The talk of the town the last few days is the sale of the majestic Rosehaven building on 53 Street in Camrose. The buyer has not been publicly revealed as of press time for this edition of The Camrose Booster. A sold sign first appeared at the entrance to the property on Saturday, March 28.
This structure and property represent a well-known landmark in the central Alberta region and has a rich and storied history in both education and national defence purposes. The Province of Alberta completed construction of the three-and-a-half storey brick building in the town of Camrose back in 1915, when the population stood at approximately 500 residents. An entire city block was devoted to the facility and a park-like setting has continued to date, regardless of building purpose over the years. The building was originally architecturally designed as a training centre for teachers. For over 20 years, this remained the purpose of Camrose Normal School.
Speculation about the undisclosed building and land buyer continues on page 24.
Easter customs around the world
Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster Camrosians celebrate with the yearly Easter Park Hop. Hunters can find eggs placed around Mirror Lake, Jubilee Park and Stoney Creek, strike a pose to take a photo with the egg for a chance to win the Photo Contest. Winner will receive a gift card to a local business of their choice. From left, Candice Lowe, from parks department; Casey Elliot, from community services; and Jayda Calon, recreation program coordinator; took a walk around Mirror Lake as they scouted for the best spots to place the eggs.
By Adan Shaikh
Easter marks an important time for Christians all around the world. While the meaning of the holiday remains the same, every country has its own unique culture and stories that have shaped how they celebrate the holiday over time.
In Canada, Easter celebrations mean church services, family gatherings, egg hunts and long weekend activities. In other parts of the world, those traditions can look very different.
In Australia, the mascot for the holiday is not the bunny. In fact, it has been replaced by the Easter Bilby, an animal native to the country. Chocolate bilbies are sold instead of bunnies, because rabbits are considered a pest in Australia. This shift happened as an effort to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. Introduced
to the ecosystem in 1800s, the rabbits caused significant damage to the Australian environment. In 1980s, environmentalists and conservationists posed the idea to use bilbies instead of bunnies and, by 1990s, Easter Bilbies were officially the new holiday mascot.
In Bermuda, Easter looks even more different.
The holiday is celebrated by filling the skies with beautiful, colourful kites. This practice is a symbol of the ascension of Christ. On Good Friday, communities gather to fly kites and spend quality time with families and friends. The weather timeline also complements this tradition with steady winds and sunny days. Families often build their own kites and decorate them with a cross to signify the religious significance.
In Poland and Hungary, Easter Monday is
known as Śmigus-Dyngus or Ducking Monday. The day is celebrated by people splashing each other with water, a custom that has evolved into a playful celebration. The tradition was derived from older pagan customs tied to purification and spring renewal that later blended into Christian celebrations. Today it has taken on a more joyous role, especially among young people, but the symbolism of cleansing and rebirth are still there.
In Finland and Sweden, children dress up as witches and go door to door looking for treats. The tradition mixes Easter with older folklore and seasonal customs, giving the holiday a local flare. Derived from ancient Norse lore, the tradition is meant to scare away evil spirits on Maundy Thursday. They go door to door with drawings, decorations and even twigs,trading them for sweets. The custom is linked to oan folk tale that believed witches flew off on Maundy Thursday, requiring people to light fires and make noise to ward them off.
In Greece, eggs are dyed red. The colour represents the sacrifice of Christ, while the hard shell symbolizes the sealed tomb, which is broken at the resurrection. The eggs are used in game called Tsougrisma, where families and friends tap their red eggs together. The person whose egg remains uncracked is considered lucky.
Even with unique traditions and customs around Easter, it continues to reflect the common theme of renewal and celebration everywhere.
Due to the Good Friday holiday on Friday, April 3, the deadline for ads in the ne xt Camrose Booster (delivered April 7) will be Thur sday, April 2, at 5:00 pm. Phone 780-672-3142 ads@camrosebooster.com w
Fool me once…
Last year, a Booster colleague who lives in New England wrote this about April 1:
“This mischievous date invokes laughter, clever pranks, and trust issues. That’s right, April Fools’ Day! It’s a holiday that’s either loved or hated by people. That depends on who likes to prank people and who is the receiver of the prank.
“Every year on this day, people take part in playing harmless tricks, telling tall tales and engaging in lighthearted tomfoolery. It’s all in the spirit of good fun. But why?
“The tradition begins like many other customs rooted deep in history, the origins of April Fools’ Day are cloudy. However, the spirit of the day has always remained the same. It’s about laughter, levity and a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.
“The first official reference to the devious holiday comes from a 1561 poem by Eduard De Dene, a Flemish poet. He wrote about how much fun it is to send his servant on a series of unnecessary tasks. You might recognize this as the origin of the term ‘fool’s errands.’
“Others trace the holiday’s origins back to the late 16th century France when they switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Some people were slow to adopt the new calendar. They continued to celebrate the New Year in late March or early April. They were mocked as ‘April fools.’
“Some people link the day to ancient Roman festivals like Hilaria. This was celebrated at the end of March. People dressed up in disguises and mocked figures in town. Regardless of the exact origin, the idea stuck and April 1st became a day dedicated to tomfoolery.
“Today, April Fools’ Day remains one of the few times in the year where good-hearted pranks are accepted and encouraged as long as they’re done in good taste.”
It occurs to me that “good taste” is not one of the phrases I would use for some of the pranks I’ve heard about. But who cares? I appreciate our friend’s comment:
“In a time when stress runs high, the economy feels tight, and tensions sometimes boil over, April Fools’ Day offers a rare and welcome escape. It’s a chance to reconnect with our playful side, surprise a friend, share a laugh, and spread a bit of joy, all without spending a dime. That’s something worth preserving.
“I hope this encourages you not only to enjoy the day but help keep this tradition alive. Teach your kids the joy of a clever joke, pulling a harmless prank. Laugh at yourself when you fall for something silly. Remember: the goal is to make someone smile, not to embarrass or hurt.
“Here’s to a day filled with laughter, lighthearted lies, and the timeless joy of being just a little bit foolish.” Amen.
***
I Googled “April Fools’ Day pranks.” Here are a few suggestions for family and friends.
Classics:
• Short-sheeting the bed.
• Placing a whoopee cushion under someone’s chair. Some others I read about:
• Frozen breakfast. Put cereal and milk in a bowl and let it freeze overnight.
• Fake sneeze. You dip your fingers in a bit of water, then wait for your prey to turn around. Once they do, do a dramatic “ah-choo!” before flicking water on the back of their head or neck. Give them a minute before revealing it was only water they felt and not your sneeze.
Toilet paper message: Write “April Fools!” on a roll of toilet paper.
Milk pranks: Add a few drops of food colouring to the carton of milk. When family members pour the milk in a glass or bowl of cereal, they’ll get a colourful surprise.
***
When I read these suggestions, I flipped back to our New England friend’s comment about April Fool’s Day pranks “in good taste.” I’m not sure any of these are! Oh well…
***
I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, email Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day.
TH E FINE PR IN T: The Camrose Booster welcom es le tter s that are of communi ty intere st , are fact ba sed and represent logical at temp ts to make a constructive contribu tion to public discour se To maintain a safe, profes sional and re spec tf ul publication, we will not publish le tter s that are highly poli tical, at tack public of ficials, organizations or communi ty members personally or promote partisan viewpoints Le tter s to third partie s are not accepted We re serve the ri ght to review and edit le tter s according to our Editorial Guidelines for clarit y, legali ty good taste and to fi t available spac e. Please limi t your
Carbon emissions
I personally do believe that Danielle Smith is being played by Mark Carney. It would be a good idea if our premier should not agree to any new industrial carbon emissions without having something in return for example cancelling Bill C-69 or Bill C-49. Remember Bill C-69 is the Impact Assessment Act and Bill C-49 is the bill which amended the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord.
I read about this in a different publication in the letters to the editor section. This is just something for all of you to think about.
Lorne Vanderwoude, Camrose
Sovereignty
We all are concerned about Alberta separation, but calling separatists “ignorant and racist” is fear mongering and promotes hatred. I challenge everyone to look up some pro-separation sites, like “Fairness Alberta” and “Alberta Prosperity Project” then read them with an open mind. They are thoughtfully written by lawyers, businessmen, professors, etc.
Some people claim we have not tried to negotiate. Look up the Triple E Senate Reform from the 1980s; The Firewall Letter written to Ottawa in 2001, the referendum against equalization. Did you know that the equalization formula has a requirement to be reviewed every five years?
In 2018, the federal government decided to ignore that until 2029! There are many other examples of federal overreach.
If enough signatures are gathered, we have a referendum. There will be more discussions. If it is successful, new negotiations will begin. Probably
not a complete break, but maybe more equitable treatment.
Ontario and Quebec have 200 seats out of 343 in the House of Commons, 48 Senators to the West’s 24 and six judges out of nine in the Supreme Court. How else do we get Ottawa to negotiate? If we do nothing, then what?
Joyce Schmidt, Ohaton
Booster Banter I am writing in response to some of the “jokes” contained in the “Booster Banter: St. Patrick’s Day Edition” in the March 10 issue. While much of this content consisted of lighthearted, harmless comments about clover, good luck, and Riverdance, half relied on stereotypes of Irish individuals – who were frequently labelled with the homogenizing names Paddy and Murphy – as stupid, inept, unable to care for themselves, and (in one case) addicted to alcohol.
Attitudes such as these about Irish people underpinned centuries of often-brutal colonization of the Irish by the English up to the twentieth century, and these deeply rooted prejudices followed Irish immigrants to Canada and other countries, often leading to further marginalization in their new homelands.
In 2026, I think most Canadians would agree that statements poking fun at any ethnic or racialized group are unacceptable. We have learned that such “jokes” are often used in an attempt to make hurtful and outmoded attitudes more palatable to an audience.
I by no means ascribe this intention to The Booster staff. However, I do think we must all consider the impact words have and be vigilant in recognizing, and not per-
petuating, stereotypes or prejudice in any form.
Deanna Mason, Camrose
Correction to previous letter
In my letter published in the March 10th edition of The Camrose Booster regarding leadership and the Forever Canadian petition, I made a clerical error while listing my family’s sports records.
I stated my son, David Jacobsen, had 13 championships; however, he has earned six provincial championships in total. As my letter was founded on the principles of integrity and not changing the rules, I felt it was only right to be the first to correct the score.
My family remains proud of our championship titles and our commitment to the values of honest leadership.
Darlene Jacobsen, Camrose
World Water Day
I do not know to what extent the Battle River Watershed Alliance has knowledge of the planned data centres. The residents of Olds, for example, first heard about the planned data centre there, on 320 acres, on the radio. Data centres use phenomenal amounts of water; it is frightening to us that with all the talk about care of our water, this is not being translated into having open discussions about water used by data centres. Although some data centres claim that the majority of the water is recycled (i.e. 85 per cent), the rest is permanently contaminated.
We have heard a figure of around 45 data centres planned for Alberta, the majority near Edmonton, Calgary and towns closer to those two cities.
Karin MacCarthy, Camrose
Thank you!
Many thanks to the numerous thank businesses and individuals who contributed to the great success eat of our PIE (PI) Day fundraiser
To our generous sponsors:
• Weber Funeral Home
• Wild Rose Co-op
To our donors
Adamson Exteriors
Agriterra Equipment
Aline Home, Ramona Parent-Boyd
Anonymous Areola Ar tistr y Medical Tattooing, Kim Fletcher
Back Up Construction Bailey, Paige Banack’s Bodyshop
Battle River Homes
Battle River Watershed Alliance
Beattie, Fran
BiWest Translines
Bobcat of Camrose
Border Paving
Boston Pizza Camrose
Boyd, Malcolm
Brianne Hillson, City of Camrose
Broker ’s Marine & Spor t
Camrose Booster
Camrose City Police
Camrose Composite High School
Camrose Energy
Camrose Toyota
Camrose Vet Clinic, Dr. Jamie
Whiting
Care Dental
CEL Electrical
Brianne Hillson, City of Camrose
City of Camrose Councillor, Agnes Hoveland
Co-operators
Coldwell Banker
Craw ford-Bohl, Sarah
Creative Interiors
Cunningham, Dr. Gail
Dalal, Daxesh
DCL Pile Driving
Drever Agencies
EMCO
Farnham West Stolee Kambeitz Fountain Tire
Garnett Radchenko MacKay LLP
Gotaas, Phamie
Grey Lapor te, Linda H2 Studio
Harley ’s Liquor Store
Harmider, Steven
Helmig, Shirley
Hoult, Fred & Louise
IPEC Homes
Jiff y Lube
Ken’s Furniture
KJF Law
Kroeger Joyce Inman Char tered Prof Accountants
Kubota/Extreme Equipment
Lamb Ford
LeClercq, Darlene
Lindsay, Laura
Lyseng, Pat
MacKay, Doug
Magnan, Christine & Bernie
Mah, Jadene
Maron, Pauline
Mar tinson Healt h McCarroll Consulting
McClellan Wheaton
McTavish Deliveries (2023) Ltd
Midas Muffler
Mirror Lake Pharmacy
Muise, Debbie
Murphy, Joy Anne Murr y ’s Truck Par ts
Nicole Lowe Photography
Olson Rau + Mohr Law Office
Pasiuk , Wendy Pharmasave Camrose
Poole Family
Primar y Care Optometr y Pudlowski, Marj
Re /Max, Lucas Banack
Re /Max, Tracy Brandigan
Re /Max, Trevor Vinet
Rehmann, Christine & Rick
Richardson Pioneer
Rosland, Don & Shauna
Ross Distributors Big Rigs Truck &
RV Wash
Shoppers Drug Mar t Duggan Mall
Sing Able, Ardelle and Roger Ries
SMH Hospitalists
SMH Unit 5 Patient
Smith Clinic
TE AM Electrical
Tee Pee Trade & RV
Transmission Express
U of A College of Health Ser vices
Physical Therapy
Vesey, Earlene
Vision Credit Union, Sharon Nelson
Visionmasters
Western Financial Group
Wild Rose Hair Co.
Zetsen Homes, Andy Zetsen
Proceeds will go toward the purchase of specialized equipment for the Hospital. Thank you again!
F facebook.com/ dariuscarpentr y Built to Last Home Renovations & Finishing Kitchen & Bathroom
through the pages of e Booster
• The Bawlf Wildcats Junior High Girls’ Basketball team won the Tier 1 Basketball Tour nament in Killam. To win the tour nament, the W ildcats defeated Daysland 34 to 32 in overtime and Killam in the final by a score of 36 to 23. Members of the winning team were: Michelle Ovelson, Carey Graham, Alysa Uglem, Stacey Reich, Jill McDonald, and Jessica White. Also in attendance were: Kayla Buffalo, Heather McDonald, Christine Reinke, Susan Skriver, Lori Skriver, Erin Laird, Vanessa Gallant, Bailey Sereda, Kayleen Piro, coach Michelle Kvemshagen, and Susan Reich.
• The local Elks and Royal Purple curling representatives Neil Orr, Doris Hoffman, Michael Cuthbert and Donna Orr were national runners-up after a five-day competition in Benito, Manitoba, and Kamsack, Saskatchewan. In the semi-finals, the Alberta team beat Manitoba (last year’s runner-up). The Orr team then faced the Kamsack rink in the final and came up short in the second match when the host team rebounded.
• The Board of Directors of Camrose Association for Community Living announced that A. Hansen & Sons Construction had been selected to complete the renovation and expansion of the Burgess building. Shown reviewing plans for the project were: Karin Davis, CAFCL Office Manager; Mike Morris, Burgess Building Fundraising Committee Member; Neil Hansen, Contractor; Marlene Pearson, CAFCL Director; Grant Reed, Burgess Building Fundraising Committee Member; and Rod Chrystian, CAFCL client.
• Hanne Hansen, Director of the Camrose School of Ballet, has been selected as one of twelve dancers to represent Alberta at the opening of the Summer Olympic Games in Montreal.
• A children’s adventure story “Ronald and the Dragon,” written by Lawrie Peters was published by Tree Frog Publications in Edmonton. Lawrie was bor n in Edmonton, raised in Drumheller, and is a graduate of Carlton University. She is presently employed as mother of three smallish individuals and lives in Rosalind.
• The Rosalind High School Choir received Honours rating in the Mixed Chorus Class and in the Folk Ballad Class at the Stettler Music Festival. Entry was open to all Albertans. Honours is the highest grade attainable. So impressed was the adjudicator that she made known the fact that she was going to recommend to the Festival Committee that this choir be invited to attend the Provincial Festival in Calgary. Thirty-two students out of the fifty-four enrolled at the Rosalind High School participate in the choir program, directed by Robert Wilson. Members of the 1976 Rosalind High School Choir that were present for the group photo were: Darlene Blouin, Donna Blouin, Doreen Blouin, Jim Buckle, Lorne Campbell, David Cunningham, Keith Friend, Neil Friend, Brian Garbe, Mary Kay Gartner, Rick Hauser, Belma Herder, Calvin Herder, Allan Holmberg, Lee Ann Kennedy, Doug Laird, Tim Laird, Cheryl Langille, Glenda Langille, Lor na Langille, Judy Lohr, Donna Lowe, Brian Nelson, Margaret O’Donnell, Cathy Orr, Mark Schneider, Jane Schweer, Brenda Sturek, Valerie Thirsk, and Connie Van Patten. Unfortunately, two members of the choir were unable to be present for the photo and their names are presently unknown.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
MLA Jackie Lovely is accepting applicants for a summer internship in the Camrose Constituency office. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. Part-time positions are available. Resumes and questions can be sent to camrose@assembly.ab.ca
By Adan Shaikh
Spring may not be fully here, but as all gardeners know, the time to plan for the upcoming season has already arrived.
One of the biggest challenges for gardeners in Camrose and the surrounding area, in recent years, has been water restrictions and an increase in hot days. Rising temperatures can lead to more presistent plant disease and drought conditions, which can quickly wipe out even a wellplanned garden.
To help navigate the changing, drier climate, Canadian Northern Society’s expert gardener Glenys Smith will host an informative workshop open to all skill levels.
The class will take place April 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Camrose Heritage Railway Station and Museum.
Smith will share how to plan for heat stress and drought, including practical principles and treatments gardeners can implement. Participants are encouraged to take notes, and handouts will be provided. Beverages will be available; however, gardeners are asked to bring a lunch with them.
To register or for more information, call 780-6723099 or email canadiannorthern@telus.net.
Council approves pool pass sharing agreement with Wetaskiwin
By Adan Shaikh
Camrose City council has approved a pass sharing agreement with City of Wetaskiwin that will let residents keep swimming and working out when local facilities are shut down for maintenance.
The agreement is between the Mayer Aquatic Centre and the Manluk Centre, and is meant to keep services available during each city’s annual pool shutdown.
Under the plan, people with active monthly, three-
month or annual passes can use the other city’s facility at no extra cost while their membership is paused.
“We still pause their passes just to recognize the inconvenience of having to drive down to
Wetaskiwin. So when you get back here and our pool is open, that gets added onto your pass, let’s say we are shut down for three weeks and you have a one-year pass, you get the three weeks added onto it,” said Ryan Poole, general manager of community services. Flex passes and 10-visit passes are not included in the agreement.
Access is only available during the official shutdown period and covers the same aquatic and fitness services included in a user’s membership.
“We have different times that we shut down, one is in spring and we
do ours in the fall,” commented Poole.
Visitors will need to show a valid membership card, and facilities can verify passes. Anyone with an expired, suspended or revoked membership will not be allowed in.
Both locations will track how many out of town users come through during the shutdowns. There is no cost sharing between the cities. Each will cover its own operations as usual.
The agreement will stay in place unless either city gives 30 days notice to end it and will apply each year during scheduled maintenance closures.
Lunch & Learn
A golden egg and a chance to win $500
By Adan Shaikh
Realty Bureau is giving back to the community this Easter with a $500 prize hidden inside a golden egg, waiting to be found.
Participants are invited to solve a riddle and search through Camrose parks for the egg. Once found, instructions will be provided to claim the prize.
Annelie Breugem, co-organizer of the event, shared that the goal is to bring people together while encouraging them to spend time outdoors. “This is the first year of many. We want to do this egg hunt every year.”
“We want to bring the community together, and show the beautiful parks that we have around,” said Nicole Jensen, co-organizer of the hunt.
The hunt begins April 4, and participants can start at any time. To take part, hunters need to follow the clues provided in the riddle below and begin their search.
The riddle:
“Where winter whispers and summer plays, Where colours change through all the days.
A place that holds the seasons four, With paths to wander and explore. Round and round, the beauty spins, Where every season truly begins… Look where nature tells its story –That’s where you’ll find your hidden glory.”
Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster
Nicole Jensen, left, and Annelie Breugem are excited to kick off the very first Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Realty Bureau. The realtors have hidden a golden egg around one of the Camrose parks for one skilled hunter to find.
C AMROSE UNITED CHURCH
Holy Week Ser vices
Good Friday
Friday, April 3, 10:00 a.m.
Easter S unday
Sunday, April 5, 10:00 a.m.
O ice closed Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6.
Great marriages do not happen by luck or by accident. Great marriages are built upon realistic expectations, consistent practices and genuine love for one another Join us for a free marriage course in a friendly and fun environment at Century Meadows Baptist Church on Sundays, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. from March 29 to May 31. This course is taught from a Christian perspective. Whether you are single, dating, newly married or have been married for decades, this course is for you. All are welcome! For questions or inquiries, contact Pastor Brett McCarroll at 780-608-7489
The Phoenix Academy is an inclusive arts education program established in 2022. The goal of the program is to provide accessible, engaging and affordable opportunities that empower their students. Each participant gains their own unique voice and builds confidence both on and off stage.
3720-66 Street, Camrose | 780-672-3230
Gus at Gravity
By Nadine Leming
Camrose’s own Matthew “Gus” Gusul will be coming home to perform as Gus Gustopherson on April 3 at Gravity Lounge at 6 p.m.
The show will include original music, possibly some from his first album Happy Hour Hootenanny Hymns released last fall. The audience can also expect cover tunes sprinkled into his performance.
This is a timely appearance as Gus releases his new song, “Wakes
You Up” on April 2. The single has already been receiving radio play across the country and will be found on his next album, anticipated to be released late 2026 or early 2027. Over the last few years, Gus has been working on his solo career while living in St. John’s, Newfoundland. His sound fuses the prairie roots of Alberta steeped in storytelling and the spirit of the east coast, evoking the raw emotion of the Maritimes. He looks forward to
They held several performances of their latest production The Claw March 21 to 22 at the Mirror Lake Centre. This 45-minute musical focused on the themes of friendship, courage and the ability to embrace change.
The storyline follows Dot, a terrified stuffed cow, and her friend Aiden, both living inside a broken claw machine. Together they face their fears of the uncertainty when the machine suddenly turns on and they risk being taken by children.
The students did an absolutely fabulous job of acting, singing and dancing throughout the musical. They mastered the choreography which was set to fun and catchy music.
The audiences were genuinely engaged in the show, often clapping, cheering and laughing throughout the show.
Director Emily Rutledge said, “The teachers and parents give so much support to make these productions happen and having awesome audiences turn out to see the show makes it all worth it.”
The two main characters, “Dot”, played by Karis Rutledge, and “Aiden”, played by Harper Suyker, tapped into their inner stuffed animals with solid performances. The supporting cast were also amazing, celebrating with Dot when she finally faces her fears.
Emily added, “These kids are superstars, putting in work for months in advance. We expect a lot from them, because we know they are capable of doing hard things and doing them well. We are so proud of them!”
Every aspect of the show both on and off stage was well executed, allowing the audience to sit back and enjoy the journey with the characters.
City updates how public spaces are used
By Adan Shaikh
City council has approved updates to how public spaces are used in municipal facilities after concerns were raised about common areas at the recreation centre being used to promote ideologies and collect petition signatures.
At the March 23 Regular Council meeting, council approved an updated facility booking policy along with a new use of City common spaces policy that sets clearer rules for what is allowed in shared public areas.
The changes were brought forward after an increase in requests from individuals and groups wanting to promote ideas, religions or petitions inside City recreation facilities. Under the new rules, those activities cannot take place in common spaces and must
sharing his voice as the performance caps off a busy, momentous week leading into his homecoming show. Many local residents may remember Gus as the lead singer of The Vinyl Experiment, the Camrose band active between 2002
instead be limited to a booked room within a recreation facility.
Common spaces such as hallways, lobbies, entry ways, corridors, staircases, elevators, parking areas and spaces within 20 metres of facility entrances are now defined as neutral, non-partisan and welcoming areas intended for residents and visitors accessing City programs and services.
The policy also states that signs, posters, exhibits and promotional materials are not permitted in common spaces unless they are connected to an approved facility use and authorized by the City.
The updates will give City staff clearer direction while making sure residents can continue to enjoy city facilities without being confronted by political, ideological or religious activity in shared public areas.
to 2011. To return to his hometown to perform always resonates deeply for him.
Gus’ most recent performance in Camrose was at the Nordlys Film Festival after party. He is ecstatic to bring the music back home to the com-
munity that has been a cornerstone of his musical journey. It is an opportunity that he doesn’t take for granted.
You can find Gus on all major streaming platforms to check out his music.
Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster Phoenix Academy performed their year-end show at the Mirror Lake Centre to an appreciative audience. The students and their instructors worked hard to make this fun musical come together.
Employ ment Opportunities
CA MROS E POLICE SE RV ICE An Equal Opportunit y Employer
Th e Ci ty of Camros e Po lice Se rv ic e is seek in g a highly motivated, energetic an d re liable individual to fi ll th e role of Tr auma & Crim e Suppor t Se rv ices (TCS S) Casewo rker
Re po rt in g to th e Tr auma & Crim e Suppor t Se rv ices Program Manage r, this positio n will be responsibl e for implementing , coordinating an d di re ctin g a progra m that prov ides immediate an d follow-u p assist ance to witnes se s an d vi ctim s of crim e an d trauma
This is a pa rt-t im e positio n (0.4 FT E)
FU NCTIONS/DUTI ES (but no t limite d to):
• Assist in th e communicatio n of th e Unit ’s Mission, Objectives an d Va lues to staf f an d public
• Assist s in deve lopmen t an d deli ve ry of educationa l an d awareness ma te rial to re sident s within th e jurisdiction promotin g th e progra m an d police se rv ice.
• Compliance with unit policy an d procedures an d recommen d change s to ensu re operationa l ef fi ciency
• Conduc t client centre d need s assessments, ca se conferences an d ca se management
• Complete refe rrals an d ca se work , ensuring suppor ted ou tcomes
• Contribute semi-annua l an d annual pe rformanc e a ppraisals.
• Assist in th e hiring an d onboarding of voluntee r ad vo ca te s.
• Prov id e advice an d assist ance to th e genera l public vi a all mean s of communication.
• Assist in th e monthl y on-cal l schedule
• Assist in th e coordination an d planning of communit y engagement sessions
• Become trained an d operationa l on PROS an d revi ew an d a pprove ta sks.
• Operate computer/word processo r for compiling memo s an d re po rt s, stat ements , cour t briefs an d variou s ot he r forms.
• Al l ot he r re levant duties as assigned
QUALIFICAT IONS :
• Minimu m of two (2) year s of pos t- secondar y educatio n in Health , Huma n Se rv ices , Behavi oral Sciences , Social Sciences , Communit y Se rv ices or anothe r re la ted fi eld.
• Two (2) year s re la ted wo rk ex perience . Eq uivalencie s of a combinatio n of educatio n an d di re ctly rela ted ex perience may be considered to meet th e minimu m re quirements
• Wo rkin g kn ow ledge of th e Canadian Criminal Justic e System
• Ex perience engaging an d collaboratin g with ot he r communit y pa rt ners
• Ab ilit y to work independentl y with th e abilit y to adapt quickl y to change
• Demonstrated unders ta ndin g of trauma in fo rmed principles an d how to appl y them
• Willingness to complete online Vi ctim Se rv ices training (AVS -100 or equivalent ) & Tr auma-Informe d practices.
• Prof iciency with Microsof t Wo rd Excel, an d Powe rPoint
• Consent to an Enhanced Securi ty Clearance.
• Must possess a vali d Clas s 5 Al be rt a’s Driver ’s licence.
HOUR S OF WO RK : This is a pa rt-t im e positio n (0.4 FT E) Th e hour s of work will generall y equa l 16 pe r week Hour s of work are ty picall y 8: 00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This positio n may be required to work non-traditional work hour s includin g th e abilit y to respond to crisis / trauma incident s evening/weekends an d /o r pa rt icipate as a staf f member/tea m lead of th e on-cal l crisis response schedule
ANNUAL SA LA RY: Th e star ting sala ry for this positio n will be es ta blishe d base d on qualif ic ations an d ex perience of th e successfu l candidate.
A PPLICAT IONS : Individual s inte re sted in this positio n are invite d to submit a cove r le tter an d resumé to th e addres s below or in person by April 14, 2026 , at 4:30 p.m. If applying by email, please ensu re job positio n is included in subjec t line We a ppreciate an d consider al l applications ; howeve r, only candidates selected for inte rv iews will be cont acted.
CONTAC T:
Ci ty of Camros e – At tent ion: Tr auma & Crim e Suppor t Se rv ices Program Manage r Mailing Ad dress: 6220 -4 8 Avenue , Camrose, AB T4V 0K6 E: hr@cam ro se.c a | W: www.c am ro sepolicese rv ice.ca
WATER SLIDE AT TENDANTS
Th e Ci ty of Camros e
FU NCTIONS/DUTI ES (but no t limite d to):
• Communicat e an d educat e th e public abou t sa fe, a ppropriate us e of amenities.
• Pe rfor m sa fe ty an d main te nanc e checks
• Pe rfor m jani to rial an d cleaning routines
• Assist with rescues and/or fi rs t ai d situations
• Re la ted duties as required
QUALIFICAT IONS :
• Bronze Cros s and/or Slid e At tend an t ce rt if ic atio n
• St anda rd Firs t Aid, CPR an d AED ce rt if ic atio n
• Li fe saving Swim Instructor ce rt if ic atio n considered an asse t.
• Excellen t communicatio n an d customer se rv ic e skills
• Dedicated an d re liable with a st ro ng commitment to te amwork
HOUR S OF WO RK : Hour s of work includ e evenings an d weekends We eken d availabili ty is required
SA LA RY & BENE FI TS : Th e hourly wage for these positions will be $16. 27 pe r hour
A PPLICAT IONS : Individual s inte re sted in this positio n are invite d to submit a cove r le tter an d resumé to th e addres s below. Po sition will remain open until al l suit able candidates fo und. We appreciate and consider all applications ; however, only those shortlisted will be contacte d.
CONTAC T: Ci ty of Camros e At tent ion: Manage r of Aquatics Mailing Ad dress: 52 04 -50 Avenue Camrose, AB T4V 0S 8 P: 78 0.672.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARIN G
Proposed Bylaw 3405 -26
Pursuant to th e prov isions of th e Municipal Gove rnment Act, Sectio n 60 6 of th e Revi se d
St atutes of Al be rt a an d amendments thereto, PU BLIC NOTICE is he re by gi ve n that Counci l of th e Ci ty of Camrose gave fi rs t reading to Bylaw 3405 -26 on Ma rc h 23, 2026
Th e purpos e of th e amendmen t is to change th e land use classi fication of th e proper ty from I- Institutiona l District to C3 – Neighbourhood Commercial to enable it s use by a Professional Se rv ices business
A Public Hearing is scheduled to be held as follow s:
Date : May 4, 2026
Time : 5: 00 p. m.
Place: Camros e Ci ty Hall , 52 04-5 0 Avenue , Camrose, AB
Any person(s) wh o have an inte re st rega rd in g th e passing of Bylaw 3404 -26 are encouraged to at tend th e Public Hearin g in person or vi rt uall y to stat e their suppor t or objections Any writ ten su bmission s to be considered by Ci ty Counci l are required to be submit ted no la ter than April 13 , 2026 , at 4: 00 p.m. by mail /e mail to:
Ci ty of Camrose, Legislative Se rv ices 5204 -50 Avenue, Camrose, AB , T4V 0S 8 or by emai l to: legser vices@cam ro se.c a
Please be advi se d that any correspondence submit ted to th e Ci ty on this notice will form pa rt of th e public record an d will appear on th e Ci ty ’s webs ite as pa rt of th e meetin g agenda
Th e Ci ty consider s th e author ’s comments relevant to th e Counci l’s consideratio n of this ma tter an d will publis h this personal in fo rmation.
Notice is he re by gi ve n that Counci l may therea fter withou t fu rt he r notice procee d with fi na l a pproval of Bylaw 3405 -26 at th e regular Counci l Meetin g on May 4, 2026 . For additional in fo rmation, cont ac t Fr ancisc a Fredericks , Long Rang e Pl anne r, Te l. 78 0.672.4428 or Emai l to ff re dericks@cam ro se.c a.
PUBLIC
NOTICE
Development Permit #2026- 0055 – Discretionar y Use
Th e Ci ty of Camrose Deve lopmen t Au thorit y ha s received a Deve lopmen t Pe rmit application, for a pro posed multi-unit re sidentia l deve lopmen t consisting of seve n (7 ) dwelling units. Th e pro posal is considered a Discretionar y Use within th e R2 –Mi xe d Use Residentia l District Th e subjec t proper ty is locate d at : Lo t 8, Bl
Curling Club set to receive compensation for ice plant failure
By Adan Shaikh
At the March 23 Regular Council meeting, Mayor PJ Stasko and the City council approved compensation for the Rose City Curling Club following a chiller failure that forced an early end to its 2025-26 curling season.
The failure at the Max McLean Curling Rink ice plant in early February left the club without ice. The season was shut down and the club chose not to rebuild once the system was functioning again. The president of the curling club board
of directors, Connor Roland, presented to the council with a detailed summary of why the club had incurred losses.
Ryan Poole, general manager of community services for the City of Camrose, noted the lost revenue during the shutdown, but said regular expenses such as salaries, rent and cleaning costs would have been incurred regardless, as well as potential savings during the time of closure.
Two additional options were outlined for council to consider. These included compensation
based on lost revenue only, estimated at $34,128.58, or directing administration to work with the club on a revised proposal reflecting curling related losses between February 6 and March 19, minus any revenue generated during that time.
Councillor Lucas Banack made the motion to approve option two, “I would like to make a motion that the council approve a waiver of the Rose City Curling Club’s lease fees for the final three months for the 2025-26 season and for the full seven months
of the 2026-2027 season totalling $46,171,10 as compensation for the impacts of the February 2026 ice plant failure.”
Councillor Wayne Throndson opposed the decision, stating that option two overcompensates for the loss actually incurred by the Curling Club and that the adequate number would have been option three, which was $34,128.58.
The motion was carried with the rest of the council voting in favour of option two.
There are many different ways to begin the planning ahead conversation. For some families, it might be a casual conversation over dinner or a family gathering. For other families, a formal meeting might be better suited.
Benefits of Pre-Planning
• Peace of mind – Pre-planning takes the burden of making important decisions off your loved ones during a dif cult time.
• Longevity – Pre-planning your funeral will make certain that your choices are respected and carried out, without leaving your family to wonder what your wishes may have been.
FACTS
Hauck Hearing Centre has been open in Camrose since 2005. We’ve been here the longes t.
Hauck Hearing Centre is an independent retailer. We are not a franchise; we can dict ate our preferred brand and competitiv e prices, wi thou t quot as or high -pressure sales, and we choose to of fer in-home services when other clinic s won’ t or are not permit ted. We are not bound by a head of fice in another part of the world making our decisions for us
Hauck Hearing Centre is a family owned and operated business
Claire Milligan is a second-generation Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences, Regi stered Hearing Aid Pr ac titioner. Claire has lived in Camrose since 20 02
Hauck Hearing Centre’s chosen hearing aid supplier is the only hearing aid supplier:
• which was founded in Canada (1964)
• whose headquar ters are in Canada (Kitchener, Ontario)
• whose soft ware and produc t is 10 0% developed and designed in Canada by Canadians.
Milligan, RHAP, BC-HIS
Down at the honky tonk
By Nadine Leming
There is an excitement of sitting in the audience of the Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium, or at your favourite table at the Bluebird Café about to witness country music greatness.
There is also an excitement of not having to pack any bags and struggling through long airport lines to see some of that country music greatness with the return of Heartstrings and Honky Tonks on April 2 at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre (LPAC). The audience should be in their seats by 6:45 as the show goes live promptly at 7 p.m.
On the heels of two consecutive seasons that saw overwhelming demand for tickets, the show looks to carry the momentum into 2026 with another great line-up.
This event also saw back to back nominations for the Canadian Country Music Associations (CCMA) country music special or event of the year awards.
Experience a truly intimate musical event where artists and audience connect while being part of an unforgettable live broadcast on 840 AM radio hosted by Canadian Country Hall of Fame’s Jackie Rae Greening.
This live show is fashioned after a traditional Nashville style songwriters round, often referred to as a guitar pull.
The evening will fea-
ture amazing songwriters sharing the stories behind the music that will take audiences on an epic journey turning personal narratives into powerful, intimate performances.
The list of amazing singer/songwriters for this action packed show includes Brad Mates of Emerson Drive, Dan Davison, Clayton Bellamy, Morgan Klaiber and Tony Stevens. There will be a special guest appearance by Camrose’s own Myra Marshall accompanied by Tom Lichak.
Myra said, “Though I have fronted cover bands for over 25 years, it’s only in the past year that I’ve begun songwriting. Being able to showcase one of my own songs at Heartstrings and Honky Tonks alongside such respected Canadian country artists is something I’m truly grateful for.”
She added, “I’m confident that everyone who attends this intimate show will enjoy the acoustic performances we’ll be bringing to the stage.”
The performance will be led by award winning and platinum selling writers Dan Davidson and Clayton Bellamy.
They bring their Nashville experience to Camrose as the audience gets to enjoy each song performed the way they were intended to be sung.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.camroselive.ca
• Accessories Edge
• AnD Automotive
• Camrose Car Corner
• Camrose Chrysler
• Camrose Registry
• D&D Vehicle Sales, Rental & Leasing
• Denz Auto Repair
• Do More Automotive
• Drever Agencie s
• E&L Autobody
• Elliott's Auto Care
• Fountain Tire
DATE : Friday, May 8, 2026
Get your car road ready for spring
By Adan Shaikh
Entering the fourth month of the year, the coldest days are surely in the rear-view mirror, and although current road conditions still raise some uncertainty, springing into the next season ahead of time can help ensure vehicles are road-ready and well maintained.
Listed below are seven things to check for when the thaw finally happens:
Tires
Switching out the winter tires should be on top of the list, once consistent temperatures of around 7 °C appear in the forecast and the possibility of snow has clearly ended. Vehicles using all-season tires should still be inspected for wear and tear caused by cold weather and temperature shifts.
Clean and clear
Rims and the exterior should be checked to ensure no damage has occurred and no debris is stuck in or around the vehicle, especially around the tires.
A thorough wash, especially of the undercarriage, helps remove debris that may have built up over the winter months. It also provides a good opportunity to check for loose parts or possible damage.
Inspect the brakes
Brake pads should be checked to ensure everything is functioning smoothly. If something feels off, it is usually worth a second look.
Check fluids
Spring is an ideal time for an oil change, helping clear out residue from months of cold starts and heavier use. Other fluids should also be checked and topped up to keep everything running properly. Check the electronics
Headlights and battery performance should be checked to ensure everything is fully functioning. Winter conditions can take quite a toll on both. Wipers
After a long winter, wiper blades are often worn down. If they are streaking or making noise, replacement is likely needed.
Air filter
Air filters tend to collect dust and debris over the winter months. Replacing them in the spring helps keep the vehicle running clean and efficiently. A bit of preparation now can go a long way. Spring in Alberta may take its time, but when it does arrive, it helps to not be caught off guard.
tions Diagnostics Spring Tire Changeover s
• K al Tire
• Lamb Ford
• Minotaur Mechanical
• Nyback R.V. Centre & Mechanical
• Wash Worx
By Adan Shaikh
Vintage car enthusiast, Gordon Olson, owns a completely custom-built 1965 Renault 4L that was headed to the scrap yard but is now a fully-functioning machine.
“It was covered in spruce and when I got everything dug out of it, there was no floor left in it. So it took quite a bit of work to get it to run,” he shared.
The Renault 4L, first introduced by the French automaker in the early 1960s, was designed as a simple, practical vehicle. Known for its compact build and reliability, it became one of the company’s most widely produced models worldwide. However, sightings in Canada are fairly rare, particularly in rural communities, making Olson’s rebuild one of a kind.
The Renault had already been altered by a previous owner. Originally built as a sedan, the structure had been heavily modified before Olson took ownership.
“It was a sedan at one time. Whoever had it before me had renovated it a bit. The top had been just cut off with an angle grinder and I had to put the little top on it and around the back, put some iron on,” he said.
Olson’s 1965
has maintained the charm of the original
The vehicle still runs on the small four-cylinder engine it came with, producing 26 horsepower. It features an 800 cc engine paired with a three-speed
FUN FACTS
According to Olson, the vehicle is a 1965 Renault 4, but there were various models and builds that Renault 4 had. Based on the look of the vehicle, the car was a two-door, and most likely a Renault 4 Bertin.
According to losangmagazine.com, the car was shortened by a staggering 74 centimetres (nearly 2.5 feet) by cutting out the centre section and welding the front and rear parts back together.
After being used by staff at Bertin’s company and the French Ministry of the Environment, the prototype was stored, lost its mechanical parts, and was considered “disappeared” for 20 years before being rediscovered in a warehouse in 2007.
manual transmission. While modest in power, the car remains functional and roadworthy.
Gordon Olson owns a modified Renault 4L
The vehicle is not used for long distance driving and reaches speeds of about 50 miles per hour, suited more for short local trips than highway travel. When it does get on the highway to go to shows, it gets passed by other drivers, not because of the speed, but for its unqiue colour and look.
“I thought it should have race car stripes on it,” joked Olson. One of the most challenging aspects of the restoration was rebuilding the missing floor, which required outside help and careful fabrication.
“The corrugated metal down there is from an old Ford truck box,” shared Olson. “I have a friend at Border Paving and he bent quite a bit of the metal for me and we welded in patches here and there,” he said.
The interior was also
pieced together using available materials. The seats installed came from the centre row of a Nissan van, adding to the car’s patchwork character. Painted a bright yellow,
the car garners attention wherever it goes for its creative touches that reflect both the charm of the Renault 4L and the effort put in by Olson to add his own flare.
Old Ride?
If you have a vintage ride (rebuilt or original) or even if you’re in the midst of a build: street, rat or restoration, we’d lik e to profile your projec t.
Contact Adan Shaikh, News Editor
Phone 780.672.3142
Email adan@camrosebooster.com
ROAD READY
Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster
Gordon
Renault may not look like the original model, with its roof chopped and added stripes Olson
while adding his own creativity to the build.
oped over the season. They were happy that the team enjoyed so much fun together.
The team played with heart over the season and during the tournament, battling hard to get where they did over the season. They should be proud to be one of five teams to represent Camrose at provincials.
• Duron
• Duron Ultra High Performance 5W-40 Synthetic
• Duron Ultra High Performance 0W-40 Synthetic
• Duratran
• Hydrex XV All Season
Spring RV checkup
By Adan Shaikh
The most anticipated season of the year is here again: camping season! Families are ready to uncover their campers and RVs and trade busy routines for time in nature. Before that first trip, a bit of preparation can make the difference between a smooth getaway and an unplanned lesson in roadside problem solving. Here are five things that should not be skipped when getting an RV ready for spring: Dewinterizing water system
After months in storage, the water system needs to be properly flushed and refreshed. Antifreeze used during winterizing should be cleared from the lines, and fresh water should be run through the entire system. Faucets, showers and toilets should all be checked to ensure water is flowing cleanly and without any issues. Any lingering smell is usually a sign that another flush is needed. It is also a good time to check for leaks.
Inspecting roof and seals for damage
Roofs and seals take on the full force of winter, with snow buildup, ice and temperature swings. A careful inspection should be done to check for cracks, soft spots or worn sealant around vents, skylights and edges. Even small gaps can lead to water damage over time, and that tends to show up after the trip has already started. Catching it early is far less exciting than dealing with it mid-camping trip, but definitely much more convenient.
Checking tire pressure
Tires often lose pressure during storage, and cold temperatures do them no favours. Pressure should be checked and adjusted according to manufacturer recommendations before heading out. Tires should also be inspected for cracks, uneven wear or anything that looks questionable. RV tires may not see daily use, but they carry a lot of weight when they do.
Battery health
After sitting through the winter, batteries may be drained or weakened. Charge levels should be checked, and connections inspected for any corrosion or buildup. If the battery struggles to hold a charge, replacement may be the better option before the season gets underway. A healthy battery keeps everything from lights to slide-outs functioning, which is usually appreciated once the sun goes down.
Appliances check
Before heading out, appliances should be tested to ensure everything is working as expected. This includes the fridge, stove, furnace and water heater. Running them briefly can help identify any issues early, whether it is a burner that refuses to light or a fridge that takes its time deciding whether to cooperate. It is much easier to troubleshoot in the driveway than at a campsite.
Camping season may be about relaxing, but getting there usually requires making sure the RV is just as ready for the trip as everyone else.
have on families and entire communities.
By Adan Shaikh
Advocacy for passing lanes along Highway 21 continues despite the project not being included in the Province’s 2026 budget.
As reported in the March 17 issue of The Camrose Booster, City Councillor Don Rosland said the Province confirmed passing lanes for the highway were not part of Budget 2026.
The issue returned to the Legislature on March 24, when Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely urged the Province to move the project forward.
“Highway 21 is a major transportation corridor that runs parallel to the Camrose constituency. It is a highway that intersects and serves a number of constituencies across central Alberta and
sadly there have been a number of accidents across this stretch of road,” said Lovely.
The push for improvements dates back to 2018, after a young Camrose resident, Hershita Sainbhee was lost in a fatal, multivehicle collision. A petition launched by her mother, Parampreet Sainbhee gained tremendous community support, raising concerns about safety along the busy corridor. That effort led to a study, which ultimately recommended adding passing lanes.
Lovely said concerns have been raised repeatedly by the City of Camrose, Camrose County and residents, with families continuing to share the impact of serious
sions.
Property taxes to be increased
By Adan Shaikh
Camrose City Council is preparing for a rise in property taxes following an increase in the provincial education tax. The Province of Alberta sets the education property tax each year, and municipalities collect it on the province’s behalf.
This year, the province raised the rate to fund growing costs in K to 12 education. For residents of Camrose, the increase could mean an extra $110 for the average residential property, and about $40 per $100,000 of assessed value for non-residential properties.
At the March 23 Committee of the Whole Council meeting, Travis Lantz, City manager of assessment, presented three options to Mayor and Council for distributing the tax increase:
• Keep rates status quo and spread the increase evenly between residential and non-residential properties.
• Shift 0.5 per cent extra to residential properties, reducing the impact on commercial properties.
• Shift 0.5 per cent off of residential properties and onto the commercial properties.
Council is leaning toward keeping the status quo and to distribute the tax increase evenly across all properties. Lantz has been directed to bring the proposed rates back for approval at the April 20 Regular Council meeting to finalize the rates.
Property tax notices will be mailed starting May 15, and payments will be due by June 30. The City of Camrose has shared that they have no control over the provincial education tax rate.
Residents can find more details at www.camrose.ca/taxes
EASTER MARKET
Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster
Debbie Reynolds from Canine Love Dogs Rescue hosted an Easter Market on March 22. There was a wide variety of goods to look at like crafts, food and beverage, jewellery, crocheted and sewn items. All proceeds of the event went to support the rescue. For more information on the rescue, email canineluvflagstaff@ gmail.com
By Nadine Leming
The U18 Wildcats had a great season, growing together as a team. They faced challenges and adversity, yet stayed composed, supporting each other and competed as a team. It was as a unit they trusted one another in all situations.
As the season developed, the players focused on building a strong team culture from the beginning. They set out clear expectations around respect, effort and accountability.
Coaches encouraged players to communicate openly while celebrating each other’s successes, supporting each other when things got tough.
Team bonding played a role on the squad both on and off the ice. The parents were onboard supporting the entire team, just not their own child, making working together a safe place for everyone.
The hardworking and resilient team of girls grew in their hockey skill set, leadership and sportsmanship this season. That positive attitude led them to the provincials March 20 to 22 in Irma.
Throughout the tournament the girls displayed
U18 Wildcats journey to provincials
grit, drive and tenacity. The team showed great character to bounce back after a tough loss to Lakeland.
The players came back with a renewed sense of resilience with a 4-2 win over Cochrane and displayed a fighting spirit in a tie versus Calgary that advanced them to the semi-finals.
In an intense semifinal game, the Wildcats fought hard to the final whistle with Cheyenne Suchy stepping up to tie the score twice with the teams locked at two a piece after regulation to go into overtime.
The girls hustled, playing with determination well into extra time, never giving up. The team came up short with the winning goal scored with just 24 seconds remaining in overtime by the host team.
Though the team didn’t get the outcome they wanted, the coaches and parents couldn’t be more proud of this group of girls. They came together as a team, supported one another and represented Camrose Minor Hockey with pride.
• Wheel Alignments
• Brakes
• Steering and Suspension
• Wheels and Tires – from utility products to performance options
• Batteries
• Regular Oil Changes and other Fluid Replacements
to be part of one of the rgest volume tire retailers in North America
Rosehaven sold sign fuels community speculation
Continued from front page
There may be truth in the current rumour mill that the Province is once again the owner of the building and land. This speculation is based on recent news from the Premier that an additional $772 million has been added to the Education budget for 2026. Coupled with the fact that in 2024, an additional 70,000 immigrants chose Alberta as their home, it is highly likely that the Province will be refurbishing the Rosehaven building as a centre to once again train teachers. The prevalent thought is that this will be renovated as a specialized centre to train educators in foreign culture teaching practices and second language learning. It is widely known that there is considerable demand for qualified teachers who speak any of Pakistan’s and India’s most commonly spoken languages: Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi and Malayalam. Other new teacher trainers could be employed to learn how to tend to the learning needs of Filipino (Tagalog) speaking students. Many immigrant Moroccans in the community will also benefit by having teachers fluent in their dialect. Facts show that thousands of immigrants with young children are moving to the area who often know little or no English and zero Canadian-French, other than Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny song lyrics.
or Albertans immersed with the extreme right, cult-like, political realm. This secure, below ground surface centre could also offer temporary or longerterm protection for Camrosians against U.S. military ground troops if Team Trump ultimately follows through with their persistent 51st State threats. Logic suggests this building could serve purpose as a strategic corporate location where Alberta’s vocal far right and Trump MAGA loyalists will conduct operations related to the U.S. government’s quest for our province’s oil, agriculture, fertilizer and minerals. Either scenario could unfold after the pending province’s fall separation vote.
Is Rosehaven reverting to its roots as a teaching centre?
It’s highly unlikely that this building has been purchased for military drone production.
to eager consumers. Living here would give the vast network of drivers an earlier next-morning start in daylight to conduct their deliveries. Then each driver could race back to Nisku midday for the company’s highly successful R-4 program. This initiative offers highlevel driver training to Refuel, Replenish, Reload and Return with another vanload of goods in their valiant attempt to strategically eliminate every mom-and-pop small business.
the desirable and strategically situated land will then be sold as an already pre-planned gated housing development. Lips at City Hall are sealed tight, but more than one Camrose Council member refused to deny this rumour when asked if this information had merit.
There is also talk on the street that a local group of parents who prefer homeschooling may have pooled their resources for this purchase. Logic suggests a relatively simple renovation of the top two floors would allow condominiumstyle family living while the remainder of the structure and all the grounds would be devoted to grades 1 to 12 learning. The learning facility and grounds would be exclusive to building tenants along with select pets. Chickens would be allowed for purposes of learning, but their eggs would be exclusive for tenants’ personal consumption only, not for resale.
In 1938, the Department of Defence became the sole user of this magnificent building. It has long been speculated that a highly classified secretive renovation took place during the World War II era. A bunker supposedly constructed below the ground surface of the building reportedly remains in usable condition.
Coffee shop talk at A&W on Monday morning by an in-the-loop contingent of seniors believe the building has a future more user-friendly alternative use. One eagle-eyed near-sighted member of this coffee-loving fraternity noted that not one but two (and maybe more) Edmonton Oilers branded SUVs, complete with darkened windows, were lurking around the area this past weekend. Collectively, he made a compelling case that star defenceman Mattias Ekholm is the property buyer. Indeed, Ekholm has repeatedly stated that he, his wife and children will continue to reside in Canada following his post-NHL career. This country’s four-season northern climate duplicates the conditions they cherished in their younger years growing up in Sweden. A move to this European-style castlelike dwelling in Camrose makes sense in terms of preferred privacy and weather to which they are accustomed. The Camrose rink is close by too – a prized asset for their hockeyinvolved children.
Those most compassionate in the community, including religious leaders, are optimistic that the Rosehaven building has changed ownership to become the much sought-after homeless shelter for the WetaskiwinCamrose area – or, better still, a combination safe drug site plus homeless shelter. With St. Mary’s Hospital across the street and a bus stop nearby, the structure is almost tailor made for this purpose. With only relatively minor changes required for food preparation and living quarters, this is a strong and, to many individuals, welcome and long overdue possibility.
Another equally disturbing reality is that the sale of this building, regardless of purpose, is a necessary path forward for the current building owner –The Bethany Group. The City of Camrose, a rural community affectionately labelled as one where old people come to visit their parents, has been notoriously underfunded in The Bethany Group’s quest to provide dwellings for the rapidly growing number of long-term care residents and those who require affordable and inviting senior housing. The Bethany Foundation, with a mandate of raising funds to offset the many essential needs of clients not funded by the Province of Alberta including furnishings, equipment, chaplaincy and education on aging, could also desperately use the money from the sale of this ideal piece of property in order to continue to improve the quality of life for their residents.
Evidence suggests an NHL defenceman has scored this castle-like building.
Step up and in, mystery lottery winner. Booster readers will recall that there was an unidentified $32 million Lotto Max winner from central Alberta. Sources submit that winner is, in fact, from the rural Camrose area. The name offered to the Booster team could not be conclusively identified prior to press time, but we can confirm this person is 28 years of age, male and, according to friends, has been looking for a “mean bachelor party pad”. If so, dads, you might want to have a serious chat with your daughters.
Other theories that have surfaced are, unfortunately, less exciting:
Sale price has not been revealed.
As U.S.Canada relations continue to deteriorate, or if the Alberta separation vote goes against current Canadian sovereignty, this bunker could be expanded for future use to fend off far left political leaning radicals from British Columbia,
Or could it be that this facility will be the future dormitory or hostel-style dwelling for dozens of Amazon delivery van drivers? Daily, it seems that 20 to 30 different Amazon vans enter Camrose from the west to meet the insatiable demand for the convenience of Amazon deliveries.
Often these units are still on the streets of Camrose until after 9:00 p.m., seven days a week with outof-town drivers attempting to locate hundreds of addresses, often in the dark, to drop off U.S. and Asian-made products
One local tradesperson, who insisted on anonymity, reported that over the past few years, he has been called on countless times to attend to this structure due to mortar bees. Better known as mason bees, these are the primary insects that actively excavate and remove old or weak mortar from brick joints to create nesting sites. While they do not consume the mortar for food, they burrow into it, leading to structural damage and loose bricks. The theory is that this historic building is at the end of its design lifespan and, in fact, the structure will be taken down, brick by brick. There is a strong market for used bricks, and
No livestock repercussions as a result of the purchase.
The Bethany Foundation is determined to meet their most-pressing goal to rapidly replace 22 therapeutic bathtubs at a cost of over $40,000 each. Three tubs have already been replaced thanks entirely to the generosity of caring citizens and businesses. Remaining tubs still in use are badly outdated and do not meet the needs of clients. Replacement parts have become scarce. So, it seems logical that The Bethany Group and the Bethany Foundation have sold the building with the purest intent of all – so that staff are positioned with the financial means to continue to look after the needs of the old, disabled and vulnerable. Spacious and comfortable administrative space is secondary to this compassionate group of leaders. One final possibility might be the most likely. With the calendar rolling over to April 1 on the stroke of midnight, the sale of this beloved property is little more than an elaborate April Fool’s spoof by The Camrose Booster, unknown even to The Bethany Group staff and management. The transaction is also unbeknownst to Central Agencies Realty, who may well be missing one of their eyecatching sold signs. Now, what say you on the topic of the sensational old Rosehaven building and its future use? By the way … The Bethany Foundation could very much use your contribution in their quest to replace their aged bathtubs. Contributions can be made online or at their historic headquarters. Bring a second cheque if you want to buy the building.
In loving memory of Rose De Castro Panti
November 14, 1952 ~ March 22, 2026
It is with deep sorrow and heartfelt love that we announce the passing of Rose De Castro Panti on March 22, 2026, at the age of 73, surrounded by love.
Rose de Castro Panti, born on November 14, 1952, in the Philippines, was the beloved wife of Adolfo Panti, with whom she built a life rooted in love, resilience, and devotion. She was a proud and loving mother to Rochelle, Jaylord, Honey, Love and Goldey, who were her greatest joy and life’s purpose.
She was also a cherished grandmother to Raen, Chok, Jean Mark, Nini, Pao, Basti, Xander, Gabey, Rjan, Baby Angel and Kikay, and she lovingly awaited the arrival of two more grandchildren – twins – who will forever carry her love in their hearts. Her grandchildren held a very special place in her life, and she gave them boundless affection, care, and guidance.
Rose’s life was a testament of perseverance and strength. Through hard work and determination, she put herself through school and successfully finished college. Along the way, she met her beloved husband and began building the family she so deeply treasured. In 2002, she bravely migrated to Canada in pursuit of a better future for her loved ones.
She dedicated many years of her life working as a health care aide, a role she carried out with compassion, patience, and genuine care for others. Her selflessness extended beyond her profession – she gave her whole heart to her family, always putting their needs before her own.
Rose found joy in the simple things. She loved gardening, nurturing life with her hands, and enjoyed travelling, creating memories with those she loved most. Her kindness, humility, and quiet strength touched the lives of many. In her own simple ways, she made a lasting impact on everyone she met.
Rose will be remembered for her unwavering love, her generous spirit, and her deep devotion to her family. She will be profoundly missed, but forever cherished.
Her love remains with us always. Rest in peace, Rose. You will never be forgotten.
A Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, Camrose. Inurnment followed at the Camrose Valleyview Cemetery.
Faye Leola (Jackson) McKee
Faye Leola was born on September 28, 1935, in Galahad, Alberta. She was the second child of four born to Clarence and Dorothy (LeGear) Jackson. Her father left the auger running in the rush to get to the hospital! Faye flew from pain with the dawn to meet Jesus on March 10, 2026.
She loved sports like pole vaulting or baseball, and spent many days curling with family and friends. Faye always wanted to take piano lessons, but figured out how to play with her mother’s help. She even worked at the General Store in Galahad! She trained as a nurse at Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton, and kept in touch with many classmates her whole life.
While home for a break, her older brother introduced her to a teacher named Irvine McKee. They were married on August 20, 1960, after a five-week engagement before school started in the fall. After a rainy honeymoon while tenting, they moved to Stettler, where she had three children, all born within two and a half years of each other: Brent Arnold, Lorie Faye, and Carman Dale. She had a special love for flowers, Cradle Roll, the elderly, and had exquisite taste in clothing.
Most of their 65 years of married life they lived in Edmonton. They often went to the symphony and travel shows at the Jubilee Auditorium. Faye loved geriatric work at Hardisty Nursing Home and Glenrose Care Centre for many years, and did not miss the annual gatherings with her classmates from nurses’ training. She played piano weekly at old folks’ homes and church, and her positive attitude and smile cheered many people she met.
She knew how to serve just like her Saviour did. Church was important because she wanted the influence of Christian friends on her family. She served as deaconess with many special friends in the Missionary and Covenant churches. Many summers she served as nurse at James River Bible Camp for her holiday. She loved trying new crafts when at Jasper retreats or at home, and was proud of her accomplishments, like teaching her daughter to sew on a treadle sewing machine.
As their health changed, they moved to Seasons Retirement Community in Camrose, where she loved to interact with others. Everyone befriended her quickly. When visiting Faye, she always asked how the family was doing and cared deeply for her children and grandchildren. She cried with their trials and rejoiced in their accomplishments. Her tender heart would stop the conversation at any point to ask, “How do YOU find time to go the doctor and dentist with all our appointments?” or “You sound sad. What’s bothering you?” She had many one-line zingers!
She is survived by her husband Irvine McKee; her siblings Boyd (Rose) Jackson and Sharon Davey; her sisters-in-law Carol Jackson, Esther Dagg, Irma Muhlbach, Marion Cottrell and Lucille McKee; her brother-in-law Arnold McKee; her children Brent (Angela) McKee, Lorie (Vern) Abbott, Carman (Kathy) McKee; her grandchildren Graham (Carmen), Benjamin, Aaron, Kiernan, Ryan (Kathleen), Justin (Emily), Jeremy, Tyson (Anna), Connor (Alex) and Ceanna (Joel); and her great grandbaby Elijah. She was predeceased by her brother Larry Jackson; and brothers-in-law John Davey, Ed Dagg, Clarence Muhlbach and Glen Cottrell. She loved every one of us dearly!
Inurnment was held where her journey began – in Galahad, AB.
Memorial was held on March 28, 2026, at Century Meadows Baptist Church, Camrose, to celebrate her life and influence on others.
Stanley “Stan” Alvin Spence
February 18, 1933 ~ March 20, 2026
Stanley “Stan” Alvin Spence of Camrose, Alberta, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the age of 93 years.
A private family service will be held.
To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com
Phone
“Dedicated
1906”
October 6, 1954 ~ March 25, 2022
You
You
You are remembered
In loving memory of David Steiner
are loved
are missed
Peggy Rhine Shuman
April 12, 1948 ~ March 21, 2026
After a brief fight with cancer, Peggy Rhine Shuman of Camrose, Alberta, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the age of 77 years.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 50 years, Steve Shuman; Christine Shuman (Lowell Dahlman); Curtis Shuman; Stephanie (Carson) Hvenegaard; Erich Shuman; Olivia Shuman; Larissa Shuman; brother Gordon (Marilyn) Rhine; as well as numerous “outlaws”, nieces and nephews in Canada and Texas.
Peggy was predeceased by L.G. and Margaret Rhine; and Roy Shuman.
As per Peggy’s wishes, a private family Inurnment will take place at a later date.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Peggy’s memory may be made to the Battle River Community Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice.
To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com
Phone 780-672-2121
“Dedicated service since 1906”
Thomas George Niven
Thomas Niven passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2026, in Camrose, at the age of 89. Thomas was born April 5, 1936, at home in Baljennie, Saskatchewan, to Evelyn and Gordon Niven.
A farmer at heart, he worked his entire career in the industry. He loved visiting with family and participating in the Moose Lodge. He will be deeply missed.
Left to mourn are his five daughters Deborah Forbes, Patricia Christian, Frances Veleti (Lorne), Linda Zeiser and Mary Thiessen (Tom); his stepson Darren Nelson; 13 grandchildren; 23 greatgrandchildren; one brother Cleve Bates, sister-in-law Ruth Niven; and his special sister-cousins Pat Morgan, Judy Thiel, Teri Niven and their families. He is predeceased by his parents and stepfather Bob Bates; his partner of 37 years, Sylvia Heather; brothers Peter and Guy; granddaughter Jennifer Forbes; step-granddaughter Celina Zeiser; and two sons-in-law Alex Forbes and Rick Christian.
A private family service has been held and a burial will take place at a later date in Saskatchewan.
Daniel Peter Zimmer
Daniel Peter Zimmer passed away on March 6, 2026, at the age of 65, in the Dominican Republic, his home for the past 18 years.
Daniel was born on November 26, 1960, to Alfred and Mildred Zimmer.
Dan is survived by his two daughters Alysha (Everett) and Melissa (Chad); two grandchildren Nate and Noah; siblings Dianne (Eric), Rita, Bruce (Grace), Larry (Laurie), Wayne, Connie (Grant), Veronica, Sherry (Humphrey) and Noreen; many nieces and nephews; aunts Marion and Jean; and numerous cousins. Dan was predeceased by his mother Mildred; father Alfred; stepmother Peggy; stepbrothers Doug and Kenton Brown; foster brothers Harold (Denver) Junck and George Andrews; foster sister Edna Fagen; and brothers-in-law Donald Webb and Philip Misner.
A celebration of life is planned for Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Strome Community Hall.
Michael Garhart Arndt
March 24, 1953 ~ March 18, 2026
Our brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend and partner passed away quietly on March 18, 2026, at the age of 72, in Tofield Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He is much loved and always remembered by his daughters Charity Arndt and Stacey Freeman (Rory); his grandchildren Dakota, Chance, Austin, Patience, Shyanne (Alexander) Jewels, Brenden, Blu-Willow, Avery, Rae-Lynn and Storey; his great-grandchildren Hudson, Easton and Ellianna; his siblings Wendy (Harold) Dreger, Eldon (Noreen) Arndt, Richard (Lynn) Arndt and Julie (Marvin Spear) Arndt; companion Carmen Lamouche; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Michael was predeceased by his father Jacob; his mother Betty (Ron); his wife Dianna; and his son Jeremy. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life Come and Go will be held at the Redcliff Legion, Sword Room, Redcliff, Alberta, on April 25, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Siak Seng Liang
April 5, 1959 ~ March 20, 2026
Siak Seng Liang of Camrose, Alberta, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the age of 66 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Burgar Memorial Chapel.
To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com
Phone 780-672-2121
“Dedicated service since 1906”
Barrie Fenby, Robert Lyslo, Wanita Toews, Kerry Grettum, Loya Steinwandt, Barry Burkard, Mark Yuha, Raymond Cyre, Koreen Cyre, Ernie Nycholat
LEGION DONATION
Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster
The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion branch No. 57 presented a cheque for $1,500 to the Battle River Alternative Centre for Education (BRACE). From left, Linda Stevenson, first vice-president of Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary; Amanda Cardinal, BRACE teacher; and Linda Olson, secretary-treasurer of the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary. BRACE provides online/outreach schooling for grade 10 to 12 students in the Battle River School Division, ensuring accessibility to education for all students.
ANTHEM SINGER
Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster
The Kodiaks had a very special anthem singer for game four of their playoff series versus Drumheller. Oilers’ anthem singer Robert Clark sang “O Canada” alongside fans from the stands. Robert was happy to take selfies with Kodiaks fans and mascot Kodi.
Stepping into the ring for Canadian workers
By the Hon. Pierre Poilievre, MP for Battle River-Crowfoot and Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
As many of you know, I recently visited our neighbours to the south to fight for Canadian workers and businesses as part of my plan to make Canada stronger at home so we can have unbreakable leverage abroad, especially as we get closer to the upcoming CUSMA review.
Among many productive and eye-opening visits, one notable stop was the Houston Tank Terminal, where a Calgary-based company distributes Alberta crude oil far and wide. It’s there, in Texas, that the Keystone pipeline finally emerges from the ground. And if you were to crawl into that pipeline, and kept going until you surfaced, you’d emerge right here in Battle River-Crowfoot, at the incredible Hardisty Tank Farm in the MD of Provost.
It seems hard to believe, but every year this remarkable community of just 600 people handles crude oil worth the GDP of many countries. So when I visited Houston, where Alberta crude is treated and shipped to the world, it was a moment of great pride– both as Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and as your local MP.
This partnership between Hardisty and Houston is just one of many ways that the generations-old friendship between Canada and the U.S. benefits both our countries. But I didn’t just visit the Lone Star State. Earlier that week, I spent time in both Windsor and Detroit, where I met with industry leaders and lawmakers to pitch our Conservative plan for a new tariff-free auto pact and later that week I met with business leaders in New York to champion Canadian ingenuity.
Once I got back, our Conservative team introduced a motion in the House of Commons calling on the government to adopt this plan. Our logic was simple: Canada’s auto sector has been in decline under the Liberals, with production cut nearly in half since 2015. The Prime Minister’s failure to get a deal by July of 2025 has cost our automotive industry some $2 billion in tariffs. Thousands have found themselves out of work at plants across our country.
So what’s our strategy?
Our Conservative motion called for removing the GST on all Canadian-made vehicles and ending counterproductive Liberal EV mandates. We proposed a rule where, for every car produced in Canada, a manufacturer would get to sell a car in Canada – duty-free – from a CUSMA partner, boosting domestic production. We sought to protect Canadians through a harmonized North American cybersecurity and data standard, banning vehicles using software connected to China or Russia. And we sought to align with North American partners on Chinese tariffs if they accept our proposal – creating leverage for the CUSMA renegotiations.
Unfortunately, the Liberals voted down this timely and forward-looking plan. But Conservatives will never stop fighting for Canadian workers.
Instead of waging tariff wars against each other, I believe that Canada and the U.S. should be promoting the principles of free trade among free nations. We can’t afford to treat the current (and very real) problems between our countries as a permanent end to our relationship. They’re not. We’re always going to live next door to each other – that’s why 90 per cent of Canadian-made vehicles go to the United States – and we’re going to need friendly relations between our peoples regardless of who is in the White House.
I’ll always fight for our proud Canadian auto sector, for our incredible oil and gas workers, and for farmers in Alberta and across the land who feed our country and the world. Because by building strength at home for unbreakable leverage abroad, we can create a safe and prosperous future for our province and all of Canada.
ROTARY CARES
Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster
Dave Kopacz won the February Rotary Cares draw, receiving $1,000. From left, Shane Mooth, Dave and Rotary member Don Rebus. To purchase a Rotary Cares ticket, contact any Camrose Rotary Club member. Contributions from the raffle fund go to Rotary programs such as the Imagination Library that delivers free books each month to 350 children in and around Camrose.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column, or if you require assistance regarding a Federal Government program, you are encouraged to send an email to pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca or call 1-800-665-4358.
Helpful Tips for Writing Classified Ads Which Get Results!
Be Thorough
Sure you want your ad to stand out from the rest, but don’t skimp on the sort of information that sells. The item’s condition, size, age, brand name, and colour are some of the basics readers want to know. Without them, your ad may be overlooked.
Steer Clear of Abbreviations
Okay, so you want to include all the important basics. Don’t use strange abbreviations because our ads are designed to spell all the important details. Besides, you are not paying by the line, but by the word, so there is really no need to abbreviate.
Be Honest
Exaggerating your item’s finer points may bring in a lot of responses, but a buyer who’s misled won’t appreciate it and will take his business somewhere else.
State Your Price
The cost of an item is one of the most important concerns of want ad readers. Ads showing prices are ones which get results. Giving a price also serves to “weed out” those buyers not in your price range.
Be Accessible
Including a telephone number or address puts you in touch with potential buyers. Be sure to state the hours you can be reached: a caller who can’t get through the first time often won’t call again. Don’t hesitate to call us with any questions or problems you may have regarding advertising. Our professionally trained sales staff know the ropes, and would be happy to pass their know-how on to you. That’s why we’re here to help you get the results you deserve.
Call 780-672-3142
4925-48 Street, Camrose ads@camrosebooster.com
PERSONAL
LOST THAT LOVING FEELING? Find it with a personal ad in The Camrose Booster classifieds. Ph. 780-672-3142.
HELP WANTED
IN-HOUSE BOOKKEEPER – wanted for farm business. AgExpert preferred, but not necessary. Approximately six hours per month. Please call/text 780679-4449.
SERVICES
SELF-INKING STAMPS –
Every shape, size, and colour. We deliver, right to your office. Camrose Booster Ltd., 4925-48 St., Camrose. Call us at 780-672-3142.
McTAVISH DELIVERIES (2023) LTD.
Local and long distance moving Storage Insured and bonded Where your business is appreciated 780- 672-5242, Camrose DSS CONSTRUCTION
Don’t put off those projects any longer! Give me a call and we can plan together.
Devin Meakins, Ph. 780-853-1080
THE SHIRT OFF MY BACK
TAILORING in Camrose Tues. - Fri., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thurs. Evening and Sat.: By Appointment Closed: Sun., Mon. and Holidays Please call 780- 672-4793
LOCAL HANDYMAN! –
Need a helping hand for repairs around the house? Over 20 years’ experience, licensed and insured. Baseboards, Basic Plumbing, Door and Window Installation, Soffit and Facia, Light Fixtures, Deck, Fence and Siding Repairs, Bathroom Vanities, Countertops and much more. Call or text
Cory for a free quote in Camrose 780-686-4045 email: bluetruck13@hotmail.com
FLAGSTAFF SMALL
ENGINE, LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT
Parts – Service – Repair
• Free pickup and delivery within 50 km radius
• Residential snow removal starting at $300 monthly
• Haul away unwanted junk 780-281-1956
Strome, Camrose & area
CUSTOM FLOATING & SEEDING – Call John Wideman. 780-678-7759.
FOR RENT
FOR RENT ADS
NOW UPLOADED TO The Camrose Booster Website DAILY!
ROOMS FOR RENT in the Scotney and Jacqueline character homes. Both are 2.5 blocks from university in Camrose. Clean, quiet and bright. Rent is $495 - $600 monthly plus DD and includes WiFi, utilities, recycle pick-up, yard care and snow removal. Partially furnished w/ shared laundry. (Some rooms are fully furnished for international students.) This is an affordable, quality accommodation that fills quickly. (Some rooms still available.) No partiers, smokers or pets allowed. Reduced rate over the summer for students. Please call Dave P., 780678-6163.
MAIN STREET RETAIL
SPACE – located in high traffic, southerly area of Main Street, Camrose. Generous 1,664 sq. ft. of prime space at 4868-50 Street. Nicely decorated, air conditioned. $2263.04/mo., triple net. Clean, dry storage space in basement also available. Available immediately. Call Blain or Don at 780-672-3142, the fairest, most reasonable people in the business.
WELCOME TO TAMARACK PLACE – A great place to call home! We have a wonderful 2 bedroom apartment available. Rent includes stove, fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer. Heat, water, Telus Optic TV and internet and one parking stall included. Small pet may be considered. This is a no smoking building. Beautiful social room and patio with an active senior group. Rent is $1,600/month. Call 780-233-0224.
ESPECIALLY NICE MAIN
FLOOR OFFICE SUITE
Generous 794 sq. ft. suite, suitable for three or more staff. Includes two private offices. Ground floor, easily accessible. Modern building in downtown Camrose. Bright, quiet, air conditioned. $1263.78/mo., plus share of operating expenses. Call Blain Fowler or Don Hutchinson, 780-672-3142 days, two of the fairest, most reasonable fellows in the business.
PRIME DOWNTOWN
SPACE – 4917-50 Street. Second floor with reception area, lunch room and two private rooms. Elevator. $900/mo. includes utilities. 780-679-5085.
COMMERCIAL
SHOP
AND OFFICE SPACE – 523446 Street. 1,138 sq. ft. $1,075 plus utilities. Ample lot space, parking, recent renos, automatic overhead door. Call or text Scott to view! 780-781-7037.
LUXURY 1- AND 2-BEDROOM SUITES IN CAMROSE – Enjoy 24-hour monitored security, two elevators and an advanced intercom system. Each suite has six appliances, a private patio or balcony, one parking stall and window coverings. Residents enjoy a free year of TELUS TV, phone, and internet services. All units have highend modern finishes, ensuring a luxurious and stylish living experience. Quartz countertops and first class amenities await you! Two-bedroom suites have two bathrooms and a walk in closet! A community garden, dog park, bike storage in shared green space and a fitness centre are available to all tenants. Your visitors will love our guest suite. This is a 100% no smoking building and small pets may be considered. Now available. Check us out at paradoxcamrose.com, call or text 780-281-2366.
ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS –available now in a clean, quiet building. Call or text 780-6798785 for information.
HOUSEHOLD
MOVING – dresser with 6 drawers. $50 obo. 780-672-4770.
G.E. GAS STOVE – 30”, white, with griddle. Electric ignition. Convection, broil, air fry options. 204-804-2138.
MOVING – set of 4 deep drawers. $50 obo. 780-672-4770.
CEILING FAN – with 5 white blades and 3 lights. $75. 587-986-8416.
TWO BAR STOOLS – metal swivel. Padded seat and metal back. $100. 780-679-3414.
LIVESTOCK
BULLS FOR SALE – Registered Red and Black Angus. Call 780-986-9088.
MACHINERY
SWATHER NO LONGER ‘CUTTING THE MUSTARD?’ Call The Camrose Booster Classifieds, 780-672-3142.
REAL ESTATE
20-ACRE FARM FOR SALE – 1,100 sq. ft. three-bedroom bungalow, a/c, fully finished. large garden plot, fruit trees, berries, 12 acres alfalfa, 8’ game fence around property, large dugout, large ICF shop, large red hip-roof barn, chicken coop. 21040 Twp 452 – one mile off Hwy 21, one mile to New Norway School. For more information or to view, call 780-608-7441. (No Sunday calls please.)
CAMROSE COUNTY – 5 ACRES. Fenced. 2016 custom built, 1632 sq. ft. home. 2 bedrooms, den, 2 baths. One level, infloor heating. 90-120 days possession. $549,000. 780-888-7011.
MISCELLANEOUS
MOVING – small barbecue with cover. $50 obo. 780-6724770.
BEAUTIFUL ACCORDION – 120 bass, Italian, good shape. Best offer. Details at 780781-5936.
MOVING – computer desk with slide. $50 obo. 780-6724770.
AUTO
DADS – LOOKING FOR A CAR WITHOUT A BACK SEAT? Count on our classifieds. We match up buyers and sellers. Phone the Camrose Booster, 780-672-3142.
SELLING YOUR SEAWORTHY BOAT? Make a splash with an ad in the Booster classifieds! 780-672-3142.
LOVE CAMPING, BUT TIRED OF SHOVELLING SNOW OFF THE AWNING IN MAY? Say goodbye to your Gulfstream! Move it fast with a Camrose Booster classified. 780-672-3142.
Gas Utility Operator
Battle River Gas Co - op Ltd. is a member-owned natural gas co- operative ser ving approximately 1,100 customers. We are located in central Alber ta in the quiet Hamlet of Ferintosh. Our ser vice area includes the counties of Camrose, Wetaskiwin, and Ponoka. This is a great oppor tunit y to live, work and raise a family in a friendly rural community
Position summary:
We are looking for a motivated, safet y-focused Gas Utilit y Operator to join our team. In this position, you will be par t of the safe, e cient , and continuous deliver y of natural gas to our members. You will be working both independently and as par t of a team to operate, inspect , maintain, and repair our gas distribution system. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work , problem solving in the eld, customer interactions and contributing to essential community ser vices.
Work Environment:
• Permanent full -time position – 40 hours per week
• Utilit y ser vice construction
• Maintenance activities
• Line locating
• On- call rotation
Quali cations Required:
• High school diploma
• Valid Class 5 driver’s licence with a clean driving record
Preferred:
• Gas Utilit y Operator cer ti cate or related technical training
• Experience in natural gas distribution
• Experience with operating equipment
• Experience with GIS systems, line locating equipment , and eld ser vice tools
• Knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and regulations (safet y codes)
• Willing to train the right candidate
What We O er:
• Competitive wages
• Extensive bene t plan
• Company-matched pension plan
• Safet y-focused workplace
• Friendly and suppor tive work environment
How To Apply : If you meet the quali cations and are interested in working in a member-owned rural utilit y, please apply with a cover letter and resumé to brgmanager@telus.net
Please reference “Gas Utilit y Operator” in the subject line
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CL AIMANTS
Estate of the late DENNIS OT TO LOESCH of Daysland, Alber ta, who died on Februar y 24, 2026.
If you have a claim against t his estate, you must f ile your claim by April 30, 2026, and provide details of your claim with SCOTT FARNHAM of Farnham West Stolee Kambeit z LLP, Barristers and Solicitors at 5016-52 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1V7.
If you do not f ile by the date above, the estate proper ty can law fully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CL AIMANTS
Estate of STANLEY ALVIN SPENCE , who died on March 20, 2026.
If you have a claim against this estate, you must f ile your claim by May 8, 2026, and provide details of your claim with MARG ARE T WEIR ANDRE ASSEN at Andreassen Bor th, Barristers & Solicitors, #200, 4870-51 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1S1.
If you do not f ile by the date above, the estate proper ty can law fully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have
Augustana Vikings Women’s Soccer Coach
The University of Alberta is seeking a dynamic Women’s Soccer Coach for the Augustana Vikings in Camrose, AB. This is part-time, 8-month Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) role with an end date of November 30, 2026, with the potential for renewal.
The Role: Focusing on the August–November competition season, the Coach oversees team management, recruitment, and student-athlete development. Responsibilities include budgeting, fundraising, and active community engagement to bolster the Vikings' soccer program.
Qualifications:
•Education: Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Sports Admin, or related field (Master’s preferred).
•Certification: CCAA "B" Diploma or equivalent.
•Experience: Proven success in competitive coaching or elite-level play.
•Requirements: Strong leadership skills, a valid Class 5 driver’s licence, and a clean 3-year driver’s abstract.
To Apply: Submit your resumé and cover letter via https://apptrkr.com/7024548
Direct inquiries to Randal Nickel at rnickel@ualberta.ca.
Application Deadline: April 3, 2026
Missed Delivery Policy
If you do not receive your copy of The Booster or pre-printed inserts, please report this to us by calling 780-672-3142. We will promptly re-deliver these to city households. Note that we do not have access to certain apartment buildings. In these cases, we ask you to contact your apartment manager to request delivery Rural readers are asked to report missed deliveries and we will consult with your postmaster to ensure future deliveries.
Thank you for being a loyal reader of…
780-672-3142 ads@camrosebooster.com 4925-48 Street, Camrose AB T4V 1L7
Lovely advocates for safety on Highway 21
Continued from page 21
“Our community remains steadfast in advocating for the Highway 21 passing lane project to be prioritized in this upcoming budget cycle,” she said.
While the project has yet to be funded, Lovely signalled the conversation is far from over, thanking the minister of transportation and economic corridors and expressing a willingness to keep working toward solutions.
“Improving safety on this corridor is not just about infrastructure it is about protecting lives,” concluded Lovely.
Deaths
Siak Seng Liang of Camrose, passed away March 20, at 66 years of age.
Stanley “Stan” Alvin Spence of Camrose, Passed away March 20, at 93 years of age.
Peggy Rhine Shuman of Camrose, passed away March 21, at 77 years of age.
Rosalina Panti of Camrose, formerly of the Philippines, passed away March 22, at 73 years of age.
Have a positive impact .
BRCF awards grant to ACAA
Submitted by Laura Young
The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a $7,000 grant to the Association of Communities Against Abuse (ACAA).
The grant from the Battle River Community Foundation deals particularly with resources aimed toward the well-being of children.
Stephanie Hadley, the executive director of ACAA states, “We’re grateful to the Battle River Community Foundation for helping us to provide adults the tools they need to respond with care when children reach out about sexual violence. Providing informed, compassionate support leads to stronger healing outcomes for children and youth in Camrose and area.”
The tools of which Hadley speaks includes booklets, written and produced by the organization, to provide trauma informed supportive responses to children impacted by sexualized violence. Potential recipients include parents, teachers, caregivers, and other professional and community members.
ACAA intends, with its written pieces, to create a more sustainable form of capacity building among individuals, as the organization covers such a large area and staff cannot be everywhere. By building strong and useful content to support service providers and survivors, ACAA has created a low cost, low
By Adan Shaikh
barrier way to start children on the journey to healing.
ACAA, on its website, describes itself as, “… dedicated to addressing sexual violence and other forms of trauma through treatment support and education to promote safe, healthy, well-functioning children, families and communities.” The idea for ACAA was formed in the late 1980s by a group of individuals from East Central Alberta worried about the number of child sexual abuse cases they were seeing and the lack of services available. In 1987, with the extension to include child emotional and physical abuse, ACAA was born. Today, ACAA has its main office in Stettler and satellite offices in Camrose and Drumheller, providing services to people throughout a large part of East Central Alberta.
The grant for ACAA
Backing onto green space with access to walking trails and a nearby park, this 2,244 sq. ft. custom-built, twostorey property makes for a beautiful place to call home.
The main floor features hardwood flooring throughout the living room. A flex room behind frosted French doors offers a quiet spot for a home office or den. The kitchen is designed with granite and quartz countertops, antiqued white maple cabinetry, soft close drawers, and stainless steel appliances.
Upstairs, the master bedroom comes with a five-piece en suite with heated floors, dual sinks, a walk-in shower, a deep soaker tub and a walk-in closet. Additionally, three bedrooms, a full bath, a bonus room and a laundry room
is provided by the Glen and Kim Renwick Family Fund, as well as the Battle River Community Foundation Community Fund.
The Battle River Community Foundation exists to support organizations in east central Alberta that benefit the local communities and positively impact the future.
Grants from the Battle River Community Foundation are primarily made possible through the generosity of individual donors and organizations that have created endowment funds. The principal of these endowment funds is kept intact, and the income is made available annually to support local projects and organizations.
Since it was founded in 1995, the Battle River Community Foundation has granted over $10,469,392 to support charitable activities in the Battle River Region.
complete the upper level.
The fully developed walkout basement is designed for independent living. With its own entrance, it includes a full second kitchen with quartz counters and stainless steel appliances, a family room with an electric fireplace, two large bedrooms, another full bathroom and a separate laundry.
Outside, a large balcony on the upper level and a patio on the lower level offer scenic views and a fully fenced yard adds plenty of space for outdoor activities.
In the front, a triple car garage comes equipped with heating, adding to the value of this one-of-a-kind home.
Located in the Creekview neighbourhood at 5215-35 Avenue, this home is listed for $795,000. For more information or to schedule a viewing, contact Matt at:
I refuse to do an Easter Egg Hunt for my kids this year
The y can go and find all my missing forks, spoons and glasses instead
The y call it Easter Break because having all the kids home for a week leaves parents broken
This is a reminder for my mom: No, I am not too old, and yes , I do expect to get a chocolate Easter bunny again this year
If you're heading to someone's house for Easter, don' t forget to compliment their baseboards
That 's what they're spending today cleaning
I won' t say memor y is bad, but it's to the point now that I can hide my own Easter eggs , wait half an hour and have no clue where I left them
Ugh, all this Easter candy is making me sick … Oh look! Are those mini eggs?!!
One Easter tradition I enjoy is finding a roll of Christmas wrapping paper still leaning behind the bedroom door.
When asked what his favourite holiday was, Arnold Schwar zenegger replied, "Have to love Easter, baby!"
I said no to some mini eggs yesterday, and I'm still waiting to see some health bene fits
Wife : " You ate all of the mini eggs?"
Me : " You left them out in the open on the top shelf under the shir ts in the back of the close t."
I wonder how long I'll be at my mom's Easter dinner before she asks me to fix her compu ter.
Somewhere out there right now, there is a great aunt at the grocery store buying all the ingredients for that ghastly dish she brings to ever y Easter dinner that ever yone hates.
Mom: "Now that you're over 30, I'm not going to buy you an Easter basket anymore."
Me : [calling seniors' homes to see if she's old enough to be admitted]
I don' t really understand those who get a new outfit to wear to Easter dinner. It's a competitive eating event , not a fashion show.
My kids can pick up 500 eggs in a yard the size of a football field in five minutes, but it takes them three months to pick up five toys from their tiny bedroom
Being an adult:
Pro: "I can eat a whole bag of Easter eggs and nobody can stop me."
Con: "I ate a whole bag of Easter eggs and nobody stopped me."
Don' t be experimenting on those new internet recipes for Easter dinner. Cook that food just like your mama, your granny and your great aunt Norma always did. This is not the time to mess with tradition
Golf = the adult version of an E aster Egg Hunt.
I star ted o my day with eggs for breakfast. They're chocolate eggs, but whatever. The diet plan says eggs. I don' t make the rules.
Go on an Easter Egg Hunt? I can' t even find my car keys. Why is it that cooking Easter dinner takes 19 hours, eating the meal takes 20 minutes and cleaning up after the meal takes 3 to 7 business days?
We do not throw away per fectly good food after Easter dinner
We put it in a Tupper ware container until it goes bad and THEN we throw it away.
Friend : "I cut out sugar and I' ve been exercising e ver y day.
I feel so great!"
Me : "I just got $35 worth of Easter candy on sale the day after Easter for $13. 79.
I'm feeling prett y great , too!"
Submitted
Alex Oliver, director with the Battle River Community Foundation Board, presents the cheque to Shara Harke, ACAA education coordinator in the Camrose office.