November 30 Lamont Leader

this holiday season!

Commemorations of Chipman and Lamont Bus/Train monuments, victims remembered

BY JANA SEMENIUK

More than 100 people gathered at the St. John’s Russo Greek Orthodox Church in Chipman Nov. 27 to attend a special memorial service commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the Lamont-Chipman Bus/Train accident where 17 high school students lost their lives in 1960.

At St. John’s Russo, Father Alexios Surayev led Sunday’s memorial service acknowledging the tragedy.

“One of the worst things (we have to deal with) is to bury our own kids. Nobody expected what happened. When kids left home, they wanted to get to school and they never came back,” he said. “It is very nice to see how many people did show up (today) and I think it is important to keep this commemoration going.”

Once the service concluded, friends, family and community members gathered around the newly installed memorial by the Chipman National Hall to place battery operated candles on it as well as add a rose to the vases for each life lost.

An identical commemoration of the Lamont memorial happened after a sitdown lunch at the National Hall. Although temperatures hovered around -3 for the afternoon, a bitter wind made it feel below -10 causing attendees to shiver and huddle, trying to keep warm while they stood silently remembering the children who passed away.

A program was followed inside the hall, where Memorial Committee Chair Tom Hrehorets addressed the crowd of more than 140.

Hrehorets shared his story of being fascinated with school buses as a child and how he eventually became a bus driver. He said he was reminded of the accident regularly by his father who worried about Hrehorets driving a school bus.

“My dad kept saying, ‘Why do you want to drive a bus? There was that bad accident in Lamont’ and he always

talked about it,” he said. Hrehorets added that several years ago he walked over to an existing monument, which he thought was for the bus victims, and discovered it was for the Queen’s visit in 1978. He said it made him realize that a proper monument needed to be erected.

“I decided one morning, I came to work, and I said it's time to start a committee and we're going to go ahead and start this memorial for all the students,” he said. “In the back of my mind and in my heart, I knew this had to be done.”

Within seven months in 2021, the nine-member committee raised more than $95,000, allowing them to purchase two nearly identical stone mon-

uments; one for Chipman where most of the students lived, and one for Lamont where the accident occurred. Additionally, the memorial committee lost one of its members this past spring when Ellen Sledz, who was also a survivor of the bus train accident, passed away from cancer April 9.

Meanwhile, Kent Harrold, chair of the hospital board, also spoke to the crowd, sharing history of, what was then the Lamont Archer Memorial Hospital. He said that the hospital participated in an exercise of Civil Defence three years before the bus accident happened, where high school students from Lamont acted as victims in a simulated mock emergency to test the hospital’s

preparedness plans.

“It was a simulated exercise where they actually brought in quite a number of high school students (who were) simulated casualties and acted that way and were made up that way. And the hospital had to accommodate them,” he said.

Harrold said the exercise helped the hospital three years later when a real emergency occurred.

Mae Adamyk, who lost her 15-yearold sister Barbara Ann in the crash, also shared her story of repressed grief and loss in the years since Barbara passed away. She said details of the accident were kept quiet from her and her younger sister which had a profound impact on her later.

“A lot of the stuff was kept away from us as children. And as it happened, we went back to the school, and it was not mentioned. Nobody said anything to us. I felt alone. We never talked about the accident,” said Adamyk. “I could honestly say that I started my grieving and my healing process at the 50th anniversary of this accident. Everybody opened up and started talking.”

She also shared a personal story of her last memory with Barbara. Adamyk said she had a tough time learning at school, and one of her teachers suggested she ask her sister Barbara for help.

“Barbara was smart. She wanted to be a schoolteacher,” said Adamyk. “(Barbara) spent several days (with me) I was a slow learner and (soon) I started getting the concept of equations. We did have the math test and we were going to get our results that morning (of the accident). I remember Barbara looked up at me in the school bus and she said to me, ‘I know that you got a good mark’. And she smiled and she put a thumbs up at me.”

On Nov. 29, 1960, 17 high school students, 15 girls and two boys, were killed when their school bus was split in two by an oncoming freight train.

Josie Herchek (L) stands beside her daughter while placing a rose in the vase for her brother 16-year-old Wayne Zapotichny, who was killed in the 1960 bus accident. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Gloria Yanchuk gave a hug to Mae Adamyk after she spoke to the crowd about the painful loss of her 15-year-old sister Barbara Ann in the 1960 bus accident.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

More in store for the Bus-Train Memorial Committee

Scholarship, park renaming, all possibilities for Bus/Train Memorial Committee

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Although the BusTrain Memorial Committee’s goals of raising enough money to purchase two memorials for 17 victims of the 1960 bus-train accident have come to fruition, committee chair Tom Hrehorets said they are not finished yet.

With money left over from the purchase of the monuments, Hrehorets said plans are in the works for a scholarship program for Lamont High School students.

He rolled out initial

plans for a scholarship during his speech at the Chipman National Hall for the 62nd anniversary memorial Nov. 27.

“(Thanks to) the overwhelming support from people all over the place for such generous donations. That's what made these (memorials) happen,” he said. “There's still going to be some money left over. So, our committee members discussed starting a scholarship fund for the Lamont High School students.

“We (will) have a scholarship fund for stu-

dents at Lamont High School so that (the memory of the victims) will carry on.”

The nine-member committee raised an astonishing $95,000 in donations for the two stone memorials within seven months. A total amount of the money left over from the purchase of the memorials was not available at press time.

Meanwhile, the committee also recently sent a letter to the Town of Lamont’s council requesting the re-naming of the current Queen’s

Park, to Memorial Park where both the Queen’s monument and the BusTrain memorial now sit.

Lamont council members discussed the request at their Nov. 22 council meeting, and Chief Administrative Officer Rick Bastow suggested a public engagement session as per current Town policy in relation to renaming Town

assets. Councillor Colleen Holowaychuk agreed.

“I would support having a community engagement event. I mean, yes, the Queen was there. And that is important, but many people in this community may be willing to consider a change in name and it's something that we should at least

respect and see where we go with it,” she said.

Bastow said the public engagement session would be an online survey as well as print media outreach.

Council passed the motion to conduct a public engagement session with results to be presented at the Jan. 24, 2023, council meeting.

2 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Father Alexios Surayev blesses the monument by the Chipman National Hall recognizing the 17 victims of the Lamont Chipman Bus Train Accident that occurred in Lamont on Nov. 29, 1960. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

A crowd of approximately 140 people gathered at the Chipman National Hall to remember the 17 victims of the 1960 bus-train collision. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Tom Hrehorets, innovator of the Bus/Train Memorials, addresses the crowd at the monument in Chipman. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

BY JOHN MATHER

So Commissioner Paul Rouleau’s round up is done.

The Liberal appointed judge in charge of the Public Order Emergency Commission has stated he’s heard all he needs to to make a decision after listening to several weeks of testimony from truckers, organizers of the freedom convoy, and of course the witness of honour Justin Trudeau himself.

Justin summed up using the Emergency Measures Act because the police had no plan to disperse the protestors who occupied a few blocks of downtown Ottawa much to the chagrin of the mandarins and MPs who like to think that it is their capital, and not necessarily the capital for all Canadians.

Trudeau said he felt “serene and confident” in making his decision.

Others might say he’s “insane and incompetent,” but that’s entirely speculative.

At the end of six weeks of testimony, having had more than 7,000 pieces of evidence introduced and more than 75 witnesses, what have we learned?

Well, the police at three levels in Ottawa did not know what they were doing and the communications between the Ottawa Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and the RCMP was abysmal to say the least.

The Ottawa mayor had totally lost control of the situation and thankfully in recent municipal elections he was replaced by someone who, on paper, appears to be more competent.

The Province of Ontario stayed out of the mess, stating it was a police matter.

They did express some concerns for the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, but OPP defused and removed that protest prior to the Emergencies Act being invoked. A similar situation occurred at the Coutts/Sweetgrass border crossing in Alberta where that blockade was defused prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act as well.

From the Freedom Convoy lawyers we know there are several documents which get into depth on some of the thinking of government bureaucrats for using the Emergency Measures Act. They were turned over with much of the content redacted, which was not supposed to happen during this inquiry.

Further some lower mandarins who may have had additional information to pass on to the commission, weren’t allowed to have their testimony heard.

And then we get to the higher levels of the bureaucracy. Tee Clerk of the Privy Council Janice Charette said she felt it was important to invoke the Act.

CONTINUED

She wasn’t worried that it didn’t meet the terms of a national emergency as defined by CSIS, but rather claims they were justified, but based on how the government felt about the situation rather than meeting the test set out in law.

As reported in other news outlets “It was a shocking exercise in watching bureaucrats attempt to change the plain meaning of the words in the legislation to match the actions they recommended the government take.”

Justice Minister David Lametti appeared before the commission and answered most of the questions put to him regarding the invocation of the Act by hiding behind lawyer/client privilege and said nothing of importance except that the Act had to be invoked based on secret evidence the cabinet had.

What evidence? Why not reveal this evidence to the Canadian people?

We know the RCMP said they could defuse the protest. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said as much, but Justin said he had

no confidence that they had a plan.

The government cabinet ministers testifying hid behind not exposing secrets or presented muddled versions of what really occurred.

There is no presented evidence of weaponry, no factual evidence of actual threat or impact on public safety that the public has seen at this inquiry.

Yet, the government said it had evidence of such but won’t share this with the Canadian people.

Two weeks ago after getting a severe dressing down from Chinese leader Xi Jinping after divulging details of a personal conversation between the two, Trudeau stated he would continue in his way because he believes in being open and transparent.

“In Canada, we believe in free and open and frank dialogue and that is what we will continue to have,” sated Trudeau.

So where is this openness and transparency when the government testifies during the Freedom Convoy hear-

ings.

Nope they hide behind privileges.

So what will come of all this testimony?

No doubt when Rouleau releases his final summary in February it will whitewash the whole thing. He will probably find the government had the right to invoke the Emergency Act and Trudeau will again escape controversy without getting his hair mussed.

And at what cost to the taxpayers?

There were a lot of lawyers on this Freedom Convoy gravy train for all sides and they are not volunteering their time.

This entire episode will be swept under the Liberal carpet. Nobody will lose their jobs although Lametti, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and RCMP Commissioner Lucki should all be tossed under the bus for their sorry roles in this.

And at the long end of the day Jagmeet Singh will continue to support this dozy government and the Canadian people will continue to suffer.

Kerry

Jana Semeniuk Reporter

Freedom Convoy commission will solve absolutely nothing at great expense

BY HAZEL ANAKA

Did you know….

I saw a squirrel on Saturday. He wasn’t hibernating. Is all that frenetic activity enough to keep them from freezing solid? Inquiring minds want to know. Mr. Google tells me this is so. It also seems to me that dark fur colour would make him an easy target in a wintery backdrop….but Mother Nature must know what she’s doing.

Not all hunters have the common decency or smarts to ask for landowner permission before entering a farmer’s property. The other day someone with

permission called to say there were four trucks on a particular field of ours. Roy had to investigate. He then heard a story about a guy on someone else’s land who was hunting without permission. When he was spotted, he bolted like a bat out of hell reaching speeds of 120 kilometers per hour during his escape. That’s a great way to wake up dead.

Some doctors are prescribing non-steroidal inhalers for people who need relief from the infernal coughing that’s been going on for weeks. I haven’t been to a doctor yet but am shocked at the persistence of whatever the hell this thing is.

It’s a sly and elusive little thing that has a person coughing up a lung, blowing one’s snotty nose, fighting an eyecrossing headache, and generally feeling lousy.

Even old (2006) self-

help audio books have relevant and doable strategies for anyone wanting to improve the quality of her life. Jack Canfield, half of the brains behind the mega successful Chicken Soup series of books and related products is one such teacher. His very first success strategy may well be the most important one. Of course, he’s not the first or last guy to say this but the reminder is always needed. I and I alone am responsible for the current state of my life. (By the way, same goes for every one of you.) The current state of my happiness, finances, health, job satisfaction, relationships, and every other measure is a direct result of every past thought, belief, or action I took. So, I have to take sole ownership of the hurt and anger I’m feeling right now. Despite my best efforts to change

Minor Hockey

Elk Island U15 Wild beat

Wabasca 10-5 on Saturday

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).

Elk Island U9 Wild were scheduled to play CR1 at Lamont Arena on Saturday but no score was posted at deadline. The team was to play CNN at Bruderheim on Sunday but no score was posted.

Elk Island U11 Wild were scheduled to host Redwater at Bruderheim Arena on Sunday but no score was posted at deadline Monday morning.

Elk Island U15 Wild (3-1-1) travelled to Wabasca and skated away with a 10-5 victory on Saturday. The teams played a close first frame but Wild took over in the middle period. Wild had nine different scorers; Kayden Winslow (2g 1a), Gage Holowach (1g 1a),

Rowan Young (1g 1a), William Furey (1g 1a), Reid Chudyk (1g 1a), Andrew Svitich, Ashton Strickland, Kyran Belcourt, and Nicklas Mehlenbacher. Liam Ellis made 55 saves for the win. On Sunday at Slave Lake, Nicklas Mehlenbacher scored with 50 seconds remaining to secure a 4-4 tie for Wild. Elk Island had a 21 lead heading to the third period, but SL scored three less than seven minutes in before the Wild comeback despite the referee calling six consecutive penalties against the vis-

itors. Nicklas had a two point game (1g 1a), as did Kayden Winslow. William Furey and Kyran Belcourt also scored. Gage Holowach picked up an assist. Liam Ellis got the tie in goal with 25 saves.

Emmerson Hauch of Bruderheim got a goal and an assist in his Fort. Sask. U16 AA Elite Rangers 4-1 win over Blazers on Saturday.

If you have a youngster playing for an out of town team, or a team we haven’t found, email kamcjm@gmail.com and we’ll try to include him/her!

(or at least cope with) an untenable situation, eventually I knew the only thing I could change was my presence in the situation. And I did because life’s too short (at any age) to put up with crappy conditions. Health and peace of mind always trump anything else. Believe Canfield when he says that blaming your parents, siblings, co-workers, weather, prime minister, stock market, horoscope, interest rates, brother-in-law, or any other factor for your current state is a non-starter.

It’s freeing to finally

understand this because then we get the reins of our lives firmly in our own hands. We can leave an unhappy marriage. We can change jobs. We can throw away the smokes and find the treadmill. We can begin reading better stuff and watching less TV. We can stop the silly purchases and divert that money into an investment plan. We can change the people we hang out with if they are dragging us down. We can ask questions of those who’ve already succeeded in the field that interests us. And do as they do. We

can figure out what we want and go for it. That means stop settling for less.

Have you noticed that another year is nearly in the books? How can it be? December is around the corner. Between the shopping and Christmas parties, the days become a blur. So much time, money, and effort go into creating the fantasy of the Norman Rockwell Christmas gathering. It’s not possible or even desirable. Maybe this year, we ease up on the spending and the agonizing, and make enjoying ourselves more the goal.

That’s my five cents worth, from where I sit.

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday,

KERRY ANDERSON

Lamont Light Up explodes back into Christmas after two years of virtual events

BY JANA SEMENIUK

After two years of virtual events, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Lamont Light Up festivities came back in full swing Nov. 26 with a long schedule of events including card making, Santa photos, cat treat making, dog biscuit decorating, an afternoon of music, Christmas market, a variety of foods and a fireworks display.

Hundreds of people came out for the day surprising many of the event organizers.

Vice Chair for the event, Gary Harrold, said he was happy to see the events so well received.

“It is really exciting to see it growing again. We've had more volunteers this year, (and) more participation,” he said. “It has the feel of ‘we're getting back to it’. It's getting there. It is something that people are looking forward to

(because) they've missed it.”

Harrold and his family of photographers manned the Santa photos taken at the Beaverhill Lodge. He said they included a session for ‘implied Santa’ photos for children who are Santa-hesitant, explaining that a single red coat sleeve trimmed in white (from a Santa coat) and a white glove are there for a parent to wear while

handing their child a candy cane. The photo is cropped to include only the arm handing a candy cane to the child, who is sitting in the special Santa chair, appearing as though it’s Santa.

“We’ve been doing it for three or four years; the last time was 2019. We had five children come through then (who had) special needs and some that were just too young (for Santa),” he

said.

Meanwhile, an afternoon of music was enjoyed at the Lamont Hall, with six different acts including the Lamont Elementary School Choir, the Fort Saskatchewan Fellowship Baptist Church, The Fort Saskatchewan Community Band, The Orthodox V Choir, fiddling by Laura Wallbank and some country Christmas music with

guitarist and vocalist Randy Hollar. A display of Christmas trees was also spread about the hall, each one sponsored by a local organization or business.

Lamont Christmas Light Up board chair Dorothee Saleski said it was terrific to see so many come out for the Light Up This Year

“I think the turnouts been great. The reports I've been getting back is

lots of people have come out, which is wonderful. It's excellent to see everybody face to face again,” she said. “It takes hundreds of people to make this work. And it's been a real blessing to have that happen.”

Saleski added that the Ladies Auxiliary Bake Sale sold out in one hour.

Lamont Mayor Kirk Perrin was also on hand attending the various activities and said he was surprised at the number of people who came out.

“You know, you never know what it's going to be like. But to be honest, I was not anticipating this kind of a turnout. It’s wonderful (and) hats off to the organizers of this event and the community,” he said. “The organizers do a fabulous job but all the small things that different community members contribute to this just really makes it what it is.”

A large crowd gathers at the Lamont Town Office for a fireworks display. Jana Semeniuk Photo

Council raises concerns over MRF program and whether it’s worth the costs

BY JOHN MATHER

Lamont County Councillor Roy Anaka raised some concerns regarding the County’s use of MRF programs.

“I don’t know how much money we’ve invested in the MRF program, but it seems there are some shortcomings to the program.”

He said at a prior council meeting it had been reported the program didn’t work with the County’s gravel program and “we’re doing it on paper.”

He further stated the

MRF consultants had given council a sales pitch on all the benefits of the program and he now wondered why the County was having difficulties because compatibility and ease of use was one of the sales pitches that sold us on the program.

“I just want us to review it before one of our employees leaves who knows the most amongst our staff,” he said. “I would further like to have the MRF representatives come to our December meeting to tell

us what’s working and what’s not working and why?”

Deputy Reeve Neil Woitas agreed, suggesting before any more money is spent on the program, representatives appear before council to provide some explanations.

“I think the program has cost us a fair amount of money at this stage,” admitted Reeve David Diduck. “I agree we were sold it could do all these things and now we’re finding out that’s not the case.”

Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky told council he would prefer if council had staff bring forward a report on what was working and not working and then it could be addressed as part of the budget conversations.

“On the basis of that we could bring the MRF representatives to council, but they would probably arrive with another sales pitch rather than a critical evaluation of what’s working and not working,” he said.

Diduck said they had

one employee who had a pretty good handle on what was working and if he could provide that report to council at the next council meeting then they could utilize him before he left the organization.

“I agree if we bring MRF in we’ll probably get another sales pitch.”

Council moved a motion to have administration provide a report on the MRF GIF system at the next council meeting.

In June of 2019, representatives had pitched

their program. Essentially the MRF program allows various departments to communicate with each other and keep in constant communications with equipment operators.

It allows tracking of what work is being done in the county and when it is being done. It could also be expanded by adding modules as the County found more uses for the system.

Reeves Golf Tournament exceeds expectations

BY JOHN MATHER

The Reeves Golf Tournament raised $25,952.19 last summer.

Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky told council Nov. 22, this was in part due to an increase in the number of participants with 109 golfers playing in the 18-

hole event held at Mundare’s Whitetail Crossing Golf Course.

“As has been the tradition, the proceeds are donated to a charity or charities of the Reeve’s choosing,” said Tarnawsky.

He pointed out back on Aug. 26, the council

had decided to support agencies supporting Ukrainian refugees residing in Lamont County with the Mundare Easter Basket targeted for the lion’s share of the windfall.

Tarnawsky asked if that was still what the council wanted to do.

He suggested council go into  a closed session to further discuss the way proceeds could be used.

Reeve David Diduck agreed and council went behind closed doors.

When council moved back into open session Deputy Reeve Neil

Woitas moved that proceeds be divided between the Easter Basket and the Lamont County Food Bank.

The Lamont County Food Bank will receive $17,301.46 and Easter Basket will receive $8,650.73.

Woitas suggested the

two groups be asked to come to council to have photos taken with them receiving their cheques.

Diduck suggested they come to the Dec. 10 for a presentation.

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals awarded to Lamont County Mayors and nominated residents

BY JANA SEMENIUK Queen Elizabeth II

Platinum Jubilee medals were awarded to over 150 Albertans in two ceremonies Nov. 27, with 14 recipients from Lamont County.

Included were the five elected mayors from Chipman, Lamont, Andrew, Mundare and Bruderheim as well as nine nominated Lamont County residents.

The invitation-only ceremonies were hosted by Alberta Municipalities at the Westin Edmonton Ballroom.

“Alberta Municipalities has been allocated medals, for which our member municipalities were able to nominate recipients,” said their website. “In addition,

medals have been automatically awarded to all sitting mayors of our member-municipalities. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to our communities.”

According to the province’s website, the medals were ‘created to commemorate Her Majesty’s unsurpassed 70-year reign and were distributed to worthy recipients on behalf of the provincial government’.

In addition to the medals, the province allocated 70 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pins to each MP to award their constituents, with many choosing to award them

to individuals whose were nominated by their communities.

All medals will be distributed by Dec. 31, with the provincial program officially closing Feb. 5, 2023. ABmunis will also be hosting another ceremony to recognize 100 more recipients on Dec. 4.

Lamont Town Councillor Linda Sieker is a recipient of one of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medals and attended one of the ceremonies on Nov. 27.

“It is an honour to be included as a recipient of the Platinum Jubilee medal,” said Sieker. “Volunteering is a passion of mine, and community and togetherness is essential. To attend the

ceremony and meet so many people who share that same outlook was a great experience.”

A list of nominated recipients who took part in the Nov. 27 ceremony from Lamont County is available on the ABmunis website.

Those listed are;

Charlie Gargus –Mundare

Robert Gratton –Mundare

Allan Lenkewich –Mundare

Dale McCarty –Mundare

Brian Sharun – Mundare

Jason Warawa –Mundare

Colin Zyla – Mundare Linda Sieker – Lamont Sherry CoteBruderheim

Event to please pets at the Lamont Christmas Light Up

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Four-legged friends were not forgotten about during the day of Light Up events Nov. 26 in Lamont.

Chelsea Wiege, owner/operator of Queen of Hearts Grooming held an activity out of Imagination Engraving where pet owners could come and make a catnip cat toy or decorate a pre-made dog biscuit for their furry friends. Wiege said she was happy to see at least 60 people, mostly children, attend the event.

“I was not anticipating this incredible turn out today,” she said grinning. “I love children

(and) this is all new to me.”

Wiege said she has been grooming for four years and just opened her own local grooming business a year ago. She said she was motivated to create the dog treat/cat toy making event to connect with her community.

“I wanted to be involved in the community. My biggest thing is, the community is who supports me, and I want to try to do the best (I can) for the community,” she said.

Former County of Strathcona Councillor Paul Smith also attended the treat/toy making

event to support his daughter Tracy who owns Imagination Engraving while taking in the many different activities offered during the Light Up celebration.

“It's fantastic. Such a community making venture, both the Light Up Committee and the town working together to make it happen,” he said.

“We were at a few others’ (Light Up events) and we don't see little kids there. We come here to the town of Lamont and there's little kids everyplace enjoying themselves (and) families out enjoying the nice weather and the Christmas spirit.”

Temperatures hovered around +3 all day while people scurried from one event to another. There were 12 events in total.

Meanwhile, Smith’s 11-year-old granddaughter, Cassidy, said she was happy to help her mom Tracy make ornaments for her engraving business and was very impressed with the whole idea of the Christmas Light Up.

“I love that it's yearly and that you can just get together with friends and just have fun do all kinds of crafts that you may have never even thought of,” she said.

Alberta Municipalities President Cathy Heron awarded Lamont Town Councillor Linda Sieker (right)  one of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals in a special ceremony on Nov. 27 at the Westin Hotel in Edmonton.

Lamont Light Up Committee Vice Chair Gary Harrold demonstrates the 'implied Santa' photos where a parent can wear a Santa sleeve and have their child's picture taken while handing them a candy cane, (appearing as though it's Santa), instead of the traditional Santa who sits the child on their knee for a photo. Harrold said the implied Santa photos are helpful for very young children or special needs children who are afraid of Santa.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk.

LONGEST-SERVINGFIREFIGHTERIN CANADA GETS QEII PLATINUM MEDAL

Employment Opportunity

Job Type: Finance /Accounting / Economics Organization: Village of Ryley Closing date: December 9, 2022

Job Description:

The Village of Ryley is currently accepting applications for the position of Accounting Clerk. This is a part time position working an average of 3 days per week.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Accounting Clerk is primarily responsible for the following areas of village operations:

• Accounts Payable

• Accounts Receivable

• Taxes and Utilities

• Payroll and Benefits

• Bank reconciliations

• May assist with budget preparation, financial reporting, and year end support

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Minimum 3 years relevant work experience ideally in a municipal setting;

• Completion of certificate or diploma program in accounting;

• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel;

• Experience with Muniware software;

• A positive, friendly attitude and the willingness to learn new skills.

The village offers a friendly working environment where teamwork is an essential component.

Application Return

Please forward your cover letter and resume by December 9, 2022 to: Ron Cust, CAO, email: cao@ryley.ca

Stubbs argues against carbon tax during question period

BY JOHN MATHER

Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs who is also the Conservative Party Shadow Minister for Natural Development blasted the Liberals on their carbon tax proposals during a recent question period in parliament.

“Half of Canadians are already $200 away from going bankrupt each month “ she said. “They now have to pay more in taxes than they can afford for food, clothing, and shelter combined. What’s worse is that prices for gas, groceries, and home heating are at record highs – so a record number of students, seniors, families, and working Canadians have to go to food banks!”

She added that the Liberals’ claims about

their rebates are misleading Canadians because they’re only talking about the carbon tax line item on bills.

The Lakeland MP pointed out that even their own Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed on March 24, 2022, in his report analyzing the impact of the federal carbon tax scheme, that the carbon tax drives up the cost of everything, so the majority of Canadians are paying more than they get back, resulting in a net loss for most households.

“So, the tax is up, emissions are up, prices are up, and the Liberals plan to make it three times worse when they triple the carbon tax next year,” Stubbs stated.

“Why won’t they axe their failed carbon tax?”

Long-time Lamont resident, and longest-serving firefighter in Canada Bob Mitchell, 91, was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in Oct. The medals were created to mark the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne and were awarded to Canadian Citizens who have greatly contributed to their communities.

AUCTIONS

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INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www.integritybuilt.com.

CARD OF THANKS

I want to THANK YOU to each one who has acknowledged my 96 birthday. The cards, flowers, gifts, and wishes, visits, kind words and hugs were all so appreciated. I am thankful for my health and all you dear friends. GOD BLESS each one of you!

Gratefully, Eunice Gulbraa

COMING EVENTS

Round Hill Ag Society, Round Hill Christmas Market Monday Dec 12 from 5 pm - 7 pm. For a free table call Terry 780-678-6131

COMING EVENTS

Viking Christmas Market

Sponsored by the Viking Health Care Auxiliary Thursday, December 8 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

At the Viking Community Hall Tables $25 - Contact Dorothy for more info 780-336-2539

Brian’s Greenhouse U-Pick Fruits & Berries

Now taking orders for next Spring on Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials ONLY UNTIL DECEMBER 30! Prices Will be Going up in 2023!

Willows - $40 each

•Acute Willow (4 years old)

•Sharp Leaf Willow (4 years old)

•(30) Laurel Leaf Willow (2 years old)

•(20) Swamp Willows Poplars - $30 each

•Bomb Gilens Natural

Goji Berries - $25 each

•(63) Planted Sept 15/22

No guarantees/no refunds/no exchanges. All orders must have 50% down deposit. If interested, give us a call at 780-678-0053 before December 30 (all by appointment)

(East Lynn Road RR172 off Highway 13. East of Bawlf. 1 1/4 km North (second place on the right))

Kingman Lutefisk Supper on Friday, December 2, 2022 at the Kingman Community Hall. Noon seating reservations 780-672-5355. Supper 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Adults $35 Under 12 years $15.

13th Annual One-Stop Christmas Shopping on Friday, Dec. 2 from 1 pm - 8 pm and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 am - 5 pm. Quilting, Baking, Jams & Jellies, Nut Man, Wood Working, Christmas Decorations, & Much More! Bernice Peters home 5316-53 St., Tofield. For inquiries call: 780-4462417 or email: grammasstitches@gmail.com.

FEED AND SEED

FOR RENT

For Rent - Dec. 1. 3 bedroom 1 bath duplex in Killam. Fenced yard, laundry hook-ups. Utilities NOT included. $700/month plus $700 Damage Deposit. Pet Friendly, minimum 1 year lease. 780-226-8598.

Large, quiet, non-smoking 2 bedroom apartment in Killam. For viewing, call Chuck at 780-2637290

MEMORIAL

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BRIAN BEDNARSKI DEC. 02, 2007

Fifteen years have now passed, since we lost our brother, at the age of 44 years.

Our hearts were broken, when you left us.

We miss you and think of you often.

We are comforted in knowing, you are now in heaven, with Mom and Dad.

Someday, our family chain, will reunite once again.

Forever loved and sadly missed by Dianne, Maxine, Philip and families.

FOR SALE

2003 Dodge 2500 Laramie Regular Cab, 4WD, Hemi. 185,000 kms. Command start. New tires. Great shape. $10,000. 780-385-4411 Please leave message if no answer.

Puppies for sale. American Cocker Spaniel male & female. $1000 and up, will hold with a deposit until Christmas. 780-662-3196, 780-6620410

LAND FOR SALE

FARMLAND AND PASTURE LAND BY SASKATCHEWAN RIVER. 160 acres. Best hunting in Saskatchewan. Excellent fishing. Thick pine & poplar bluffs, by water coulee. Old yard site with power and water. Revenue Potential. East of Prince Albert, SK. $248,000. Call Doug 306-716-2671.

HELP WANTED

LOOKING FOR A REWARDING CAREER? Massage Therapy offers many options. Study full time or in a distance format. Contact the Alberta Institute of Massage for details at www.albertainstituteofmassage.com; phone 403.346.1018.

SERVICES

CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1877-987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com.

Licensed electrician, panel upgrades. add a circuit, basement renovations. Also offer thermal electrical inspection. Call Rob 780-2887370.

Drywall Taping/Texturing 35+ Years. No Job too small Experienced drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job big or small. Don't want to do it yourself, give me a call! Based in Killam but willing to travel. Hand taper by trade but have experience with boxes, roller/flusher, taping tube. No bazooka exp. Have own tools (10-12" boxes, pump, angle box, roller, flusher, hand tools, etc.) Also do ceiling texture. Non- drinker, just want to work. Willing to work with existing taping crew. Call 780-385- 2106 or 780-385-1251.

Shane’s Stucco & Drywall Service

Shane Hollar Stucco (Traditional & Acrylic), Drywall, Stone, Textured Ceilings, Tile and Spray Painting 780-336-4832 shanes.stucco@gmail.com

SERVICES

Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, Trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097

Town & Country Guardian Drugs -

Killam

We have:

•a Kodak picture maker.

•a colour/b&w photocopier.

•cold pop and fresh snacks.

•a great selection of candles, giftware, and fragrances. toys, games,and plush animals.

•a huge selection of Hallmark cards.

•plastic gift cards

•vitamins, minerals, and herbals.

•free gift wrapping.

•prescription service

Open 6 days a week.

Carpet and Upholstery cleaningresidential 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

Need to re-order:

•Company Forms?

•Invoices?

•Envelopes?

•Business Cards?

•Bookmarks?

•Score Cards?

•Certificates?

•Receipts?

•Posters? •Menus?

•Invitations?

•Calendars? •Letterhead?

Call your local paper with your print order today!

WEEKLY REVIEW

Ph. 780-336-3422

Email: vikingreview @gmail.com

TOFIELD MERCURY Ph. 780-662-4046

Email: adsmercury @gmail.com

LAMONT LEADER Ph. 780-895-2780

ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789.

FOR RENT

Small 2 bedroom house for rent. Close to Viking School. Comes with appliances and utilities. Available December 1. Phone 780-336-6089 or 780-336-6088 for inquiries.

3 QUARTERS OF CROPLAND South of Weyburn, SK. Distressed sale. Priced below market at 1.27 x assessment, with a 4% return with lease. $594,800.00. Call Doug at 306-716-2671.

HEALTH

Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Painting Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 or 780-688-3564

Email: lmtleader @gmail.com WANTED

WANTED SASQUATCH SKULL -

bars,

scrap, nuggets, sterling, 999+ BULLION, maple leafs, bulk silver, pre-1969 coins.

HIP/KNEE

REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-453-5372.

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, November 30,

BY JANA SEMENIUK

A Christmas Market held out of the Lamont High School during Lamont’s Christmas Light Up attracted 33 vendors with several different products including a table for gift wrapping service.

Market organizer 16year-old Clair Andruchow said the market came very close to what they were hoping.

“We aimed for 36 vendors and got 33. It was pretty good,” she said. “I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.”

One of the vendors, Tamara Lupul of Briar Rose Creations, set up a

table with handmade rustic Christmas Wreaths, in addition to hand painted plastic Ukrainian Vinok tree ornaments.

Lupul explained she got the idea for the handpainted ornaments after purchasing another artisan’s work.

“I bought (hand-painted) ornaments for myself, and my sister and my cat knocked mine off the counter and they broke,” she said. “I was devastated. I decided I'm going to make some and I'm going to do them in plastic, so nobody goes through that devastation, because it was horrible.”

Lupul said she has also been experimenting with hand painting wine glasses and is nearly ready to add them to her inventory.

Meanwhile, pencil artist Denise Fitzgerald, from F3 Ranch, also set up a table at the Christmas market selling her incredibly detailed horse-themed pencil drawings. Fitzgerald said she has been drawing seriously for the past 10 years and proceeds from her art support her family’s horse rescue south of Andrew.

“We’ve been doing the horse rescue for four months. We just purchased the property,” she

said. “We have 14 horses on the property at the moment, some are border horses.”

One horse, Fitzgerald’s farm has saved, is a one-and-a-half-year-old stallion named Red who came to her from a meat buyers’ auction.

“When he first came, he was so afraid of people. He was jumping fences to get away,” she said. “Nobody wanted to take the time to actually figure out how to train him. (He’s) too young. He's got a whole life ahead of him. And he's got a purpose.”

Fitzgerald said after a few months at the ranch, Red has come a long way.

“I handle him pretty much daily. He lays down on command. Now he lets us brush him, he picks up all of his feet, he just needed somebody to take the time to work with him in a way that he under-

stood,” she said.

Fitzgerald’s facebook page, showcasing her stunning artwork, has amassed 5,200 followers over the past three years.

Meanwhile, Andruchow said money raised through the gift-wrap-

ping table will be split between the Light Up committee, the Lamont High school Athletics program, as well as covering help needed during the market.

Denise Fitzgerald's stunning pencil drawings were displayed for sale at her table set up at the Christmas Market in Lamont High School Nov. 26. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Anthony Christopher Campbell passed away Nov. 19, 2022, in Edmonton at the age of 49, son of Helen and George Campbell. He leaves behind his brother George Jr., sisters Natalie (Jessie) Coles and Pauline (Phil) Campbell, and niece Sophie. He was predeceased by his brothers Ken and Donald and three nephews Harvey, Udo, and David as well as his mother Helen. Andy has been cremated and a celebration for life will be announced at a later date.

Dream Poem

The young teamster wakes at the crack of dawn, The sun peeking over the distant hills, Sunlight peeking through the curtains, He swings his feet over the bed, Grabs his trousers / shirts, pulls on his boots as he walks out onto the deck, He grabs his dusty field hat, His day has just begun!

As he walks to the barn his old dog saunters up, Looking for a gentle pat on the head, He thinks to himself, Oh what a glorious start to a new day, As he enters the barn, he savers the smells of fresh hay and horses, As his plans his day, In the quietness and peace of the family farm, He reaches for a pair of halters on a hook by the door, Time to go get the team, His quiet friends and companions, For today they will spend the long daylight hours in the field, Turning the soil that makes their living, What we sow together the Lord will provide. Praying for good health and happiness, The team in the barn, oats in their boxes, Hay in the manger, he thinks, Oh, what freedom I have, As he picks up the harness and places it on the team, He talks to them as he would a loved on, For he knows if he cares for them, They will care for him, His chores complete he heads to the house for breakfast, Prepared by the loving woman he married, A meal to share together, a time for one another, Before I head to field, his thoughts carry him away, As a voice calls out, come and get it, As the days turn into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, The old team long gone to greener pastures above, He sits on the old milk stool in front of the empty barn, He thinks to himself, I sure hope that old team and will meet someday, Well son that time has come, and if I know the Lord’s plan, You have already caught your team, harnessed them, And are out in the fields of glory, No more worries no more pain, In the arms of God.

Until we meet again!

Love, Dad

Campbell, Anthony Christopher

Above, fireworks. Below, a horse drawn sleigh during Lamont Light up.

Other Events and Activities

The next ASB meetingis on December 13, starting at 9:00a.m. The publicis welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through Microsoft Teams(link): lamontcounty.ca/departments/agricultural-services/agendas-minutes-asb.

December 18 is the Friends of Ukrainian Village 50’/50 Raffle to furnish the historic Hilliard Pool Hall The jackpot currently sits at: $4,750.00. To enter the raffle or visit: rafflebox.ca/raffle/fouvs

Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting