Tofield Mercury - December 21, 2021

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Volume 104, Issue 17 | Tuesday, December 21, 2021 | $1

Page 2 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Greetings of the season as another year passes us by Another year full of ups and downs and many surprises has passed us by in a blink.

It’s easy to get down about the ongoing pandemic, but the joy that this season can bring, es-

780-662-4091 “The staff at BMO Bank of Montreal, Tofield Branch would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!”

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

DAMIEN KUREK MP BATTLE RIVER-CROWFOOT

DAMIEN.KUREK@PARL..GC.CA 1.800.665.4358 • @DCKUREK WWW.DAMIENKUREK.CA

Thank you to the C.W. Sears Elementary School grades 3 and 4 students for their card entries! All entries are on display at the Central Agencies in Camrose.

pecially to kids, can conquer all of those feelings.

With another year in the books, we turn the calendar and say goodbye to 2021 with our annual tradition - the Christmas Greetings Section.

Our annual Christmas Greetings Section is an opportunity for the area’s businesses and organizations to come together and wish their patrons and neighbours the best of the season and a thank-you for the continued support throughout

the year.

Here at The Tofield Mercury, we thank our readers and advertisers for your amazing support and encouragement throughout the year.

We’re so proud to serve

this community and to carry the long lineage of this publication by providing a unique service like no other.

Merry Christmas and a very healthy and prosperous 2022 to all!

Dr. Paul Zalkovic & Staff of Beaverhill Veterinary Services wish you Happy Holidays filled with joy and laughter & A Happy New Year 2022!

Wishing Everyone a Happy and Safe Christmas Season

www.claystonewaste.com

780.633.2038

C.W. Sears Elementary School Grade 3 winners!

Merry

Christmas and a

C.W. Sears Elementary School Grade 4 winner!

Happy

New Year!

From:

Best wishes for a joyful holiday season.

Warmest wishes for a safe and happy holiday season and all good things for the coming year.

Todd Ritchie Financial Advisor and Mutual Fund Investment Specialist 5103 50 St, Viking AB

5036 53 Ave, Tofield AB

780-336-4000 780-662-3833 cooperators.ca/local/ritchie-agencies

Jackie Lovely MLA, CAMROSE

Investments. Insurance. Advice.

CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: #104, 4870-51 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1S1 Phone: 780-672-0000 Fax: 780-672-6945 Email: camrose@assembly.ab.ca

Ritchie Agencies Insurance Ltd. | Co-operators Financial Investment Services Inc. Not all products are available in all provinces. © 2021 Co-operators Life Insurance Company and Co-operators Financial Investment Services Inc. Co-operators® is a registered trademark of The Co-operators Group Limited. For Saskatchewan, visit cooperators.ca, or contact 1-800-265-2662. ADV1012 (11/21)

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 3

Merry Christmas!

May all the Joys of Christmas Brighten your Hearts and Homes this Holiday Season!

Wishing you and your loved ones a wondrous season filled with all the trimmings and hopes of a prosperous New Year!

Phone: 780-662-4623 Website: www.home-time.net

From Mayor Deb Dueck, Council and Staff

Have a safe and happy holiday! From the students and staff at Tofield School

Page 4 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

to say “thank you” to so many of our supporters!

May the coming season bring peace and joy and all good things; And when the holiday is through, may it’s message of hope remain with you.

Beaver Foundation, Sunshine Villa, Tofield, Holden, & Vialta Lodges

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday.

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Busy B Bargains

Greg Litwin would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

780-918-9300

North store 780-662-4116 South store 780-662-4325

Merry Christmas and blessings for 2022 from Cornerstone Christian Academy in Kingman!

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 Believing. Learning. Acting.

Growing. Created by God to be an influence in the world. www.cornerstonekingman.ca

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 5

587-322-2141

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Have a Safe & Happy New Year!

Beaver Emergency Medical Services would like to thank their Paramedics for their dedicated service throughout the year.

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season.

It’s not often enough that we get the opportunity to thank you for your business, that is, until the Christmas season.

So thank you for your support and also for all the extra service at times.

We hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Thank you to our customers, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Grooming Appointments: 780-243-0206

Boarding Services: 780-243-3206

From the Management and Staff at Clean Horbors Ryley facility.

Francis & Sandi Van Engelen, and staff Jesse Brown, Zach Smuk and Marshal Korpak.

Tofield Auto Body (1987) Ltd. 4908-52 Ave. 780-662-3432

780-663-3828 www.cleanharbors.com

Page 6 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Camrose County Administration, Agriculture Services, and West Dried Meat Lake Regional Landfill will be closed the following dates:

Merry Christmas MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR FEB. 22 - Contruction Equipment (Acheson) APR. 1 2 - Trailers, Vehicles, Camp Units, Light Towers, Fuel Tanks, Shop Equip, Parts (Fort Sask.)

APR. 26 - Farm Auction (Stony Plain) TIMED MAY 3 - Consignment Auction (Redwater) ONLINE JUNE 7 - Farm Auction (Iron River) AUCTIONS JUNE 9 - Farm Auction (Fort Sask) JUNE 1 4 - Collector Tractors & Antiques (Egerton) JUNE 1 5 - Farm Auction (Lloydminster) JUNE 2 0 - Collector Tractors (Oyen)

Friday December 24, 2021 (closed at noon) Saturday December 25, 2021 Monday December 27, 2021 Tuesday December 28, 2021 (Landfill open) Friday December 31, 2021 Saturday January 1, 2022 Monday January 3, 2022 (Landfill open) Check the website for Transfer Site hours.

BROCHURE DEADLINE - MARCH 1 ST, 2022

ED PRODANIUK AUCTIONS & STAFF

- www.prodaniukauctions.com PH. 780-446-9555 FAX. 780-473-5750 EMAIL - edprodaniukauctions@gmail.com ONLINE

Tofield/Beaver County West FCSS Holiday office hours we will be closed December 24, 27, & 28, 2021 regular office hours resuming Wednesday December 29, 2021 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

SEASON'S GREETINGS WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Warmest wishes from your friends at ATB ATB ATB Tofield Tofield 5123 50 Street Street 5123- 50 780-662-3773 780-662-7052

from Tofield & District Chamber of Commerce

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 7

Merry Christmas

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP

and a

Phone 780-688-3917

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas!

Brenda’s Bookkeeping and Tax Services Ltd. Wishing everybody a very Merry Christmas and safe New Year!

from

Tofield Lumber 780-662-3342

BRENDA THOMPSON

We are closed Dec. 18th - Jan. 3rd

We join in praying that the light and peace of Christ’s presence would be known in your heart and home.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Christ’s birth:

BP s GLASS wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Candlelight Worship at 7:00 pm on Dec. 24

Thank you to all my customers for their continued support!

Register to Zoom at bardolutheranchurch.weebly.com

Cell: 780-884-5698

Bardo Lutheran Church 780-662-3411 48 St. & 57 Ave., Tofield

780-662-4395

Kyle Pomfret

780-662-2227

Merry Christmas & thank you Tofield & Area for your support!

School’s Out!

Canadian Core Supply will be there for all your vehicle needs: Tires Motors Wheels Interiors Differentials Transmissions Transfer Cases And MUCH MORE!

All the students of Battle River are on holiday from Saturday, 18 toRiver Sunday, Jan.Division 2. Schools andChristmas offices The children Dec. of Battle School are on are closed that time as3.well.

Wewatch wish everyone a vacation until during Monday, January Please out for them, happy and healthy holiday season! to ensure we all have a safe and happy holiday season.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

All parts sold with a 30 day warranty Contact us for pricing and availability CANADIAN CORE SUPPLY 780-662-4255 Canadiancore1@gmail.com

Page 8 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Origins of some of our favourite Christmas tunes The holiday season is not complete without music. Holiday hits play in shopping malls, and families often trim the tree to their favourite albums.

Even if Elvis' "Blue Christmas" or Johnny Mathis' "Do You Hear What I Hear" reign supreme in your household, it can be interesting to learn about some of the other songs made famous this time of year.

Classic carols may be the first Christmas songs that come to mind.

However, less than a quarter-century ago, a pop singer managed to contribute to the holiday music pan-

theon.

Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You," released in 1994, is considered to be the most popular modern Christmas standard. With global sales exceeding 16 million copies, the song is one of Carey's biggest hits.

"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," with its warning to children to be nice since Santa is keeping tabs on kids' behaviour, has helped children toe the line for decades.

Songwriter James "Haven" Gillespie was asked to pen the tune during one of the darker times in his

The Ryley Pool would like to wish everyone a

Merry Christmas!

We look forward to seeing you in

1942 and reminisces about an oldfashioned Christmas celebration.

The version recorded by Bing Crosby has estimated sales in excess of 100 million copies worldwide, according to "The Guinness Book of World Records."

The song was written for the 1942 movie "Holiday Inn," starring Crosby and Fred Astaire.

It became an instant classic and remains Crosby's best-selling recording. Some of the most recent versions of the song have been recorded by Pentatonix, Sara McLachlan, and Laura Pusini.

Andy Kowalski and the staff at Ryley Sausage would like to thank our customers!

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all the very best in the New Year!

780-663-3990

the New Year!

Complete set of glasses

life. Gillespie was jobless and poor and his brother had just passed away - hardly inspiration for a Christmas tune.

However, after thinking about the memories he shared with his brother, Gillespie was able to pull together an upbeat and catchy classic, changing his life for the better.

Even though "Silent Night" is the most recorded Christmas song in history, another tune holds the title of the best-selling holiday standard of all time.

"White Christmas" was written in

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tofield Car, RV, & Truck Wash also RV &Storage also SeaCan RV Storage 780-913-5318

$79-$129

Merry Christmas $80.00 while quantities last from all of Readers with $20.00 sun at flipSpexx, up us and Happy Readers 3 pack $8.25 Limited Quantity New Year!

Designer Sunglasses

Come in and see our newset line of frames.

780-662-0051

5221 - 50 St. Tofield

Optometrist in Tofield every

Seasons Greetings

and Warmest Wishes for 2022!

Have a Merry Christmas & a safe and happy holiday season!

Economy Concrete

Salem Mennonite Church Merry Christmas and God Bless you from your friends at Salem Mennonite Church!

780-662-2600

49232 Rge Rd 184

From the Staff and Students at CW Sears School

pastor@salemmennonite.ca Phone: 780-662-2365 Happy New Year!

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 9

Gingerbread Boy Cookie Recipe May your home be filled with love and laughter throughout the holiday and after!

D & D Septic Services 780-663-2147 or 780-679-9219

Merry Christmas to all our Customers & Firework Sponsors this year!

Aegis Security 1-855-55-AEGIS (23447)

Ingredients • 1/2 cup butter, cubed • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 cup molasses • 2 teaspoons white vinegar • 1 Eggland's Best Egg, lightly beaten • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon salt • Decorating icing, nonpareils, red-hot candies or candies of your choice, optional Directions: In a large saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, molasses and vinegar; bring to a boil, stir-

ring constantly. Remove from the heat; cool to lukewarm. Stir in egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt; stir into molasses mixture to form a soft dough. Divide dough into thirds. Shape each portion into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or

until easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness.

Cut with a floured 3-in. gingerbread boy cookie cutter.

Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 7-9 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate as desired. Yield: 3-4 dozen.

from

Tofield Eyecare Dr Kallal, Dr Lim, Dr Trac, Denise, Tanya, Nova, Connie, Lindsey & Caitlyn Holiday Hours Dec 24 - 28 - closed Dec 29 (Wed) - 12pm - 5pm Dec 30 (Thurs) - 10am - 5pm Dec 31 (Fri) - 9am - 12pm Jan 1 (Sat) - closed Jan 3 (Mon) - 11am - 4pm

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT in 2021!

Dr Kallal is available for eye exams on Dec 29th, 30th & 31st From all the staff at DRIVEN Transport

we would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas

and a prosperous New Year!

The staff at BHD Tubular would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Merr y Christmas and peace throughout the year.

Page 10 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

May Christmas warm your heart the whole year long!

Marsha Matiyek • 780-662-4886

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR from

6 9 9

4

Closed

TOFIELD

662-3334

Staff and Management It is our wish that everyone in our community has an enjoyable Christmas with their family. Please stay safe!

Business: 780-668-7305 Email: dynamitecory@icloud.com www.dynamiteheating.com

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas, and to stay warm during the holidays!

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 11

With glad tidings to you and yours at this joyous time of year.

• Farm • Residential • Commercial • 24 hour service

VMJ Custodial Services 780-603-0710

For over 35 years I have served Tofield and the surrounding area. Thank you for your patronage and your friendship.

Nancy Buchko Barrister & Solicitor 5120-50 Street, Tofield 780-662-3293

Happy Holidays and Have a Safe New Year!

Tofield RCMP and Staff We’re really grateful for your loyal support and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

From Trevor, Lindsay & Staff at UFA Sharek Enterprises Ltd. Tofield 780-662-3233

The The The

From Humming Bird Landscaping and Concrete Ltd. Thank you to everyone in Beaver County and surrounding area for your support and for your continued support!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! From the staff at Tofield Packers!

780-662-4842 5020 - 52 Ave. Tofield

Page 12 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

All the best to you and your family in 2022!

Happy Holidays from

Holiday Hours:

Christmas Eve: 10 am - 8 pm Christmas Day: CLOSED Boxing Day: CLOSED New Years Eve: 10 am - 2 am New Years Day: 12 pm - 8 pm

From: Richard, Christine, Ty, Kaj, Dave, John, and Kyle

– Ryley

780-663-3583

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

John Daoust Shingle Co. Box 576 Tofield E FRE TES Cedar Shingles & Shakes, IMA Asphalt, Repairs, Barns, Churches EST

(780) 662-4901

Nonnie’s Grill & Artisan Shop

DINE IN or TAKE OUT • NOW LICENSED 22106 South Cooking Lake Rd Unit 2, Sherwood Park, AB

Call (780) 297-8856 Sundays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Closed Mondays Tuesday to Saturday - 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP

Closed Dec. 18th - Jan. 3rd

Serving all the farms, ranches, acreages and towns in Beaver County

Bruce, Holden, Kinsella Ryley, Tofield, Viking

Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

Chronicle The Beaver County

A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Tuesday, December 21, 2021, Volume 14, Issue 51

County picks consultant for CAO recruitment

Patricia Harcourt

Beaver County has agreed to hire Transitional Solutions Inc. as the CAO recruitment consultant to replace former CAO Bob Beck, whose contract was terminated by the previous council just as its four-year term was ending.

A new council was elected in October and inherited two urgent mandates - the need to hire a new CAO; and to work towards the imple-

mentation of recommendations from a corporate governance review, both items that were initiated by the previous council.

The decision to hire the consultant was made at a Beaver County Council closed session December 15. Discussions were held prior to the public meeting but council didn’t pass the motion until after another closed session at a special meeting that afternoon.

The special meeting at was listed as consisting

of three Interim CAO interviews, but were cited for closed session due to “disclosures harmful to personal privacy.”

The county’s motion for CAO recruitment referred to entering into a contract with a third party recruitment consultant with Transitional the firm named as the selected candidate.

The motion to hire the recruitment company was carried unanimously.

framework,” and after the results are known “we look at how they are implemented…

Council would then have to decide how to make the changes.”

“The question for later is what and where,” said agriculture official Mike Bates.

“It’s a very nice set of questions,” said Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5). “We should be very well informed once we get these (responses) back.”

Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) wanted a box provided in each section for public comments, including opinions on what should be feeder roads in the county.

He was also interested in budget implications for water and beavers.

Bates said the beaver control bounty program has been singled out in the survey.

“I think it’s a good survey,” said Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2), adding “you do get (that) the interpretation will be key,” speaking of the answers provided in it.

That was echoed by Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce, who expressed a concern about getting the survey out to people and, most importantly, how to convince them to answer and return it.

“I guess we’re going to have to make phone calls and get people to participate,” he said.

Boese described the various ways that can be done through local newspapers, social media,

advertising in the Chronicle and word of mouth.

“We need to get it approved, and turned around pretty quickly,” she said, asking the council “spread the word.”

And she called the survey results a “living document,” adding: “There will be some work to get it implemented.”

Although Bruce preferred to hold a meeting in his home area, Boese said that is a positive option that the county can’t do at this point due to the pandemic.

“We would have had public events, but we can’t gather them together,” she said, referring to COVID-19 restrictions currently in place.

Doing the survey was “the best option,” she said, and the county “can go from there.”

Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) agreed he “would like to see more open houses and coffee events when we are able to.”

Surveys will be compiled and a report will go to council on Feb. 1.

Public participation survey available in early January

Patricia Harcourt Councillors hope for a good response to a public participation survey going out early in January.

The survey is being sent out to help the county understand what ratepayers and other residents think on issues like water management and road maintenance programs going forward.

Beaver County Council reviewed the survey at the December 15 meeting, and asked questions of administration.

Council had earlier asked that road construction priorities be included in the public participation plan.

The survey will ask for public input on the level of service for overland drainage, pest control level of service (i.e. beaver control), road maintenance level of service and road construction priorities.

The deadline to fill out the survey and return it is January 19, with administration compiling the data to present to council later in the month.

Agriculture official Aimee Boese indicated there was a need to get the approval of council so administration could get the survey completed and out in time for the results to be compiled before council meets in late January.

“It’s a tight time frame, if we want to enact something next year,” said Boese, at council.

She explained that “questions are for a general

Hubert & Margaret Graham Parts, Sales & Service Bus: 780-663-3759 Res: 780-662-2384 Fax: 780-663-3799

ryalta@digitalweb.net 5108 - 50th St. Ryley, AB., T0B 4J0

2 - Beaver County Chronicle, December 21, 2021

Christmas decorating contest for rural residents Patricia Harcourt Beaver County will hold a 2021 Christmas Decoration Contest for its rural residents following a decision at the last regular council meeting of 2021.

Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) proposed the county follow in the footsteps of local towns and villages that have had this kind of holiday contest for many years.

Hrabec said residents have asked him why the county doesn’t have a Christmas lights contest like the urban jurisdictions within the county boundaries.

He said there were many such displays in the rural areas of the county, noting that with the COVID-19 pandemic people have taken more pride in their decorations this Christmas.

He suggested using some Community Enhancement funds

received from Claystone Waste to reward those chosen for having the best decorated rural places.

With only 10 days left until Christmas it was decided that any county resident wanting to enter the competition could send their photo entry into the county councillor in their particular division.

And due to the time restrictions, people would have until January 3, 2022 to get them into their councillor.

A motion was passed for the county to invite submissions of photos of rural Christmas decorations to be sent to the councillor in a particular division in which the property is located.

The photos would be adjudicated at the first meeting of council in January.

The photos would be judged and monetary prizes would be given out to three winners in each division in the New Year.

HAPPY PY HOLIIDAYS FROM STAFF AT CLAY AYSTONE To allow our staff to share this holiday season with their loved ones, here are our operating hours for Christmas: Ryley Transfer Station Hours: Friday, December 24:

9:00 - 1:30

Saturday, December 25:

Closed

Monday, December 27:

9:00 - 4:30

Tuesday, December 28:

9:00 - 4:30

Wednesday, December 29:

9:00 - 4:30

Thursday, December 30:

9:00 - 4:30

Friday, December 31:

9:00 - 1:30

Saturday, January 1:

Closed

Monday, January 3:

9:00 - 4:30

Kinsella Transfer Station Hours Friday, December 24:

11:00 - 1:00

Saturday, December 25:

Closed

Wednesday, December 29:

11:00 - 5:00

Friday, December 31:

11:00 - 1:00

Saturday, January 1:

Closed

Viking Transfer Station Hours Saturday, December 25:

Closed

Tuesday, December 28:

10:30 - 5:30

Saturday, January 1:

Closed

Tofield Transfer Station Hours

There will be no issue of the Beaver County Chronicle next week as our staff enjoy a well-earned break for the holidays.

Friday, December 24:

10:30 - 1:30

Saturday, December 25:

Closed

Wednesday, December 29:

10:30 - 5:30

Friday December 31: Friday,

10:30 - 1:30

Saturday, January 1:

Closed

Lindbrook Transfer Station Hours Saturday, December 25:

Closed

Tuesday, December 28:

10:30 - 5:30

Thursday, December 30:

11:30 - 6:30

Saturday, January 1:

Closed

Our Administration Offices will be closed from 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 24, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 4 at 8:00 a.m. Please note office staff will continue to work from home as per provincial recommendations.

Please keep this schedule handy for future reference.

Toll Free: 1.855.221.2038 Ph: 780.663.2038 50117 Range Road 173 (Secondary Highway 854) Box 322, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0

Ryley Landfill and Transfer Station Hours: Weekdays 9:00 am - 4:30 pm; Saturdays / STATS 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Closed Sundays

NOTE:customers must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing; Administration Offices closed from 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Thank you for reading, advertising, and subscribing with our newspapers.

Lindbrook Transfer Station Hours: Tues 10:30 am - 5:30 pm; Thurs 11:30 am - 6:30 pm; Sat 10:30 - 5:30 pm

Tofield Transfer Station Hours: W d F Wed, Frii and dS Satt 10 10:30 30 am - 5 5:30 30 pm

Viking Transfer Station Hours: Tues es 10:30am- 5:30pm; m; Sat10:30am-5:30pm

Kinsella Transfer Station Hours: Wed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; Fri 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Beaver County Chronicle, December 21, 2021 - 3

Tofield and Area Health Foundation would like to support Alberta Health Services and partners in their endeavour to keep community members and residents informed that help is at hand even during the holidays.

We would also like to thank all those who have helped us with our fundraisers, especially Beary Berry Honey, Tofield Packers, and Tru Hardware.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday from all of us at the Tofield and Area Health Foundation.

Learn at Lunch

Tofield Library Looking for Board Members

4 - Beaver County Chronicle, December 21, 2021

Beaver County Service Centre 5120 - 50 Street Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Christmas Decorations Contest

Beaver County Christmas Decorations Contest Beaver County Council appreciates the efforts of County residents to share the joy of Christmas through Christmas decorations and is holding a Christmas Decorations Contest for rural County residents.

Phone: (780) 663-3730 Fax: (780) 663-3602 Toll Free: 1-866-663-1333 www.beaver.ab.ca Email: administration@beaver.ab.ca

Council Code of Conduct Bylaw COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT BYLAW Beaver County Council is updating its Council Code of Conduct. First and second readings of the bylaw were passed on December 1 and Council will consider 3rd reading on December 15.

To view a copy of the bylaw, go to www.beaver.ab.ca/council/bylaws.

Happy Holidays

Rural residents are invited to submit photos of their Christmas decorations (daylight or night-time) directly to their Councillor by January 3, 2022. Councillor contact information is on the County's website at https://www.beaver.ab.ca/council/contact-council.

The deadline for submissions is January 3, 2022.

Council will judge the contest and select 3 preferred photos from each Division.

Cash prizes will be awarded in the amounts of $300, $200, and $100 in each Division.

We want to hear from YOU!

Beaver County Holiday Hours

NEW Small Business Classification TIME IS RUNNING OUT *NEW* SMALL BUSINESS CLASSIFICATION In early 2021, Beaver County Council established a new assessment classification for small businesses. Council recognizes that small businesses are struggling in our current economy and is considering a reduction in the tax rate for this key sector of our rural community.

To be eligible for the small business classification, a non-residential property must meet certain criteria, including a valid development/business permit, employment of fewer than 50 full-time staff, and submission of an application by the deadline date.Council will decide on the small business tax rate when the annual budget is approved in the Spring. Provincial legislation limits the tax rate to no less than 75% of the general non-residential tax rate.

To enable small businesses to take advantage of this program in the 2022 tax year, applications will be accepted on or before December 31, 2021 by e-mail, fax, or mail. Post-marked applications will not be accepted. For more information and an application form, go to the County’s website at www.beaver.ab.ca.

December 24th - Closed December 27th - Closed December 28th – Closed December 29, 30 & 31 Open 8:15am – 4:30pm January 3rd – Closed

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 13

May the Holiday Season bring only happiness & joy to you & your loved ones!

Marge Tripp at Massage and Reflexology would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

780-662-3066

780-663-3653 www.ryley.ca

Merry Christmas Wishing Everyone Good Health & Happiness in 2022

Explorer Welding Ltd. Aurel & Sue Perry & Family (780) 662-2047 Cell (780) 499-9295

Wishing you a holiday filled with merriment and mirth Plus lots of love and laughter, with joy and peace on earth!

Tofield Agricultural Society

Tofield Bottle Depot

STOCKYARDS VETERINARY SERVICES 780-662-0085

Wishing Our Valued Customers A Very Merry Christmas!

Be sure you’re stocked up for the holiday season for all your animal supplies and pet foods!

Tofield Lions Club

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a joyful holiday season!

Tofield Hotel

TS Training Services & Equine First Aid

Tyler Sekulich 780-868-6634 tstrainingservices@gmail.com

Would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2022!

Kelly A. Kristensen Barrister & Solicitor 780-662-2572

Tofield 5118 - 50th St. 780-662-0165 WISHING EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Brenda, Carrie, Sue, Leann, Daisy & Shanda

Here’s wishing you a Christmas day full of joy and laughter.

Savor the wonderful delights for months to come.

would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Holiday Hours:

December 24th 10 am - 2 pm December 25th CLOSED December 26th CLOSED December 31st 10 am - 2 pm January 1st CLOSED

Regular Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm We are located at 5304 - 56 St. Ph: 780-662-3936

We sort your bottles!

Tofield: 780-662-3212

Happy Holidays No matter what your age, Christmas is a time that makes us feel young at heart and our hearts are gladdened by warm thoughts of good customers like you. Stay safe!

From Tom & Staff at NAPA

Page 14 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Glen’s Mechanical Services in Ryley 780-663-2299 Thank you for your support through the years!

Seasons Greetings and All the Best in the New Year!

Thank-you to all our customers for your support throughout the year!

RED’S PLUMBING & DRAIN CLEANING Ph: 780-662-7237 Cell: 780-238-7429

Our business will be closing March 2022.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Season’s Greetings from the Staff of

Thank you to our valued customers for supporting us in 2021!

Season’s Greetings from

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

780-662-3003 5031 - 53 Ave. Tofield

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thank You to all our valued customers!

From: Wishing you comfort and joy this holiday season...Merry Christmas!

780-662-DOGS

Fromthe themayor, mayor,council council, From administration staff and residentsand of the of theVillage VillageofofHolden Holden

May the sights and sounds of Christmas work their merry magic in your heart!

Here’s hoping your holiday season is filled with glad tidings, happiness and joy from beginning to end!

Coyote Auto Salvage 780-662-2403 • Tofield

As we enter into this glorious season, our spirits are uplifted by warm thoughts of the many good people we've come to know. We are privileged to have this opportunity to wish you all a very joyous Christmas this one last time, due to Brian's retirement.

May God bless you all this Christmas!

Brian, Elaine, & Sandy

The Management and Staff of Tofield Wish the community of Tofield a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 15

HURUM TRUCKING LTD.

Holden Country Bottle Depot

WITH BEST WISHES TO ALL OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

780-688-3378 • 780-632-9313 Open Tuesdays Closed Sat, Dec. 25 & Sat, Jan 1 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

5012 48 Ave. Holden

Fire Prevention Tip: Keep your Christmas tree hydrated!

The word is out... Christmas is on its way and so are our best wishes.

Hurum Trucking Ltd. (Bovine Relocators) would like to send a sincere Thanks to all our Customers and wish you all the best that the Season brings, and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year!

Roger & Cindy Ph: 780-336-4962 Cell: 780-385-0507

Beaver Emergency Services Commission

from Murray and Staff!

ELECTRIC LTD. Electrical Contracting

3820-42 Ave. Camrose, AB.

Ph: 780-672-8700

Gerry Footz The Real Estate Guy

www.gerryfootz.com gerry@gerryfootz.com

(780) 983-3694 (780) 464-4100

$184,900

• Superb Top Floor Condo in South East Edmonton • Open Concept with Galley Kitchen and Breakfast Bar w/ AC • Huge Covered Balcony w/ View!

• Best Ammenities, Pool, Hot Tub, etc!

• MLS# E4267738

#415 7909 71 Street – KING EDWARD PARK

$224,900

• 0.35 Lakefront acres with Cottage on 2 lots on south shore of Hastings Lake • Great for Recreation or build your Dream Home!

• Very Private - lots of trees and Great Sunsets!

• MLS# E4260425

#247 51268 Rge Rd 204 – HASTINGS LAKE

May you and your loved ones rejoice in the splendour of all His creations during this beautiful and wondrous season.

We thank you sincerely for your valued business throughout the year!

uced!

Price Red

$429,900

www.vikingauctionmarket.ca

• 25 mins East of Edmonton, 10 mins from Tofield • 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and huge deck/patio • Almost 6 Acres with 2 D/ways & Dbl Garage • MLS# E4261375

#24 - 50121 Rge Rd 204 – CINNAMON RIDGE ESTATE uced!

Price Red

$244,900

From Cliff & Sharon & all the Staff of

Viking Auction Market Ltd. 780-336-2209

• 1206 Sq Ft, 1 1/2 Storey Family Home (2004)

uced!

Price Red

$49,900

• • • • • •

1199 Sq Ft Historic 2-Storey Farmhouse Located in Old Downtown Fort Sask On Large Corner Lot Great Family Home or Investment 4 Bedrooms on Upper Level - Single Garage MLS# E4271597

6 Langley Dr. – FORT SASKATCHEWAN • 4.47 Acres In-Town on SouthWest end • Great investment - endless possibilities!

• For large in town Acreage or Commercial Venture • W side of Town, S of HWY #15, close to Whitetail GC • MLS# E4261797

5101 47 Ave. – MUNDARE

Page 16 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light From now on, our troubles will be out of sight Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Make the Yule-tide gay, From now on, our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days, Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more.

Through the years We all will be together, If the Fates allow Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

M

y r r e

r h C

! s a istm

Wishing you all the best this holiday season!

Thank you for your continued support!

Guenter’s Mechanical 13024 Hwy 14 Viking, AB T0B 4N0

Gas or Diesel Mechanical Repair

780-336-1330

I'll be home for Christmas I’ll be home for Christmas You can plan on me Please have snow and mistletoe And presents under the tree Christmas Eve will find me Where the lovelight gleams I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams

This holiday season we would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to our customers for their support throughout 2021.

Moving forward into 2022, the management and staff at WEBB’S Machinery wish you & your family a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy prosperous New Year!

Lamont Vegreville

780-895-2389 780-632-6772

Wainwright Consort

780-842-4408 403-577-3899

St. Paul 780-645-4465 Vermilion 780-853-5196

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 17

Loose Ends: Christmas Trees, Then and Now

Carol Livingstone Tofield Mercury Columnist

Every time I look at our Christmas tree I find myself comparing it with those of past Christmases. Take the tree itself. It isn’t real. All

our earlier trees were real. Hubby drags this one up from a downstairs closet where it has been sitting in pieces in a box. He then arranges the sections largest to smallest and minutes later we have a tree, one that doesn’t need strategically placed wires to fill out the branches or to keep it standing straight.

It never needs watering and doesn’t shed needles that will clog the vacuum from now to Easter. No one has to

swear at a tangle of Christmas lights before stringing them so they shine from all sides of the tree and there’s no hide-and-seek, looking for that one dead light making the whole string stay dark. Instead it is covered with bazillions of tiny clear lights that give off a golden glow, so thick on the branches that if I chose not to decorate it, it would be lovely as is. It’s been ages since we switched to an artificial tree and

sometimes I miss the real thing; plastic doesn’t fill the house with that fresh evergreen scent.

Way back when our kids were young our tree was loaded down with ornaments, even twelve glass orbs that got fewer every year, and some made out Play Dough that the kids painted.

Ever seen a purple tree or a bright yellow reindeer?

Both brightened our Christmases for years.

We added a couple of garlands and then the sil-

ver icicles. The kids suffered from icicle impatience; their idea of hanging them was to throw handfuls in the general direction of the tree and whatever stuck was good enough. Whatever fell to the floor was tracked through the house, many mysteriously reappearing for the Canada Day celebrations.

Today’s tree has just enough ornaments to show through the four garlands winding around, hiding any gaps

in the branches. Once the lights are turned on it looks very festive. God bless those little lights.

But underneath the tree skirt sits naked. We used to spoil the kids with too many presents but then they grew up and now we do cash instead of expensive toys; as long as we feed them and break out the Yahtzee game they are happy. And no one could appreciate my quilted tree skirt if a pile of presents was cluttering it up.

Our favourite holiday we don’t know much about - origins of Boxing Day In Canada, we, like some other commonwealth countries, celebrate Boxing Day. But what is it, other than another day off at christmas time?

Boxing Day originated in the mid-1800s, under the reign of Queen Victoria. It originated as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, "Boxing Day".

Also related to the origin of Boxing Day is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season.

The contents of these boxes were distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.

Throughout the Christmas season, many organizations keep the original tradition of Boxing Day alive by donating their time, energy, and money to fill the Food Bank and provide gifts for the poor.

Today, Boxing Day can be a time for family and friends to gather with lots of food and fun. Many people celebrate a second Christmas on this day, travelling to spend time with family and friends who they were unable to be with on the big day itself.

In recent years, it seems to have become the day to break out the boxing gloves and head off to the nearest mall to duke it out

with other bargain-crazy shoppers in search of the best deal, similar to our american cousins so-called "Black Friday" (the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday).

On another, more family friendly note, Boxing Day is a great opportunity to relax after the Christmas rush, spend time with family and friends, let the kids

play with the new toys they got for Christmas, and generally recharge our batteries after the Christmas rush. If your family doesn't have a tradition for Boxing Day, maybe it's time to introduce one.

A family walk in the crunchy snow can be a healthy start to a day, including building snowmen or forts, and then

warming up afterwards with a steaming hot chocolate heaped with marshmallows and left-over turkey sandwiches. Many families enjoy a special game night weekly throughout the year, Box-

ing Day is an ideal time to continue (or begin) that tradition, with an opportunity to play everyone's favorite at least once.

Boxing Day is the ideal day to have your children go through their old toys

to make room for the new christmas loot with an eye towards donating the ones they've grown out of to friends, or the local used goods store, continuing the tradition of boxing up gifts for those less fortunate.

APIARIES OF ALBERTA are looking for five Apiary Technicians $17-$19/hr depending on experience for full time (40+hrs/wk) employment March thru October 2022. Must have a min of three years (seasons) working full-time on Canadian style commercial apiary in the minimum capacity of Apiary Assistant.

Also required - two positions for Apiary Worker (NOC8431) $15-$17/hr, experience required. Work includes assisting Apiary Technician with all duties in the bees and honey harvesting. Gerard 780-662-4449 RR4 Tofield, AB. Email: gsieben@mcsnet.ca

Make sure they know you want your vehicle brought to

Tofield and Area Church Directory

TOFIELD AUTOBODY You can choose where your vehicle is taken for repair unless: • Your vehicle is impounded • You’re unable to express your wishes or • You don’t have written emergency instructions

Bardo Lutheran Church Salem Mennonite Church Pastor Calvin Andringa Sunday Worship Services: In Person – 10:00 AM Streaming – 10:00 AM Livestream available at: tofieldalliancechurch.com

780-662-2762

• Complete collision service • Windshield Repair & Replacement • All Insurance Companies • Guaranteed Workmanship

780-662-3432 4908 - 52 Ave.

•

5907 - 49 Street

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am 49232 Rge Rd 184 Tofield, AB All are welcome!

Pastor Mark Loewen Worship services can also be 780-662-2365 accessed online @ Sunday School for all ages at www.bardolutheranchurch.weebly.com 9:45 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am 780-662-3411

Tofield Community Church Holden United Church Lead Pastor: Jon Stewart Tofield United Church Children/Youth Pastor: Nathan Nichols Due to COVID-19 in-person worship services have been suspended.

Live Sunday Worship at Online services will take place and can 10:30am www.tofieldchurch.com 780-662-3166 Services will be live streamed and available on our website/YouTube

be listened to on the phone. For login info please call: 780-662-3471 or email: beaverpastoralcharge@gmail.com

Rev. Adam Hall

Page 18 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

HOLIDAY RECIPES

Icelandic Christmas Cake Ingredients • 1 cup white sugar • 3/4 cup butter • 2 eggs • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 3/4 cup milk • 1/2 cup raisins • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom flavored extract Directions 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Main Str Street eet Commer Commercial cial Lot F For or Sale Viking, V iiking, AB

(175 degrees C). Grease one 11 inch loaf pan.

2) Cream the butter or margarine and the sugar until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at time beating well after each one. Stir in the milk, lemon and cardamom flavorings.

Stir in the flour and the baking powder.

3. Sift a little flour over the raisins then stir them into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

4) Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes.

Gluehwein Ingredients • 3/4 cup water • 3/4 cup white sugar • 1 cinnamon stick • 1 orange • 10 whole cloves • 1 (750 millilitre) bottle red wine Directions 1) In a saucepan, combine

the water, sugar, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer.

2) Cut the orange in half, and squeeze the juice into the simmering water. Push the cloves into the outside of the orange peel, and place peel in the simmering water. Continue sim-

TOWN OF TOFIELD NOTICE ALL TAXES REMAINING UNPAID AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2021 will have an eighteen (18%) percent penalty added thereto. Payments will be accepted if the post marked date on the envelope is December 31, 2021.

Please be advised that The Town of Tofield Office will be closed December 24th, 27th, & 28th, 2021 and January 3rd, 2022.

Cindy Neufeld Chief Administrative Officer

Camrose County Agricultural Wall of Honor and Century Farm Award Applications

Great nity!

Oppor tu

Great Commercial ercial Lot on Main Streett in V Viking, iking, AB. ONLY AVAILABLE! ONL LY ONE LIKE IT A VAILABLE! AIL A Large attractive central location, would be perfect for constructing office, a new building. Build yourself an of fffice, rent out o upstairs apartment.

Build two office offfffice f space use one/rent one. Pays for itself! Or place spaces, property.. The possibilities are endless. Located a pre-built on the property Flair,, near Food Bank/FCSS, between bottle depot and Food with Flair across from bank and financial advisors, near liquor stores and school. Last serviced in 2012 (torn down).

ASKING

$19,000 Barb Chrystian 780-385-0631 INVITATION TO TENDER FARMLAND Rick Schmaus hereby offers the following land for sale by tender, subject to the existing reservations on title: Parcel 1 - NW-2-49-15-W4th (160 titled acres) Parcel 2 - NE-2-49-15-W4th (160 titled acres) Tenders are to be submitted in sealed envelopes marked "Schmaus Tender", to Andreassen Borth, Barristers and Solicitors, #200, 4870 - 51 Street, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 1S1, on or before 12:00 noon on January 14, 2022, and shall be accompanied with a cheque for $5,000.00, and GST number.

Tenders will not be opened in public.

The highest, or any tender, not necessarily accepted.

Unsuccessful tenderers will be notified by mail, and their cheques returned.

Successful tenderers shall be obligated to complete the purchase on or before March 1st, 2022, and their cheque shall constitute a deposit towards the purchase price.

For further information, or to view the property, please contact Rick at 780-385-1137 or Jordan at 780-385-1221.

mering for 30 minutes, until thick and syrupy.

3) Pour in the wine, and heat until steaming but not simmering. Remove the clove-studded orange halves.

Serve hot in mugs or glasses that have been preheated in warm water (cold glasses will break.)

The Camrose County Agricultural Communications Committee is seeking nominations for 2022 Wall of Honor Inductees and Century Farm Award Applications Wall of Honor Nominations: This honor recognizes contributions to Agriculture by individuals in farming and ranching, agri-business or in extension and research work.

Candidates for the Agriculture Wall of Honor should have demonstrated leadership in farm, rural and community organizations at the district, county or provincial level. Selections for the Camrose County Agricultural Wall of Honor are considered based on the person’s contribution to the betterment of agriculture and the improvement of rural quality of life within Camrose County.

Century Farm Award Applications: Keeping the family farm or ranch from generation to generation and actively farming is an impressive achievement. Camrose County recognizes these long-standing farms during our Century Farm Awards.

Eligibility requirements: • At the time of application, the land has been continuously owned, farmed or ranched by your family for a minimum of 100 years.

• Provide clear proof of ownership (land titles). You may currently be renting out your land.

• You are eligible if you have received the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award.

Eligible applicants will be presented a commemorative sign to hang at their farm gate or on a building celebrating the achievement.

Nomination and application forms can be found on the County website www.county.camrose.ab.ca, contacting the Agricultural Services Office by phone 780-672-4765, or email asb@county.camrose.ab.ca.

Completed forms may be emailed or dropped off at the Agricultural Services office (4238 37 St, Camrose, AB T4V 5B2) Application Deadline: January 17, 2022.

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 19

That Spirit Of Christmas Christmas is that time of year For being with the ones we love Sharing so much joy and cheer What a wonderful feelin' Watching the ones we love Having so much fun

I was sittin' by the fire side Taking a walk through the snow Listening to a children's choir Singing songs about Jesus The blessed way that he came to us Why can't it remain All through the year Each day the same Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear Heh heh, it's truly amazin' That spirit of Christmas All the kin folk gather 'round The lovely Christmas tree Hearts are glowing full of joy Sense the gifts that we're giving And the love that we're living Why can't it remain (why can't it remain?)

Ohhh all through the year (all through the year) Each day the same (each day the same) Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear I'll tell ya, it's truly amazin' That spirit of Christmas Let me hear ya (Why can't it remain?) Why can't it remain?

(All through the year) All through the year (Each day the same) Each day the same That's what I wanna hear Listen to me, it's truly amazin' That spirit of Christmas Oh, it's truly amazin' That spirit of Christmas Ain't it so, it's truly amazin' Yeah, that spirit of Christmas Oh Christmas

I Saw Three Ships I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day, on Christmas day I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day in the morning And who do you think was in them then?

On Christmas day, on Christmas day And who do you think was in them then But Joseph and his lady

And all the angels in heaven did sing On Christmas day in the morning

I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day, on Christmas day I saw three ships come

sailing in On Christmas day in the morning Bruce Cockburn

’Tis the season for celebrating friends and neighbours like you!

Greetings and best wishes to all of the folks who make our communities such wonderful places to work and live.

He did whistle and she did sing On Christmas day, on Christmas day He did whistle and she did sing On Christmas day in the morning And all the bells on earth did ring On Christmas day, on Christmas day And all the bells on earth did ring On Christmas day in the morning And all the angels in heaven did sing On Christmas day, on Christmas day

Wild Rose Fuel & Agro www.wildroseco-op.crs

-Ray Charles

PEROGY TRUCKING 21124UU0

780-385-2004 Viking, AB

Thank you for your business this year! We look forward to serving you in 2021!

Thank you for your business in 2014 and we look forward to serving you in 2015!

Lawrence and Family

Page 20 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

History of a holiday staple Chances are, holiday revelers will find themselves underneath the mistletoe at least once this holiday season.

While they might know what to do when that time comes, they might not know the history of that plant above their heads.

Especially sacred to Celtic Druids, mistletoe was believed bestow life and fertility, while also protecting against poison and serving as an aphrodisiac.

Mistletoe would later take on a more political meaning, as the ritual of cutting the mistletoe came symbolized the emasculation of the old King by his successor.

Nowadays, mistletoe is typically hung in doorways or entryways from one room to another. This tradition can also trace itself back several centuries to the Middle Ages.

During the Middle Ages, branches of mistletoe were hung from ceilings to ward off evil spirits.

Throughout Europe,

mistletoe was placed over doorways in the house as well as the stables as a means to preventing the entrance of witches.

The tradition of kissing underneath the mistletoe likely stems from the belief that mistletoe bestows fertility and is often associated with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, a period of merrymaking that pre-dated Christmas. In 18th century England, a young lady standing underneath the mistletoe could not refuse to be kissed.

Once kissed, the kiss would signify deep romance or eternal friendship.

History also suggests

that mistletoe was a symbol of peace. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace. When standing underneath the mistletoe, enemies could declare a truce and spouses could end any marital turmoil with a kiss.

Building For Rent Main St. Viking, AB 5205 - 50 St. Small retail building for rent. Near newly opened as well as established businesses on main street. Reasonable rent.

Call 403-679-9958.

Available immediately.

Obituary Deborah Lea Griffin On December 9th, 2021, we lost an amazing lady to the ravages of Multiple Sclerosis.

Debbie was a devoted mother to WYATT and LAUREN, a caring and faithful wife to BLAINE and a living example of toughness and resilience in the face of overwhelming pain and frustration, knowing she was unable to ever do everything she dreamt she wanted to do in life.

Deb also leaves her mother - SHARON Neufeld, her father - JIM Neufeld (Karen), her brother - DANIEL Neufeld (Myuki), nephew - TAIGA, her foster sister ROSALIA Aiello, and numerous Uncles, Aunts and Cousins.

She is remembered by many friends, co-workers and schoolmates as a caring and thoughtful lady.

Rest in Peace Deborah. You were loved and will be forever missed.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!

Hail! the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the sone of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

Christ, by highest heav'n adored: Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the favored one.

Veil'd in flesh, the God4711 - 47A Ave. Mannville, AB head see; Open Wed - Sun, 10am - 8pm Hail, th'incarnate Deity: Jam-packed wall to wall with vintage.

Pleased, as man, with Pyrex, milk glass, repurposed, oil & gas, men to dwell, hot rod, tons of antiques & more.

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Find us on Facebook by name.

Hark! the herald angels Find us on Instagram: sing, "vintage_camper_treasures" Glory to the newborn Vendors wanted: 403-679-9958 King!

Mannville Indoor Vintage Flea Market

Obituary CAREY, Ida Allie (Jacobs) March 30, 1925 – Dec. 15, 2021 On December 15, 2021, Ida Allie Carey passed away peacefully at the age of 96.

Ida grew up in Tofield on a farm just north of town. She will be missed and forever loved by her children, David (Betty), Ruth, (Werner), Colleen and Nancy (Lloyd). She was pre-deceased by her husband Tommy, her older sisters Esther Anderson and Goldie Jacobs, and older brother Thomas Jacobs. Ida’s legacy includes her six grandchildren, Stephen, Tanner, Robert, Jolene, Jeff, and Lisa. She was thrilled to have three great grandchildren, Wyatt, Heidi and Liam. She is lovingly remembered by numerous relatives and dear friends.

She will be laid to rest in a private family gathering. Due to Covid restrictions, a Celebration of Life will take place in the spring. Details to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Strathearn United Church, the Edmonton Humane Society, or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent at www.serenity.ca.

5311 91 St. NW Edmonton, AB T6E 6E2 780-450-0101 info@serenity.ca serenity.ca

The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 21

True story 25 year holiday pranking tradition by two brothers-in-law For 25 years, two brothers-in-law gave the same pair of pants back and forth as a "gift," each time finding more inventive ways to "wrap" them.

The one present Roy Collette wasn't looking forward to getting for Christmas 1988 was those pants.

Yet he knew he was in trouble as soon as the flatbed truck bearing a concretefilled tank off a truck used to deliver ready-mix rolled up. Sure as God made little green apples, those pants had to be in there.

And he was going to have to fish them out, or else declare his brother-inlaw the winner of a rivalry that had spanned over 20 years.

Being the sport he is, brother-in-law Larry Kunkel thoughtfully supplied the services of a crane to hoist the concretefilled tank off the flatbed.

What's this game, you ask? What was the significance of these pants, and why were two grown men going to such efforts year after year to retrieve them, only to send them off again?

It all began in 1964 when Larry Kunkel's mom gave him a pair of moleskin pants. After wearing them a few times, he found they froze stiff in Minnesota winters and thus wouldn't do.

That next Christmas, he wrapped the garment in pretty paper and presented it to his brother-in-law.

Brother-in-law Roy Collette discovered he didn't want them either. He decided to bide his time until the Christmas after, then packaged them up and gave them back to Kunkel.

This yearly exchange proceeded amicably until one year Collette twisted the

pants tightly and stuffed them into a 3foot-long, 1-inch wide pipe.

And so the game began. Year after year, as the pants were shuffled back and forth, the brothers strove to make unwrapping them more difficult, perhaps in the hope of ending the tradition.

In retaliation for the pipe, Kunkel compressed the pants into a 7-inch square, wrapped them with wire and gave the "bale" to Collette.

Not to be outdone, Collette put the pants into a 2-foot-square crate filled with stones, nailed it shut, banded it with steel and gave the trusty trousers back to Kunkel.

The brothers agreed to end the caper if the trousers were damaged. But they were as careful as they were clever. As the game evolved, so did the rules.

Only "legal and moral" methods of wrapping were permitted. Wrapping expenses were kept to a minimum with only junk parts used.

Kunkel next had the pants mounted inside an insulated window that had a 20-year guarantee and shipped them off to Collette.

Collette broke the glass, recovered the trousers, stuffed them into a 5-inch coffee can, which he soldered shut. The can was put in a 5-gallon container filled with concrete and reinforcing rods and given to Kunkel the following Christmas.

Kunkel installed the pants in a 225pound homemade steel ashtray made from 8-inch steel casings and etched Collette's name on the side.

Collette had trouble retrieving the treasured trousers, but succeeded with-

out burning them with the cutting torch.

Collette found a 600-pound safe and hauled it to Viracon Inc. in Owatonna, where the shipping department decorated it with red and green stripes, put the pants inside and welded the safe shut.

The safe was then shipped to Kunkel, who was the plant manager for Viracon's outlet in Bensenville.

The pants next turned up in a drab green, 3-foot cube that once was a 1974 Gremlin.

A note attached to the 2,000-pound scrunched car advised Collette that the pants were inside the glove compartment.

In 1982, Kunkel faced the problem of retrieving the pants from a tire 8 feet high and 2 feet wide and filled with 6,000 pounds of concrete. On the outside Collette had written, "Have a Goodyear."

In 1983 the pants came back to Collette in a 17.5-foot red rocket ship filled with concrete and weighing 6 tons.

Five feet in diameter, with pipes 6 inches in diameter outside running the length of the ship and a launching pad attached to its bottom, the rocket sported a picture of the pants fluttering atop it.

Inside the rocket were 15 concretefilled canisters, one of which housed the pants.

Collette’s revenge for the rocket ship was delivered to Kunkel in the form of a 4-ton Rubik's Cube in 1985.

The cube was made of concrete that had been baked in a kiln and covered

with 2,000 board feet of lumber.

Kunkel "solved the cube," and for 1986 gift-giving repackaged the pants into a station wagon filled with 170 steel generators all welded together.

Because the pants have to be retrieved undamaged, Collette was faced with carefully taking apart each component.

What happened to the pants in 1987 is a mystery, and their 1988 packaging (concrete-filled tank) was mentioned at the beginning of this page.

Sadly, 1989's packaging scheme brought the demise of the much-abused garment.

Collette was inspired to encase the pants in 10,000 pounds of jagged glass that he would then deposit in Kunkel's front yard.

"It would have been a great one — really messy," Kunkel ruefully admitted.

The pants were shipped to a friend in Tennessee who managed a glass manufacturing company.

While molten glass was being poured over the insulated container that held them, an oversized chunk fractured, transforming the pants into a pile of ashes.

The ashes were deposited into a brass urn and delivered to Kunkel along with this epitaph: "Sorry, Old Man. Here lie the pants ...

An attempt to cast the pants in glass brought about the demise of the pants at last."

The urn now graces the fireplace mantel in Kunkels' home. {Snopes.com maintains that this story is in fact true.}

Lauren Hill

Steven Hill

Norman Hill

Thank you for your business in 2021 and looking forward to doing business with you in 2022.

Website www.hillrealty.ca 780-449-5622

Page 22 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Cookies and Christmas: A match made in Holiday Heaven There's a good reason fitness club memberships tend to spike come January. After a holiday season spent party-hopping and letting their diets fall by the wayside, many people look to the gym as the means to helping shed those inevitable holiday pounds.

Perhaps no food is more popular around the holidays than cookies. Cookies are as much a part of the holiday season as Christmas trees, long lines at the mall and kids searching the house for presents. For those with guests to entertain this holiday season, the following recipe for "Kitchen-Sink Chocolate Chip Cookies" from Elinor Klivans' "The Essential Chocolate Chip Cookbook" (Chronicle Books) is sure to please.

Kitchen-Sink Chocolate Chip Cookies Makes About 36 Cookies 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 6 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 large egg 11/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup pecan halves 1 cup walnut halves or large pieces 1 cup blanched whole almonds, toasted and chopped roughly in half Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two or three baking sheets with parchment paper.

Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until smoothly blended, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until blended, about 1 minute. The mixture may look slightly curdled. On low speed, add the flour mixture, mixing just until it is incorporated. Mix in the chocolate chips, pecans, walnuts, and almonds until evenly distributed.

Use a tablespoon to drop well-rounded tablespoonfulls of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies 2 inches apart.

Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are slightly colored, about 14 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then use a wide metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

The cookies can be stored in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to four days.

Choices: You can add 1 cup of raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots to the dough with the chips and nuts. White, bittersweet, or milk chocolate chips, or a combination, can be substituted for the semisweet chips.

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The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - Page 23

WWI Christmas ‘truce’ remains one of the most talked about peace acts During Christmas of 1914, during WWI, (although there was no official truce) about 100,000 British and German troops were involved in unofficial cessations of fighting along the length of the Western Front.

The first truce started on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium.

The Germans began by placing candles on their trenches and on Christmas trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols.

The British responded by singing carols of their own. The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other.

Soon thereafter, there were excursions across the 'No Man's Land', where small gifts were exchanged, such as food, tobacco and alcohol, and souvenirs such as buttons and hats.

The artillery in the region fell silent that night.

The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Joint services were held.

The fraternization was not, however, without its risks; some soldiers were shot by opposing forces.

In many sectors, the truce lasted through Christmas night, but it continued until New Year's Day in others.

Bruce Bairnsfather, who served throughout the war, wrote: "I wouldn't have missed that unique and weird Christmas Day for anything.

“I spotted a German officer, some sort of

lieutenant I should think, and being a bit of a collector, I intimated to him that I had taken a fancy to some of his buttons...

“I brought out my wire clippers and, with a few deft snips, removed a couple of his buttons and put them in my pocket. I then gave him two of mine in exchange.

“The last I saw was one of my machine gunners, who was a bit of an amateur hairdresser in civil life, cutting the unnaturally long hair of a docile Boche, who was patiently kneeling on the ground whilst the automatic clippers crept up the back of his neck."

General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, commander of the British II Corps, was irate when he heard what was happening, and issued strict orders forbidding friendly communication with the opposing German troops.

The events of the truce were not reported for a week, in an unofficial press embargo which was eventually broken by the New York Times on Dec. 31.

The British papers quickly followed, printing numerous first-hand accounts from soldiers in the field, taken from letters home to their families, and editorials on "one of the greatest surprises of a surprising w a r . "

By Jan. 8, pictures had made their way to the press, and both the Mirror and Sketch printed front-page photographs of British and German troops mingling and singing between the lines.

The tone of the reporting was strongly positive, with the Times endorsing the

"lack of malice" felt by both sides and the Mirror regretting that the "absurdity and the tragedy" would begin again.

Coverage in Germany was more muted, with some newspapers strongly criticizing those who had taken part, and no pictures published.

In France, meanwhile, the greater level of press censorship ensured that the only word that spread of the truce came from soldiers at the front or first-hand accounts

told by wounded men in hospitals.

The press eventually was forced to respond to the growing rumours with by reprinting a government

notice that fraternizing with the enemy constituted treason.

In early January an official statement on the truce was published, claiming it had

happened on restricted sectors of the British front, and amounted to little more than an exchange of songs which quickly degenerated into shooting.

ʻThe Christmas Day Truce of 1914,ʼ by Arthur C. Michael published on Jan. 9, 1915

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Page 24 - The Tofield Mercury, Tuesday, December 21, 2021

The Tofield Mercury Tofield

Holiday Hours Closed: Dec. 22 – 28, 2021 Open: Dec. 29 & 30, 2021 Closed: Dec. 31, 2021 Re-open: Jan. 3, 2022

First paper of 2022 is on

Wednesday, Jan. 5

O FFICE H OURS

Dr. Peter Yoo DDS

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

10 AM - 2 PM (NO DENTIST) 9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 4 PM CLOSED

Dr. Gagandeep Singh DDS

5111-50 Street • Ph: 780-662-3553 Services provided:

Dr. Peter Yoo would like to welcome Dr. Gagandeep Singh to his Tofield office.

• Family Dentistry • Oral Surgery • Implants Member of the: • Extractions • Cosmetic Dentistry • Child Development Program “Your dental health matters. If you have an emergency or concern outside office hours please call me directly at (780) 893-9270.”