Smoky Lake RCMP were on scene of a collision involving an oil tanker.
On August 31 at approximately 10:00 am Smoky Lake RCMP attended the scene of single motor vehicle collision
Oil Tanker Fire Near Smoky Lake
involving an oil tanker on Highway 855 near Township Road 580. Despite the semi-truck and tanker involved catching fire, no injuries were reported. Fire crews were on scene to contain the fire and traffic in both directions was redirected.
Vermilion RCMP Issue Shelter in Place - Arrest Follows
Alberta RCMP Media Relations
Submitted
On Aug. 23, 2025, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Vermilion RCMP responded to a report of a male with a gunshot wound.
Officers attended the scene and it was determined that the suspect had fled the scene on foot and he was in possession of a firearm.
RCMP initiated a shelter in place for the immediate area. At 21:15, the suspect was located at a local residence and was arrested.
Bradley Friesen (49), a resident of Vermilion, has been charged with the following:
- Aggravated assault
- Discharge firearm with intent
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Pointing a firearm
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Friesen was remanded into custody to appear in Albert Court of Justice in Vegreville on Sept. 8, 2025.
The victim received non life threatening injuries and is recovering. RCMP would
a huge thank-you to all responding emergency personnel and members of
community who assisted in this incident.
At 12:44 pm it was reported that the area had been cleared and while clean up was continuing, traffic was restored to one lane of alternating traffic. By 5:06 pm, all crews were clear from the collision on Highway 855 and normal traffic flow had resumed.
Lamont County
It’s Parents Who Drive a Child’s Academic Success
Michael Zwaagstra Troy Media Contributor
It’s parents who drive a child’s academic success Teachers guide, but it’s parents who set the tone for how their children learn and grow.
With a new school year just around the corner, it’s up to parents to lay the foundation for their children’s success by choosing the right school and staying engaged with teachers.
Obviously, everyone wants their kids to have a smooth transition back to school. For those who are attending a school for the first time, it’s even more important to do some key things.
The first is to ensure that you choose the school that works best for your children. Most parents send their kids to the neighbourhood public school, and this is often a good choice. Other parents choose to enrol their children in an independent school, while some parents prefer to homeschool their children, either on their own or in cooperation with other homeschooling families.
Parents can ensure a smooth school year by choosing the right school, meeting teachers early, and supporting your child’s learning journey
Remember that when it comes to educating your children, you have more than one option available. There’s nothing wrong with switching your children from public school to an independent school or vice versa. If your current school isn’t working out for your children, never be afraid to explore other options.
Once you’ve decided where your children will attend, take advantage of every possible line of communication.
School administrators are usually in the building at least a week before school starts. Feel free to call the school and ask to meet with the principal or vice-principal. Most administrators will welcome the opportunity to meet with you. It is a definite advantage for school administrators to know you and to recognize that you want to help teachers do their best job.
If you haven’t already done so, make sure you visit the school’s website if it has one. This is a great way to learn the names of the teachers, review various school policies, find out about programs of study, and check out upcoming school events. The more information you have about your child’s school, the better equipped you will be to handle sensitive issues that may arise during the year.
It’s also important to meet with your child’s teachers as soon as possible. Many schools host open houses at the beginning of the school year, providing a great opportunity to meet the teacher and visit your child’s classroom. If you can’t make it to the open house, email the teacher and ask whether you can stop by briefly either before or after school. Most teachers are happy to accommodate your schedule.
Tell the teacher that you are looking forward to having your child in their classroom. Also tell the teacher that you have told your child that your family supports them, and you want the teacher to know that.
One thing to watch out for is when teachers try to push their personal political views on their students. The good news is that most teachers will never do this and will simply want to ensure that the students receive the best education they can provide. Feel free to let the teacher know how important it is for the school personnel to respect your family’s values. This is an excellent message for teachers to hear.
August 12 & 26 Meetings
Council has directed that Administration publish a summary of decisions from the past two Council meetings each month. Meeting highlights are also summarized on the Lamont County website, and social media after each Council meeting. Once approved at the next Council meeting, all directions, approvals, and items discussed are reflected in the approved minutes posted at lamontcounty.ca.
The following are updates from the past two Council Meetings, including important initiatives and activities that were discussed, debated, reviewed, and what Council has directed Administration to complete and implement.
This is an unofficial summary of the August 12 Regular Council meeting (minutes were approved Aug. 26). Highlights from this meeting include: Hwy 855/16 Advocacy
• Council directed Administration to prepare a letter signed by the Deputy Reeve to the Government of Alberta around safety options and next steps for the intersections of HWY855 and HWY16.
Sponsorship Requests
Council received two delegations, one from Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) Air Ambulance, also presenting STARS with its annual per capita support cheque, an update on STARS operations within Lamont County and a presentation for 33 years' commitment to the service. The second delegation was from the Rural Health Professionals Action Plan, which focuses on attraction, retention and integration of medical professionals (including doctors) within rural Alberta.
• Council approved sponsorship for the Andrew Ag. Society Garlic Festival. Council Business
- Council repealed its Code of Conduct Bylaw (843.23) to align with the Municipal Government Act regulations.
- Council approved its Access to Information Bylaw to replace FOIP based on the new Alberta Government privacy legislation.
- Council approved its Fees and Charges Bylaw to incorporate non-payment reconnection fees for key holders of the St. Michael Non-Potable Water Station.
- Council reviewed its Dust Control Policy for any gaps or priority locations and added additional locations to the list of properties eligible for dust control. Council also reviewed its Gravel Program for additional miles to be addressed as priority this year.
- Council approved two bridge culvert replacement tenders (these are heavily supported through grant funding).
- Council approved its Sustainable Revenue Financial Policy to guide how new revenue is allocated in the future (supporting the business plan in the area of Stabilize; Focused Growth and Reinvestment, and Council's six strategic goals.
- Council decided to pause advertising for the SelfGuided Church Tour.
This is an unofficial summary of the August 26 Council meeting (minutes are approved next Council meeting). Highlights from this meeting include:
Grants, Scholarships and Sponsorships
• Council awarded two Centennial Scholarships for 2025. Congratulations Gabrielle Wendorff and Christian Nimchuk.
• Council approved a $25,000 grant for Lamont Curling Club's ice plant replacement, funded from its Community Services grant program.
• Council approved 22 Community Halls and Transportation Grants funding for 2025 and a $2,000 sponsorship for the Lamont Public Library.
Public Engagement Survey Results
• Council received a presentation of its annual public engagement survey on service levels and budget input. Third party provider, Y Station, conducted this survey and results reporting to ensure transparency.
Declaration of Rail Safety Week
• Council declared September 15-21 as Rail Safety Week in Lamont County, and promoted “Operation Clear Track” activities to the three RCMP Detachments serving Lamont County.
Council Business
- Council requested a meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs at the Rural Municipalities of Alberta annual conference to discuss municipal sustainability matters, bridge funding, and Land and Property Rights Tribunal matters.
- Council discussed graveling options on TWP574 near RR171 and directed Administration to bring a plan back to a future Council Meeting.
- Council directed Administration to add 30m to the west end of dust control for TWP562 between RR195 and RR200.
- In Committee of the Whole, was briefed regarding candidate nomination requirements for the 2025 Municipal Election.
will
Be careful not to overreact if you discover that a teacher’s personal or political beliefs differ from your own. Just because a teacher expresses certain views on social media or volunteers with a political party during election campaigns doesn’t necessarily mean they are pushing these views on students during class. Most teachers are aware of how important it is to stay impartial when teaching.
If you do run into problems with a teacher, don’t escalate things unnecessarily. Posting your complaints about a teacher on social media might get you a reaction, but it’s unlikely to help you resolve the underlying issue. Your child’s teacher deserves to be treated with respect. So, go straight to the teacher and express your concerns directly in a confidential discussion. Most of the time you should be able to work out a solution without much fuss.
If speaking with the teacher doesn’t resolve the issue, make an appointment with the school principal or viceprincipal and express your concerns in a confidential meeting. If you are still unsatisfied, work your way up to the superintendent. Beyond that, you can contact your local trustees or possibly even your provincial MLA. The key thing is to exhaust all lower levels of communication before moving on to higher levels.
Sending your children to school should be a positive experience. By doing research first, communicating regularly with your children’s teacher and following the proper channels when you want your concerns addressed, you will go a long way to give your children the best chance for a successful school year.
Michael Zwaagstra is a senior fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
The views, opinions, and positions expressed by our columnists and contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of our publication.
Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is September 22, 2025, and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following offices will be received at the location of the local jurisdiction office set out below within the period beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending at 12:00 noon on Nomination Day
Seeing is NOT Believing
Arthur Beaudette News Advertiser – Opinion
It was only a matter of time. Now that time has come. As of last week, you can no longer believe what you see. It wasn’t that long ago I wrote about and gave some fun examples of AI image generation. At the time, there were some companies doing some cutting edge work, and even a few that would make convincing videos if you weren’t worried about the odd hand with 6 fingers or other shortcomings.
Most recently I commented on a few videos of Canadian PM “Mark Carney” shilling some crypto scheme. Obviously, that was not actually him and future videos now include “Wayne Gretzky” promoting the same get rich quick program. There are also countless videos out which are entirely AI generated, usually depicting some science fiction theme or ones of questionable taste.
The new image generation features of Google are now bringing more cutting-edge features to the masses. In various examples, I have seen cute animations, a realistic video of a cooking demonstration with only 4 fingers and a thumb on each hand
and a clean product video as the camera panned around it. The most impressive was a clip from a movie where the face of one actor was replaced with that of a political figure.
Of course, some of the features fall under the “freemium” model where they get you started and then ask for money once you really get rolling. In one of my attempts, part way through a still image creation, I mixed Captain America with Sydney Crosby in an attempt at a Captain Canada. Things were going well until the system just stopped responding and began throwing errors. Timing wasn’t right for an upgrade, so I persisted. Things turned out not bad.
On the video side I provided a brief description of a panning view of a specific car ending with an open hood and a specific motor with lots of chrome and aluminum. Clearly this would have been aided by some photos to reference because while not horrible, the features of the back of the car didn’t really match and the engine while close, had hoses in places that just didn’t work. All in all, not bad for under 30 seconds of work.
There has been lots of talk about AI and robots taking over jobs. It was once said, it is not if, it is when. Well… when is NOW. Amazon has deployed over one million robots in its warehouses as of this year which has lead to fewer employees and an increase in the number of packages shipped per employee. Over the past 15 years, there has never been a lower number of employees. For online images and videos, one no longer needs a professional. A few decent photographs and an AI generator and you can have entire product samples at your fingertips including multiple AI generated “models” to present your product.
AI still lacks in print production. There are certain things that Seeing is NOT believing - CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Canada Risks Billions Without Real Regulatory Reform
Krystle Wittevrongel Troy Media
Fast-tracking a few projects hand-picked by Ottawa won’t save Canada’s economy Canada’s regulatory system is broken, and Bill C-5 won’t fix it.
Passed in June, Bill C-5 (the Building Canada Act) is Ottawa’s latest attempt to speed up approvals for major resource and infrastructure projects. It allows the government to fast-track projects it deems in the national interest. But the fast lane is open only by government exception. For everyone else, the approval process remains as broken as ever.
We have been down this road before. The Impact Assessment Act, passed in 2019, was billed as a way to simplify the process. Yet in its first five years, only one project—Cedar LNG—was approved. At the federal level, approvals ground to a halt.
Today, 20 projects are stuck in the federal impact assessment system. Twelve are in the second phase, five remain in preliminary planning, and three are moving through a separate process that accepts provincial assessments. Of the 17 in the main federal stream, not one has reached the final stages.
The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2015, Natural Resources Canada’s major projects inventory was valued at $711 billion. By 2023, it had fallen to $572 billion. Adjusted for inflation, that should have been $886 billion. The $314-billion shortfall represents thousands of well-paying jobs, billions in tax revenue, and fewer funds for the health care, education and infrastructure Canadians depend on.
And it isn’t just energy projects. Mining proposals that could supply critical minerals for electric vehicles and renewable technologies have stalled. Infrastructure needed to strengthen supply chains sits in limbo. Manufacturing and industrial investments, which support middle-class jobs across the country, face the same uncertainty.
Meanwhile, other nations are moving ahead. Global upstream oil and gas investment climbed nine per cent in 2023 and is
set to rise another seven per cent this year. Countries like Japan, South Korea and Germany, eager to reduce dependence on Russian energy, have sought long-term supply deals with Canada. Instead of seizing the opportunity, Canada has not acted, leaving competitors to fill the gap.
When international partners bypass Canada, the impact is immediate jobs, investment and revenue flow elsewhere. Our global reputation as a reliable economic partner is in tatters, and opportunities that could have strengthened our economy vanish.
Bill C-5 acknowledges there’s a problem. But by offering a shortcut only for projects Ottawa hand-picks, it treats the symptoms rather than the disease. If the government truly wants to restore Canada’s economic dynamism, it must reform the approval system itself, so that speed and certainty are the rule, not the exception.
The first step is setting firm deadlines. Under Bill C-5, assessments for national interest projects must be completed within two years. That standard should apply across the board, with an 18-month goal. Endless delays and political pauses must end; investors cannot wait years for a “maybe.”
Equally important is respecting constitutional boundaries. Federal reviews should focus only on federal responsibilities such as navigable waters and fisheries. Duplication with provincial processes adds cost and uncertainty. Where a province has already conducted a credible review, Ottawa should accept it without
delay.
The scope of assessments must also remain focused. Reviews should address measurable environmental impacts, not expand into subjective factors that complicate and prolong the process. For example, attempting to measure how a project intersects with sex and gender may be wellintentioned, but it is so subjective that it adds uncertainty and delay. Canadians want meaningful environmental protections, not lengthy studies that often have little bearing on whether a project is viable.
Some will say Bill C-5 is a start. But if Canada wants to compete globally, modest measures will not be enough. Other countries are moving quickly to attract capital. Without sweeping reform, Canada will continue to bleed opportunities and watch prosperity slip away.
Canadians deserve a system that is stable, transparent and efficient. They deserve the jobs and revenues that come with responsible development. And they deserve a government that makes prosperity the norm, not an exception reserved for the projects it chooses to favour.
The Building Canada Act is a tacit admission that Ottawa knows the system is broken. But without real reform, it risks becoming just another missed opportunity. Canada cannot afford to let another $314 billion slip through its fingers.
90 Years Ago – September 4, 1935
The frost in the Hairy Hill area has evidently done more damage than was at first apparent. A number of wheat fields and some barley have been plowed under.
The farmers are busy harvesting the badly frozen grain in the Mundare district and “quietness” will likely prevail in town till threshing time.
Steve Yaniw has taken the contract to haul sand for the new dairy barn which will be constructed in Mundare. Harry White will be the proprietor.
Sergeant A. Ford of the R.C.M.P. has been transferred from Banff to Vegreville to take the place of Sergt. McPherson retired on pension. Sergeant Ford and his family will be moving to Vegreville shortly and will take up their residence in the home formerly occupied by J.C. Davidson. The new officer has served all of his sixteen years on the force in mountain detachments and finds a striking contrast in the surrounding scenery.
To E. Borgens goes the honor of hauling what is believed to be the first load of 1935 wheat in the Vegreville district. The load was received by Herb Davis in the Midland Pacific elevator at Fitzallen.
75 Years Ago – September 3, 1950
Second Avenue Vegreville forms a part of Highway No. 16 (the Jasper Highway) and has been undergoing some drastic treatment these days at the hands of construction crews. From Main Street to First Street East, the whole top has been lifted off to a depth of two to three feet in something of an effort to find a sound foundation. This is some job as the crews discovered parts of the original bog on which the town has been built.
Ice cream must be losing its popularity. The Bureau of Statistics reported production of the frozen sweet in the first seven months of the year fell more than 1,000,000 pounds.
Work is underway at Kieryluk’s store, re-arranging and reshelving the interior and adding a new section at the rear. When the Capital Theatre was rebuilt, quite a lot of space was taken out of the former store premises necessitating extension changes in the interior.
Wheels of postwar recovery are spinning in Japan, that country has produced a record of more than 2,000,000 bicycles in a year. A cubic mile of seawater contains $20 million worth of gold. The cost of extracting it would be five times that amount.
50 Years Ago – September 4, 1975
The winner of the Championship Flight at the Vegreville Golf Tournament was Frank Nidor of Edmonton who received his trophy from club president George Kolodychuk. The first Flight winner was Gerry Fisher of St. Albert. The second flight winner was Bob Stewart of Drumheller. The third flight winner was George Kolodychuk. The fourth flight winner was Bob McFarlane from Wainwright. The fifth flight winner was Marshall Kuzyk of Vegreviile. It was back to school as usual on Tuesday morning for the students of the County of Minburn as their hopes for an extended vacation were dashed, at least temporarily, over the weekend. A bargaining session that lasted about 11 hours resulted in the teachers and trustees of seven school districts, who form the Elk Island School Authorities Association, signing a memorandum of agreement. After the computerized equipment is in service on September 6th, Paul Hofer of AGT will be able to “install” a telephone by typing instructions into the program. AGT began burying cable in the summer of 1974 for DDD service to all communities. Approximately 435 miles of buried cable were placed.
25 Years Ago – September 5, 2000
Wet and cold weather on the weekend forced cancellation of the Fall Men’s Open golf tournament after just nine holes. This is the first time in 25 years the annual tournament has been called because of weather, according to golf pro Tracy Johnston. There were 55 golfers participating this year with Lindsay Edwards winning the tournament with a 37 after nine holes.
Vegreville’s Medical Centre welcomed a new physician, Dr. Gerhard Verster from South Africa to its practice, effective August 30.
Vegreville’s RCMP contingent is up by two members with the arrivals of Corporal Jim Gamlin and Corporal Dwayne Friesen. Oilfield Consultant Harvey Berg from Innisfree guided 4-H members on a tour of a drilling rig during the Interprovincial Exchange between Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Vegreville RCMP reported two overnight break-ins at Everything for a Dollar Store and Alta Wide Builders Supplies. Over the course of the night, thieves gained access to both businesses by forcing the doors, said RCMP Corporal Jim Gamlin. “Both places had damage to their doors, but not a lot of damage occurred inside. It appears the thief or thieves were going for specific items. Cash was taken at the Dollar Store and power tools were taken at Alta Wide,” said Gamlin.
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. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to withhold letters from publication.
Canadians Can’t Afford Another Ottawa Budget Failure
Samantha Dagres Troy Media Contributor
A $92 billion budget deficit looms. Canadians need more than promises this time
As Ottawa prepares its fall budget, Canadians should demand a clean break from the status quo. After a decade of unrestrained deficit spending, we are fiscally adrift: burdened by costly new programs and a bloated bureaucracy, and with little to show for it.
That’s why the Carney government must do more than tinker and finally deliver the kind of budget Canadians haven’t seen in years.
The previous Liberal government left office with a national debt nearing $1.4 trillion , having failed to balance the budget in its nine years in power. A growing share of tax dollars is now going just to service that debt.
While the government has pledged to reduce program spending by 15 per cent in the 2028-29 fiscal year through shrinking departments and cutting waste (after smaller reductions the previous two years), it is still on track to post a sizeable deficit of $92 billion for 2025-26, according to projections published by the C.D. Howe Institute. That should be a warning sign. Ottawa cannot rely on vague promises of restraint years down the road—it needs to act now.
Here is what the Carney government must do to get its finances in order:
1. It needs to roll back costly programs and reduce the size of government.
Under Justin Trudeau, the federal bureaucracy grew by nearly 100,000 people, a 38 per cent increase. Yet despite a considerable hike in personnel costs, Canadians would be hard-pressed to point to noticeable improvements in service delivery.
Real reform would look like the Chrétien model from the 1990s. Faced with persistent deficits, the Chrétien government acted decisively, cutting over 42,000 public sector jobs. A comparable 17.4 per cent reduction today could eliminate 64,000 jobs and save almost $10 billion
annually.
The review should also cover new programs that depend on deficit spending and often overlap with provincial responsibilities.
For example, the federal dental plan is projected to cost taxpayers $13 billion over five years, while the proposed pharmacare plan will cost $13.4 billion per year by 202728. Rolling back such initiatives could yield substantial savings.
2. The government must remove excessive regulation that is strangling Canadian business.
Between 2006 and 2021, federal regulations increased by 37 per cent, reaching 320,000 in total. Statistics Canada estimates that this reduced real GDP growth by 1.7 percentage points, employment growth by 1.3 percentage points, and labour productivity growth by 0.4 percentage points over the same time period. Those numbers may seem abstract, but the effect is concrete: less growth, fewer jobs, lower productivity.
Canadian businesses spend about 768 million hours a year on compliance— the equivalent of 394,000 full-time jobs. In 2024 alone, red tape cost businesses nearly $51.5 billion —a hidden tax on productivity.
Is anyone surprised that entrepreneurship in Canada is on the decline? In the year 2000, three out of every 1,000 Canadians had started a business. By 2022, that rate had fallen to just 1.3 per 1,000, representing a nearly 57 per cent drop.
Had Ottawa maintained 2006 regulation levels, Canada would have seen a 10 per cent higher rate of new businesses entering the market in 2021.
3 The Carney government must scrap harmful policies that undermine our energy sector.
Regulations aimed squarely at Canada’s oil and gas sector are setting the country up for a rude awakening. Take Ottawa’s oil and gas emissions cap, set to take effect next year. It aims to reduce emissions from this
from the pages of the vegreville observer
Compiled by dan beaudette
Streetscapes Winners
Bev McCarty on behalf of Streetscapes Committee
Streetscapes was a committee formed from both the Vegreville Garden Club and the Vegreville Agricultural Society. The original idea was to highlight well maintained front entrances in Vegreville. The Streetscapes committee would like to thank all homeowners and businesses who were nominated. We had nine nominations for Best Front Yard, two for Best Balcony, and five for Best Business. Judging was very close, and all the entrants should be very proud of their yards.
We would also like to say that the town of Vegreville also does a wonderful job of maintaining their flowers.
Best Balcony – Sheila Heinrich (Streetscapes Committee/Submitted Photo)
Best Front Yard – Shawna Semeniuk (Streetscapes Committee/Submitted Photo)
Best Business – Cohoe Law (Streetscapes Committee/Submitted Photo)
Community Choice Award – Trish Proznick (Streetscapes Committee/ Submitted Photo)
A.L. Horton School’s New Playground Opens
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
Playgrounds are a fun and welcoming space for children where they grow in all areas of development.
This statement echoed throughout the Unveiling and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the new playground at A.L. Horton School on August 28,
At first sight, it was evident that the well-designed structure and play equipment would stimulate learning and help creativity in students. The main colours are blue and yellow, which are the national colours of Ukraine and are fitting as these colours represent the strong Ukrainian culture in our community.
Friends of A.L. Horton Elementary School Society raised funds for approximately five years for this project.
President Erin Robert expressed that this space will be the foundation of friendship, adventures, and friendly competitions that our children will thrive and learn from. It will be the object that will help our children grow into well-rounded people for years to come.
Robert went on to say she was pleased to be part of the amazing group that worked so incredibly hard, which included fundraisers, generous donations, support, community improvement grants, and hours of volunteering. “In the past four years, we were able to raise over $250,000 to be able to complete this one-of-a-kind playground.”
Assistant Principal Amy Rice emceed the ceremony.
Trustee Randy Footz said he was honoured to represent EIPS to celebrate the opening of this beautiful new playground. It symbolizes the spirit of cooperation and the knowledge that imaginative play is important to the well-being of children.
Playgrounds provide the opportunity for physical activity, and promote lifelong health. But the benefits go far beyond fitness; playgrounds teach children resilience, to share, to take turns, and they provide ways to resolve conflicts. “Playgrounds instill confidence, encourage creativity, and foster healthy atti-
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS
ESTATE OF
Terry Norman Zinchuk, who died on April 2, 2025
If you have a claim against this estate you must file your claim by October 14, 2025 with:
Kuzyk Law Office Barrister and Solicitor Postal Drawer 929 5038-50 Avenue
Vegreville, Alberta T9C 1S1
If you do not file by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.
tudes. They are essential to the physical, social, and emotional development of every child.”
Principal Murray Howell mentioned that the space represents more than just swings, slides, and climbing structures-it represents community, teamwork, and care for their students.
“Students, may this be a place filled with laughter, friendship, and fun. Staff, thank you for guiding, supervising, and celebrating alongside them.
Together, we’ve built more than just a playground-we’ve built memories for years to come,” Howell stated.
Rice closed by saying to the students, “Remember to play safe, take care of the equipment, and look out for one another. This playground is a gift, and we want to make sure it stays fun and safe for everyone.”
At the end of the program, Howell was the first person to try out the slide.
Hamlet
Murray Howell is the first one to go down the slide.
(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
L-R: Murray Howell, Principal, Erin Robert, President of Friends of AL Horton Elementary School Society, Randy Footz School Trustee, Shelly Wiebe, President of School Council, Bonnie Dribnenki, Director of Friends of AL Horton Elementary School Society. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
The playground is ready for kids. (Rosanne Fortier/Photos)
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent.
Adult Learning at VegMin
VegMin Learning Society’s Goal Statement is that adults in our community will acquire the working, business, and literacy skills to contribute to our community’s economic and social growth.
On August 28, this organization presented their Annual General Meeting.
As a nonprofit society, VegMin is managed by a Governance Board of Directors who contributed a combined total of 220 volunteer hours in the past board year. They offer three types of learning opportunities for adults. Community Capacity Building encourages individuals to participate in foundation learning programs. Builds on the literacy and foundational skills of learners, provides opportunities for workplace readiness and safety, raises awareness around various social issues such as mental health, victims of violence, and substance abuse. General Interest programs provide the community with different programs that support or are of interest to them.
Foundational Learning teaches basic skills in literacy and numeracy. They also teach people how to use basic digital technology, proficiency in the English language, and basic skills for learning.
Other courses offered include English Language
Learning, which is meant to support individuals with speaking, writing, and communicating English in a conversational and professional setting.
Chair Dwayne Hlady reported that in 2025, there had again been some significant changes in staffing structure. They chose to move from a part-time Executive Director and a full-time Program Coordinator to a full-time Executive Director. “Dave Albrecht has chosen to step down from his part-time role as Executive Director. We appreciate all Dave has done for VegMin Learning
Hearty Lunch in a Hurry
Society since taking over a year ago. You have supported the organization through your skills in technology, accounting, professionalism, enthusiasm, and positive attitude. We appreciate your willingness to mentor during the transition process over the next few months, and we look forward to potential future partnerships with Two Hills Adult Learning.
After this, the new Executive Director, Jessica Fenner, expressed her gratitude to the Board of Directors for allowing her the opportunity to become part of their esteemed organization. “I have been involved in education for the past 17 years and believe strongly in the value education brings to individuals as well as the community. My goal for this coming year is to raise the profile of VegMin Learning in the community so that our name is recognizable by the community for being a place where adults can go to expand their educational opportunities. We will also work towards completing a needs assessment in the community of Vegreville. This assessment will provide comprehensive details around demographics, basic needs, and interests of current and potential future participants in the community.”
Later, at the Election of Officers, Rita Smyth and Lil Van Yken were appointed by acclamation to continue as Directors.
“The customers were generous and we raised over $1,500. The money will go into general funds and will be used for whatever needs to be done. We are very pleased to have such a supportive community,” Cependa added.
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
The sweltering, warm day enticed many people to rush to purchase a quick lunch of hamburgers or hot dogs at the fundraising barbecue for Vegreville United Church at the Vegreville and District Co-op on August 29.
Coordinator Holly Cependa said they had a fabulous day and are grateful to Vegreville Co-op and everyone who helped.
Our most sincerest thanks to the following businesses and individuals for their generosity and support for our silent & live auction items: Ron's Auto & Ag.; Grant Miller Motors; O'Shea Dirt Works -Keefe O'Shea; Webb's Machinery; Marg McBain; Richardson Pioneer - Lavoy; Stealth Bins Ltd - Sheldon Dmytriw; Jackie Kisilevich; Bumper to Bumper; Extreme Power Products - Kubota Vegreville; Yaremicio Honey. A huge thanks to everyone for your generous bidding and purchasing these items; your support is most appreciated.
To Dale Menzak, Shane Menzak & Dwayne Durie thanks for conducting our live auction which always generates lots of excitement and entertainment. Great job, gentlemen.
Kassian for doing a fantastic job as our trail class assistant and looking after the ribbons and prize monies for the day. A Big Thank You to Vicki Collison, our gate person, making sure our horse entries were ready to go into the show ring. To Cooper Axten, a Huge Thanks for announcing our horse show, keeping the show exciting and making sure our sponsors are all
Thanks to Tara Kuzio, & Crew for setting up our wonderful Bench Show – what a FANTASTIC display. To Veg. & District Co-op for supplying the meat and veggie platters along with the buns for our bench show volunteers on Friday. They greatly appreciated being fed.
To P&H, thank you for providing the entire pancake mix for the delicious breakfast.
Thank you, Battery World (Edmonton), for the generous donation of water to keep everyone hydrated.
Thanks to the McKenna O'Shea and her crew for looking after the games again this year. The children always enjoy these fun events. Thanks, Margie Axten, for organizing the Bouncy Houses – the children had a BLAST!
The Ranfurly Ag. Society would like to extend a sincere thank you to all parade, bench show exhibitors, horse show participants, teamsters and all the judges. It is your continued support, participation & attendance that make our fair a success every year. Huge Thanks to Camille
Fun times at the fund raising BBQ. (Rosanne Fortier/Photos)
Staff and Board members in front row from L-R: Yuliia Kalutska, Dwayne Hlady, Rita Smyth, and in back row from L-R: David Albrecht, Lauren Houle, Lil Van Yken, Jessica Fenner, and Taneen Rudyk. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Minor Soccer
U7 team. (Vegreville Minor Soccer Association/Submitted Photo)
Minor Soccer
President Message VMSA 2025
Allan Bohrson
President, Vegreville Minor Soccer Association
Vegreville Minor Soccer Association has wrapped up another outdoor soccer season. Preparations for the 2025/2026 Indoor season has begun, and registrations are open online.
The 2025 Outdoor season was a very good season, although the registration numbers were down a little from a year ago. We ended up with 266 kids registered in the program. There were 3 teams of under 5, 4 teams of both under 7 and under 9 age groups. We had 3 teams of under 11 boys and 1 team of girls. For our youth age groups we had 1 team of each, under 13 boys, under 13 girls, under 15 boys, and under 15 girls. We also had players on the under 17 boys, under 17 girls, and under 19 girls Lakeland United teams. A very big thank you goes out to the 34 volunteer coaches and assistants that stepped up to help with our program.
Once again this year, the mini teams attended the Vermilion Mini Tournament at the end of May, and a few teams went to the Bonnyville Wetlands Tournament in June. All the youth teams from under 11 and older, went to the Camrose Night Classic, and collectively came home with 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals. The youth teams participate in league play in the Lakeland District. Once the league schedule has been completed, the teams attend the Lakeland Cup which is the championship playoff tournament for the district. The under 19 girls Lakeland United team won silver medals at the Lakeland Cup Tournament, and the under 15 boys team won bronze medals.
The Parent and Tot program was another huge success and was organized by Emma Myshak and Kaylee Bohrson. We hope that this program will continue next year.
After a successful Revolution Soccer Camp last summer, the VMSA entered into a partnership with Revolution Soccer to bring a soccer coach to Vegreville for 4 weeks of in-season training with the younger players from under 5 to under 11. Coach Max from Revolution Soccer was here in May and early June, providing training sessions for our mini teams and their coaches. The training he provided was excellent and the kids had fun every week as they learned some new skills. Coach Max and Coach Cass returned in early July to run our 2nd Annual Revolution Soccer Camp. There were 34 kids that registered and attended the 3-day camp, and all the feedback we received was very positive. Coach Max and Coach Cass are both very skilled and talented soccer players and have all the attributes needed to work with the kids and help to improve their skills and team play.
This season the VMSA also welcomed a new Sponsor for the Soccer Park. We are very happy to have Full Throttle Truck and Trailer Repair as the Park Sponsor. The park is now named Full Throttle Soccer Park.
Registration is now open for the 2025 indoor season that will start in early October. Mini Teams will play locally at the school gym, and Youth Teams will participate in league play in Sherwood Park. Get your kids registered online early to ensure a roster spot for the upcoming Indoor Season.
U15 Boys team. (Vegreville Minor Soccer Association/Submitted Photo)
U15 Girls team. (Vegreville Minor Soccer Association/ Submitted Photo)
U17 Girls United- Vegreville and St. Paul team. (Vegreville Minor Soccer Association/Submitted Photo)
U19 Girls United- Vegreville, St. Paul, and Vermilion. (Vegreville Minor Soccer Association/Submitted Photo)
U17 Boys United- Vegreville, St. Paul vs. Bonnyville, Lac La Biche teams. (Vegreville Minor Soccer Association/Submitted Photo)
Jamie Marie Baker’s Life as a Soccer Mom
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
Jamie Marie Baker decided on letting her kids participate in Vegreville Minor Soccer Association’s soccer program in Vegreville three years ago when they moved here so they could get the kids involved in activities and meet some people in the community.
“Our soccer schedule is hectic; we are at the field four days a week with the girls.
Participating has taught my kids a tremendous amount of teamwork and dedication.
An avid player, Avery O’Mara, who is eight years old, said she enjoys playing soccer and improving her skills each year. “This year, I did pretty well; my confidence builds each year.”
Alberta
Hayden O’Mara, who is seven years old, shared that she likes playing soccer because she gets to play hard and gets to meet new friends. She expressed that she did well this year. “I passed the ball lots and won competitions.”
Report
Crop conditions as of August 26, 2025
While cool temperatures and regular rainfall slowed the start of harvest 2025, the past week provided the warm clear days needed for widespread harvest operations to begin. Across the province it is a very busy time: harvest of fall-seeded crops are nearly complete, half of the springseeded pulses are harvested, harvest of spring-seeded cereals is beginning on earlier seeded fields, and swathing of canola has begun. While provincial harvest progress for all crops is currently 11 per cent complete, which is 4 per cent
behind the 5-year average, the weather forecast suggests clear days over the next two weeks, and harvest is expected to progress rapidly in all areas of the province
Provincial all crop conditions are currently rated 65 per cent good to excellent, in comparison to the 5-year average of 50 per cent and 10-year average of 54 per cent. The Central Region has the highest proportion of all crops rated as good to excellent condition at 93 per cent, followed by the North West Region at 70 per cent, the South Region at 65 per cent, the North East Region at 61 per cent, and the Peace Region at 27 per cent.
The extended period of rain and cool temperatures, which occurred while crops matured, appears to have been beneficial with multiple reports of yields surprising to the upside. Provincial dryland yields for major crops are reported as 19 per cent above the 5-year average and 11 per cent above the 10-year aver-
Avery. (Jamie Baker/Submitted Photo) Hayden. (Jamie Baker/Submitted Photo)
Jamie. (Jamie Baker/Submitted Photo)
age; a 4 per cent increase in both indexes from the estimates last reported two weeks ago. Regionally, major crop yields compared to 5-year averages (change from last estimate) are now expected to be 136 (+7) per cent for the South, 145 (+8) per cent for the Central, 99 (0) per cent for the North East, 113 (+3) per cent for the
Regional Dryland Yield Estimations as of August 26, 2025
North West and 95 (+2) per cent for the Peace.
The warm and dry weather conditions have helped to dry fields across the province to the point that they can support machinery, which has helped the recent jump in harvest progress (see Table 3). Provincial surface soil moisture is rated as 57 per cent good to excellent this week, which is 13 per cent above the 5-year average, despite being a reduction of 6 per cent from last week. Regional surface soil moisture (weekly change) rated as good to excellent is 44 (-9) per cent for the South, 81 (-8) per cent for Central, 45 (-5) per cent for the North East, 51 (-3) per cent for the North West and 54 (+3) per cent for the Peace.
Provincial sub-surface soil moisture has been less impacted by the recent warm weather, with 54 per cent of the province rated as in good to excellent condition. This is ahead of the 5-year average of 42 per cent for this week, and a reduction of 2 per cent from the rating last week. Regional sub-surface soil moisture (weekly change) rated as good to excellent is 42 (-4) per cent for the South, 81 (0) per cent for the Central, 42 (-3) per cent for the North East, 37(+1) per cent for the North West and 54 (+3) per cent for the Peace.
Provincial tame hay growth conditions mirror those of pasture growth (see Table 4). Provincial tame hay growth (5-year average) is rated at 44 (42) per cent good to excellent, a decrease of 1 per cent from last week. Regional ratings are 42 (25) per cent in the South, 77 (45) per cent in the Central, 20 (38) per cent in the North East, 39 (53) per cent in the North West and 25 (48) per cent in the Peace. With warm temperatures, second cut of dryland hay is ongoing with 21 per cent of second cut complete compared to the 5-year average of 28 per cent for this week. Second cut yields are estimated at 1.3 tons per acre, ahead of the 5-year average of 1.0 tons per acre.
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and
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• This week, 61 per cent of major crops in the North East are rated good to excellent, exceeding the 5-year average of 57 per cent.
• Current sub-surface moisture conditions stand at 20 per cent poor, 38 per cent fair, 41 per cent good, 1 per cent excellent, with none rated excessive.
• Tame hay stands are assessed as 28 per cent poor, 51 per cent fair, 20 per cent good and 0 per cent excellent. Dryland second cut is underway at 13 per cent completed, with an average yield of 0.9 tons per acre.
• Pest pressure remains minimal, with gopher activity just 1 per cent above threshold, as shown by the presence of gopher hills in fields.
Alberta Crop Report - CONTINUED from PAGE 12
A Joyful Time of Recognition
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Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
Everyone was cheerful and demonstrated hospitality at the Awards WindUp on August 27 at Vegreville Bowling Lanes for the athletes from the Special Olympics Corn Hole (Bean Bag Boss) program.
The evening began with a special awards dinner, where the participant Lloyd Beer’s 55th Birthday was celebrated with a cake and a present.
After this, Representative from RJV Doug Langkow presented the Overall Male Corn Hole Champion trophy to Jordan Guenette and the Female Champion trophy to Madison Demone.
Other winners in the Male category
Miller won Second Place.
Coach Cherie Guenette said they had a fantastic summer and a lot of laughs while playing corn hole. They are grateful to the major sponsor, RJV, and everyone else who helped make the event special for the award recipients and attendees. This program will take place next year, and they are always seeking additional participants.
were Peter Skoreyko, who won Second Place, and Dwayne Gorda, who won Third Place. For the Female awards, Jodie
All participants received recognition for taking part in the game. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Award recipients Madison Demone and Jordan Guenette receive trophies from Doug Langkow. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
L-R: Madison Demone, Jodie Miller, Dwayne Gorda, Peter Skoreyko, Jordan Guenette, Doug Langkow. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Lloyd Beer. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Maddigan Chrysler Vegreville Drug Mart
Vegreville Speedway Zooms with Good Times
Vegreville Speedway
Submitted
Vegreville Speedway held their first 1/8 Mile event, which attracted many new participants to their track, as well as their 1/4 Mile racers who wanted to try something new on August 22 and 23 at Vegreville Regional Airport. At the August 22 night race, there were 31 racers putting on a show for the crowd. The closing show put on by Insanity Jet Car was phenomenal. The August 23 race had 24 racers. Between race rounds, Junior Dragsters were running.
The winner for August 22-First Place and King of the Hill, was Keith Urlacher.
Second Place for Races was Derrek Younger Third Place was Aaron Tillapaugh
The winners for August 23 Races - First Place Kendall Freed Second Place was James Duff Third Place was Robert Stevenson King of the Hills was Brian Mattice
First Place and King of the Hill Winner Keith Urlacher is holding the cheque. (Vegreville Speedway/Submitted Photo)
First Place Winner Kendall Freed holds the cheque. (Vegreville Speedway/Submitted Photo)
Tributes
Budget Failure - CONTINUED from PAGE 6
sector to 35 per cent below 2019 levels, but reports from Deloitte and the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) confirm that it is effectively a production cap.
Oil and gas accounts for 3.3 per cent of national GDP in 2024, but the emissions cap would change that. Deloitte estimates that by 2040, this regulation would lower Canada’s GDP by one per cent, representing a $34.5-billion loss in constant 2017 dollars.
The cap would also cost 112,900 Canadian jobs by 2040. The numbers all point in the same direction: the policy is an economic self-inflicted wound.
Similarly, the PBO projects that to meet Ottawa’s emissions goal, oil and gas production would need to be 4.9 per cent lower than current forecasts over 2030-32.
For a country with the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves and as the thirdlargest exporter, such policies are reckless. This fall, Canadians should not be presented with a budget that doubles down on the same policies that have already strangled business creation, driven away investment and suppressed living standards.
Canadians are long overdue for something we haven’t seen in years—a responsible budget.
Samantha Dagres is Communications Manager at the Montreal Economic Institute, an independent think tank with offices in Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary.
are needed in a print environment that AI so far hasn’t been able to do well, and we are now learning that when used to write, AI tends to write to impress its AI overlords which tends to make things sound poetic, while at the same time produce compete gibberish.
Considering that ChatGPT was released less than 3 years ago (November 30, 2022), it’s amazing the progress has been made. And, despite its shortcomings, make no mistake, it’s coming for many of our jobs. So much so that there are recommendations for young people to work on things like their soft skills, networking and fostering meaningful relationships. You know.. the kind that require you to put down the phone and talk to people. In any case, the time has now come that you cannot trust a picture or a video any longer. And THOSE is only the obvious ones. Tell me what you think. Email me at abletters@newsadvertiser.com
Lawrence Gara
November 15, 1947 - September 9, 2022
In loving memory of my husband, Lawrence. It’s been three years that you’ve been gone, but I miss you more each day. Many the thoughts I have of you as the long hours go by.
Thinking of the things we used to do and say, just you and I.
Sometimes they make me smile, Sometimes they make me cry, But are precious to me alone, Memories of you and I.
Missing you always but loving you forever, Judy
In loving memory of our dad, grandfather and great grandfather. Every day in some small way
Memories of you come our way; Though absent, you are very near, Still missed but always loved. We miss you.
Your sons Brad, Darrell, Lorne and our families
SMILEY, Eric Dwight
December 28, 1946 – August 26, 2025
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in Camrose, Alberta Eric Smiley passed away at the age of 78 years. Eric is survived by his wife Dianne; son Shane (Eileen), daughter Laura (Ray) McCormack; daughter Arlene (Mark) Sandy; brothers Malcolm (Judy) Smiley, and Nelson (Taina) Smiley; sister Sandra Fenske; and sister-in-law Judy Smiley; sister-in-law Cecile Gregory; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Thelma (Erickson) Smiley, and brother Roger Smiley.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday September 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Vegreville United Church (5126 48 Street) with Rev. Laureta Blondin officiating. Interment to follow in the Riverside Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the “Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories” or the charity of one’s choice. The family wishes to thank Rosehaven Care Centre (The Bethany Group) in Camrose, Alberta for their continued care for Eric during the last several years.
To send condolences please visit www.autumnrosefuneralhome.com
AUTUMN ROSE FUNERAL HOME LTD. Vegreville, Alberta 780-603-5800
Matthys Cornelis Nell
February 2, 1944 - August 22, 2025
Thys passed away peacefully in Red Deer Regional Hospital on August 22, 2025. Though his struggle was difficult he remained steadfast in his principals throughout. He was born in Wassenaar, Holland on February 2, 1944. The oldest of four children to Cornelis and Hermina Nell. Along with his family, he immigrated to South Mountain, Ontario in 1953, later settling in Osgoode, Ontario in 1959, where they established their family homestead.
In 1961 he began his life adventure by heading west, landing in Veteran, Alberta where he met the love of his life Anne Cragg and was introduced to the oil and gas industry that turned into his lifelong career. In 1968, Thys and Anne were married, beginning a union that spanned 57 years. Together they raised two children, Robert and JoAnne.
Thys and Anne made Coronation and Vegreville their homes and finally setting roots in Drumheller to be halfway between their children. His family was always at the centre of Thys’s life. Making it his mission to support his loved ones in any way possible, offering unwavering encouragement and doing everything in his power to enable them to pursue and achieve their goals. His love was constant, his support unconditional and his pride in them boundless.
Known for his unwavering determination and tireless work ethic, Thys approached every task with integrity and purpose. His steadfast commitment to doing what was right, even in the face of difficulty, earned him the respect of all who knew him. While strong-willed his perseverance and deep sense of responsibility were matched only by his moral conviction and dedication to others.
He lived his life, finding true fulfillment in both his work and many adventures. Whether soaring through the sky on the way to a fly in breakfast or air show, dropping the top of his SSR and going for a cruise, skiing down slopes with his family, camping, driving hours to watch his grandchildren’s events or exploring new places through travel with Anne, he embraced life with enthusiasm and a deep appreciation for the experiences that brought him happiness. Most adventures included a characteristic detour to check in on a well site or two on the way home – proof that his dedication to work was as much a part of him as his love for exploring new back roads and supporting his family.
He lived a quiet life, never wanting to trouble others with his struggles. He walked with great humility, a quiet strength and modesty.
Forever loved and cherished, Thys leaves to mourn his wife, Anne; son Robert, daughter JoAnne (Glenn) Smigelski; grandchildren: Cortney (Travis) Shoemaker, Terrin Smigelski, Garin Smigelski (Alyssa); great grandchild Halston Shoemaker (and counting); sister Joan (Jack) Robb; brother Joe (Shannon) Nell; sister-inlaw Catherine Nell; nieces and nephews: Jeff, Michael, Leda, Emily and Amy: as well as numerous other relatives and many dear friends. Thys is predeceased by his parents Cornelis and Hermina Nell; brother Casey Nell Jr.; nephew Casey Nell; in-laws Joan (Henry) Schnell; father-in-law Alex Cragg; sister-in-law Joan Cragg.
A Come & Go Social will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM at the Golden Age Centre, Coronation, Alberta. Memorial Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family, please visit www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
Parkview Funeral Chapels entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements 403-578-3777.
Letter to the editor
I remained silent, but can’t anymore. As I watched Trump at the meetings as to how to end the war between Russia and Ukraine he is just wasting time. As the meetings are going on the Russians are intensifying the attack on Ukraine. If the United States is the Super Power in the world this was the time to bring down the hammer on Putin but Trump chose to lay out the Red Carpet. You may wonder why. The body language and the handshakes between both of them said it all. This is when Trump should have called in the National Guard and arrested Putin for war crimes.
The got rid of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden and Trump ended the war in Iran. He talks about sanctions and tariffs that would hurt the Russian economy which would probably take effect in about a year.
One day Trump talked about sending troops to Ukraine and
the next day no boots to Ukraine. He said that Zelensky could end the war as if to say that Zelensky started the war.
Trump talks big but he is just a little boy. He sways with the wind.
My grandparents and parents came from Ukraine and I have cousins living there. I am concerned as to what is going on.
- Orest Fodchuk
Thanks for your letter. With what was once the third largest Ukrainian diaspora a large number of Canadian’s share your concerns. I think it would be a stretch to say that Trump ended the war in Iran, but that’s another debate. The main thing to remember with Trump is that as long as he is in the headlines he is happy; everything else is secondary. Also, for the most part he seems clueless about world affairs. The days of depending on the USA are over; it’s time for the rest of the world to step up. - AB
MEMORIAM
Seeing is NOT believing - CONTINUED from PAGE 4
Eggtastic World Record Attempt
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
The sun smiled down on confident and cheerful participants in the Vegreville Attempt at the World’s Largest Egg and Spoon Race at Pysanka Park (Vegreville Elks/Kinsmen Park on August 30.
The goal was to set a new world record by participants aged 10 and up completing a 100-metre course in under 10 minutes without touching or dropping their egg. If more than 10 % of racers were disqualified, the record attempts ended.
Community Engagement Coordinator for Vegreville, Sabrina Curtis, explained that the Town of Vegreville hosted this event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its iconic landmark — the World’s Largest Freestanding Pysanka — with an Alberta Day event that could land the community in the record books.
Curtis went on to state that they chose to hold it on this commemorative long weekend to give another reason for Albertans to unite and celebrate the qualities that make the province unique. “As proud
Canadians, we mark the occasion by reflecting on our shared history and provincial identity. The Egg and Spoon Race captures that spirit — a lively and meaningful way to showcase Alberta’s character, community pride, and one-of-a-kind charm, making it a place worth celebrating and returning to year after year.”
Afterwards, there was a fun race for the children under 10.
Guinness World Records cites that the Largest Egg and Spoon Race was 2,039 people, set in Jalisco, Mexico, on October 11, 2024.
Participant Jonathan Thompson came from Victoria, BC, to visit his family in Vegreville and take part in the race. “My sister, Joanne Whincup, lives here. My daughter has been spending her summers here, and she loves the town. Everything seems to be more affordable here than in BC. So, we want to check it out and see if we want to move here. I wanted to take part in the race because it seemed to be a fun activity, and I thought I would participate in a big community event to see how it felt and to
understand the community.
Joanne Whincup shared that she wanted to participate because she loves the community! “It was really neat to be part of the opportunity to be a potential world record. It was fun to race because I brought my brother with me, and we were silly before the race trying to practice techniques
Surprisingly, it wasn’t hard to carry the egg on the spoon.” Results for the attempt are expected next week.
Racers giving it their all. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
August 28 was the first day of school for the 2025/26 school year for both Elk Island Public School and Elk Island Catholic Schools, and some students exclaimed that they were excited, while others wished the summer holidays were a bit longer.
PJ McCauley shared that he loves learning and being with his friends, so he was happy.
Ben McCauley expressed that he was looking forward to seeing friends and teachers again and learning.
Anna Derkson, who was going into Grade Four, was sad because she had to get up early. There is nothing she is looking forward to about being back.
Two kids from the Wowdzia family mentioned that they were happy because it would be good to see their friends again, but the middle child said he prefers to stay home and hang out with his mother.
Crazy Laws
North Dakota
No falling asleep with your shoes on.
Ben and PJ McCauley. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)Anna Derksen. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)The Wowdzia family. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Some of the many kids waiting in line. (Rosanne Fortier/Photos)
Update From the Office of MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk
MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk
Submitted
Just when we thought summer was starting to come to an end, the heat came back: unexpected, but exactly what we needed.
There are many family-fun events happening soon in our Constituency! The Fort Saskatchewan Multicultural Association is hosting Culture Fest on September 4 as part of Alberta Culture Days. From 5-7 p.m., stop by Legacy Park (9904 101 Street, Fort Saskatchewan) and enjoy sounds from around the world that bring our community together. The Fort Saskatchewan Multicultural Association will also be hosting Art Fest on September 13 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the West River’s Edge (1875 River Valley Drive, Fort Saskatchewan), complete with children’s storytelling, young people’s writing workshop, and a watercolour art workshop.
In Bruderheim, their Agriculture Society is hosting a Culture Days event celebrating Celtic Culture. You can check out Scottish and Irish dancers, Bagpipers, snacks and more this September 6th from 6:00-8:30pm at the Bruderheim Memorial Community Center.
The Derwent Hotel is hosting Glow Golf at the Myrnam-Derwent Golf Club on September 5. For $25 per golfer, you’re supporting the Myrnam
School Breakfast Program, ensuring all students have the nutritious fuel they need to succeed. The theme is 80s night and registration starts at 8 p.m.
Planning on replacing your kitchen cabinets?
You’ll need to take certain precautions, as you may be exposed to hidden health risks. One of these risks comes from formaldehyde, a gas that can be released from certain cabinet materials. Here’s what you need to know.
What is it?
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound
succeed. tration
Before summer comes to an end, don’t miss Savour Strathcona County, the annual celebration of local flavour, creativity, and community.
Enjoy tastes from local independent restaurants, food trucks, brewers, winemakers, distillers, and more – all in one place. This year will also feature an open-air farmers’ market. You can find all this and more at the Strathcona County Community Centre, Agora (401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park) from 3-7 p.m. on September 7. Many vendors living in our community will be there, and count on your support.
Alberta Day is right around the corner, and these events are a great way to show some local pride for the beautiful province we call home. Happy 120th birthday, Alberta!
It is important to have electricity that’s both affordable and reliable. That’s why the Alberta Government is opening the door for conversations with Albertans on how nuclear energy can address the needs of families, businesses, and communities across the province.
Albertans will be asked for their thoughts on
Are You Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinets? Watch Out for Formaldehyde!
(VOC) found in the glues and varnishes used to produce the panels and plywood in kitchen cabinets. It’s typically associated with that “new” product smell and can off-gas for several months after installation.
Overexposure to formaldehyde can lead to throat and eye irritation. It can also aggravate any existing respiratory issues you may have. Be aware that homes have become increasingly airtight due to improved construction techniques and better insulation. These structural improvements may result in higher gas concentrations in your living space.
How to protect yourself
Before changing out your cabinets, ensure your air exchangers, range hood and extractor fans are working properly to maintain optimal ventilation in your home. When shopping for your new cabinetry, prioritize materials that are certified formaldehyde-free or low-VOC. They may be slightly more expensive, but your good health will make the investment worthwhile.
Do you need advice on kitchen renovations or safe building materials? Consult a specialist retailer or cabinet maker in your area.
nuclear energy and how we might use it in the future. We want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to fill out the Nuclear Development Survey and share your opinion. You can find the short survey and more details at Alberta.ca/NuclearEnergy-Engagement.
