Christensen. However, by changing a few characters, choreographer George Balanchine brought new life to The Nutcracker.

“His 1954 production for the New York City Ballet popularized the ballet, establishing it as a holiday tradition.”

Meanwhile, Strader said on the local front, audiences can expect some new costumes, a new set, and some new dancers.

There are also about 70 local dancers and some adult volunteers creating the magic this year.

“I love kids. I love seeing their excitement build through the rehearsal process until they are overflowing with joy in December,” she added. “I love that they are heartbroken after we close the curtain after the final show but are counting

down the next day to coming back the following fall. Every fall I am excited to see who has made the choice to join our family; every year we have dancers who are joining for the first time and we have dancers who are back for another magical season.

“Although not knowing who will join us each year is hard, I enjoy the challenge of taking who I get and creating a ballet around them. Some years we have a younger cast, sometimes an older cast, so each year I modify the placement of dancers, change the choreography and reinterpret the story to fit the cast.”

Tickets for all performances are available through the Black Knight Ticket Centre by calling 403-755-6626 or by visiting www.bkticketcentre.ca.

Meanwhile, Strader is hopeful the show will provide the ideal means of stirring up a generous dose of the Christmas spirit.

“I hope the audiences are comforted in the tradition of The Nutcracker and leave with an overall feeling of excitement and joy in their hearts!” editor@reddeerexpress.com

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ARTS & LEISURE

16 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

What no one tells you about mammography It’s been said that, “All would be well if there were no buts.”

Unfortunately, for women there have always been several crucial “buts” about the benefits of mammography. Now, a new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS), says that routine mammograms may do harm if started before 50 years of age.

So, what other ‘buts’ don’t the ACS and other organizations tell women about mammograms?

Timing is vital is many things in life. But for years few experts could agree on the best time to start routine mammograms.

The Canadian Association of Radiologists picked 40 years of age as prime time.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer pulled age 50 out of the hat. In short, no one had a 100% answer. Nor do I, as one would require the Wisdom of Solomon to know. But some facts are known, and the most vital one is never mentioned to women in any discussion about mammography.

There’s a huge difference

Dr. Gifford

JONES between diagnosing cervical cancer and breast cancer.

That’s the reason more women survive cervical cancer than malignancies of the breast. And it’s unethical that it is never mentioned because it’s plain old-fashioned horse sense. Luckily, the Pap test for cervical cancer examines mucus removed from the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, which is easily seen during a pelvic examination. Microscopic examination is then able to detect even pre-malignant cells or cells that are already cancerous.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to remove cells from inside the breast for microscopic testing. Doctors have to rely on mammography which cannot detect cells. Consequently, mammography is actually

a ‘lump diagnosis’. Good sense tells you that it’s only when a lump becomes larger, that x-rays can detect it. Some experts say this requires several years. In the meantime cancerous cells can spread to other parts of the body.

So, when the Cancer Society or any other organization states mammograms diagnose early cancer, it’s a deceptive remark. What they should say is that mammography diagnoses breast cancer as early as possible using X-rays. But it can never achieve the accuracy of the Pap test. Those who fail to make this distinction will not be amused by this column, as my remarks are like damning motherhood and apple pie. They will argue that mammography does save lives and this is true, but the test also comes with questionable baggage.

For instance, mammography can result in many sleepless nights. The usual scenario is that a patient receives a telephone call stating a questionable area is present in the breast and further x-rays are

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required in an endeavor to rule out a malignancy.

Or, a needle biopsy of the breast is required to obtain tissue that can be examined by a pathologist. And it is a rare institution that can quickly do these tests.

So, of course, who wouldn’t worry, wondering if cancer is present.

The other problem is that mammography can result in a false sense of security when the test is reported normal. Just a few years ago one report showed that in women between

40 to 49 years, mammography missed 30% of malignancies. Experts at that time agreed that whatever way you slice the cake the decrease in deaths as a result of mammography is modest. In effect, 2,000 women would have to be screened for 10 years to get one benefit.

You can, of course, always argue that saving one life is worthwhile regardless of the cost. Don’t forget radiation exposure.

This problem is not only involved with the routine

mammogram, but the additional ones required when a suspicious lesion is detected. The World Health Association predicts that in the future 2% of all cancers will be due to excessive radiation.

It’s not surprising when today many diagnostic tests rely on radiation. Be an informed patient about mammography and discuss both pros and cons with your doctor.

For medical tips, see www. docgiff.com. For comments, email docgiff.com.

Pies for holiday desserts Chef

DEZ

on Cooking

The fondest memory I have from my childhood is one that I hold dear to my heart. Fitted with an over-sized apron and a smile from ear to ear, I was sixyears-old on a stool rolling out pie pastry along side my Mom. While she made the large pies for the family, I rolled out pastry for miniature imitations formed to the confines of empty, metal chip-dip containers. I was very proud and happy to be a part of the preparation for such a wonderful treat.

Pies are a very traditional way to end a meal on certain holidays throughout the year and especially at Christmas time.

Pumpkin is always a favorite pie among many for the holidays, but numerous different pies can and will be made and enjoyed.

Pies are basically made up of a shell or crust, with a flavourful filling and can be divided into two groups: baked or unbaked. Baked pies are obviously ones with raw pie shells that are filled and then baked. The unbaked category represents prebaked pie shells that are filled with a prepared filling and then chilled to set before serving.

The pie dough that makes up these shells can also be divided into two categories: flaky dough or mealy dough.

Flaky dough is usually a pastry that has a mixture of shortening and butter that is ‘cut in’ so that there are small chunks still left in the finished product.

This aids in creating steam, which helps with the leavening process and thus creating the flaky texture. Mealy dough is one that is usually made with butter that is mixed in more thoroughly, and when baked has a texture much like tender shortbread. This is because the flour particles are more coated with fat and thus less gluten is formed.

Once you have decided on the type of crust to make, it is time to decide on the filling.

Basically there are four choices: fruit, custard, cream or chiffon.

All fillings require the existence of a starch or stabilizer to ensure that it

holds together when sliced. Fruit and cream fillings use starches, such as cornstarch for their stability, while custard fillings use the stabilization of eggs coagulation for their firmness.

Examples of custard pies are ones such as pumpkin, pecan and key lime pies. Chiffon pies usually use a combination of starch or gelatin with whipped eggs whites folded in.

Baking is a science and recipes are the formulas.

For the reasons listed here and for many others, it is important to follow these recipes exactly in order to have a successful outcome. Whatever pie or other dessert you choose to finish your holiday meals with, I wish you, your families, friends and loved ones all the best in health and happiness this upcoming holiday season.

Dear Chef Dez: I have heard and known that it is best to keep pie pastry as cold possible to prevent melting the butter and shortening pieces. What is the best way of doing this?

Douglas C. Langley, B.C .

Dear Douglas: The best way of doing this is to first focus on your ingredients.

Make sure you are using ice water instead of cold water and frozen butter grated into the flour mixture is ideal.

The frozen butter particles then are already the required size from the grater and will not suffer from the warm friction of too much mixing or ‘cutting’ it in.

Secondly, try not to touch the dough with your hands, as the warmth from them will melt the butter.

It is best to form the dough by folding it over consistently with a metal dough cutter (bench scraper). Once the dough is formed, wrap and place it in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.

Remove and proceed with rolling, ideally on a chilled marble surface. Once shaped, refrigerate for approximately 10 more minutes before baking.

I have even heard that using vodka from the freezer (instead of the ice water in your recipe) will produce a flakier crust!

Chef Dez is a food columnist, culinary travel host and cookbook author. Visit him at www.chefdez.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 17

SPORTS Thomas Heemskerk’s first year with Generals proves successful

BY ZACHARY CORMIER LACOMBE EXPRESS It has been a bit of a transitional year for Thomas Heemskerk.

The 25-year-old goaltender has been putting up some stellar numbers in his first year with the Bentley Generals, helping the team to a 9-1-1 record while sharing the crease with Dustin Butler.

“It’s been good. We’ve had a lot of team success and, you know, it’s been a bit of a transition for myself taking a year off and getting back into things,” Heemskerk said.

Before this season, the Chilliwack, B.C. native played three years of pro hockey, spending most of his time in the San Jose Sharks’ farm system. He took a year off last season to recover from an injury.

“Now I find myself here trying to kind of stay with it and keep playing the sport that I kind of love. I’m just trying to be a part of something and win a championship,” Heemskerk said of why he came out to Alberta in order to play senior men’s AAA hockey.

“It’s been fun. It’s neat to kind of see all the small towns and how it operates. Just coming from Vancouver or B.C., there’s really no senior hockey, so it was all new to me.”

Heemskerk said that he had researched and asked around to find an elite level of hockey that he could participate in this season.

“It’s cool how they’re able to run a league in these smaller towns of great hockey throughout Alberta.”

Heemskerk has been outstanding for the first-place Generals, posting a .910 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.58 in seven games this season.

“It’s always going to be something you look at, your stats, and it’s something you take personal pride in or you want to be number one and put up the best numbers you can. I think that’s what pushes everyone but in the end you want to win the game and at the end of the season you want to win the championship.”

Heemskerk played four seasons in the Western Hockey League from 2006-2011 with the Kootenay Ice, Everett Silvertips and Moose Jaw Warriors. In 2009, the then 19-year-old Heemskirk posted the best save percentage in the WHL as a starter for the Silvertips.

That same season he signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks and in 2011 he joined the Worcester Sharks, San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate.

“I played up and down with Worcester

STRONG SHOWING - Thomas Heemskerk, left, of the Bentley Generals slid across the crease to make a save on Robert Smith of the Innisfail Eagles during regular season Chinook Hockey League action at the Bentley Arena in this file shot from November. and Stockton and then San Francisco the next year,” he explained.

Heemskerk split his time in the pro leagues between starting for the Stockton Thunder of the East Coast Hockey League and filling a backup role for the Sharks in the AHL. He had his most successful pro season in 2012 after the Thunder relocated to San Francisco and became the San Francisco Bulls.

Although he only had a 14-17-3 record in 38 games with the Bulls that year, Heemskerk made up for it by posting a .906 save percentage and helping the team make the playoffs. ”It’s something I will always look back on and I enjoyed it very much but not everyone makes it to the NHL and at some point

you’ve kind of got to start to look at the bigger picture and find other things that you enjoy in life, too,” he said when asked if he misses the pro hockey lifestyle.

Now that he’s playing in Bentley, Heemskerk said the level of play isn’t much different.

“It’s a bit different than California for sure,” he laughed, adding that most of the players are very high-calibre.

“There’s a lot of players in the league that could easily still be playing pro if they chose, so the hard thing is not being on the ice as much as before.”

According to Heemskerk, the Chinook Hockey League’s schedule is rather lax compared to those in the ECHL or AHL. Teams only practice once and play one or

Express file photo

two games per week, “So when you have the ice time you’ve really gotta make it count,” he said.

Speaking of ice time, Heemskerk said that sharing the starting role with Dustin Butler hasn’t been as much of an adjustment as one would think.

“I think all goalies can kind of agree, it never really goes away. Even in the NHL or the AHL there’s always going to be different situations or new goalies or new tandems. It’s just the way it kind of is. You can’t really find a situation where you’re by yourself, it just doesn’t happen. Just trying to kind of make do with what you have. If that’s playing half a season then you try to make the most of it.” zcormier@lacombeexpress.com

Coaches

Do you want your team covered?

Send contact info, rosters and schedules to news@lacombeexpress.com

18 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

SPORTS

Bentley Generals set to move to Lacombe

BY ZACHARY CORMIER LACOMBE EXPRESS The Bentley Generals are on the move.

After nearly 16 seasons playing out of the old Bentley Arena, the Generals franchise will officially become known as the Lacombe Generals starting next season.

“We just don’t get the crowds that we need to sustain operations,” said General Manager Jeff McInnis about why the team decided to move.

During their regular meeting on Monday, Lacombe City council directed staff to amend the existing Barnett Arena renovation scope of work to include a $3.4 million expansion to the building itself.

The expansion will allow for construction of a brand new 2,067 sq. ft. dressing

room for the use of a senior men’s hockey team. The money will go towards five new dressing rooms, and to making the existing spaces more functional.

“We’ve been moving our games since the spring of 2007 around Central Alberta and we’re well versed at it, we’re used to that.

What I’m looking forward to is for our staff and our trainers and our men to be able to put up shop and stay at a place from training camp all the way through the season,” McInnis said, adding the decision to move away from Bentley wasn’t an easy one.

“We look forward to building a home in Lacombe because we feel that that city, and all the surrounding areas, will support it. We feel that our fans from Bentley should, hopefully, understand why we’re moving and I hope they still love us and

want to support us.

“We’re not turning our backs on anyone, we’re just trying to stay alive,” McInnis said.

He also noted the team has been experiencing a drop in attendance in recent years, which has made managing costs a challenge, despite the fact that the Generals are a perennial contender at the senior men’s AAA level.

“I don’t now if it’s the geographic distance or that our rink is cold. With the combination of everything, people aren’t wanting to come watch us. We feel our hockey deserves a better crowd than it’s been getting.”

The Generals approached Lacombe City council last month about the possibility of relocating.

McInnis said the organization eventually

settled on Lacombe as a potential host city because of its proximity to Bentley as well as the facilities it has.

“Lacombe’s got the right facility. Lacombe’s got the right proximity to where our men currently are. Lacombe is nice and close to Highway 2 and Lacombe’s got a history of senior hockey,” McInnis said.

“When the bills come piling up, you need to evaluate your situation. Do you stay put because you love it, because it’s home? Or do you move on in order to survive?”

While the specifics of a deal between the City of Lacombe and the Bentley Generals have not been decided, barring any unforeseen circumstances the Lacombe Generals will play their home opener at the Barnett Arenas in September of next year. zcormier@lacombeexpress.com

Some thoughts on the NHL’s All-Star game Remember when the National Hockey League’s All-Star Game used to be fun? When it used to feature the best players from the Eastern and Western Conferences battling it out on a Saturday afternoon?

The NHL doesn’t.

The All-Star game in recent years has become somewhat of a sideshow.

The teams are picked in a sort of fantasy draft format like kids pick teams on a school yard. Goalies do interviews during play, there’s some sort of bizarre set piece every single whistle. It’s just a mess.

Basically the game itself has become little more than a pickup game of

Zachary

CORMIER hockey played by the best players on earth, which sounds like a lot of fun and yet the game’s TV ratings have been plummeting in recent years.

The problem is that the players treat it like a pick up game. They simply do not care about the outcome, meaning they don’t put any effort in at all, making the game basically unwatchable.

But fear not, the NHL has a solution!

About a month ago, the league announced they would be replacing the traditional All-Star game with a three on three AllStar tournament.

So now, instead of the players just choosing teams like kids, which was kind of fun, they’ll be playing hockey like kids, which is somewhat less fun.

This is one of those decisions that just makes no sense to me.

The game’s ratings are falling because both the players and fans consider it to be too gimmicky. So what’s the solution?

Apparently doubling down and changing the

rules of hockey completely to make it even more gimmicky.

I mean, I had my issues with the fantasy draft system. The fact the players are randomly mixed left me kind of puzzled as to who I should be cheering for.

But at least it was hockey.

For me, the All-Star game is supposed to be the best players going mono a mono in a real hockey game to see who is the best of the best.

It is not to watch Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Taylor Hall pretend to be enjoying themselves while playing 3-on-3.

For me, the NHL should have back-tracked. Bring back the old east-west

games. The NBA and MLB both have very successful All-Star weekends and both run on an inter-conference or inter-league format because it gives the players something to identify with.

And make the game mean something.

The winning league of the MLB’s All-Star game gets the prize of home field advantage during the World Series. That’s a big deal, so the best baseball players in the world put everything they have into the game. It’s fantastic to watch.

If the NHL did something like that, I can’t help but think the players would actually want to show up

without the NHL having to threaten them with suspension if they don’t.

It’s an idea that’s been put forward time and again and the response is always the same.

‘It’s a contact sport and we don’t want to risk injuring the star players,’ the critics say.

Hockey is a contact sport.

Always has been and, hopefully, always will be.

Take the risk, or put it in the rules that the All-Star game is non contact.

But something’s gotta give because if I see one more All-Star game end 17-12 because the goalies checked out five minutes in I think I might burst. zcormier@lacombeexpress.com

The Board of Directors, the Senior Management Team and the more than 140 Staff of the Cosmos Group of Companies would like to take this opportunity to extend

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POWERFUL - The Central Alberta AA Ringette Association held a very successful Ice Breaker home tournament in Lacombe over the weekend. The tournament drew teams from Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta. The U19AA Sting went 2-1 in the round robin, defeating Zone 5 Grit 8-2 and Eastman Flames from Manitoba 11-6 and losing to Calgary Blue 2-6. Calgary Blue defeated Calgary White to win the U19 division of the tournament. The U14AA Sting went 1-2 in the round robin, defeating the Zone 2 Big Country 12-3 and falling to Manitoba Wild 7-8 and 2-5 to Calgary White. Calgary Blue defeated Calgary White to win the U14 division of the tournament.

Photo courtesy of Chipabee Images

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 19

HOMES & LIVING

SERENE - Neutral colours and tasteful decor give this full bathroom at an Abbey Master Builder show home in Lacombe a peaceful and spa-like feel.

Zachary Cormier/Lacombe Express

Protecting your floors through harsh winter months Over the ground lies a blanket of white, a heaven of diamonds shines down through the night. Two hearts are thrilling despite of the chill in the weather.

Hogwash, how about having to shovel your sidewalk three times in one day or the mess that gets dragged into your house or the beating that our footwear takes in winter because of the salt and slush? They don’t write songs about that, now do they?

It is very important during winter to protect your home (and shoes) from the winter woes.

Boots and outerwear left on your floors can seriously damage if standing water is left over a long period of time. The salt used on our roads is a wonderful safety feature but it is corrosive and can leave etching marks on tile and hardwood.

Many people with beautiful entryways are reluctant to put down walk off mats but they are very important for prevent-

Kim

WYSE ing unwanted snow being dragged into your house.

There are two options with protective mats, one has a rubberized backing the other has an open backing.

The rubberized backs are generally used in commercial settings as they trap all the water inside and keep snow and debris from being dragged further into the building.

These type of mats need to be rotated and cleaned regularly as they quickly become heavy with sludge.

If you are using these types of mats in your home be wary of the fact that the rubberized backing does not let any air

underneath and can discolor hardwood and natural stone if left down for a long period of time.

The open backed mats are harder to find and they do have some absorption qualities but they also allow water to run through them once they are saturated so it is important to remove them and dry them out on a regular basis. Any rug or mat (even area rugs) should be brought up and rotated on a regular basis, especially on hardwood.

The natural oxidization that occurs in your home is trapped under a rug and the hardwood or natural stone will patina at a different rate than the exposed products.

I advise my clients to remove rugs if they are going away for an extended period to allow the flooring to breathe in their absence.

Protect your homes interior but have fun with it!

Choose some delightful scatter rugs to

The PAINT GUY is back!

Sean and Angie, owners and designers, are excited to be your new, EXCLUSIVE

supplier of

be the protector at the entrance to your homes. Seasonal and whimsical carpets are available to brighten up the look of something that is very practical and will help you feel less cranky about all the mess in your home. Keep a variety of rugs on hand so you can have a fresh, clean option available while you are drying out the current one and don’t forget to sweep up debris to prevent it from sneaking further into your home and damaging your floors.

Scatter mats aren’t usually the first thought when designing a home but they are one of those practical and essential items that you may not think about until you need it in your home.

I know it’s difficult to cover up your beautiful foyer or to lay a rug over your glowing hardwood but your floors are a bit delicate and they deserve a bit of protection!

Kim Wyse is a local freelance designer. Find her on Facebook at ‘Ask a Designer’.

•Design Consultations •Blinds •Drapery •Home Décor •Wallpaper

•Furniture

•And Much More 403-396-5096 Sean Cell 403-505-3217 Angie Cell

403-782-2046 www.absolutecustomdesignsinc.com

#3-4842 46th Street (Just south of Tim Hortons)

20 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

CO-OP GOLD GRADE A TURKEYS THREE DAY SALE - DECEMBER 18-20

Cranberries Cooked Shrimp Rings

SAVE $10 on a

Fresh or Fro ny *Includes zen Turkey price of turk ey This cou

each

$

3

227g - Frozen

.99

each 340g Package Canada No. 1 Produce of Canada

$

.69

1

Selected Sizes, Frozen with Pop-Up TImer

FRIDAY, DEC 18 TO THURSDAY, DEC. 24

Red Seedless Grapes

With $10 coupon works out to

88¢

/lb 1.94/kg

Selected Varieties 100-283g or Toppables, 454g

6.35/kg

No. 1 Grade Large Size Imported

2.88 lb

PLU 2758

925g Roast Blends - First 2

5 for

$

Dinner Rolls

ecember 4, 2015 to Ja nuar y 1, 20 16

Maxwell House Ground Coffee

Christie Snacking Crackers

$

pon may only be used with purchase of a minimum at least $1 Limit one cou 00.00 (includ turkey) before pon per family ing value. No purchase. No applicable tax copies. Coupo cash es at CO-OP THE MARKETP n must be pre or to the cas LACE Food sented hier at time of Stores (exclu tobacco, alc des Friday, pur ohol, prescr cha se. Valid from December 4, iptions, gift phone cards, 20 car 15 ds, unt lottery tickets il closing Januar 1, 2016. Ca , transit tickets third par ty ope nnot be combin y , all rations (post ed with any oth office, gas bar coupons or promotional off etc.)). We wil er ers. Final con l reduce the fi , price per sumer pound will var nal bill by $1 (maximum $1 0.00 turkey y depending 0.00 reduction on actual size purchased per transaction . Based on the ). of a 15lb. purchase Co-op Gold Tur key.

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each

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10

Black Diamond Cheese

Stove Top Stuffing

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120g

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Lay’s or Ruffles Potato Chips p

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5

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227-250g

each

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Open Daily until 9pm

2.18/kg

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7 2 Central Alberta Co-op 215-255g

$ Jumbo Size No. 1 Grade Produce of U.S.A

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Lacombe

www.centralab.coop