The CAMROSE BOOSTER December 25, 2012
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Bittern Lake/Sifton Historical Society launches new book By Dan Jensen
The Bittern Lake/Sifton Historical Society launched the sale of its history book, The Bitter 'n Sweet, with a program at Bittern Lake Hall Dec. 16. An update of The Bitter 'n Sweet volume I that was published in 1983 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the province, Volume II chronicles – in full colour – the changes that have occurred in the Bittern Lake and Sifton area over the last 30 years. The book also provides fresh biographies of more than 200 area families. "It has been a long time coming," said Bittern Lake/Sifton Historical Society president Eugene Kaser. "We are quite pleased with how it has turned out." The book was compiled and edited by Jeff Behrens, TerryLynn Sereda, an editing committee and several members of the historical society. "I wanted to make this a book that was written by the people of the Bittern Lake and Sifton community, and it is," said Behrens. "It is a collection of stories and interviews and amazing personal experiences that make your community so special. I am very happy that you will all be able to hold it in a bound cover." Behrens said it is important to use the book and other books like it not to look back and see how good the community was but to help children build the kind of community that people need. "That is what history books
are for. Open it and share it and love with your community." Sereda expressed the honour she felt when she was asked to put together a book on the community in which she grew up. She said it was neat for her to see what has happened over time with the neighbours and friends and realize that the community has grown. "It is because of being raised in this community that I am the woman I am today. I am involved in my community because that is just what you did here. This great book gives us all the opportunity to reminisce, remember and cherish our memories of this great community." The guest speaker for the program was Pearl Nielsen (Sawers), who recounted her memories of growing up in the area and provided a brief synopsis of what is included between the book's covers. "It is presented to us by a group of dedicated, energetic, caring people," said Sawers. "They spent hours and hours trying to sort the book out properly and choose between the thousands of photographs. The entire (editorial) committee knew where they were on their journey at any one point, and they are all busy people. They have created a masterpiece of quality and have left a positive and lasting legacy." Sawers encouraged everyone to spread the word about the book. "Talk it up to neighbours and friends whose stories are
here. Help the committee sell the remaining books. They took a leap of faith by adding colour pages and this made their budget a little tight." Camrose County councillor Trevor Miller and County of Wetaskiwin councillor Terry Van De Kraats praised the Bittern Lake/Sifton Historical Society in making the book a reality and for preserving the history of the area. "The stories it contains will strengthen the ties of the community and give youth a bond with the previous generation," said Van De Kraats. Entertainment for the program was provided by cowboy poet Jeff Strandquist and guitarist Don Steinwandt. The master of ceremonies for the program was Bob Prestage. The book was funded in part by a municipal sustainability initiative grant received by the Town of Bittern Lake, casino fundraising, and through several private donations. An auction at the end of the program of the only leatherbound version of the book, the last remaining original history book from 1983, a wooden bowl, a painting by Shirley Barnes, and framed photos raised approximately $3,500 which will be used to offset the costs of publishing. Copies of The Bitter 'n Sweet Volume II may be purchased from the Bittern Lake Town Hall, Letha Bertschi, Elsie Baker, Eugene Kaser or any other member of the Bittern Lake/ Sifton Historical Society.
Bitter 'n Sweet Volume II co-editor Jeff Behrens presents a copy of the book to Bittern Lake/Sifton Historical Society president Eugene Kaiser.
Habitat Camrose gives the gift of home ownership By Dan Jensen
Habitat for Humanity Camrose gave the gift of home
ownership to four Camrose families Dec. 15. Habitat building committee chair Larry Schultz, in dedication of a newly-built fourplex on 75 Street, presented keys to Britney Hoppe and her children, Preston, Ryder and Abby, Diana Mahowich and her child, Summerlin, Carrie Bexson and her child, Meysyn, and Michelle Baerg and her children, Todd, Lane and Sevanna. Habitat for Humanity Camrose board president Mark Schneider told those who gathered for the dedication there is nothing better than to be able to help people up in life. "That is what we are here to do," said Schneider. "We are changing four families' lives and there is nothing better than that." Schneider expressed appreciation to everyone who participated in the build of the new homes. "These things don't get done without each one of you, so I thank each one of you from the heart," he said. Habitat executive director Cody McCarroll said the construction of the fourplex was a huge undertaking. "Normally we build two homes every year, so we have literally doubled our capacity for this year." McCarroll said while a few things have changed in Habitat for Humanity over the years,
Accepting keys to their new homes on December 15 from Habitat for Humanity Camrose building committee chair Larry Schultz were: (left to right) Carrie Bexson, Britney Hoppe, Diana Mahowich, and Michelle Baerg. Habitat for Humanity partner families are chosen on the basis of need, income and the ability to pay a mortgage.
the one thing that has always remained the same is the determination to provide home ownership as a way for families to build equity and secure for themselves a better future. "The need is great. The estimate is there are 1.6 billion people in the world that do not have a safe and decent place to live. In Canada that boils down to one in six families without a safe and decent place to live and here in Camrose there is one family on every other block that is currently living in what
the government would call core housing need, where more than 30 per cent of their income goes toward housing." McCarroll said Habitat for Humanity Camrose is planning to build another 14 homes by 2016. "We are hoping to change another 14 lives in this community over the next four years." Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Verlyn Olson, the MLA for Wetaskiwin-Camrose, said keeping people living in rural
Alberta and keeping rural communities is one of the priorities of the provincial government, and that supporting families and communities through Habitat is one of the ways it is able to do that. Olson said it seems fitting that Habitat would present the keys to new homes just before Christmas. "This is a neat time of the year to be doing this when you think of the Christmas story and Mary and Joseph and their family not having shelter."
Olson said that a project like a Habitat for Humanity is effective in bringing a community together. "I think it changes a community and it changes a community for good. It doesn't just affect the families that move in. There is no doubt about the impact it has on them. But it has an impact on everybody in the community, so you have done a very good thing here." Councillor Ray McIsaac expressed congratulations to everyone who has been involved with Habitat for the work that they do. "In today's world we need so much more of that," said McIsaac. Along with the keys to their homes the families received a gift basket from Welcome Wagon, a housewarming gift of a snowshovel, and bibles from the Alberta Bible Society. The home's prayer of dedication was offered by Father Jacques Vaillancourt. Mortgage payments made by the partner families go into a revolving fund which, along with proceeds from Habitat ReStore and donations, are used to build homes for others. Families living in Habitat for Humanity homes enjoy better health and are able to build equity in their homes. The money they save by not having to pay rent allows them to upgrade their education and secure better employment. Benefits to the community include a broader tax base and a stimulated building economy.