Vegreville News Advertiser - December 21, 2016

VOL. 69 NO. 51

66 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

McCallum, where are you?

Joe Machney Reporter The stage was set for a triumphant question and answer period with John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship set as the target for the onslaught of questions that the town of Vegreville had armed and ready for him, but alas, he did not arrive to meet the challenge, despite having had a seat set for him at the Respect Vegreville panel table.

Luckily though Mayor Myron Hayduk, MP Shannon Stubbs, MLA Jessica Littlewood, Campaign Lead Michelle Henderson and National Vice President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada Chris Aylward were present who formed the panel that gave the more than four-hundred people from Vegreville and beyond hope that this decision can be reversed and the Case Processing Centre (CPC) kept in Vegreville.

After introductions from the emcee, Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice President, Prairie Region, Public Service Alliance of Canada, campaign lead and representative of the union Michelle Henderson spoke of the merits and accomplishments that the workers at the CPC accomplished and how the shocking news that they heard at the end of October, of which this town knows all too well, rattled their lives and the lives of the people of this community. The economic and lifestyle ramifications if the move goes as scheduled were talked about from employee’s points of view, as one letter that she read stated that people in rural settings deserve to have access to Federal jobs as well.

Mayor Myron Hayduk spoke of how untouchable Minister McCallum and Prime Minister Trudeau are, having been trying every day, at all hours of the day since he heard the news. Taking this further

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USA stops importing Canadian oil

Seniors health and wellness day

See page 7 for story

See page 22 for story

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Innisfree School News Page 16

Little pink ice cream truck Page 19

RCMP files from Dec 12 - 18 Joe Machney Reporter December 12 08:41 Report that someone had put a bike on the front lawn of a residence and then walked away. The bike was turned in.

10:39 Report of an abandoned vehicle on highway 857 by highway 631. Member attended and fond that the vehicle was a hazard and so it was towed.

11:40 Report of a suicidal female.

Members attended and the female was apprehended under the mental health act and was taken to the hospital for assessment. She was held for further assessment.

11:44 Report of theft of copper and aluminum wire. It was done by two individuals driving a white truck.

12:33 Report of theft from a motor vehicle that was unlocked. The registration, insurance and a driver’s license was stolen.

13:38 Report of a two-vehicle collision at 50 and 50th. No injuries and one person was charged with failing to make a proper left turn.

14:01 Report of someone that had leant a car out who did not return it.

So, the owner canceled their registration and insurance company.

14:47 Report of a domestic issue over child support. Members mediated the situation.

16:24 Report of someone trying to sell a rifle that they were not authorized to possess. Member attended and seized the rifle.

December 13 01:12 Report of a parent calling the RCMP for advice on how to handle her teenage daughter. The woman was redirected to the proper authorities.

09:36 Report of a complaint of a student that was injured due to another student. The one student was suspended.

10:39 A male turned himself in due to an outstanding warrant out of Two Hills.

16:05 Report of a break and enter into a residence. The front door was damaged and entered through.

Medication and cash were stolen.

Still under investigation.

18:54 911 report of an animal in distress. Member attended and patrolled but could not locate the animal.

December 14 09:41 Report of a male driving who has a suspended license. Computer checks show that the driver does have a valid license.

09:46 911 report of a deceased male.

11:25 Report of an aggressive patient.

Members attended and the patient had calmed down and was transported to the hospital.

11:26 Report of a stolen retail sign.

11:26 Report of an ice auger and chainsaw that were taken from a garage. The items were identifiable by engravings.

12:45 Report of somebody buying a jacket online and having received a knockoff of what he was supposed to get. The male is dealing with it through his Visa Company.

12:48 911 report of a family dispute.

Member attended and mediated the situation.

15:21 Report of a missing roommate.

The roommate was located and was deemed to be fine.

16:08 Report of a female being bitten by a small dog. The incident is being looked at by the community peace officers.

18:18 Report of a male soliciting door to door. The male was located and could not provide a business license so was told to stop soliciting.

18:28 Report of a complaint of a female who is being aggressive with her family. Female took herself to the hospital.

20:28 Report of three children left unattended in a vehicle. Members patrolled but could not locate the vehicle and the license plate when queried came up negative.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

22:14 Report that a friend stole a female’s machete. The friend later returned the machete.

23:25 Report of a domestic disturbance. Members attended and upon arrival found that the female was very intoxicated and so was removed from the house and lodged in cells to sober up.

December 15 17:21 Report of a ‘creepy guy’ following a female around some retail stores. This was reported for information only.

17:47 Report of a domestic assault.

Members attended but the male had left. The call ended up being between a brother and sister, which deemed it a family matter as it was brother and sister. No charges were warranted.

19:12 Report of an ex-girlfriend not showing up to pick up their fouryear-old child. The situation was mediated.

December 16 05:34 Report of a cow in town.

Member patrolled and could not locate the cow. The RCMP ended up getting several calls about the stealthy and elusive bovine around town.

11:12 Report of a sexual assault. Still under investigation.

13:13 Report of a complaint of a taxi that almost side-swiped a vehicle.

Both drivers were spoken to and they were blaming each other so the member cautioned them both.

December 17 10:03 Viking RCMP received a report of a possible assault by a boyfriend.

Still under investigation.

17:02 Report of theft of bicycles from a utility shed.

December 18 10:51 Report of a driver being pulled over for not stopping at a stop sign in a rural area. The vehicle was determined not to be registered and the driver had a suspended license and so was charged accordingly.

11:01 Report of harassing texts from an ex-boyfriend. The boyfriend was talked to and cautioned.

14:20 Report of a truck swerving all over the road. Members located the vehicle and a ticket was issued for distracted driving while using a cell phone.

During the week 7 false alarms, 3 false 911, 1 animal strike and 76 calls for service were made in total.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Our life in boxes Joe Machney Editorial In my past columns, I’ve talked about the idea that we’re all spirits having a human experience and I’d like to expand on the possibilities that this point of view can have as an outlook for your human experience or the human condition in general.

If one looks at our race as having started as part of spirit that is within everything in creation than when spirit decided to become human it was placed within conditions that were unfamiliar to it. This created an ego or a separate identity as a way of coping with being separated from spirit. It needed to begin to understand a new reality. Over the course of history, mankind has built models or boxes with which to cope which included institutions of various kinds ranging from countries with man-made laws to religions to education systems to medical practices, to philosophies, and the list goes on and on as our history. Each of these coping mechanisms were a way of understanding the human experience but in reality they were taking

Name: Shaelyn Nahorney Occupation: receptionist Likes: horses, outdoor activities Dislikes: cold weather, rude people, horrible drivers.

mankind further away from what it was in the beginning and teaching us as a race to look outside ourselves for what we need to survive, be it love, acceptance, the need to be right or valued, etc. This emotional list goes on and on as well. Generation after generation this has been done, redone, twisted, scrapped, rebuilt, again and again, further clouding the truth that we are spirits having a human experience.

Like a baby in the womb, we are eternally safe and free from any real harm. The river of life effortlessly carries our true self through life and at the end of it we will be spirit again like we were before we were human. The ego or the self that we are conditioned to create as our identity is an instrument to use, like a hammer or a guitar. It is not who we are and if the idea that we are spirits having a human experience rings true for you, then explore it in the silence of your inner self. It is there and like being in the womb before you started your journey in this life, it is safe, it is your true self and can never be harmed by the illusions of the world outside of you.

There is a part of you that is free and peaceful like a celestial orchestra in the heavens, a harmony within yourself that never misses a note because the conductor is within everything in creation and speaks to you through everything. It has a spiritual evolution plan that is forever unfolding in such a beautiful way that the self that you created as your identity can never understand it, nor needs to. Your job is to let it guide you so that it can express itself through you. You are its instrument, a note in the grand symphony of the stars. Shine brightly my friends and express heaven on earth.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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CFIB commends changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program CFIB In light of changes announced recently to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is very pleased the federal government is softening some of the harshest edges of the previous government’s changes to the program.

CFIB views the end of the four year rule, in which workers had to leave the country upon completion of four years, as an important first step towards keeping talent in Canada.

“While our economy is struggling, Canada needs to retain all the talent that comes our way,” said Mr. Kelly.

“CFIB has always maintained the position that it is a terrible waste to have a

foreign worker in Canada for four years building relationships with an employer and a community, only to send them back home, often against their wishes, and replace them with someone new.”

“We are thrilled to hear the government is looking to ‘further develop pathways’ to permanent residency,” said Mr. Kelly. “Small firms I speak to want the ‘Temporary’ taken out of the foreign worker program.” CFIB has recommended an Introduction to Canada visa that would start foreign workers on a pathway to permanent residency. “As the government considers such a plan, we urge them to ensure it is accessible to workers of all skill levels,” Kelly added.

CFIB is also encouraged by the greater flexibility regarding the cap on temporary foreign workers, and see the 180 day exemption for seasonal industries as a big help for business owners in what is often the difficult task of fulfilling their labour needs. “The artificial caps on the percentage of foreign labour may make sense in parts of Canada, but for smaller businesses in rural and remote parts of Canada, there are few other options. These changes will help,” Kelly added.

“Small business owners across Canada

welcome these changes, and hope for more to come in 2017, particularly for employers of lower skilled foreign workers,” concludes Mr. Kelly. “It is terrific to see the federal government make these important changes to help entrepreneurs throughout this country have access to the labour they need.”

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DECEMBER 21, 2016

FROM THE PAGES OF THE VEGREVILLE OBSERVER

COMPILED BY DAN BEAUDETTE

90 Years Ago – December 22, 1926 Canada scored again at the Chicago Exposition when the blue ribbon grand championship in the Clydesdale stallion division went to Forest Favorite, owned by Haggerty and Black of Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan. Last year the University of Saskatchewan took the coveted honor with Green Meadow Footsteps. This year it is said, the veteran Canadian stallion was an easy winner over all others.

Nearly 1,050 overseas vessels entered the harbor of Montreal and over 350 coastal vessels docked there in the season just closed.

This makes a very favorable showing compared to the 1,255 overseas and 215 coastal vessels of the previous season. During the period of open navigation over 113,850,000 bushels of grain were shipped from the port and flour shipments totalled 2,090,000 barrels.

August Hohn, who was seriously injured in the recent blizzard when his car turned over, is making fine progress towards recovery. It will not be necessary, as was at first feared to perform amputation.

75 Years Ago – December 24, 1941 The wheat board has announced that all wheat quotas are now open in Western Canada. The farmers are permitted to deliver all their wheat if they care to do so. Furthermore, with the general improvement in the situation with regard to elevator space and railway cars the Wheat Board has decided to suspend the regulation restricting a farmer’s deliveries to one delivery point. Thus for the balance of the crop year farmers may deliver their wheat at any delivery point they choose. It is still necessary for all deliveries to be entered in the permit book.

New regulations promulgated by the Price Controller for the Union of South Africa provide that no person may, without the controller’s permission “sell any goods at a price in excess of the cost of such goods to the seller plus a percentage of the gross profit, in relation to cost ordinarily taken on lide goods during the six months ended August 31, 1939, by a factor which the Controller shall prescribe from time to time. The South African Government has decided to stabilize the price of bread at sixpence a loaf, in spite of a substantial increase in the price of wheat. Cost to the State is estimated at between #806,000 and #1,000,000.

50 Years Ago – December 22. 1966 Joe LoBalbo, Northwestern Utilities Ltd. Manager here stepped into the office of President of the Vegreville Chamber of Commerce at the annual Christmas meeting of that group on Thursday last.

Mr. LoBalbo has been active in the Chamber since he arrived here from Edson several years ago. He also takes part in other community works and at present is chairman of the Recreation Board.

A special Centennial gift to the Ver-Veg-Hills Federation was made by the National Film Board at an informal ceremony at the County of Minburn office last Friday afternoon. H. L. Moquin, representing the National Film Board presented the films to A.J. Jasinski, secretary and M.G. Gault, chairman of the local federation.

Ver-Veg-Hills Federation comprises the school districts of Vermilion, Vegreville and Two Hills and is a co-operative venture which provides selected films for use in the schools served. Six of the seventeen films are centred about the early exploration of Canada from the time of John Cabot and his search for a western route to the Orient to Lord Selkirk and the Red River Settlement. Then there are dramatizations of the struggle for self-government and the prelude of Confederation.

25 Years Ago - December 17, 1991 The Vegreville Rotary Club organized a community Christmas carol festival featuring local talent. Here community participants in a sing a long there were lead by Pastor Brad. The event was held on Sunday, December 15 at the VCHS. A collection was taken and over $630 was raised for the Vegreville Association for the Handicapped, MS Home.

Zinnia Pearl Koren graduated on November 22, 1991 from the University of Alberta hospitals, school of nursing. Zinnia was awarded with two letters of commendation for providing a high standard of patient care and for her clinical excellence throughout the program. She is presently working as a registered nurse at the university hospital on a medicine ward.

Merilea Tillotson in the recipient for the 1991-92 Canada Scholarship totalling $8000. As a Canada scholar, Merrilea is a member of a group of 10% of first year science and engineering students in Canada to have received this scholarship. It is given to four students from each institution annually who complete successful academic and candidate requirements. Merrilea’s scholarship is worth $1,000 per term and in a four year program she qualifies to receive up to $8,000 towards furthering her education. Merrilea is the daughter of Sandy and Newell Tillotson of Innisfree.

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.

Trump and China: The “Madman” Strategy Gwynne Dyer “When two elephants fight against each other, the grass always suffers,” said Yu-Fang Lin of the National Policy Foundation, a Taiwan-based think tank, in an interview with the Washington Times. He was talking about the famous phone call between Taiwan’s President Tsai Ingwen and Donald Trump on 2 December. If the US and China get into a military confrontation, Lin suggested, it is Taiwan that will be crushed.

The Chinese Communist regime was outraged by that phone call, the first direct conversation between an official of the Taiwan government and an American president or president-elect in almost four decades, but it kept its fury in check.

Beijing made an official complaint to Washington, but China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed the call as a “petty trick” by Taiwan. The Chinese leaders were softpedaling the issue and hoping against hope that the president-elect wasn’t looking for a fight.

The alternative was just too frightening to contemplate.

Yu-Fang Lin called it the “madman” strategy: Trump making himself “appear to be very dangerous and hostile and very unpredictable to scare the (Chinese) leaders” into concessions on various issues. Within days, however, Trump gave Lin’s theory wings.

In an interview on Fox News last Sunday, the presidentelect threatened to destroy the entire foundation on which US-Chinese relations have been based since 1979. “I don’t see why we have to be

bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.”

The official Chinese response was polite but deadly serious. “The Taiwan issue concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and involves China’s core interests,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. “If (the ‘One China’ principle) is interfered with or damaged, then the healthy development of China-US relations and bilateral co-operation in important areas is out of the question.”

The key phrase here is “out of the question.” If Trump is going to play the “madman” card, then China will not negotiate anything. And if he urges Taiwan along the road to formal independence, then (as Beijing’s Global Times put it) China may have to consider arming America’s enemies or taking back Taiwan by force.

The “One China” policy is a formula that dates back to 1979, when the United States broke its formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and transferred them to the People’s Republic of China. It was far more important for Washington to have diplomatic relations with China (current population 1.3 billion) than with Taiwan (22 million), but it was politically impossible for the US to just abandon the Taiwan regime.

So everybody agreed that China could not be divided, but Taiwan could keep its de facto independence so long as it accepted that China must one day be reunited. The United States would break diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but could go on trading with it and even selling it arms. And everybody lived happily ever after, more or less.

China has meticulously observed the terms of this deal for 37 years, but now Trump is threatening to cancel the deal if he cannot get better terms from Beijing. That sort of tactics may have worked for Trump in business, but it’s not just money at stake here.

What’s at stake now is Chinese territory, the very notion of national unity, “core interests”, as Beijing puts it. The Chinese regime won’t yield on this because it can’t, and if Trump pursues his “madman” strategy we are all in for a rough time.

Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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“USA stops importing Canadian oil and gas” Lori Ackerman Mayor of the City of Fort St. John Dear Canadian Citizens, That is not a current headline but it could be.

What would happen to our economy if it was?

I would like to talk to you about energy, pipelines and our natural resources. I am a mum and a grandma and I have lived in the north all my life. I am also the Mayor of Fort St. John, BC – right smack in the middle of one of the world’s largest supplies of oil and gas. I live in a region surrounded by pipelines, wells, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) sites and canola and wheat fields. I have eaten the food we grow here and I drink our water. I understand what it takes to extract our natural resources and what it takes to protect our environment. I live it.

I don’t want to try to convince you of anything but I would like to share with you what I know to be true. I strongly encourage you to do some of your own research. Learn more than what you read in a tweet or a Facebook post. I have added some links to reliable resources below for you.

Where does the petroleum we all use every day come from? Canada has some of the largest petroleum resources in the world and yet Canada imports 634,000 barrels of crude oil from foreign countries every single day. That is $26 BILLION of oil imports every year that we could have supplied to ourselves. That product arrives in tankers and is

transported to where it needs to go by truck and train right through our communities. And yet we don’t want our own product to f low in pipelines to our communities for our own use or to our ports so we can export it? That just makes no sense at all to me.

So let’s talk about pipelines. I know pipelines are a safe, cost-efficient means of oil and natural gas transportation and emit fewer greenhouse gases than alternate transportation methods. Canada has 830,000 kilometers of pipelines.

Three million barrels of crude oil is transported safely every single day.

If we took that oil out of the pipelines, we would need 4,200 rail cars to move it. How many of those cars would you like rolling through your community? Between 2002 and 2015, 99.9995% of liquid was transported through our pipelines SAFELY. You probably spill more when you fill up at the gas station.

I understand you don’t want tankers floating down our coasts. But did you know the USA has been shipping up to 600,000 barrels a day of crude from Alaska to the Puget Sound through the Salish Sea for the last 20 years? Did you know that B.C. has a Tanker Exclusion Zone that has been respected for years? That zone stipulates that full tankers must travel on the west side of the zone but those that are not transporting goods can stay inside the protective zone. Other than one natural gas pipeline,

Vancouver Island receives all of their petroleum by barge every day. I don’t remember ever hearing anyone complaining about that. According to Transport Canada over 197,000 vessels arrived or departed from west coast ports in 2015 - 1487 of them were tankers. 400,000 barrels of crude oil is safely transported off the B.C. coast every single day. Sooo….

I think we are ok there.

Emissions? 80% of the emissions associated with fossil fuels are generated in their combustion – not their extraction and transportation. If you want to do something about our reliance on fossil fuels then address the demand for them not the transportation of them. Change starts with consumers not industry. A large part of the demand for fossil fuels in B.C. is transportation.

33% of our fossil fuels are used to operate cars, trucks, planes, trains and ferries.

If we

switched all of that over to electricity we would need not just one BC Hydro Site C dam but 15 of them. Which communities do you want to flood to provide the energy for your electric cars? Remember I live 7 km from BC Hydro’s Site C dam so I have a pretty good understanding of them.

I love this quote from Blair King an Environmental Scientist and Writer:

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mccallum CONTINUED from front page and seeing the bigger picture Hayduk asked if this country is truly a democracy, seeing as how the town was not consulted about this before the decision was made. With an edge and a held back tear, he sympathized with the CPC workers who would have to spend an extra three hours driving every work day which they have been using to spend time with their families and community. Emphasizing the

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upheaval that this would cause in the economic, volunteer, and school sectors as well as the very fabric of the Vegreville community and the surrounding population, Hayduk returned to his seat hopeful that fate would step in and reverse the decision.

Member of Parliament Shannon Stubbs who has been in the House of Commons in Ottawa fighting for this community and fully understanding that if this goes through as they want it, what is to stop them from bullying their way into other small towns of Canada?

Having been questioning the Minister since day one and then going fourteen times more with

questions about this edict. Stubbs made a point to acknowledge the outpouring of support from the community as well as every other community in the Lakeland region who have been supporting Vegreville in their plight. “This is not just about Vegreville, this is about rural Canada.

This is about what makes this country great!” she thundered to the audience. “The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship has the ability to change this decision around and I will get everybody that I know of influence to continue to pressure him to reverse the decision.”

MLA Jessica Littlewood compared the effort of reversing this edict to trying to turn a ship. “The magnitude of this endeavor asks that people make sure that they are talking to the right people so that they get their voices heard,” she said. Her words pressed people to continue to push for this reversal in any form they can, be it social media, letters to council members, and to all people of influence. She sympathized with the economic conditions and how this closure could not have come at a worse time for Alberta and that it’s a huge step backwards. “The human story that these people live is what is being

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taken to the doorstep of the people who make these decisions so they understand the impact that it is having.”

The last speaker Chris Aylward took the podium and spoke with charisma about Vegreville and how one of the Liberal’s campaign promises was to strengthen the rural communities by investing in them to make them great places to live. “How is closing the CPC centre and moving it Edmonton make it a great community?!” He talked about how the Liberal government has accomplished very little since they were elected. “As a matter of fact they have gone back on some of the promises that they made and their excuse is because they have to consult and talk to Canadians to see what’s best.”

When Minister McCallum was asked about the logic in making the CPC move, he replied that the Unions agreed to the move of which Aylward retorted, “We unequivocally did not agree and will not to the CPC being moved to Edmonton.” His charisma and tenacity continued as he ensured the gathered ‘brothers and sisters’ of Vegreville that he will not give up and will continue to speak up for them until the edict is turned around.

A question and answer period followed and the evening concluded with final words of hope and faith by the panel members before sending everybody home with a coffee, doughnut, and a cookie.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

canadian oil CONTINUED from PAGE 7 “We live in a world where all the work we do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. can be undone with the flick of a pen in China or India.

No matter what we do, those developing countries are going to get electrical power to their populations -- if not with LNG, then with coal; and if not with B.C. LNG, then with lowerintensity (read: dirtier) LNG from one of our competitors. In both cases the end result is higher global GHG emissions than if B.C. LNG was used.” He is telling us to look outside our province and see the impact we can have on GHG on our planet. Our LNG is cleaner than the stuff already on the market because our regulations are tougher and we emit far less GHG in our production than in other countries. Our natural gas industry is committed to continuous improvement.

I understand that you are concerned about safety. I am too. In Canada we have some of the strictest safety requirements in the world. Canada’s oil and gas producers are continuously improving the safety of their operations and transportation of their products. Emergency Response

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Plans are customized for each community, covering key areas such as public safety, protection of community infrastructure, and a clear plan of action with local emergency responders. And we have the National Energy Board to oversee large multijurisdictional projects.

The Oil and Gas Commission is our provincial agency responsible for regulating oil and gas activities in British Columbia, including exploration, development, pipeline transportation and reclamation. Core responsibilities include reviewing and assessing applications for proposed industry activities, engaging with First Nations, cooperating with partner agencies, and ensuring industry complies with provincial legislation and all regulatory requirements. International delegations come to B.C., as world leaders, to learn how we have partnered environmental protection with resource extraction. I think the Oil and Gas Commission does a good job of protecting the interests of citizens.

Many of you have concerns about the rights of our Indigenous Peoples.

I will not speak for them but I will provide you with a quote from

Stephen Buffalo, president and CEO of the Indian Resource Council: “I think industry is now willing to be a partner (with First Nations). They want to come with the First Nations together. We are depending on these pipelines for the success of the Canadian economy.”

So let’s talk about the economy. Oil sands development is expected to contribute over $4 trillion dollars to the Canadian economy over the next 20 years. $405 billion could be collected in personal, corporate and indirect taxes just from western Canada natural gas production in the next 20 years. This is money for health care, education and infrastructure. The resource sector is the foundational stone upon which the Canadian economy was built, and it is as important today as ever.

News Advertiser PAGE 9 440,000 Canadians are employed because of the oil and gas sector.

This means those workers contribute to our economy by renting or buying homes, buying groceries, enjoying a quality life and shopping their local businesses.

Let’s lead the world in resource extraction, continuous improvements and long term planning.

Let’s be leaders in reliable and renewable energy development.

Let’s support Canadian industry and stop buying foreign oil.

Let’s grow our economy by meeting our domestic needs and exporting our abundant resources.

Let’s live well now and in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to be an informed citizen.

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ATB donates to VALID

L-R Karen Streets, Bradie Kriaski, Hayley Scholze, Shannon Currie, Loraine Korpan, Angie Henderson-Vandale

Joe Machney Reporter As they did last year the good people at ATB Financial got together with kids to carve up some FUN to help support local community groups! Customers and Team members voted for their favorite with a donation of change,

funds raised that was donated to the Vegreville Day Care and VALID. This year’s Pumpkin Party raised over $100 in just 3 days, and the Team decided to also donate $100 from the “Jeans Jar” so each group received a donation this year.

Young Offenders Sgt Jerry Nutbrown

RCMP Ponderings What is a young offender and why is it a thing? Unless you have had involvement in the legal system you may not understand the many differences in how people are treated differently based on various factors. In this case, I’ll explain some of the differences someone designated as a ‘youth’ sees when dealing with the Canadian legal system. If you remember from a previous Ponderings, a youth is defined in the Criminal Code as a person 12 years and older

but under the age of 18. A person younger than this is considered a child and everyone 18 years of age and older is an adult.

Upon the arrest of a youth, Police has different requirements to fulfill and the courts also have required guidelines to work within. These are all outlined and explained in the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

This act has been modified since its inception to work better for youth in recognizing their ages as being a huge factor in the legal system. The first difference is what the youth is

informed of when they are arrested and this is that they can have a parent or guardian assist them. The intention for this is that the youth may not fully understand the situation they are in and the jeopardy they are facing.

Regardless if they want assistance from an adult or not, Police are required to inform their parent(s) or guardian of their arrest and that they are in Police custody. If charges are laid, this notification is also reported to the courts. But t here a re required considerations that take place well before any court appearances.

Under the YCJA Police a re required to consider alternative measures before charging a youth.

The principals of the act are with an eye toward rehabilitation of the youth and prevention of future offenses while holding the youth accountable. Some of the things we consider are the type and seriousness

of the offense, the youth’s criminal history (if any) and the wishes of any victims. A requirement of proceeding this way requires the youth to admit their participation or involvement in the crime. The youth has to then be willing to participate in the process. Should they not continue with this process then they are redirected to the courts.

Extrajudicial sanctions vary from a warning or caution to some type of punishment like paying restitution. The process can be very formal with a meeting ran by the facilitator and involve everyone that has an interest in the incident. This could include the youth, parents/guardians, victims, witnesses, Police and anyone else that is deemed desirable or affected.

The incident is discussed as well as how it impacted everyone and how to best move forward.

If the youth is charged and goes through the court system, the court is required to take the age of the person into account when dealing with them. This includes sentencing as there are many limitations on sentences. The YCJA also covers applications to have a youth sentenced as an adult which generally carries more severe sentences but this is done only in exceptional cases.

The idea of treating youths differently is to try and prevent them from continuing with crime and getting them back on track for a productive and integrated life in society.

Sometimes less is more.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Power skating’s potential Joe Machney Reporter Deserrie Ruptash was raised in Vegreville and like the egg that the world knows the town for, it was the beginning of a life for her that would become an incredible adventure taking her to New York City to teach power skating for 15 years. But like the nest of which an egg rests in, home was calling her to come back and give to the community of her experiences and all that she had learned. A part of that is in the form of power skating coaching.

“What I did in New York was I was an ice skating instructor but I worked with learn to skate, figure skaters and power skating, which is what I am concentrating on now,” Ruptash said. “I taught power skating in New York for 15 years and I focused on working with individuals, small groups, and teams.”

Since she has been back she has been able to share her knowledge with the Vegreville Rangers, helping them greatly with the power skating aspects of their performance. “I’ve gone out twice with the Rangers and I focused on working with the individual players and their strides as well as their skating techniques. The mechanics of the stride was also demonstrated and working to understand the amount of physics involved with skating properly and developing the technique to get the power off of your push so that you can be really powerful in moving across the

ice and becoming more efficient.”

According to Ruptash, what happens with a lot of the players, particularly if they didn’t have power skating growing up is that they move but they are

extending too much effort and then stamina becomes an issue. “Basically they run out of gas,” she confirmed.

“So how I work with the players is I analyze their skating technique and their strides and make an adjustment in

order to help them to become quicker, more explosive and more efficient on the ice. This I find really helps out in the game situation, especially nowadays with hockey, everything is so fast and everyone wants to be quick like Connor McDavid.”

Working with all ages from children aged six up to adults she has found that it’s really important to start learning power skating when you’re young so that your muscles develop the memory of how to do it properly and then you learn the stride and proper push and recovery of the stride so that it’s in your body and happens naturally. “Learning power skating at a young age is pertinent because when it comes to stick handling and shooting and all that you don’t need to think about your skating, it’s all there within your muscle memory,” Ruptash said.

During her time in New York she had learned that a lot of the power skating instructors came from a figure skating background of which she was also. She mentioned that a lot of the NHL players actually work with these types of power skating instructors.

“Because I had that background I was able to skate circles around everybody else and was able to focus on my puck handling, which I did not have as a

kid because I played ringette and not hockey. If I had the chance I feel I would have gravitated towards hockey because I love how fast you can go particularly with understanding the mechanics of how to use the proper stride and recovery.”

The importance of power skating is something that is often overlooked in young hockey players as they are so focused on playing with the puck that they underestimate the lower body and the role that it plays in the game. “If you develop that focus on skating it’s very helpful. You got to feel what your body is doing,” explains Ruptash. Which is why her power skating techniques, of which there is so much to them, help her students get the most off of their balanced stride so that they can perform better overall on the ice. “One last thing that I feel is very big is developing an even strength on both sides of the body. The great players, like Gretzky and Crosby, accomplished this which contributes tremendously to their success and overall performance.”

Considering Australia as a Market?

Agri News Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF) is considering leading a trade mission to Sydney, Australia, from September 1114, 2017. The proposed trade mission would provide Alberta food and food ingredient companies an opportunity to exhibit their products, meet with potential buyers and explore market opportunities at Fine Food Australia (FFA).

“This event presents new and innovative food products from Australia and over 45 other countries and is the only

annual event where companies can reach the Australian retail, food service and hospitality industries at one venue,” says Albert Eringfeld, team lead, East Asia / Oceana, AF. The four-day show attracts over 1,000 exhibitors. The last FFA event, held in Sydney in 2015, drew almost 20,000 visitors including 16,000 major Australian buyers and importers and another 1,000 international buyers mainly from the Asia Pacific region.

“Australia is a prosperous and politi-

cally stable nation with the 13th largest economy and ranks among the highest per capita GDP worldwide,” says Eringfeld. “Best prospects for Alberta suppliers include organic, whole and natural ingredients as well as innovative healthy consumer-ready foods, snacks and beverages including gluten-free products.”

The decision to proceed with this trade mission is dependent on the

level of interest received from Alberta food industry partners. If you are interested in this opportunity or have any questions, contact Albert Eringfeld at 780-415-4814.

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Innisfree School News

Kristin Bergman Last week the school held the annual Christmas Concert at the Innisfree Recreation Centre on Thursday, December 15. From 5 to 7 p.m. a delicious supper was served, cooked by volunteer students, parents, and staff under the direction of Nadia Melnyk. Following supper was the 50/50 draw for over $300 and the announcement of the silent auction winners. Afterwards, the concert commenced, featuring a play put on by the students and Mrs. Sacha as well as performances by the elementary choir between scenes. This year’s play was titled The Year Santa Forgot Christmas, and was about Santa Claus losing his memories of Christmas after being hit on the head by a clumsy elf named Willy. After the elves, Mrs. Claus, and children from around the world teach Santa Claus about the spirit of joy and giving the holiday brings, Santa is given one more bump on the head and regains his memories. The play was adapted and directed by students Kristin Bergman, Tyson Rudolf, and C’iera Moyen, and actors from all grades did a fantastic job. The students and staff from Innisfree School would like to thank

all community members who attended the Christmas Concert for their continued support in making this event possible.

The Twelve Days of Christmas food drive concluded on Friday, December 16.

In total, the students donated more than 350 food items, and all were distributed into boxes by the students on December 15 during periods 5 and 6. These boxes will be left at the Millennium Building on Wednesday, December 21 from the hours of 2 to 7 p.m. for pickup from community members who need them. All donations are greatly appreciated and are going towards feeding our community.

We are now in the last week of classes before Christmas holidays begin. We are celebrating the week with Christmas themed dress up days, and we hope to see a lot of participation. Junior and Senior High students must remember to sign up to bring food for Friday’s potluck during this week or else they will be eating last. Other activities on Friday will include Christmas cookie decorating, movies, and Christmas parties in the elementary classrooms. Happy holidays, and enjoy the long break!

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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The dangers of driving while impaired continue

Yvonne Corbeil While motor vehicle collisions, often involving alcohol, remain the number one killer of young people, we work toward continuing to educate Alberta’s youth on the dangers of driving while impaired.

SADD Alberta is a registered nonprofit and has been working with Alberta schools since 1990. Our focus is on educating our youth to never drive impaired and never get into a vehicle with someone who is impaired.

Our successful liquor bag campaign extends our youths’ messages within their school and throughout their communities.

By putting their personal message on paper liquor bags, Alberta’s youth remind everyone that impaired driving collisions are both preventable and predictable.

Our campaign also includes the selection of top bag designs for reproduction and further distribution prior to the 2017 May long weekend. Images of year’s design contest winning bags are attached.

In 2015, over 60,000 bags were distributed, with over 250 Alberta schools participating. The 2016 campaign has

begun with schools ordering their liquor bags. Once completed, they will be delivering the bags to local liquor vendors for use during the holiday season.

“While SADD Alberta continues to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving among Alberta’s youth, we have received alarming feedback about the increase of drugimpaired driving and the casual attitude many young people take toward the risks associated with it. Drugimpaired driving will likely surpass alcohol-impaired driving soon, and it’s a topic we’re going to address with our Alberta schools going forward.”

Arthur Lee, Provincial Community Liaison, SADD Alberta, said.

“What’s good about the bag designs is that people often take a second look at the bag that their bottle is in,” Arthur Lee said. “I feel it is the best messaging and advertising that you can get out there. People think, wow someone actually took the time to

draw this and they take a moment to read what it says and take it to heart; so it makes an impact.”

As far as the impact that the campaign has been having so far people have been writing SADD to tell them thanks for the campaign and the positive impact that it has been having. “They’ve felt that it was a great idea and have written that into the letter they sent this year,” concluded Arthur Lee.

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MR. CLASSIFIED

Call toll free from anywhere in Alberta

1.800.522.4127

or fax to 780.632.7981

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The washer squeezed tight in the trunk of my car, And the owner, he laughed, "'Do you have to go far?"

Classified Style

But I hopped in my coupe and I sped straight away, And yelled out the window, "Have a Happy Holiday!"

I arrived at my home to put the washer in place, And my wife greeted me with a warm, sweet embrace.

'Twas the night before Christmas, I walked in the house And with a hug and a kiss, I greeted my spouse.

Pulled a beer from the fridge, and some holiday snacks, It was a long day at work, and time to relax.

With the hoses hooked up and the power plugged in, I smiled at my wife with a pearly-white grin.

And I headed upstairs, but then heard her shriek, "Honey, please wait! There's still a big leak!"

Duane “Cash” Holze & Todd “Carry” Holze

I strolled to the den, and there I would see, My favorite old chair just waiting for me.

The remote in my hand and the beer on my lap, I settled right down for a long evening nap.

I spoke not a word and went straight to my work, And fixed all the leaks with a turn and a jerk.

Then a twist of the knob, and my wife was aglow, She cried as she said, "You're my Santa, you know."

12/18/16 ©The Classified Guys®

When out of the basement there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

My wife yelled, "Honey, you have to come quick!

The washer…it's broken! It's finally quit."

So standing in water and suds like the sea, It was clear why my in-laws gave it to us for free!

But with a grunt and a groan, I dragged it outside, Put a sign by the curb, "Please take it. It died!"

I returned to my wife wondering, "What should I do?"

'Cause money was tight and she wanted "Like New".

I thought of the classifieds, and turned to that section, When it comes to new washers, there's quite a selection.

There's Hot Point and Maytag, Sears Kenmore and GE, Even front-loading types from both Bosch and LG. From the bottom of the line to the top of deluxe, I could buy any one for a mere hundred bucks!

So I picked up the phone and I started to dial,

For the machine I had found, the right color and style.

"I'm calling on your washer, and I need one tonight!"

"Come right over," he said, "and I'll put on the light."

I sprang into action, down the driveway I flew, The tires skidding out on the mid-evening dew.

I pulled into their drive and I knocked on the door, A young gentleman asked, "What are you here for?"

I sprang up the stairs to go hop in my chair, And thought, "These are the reasons I'm loosing my hair!"

So I stopped by the kitchen and grabbed a new beer, 'Cause that and a nap is called "Holiday Cheer!"

"The washer," I said, "We spoke on the phone?"

"You have the wrong house," he said with a groan.

So back in the car to now clear up this mess, I sure wish I had charged my new GPS! So I finally arrived with a glimmer of hope, But soon came to realize I'd forgotten the rope!

Do you have a question or funny story about the classifieds? Want to just give us your opinion?

We want to hear all about it! Email us at: comments@classifiedguys.com.

www.ClassifiedGuys.com 2001 KIA, 4 cyl, 4 dr, standard, $1600. PH: 780-922-5999

APARTMENTS

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 2005 Mercedes Smart Car diesel, automatic, black, 192,000kms, $3900. 780994-3005

COMPUTERS 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.

EDUCATION

Bach, 1 & 2 Bdrm Apts in 3 story family Bldg. Rent starting $645 / $725 / $825.

DD Starting $500. Seniors DD $99. Small pet allowed with condition. Call for more infos at 780-632-6878 or 780-632-3102.

2 Bedroom, Heritage Manor. 61 Street Vegreville, $795 Clean & affordable.

587-590-8834 Dave

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING - Get FAA Technician certification.

Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified.

Job placement assistance.

Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-453-6204 25 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a driver for Stevens Transport! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! New drivers earn $800+ per week!

PAID CDL TRAINING! Stevens covers all costs! 1-888-7346714 drive4stevens.com

AUTOMOBILES ENTERTAINMENT 2000 Windstar. Ex. engine & transmission. Body damage. For parts $750.

780-922-5999 2008 Dodge Calibar. Automatic.

Loaded. 150,000 Kms. Clean. $5200. 780-994-3005 2002 Honda Civic, Standard Drives Excellent Needs TLC $3200 780-922-5999

DIRECTV Starting at $19.99/ mo. FREE Installation. FREE 3 months of HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, & Starz. FREE HD/ DUpgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included (Select Packages) New Customers Only. CALL 1-800-370-1356

FARMLAND Farmland for rent near Borschiw. Cult & pasture.

780-631-9088 Looking for pasture land to rent. 780-632-9920

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 130 Sprouted barley bales.

780-688-2480 Hay for sale. Weighed on scale.

Over 1250 pound bales. No rain $60 each. Phone 780-913-4675 Last years canola bales. Not Combined Still in good condition for feed. $22 each. Phone 780-913-4675 Feed oats, oats straw and hay for sale 780-768-2426 Hay for sale. Mixed brome & alfalfa. 1300 pound bales.

780-632-7433

FOOD THRILL DAD with 100% guaranteed, delivered-to-thedoor Omaha Steaks! SAVE 69%, plus 4 FREE Burgers The Favorite Gift - ONLY $49.99! ORDER Today! 1800-483-3491 or use code mbdad75 at www.

OmahaSteaks.com/49377JCF

VIAGRA & CIALIS! 50 pills for $95. 100 pills for $150 FREE shipping. NO prescriptions needed. Money back guaranteed! 1-877-743-5419 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! 40 Pills + 10 FREE. SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. FREE Shipping!

24/7 CALL: 1-888-223-8818 Hablamos Espanol.

3 Bdrm. Vegreville $800 plus utilities. D/D same. Available January 1st 780-603-0956 Vegreville - Lovely 2 Bdrm. main floor house for rent $1300/month including utilities. Available immediately. Call 780-699-1869 or 780-699-3143 3 + 1 Bdrm., 2 full bathrooms, recently decorated, usual amenities, includes washer and dryer. $950 & D.D same.

Phone 780-999-5946 $1200 + Utilities. 3+1 Bedrooms, 1.5+.5 Bathrooms Duplex available 780-603-3760 After 5PM

FREE VIAGRA PILLS 48 PILLS + 4 FREE! VIAGRA 100MG/ CIALIS 20mg Free Pills! No hassle, Discreet Shipping.

Save Now. Call Today 1-888410-0514

Small 2 Bdrm. for rent

OXYGEN Anytime.

Anywhere. No tanks to refill.

No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved!

FREE info kit: 844-558-7482

Quite, spacious country living/acreage. 2 bedroom, full bath, large barn and multiple out buildings. 15 minutes to Vegreville.

Including utilities $1500/ month (780)603-3547

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

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

Call Dave at 780-632-0321 or 780-932-0041 New 3 bdrm duplex Vegreville. $685/mo. Call 780-603-0692.

New developments.

3 Bdrm Mobile Home, N/P. PH: 780-208-9608 Larger 3 Bdrm. Double mobile home. 780-208-9608 Vegreville home for rent.

Main floor only 2 Bdrm. C/ W laundry 780-631-9088

immediately.

Large

Fridge/Stove

lot

A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service.

Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation.

CALL 1-800-217-3942

MOBILE HOMES

Death may be the most misunderstood subject in the world today, what is the truth about death? What happens when you die?

Find out the truth about death and uncover the deadly deceptions.

Truthaboutdeath.com or call 632-3746

632-1145

2 Bdrm. house. $800/month plus utilities. References required. Ph. 780-603-3125

MISC. Make a Connection. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call NOW: 1-888-909-9905 18+.

VIAGRA 52 PILLS + 4 FREE! VIAGRA 100MG/ CIALIS 20mg Free Pills! No hassle, Discreet Shipping. Save Now. $99.00 Call Today 1800-213-6202

HEALTH & FITNESS

3 Bdrm. duplex. Vegreville. 2 Bath. New paint & floors.

Available immediately 780916-2333

Lady that paid for the lovely poinsettia on December 8 please call 780-366-3881

VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg! 50 Pills $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed.

CALL NOW! 1 -866-312-6061 Hablamos Espanol

For rent 3 Bdrm. recently renovated 4plex. 4 appliances, N/P, N/S. DD $900 Rent $900. Call 780-6321020 or 780-363-2132

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

Try it FREE. Call NOW: Call 1877-737-9447 18+

1993 Chev 4x4 Ext Cab. For parts. $650. 780-922-5999 2002 GMC 4x4 HD ¾ ton Service Truck 340k $3500

Lot for mobile home available. Located in trailer park.

Call Sue 403-823-4499

REAL ESTATE

2 Bdrm mobile home for sale.

Owner will finance. Contact Sue for more information 403-823-4499

MUSIC Piano teacher available. Can teach at any level. Masters degree in music. taught at the university of Lviv. Phone 780-768-3747. or 587-3577010 Ask for Martha.

PERSONAL 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 ALL MALE HOT GAY HOOKUPS! Call FREE! 800450-0813 only 18 & over 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

1997 Ford 7.3 Diesel, 4 x 4, missing transmission. Nice deck, $2800. 780-922-5999

1999 Chev Silverado 3/4T, 4x4. Good for farm. $1500.

Phone 780-994-3005

MOTORCYCLES WANTED OLD JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI Z1-900 (1972-75), KZ900, KZ1000 (1976-1982), Z1R, KZ 1000MK2 (1979,80), W1-650, H1-500 (1969-72), H2-750 (1972-1975), S1-250, S2-350, S3-400, KH250, KH400, SUZUKI-GS400, GT380, HONDACB750K (1969-1976), CBX1000 (1979,80) CASH!! 1-800772-1142 1-310-721-0726 usa@classicrunners.com

780-922-5999

2000 Dodge Dakota V8 4x4 Farm Truck. $1,600.

780-922-5999.

$800

month/$800 DD Ph. 780-

TRUCKS

New, complete, exhaust system, fits GMC, Chev, crewcabs. $600.00. Phone 780-632-9689

SEWING SWS 15 thread embroidery sewing machine. Also 6 thread brother embroidery machine 780-853-3728

SHARED ACCOMODATIONS Guest house adjacent to main house. Full use of main house privileges, including laundry. $575 per month. N/ S. Pets okay 780-953-3774

TRAVEL CRUISE VACATIONS – 3, 4, 5 or 7+ day cruises to the Caribbean. Start planning now to save $$ on your fall or winter getaway vacation.

Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Princess and many more. Great deals for all budgets and departure ports. To search for your next cruise vacation visit www.NCPtravel.com

2001 Dodge Cummins Diesel. Farm truck. 340,000 Kms. Automatic. $3800.

780-994-3005 1984 Ford F-150. Estate truck.

Very good shape. Mint condition interior. 6 cyl motor.

Standard transmission. 780764-2152 or 780-718-0746

WANTED Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201 Wild fur wanted. Coyote, fox etc. Buy shed antlers. Pick up at Musidora rock store, 5 miles east of Two Hills, Jan 21 & Feb 25 at 11:00 am. 1-780755-3860 or 1-780-842-7153

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Marie-Pierre‘s little pink ice cream truck

Joe Machney Reporter Even though it is not the season, an ice cream truck is something that will always turn heads and bring out the kids and the kids at heart. For MariePierre LeBlanc Demers having her own ice cream truck was a dream come true.

Marie-Pierre lives in Myrnam, but was born in Haiti and was adopted at six years old and raised in Quebec by French Canadians. Being a French speaking native she recently came to the area with her husband Andy McCleod from the Yukon where they ran a hostel from 2010.

“I really enjoyed the entrepreneurship of running a hostel. I loved all the people I met there, the different cultures and the stories that each of the various people brought with them were most enlightening,” Marie-Pierre said

as she reflected on her recent past there.

With French being her native language she has been teaching French with St. Paul Education giving French lesson programs to elementary schools. “I do

reading one by one with the students as well as group animation in French and I’ve taught students about the different countries in the world that speak French,” she explained. “So this brought me here to Myrnam, where I’ve been since August of this year.”

In 2013 she purchased an ice cream truck. The reason? “Because it was one of my fantasies and the joy that I see in the children and that I’ve made their day is so heart-warming that it makes it all worthwhile,” Marie-Pierre said with a beaming smile.

“It’s so funny to see the kids run after the ice cream. Everyone, whether they’re adults or kids, loves the ice cream truck.

I remember one time I needed it repaired and when I went to pay the

guy he told me not to worry about it and to just pay him in ice cream. People just like ice cream, it’s fun! Also, it’s so much less work than a food truck.”

“It’s important to find the niche markets when you do this sort of thing. For me, it is the small events that I like

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

CARD OF THANKS THANK YOU An expression of gratitude and a huge thank you to the person who paid for our supper at Albert’s Restaurant on December 8, 2016.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God Bless.

From the five women who pulled on your heart strings.

HUGHES, Osborne (Ossie) Kenneth “Life is precious, Love is all that really matters, and who we are in the end and how we have touched the lives of others is the legacy we leave behind.” - Susan Whitmore Our hearts are full of gratitude as we say “Thank you” to the family members, friends and staff of homecare, Kerensa - PCN, Heritage House, Long Term Care Centre, St. Joseph’s hospital and all the doctors for their concern, kindness and professionalism.

“Thank you” for the donations, flowers, cards, calls, gifts of food, visits and kind words of fond remembrance during the loss of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Osborne (Ossie) Kenneth Hughes A sincere thank you to the Reverend Lauretta Blockin for her kindness, compassion and heartfelt service.

A special thank you to Autumn Rose Funeral Home, Patty and Gord, for their kind and concerning assistance in making dad’s funeral service a true memorial of his life. . .

In closing DAD’S WISH would be that we all take a few minutes of our time to visit someone in a senior’s facility.

A short visit can brighten their day!!

Nadia Hughes Linda & Wayne Lusk and families Judy & Walter Dowhaniuk and families Rob & Peggy OLINECK, Vera We wish to thank the Vegreville Care Centre staff for their compassionate care given to our mother, Vera Olineck. Thank you to Father Lomaszkiewicz and the choir for making her service so truly special. Thank you to the St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church ladies for the delicious meals. Also to all who gave us hugs, phoned us, brought cards, sent beautiful flowers, shared your memories or braved the challenging weather to attend the services in honour of our mother. Thanks to Janet at Park Memorial for giving us the utmost care. Thank you to Vivian and staff at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites. From the bottom of our hearts thank you to all who participated in any way.

Our mother would have loved every bit of it.

Orest, Sylvia, Patricia, Martha & families

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Tributes MEMORIAM

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

BROUWER, Joanne December 21, 2014 I miss you so much dear Joanne -Mary Lou

FEDORUK, ANNA April 8, 1916 – December 10, 2016 On Saturday, December 10, 2016, Anna Fedoruk of Edmonton, Alberta passed away at the age of 100 years.

Anna is survived by her loving family, one son Andy (Sandy); two daughters Marie Foster and Jane (George) Skulsky; five grandchildren David (Robyn), Billy (Anne), Hanya (Kent), Claire (Doug) and Robert; eight great-grandchildren Sophia, Nikolai, Elizabeth, Kyler, Ryan, Michael, Jennifer and Victoria; one brother Nick Chilibecki; three sisters Kate Kubin Sophie Gara and Olga (Bill) Rawluk; along with numerous relatives.

Anna was predeceased by her husband William A. in 1993; son-in-law John Foster in 1996; parents John and Helen Chilibecki; three brothers Harry (Lena) Chilibecki, Peter (Victoria) and William (Alice); one sister Mary (Steve) Lazaruk; brothers-in-law Tom Kubin and Bill Gara; sister-in-law Eva Chilibecki.

A Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church-Mundare with the Basilian Fathers officiating. Interment to follow in Spas Moskalyk Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church-Mundare” or “Spas Moskalyk Cemetery Fund.”

To send condolences visit www.autumnrosefuneralhome .com AUTUMN ROSE FUNERAL HOME LTD., VEGREVILLE, 780-603-5800

FASEK, William On December 16, 2016 William Fasek of Lavoy passed away peacefully at the age of 78 years. William is survived by two daughters and one son, Linda (Todd) Fenske, Nick (Gynelle), and Sandra Fasek; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Cecilia Charchuk, and Marion (Allan) Eschak; and one brother, Harry (Sherry) Fasek; also numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Predeceased by his wife, Geraldine; parents, Mary and Nick; and sisters, Lillian and Sophie.

Prayers Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, 4814-50 Street, Vegreville with Very Reverend Slawomir Lomaszkiewicz officiating. Funeral service Friday, December 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Luzan. Reverend Father Benny Ambrosie officiating with interment in Church Cemetery.

In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to Two Hills Long Term Care.

To send condolences, visit www.parkmemorial.com PARK MEMORIAL LTD. VEGREVILLE 780-632-2000 FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL HOME

TATARIN, Lawrence March 28, 1937 – December 19, 2016 On Monday, December 19, 2016, Lawrence Tatarin of Hairy Hill, Alberta passed away at the age of 79 years.

Lawrence is survived by three sisters Sophia, Evelyn and Elizabeth; one brother Ed; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Lawrence was predeceased by his parents Dan and Sophie Tatarin; three sisters Ann, Mary and Margaret; one brother Bill.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Autumn Rose Funeral Home in Vegreville, Alberta with Reverend Father Michael Maranchuk officiating.

Interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation c/o Cross Cancer Institute or to the charity of one’s choice.

To send condolences please visit www.autumnrosefuneralhome.com AUTUMN ROSE FUNERAL HOME LTD. VEGREVILLE,780-603-5800

WOLOSHNIUK, Stan In Memory of Stan Woloshniuk 1935 - 2012 For someone who meant so much, And was loved by all he knew, Who left behind a trail of tears And precious memories too.

We loved the sunshine in his smile, And kindness in his heart, But heaven saw that he was tired Which meant we had to part.

We miss him more than ever, Dear Angels, hear our prayers, Please guard him with your gentle wings And tend him with great care.

For he was someone wonderful, And words just can’t convey, How much we wish that he was here Once more, with us today.

Memory Eternal Forever loved and missed by June, Darrin & Rita, Duane & Roxanne SARAFINCHAN, William In loving memory of William Sarafinchan October 1, 1923 - December 27, 1997 Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush Of quiet birds in circled flight I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die.

Forever remembered by your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

WARAWA, Roman In loving memory of Roman Warawa who passed away on December 26, 2007.

Today our hearts are heavy With sorrow and grief But as days turn into months May we find sweet relief In knowing our loved one Is not far away But is with us in spirit Every hour of the day.

Elsie, Rudy & Theresa, David & Tammy and grandchildren

OBITUARY

BOYCHUK, Margaret On December 12, 2016 Margaret Boychuk of Innisfree passed away at the age of 74 years. Margaret is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Victor; siblings, Freddy Yakimchuk (Betty), Bobby (Sonia) Yakimchuk, Olga (Ernie) Mulek, Frances Rowland, and Betty Poirier. Predeceased by her parents, Bella and Alex.

Family and friends may pay their respect on Sunday, December 18, 2016 from 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, 4814-50 Street, Vegreville. A private funeral service will be held.

Reverend Carolyn Woodall officiating with interment in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of floral tributes, donations may be made to Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Photos, memories and condolences may be shared through www.parkmemorial.com PARK MEMORIAL LTD. VEGREVILLE 780-632-2000 FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL HOME

PLISHKA, Steve On December 14, 2016 Steve Plishka of Holden passed away suddenly to be with the Lord, at the age of 88 years. Steve is survived by one brother and one sister, Larry (Gladys) Plishka of Grande Prairie and Maryann (Kasper) Szott of Edmonton; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends; also a special caregiver, Bonnie Woloschuk. Predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Maria; brother, Mike; and sisters, Theresa and Helen.

Funeral Service Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, Vegreville. Father Jim Nakonechny officiating with interment in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church Cemetery. Borschiw. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to Canadian Diabetes Association or St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Borschiw.

Photos, memories and condolences may be shared through www.parkmemorial.com PARK MEMORIAL LTD. VEGREVILLE 780-632-2000 FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL HOME

KIT, Vera Verna November 7, 1930 – December 17, 2016 On Saturday, December 17, 2016, Vera Verna Kit, formerly of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan passed away at the age of 86 years.

Vera is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Nick; one sister Hilda Jones; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Vera was predeceased by her parents David and Helen Pauls; siblings Walter (Kay) Pauls, Annie (Joe) Green, Frieda (les) McGunigal and Adeline (Wayne) McDowell; brother-in-law Barry Jones.

A Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Vegreville, Alberta with the Basilian Fathers officiating. Interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Vegreville Care Centre-Patient Comfort Society” or to the charity of one’s choice.

To send condolences please visit www.autumnrosefuneralhome.com AUTUMN ROSE FUNERAL HOME LTD., VEGREVILLE,780-603-5800

The driver who rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in the heart of the German capital, killing at least 12 people and injuring nearly 50, did so intentionally, police said Tuesday.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said authorities believe it was a terror attack. The truck smashed into the popular Christmas market filled with tourists and locals outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church near Berlin’s Zoo station late Monday.

A team of 18 Russian investigators and foreign ministry officials arrived in Turkey and began inspecting the art gallery where the shooting of Andrei Karlov took place.

Central to the joint Turkish-Russian investigation is whether Mevlut Mert Altintas, a member of Ankara’s riot police squad, planned the attack alone.

The red flag of China waved over Victoria’s harbour this week as three ships from the Peoples’ Liberation Army (Navy) arrived for a five-day goodwill visit to the West Coast.

The guided-missile frigates Yancheng and Daqing, along with the massive Taihu replenishment ship, are on an official tour of the Pacific Rim.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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DECEMBER 21, 2016

Seniors’ Health and Wellness Day

Rosanne Fortier To ensure that seniors have information to be able to live the best life possible, the Fourth Annual Vegreville Seniors’ Health and Wellness Day was recently presented at Vegreville Senior Sunshine Club Centre.

A full hall of 100 people attended. Viola Braun-Fox was the emcee for the event. Mayor Myron Hayduk and Town Councilor Dave Berry also attended. “I want to commend our MLA Jessica Littlewood and our MP Shannon Stubbs for lobbying to keep our CPC in town.

You can go to the town’s website, there are some addresses thereof the Minister’s office and I ask you to please put your comments in and voice your opinions,” Myron said.

Vegreville RCMP Detachment Commander, Sergeant J. Nutbrown then went forth and spoke about security alarms and said that false alarms always takes them away from other duties they could be attending to. “The big recommendation is if you have home alarms, make sure they are functioning properly and have an annual maintenance done to them and work with your alarm monitoring companies to make sure they have the latest phone numbers for you that you need and they don’t need to dispatch us.”

Phil Rowe, Vegreville Fire Chief’s address spoke about how when an older adult exercises, they increase their coordination and this makes them less prone to slips and falls. “Take your time because this prevents accidents and memory lapses that can cause falls or people can forget to turn off a fire.

Then on the ambulance side, we get a lot of calls from seniors slipping and falling-down-thestairs. Keep your stairways and walkways clean and clear.

Improve the lighting inside and outside your home. Then watch your slippers and take a look around your house at the cause of slips and falls; if it happened once, it will happen again!”

Next, Laurie Evans, Community Service Director for Vegreville spoke about a survey on the accessible issues in Vegreville and about the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee that has a mandate

by the end of Vegreville Town Council’s sitting term, they will have a report that they will put forward in their future planning to properly address those issues from the survey. They are also seeking more people to join their committee.

The special guest, Mary Jane Tkachyk, Stakeholder Engagement Advisor with Alberta Seniors and Housing said there are 525,000 seniors in Alberta as of July 1, 2016.

It is forecasting that by 2032, there will be approximately one million Albertans that will be 65 years-old or older.

The first program, Tkachyk spoke about was Alberta Seniors benefit which provides a special monthly benefit to low-income seniors and had a change in July 2016.

To be eligible, you have to meet five general requirements: you have to be 65 or older, you have to be an Alberta resident, you must meet Canada Citizens requirements and you must meet the income testing and you must have chosen not to defer receiving your Old Age Security Pension. Any benefits you receive will be based on your previous year’s income. You have to apply to these programs.

After all these informative speeches, attendees indulged in a delightful lunch catered by Sunshine Club under the direction of Dwayne Hlady who also provided some mouth-watering banana-splits.

Lisa Topilko, Community Programmer for FCSS then spoke about Meals on Wheels which provides and delivers a complete meal to seniors at a low-cost.

They are flexible and willing to substitute foods or meet dietary requirements.

Carol Lynn Babiuk, Health Promotion Facilitator with AHS spoke about Rural Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition because elder abuse does happen. “If it is physical abuse, the RCMP can step in but this coalition’s mandate is to look at emotional and other abuses and at the moment, we are looking for coalition members and want to have senior representatives.”

Joanne Stewart, Health Promotion Facilitator for AHS from Two Hills and Vermilion River Counties added about Finding Balance because falls are the number one reason for hospital admission.

Karri Scherger, LPN from Kalyna Country Primary Care Network took the platform next and said St. Joseph’s Hospital offers many services; people who have diabetics can get care there, they have a foot doctor who will do clipping of toenails and foot inspections.

Sheila Steinbach then gave a chair yoga presentation where she said the mind, body and soul is all connected and anytime we do exercises; even if we cannot do them, as long as, we can imagine ourselves doing the exercise, they can benefit us.

Patricia the Clown showed how laughing releases stress and creates more oxidation in the blood, energizes people and helps with almost every issue a person has.

Patricia then told some jokes and she passed away a red nose to everyone, turning them into Rudolph the Red Nose person.

This event was organized by Sunshine club committee, VegMin, AHS, and FCSS.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

marie-pierre CONTINUED from PAGE 19 doing. I don’t want to do the big city ones, that’s too much work,” MariePierre said. “I don’t get charged as much to be in the small events and the profit ends up being the same at the end anyways. I did the Big Valley Jamboree last year and I broke even because I had to pay the fee to be there, as well as the staff too, and I found that it just wasn’t worth being there for all the work that I did for the four days.

For the Myrnam One Day Fun Day, I made a couple hundred dollars because there was no cost for me being there, I just parked my truck and made kids

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smile and people happy. I also went to the senior’s center and gave them some ice cream because my neighbor works there and they were all happy too. So for me I just prefer to do the countryside work, there are fewer regulations in town and it’s just better.

I have about five or six flavors of ice cream in the truck.”

Marie-Pierre feels that she keeps busy with her truck and she’s ready to go whenever people call her because there is not really any prep work for her to do with ice cream. Rain or shine she can be there to put a smile on people’s faces. “I make good money doing it because you don’t have too much over-

head with ice cream and you don’t have prep to do, so this is a good hobby but people are often lied to when they ask questions about getting into the ice cream truck business. They are told that if they go to a First Nation’s PowWow for example that they’ll make $20,000, and that’s just not true. On a good day, I’ll make $2000 to $3000 but you have to work hard, like 10 in the morning to 10 at night. But of course, that is not all the time and often just on weekends at big centers. So they got to do their homework beforehand and not trust what they see in the movies.

There’s a lot of work behind it, but I love doing it.”

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DECEMBER 21, 2016

W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 21, 2 016

The chemotherapy Susanna received makes her weak and she faints.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Shepherds and Kings

Mrs. Shepherd rejects Susanna’s offers of love and friendship at the Dramatic Musical Production-Shepherds and Kings. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Rosanne Fortier The authentic meaning of Christmas is always captured in Vegreville Alliance Church’s Dramatic Musical Productions.

The cast and choir presented a stirring and polished performance at their 9th Annual Musical- Shepherds and Kings on December 16, 18 and 21.

The setting is Mattiello’s Diner. Susanna King, the main character is a young woman recently diagnosed with cancer.

Despite these circumstances, Susanna continued to love Christmas and she desired to help others do so too at her work as a waitress at the diner. Mr. Mattiello, the owner of the diner and all of Susanna’s friends are willing to help her with her plan.

Susanna met Mrs. Victoria Shepherd at the diner. Mrs. Shepherd doesn’t have the Christmas spirit as she misses her husband who passed away and her son who is in the army.

Through a few chance encounters and lots of determination, Susanna managed to show Mrs. Shepherd’s God love as she brings the Christmas spirit to Mrs. Shepherd.

This production skillfully transmitted the message that sometimes God’s love needs to be given to those who test others the most as the Prince of Peace can make a broken world whole again.

After this production, citizens met at the church auditorium to engage in fellowship and enjoy the desserts, coffee, and juice brought in by the church family.

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DECEMBER 21, 2016

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St. Martinvilles’ Town Council Executive

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Ranfurly Ag Society donates

On a recent trip to the Fort Mac Casino on November 14 and 15,Gladys Menzak of the Ranfurly Ag Society set up a tip jar that pulled in $366 which she decided to give to the Vegreville Christmas Bureau. Ann Waters,Vice Chair of the Christmas Bureau accepted the generous donation. (Joe Machney/Photo)

St. Martinvilles’ new Executive (left to right) Caitlyn, Deputy Mayor, Carter, Mayor and Theo, Town Manager. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Rosanne Fortier St. Martin’s School has a town called, St. Martinvilles and a student government in it. In the last few months, St. Martinvilles’ new Town Council Executive: MayorCarter and Deputy Mayor-Caitlyn has been voted in by the students. The Town Manager, Theo was hired on where he had to submit a resume and go through an interview for this position.

Carter said he felt excited about being elected as Mayor. “I think Caitlyn, Theo and me and school council will be able to think of new ideas for the school.

What I like best about the position is leading the school.

I’m in a leadership role in my focus group, so I want to be a role model and leader as I go to high school. The challenge is introducing new ideas.

But it was neat that Caitlyn, Theo and I introduced the bylaw of the general store and it passed.

Caitlyn said she felt excited about the new start she had when she was elected as Deputy Mayor. “It is neat to present new ideas to the school. I like that I don’t have to do as much as Carter has to but I still get to do a bunch of stuff like start new by-laws and help Carter overall. I introduced the bylaw and it passed of a booster club where kids from our school can go to St. Mary’s School and watch their basketball, volleyball and badminton games. But the challenge is to introduce new ideas to the younger kids.”

Theo said he felt good about being the Town Manager. “My job is to get the bylaws running. We are doing well with St. Martinvilles General Store and we just have to hire some managers for it. My position is fun and I get to introduce new things to the little kids. The challenge is trying to get things going; like getting the intramurals to happen,” Theo commented.

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Christmas in Austria

Christmas in South Korea

Christmas in Latvia

Austria shares many Christmas traditions with its neighbor Germany, but also has many special Christmas customs of its own.

During Advent, many families will have an Advent Wreath made from evergreen twigs and decorated with ribbons and four candles. One each of the four Sunday in Advent, a candle is lit and a carols or two might be sung!

Most towns will have a ‘Christkindlmarkt’ (Christmas market) from late November, early December selling Christmas decorations, food (like gingerbread) and Glühwein (sweet, warm mulled wine). Cities like Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg have huge markets and people from all over the world to visit them.

Every town will also have a large Christmas Tree in the town square. In homes, trees are decorated with gold and silver ornaments and stars made from straw.

Christmas in Austria really starts around 4.00pm on Christmas Eve (‘Heilige Abend’) when the tree is lit for the first time and people come to sing carols around the tree. The most famous carol is Silent Night (‘Stille Nacht’), which was written in Austria in 1818.

Traditionally the Christmas tree is brought in and decorated on Christmas Eve. Decorations include candles (now often electric and) and sparklers. For children, other important decorations are sweets such as small liqueur-filled chocolate bottles, chocolates of various kinds, jelly rings and ‘Windbäckerei’ (meringue, usually in the form of rings, stars, etc.).

The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve. It’s often ‘Gebackener Karpfen’ (fried carp) as the main course, this is because Christmas Eve was considered a ‘fasting’ day by many Catholics and no meat could beeaten. However‘Weihnachtsgans’ (roast goose) and roast turkey are becoming more popular.

Dessert can be chocolate and apricot cake ‘Sachertorte’ and Austrian Christmas cookies ‘Weihnachtsbaeckerei’.

Every year, Austria’s capital city, Vienna, holds a world famous classical music concert ‘NeuJahrsKonzert’ which takes place during the morning of New Year’s day. It’s held in the ‘Großer Saal’ (large hall) of the Musikverein, the concert hall of the Viennese Music Association. The concert is played by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and always features music from the Strauss family: Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss. It is famous for its waltz music.

During the last piece played, the The Blue Danube, the introduction is interrupted by applause from the audience and the musicians then wish them a Happy New Year! The concert is shown around the world on TV. For Epiphany, 6th January, a special sign in chalk over their front door. It’s a reminder of the Wise Men that visited the baby Jesus. It’s made from the year split in two with initials for ‘Christus mansionem benedicat’ which is ‘May Christ bless the house’ in latin. So 2016 would be: 20*C*M*B*16. The sign is meant to protect the house for the coming year. (Some people say the ‘C M B’ can also represent the names that are sometimes given to ‘the three wise men’, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, in the middle.) As in parts of Germany, the sign is traditionally written on the door by the Sternsinger (or star singers), carol singing children who dress up like the Wise men and one who carries a star on a stick as a symbol for the Star of Bethlehem.

Another famous event that happens over the new year in Austria and Germany is the Ski Jumping ‘Four Hills Tournament’ (‘Vierschanzentournee’). It starts in Germany with Oberstdorf (Germany) on the 29th or 30th December and GarmischPartenkirchen (Germany) on New Years Day and continues in Austria with Innsbruck (Austria) on 3rd or 4th of January and Bischofshofen (Austria) on the 6th January. I’m a big Ski Jumping fan, so I watch it (and I support the Austrians)!

There are more Christians in South Korea (the Republic of Korea) than in other asian countries such as China and Japan, so Christmas is celebrated more widely. (Christians make up about 25-30% of the population.) However, the other 70% of people in South Korea are Buddhist (about 25%) or don’t have a religion.

Unlike Japan, Christmas is an official public holiday - so people have the day off work and school! But they go back on the 26th (Boxing Day). There’s a longer official winter break in the New Year.

Churches are decorated with lights and many have a bright red neon cross on top (all the year!) so that goes very well with the Christmas lights! Most churches will have a service on Christmas day. Going to Church for Christmas is becoming more popular, even among non Christians.

Department stores put on big displays of decorations.

There’s also an amazing display of lights in the capital city, Seoul. The lights are all over the city center including the bridges over the Han River.

Some people (especially Christians and westerns who live in South Korea) will have decorations at home including a Christmas tree.

Presents are exchanged and a popular present is money!

Giving actually gifts has become more popular, but giving money is still very common.

Santa Claus can also be seen around Korea but he might be wearing red or blue! He’s also known as Santa Kullosu or Santa Grandfather.

A popular Christmas food is a Christmas Cake, but it’s often a sponge cake covered in cream brought from a local bakery!

Or you might even have an ice cream cake from a shop like ‘Baskin Robbins’!

Happy/Merry Christmas in Korean is ‘Meri krismas’ or ‘Jeulgaeun krismas doeseyo’. Christians can say ‘Sungtan chukhahaeyo’ to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

If you live in North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Christmas will be very different. Being a Christian is ‘officially’ allowed but you can go to prison, or even be killed for being a Christian or even having a Bible. Christians in North Korea have to meet in secret and any celebrations of Christmas will also be held in secret.

Thank you to Heidi Wenger for her help in giving me information on Christmas in South Korea!

Children in Latvia believe that Santa Claus (also known as Ziemassvētku vecītis - Christmas old man) brings their presents. The present are usually put under the Christmas tree.

The presents are opened on during the Evening of Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Often the presents are secretly put under the tree when people are not around (such as when people are at Church). Sometimes to get a present you have to recite a short poem while standing next to the Christmas Tree! Before Christmas children learn to say poems by heart. You might also get a present by singing, playing a musical instrument or doing a dance.

Latvia also claims to be the home of the first Christmas Tree!

The first documented use of a evergreen tree at Christmas and New Year celebrations is in town square of Riga, the capital of Latvia, in the year 1510. Lots of people think the Christmas Tree first came from Germany, but the first recorded one is in Latvia. You can find out more about the Riga Tree from this great website: www.firstchristmastree.com In Latvian Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Priecïgus Ziemassvºtkus’.

Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

The special Latvian Christmas Day meal is cooked brown/grey peas with bacon (pork) sauce, small pies, cabbage & sausage, bacon rolls and gingerbread.

Christmas in Zambia Many churches in Zambia have nativity plays and a crib in the church. One or two days before Christmas, Zambians like to go carol singing around the local streets for charity.

On Christmas day, children are encouraged to bring a present to church for children who are in hospital or might not get a present because they are less fortunate. After church, on Christmas day, it is a custom that all the children go to one house and all the adults go to another house to have a party and to eat!

Thank you to Hope Mwenda for her help in giving me information on Christmas in Zambia!

Christmas in Brazil Many Brazilian Christmas traditions come from Portugal as Portugal ruled Brazil for many years. Nativity Scenes, known as Presépio are very popular. They are set-up in churches and homes all through December.

Most people, especially Catholics, will go to a Midnight Mass service or Missa do Galo (Mass of the Roster). The mass normally finishes about 1.00am. On Christmas day, people might go to church again, but this time the services are often in the afternoon.

After the Missa do Gallo there are often big firework displays and in big towns and cities there are big Christmas Tree shaped displays of electric lights.

In Brazil, Santa Claus is called Papai Noel & Bom Velhinho (Good Old Man).

Sometimes children leave a sock near a window. If Papai Noel finds your sock, he’ll exchange it for a present!

The most popular Christmas song in Brazil is ‘Noite Feliz’ (Silent Night).

It’s common in Brazil to get a ‘13th salary’ at the end of the year – i.e. in December you get twice the normal amount of pay for that month! The idea is to help boost the economy around Christmas. This has been going on for decades and most people don’t even question that other countries might not do it!

Favourite Christmas foods in Brazil include pork, turkey, pork, ham, salads and fresh and dried fruits. Everything is served with rice cooked with raisins and a good spoon of “farofa” (seasoned manioc flour.) Popular Christmas desserts include tropical and ice cream.

The meal is normally be served around 10pm on Christmas Eve and exactly at Midnight people greet each other, make a toast wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and after that they will exchange presents. The Lunch on Christmas day is also special and after that some people go to relatives and friends houses to visit.

Epiphany, when people remember the Wise Men visiting Jesus, is widely celebrated in Brazil.

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DECEMBER 21, 2016

Christmas in Bolivia

Christmas in Egypt

Christmas in Iceland

In Bolivia, Christmas is celebrated from Christmas Eve until Epiphany (6th January).

Most of the population of Bolivia is Catholic and many people go to a Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve called the ‘Misa de Gallo’ (Mass of the rooster). At Midnight people like to let of fire-crackers!

Families often eat the main christmas meal after the Misa de Gallo. The traditional meal is ‘picana’, a stew/soup made from chicken, beef (or lamb) and pork which is served with potatoes and corn. There might also be salads, roast pork (lechón) or roast beef, and lots of tropical fruit.

After the meal families might exchange presents, although present giving isn’t very common.

Some people exchange presents at Epiphany, remembering the Wise Men who brought presents to Jesus. Children also might get a set of new clothes at New Years.

For many poor people and often in rural areas, Christmas isn’t widely celebrated and it’s just a normal working day.

In Bolivia workers get double or three times the normal salary in December! This is called ‘El Aguinaldo’ and is a government law and has to be paid for by the employers. Many workplaces also give a ‘Canastón de fin de Año’ or ‘End of the year basket’ to their employees. It’s a large basket or container full of things like grocery items, a bottle of cidra (non alcoholic sparkling cider) and a panetón (sweet fruit bread).

In Egypt about 15% of people are Christians. They are the only part of the population who really celebrate Christmas as a religious festival. Most Egyptian Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church and they have some very unique traditions for Christmas.

Christmas Day isn’t celebrated on the 25th December but on 7th January (like in Ethiopia and by some Orthodox Christians in Russia and Serbia).

The Coptic month leading to Christmas is called Kiahk.

People sing special praise songs on Saturday nights before the Sunday Service.

For the 43 days before Christmas (Advent), from 25th November to 6th January, Coptic Orthodox Christians have a special fast where they basically eat a vegan diet.

The don’t eat anything containing products that come from animals (including chicken, beef, milk and eggs).

This is called ‘The Holy Nativity Fast’. But if people are too weak or ill to fast properly they can be excused.

On Coptic Christmas Eve (6th January), Coptic Christians go to church for a special liturgy or Service. The services normally start about 10.30pm but some chapels will be open for people to pray from 10.00pm. Many people meet up with their friends and families in the churches from 9.00pm onwards. The services are normally finished shortly after midnight, but some go onto 4.00am!

When the Christmas service ends people go home to eat the big Christmas meal. All the foods contain meat, eggs and butter - all the yummy things they didn’t during the Advent fast! One popular course if ‘Fata’ a lamb soup which contains bread, rice, garlic and boiled lamb meat.

On the Orthodox Christmas Day (7th) people come together in homes for parties and festivities. People often take ‘kahk’ (special sweet biscuits) with them to give as gifts.

Even though not many in Egypt are Christians, a lot of people in the country like to celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday. Christmas is becoming very commercial and most major supermarkets sell Christmas trees, Christmas food and decorations. Hotels, parks and streets are decorated for Christmas.

In Egypt, Santa is called Baba Noël (meaning Father Christmas). Children hope that he will climb through a window and will leave some presents! They might leave some kahk out for Baba Noël.

Most Egyptians speak Egyptian Arabic. In Arabic Happy/ Merry Christmas is ‘Eid Milad Majid’ which means ‘Glorious Birth Feast’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. ‘Christmas’ in Arabic is ‘eid almilad’

Christmas is often known as ‘Yule’ or ‘Jól’ in Iceland. This comes from the ancient winter solstice celebrations, that were taken over by the early Christians. Yule also include the New Year celebrations.

Aðfangadagur - Christmas Eve / Yule Eve Celebrations start at Iceland at 6.00pm on Yule Eve. This may have come from old Icelandic tradition, when a new day started at 6.00pm not midnight. Icelandic children open their presents after the evening meal on Aðfangadagur. This is when the Yule celebrations really start! (TV used to stop at about 5.00pm and restarted at 10.00pm! But now TV is on all through the christmas period.)

Jóladagur - Christmas Day / Yule Day Jóladagur is usually celebrated with the extended family.

The main Yule meal is ‘Hangikjöt’, a leg of roast lamb.

Sometimes ‘Rjúpa’ (Rock Ptarmigan a sea bird) is also eaten.

Another Yule meal speciality is ‘Laufabrauð’ or leaf bread.

This is made of thin sheets of dough cut into delicate patterns and fried. Each family often has their own patterns for the Laufabrauð.

Annar Jóladagur - Boxing Day This is another day for visiting friends and family and eating lots more! Public entertainment is considered inappropriate on Yule Eve and Yule Day, and it is on Boxing Day that dancing is again allowed in public!

Gamlárskvöld / Nýársdagur - New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day This is one of the most important nights of the year in Iceland and there are several magical traditions that are supposed to happen on it! Cows are meant to be able to talk, seals take on human form, the dead rise from their graves, and the Elves move house.

Bonfires have been lit on Gamlárskvöld since the late 1700s.

People also have big fireworks displays to bring in the New Year. This is called ‘sprengja út árið’ or ‘blowing out the year’. Þrettándinn - Epiphany - January 6th This is the last day of Yule, celebrated with bonfires and Elfin dances. Many of the magical traditions associated with New Year’s Eve are also supposed to happen at Þrettándinn.

Happy/Merry Christmas/Yule in Icelandic is ‘Gleðileg jól’.

Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

One other big Yule custom is the coming of the ‘Jólasveinarnir’ or Yuletide Lads. These are magical people who come from the mountains in Iceland and each day from December 12th to Yule Eve a different Jólasveinn (Yuletide lad) comes.

Jólasveinar first came to Iceland in the 17th century as the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði, a couple of child-eating, bloodthirsty ogres!!!

Here are thirteen of the most common names of the Jólasveinar: Stekkjarstaur - Gimpy Giljagaur - Gully Imp Stúfur - Itty Bitty Þvörusleikir - Pot Scraper Licker Pottasleikir - Pot Licker Askasleikir - Bowl Licker Hurðaskellir - Door Slammer Skyrgámur - Skyr Gobbler (Skyr, an Icelandic yoghurt) Bjúgnakrækir - Sausage Snatcher Gluggagægir - Window Peeper GáttaÞefur - Doorway Sniffer Ketkrókur - Meat Hooker Kertasníkir - Candle Beggar The Jólasveinar are thought of as playful imps or elves who like lots to eat and playing little tricks on people.

Like in Finland, cemeteries are often lit up and decorated with Christmas lights over Christmas.

Christmas in China In China, only about one percent of people are Christians, so most people only know a few things about Christmas.

Because of this, Christmas is only often celebrated in major cities. In these big cities there are Christmas Trees, lights and other decorations on the streets and in department stores.

Santa Claus is called ‘Shen Dan Lao Ren’ and has grottos in shops like in Europe and America.

In Chinese Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Sheng Dan Kuai Le’ in Mandarin and ‘Seng Dan Fai Lok in Cantonese. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

In China, Santa is known as ‘Sheng dan lao ren’ (Traditional:, Simplified: means Old Christmas Man).

A tradition that’s becoming popular, on Christmas Eve, is giving apples. Many stores have apples wrapped up in colored paper for sale. People give apples on Christmas Eve because in Chinese Christmas Eve is called “Ping’an Ye”, meaning peaceful or quiet evening, which has been translated from the carol ‘Silent Night’. The word for apple in Mandarin is “pínggu” which sounds like the word for peace.

Thank you to Lisa, Gu Yuhong and DeAnn for their help in giving me information on Christmas in China!

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Christmas in Greece

Christmas in Lebanon

Christmas in the Falkland Islands

On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing ‘kalanda’ (carols) in the streets. They play drums and triangles as they sing. Sometimes the will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands.

If the children sing well, they might be given money, as well things to eat like nuts, sweets and dried figs.

Christmas Trees are popular in Greece. But an older and more traditional decoration is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim. A sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross hangs from the wire. Some water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day someone, usually the mother of the family, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house.

This is believed to keep the ‘kallikantzaroi’ (bad spirits) away. The kallikantzaroi are meant to appear only during the 12-day period from Christmas to Epiphany (January 6th). They are supposed to come from the middle of the earth and get into people’s house through the chimney! The kallikantzaroi do things like putting out fires and making milk go off. Having a fire burning through the twelve days of Christmas is also meant to keep the kallikantzaroi away.

The main Christmas meal is often Lamb or pork, roasted in an oven or over an open spit. It’s often served with a spinach and cheese pie and various salads and vegetables. Other Christmas and new year foods include ‘Baklava’ (a sweet pastry made of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey), Kataifi (a pastry made from a special form of shredded filo dough and flavored with nuts and cinnamon), Theeples (a kind of fried pastry). The pastries are either eaten for breakfast or as starters.

Another popular Christmas dessert are melomakarono, egg or oblong shaped biscuit/cakes made from flour, olive oil, and honey and rolled in chopped walnuts.

A traditional table decoration are loaves of ‘Christopsomo’ (Christ’s Bread or Christmas bread). It’s a round sweet bread which is flavored with cinnamon, orange and cloves. The top is decorated with a cross. The bread is made on Christmas Eve ready to be eaten on Christmas Day. In Greek Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Kala Christougenna’. Happy/ Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

In Greece, presents are often brought to children by Aghios Vassilis / Άγιος Βασίλης (Saint Basil) on the 1st January.

People in Greece also celebrate Epiphany on the 6th January. In the Greek Orthodox Church, Epiphany celebrates Jesus’s baptism when he was a man. It’s also known as ‘The Blessing of the Waters’.

There are many events throughout the country where young men dive into really cold lakes, rivers and the sea to try to be first to get a cross which has been blessed by a priest and thrown into the water. Whoever gets the cross first is meant to have good luck during the coming year. Epiphany festivals also include blessings of boats & ships, music, dancing and lots of food.

In Lebanon, 35% of the population follow a form of Christianity called Maronite Catholic. These Christians build manger scenes in their homes called a Nativity Crib. The crib is more popular than a Christmas Tree. It’s traditional for the scene to be based around a cave rather than a stable. It’s often decorated with sprouted seeds such as chickpeas, broad-beans, lentils, oats and wheat that have been grown on damp cotton wool in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The crib scene then becomes a focus for the prayer of people in the house.

Other common Catholic traditions such as going to a midnight mass service are also celebrated in Lebanon.

In the capital city, Beirut, big and glamorous Christmas parties are held in major hotels and lots of people like going to them, even if they’re not Christian. Western-style commercial displays of poinsettias, Christmas lights, holly and community Christmas trees are also becoming more popular, although some people don’t like as they think they are too commercial.

When people visit each other houses over the Christmas period, sugared almonds are often eaten with strong cups of coffee.

In Lebanon most people speak Arabic, so Happy/Merry Christmas is Eid Milad Majid which means ‘Glorious Birth Feast’ or you could say Kul ‘am wa enta bi-khair which means ‘may every year find you in good health’. French is also spoken so you could wish people Joyeux Noël! Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

In Lebanon, Santa Claus/Father Christmas is known as Baba Noël.

The Falkland Islands are in the South Atlantic Ocean about 300 miles off the east coast at the bottom of South America. The are a British Overseas Territory even though they’re about 8,000 miles away from the rest of the UK! The Islands cover an areas of about 12,200 sq km (4,700 sq miles) but only have a population of around 3,000 people. But there are about 150,000 sheep! About two thirds of the population live in Stanley, the capitals of the Islands. The rest are mainly farmers and live out on the Islands in what’s called ‘the camp’.

Because they’re in the southern hemisphere, it’s summertime at Christmas with long sunny days. The Islands share many Christmas traditions with the UK. There are very few trees on the islands (it’s very windy!) but people still have Christmas Trees, although they’re normally artificial ones. Lamb is the main Christmas dish as there’s lots of sheep on the Islands! It’s very expensive to fly in turkey from South America or the UK! A pantomime is put on every year by the local dramatic society. Traditionally the Governor of the Islands goes on the last night and is gently made fun of!

Children living in the camp get a small parcel of presents flown to them from Stanley. Santa’s helper elves have to fly to the remote farms around the camp to deliver the presents!

On Christmas Eve people gather to sing Christmas carols under the ‘whale bone arch’ (made the from the jaw bones of two blue whales) which is next to the Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley. There’s also a Christmas morning service. The Cathedral is the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world.

There’s a British Military base on the Falkland Islands which is home to about 2000 military and civilian personnel. The chaplain at the base takes services at the base and around the Islands at Christmas time.

The Boxing Day horse races are very important and are held just outside Stanley on the race course. It’s a very popular event for people who live on the Islands, especially in Stanley. The meeting has been held more than 100 times. It used to be a time when many people would only see each other during the whole year! Horses used to be the main way of getting around the Islands. Although there are more roads and cars now, taking part in the races is still very competitive. Some people have been riding in the races for decades! The most important race is ‘The Governor’s Cup’.

As well as horse races, there’s the mile running race where people of all ages take part! Some of the soldiers based on the Islands also like to take part.

Christmas in Vietnam In Vietnam, Christmas Eve is often more important than Christmas day! Christmas isn’t an official public holiday and many people think it’s only a holiday for Christians.

In Ho Chi Minh city (which is the largest city in Vietnam and used to be called Saigon) people (especially young people) like to go into the city center, where there is a Catholic Cathedral.

The streets are crowded with people on Christmas Eve and in the city center cars are not allowed for the night.

People celebrate by throwing confetti, taking pictures and enjoying the Christmas decorations and lights of big hotels and department stores. Lots of cafes and restaurants are open for people to enjoy a snack!

Not many people in Vietnam are Christians, but some people like to go to Midnight Mass services to watch the Nativity plays and here Christmas music.

Vietnam used to be part of the French Empire and there are still French influences in the Christmas traditions.

All churches, and some Christian home, will have a nativity crib scene or ‘creche’. Many Catholic churches have a big scene with nearly life size statues of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds and animals.

Happy Christmas in Vietnamese is Chuć M g Giańg Sinh.

Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages Also like in France, the special Christmas Eve meal is called ‘reveillon’ and has a ‘bûche de Noël’ (a chocolate cake in the shape of a log) for desert. Vietnamese people like to give presents of food and at Christmas a bûche de Noël is a popular gift.

Other Christmas presents aren’t very common, although some young people like to exchange Christmas cards.

It’s very hot for Santa in Vietnam and it can’t be very comfortable wearing all that velvet in a hot country! Santa is called ‘Ông già Noel’ (it means Christmas old man).

Thank you to Phuong Hong for giving me information on Christmas in Vietnam!

Christmas in Sri Lanka Although Sri Lanka is a mostly Buddhist country (only 7% of people are Christians) Christmas is celebrated as a public holiday by everyone. Most Christians in Sri Lanka are Catholics. There has been influences from several different European countries. Sri Lanka (it was also called Ceylon) was ruled by the Portuguese from 1505 to 1650, the Dutch from 1658 to 1796 and the British from 1815 to 1948.

For Christians in Sri Lanka, the Christmas season starts on 1st December when people let off fire crackers at dawn!

The streets are decorated and the shopping centers have large Christmas Trees in them. Big companies have Christmas parties and large hotels have Christmas dinner dances.

In Sri Lanka Santa is called Naththal Seeya.

In Sinhala, spoken in Sri Lanka, Merry Christmas is ‘Suba Naththalak Wewa’

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Christmas in Sweden Around Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St. Lucia’s Day (or St. Lucy’s Day) on December 13th. The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden.

St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would wear candles on her head so she had both her hands free to carry things. Lucy means ‘light’ so this is a very appropriate name.

December 13th was also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, in the old ‘Julian’ Calendar and a pagan festival of lights in Sweden was turned into St. Lucia’s Day. St. Lucia’s Day is now celebrated by a girl dressing in a white dress with a red sash round her waist and a crown of candles on her head. Small children use electric candles but from about 12 years old, real candles are used!

The crown is made of Lingonberry branches which are evergreen and symbolise new life in winter. Schools normally have their own St. Lucia’s and some town and villages also choose a girl to play St. Lucia in a procession where carols are sung.

A national Lucia is also chosen. Lucias also visit hospitals and old people’s homes singing a song about St Lucia and handing out ‘Pepparkakor’, ginger snap biscuits.

Small children sometimes like dressing up as Lucia (with the help of their parents!). Also boys might dress up as ‘Stjärngossar’ (star boys) and girls might be ‘tärnor’ (like Lucia but without the candles).

A popular food eaten at St. Lucia’s day are ‘Lussekatts’, St Lucia’s day buns flavored with saffron and dotted with raisins which are eaten for breakfast.

St Lucia’s Day first became widely celebrated in Sweden in the late 1700s. St Lucia’s Day is also celebrated in Denmark, Norway, Finland, Bosnia, and Croatia. In Denmark it is more a of a children’s day and in some part of Italy, children are told that St Lucy brings them presents. They leave out a sandwich for her and the donkey that helps carry the gifts!

Christmas Eve is also very important in Sweden. This is when the main meal (well really a feast!) is eaten.

This is often a ‘julbord’ which is a buffet, eaten at lunchtime.

Cold fish is important on the julbord. There is often herring (served in many different ways), gravlax (salmon which has been cured in sugar, salt and dill) and smoked salmon.

The desert of the julbord might be a selection of sweet pastries, some more pepparkakor biscuits and some home made sweets!

Wow, I think I like the sound of a Jolbord! To wash all that food down you can have some ‘glogg’ which is sweet mulled wine and some coffee to finish off the meal!

Another popular food at Christmas in Sweden is ‘risgrynsgröt’ (rice porridge that’s eaten with ‘hallonsylt’ [raspberry jam] or sprinkled with some cinnamon). It’s often eaten during the evening after people have exchanged their presents.

Another popular and important that many Swedes do on Christmas Eve afternoon is to watch Donald Duck! Every year, since 1959, at 3.00pm on Christmas Eve, the TV station TV1 shows the Disney special “From All of Us to All of You” or in Swedish it’s “Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul” meaning “Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas.” About 40 to 50% of the Swedish population stop to watch it!

Families sometimes have goats made of straw in the house to guard the Christmas Tree! Straw is used as a decoration in homes, to remind them that Jesus was born in a manger.

Christmas Tree decorations that are made of straw are also very popular.

The end of Christmas in Sweden is on January 13th (twenty days after Christmas) which is called In the city of Gävle, a huge straw goat is built every year for the start of Advent. It’s 13m/43ft tall and takes two days to put up! It has a large metal structure on the inside and is covered with straw. The tradition started in 1966. The first Gävle Yule Goat was burnt down on New Year’s Eve 1966 and ever since it’s been the target for vandals. In its 50 year history it’s only survived throughout the Christmas and New Year period about 12 times! In 2016, its 50th year, it was burnt down in less then two days!

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Christmas in Macedonia Christmas in Armenia Most Christians in Macedonia belong to the Orthodox Church and so Christmas is celebrated on January 7th (Orthodox Church use the ‘Julian’ Calendar for their festivals).

Christmas celebrations really start on 5th January which is called ‘Kolede’. On this day people, especially children, like to go carols singing around their neighbors. They are given fruits, nuts and coins.

When the singing has finished people gather around big bonfires. They are sometimes held in parks where hundreds of people can go to see them. Others like smaller events where the local community comes together. Lots of traditional food is eaten.

On Christmas Eve (6th January) people look forward to the special Christmas meal that will be eaten in the evening. The meal is called ‘posna’ and traditionally contains no dairy, meat or animal products. Dishes might include nuts, fresh and dried fruits, baked cod or trout, bread, kidney bean soup, potato salad, Ajvar (red-pepper dip), Sarma (cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and spices) and pickled vegetables. Coin bread or Christmas Cake with a coin in it is eaten at the end of the meal.

Christmas Eve is also when the traditional oak yule log, called a ‘badnik’, is brought into the house and is lit (the Christmas Eve meal is also sometimes called ‘badnik dinner’). Houses are also often decorated with oak branches and Christmas Trees are popular. There’s sometimes straw either on the floor or under the tablecloth.

The big Christmas Day meal might include different roasted meats, cheese pies, salads and lots of bread, cakes and sweets. Christmas celebrations often last for another three days after Christmas Day.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6th. On this day it also celebrates the Epiphany (which means the revelation that Jesus was God’s son).

Epiphany is now mainly the time Churches remember the Visit of the of Wise Men to Jesus; but some Churches, like the Armenian Apostolic Church, also celebrate the Baptism of Jesus (when he started his adult ministry) on Epiphany.

Some Armenians fast (don’t eat anything) in the week before Christmas. The Christmas Eve meal is called khetum It often includes dishes such as rice, fish, nevik (green chard and chick peas) and yogurt/wheat soup called tanabur.

Desserts includes dried fruits and nuts, including rojik (whole shelled walnuts threaded on a string and encased in grape jelly), bastukh (a paper-like dessert made of grape jelly, cornstarch and flour). This lighter menu is designed to ease the stomach off the week-long fast and prepare it for the rather more substantial Christmas Day dinner. Children take presents of fruits, nuts, and other candies to older relatives.

Santa Claus Gaghant Baba / Kaghand Papa traditionally comes on New Year’s Eve (December 31st) because Christmas Day itself is thought of as more of a religious holiday in Armenia.

In Armenian Happy/Merry Christmas is Shnorhavor Amanor yev Surb Tznund (which means ‘Congratulations for the Holy Birth’). Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

At the beginning of December a big Christmas Tree (Tonatsar) is put up in Republic Square in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

Favorite and traditional Holiday foods in Armenia include Anooshaboor (Armenian Christmas Pudding), Khozee bood (glazed ham) and dried fruits. Every house is ready with lots of sweets because anyone might knock on the door and come in for a party!

Christmas in Hungary In Hungary, Christmas Eve is very important and is called ‘Szenteste’ which means Holy Evening. People spend the evening with their family and decorate the Christmas Tree. Sometimes only the adults decorate the tree (without the children there), so when children come in and see the tree, it’s a great surprise and they are told that angels brought the tree for them!

The main Christmas meal, which is also eaten on Christmas eve, consists of fish and cabbage and a special kind of poppy bread/cake called ‘Beigli’. Gingerbread is also a traditionally eaten at Christmas in Hungary. The gingerbread is often wrapped in very bright colors and decorated with Christmas figures.

The Midnight Mass service is very popular in Hungary. Most people go to Church after their Christmas meal.

On Christmas Eve children also hope that they will be left some presents under the Christmas Tree. They’re told that the presents are brought by Jesus, he’s often called “Jézuska”, a nickname or cuter version for “Jézus”. Children wait outside the room where the tree is and when they hear bells ringing, they can enter and the presents await them under the Christmas tree.

On Christmas Day people visit their families.

St. Nicholas also visits Hungary on the 6th December. In Hungary he is known as ‘Mikulás’. Children leave out shoes or boots on a windowsill to be filled with goodies! Presents might also be brought by Télapó (Old Man Winter).

In Hungarian Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket’

Christmas in Kenya In Kenya, Christmas is a time when families try and be with one another. Many people travel from cities, back to the villages where the main part of their family might live. (Although there are more whole big families now living in cities so they don’t have to travel!) This is often the only time large families will see each other all year, so it is very important.

People try to be home for Christmas Eve, so they can help with the Christmas preparations. Houses and churches are often decorated with colorful balloons, ribbons, paper decorations, flowers and green leaves. For a Christmas Tree, some people will have a Cyprus tree.

In cities and large towns, stores can have fake snow outside them! And there might be a Santa in the stores as well.

In Kenya, Santa doesn’t arrive with his Reindeer but might well come by Land-rover, Camel or even a bike!

Many people, especially Christians, will go to a Midnight Church Service to celebrate Christmas. The service will have Christmas hymns, carols & songs; and often nativity plays (showing the Christmas Story), poems & dances.

After the service, people go home and party really starts you might well not sleep that night! In cities, going carol singing is also becoming more popular.

Some people will also go to Church on Christmas morning (if you haven’t fallen asleep from partying all night!)

Popular Christmas foods include a barbecue which can be a goat, sheep, beef or chicken. This is eaten with rice and chapati flat bread. The big Christmas meal is called ‘nyama choma’. People often make their own beer to drink and different tribes also have special dishes they make. If you live in a city you might have a western Christmas Cake, but these aren’t very common in rural areas.

Only small gifts are normally exchanged and sometimes food and gifts are provided by missionary organisations.

The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, is also a public holiday in Kenya. It’s another day of celebrating, seeing more friends and family (or sleeping!)

In Swahili/Kiswahili (a language spoken in Kenya) Happy/ Merry Christmas is ‘Heri ya Krismasi’ and the response is ‘Wewe pia’

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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PAGE 10

News Advertiser insider

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Christmas at Maddigan Chrysler!

Rosanne Fortier The extreme cold weather never shakes Santa’s spirit. Yes, Santa Claus is just as sturdy and stylish as the vehicles at Maddigan Chrysler. On December 10, this business offered free pictures with Santa, hot-chocolate, and gifts.

The staff at Maddigan Chrysler revealed what their favorite part about Christmas.

Marc Vanacker is a part-time employee who lives in Ontario. Marc said Vegreville is a fantastic town. He said his favorite thing about Christmas is watching his son open up his presents because his son’s eyes light-up and it is amazing. “This year he wants a big batman set and he cried the other day because I wouldn’t let him buy it, I wanted him to wait for Santa to bring it.

I am also going to buy him a small ATV,” Marc said. “My favorite Christmas memory is one year, my parents wrapped 100 presents for my brother and me.

They were just small things but they were all related to cars and I believe that is why I am working at a vehicle dealership today.”

McKenzie Benoit, Parts Advisor and

Jesse Kleppers, Sales Representative said spending time with their family and the Christmas dinners are their favorite parts about Christmas. Matt Paterson, Sales Representative added he especially likes the snow and having fun with it.

Then, Grant Steil, Parts Manager said the food; especially the desserts and treats.

Maddigan’s Owner, Ryan Maddigan said he really loves Christmas; especially the family get-togethers, food and fun involved. His son said he has always been provided with awesome Christmases. He especially likes going snowmobiling and seeing the kids and the happiness around. There is a lot of imagination with Santa Claus. Christmas is such a warm and cozy time of the year.

Kaylin Steil, receptionist said she remembers one year when her Mom and Dad brought them to the grocery store and they didn’t know that their Dad dressed-up as Santa. “I was so happy and excited to meet Santa and now I know it was my Dad, it makes it even more memorable.”

Santa at his workshop at Christmas at Maddigan on December 10. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Lincoln was one of the youngest lads to go on Santa’s lap at the Christmas celebration for the public at Maddigan on December 10. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Rotary club Christmas collection

Joe Machney Reporter Members of the Rotary club spent a few hours in the afternoon on December 13 sorting toys for the Christmas Bureau at the open building next to the Brick.

Toys for all ages were sorted into bags

for girls and boys with each bag unique to age and gender so as to be specific and interesting enough for its recipients.

Christmas cookies and water were offered to the volunteers during the three hours of sorting.

DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Boys win VCHS Charity basketball tournament Joe Machney Reporter December 8 and 9 was all about basketball at the Vegreville Composite high school as eleven teams, five girl teams and six boys, of a possible twelve played against each other in the second annual charity basketball tournament.

The proceeds from the tournament are going to be used to put together Christmas hampers for local families for the holidays.

“I came up with the idea last year and I thought that it would be good to give back to the community,” Bryan Worobec, Sr. Boys Basketball Coach for Vegreville Composite High School said.

The VCHS boys’ team was strong

throughout the tournament, winning their first game against Lamont with a score of 100 to 43. This continued until the end of Saturday as they took on and defeated the Rosemary Rockets in an intense game with a score of 81 to 76.

Third place went to the Redwater Renegades who won against the St. Mary’s Saints. The Consolation was won by the Lamont Lakers, who bested Vegreville Composite JV. The St. Mary’s Saints took first for the girl’s side of the tournament, with the Boyle Huskies earning the runner-up placement. The VCHS Cougars won third place, while the Tofield Titans took fourth and the Lamont Lakers fifth place at the end of the tournament.

PAGE 12

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DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Christmas 12th annual home business trade show Rosanne Fortier It was a sale with authentic items that will make the receiver of the gift exclaim, “I love it. Where did you get it?” The 12th Annual Christmas Home Business Trade Show at Vegreville Centennial Library on November 18 presented around 35 vendors and 44 tables, which drew many people.

Collette Toma was the vendor for Skinny Coconut Oil which she said is processed with as little heat as possible so people will get as many nutrients as they can from it.

They also create beauty products without preserva-

tives or chemicals.

Sweet Legs with Serena Cirone as the independent distributor carried comfortable leggings with fancy designs in a variety of sizes.

Murray Manera from Edmonton was the vendor for Super Peeler which is a product that does easy peeling and slicing or vegetables.

This sale also featured free refreshments and beverages and a free contest where people received a number that they had to find hidden on one of the tables of the various vendors. When the customers matched the number with the tickets, they received the prize.

Collette Toma was the vendor for Skinny Coconut Oil. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Elks donates to Christmas Bureau

The Vegreville Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Bro. Paul Bosse presented Joanne Veldkamp, Chairperson for the Vegreville Christmas Bureau a cheque for $500 to assist in this year’s Christmas Bureau costs. This donation was made from funds raised by the Elks cash Prize Raffle at this year’s Vegreville Country Fair.

Christmas by tea

People gather for tea and strawberry and lemon-cream cake on December at Heritage House’s Christmas Tea. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Rosanne Fortier Good fellowship and treats are the glue that holds Christmas together.

Heritage House provided this at their Christmas Tea on December 1. This event included strawberry and lemon-cream cake, a free door prize, and lovely raffle prizes that were donated.