The Community
th
Press 115 Years of Telling YOUR Story
Volume 116 Issue 21
www.thecommunitypress.com
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 s
‘Hallmark Christmas’ a big hit with Flagstaff families LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
The Knox United Church in Killam was the spot to be for families this past Saturday, Nov. 18, where a Hallmark Christmas festival was held. Outside there was a cozy Christmas themed photo backdrop, complete with miniature horses from Heart Echo Equines, and inside a multitude of Christmas crafts and activities, all free and all designed to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit. See more photos Page 32.
Flagstaff County CAO Shelly Armstrong wins prestigious R.W. Hay Award through Rural Municipalities Association Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Flagstaff County CAO Shelly Armstrong has been awarded the 2023 R.W. Hay Award as outstanding rural CAO at the recent Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) convention in Edmonton. Armstrong’s career in public service has so far spanned 36 years, including more than 30 as CAO – longevity that reflects her dedication to serving her community, said RMA Vice President Kara Westerlund during the award presentation. “This CAO has been a driver of constant innovation and improvement,” Westerlund noted, “including advocating for and facilitating long-term strategic planning and in-
tegration of asset management, risk assessment, and long-range financial modelling within all municipal departments and as key council decision-making tools.” Flagstaff County Council nominated Armstrong for the prestigious award, stating in their nomination package that she, “has consistently demonstrated professionalism, trustworthiness, and transformative leadership.… Our relationship has been built on trust and mutual respect. Her consistent professionalism has been instrumental in nurturing the highest potential within Council and the entire organization.” Beyond her municipal work, Armstrong was also commended for the countless hours she has committed as a director and Continued on Page 21
Page 4 - The Community Press, Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Strome Community
Friday, December 8 Strome Community Hall
Catered by: 5-1-5-0 Smokehouse & Catering
Entertainment by TRACY MILLAR BAND
pm 0 3 : 5 our H y p p Ha pm 0 3 : 6 t a Supper Tickets $50 For tickets call: Brenda Hauck 780-678-5441 Brenda Wolbeck 780-376-3550
The
l ua nn A 8th
CHARITY
CHECKST
P
Saturday, December 2nd from 10 to 3 end of Main Street, Killam
Raising Funds For Flagstaff Victim Services Collecting Food/items For The Flagstaff Food Bank Accepting Gift Cards For Flagstaff
FRIDAY, NOV. 24TH SATURDAY, NOV. 25TH
APPETIZERS & SHOW $30 DINNER & SHOW $55
FRIDAY - APPETIZERS & CASH BAR OPEN AT 6 PM SATURDAY - COCKTAILS START AT 5:30 PM, FOLLOWED BY DINNER AT 6 PM - SHOW STARTS AT 7 P.M. SHOW-ONLY: TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR BOTH NIGHTS, $20 ONLINE, $25 AT THE DOOR DOORS OPEN AT 6:45 PM SEDGEWICK COMMUNITY HALL BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE Contact Michelle Edey for more information: 780-385-0586 WWW.TICKETAILOR.COM/EVENTS/FLAGSTAFFPLAYERSTHEATRESOCIETY/1030926
Christmas Sharing
Flagstaff Victim Services Helping Victims of Crime and Tragedy
We really appreciate your support. We use these funds to help victims of crime and tragedy and to keep our program running successfully.
Partnering Agencies: Flagstaff Victim Services, RCMP, EMS, Flagstaff Food Bank, Flagstaff Emergency Services, & Killam Fire/FRESS.
The Community Press, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - Page 5
Jeff Golka
LIST WITH JEFF!!
www.jeffgolka.ca Dedicated to you and your family’s full Real Estate needs! HARDISTY
HARDISTY
HARDISTY HARDISTY
Completely Renovated Home, 105acres land, at Hardisty with Hwy 13 access! Great Location, pavement access on Highway 13 great for large trucks or equipment, 105 acres, 2008 renovated home w/1450sqft, concrete storage basement, 2beds/2baths great layout, wood burning fireplace and double attached garage. Great location for business venture, trucking, Construction, great Hwy 13 frontage exposure. Comes with a 30x90ft covered shop, and 28x16 insulated workshop/storage cement floor, space to enjoy the outdoors, or run a business operation, with peaceful out of town living. Price $585,000 www.jeffgolka.ca “my listings” Excellent Highway 13 hi-exposure Commercial Property, 5 acres at Hardisty! Looking for an excellent spot for exposure to build a corporate office, oilfield business, gas station or Motel with full exposure to thousands of vehicles per day passing by, this 5acre property is available now. Grading done and the foundation poured ready for a large office building, retail or gas bar complete with plans. Located at growing Hardisty with tremendous oilfield expansion projects ongoing at Canada’s largest oil storage terminals, with Major oil and service companies and many job opportunities. Price $275,000 www.jeffgolka.ca “my listings” Large Home, Double Garage, Big lot! Well built modern 1600sqft, 3bdrm + 1, 3 bath home in safe neighborhood in eastern Alberta near Wainwright. Located in the pristine Battle River Valley just a short walk to the river, walking/hiking trails, 2 lakes fishing/boating/skiing, golf nearby and world class hunting area. Sits in cul-de-sac with biggest lot, back lane, Double garage w/newer concrete pad and big vegetable garden to enjoy from a newer 0-maintenance deck. Has lifetime metal roof and basement 90%completed, and home is ready for quick possession. Too good to be true, come and take a look you won’t be disappointed for the value. Price $237,000. www.jeffgolka.ca “my listings”
SOLD
LOUGHEED Beautiful Home, Double Garage beside a Park with great View! Looking for that special place with a community feel to retire with nice home/yard, to enjoy family stays, or to raise a family in? Look no further than quiet and safe Lougheed. This home features large Kitchen with island, beautiful flooring, big lvg room w/wood fireplace, master bdrm/ensuite and both upstairs/downstairs laundry and RV Parking. Basement is partially finished walls/insulation with 1 bedroom/bath in, plenty of storage and room for the whole crew. Garage is double car, insulated w/cement parking pad, curb appeal is terrific. Close to playground and an open park area and trout pond in Lougheed, and only minutes to Hardisty, Sedgewick or Camrose. Price $225,000. www.jeffgolka.ca “my listings”
SOLD
Maintained Mobile Home, titled Double Lots, Double Garage! Beautifully comfortable 1135sqft mobile home with 3 bedrooms, many updates with nice addition for storage/freezers. Comes with all appliances, R/O water unit, furniture negotiable in sale. The lot and yard are fabulous, and mechanics dream a 26x32ft garage large 9x10ft doors, storage for all the toys on all on double lots. Don’t miss this out of the city opportunity, titled lots no monthly, safe, and quiet community to reside in Lougheed, Ab close to Sedgewick and Camrose. Price $110,000. www.jeffgolka.ca “my listings”
SOLD
RADWAY 5Qtrs(768ac) Cattle/Grain Land at Radway! Located on Alberta’s oldest developed road the “Victoria Trail” between Radway and Waskatenau along the pristine North Saskatchewan River RR201Twp585A, the property has beautiful sweeping River Views, Creeks, and the land has excellent developable potential for acreage subdivisions, camping spots/ATV’s, Horse Trail riding, or Golf Course potential. There is a gravel source on the property for revenue, personal use for farm operation, or for subdivision use. Come 1 hour North of Sherwood Park to view this piece of paradise, rolling land, trees, river, creeks, and home to some terrific wildlife Bear, Elk, Moose, Deer. Price $3,750,000. www.jeffgolka.ca “my listings”
Call: 780-888-4030
Rivercity HARDISTY
HARDISTY
Email:
jeffgolka@remax.net
HARDISTY HARDISTY
Escape to 3.83 acres of untouched Natural Beauty! Looking for a great camping spot, cottage, or home lot for the ultimate touch of treed nature at Lot 80 Fish Lake Development. Great lot with an amazing view at the hilltop crest, showing the entire Hardisty River Valley and beautiful Fish Lake! This is private and quiet area, low taxes $332/year, ideal for a great getaway spot for an RV or Camping. Only 1 mile to Hardisty for shopping and Dining and minutes to two lakes for Fishing, Watersports and Swimming, and located in a great hunting area in gorgeous Battle River Country! Price $55,000 call Jeff for viewing.
SOLD
SEDGEWICK 2 acres of land in town of Sedgewick, Water/Sewer on property! Great Property treed, private spot on main road into Sedgewick with many nice acreages adjacent. Build your home, shop or business development with approval application to the town of Sedgewick. The Town has provided and indication of approval upon acceptable application for residential property this would be a great place for home with land. Level and ready to build on and had a previous older home on which was professionally removed. Revenue from Alta Linc power pole on property helps pay the taxes. Price $79,000 call Jeff for viewing.
KILLAM Excellent 48x68ft Commercial Building in Killam Located perfectly along Hwy 13 and close to Hwy 36 for excellent business exposure. Built in 1997 it has a great office front for retail, and large open shop area, separate bay for conference room, or construction booth. The door is 12ftx14ft and can be modified, if need be, roof is metal, and has a terrific mezzanine with office. Lot is large with .44acres and all gravelled for deliveries and parking. Previously woodworking, cabinet making construction shop, and the equipment is negotiable. New Appraisal $345,000 View listing at www.Jeffgolka.ca “my listings”
All Offers d! Considere
AMISK
AMISK
AMISK
AMISK
AMISK
Farmland 192acres, Modern RTM home, New Double Heated Garage at Amisk! Looking for the ideal farm, 192acres of pasture, w/3 dugouts, new 4-wire fencing, new Water well, 2 animal waterers, large animal barn w/corrals. Home is gorgeous RTM, big kitchen Double ovens/island, wrap around Deck, New finished basement 2017, new Furnace/air conditioning, large double heated garage and new heated storage work shed. Included is second residence for hired man or family farm in good condition and maintained. Don’t miss an opportunity to own you own farmland and a beautiful home! Price $745,000. www.jeffgolka.ca “my listings” Beautiful 2005 Home, Great Yard, Finished Garage in Amisk! Nice home with quick possession, 3 bedrooms up/2 baths, newly painted, clean and cared for with all appliances included, nice kitchen, big living room, upstairs laundry, garage is insulated, painted and garage opener. Basement is concrete and built with ICF Insulated Block for warmth and extremely energy efficient home. Outside have nice spruce trees for wind protection, nice looking yard, storage shed and rider mower included. Great home in quiet location close to Hardisty and Wainwright. Price $165,000 www.jeffgolka.ca my listings
SOLD
• Experienced Realtor • Connected to Hardisty and area Oil development and transfers • Dedicated you and your family’s full Real Estate needs! CALL 780-888-4030
Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, November 22, 2023
MINOR HOCKEY REPORT
Amundson has 7 goal weekend; hat-trick for Galletly 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). Battle River U11 Female Knights (0-5-1) dropped an 8-0 game at Hughenden on Sunday. Battle River U13 Female Knights (2-3-1) dropped a home game at Sedgewick on Sunday 16-0. Battle River U15 Female Knights (5-1-0) won an 8-3 road game against Fort McMurray on Sunday. Emma Galletly (3g 1a) and Keeley Sorken (3g 1a) both had hat tricks. Other scorers were; Abby Rancier (1g 1a), Bria Sayer (1g), and Brittyn Zentner (1a). Maddison Eckstrand got the win in goal. Battle River U18 Female Knights (3-1-1) won a 5-0 game on Saturday at Fort McMurray and then Sunday tied Fort 1-1. Weekend scorers were; Erika Zimmer (3a), Caylin Brumwell (1g 1a), Emma Tuftin (2g 1a), Surai Thomson (1g), Mercedeze Wilderman (1g), Paige Zimmer (1g), Bailey Djos (1a), and Kora Lefsrud (1a). Abbygail Krys got the shutout in the first game and stopped 26 shots in game two. Hughenden U11 Female Jets (7-0-0) won a 16-0 game at Irma on Saturday, then the next day won an 8-0 home game against Battle
River. Scoring for Jets over the weekend were; Maris Amundson (7g 5a), Harper Pearson (4g), Sutton Jones (2g 3a), Nova Scott (3g 3a), Dallas Holte (4g 1a), Aubree Poulsen (2g) Peyton Flynn (2a), Raeanna Pentland (2a), Brieal Rath (1a), and Chloe Oh (2g 1a). Sarah Mackie got the wins. Battle River U11 (0-10) dropped a 9-1 game against Blackfalds on Saturday with Kale Dickson scoring the lone BR goal. Thunderstars U11 (20-0) beat Ponoka on Saturday 11-4, then downed Camrose 7-4 on Sunday. Scoring on the weekend were; Clyde Cassidy (8g 1a), Landon Miller (4g 1a), Ty Wiltse (3g 2a), Sam Shepherd (3a), River Boudreau (1g 4a), Deegan Crawford (1a), Bentley Booy (1a), Bennett Johnstone (3a), Callen Thomas (1g), and Jase Bendfeld (1g). Cohen McKay got one win in goal, and Wells Weiss got the other. Hughenden U11 Jets (4-5-1) played two games over the weekend but neither scoresheet was entered at deadline. Thunderstars U13 (02-0) dropped the first two games of the season, 5-3 against Bashaw on Saturday and 4-0 against Millet on Sunday. Cooper Hrdlicka, Lane Bjorge, and Ryley Zimmer scored over the weekend, while Grady Crawford picked up an assist. Battle River U13 (0-20) lost two games over
the weekend. On Saturday, BR lost 15-1 against Sylvan Lake and on Sunday were beaten 9-3 by Delburne. Scoring for BR were; Kasey Miller (2g), Hudson Sparrow, and Jacob Kinzer. Assists went to; Luke Freadrich (2a), Duncan Kueber, and Ryker Brumwell. Hughenden U13 Jets (7-1-1) tied Provost at the Central Sports Garden on Friday 3-3 when Quinn Holte scored with only 3:51 remaining. It was Quinn’s second goal of the game. Jaxon Sayer scored the other Jets goal. Assists went to; Ryan Carson, Jacob Redekop, Reid Walters, and Myer Bomersback. Easton Kulyk stopped 32 in goal for the Jets. On Saturday at home, Jets won a 9-3 game against Marwayne Dewberry. Quinn Holte had a seven point game for Jets (5g 2a). Other scorers were; Jaxon Sayer (1g 4a), Alexander Ference (3a),
Myer Bomersback (1g 1a), Lily Nguyen (2a), Holly Motley (2a), Reid Walters (1g), and Liam Flynn (1g). Easton Kulyk got the win in goal making 29 saves. Battle River U15 (1-10) beat Ponoka on Saturday 6-4 at Sedgewick. Coy Hays had a four point game (1g 3a). Other scorers were; Jacob Steil (2g), Kowen Oberg (1g 2a), Mason Lewis (1g 1a), and Colton O’Hare. Griffin Thomson picked up an assist. Karsen Oliver got the win in goal. On Sun-
day BR dropped a 5-4 game in Coronation. Kowen Oberg had a three point game (1g 2a). Other scorers were; Easton Freadrich (2a), Wyatt Berkey (1g), Colton O’Hare (1g), Jacob Steil (1a), and Bradley Skoberg (1a). Battle River U18 (0-20) dropped two games over the weekend. On Saturday the team lost 42 at Coronation with Brody Wallner and Kobi Lefsrud scoring. Easton Mann and Ethan Clark collected assists. On Sunday at the Killam
Regular Cattle Sales
every Tuesday at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1 Kueber Farms Complete Angus Dispersal 12:30 pm Friday, Dec. 8 Bred Cow and Heifer Sale 10 am Cliff Grinde 780-336-6333 Darcy Sheets 780-336-6485 Ed McCormack 780-787-0083 Terry Cartier 780-603-8119
VIKING Auction Market Ltd. Corner of Hwy 26 & 36 Viking, AB
780-336-2209 www.vikingauctionmarket.ca
Arena, BR lost 4-2 against Cochrane. Scoring for BR were; Anson Helperl and Porter Lang. Assists went to; Ethan Clark (2a), Easton Mann, and Sawyer Fee. Battle River U18T3Y (1-0-0) beat Stettler 4-3 at Sedgewick on Saturday. Tyler Piche, Skylar Wallner and Keaton Johnson scored for BR. Assists went to; Jaxon Clark (2a), Andrew Lassu (2a), Aiden Feth, Cody Kuilboer, Ryan Smith, and Jack Foster. Tavish Warren got the win between the pipes.
The Community Press, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - Page 13
g r u b t s e or
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R E B EM
V O N AY,
: 5 24
M P 9 30-
50%
l l A t f i G D g r a e T h FRI d s e a R r F ! C F s r r O e s o a o m m D o t t s FREE Adult Cus tmas Chri e r s 0 i o r 2 t h S C n l l I first s l l l A a F A i F c O pe S % g 5 a 2 S T s Red d Y e F r F O d O T n % e Hu r 0 o 5 All e t c S i r F P F g f In als! a O T o d e i % c R 5 e p r 2 S u o ut
o k c Che istmas Chr t Up HOME HARDWARE CALL TOLL FREE1-866-582-3556 Ligh m! Forestburg Your HOME For Christmas! Roo
COUTTS
Forestburg Light Up Night this Friday! • FREE Hot Dogs at the Fire Hall • Sleigh Rides • Free Train Rides • Main Street Tree Lighting at 6PM • Gingerbread House Competition at Village Office • Tree Ornament Crafts at Forestburg Library
Christmas Market Saturday 10AM - 3PM
F
Shop in
lagstaff Season
Purple Scissor Salon 5011 - 50 St., Daysland
780-374-3623
Book your pre-Holiday Appointments with Danielle, Cristin & Carey! *Gift Baskets & Stocking Stuffers*
This Holiday
Stop in for a FREE Hearing Aid Clean and Check to make sure you Hear for the Holidays!
Employee Pricing
Daysland Pharmacy
on now!
Big town dealership, small town atmosphere
Campbell McLennan
for Big Savings CHECK OUT OUR CHRISTMAS GIFTWARE, TOYS, AND BOXED CHOCOLATE.
PLANTER PEANUTS ON SALE NOW
5023 - 50 St. Daysland, AB Stop by and see for yourself!
Killam
CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM www.campbellmclennan.com 780-385-2121
Ask Jason or Chase in the parts department for your installed tire price today! Our pricing is very straight forward and includes the mounting, balancing, and installation with environmental fee to give you a clear before tax total.
Seasonal Tire Storage: $50 per season $50 when winter tires are installed in the fall and $50 when the all-season tires go back on in the spring!
F
Draw your iles m S s a m t discount, Chris ith w g i b s i h t up to can be ys! o T e r e e 30% OFF D John until the end of November
lagstaff S 780-385-3993 www.briltd.com
T
F
Shop in
lagstaff Season
Let us Be Your One Stop Shop for
Main Street Medley
MAIN STREET Alliance, ll AB 780-879-2100 DO: Embroidery - Engraving WE DO:WEEmbroidery - Engraving (rotary & laser) Signs- Decals - Decals - VehicleGraphics Graphics Signs - Vehicle Direct Garment Printing and a wholelotlotmore! more! Direct toto Garment Printing and a whole
This Holiday
SELECT CHRISTMAS ITEMS 50% OFF!! SEE IN STORE!
GREAT SELECTION OF GIFTS!
HARDISTY
From Camo-Pink to everything in between. We can personalize almost anything!
Watch for Open Monday to Friday 9-5 our weekly specials online! Open Saturdays 9-5 in December
Open Tuesday to Friday 9-4 (we close for lunch from 12-1)
Phone: 780-888-3537
F
Shop Locally this Holiday Season!
Shop in
lagstaff This Holiday
Season
www.tjig.ca
THEE JAMES S INSURANCEE GROUP 7780-385-3654 780-385-365 78 80 38 3855 365 6654 54 780 780-384-3639 384 84 3639 780-888-3999 780-386-3741
Support local business You can make a wish come true for a senior in our community. Simply pick an ornament at any Wild Rose Co-op food store, gas bar, home centre, or Killam Bulk starting November 13th until December 8th. On the ornament (while they last) will be a Christmas wish from a senior.
Iced Coffee ONLY $3.50 with coupon
For more information, go to www.wildrosecoop.crs
Wild Rose
Lots
Come Join us for Lunch! 780-384-3554
4819 - 48 Ave., A g , AB Sedgewick, Hours 10 am - 2 pm Monday to Friday
! e r a w t f i G y a d i l of Ho
We’ll WRAP them for FREE!
Scratch Tickets make great Stocking Stuffers! 780-385-3598
Killam, Alberta
Serving Town & Country Hours: 9-6 Monday thru Friday, 9-4 Saturdays, Closed Sundays
We cover local events, support local causes, employ local people.
ADVERTISE
Join Us for A Holly Ho H olllly & Jolly Jolllly Jo Rogue Christmas Ro g Ro gu ue Ch Chri rist ist s mas stma mas Dinner!!! December Dece D De ece cemb emb mbe mber er 23rd. er 23r 3rd. Reservation only.
BLACK FRIDAY DEALS Throughout the Store
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS •Order Christmas Baking Platters Pick up Dec.15th or Dec 22nd. Or to be arranged. •Cuban Crunch Stocking Stuffer Chocolates •Book your Christmas Parties or Private Events •Catering •Custom Baking •Custom Cakes •Christmas Drinks •Rogue Coffee Gift Cards!
Happy Holidays from the Rogue gang!!! Love: Teala, Kristine, Lois & Walter
New Fashions plus Big Selection of Scarves, Mitts, Toques
Buy your Christmas Gifts here...
Doing all of your marketing with out-of-town companies or American social media isn’t much different than doing all your shopping in the city or online.
Main Street Killam 780-385-4685
DRINK SPECIALS!
You will buy the gift and bring it back in a gift bag (no wrapping paper) to Co-op for delivery. Gifts will be $20 or less.
Shopping LOCAL includes Supporting your LOCAL media!
PLUS
BIG SAVINGS on In-stock Christmas Trees
Killam 5029 - 57 St., Killam 780-385-2364
Page 18 - The Community Press, Wednesday, November 22, 2023
November 2023 Meetings
Council Meetings Flagstaff County Council o M Meetings eetings aare re conducted the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month commencing at 9 a.m. unless u otherwise planned. Council and Committ ommittee meeting agendas aare re aavvailable at the County’’ss websit ebsiite te at: flflaagstaafff ff. fff..a . b.ca/ .ca/council/mee .ca/ccouncil/meeetings-ande minu utes tes
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email: Stay Connected with Us:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed Noon - 1 p.m.)
Address: e
12435 TToownship w Road 4442 PP..O. Box 35 358 Sedgew e wi wic icck, AB T0B 4C00
The Community Press, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - Page 19
Flagstaff County offers the Shelterbelt Establishment Program to rural landowners to help establish and maintain healthy shelterbelts Shelterbelts conserve soil, protect crops and yard sites, trap snow, provide wildlife habitat, and beautify the landscape.
For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/trees2024.
1-Year Subscriptions Just $35 (incl. gst) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24 9 to 1
SAVE $7.75!!
Page 20 - The Community Press, Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Alliance’s Library Board looking to form a new group Diane Dammann Alliance P. 780-879-3970 E. petendia@gmail.com
Well I didn’t work too hard this week, but just enough to earn my salt. My mother would check at the end of the day to see if she had earned her salt that day. Some sources say that the Roman soldiers were paid in salt and that the word salary comes from salt. I went to an excellent movie in Daysland on Monday, Sound of Silence, a true story about child trafficking. Saturday Killers of the Flower
Moon, also a true story, was playing at Daysland and I saw it, too. Trudy Lamoriss came to both shows with me. The Library Board met on Tuesday. We wish to form a Friends of the Library society. Let Library Manager, Lisa or Deb Applegate, know if you would like to be a member of this exciting new group. They will be doing fundraising and other fun things. The Friday night bingo is one of the projects they will take on. Bingo is a lively event on the third Friday of each month. The crowd is quite small yet, but there is much banter and laughter and a door prize or two.
Folks come from Forestburg and Sedgewick because they have fun in Alliance. The Arena Committee had a pulled pork plate for sale or chili so it is dinner and bingo. I had a nice little visit with Mary Wold at her place in Killam this week. She was participating in a group, but left it to visit with me and then walked me out to the door. We want to plan another trip to Calgary to visit her sister, Fay. Another Mary I had a chat with this week was Mary Lockwood. She and Laurie are now at Wetaskiwin where they bought a house. She grills me on what is new in Alliance.
Wednesday was Farmer’s Market. It was a beautiful day weatherwise, lunch was great, a variety of vendors in attendance, but buyers were few. There are some great ideas for Christmas presents at many of the tables. Christmas is just 35 sleeps away. I didn’t win the 50/50 and I didn’t make a note of the winner. The train is full for Dec. 9. It is coming to Alliance for Santa Daze. There will be a train ride from Alliance to Galahad and back for a cash donation which will go to the Food Bank. Rosalind had a Christmas market on Sunday with the train going from
Forestburg to the market. We took passengers from Forestburg, picked some up in Heisler, and, while they attended the market, we made a mini run to Kelsey and back for a donation. It was so popular that we had to do two mini runs. Battle River Rail will be matching the donation. Battle River Railway covered the cost of the train and paid staff, conductors, and hostesses from Friends of Battle River Railway volunteered for the day. On the train and at the market, I met some friends. Wendy Archbold and I had a nice chat. They now have two grandchildren. Wendy, Ted, and children, Chet and Andrea,
used to live eight miles east of Alliance. Shawn Bazuta and family were on the train. Shawn used to be my neighbour, but now lives in Rosalind. I met Margo and Kristine on the train on Sunday. They are best friends who have moved into Flagstaff recently. Margo and family live in Galahad and Kristine lives in Forestburg. I hope to see more of them. I hear that I missed a very good church service on Sunday. Roger Harrison did a Children’s Sunday service. There were several others missing, too. I hope that Roger will do another service before too long.