Vegreville News Advertiser - December 23, 2015

VOL. 68 NO. 51

65 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Cheers to you, Doc! The people of Vegreville raised their glasses as one to Dr. Selby Frank and his wife, Suzanne, on December 17. After 43 years in medicine, the last 10 of which were spent in Vegreville, Dr. Frank has hung up his stethoscope as Chief of Medical Staff for the community and will be retiring from active duty as a physician.“This has been a fantastic community to live and work in. Suzanne and I have had great support from the community and wish everyone all the best,” Dr. Frank said.“The amazing flood of well-wishes, of cards and of gifts from town and county patients, fellow workers and friends has been surprising and humbling. The ten years my Boss and I have spent in Vegreville have been enriching to both of us - even the winters. We will treasure it all.” After many years of long, hard work, a prolonged vacation in South Africa will see Dr. Frank returning to Canada where, most likely, he will do some locum work at various places – but not until the pair have had a good long while to relax. (Michael Simpson/Photo)

School Resource Officer making the connection

St. Martin’s Christmas Concerts galore

See page 5 for story

See page 14 for story

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Vegreville RCMP Files from Dec. 10 – Dec. 16 Michael Simpson Editor Dec 10 12:19 p.m. Another report of possible suicidal male who was let go from his job had been making comments about harming himself. Members made contact and had a conversation; the guy was upset about being laid off. He wasn’t going to take his own life, in the end.

1:17 p.m. A report of a male having suicidal thoughts results in his being transported to Edmonton for a psychiatric assessment.

4:13 p.m. A phone call comes in from a male who was letting police know that his mother had been arrested in Edmonton earlier that week and had his medication with her.

6:49 p.m. A 911 report of shoplifters at a local grocery store. Police attended and caught the accused. One arrested for theft and breaching recognizance.

Dec 11 4:36 a.m. A report of man and woman yelling at a residence turns out to be nothing by the time police arrive.

7:20 a.m. A 911 call about a break and enter to a natural gas site. Tools, a quad and other items have been stolen.

Still under investigation.

9:45 a.m. Another attempted Revenue Canada phone scam. The caller left a message, the person on the other end reported it to police. The caller threatened serious consequences if not called back, but the recipient knew it was bogus.

10:16 a.m. Overnight at a local business, someone collided with a water tank. The driver left the scene. Matter under investigation.

4:58 p.m. A report of a motorist driving into oncoming traffic along Hwy 857 south of Vegreville. The caller doesn’t know if the motorist is intoxicated or simply unaware.

Members are not able to locate the vehicle.

Dec 12 12:19 a.m. While attending another call in Mundare, police are diverted to a bar fight in that town involving a weapon. In this case, the weapon was a brick, and a 34 year old male was remanded into custody and charged with assault with a weapon as a result.

1:30 p.m. A driver is caught driving without insurance, registration or a license. This will garner her a mandatory court appearance in January.

2:01 p.m. A 911 call of a truck losing pieces of its load, in this case pipes, at the Mundare Junction of Hwy 16.

Members advise Ft. Sask detachment to be on the lookout (BOLO).

Dec 13 12:56 a.m. A 911 call from a local nightclub reveals some patrons who had been kicked out were scrapping outside the club. Police attended, but no charges were laid.

3:08 p.m. A report of a suspicious male reveals a possible scammer going door to door masquerading as a rep from an alarm company. Police aren’t able to locate the individual.

4:29 p.m. Someone in Two Hills turns in a credit card found at a local gas station from Vegreville. The owner of the card was contacted, but he’d already cancelled the card.

7:19 p.m. Members on patrol pull a vehicle over. The driver was suspended in Saskatchewan. Vehicle seized for 30 days and tickets issued.

Dec 14 9:07 a.m. A report of a vehicle rollover on highway 16. The rollover is non-fatal.

10:16 a.m. A report of a theft of gas from a jerry can in a sea-can from a rural farm. Police are seeking suspects.

10:54 a.m. An enclosed trailer is reported stolen from the night before. The matter is under investigation.

2:10 p.m. Another report of a stolen trailer from someone

DECEMBER 23, 2015

else. The matter is also under investigation.

2:54 p.m. Students at a local school are busted smoking an E-cigarette inside the school The S.R.O. advises them on the legality of e-cigarettes, tickets and more. The kids are then suspended by school authorities and parents contacted.

4:48 p.m. A report of a suspicious male trying to sell people items out of his pockets. The man is located and arrested for possession of stolen property obtained by crime.

6:16 p.m. The first of several calls comes in from a male reporting possible drug trafficking. The caller also calls about other things, such as parenting, the Catholic Church, laws, child abuse, stupid Canadians, and lyrics from a Paul McCartney song. Eventually members attend his residence and transport him to the local hospital to have his medication changed.

6:23 p.m. A 911 report of a motor vehicle collision with a cow. The cow is found dead but the driver is ok. The owner of the cow was warned regarding stray livestock.

9:36 p.m. A couple has been arguing all day. The male pushed the female, and was arrested and charged with assault after members attend. The man is released on conditions, which include a promise to appear in court later.

9:37 p.m. A 911 call of an intoxicated hitchhiker. Members patrolled but the hitchhiker was not located.

11:40 p.m. Members observe a vehicle that had been pulled over on Hwy 16 for more than 30 minutes. Officers swung by to check on the vehicle, discover the driver, a man from Lloydminster has a suspended license out of Saskatchewan. His vehicle was seized for 30 days and tickets issued.

Dec 15 7:40 a.m. A report of a stolen wallet out of a vehicle. The vehicle was not locked. Police advise all drivers to lock their vehicles at all times.

8:45 a.m. A report of theft from another vehicle; this time gift cards are missing. The vehicle was also parked in front of the owner’s house and unlocked.

4:15 p.m. A wallet found in Vegreville is turned in to police. Wallet had been reported stolen from a worksite.

The owner’s bank card was used around town.

5:55 p.m. A female reports a male was breaching his no contact conditions, but further investigation reveals she had been letting him stay with her for a few days, so he is off the hook this time.

8:24 p.m. A driving complaint reports a semi-truck with steel or wood and no lights is swerving all over the road.

Members BOLO the Viking detachment.

11:55 p.m. Members pull over a vehicle, and the driver is a 22 year old with a Graduated Driver’s License who had been drinking. He lost his license for 30 days and the vehicle was seized for 7, as well as an open liquor ticket is issued. The vehicle was not owned by him.

Dec 16 8:19 a.m. Police assist a male in grabbing his belongings from his former partner’s residence. There are no issues.

11:45 a.m. Police received a call from a driver who had hit a parked vehicle. There were no injuries to report, damages were to both vehicles.

2:00 p.m. Police get a call that over the past 4 months four wooden reindeer were stolen from a single residence in Vegreville. The matter is under investigation.

4:19 p.m. A report comes in of a runaway teenage girl.

Police made contact and she has agreed to return home.

She informed police that she was in a safe place at her chosen location at the time she made contact.

10:00 p.m. Members attend a residence to do a curfew check on a male and he is not there. Police begin a search for the individual. He is later found and charged.

During the week there were 76 calls for service. There were 6 false alarms and 7 false 911 calls.

Files from the Vegreville RCMP

DECEMBER 23, 2015

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Update on Lakeland REA

In November, Lakeland REA held its Annual General Meeting.

I thought it might be worthwhile outlining the financial facts for the membership, as presented at the Annual General Meeting.

Some members chose to leave before the financials were presented. Regarding Energy, our REA made a profit of $277,706 in the year ending July 31st 2015, and we have projected a profit for the current year of $104,835. Forecasts were presented for the following two years at $422,519, and $337,325 profit. A recent letter to the editor implied that LREA has lost $1.5 million in the last 2 years and this is simply not true.

The Audited Financial Statement line item “Loss on Hedges” is simply the difference of the contracted hedge price versus the spot market price. This is the same as locking in a grain contract and then the spot price being higher than your contract price.

You have a loss on your contract. Hedging is a common risk management practice essentially used by all vendors of electrical energy. Lakeland REA is committed to providing safe, reliable power to its members with minimal risk. Shaped forward priced hedges are the most effective way of making sure you have affordable power when you need it!

Also presented at that meeting was the balance of our investments (holdings to cover extraordinary expenses for emergencies) in the amount of $1,501,964. These holdings are to protect the REA from ice storm costs, and other acts of God or unplanned issues. In addition we presented the Vegetation control budget and our New Venture budget and forecast for further expansion of our profitable and sustainable REA. Moving to the ATCO sale offer, Section 4(2) of the Rural Utilities Regulation states that “The board must call a special general meeting of the association when requested to do so by at least 25% of the members”. A petition committee has been formed in an attempt to collect the approximately 350 signatures.

Remarkably, the Board has heard from several members that have signed the petition in error as they were misinformed of the intent and implications of the petition. If you have signed the petition in error please contact the office and we will add your name to the list of disqualified names.

To date, Lakeland REA has not been presented with a petition to call a special general meeting to vote on the Atco Sales Offer.

Despite the fact that there is not sufficient interest to sell the REA, on December 10, 2015 ATCO Electric chose to extend their offer to purchase with a new expiration date of June 30, 2016.

LREA is a viable, community owned and operated business dedicated to serving our owner-members. The Lakeland REA Board of Directors would like our members to know we unanimously oppose this offer to sell.

Aside from the financial matters, LREA members should be aware that ATCO has just completed the layoff of more than 400 linemen and operational employees. Your REA still has its full complement of Journeymen living in our service area to provide the normal, excellent 24/7 service to members. The service to ATCO customers has been negatively impacted by these layoffs – including the recent ice storm in the Stettler area.

More food for thought for our members to digest.

Robert Peyton Secretary/Treasurer Lakeland REA Limited

DECEMBER 23, 2015

Smile of the

WEEK

Name: Tim Andrews Occupation: restaurant manager Likes: cooking, reclaiming and recycling furniture Dislikes: ignorant people, spiders

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

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School Resource Officer making the connection Michael Simpson Editor Two months in and he knows he loves his job. Vegreville RCMP Constable Jaison Gagnon is now spending his time in the classroom, making a positive connection with youth in Vegreville as an authority figure, a mentor and friend.

Students and parents alike are giving the young constable a thumbs up for his work.

Gagnon is the School Resource Officer for five Vegreville schools, as well as Mundare School. The position is a cost share between the Town of Vegreville and the schools themselves. His position has been in council planning since 2014 and will endure for three years before consideration for renewal by the Town.

In the meantime, Gagnon himself is now busy working with youth and setting an example to follow. In his role, Gagnon is tasked with building strong, positive, professional relationships with students and staff at the schools. The SRO program is largely used in other areas of the public and catholic school districts. The hamlet of Sherwood Park, for example runs five SRO’s responsible for two schools apiece. Though Gagnon is pulling double the weight, he’s not complaining.

“I’m kind of like a teacher now, I develop lesson plans and everything,” Gagnon said of his work in the classroom. Recent presentations to students have included traffic safety, substance abuse, cyber-bul-

lying, crime prevention, smoking awareness in higher grades, and social development courses such as Gagnon’s Jr Deputies program. “That started last summer, and we found that with some of the grade 6 kids that participated, many wanted to keep going as they changed schools,” Gagnon said. “Basically, these students help out with my job, which is to make the community better. For them, that means helping out citizens in need that they see, or going on missions for me putting up posters in the schools, helping with tasks around the school. We’ve also started school zone patrol in all the schools I attend.”

As an SRO, Gagnon is also there to assist the schools with any behavioural issues they need him for. “Sometimes having a police officer to remind them of the consequences of their actions can act as a deterrent. Some kids don’t think fighting is an offense before we sit down and have a chat, being in the schools with them can help keep things from escalating.”

Also included in his role is the function of primary investigator for all criminal, provincial and municipal complaints that occur in and around schools. This includes functioning as the liaison between schools and the police. Two investigations have occurred in schools involving youth texting inappropriate images of their peers or themselves to others. Through Gagnon’s role, this situation was handled with the appropriate level of authority in cooperation and

RCMP Constable Jaison Gagnon, or “Constable J” stops for a selfie with students at St. Martin’s school, one of five in Vegreville that the officer delivers mentoring and role modelling to. Gagnon is also responsible for delivering the School Resource Officer program to Mundare. (Photo Supplied)

consideration of the school’s needs.

Drawing from the experience there, the constable was able to have discussions with students on both the legalities that come with that sort of scenario, as well as an empowering conversation from students who are pressured to send or receive inappropriate messages on their phones. “The RCMP want children to be able to recognize signs of abuse. We also want people to understand that putting

Crime/Emergency stats for 2015 Michael Simpson Editor Vegreville is up on some counts, but fortunately down where it counts the most when it comes to reporting crime statistics.

RCMP Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown briefed Vegreville’s Town Council on Dec. 9 on crime statistics for Vegreville and the area with data from January to the end of November, 2015.

Vegreville has had 7 robberies this year, compared to 5 the year prior. The number has increased from 0 in 2011 each year. Down by nearly half however in the same 5-year period are assaults, with only 77 this year compared to 122 in 2011. Last year’s assault count was 97. This number has also decreased each year for the past five years.

As times get tougher, some turn to petty crimes like fraud and theft to make extra cash. This year, both are up from 2014. There were 140 calls related to theft under $5,000 and 38 calls for fraud. Some other notable numbers include 37 calls related to break and enters, 30 reports of motor vehicle theft, and 156 calls for mischief to property. There were also 17 calls for offensive weapons, the highest that category has been in the last 5 years. In total, the police responded to a total of 812 criminal code matters in 2015, compared to 793 the year prior, but still down from 854 calls in 2013.

Counts of drug possession are also around the same level as last year, 51 counts in 2015 and 54 in 2014. In the previous years, that number never went beyond 30 each year.

Sgt. Nutbrown believes having a dedicated officer on traffic patrol can add to the high numbers, no pun intended. On the flip side, liquor act offenses are down overall in the past five years. In 2011, the stats showed 76 files on the subject while 2014 and 2015 both held the line at 20 files.

On the emergency services side, data supplied by the Vegreville fire department shows that their workload has gone up slightly. In 2014 there were a total of 144 calls, while 2015 saw an increase to 156 calls in the year.

Firefighters responded to 13 fire calls in town and 11 fire calls in rural locations this year.

There were 16 calls for service involving motor vehicles in town, and 26 out of town.

Vegreville still is king in false alarms compared to other areas serviced by the fire department however. There were 56 false alarms in 2015 in town, and only 9 outside of town. In town, emergency services personnel also responded to 23 medical calls, but only 1 out of town.

these pictures up on the internet can have far-reaching consequences. These sorts of things linger on for a long time.”

Lastly, the SRO position is one of role modeling. Youth can look up to this officer as someone they can trust, or come to with issues they’re having. Gagnon has the opportunity to help them provide perspective on things, or help them make appropriate choices.

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

FROM THE PAGES OF THE VEGREVILLE OBSERVER

COMPILED BY DAN BEAUDETTE

90 Years Ago – December 23, 1925 The Vegreville Clydesdale Club met in F.H. Newcombe’s office on Saturday afternoon and wound up the business of the year. Sixteen members were present. The financial report showed the Club to be in a flourishing condition and arrangements for 1926 were promptly made. Bonnie Woodside will be retained by the Club for 1926, providing he has delivered the goods as expected. The officers of the Club for 1926 are: W.J Gould, president; Sam Inglis, vice-president; A.H. Gouold, secretary; George Cole, W.A. Jones, D. W. Hughes and A.L. Riemer, directors; James McCrea and M.L. Gordon, auditors.

Active co-operation with the Alberta Government in its efforts to secure a permanent arrangement for shipment of Alberta coal to Ontario markets, is being offered by all large organizations in Ontario, including the U.F.O., the Canadian Manufacturers Association, Boards of Trade, and others, in conjunction with the Government of Ontario. These bodies were all pressing for some permanent arrangement for the shipment of the coal.

75 Years Ago – December 25, 1940 Christmas dinners and parcels were provided for Canadian troops in hospital in Britain by the Canadian Red Cross Society’s overseas representatives, according to word received from England by Dr. Fred W. Routley, National Commissioner.

On a motion of Tweedale, A.A. Harkness was appointed as bailiff of the Eagle, Patricia and Beaver Lake M.D.’s and is to be handed a number of distress warrants directed to those seed grain recipients who have neglected to satisfy the municipality’s claim for advances to date. Commission on collections allowed Harkness is to be 10%.

A letter of commendation for the efforts of the municipality of Eagle, Patricia and Beaver Lake M.D.’s in endeavoring to control noxious weeds during the past season was received from the Field Crops Commissioner of the Dept. of Agriculture. A further letter from the Department indicated that forage seed could be purchased at cost from municipality by farmers wishing additional seed to that obtained in previous years under the Forage Crop Policy. Only a limited number of applications for seed at half price can be accepted for distribution in 1941. Several purchases of land from the municipality are to be notified that in view of the very unsatisfactory state of their account, a substantial payment must be made on the same at once or that they should execute a quit claim deed.

50 Years Ago – December 23, 1965 Christmas Day falling on a Saturday this year, the Vegreville Business section is going to close doors for the Boxing Day holiday on Monday, December 27th. This was decided at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held last week.

Interest is a long way from being dead in Vegreville as far as the matter of the establishment of a nursing home here is concerned.

Town Council discussed the matter quite fully at a recent meeting and expressed very much interest in seeing the project proceeded with, when the auxiliary hospital board decides to proceed with the project.

Arthur Schmidt, well-known resident of the town and district was elected President of the Vegreville Chamber of Commerce at the regular meeting held last Thursday evening. Mr. Schmidt takes over the reins of the board from Dr. Edmunds who has served for the past year.

A regular meeting of the Vegreville Minor Hockey Association held in the Recreation Centre, decided that a part of it’s Minor Hockey celebration this season a draw would be held with bonds and prizes. It is proposed that this year there will be two prizes offered, one for $100.00 and one for $50.00.

25 Years Ago – December 18, 1990 The Two Hills Health Care Centre will be operating with a government appointed trustee in-definitely, after the five board trustees were dismissed by Health Minister Nancy Betkowski on December 13.

Bishop Ken Genge, of the Edmonton Diocese of the Anglican Church blessed and dedicated the entry way at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Vegreville, December 16. The church, including the basement area used by the playschool, has been renovated in the last year.

Volunteers at the Vegreville Auxiliary Hospital were recognized at a Christmas candlelight celebration on December 5. Community activities coordinator Liz Yaremko noted that 110 people gave their time and effort in 1990 and the evening was to say thank you for what they had done and how well they had done it.

Have Peter Svarich students been “climbing the walls”? No! Footprints on the wall simply represent all the books they’ve been enthusiastically reading for the Multiple Sclerosis Read-a-thon.

Each time a student reads a book, they all a footprint with title, author, and their name to the “Road to Reading” which stretches along the hallways, nearly encircling the entire school. They are a graphic illustration that Peter Svarich students enjoy reading.

Letters Welcomed

One role of the Vegreville News Advertiser is to promote dialogue on various issues of concern to area residents. We accomplish this by welcoming Letters to the Editor and allowing various issues to be debated through our pages. All letters must contain the writer’s name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be printed, however the writer’s name may be withheld from publication in special circumstances deemed appropriate by the Publisher.

The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, spelling and grammar, taste or for reasons of potential libel. The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to withhold letters from publication.

Myron Hayduk Mayor of Vegreville Hello everyone, Myron here!

I wanted to make sure I took the time to wish everyone in town a very merry Christmas and happy holidays, as I know everyone is busy getting everything ready with relatives coming, shopping still to do, dinners to plan for, visiting to organize. Come to think of it, Christmas is a lot like year-end at most businesses, a lot of running around and panicking that can’t be avoided. Unlike yearend though, you can take a nap in the afternoons once you’re in holiday mode, and that’s a great coping mechanism for stress.

On the business side of things, the winter is a time when many people are planning their next development at their home or business. I would like to remind those with projects scheduled for 2016 that our Planning and Development Office is a critical part of your planning. You can save a lot of headaches if you visit the local development authority with questions about what is required for building permits, what you’re

allowed to build in terms of size based on your location, or the proposed location of your building on your property, and also solutions to problems before shovels are in the ground. Failing to be familiar with the process can be a major headache down the road, so take the time now to find out what is required for your project in the New Year.

Council has given the okay for the temporary relocation of the Town’s Economic Development and Tourism department, as well as participants in the Business Incubator Program and, with their consent, the Vegreville and District Chamber of Commerce to the Townowned property at 6620 Highway Avenue in Vegreville.

A multi-year lease had ended in the current spot for Economic Development, and so as a cost-saving measure they’re being placed in the front portion of the Highway Ave location along with the other partners on that lease.

This is not, to be clear, a permanent move into the building. At the present time, the rear is still being used by

the parks department and public works, being deposed earlier to allow a new company to bring business into town, Emergent Waste Solutions.

In the New Year, we hope to bring forward the best scenarios at an open house for the public to view that address the future of the RCMP barracks in Vegreville, long term accommodations for the Town’s Public Works and Parks departments and more.

This will be a chance for citizens of Vegreville to come down, review the options and offer their feedback to members of council and Administration. We hope to be able to present the pros and cons so that the public can have a chance to make the same considerations that council has been working through these past two years.

Consulting the public will be one of the last critical pieces before a final decision is made on how to proceed on a project that will likely have an impact on future taxes, services and more. I urge everyone reading this to take time in the New Year when a date is announced to come and have a look and participate.

DECEMBER 23, 2015

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

Outdoor rinks nearly ready

Workers from the Town of Vegreville’s Parks department were out on the Elks pond last week clearing snow away and testing ice thickness for those who crave a good outdoor skate. Parks Manager Tony Tymchyshyn said that the ice was up to 10 inches thick at the end of last week, and expects it to be ready by the end of this week if temperatures stay low. For official status on outdoor ponds and rinks, Tymchyshyn said to check in on the Town of Vegreville’s website or facebook pages, where notification will be posted as soon as the ice surfaces are ready. (Michael Simpson/Photo)

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Down payment on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit from Ford Credit Canada Limited.**Until January 4, 2016, receive $500/$750/ $1,000/ $1,500/ $2,000/ $2,500/ $2,750/ $3,500/ $3,750/ $4,250/ $4,500/ $4,750/ $6,000/ $10,000/ $11,500 in “Year-End Clearout Cash” (Delivery Allowances) with the purchase or lease of a new 2016: Explorer/2015 and 2016: Focus, C-MAX; 2016: Fiesta, Fusion/ 2015: Edge, Flex; 2016: Edge, Expedition/ 2015: Transit Connect; 2016: E-Series Cutaway, Transit, F-250 Gas Engine, F-350 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Gas Engine/2015: Taurus (excluding SE); 2016: Transit Connect, F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs/ 2015: E-Series Cutaway, Transit/ 2015: F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2) 5.0L; 2016: F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2)/ 2016: F-250 Diesel Engine, F-350 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Diesel Engine/ 2015: F-150 SuperCrew 4x4; 2016: F-150 SuperCab and SuperCrew / 2015: Fiesta, Fusion, Explorer, Escape/ 2015: F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs / 2015: F-150 SuperCab/ 2015: Expedition / 2015: F-250 Gas Engine, F-350 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Gas Engine/ 2015: F-250 Diesel Engine, F-350 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Diesel Engine -- all stripped chassis, F-150 Raptor, Medium Truck, Mustang Shelby and 50th Anniversary excluded. Delivery allowances are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives.^Until January 4, 2016, lease a new 2016: Fusion for up to 36 months, or a 2016: Escape for up to 48 months, and get 0% APR lease financing on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit Canada Limited. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest APR payment. Lease a model with a value of $30,000 at 0% APR for up to 36/48 months with an optional buyout of $13,200/ $10,800 and $0 down or equivalent trade in, monthly payment is $466.67/ $400.00, total lease obligation is $16,800.12/$19.200.00, interest cost of leasing is $0 or 0%APR. Additional payments required for PPSA (RDPRM for Quebec), registration, security deposit, NSF fees (where applicable), excess wear and tear, and late fees. Some conditions and mileage restrictions apply. Excess kilometrage charges are 12¢per km for Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Fusion and Escape; 16¢per km for E-Series, Mustang, Taurus, Taurus-X, Edge, Flex, Explorer, F-Series, MKS, MKX, MKZ, MKT and Transit Connect; 20¢per km for Expedition and Navigator, plus applicable taxes. Excess kilometrage charges subject to change, see your local dealer for details.≠ Offer only valid from November 3, 2015 to January 4, 2016 (the “Offer Period”) to resident Canadians with an eligible Costco membership on or before October 31, 2015. Receive $1,000 towards the purchase or lease of a new 2015/2016 Ford (excluding Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, GT350, GT500, F-150 Raptor, 50th Anniversary Edition Mustang, Mustang Shelby 350/350R and Medium Truck) model (each an “Eligible Vehicle”). Limit one (1) offer per each Eligible Vehicle purchase or lease, up to a maximum of two (2) separate Eligible Vehicle sales per Costco Membership Number. Offer is transferable to persons domiciled with an eligible Costco member. Applicable taxes calculated before CAD$1,000 offer is deducted. ®: Registered trademark of Price Costco International, Inc. used under license. † Remember that even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. ‡F-Series is the best-selling pickup truck in Canada for 49 years in a row based on Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association statistical sales report up to 2014 year end. ©2015 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence.©2015 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

Available in most new Ford vehicles with 6-month pre-paid subscription

DECEMBER 23, 2015

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

DECEMBER 23, 2015

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

St. Martin’s grade 1-3 Christmas concert

St. Martin’s School Grades one to three students did a first-rate job at their school Christmas concert on December 15. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

These kids are singing Glory to God in the Highest. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Rosanne Fortier St. Martin’s Principal, Joe Dumont, said school Christmas concerts to add joy to the Christmas season.

For many kids, their Christmas concerts add inspiration to their lives for ambitions of singing and performing. Many of the children at the St. Martin’s School grade 1-3 Christmas concert had a dramatic flair because there didn’t seem to be any notable errors in their performances.

The students breezed in with a song about why Christmas was their favorite time of the year.

A more serene feeling entered when the kids sang Glory to God in the Highest. With this, they raised their arms to demonstrate how God is amazing while they continued to sing that Jesus is King.

This spiritual touch continued with Douce Nuit (Silent Night).

Then the children sang Away in a Manager using sign language with the words.

Next, a secular accent came on as the children’s steps bounced when they sung about Santa Claus rocking.

This was followed by the students singing a humorous song about how they wanted lots for Christmas, but they won’t be on Santa’s list.

With this, they used plenty of expression and body language to bring life into the song.

The song, This Little Light of Mine where the students shone a light that danced in the darken background closed the night.

During the performances, the audience cheered and whistled.

St. Martin’s grades 4-6 present innovative Christmas show

The performance of Sleigh Ride had students perform with red ‘solo’ cups.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo) A new twist was presented with the song, Frosty the Snowman at St. Martin’s Grades four to six Christmas concert on December 16.(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Rosanne Fortier St. Martin’s Principal, Joe Dumont, said school Christmas concerts to add joy to the Christmas season.

For many kids, their Christmas concerts add inspiration to their lives for ambitions of singing and performing. Many of the children at the St. Martin’s School grade 1-3 Christmas concert had a dramatic flair because there didn’t seem to be any notable errors in their performances.

The students breezed in with a song about why Christmas was

their favorite time of the year.

A more serene feeling entered when the kids sang Glory to God in the Highest. With this, they raised their arms to demonstrate how God is amazing while they continued to sing that Jesus is King.

This spiritual touch continued with Douce Nuit (Silent Night).

Then the children sang Away in a Manager using sign language with the words.

Next, a secular accent came on as the children’s steps bounced when they sung about Santa Claus rocking.

This was followed by the students singing a humorous song about how they wanted lots for Christmas, but they won’t be on Santa’s list. With this, they used plenty of expression and body language to bring life into the song.

The song, This Little Light of Mine where the students shone a light that danced in the darken background closed the night.

During the performances, the audience cheered and whistled.

DECEMBER 23, 2015

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News Advertiser PAGE 15

St. Martin’s School Kindergarten Christmas Concert Rosanne Fortier St. Martin’s School Kindergarten students rang bells with a childlike faith at their Christmas concert on December 16.

The concert opened with a video presentation, ‘What Christmas Means to You’ where Principal, Mr. Dumont interviewed the children. The kids said that Christmas meant sharing and being The Kindergarten student sing Our God is an Awesome God loved, presents, decorations, with such serious and expressions and gestures that confirmed Jesus’ birth, company and a the true meaning of the season at their Christmas Concert on trip to Mexico.

December 16. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo) Then the students’ bright

voices sang, We Love Santa Claus which was followed by SANTA, Santa is His Name.

After this, the audience’s hearts were embraced from their performance of Our God is an Awesome God where each the kids’ expressions and gestures confirmed the true meaning of the season. This performance was met with cheers and continuous applause.

Next on the set list was He Will Be Coming down the Chimney and We Wish You a These students’ bright voices sing, We Love Santa Claus and SANTA, Santa is His Name. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo) Merry Christmas.

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

Myrnam Elementary Christmas Concert

The kindergarten class singing we are snowflakes

Students participate in the musical part of the performance

Joe Machney Parents, relatives and gathered guests waited with anticipation for the Myrnam elementary Christmas concert to begin.

As all the students from kindergarten to grade six filed into the school gymnasium in their cute costumes, the lights dimmed as the presentation was ready to begin. Mistress of ceremonies Bailey Dmytriw welcomed before giving the stage to Kelsey Fedirko who sung a beautiful rendition of O’ Canada.

The age old story of the Nutcracker began in the home of the Stahlbaum family, where the family was exchanging gifts and child Marie received a nutcracker doll. As the story goes the Nutcracker was once a prince in the land of toys that was rejected by the princess when changed into the Nutcracker.

As Marie takes care of him, he turns back into a Prince again we are shown the importance of friendship and how what is inside the person is what matters most.

With all the students from kindergar-

ten up to grade six playing a part in either the main story or the musical parts of it, everyone had their chance to shine in the performance directed by Mrs. Vivian Godziuk.

Many people played an important role off the stage as well. Hannah Dupuis gave a hand with prop painting and the sound system. Emily Fedirko did the choreographing for the flower dance, as well as Louise Coulter-Chomlack, who spent many hours on sewing the costumes and the alterations. Trey Hardcastle took a last minute role in the performance, which was much appreciated.

Catching up with Vivian Godzuik, she felt the children did an incredible job.

“Even the young ones who couldn’t read learned their songs. Everybody knew their lines as every practice that we did together got better and better and when it came to the concert, they just blew me out of the water. They were like professional little actors!”

“It was good to do the combination this year of acting and singing,” Principal Keith Gamblin said. “It was also nice to celebrate with the community. There was a great turnout and it was good to let the kids show off their talent.”

DECEMBER 23, 2015

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What does our REA mean to the community?

As a member, the value of our REA cannot be equaled. As a businessman and farmer who deals with power companies daily, I appreciate the business that we own. I interact with ATCO, Fortis, Battle River, North Parkland Power, and Lakeland REA on a daily basis with my bin-moving company. By far the most service-oriented utilities are the REA’s. I have electrical services with Fortis in Viking and ATCO in Vegreville and the Peace country. I recently applied for a new tap in the Vegreville area and Lakeland REA completed the job for less than half the price ATCO quoted me. It is our company and they work directly for us and as members we have a voice in decisions affecting us. The most important quality of an REA’s is a rural member-owned voice that will be heard into the future, for our children and their children. $20K sounds like a lot but you also need to put a price to the service levels that you have become accustomed to. With all the other clawbacks to pensions, and the fact that this is taxable income we will end up giving our REA away for nothing.

Big companies are big companies, and their bottom line is to make money. They don’t care about the average person whether they are an employee or customer. It has been said that REA employees will be given jobs by ATCO, and the truth is that ATCO recently laid off 400 operational employees. I have a lot of friends that work for ATCO and I value each and every one of them and I am concerned about their future. It is the big company policy to swallow up small competitive REA’s that does not sit well with me!

The information that the petition committee is presenting is misleading and not true. If we lost our $1.5 million in the last 2

Police checkstops are upon us Michael Simpson Editor In early December, police ran two checkstops on the fourth. The first was an awareness checkstop held on highway 16A through town. Police gave out candy canes and brochures on impaired driving information to motorists. About 400 motorists were stopped in total during the afternoon information checkstop. “We want people to have awareness about drinking and driving during the holidays,” RCMP Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown said.

“We recognize that over the holidays there’s a lot of staff parties, socializing and visiting. We want people to be responsible while they’re doing it. Don’t put yourself or others at risk on the roads.”

The second, evening checkstop was a more serious affair, though there was a small amount of infractions found; a roadside suspension for drug use and two roadside breath tests for alcohol.

News Advertiser PAGE 17

years how are we operating? Do you believe every salesman that knocks on your door? Before the offer was presented, there were no complaints about the REA. Funny how $ signs bring things

out in people.

Other REA’s have sold out well below fair market value. We get excellent hands-on service from the REA and the REA is appreciating in value. Why rush to take this offer, what will 10 years from now hold? Ownership of anything is a large responsibility and should be taken seriously. We have a board that is approachable and has worked hard for the membership and community as a whole. The value of the REA must include service levels, easements, and future business potential. I attended the AGM and the petition committee was only interested in killing the bylaw to make a sale vote easier, not fairer to the REA membership.

The REA staff are doing an amazing job! They actually care about REA members and they know us by first names, not just a billing number. If you have any questions call the REA office or the Board members for the truth. I have taken the time to learn about our business and I am very pleased with the decisions that have been made in the past.

I know I am only one voice speaking out, but if we stick together we will have control of our future power needs and high quality service levels which is crucial to our times.

Wayne Kuhn

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Ask the Guys Dear Classified Guys, After the first major snow of the year, I noticed my new neighbor trying to clear his 40-foot driveway with a garden shovel. The poor guy spent over two hours in the cold and only cleared a 2foot path. Remembering my winters of backbreaking shoveling, I went over to his house with my snow blower. You would have thought I was an angel descending from the heavens by the look on his face.

After clearing the rest of his driveway in record time, he thanked me profusely and openly bemoaned the fact that this close to the holidays he couldn't afford the $1000 for a new snow blower. Of course I laughed and told him how I paid only $150 for mine after answering an ad in the classifieds. How is it possible that people in this day and age don't know how to use this insanely valuable tool? The classifieds are such a great resource.

• • • Carry: We couldn't agree with you more.

And after your recent heroism, your neighbor may be a new believer as well.

Cash: It only takes one big

Duane “Cash” Holze & Todd “Carry” Holze 12/20/15 ©The Classified Guys®

snowstorm to make anyone appreciate the value of a snow blower.

However, your neighbor could have at least invested in a good snow shovel. Unless he was planning to plant some flowers in the snow, a garden shovel was not the most appropriate tool!

Carry: It's clear that you have an appreciation for the classified section and how it can help you.

In your case, you saved money and bought a good quality snow blower.

Cash: The classifieds are not a new idea, so most people have an understanding of what the section is. However, there are a variety of reasons why they don't use it regularly. Like your neighbor, some

just overlook it as a source for buying big-ticket items.

Carry: Others simply fear buying through the classifieds since they have never done so before. It could be they are not sure how to evaluate an item or negotiate with a seller. However, they often look at the classifieds differently once they have a positive experience or hear of someone like yourself who found a great deal.

Cash: Hopefully your neighbor will learn from this experience and pick up the classified section.

You may even try helping him find a deal on a used snow blower.

Otherwise, you could be helping to clear his driveway for the rest of the winter.

DECEMBER 23, 2015

Fast Facts Winter Wonderland

Reader Humor Packed Powder

When the weather turns cold, many people dream of moving to a warmer climate like Hawaii.

However, you may be surprised to learn that even they have snow in the winter. On the main island resides the dormant volcano Mauna Kea. Its total height of 33,465 feet (13,796 feet above sea level) makes it the tallest mountain in the world when measured from it’s base to the summit. In the winter months, this mountain can see a few blizzards and several feet of snow.

My friend has always been a man about tools. However, his passion turned into more of an ego contest when a new neighbor moved in next door. The two of them constantly battle over whose tractor is better or whose leaf blower has more horsepower.

When I recently met up with him, my friend couldn't wait to tell me about his new snow blower. "This thing is great," he said. "It's a 13 horsepower engine with a 32" cut. It's actually capable of throwing snow 30 feet in the air and more than 52½ feet to the side."

"Those are some pretty exact measurements," I replied.

"How do you know the distances?"

"Easy," he grinned. "That's what it takes to blow the snow into my neighbor's driveway!"

(Thanks to Baxter D.)

Doctor's Orders Snow shoveling can be an exhausting task for anyone.

According to The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), shoveling heavy snow can require as much energy as running nine miles per hour. Although it can be great exercise, more than 30,000 people are injured each year due to manual snow removal activities. So before you grab your shovel and head out, prepare properly.

Warm up your muscles, pace yourself and use a shovel that is comfortable. With any luck, warmer weather will be right around the corner.

•

•

•

Got a question or funny story? Email us at: comments@classifiedguys.com.

Laughs For Sale Who knew they made tools and beauty products? man ears Crafts For Sale: S ssor, 3 HP, 120 re HAir Comp i, Like New. max ps

www.ClassifiedGuys.com APARTMENTS 1 & 2 bdrm suites with spacious storage.

Balcony.

Near Vegreville hospital, walking distance to Nofrill Superstore. Revin and Park are next to the building. Rent incl. water, heat and energized parking stall. 1 bdrm start from $795, 2 bdrm start from $895. SD start from $500. More info and viewing call 780-632-6878.

2 BEDROOM MAIN FLOOR SUITE NO SMOKE/NO PET CALL OR TEXT 780-218-2278 3 Bdrm, 2 bath large suite for rent. Includes garage, laundry, and utilities. Must be able to look after yard. $1400.00. Phone 780658-2221 SUITES FOR RENTStudios Alberta Ltd is accepting rental applications for immediate occupancy at its Landell Studios project at 5721 - 49A Street in Vegreville. Landell Studios offers affordable housing for single adults of any age.

Suites are totally self-contained 325 square foot studio, furnished with a fridge, stove, blinds and phone/ cable jacks. Rent is $440 per month (includes water/ sewer), and damage deposit is $440. Landell is ideal for persons receiving AISH, Social Assistance, an age or disability pension or some similar type of assistance.

Suites are single occupancy only. Further information and applications are available at www.studiosalberta. com or by calling 1-888963-5698.

2 Bdrm suite, includes utilities and laundry. N/S, N/P. $900.00. 780-658-2221

AUTOMOBILES

2000 Windstar.

Ex. engine & transmission.

Body damage. For parts $750. 780-922-5999 1978 Mercedes 280. 4dr.

Like new. 145,000kms only. $3600. 780-922-5999.

2002 Honda Civic, Standard Drives Excellent Needs TLC $3200 780-922-5999 2001 KIA, 4 cyl, 4 dr, standard, $1600. PH: 780-922-5999 Rare Super Charged 40th Anniversary Grand Prix.

Loaded. $4700. Phone 780-994-3005 2010 damaged Dodge Caliber 125,000kms. Drives excellent. For parts. $1500.

Phone 780-994-3005 Rare 2003 Acura Type S. Loaded. Ex. shape. $6700.

Phone 780-994-3005 2008 Touring Edition PT Cruiser, loaded. Only 36,000k, $8350. PH: 780994-3005

FEED Highland Feeders is purchasing feed barley. Please call the office at 780-768-2466.

Oats + Wheat Wanted.

Any condition, dry wet or heated. On farm pick-up.

Immediate payment. Toll free 1-866 349 2056

VIAGRA & CIALIS! 50 pills for $95. 100 pills for $150 FREE shipping. NO prescriptions needed.

Money back guaranteed!

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VIAGRA 40x (100 mg) +16 “Double Bonus” PILLS for ONLY $119.00. NO PRESCRIPTION Needed!

VISA payment required.

1-888-386-8074

FARM LAND

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newhealthyman.com

Looking for pasture and hayland. Min. 25 pair.

Hairy Hill/Vegreville or surrounding area. Phone Glen 780-208-0134

VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 50 tabs $90 includes FREE SHIPPING. 1-888-836-0780 or MetroMeds.net

HELP WANTED

THRILL DAD with 100% guaranteed, deliveredto - the - door O maha Steaks! SAVE 69%, plus 4 FREE Burgers - The Favorite Gift - ONLY $49.99! ORDER Today!

1-800- 483-3491 or use code mbdad75 at www.

OmahaSteaks.com / 49377JCF Honey for sale. 10 pounds $ 25. Phone 780-632-4077

EDUCATION

ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTV Starting at $19.99 /mo.

FREE Installation. FREE 3 months of HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, & Starz. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included (Select Packages) New Customers Only.

CALL 1-800-370-1356

Willingdon – Mobile all appliances. available parking, $775/mo. PH: 780-367-2974

Advertise your rental property here for as little as $7.95 per week!

Newer Home. 3 Bdrm, 2 bath, upstairs laundry, full basement, big yard. January 1, 2016. $1300.00. Phone 780658-2221

Newer 2 bdrm 4plex, 5 appl., N/P, N/S, D/D $900. Rent $900/mo. Vegreville. 780363-2132 or 780-632-1020 For Rent Main floor 2 bedroom with laundry $950/mth plus utilities, last month free with 1 year lease. $850 Basement suite 2 bedroom with laundry $850/ mth plus utilities, last month free with 1 year lease.

Phone 587-280-0399 Executive 4 bdrm home for

COMPUTERS

25 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a driver for Stevens Tr a n s p o r t !

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! New drivers earn $800+ per week! PAID CDL TRAINING! Stevens covers all costs! 1-888-7346714 drive4stevens.com

3 Bdrm Townhouse, $1090/ mo. available immediately.

Call Dave at 780-632-0321 or 780-932-0041

Satisfaction Guaranteed!!

FOOD

VM SYSTEMS Looking for a new computer? VM SYSTEMS has all you’ll ever need in computers! Installation – Sales – Service – Internet. One call will get you in touch. Phone 780-632-2859 9am – 5pm.

HOMES FOR RENT

HEALTH & FITNESS VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg! 40 Pills + 10 FREE. SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. FREE Shipping! 24/7 CALL NOW! 1-888-223-8818 Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! Save up to 93%! Call our licensed Canadian & International pharmacy service to compare prices & get $15 off your first prescription & FREE Shipping.

1-800-815-6059 VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg! 50 Pills $99.00 FREE Shipping!

100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 1-866-312-6061

rent or sale - Vegreville 4114Caretaker For Apartment Building Needed. Experience is not necessary as training will be provided. Retired single or couple is the most suitable and strongly encouraged to apply. Small repair skills an asset. Qualified candidate is expected to move into the building. Fax resume and application to: 780-488-8814 or e-mail: albertareal@telus.net Help wanted - Holden Country Bottle Depot. Phone 780-632-9313 F5 Entities Ltd 0/a Tim Hortons, Hiring 10 Food Counter Attendants, 6801 Highway 16A West, Vegreville, AB. Permanent, FT, PT, Shift, Weekend, Day, Night & Evening; $12.50/hr+ Benefits, , Start ASAP. No E xper ienc e / Educ ation required. Contact for job description. Apply in person or fax : 780-632-6032 Wanted personal care assistant for senior. For more information call 780-6322252

Newly renovated, 3 bdrm, 2 bath house. Available immediately. Single car detached garage. Nice yard. New carpet and fresh paint. Please call or text 780-686-9608

48A

St.

.

Completely

HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB alert for seniors!

Bathroom falls can be fatal.

Safe Step Walk-In Tub, approved by Arthritis Foundation, therapeutic jets, less than 4” step-in, wide door, anti-slip floors, A mer ic an made.

Installation Included. Call 800-379-6390 for $750 off

Landscaped. Huge covered deck. Back alley access.

Extra wide 60 x 140 Lot. 2

4 bathrooms including 3 piece ensuite. 3 fireplaces.

Family room and living room. $1900/month. Call Gary 780-632-9454 2 bdrm Mobile Home, No pets PH: 780-208-9608 3 Bdrm Mobile Home, N/P. PH: 780-208-9608 Double Wide Mobile, newly renovated. N/P. PH: 780-208-9608 2 bdrm, $950/mo. D/D same.

Detached garage. 5617-50St. Vegreville PH: 780-974-4062 2 Bdrm/Main FLR, Furnished, N/S, N/P, 850/Mo DD + Util.

780-603-0833 3 bdrm/1 bth, N/S, N/P, avail imm. 632-7096 or 632-8882 2+1 bdrm, 2 bath, developed basement, utilities not included, $1200/mo, DD $1200.

Phone 780-898-5750

REAL ESTATE

AVIATION Grads work with JetBlue, Boeing, Delta and others- start here with hands on training for FAA certification. Financial aid if qualified.

Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-453-6204 CHILDREN’S BOOK – Looking for some wholesome reading material for your young reader? Check out Richard the Donkey and His LOUD, LOUD Voice at www.RichardTheDonkey. com

TO GIVE AWAY MOBILE HOMES Lot for mobile home available. Located in trailer park.

Call Sue 403-823-4499

2 Black male cats, 6 months & 3 months. Phone 780632-7820 To give away kittens. Phone 780-688-2287

PERSONAL

TRAVEL

Meet singles right now! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages & connect live. Try it free. Call now: 800-417-7304

CRUISE DEALS available for a limited time. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival and Norwegian.

Hurry as these offers won’t last! Call 877-270-7260 or go to NCPTRAVEL.COM to research.

MISC.

car heated attached 24 x 24 garage. Oversized driveway.

DISH TV Starting at $19.99/ month (for 12 mos.) SAVE! Regular Price $34.99 Ask About FREE SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 877477-9659

Make a Connection. Real People. Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks.

Try it FREE. Call NOW: Call 1-877-737-9447 18+ 900 gal poly water tank w/pump on trailer. $1500 PH: 780-367-2228 Protect Yourself From Unsafe Banks! DON’T BANK ON IT! Free book reveals 20 modern banking dangers such as cybercriminals, money-hungry politicians & Too-Big-To-Fail bankers. 800-893-261 Make a Connection. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks.

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Find the love you deserve!

Discover the path to happiness. New members receive a FREE 3-minute love reading! Entertainment purposes only. 18 & over.

800-758-2304 ALL MALE HOT GAY HOOKUPS! Call FREE! 800450-0813 only 18 & over Everything you want to know about the Sabbath but were told not to ask sabbathtruth.com or call 632-3746

NCL CRUISE SPECIAL Pick one - FREE Unlimited Beverages / FREE Specialty Dining / FREE WIFI / Free Shore Excursions! Hurry, limited time offer. Call for full details 877-270-7260 or go to NCPtravel.com

TRUCKS 1993 Chev 4x4 Ext Cab. For parts. $650. 780-922-5999

POULTRY

2002 GMC 4x4 HD ¾ ton Service Truck 340k $3500 780-922-5999

For sale 6 month old laying hens. Phone 780-632-1340

1985 F350 Dually. Extra long flat deck, $1600.

780-922-5999

DECEMBER 23, 2015

1997 Ford 7.3 Diesel, 4 x 4, missing transmission.

Nice deck, $2800. 780922-5999 2000 Dodge Dakota V8 4x4 Farm Truck. $1,600.

780-922-5999.

2006 Honda Pilot 6 passenger SUV. Loaded. $5750. 780-994-3005 1999 Chev Silverado 3/4T, 4x4. Good for farm. $1500.

Phone 780-994-3005 2004 Dodge Ram 4x4.

Body damage. Farm truck. $1800. Phone 780-9943005 New, complete, exhaust system, fits GMC, Chev, crewcabs. $ 600.00.

Phone 780-632-9689 2001 Dodge Cummins Diesel. Sport, RWD, automatic. 196,000K, $11,500.

PH: 780-994-3005 2015 Chev 2500 Crew Cab 4X4 Short Box, Duramax Diesel, Z71 and Ultimate GFX packages.

Fully loaded with every option including heated steering wheel and heated and cooled seats.

18000km. Bumper to bumper warranty to 100,000km.

Asking $64,900. Must be seen to be appreciated! Phone 780-632-1685

WANTED CARBON CREDITS – Attention Farmers – Not Completed? Call Today!

780-603-0630, Crystal Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201

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Sledding and Snow Safety Alberta Health Services Submitted Getting outside in the winter is a great way for families to be active.

But remember to keep your child safe while doing winter activities like sledding and playing in the snow.

To help lower the risk of your child getting hurt, make sure: you supervise your child closely your child is always in a safe place you and your child know about any dangers your child does age-appropriate activities Winter safety tips Check the weather forecast so you know how to dress for the day.

Choose play areas with warm shelters nearby.

Dress in layers. Have a windproof, waterproof outer layer. Wear: a hat to keep the ears covered. If under 3, your child’s head is larger than the rest of the body and heat is lost quickly from the head. mittens instead of gloves warm, dry, waterproof boots that aren’t too tight a neck warmer instead of scarf clothes without drawstrings

News Advertiser PAGE 19

Snow forts can be fun, but building tunnels can be dangerous.

Tunnels can collapse and suffocate a child.

Watch your child for wet clothes, feeling chilled, frostbite, and being tired.

Teach your child about frostbite and hypothermia and how important it is to dress warmly.

Sledding safety tips Only sled when the temperature is above -19 ˚C. Think about the windchill factor.

Choose hills with a gentle slope and a long, clear run-off area.

Sled on snowy hills and stay away from icy surfaces. Make sure the hill has no jumps, bumps, holes, bare spots, and obstacles.

Stay away from roads, rivers, railway tracks, and parking lots.

Don’t sled over ice-covered rivers, streams, or ponds.

Only go sledding in the daylight on hills that are well-lit.

Your child must be supervised by a responsible adult. If your child is under 5, have a responsible adult on the sled with him or her.

Go down the hill sitting up or kneeling on the sled. Don’t go head first.

Wear a hockey or ski/snowboard helmet.

Check the sled to make sure it is in good shape. Use a sled with good brakes and steering. Plastic discs and inner tubes are not safe because they are hard to control.

Investor confidence waning in Alberta Kenneth P. Green, Taylor Jackson Troy Media Alberta has fallen from the 16th most attractive jurisdiction in the world in 2014 to 38th of 126 jurisdictions in 2015.

For the past decade, investment in Alberta’s vast oil and gas resource has allowed the province to become Canada’s economic leader. Even when compared to other energy producing provinces and American states, Alberta was a top performer on economic indicators such as real GDP growth and private-sector employment growth between 2001 and 2012. Albertans have benefited greatly from the prosperity that was generated during this period.

But policies are changing in Alberta, and so too are perceptions about Alberta’s attractiveness to investment in oil and gas extraction. Some of the policy changes we have seen so far include increasing corporate income taxes by 20 per cent, instituting a new review of the province’s oil and gas royalties, and a new slate of environmental taxes and regulations. These new policies and changes hamper Alberta’s competiveness and may act as a deterrent to future investment.

Indeed, this was reflected in responses for Alberta in this year’s iteration of the Fraser Institute’s Global Petroleum Survey. The survey tracks the perceptions that investors in jurisdictions around the world have about whether various aspects of policies that govern the oil and gas industry - such as royalties and taxes, duplicative regulations, etc. - make a jurisdiction attractive to investment, or might deter investment.

When focusing purely on whether policy acts as a deterrent to investment, Alberta fell from the 16th most attractive jurisdiction in the world in 2014 to 38th of 126 jurisdictions in 2015, a drop of 22 spots.

This puts Alberta well behind competitors like Texas - the 4th most attractive jurisdiction in the world based on policies, and Saskatchewan and North Dakota, ranked 8th and 9th, respectively.

Digging into Alberta’s ranking helps illuminate why the province fell so much in the eyes of investors. Consider that measure of fiscal

terms and royalties. In 2014, only 14 per cent of respondents said the province’s fiscal terms were a deterrent to investment. In 2015, amongst the uncertainty of a new royalty review, 39 per cent of Alberta’s respondents said that this area of policy was acting as a deterrent to investment.

By comparison, only five per cent of respondents in Saskatchewan and two per cent of respondents in Texas said that fiscal terms were a deterrent to investment.

And fiscal terms aren’t the only area where investor concern grew.

The general tax system, uncertainty from environmental regulations, and political stability were all rated by investors as being much larger deterrents to investment over the previous year.

Ironically, the only area where Alberta experienced a large improvement, according to investors, was in the availability of labour and skills, likely reflecting the growing pool of potential labour that exists due to large layoffs in the wake of low oil prices.

That perceptions about Alberta’s investment climate are changing should concern Albertans. As we saw with the last royalty review, perceptions can often become realities.

When the province last reviewed its royalty system and implemented changes under the Stelmach government in 2007, investor confidence in Alberta deteriorated, and so too did actual investment, while both British Columbia and Saskatchewan experienced increases in exploration and development spending.

It’s not all bad news for Alberta, though. The province does still have some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves and these will continue to provide that province with opportunities for investment moving forward.

However, policy does matter and adding costs and uncertainty to an industry already hampered by low oil and gas prices policies is not the way to go. This will only act to deter future investment and perhaps some of the prosperity that comes with it. At this time, the province should be focused on pursuing policies that are both stable and competitive.

Kenneth P. Green and Taylor Jackson are the coauthors of the Fraser Institute’s annual Global Petroleum Survey.

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CUSTOM KITCHEN CABINET Residential / Commercial Kitchen Cabinets Custom Millwork Cabinet Doors

Dave Ph. (780) 632-4488 Shop Fax. (780) 632-6765 Cell. (780) 603-7922 email: dhorvat@telusplanet.net

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

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BIRTHS

MEMORIAM

OBITUARY

DAX HENRY GEGOLICK Parents Dustin and Candace along with big brother Ryker are proud to announce the birth of Dax Gegolick born July 14, 2015.

RAWLUK, Terry May 30, 1955 – December 19, 2012 It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn’t go alone For part of us went with you The day God called you home.

Without you, it’s so lonely here.

For you’re spending Christmas in Heaven this year.

Forever loved and sadly missed by loving mother Edna, and brother Dale

PEACOCK, Margaret February 16, 1931 – November 30, 2015 On Monday, November 30, 2015, Margaret Peacock of Vegreville, Alberta, formerly of Ottawa, Ontario passed away at the age of 84 years.

Margaret is survived by her loving family; one son Keith Sicard; one daughter Pauline (Yves) Lacoix; three grandchildren Michael Cassidy, Shannon Goffinet-Cassidy and Andre Lacroix; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings Lawrence Hagarty, Nadine Panagitopolous, Gerald Hagarty and Gary Hagarty; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A Visitation was held at McEvoy & Shields Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Basilica in Ottawa, ON. Memorial donations may be made to the “Canadian Lung Assn.” or “Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta” To send condolences visit www.autumnrosefuneralhom.com Autumn Rose Funeral Home Ltd., Vegreville,780-603-5800

MEMORIAM

OBITUARY

KOTELKO, Christopher July 24, 1959 - Oct. 22, 1977 Our Dear Brother, you left us suddenly 38 years ago.

Our strong spiritual values help us to accept God’s will.

We often wonder what it would have been like to have you in our lives here on Earth.

But now we are blessed with your messages from above.

Always remembered and loved by your family

KOTELKO, Jack & Vera Jack: Mar. 14, 1917 - May 18, 2003 Vera: Mar. 6, 1928 - Dec. 20, 2003 Christmas was always the most special season for you our Mother and Father.

You always guided us spiritually when you were with us on Earth.

Now we know that you are watching over us as guardian angels from Heaven.

Signs are always present to show us that you continue to protect and guide us.

Always remembered and loved by your family

Margaret Olineck May 26, 1929 – Dec. 28, 2005 In loving memory of a dear wife, Mother, Gramma & Great Gramma We thought of you with love today but that is nothing new We thought about you yesterday and days before that too, We think of you in silence we often speak your name All we have are memories and your picture in a frame Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part God has you in His keeping We have you in our hearts.

Lovingly remembered and missed by husband John and family

Joan Neilson (nee Ostby) The family of Joan Neilson sadly announces her passing on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Bruce; her daughters, Tara Ockey and Tracy Neilson; her mother, Amelia Ostby; 8 brothers and sisters, 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She had a great love for her sister, Christine Denna, who was there always. Joan was predeceased by her father, Barney and infant son, Cy. Joan grew up in Fort Saskatchewan. As an adult student she received her Early Childhood Development Degree and opened Twin Family Dayhomes, which she ran successfully for many years. She was also an excellent cook for many years at Heritage House and everyone loved it when she was cooking. She belonged to the Fort Saskatchewan Legion and loved going every Friday with her loved ones and friends.

Honouring Joan’s wishes, there will be no service at this time. Family will hold a Service of Remembrance at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent through www.riverviewfuneral.com.

Arrangements entrusted to First Memorial Riverview Chapel, Fort Saskatchewan, AB 780-998-9898

Dehid, Marshall W. January 20, 1936 – December 16, 2015 It is with great sadness and feeling of deep loss that the family announces the passing of Marshall W. Dehid after a lengthy illness at the Two Hill Long Term Care Centre.

He will be forever missed by his beloved wife and best friend of 53 years, Pat. Also left to cherish his memory is his son Jeff; daughter Jamie (Al) Morosin and his greatest joy , his precious granddaughter Avery Morosin of Toronto; his brother Ray; sister Elaine and mother in law Anne Iftody.

Marshall was predeceased by his parents Ezdor and Annie Dehid and his father in law Metro Iftody.

Marshall had a lifelong love for hockey, baseball, fishing, camping and hunting. His passion for these sports impacted numerous friends and his family was also a great source of joy. He was extremely kind-hearted, a joke tellerwhich meant there was always laughter around him. His happy and carefree spirit will forever be in the hearts of those he loved.

A Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Two Hills Centennial Hall. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Two Hills, Alberta with Very Reverend Michael Sawchenko officiating. Interment to follow in the Two Hills Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church” or to the “Two Hills Long Term Care Centre.” To send condolences visit www.autumnrosefuneralhome.com Autumn Rose Funeral Home Ltd., Vegreville,780-603-5800

CROSBIE, Robert Henry (Bing) June 29, 1951 – December 18, 2015 On December 18, 2015, Robert Henry (Bing) Crosbie of Mundare, Alberta passed away at the age of 64 years.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Linda; three sons John: James (Sheena Ashcroft) and her daughter Bailee: Robert Jr. (Jennifer) and their children Logan and Kohlson; sister in law Rose Warren and her daughter Angela Crosbie; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Robert was predeceased by his parents John and Christina Crosbie; one brother Bill; two sisters Margaret and Shirley.

A Celebration of Robert’s Life will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 2-6 p.m. at the Mundare Recreation Centre. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Diabetes Association of Alberta.” To send condolences visit www. autumnrosefuneralhome.com Autumn Rose Funeral Home Ltd. Vegreville, 780-603-5800

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Wheat Kings edge Rangers Michael Simpson Editor The Rangers took a loss in their last regular home game before Christmas break against Killam on December 16, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. The team let Killam get the drop on them early in the first period with a pair of goals, but as the second period got underway the Mungongo/Murphy pairing would prove successful as each assisted the other in scoring a goal and evening the score.

Killam would pull ahead by a goal again before period’s end, leaving the Rangers hungry heading to the dressing room.

15 minutes of the way through the third period, Vegreville’s Dylan McGee would pop one past K illam goalie Luke

DECEMBER 23, 2015

Grassl to tie things up again.

Sadly, with a minute and a half left, Killam’s hometown boy Clay Lang would grab his second goal of the night and break the tie to allow Killam the win. Rangers Head Coach Randy Rook said his team had plenty of chances, but solid goaltending from Grassl was a deciding factor in Killam’s favour.

“I thought it was a very fast paced game,” Rook admitted. “I believe we outplayed them, but their goalie was the difference in that game. We need to really start capitalizing on our chances. We are out chancing the opposition, just not getting the results we need. Those are really the types of games you can build on. We played hard but a couple of mental breakdowns against a team like killam and they are going to make you pay for it. The good thing is we have some time off to refresh and get healthy. Come the new year it’s time for this team to take the next step towards success and the playoffs.”

Vegreville’s next game takes place January 2 in Lloydminster. The team’s next home game is scheduled for January 16. Heading into the break the Rangers are currently sitting in sixth place with 24 points.

DECEMBER 23, 2015

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Deerland donation awarded to Food Bank

Food Bank cashes in on charitable work Vegreville and District Chamber of Commerce President Darcie Sabados presentedVegreville Food Bank President Olga Jamison a cheque for $5,000, the amount the Chamber gives each year to their charity partner when hosting their annual Christmas party. Jamison said the experience was a great one for the food bank,and that the organization was pleased with the assistance this year at such a critical time. (Michael Simpson/Photo)

Snapping into Christmas

This year, Vegreville Deerland chose to donate staff party funds to theVegreville Food Bank for a total of $362.Both the Athabasca and Fort Saskatchewan Deerland locations donated their funds to the StolleryChildren’sHospital,anamountof$872.DeerlandinVegreville chosetomatcheachofthesedonations,bringingtotalsto$724tothe Vegreville Food Bank and $1,744 to the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

Pictured are Vegreville store manager Dave Dinwoodie, Vegreville Food Bank President Olga Jamison and Deerland parts manager Victoria Desmond.(Michael Simpson/Photo)

Vegreville’s Snap Fitness donated $2 every time a member came to the gym between Dec 4 and 9th. There were 351 visits, allowing the local franchise to donate $702 to the Christmas Bureau.(Christy Hoffman-Webb/Submitted)

Peavey Mart is in spirit of giving Julie from Peavey Mart said that the generosity of their customers allowed the store to donate $1,481 to the Vegreville Food Bank this Christmas season. Accepting the cheque is Vegreville Food Bank President Olga Jamison. (Craig Horon/Photo)

The art of donating, visually Joanne Veldkamp representing the Vegreville Christmas Bureau accepts a donation from the Vegreville Visual Artists group represented by Pam Cole. Proceeds from table sales at the Christmas Art Sale were collected for donation earlier this month. (Photo Submitted)

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DECEMBER 23, 2015

W E D N E S D AY, d e c e m b e r 2 3 , 2 015

Dwayne Hlady, Star of Alberta Michael Simpson Editor Vegreville’s Dwayne Hlady is a Star of Alberta. The volunteer extraordinaire received his Stars of Alberta Award in early December at a ceremony with other winner. Hlady was given his award by Her Honour, the Honourable Lois Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and the Honourable David Eggen, Minister of Alberta Culture and Tourism.

The presentation took place at Government House in Edmonton on the afternoon of Dec. 4. An awestruck Hlady said he was grateful for the recognition, noting some helpful individuals that he felt should be honoured as well. These individuals were Tracey Laschowski, a MODEL Project Coordinator from Vegreville, Nick Chrapko, another volunteer extraordinaire, and Lisa Topilko, the Vegreville Volunteer Coordinator who

nominated him for the award.

Hlady has spent some time working closely with all of these and more from Vegreville’s volunteer community.

“People who know me, know me well that is, may find it hard to believe but I am truly at a loss for words to express how I feel. For those that believe that prac-

tice makes things smoother or easier - they told little white fibs! This is my third award this year and each time my name is brought forward it’s just as difficult to

come to grips with as was the first,” Hlady said. “In all seriousness, however, I cannot stand accept this award without sharing it with the people I volunteer with. Through the modern day concept of networking so much more can and is being accomplished through volunteerism. It is because of networking that I ended up involved with so many different groups and panels.”

Saving the best for last, Dwayne took time to thank his wife, Shirley, “for giving me the latitude so that I can do what I love doing.

Volunteering gives me a reason to be out of bed before 8 a.m., gives me places to go and things to do. Without a doubt sometimes I over extend myself but if I am to be honest I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Perhaps that’s why it always looks like Dwayne is having the most fun when he’s volunteering.

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December 23, 2015

Christmas under a starry sky musical, Under a Starry Sky, at Alliance Church on December 16, 18 and 20.

As the play unfolds, a distressed Melody is forced to come to terms with her own qualities of self-pity and greed, two ailments that plague many around Christmas Alliance Church Choir blended solo and group music performances with the musical drama which created an indescribable mov- time. During a biblicaling experience for the audience. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo) ly-i nduc ed v ision , Rosanne Fortier Melody is able to put Melody doesn’t know how to aside her foolish ways and deal with her tight emotions accept the true spirit of after her husband Travis told Christmas and the love of God, her he lost his job during the which comes in many forms.

Christmas season. This was Travis and Melody’s two one of the f irst scenes presented children- Josiah and Evie are at the awe-inspiring dramatic overjoyed to have their mother

return home. This feeling increased when they noticed that people gave them a lovely Christmas meal and many presents.

Alliance Church Choir blended solo and group music performances with this drama which created an indescribable moving experience for the audience.

Elegantly prepared Christmas refreshments, beverages and socializing was available for everyone afterwards.

The cast, crew and volunteer support team, including the kitchen staff, put in hundreds of hours to pull off this holiday treat.

Melody doesn’t know how to deal with her tight emotions after her husband Travis told her he lost his job during the Christmas season. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

December 23, 2015

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Mundare students decorate booze bags for sober driving

The students at Mundare’s elementary school were in on the project that spanned all of Vegreville. The kids up the highway also decorated bags of their own to be supplied to liquor stores, who will put customer’s purchases in them for a final, childdriven message about sober driving.

Pictured are: Front row L-R: Chandler B., Cassie S., Autumn Y., Kalyna P., Kristen J., Emerson J., Rian T. Back row L-R Mundare Mayor Charlie Gargus, Community Peace Officer Dustin Angle, Community Peace Officer Ken Podoborozny, Vice Principal Jon Alstad, Principal Liane Schultz.

(Photo Supplied)

Healthy holiday eating tips AHS Submitted During the holiday season, festive gatherings mean food, food and more food!

Trying to eat healthy meals and snacks during this time of year can be a challenge.

Here are some helpful tips to keep you on track.

At home: Since you will likely be busier than usual, have convenient healthy food available.

Buy washed, cut up vegetables and fruit for easier choices at meals and snacks.

Keep higher calorie food out of sight. This makes it less tempting to indulge.

If there are leftovers from a meal, send them home with guests in decorative holiday containers or package up for future meals.

If you bake for the holidays ahead of time, freeze until serving.

At parties and gatherings: Bring a healthier option –grilled shrimp, chicken satay, cut up raw vegetables or a fruit tray.

Socialize away from the food table.

Choose lower calorie drinks like virgin Caesars, sugar-free pop or sparkling water.

Use a smaller plate.

Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit.

Focus on the food when eating and eat slowly.

For more healthy eating tips and delicious recipes visit: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/ nutrition/ page12598.aspx

PAGE 4

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December 23, 2015

A jolly visit from St. Nicholas Christmas caring from A.L. Horton

These A.L Horton School grade six Energy Club students wrapped creativity into the verb of love when they used old Christmas cards and found appropriate sayings to paste onto place mats which will be given to Meals on Wheels participants. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo) St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children. According to the Julian calendar, St. Nicholas visits childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes on December 19. But he paid a much anticipated early visit to students in the entire school at A.L. Horton School on December 17 where the children sung Ukrainian songs to him. Then each child received an ornament of an angel for their tree and a candy cane. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

VTSS donation Jane Tenant was pleased to present a $500 cheque to Vegreville Transportation Services Society on behalf of the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary.

The amount was donated on November 26. Also pictured are VTSS board members Marie Eliuk and Helen Henderson.

(Photo submitted)

Christmas with Harmony Harmony treats residents at Heritage House to some traditional toe-shaking tunes and mellow Christmas songs on Dec. 15. Performers in photo are Phyllis Tarapacki, John Kusick, Iris Mudryk and Steve Mudryk. Missing from photo is band member-Peter Karbashewski. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

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December 23, 2015

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Christmas in Jamaica

Christmas in Nigeria

Christmas in Argentina

Christmas is a very special time in Jamaica and like a lot of other countries, radio stations play carols all through the Christmas period.

Christmas in Nigeria is a family event, a time when lots of family members come together to celebrate and have fun. Most families, that live in cities, travel to the villages where their grandparents and older relatives live.

In Argentina the weather is warm at Christmas. Preparations for Christmas begin very early in December and even in November. Many people in Argentina are Catholic and they also celebrate Advent.

Many different languages are spoken in Nigeria. In Hausa Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘barka dà Kirsìmatì’; in Yoruba it’s ‘E ku odun, e ku iye’dun’; in Fulani it’s ‘Jabbama be salla Kirismati’; in Igbo (Ibo) ‘E keresimesi Oma’; in Ibibio ‘Idara ukapade isua’ and it’s Edo it’s ‘Iselogbe’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

House are beautifully decorated with lights and wreaths of green, gold, red and white flowers. Red and white garlands are hung on the doors of houses. Christmas Trees are also very popular and they are often decorated by 8th December (the feast of the Immaculate Conception - when Catholics celebrate when Mary was conceived). Some people like to put cotton balls on the Christmas Tree to represent snow!

Any tree might be made into a Christmas Tree - not just the traditional fir tree!

Lots of people paint their houses and hang new curtains and decorations for Christmas. Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.

The Christmas day meal is usually prepared on Christmas Eve. The traditional Jamaican Christmas meal include fresh fruits, sorrel and rum punch and meat. The Christmas Day breakfast includes ackee and saltfish, breadfruit, fried plantains, boiled bananas, freshly squeezed fruit juice and tea. Dinner is usually served in the late afternoon and this may include chicken, curry goat, stewed oxtail, rice and peas.

Jamaican red wine and rum fruitcake is traditional and is eaten in most homes. The fruits in the cake are soaked in red wine and white rum for months before Christmas. (I have some friends who come from Jamaica and Jamaican Christmas Cake is really nice!)

Many families will throw Christmas parties that will last all night long on Christmas Eve! Then, on Christmas Morning, they go to church to give thanks to God. Homes and streets are often decorated. Most homes will have an artificial Christmas tree.

Children love to play with firecrackers at Christmas. The church choir may visit the church congregation in their homes to sing Christmas carols to them. Christmas cards are sent to friends and family members. Presents are exchanged amongst family members and some families may take their children dressed in new outfits to see Santa Claus.

In addition to serving turkey, a traditional Christmas meal in Nigeria may include beef, goat, sheep, ram or chicken. Other dishes might included pounded yam, jollof rice, fried rice, vegetable salad and some type of stew.

Christmas in Taiwan

The Nativity scene or ‘pesebre’ is also an important Christmas decoration in Argentina. The pesebre is put near to the Christmas tree.

Christmas Cards aren’t common in Argentina and although some people give and receive presents, it’s normally only between close family and friends.

The main Christmas celebrations take place on Christmas Eve. Many Catholics will go to a Mass in the late afternoon.

The main meal Christmas is eaten during the evening of Christmas Eve, often about 10pm or 11pm. It might be served in the garden or be a barbecue! Some popular dishes include roasted turkey, roasted pork (in northern Argentina, some people will have goat), stuffed tomatoes, salads and Christmas bread and puddings like ‘Pan Dulce’ and Panetone.

At midnight there will be the sound of lots of fireworks!

People also like to ‘toast’ the start of Christmas day. Some people like to go to midnight services, but other prefer to stay at home and let off fireworks and then open their presents under the tree.

Another Christmas Eve night tradition are ‘globos’, paper decorations with a light inside that float into the sky (like Chinese Lanterns). The sky is filled with them on Christmas Eve after midnight.

Some people stay awake all the night chatting and seeing friends and family and then spend most of Christmas Day sleeping.

In Argentina the main language spoken is Spanish (called castellano by Argentines), so Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Feliz Navidad’.

Christmas is celebrated more widely in Taiwan than in mainland China. Although not many people in Taiwan are Christians (about 5%), many stores will sell Christmas related items at Christmas time. It’s also not a national holiday in Taiwan.

Even so, most children know about Santa Claus and might even know a Christmas song or two! Parents of children at popular English schools expect a full Christmas festival, complete with gift exchanges, singing, and of course, a visit to the school from Santa! Many schools will perform a kind of Christmas a pageant or play with sugar plum fairies, reindeer, snowflakes, elves and other Christmas characters singing on stage for parents. People also like to wear santa hats around Christmas time! Many store owners will wear the hats as well.

Christmas cakes, a tradition more from Japan, is something that is slightly popular in Taiwan.

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December 23, 2015

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December 23, 2015

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Christmas in Malta Christmas is very important to the people of Malta and its sister Island of Gozo. Most people on Malta are Catholics and go to a Midnight Mass Service. Usually the churches are full with people.

people of all ages and so the very special Maltese traditional started. These processions are still popular today and form part of the Christmas Eve celebrations.

In Maltese Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Il-Milied it-Tajjeb’.

Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

In 1986 the ‘Friends of the Crib’ society was formed and now they have over 500 members. Every year, in the weeks running up to Christmas, the Friends put on a exhibition of about 100 cribs of all shapes and sizes.

The Churches are decorated with lights and nativity cribs, ‘Presepju’, built by the church go-ers. The cribs are decorated with figurines, called ‘pasturi’ (representing figures like the shepherds and angels). Today some of the cribs are mechanical and the in them figures move!

The figure of the baby Jesus is put on the main altar at midnight on Christmas night. At epiphany it is traditional to put the three figures of the Magi in the crib.

There is a group on Malta called ‘Friends of the Crib’ who help to keep the Maltese crib tradition alive.

Maltese houses are often also decorated with cribs with ‘pasturi’ (which are small plastic or clay figures representing figures like the shepherds and angels). Large figures of the baby Jesus are sometimes put behind windows or in balconies and lit at night. Houses are also decorated with Christmas wreaths, candles and all sorts of other decorations. Every household also has a Christmas Tree decorated with light bulbs, tinsel and Christmas decorations.

Cribs were first introduced into Malta from Italy by rich noblemen. They were not popular at first and most were burnt. The first true Maltese crib is believed to have been made in Malta in 1617 and was displayed in the Domenican Friars Church in Rabat. In St Peter’s Monastery in Mdina, there is a crib dating back to 1670. This is treasured and looked after by the Benedictine Nuns who live in the monastery. At about the same time, another Maltese man made a crib with moving parts powered by water! As cribs became more popular they also became more ‘Maltese’ with people replacing the Italian looking buildings and trades people with local ones. (Flour windmills were and are still popular buildings to feature in a crib scene.) The first imported Italian ‘pasturi’ were very expensive and most people couldn’t afford them. So people started making there own ‘pasturi’ from rough clay and plaster. Some of these figures still exist today. (Modern pasturi are now often made of plastic.)

It is traditional to sow wheat, grain and canary seed, ‘gulbiena’, on cotton buds in flat pans five weeks before Christmas. These are left in dark corners in the house until the seeds produce white grass-like shoots. The pans with the fully-grown shoots are then used to decorate the crib or the statue of Baby Jesus.

By the early to mid 20th century, cribs were thought of as old fashioned and not very popular anymore. To stop the decline of Christmas, in 1907, a priest called George Preca founded a children’s charity and society called ‘MUSEUM’. In 1921 he started a tradition of having a Christmas Eve procession with a life size figure of the Baby Jesus being carried at the head of the procession.

George Sapiano delivered the first known Christmas Eve sermon by an altar boy in 1883, in the parish church of Luqa. It has also become common for local churches to organise a mini-pageant with children dressed up as shepherds, Joseph and Mary carrying a baby doll (representing Jesus) acting out the story of the Nativity. This re-enactment starts at 11pm and is followed by High Mass at midnight.

At sunset on Christmas Eve in 1921, Fra Diegu Street in the town of Hamrun was crowded with children and adults ready to take part in the first procession. In those days, street lighting was very poor in Malta and so many people brought lanterns with them to help them see their way during the procession and to shed light on the statue of Baby Jesus carried shoulder-high by four boys.

The different types of lamps included, gas powered bicycle headlamps, oil lamps used on farmers carts, coloured paper lanterns, Venetian lights, palm fronds and olive branches. The idea became very popular with

One Maltese Christmas tradition is the ‘Priedka tat-Tifel’ which means ‘the preaching of the child’. A boy or a girl, normally aged 7 to 10, does the preaching of the sermon at the midnight mass instead of the priest! The children learn the sermon by heart and start learning it four or five weeks before they preach on Christmas Eve. The parents are also very excited and nervous about the performance, as they would have helped the children to learn the sermon. The boy or girl tells the story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and is encouraged to give their sermon a personal delivery which will touch the hearts of the church-goers.

A popular Maltese carol is ‘ninni la tibkix izjed’. It means ‘sleep and cry no more’ and was written by the Jesuit Priest, Fr. Andrew Schembri (1774-1862) from Luqa for Maltese migrants in Tunis. See some photos of Maltese Christmas Cribs by Salvatore Debono (goes to another site).

There is a village on Malta called ‘Siggiewi’ dedicated to St. Nicholas, who is also known as San Niklaw, of Bari in Italy and its feast is celebrated on the last Sunday of June.

Children on Malta get their presents from Santa Claus on Christmas night. Sometimes, Father Christmas comes knocking at doors early on Christmas night delivering presents!

Schools in Malta often hold a Christmas concert. Most of the children take part. It consists of Christmas Carols, plays with a Christmas theme, mimes and poetry recitals, etc. It is enjoyed by the children and teachers alike. Christmas parties are also often held in each class. Sometimes the children bring over food which their parents prepare at home and which is shared with every one in their class.

Gifts are exchanged and sometimes money is collected which is then given to charity.

A concert and Christmas party is held every year at the Residential Home for the Disabled in Siggiewi. The residents take part in Christmas plays and carol singing helped by the people who work who work in the Home including Nuns. The Home is decorated and the atmosphere is great.

The chapel is decorated with a beautiful crib with Baby Jesus. On Christmas Eve, a procession with the Baby Jesus is held and then Midnight Mass. Relatives of the residents also participate in the Christmas celebrations. Special food is prepared and the atmosphere is very happy!

Voluntary organisations also organise Carol Singing evenings in old people’s homes and hospitals, helping to cheer up the elderly and sick with the spirit of Christmas.

Under the patronage of the President of Malta, the Community Chest Fund sets up a tent in Freedom Square in the town of Valletta, where volunteers help to raise donations of cash. The donations are then distributed to charity organisations such as orphanages and other charities, which often rely on donations to continue their work in the community.

Maltese people have a wide range of food at Christmas.

Traditionally, the Maltese house-wife kept the fattest rooster, ‘hasi’, especially for Christmas Lunch, which was roasted at the local bakery in a casserole full of potatoes and vegetables. The traditional desert served at Christmas was the Treacle Ring, ‘Qaghqa tal-Ghasel’, and to finish it off, a hot Chestnut and Cocoa Soup, ‘Imbuljuta tal-Qastan’, which was and is served as a cosy night cap during the cold December days in Malta.

Today the traditional Maltese menu has made way for Christmas Turkey, Christmas Cakes, Christmas Puddings and Mince Pies, all inherited during 164 years of British rule (1800 - 1964) in Malta. Italian Panetone has also become a Christmas favourite.

Christmas in Haiti In Haiti, at the beginning of December, people start looking for Christmas Trees. They might cut pine branches or go to the market and get trees brought from the mountains. The trees are decorated with bright ornaments. At the bottom of the tree is a large nativity scene. Sometimes the trees and scenes take up a lot of the living room! Churches and other organisations also have trees on display. Artificial tress are also more common as they last longer! People also fix and redecorate their homes ready for Christmas.

French is the main language spoken in Haiti, so Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Joyeux Noël’. Some people speak Creole where it’s ‘Jwaye Nowe’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. On Christmas Eve, children place their newly cleaned shoes, filled with straw under the tree on the porch. They hope that Santa (called ‘Tonton Nwèl’) will remove the straw and put presents in and around the shoes!

Often, lots of houses in neighborhoods are open with all lights on until about 3.00am! Children are normally allowed to go out and often the parents don’t know were they are in the early morning - the older children are expected to look after the younger ones! And children of all ages are also allowed to drink ‘Anisette’, which is a slightly alcoholic drink that’s made by soaking ‘anise’ leaves (the spice where star anise comes from) in rum and sweetening it with sugar.

Some people go to a Midnight Mass church service, or you might go out carol singing. After the Mass, people come home and eat the main meal called ‘reveillon’ (it’s a French term meaning ‘to wake up’ and is what the main meal is also called in France). The meal normally starts in the early hours of christmas morning and lasts until the dawn! Christmas Day is much quieter with people sleeping off the celebrations of the night before! However, there will be more eating and playing with the toys from Tonton Nwèl.

Christmas in India Compared to other religious festivals, Christmas is quite a small festival in India, due to the number of people who are Christians (about 2.3%) compared to people who belong to other religions. Having said this, the population of India is over 1 Billion, so there are over 25 million Christians in India!

One of the largest Indian Christian Communities in a city is in Mumbai. A lot of the Christians in Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) are Roman Catholics. In India’s smallest state, Goa which is on the west of India, about 26% of people are Christians. Many of the Christians in Mumbai came from or have roots in Goa. The states of Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram (all on the very east of India) have high populations of Christians as well.

Midnight mass is a very important service for Christians in India, especially Catholics. The whole family will walk to the mass and this will be followed by a massive feast of different delicacies, (mostly curries) and the giving and receiving of presents. Churches in India are decorated with Poinsettia flowers and candles for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass service.

Instead of having traditional Christmas Trees, a banana or mango tree is decorated (or whatever tree people can find to decorate!). Sometimes people use mango leaves to decorate their homes.

In Southern India, Christians often put small oil burning clay lamps on the flat roofs of their homes to show their neighbors that Jesus is the light of the world.

Christians in Goa love to celebrate Christmas! Goa has lots of ‘western’ customs as part of their Christmas as Goa has historical connections with Portugal. Most Christians in Goa are Catholics. People like to go carol singing around their neighbors for about a week before Christmas.

Christmas Trees are also very popular as is a ‘traditional’ rich fruit Christmas Cake! Lots of local sweets are also eaten at Christmas in Goa. Favourite sweets include neureos (small pastries which are stuffed with dry fruit and coconut

and fried) and dodol (like toffee that has coconut and cashew in it). These are other sweets are often part of ‘consuada’ when people make sweets before Christmas and give them to their friends and neighbors. Most Christian families also have a nativity scene with clay figures in it. On Christmas Eve Christians in Goa hang out giant paper lanterns, in the shape of stars, between the houses so that the stars float above you as you walk down the road. The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve and is also ‘western’ with roast turkey or chicken being popular. After the meal, Christians head to Church for a Midnight mass service. After the service the church bells ring to announce that Christmas Day has arrived. Many Christians in Goa also celebrate Epiphany and remember the Wise Men visiting Jesus.

Christians in Mumbai use many Christmas traditions from Goa including the star lanterns and manger scenes (people like to make sure they have the best the nativity scene!).

In north-west India, the tribal Christians of the Bhil folk, go out night after night for a week at Christmas to sing their own carols the whole night through. They go to surrounding villages singing to people and telling the Christmas story.

In South West India, in the state of Kerala Were, 22% of the state’s 33 Million population are Christians and Christmas is important festival. Traditional Catholics fast don’t eat from 1st to 24th of December - until the midnight service. Every house will be decorated with a Christmas star. During the start of the Christmas season, almost all the stationary shops will be filled with new and variety Christmas stars.

People make cribs in their homes and Churches.

In India, Father Christmas or Santa Claus delivers presents to children from a horse and cart. He’s known as ‘Christmas Baba’ in Hindi, ‘Baba Christmas’ in Urdu (both of those mean Father Christmas); ‘Christmas Thaathaa’ in Tamil and ‘Christmas Thatha’ in Telugu (both of those mean Christmas old man); and ‘Natal Bua’ (Christmas Elder Man) in Marathi.

In Kerla Were state, he’s known as ‘Christmas Papa’.

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December 23, 2015

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in Zimbabwe

Christmas in the Czech Republic

People in the Philippines like to celebrate Christmas for as long as possible! The playing of Christmas carols in shops can start in September! The formal Christmas celebrations start on 16th December when many people go the the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses. The last mass is on Christmas day. The Christmas celebrations continue to the First Sunday in January when Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated.

For most people in Zimbabwe, Christmas day starts with a Church service. After the Church service, everyone has a party in their homes and people go from house to house, visiting all of their family and friends on the way home! Sometimes, this can take all of the rest of the day! At every house you have something to eat, exchange presents and enjoy the party.

During the evening of the 5th December, children are very excited and watch for St. Nicholas (Svatý Mikuláš) to arrive.

He normally is accompanied by one or more angels and one or more devils. He asks the children if they’ve been good all year and also asks them to sing a song or recite a poem, and gives them a basket of presents, often containing chocolate and fruit. If you’ve been naughty, the devil might give you a lump of coal. Like in the The Netherlands and some other European countries, St Nicholas’ Day is a very separate holiday than Christmas.

In the Philippines the early masses held before Christmas are called the ‘Misa de Gallo’ or ‘Simbang Gabi’ in Filipino. Most Filipinos are Christians with about 80% of people being Catholics.

It’s the only Asian country with so many Christians. Because of this, Christmas is the most important holiday in the Philippines.

December is actually one of the ‘cooler’ months of the year in the Philippines. The Philippines only has two real seasons, wet (June to October) and dry (April and May). December is one of the months in between the wet and dry seasons. Christmas customs in the Philippines are a mixture of western (USA and UK) and native Filipino traditions. So people in the Philippines have Santa Claus (or ‘Santa Klaus’), Christmas trees, Christmas cards and Christmas carols from western countries!

They also have their own Christmas traditions such as the ‘parol’ which is a bamboo pole or frame with a lighted star lantern on it. It’s traditionally made from bamboo strips and colored Japanese paper or cellophane paper and represents the star that guided the Wise Men. It is the most popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines. Christmas Eve is very important in the Philippines. Many people stay awake all night into Christmas day! During Christmas Eve evening, Christians go to church to hear the last ‘simbang gabi’ or the Christmas Eve mass. This is followed by a midnight feast, called Noche Buena.

The Noche Buena is a big, open house, celebration with family, friends and neighbors dropping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Most households would have several dishes laid out and would normally include: lechon (roasted pig), ham, fruit salad, rice cakes (bibingka and puto bumbong are traditional Christmas foods) and other sweets, steamed rice, and many different types of drinks. The Philippines has eight major languages, here’s how to say Merry Christmas in some of them! In Tagalog, Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Maligayang Pasko’; in Ilonggo it’s ‘Malipayon nga Pascua’; in Sugbuhanon or Cebuano it’s ‘Maayong Pasko’; in Bicolano they say ‘Maugmang Pasko’ and in Pangalatok or Pangasinense they say ‘Maabig ya pasko’ or ‘Magayagan inkianac’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

A lot of people get their biggest stereo speakers out and put them out side the front of the house and play their favourite music very loudly! It is not only Christmas music that is played, but also the latest pop tunes and old African favourites.

Everyone wears their best clothes for Christmas, as for some families the only new clothes they get every year are for Christmas. The parties are a good place to show off their new clothes.

Children in Zimbabwe believe that Santa Claus brings them there presents early on Christmas Day, ready to show their friends at Church and at the parties.

Only the main room in the house is often decorated in Zimbabwe. Some Zimbabweans have a traditional ‘European’ Christmas Tree, but they decorate the room with plants like Ivy. This is draped around the whole of the top of room.

Christmas Carols are sung during the Christmas Day morning service and in services leading up to Christmas. There are also sometimes Carols by Candlelight Services in city parks.

The Christmas Cards that are used in Zimbabwe sometimes have African pictures on them, such as wild animals, but most are imported so they have the traditional ‘snow scenes’ and pictures of the Christmas story on them.

In the Czech language Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

The main Christmas celebrations are on Christmas Eve. Some people fast during Christmas Eve in the hope that they will see a vision of ‘the golden pig’ appear on the wall before dinner! This is meant to be a sign of good luck!

The Czech traditional Christmas dinner is eaten during the evening of Christmas Eve. The meal often consists of fish soup (made of carp), and fried carp with potato salad.

Ježíšek ‘Little Jesus’ (the Czech version of Christkindl) brings presents during the Christmas Eve dinner and leaves them under the Christmas Tree. Czech children have their dinner in a different from where the tree is located. When they hear the bell ring (usually after the children have finished eating their main meal but when they are still at the table), that means that Ježíšek had been and has left their presents under the tree. The presents are normally opened right after dinner.

The special food eaten at Christmas in Zimbabwe is Chicken with rice. Chicken is a very expensive food in Zimbabwe and is a special treat for Christmas. This is often eaten at the Christmas Day parties.

Religious families also usually sing Christmas carols by the tree, and go to church either at midnight or on Christmas Day.

Santa might sometimes arrive at big stores in a Fire Engine.

The streets in the big cities also can have colorful Christmas lights.

There’s a superstition in the Czech Republic that says if you throw a shoe over your shoulder on Christmas day, if the toe points towards the door, you will be married soon!

December 23, 2015

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December 23, 2015

Heritage House’s kind A Christmas feast that souls keep others warm would satisfy Santa!

Liz Koziskie, from the Vegreville Christmas Bureau stands in the back with residents from Heritage House who knitted mittens, scarves, socks and toques which will be donated to Vegreville Christmas Bureau. Also in photo, residents from Heritage House in no particular order-Betty Brimacombe, Anne Zabrick, Helen Zubreski, Wilma Golinowski, Bessie Onyschuk, Verconica Litun, Alice Macahonic, Helen Stachow, Margie Andriuk, Olga Lakusta. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Rosanne Fortier Heritage House’s residents know how to put their time to good use. For the Christmas Bureau, they knitted with tender hands some exquisite and lovely mittens, scarves, socks and toques and placed them on their Christmas tree. “We’re very grateful with the generosity that residents at Heritage House have shown the less fortunate. Every item of clothing will be distributed locally to citizens in need.

More people have applied to receive stuff from the Christmas Bureau this year,” Liz Koziskie, a representative from the Vegreville Christmas Bureau said.

Heritage House’s residents and their families enjoyed themselves at the Christmas party on December 12 an event complete with a delicious dinner buffet. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Rosanne Fortier It was a time where citizens bit into moments that created memories. Heritage House’s residents their families enjoyed themselves at the Family Christmas Party on December 12. Original finger foods which included spanakopita (Bistro), orange ginger chicken wings were prepared by the kitchen staff. The party was fleshed out with assistance from Kathy Sawchuk, recreation aide for organizing games, and securing entertainment by George and Velma Sample. Sawchuk commented that this party had greater attendance than any other Christmas party they had.

This event also included a free draw for a large door prize. Heritage House offered this party for free for each resident and two guests.

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