14 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Provincial grant helps Fort Food Bank purchase larger facility BY JOHN MATHER Fort Saskatchewan Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong Homeniuk joined Minister of Culture and Status of Women Ron Orr Apr. 22 to present a $690,550 cheque to assist the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank purchase a new, much larger facility to fulfill the community’s needs. The Food Bank had for years operated out of a building located near the downtown with a very small square footage. The Food Gatherers Society moved to a new 16,000 square foot facility in the Fort’s light industrial area last June. After moving into the new facility the food bank unveiled a new brand complete with a new website. Armstrong Homeniuk presented the cheque to food bank executive
director Kassandra Gartner. “There have been so many challenges in the past two years,” she told the assembled crowd. “Having a new food bank building that can better service the needs of those who use the food bank was definitely something that was needed.” She said she had toured the new facility and was impressed by its potential. “It’s great news for the thousands of people the food bank serves and further adds to the health and cohesiveness of the community as well.” “The work that will be done here is of the utmost importance.” The grant came through the province’s Community Facility Enhancement Program. In addition to the
grant, the food bank raised more than $1.4 million and was able to purchase the building on Mar. 1 of this year. The board still has to meet a further fundraising goal of $1.6 million. “A modern, larger facility was crucial to the Food Bank continuing to support the growing need within our community,” said Gartner. “Developing the plan to acquire a new building, navigating the major process to acquire a commercial property, and now seeing the building being purchased is very rewarding.” She pointed out the need for the food bank has continually increased stating the year to date hamper collection has increased 24 per cent compared to 2021.
Fort Saskatchewan Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk and Alberta Minister of Culture, Ron Orr, present a Community Facility Enhancement Grant cheque to Kassandra Gardner, executive director of the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank, while Fort Saskatchewan mayor Gale Katchur looks on. The cheque for $690,550 helped the food bank purchase a new, much larger facility than they previously had.
Easter Egg Hunt brings people out of their shells BY JANA SEMENIUK An Easter Egg Hunt, held in Bruderheim on Apr. 16, had children of all ages scrambling to find easter eggs hidden around the town’s core using a list of clues stating the town building or landmark they were hidden at. Chilly temperatures hovering at 0c did not dampen spirits of the more than 60 children who participated with their families surprising Bruderheim AG Society Treasurer Sherry Cote. “It was cold and a bit snowy, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised (at the turnout),” she said. While the thrill of finding each egg was evident from the sight of children and parents running
from point to point, Cote said the game accomplished another goal; teaching everyone about their town. “It’s amazing how many kids don’t know where the town office is, or where Queen’s Park is,” said Cote. While Cote came up with the idea for the list of clues, she got the initial idea for an Easter Egg Hunt from a local event a few years ago. “A few years ago, I helped the Bruderheim Lioness Club with their Easter Egg Hunt. There were children lined up and I thought we were on to something. The next year it was cold, so it was cancelled and then the next year covid happened. So, this year we thought why not try it?”
she said. In addition to local families, Cote said people came from Lamont and Fort Saskatchewan prompting her to revise the plan for the future. “Our intent was for people to get to know the town and the things that are in it. I didn’t realize people would be coming from out of town so I think we may include a map in the future,” she said. The event also encompassed a rabbit-holding opportunity at Walker School with rabbits from two local breeders as well as a draw for a gift basket containing toys and Easter treats valued at $80 won by the McDonald family of Lamont.
Sherry Cote, Bruderheim AG Society Treasurer, hands a list of clues and pencils to the Radcliffe family Apr. 16 for the town's Easter Egg Hunt event. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
Anniversary entertainment Above: Regular Chipman Hotel performers Greg Hryniw and Parry Olesen, right, join Randy Holler to entertain the crowd during owner Dave Magee’s 7th year of ownership celebrations Apr. 16. A buffet raised $500 for the Mundare Easter Basket Ukrainian Effort. Magee said he was happy with the response he has received to being in the Chipman community for the past seven years. Right: Reg Oleksiuk of Smoky Lake performs a couple of ballads during the celebration. Using the stage name Reg Williams, he and his wife lived in Lamont County several years ago and stated they had always enjoyed performing at the Chipman Hotel.
