Crowsnest Pass Herald

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- Your onlY locallY owned newspaper • serving the cnp since 1930 • december 4, 2019 ~ vol. 89 no. 49 $1.00

Christmas in the Mountains

David Selles photo

Residents were able to enjoy this year’s Christmas in the Mountains. The weekend of festivities began with the parade Friday evening and finished with Christmas in the Park at Flumerfelt Park on Sunday. There were sleigh rides, visits with Santa and many other activities to take part in over the weekend.

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2 – Crowsnest PAss HerALD – Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Pass Pottery Club celebrating 45 years DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter

The Pass Pottery Club is celebrating 45 years in the Crowsnest Pass on Saturday, December 7th.

The club will be hosting a sale from 9am-3pm and will also have a draw along with tea, coffee and cookies for people who go as well.

Current President, Sandy Nielsen, says the club is more of a hobby

club but members can continue to grow and start their own studios.

“We're a hobby potting group and some people who want to get serious and start their own studios, they can come here and they learn and then they can start their own studios.”

Nielsen says the club holds three sales throughout the year to provide an outlet for the things they create.

Another yearly occurrence is having the wellness group come spend time with the club.

“We usually have the wellness group from town come and spend a couple days with us.

They'll come in and we'll make trays or vases. This year we made fairy houses. They all turned out really good,” said Nielsen.

Nielsen says the club also makes and donates the bowls for the annual chili bowl festival.

“One of the other things we do every year is the chili bowl festival in February. We make 250 chili bowls and donate them each year.”

The club holds multi-

ple classes for members throughout the year as well.

“We had a beginner wheel throwing in the spring and another one in the fall and we had a hand building class as well,” said Nielsen.

The club also brings in guest instructors to help elevate the creations club members work on throughout the year.

“We have guest instructors come as well for the beginner classes and then we have mentoring as well. To keep the older members happy we have a lot of really fantastic instructors and professional potters coming in from all over,” said Nielsen.

According to Nielsen, the club tries to find out what everyone is interested in at the beginning of the year to ensure everyone enjoys the club classes.

“We try to find out what everyone is interested in, what they want to learn and then find an instructor to come and teach us something new.

We're always learning here.”

Nielsen says the pottery club is one of the

cheaper options for people looking to be involved in the community in different ways.

“We are probably the cheapest club and the only reason we can do that is because we have so many good volunteers plus we do the casino every three years and that helps us buy all the glazes and equipment we need.”

There are age restrictions for the classes and memberships however.

“Because the kilns are so hot and some of the chemicals are toxic, you have to be 16 to take the class and 18 to join the club,” said Nielsen.

The pottery club also made donation boxes for the SPCA a couple years ago and those boxes are still located in different areas of the community.

“That was one of the good things we've done in the past as well,” said Nielsen.

After 45 years in the community, Nielsen says the club, as a whole is just happy to be here.

“We're just so thankful we have this club here.

It is such a fantastic club for everyone here.”

Christmas in the Park The Coleman Communtiy Society held their 19th Annual Christmas in the Park on Sunday, December 1 at Flummerfelt Park. Santa attended the event, a bonfire helped warm the visitors and wagon rides were given throughout the day. Families feasted on cookies and kept cozy with hot chocolated provided by the Coleman Community Society.

David Selles

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - Crowsnest PAss herAlD - 3

In the lIne of fIre Between November 25 and December 2, Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to a total of 39 calls for service including the following reported incidents.

One (1) assault, one (1) fraud/forgery, one (1) threat/harassment, one (1) thefts, one (1) disturbing the peace, two (2) other criminal codes, two (2) other provincial statutes, seven (7) driving complaints, eight (8) motor vehicle collisions, three (3) assistance to general public, five (5) suspicious occurrences, five (5) assistance to other agencies, one (1) false alarm and one (1) municipal bylaw.

Arrest On November 25th, 2019, a 23-year-old male was arrested for driving while suspended and was also charged with breach of recognizance and breach of probation. He was held for Justice Interim Hearing and later

released on documents for Pincher Creek Court.

Theft On November 28th, 2019, there was a complaint of theft of household items from a residence over the past few months.

Suspicious Phone Calls On November 29th, 2019, there was a complaint of suspicious phone calls from a male advising the complainant’s computer data would be lost if he did not provide payment. Complainant did not provide any financial information, as it was believed to be a scam.

Theft On December 2nd, 2019, there was a complaint of theft of a licence plate from a vehicle parked on 17 Avenue in Coleman.

Thank you to those you participated in the Policing Priorities Survey.

~ rCMP news ~

FOUND PROPERTY Found bikes turned into Municipal Bylaw Anyone with information regarding any crime is urged to contact the Crowsnest Pass RCMP Detachment at 403-562-2867, or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-422TIPS. Be aware of a new scam. Victims get phone calls from someone pretending to be from Service Canada or another government agency saying their social insurance number (SIN) has been blocked, compromised or suspended. The call might be one of the latest variations on caller ID in which fraudsters disguises the number seen on the ID display in order to trick victims into answering phone. The person will ask for SIN and other personal info, such as date of birth, address, etc. Victims who provide personal info are at risk of identity fraud.

Reminder to residents of computer scams, credit cards scams, Grandparent scams, Revenue Canada scams asking for money or cash cards and saying warrants out for arrest, do not give out personal information to persons you don't know.

DO NOT OPEN EMAILS if you are suspicious of its origin. Do NOT purchase gift cards for payment to Revenue Canada.

Do not send monies to person claiming you have won a prize and need to send money for delivery.

Crime mapping is available online to residents who are interested can login online at Municipality of Crowsnest Pass website (RCMP crime map for Crowsnest Pass).

Crime mapping shows property crimes that occurred within the past two weeks in our area.

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I didn’t turn the TV on nor did I sit to watch but it caught my attention. The United Conservative Party of Alberta meeting in Calgary was on. Mr. Scheer stood blaming the Federal Government for what low world oil prices did to our economy.

Outside in -20C hundreds or thousands of Albertans were demonstrating obviously not in favour. It reminded me of the hundreds of thousands who were protesting all over Canada a month ago blaming oil for climate catastrophes. Albertans are speaking, and Canadians are speaking, but not the way the Calgary unemployed oil patch workers expect them to. Oil has been a blessing for us and there is still a little to go.

What is a mandate from the people that politicians are so adamant to follow? I listen to my own Premier loudly declaring that he has the biggest mandate of the people of Alberta ever and I wonder. With the campaign still fresh in my mind, I take into consideration that he ran a well-financed campaign spending twice as much as his main opposing party. Did he receive the money from people like me or did he have some other way of receiving donations? If he did, then the mandate could be from the donors, not the people, but it is what it is.

He says that the mandate is for getting our natural resources to market, which means building pipelines for oil. He never talks about the meteorological coal mine that is held up in the Crowsnest Pass. He also maintains that we voted for fiscal responsibility which leads to cuts to most of our services which, I remember he promised not to do. I worry about our kids who must pay their student loans after becoming nurses and teachers.

Across an invisible line west of us is another premier, in British Columbia, John Horgan, who maintains just as vehemently that he has a mandate from his people not to allow a pipeline to transport Alberta bitumen across their land. BC has a minority government which seems to be concerned about the environment even while factoring in the costs. The province is doing well economically without exporting oil.

by Avner Perl I look east and see four pipelines leading to Quebec. I search for a speech by Francois Legault, the Premier of Quebec.

He also claims to have a very strong mandate by his people. Being the leader of one of the two nations who formed Confederation, he feels a very strong mandate and responsibility to shaping what Canada is. His first concern is ensuring that Quebecers will never again be subjected to religious rule and second that we will not force them to have an oil pipeline and contribute to environmental disasters. He wants natural gas but not oil. “No social acceptability for a new oil pipeline.” I take it that they could be convinced with proper guaranties. “Forcing” them equates to rape in my opinion.

One by one, I listen to the premiers of provinces. A few sound convincing. They are concerned about the people of their provinces and the people of Canada. They show care towards humanity as a whole. If there were women premiers, I assume that there would be more show of empathy for future generations, but there are none left.

I respect provinces wanting the best deal for their own. We build our whole social system to compete and win. It is not considered bad to take what you can and disregard those left behind with less or none. If we have power people befriend us and want us to use it for their gain. That is why we have lobbyists and expensive political fundraising dinners. If the money is used to get more power by targeted political campaigns, it is a legitimate way to gain more power and money. Just about everyone I know agrees. Even the judicial system doesn’t operate without money. Thank God we have it, but we could consider more equality for the folks who can’t afford lawyers and bail.

Mandate is a word that we assume indicates that most people voted for a plan which will make their lives better. It describes what a large group of people believe will help their cause. I follow the most recent Federal elections and see a clear mandate forming. As usual, there are differences yet Greens, NDPs, and most Liberals have voted with environmental concerns in their minds. Will the minority government follow the mandate?

I get the impression that our leaders are more interested in winning power and only use the idea of having a mandate to advance their political ambitions. It becomes more obvious after elections. All of the elected officials are walking away from their election promises and begin to work on staying in power. They mostly don’t even try to do what I care about. Yet my Dear Leader is saying “the people of Alberta want,” as if we didn’t see cheating suspected in the way he got voted the leader. I voted for Brian Jean.

I wish to have a simple life maintaining what I have achieved through hard work and long periods of saving. I care about my community, my province, the country, and the world. To my sorrow, I see that I will probably have to fight to keep it until the day I die. Now there is a real threat to my pension fund, to my health care services and the Police force which guarantees my safety. Yes, you may say I am not a happy camper.

Here is a link to my blog: https://thesimpleravenspost.blogspot.ca/ Feel free to check other articles and comment.

The Simple Raven’s Post

Mandates from the people

4 – crowsnest PAss HerALD – Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Christmas Season Sale Pass November 24 – December 24 Give the gift of summer this year with a Pass Community Pool Pass. Purchase a seasons pass until December 24 and pay 2019 rates PLUS receive a BONUS Family Day Pass with each season pass purchased!

Visit https://cnp.recdesk to purchase your pass today!

Adult (18-64) $160 Youth (12-17) $140 Child (3-11) $70 Senior $110 Family (65+) $260

Blairmore Lions donate Each year the Blairmore Lions Club donates $4000 to the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank Society and $500 to the Women’s Resource Centre Christmas Toy Hamper program. The club had an exceptional year of fundraising and were able to add an extra $5000 for the Food Hamper program and an extra $5000 to the toy drive.

In total the group donated $14,500 between the two programs.

Top photo Kayla Strandquist, with the Resource Centre,receives a cheque for $5500 from Lions member Mary Ann Misseghers. Bottom photo June Vastenhout with the Women’s Resource Centre receives a cheque for $9000 from Lions member Anita Ferguson. Lion’s President Kurt Norman in both photos.

Herald Contributor photo

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - cROwSneST PASS HeRALD - 5

12 Days Going Strong The College and Association Registered Nurses of Alberta retired RN Chapter of the Crowsnest Pass met for dinner and a gathering of funds to donate towards a Christmas program. This year they donated to the Crowsnest Consolidated High School initiative the 12 Days of Christmas The campaign ended on Dec. 6.

Left to right, back row, Edie Shackleton, Aiden Douglas, Leona Luini, Niki Robertson and Linda Roughead. Front row left to right, Donna Stelmachovich, Pat Rypien and Maxine Braun.

Lisa Sygutek photo

Red Apple Toy Drive The annual Toy Drive is currently at a slower pace than usual. The current amount collected isn’t quite at halfway this year and previous years have seen the number of donations over halfway at this point of the fundraiser. People will still be able to donate at the Red Apple in Blairmore on December 7th between 11am-2pm, when the Crowsnest Pass Fire and Rescue and Santa will be there and the Lions club will have a barbeque outside. 10% of the toy sales that day will also go back to the Women's Resource Centre as well.

David Selles photo

Unions Helps Out Canadian Union of Public Employees members Darren Nastasi (far left), donates $500 to Bruce Street, President of the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank Society and David Vigna (far right) donates $500 to Wanda Burchert of the Crowsnest Pass Women’s Resource Center.

David Selles photo

6 – crowsnest PAss HerALD – wednesday, december 4, 2019

Editorial and Opinions DaviD, the voLunteer I don’t know how I do it, but I somehow seem to get the best reporters who come and work with me at the Pass Herald.

Several of my reporters have moved on to some pretty impressive jobs. Nathan Gallagher left us to go onto a successful career in technical writing. Ezra Black is now a publisher for a newspaper in Yellowknife and Anna is travelling the world writing about destinations we dream of going to for free. I’d say it’s a pretty good gig to get hired at the Pass Herald.

When Anna gave her resignation at this time last year I was absolutely lost. I thought to myself. “how the heck am I going to find someone as good as her” .... then I hired David.

David sent me a resume when I posted for the job and something about him hit home with me. Perhaps I am the dog whisperer of newspapers, but his resume stood out, not for what was in it (he’d just graduated) but rather a sixth sense that he was the one Well guess what, he’s the one. I think he’s perhaps the best reporter I’ve had yet and that says a lot. He is trained properly (the first place I look to hire is from Lethbridge College as I believe they have the best journalism program in Alberta) and he’s incredibly easy to work with.

Anything I ask him to cover, even if it’s at the last minute, he throws a grin my way and out the door he goes. At 22, I honestly try not to MOM him, because actually I don’t need to. He’s fantastic. He’s quick, he’s accurate and technically he’s as sound as it gets.

We have a good system down here, he covers the office for me in the mornings if I have meetings or want to go to the gym and I watch in the afternoon. We work side by side in a wonderful way and I thank my sixth sense every day that I picked him.

To top it all off David signed up to volunteer as a coach for the CCHS Junior B basketball team. If it wasn’t for him these kids wouldn’t be able to play at all; no one else stepped up to the plate to help. So I’ll end this with some gratitude. One that I have amazing staff and two that I wake up each day and love what I do. I don’t make much for money, but man I’m rich on life.

LS

Bricks & Bouquets This is your column, THE READERS, use it but please don’t abuse it. All Bricks & Bouquets are expressions from OUR READERS and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of THIS newspaper. If you wish to expressly thank someone, please use our CARD OF THANKS section of this newspaper. We appreciate you making this column a success, and keep sending us your Bricks and Bouquets.

All Bricks and Bouquets are kept on file at the Pass Herald.

BouquetS - I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation and admiration for all that the Meals on Wheels team does to make this service possible. The food is always beautifully cooked and served and the crew who deliver them are unfailingly pleasant, helpful and cheerful. I have nothing but gratitude and well earned praise for Meals on Wheels.

- Elizabeth Sherrington

Letters to the Editor The Kamikaze kids go free Dear editor; “Public confidence in electoral process is key to democracy.”

Prof. Lisa Young University of Calgary Bill 22, an Omnibus Bill entitled Reform of Agencies, Boards and Commissions and Government Enterprises Act, 2019 was hustled through the Alberta Legislature last week with a freeze on debate. This Bill, which covers a wide array of topics was introduced and passed all three readings within four days, a remarkable feat in itself. And even then the government voted to limit debate to three hours on this extensive piece of legislation.

Moreover, it was debated and passed while Premier Kenney was conveniently away in Texas. What shameful leadership!

Aside from the many somewhat controversial

sections in Bill 22, was this almost insignificant section 153.093(1) which says: “The Office of the Elections Commissioner is dissolved.”

Hold the show! The Election Commissioner is in the middle of an investigation into the allegations of wrongdoings in the 2018 leadership campaign which confirmed Jason Kenney as head of the United Conservative Party and ultimately as Premier of our Province.

This kamikaze campaign supposedly was led by Jeff Callaway who entered the race allegedly to discredit Brian Jean, Kenney’s only real opponent in the race.

Calloway later dropped out, only to support Kenney’s bid for leader of the UCP. As a result of Election Commissioner Lorne Gibson’s investigations, $211,000 in fines have been levied against participants

Public consultation on Castle park ignored to open door for motorized recreation & industry To appease a noisy minority, the Government of Alberta appears to opening the door for motorized recreation and industry in the Castle Parks, despite the direction of the public consultation on creation and management of the parks.

In 2017, the Castle Parks in southwestern Alberta were officially designated. Based on the longest and most extensive public consultation in Alberta Parks’ history, a management plan was developed which, has resulted in a management plan that reflects the wishes and directions expressed by the people of Alberta.

CPAWS Southern Alberta received results of the consultation via a Freedom of Information and Privacy (FOIP) request which states: “A 90-day public consultation period was held from January 20th to April 19th, 2017. Input was received by the Alberta government in a variety of ways, including online surveys, correspondences and face-to-face meetings. Input included approximately 7,200 online surveys with over 10,000 written comments, 1,200 letters and email submissions, three public information sessions, and over 20 stakeholder meetings (including the recreational community, environmental organisations, and local governments).”

The FOIP also indicates that a total of sixty-five percent of respondents to the

public consultation were supportive of the Castle Management Plan which included a complete phase out of off-highway vehicles from the Castle Parks. Two drafts were released during the consultation period both including a phase-out.

Sixty-one percent of respondents were in favour of the first draft and 72% in favour of an updated second draft which clarified several areas of the plan, creating a total of 65% support for either draft plan.

“We appreciate that the Minister has stated he is open to hearing from stakeholders but unfortunately we don’t believe that this is not the right approach,” says Katie Morrison, Conservation Director with CPAWS Southern Alberta.

“Instead of respecting the wishes of all Albertans as expressed through the Castle management planning process, it appears they are opening the door for motorized users by asking the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills, Recreational Advisory Group (LPH RAG)—a group whose main focus is motorized recreation in an entirely different location, and under a much different land classification—to look at re-establishing motorized trails in the Castle Parks.”

“It’s outrageous”, says Gordon Petersen of the Pincher Creek-based CastleCrown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC).

“After decades of work, the Castle Parks were established to

in the kamikaze campaign for illegal donations and other illegal activities.

So what happens now?

With the Office of Election Commissioner effectively being dissolved, Gibson is effectively fired and his former duties turned over to the Chief Electoral Officer whose tenure is up for renewal in four months. So what’s likely to happen? It seems abundantly clear that the fines levied by Gibson which are under appeal could be dropped or the appeals could be ignored, and the Premier’s friends will likely get off Scott free.

As an analogy, consider the situation if our Prime Minister faced with the ethical allegations concerning the SNC Lavalin affair had fired the Ethics Commissioner? Is this any different than the firing of our Election Commissioner in the middle of an investigation, an investigation that has implications into the ethical conduct of our Premier. I

think not! Is this travesty not a conflict of interest?

Where is the integrity of Premier Kenney who we recently elected? Is this not corruption at the highest levels?

We’re great at accusing China of having a corrupt system but maybe we need to look in a mirror – I always thought we lived in a democracy but maybe I was wrong – do we have obstruction of justice right here at home?

Ironically Private Members Bill 207 is a Bill to allow for the Recall of MLA’s. Should it pass maybe we should start a petition to recall our premier.

If the Kamikaze kids get a ‘get of jail free’ card compliments of their friends in the Legislature many Albertans will justifiably lose confidence in our electoral system?

protect a unique and valuable ecosystem and now, through the LPH RAG, this government wants to give motorized recreation groups, Spray Lake Sawmills, and the coal-mining company Riversdale Resources a direct role in managing the Castle Parks.”

Petersen continued, “To a large extent, parks are created to protect wild lands, watersheds, and wildlife from industrial development and motorized use, and here the government is putting the foxes in charge of guarding the hen house.”

“For decades, Albertans have made it clear that the priority for the Castle

Parks is to manage for healthy ecosystems and non-motorized recreation.

After exhaustive public consultation, the resulting management plan reflects this desire.” continued Morrison. “The vast majority of Albertans who live, recreate, and rely on the Castle for invaluable ecosystem services support the removal of off-highway vehicle trails. Albertans need to know that their input is being ignored, and that the beauty and peace of Castle Parks are being eroded.”

Katie Morrison, Conservation Director, CPaWS Southern alberta Gordon Petersen, Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition

Ken allred is a former St. albert alderman and MLa

The Only lOcally Owned newspaper serving The crOwsnesT pass & area

established in 1930

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Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - crowSneSt PASS HerALD - 7

John Pundyk.CoM

Simply Selles

403

by David Selles There’s been more news out of the hockey world regarding “hockey culture” and the way it can affect young players.

What’s meant by hockey culture is mainly the idea of certain types of things that have occurred over the years in hockey communities around the National Hockey League and the minor league systems as well, specifically in regards to coaches behaviour to players.

Shortly after the Toronto Maple Leafs fired their head coach Mike Babcock due to a poor start to the season, stories started coming out about how Babcock forced then rookie Mitch Marner to list the players on the Leafs from hardest working to least hardest.

Now some people might not have a problem with that, but where the problem comes in for me is when Babcock took that list and told the rest of the team where Marner had ranked them.

To put a rookie in a position like that where he’s just trying to find his way in the league and now suddenly has a list that degrades some of his teammates shouldn’t be done.

Babcock responded to the story by saying he was simply trying to teach Marner about work ethic and focus on role models with him.

In my view, that’s one weird way to do it.

Shortly after that story came out, former NHL player Akim Aliu tweeted that Bill Peters, who was his coach 10 years ago in the American Hockey League with the Rockford Ice Hogs, used racial slurs when addressing the music Aliu was playing in the dressing room.

Peters went on to coach for Carolina in the NHL and was most recently the head coach for Calgary until this story broke.

Once Aliu tweeted his experience, the Flames organization began a thorough investigation into the alleged incident and asked Peters to stay away from the team while the investigation was occurring.

While that investigation was happening Michael Jordan, who played under Peters in Carolina, tweeted out that he and other players had been kicked and hit over the head by Peters while sitting on the bench during games.

Both of these stories were proven true by fellow teammates and members of the organizations Peters coached for.

Peters recently handed in a letter resigning from the position of head coach for the Calgary Flames and the Flames accepted that letter.

Since then, even more players have begun to voice their experiences as players with abusive or insensitive coaches and more teams have released members of their staffs.

As I’m writing this, the Swift Current Broncos released their head athletic trainer and equipment manager after it was revealed he had made “demeaning and derogatory comments, threatening behaviour and unprofessional conduct that are inconsistent with the values of the Broncos.”

I’m sure there will be even more experiences shared that will cause more coaches and trainers to lose their jobs over the next weeks and months as players begin to speak out.

This brings me back to the hockey culture side of things.

I think society is finally starting to change and with that change is coming power for people who have suffered.

They are finding the strength to speak out and they in turn are helping to shine a light on some of the things happening in the game of hockey.

When Aliu made his comments, he then spoke with TSN writer Frank Seravalli about a hazing ritual he refused to participate in with the Windsor Spitfires where older players would have forced him and other rookies to stand in the bus washroom naked.

It’s these types of things that people don’t usually see or even know about behind the scenes.

It’s these types of things the hockey community needs to get away from.

There is also another side to this and it’s one we can’t forget in the middle of this.

Not every coach is bad.

Not every coach has done things like this to his/her players.

While certain coaches do deserve the fate they have received, let’s not forget all the good coaches out there who have done their duty properly.

Royal LePage South Country Real Estate Services Ltd. Mountain property Great opportunity to own a mountain acreage close to Lee Lake and en route to Castle Mountain Ski Resort. This acreage offers many opportunities for someone who would like to keep horses or other farm animals on a small piece of land. Small acreages in this area are few because of the subdivision process and requirements. Just off of Highway 507. $249,000 CALL JOHN MLS

562-8830 jpundyk@shaw.ca hillcrest Beautiful, idyllic home with Drum creek nearby. This 3+1 bedroom home was recently moved into this location and placed on an ICF basement. Newer mechanical systems. Very desirable, sheltered location in the Crowsnest Pass. Original hardwood floors. Large, bright basement. Great family or retirement home. $289,000 CALL JOHN MLS

BlairMore

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65 ironstone High quality 4 bedroom mountain condo at Ironstone Lookout in beautiful Crowsnest Pass. Bright open floor plan where you can choose the high-end woodwork and cabinetry. Spacious main floor laundry. Large garage with double car driveway. Still time to choose from a variety of quality finishes. Enjoy maintenance free luxury living at an INCREDIBLE price. $349,000 + GST CALL JOHN MLS

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BelleVue lots

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* FRANK 14902-21 Avenue, Frank

One of a kind historic brick home located on an extra-large corner lot in Blairmore. This five-bedroom, four-bathroom home was built in 1920 with brick.. Self-contained apartment on second level. Amazing decks and backyard. Huge lot. Possibility of building another home without compromising the existing living and outdoor spaces. 24’ x 38’ garage, large garden shed and fenced RV parking. Phenomenal value and potential. $619,000 CALL JOHN MLS

BlairMore Large family bungalow in Blairmore.

1624 sq. ft. with fully developed basement. 3 bedrooms up and 2 down. 3 full bathrooms. Spacious living area with vaulted ceiling and a three-sided gas fireplace. Covered deck off the dining area for BBQ or entertainment. Best of two worlds heating system, in floor in the basement and forced air on the main. The master bedroom features a soaker tub and a separate shower. Main floor laundry room. Fully fenced yard. Large attached garage and paved drive. Fantastic value for a home of this quality and size. $429,900 CALL JOHN MLS

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Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - CrowsnesT pass HeraLD - 9

The origins of Christmas caroling Herald Contributor The festive nature of the holiday season makes it an ideal time to sing, especially in groups. Perhaps it's no surprise then that caroling, a tradition that dates back many centuries, ultimately collided with Christmas.

Caroling and Christmas caroling are two different things. According to History.org, the origins of modern Christmas caroling can be traced to wassailing, a term that has evolved for more than a millenium. What started as a simple greeting gradually became part of a

toast made during ritualized drinking. Time magazine notes that the word "wassail," which appeared in English literature as early as the eighth century, eventually came to mean the wishing of good fortune on one's neighbors, though no one can say for certain when this particular development occurred.

During medieval times, farmers in certain parts of Britain would drink a beverage to toast the health of their crops and encourage the fertility of their animals. By 1600, farmers in some

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parts of Britain were still engaging in this ritual, and some were by now taking a wassail bowl filled with a toasting beverage around the streets.

These wassailers would stop by neighboring homes and offer a warm drink, all the while wishing good fortune on their neighbors.

During this period, wassailing had nothing to do with Christmas, but that began to change in Victorian England, when Christmas became more commercialized and popular. It was during this time when publishers began circulating carols, forever linking the tradition of wassailing with Christmas.

Christmas caroling as Victorian Englanders knew it might have fallen by the wayside. But while carolers may no longer go door-to-door singing Christmas songs and wishing their neighbors good fortune, those intent on seeing the modern manifestation of this tradition that dates back more than a millenium may be able to find some carolers at their local mall or church.

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10 – CrowSneST PASS HerALD – Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Students participate in Movember MUNICIPALITY OF CROWSNEST PASS NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT LAND USE BYLAW No. 868-2013 The Development Authority of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass recently approved the following development application(s): 1. DP2019-096: 13341 – 18 Avenue, Blairmore, AB; Lot 19-22, Block 5, Plan 3380T i. Discretionary Use: Accessory building (prefabricated garden shed: 10’ by 20’; 200 sq. ft./ 3.0m by 6.1m; 18.3 sq. m) located in the rear yard.

Any persons claiming to be adversely affected by the above development may file an appeal in writing by December 11, 2019, to the MUNICIPALITY OF CROWSNEST PASS, SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD, BOX 600, CROWSNEST PASS, ALBERTA T0K 0E0. A fee of $400.00 must be included with the appeal.

Taylor Felt Interim Development Officer Municipality of Crowsnest Pass P.0. Box 600 | Crowsnest Pass, Alberta | T0K 0E0 P 403 562-8833 F 403 563-5581 E taylor.felt@crownestpass.com

DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter

Students at ISS spent the month of November raising funds and awareness for men’s health.

ISS teacher, Lane Koentges, says the idea to get the kids involved comes from a school objective.

“It comes from our place-based learning objective as a school. We want to try and have that school identity and community or school-family vibe.”

Koentges says it also helps create good students and citizens.

“It's also a good cause. It's going to create empathetic, caring citizens. I think that was important. It's also always fun to involve the kids and interact with teachers

David Selles photo

Students at Isabelle Sellon School took part in a Movember fundraiser. The students raised a total of $475 and concluded the fundraising by creating their own moustaches and dying and shaving three volunteers’ facial hair, including teachers Lane Koentges (pictured) and Ian Crawford.

in a different way. It was fun and it wasn't something that was in their face every day.”

The students ended up raising $475 and Koentges says overall it was a great success.

“Each week they donated more and more money and I think it was a big success. They seemed to really enjoy it.

We surpassed everything we hoped for. It was awesome.”

Koentges says he hopes the students will learn and grow from this experience.

“Just being responsible citizens. Knowing that small acts of kindness, if enough people do them, can produce massive amounts of money, pull sway, power and they can create bigger and better things.”

Koentges also wants to thanks the people who helped make this month

and fundraiser possible.

“I want to say thank you to Headlines Unisex Hair Designs for donating the face dye for us and all the parents and families that donated because without them we wouldn't have had anything. No one had to donate but everyone went above and beyond and it's really appreciated by myself, the staff and I think the students too with what they got out of it.”

A Cherry on Top Day Cherry on Top celebrated their anniversary on Tuesday, November 26th. Residents were able to enjoy a free cup of coffee and a slice of cake to help celebrate the one year milestone.

David Selles photo

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - CRowSnESt pASS HERALD - 11

CARES update to municipal council Consultants show ways the community can capitalize on emerging economic opportunities

DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter

During the Council meeting on Tuesday, November 26, a summary was provided by InnoVisions & Associates on ways to capitalize on economic opportunities in the Crowsnest Pass.

Natalie Gibson, the lead consultant for InnoVisions, says the scope of the research changed early on in the process.

“The overarching goal is to look for ways to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Initially the scope was to look at the emerging opportunities of tourism and resource development.

However, with the first month of the project after dozens of interviews with local business we recognized there were several significant challenges affecting businesses right now. As a result we expanded the scope of the project to include all sectors within Crowsnest Pass.”

Council was updated on the business climate in the municipality.

According to the information collected, 88 per cent of businesses in the Crowsnest Pass are owned by local residents and of the 464 licensed businesses, 98 per cent are small businesses with four or less employees.

The top four business categories in the area are construction, retail, accommodation and food services and other such as lawn care, home care etc.

Gibson says that right now, the Crowsnest Pass should be focused on keeping the small businesses healthy.

“At this time your local economic engine is small business. So their 'health' is important to the community as employers.”

Council was provided different statistics regarding income, education and employment, labour force by occupation, housing period of construction, size of households, population profile and median age of the community.

For the Crowsnest Pass, the average household income is $87,070.35 compared to the rest of Alberta at $124,705.33.

There are also more residents of the Pass without a certificate or diploma

compared to the rest of Alberta.

As for labour force by occupation, sales and service make up the highest percentage at 14.59 per cent followed closely by trades and transport at 14.11.

The next highest percentage is business finance administration at 6.19 per cent and the lowest percentage on the list is art, culture, recreation and sport at .94 per cent.

Other occupations included were management, sciences, health, education, government, religion and social, natural resources and agriculture and manufacturing and utilities.

When it comes to housing, the study shows that 44.87 per cent of houses in the Crowsnest Pass were built before 1961.

Gibson says this could be a red flag for the municipality.

“Of these you have a higher number of homes in need of repair than the provincial average. These statistics combined with the shortage of housing options to rent, or entrylevel homes to buy, limits a business owner’s ability to attract or retain staff.

Another red flag is the average ‘age’ of the business owners. The median age of the Crowsnest Pass is 51, which is 10 years higher than the rest of Alberta. There are a number of business owners that wish to sell or retire in the next several years.”

After council received this information, they were briefed on the main challenges that face the Crowsnest Pass.

According to the study done, the main challenges facing the Crowsnest Pass are small businesses are declining; there are workforce shortages across all sectors of the community; there are limited housing options for employees and residents; and there are vacant buildings on main street.

Other challenges include overly restrictive regulations around land development and real estate and uncertainty and development paralysis due to the highway 3 relocation. There is also more uncertainty regarding the mines and whether or not

they will move forward.

Over 80% of the businesses interviewed indicated their two main challenges were lack of housing and access to workforce talent.

Gibson also touched on a five-in-one identity crisis with the community.

“Five ‘town sites’ is very costly to manage and run, plus, your infrastructure is aging. You need more commercial and industrial land development options to stabilize your tax base. Your ‘five’ communities are competitive, which is divisive.

Crowsnest Pass is your main identity and it is too difficult to market five communities so there are missed opportunities.

Gibson says after the challenges were looked at, the assets of the Crowsnest Pass were considered to leverage into opportunities.

“Next we took a look at your key assets. There are many, many assets.

However, we looked at the assets through the lens of what could be leveraged to support economic growth and vitality.”

Those main assets include the mountain setting, highway 3, a rich history in the area and our empty historical buildings.

The buildings can be used to create dynamic main streets and more housing options.

Other assets include Castle Mountain Resort and Pass Powderkeg’s ski hills, which can be leveraged by jointly developing extreme sport training programs and by partnering with the school division and Nippon International to attract more international students.

Gibson also mentioned the Crowsnest can provide a certain lifestyle that’s attractive to millenials and others wanting out of the big city lifestyle with our many sports and recreational opportunities in and around Crowsnest Pass, the hospital and the affordability in a mountain setting.

But to be attractive she says the housing challenges must be addressed by first identifying exactly what type of housing is needed.

“There must be more

options to fit the existing population as well as attract others.”

Now that council has this information, they along with the Economic Development Committee, the Community Futures, Chamber od Commerce and business leaders should continue to look at ways to collaboratively strategize to build capacity on the assets of the community and address some of the challenges that are currently present in the Crowsnest Pass.

Crowsnest Pass Agriculture Society

AnnuAl GenerAl MeetinG & AppreciAtion Dinner Wednesday, December 4th 6:00 p.m.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING MUNICIPALITY OF CROWSNEST PASS IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 1037, 2019 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers PURSUANT to sections 230, 606, and 692 of the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, the Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta hereby gives notice of its intention to consider proposed Bylaw No. 1038, 2019, being a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 868-2013, being the municipal land use bylaw.

Bylaw No. 1037, 2019, intends to amend the land use bylaw for the purposes of amending Schedule 4, Section 46 – Cannabis Retail Sales – to remove the separation distances between Retail Cannabis Stores, Liquor Stores, and Public Parks, and to amend Schedule 18 – Definitions – to remove ‘campground’ from the Public Park or Recreation Use definition.

THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT a public hearing, pursuant to section 692(2) of the Municipal Government Act, to consider the proposed Bylaw No. 1038, 2019 will be held in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers at 7:00 PM on December 10, 2019.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to make a presentation regarding the proposed bylaw should contact the Development Officer. Both written and verbal presentations may be given at the public hearing.

A copy of the proposed bylaw may be inspected at the municipal office during normal business hours.

DATED at the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta this November 12, 2019.

Taylor Felt, Interim Development Officer Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Box 600, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta T0K 0E0 Phone: 403-562-8833 E-mail: taylor.felt@crowsnestpass.com

12 – CROWSNEST PASS HERALd – Wednesday, December 4, 2019

December Bake Sale Crowsnest Community Support Society Mountain View Industries • 8102-19 Ave., Coleman

Saturday, December 7 • 10 am Door Prizes, Bucket Draws, Grab Bags, Hot Dogs, Coffee, Pop, etc., Silent Auction, 50/50 Draw Donations of baking items for the bucket draw or silent auction will be gratefully accepted.

Council Briefs DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter

Ice Allocation Policy Council was brought a proposed policy during the GPC meeting on November 19th for ice allocation.

After some discussions on certain changes council would like to see, the policy was presented again at the council

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meeting on Tuesday, November 26th.

The Ice Allocation Policy now includes wording to have council as the ones who will approve summer ice rentals at their discretion.

There are no rate changes to ice rentals but council has decided that renters who go over their allotted rental time will be charged an extra 30 minutes of ice time and if those renters go 30 minutes past their allotted time, they will be charged an extra hour.

Council made a motion and the policy was adopted.

Firefighter Remuneration Policy Council was also presented with a second policy regarding firefighters wages.

Fire Chief Jesse Fox presented council with this policy asking for council to increase their callout rate as it hasn’t been increased since 2005 and that the increase be made retroactive to January, 1st, 2019.

The policy also includes financial compensation for Junior Firefighters as this is something Fox says he’d like to see become a tool to increase the attraction for youth in the community.

Council made a motion and the policy was adopted.

Development Securities Policy The final policy presented to council was the development securities policy.

This policy was developed to provide direction for a standardized amount of securities to be taken and released as

part of the Development Agreement conditions for developments in the Crowsnest Pass.

Council passed the policy and after it was passed, Councillor Ward asked the policy be run by the municipality’s legal reps and council approved that motion as well.

Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) Invitation Councillor Sygutek brought up an invitation to council for the RhPAP seminar stating that it was worthwhile last year. The seminar provides doctors looking for their residency to look at potential options for where they would like to go.

After a short discussion it was decided that Councillor Sygutek and Councillor Glavin would attend the seminar on January, 30, 2020.

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Ho, Ho, Ho at the Bellevue Legion Santa made an appearance at the Seniors’ Christmas Party at the Bellevue Legion on November 28th. Santa handed out gifts to seniors who had won them through a raffle.

David Selles photo

Red Apple Stores Inc. Prepares for Fill A Sleigh Day The Bargain! Shop® and Red Apple® stores are dedicated to making a difference and giving back to the communities they serve across Canada. The Together We Care™ program was created to help raise funds to support initiatives and charities in each local area. The Company believes it is important that all local fundraising should go directly back into the community.

On Saturday December 7th, stores will host “Fill A Sleigh Day”. The goal is for each store to fill a sleigh with toys for children in their community.

Along with the generous donation of toys, the Company will donate 10% of all toy sales for that day to the store’s local charity of choice. This marks the second year The Bargain! Shop and Red Apple stores will host Fill A Sleigh Day as part of their annual Together We Care Toy Drive.

“We are thrilled to hold this event again this year.” said Clinton Wolff, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Last year, our generous Customers went above and beyond to ensure children in their community experienced the joy of the Christmas season.

This year, we are hoping for an even bigger day! There is nothing better than seeing the community come together to bring smiles to children’s faces and surprising them with a special toy for Christmas.”

Join The Bargain! Shop and Red Apple stores for some festive fun and holiday warmth and help Fill A Sleigh with toys to give a child a magical Christmas this year.

Check with your local store for details on the festivities taking place for that special day.

STARS donation Glenda Farnden of STARS presented Mayor Painter a photo in recognition of the donations the Crowsnest Pass has made to STARS over the years.

Mayor Painter also presented Farnden with a cheque for $5,000 towards the work STARS does in the surrounding area.

David Selles photo

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - crowsnest PAss HerALD - 13

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In Loving Memory of Theresa White I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new I thought about you yesterday and the days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.

All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake, with which I’ll never part.

God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.

Until we meet again.

Your loving Husband Cliff

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IN MeMOry OF NeSTOr cHOrNey The Crow Snow Riders and the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad would like to take this opportunity to extend their sincere sympathy to Nestor’s family.

Nestor was an integral and driving force with the original founding members of the clubs, and of the creation of the numerous OHV trails throughout the beautiful Crowsnest Pass. As a result of Nestor’s countless volunteer hours and dedication, the Crowsnest Pass has received and continues to receive many prestigious awards in recognition of the outstanding vast trail systems. This phenomenal trail system showcases the beauty of the Crowsnest Pass and the magnificent and breathtaking scenery of the area that we are fortunate to call home.

Thank you Nestor for all you have done in creating this legacy for all present and future OHV riders for generations to come.

Nestor was a man of success who left the world a better place, who appreciated the beauty of the world, looked for the best in others and always gave the best that he had.

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14 – Crowsnest pass HeraLD – Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Obituary

STANLEY JOHN STOKLOSA May 8, 1944 ~ November 19, 2019

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stan Stoklosa of Pincher Creek, AB on November 19, 2019. He was 75 years of age.

Stan was born in Hillcrest, AB on May 8, 1944. Along with his siblings, he was raised to appreciate family and friends, and to be steadfast in his convictions.

Growing up in the Crowsnest Pass, Stan developed a great love of the outdoors and spent countless happy hours camping, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed fly-tying and smoking specialty meats. Stan believed that it was important to be an involved and productive member of society, so was very active in the community. Over the years, he belonged to the Hillcrest Fish and Game Protective Association, Trout Unlimited Canada, the Liberal Party of Alberta and Canada, and served on town council in Claresholm, AB from 1971 to 1986. Not only was Stan a man of integrity and principle, he was also kindhearted and compassionate. He will be incredibly missed and forever remembered.

Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his brothers, Joe (Janina) Stoklosa of Burnaby, BC and Tony (Gail) Stoklosa of Coleman, AB; his sisters, Sophie (Doug) Wilson of Calgary, AB, Louise Makky of Calgary, AB, Helen Poulton of Lethbridge, AB and Eleanor Stoklosa of Coleman, AB; his nephews, Greg (Roberta) Makky, Curtis Makky, Kevin (Sandra) Stoklosa and Mark (Luanne) Stoklosa; his nieces, Angela (Adam Letourneau) Poulton, Natalie Ruzek and Rachel (Mark Goble) Poulton; his great nephews, Justin, Jaxon and John; his cousin, Michael Blasiak; as well as his extended family and many friends, especially Michael Velosa and Jergen Heilmann.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Josephine; and his brothers-in-law, Julius Makky and Robert “Bob” Poulton.

A Memorial Service will be held in May 2020. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the charity of your choice. Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfunerlachapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555

Obituary

DERRICK EDWARD ROBINSON August 19, 1996 ~ November 24, 2019

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Derrick Robinson on November 24, 2019. He was only 23 years of age.

Derrick was born in Brooks, AB on August 19, 1996 to proud parents, Dawn Macpherson and Drew Robinson. From an early age, he had a mischievous spirit and zest for life that you couldn’t help but appreciate, and he wasn’t afraid to take chances if it meant living life to its fullest.

Not one to sit still for too long, Derrick kept busy with a wide variety of interests. He enjoyed the outdoors and being physically active while camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding and four-wheeling. He liked to golf and swimming in the rivers and lakes around us, with Castle Falls being his favorite. Derrick was very good with his hands and he spent many happy hours working on vehicles, fixing electronics, gardening and landscaping. In his quieter moments, he could be found playing Xbox or listening to music, and he had a real talent for writing poems and lyrics.

Derrick’s favorite place to be was with his family and friends. He loved making people smile and laugh, and was always the first person to lend a hand. His kind heart wasn’t just for the people in his life – he also loved all animals. Derrick’s bright, sunny nature will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

We were truly blessed to have had him in our lives.

Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life is his mother, Dawn Macpherson (Lance Ransome) of Blairmore, AB; his father, Drew Robinson (Diane Bramer) of Lundbreck, AB; his brothers, Anthony (Allise) and Brandon; his stepbrothers, Anthony, Randy, Jeremy, and Lucas; his stepsister, Katie; his grandmothers, Carol and Lynne (Bruce); his grandparents, Ted and Vi; his girlfriend, Mandy and her children, Dominik and Cayden; his uncles, Dan (Lorelei), John (Ruth), Tom (Steve), Charles (Debra) and Dane (Natasha); his aunts, Coline (Steve), Jody (Alan) and Penny (Ron); his great uncle, Bill; his nephew, Fynn; his niece, Gracee; his cousins, Holly (Tori), Alexandra, Madison, Fawn, Kasper, April, Steve, Chris, Jared, Token, Todd and Josh; as well as countless friends.

He was predeceased by his grandfather, Phillip Macpherson; and his great grandparents, Jean and Garnet Woodford and Ester and Ed Kraeker.

The Funeral Service was held at Fantin’s Funeral Chapel (13461 – 20 Ave., Blairmore, AB) on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 1:00pm with Pastor Al Robinson presiding. A Celebration of Life was held at Leo’s Pub and Grill (729 Main St., Pincher Creek, AB) on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by your local SPCA. Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555

Obituary

MARGARET THERESA ANNE TRENTHAM (Née: Mokosak) March 30, 1949 ~ November 27, 2019

Margaret Theresa Anne (Mokosak) Trentham passed away peacefully with her family at her side on November 27, 2019 at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, AB. Marg… our Mom, Nan, wife aunt, amazing friend, nurse fashionista, traveler, domestic goddess, cheerleader, warrior, free spirit, gardener, hairdresser, cake decorator, multitasker… was born to Helen and Carl Mokosak on March 30, 1949 in Blairmore, AB. Marg was the youngest of three children. She was predeceased by her mom; dad; sister, Mary; brother, Carl; nephew, Dave Mokosak; Harold and Audrey Trentham; and Murray (Moe) Trentham.

Marg is survived by her husband, Alfred “Dick”; daughter, Cory (Dwayne) Rowland; daughter, Shantel Trentham; son, Rich Trentham (Nicole McAvany); daughter, Audrey (Justin) Kurek; grandchildren, Caitlyn Rowland (Andy Macdonald), Mat Rowland (Marinna McDougall), Cole Kurek and Nola Kurek; Laura (Mike) Jarvis, Joyce Mokosak, Tommy Craven, Laura (Steve) Fowler, Alan Craven, Sheila Craven, Carl (Dee) Mokosak, John (Alisa) Mokosak, Michelle (Dennis) Schoonderbeek, Brad (Robin) Jarvis, Vicki (Dallis) Ziegler; and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mom/Nan loved life, each day was a gift and she lived it to the fullest. Her family was her proudest achievement.

Mom trained as an LPN at the Calgary General Hospital, she graduated in 1968. She met Dick and moved to Drumheller, AB following her graduation.

Mom epitomized the definition of a nurse; she brought professionalism, empathy, compassion, knowledge and skill to every patient. Nursing for Mom was not a job, it was a calling and she loved everyday. She took a position at the Drumheller General Hospital on the surgical and obstetrics unit. Mom transferred from the hospital to home care where she remained employed. AHS honored Mom for her 50 years of service. They asked her to do a video, which was filmed on October 25, 2019 following her third immunotherapy treatment for Stage 4 bladder cancer.

Mom and Dad were married on November 23, 1968. The coalminer’s daughter became a farmer’s wife; they built a house in the same yard as our grandparents outside of Morrin, AB in 1973 where they raised their four children. Mom became a huge part of the Sunbeam and Morrin communities. No one visited the farm without receiving Mom’s amazing hospitality, which always included a home cooked delicious meal.

Mom loved her family, her friends, and travelling… one of her favorite destinations was with her daughters to their vacation home in Florida. She also loved Thunderhoof Ranch that her and Dad bought outside of Wasa, BC. Mom loved her Brazilian Family, cruising in her convertible, golfing, going to the casino, Texas Hold ‘em with the ladies and the odd glass of merlot.

Special thanks to Dr. Marty Duffy, Dr. Tina Cheng, Dr. Trevor Haines, Lance and the staff of Unit 82, and Dr. Jain.

Please join us in Celebrating Mom’s life! The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’ s Catholic Parish (178 – 3 St. W, Drumheller, AB) at 11:00am on Monday, December 9, 2019. Reception to follow at the Badlands Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, we are accepting donations for the Marg Trentham LPN Scholarship Fund (4 – Emerald Bay Dr., Calgary, AB T3Z 1E2). Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - croWsnest PAss HerALD - 15

What an incredible weekend of hockey!

The Crowsnest Pass Pre-Novice Thunder played Elkford on Saturday and Sparwood on Sunday in Coleman! This was pre-novices first home game and what a great weekend it was! Both games were neck to neck and all the kids played great!

Crowsnest Pass won the game Saturday against Elkford with a score of 6-4. Rory Pierzchala and Abbott Graham shared net minding duties.

Sparwood won the game on Sunday with a score of 10-8. Garrison Gillard and Charlie Hawkins shared net-minding duties.

All teams played incredibly well!

Huge thank you to everyone in the community that came to cheer these kids on! The bleachers were full and the kids were beyond grateful for all the support!

Come out next weekend Saturday, December 7th as Crowsnest Pass Pre-Novice play Sparwood at 12:00pm in Coleman!

Thunder Novice Hockey : Home Game Weekend The Thunder Novice hosted their first games on home ice last weekend. Saturday they were versus the Elk Valley Grizzlies for a nail-biter of a hockey game. With Ashton Castellarin goaltender for the game, he worked hard blocking shots left and right. Goals scored in the game by Sophie Gibboney-Stafford, Sam Graham, Nicolas Gillespie (2), and Johnny Hawkins getting his first hat trick of the season. Thunder had it tied for the second period but ended in a close game with a final score of 8-7 for the Grizzlies.

Next day action on Sunday afternoon, the Thunder took on the Elk Valley Kodiaks. This time Nicolas Gillespie was in net putting in great effort while stopping lots of goals. Thunder got ahead in the second period showing determination and hard work. Goals scored by Jack Bishop, Aidan Bishop (2), Ashton Castellarin (2), and Johnny Hawkins (2). It was another very close game with a final score of 8-7 for the Kodiaks.

Thunder Novice play at home again this Saturday where they’ll host Fernie. Come out to the Coleman Sports Complex for puck drop at 2:15 to cheer on our Thunder.

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16 – CroWsnesT PAss HerALD – Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Looking Back

When we left off last week a young Gunter Koci was finishing school in Duisburg, Germany at the age of fifteen in 1943. Keep in mind that war was raging all around at this time and bombing was going on frequently throughout Germany, especially in the area where he lived and worked, the Ruhr Valley.

I will be quoting his comments to me in the accent and language he used as I found it quite engaging and humorous. Gunter was very matter-of-fact about how things were and showed a lot of insight when it came to the significance of what was happening around him.

According to Gunter his mother Selma said to him when he finished school, “My boy, you gonna learn something. We gonna go someplace now, to an office. You have to bring all your certificates from school and give it to that person there and he will see if you are good enough for a trade.”

According to Gunter the man they went to see said, “Yah my boy, what would you like to be?” Gunter said, “I like to be baker.” The man told him that certainly he could be one and gave him a card to take to a bakery nearby that needed an apprentice. So it was that Gunter Koci began his training as a patissier. The apprenticeship was to take three years to get his ticket and he slept above the bakery because bakers, as we all know, get up really early. He was paid $1 per week the first year, $2 per week the second and $10 per week the third. Pretty well all of his earnings, other than that paltry stipend, paid for his room and board there on the second floor.

The city of Duisburg is in the Ruhr Valley and was famous for its extensive coal mining and industrial metal and steel production. It was pounded mercilessly towards the end of the war to try and shut down this production.

Gunter related a story to me about an incident there in 1944 that left me dumbstruck. It went something like this.

Gunter worked hard, was always tired and on this particular early morning was still sleeping when the baker hollered from the basement for him to get up and get down there quickly. There was a bombing raid happening, something that was an almost every day occurrence back then. Gunter sat up in bed and while pulling his pants on heard a loud click in behind him. He turned around to find a hole in his pillow and discovered that an incendiary device (bomb designed to start fires) had gone through it. He looked into the hole it had made, down to the main floor which was tile, and saw that the phosphorus in this bomb was sputtering and beginning to ignite and burn.

Gunter pulled his pants on and ran down stairs to where the bomb was. It was common practice back then to keep paper bags of sand on the window sills to help extinguish these incendiary menaces, so he promptly dumped bags of sand on it until it was out. I contemplated this story for a bit and then realized that the baker hollering just when he did probably saved Gunter’s life as the bomb would most certainly have killed him but, conversely, his quick action with the sand probably saved the bakery and perhaps even those hiding in the basement as well.

Over 80 million incendiary devices were dropped on Germany through the course of the war. Some types weighed about thirty pounds with a heavy cast iron design to them to help them penetrate deeply into buildings.

They must have been moving at a horrific speed by the time they made contact. I have studied somewhat the devastating impacts of this type of “fire bombing” taken to its extreme by the Allies in places like Dresden. Someday soon I will take you deep into the Dresden story and let you decide for yourselves whether it was justified or not.

As an aside I remembered that I have a copy of a particular World War 2 navigator’s map that shows the flight lines from England to specific targets in Germany in 1944/45. It is an extraordinary artifact. Each navigator recorded the date and direction on his flight map of each mission and this one, a Halifax bomber from 408 Squadron, shows directional lines from England to places like Dortmund, Essen, Wesel, Monheim and Cologne in Germany in late 1944 and early 1945. Incredibly, I found a directional line (see photo) dated Dec 17, 1944 that is labeled Duisburg.

Duisburg endured its worst attack on October 14/15th of 1944 when 2,100 bombers from the RAF and the USAAF Eight Air Force hit it with two separate attacks, dropping over 9,000 tonnes of bombs. To imagine Gunter was there on the ground for all of this at that time is almost incomprehensible. Gunter said to me, “I know what war can do. I was there.”

My reflections on this time of war and my opinions on Gunter’s story are in no way intended to disparage the bravery and tremendous sacrifice that was given by all to end this insanity. There are 10,673 names on the monument at Nanton, of every Canadian lost, that served in Bomber Command during the Second World War. They made the ultimate sacrifice.

So Gunter tells me that three weeks after this incident bombing destroyed the main bakery store front but that the bakery itself survived.

By 1945 Gunter and his brother Franz were drafted into the now vastly diminished German Army, given some training and thrown into the resistance effort. This was very close to the end of the war and these young boys were quickly taken prisoner by the British.

A British Army officer asked Gunter how old he was when imprisoned, to which he replied, “Sixteen.” He said the officer then exclaimed, “My God, what is Hitler doing?” Gunter was put into a POW camp at Lubeck for three months before being repatriated back to his home town.

Franz was held in France by the Americans and came home some time later. Gunter can even recall the street car (#14) that he took home after being dropped off in Duisburg at war’s end. The man has a memory like a steel trap. One can only imagine his mother Selma’s response to him walking through the door and to her wondering about Franz.

One would be hard pressed to picture the post-war years in Germany, the damage, the chaos and the uncertainty. But for Gunter it was back to the bakery for another year (1946) and then odd jobs for a few until he realized there was no opportunity there. Gunter said to me: “Why would we stay there. This was not our country. This was not our war.”

In 1951 he said to Franz: “We gonna look for another country.” At first they considered Australia but were told then by officials that they were not taking any immigrants at that time. That I discovered was an out and out lie as Australia took thousands of immigrants that year, almost exclusively British to boost their population numbers. There was some pushback in those days within Australia about Eastern Europeans as immigrants. That eventually changed though and between 1949 and 1959 over 160,000 came to Australia from Germany. Like Canada, down under had posters promoting their country as the: “Land of Tomorrow”.

So Gunter turned his eye westward and said to his brother, “We are going to Canada.”That year Gunter and Franz booked passage to Halifax on the Fairsea a post-war troop carrier rebuilt for migrant service. Franz recalls there was some really rough weather for some of the eleven day trip and that the accommodations were minimal at best. Over a thousand of them were in the bottom of the boat in giant rooms with metal bunks stacked three high.

Here is the testimony of a 1951 German immigrant Dorle Lomas, “The M.S. Fairsea brought Canadian troops to Germany and German emigrants back to Canada. Accordingly the ship was very primitive. I was in a sleeping quarter with 99 other women and their small children. There were no portholes as we were 2 floors below deck. The ship’s propeller was somewhere close behind us, making fearful noises, especially when it came out of the water in high swell. Approximately 400 women and children and 800 men were aboard. There were 4 toilets for 400 women, all not functioning after the first day.” According to Frank Kiesl of Hungary who also rode on the Fairsea in 1951, Everywhere you went there was an awful reek of 'White King' (vomit). People threw up because of the smell not just the swell!”

Gunter and Franz were supposed to land at the famous Pier 21 in Halifax but were told that because the Queen was there they could not land and the Fairsea was forced to continue on down the St. Lawrence to Quebec City, something that still rankles Gunter to this day. From there, in early October 1951, they travelled by train to Lethbridge and then down to the Pass where they wound up at Burmis working very briefly for CPR. They stayed in overcrowded box cars and the work was extremely heavy, lifting steel rails. It was not long before they moved on to Blairmore and found work with Charlie Sartoris at his mill.

Authors Note: It appears my elaborations within Gunter’s story are tending to protract it somewhat so the story will continue next time with Gunter’s early years here and the construction and operation of the Cookie Box. Here is a rough translation of the text found on the picture of the immigrant ship Fairsea: “No matter the waves come across your boat, Take the wind on life’s journey, Sail along your path, even when the mast breaks, God may be your company, who never will forget about you.”

By John Kinnear

Tales from the Cookie Box – Gunter in the War Years

Photos from top: Halifax bombers navigators map with Duisburg line hilited - courtesy John Kinnear Avro Lancaster loaded with one 4,000 lb bomb and 236-4 pound incendiaries in 12 baskets- courtesy wikipedia Australia immigrant poster - courtesy wikipedia Postcard of Fairsea immigrant ship - courtesy of Gunter Koci Franz Koci ready to board Fairsea 1951 - courtesy Gunter Koci