October 5 Tofield Mercury

The Tofield Mercury office will be CLOSED on Monday, October 10 for Thanksgiving. Late Ad deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.

Your LOCAL Media since 1918!

Volume 105 Issue 6

www.tofieldmerc.com

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 s

Catalytic converter thefts on the rise, rural areas can be easy prey for criminals Kerry Anderson Publisher

Thirty catalytic converters were stolen from a business northeast of Tofield, south of Chipman, near the Yellowhead Highway in Aug., and the theft is just part of a growing trend that saw such crime increase by 68 per cent from 2020 to 2021.

“It’s not a new issue. Catalytic converters have been stolen for years,” says Bryan Gast, national director of investigative services at the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

But it’s not the auto parts that thieves seek, but the precious metals inside them.

He warns that the value of these precious metals has risen; palladium, rhodium and platinum… which are “more valuable than gold right now,” according to Gast.

“We have cameras, but we’ve still probably had the cops here 15 times for catalytic converter thefts,” said Don Henriksen, co-owner of FXD Auto and Parts in Tofield. “They cut right through the fence… there is no way for us to stop them.”

Although fluctuating daily, rhodium is selling for over $11,000 per ounce.

Palladium is selling for over $2,000 per ounce, and platinum is selling for over $800/ounce. The price of gold presently sits at almost $1,700 per ounce.

Platinum, rhodium and palladium are elements known as platinum-group

metals (PMGs). These PMGs reside in the honeycomb region of the catalytic converter.

The amount of PMGs depends upon the vehicle, so knowledgeable thieves look to steal catalytic converters from large-engine SUVs and big trucks which can have anywhere from a-quarter ounce to a full ounce of PMGs. Cars, light trucks and large motorcycles tend to have less than a-quarter ounce of PMGs. Toyota Priuses are a target for crooks as they have two catalytic converters.

It is questionable if newer vehicles still have the most expensive rhodium as part of the PMGs. New and small vehicles have a small amount of PMGs worth perhaps $100. However, large older vehicles may have up to $1,000 of PMGs. Henriksen says at his auto repair shop, they replace “cats” from time to time as they can clog up and lose functionality. “They’re still worth something,” he says. “We have sold cats anywhere from $35 to $550 depending on the type.”

But selling the converters is tricky.

FXD deals with a licensed purchaser.

They are allowed to sell them, and he is allowed to buy them but he has to be careful that he has the proper paperwork with him while transporting them.

Apparently if the police pull him over with a load of “cats,” it can be straight Continued on Page 6

Typical catalytic converter theft, even caught on security camera it is still difficult to identify the crooks.

Pictured is a standard MagnaFlow universal fit catalytic converter

OFFICE HOURS DR KALLAL DR LIM DR TRAC DR PEDERSON 5024 51 AVE. PH: 780-662-0104

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

11-4 10-5 10-6 10-5 9-3 9-1

WE ARE HERE FOR ALL YOUR EYE CARE NEEDS!

BOOK YOUR EYE EXAM DIRECTLY ONLINE AT WWW.TOFIELDEYECARE.COM

Page 2 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Local bank employee knits hats for charity Jana Semeniuk Staff Reporter

For the third year in a row, a local BMO bank employee has donated her time to knitting

dozens of stylish winter hats to sell for the bank’s annual fundraiser in support of Kids Help Phone.

Natalie Daigle has worked at the Tofield

BMO location for the past 22 years and said she just decided one day a couple of years ago to try and knit.

“It started a couple of years ago. It was just

A display of hand-knit hats made by Tofield BMO bank employee Natalie Daigle for sale in support of the bank's annual fundraiser for Kids Help Phone. Proceeds from Nov. and Dec., however, will be forwarded to the Tofield Food Bank.

JANA SEMENIUK PHOTO

We have so much to be thankful for!

Kevin Smook - REALTOR ®

Jessee Malica-Hare - REALTOR ®

Susan Lentz - REALTOR ®

Making you feel at home since 1999!

780-662-4623 • www.home-time.net

something that I picked up trying to knit. It was something fun to do. So I thought I'll try making a hat. And of course, it was crazy at first. But then I made one that was actually kind of nice,” she said. “So I brought it in to the girls (at the bank) and they both wanted one and my manager wanted one so I made one for them, and then Carrie actually said, why don't we try selling them for the Kids Help Phone? So we did.”

Daigle said she not only sells the hats in Tofield, but she also supplies the Fort Saskatchewan and Wye Road branches of BMO with hats for their fundraisers which occur between Sept. and April.

She said it takes between

two and five hours to finish one hat and they sell for $25 each. Last year, she said she sold close to 200 of them between the three branches.

“What we do at this branch is that between Nov. and Dec, we give the proceeds to our local food bank,” said Daigle.

She added that they have done this for the past two years and were able to raise $1,000 each time for the food bank.

“It’s awesome and I’m hoping we can do it again this year,” she said.

While Daigle said she is happy she can help the community with her hobby, she said it also gives her an excuse to do more of it.

“The bonus is I get to knit,” she said. “I absolutely love it because if you don't have something to make them for, you can't make them. It's a lot of fun.”

NEW MEMBERS NEEDED!

T OFIELD L IONS C LUB COME

OUT TO OUR MEETINGS: 2 N D W E D N E S D AY OF THE MONTH, 7PM @ COMMUNITY HALL.

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Page 3

Help needed from parents to compile hockey stats Kerry Anderson Publisher

With minor hockey season fast approaching and youngsters getting seeded into their skill-level tiers, it’s time to consider sending us a quick email so we can report on how your local minor league player is doing.

If you live in Lamont County, Beaver County, or Flagstaff County, this is open

to you; and we’ve been told it is such a thrill for young hockey players to see their names in print when they score or assist on a goal.

But we need your help. Either the Lamont Leader, Tofield Mercury, Viking Weekly Review or Community Press in Flagstaff County will report scores and scorers from minor hockey games - but we have to know your youngster’s name, what team he/she is on, what

league he/she plays in, and the web address.

Please send your email to: kamcjm@gmail.com.

Sometimes people send the wrong web information, or improper instructions as to find players’ teams and scores. So if your child is missed, please double check and send another email.

If your youngster is playing outside of our counties in higher levels, please

Ryley School participates in Orange Shirt Day

let us know what team, league and the web address for score sheets from games.

We will be collecting all the players names, teams, leagues, and web addresses from now until all the leagues begin, and then looking up and reporting the scores each week during the hockey season.

Let’s drop the puck and have a great hockey season.

ADVERTISE in the local paper!

It’s the SMART CHOICE (and has been for 104 years).

adsmercury@gmail.com

Ryley School participated in the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation on Sept.

29. The school became a “sea of orangeʼ”as staff and students participated in Orange Shirt Day. The students made their own paper orange shirts with the slogan, “Every Child Matters.” They also listened to Indigenous read-alouds, worked on reconciliation rock projects, and viewed and discussed residential school experiences.

ARMENA RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ASSOCIATION (REA) PURCHASE PROPOSAL OPEN HOUSE Following a motion from Armena REA members, the Armena REA Board of Directors has requested a purchase offer from FortisAlberta for the REA’s electricity distribution assets.

FortisAlberta is pleased to present the offer of $13.84 million, or approximately $18,500 per site to the membership and is proceeding with the following information session for all Armena REA members.

We invite you to join FortisAlberta representatives at an open house where we will be available to answer any questions you may have about this proposed offer.

Open Houses:

Oct. 12 | 4–8 p.m.

Oct. 13 | 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Location:

Hay Lakes Recreation Centre Member voting on the purchase proposal will occur at the Armena Special General Meeting, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. at the Hay Lakes Agriplex FortisAlberta is proud to operate and live in the 240 communities we serve. With more than 1,100 employees who reside in Alberta, this connection to our work – and to our home – means that our customers receive safe and reliable electricity service from a team that cares and who are dedicated to meeting the electricity needs of their neighbours, 24/7/365.

For more information about our upcoming open house, please call 1-844-514-4050.

Page 4 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

OPINION

Want to have your say?

Write a Letter: news.tofield@gmail.com (all opinions must be signed to be published)

JOHN’S RANT Shandro is right to stand up to Feds So Tyler Shandro, Alberta’s Justice Minister in the Jason Kenney government, isn’t going to help the Feds collect your guns.

Well, good for him.

While the Feds continue to crack down on law abiding citizens and their rights to own some firearms, criminals continue to bring in weapons from the U.S. and illegally use them in the pursuit of criminal activity.

Message to Prime Minister Sock Boy Trudeau, “criminals don’t give a damn if you restrict a weapon or not. They’re already planning on breaking a law or two, so what’s another, by using an illegal weapon.”

Young Justin should also look at a map of his country and maybe have his minions explain to him that it is not all in the area from Montreal to Windsor, with a small part of B.C. around Vancouver thrown in for good measure.

Nope, Canada has a lot of wilderness and rural areas. People out here use the long guns for hunting, for survival and sometimes for self protection.

So Shandro said he has asked the provincially-paid RCMP, (you know the ones, who swear they don’t take any orders from Ottawa), not to follow through if Ottawa tells them to collect weapons which have been banned.

Now, where have we heard a statement similar to this for the past few months… you know a suggestion that some Federal rules imposed on Alberta could be ignored?

Oh, that’s right … the Sovereignty Act. The proposal put forward by UCP leadership candidate and perceived frontrunner Danielle Smith.

She states her Act will allow Alberta to reject enforcing any dictates from Ottawa that will harm the province or that

the province vehemently disagrees with.

Our Lieutenant Governor, to the chagrin of many, has said she wouldn’t give this Act royal assent if it passed through the Legislature yet was deemed illegal.

Premier Kenney has called it “nuts” among other things.

Yet here is his Justice Minister basically telling the RCMP not to pick up banned guns from law abiding gun owners in Alberta.

The firearms that they are seeking to confiscate were part of a list of over 1,500 models that were banned by the federal Liberals in 2020. An amnesty is currently in effect until October 2023, after which time they will be prohibited to possess.

The list of banned models were all previously non-restricted and restricted firearms, including hunting rifles and shotguns as well as historical artifacts almost a hundred years old.

“In reality, we know these firearms,” wrote Shandro in a release. “No matter how they may be styled, are in no way materially different from more familiar looking rifles and shotguns.”

Further the province, said Shandro, will apply to intervene in six ongoing lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the prohibition.

Shandro added Alberta taxpayers pay over $750 million per-year for the RCMP and “we will not tolerate taking officers off the streets in order to confiscate the property of law-abiding firearms owners.”

Since Shandro made his announcement both Saskatchewan and Manitoba have sided with Alberta and stated they also won’t order their provincial RCMP to enforce the buyback program.

And if course Federal Public Safety

Minister Marco Mendicino is apoplectic over this refusal of the colonies to assist his government’s plan.

“He’s (Shandro) wrong about all of that, and let’s take a step back. Assaultstyle rifles were designed for one purpose, and one purpose only. And that is to kill people, and they have in Canada,” Mendicino spluttered. “It’s a political stunt. He knows full well that the regulatory powers when it relates to firearms falls squarely within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government.”

This is the Public Safety Minister who cowered under his desk while a few truckers parked on Ottawa streets and honked their horns while their kids played on bouncy castles last February.

I agree with Shandro on this decision, even though I know many in our urban centres won’t.

I will argue often for the urban residents to get off their bicycles and get in a car and drive 30 miles into any direction from Edmonton and take a look around.

What will they see?

Wilderness. Areas of scrub and sloughs where wildlife gather.

Some of these wildlife are legally hunted by people providing food for their families.

There are also criminal elements driving the back roads of these rural areas scouting the homesteads, acreages and farms for potential theft.

Shouldn’t the landowners have a the right to own a firearm to protect themselves if facing violent threats from these criminals?

I’m not advocating a shoot first ask questions later mentality, but you can rest assured the criminals will use violence if confronted.

Sandro’s move is Alberta standing up for Albertans against a silly process designed to appease and appeal to voters in the central part of Canada.

It has nothing to do with stopping crime.

But it also smacks of Danielle Smith’s Sovereignty Act proposal. So maybe covertly Kenney is moving to her side.

I guess we’ll find out on Oct. 6.

JOHN MATHER

SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST FORM Name: ___________________________________ Address: _________________________________ Town: ________________ Prov: _______________ Postal Code: __________ Phone: _____________

Published & Distributed every week at Tofield, Alberta

P.O. Box 150, Tofield, Alberta T0B 4J0 Phone 780-662-4046 E-mail: (Advertising): adsmercury@gmail.com, (News): news.tofield@gmail.com Funded by the Government of Canada

Rates for a one year subscription are:

Within Canada: $35.18

Kerry Anderson

Eric Anderson

Lisa Kuflay

John Mather

Jana Semeniuk

Jordyn Charlesworth

Publisher

Assoc. Publisher

Manager

Crystal Inverarity Production

(Prices include G.S.T.)

Send payment to:

Box 150, Tofield, AB. T0B 4J0

or pay online anytime at tofieldmerc.com

Reporter

Reporter

Office Assistant

Michelle Anderson

Payroll Administrator

Disclaimer: Advertisements designed, set, and produced by The Tofield Mercury, as well as pictures, news, editorial content, and other printed material are protected by copyright laws and may not be used or reproduced without the expressed and signed written consent of The Tofield Mercury. In addition, we reserve the right to edit, delay, and/or refuse any and all letters and other material submitted to us without notice.

**Submitted Letters to the Editor and Opinion columns reflect the exclusive thoughts and opinions of the article’s author, and do not necessarily represent the views of this publication or its staff.**

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Page 5

LOOSE ENDS

Carol Livingstone Tofield Mercury Columnist

Halloween came early this year, really early. On TV and radio, at least.

Kids were barely settled into their new classrooms, facing a new teacher and

new math, before Halloween spirits appeared (like floating apparitions) on television – especially the cooking channels.

Pumpkin carvers, a fascinating craft that goes far beyond any Jack-o-lantern the average homeowner places on the front porch with a flickering candle inside to give it life. It makes me wish I’d known that carving pumpkins was considered a career and those who did it best are called Masters. Bakers compete as creators of the

most disgusting, ‘blood’oozing corpses imaginable, that judges actually eat (willingly, unless the guns to their heads are hidden off-screen) because it is a cake baking contest, after all.

That’s one job I wouldn’t want, even though the blood and rotting cadavers aren’t real, just as realistic as the bakers can make them. But it could turn a person (me) off strawberry jam or tomato sauce for life.

Not to be left out, Net-

flix and Amazon Prime have dragged out all the old horror shows, namely Stephen King movies and the one with that creepy little Chucky (not the cheese guy) doll and the Jamie Curtis I-canscream-better-than-anyone masterpieces that (I think but could be wrong) were titled Halloween 1 – 2 – 3 etc., etc. They’ve even revived The Walking Dead, or maybe that has never actually reached the Rest in Pieces stage, and just goes on and on and

on. I’m not a fan and think they should stop walking, already.

Personally, I think they pulled Halloween out way early – isn’t all of October enough time for the deluge of goblins, zombies, and whatever new nasties they can come up with to pre-empt our regular programming? If the judges on The Voice show up in costume I may switch channels, maybe to real-life witches in one of those Real Wives of Wherever shows. Some of those

faces are scarier than Chucky’s. It’s enough to give a person (me again) nightly nightmares right into the New Year.

At this rate, by October 31 we’ll be so sick of all things Halloween we may not snitch half of the little chocolate bars meant for the treat or tricksters calling Halloween Apples for our front step. No, wait, that’s never going to happen unless we stick to those sour candies this year – those darn things give me hellish heartburn.

cious vehicles driving around the Village of Holden slowly and going down alleys. Only one person in each vehicle. No license plate available.

Vehicle headed southeast from Holden.

On Oct. 1, at 2 a.m.

Tofield RCMP was asked to conduct a well being check on an individual in Ryley.

Police made a patrol and located involved person. No issues or concerns.

Sgt. Charles Brown

RCMP Report On Sept. 25, at 2:30 a.m.

Tofield RCMP received a complaint of theft at the Nutrient AG Solutions yard located on Range Road 171 just south of Hwy #14. Captured on camera 3 suspects driving a Black Dodge Dually with no bumper or license plate. A number of items were taking including diesel fuel. This incident is still under investigation.

On Sept. 25, At 7:48 a.m.

Tofield RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the community of Holden. The vehicle was occupied with two males who appear not belonging to the community. Vehicle last seen heading west bound in Holden.

On Sept. 25, Tofield RCMP received a complaint of a theft of a cell phone out of complainant’s vehicle in the community of Ryley.

On Sept. 25, Tofield RCMP responded to a call of a sudden death in Tofield. Police attended scene with EMS. It was determined the person died of natural causes.

On Sept. 26, Tofield RCMP responded to a call of causing a disturbance on 58 Ave Tofield. Police responded however this issued was resolved otherwise.

On Sept. 27, at 6 a.m.

Tofield RCMP a call of suspicious person in a vehicle on 49th St Tofield. Police made a patrol located involved person and vehicle.

No drugs or alcohol involved. It was determined the driver was tired and sleeping in friend’s driveway.

On Sept. 27, Tofield RCMP received a call of ut-

tering threats within a family unit. Police responded and the matter was resolved otherwise.

On Sept. 27, at 9:53 p.m.

Tofield RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle/person in the complainant’s field on Range Rd. 163. Description of vehicle: Silver Toyota Sienna van with a red oval sticker on the driver’s rear window. The driver was in his 40s graying hair. Police attended scene but the vehicle left the area. No further issues.

On Sept. 28, at 5:13 a.m.

Tofield RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle hauling a trailer on Range Rd 170. Vehicle approached complainant with high beams and then sped away. No other details obtained.

On Sept. 28, Tofield RCMP received a complaint of theft of gas that occurred on the 27th on Range Rd 161 near Holden around 2:15 a.m. It appears that complainant’s dog scared off the thieves. Complainant notice that the valve was opened on their fuel tank and a hose was left hanging on the ground.

This is still under investigation.

On Sept. 28, Tofield RCMP received a complaint of suspicious dirt bike with two people going up and down the airport road in Tofield.

Complainant thought the involved persons were trying to break into KNM Process Equipment Inc. gate. One of the workers scared them off.

On Sept. 29, Tofield RCMP received a complaint of a Break and Enter at a job

site located at 512 Township Rd. Locks were cut off from seacan and an enclosed trailer. Tools and equipment stolen.

On Sept. 29, Tofield RCMP received a complaint of suspicious person/vehicle on Range Rd 170 a woman wearing a gas mask, strange vehicles etc.

No further details available.

On Sept. 29, Tofield RCMP received a complaint of an erratic driver, driving an older black GMC Avalanche at high speeds, swerving between lanes and spinning tires. Tofield RCMP were in the area at the time of the call and engaged with the driver. No offences observed. Driver was not intoxicated however the driver was warned of his driving habits.

On Sept. 30, at 2:39 p.m.

Tofield RCMP received a complaint of erratic driver that passed on a solid line, travelling at approx. 140 Km/Hr in a white sport vehicle travelling east on Hwy 14. Members patrol the area and was not able to locate vehicle.

On Sept. 30, at 4:33 p.m.

Tofield RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle with 3 male occupants in a blue chevy Silverado on Township Rd 512. Police investigation revealed a company vehicle and occupants were doing pole inspections. No further action required.

On Sept. 30, at 5:22 p.m.

Tofield RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle at the Holden Esso.

Complainant advised that it was a older dodge truck, license plate unknown. The occupant had left a TV be-

hind the ESS. There were 4 occupants in the vehicle heading westbound on Hwy 14. This incident is still under investigation.

On Oct. 1, at 1:51 a.m., citizen’s on patrol in Holden reported two suspi-

SUNSHINE VILLA

Autumn Pie Social 2022

“Pie makes everybody happy.”

- Laurie Halse Anderson –

A Big Thank You!

Sunshine Villa Residents thank everyone for their Generous Support of the 4th Autumn Pie Social. Thanks to all the Area Businesses, Families, Residents, Volunteers and the Sunshine Villa Staff for your time, donations, planning, and help provided to make this event so successful. On behalf of the Sunshine Villa Residents, we truly appreciate your support for the Residents Association Fund.

Thank You Silent Auction Donors: • Anonymous • ATB • Dane Bohush • BMO • Braided Mane • Busy B North • Centennial Foodservice • Chill & Grill • Harold & Barbara Conquest • Lorraine Donovan • Roy Ellingson • Dave & Susan Francis • Gary Francis • FXD Auto and Parts Ltd. • Rob Gillrie • Guardian Drugs • Vance Heslin • High Level Bridge Band • IGA Dave Hare • KC & Co. Insurance • Brian Kingston • K&L International • Lorna Lockerby • Mickey’s Hair Studio • Moonshine Café • NAPA • OK Tire • Primary Connections • Quilting Country • Brian & Lorna Rempel • Ryalta Industries Ltd. • Shell • Studio Hair • SPEXX • Subway • Sunshine Villa Kitchen Staff • Don & Syd Sware • Thor Agencies • Tilly’s Family Dining and Pizza • Tofield Eyecare • Tofield Golf Course and Driving Range • Tofield Hotel • Tofield Packers • Tofield Pharmachoice • True Value Hardware • UFA • Uncle Rogers Family Dining • Joan Van Buul • Joseph Voegtlin • WaterCo • Bert Westergard and Crystal Regher • Wye Not Massage

Monetary Donors: • Anonymous - Many Volunteers: • Doug Bohush • Cohen Chicoine • Logan Denny • Lorraine Donovan • Roy Ellingson • Garry Francis • Ron Goeglien • Nick Guiton • Brian Kingston • Lorna Lockerby • Christine Madge • Mathew Mansley • Shannon Martens • Betty Tensen • Joan Van Buul • Joseph Voegtlin • Thelma Voegtlin

Page 6 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Catalytic Converter Theft Continued from Front to jail first, discuss the reasoning later.

A catalytic converter can be unbolted or cut from a vehicle in a matter of minutes so the victims may not realize something is wrong with their vehicle until they start it up and hear an unusually loud roaring sound from under the vehicle.

Henriksen says besides his company, it’s a continual problem in small towns. “Guys wake up in the morning and go start their vehicles and they find out the cat’s been cut off.

They have these hand-held sawsalls now and they can be done in five minutes or less. We had a guy on camera who was done in two minutes.”

The crooks routinely work in the dark of night with hoodies, and dark glasses even. It’s difficult with little light and facial cover for cameras to clearly identify the criminals.

The catalytic converter is part of the engine’s exhaust system which reduces the toxicity of emissions into the environment. It is illegal to remove or operate the vehicle without the converter and it can cost up to $2,000 or more to replace.

Ryley to host town hall meeting with RCMP John Mather Staff Reporter

Tofield RCMP will host a town hall meeting open to the public at the Ryley Community Centre, Oct. 12.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m.

Sgt. Charles Brown of the Tofield Detachment

said he wanted to hear from the community and get their input on local policing services.

“It is our desire to work together with community members on resolving community concerns and issues regarding overall community safety,” he said in a release announcing the town hall.

To avoid these rising crimes, police warn vehicle owners to park in well-lit areas especially if you are driving a targeted vehicle like ones that sit high off the ground and can be tampered with without being jacked up.

Auto wreckers like Coyote in Tofield remove catalytic converters, batteries and anything valuable as soon as the vehicle is towed in, or that business would be prime for crooks.

As is, auto wreckers also are licensed to sell “cats” to licensed purchasers.

In the August theft near the Yellowhead Highway between Tofield and Chipman, the 30 stolen catalytic converters cut off of vehi-

Make sure they know you want your vehicle brought to

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

Decline in local crime Kerry Anderson Publisher

Tofield RCMP Detachment reports a decrease in some major crimes in the area for the first six months of 2022 compared to the same time period in 2021.

Break and Enter crimes are down 26 percent to 25.

Theft of Motor Vehicles is down 25 percent to 12, and Possession of Stolen Goods is down 58 percent to just 11. Only Theft under and over $5,000 saw an increase of five percent to 41.

In 2021 the trend mostly continued from the year prior, with B & E dropping 30 percent, Motor Vehicle Thefts down 27 percent, and Possession of stolen goods down three percent. Only Theft over and under $5,000 increased 14 percent.

Since the Jan - Sept period of 2020, theft over and under $5,000 has continued to increase to its projection of over 80 cases in 2022.

From the start of 2020,

there were an average of eight B & Es per month. In 2021 that number dropped to just over five per month, and in 2022 there have been roughly four per month.

The figures were part of a report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to the Government of Canada.

cles on the property occurred over a weekend and created a large financial loss.

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP recovered six of the auto parts, identified by the cut marks alone. Most catalytic converters have no other recognizable markings.

Charges are pending against a 44-year-old Ed-

monton man.

In the Edmonton area there has been an estimated $13 million in expenses related to replacing stolen catalytic converters.

In the first half of 2022, thefts have increased over 20 percent from 2021.

“They do catch people from time to time,” said Henriksen. “I heard there was a big bust in Ryley re-

cently.”

But he warns locals to check with insurance companies to make sure they are covered for these thefts.

“It’s been going on for years but through Covid, with people losing their jobs, and learning the value (of “cats”) on the internet… it’s just gone nuts.”

ONLINE TIMED FALL CONSIGNMENT AUCTION CAMROSE, ALBERTA

BIDDING STARTS MONDAY, OCT. 17TH AND BIDDING ENDS FRIDAY, OCT. 21ST Visit our website to register for our online timed auction

WWW.LINDSTRANDAUCTIONS.COM Accepting delivery of consignments from Wednesday, Oct. 5 to Friday, Oct. 14 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

ALREADY LISTED: 3 LARGE LATE MODEL FARM DISPERSALS! CONSIGN TODAY TO BE PART OF THIS BIG AUCTION! Public Viewing: Monday, Oct. 17th to Thursday Oct.20th from 8:00 am- 6:00 pm & Friday, Oct. 21st from 8:00 am until NOON SHARP. At our yard: 2 MILES NORTH OF CAMROSE ON HIGHWAY 833. (47321 Sec, Hwy 833) We conduct Alberta’s Largest 1-day Farm Machinery Consignment Auction 4 times a year. Selling farm equipment, cars & trucks, lawn and garden, recreation vehicles and shop equipment. Whether you have 1 piece or a complete line of machinery, we have the facility & the experience to bring you top dollar for your equipment.

For full listings and pictures visit our website at: www.lindstrandauctions.com

CONSIGN NOW!!

AT LINDSTRAND AUCTIONS SALE SITE, 2 MILES NORTH OF CAMROSE ON HIGHWAY 833. (47321 Sec, Hwy 833)

Ph: 780-672-8478

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

780-662-3432

LINDSTRAND AUCTIONS

LT D .

AB License #312728

W W W. L I N D S T R A N D A U C T I O N S . C O M

4908 - 52 Ave. Real Estate costs around the country keep going up and up. Imagine being able to own a great

commercial lot like this for under $20K!

Main Street Commercial Lot For Sale Viking, AB

GREAT INVESTMENT!

Great Commercial Lot on Main Street in Viking, AB. ONLY ONE LIKE IT AVAILABLE! Large attractive central location, would be perfect for constructing a new building. Build yourself an office, rent out upstairs apartment.

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

ASKING

REDUCED!

$17,000 BBarbb Chrystian Ch i 78 780-385-0631

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Page 7

New Holden charter school issues first earned credit Jana Semeniuk Staff Reporter

Newly created grade 712 charter school, Holden Rural Academy, celebrated their first academic milestone last month when grade 11 student Ben McNight completed a course and was issued the school’s first credit on Sept. 19.

“A big moment for our school today. We can officially say a student has completed a course and gained a credit. It might be a one credit course, but it’s mighty awesome,” said a post on the school’s social media page. The post added that the course McNight took was a short prerequisite workplace safety course.

Karla Janzen, secretary for the Holden Rural Academy’s five-member Society which runs the school, said like most rural Alberta schools, prior to

the creation of the academy, Holden school, K-6, was slated for closure.

“Holden had a K-6 school and neighbouring Ryley had a 7-12 school, and the students were cross bused between us, so it was one bussing area,” Janzen explained. She said enrollments at both schools dropped to critical levels in early 2020.

“Battle River School Division determined that there were not enough students in our area to operate a high school, based on their policy, that a junior high or a high school program needed to have at least 40 students to be viable,” said Janzen. “Our high school, which was at that time in Ryley, had dropped to 35.”

Janzen said as a result, Ryley lost their high school program and the school board opted to combine the K-6 students in Holden with the re-

maining 7-9 students in Ryley to have one K-9 school serving the area located in Ryley. High school students were divided up between Tofield and Viking.

“On the 19th of March, they had a meeting to close the Holden school for June. It was awful.

(Due to the COVID pandemic) The students at the school never got to say goodbye or anything,” she said. “The teachers all moved along but this is the building they've been in. They (students) never got to say their goodbyes to that era of history here.

It was just nope, closed for COVID and you never get to come back kind of thing.”

Janzen said that was when the Holden Rural Academy Society was born.

“We thought that we did have the potential to have enough students to have a

Donation to Victim Services

Beaver County hosted a golf tournament at Coal Creek Golf Course on behalf of RMA District 5 last July. The event was an opportunity for District 5 municipalities to build relationships with each other and resulted in a $2,272 donation to the Beaver County Victim Services. That donation was made Sept.30

Truth, brought to you by real-life superheroes, the people behind your local press.

Celebrate the power of words with the ew “Champions” Cham a pio i nss fo ffont ntt ins inspir nspir p ed d by the he e new inspired ess ssent se enttial ia service se ervi rv ce newspapers new wspa paper pa pe s p per rovide ro rov ide id de. essential provide.

D nlo Dow nload ad itt for fo fr free ee at a Download n nat ion ionaln onaln alnews ewspap ews paperw pap erw week e .ca c nationalnewspaperweek.ca

viable school, even if the criteria put out by the division said no,” she said.

The group attended a local presentation led by Kevin Van Lagen, also known as the Prairie Principal. Van Lagen is the principal of Altario and Consort schools in central Alta., and a vocal advocate for the value of rural education in Alta. Through his leadership, Altario and Consort schools have both seen increased enrollments due to their school’s specified focus; Altario on agriculture and Consort on baseball.

Janzen said Holden Rural Academy’s focus is on place-based education where the school teams up with local businesses in the community.

“We wanted to validate the jobs and the entrepreneurs and the farmers and the trades people and the elderly, as well, that live in our community, as people that were worth knowing and worth studying,” said Janzen. “We also take our kids into the community to engage in programming that enhances our visual arts or performing arts.

Given that our school doesn't have a home-ec lab, or a shop, we connect them with our community.”

So far, the school has 61 students enrolled which Janzen said was slightly below the level of 70 students they were hoping for, but she said interest in the program was steady leading up to the first day of school. “(We had a lot of) interest at the end of Aug., but

the Sept. 30 cut off date has come and gone, and we don’t accept registrations after that date because of funding,” she said, although she added exceptions could be made for a family newly moved into the area.

In terms of student feedback, Janzen said so far, it’s been very positive.

“They tell me ‘We love the school’,” she said.

“Which is so good to hear.”

Grade 11 student Ben McNight proudly holds his certificate for completing a workplace safety course last month which earned him Holden Rural Academy's first issued credit. HRA opened its doors this Sept. 1 as a charter school for place-based education.

Honour our FIREFIGHTERS and pay TRIBUTE to our local FIRE DEPARTMENTS – Tofield, Ryley & Holden

FIRE PREVENTION SECTION Coming out on Oct. 19, 2022.

Deadline Oct. 14 @ 5pm Call us 780-662-4046 or email adsmercury@gmail.com

Page 8 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

22102TA0

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Page 9

OBITUARIES Sylvia Florence Kleinschroth (née Norman)

Dr. Donald Roy Kolenosky

December 12, 1940 September 28, 2022 Don passed away on Thursday, September 29th at the age of 81. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Louise Kolenosky, his brothers Ross and Wilfred, his brother-in- law Harold Hauer, and his first wife Dorothy.

He is survived by his loving partner, Donna Osoba, her two daughters Lori Osoba (Geoff), Holly Ackerman (Neil), two granddaughters Ashley and Sydney, his brother George (Dianne), and sisters Gertie Hauer, Dorothy (Don) Rieder, Pat Cheralley, Helen (Rod) Wright, Marge (Wayne) DeBoice, Lynn (John) Babec, many nieces and nephews, good friends and neighbours.

Don had an exemplary

career in Veterinary Medicine at his Vegreville Clinic. After retirement, he bought his farm north of Tofield and helped develop Tofield Packers.

Don had a passion for Nature, having been a lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited.

He enjoyed gardening, fishing, going to the lake, reading, watching sports, traveling with Donna, and spending time with family and friends.

Don was a man of integrity and professionalism. His kind and generous demeanour will leave a lasting legacy with anyone fortunate

enough to have known him. He will be truly missed.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 8 between 6 and 8 p.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home and Cemetery, 52356 Range Road 232, Sherwood Park, Alberta T8B1B8 A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 8 at the Tofield Community Hall, 5309 50 Street Tofield Alberta.

A Beef on a Bun Dinner will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

June 12, 1928 September 25, 2022 In her 95th year, on a Sunday morning, Sylvia died peacefully in her beautiful room with a view at Long Term Care, Castor, AB. She had enjoyed outof-town family days earlier with visiting and music, including one of her favourite hymns, “Until Then”.

Sylvia was born in Edmonton, AB to Clifford and Blanche Norman and grew

Mar. 31, 1947 - Sept. 16, 2022

Bardo Lutheran Church Salem Mennonite Church

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

780-662-2762

•

5907 - 49 Street

Tofield Community Church

Ruth), Tess, Elliot and was overjoyed by each of her ten great grandchildren.

Surviving siblings grieve her loss: Mac and Donnie, Roselle, Joan, Jeanette, Walt and Gerry. Nieces and nephews will also miss their Auntie Sylvia.

Predeceased by husband John Kleinschroth, sisters Kathy and Blanche; brothers Norman and Sandy.

Sylvia’s family thanks staff at Long Term Care and Paintearth Lodge in Castor. Your loving care and enjoyment of Sylvia will always be remembered.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 15 at Glenwood Funeral Home, 52356 Range Road 232, Sherwood Park, AB. The service will be live streamed.

Memorial donations may be made to Paintearth Lodge, Castor, AB. www.castorhousing.ca.

Patrick Connolly

Tofield and Area Church Directory Pastor Calvin Andringa Sunday Worship Services:

up in the Cooking Lake area. Sylvia and John were married in 1951, raised their family in Edmonton and moved to Hastings Lake in 1983.

Sylvia is remembered for the revolving door of welcome at her open home, friendliness, story telling, love of music, fresh baked bread, dried flower cards, quilting, and faith in Christ.

Sylvia is survived by her six children: John Kleinschroth (Gwen), Castor, AB; Barb McIntosh, Clairmont, AB; Donna Duke (Jim), Okotoks, AB; Len Kleinschroth (Janet), Morrin, AB; Arlene Letkeman (Charlie), Sexsmith, AB, and Brian Kleinschroth, Edmonton, AB. She loved and enjoyed her grandchildren: Terena, Randy, Jolene (Jason), Jay (Ashley), Jacquie (Kevin), Nicki (Derek), Joel, Brayden (Nicole), Jared, Evan (Amy

Pastor Peter Beckman Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am All are welcome!

Worship services can also be accessed online @

49232 Rge Rd 184 Tofield, AB

Pastor Mark Loewen 780-662-2365

Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 am www.bardolutheranchurch.weebly.com Sunday Worship 10:45 am 780-662-3411

Tofield United Church

Lead Pastor: Jon Stewart Children/Youth Pastor: Nathan Nichols Live Sunday Worship at 10:30 am

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

www.tofieldchurch.com 780-662-3166 Services will be live streamed and available on our website/YouTube

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

4832 - 53 Ave, Tofield

Patrick Connolly of Tofield, Alberta was born on March 31, 1947 at Swan River, Manitoba. He passed away on September 16, 2022 at the Tofield Health Center at the age of 75 years.

He is survived by his wife Anna; daughter Bobbie-Joe (Brad) Kendel; sons Sean (Gwen), Quentin (Sheila); sisters June Peyton of Swan River, Kay Innis of Lethbridge; 7 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Pat was predeceased by his parents Elma (nee Hille) and Frank Connolly; brothers Frank, Larry, Tom, Grant, Garry and nephews Gordon Connolly and Phillip Connolly.

The family would like to thank Dr. Abuzehar for all his support, patience and understanding. They would also like to thank the Tofield Hospital staff for their understanding.

Cremation has taken place and Patrick's wishes were that there would be no funeral.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Weber Funeral Home 780-662-3959 www.weberfuneralhome.ca

Page 10 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

& Professional Business Business & Professional Oilfield & Energy Services Directory

Contact the Mercury 780-662-4046 adsmercury@gmail.com

Affordable Weekly Advertising! Sizes range Ads from $50-160 per monthLarge Small Ads - $50/month Medium - $80/month

Automotive

Health & Beauty

Tofield Autobody *COLLISION REPAIR SPECIALISTS *WINDSHIELD REPAIRED & REPLACED

780-662-3432

adsmercury@gmail.com 780-662-4046

Ads - $160/month

Insurance

P RIMARY C ONNECTIONS M ASSAGE T HERAPY Registered Massage Therapy “Masseuse Caboose” 5024-53 Ave.

780-662-4498 662-4498 Rhona Lawson R.M.T/M.T.A.A.

Heavy Duty Mechanic For your automotive, farm and industrial supplies

780-662-3212 After hours: 780-914-8576

For your vehicle parts needs

Heavy Duty Mechanic Services - Mobile & Shop -

780-686-6344 Agriculture~Construction~Tractor/Trailer 5020 - 50 Ave., Tofield, AB

Insurance

FREE vehicle removal Cash paid for some Please call ahead for appointment confirmation Vehicle Removal: Weekdays AM Saturdays PM

780-662-2403 662-2403

• Tofield 780-662-0165

Construction LICENSED INSURED

GOLISH CONSTRUCTION LTD.

• Mundare

Electrical • Farm • Residential • Commercial • 24 hour service

Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

SLAUGHTER DAY IS EVERY WEDNESDAY

Phone 662-4842 for Appt Phone 780-662-4842 for Appt.

Fresh Meat & Sausage Counter

Plumbing & Heating B&M

• Bathroom Remodeling • Kitchen upgrades • Foundation Repair • Drywall Board & Tape • Paint & Texturing • Flooring & Tiling • Garages & Additions

No job too small, call to book your project!

HOURS:

780-764-2238

Commercial • Farm • Holden Auto • Home Recreational • Hail 780-688-3865

CELL: 780-385-4179 JOHN GOLISH

• Siding, Soffits & Facias • Windows, Doors & Capping • Decks, Railings & Ramps • Shingles & Metal Roofing • Overhead Doors • Concrete Repair • Basement Development

Meat Packers

PLUMBING AND HEATING INC Authorized Armstrong and Coleman dealer Authorized Trane dealer for all your for all your plumbing and heating needs. plumbing and heating needs.

CALL: 662-2454Service CALL: 662-2454

24 Hr. Emerg.

Ritchie Agencies Insurance Ltd $YH _ 7RŴHOG

780-662-3833

FRRSHUDWRUV FD ORFDO ULWFKLH DJHQFLHV

CALL THE TOFIELD MERCURY 780-662-4046 TO BOOK A SPACE.

CALL THE TOFIELD MERCURY TO BOOK THIS SPACE 780-662-4046

Place your Business Directory ad in the Tofield Mercury for 6 months and get 1 month FREE!

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Page 11 CLUES ACROSS 1. Clip a small piece 5. Enter forcibly 11. Southwestern Native American tribe 12. Helps you smell better 16. Sun or solar disk 17. Low frequency 18. Former Houston football player 19. Federal crime 24. Home to Boston (abbr.)

25. Approval 26. Those who fight an establishment (abbr.)

27. __ student, learns healing 28. Indian groomer of horses 29. Line where two pieces meet 30. One might be brief 31. Type of sword 33. Knife for fruits or vegetables

34. Stinkhorns 38. Stroke 39. Industrial process for producing ammonia 40. Sir __ Newton 43. Wild goat 44. Muslim ruler 45. Scottish ancestor 49. Hat 50. Horse mackerel 51. Alcoholic accompaniment 53. Tech department 54. Manifesting approval 56. Upper bract of grass 58. Of I 59. Large wading bird 60. Military prisons 63. Famed American cartoonist 64. Rise 65. Greek God of war and courage

CLUES DOWN 1. Sewing needles 2. Functionary 3. Induces vomiting 4. The finger farthest from the thumb 5. Not moving 6. Sports official 7. Water purification process (abbr.)

8. University of Dayton 9. Indo-Malaysian evergreens 10. High schoolers' math course 13. Yankovic is a weird one 14. Adversaries 15. Merchandisers 20. Radioactive metal (abbr.)

21. Atomic #52 22. The back 23. One-time computer giant 27. Female of a horse 29. Football’s big game (abbr.)

30. Vehicle 31. Single Lens Reflex 32. It's becoming more prevalent

33. Political action committee 34. Makes lightbulbs 35. Natural home of an animal 36. In bed 37. Superman villain 38. The Golden State 40. One who leads prayers in a mosque 41. They accompany a leader 42. Atomic #18 44. Electronic countermeasures 45. The appearance of something 46. Connecting line on a map 47. Deep red color 48. Secret affairs 50. Drenches 51. Contains music 52. Expression of surprise 54. Intestinal pouches 55. Where birds are born 57. __ and behold 61. Cools your home 62. The First State

ANSWERS ACROSS: 1. SNIP 5. IRRUPT 11. HOPI 12. DEORDORANT 16. ATEN 17. LF 18. OILER 19. RACKETEERING 24. MA 25. PRAISE 26. REBS 27. MED 28. SYCE 29. SEAM 30. CASE 31. SABER 33. PARER 34. PHALLI 38. CARESS 39. HABER 40. ISAAC 43. IBEX 44. EMIR 45. PICT 49. LID 50. SCAD 51. CHASER 53. IT 54. COMMENDATORY 56. PALEA 58. ME 59. IBIS 60. STOCKADES 63. NAST 64. ASCENT 65. ARES ANSWERS DOWN: 1. SHARPS 2. NOTARY 3. IPECAC 4. PINKIE 5. IDLE 6. REFEREE 7. RO 8. UD 9. POONS 10.

TRIG 13. AL 14. NEMESES 15. TRADERS 20. ES 21. TE 22. REAR 23. IBM 27. MARE 29. SB 30. CAR 31. SLR 32. AI 33. PAC 34. PHILIPS 35. HABITAT 36. ABED 37. LEX 38. CA 40. IMAM 41. SIDEMEN 42. AR 44. ECM 45. PATINA 46.

ISOBAR 47. CERISE 48. TRYSTS 50. SOAKS 51. CD 52. HA 54. CECA 55. NEST 57. LO 61. AC 62. DES

& Professional Business Business & Professional Oilfield & Energy Services Directory Affordable Weekly Advertising! Sizes range Ads from $50-160 per monthLarge Small Ads - $50/month Medium - $80/month

Plumbing & Heating

Real Estate

Contact the Mercury 780-662-4046 adsmercury@gmail.com adsmercury@gmail.com 780-662-4046 Ads - $160/month

Veterinary Clinic

Kevin Smook REALTOR ®

780-662-4623 Making you feel at home since 1999!

www.home-time.net

RED’S

Roofing

P LUMBING & D RAIN C LEANING

•Boilers •New Homes • Renovations • Repairs •Distillers Ph: (780) 662-7237 Cell: (780) 238-7429 Garnet Malin - Tofield, AB

John Daoust Shingle Co. Box 576, Tofield

Place your Business Directory ad for 6 months and get 1 month FREE!

EE ES FR AT M TI ES

Cedar shingles & shakes, Asphalt, Repairs, Barns, Churches

John Daoust 662-4901

HOURS: Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri.: 8:30am-5:30pm Wednesdays: 8:30am-7:00pm Saturdays: 8:30am-1:30pm

CALL THE TOFIELD MERCURY 780-662-4046 FOR YOUR ADVERTISING NEEDS!

INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS.

Page 12 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

L

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.

WEEKLY REVIEW 780-336-3422 vikingreview @gmail.com TOFILED MERCURY 780-662-4046 adsmercury @gmail.com LAMONT LEADER 780-895-2780 lmtleader @gmail.com ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS Office and paper supplies for sale at The Tofield Mercury, Weekly Review, Lamont Leader offices. If we don't have it, we can probably order it for you. Don't forget to ask about custom printing - we can do almost anything either in-house or working with our print shop.

30tfnp

Does your club have an event planned?

Advertise in the Classifieds

EADER

Serving

Lamont

county

3 papers for the price of 1!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

FOR FOR RENT RENT

HELP HELP WANTED WANTED

SERVICES SERVICES

Mopsy Tucks has a great selection of costumes to rent for Halloween or all occasions. Hours Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sundays and evenings by appointment only.

Private Offices For Rent Newly Renovated Private Offices For Rent. Urban Centre, Downtown Fort Saskatchewan.

Only $550/month. Call 780-9937647 40p _______________________ Large 3 bdrm home with detached garage in Viking. Ph (403) 461-4350.

Hardisty Curling Club is seeking icemaker/cleaner for the 2022/23 season. Please send applications to Hardisty Curling Club, Hardisty, AB, T0B 1V0 40p

Town & Country Guardian Drugs - Killam

780-386-2353 Lougheed, AB 40p COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS Society of Friends of Viking School Parent Council Annual General Meeting October 19 at 6:30pm at Viking School.

We are the fundraising branch of Viking School Parent Council.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

40c ________________________ Come and go 80th birthday party for Irene Arndt at the Viking Legion Saturday, October 8 2 to 5 p.m.

No Gifts Please ________________________ Indoor Flea Market Lougheed Seniors Welcome Centre October 15 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Vendors needed - $10 a table For Information or to Book a Table, Please Contact: Rita 780-386-3869 Diane 780-386-2400 Aileen 780-386-2426 Everyone Welcome!

See You There!

40/41p ________________________ In Concert At the Forestburg Drop-In Centre Forestburg, AB Randy Howell Plays & Sings his Favourites & Yours Sunday Evening 7 p.m.

October 16 $20 at the Door Dessert and Coffee included Come and enjoy the songs of this gifted gentleman 40/41p

40/42p _______________________ Large, quiet, non-smoking 2 bedroom apartment in Killam.

For viewing, call Chuck at 780-263-7290 tfnc _______________________ Viking: One bedroom basement suite for rent available October 1st. $650 utilities included. Call or text 780717-6783.

WR36tfn FOR SALE FOR SALE Construction grade plywood 5/8" tongue & groove. 20 sheets available in Ryley.

Asking $60/sheet. If interested, call Robert @ 780-9163646.

TM40p _______________________ Hunters 2 - double wide ladder tree stands. 1 new and 1 used once. $75 each firm. Call 780.662.4515.

TM39-41P _______________________ 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4X4, 207,000 miles in excellent condition; $8,500.00. 780-385-2474.

38/39-CP _______________________ Fresh roasting chickens – range in weight from 6-10 lbs.

Home grown-farm fresh. Call or text Val Quattek 587-2565402. Available September 19.

37/40c GARAGE SALE GARAGE SALE MOVING SALE! Saturday, October 8 & Sunday October 9 10 a.m. to 5p.m.

Tooles, Collectables, and So Much More!

5015 56 Ave Tofield

MEMORIAL MEMORIAL Helen Bruha 1923 - October 2, 2014 Frank Bruha 1910 - December 4, 2003 Gone but not forgotten; gone but ever here; No longer in this world; But always ever near.

Your loving Family.

TM40p SERVICES SERVICES 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 780-3851251. _______________________ Roy's Handyman Services.

Flooring, Trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-2323097 ________________________ 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 _______________________ Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Painting Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 or 780-688-3564

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.

40p ________________________ 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 780-384-3087 tfnc _______________________ 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 Email: lmtleader @gmail.com tfnp

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Page 13

Lee asks Ryley residents to be positive at town hall meeting John Mather Staff Reporter

About 50 Ryley residents visited the Ryley Community Centre, Sept. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m., where they could talk to RCMP representatives, officials from Claystone Waste Ltd., and meet with town administration and councillors and view budgets, planning documents, emergency response plans and other documents crucial to the well being of the Village.

At the conclusion of the informal meet and greet Mayor Nik Lee addressed the several residents who still remained.

He first introduced the other members of the village council, Brian Ducherer, Sheldon Reid, and Deputy Mayor Nola Herrik. Former councillor Annette Short had tendered her resignation earlier in the day.

“I was hoping to see more questions tonight, “ he said. “But I guess that’s sometimes life.

“I want to thank our administration and staff and the people who work behind the scenes that make all this work,” He thanked the RCMP and the village’s legal team for being at the town hall meeting.

“These people make what we have to deal with sometimes so much easier. As

a team, we appreciate everything that you do as we move forward.”

He stated one of the key messages he wanted to get across to the assembled group was that Ryley was being administered in ways consistent with the Municipal Government Act. “If you take anything else away from tonight it’s that. We couldn’t do that without our CAO Ron Cust. With his experience we have a good man at the helm.”

He said another message he wanted to state was it was no secret that Ryley had a “sort of stigma” as it related to having landfills located nearby.

“I expect our residents to not be treated any differently from those residents in Edmonton, Calgary, St. Albert or Sherwood Park,” Lee stated. “You can see from the decor in the hall tonight we’re working towards that.”

“I want you all to know the Village of Ryley is the hub of Beaver County. We are located at the centre,” he said. “It also houses the main offices of Beaver County and their public works facility is nearby.

“Therefore, we as residents have to recognize the benefits of all that and we as residents have to conduct ourselves accordingly.”

He added what he meant by that was to cease the negativity that occurs on

Blanket Alberta Ads take approximately 10 days to process

Facebook.

“The negativity on Facebook…,” he stated. “Let’s not go there… let’s turn that page… let’s go on with building this Village.”

“The one message we need to pay attention to, is if this Village is serious about better economic development, it must also be serious about its image in any form.”

He said if residents go to Tofield they should be proud of where they’re from and build up Ryley and be proud of what they are doing. He didn’t think they should be stating things that could end up on newspaper front pages and paint the Village badly.

“Those are my three key messages,” he said. “Understand your council.

We’ve come through some issues sometimes but we’re all working for the same goals. We’re working for your bet-

A crew was at work last week crack filling on the streets of Ryley.

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.

_______________________ AUCTIONS AUCTIONS

_______________________ FEEDAND AND SEED FEED SEED

_______________________ LAND FOR FOR SALE LAND SALE

_______________________ SERVICES SERVICES

MEIER ODD AND UNUSUAL AUCTION. Saturday Oct 29, 10AM, Birds, Livestock. Located at the Meier Auction Center 4740 57 St Wetaskiwin.

Consignments accepted. 780440-1860; www.meierauction.com. _______________________ BUILDINGS BUILDINGS FOR SALE SALE FOR

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. 1-888483-8789. _______________________ FOR SALE SALE FOR

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 HEALTH

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. 1-877-9871 4 2 0 . www.pioneerwest.com. _______________________ PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866405-1228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca. _______________________ WANTED WANTED

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1866-974-7678 www.integritybuilt.com. _______________________ FEEDAND AND SEED FEED SEED WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN - Heated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola.

"On Farm Pickup". Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-2505252.

Deadline for Blanket Classifieds is Wed. at 4 p.m.

WHITE SPRUCE TREES: 5’ average $50. Installation ONLY $19. Includes: hole augered, Wurzel Dip enzyme injection, bark mulch application, staking. Minimum order 20. One-time fuel charge: $125-175. Crystal Springs. 403-820-0961.

Quality guaranteed. _______________________ LAND FOR FOR SALE LAND 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 306716-2671.

terment.”

He said if residents had concerns of any kind, rather than listen or watch Facebook or listen to urban legends “come to one of our council meetings. It is open and has been since January.”

“Come in and we’ll meet you. We have our meetings live streamed so you can watch them anytime if you wish.

“I see nothing but good for Ryley going forward and I want to see us have the support of our residents as we go forward.

“Come to our meetings. That’s where we will do our business with you.”

He said he didn’t want to see the village get distracted from the “white noise in the background.”

“My message when I ran for council was I wanted to put Ryley first and that message has not changed. I do want to put Ryley first.”

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. 1-844-4535372. _______________________ SERVICES 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.

GOLD, SILVER & PLATINUM BUYERS purchasing all gold & silver bullion, jewelry, coins, nuggets, dust, scrap, pre-1968 coins, bulk silver, sterling +++ Numismatist purchasing entire coin collections & accumulations, Royal Canadian Mint coins, world collections, old $$$. +++ 250-864-3521.

Put your ad in 120 Alberta newspapers starting at just $269+gst

SUDOKU

ANSWERS

Page 14 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Round Hill School fought closure with new focus Jana Semeniuk Staff Reporter

When the hamlet of Round Hill learned their K-9 school was facing a probable closure by the Battle River School Division in early 2020, the small community did not take it lying down.

At the time, the school had a population of 82 students, up slightly from its lowest number of 68 students just a few years prior but not enough to stave off the possible closure.

“We took a slightly different approach and said, you know, if we're going to stay open, we’ve got to give them a reason to keep us open,” said Nicola Irving, Chair of the Round Hill Renaissance Agriculture Foundation.

Through the foundation’s efforts in partnering with the community, the school was able to remain open by offering an agricultural focus to their studies. Students would learn the Alberta Curriculum in conjunction with learning how to grow food, harvest, create compost and raise chickens. The RHRAF provided three and a half acres of land located near the school to facilitate the outdoor learning.

“Teaching people how to grow their own food is a good thing,” said Irving. “(It’s important) to

instill these good habits and the excitement around eating something that you've grown yourself.”

Taren Holden, a new grade six and seven homeroom teacher at the school, said there is more to learn about growing food than planting seeds.

“Assessing soil health and how it directly affects the nutrition of the food that is grown, that is one area that especially the junior high kids are so interested in,” she said. “Looking at soil underneath a microscope, and assessing the health of it, and then how that responds to the nutrition of the food, and how they're able to impact it.

It's amazing to see them latch onto something (that’s) not a super easy concept. But they just love it.”

Holden said the concepts around agriculture are age-appropriate and different activities are geared for the students in all grades. For older students, she described one project that included creating vermicompost using red wiggler worms mixed with soil, shredded paper and wood shavings in addition to pieces of fruit like apple cores or banana peels.

“We just kind of dig them into the soil that's there and the worms decompose it and it's very high nutrient dense cast-

ings that they leave behind that's available for plants to use,” she said.

Meanwhile, Irving said the idea for an agricultural focus was inspired by Kevin Van Lagen, also known as the Prairie Principal. Van Lagen is the principal of Altario and Consort schools in central Alta., and a vocal advocate for the value of rural education in Alberta.

“We had come across him on social media, and we decided (to have him) come in and talk to the community about what they did out there, and he came and did a presentation,” said Irving.

Van Lagen was instrumental in the creation of Altario School’s agricultural focus, doubling the school’s K-12 expected enrollment by June 2022.

In the Consort school, also run by Van Lagen, a focus on baseball has boosted their enrollment numbers.

The Round Hill Agricultural Academy, now in their second year of the new program, have also seen increased enrollment numbers from 82 students when talk of school closure was on the horizon in 2020 to this year an incredible 108 students. Irving said there has been a lot of in-

terest in the program from families in and around the area.

“We've actually got some families that are from out of our area that drive their kids in to attend the school because it matters so much,” said Irving. “And there's also

a couple of families that used to home school and now, because of the program, they are sending their kids to the school so they can participate.

Everyone has a unique story to tell, but overall, when we went from 82 to 108 (students), that's a

pretty big jump and speaks volumes about what we are offering.”

In terms of the future, Irving said there are plans for an outdoor workspace, workshops on preserving food and hopefully one day livestock.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 Train Departs Kelsey at 1:30 pm Supper at 5:30 pm.

Dance at 8:00 pm Supper & Dance Location: Heisler Community Hall

Ticket Prices: Full Admission: $130

FULL ADMISSION INCLUDES ROUND TRIP TRAIN RIDE, SUPPER & DANCE

Supper & Dance: $65 Dance Only: $25

FULL DETAILS & BOOK TICKETS VISIT: WWW.BATTLERIVERTRAIN.COM

OR

CALL 780-781-9260

Tofield

O FFICE H OURS

Dr. Peter Yoo DDS

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

10 AM - 2 PM (NO 9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 4 PM

DENTIST)

CLOSED

Dr. Gagandeep Singh DDS

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

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

• Family Dentistry • Oral Surgery • Implants Member of the: • Extractions • Cosmetic Dentistry • Child Development Program Students from Round Hill School water freshly planted vegetables this past June at the Round Hill Renaissance Agricultural Foundation.

“Your dental health matters. If you have an emergency or concern outside office hours please call me directly at (780) 893-9270.”

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Page 15

Claystone land harvest raises money for pool John Mather Staff Reporter

Once again, the Beaver Heritage and Agricultural Society got together on Oct. 1 to harvest 168 acres of canola and when the money is received from the harvest it will go to the Ryley Swimming Pool.

According to Lonnie Lauder, secretary of the Agricultural Society and a local farmer who looks after the planning of the Fuel the Pool Harvest, it is an important event for the society.

“We have had land donated to us for years by Claystone Waste,” he said.

“They have a lot of land they don’t use yet, so we get to put a crop in and then we use the harvest to put money back into the pool.”

Originally the group received 370 acres they were allowed to plant, but he said since most of the agricultural society members are farmers themselves, it became difficult planting this additional land when they were trying get their own crops in.

“We contracted with another local farmer and he gets to plant half of our acres within the Claystone land and he seeds our half of the acres and looks

after it. Then when it’s harvest time we pull some farmers together and get the crop off to market.”

This year the land was planted in canola and Lauder estimates they might get about 35 bushels per acre from the harvested crop.

Lauder said on Oct. 1 they had seven combines, two grain carts and three super bees to get the crop off.

He said in the past they have stored the grain in bags in the field, but this year it was loaded on to the trucks and was delivered to the elevator on Oct. 3 and 5.

He added with that crop it might work out to gross proceeds of more than $100,000 for the swimming pool.

“That’s not a net, there are some expenses to come out of that. But if we didn’t have this program, I don’t think we could keep the pool open. It’s the difference between making it work or not.”

Once the crew got started the harvest was done within two hours.

Lauder said the start was delayed by fog in the morning.

“We wanted to get going by 1 p.m. but we were held up until 3:30 and then had it finished by 5:30 p.m.”

Expertise you can trust

SMITH INSURANCE IS HIRING !

Account Manager JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for an Account Manager to service our well-established Personal Lines book of business in our Lamont/Fort Saskatchewan offices. This customer service representative will be responsible for providing our clients with prompt and friendly service with customized advice. This includes quoting and attempting to obtain all lines of business, preparing policy documents, communication with our markets, and maintenance of overall file documentation within our broker management system. The ideal candidate will have a Level 1 or 2 General Insurance License through the Alberta Insurance Council.

Smith Insurance may be willing to train the right candidate.

SALARY:

Competitive salary based on experience.

HOURS: 8:45am – 5:00pm BENEFITS: Dental Care, Extended Health Care, Vision Care, Wellness program, Paid vacation, 12 “Flex” days off per calendar year.

Please email resumes to melissa@smithinsuranceservice.com

Amplifon is a global leader in hearing healthcare with over 70 years of experience.

Amplifon Hearing Clinic 7RȴHOG $% $YHQXH 7KXUVGD\ 2FWREHU DP SP

We are an independent retailer. This means that we offer a variety of hearing aid brands to suit your needs, lifestyle and budget.

.DUHQ +DOYHUVRQ Hearing Aid Practitioner

Call and book a complimentary hearing test today!

Rechargeable

Connectivity

Discreet

780.673.1000 ZZZ DPSOLIRQ FRP FD

The hearing expert

Page 16 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Couple who met in Ryley celebrates 70 year anniversary Jana Semeniuk Staff Reporter

When Lorne Gudmundson went to Ryley for a ball tournament in 1951, he had no idea he was going to meet the woman he would be married to for more than 70 years.

Lillian Davick, who was a strong athlete at 17 years old, made a strong impression on her future husband that day.

“She was a really good ball player,” said Gudmunson proudly.

“The first baseman would cringe when she threw the ball.”

While Gudmunson doesn’t remember the day he asked Lillian for a date, he does remember their group of friends attending Saturday night shows together and sporting events while he got to know Lillian.

She not only played baseball and shone on the curling rink, she also played guitar and sang with her uncle which resonated with Gudmunson who also played guitar.

Additionally, their birthdays are only two days apart in Dec. “If I had a book this thick it wouldn’t cover (all the ways we are alike),” said Gudmunson.

A short courtship led to their 1952 wedding which was followed by the birth of the couple’s five children; daughter Lee, sons Rodney and Kevin, followed by daughters Va-

Lorne Gudmundson, 93, and his wife Lillian, 87, enjoy a small family celebration for their 70th wedding anniversary at their daughter Joy's home in Camrose. Pictured above right: Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Gudmundson on their wedding day Sept.19,1953. lerie and Joy. Gudmunson bought his father’s half section farm in Dodds where they lived for 62 years, although once their children had grown, Gudmundson said it was time for travelling.

“I said to the kids ‘you look after the place…we’re gone!’” he said laughing.

“We went to New Zealand, Hawaii, Mexico, and L’Anse aux Meadows; as far east as you can go in Canada.”

Tragedy struck in 1978 when the couple’s oldest son Rodney was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age of 24.

According to the Mayo Clinic, MS is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord.

While the condition itself is not usually fatal, the

disorder may increase the risk of life-threatening complications, such as severe infections or swallowing difficulties, that can set the stage for pneumonia.

The Gudmunson family did not hesitate in taking care of their son.

“It was quite a deal back then. They didn't know that much about it,” said Gudmunson.

“As (the condition) progressed, it got worse and we had to extend our house a little bit and put a lift in it. Of course, a homemade one.”

Gudmunson explained that Rodney was an electrician at the time he was diagnosed and participated in the construction of the lift once he needed a wheelchair.

“He, Lil and I were partners in the farm, too. He ended up being an electrician and he worked at

Sherrit Gordon for quite a number of years,” he said.

“He was the one that supervised getting this lift all done and the electric part of it as well. Everything was a real learning experience, all the things we learned because of him. I felt sorry for him but there wasn't anything we could do.”

Rodney’s condition worsened and he eventu-

ally passed away in 1998 at the age of 44.

Meanwhile, Gudmundson continued living at the farm with Lil until they decided to move to a condo in Camrose in 2014. Lil soon began showing signs of dementia, and eventually moved to a care home near their condo.

“She only lives six blocks from where I am so it's just a matter of few

minutes to get down there (to visit),” said Gudmundson.

As Gudmundson, 93, reflects on a lifetime of memories with his wife Lillian, 87, he said there is a secret to staying married as long they have.

“Picking the right woman. I’m so lucky to have had Lil as a wife,” he said. “I couldn’t have done any better.”

2022 Agricultural Awards Banquet Camrose Regional Exhibition Banquet Room

Saturday, November 5, 2022

Recognizing Agricultural Wall of Honour Inductees

FREE WEEKLY DRAW FOR A 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION! Visit the Tofield Mercury 5312 50 Street, Call: 780-662-4046 or Email: adsmercury@gmail.com to ask us to place your name in the subscription draws!

Two winners are drawn each week!

Winning Subscriptions can be mailed out or picked up!

Don Gregorwich Allan Gordeyko

Verlyn Olson

CENTURY FARM AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Cocktails 5:00 pm • Dinner 6:00 pm • Presentations 7:15 pm Tickets $30 each Limited tickets available Purchase at Camrose County Agricultural Services Office NEW LOCATION: 4238 - 37 Street, Camrose

780-672-4765 Email inquiries to:

asb@county.camrose.ab.ca