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Thursday, January 4, 2024 | Vol. 106, Issue 18

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Page 2 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

Warmer winter weather delights locals on annual Christmas bird count Jana Semeniuk Staff Reporter

Local bird enthusiasts were pleasantly surprised during their annual Christmas bird count (CBC) which took place in the Tofield area Dec. 16. El Nino, causing unseasonably warmer weather patterns, meant the group of 24 volunteers could cover more ground on foot and get a glimpse of some rare birds who don’t usually stick around for Dec. Organizer Irene Croslund said the count area is 24 kilometers wide with Tofield in the centre. She said last year, with temperatures dropped to 17, volunteers couldn’t spend much time on foot but this year was different. “Last year on foot, we only did 22 hours and this year, we had 69 so that was a huge difference,” she said, adding that several more species were also spotted who normally aren’t here this time of year. “One of the yards that we got invited to out in the country had 10 redwing blackbirds, three yellow headed blackbirds, a grackle

and a pheasant. All of that was at the same rural yard so that was really an excellent find and none of those are considered common. Actually, the Blackbirds, though all three of them are, considered rare for this time of the year.” Croslund said a one-off warm winter season shouldn’t affect the bird’s annual patterns too much, however she said the warmer weather in other parts of the country have already impacted the migration patterns of some bird species. “(Warmer weather) have already shown changes such as in Ontario the Canada Jay, for instance, has had to shift north because it can't keep its food supply cold enough anymore,” she said. “Those are the kinds of things that they find out on these bird counts. It's the oldest citizen science project that is in North America.” According to reports, the CBC started in 1900 when conservation was in the beginning stages and several observers and scientists were worried about declining bird populations.

A holiday tradition, known as the ‘Side Hunt’ was observed where hunters competed and the winner was declared with the largest pile of birds and other animals. Ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, began a new holiday tradition, The

Christmas Bird Count, that would tally the birds instead of hunt them. Today, the CBC has taken place for the 123rd year with 37 different bird species observed in the Tofield area this year and totaling just over 1,700 birds.

The chirpy cheerful common redpole, not seen every year, was counted in abundance during the annual Christmas Bird Count in the Tofield area Dec.16, totaling 208 within a 24-kilometer diameter. IRENE CROSLUND PHOTO

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The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Page 3

Tofield School students participate in Reindeer Games Kate Priestley Student Reporter

Throughout the month of December, Tofield School students from grades 9-12, along with most of the staff, participated in Reindeer Games. It’s a tradition that happens every year—and it can cause some major chaos in the hallways. Everyone who participated in the games, received a clothes pin with their name on it from Ms. Korpan (a high school teacher, who organized the games). A few lists were put up in the halls; and on the lists were everyone's names along with who they were paired with. The games are only allowed to be played during the two 10 minute breaks, along with lunch time. Classrooms are off limits, however, which is why the packed halls are always full of havoc. Everyone has a limit of two days to try to pin their partner and whoever gets pinned first, must surrender their own pin to hand to Ms. Korpan. After the two days are up, Ms. Korpan makes another list with the names of the students and staff who are still in the games. She pairs them up and the games continue until there is a final two. The winner of the 2023 Reindeer Games was Kendra Yuha (grade 12), who won very quickly on the last day against Cale Helfrich (grade 9).

Pictured left: Kendra Yuha and Cale Helfrich won Reindeer Games which was played at Tofield School in December. P. CORDEIRO PHOTO.

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Page 4 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

Holden Council increases FCSS grant funding at Dec. meeting Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

Holden Council held its monthly meeting on Monday, December 18 in the Village Office. Viking/Beaver FCSS director Dawn Chrystian was present at the meeting, and council voted in favour of increasing their grant to $4,375 for the 2024 year, which is an additional $875 from the year before. Sergeant Cameron Paul also attended and gave an update on the progress and workings of the Tofield RCMP detachment. “We have had a good general decline, a significant decrease for this year to this point, so we’re happy to see that. The property crime had a little bump up, which was caused by additional charges being laid for possession of property obtained by crime or possession of stolen property,” Paul said. Paul also said Constable Kevin Roscoe is in the beginning stages of a transfer, as he has served four years with the Tofield detachment, which was his first placement. Paul said it is quite common to be moved around, especially after a first post. “We have one member who has received their planning document for a transfer, Constable

Roscoe. As to when that will happen it will probably be in the new year, either in the fourth quarter cycle for transfer or the new fiscal year in April. “The planning document is one thing, but it can take up to three weeks to a month before you get the official document, and then it’s 90 days after that. (Roscoe’s) been four years here, and that’s the term for the Tofield detachment. It is time for him to move on, experience a different location, and we’ll get somebody else to come in. This was his first post, and it is pretty typical on a first post to have another move. The average is around four moves in a career,” said Paul. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Rosemary Offrey inquired after the possibility that a new recruit could take up residence in the village of Holden. “I am wondering if there’s a potential that one of your new recruits could set up home in Holden. The Assumption detachment near Rainbow Lake had a RCMP officer in the town of Rainbow Lake (where Offrey previously held a CAO position), the officer lived in the town, and the visibility of that car and that individual made a huge difference in crime,” Offrey said. “Assumption is a dif-

ferent situation where they can, because it’s Force housing. There is no Force housing for Tofield. They may take up residence anywhere, as long as they are living within 50 kilometres of the physical detachment,” Paul said. Council approved The Inspections Group’s proposed fee increases, which Offrey said was not a huge hike. Council also raised the cost of living adjustments (COLA) by 3.5 per cent for Village staff. While Offrey mentioned that often municipalities will include this adjustment for both staff and councillors, Council chose to approve it for staff only. Mayor Tyler Beckett said that inflation was 4.8 per cent last year, and 5.6 per cent this year. “The cost of living across the country is at 6.57 per cent now, but Beaver County just approved a 1 per cent COLA for their staff. They did approve a 3.25 last year, where we did a 2.5. Some people are approving 3 or 4 per cent this year,” Offrey said. Council also revised Bylaw 1-2023 Sidewalks, Driveways and Private Property Ice and Snow Removal. “This was revised in January and February last year. I brought it back again because our public works foreman is con-

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with the grader and cleaned up the snow, and then someone decides to push the snow out of his driveway or off his lawn out onto the street, then that’s an issue. Even if the plow hasn't gone by, nobody should be pushing snow to the streets simply because it is a safety hazard,” Offrey said.

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The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Page 5

LOOSE ENDS Bad Business

Carol Livingstone Tofield Mercury Columnist

We had a dark Christmas this year – well, guess that’s last year already. It had nothing to do with all that brown

outside, although that didn’t help. (Someone needs to be reminded of what many songs of the season tell us, like WHITE Christmas, Let it SNOW, Frosty the SNOWman.) And none of us were acting like the Grinch, spreading bad moods instead of Christmas cheer. Mostly we were disappointed. The living room furniture we purchased on November 23rd was scheduled for delivery on December 22nd, which

gave them a month to get it from the store to our door. It wasn’t coming from China or even the States, just the city down the road. And it wasn’t like Canada Post was involved. We’d have preferred a shorter wait time; the twenty-second was pretty close to Christmas and it meant we couldn’t set up our tree. There’s only one place we can put it and we didn’t think the delivery men would appreciate having to hop, skip

Two deceased in separate motor vehicle accidents Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

At approximately 11:44 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, Tofield RCMP received a report of a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Township Road 500 and Range Road 170, which is just east of Ryley. A 71-yearold male Flagstaff County resident was found deceased at the scene. Of the occupants in the second vehicle, two 15year-old youths were transported by ground ambulance and STARS to hospital with serious injuries. A requested update from the Alberta RCMP Media Relations team included the following: “Vehicle 1 was a pickup truck with two occupants. The driver was the deceased and one adult passenger. Vehicle 2 occupants were a 20-year-old female and two 15-yearold males. All occupants in this vehicle were from Holden. Two were taken by ground ambulance, one of them by STARS from the collision scene. Injuries ranged from serious to minor, and all were admitted to hospital for treatment. The status of the investigation is still ongoing. A RCMP colli-

sion analyst did attend.” Another fatal accident occurred on Monday, January 1 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Tofield RCMP attended the scene on Highway 14 and Range Road 192. First responders found one deceased 34-year-old male resident of Tofield. A second male was located with life

threatening injuries and was taken to an Edmonton area hospital by STARS air-ambulance. It was determined that the collision between two vehicles occurred and then involved occupants got out of their vehicles and were struck by a passing motorist.

and jump their way in. So we were prepared for no tree – but not for no furniture. When Hubby checked with them to see when we could expect them on the 22nd he was told there were no deliveries scheduled that day. No reason. No apology. Just no delivery. Okay then – the new loveseat and sofa were supposed to be our gift to ourselves and since we hadn’t told them we were ‘updating’ for the first time since the 1980s, a

surprise to our boys when they came out on Christmas eve. We joked about it: How do you like our new furniture? Do you think it looks too much like the old stuff? They joined in: Yeah, maybe something with stripes of a different color would be nicer. So no tree lights, just the happy glow of bring together. I won’t tell you the name of the store, but it starts with L and their TV commercials have this snooty couple who pro-

nounce it as if it’s an upscale French shoppe, which it definitely ain’t. We have no idea when to expect our delivery, maybe December 22, 2024? But once it’s here we’ll never darken their doorway again. They won’t miss us but we’ll have the satisfaction of knowing we don’t do business with people who disrespect us. We still want some lamps and various area rugs - I’m thinking from somewhere else.

Beaver Multi 4-H Club participates in toy drive

On Dec. 13 the Beaver County 4-H Multi-Club participated in the Vegreville Christmas Bureau toy drive. The Club's job this year was to sort girls' toys from ages 3-17. After sorting everything, they packed the toys into bags and put them JOSIAH JOHNSON PHOTO in piles ready for delivery.

Page 6 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

OPINION

Want to have your say? Write a Letter: news.tofield@gmail.com

(all opinions must be signed to be published)

JOHN’S RANT

Guilbeault may be plugged in; but not to reality Well wasn’t that a nice Christmas present from our Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault. “You will have to drive a zero emissions vehicle by 2035.” No ifs, ands, or buts. Nope old Gibby has decreed it so and his silly boss Justin hasn’t done anything to reel this minister in. It’s pretty obvious to anyone who delves into this issue ever so slightly, that it won’t work anyway. Well, we may be sure there will be plenty of batteries for those electric vehicles because the Trudeau Liberals have casually tossed billions into battery production facilities in Southern Ontario. They will likely be up and running by 2035 so there had better be a market for the product. So let’s make everyone drive an electric car. Guilbeault overlooks the slight fact that electric cars cost $10,000 to $20,000 more than your average gas or diesel powered steed. But hey, the Liberals will throw some subsidies to those buying electric cars. The fact that those subsidies will come from the taxes paid by the very same people who can’t afford the EVs in the first place won’t worry him or his bureaucrats. Will there be enough power generated by 20235 to allow for charging all these vehicles? I haven’t seen any experts saying there will be. Nope, the fact there won’t be proper infrastructure in place doesn’t matter to Guilbeault. More than a year ago, Petro Canada was proudly proclaiming it had charging outlets at its stations across Canada. Right … but what the Petro Can PR hacks didn’t say was that there were charging stations in “all” their stations. There aren’t at the local Petro Canada stations in both Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont. But then they are off the beaten path, so it does-

n’t matter. This is much the same as Guilbeault’s thinking. There are charging stations littering the southern Ontario and southern Quebec landscape. Everywhere else in Canada is off the beaten path so who cares. Certainly not the Liberals! Just look at the City of Edmonton. “What a good day for Edmonton,” said Ryan Birch, Director of Transit Operations for Edmonton Transit Service when they announced the acquisition of 40 electric buses in 2020. “It’s a good day for ETS, for ETS customers, and for all Edmontonions who are excited to be part of making the place we live, and move, a more climate friendly place.” Everywhere else in Canada is off the beaten path so who cares. In a press release city officials said the buses were quieter, and cheaper to run than conventional diesel buses. The release went on to state they could cover up to 350 km on a charge letting them cover just about all of the ETS routes. Fast forward to December 2023. Three-quarters of the city’s now 60-bus electric fleet are in the garage with poor immediate prospects for parts to fix them. Proterra, the American company the city purchased the electric buses from between 20192022, is in Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy protection. Edmonton’s on a list of creditors, seeking $1.3 million and fulfillment of service and warranties. Some electric bikes can go farther on a charge than an ETS electric bus. While the city stated mileage up to 340 km on a charge, on Edmonton streets the stylish bus is closer to a range of up to 117 km, which gets it on the streets from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. before it has to hit the charger, and then gets back out from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. And further, the driver’s cab is not suited for

drivers either larger or smaller in size. While parts may in future become available thereby preventing the electric buses from being called a complete failure, the electric buses can hardly be called a success story. They may have better luck with hydrogen buses A hydrogen alternative doesn’t even work its way into any of Guilbeault’s speeches. As long as motorists with electric vehicles can drive around Greater Toronto or Greater Montreal, with occasional side trips out into the nearby countryside, Guilbeault will be happy. And now according experts at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh, humans account for as much 0.1% of the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions and as much as 1% of its methane and nitrous oxide Saving the planet may be as simple as saving your breath. Literally. And that’s just from breathing, excluding secondary flatus emissions from burping and farting. That’s on top of the carbon dioxide all humans exhale naturally. “We report only emissions in breath in this study and flatus emissions are likely to increase these values significantly, though no literature characterizes these emissions for people in the UK,” as per the research team. The conclusion? In the paper Dr. Nicholas Cowan said the evidence of planet-killing breathing is pretty clear and shouldn't be taken lightly. "We would urge caution in the assumption that emissions from humans are negligible," he said. So probably soon in the new year we can expect Guilbeault to find a way to impose a carbon tax on the air we breathe out. He’ll probably do this while Justin is busy solving the country’s major problems such as installing menstrual product machines in all Federal office men’s washrooms. What a great country we live in. JOHN MATHER

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The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Page 7

MINOR HOCKEY REPORT David Cardinal gets three wins in goal for U15s with .938 save percentage Kerry Anderson These are some of the results from Minor Hockey League games held recently. (Please note that scores and scoring is taken from the websites, and some game scores and scoring is dependent on proper league entries.) Tofield U11 Titans (14-2-0) hosted Redwater on Dec. 23 and sent the road team away with a 13-1 loss. Two Tofield players had four-goal games; Hunter Jackson (4g 1a) and Kehgan McCabe. Jenna Lungal had a hat trick and six-point game (3g 3a). Chase Ferron also collected

six (2g 4a). Other scorers were; Anthony MacNeil (2a), Quinn MacNeil (2a), Max Jeffrey (1a), Dominic O’Brien (1a), Kevin Gray (1a), and Dayne Jober (1a). Logan Barmentloo made 14 saves for the win in goal. Tofield U11-5/6 Titans (11-5-1) beat Saddle Lake 12-1 at Tofield Arena on Dec. 23. Scoring for Tofield were; Finn Montgomery (4g 1a), Asher Montgomery (2g 1a), Degan Samson (1g 1a), Bentley Ruzycki (1g 1a), Easton Kallal (1g 1a), Griffin Neufeld (1g), Raeleigh Murphy (1g), Annabella Klita (1g),

Kids get to meet Santa in Ryley before Christmas

Ruby Montgomery (1a), Kylie Riddell (1a). Hayden Thom got the win in goal for Tofield. Tofield U13 Titans (10-6-0) won a 9-2 road game at Bonnyville on Dec. 23, followed by a Dec. 30 home win at Tofield Arena 8-0 over Elk Island Wild. Scoring in Bonnyville were; Aiden Baraniuk (3g), James Conrad (2g 1a), Levi Montgomery (1g 1a), Lennox Fritz (1g 1a), Tysen Boese (1g), Manuel Gara (1g), Logan Riddell (1a), Kooper Waldo (1a) and Treyton Norman (1a). Evan Ligard made 35 saves in the win and had a .946 save percentage game. Against the Wild at Tofield Arena, Aiden Baraniuk got a hat trick while Manuel Gara and Kooper Waldo each scored two. Other scorers were; Sophie Flem-

ing (2a), Treyton Norman (1g), Logan Barmentloo (1a), Logan Riddell (1a), and James Conrad (1a). Besides picking up a point from between the posts, Logan Barmentloo made 25 saves for the shutout. Tofield U15 Titans (67-2) won three decisive games over the holiday season. On Dec. 23 at Tofield, the home team beat Saddle Lake 15-1. On Dec. 30 at home, Tofield shutout Wainwright 11-0. The following day at Wainwright, Tofield beat the home team 82. Scoring over the three games were; Marshall McLeod (3g 1a), Gavin Lutz (5g 2a), Hunter Madro (2g 2a), Steven Cardinal (1g 4a), Gabriel Thorson (5g 5a), Karter Waldo (2g 4a), Merek Fritz (6g), Ben Fleming (4g

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2a), Colton Munson (2g 2a), Logan Kropp (1g), Logan Suchy (1g), Braydo Crawford (2a), Phenyx Ladwig (4g 4a). David Cardinal got all three wins and had a .938 save percentage. Tofield U18 Titans (93-1) beat St. Paul on the road on Dec. 23, 4-2 led by Ryan Conrad’s hat trick. Also scoring was Noah Peterson. Assists went to; Carter Olson (2a), Ty Rude (1a), Josh Swedberg (1a), and Scott Jardine (1a). Jacob Bigney got the win in net stopping 24 for a .923 save percentage game. On Dec. 29, Ti-

tans hosted Lloydminster and shutout the home team 7-0. Tofield outshot Lloyd 80-5 in the contest. Scoring for Titans were; Ty Rude (2g 1a), Noah Peterson (1g 1a), Brody Van Engelen (1g 1a), Jorden Suchy (2a), Ryan Conrad (1g), Carter Olson (1g), Evan Suchy (1g), Nicholas Tooke (1a), Colben Pedersen (1a), Brady Suchy (1a), and Koston McNabb (1a). Ryder Van Der Torre got the win in goal. Many leagues and teams shut down over the holiday season but resume soon.

We have gone through much pain and stress The last few years have brought much division to friends, family, and we need to heal from it all. Join us January 12 & 13 as we explore the 3 Phases of

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Page 8 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

Slight decline in Christmas hamper demand

Smile Cookie sales raise money for Hamper program

Over 30 volunteers were at the Tofield Community Hall between Monday, Dec. 18 to Wednesday, Dec. 20 for the sorting, packing, and delivering of Christmas Hampers. This year 99 hampers were distributed, down from the 122 last year. LISA KUFLAY PHOTO

Local players part of winning team

Tim Horton's Holiday Smile Cookie ran this year from November 13-19, 2023. This year's proceeds of $642.38 went towards the Christmas Hamper program's angel tree toy drive. Pictured L-R is Hamper Committee Chairperson Greg Litwin and Tim Horton employees Mary Bomicl, Mary Ann Detecio, John Paul Bobier, and Monaliza Bautista. Congratulations to the U15AA Strathcona Warriors on winning the 2023 Sask Challenge Cup. The team, consisting of two local players, won 6 out of 6 games in a 24 team tournament, bringing home gold. Mason Jeffery is front row second in from the left, and Cale Helfrich back row 3rd in from the left.

Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission Box 540, 5019-50 Ave. Ryley, Alberta, Canada T0B 4A0 (780) 663-2019 or 1-866-333-3791 Fax: (780) 663-2050

2024 WATER RATE INCREASE You’re invited to attend an Open House for the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub. The Atlas Carbon Storage Hub from Shell and ATCO intends to store CO2 emissions generated in Alberta’s industrial heartland region. If built, the storage hub would store CO2 emissions captured by Shell’s proposed Polaris carbon capture project. Atlas would also serve as an open-access hub to store CO2 from other third-party industrial sources. The CO2 would be permanently stored deep below areas of east central Alberta. Please join us for an informal, come-and-go open house to learn more about the project, meet the team, ask us questions, and provide us with feedback as we continue to develop the project. Dinner will be provided.

AT THE DECEMBER 14th, 2023 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING THE HIGHWAY 14 REGIONAL WATER SERVICES COMMISSION BOARD PASSED AN INCREASE OF 4.0% EFFECTIVE MARCH 1st, 2024.

OPEN HOUSE Round Hill

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 Round Hill & District Community Centre 9 Township Road 484, Round Hill, AB. 4:30pm – 7:00pm

• Truck fill rate has been increased from $6.227/m3 to $6.476/m3.

For any questions, please contact: Janine King, Community Relations Advisor 587 879 1633 Janine.King@shell.com

The Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission can be contacted at 1-866-333-3791 during regular office hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

B CLEANING LEANING CO O--OP OP BEAVER EAVER COUNTY OUNTY SEED EED EAVER C OUNTY S EED C LEANING C O OP For September Sale:November Common Seed Oats, OPEN &BY October Pony and Barley APPOINTMENT ONLY Open byOats appointment only

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

Chronicle

Bruce, Holden, Kinsella Ryley, Tofield, Viking

Phone 780-688-3917 AB Phone 780-688-3917 Holden, Phone 780-688-3917 • •• Holden, Holden, ABAB

The Beaver County

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

A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday, November , 2023,Volume Volume17, 16,Issue Issue0146 Thursday, January 4, 2024, Wednesday February 16 2022 Volume 15 Issue 7

Ryley CAO blasts Hwy 14 Water Commission as they forego replacing 70-year-old system “Hwy 14 rakes in $120,000 every year in maintenance revenue from Ryley residents” Jana Semeniuk Village of Ryley Chief Administrative Officer Glen Hamilton-Brown expressed frustration over a recent decision by the Highway 14 water commission to not replace their aging water system during the village’s planned road reconstruction project. The decision, announced at their Dec. 14 board meeting, was in response to a recent presentation given by Hamilton-Brown to the water commission at their Nov. 16 board meeting asking the water commission for a cost-share of between $393,193 and $733,309 to replace the 70-year-old water system under 49th street along with 11 services (to homes) during a road reconstruction planned for spring 2024. The project is estimated to cost the village $1.4 million and was approved at an Oct. village council meeting. Hamilton-Brown said there is a good chance the water system will fail at the time of the road construction due to its age, and because he said this scenario already occurred during a road project in 2020. Hamilton-Brown made this request to the water commission for the same project in 2021 and it was also denied. The road construction project was then pushed aside when Ryley administration changed. In their letter to Hamilton-Brown after the 2021 proposal rejection, Highway 14 water commission said they are not eligible for grant

funding the way a municipality is. They said they want to transfer ownership of the water distribution systems back to the municipalities so they can take advantage of grants. “The purpose of the change in ownership is to allow the municipalities to apply for grants to reduce the amount it must borrow and finance by its ratepayers, and to reduce the cost to users of the Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission water transmission line,” said the letter, adding that the watermain described in Ryley’s plan had more life than indicated. “The watermain described in this plan has a life expectancy exceeding 20 more years in its current condition. Best practices express this line will continue to service customers for the next 20 to 30 years. This will put replacement well into the next cycle to replace the road surface.” Hamilton-Brown disputes the assertion that there is more life in the water lines as he said there have been three major breaks within the month this letter was written. He said the village has not yet released an official statement on the water commission’s recent decision to stand by their previous decision, but said he had comments. “Hwy 14's 70-year-old water distribution system in Ryley is falling apart while Hwy 14 rakes in $120,000 every year in maintenance revenue from Ryley residents. That extra monthly $42 fixed fee sur-

charge is specifically for the Ryley water distribution system,” he said. “They bought that system in good condition from the Village 32 years ago. They have collected fees from Ryley residents for many years and have not spent that money on upgrades. They have let the water system in Ryley age, it is now past its end of life, and it is now at risk for catastrophic failure. And now they want the village to ‘buy it

back’?” Hamilton-Brown could not give details on the cost to buy the system back, but said the village agrees that transferring ownership of the water lines back to the municipality would be in their best interest. He said the Highway 14 response to their funding request will be discussed at the village council’s next meeting on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

Beaver County Division Five Councilor, Dale Pederson, reads the Highway 14 Water Commission's response to a funding request from the village of Ryley at their Dec. 14 board meeting. The water commission denied a request to cost-share a portion of the village's water system during their planned 2024 road JANA SEMENIUK PHOTO construction project.

2 - Beaver County Chronicle, January 4, 2024

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zƺɴɎ xȒɮǣƺ‫ ي‬ IƺƫȸɖƏȸɵ ‫ ׎׏‬٢Á ٣

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Beaver County Chronicle, January 4, 2024 - 3

Xx¨ «Á zÁ ( Á Á0³ hƏȇɖƏȸɵ ‫ו׏‬Ɏǝ‫ي‬ ‫ ׎בيח‬x‫ ي‬JȒɮƺȸȇƏȇƬƺ ƏȇƳ ¨ȸǣȒȸǣɎǣƺɀ !ȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƺ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ ‫¨ ׏‬x‫« ي‬ƺǕɖǼƏȸ !ȒɖȇƬǣǼ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ hƏȇɖƏȸɵ ‫ז׏‬Ɏǝ‫ي‬ ‫¨ ב‬x‫ ي‬ǕȸǣƬɖǼɎɖȸƏǼ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺ ȒƏȸƳ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ IƺƫȸɖƏȸɵ ‫ו‬Ɏǝ‫ي‬ ‫ ׎בيח‬x‫ ي‬JȒɮƺȸȇƏȇƬƺ ƏȇƳ ¨ȸǣȒȸǣɎǣƺɀ !ȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƺ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ

áR Á³ R ¨¨0zXzJ Xz È« ! xxÈzXÁç ȒȒǸ !Ǽɖƫ ‫ ٮ‬IƺƫȸɖƏȸɵ ‫ה‬Ɏǝ nȒƬƏɎǣȒȇ‫« ي‬Ȓɀɀ !ȸƺƺǸ !ȒȅȅɖȇǣɎɵ RƏǼǼً ‫« ׏ג׎׏בד‬Ǖƺ «Ƴ ‫׏ח׏‬ «ɖȸƏǼ ƫȒȒǸ ƬǼɖƫ ɎǝƏɎ ȅƺƺɎɀ Ɏǝƺ ǔǣȸɀɎ ÁɖƺɀƳƏɵ Ȓǔ ƺƏƬǝ ȅȒȇɎǝِ xƺƺɎǣȇǕɀ ȸɖȇ ǔȸȒȅ ‫¨ו‬x ‫¨ז ٮ‬xً ƏǼǼ ƏǕƺɀ ɯƺǼƬȒȅƺٍ (ƏȸɎɀ zǣǕǝɎ ‫ ٮ‬áƺƳȇƺɀƳƏɵ ƺɮƺȇǣȇǕɀ ƏɎ Ɏǝƺ «ɵǼƺɵ nƺǕǣȒȇ ‫¨ ׎בيו‬x‫¨ ׎׎ي׎׏ ٮ‬x nƺǕǣȒȇ ȅƺȅƫƺȸɀǝǣȵ ȇȒɎ ȸƺȷɖǣȸƺƳً ƏȇƳ ƏǼǼ ɀǸǣǼǼɀ ǼƺɮƺǼɀ ɯƺǼƬȒȅƺٍ (ƏȸɎɀ ƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺ ɎȒ ǼƺȇƳ ǣǔ ȇƺƺƳƺƳِ IȒȒƳ ǔȒȸ ÁǝȒɖǕǝɎ ‫ ٮ‬Jǣɮƺ Ə !Əȇ ÁȒƳƏɵ ‫ ٮ‬IȒȒƳ (ȸǣɮƺ ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳ‫«ٮ‬ɵǼƺɵ IȒȒƳ ƏȇǸ ƳƺɀȵƺȸƏɎƺǼɵ ȇƺƺƳɀ ƬƏȇɀ Ȓǔ ǔȸɖǣɎِ !ƏǼǼ ‫ ׏׏דבٮאההٮ׎זו‬ƏȇƳ ǼƺƏɮƺ Ə ȅƺɀɀƏǕƺ ǣǔ ɵȒɖ ɯǣɀǝ ɎȒ ƳȒȇƏɎƺ ‫ ٮ‬Ə ɮȒǼɖȇɎƺƺȸ ɯǣǼǼ ȸƺɎɖȸȇ ɵȒɖȸ ƬƏǼǼِ !ƏȸƺǕǣɮƺȸɀ (ȸȒȵ‫ٮ‬Xȇ JȸȒɖȵ ‫ ٮ‬hƏȇɖƏȸɵ ‫ ׎׏ ً׎ב ًבא ًה׏ ًח‬x ‫ ٮ‬zȒȒȇِ àǣǸǣȇǕ ³ƺȇǣȒȸɀ !ƺȇɎȸƺِ IȒȸ ȅȒȸƺ ǣȇǔȒ ƬȒȇɎƏƬɎ àǣǸǣȇǕٖ ƺƏɮƺȸ I!³³ ƏɎ ‫ٮהבבٮ׎זו‬ ‫גא׎ג‬ xɖɀǣƬ hƏȅ ٖ ȵƺȇ xǣƬ ‫ ٮ‬³ɖȇƳƏɵ hƏȇɖƏȸɵ ‫׏א‬ RȒǼƳƺȇ !ȒȅȅɖȇǣɎɵ RƏǼǼِ ³ȵƺƬɎƏɎȒȸɀ ٢‫דڟ‬٣ً xɖɀǣƬǣƏȇɀ ٢Iȸƺƺ٣ِ ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳ ‫ ٮ‬ÁǝɖȸɀƳƏɵɀً ‫¨ ח ٮ ז‬x ƏɀƺȅƺȇɎ Ȓǔ ƏȸƳȒ nɖɎǝƺȸƏȇ !ǝɖȸƬǝً ‫ וד ובוג‬ɮƺً ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳِ àǣǸǣȇǕ ‫ ٮ‬áƺƳȇƺɀƳƏɵɀً ‫¨ ׎בيו‬xً ñȒȒȅ ȒȵɎǣȒȇ ƏǼɀȒ ƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺِ JȒǼƳƺȇ àƏǼǼƺɵ nɖɎǝƺȸƏȇ !ǝɖȸƬǝً ‫ הד ואבד‬ɮƺً àǣǸǣȇǕِ ǝɎɎȵɀ‫ٖٖي‬ ٖٖƏȸƺƏ‫זו‬ƏƏِȒȸǕٖȅƺƺɎǣȇǕɀٖ‫׏‬ ٖ‫ٖבٮוג׏‬ ³ɖƫȅǣɎ ɵȒ ɵȒɖȸ ƺɮƺȇɎ‫ٱ‬ Ɏ‫ٱ‬ɀ ‫ٱ‬ɀ٦ ɀ٦ ȅƺƺɎǣȇǕɀ ƏȇƳ‫ٱ‬ Ƴ‫ٱ‬Ȓ ‫ٱ‬Ȓȸ ǕƏɎǝƺȸǣȇǕɀ ɎȒ Ȓɖȸ ƺɮƺ ɮƺȇɎɀ ƬƏǼƺȇƳƏȸ Ȓȇ Ɏǝƺ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ٨ hɖɀɎ ǝƺƏƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ٦ ɀƬȸȒǼǼ ƳȒɯȇ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ƬƏǼƺȇƳƏȸ٦ ɯƺ ȸ٦ ƬǼǣƬǸ ɎȒ ɮǣƺɯ ƏǼǼ ƺɮƺ ɮƺȇɎɀ٦ ɀ٦ Ɏǝƺȇ ǝǣɎ Ɏǝƺ ³ɖƫȅǣɎ Əȇ ƺɮƺ ɮƺȇɎ ƫɖɎɎȒȇ٨

ÁRXzkXzJ I ÈXn(XzJ ÁRX³ ç0 «ّ ª‫ ي‬áǝƏɎ ƬȒɖȇɎɀ Əɀ Ə ƳƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ ǣȇ ƺƏɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵّ ٥ Xȇ ƺƏɮƺ ɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵ Ɏɵ٦ ɵ٦ ɯǝƺȇ ɯƺ ɎƏǼǸ ƏƫȒɖɎ ‫ٯ‬ƳƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ‫ٯ‬٦ ɯƺ‫ٯ‬ȸƺ ȸƺǔƺ ǔƺȸȸǣȇǕ ɎȒ Ə ȸƏȇǕƺ Ȓǔ ƏƬɎǣɮǣɎǣƺɀ ɎǝƏɎ Əȸƺ ȸƺǕɖǼƏɎƺƳ ƫɵ ƫɵ Ȓɖȸ nƏȇƳ Èɀƺ ɵǼƏɯ ‫תשױډױײ‬٫ Rƺȸƺ‫ڗ‬ɀ ‫ڗ‬ɀ Ə ɀǣȅȵǼƺ ƫȸƺƏǸƳȒɯȇ Ȓǔ ɯǝƏɎ‫ٯ‬ɀ ǣȇƬǼɖƳƺƳ٥ (ǣǕǕǣȇǕ ƏȇƳ ¨ǣǼǣȇǕ٥ ȇɵ ƺɴƬƏɮƏɎǣȒȇ Ȓȸ ƬȸƺƏɎǣȒȇ Ȓǔ ɀɎȒƬǸȵ ǸȵǣǼƺɀ٫ ɖǣǼƳǣȇǕ áȒȸǸɀ Ǹɀ٥ Áǝ Áǝǣɀ ƬȒɖǼƳ ƫƺ ƬȒȇɀɎȸɖƬɎǣȇǕ Ə ȇƺɯ ƫɖǣǼƳǣȇǕ٦ ȅƏǸǣȇǕ ƏƳƳǣɎǣȒȇɀ ɎȒ ƺɴǣɀɎǣȇǕ Ȓȇƺɀ٦ ɀ٦ ƳȒǣȇǕ ȸƺȵǼƏƬƺȅƺȇɎɀ Ȓȸ ȸƺȵƏǣȸɀ ȸɀ٦ ƏȇƳ ȵǼƏƬǣȇǕ Əȇɵ ɀɎȸɖƬɎɖȸƺ Ȓȇ٦ Ȓɮƺ ɮƺȸ٦ ȸ٦ Ȓȸ ɖȇƳƺȸ ǼƏȇƳ٫ ÈɀƏǕƺ !ǝƏȇǕƺɀ٥ Xǔ Ɏǝƺȸƺ‫ٯ‬ɀ ‫ٯ‬ɀ Ə ƬǝƏȇǕƺ ǣȇ ǝȒɯ ǼƏȇƳ Ȓȸ Ə ƫɖǣǼƳǣȇǕ ǣɀ ɖɀƺƳ٦ Ƴ٦ Ȓȸ ǣǔ Əȇɵ ȇɵ ƏƬɎǣȒȇ ȅǣǕǝɎ ǼƺƏƳ ɎȒ Ə ƬǝƏȇǕƺ ǣȇ ɖɀƺ٦ ɎǝƏɎ‫ٯ‬ɀ ƬȒȇɀǣƳƺȸƺƳ ƳƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ٫ XȇɎƺȇɀǣɎɵ Ɏɵ !ǝƏȇǕƺɀ٥ ȇɵ ȇɵ ƬǝƏȇǕƺ ‫ٽ‬Ȓȸ ȵȒɎƺȇɎǣƏǼ ƬǝƏȇǕƺ‫ پ‬ǣȇ ǝȒɯ ǣȇɎƺȇɀƺǼɵ Ǽɵ ǼƏȇƳ Ȓȸ Ə ƫɖǣǼƳǣȇǕ ǣɀ ɖɀƺƳ٫ ǼɀȒ٦ ǣǔ ɵȒ ɵȒɖ‫ٯ‬ȸƺ ƳƺȅȒǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ٦ ȸƺȅȒɮǣȇǕ٦ Ȓȸ ȅȒɮǣ ɮǣȇǕ Ə ȵȸƺ‫ډ‬ƫɖǣǼɎ ɀɎȸɖƬɎɖȸƺ ɎȒ Ə ȇƺɯ ǼȒƬƏɎǣȒȇ٦ ɎǝƏɎ‫ٯ‬ɀ ǣȇƬǼɖƳƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝƺ Ƴƺǔǣ ǔǣȇǣɎǣȒȇ Ȓǔ Ƴƺɮƺ ɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ ɎȒȒ٫ Xȇ ȅȒɀɎ ƬƏɀƺɀ٦ ɵȒ ɵȒɖ‫ٯ‬ǼǼ ȇƺƺƳ Ə Ƴƺɮƺ ɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ ȵƺȸȅǣɎ ǔȒ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺɀƺ ǸǣȇƳɀ Ȓǔ ƏƬɎǣɮǣ ɮǣɎǣƺɀ٫ ³Ȓ٦ ǣǔ ɵȒ ɵȒɖ‫ٯ‬ȸƺ ȵǼƏȇȇǣȇǕ ɀȒȅƺɎǝǣȇǕ ƏǼȒȇǕ Ɏǝƺɀƺ Ǽǣȇƺɀ٦ ɀ٦ ƬȒȇɎƏƬɎ Ȓɖȸ Ƴƺɮƺ ɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ Ȓǔǔ ǔǔǣ ǔǣƬƺȸ hƺɀɀǣƬƏ٦ ɎȒ ǕƺɎ ɵȒ ɵȒɖȸ Ƴƺɮƺ ɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ ȵƺȸȅǣɎ٫ xȒȸƺ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ƏƫȒɖɎ ɯǝƏɎ ȵƺȸȅǣɎɀ Əȸƺ ȇƺƺƳƺƳ ƏȇƳ ɯǝƏɎ ɯȒȸǸ ǣɀ ƺɴƺȅȵɎ ƬƏȇ ƫƺ ǔȒɖȇƳ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ ɖȇƳƺȸ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ‫¨ ڽ‬ǼƏȇȇǣȇǕ ۭ (ƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎِ

ƳȅǣȇǣɀɎȸƏɎǣɮƺ ɀɀǣɀɎƏȇɎ ‫! ٮ‬ȒȅȅɖȇǣɎɵ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ȸƺ ɵȒɖ ɀȒȅƺȒȇƺ ɯǝȒ Ɏǝȸǣɮƺɀ ǣȇ Ə ƳɵȇƏȅǣƬ ƺȇɮǣȸȒȇȅƺȇɎً ǝƏȇƳǼǣȇǕ Ə ɮƏȸǣƺɎɵ Ȓǔ ɎƏɀǸɀ ɯǣɎǝ ƺƏɀƺ ƏȇƳ ƺǔǔǣƬǣƺȇƬɵّ Xǔ ɎǝƏɎ ɀȒɖȇƳɀ ǼǣǸƺ ɵȒɖً ɯƺ ǝƏɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȵƺȸǔƺƬɎ ȅǣɀɀǣȒȇِ hȒǣȇ Ȓɖȸ ɎƺƏȅ Əɀ Əȇ ƳȅǣȇǣɀɎȸƏɎǣɮƺ ɀɀǣɀɎƏȇɎ ‫! ٮ‬ȒȅȅɖȇǣɎɵ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ٢ɎƺȅȵȒȸƏȸɵ Ɏƺȸȅ ȵȒɀǣɎǣȒȇ٣ً ɯǝƺȸƺ ƺɮƺȸɵ ƳƏɵ ƫȸǣȇǕɀ Ə ȇƺɯ ƬǝƏǼǼƺȇǕƺ ƏȇƳ Ə ƬǝƏȇƬƺ ɎȒ ɀǝȒɯƬƏɀƺ ɵȒɖȸ ɀɖȵƺȸȵȒɯƺȸɀ ǣȇ ȒȸǕƏȇǣɿƏɎǣȒȇ ƏȇƳ ȅɖǼɎǣɎƏɀǸǣȇǕِ nƺƏȵ ǣȇɎȒ Ɏǝǣɀ ƺɴƬǣɎǣȇǕ ȸȒǼƺ ƏȇƳ ȅƏǸƺ Ə ȸƺƏǼ ǣȅȵƏƬɎ ǣȇ Ȓɖȸ ƬȒȅȅɖȇǣɎɵٍ ¨ȸȒǴƺƬɎ !ȒȒȸƳǣȇƏɎȒȸ ‫ ٮ‬0«¨ IǣȇƏȇƬƺ áƺٔȸƺ Ȓȇ Ɏǝƺ ǝɖȇɎ ǔȒȸ Ə ɀǝƏȸȵً ɀȒǼɖɎǣȒȇ‫ٮ‬ȒȸǣƺȇɎƺƳ ¨ȸȒǴƺƬɎ !ȒȒȸƳǣȇƏɎȒȸ ɎȒ ƫȸǣȇǕ Ɏǝƺǣȸ ƏȇƏǼɵɎǣƬƏǼ ȵȸȒɯƺɀɀ ɎȒ Ȓɖȸ !ȒȸȵȒȸƏɎƺ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ɎƺƏȅِ IȒƬɖɀǣȇǕ Ȓȇ 0«¨ ƏȇƳ IǣȇƏȇƬƺً ɵȒɖٔǼǼ ƫƺ Ɏǝƺ ƳȸǣɮǣȇǕ ǔȒȸƬƺ ƫƺǝǣȇƳ ƺɴƬǣɎǣȇǕ ȵȸȒǴƺƬɎɀ ɎǝƏɎ Əȸƺ ƏǼǼ ƏƫȒɖɎ ȅȒƳƺȸȇǣɿǣȇǕ Ȓɖȸ ɀɵɀɎƺȅɀِ «ƺȵȒȸɎǣȇǕ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ JƺȇƺȸƏǼ xƏȇƏǕƺȸ Ȓǔ !ȒȸȵȒȸƏɎƺ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀً ɵȒɖȸ ȵȸȒǴƺƬɎ ȅƏȇƏǕƺȅƺȇɎ ɀǸǣǼǼɀ ɯǣǼǼ ƫƺ Ǹƺɵ ǣȇ ɎȸƏȇɀǔȒȸȅǣȇǕ ǝȒɯ ɯƺ ɯȒȸǸِ «ƺƏƳɵ ɎȒ ȅƏǸƺ Ə ƫǣǕ ǣȅȵƏƬɎّ áƺٔȸƺ ȸƺƏƳɵ ǔȒȸ ɵȒɖٍ ³ƺƏɀȒȇƏǼ !ȸƺɯ xƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ ٮ‬ǕȸǣƬɖǼɎɖȸƏǼ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ (Ȓ ɵȒɖ ǼȒɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȒɖɎƳȒȒȸɀّ áƺٔȸƺ ǼȒȒǸǣȇǕ ǔȒȸ Əȇ ƺȇɎǝɖɀǣƏɀɎǣƬ ǣȇƳǣɮǣƳɖƏǼ ɎȒ ƫȸǣȇǕ Ɏǝƺǣȸ ɀǸǣǼǼɀ ɎȒ Ȓɖȸ Ǖ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ɎƺƏȅٍ hȒǣȇ Ȓɖȸ ɎƺƏȅ Əɀ Ə ¨ƺɀɎǣƬǣƳƺ ȵȵǼǣƬƏɎȒȸ X ‫¨ٽ‬ɖȸɀɖƏȇɎ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ X٫È٫ ٫0 !ȒǼǼƺƬɎǣɮƺ ǕȸƺƺȅƺȇɎ٦ nȒƬƏǼ ÈȇǣȒȇ zȒ٫ ‫ِپ׮׮ײ‬ «ƺȵȒȸɎǣȇǕ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ǕȸǣƬɖǼɎɖȸƏǼ IǣƺǼƳȅƏȇً ɵȒɖٔǼǼ ȵǼƏɵ Ə ɮǣɎƏǼ ȸȒǼƺ ǣȇ ǸƺƺȵǣȇǕ ƺƏɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ƫƺƏɖɎǣǔɖǼِ

IȒȸ ȅȒȸƺ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇً ƏȇƳ ƳƺɎƏǣǼɀ Ȓȇ ǝȒɯ ɎȒ ƏȵȵǼɵً ɮǣɀǣɎ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ ‫ ڽ‬JȒɮƺȸȇȅƺȇɎ ‫! ڽ‬Əȸƺƺȸɀ

³ɎƏɵ ǣȇ xƏǣǼǣȇǕ ǼǣɀɎ Ɏǝƺ ǼȒȒȵٍ áƺƫɀǣɎƺ

JƺɎ ȇƺɯɀً ȅƺƺɎǣȇǕ ǝǣǕǝǼǣǕǝɎɀً Ɏǝƺ ȸȒƏƳ ƬȒȇɀɎȸɖƬɎǣȒȇ ɀƬǝƺƳɖǼƺً Ɏǝƺ !ǝȸȒȇǣƬǼƺً ƏȇƳ ȅȒȸƺ ‫ ٮ‬ƳǣȸƺƬɎ ɎȒ ɵȒɖȸ ǣȇƫȒɴٍ

XȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ Ȓȇ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ȵȸȒǕȸƏȅɀ ƏȇƳ ɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ƬƏȇ ƫƺ ǔȒɖȇƳ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺً ƏǼȒȇǕ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ǼƏɎƺɀɎ ȇƺɯɀِ

³ȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ IǣȇƳ ɖɀ Ȓȇ IƏƬƺƫȒȒǸً æ ٢ÁɯǣɎɎƺȸ٣ً XȇɀɎƏǕȸƏȅً çȒɖÁɖƫƺً ƏȇƳ nǣȇǸƺƳXȇِ

4 - Beaver County Chronicle, January 4, 2024

Local decorating contest winners Kari Janzen The Villages of Holden and Ryley, and the Town of Tofield each held their municipal holiday decorating contests. The commercial winner in Holden was the post office, the grand prize was awarded to 5139 - 51 Ave, first prize went to 4815 - 51 Ave, second place to 4835 - 49 Ave, and third place went to 4819 - 51 Ave. Ryley winners in the business category were George’s Harness and Saddlery and Three Kings Hub. Resident winners were Tracey Sim, Maryanne and Murray Nason, and Murdoch Cameron. Ryley FCSS director Mickey Wilson said there were so many awesome residential decorations that choosing was very difficult. Tofield winners were contact-

ed directly. There were eight can be participated for a longer vides something that can be entries in the residential cate- duration of time than the enjoyed by the entire communigories, which Assistant Chief Winterfest weekend and pro- ty,” said Edwards. Administrative Office Jeff Edwards said is consistent with years previous. “There were 12 total entrants for the business side, which is a significant increase from years previous. Years past have seen roughly four to six or eight total entries,” Edwards said. There is no certain criterion for the decorating contest, and win(Operators of the Ryley Swimming Pool) ners are selected by the people’s vote. “Polls are circulated on the Winterfest Facebook page, allowing three choices per category to be provided, and each person can vote once. The total votes were tallied when the contest closed, which was December 20. The Committee is pleased to have an event that

Notice of the 47th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Beaver Heritage & Agricultural Society Will be held on

Wednesday, January 10th, @ 7:00 pm Village of Ryley Office

Everyone welcome!

Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission Box 540, 5019-50 Ave. Ryley, Alberta, Canada T0B 4A0 (780) 663-2019 or 1-866-333-3791 Fax: (780) 663-2050

OPEN HOUSE Round Hill

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 Round Hill & District Community Centre 9 Township Road 484, Round Hill, AB. 4:30pm – 7:00pm For any questions, please contact: Janine King, Community Relations Advisor 587 879 1633 Janine.King@shell.com

AT THE DECEMBER 14th, 2023 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING THE HIGHWAY 14 REGIONAL WATER SERVICES COMMISSION BOARD PASSED AN INCREASE OF 4.0% EFFECTIVE MARCH 1st, 2024.

Changes to rates are as follows: • Distribution Commodity Rate has been increased from $5.160/m3 to $5.366/m3. • Bulk Commodity Rate has been increased from $4.360/m3 to $4.534/m3. • Distribution Fixed Rate has been increased from $42.39 per month to $44.09 per month. • Truck fill rate has been increased from $6.227/m3 to $6.476/m3. The Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission can be contacted at 1-866-333-3791 during regular office hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Page 9

Dungeons and Dragons program at Library popular Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

Christmas at the Tofield Municipal Library was full of activities again this year, including their monthly colouring contest, weekly scavenger hunt, and the Festival of Trees. “We have these contests nearly every holiday. The colouring contest for December was the most successful it has been thus far, possibly because of the amazing Festival of Trees event that we were able to host this year. This time around, we had 40 entries which is around 10 for each category. We always have a prize available for adults, teens, kids and littles,” said Madi Hillyer, Library Assistant. The library’s weekly scavenger hunt didn’t take a break for the holidays, but took on a Christmassy theme. Hillyer organizes and originally came up with the idea for a weekly scavenger hunt, which has been part of the library’s activities for almost a year. “Our weekly scavenger hunt has been such a good activity for the kids who attend the library.

They take a paper with nine images and look around the library to find the matching image with a three digit number to write down. Afterwards, they get to pick a prize from the prize bin. This December was the first time that we added a little twist to it, where the kids had a chance to win a larger prize from under the tree at the end of the week,” Hillyer said. New programs that have recently been introduced to the library include Whimsy Writers and Doodlers Den, and a Dungeons and Dragons group. “Due to the holiday hustle and bustle we have not yet seen a huge attendance with the Whimsy Writers and Doodlers Den, but we do expect an amazing group of kids, around 8-12, who usually attend our other teen programs,” Hillyer said. Whimsy Writers and Doodlers Den at the library provides a space for kids to be creative and limit distractions. Emily Sjursen, creator of the program, does not prepare a rigid structure, but has the kids work on their own ideas and projects.

“We simply provide a space for the kids to have a place to share ideas and work on their own projects, similar to the Dungeons and Dragons Group, which is entirely teen-led. In that program, we have such a large group of kids that we are finding it difficult to fit

everyone! Dungeons and Dragons groups typically have a smaller number of people to make the story flow more efficiently, so it may be easier to split the group in order to properly include everyone and their characters,” Hillyer said.

April 9, 1937 - Dec. 8, 2023 Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph Willisko was born in Holden Alberta on April 9, 1937. He passed away on December 8, 2023 in Westlock Alberta. Those who predeceased him were his parents Michael and Sofie, two brothers Wilfred and Vince, two daughters Jill and Jenifer. Surviving him is his brother Lenard, first wife Joanne Rogers, second wife Joanne Hicks, third wife Jill Brooks and his daughter Pearl Dawn and sons Danard and Bart. His life was lived in Smoky Lake for the past 50 years.

Pictured is a Tofield Municipal Library weekly scavenger hunt winner, James. For the month of December the library added a Christmassy theme to the scavenger hunt, and winners also had the chance to win a larger prize from under the Christmas tree.

Bardo Lutheran Church Salem Mennonite Church Worship: Sundays at 10:30 AM 49232 Rge Rd 184 Tofield, AB

In Person – 10:00 AM Streaming – 10:00 AM Livestream available at: tofieldalliancechurch.com

We find joy and hope when we are joined to and rooted in Christ!

Pr. Peter Beckman www.bardolutheranchurch.ca 780-662-2762 • 5907 - 49 Street 5609 48th St. - 780-662-3411 TOFIELD COMMUNITY CHURCH 4619 - 57 Ave

(780) 662-3 3166

Sunday Worship Service 10:30am www.tofieldchurch.com Lead Pastor:

Jon Stewart Children/Youth Pastor:

Nathan Nichols

Tofield United Church 4832 - 53 Ave, Tofield

Sunday Worship Service @ 10 am in person or via zoom/phone

for more information call 780.662.3471 or email tofieldunited@gmail.com

Bast, William “Billy” Ross Feb. 18, 1930 - Dec. 13, 2023

Church Directory Pastor Calvin Andringa Sunday Worship Services:

Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph Willisko

Pastor Mark Loewen 780-662-2365 Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am

St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Parish Pastor: Fr. Jim Corrigan Sunday Mass @ 11 A.M. 5523 - 50 st. Tofield, Ab.

Coffee and snacks after Mass, everyone welcome! Contact Wendy @ 780-232-5300

William “Billy” Ross Bast was born in Kitchener Waterloo, Ontario on February 18, 1930. He passed away peacefully on December 13, 2023 at the age of ninety-three at the Rockyview hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Billy was predeceased by his loving wife Jean and his eldest daughter Carol and her husband Stewart Eggie. He is survived by his daughters Darlene Ward, Betty Stoner (Dale), Donna Steier (Ron), fifteen grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren. Funeral Arrangement will be made at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate in Billy’s honour to your charity of choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.cochranecountryfuneral.com

Cochrane Country Funeral Home 1-403-932-1039 www.cochranecountryfuneral.com

Page 10 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

Business & Professional Services Directory Affordable Weekly Advertising! Sizes range from $50-160 per month

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The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Page 11

REMEMBER WHEN A shot to be spelling champ Chase Smith, a Grade 7 student at Tofield School, attempts to spell a word during the spelling bee held recently. Finola Hackett won the competition, and will move on to the district level this week. This photo appeared in the Tofield Mercury on January 31, 2006.

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Meat Packers

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DONATE at tofieldhealthfoundation.ca Did you know that The Tofield Mercury provides laminating services? Wallet size $2.50 each plus tax Letter size 8.5” x 11” $4.00 each plus tax Poster size 11” x 17” $5.00 each plus tax We also provide photocopying and faxing services! We do printing, from business cards to programs to invoice books.

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Page 12 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

THE LAMONT

Affordable Advertising with

The

Classifieds

CLASSIFIED AD RATES

$14 minimum for first 25 words, 45¢ per word thereafter (G.S.T. not included) PICTURE BOLD $10 $5 Go into The Community Press for an extra $5 ALL CLASSIFIED ADS MUST BE PREPAID BEFORE INSERTION unless customer has an account in good standing. All advertising subject to the approval of the Publisher. WEEKLY REVIEW 780-336-3422 vikingreview@gmail.com

TOFIELD MERCURY 780-662-4046 adsmercury@gmail.com

LAMONT LEADER 780-895-2780 lmtleader@gmail.com

____________________ COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS ____________________ Viking & District Agricultural Society Annual General Meeting Wednesday January 10 at 7 p.m. Viking Community Hall New Members Welcome ________________________ LUTEFISK SUPPER Golden Valley Lutheran Church Friday, January 5 @ 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 each ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY Contact Muriel at 780-336-2444 FOR RENT FOR RENT

For Rent in Viking: 3 bedroom house; 2 bathrooms; washer/dryer. Available immediately. Call 403-4614350. ________________________ For rent in Viking: 4 bedroom house with garage. Available immediately Call 403-4614350 FOR SALE FOR SALE Wheelchair Ramp, aluminum frame - mint condition. $3000 780-895-7458 ________________________ 520 Honda Snow Thrower for sale. Call 780-919-5669 TM49p

COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS Caregiver’s Drop-In Group Viking Seniors Centre (5024 53 Ave Viking) Fall Dates: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 10 a.m. to Noon Free of Charge! •If you are, were, or will soon be a caregiver for a loved one, please join us for a morning of information, discussion, support, and activities •Care recipients welcome to attend with their caregiver •For more information, please contact VBFCSS at 780-3364024 Brought to you in partnership by Viking/Beaver FCSS, Government of Canada, and The Town of Viking tfnc

SERVICES SERVICES Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 tfnp ________________________ Carpet and Upholstery cleaning - residential and commercial. Truck mount unit, sewer backup, and flood cleaning. Auto and RV Cleaning. Call John and Sheri at Fancy Shine Auto and Carpet Care at 780-3843087 tfnp

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Need to re-order: •Company Forms? •Invoices? •Envelopes? •Business Cards? •Bookmarks? •Magnets? •Stamps? •Score Cards? •Certificates? •Invitations? •Menus? •Receipts? •Posters? •Calendars? •Letterheads? Call your local paper with your print order today!

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tfnc ________________________ Come see our beautiful, well maintained country Cemetery located at 21338 Twp. Rd 550 in Josephburg. We offer burial and cremation plots as well as columbarium niches for sale. Please contact the Josephburg Community Church @ 780998-9331 for more information.

Stop Relying on Facebook and Word of Mouth. Advertise your Events in Three Papers for the price of one!

WEEKLY REVIEW 780-336-3422 vikingreview@gmail.com TOFIELD MERCURY 780-662-4046 adsmercury@gmail.com LAMONT LEADER 780-895-2780 lmtleader@gmail.com

The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Page 13

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These blanket classified ads are produced through a joint agreement by The Community Press, Viking Weekly Review, Lamont Leader, Tofield Mercury and Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association (AWNA). These ads appear in all AWNA member papers (120 papers) for the cost of $269.00 (+gst) for the first 25 words, $8.00 per word over 25. To place a blanket classified, call a CARIBOU PUBLISHING representative at 780-385-6693 or email ads@thecommunitypress.com.

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Page 14 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

CW Sears presents ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

CW Sears students performed their annual Christmas Concert, this year showcasing ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.’ The concert was held at The House on Tuesday, December 19 with an afternoon and evening show. “It is our pleasure to have the Kindergarten to Grade 4 students of CW Sears School perform for you. Christmas is a special time of year filled with joy, kindness, and time with family and friends. We hope this performance helps you get in the mood for the season and brightens your holiday,” said CW Sears principal Adam Madsen. All students had a part, whether that was reading pieces of the story, introducing each song, or singing with classmates. Rhett Chicoine and Raeleigh Murphy were the emcees

of the afternoon performance, with narrators Ethan Stauffer and Natalie Gates. Zac Charlesworth and Trinity Yetman emceed the evening performance, with narrators Gryffin Diehl and Gabby Zeidan. The Kindergarten class was up first, and performed ‘Christmas is Coming!’ Each Grade 1 student held a coloured picture of a sugar plum or shook a bell while they sang ‘The Sugar Plums.’ Grade 2 sang ‘St. Nick At Night.” Some had bells, others held Christmas stockings. Santa, played by Bentley Ruzycki, stood and waved during this song, while his reindeer sat in front. The reindeer were played by Grady Gillian (Rudolph), Noah Salioh, Ilana Gordon, Caleb Dauphinee, Jorja Schmick, Freya Guinup, Mathew Krawchuk, and Caleb Osmond. The next song, performed by the Grade Threes, was ‘Reindeer On the Roof.’ The emcees and narrators

joined their Grade 4 classmates for “When I Look At Santa,” and the finale brought each CW Sears student onto the stage for ‘To All a Good Night.’ Madsen also thanked the staff and key people who worked to put on the production. “A lot of work goes into this performance. I'd like to say a big thank you to Mrs. Beaulieu for organizing the slideshow, Miss Christianson for

her assistance with decorations and preparations, to Mrs. Nickel and Mrs. Sutton for preparing and practicing with their students, and to all of our staff for all the work they have done to put today's show together. I would also like to say a special thank you to Mrs. Laxdal for all the preparation, practicing and organizing that she has done to make today's concert a success,” he said.

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Afternoon performance narrators, Ethan Stauffer and Natalie Gates took turns reading each section of the story.

The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Page 15

More scenes from CW Sears Christmas concert

The Kindergarten class performing 'Christmas is Coming!'

Pictured is the Grade 2 class pointing to Santa Claus, played by Bentley Ruzycki, as they sang, 'St. Nick at Night.'

Page 16 - The Tofield Mercury, Thursday, January 4, 2024

Did you have a baby in 2023?

Enter our Contest! We will celebrate the babies born in 2023 in our Feb. 7th, 2024 issue. Your baby’s photo will appear in our special BABIES OF 2023 feature for FREE! Send a clear photo of your baby, email to: adsmercury@gmail.com, or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the TOFIELD MERCURY, Box 150, Tofield, AB. T0B 4J0, or you can also drop it off in person.

Remember to add baby’s name, birth date, and the names of the proud parents and mailing address.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS FEB 5th, 2024 AT NOON Your baby will appear in the paper! Your baby will automatically be entered for a draw for a pair of baby sunglasses from TOFIELD EYECARE, a $50 gift certificate from UNCLE ROGER’S, Free portrait session & 8x10 print with Carla Lehman Photography, and the winner will also receive a gift from the Tofield Mercury!