Two Hills Regional Chronicle - April 2021

Two Hills Regional Chronicle April 28, 2021 P.O. Box 156, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 w w w. t w o h i l l s c h r o n i c l e . c o m FREE (780) 657-3536 within the County of Two Hills Proudly Serving the County of Two Hills & Surrounding Areas Amy Boettcher appointed as Covid Response Grant Project Coordinator

Anne Iftody turns 100 on May 22

by Sonny Rajoo

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ne of this community’s most loved personalities, Amy Boettcher, has officially been appointed the Covid Response Grant Project Coordinator for the Two Hills Community Wellness Coalition, a group that is dedicated to assisting the community through various programs, including mental health, which is particularly needed during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Amy has previously worked under the Two Hills Adult Learning Council and is a keen member of the Two

Hills Fellowship Chapel.

Since her arrival in Two Hills, Amy has been a source of strength as a volunteer and a source of spiritual encouragement to all in this community. This year-long position will see a greater involvement of the residents.

The purpose of The Wellness Coalition is to reach out to the community who may be struggling because of the impacts of covid. For example, addiction issues, isolation, and additional support for remote seniors, and other members of the community who are also isolated during the pandemic.

Congratulations Amy and we commend the Wellness Coalition for making such a wise choice. We salute you on your labor of love and service to the community, especially where your sacrifices go unnoticed.

O

ne of the areas most colourful personalities, Anne Iftody will be celebrating her 100th birthday on May 22.

Anne, one of seven children was born to Jacob and Mary Olynyk of Chippanetz, 8 miles from Two Hills. She married Metro Iftody and had two daughters, Pat and Arlene. She credits her long life to being very happy, to count her blessings, and says she enjoys good health

Thank you to Leona Ewanchuk and Pat Marcichiw

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wo Hills Regional Chronicle, on behalf of the community salutes the members of the Two Hills Auxiliary, Leona Ewanchuk, President of Auxiliary, and Pat Marcichiw, who volunteered their time, effort, and energy to make the Residents of Two Hills Long Term Care fresh baked Easter bread.

“Two members from the Two Hills

Auxiliary volunteered their time to bake Easter Paska and Babka for the Residents in Two Hills LTC. It went over extremely well, and the Residents received a traditional Easter breakfast with homemade bread on Sunday morning.” Said Chelsey Konieczny, Two Hills Health Centre Long-term Care Recreation Therapist.

KUZYK & MOL

thanks to the love of her parents, her husband Metro, children and grandchildren and numerous friends.

Mayor Leonard Ewanishan offered the following message to Anne as her 100th birthday approaches, “The paper has asked me to say a few words about a pioneer of the Town of Two Hills, Mrs.Iftody will become a centurion in May. She has spent her life in Two Hills and we as a community have had the fortune of receiving many, many, hours of her volunteer work.

This lovely lady has always been full of vigor, and only hip surgery slowed her for a short period. So, on behalf of Council, Administration, our families and all of the residents of Two Hills

“Happy Birthday”. May the Lord continue to smile upon you with health and happiness for many more years to come.”

Hillside Lodge General Manager, Karla Fodchuk paid tribute to Anne, “Anne you are a truly beautiful soul.

You are a blessing and light up each day at the lodge.

Happy Birthday Anne! (Superstar)” The Chronicle will be publishing a major story with photos in our next month’s issue following her 100th birthday celebration. This wonderful woman who also lost her husband Metro 25 years ago, still enjoys life to the fullest. Anne Iftody has taught us “Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is a vision, but today welllived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope.

See next months Chronicle for full details.

Reeve Gulayec pleased with County Financials

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eeve Don Gulayec said that he is pleased with the financial results of The County of Two Hills for the 2020 Fiscal Year.

Despite the pandemic and the decrease in linear taxes due to the slowdown in the oil and gas industry, the reflection of The County financial statement

shows that Council and Administration were good stewards of The County’s budget.

“Council expresses its thanks to our Administration of The County of Two Hills for applying and receiving several grants that were available to offset losses incurred through the pandemic. Council appreciates Administration’s hard work and the careful administration of The County’s finances.”

Full details of The County’s finances are available in this issue on pages 10 and 11.

In this Issue: Face to Face with MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk P2 County Financials P10 School News P20

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Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 2

April 2021

Face to Face with MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk

by Sonny Rajoo

ing ongoing infrastructural and other capital projects construction problems?

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he Two Hills Regional Chronicle interviews M.L.A. Jackie Armstrong Homeniuk.

Chronicle: The Covid-19 pandemic has created undue hardships for all Albertans and presents a particular challenge to us. While businesses are facing tremendous burdens with the shutdowns, scientists and doctors are urging the government to continue to close down facilities in an effort to get the Covid-19 pandemic under control. How does the Provincial Government attempt to balance the interest of businesses and employers with those of the medical field which also has the health and welfare of Albertans as their priority?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: Let’s keep in mind this pandemic is worldwide our government has stressed the importance of protecting both lives and livelihoods throughout the pandemic. When we have increased restrictions we also ensure small business have access to government supports such as the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant.

No one wants more restrictions, but they are needed to protect our most vulnerable Albertans to save lives.

We have had some of the most relaxed restrictions compared to other provinces and we will continue our balanced approach to protect Albertans.

Chronicle: The reduction in funding for the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) is set to decrease next year and the year after, thereby placing great financial hardships on municipalities throughout the province. Does the Provincial Government have any plans to replace this funding, to continue to enable municipalities to balance their budgets while fac-

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: Municipalities this year received extra funding to help finish off projects they’ve already started. Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville received funding for a host of projects this year that will revitalize our riding. But our government will be providing $375 million to the Economic Recovery Capital Envelope to invest in local municipality projects therefore offsetting the decrease in MSI funding.

Chronicle: The change to the school curriculum is a proposal at this stage but is already encountering massive backlashes from many sectors of Alberta, including schoolteachers and school boards.

Does this proposal to changes to the curriculum have any fans to be embraced by Albertan schools or do you think that there needs to be drastic changes?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: The curriculum is a draft, it’s important to note even with the ‘backlash’ received, there have been an equal amount of proponents including Dr. John Bowman a University of Alberta math professor, Dr. George Georgiou professor in the Faculty of Education, and Former Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild. I am very pleased with the new curriculum and its focus on the essential skills of literacy, numeracy, citizenship and practical skills. The current curriculum is draft, which is why I encourage everyone to complete the curriculum survey on alberta.ca so that we can make the changes needed to improve our K-6 curriculum.

Chronicle: The dreaded Carbon Tax will also place a burden on every taxpayer in this province.

The Carbon Tax, albeit a federal issue, is an unfair burden on all sectors of Alberta’s economy especially the farmers who already are reeling with many challenges, whether they be climatic or price structures. What are your comments and what do we need to do to lessen the burden of Carbon Tax on all Albertans?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: With the supreme court ruling against Al-

berta in our carbon tax court challenge, we are consulting Albertans and our allies before moving forward.. Our priority is to protect Alberta’s taxpayers and jobs. We were joined by provinces representing 80% of Canadas population in this challenge against the federal government.

Chronicle: Health care workers in the province, especially frontline workers, are receiving a bonus this month which they richly deserve and appreciate. However, they are taxed at source in many instances, which means that the actual amount that they are receiving is far less than what the government has offered them. This payment, given the purpose of its implementation, should be tax-free and yet some of them are going home with a mere $100 or $200 when that payment is added to their monthly income. I realize that this is a Federal issue but what can be done to offset this, because it is misleading in many instances to our hardworking frontline workers?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: The Critical Worker Benefit is a joint federal-provincial program that will see $465 million go to approximately 380,000 Alberta public and private sector workers in the form of a one-time $1,200 payment. Alberta’s government wanted to ensure that as many Albertans that qualify as critical workers are able to receive this amount. The regulations for this program were set out by the federal government.

Chronicle: Small businesses are facing challenges in their day-today operations and whatever federal and provincial help there is, is evaporating rapidly because of the long periods of shutdown.

Are there any plans for further relief for small businesses in Alberta, which is a mainstay of providing employment for many average Albertans?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: Just this week Alberta’s government reopened the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant for another round of funding following the most recent public health measures. Eligible businesses can qualify for up to $10,000 if they have been affected by the most recent round of public

health orders.

Our government will continue to provide support to small business to protect both our lives and livelihoods.

Chronicle: There is a movement towards independence for Western Canada, especially the Prairie Provinces and while this has been talked about and discussed for several years, the whole issue is gaining momentum, particularly with the division and alienation of certain parts of western Canada from its federal counterparts in Ontario and Quebec. Do you wish to comment on this trend which is rapidly growing?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: The alienation and disrespect from our federal counterparts has been infuriating for many in the prairies and rightfully so. But the problem is in Ottawa and the Trudeau Liberals that are running our country.

They have sown division across the country and fail to understand our sentiments. But that does not mean our only option is to separate, much work needs to be done to in this area.

Chronicle: According to opinion polls, the New Democratic Party (N.D.P.) are gaining in popularity in Alberta, particularly in some urban areas. Even the dissatisfaction in rural areas is trending towards greater support for the N.D.P. What does your government have in plan to counteract the slowly but certainly growing popularity of the N.D.P. while simultaneously expressing disappointment with the ruling United Conservative Party?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: You will be hard done by to find a government leader whose popularity has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is always a per-

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Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

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Face to Face with MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk have need to agree on everything, we don’t silence dissenting opinions, and we allow our MLAs to represent their constituents effectively. Disagreement should not be frowned upon, it’s through proper discourse that we can create the best policies for Albertans.

Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton. son to blame, and that tends to be the government. Polls fluctuate throughout any government’s term in office. Once we begin reopening and stimulating our economic recovery, and continuing to deliver on our campaign promises I believe Albertans will see how our government is clearly the better choice compared to our opposition counterparts.

Chronicle: Communication appears to be a problem particularly in the smaller centers in Alberta. I am given to understand that most communications come from the offices located in Edmonton, but the problems are in the areas which are, in fact, represented by you as M.L.A. How familiar is your staff in your office in Edmonton with the respective circumstances and challenges of Rural Alberta?

It’s important for any political staff member to understand the sentiments of rural Albertans and the unique challenges and issues they regularly face. Our staff is formed of both rural and urban Albertans that understand the different parts of Alberta, our people, and our way of life. For example, my Legislative Coordinator is from rural Alberta and she does her very best to respect the sentiments of all Albertans to communicate with them effectively.

Chronicle: Undoubtedly, your constituency (Fort Sascatchewan, Vegreville) has received several grants in the period during which you are M.L.A. but I am given to understand that many of your constituents are unaware of the grants in your area. I recognize that you have approximately eighty mu-

nicipalities in your constituency, but if you support grants to your community and show the need, I do not think that this is a matter of one area competing with the other, but rather where the greatest need is, there should be funding and nobody will envy a neighboring municipality for getting much needed help, whether its for infrastructure or agriculture. Do you have a comment on this observation?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: I have included these grants in my weekly columns, and have written several news releases regarding grant funding received in Fort SaskatchewanVegreville. I shamelessly promote our constituency and the list of projects we have received to revitalize and reinvigorate our community.

Chronicle: Eighteen of your M.L.A.s have chosen to publicly let the Premier know restrictions need to be lifted in certain areas where Covid-19 is less of a problem compared to other areas. This is obviously a continuation of the hairline fracture within the governing U.C.P. but if it goes unchecked, it could lead to an actual crack in the party. Is your party united and if so, how do you continue to keep them united under a big tent while allowing for differences? Will they go forth in the next election as a party united in its conservative goal?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: The Premier encourages us to follow a Westminster system. This allows for differing opinions in the house, at the caucus table, and in the media. Unlike the opposition, we don’t

Chronicle: Is your party prepared for the next election, which I believe is two years away? There is a groundswell of interest in politics right now given the unusual circumstances in Alberta’s political climate. The conservative movement is splintered in its approach so much so, that there are several political parties to the right of center. How would your party rear its head above the others and thereby preparing for the next provincial election and remain the governing party?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: Our government’s priority right now is getting through this COVID-19 pandemic and protecting both the lives and livelihoods of Albertans. The United Conservative Party is a big tent party, and the only party capable of leading the next government.

Chronicle: In Two Hills in particular, the Newcomer Program, which allows for a grant to assist, for example the Mennonite community, has been discontinued this year, thereby creating a vacuum in organizations giving assistance to the newcomers. Why has this application failed, what can we do to reinstate this much needed and much welcomed program in this area?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: With confirmation from the minister’s office there has been no cancelation of the program. From what we have been told the original application was denied due to a submission error. This year the program was still run with assistance of an Edmonton office. The program coordinators have been in contact with the ministry and are being encouraged to apply again this summer. Under mental health and addiction COVID-19 community funding Two Hills Adult Learning Council was the recipient of $88,997 for their Two Hills and area wellness project. This program aims to engage individuals, families, communities, to discover and imple-

ment ways to meet the social well being of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Some projects include physiological first aid, to build community capacity, and to make resources and supports available and more accessible.

A low German translator will be available to support and share messages and information into the large local Mennonite population. Under this grant multiple supports are being offered, to see if there is one that suits your needs I encourage you to reach out to the helpful people at the Two Hills FCSS. Chronicle: Returning to the Covid-19 pandemic, there appears to be a lack of communication, where there seems to be a one size fits all, where too much information is given with too little accompanying explanations. It sems like the statistics, for example, as it applies to various regions, is virtually nonexistent. How can we improve communications?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: To improve this communication we have asked better explanation between the chief medical officer, government , MLA’s, and constituents.

Chronicle: Over the past year, we have heard little or nothing about local constituency boards and the work of the executives, participation of members, etc. These boards are of paramount importance especially in its communication with its M.L.A. thereby not only informing Albertans of major issues, but also in preparedness for the provincial elections.

Do you think that communication between your constituency boards and the public in general, to have improved?

MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk: There have been many communication issues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We don’t regularly see everyone anymore, we don’t have in-person meetings, and online communication is all we have had of late. This had understandably made things difficult for everyday Albertans, businesses, and other organizations. I think once we start getting back to normal, the ease of communication will increase being able to better inform the public.

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Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 4

Shannon Stubbs Blasts Irresponsible Liberal Budget

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ttawa, ON – On Monday, the Liberal Government released a budget with $354 billion in new federal debt since 2020, and $154 billion in deficit projected for 2021-22 alone. The federal debt will hit $1.2 trillion within the year, meaning every man, woman, and child in Canada is now responsible for $33,000 in federal debt.

“It’s almost incomprehensible that it’s been more than two years since the last budget, and that the Liberals have only seen fit to give Canadians two brief fiscal snapshots during a time of historic economic challenges, and unprecedented government spending,” said Ms. Stubbs.

“The country’s rising cost of living, job losses, and tax hikes means, for most Lakelanders, their savings are stretched thin and their futures are uncertain.”

Stubbs also pointed out that there was no plan for reopening or to secure Canada’s economic future.

“This budget needed to include a concrete plan for the private sector and for entrepreneurs to do what they do best: create jobs and provide for their families. Instead, Canadians got the rude wakeup call that this Government will be saddling their grandchildren with more deficits and more debt.”

The budget includes $101.4 billion in new spending, but spending on Liberal partisan priorities, using taxpayer dollars to promote the Liberal re-election campaign. This spending was not stimulus spending focused on creating jobs, and did not cut taxes or reduce red tape for Canadians or Canadian businesses.

“I personally believe that all workers and all businesses are essential to Canada’s economy,” Stubbs stated. “People in Lakeland want to know that if they work hard, they can do better, and for government to remember that it doesn’t have its own money. It all comes out of Canadians’ pockets. This Liberal budget doesn’t help the constituents I represent. It means inevitably higher taxes, higher costs, fewer jobs, and future generations left to pay the bills.”

April 2021

Fire Chief Brad Straty transfers to Cyprus

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fter serving for approximately thirty years with The County of Two Hills, Myrnam resident and current fire chief of the county of Two Hills has resigned. Straty will take up a position as Essential Services Coordinator with the County of Cyprus in southern Alberta at the end of next month.

Straty paid tribute to the volunteers in the various fire departments within the County of Two Hills and stated that it was a pleasure working with them and Administration.

Straty is moving on to a larger municipality and will focus particularly on the Fire Department, where his many years of experience will be a

great asset to that community.

Straty started at the County straight after completing High School and served in the Public Works Department before moving on to the Fire Department in 2005. After serving under Deputy Fire Chief Don Lange, Straty assumed the role of Fire Chief since February 2009.

The Straty family: the late Jim, Evelyn, Brad, Shelley, and Chance were all involved with the Fire Department serving in various capacities and the three generations have provided a great service to the entire County of Two Hills. Chance will remain in Myrnam and we are proud that he will continue to be part of the Myrnam Fire Department. For that we are grateful.

Brad and Shelley, this community owes you a deep gratitude for all you have done, and we wish you all the best in all your future endeavors. The County of Two Hills’ loss is The County of Cyprus’ gain and we are hoping that The County of Two Hills will never be far from your heart.

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Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

Sneak Peek into Saddle Lake

by Niri Rajoo-Jeevanath

S

addle Lake is a First Nations community in central Alberta.

It is located on Saddle Lake Cree Nation 125 and is governed by the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is a Plains Cree, located in the Amiskwacīwiyiniwak (“Beaver Hills”) region of central Alberta, Canada. The Nation is a signatory to Treaty 6, and their traditional language is Plains Cree.

Treaty 6 is the sixth of the numbered treaties that were signed by the Canadian Crown and various First Nations between 1871 and 1877. It is one of a total of 11 numbered treaties signed between the Canadian Crown and First Nations. Specifically, Treaty 6 is an

agreement between the Crown and the Plains and Woods Cree, Assiniboine, and other band governments at Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt.

Saddle Lake’s governing structure is unusual in that it has two separate councils and chiefs governing their two reserves - Saddle Lake Cree Nation (proper) and the Whitefish Lake First Nation (often called “Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation”, to distinguish it from a similarly named group in Manitoba). For the purposes of the Indian Act however, Saddle Lake and Whitefish have one, shared, band government and the two reserves are considered to be one Nation.

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Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 6

April 2021

St Paul Education Board Meeting Highlights

Left to right: Dwight Wiebe, Lorne Young, Heather Starosielski, Christopher Cook, Ruven Rajoo and Justin Anderson Covid Update: The Division has been told that we can almost assume that new cases of COVID-19 in schools will be one of the variants.

For this reason, we are asking that all students, staff and families continue to follow the safety protocols diligently for the remainder of the school year.

Council of School Councils (COSC) - Alberta School Councils’ Association Conference (ASCA): This conference on April 23-25 was announced at the March Board meeting. Three parents from the Division will be attending the event.

New K-6 Curriculum: The draft curriculum was released by Alberta Education (AB ED) at the beginning of the spring break.

At that time, the Division released a statement stating that we would have individual teachers piloting the draft if they wished. There were some positive points noted with the curriculum, such as financial literacy, numeracy and practical skills like computer coding. There were also specific concerns noted, including the Social Studies program, age appropriateness, and omission of important aspects of Truth and Reconciliation such as treaties and residential schools. The Division believes that treaties and residential schools are important aspects of our history that children can learn about starting in Kindergarten. Given these concerns, the Division released a revised statement on April 10 saying that we will not have teachers piloting the draft. Instead, Division staff will be providing feedback on the draft curriculum through other channels.

The decision not to pilot the new curriculum will also reduce stress on students and staff as they hopefully return to normal learning conditions in the fall.

Board Policy 20 - Naming of Schools: This policy has been fully reviewed and revised. The intent of the policy is to provide clear processes for the naming of schools and other Division-owned facilities, spaces, teams, school colours, and school-sponsored groups. Trustees passed a motion approving the re-

vised policy, as presented by Trustee Cook. All board policies can be viewed on the Division website.

Alberta School Boards’ Association Spring General Meeting: Trustees will attend the virtual spring meeting on June 7, 2021. The draft agenda and supporting documents were shared as information.

Superintendent’s Report • The first round of staffing calls has been completed and a small number of job ads have been posted. The Assistant Superintendent job ad has closed and the selection process will be underway. This ad makes mention of the impending retirement of the superintendent.

• Elisabeth Kirk from Ecole Mallaig school was nominated for the Edwin Parr Award which recognizes the outstanding efforts of first year teachers. Congratulations Elizabeth!

• Six Division schools participated in the Terry Fox Run this past fall while continuing to follow protocols. A total of $3889.65 was raised.

The Division would like to recognize the volunteer fundraising efforts in all Division schools that raise money for important causes.

• Upcoming dates to note: • Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day - April 21, 2021 • Bus Driver Appreciation Day May 3, 2021 • Support Staff Appreciation Day May 7, 2021 • Education Week: Learning is a Journey - May 3-7, 2021.

• Mental Health Week: Understanding our Emotions - May 3-9, 2021 Financial Report • Trustees reviewed cheque and financial information.

• Secretary-Treasurer Champagne provided an overview of the 20212022 budget. The Division funding profile was released by the Department at the end of March. The Department had previously announced that funding levels for next year would remain the same as 20202021. While there are changes to individual grant amounts, the Division’s overall Alberta Education operational funding is projected to

stay the same. Having said this there are a few initiative grants that will not be continuing next year including the Innovation in First Nations’ Education Grant (IFNE), and the Federal Safe Return money related to the pandemic which together represent about $1.5 million. IFNE was a three-year grant which supported a number of important improvements in education for our First Nations students. There are also some reductions in Infrastructure and Capital funding as 20-21 included some one-time stimulus funding. While operational funding is projected to stay the same, expenses are increasing a fair bit due to things like insurance premiums, the carbon tax and health plan premiums. The Province is providing bridge funding for next year as a hold harmless allocation however the status of this is unknown past next year. Trustees were advised of some unexpected revenue including a one-time allocation from Alberta Education to support online learning as well as an insurance equity rebate from ASBIE. The Board is working on its budget for next year which is to be submitted for May 31, 2021 and committed to using its dwindling reserves to minimize disruptions given the pandemic challenges. Priority areas include catchup support post-covid, keeping class sizes as small as possible, completing technology upgrades, and transitioning work started with the IFNE project. At this time it is difficult to predict what the pandemic situation will be in the fall and determine what type of online learning options might be offered. In the upcoming months, the Division will be working to get information on parents priorities for education programming.

Reports Alberta Schools Boards’ Association (ASBA) Zone 2/3: Trustee Rajoo provided his report which included an update on a variety of topics including the newly released budget. With the upcoming fall elections, prospective trustees are encouraged to view the elections page on the ASBA website. There was also discussion about the rapid testing pilot, however, St. Paul Education will not be taking part in this pilot. There is a response team that could be deployed to areas requiring support.

Learning Network: Trustee Young provided a final update for the Learning Network. The seven learning consortia in the province are now consolidated under the direction of the Council of School Superintendents of Alberta. As such, Trustee Young will no longer be providing updates from this group. Thanks to Trustee Young for his years of service in this role.

The Division is grateful for the

excellent service which has been provided to our education staff by Learning Network and looks forward to their ongoing support.

Rural Caucus: Trustee Wiebe advised the Board of Trustees that the upcoming meeting will be focused on Mental Health.

Each division was asked to answer two questions to be shared at the upcoming meeting on April 27. Successful practices in Division schools include having Family School Liaison Workers in every school and Success Coaches in many schools, collaboration with community agencies through the Violent Threat Assessment Protocol, trauma-informed and social-emotional learning practices in every school, a Divisionhired speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist who provide support to students and staff on self and emotional regulation, (e.g., social stories, behavioural strategies), and a Division priority on relationships, with every effort made to work closely with families and students. Some of the challenges faced by children and families in the Division include access to outside service providers, support for rural families of kids with high needs (emotional, social, academic, physical), support for travel to urban centres for services, and socialeconomic disparity and inequity experienced by students and families.

The Division will continue to look at increasing consistency in trauma-informed and social-emotional learning practices from school to school.

Trustee Attendance Schedule: Trustees reviewed upcoming meetings and commitments.

Correspondence • Assurance Survey: Important to note that the deadline has been extended to April 28, 2021.

• Recall Act: Bill 52 is undergoing its first reading. This bill enables elected officials to be removed from office mid term.

• Literacy Program to address COVID 19 Learning Loss: AB ED and the University of Alberta are working together to gather information in regards to possible literacy loss due to the COVID 19 pandemic. This will enable teachers to see where students are at in their development and inform ongoing practice. The assessments primarily look at each student’s mastery of sounds and letters. All St. Paul Education schools are participating in this initiative.

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Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

Straight from the Heart

Editorial

From the Publisher’s Desk

Wishing Sonny Rajoo a very Happy Birthday

Jason Kenney is walking a tightrope!

by Sonny Rajoo

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Page 7

by Jared Rajoo

rovincial politics in Alberta is in a state of uncertainty largely due to the lower oil prices and the scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic. These dual challenges present a clear and current challenge to our Premier Jason Kenney, who must juggle so many balls in the air to keep the ratepayers and residents of Alberta satisfied.

Even before the pandemic, there was a national and international challenge in that our province, which relies so much on revenues from oil and gas, has seen a decline in its income and this makes it difficult to balance the budget.

One of the greatest challenges presented by Covid-19, is the careful balance between opening businesses and the retention of the small business sector, which not only employs many people, but contributes in no small measure to the taxes in the province.

Balance this with the deflection of the health and sciences sector, which calls increasingly for a total lockdown or partial shutdown, thereby impacting the revenues, the lives, and livelihoods of small business owners.

The challenge in Alberta is that there is a distinct demarcation between that which is prevalent in urban areas, such as Edmonton and Calgary, versus the somewhat lessening but equally dan-

A

nyone who knows my dad, will immediately know what a great investigative reporter he is. As such, keeping things from him isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Yet, thanks to my sister’s wonderful idea to surprise him with a birthday greeting in this issue, I have spent a major amount of time trying to hide anything that might have given away any clues as to our plans. We had intially planned a small greeting from a few friends and family to wish him. Little had we known what an influence our dad has had on people within the community and the places he has visited. As such, my column this month will be trying to fit my greeting in here instead.

As the youngest, I think it is my duty (and privilege) to give our dad a hard time. He still mentions to everyone we meet, that as a toddler , when he had taken me to rent a copy of “Masters of the Universe” which were all rented out, I had smacked him. Now in my defence, I do not recall the alleged incident, however, I consider myself to be a rational human being and as such any action I may or may not have taken would have been warranted. However, I still feel an apology is in order ... so dad, whenever you’re ready.

As an adult, reflection is a large part of personal growth. As much as I have tried to express throughout my life, I don’t believe I have said enough how proud I am that Sonny Rajoo is my dad. His friendly smile and down to earth nature has always been admirable. Treating everyone with the same respect and dignity.

Going out of his way to help others even if to his own detriment. Being willing to stand up for what is right even if it means standing alone. Being and staying an integral part of any community he calls home.

Every day without fail I receive a call from my dad. If nothing else then just to check on how we are and if every-

gerous Covid-19 ramifications in rural areas which are dotted with smaller towns. Quite often the “one size fits all policy” does not suit all Albertans and therefore each area must be viewed differently. On the other hand, by allowing areas to choose their own solutions, the Alberta Government invites dissention and a lot of times the blame game is cast upon the shoulders of smaller communities instead of having a blanket policy.

Jason Kenney is walking a tightrope in that he has to take into consideration the proverbial “lives and livelihood” versus the health and safety of all Albertans particularly our ever-growing seniors’ population. We do not envy our premier for the monumental task ahead of him and he must play the careful but crucial balancing act to keep as many people as possible happy.

Small wonder then that the New Democratic Party (NDP) is gaining not only popularity, but a great and massive lead in fundraising in the province. We do not envy our premier because it will take a great amount of wisdom and political aerobics to cater to as many Albertans as possible.

Jason Kenney is walking a tightrope! Will he fall to the left ensuring that the health and safety gains priority over the livelihoods of people? Or would he fall to the right and take into consideration the great impact that cause small businesses, industry, and commerce in general? Or will he reach the safety of the other side and take his people with him?

Two Hills Regional Chronicle P.O. Box 156, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0

thing is going well with us.

About two years ago, it was a few days without getting that call. As each day passed both my sister and I were beginning to panic. We later found out that dad was extremely ill and had been admitted to hospital. It was devastating. We all knew him to be a brown equivalent of the Energiser bunny.

We were in constant prayer hoping that he would recover. I, despite my intial shock knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would not only pull through, but be back to himself before we knew it. Part of it was faith.

The main part, I feel, is that I knew deep in my heart that he is a fighter and no matter what he faces - he will overcome. Just like that, in a short space of time, he was back to joking.

Then the calls started again and now it is just a memory, but experiences like that show us how important it is to appreciate those who are in our lives while we have the chance.

I would like to express to my dad, Sonny and to our readers from around the world of how proud I am of him and how proud I am to be called his son. We had hoped we would be together by now but I have no doubt that I will be able to return soon.

Have a great birthday dad. I wish you many years of health and blessings.

To the mothers and mothers-to-be, I wish you a very safe and happy Mothers Day.

Our Team Jared - publisher@twohillschronicle.com Niri - news@twohillschronicle.com Sonny - (780) 657-3536

The Two Hills Regional Chronicle is proud to serve the County of Two Hills and surrounding areas. We also distribute to local outlets at convenient locations as well as the Saddle Lake Cree Nation.

(Approx. 2500 copies).

We can also be found online at

www.twohillschronicle.com and on Facebook.

www.twohillschronicle.com

Jared Rajoo Publisher

Niri Rajoo-Jeevanath News

Sonny Rajoo Reporter/Sales

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 8

April 2021

Two Hills FCSS

4712-50th St Two Hills AB T0B 4K0

(780) 657-3540

www.twohillsfcss.com

FCSS Office

Thank-you

Information and Referrals

If you need assistance in accessing available community and provincial services and supports, please contact the office.

Meals on Wheels

Call the Two Hills FCSS office at 780-657-3540 and a member of the staff will assist you in joining the Meals on Wheels program and will answer any questions and/or provide additional information.

A heartfelt thank-you to all of the many volunteers that make our community a better place to live and grow! We look forward to hosting a volunteer event next year to celebrate all of your hard work and dedication.

Community Garden

Seniors Transportation

Available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings within Two Hills town limits.

Are you interested in participating in a community garden? Please contact the Two Hills FCSS office at 780-657-3540.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

FCSS Staff

Family Resource Network Coordinator - Two Hills

Heather Landiak– FCSS Executive Director Marjorie Skoropadyk – FCSS Youth Centre Coordinator The Two Hills Family and Community Services Society (FCSS) is a nonprofit organization that serves the Town of Two Hills, the Village of Myr- Connie Waddle– FCSS Program Coordinator nam, and the County of Two Hills No. 21 including the Hamlets of Musi- Yolande Williams– FCSS Program Assistant dora, Brosseau, Duvernay, Derwent, Willingdon and Hairy Hill.

Our team is seeking an individual who is a child and youth care professional, highly motivated, positive, and enthusiastic to fill the part-time role of Family Resource Network (FRN) Coordinator. The FRN Coordinator is primarily responsible for the delivery and implementation of the Family Resource Network programs, events, and services in our area. Provincial Family Resource Networks (FRNs) deliver high quality prevention and early intervention services and supports for children aged 0 to 18.

Key Responsibilities: Facilitation and delivery of programs, events, and services in the following priority areas: • Child and Youth Development (0-18 years) • Caregiver/parent education and support • Family support including building resiliency and fostering well being • Provision of Information and referral services to assist with access to community resources Qualifications: • Diploma in Child and Youth Care or a related field • Minimum 3 years of experience working with children and youth and providing parent/caregiver support services • An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered • Ability to effectively plan appropriate programs and events • Very effective communication skills including sensitivity, diplomacy and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and within a team environment • Excellent working knowledge of available community resources and support services for children, youth and caregivers in the region • Must have a valid Class 5 Alberta Motor Vehicle Operators License and be willing to travel within the service area.

• A Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Search and Child/ Youth Intervention Check will be required.

• Evening and/or weekend work may be required • First Aid Certification or willingness to complete First Aid certification is required.

For more information on position please contact: Heather Landiak,Director, Two Hills Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Mail: P.O. Box 687, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 Address: 4712-50th Street, Two Hills (Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30 pm) heather.landiak@twohillsfcss.com To apply please forward your cover letter, resume and three work related references by Friday May 21st, 2021 to the above.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Summer Program Leaders & Assistants – 30hrs/week Employment Opportunity – Two Hills Two Hills FCSS is seeking 4 Summer Students to help with the operation of our SPARKs summer program.

The program leaders and assistants will supervise children in a variety of settings, provide a safe and fun environment for growth, promote fair play and positive outcomes.

• • • • •

• •

The Summer Youth Program Leaders and Assistants work within a team environment to develop and implement creative, age-appropriate programs.

They will be responsible, work as a team, participate in social and recreational activities, be punctual and help develop and plan scheduled recreational activities.

Provide safe supervision to participants engaged in the program.

Plan, organize, schedule and present art activities, games, outdoor play and other activities Provide support to the operation of summer programs such as registration, administration, daily attendance records, communication with parents, and accurate recording and monitoring of specific registrants’ information Daily set up and clean-up of activity site(s) Must be returning to high school or post-secondary school in the fall.

Positions run from beginning of July to end of August 2021.

To apply please forward your cover letter and resume by Friday May 28th, 2021. For more information contact: Connie Waddle, FCSS Program Coordinator Phone: 780-657-3540 Mail: Box 687, Two Hills, Alberta T0B 4K0 Email: connie.waddle@twohillsfcss.com Address: 4712 – 50th Street, Two Hills, Alberta (Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30 pm) * This is a federally funded position through Canada Summer Student Grants program, for students aged 15-30 and students must be continuing their education in the fall to qualify for employment.

April 2021

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 9

Two Hills Lions Golf & Country Club CFEP applications (Project Overview)

by Darwin Mackowecki a)The Beginning The Two Hills Lions club had purchased 44.2 acres of land in the NW portion of the Town of Two Hills in 1990 (Portion of sec 31-5412-W4M) which would allow for golf and clubhouse activities. Puddicombe Associates Ltd. were retained to design and build the course.

Funding was to come from current funds in place, donations and provincial grants. The course was constructed with a limited budget, as cut backs in provincial grants had occurred. As a result a major volunteer input was required and a guarantee of the debt was set up. The course has served the local community well as a recreational facility and teaching facility, as well as community gathering spot for all occasions.

After 27 years the course is operating well. We have 145 golf members, many green fee players from throughout NE Alberta and the Lakeland area and a junior golf program. We employ 30 local residents on a part and full time basis and have projected a near breakeven financial year for most years. However 2017 was a year of a larger loss. 2019 has us back at slight surplus revenue. b)The project The golf course continues to operate as a recreational and gathering spot for the community. However, we are in need of an upgrade and renovation of our modest Clubhouse. This consists of replacing and upgrading our washroom to accommodate the handicapped, upgrade our heating system to a more efficient and modern system, and change our traffic

The Two Hills Lions Golf and Country Club: The Project flow within the clubhouse to be more efficient. This will more than double our interior public use space. We are proposing this project to replace our aging heating system install a new roof (shingles or metal) and washroom facilities. It is a combination of financial input (which we propose through donations, volunteer help, and grant input and financial input). c) Tasks to be performed by our volunteers will be: I) the old heating system and mechanical room will be demolished and removed, we will also demolish and remove existing walls and plumbing fixtures, our volunteers will remove the existing plumbing and excavate for the new installation. At this point the proposed plumbing and heating contractors will take over and install the new systems the above will require excavation (hand, and equipment excavation). Once all installations are in place, the backfill and concrete replacement will be conducted.

II) Volunteers will also remove the existing drop ceiling, so as the HVAC contractor can install the new heating system and connect to the existing AC system.

III) The volunteers will then frame the partition walls, help the electrician rewire plug INS switches and lights .The volunteers will then install the drywall, do the taping and painting, as well as install the new drop ceiling . d) Labour rates Our budget reflects the new rates of $20/hr for unskilled labour and $35/hr for skilled labour.

e) Heavy equipment.

The only heavy equipment we will need for volunteer work and support will be a skid steer, estimated at $70/ hr c/w operator, haul vehicles (Toro), a small truck for debris removal a small turf tractor, a sod cutter and a trencher. The remainder of our volunteer equipment will be light duty, shovels picks saws drills etc.

Some use of trucks and trailers or equivalent maybe used to move restoration material, move signs, and act as emergency vehicles in the case of an emergency event. f) Eastwood Builders Ltd. Eastwood Builders Ltd. will provide project management services only. Our community has used similar project managers on other projects, with good success. This will include coordination of first calls, permit requirements, County, electrical, plumbing etc. contractors and volunteers. We (Two Hills Lions Golf and Country Club) along with Eastwood Builders Ltd have estimated this to be 21 days. However, with today’s permitting and paper shuffle requirements, this may be light. g) North Bay Mechanical North Bay Mechanical has prepared

an estimate for the replacement of the mechanical portion of our HVAC system including a new furnace and connecting the existing Air conditioning system. h) Hryciw’s Plumbing Hryciw’s Plumbing has prepared an estimate for the replacement of our existing washrooms including fixtures, and rough ins.

I) Guenter’s Roofing Guenter’s roofing has prepared an estimate for the replacement of the roofing shingles and evestroughing J) Budget Floors Budget Floors has prepared an estimate to replace our exiting flooring K) Jerlanco Renovations & Construction Jerlanco Renovations has prepared an estimate to replace our original walk-in doors, and a window.

L) Zayaks Electric Zayaks Electric will supervise and connect the new electrical outlets etc.

M) In House estimate We have prepared an in-house estimate from our local suppliers Greenhills and UFA for wall ceiling drywall and paint for our volunteers.

Labour will be provided by our volunteers.

2O2O-21 Golf Course Clubhouse Renovation Funding Alberta Government CFEP Grant: $ 97,436 Volunteer Labor: $ 82,105 Volunteer Equipment: $ 12,435 Total Project Cost:

$252,000

Donations Bv: Eastwood Builders Ltd. Musgrave Cabinets Hryciw’s Plumbing Budget Flooring S & R Roofing Jerlanco Construction EMW North Bay Developments Zayak’s Electric Hryciw Family

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 10

April 2021

County of Two Hills Financial Statement Highlights 2020

FINANCIAL ASSETS Cash and temporary investments (Note 2) Taxes and grants in place of taxes receivable (Note 3) Receivables from other governments Trade and other receivables Long-term investments (Note 4) Debt charges recoverable (Note 5)

2019

$ 21,219,054 $ 20,781,262 $ $ $ $ $

389,930 221,408 1,181,877 42,946 337,946

$ $ $ $ $

422,794 142,529 829,486 43,007 379,187

2020

LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Employee benefit obligations (Note 6) Deposit liabilities (Note 7) Deferred revenue (Note 8) Due to Two Hills Regional Waste Management Commission (Note 9) Long term debt (Note 10)

$ 23 393161 $ 22,598,265 REVENUES Net municipal taxes (Schedule 3) Sales of goods and services Government transfers for operating (Schedule 4) Investment income Penalties and costs of taxes Licenses and permits Other

EXCESS (SHORTFALL) OF REVENUES OVER

EXPENSES BEFORE TRANSFERS FOR CAPITAL

Government transfers for capital (Schedule 5) EXCESS (SHORTFALL) OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES ACCUMULATED SURPLUS BEGINNING OF YEAR

Budget (Unaudited)

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

7,794,343 3,344,708 1,044,132 392,700 194,750 52,100 38,600

2020

2019

$ 7,774,039 $ 8,303,330 $ 3,566,164 $ 3,405,406 $ 790,926 $ 1,032,928 $ 373,868 $ 489,871 $ 232,637 $ 236,198 $ 66,364 $ 52,363 $ 155,002 $ 380,423

$ 12,861,333 $ 12,959,000

Budget (Unaudited)

$ 13,900,519

2020

2019

$ (5,086,319) $ (4,618,092) $ (1,378,004) $

2,182,100 $

1,870,246 $

2,039,910

$ (2,904,219) $ (2,747,846) $

$ 76,949,242 $ 76,949,242 $ 76,287,336

EXCESS (SHORTFALL) OF REVENUES OVER

Budget (Unaudited)

EXPENSES Legislative Administration Protective services Roads, streets, walks, lighting Water supply and distribution Waste management Family and community support Land use planning, zoning and development Agriculture services Subdivision land development Parks and recreation Library Gas Utility

$ $

1,101,903 $ 337,946 $

Budget (Unaudited)

$ 1,261,579 $ 164,306 $ 277,826 $ 892,159 43,007 379,187

2020

2019

$ $ $

278,804 $ 362,875 $ 307,528 2,308,225 $ 2,075,143 $ 2,482,481 458,951 $ 509,449 $ 470,007

$

9,664,016 $ 10,024,158 $ 7,557,896

$ $

480,828 $ 416,079 $

428,083 $ 469,863 $

446,499 584,204

$

122,776 $

122,776 $

122,776

$

679,261 $

$ 504,040 $

32,109 583,766

$ $ $ $

$ 63,687 $ 573,085 $ 43,937 $ 2,534,565

78,250 616,747 44,152 2,664,994

2020

$ (2,904,219) $ (2,747,846) $

2019 661,906

$

2,107,654 $

-

-

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses Decrease (increase) in inventory for consumption

1,985,623 $

Residential land and improvements Farmland Non-residential land and improvements Machinery and equipment Linear property

$ 51,313 $ 218,047 $ 43,354 $ 2,378,543

-

$

107,855 $

-

$

643,842 $

-

$

751,697 $

$

2,107,654 $

2,737,321 $

$

(796,565) $

(10,525) $

$ 17,836,525 $ 18,622,565 $ 18,633,090

2019

$ $

2,569,537 $ 1,809,191 $

2,572,469 $ 1,812,790 $

2,406,331 1,913,046

$

342,846 $

334,866 $

338,797

$ $

3,013 $ 5,373,610 $

27,865 $ 5,329,739 $

2,905 5,884,659

$ 10,098,197 $ 10,077,729 $ 10,545,738

$ $ $

1,763,353 $ 3,607 $ 521,214 $

1,764,135 $ 2,825 $ 521,214 $

1,789,709 3,520 431,181

$

15,680 $

15,516 $

17,998

$

2,303,854 $

2,303,690 $

2,242,408

$

7,794,343 $

7,774,039 $

8,303,330

Municipal inventories consist of the following:

(67,765) Public Works gravel Public Works coldmix (1,265,065) Public Works miscellaneous Public Works fuel (1,332,830) Agricultural services Fire inventory (643,962) Sewer systems-inventory Water systems-inventory 17,944

$ 18,633,090 $ 18,633,090 $ 18,615,146

2020

INVENTORY FOR CONSUMPTION

688,868 -

Budget (Unaudited)

TAXATION

Acquisition of tangible capital $ (1,258,248) $ (1,660,272) $ (2,496,514) assets REQUISITIONS Proceeds on disposal of tan417,120 $ $ 193,200 $ 55,625 Alberta School Foundagible capital assets tion Fund Loss on disposal of tangible ASFF Opted-out Boards $ 170,399 $ 88,703 capital assets Eagle Hill Foundation Amortization of tangible capi$ 3,172,702 $ 2,785,023 $ 2,783,223 Designated Industrial tal assets Property Amortization added to tangible $ 273,354 $ 324,803 capital assets Adjustment to tangible capital $ (66,972) assets

NET FINANCIAL ASSETS END OF YEAR

945,610 191,686 242,624 1,950,827

$ 23 393161 $ 22,598,265

661,906

$ 74,045,023 $ 74,201,396 $ 76,949,242

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET FINANCIAL ASSETS NET FINANCIAL ASSETS BEGINNING OF YEAR

$ $ $ $

$ 17,947,652 $ 17,577,092 $ 15.278.523

ACCUMULATED SURPLUS END OF YEAR

EXPENSES

2019

Gas Utility

2020

2019

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

1,256,636 262,801 309,837 12,398 71,658 2,506 1,534 15,926

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

1,668,360 511,172 310,666 13,978 67,638 1,441

$

1,933,296 $

2,582,959

$

58,083 $

52,261

$

1,991,379 $

2,635,220

9,704

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

Page 11

County of Two Hills Financial Statement Highlights Unrestriced Surplus Restricted Surplus

$

BALANCE, BEGINNING OF YEAR Excess (shortfall) of revenues over expenses Unrestricted funds designated for future use Restricted funds used for operations Restricted funds used for tangible capital assets Current year funds used for tangible capital assets Disposal of tangible capital assets Annual amortization expense

7,780,909

$ (2,747,846) $ (27,515) $ 551,990 $ (1,446,379) $ 587,519 $ 3,058,377

CHANGE IN ACCUMULATED SURPLUS

$

(23,854)

BALANCE: END OF YEAR (Note 12)

$

7,757,055

$ 14,015,335

Equity in tangible capital assets

2020

$ 55,152,998

2019

$ 76,949,242

$ 76,287,336 $

$ $ $

27,515 (551,990) (213,893) -

$ 213,893 $ 1,446,379 $ (587,519) $ (3,058,377)

$ (2,747,846) -

$

(738,368)

$ (1,985,624)

$ (2,747,846)

$

$ 13,276,967

$ 53,167,374

$ 74,201,396

$ 76,949,242

-

-

-

661,906

66,906

Consolidated Schedule of Government Transfers for Operating Year Ended December 31, 2020

Statement of Operating Revenue And Expenses For The Gas Utility Year Ended December 31, 2020

Budget (Unaudited)

Budget (Unaudited)

TRANSFERS FOR OPERATING Provincial

2020

1,044,132 $

$

2019

790,926 $

1,032,928

Consolidated Schedule of Government Transfers for Operating Year Ended December 31, 2020

Budget (Unaudited)

TRANSFERS FOR CAPITAL Provincial Federal Local government

2019

2020

$ $ $

1,849,000 $ 293,100 $ 40,000 $

1,775,550 $ 26,239 $ 68,457

1,628,199 411,711 -

$

2,182,100 $

1,870,246 $

2,039,910

EXPENSES Salaries, wages and benefits Contracted and general services Purchases from other governments Materials, goods, supplies and utilities Provision for allowances Transfers to other governments Transfers to local boards and agencies Bank charges and short-term interest Amortization of tangible capital assets Loss on sale of tangible capital assets

2020

2019

$

5,612,900 $

4,912,346 $

4,920,018

$

1,922,042 $

2,006,925 $

2,178,257

$

1,141,540 $

1,332,749 $

1,175,248

$

4,745,126 $

5,023,569 $

2,900,832

$

596,500 $

589,751 $

692,386

$

225,000 $

225,000 $

375,000

$

517,152 $

516,587 $

148,504

$

14,690 $

14,743 $

16,352

$

3,172,702 $

2,785,023 $

2,783,223

$

170,399 $

88,703

-

$ $ $

5,612,900 $ 1,922,042 $ 1,141,540 $

4,912,346 $ 2,006,925 $ 1,332,749 $

4,920,018 2,178,257 1,175,248

$

4,745,126 $

5,023,569 $

2,900,832

Other sales and service Penalties and interest income Profit on capital construction RMO station operating grant Service charges

$

596,500 $

589,751 $

692,386

$

225,000 $

225,000 $

375,000

$

517,152 $

516,587 $

148,504

$ $

14,690 $ 3,172,702 $

14,743 $ 2,785,023 $

16,352 2,783,223

$

632 070 $

753,378 $

806,411

$ $ $

292,933 $ 10,000 $ 24,270 $

258,671 $ 10,267 $ 9,622 $

268,975 3,875 17,700

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

49,400 27,700 56,850 12,000 125,100 11,250 44,700

$ $ $

123,700 $ 675,551 $ 70,000 $

EXPENSES Amortization Bad debt expense Council remuneration Insurance, permits, damage claims Memberships, dues, fees Office supplies Professional fees Repair and maintenance Travel and training Utilities Vehicle and equipment costs Wages and benefits Materials and supplies Loss on sale of tangible capital asset EXCESS (SHORTFALL) OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES

Debentures recoverable (Note 5)

2020

$ 337,946 $ 379,187

Principal and interest repayments are as follows: Principal Interest 2021 $ 42,813 $ 11,517 2022 $ 44,446 $ 9,884 2023 $ 46,142 $ 8,188 2024 $ 47,904 $ 6,426 2025 $ 49,734 $ 4,596 Thereafter $ 106,907 $ 13,090 $

337,946 $

2019

$ $ $ $ $ $

Total 54,330 54,330 54,330 54,330 54,330 119,997

53,701 $

391,647

$

$

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

45,428 10,915 41,599 8,226 47,305 4,636 45,439

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

40,450 24,982 39,065 7,593 42,105 12,360 44,631

52,832 $ 612,288 $ 51,133 $

65,174 583,931 67,276

$ 3,455 $ (4,279) 1,523,454 $ 1,201,816 $ 1,213,838

(176,460) $

224,472 $

278,749

RESTRICTED SURPLUS

$ 17,947,652 $ 17,577,092 $ 15,278,523 LONG TERM DEBT

2019

REVENUE PURCHASES GROSS PROFIT OTHER OPERATING REVENUES

Consolidated Schedule of Expenses by Object Year Ended December 31, 2020

Budget (Unaudited)

2020

Reserve for future expenditures Transportation capital replacement General equipment replacement Gas Utility Roads Gas Utility capital replacement Ag Service Board capital replacement Ag Service Board Recreation Water Restricted surplus

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

2020

5,026,532 3,395,347 2,125,881 994,418 1,398,481 244,013 36,608 34,344 12,662 8,681

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

2019

5,578,522 3,395,347 2,209,774 1,124,418 1,398,481 216,498 36,608 34,344 12,662 8,681

$ 13,276,967 $ 14,015,335

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 12

April 2021

TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR 4834 - 50 Avenue, Vegreville, AB T9C 1K9

(780) 632-4770 Welcome to Full Throttle Truck & Trailer Repair (Vegreville) Ltd.

Located on Hwy 16A in the east end of Vegreville.

24-Hour On-call and Mobile Mechanic

(587) 280-4770 No appointment required for running repairs Yes… we work on buses, campers, pickups, gensets… we do it all.

FULL REPAIR SERVICES • Full service (oil change, filters, grease) • Service special – includes 90-point inspection • Air conditioning re-charge • Grease only - Auto grease refill • Regular repair items – wheel seals, air bags, slack adjusters, s-cams, belts, hoses, brake shoes, 5th wheel rebuild, etc.

• Engine work – from valve set to inframe • Welding repairs (including alumiCertified CVIP num) – certified welder Inspection Facility • Service items – air dryer, rad flush, fluid changes, etc.

• Tandem truck or trailer $255 • Electrical, wiring, and lights • Tri-drive truck or tridem trailer $285 • Hydraulics and wet kit installation • Re-gen DPF system Certified B620 Tank • Engine scan and diagnostics

Inspection Facility

• PIVKU/C 5-year tank inspection • IVK annual tank inspection • VK annual tank inspection • Hose testing

$960 $720 $520 $100

CERTIFIED TANK REPAIR FACILITY • • • • • • • •

Cladding repair or replacement Aluminum welding and fabrication Titan and Sea-Level Scully Valves, valve packing, gaskets Trailing arm bushings Wheel alignment Regular repair—wheel seals, air bags, brakes, slack adjusters, air systems and valves, shocks, maxi pots, etc.

• Winter insulating

Open Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Open Saturdays for running repairs and appointments Please feel free to contact us if you require further information.

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

Page 13

Zone 3 30-100 metres

HOME IGNITION ZONE

Zone 2 10-30 metres Zone 1 1.5-10 metres Non-Combustible Zone 0-1.5 metres

Work with your neighbours in any overlapping priority zones!

Non-combustible Zone (0-1.5 metres)

Zone 1 (1.5-10 metres)

Zone 2 (10-30 metres)

Zone 3 (30-100 metres)

Reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting materials near your home. A non-combustible surface should extend around the entire home and any attachments, such as decks. Creating a non-combustible surface can be as easy clearing vegetation and combustible material down to mineral soil. To add to your landscape design, use non-combustible materials such as gravel, brick, or concrete in this critical area adjacent to your home. Woody shrubs, trees or tree branches should be avoided in this zone, any that are present should be properly mitigated.

Create a landscape that will not easily transmit fire to the home. A FireSmart yard includes making smart choices for your plants, shrubs, grass and mulch. Selecting fire-resistant plants and materials can increase the likelihood of your home surviving a wildfire. Plant a low density of fire-resistant plants and shrubs. Avoid having any woody debris, including mulch, as it provides potential places for fires to start. Storing items such as firewood piles, construction materials, patio furniture, tools and decorative pieces against or near a house is a major fire hazard. Move firewood piles, trailers/ recreational vehicles, storage sheds and other combustible structures out of this zone and into Zone 2. If unable to move, store firewood inside your mitigated garage, shed or other ember resistant structures, create a non-combustible zone underneath and for 1.5 metres around trailers/ vehicles and mitigate sheds and other structures to the same standards as those of your home.

If your property extends out to this zone, thin and prune evergreen trees to reduce hazard in this area. Within 30 metres of your home, selectively remove evergreen trees to create at least 3 metres of horizontal space between the single or grouped tree crowns and remove all branches to a height of 2 metres from the ground on the remaining evergreen trees. If possible, pruning trees up to 100 metres from your home (Zone 3) is recommended. Regularly clean up accumulations of fallen branches, dry grass and needles from on the ground to eliminate potential surface fuels. Consider seeking the guidance of a forest professional with wildland fire knowledge on appropriate management options for this zone.

Taking FireSmart actions in Zone 3 on your property will influence how a wildfire approaches your home. You can change the dynamics of wildfire behaviour by managing vegetation within this zone. Look for opportunities to create a fire break by creating space between trees and other potentially flammable vegetation. Thinning and pruning is effective here as well. These actions will help reduce the intensity of a wildfire. Consider seeking the guidance of a forest professional with wildland fire knowledge on appropriate management options for this zone.

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 14

April 2021

RCMP Update from Sgt Daisley of the Two Hills RCMP

H

ello to all of the Two Hills Regional Chronicle readers: it is so nice to have a great local paper and I appreciate the opportunity to write a column! If things work out as intended, there should be something from me in the paper every month.

One of the features will be the “Speeder of the Month”. Like the Razzies or the Darwin Award, this is one that you DON’T want to win!

Speeder of the Month for April was a 21-year-old male who was caught by the Sheriffs at 148km/h south of Two Hills. His prize: a $470 fine.

A dishonourable mention goes to the 42-year-old male who I caught going 147km/h between Two Hills and Duvernay. He seemed to think that it was ok because he was late for

a meeting, but I did not agree: he received his prize in the form of a ticket!

In another feature, we will highlight a “Fraud of the Month”. For May, the fraud is the Continuity Scam. The name sounds pretty boring, but you won’t be bored if you fall for this one! Continuity scams often take place when someone who is on-line observes a pop-up or advertisement offering a free trial or free gift for completing a survey.

You will be asked to provide a credit card to pay for shipping and handling, but hidden in the terms and conditions are fees associated to the offer, including overpriced monthly charges that are very difficult to cancel. Those “all-natural herbal male enhancement products” or “free makeup just like Beyonce’s” or “allnew diets pills that will let you lose 20 pounds a week” are not real, but the costs associated with them are!

You’ll get a package of a product that likely won’t work and charges to your credit card. The prices can vary from $1.99 to $1,000 and victims will continue to be charged until the company is contacted and services canceled. In addition, it is not uncommon for victims to be charged more than once per month by multiple different merchants.

In order to stop the fraud, victims

should contact the suspected company requesting a stop payment and keep records of all correspondence.

Victims can also refuse delivery of goods and should contact their respective financial institution or credit card provider to request a charge back due to fraud. Visit http://www. antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ index-eng.htm to learn about more scams.

For anyone who has been following our Facebook page (@TwoHillsRCMP), you will have noticed that we have been catching a lot of impaired drivers. It is an unfortunate reality that there are many people both from this area and travelling through it who think that it is okay to drink and drive. If you see an impaired driver, please call 911.

In what is probably the most egregious case that we have seen recently, Traffic Services were on patrol in the Two Hills area and stopped a vehicle for speeding. The driver admitted drinking while she was driving and provided a breath sample that confirmed that she had alcohol in her blood. She was issued a 30-day driving suspension, her vehicle was towed and impounded for 7 days, and she will have to pay a $200 fine (plus victim surcharge).

In addition, she received the following tickets:

(1) open liquor - $120 (2) breach licence conditions - $324 (3) speeding - $175 (4) fail to produce insurance - $243 If you have a topic you would like addressed in the next column, please send me a message at Robert.Daisley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. I don’t have to mention your name if you’d prefer to have your identity stay confidential.

Until next month, stay safe out there!

Sgt. Robert Daisley, Detachment Commander, Two Hills RCMP

Have an interesting story to share? Let us share it with the region. Email Niri at news@twohillschronicle. com. We love to hear from you! Be sure to check out our website at www. twohillschronicle.com.

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TWO HILLS OFFICE

#5 5002 Diefenbaker Ave, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 Tel: 780.657.2492

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PIONEER HI-BRED VARIETIES AVAILABLE KITTLE FARMS LTD. Phone: (780) 366-2583 Cell: (780) 385-4900

Box 296, Viking, AB T0B 4N0

April 2021

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Agriculture

Beef demand robust and increasing

The reopening of foodservice, strong exports and tighter global supplies are supportive for beef demand.

A

lthough there are regional delays, foodservice is slowly ramping up across North America, supporting increased domestic movement,’ says Jason Wood, provincial livestock market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. ‘Tighter supplies of pork resulting from increased export demand are increasing the retail positioning of beef.’

Page 15

The blended U.S. boxed beef price, converted to Canadian dollars, was $337/cwt for the week ending April 9, up over 10% from the previous week and over 30% higher since the start of the year. Recent weekly gains are exceeding previous projections, suggesting that the boxed beef price may exceed expectations as we move into late May.

R

Register for Open Farm Days

egistration is now open for farms and ranches to be part of the next edition of Open Farm Days.

The weekend showcases Alberta’s agriculture industry and growing the agri-tourism sector. Host farms open their gates to share their agricultural experiences with their urban neighbours and to help them understand where their food comes from.

In 2020, more than 77 host farms were part of Open Farm Days, and 24 culinary events helped connect urban and rural Albertans. Host farms have included traditional farms, livestock (bison, cattle, alpaca, sheep, llama, goat, poultry) farms and ranches, organic operations, corn mazes, wineries, meaderies, craft breweries, stables, petting zoos, along with honey, fruit, vegetable, grain and u-pick farms.

Since 2013, Open Farm Days has seen nearly 134,000 person visits, injecting close to one million dollars into the rural economy through

on-farm sales. Since its launch, 711 Alberta farms have been enjoyed by the public.

Host farms can participate either day or both days, and educational materials about hosting are available.

Material is available for farms interested in participating, including: • AHS and AGLC regulations • COVID-19 restrictions • Marketing suggestions • Culinary/Food events • Artisan Markets For 2021, farms that want to showcase craft beverages from local brewers and distillers at an artisan market or with their event can explore new permits or licence options with AGLC.

Prevent lead poisoning on pastures

Higher boxed beef prices are starting to benefit the U.S. fed cattle cash price. Until recently, large frontend supplies of fed cattle were dampening any upside in the cash market,’ explains Wood.

The U.S. cash fed cattle market is trading higher in April, recently at US$120/cwt after ranging between US$110/cwt to US$114/cwt through

most of 2021. In Alberta, the Canfax fed steer price was reported at $150.82/cwt for the week ending April 9.

‘The fed cattle market is expected to trend seasonally higher into late spring. Fed cattle prices are expected to ease into summer as beef supplies increase and demand seasonally softens.

Globally, increased North American pork exports to China following a resurgence of African Swine Fever cases, and tightening global beef supplies due to reduced beef production in Australia, Argentina and

Brazil are supportive for cattle prices. However, Wood points out that higher export container shipping costs and access to reefer containers may challenge exports in 2021.

D

iscarded batteries that have gone through several freezethaw cycles and no longer have intact cases are the most dangerous,’ says Dr. Joe Kendall, veterinary toxicologist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. ‘The lead plates are exposed and easily accessible by the animals.’

He says that young calves are particularly attracted to the taste of lead and will actively seek it out.

‘Cattle that have consumed toxic levels of lead will exhibit seizures and sudden death. They may appear blind and wander aimlessly.

Cattle that have consumed smaller amounts of lead will appear normal, but the lead levels in the body will make the meat and milk unsafe for human consumption until the lead has been eliminated. Animals that have died from lead toxicity must be safely buried to prevent lead toxicity in wildlife.’

Dr. Kendall adds that most cases of lead exposure and poisoning in cattle that have been reported to the Office of the Chief Provincial Veter-

inarian have occurred in cattle grazing on pasture.

‘Lead exposure or poisoning, along with other toxins, must be reported to the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian. It is important to reduce the risk of contamination of pasture and farmland with lead and to be diligent about keeping an eye out for any signs of buried batteries or other sources of lead.’

Abandoned and discarded batteries are usually found around abandoned vehicles and farm machinery, old dumps and disposal sites, homesteads, outbuildings and along fence lines.

If the batteries have broken open, it is important to do a thorough job cleaning up not only the lead plates but also the soil around the battery.

Used lead acid batteries should be safely disposed at collection stations across the province. Go to Recycling Council of Alberta to find the nearest location to dispose spent lead acid batteries.

Page 16

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 21, 2021 Council Meeting

April 2021

HIGHLIGHTS

April 27, 2021 FIRE RESTRICTIONS & PERMITS

BYLAWS AND POLICIES: Bylaw No. 03-2021: Council duly enacted Bylaw No. 03-2021, being the Unpaid Taxes Bylaw, having a 2% penalty (on current) applied on November 1, a 5% penalty (on current and penalty) applied on December 1 and 10% penalty (on current and arrears) applied on January 1.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Two Hills Lions Club: Council provided a Letter of Support to the Two Hills Lions Club in their application to the Community Facility Enhancement Grant to assist with Clubhouse upgrades.

Alberta Donkey & Mule Club: Council approved a trail ride in the Lac Santé area, proposed by the Alberta Donkey & Mule Club for May, 2021.

2021 RCMP Policing Priorities: Council received delegation from Sgt. R. Daisley and discussed the Two Hills 2020 Policing Report and 2021 Policing Priorities.

TRANSPORTATION: NOTICE – New Traffic Controls: Yield Signs will be installed at the intersection of Range Road 123 and Township 564. Also, on Range Road 124 South of Hwy 29 for half a mile - 40km/hour speed signs will be posted.

Next Council Meeting: The May Regular Council Meeting shall be Call of the Chair.

For further information contact: Sally Dary, CAO, County of Two Hills at 780-657-3358.

The County of Two Hills encourages developers, builders and contractors to apply now for your 2021 development permits. Development permits allow construction to start anytime within 12 months of the permit issue date. For further information on obtaining your development permit please contact: Gary Buchanan, Director of Planning & Development by phone at 780-657-3358 or by email: gbuchanan@thcounty.ab.ca.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT DUE TO DRY CONDITIONS A FIRE BAN WILL BE COMING INTO EFFECT. FOR FIRE BANS AND RESTRICTIONS, PLEASE VISIT: www.albertafirebans.ca or www.thcounty.ab.ca

2021 PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS To complete the 2020 property assessments, assessors will be conducting physical inspections of properties throughout the County.

When assessors enter onto your property their vehicles will be clearly marked with the County of Two Hills logo. Your cooperation with assessors is greatly appreciated as it is essential in determining property assessments.

CANADA SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM The County of Two Hills is accepting applications for two Labour positions under the Canada Summer Jobs program, being: Natural Gas Utility – Labourer Duration of Position: 8 weeks, commencing July, 2021.

Public Works – Labourer Duration of Position: 17 weeks, commencing May, 2021.

Eligible participants must be youth, aged 16 to 30 years old. All interested parties may submit their resume citing posted position, inclusive of references, and a Driver Abstract to the “Selection Committee” at the County of Two Hills Administration Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Application deadline May 15, 2021.

SELECTION COMMITTEE Mail: Box 490, Two Hills, AB, T0B 4K0.

Phone: 780-657-3358 Email: kkenney@thcounty.ab.ca

DERWENT AND WILLINGDON RESIDENTS Please be advised that County of Two Hills will be carrying out water valve maintenance and hydrant flushing in the month of May. Residents may experience intermittent water outages. Also, residents may experience some water discoloration when water is turned back on.

Please allow water to run until discoloration has cleared up. Please visit http://www.thcounty.ab.ca/ for specific times. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Pat Gordeyko, Director of Utilities by phone at 780-657-2446 or 780-632-1560.

CONTACT US: Box 490, 4818-50 Avenue, Two Hills, Alberta, T0B 4K0 www.thcounty.ab.ca Administration Office 780-657-3358

Public Works 780-657-2499

Natural Gas Utility 780-657-2446

April 2021

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 17

PUBLIC WORKS

Roadside Safety Reminder: Being Spring, there will be an increase of farm equipment and machinery on local roads. Please obey all traffic regulations and be courteous of all persons travelling.

AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD STRYCHNINE SALES AND EQUIPMENT RENTALS From this time forward, Agricultural Producers or Bonified Farmers MUST make an appointment for the purchase of Strychnine or to rent Agricultural Equipment. To make an appointment please contact the Agricultural Service Board at 780-657-3358.

2022 ASB CALENDER The Agricultural Service Board will be publishing a 2022 calendar!

All photos must be of the County and be agriculturally related (for ex. livestock, landscape, harvest, etc.). Get your spring photo featured!

CONTRACTOR OPPORTUNITY County of Two Hills No. 21 Notice – Gravel Truckers The County of Two Hills is accepting applications for Gravel Trucks to haul within the County of Two Hills No. 21 during the 2020 graveling program.

All interested parties may obtain applications by contacting Susie Elkow, Shop Supervisor at the County Shop located in the Town of Two Hills between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Application deadline May 28, 2021.

Phone: 780-657-2499 Email: selkow@thcounty.ab.ca

DUST CONTROL The Public Works Department would like to advertise to qualifying residents the commencement of 2021 Dust Control Applications, available April 1, 2021 to May 14, 2021. Please contact the Public Works Office at 780-657-2499.

GRAVEL SALES The Public Works Department would like to advertise to qualifying residents the commencement of 2021 gravel sales, available April 1, 2021 until September 30, 2021. Effective 2021, all private gravel sale deliveries will be the responsibility of the purchaser. The gravel pick up date must be booked through the Public Works Office. For inquiries, please contact the Public Works Office at 780-657-2499.

NATURAL GAS UTILITY EQUAL PAYMENT PLAN The County of Two Hills Natural Gas Utility is offering customers the option to enroll in an Equal Payment Plan. Please call the Natural Gas Office at 780-657-2446 for inquiries.

For those customers on the Equal Payment plan with a balance owed, please ensure that the outstanding amount is received to the Gas Utility Office by June 15, 2021. Should payment not be received, customers may be removed from the Equal Payment Plan. Please note, with fluctuating gas prices and the Federal Carbon Tax increase, the provided estimate may be considerably higher in order to be adequate for the year.

LATE PAYMENT PENALTIES The County of Two Hills Natural Gas Utility kindly reminds customers, that to avoid late payment penalties, payments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the due date (the 15th day of each month). Please be advised that payments made at the bank, phone-banking or online take 2-3 business days to process. If mailing a cheque, please allow 7-10 business days.

Please be advised that all County of Two Hills Offices shall be closed Monday, May 24, 2021 for Victoria Day.

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 18

April 2021

Agriculture

FireSmart your spring cleaning – around your home Understand your wildfire risk and take action around your home with a few simple steps. industry and government.

When it comes to their p r o p e r t y, homeowners need to take ownership and action to protect their homes.

Understanding your risk

‘

With the change in seasons, many Albertans have spring cleaning on their minds and are starting to clean up their yards on their farms or acreages,’ says Laura Stewart, FireSmart specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

‘Some outdoor maintenance activities can be done in the early spring to help protect your home from the damages of wildfire, as we see the wildfire danger rise dramatically in late April and May.’ FireSmart is a series of programs across the country that better allow us to live with and manage the impacts of wildfire on our surroundings. It is a shared responsibility between community members, community leaders, forest companies,

The first thing to do is walk around your property to identify wildfire risks. Start with the first 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) around the entire home and any attachments, such as decks.

‘What combustible fuels are you keeping closest to your home? You want to keep a special eye out for things like dry leaves, grass and twigs, firewood piles, construction materials, and patio furniture.

Whenever possible, you want to move these items at least 10 metres from the home or safely store them in a garage or shed,’ says Stewart.

Embers ignite more than half of homes damaged or destroyed by wildfire. Research has shown that structural modifications, like fire-

resistant building materials, can reduce the risk of wildfire damage up to 40%. If you’re making important structural modifications and moving those combustible fuels farther away from your home, you can reduce wildfire risk by up to 75%.

Simple steps that make a big impact ‘Here are some simple actions that homeowners can take to address four key areas of the home. Both immediate, roll-up-your-sleeves maintenance activities and longer-term planning are included.’

Roof

Keep the roof clean and clear of combustible debris, such as leaves, twigs and branches. Upgrade roof to a Class A ignition resistant roofing material. Class A roofing materials include clay tile, concrete tile, metal and asphalt shingles.

Siding, vents and openings

Examine siding for locations where embers could accumulate or hide. Inspect vents and openings often to ensure they are in good repair and combustible debris is removed.

Stucco, brick, fibre cement boards/ panels and poured concrete siding all offer superior fire resistance.

Consider upgrading to a non-combustible siding material. Metal prod-

ucts are recommended for vents and vent flashing. Install non-combustible material for all vents and screen with 3 mm screening or fire-rated vents.

Deck

Remove combustible debris and vegetation on, around and under decks and other attached structures.

This is a key factor in reducing vulnerability to ignition during a wildfire. Select fire-rated composite decking material for the deck and cover the underside of the deck with non-combustible sheathing, such as fibre cement board or metal screening.

Gutters and eaves

Keep gutters and eaves clean and clear of combustible debris, such as leaves, twigs and branches. Upgrade to a boxed-in or soffited eave design that is non-combustible. Upgrade gutters and downspouts to noncombustible materials, such as galvanized steel, copper or aluminum.

A metal drip edge should be in place as part of the roof assembly.

‘Stay tuned for FireSmart your spring cleaning part 2 for more tips about how the FireSmart principles apply to the rest of your property,’ says Stewart.

Canola carryover – will there be any?

Crop year-end canola stocks are setting up to be the smallest in years.

‘

Producers with unpriced canola remaining after the 2020 harvest have been delighted and amazed by the price increase since harvest,’ says Neil Blue, provincial crop market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. ‘New record canola prices have been set for both futures and cash.’

‘Canadian canola demand has also been spectacular,’ adds Blue. ‘Canola exports are record high for this time in the crop year.’

According to Canadian Grain Commission data, as of April 4, bulk exports of canola from Canada this crop year are 8.19 million tonnes.

That export number excludes the small amount of canola exported by container. Domestic canola crushing to date, at 7.25 million tonnes, is on pace with last year’s record level.

Estimated Canadian canola carryover last July 31 was 3.13 million tonnes. Statistics Canada has estimated 2020 Canadian canola crop production at 18.72 million tonnes.

Adding in 100 thousand tonnes of imports results in total supply for this crop year of 21.95 million

tonnes.

Canadian Grain Commission stats show that farmers have delivered 15.4 million tonnes of canola to elevators and crushers so far.

‘If the 2020 carryover and production numbers are correct, that leaves about 6.55 million tonnes left in farmers’ storage, with 17 weeks remaining in this crop year. That is an average of 385,000 tonnes per week, and remaining canola stocks will not drop to zero.’

The function of price is to meter supply out to the demand, adds Blue. Rising prices tend to discourage demand to prevent a shortage of product.

So far this crop year, farmers have delivered an average of 440,000 tonnes per week. During the first 2 weeks

of April, Canadian canola exports and crush has averaged 482,000 tonnes a week. It appears that high canola prices have not yet reduced canola demand.

‘Despite the historically high canola prices, forward crusher margins are reportedly still very profitable.

Meal prices have retreated since the highs in January, but vegetable oil prices are still high,’ says Blue.

Vegetable oil prices may drop with the expected increase in palm

oil production and price. However, Blue points out 2 unknowns that may affect prices: remaining crusher demand to fulfill forward bookings of canola product sales, and remaining canola export demand for the balance of this crop year.

‘Also subject to adjustment is the size of last year’s canola crop and how much canola goes to the feed and waste category. Crop year-end canola stocks are setting up to be the smallest in years.’

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

A message from MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk

O

n April 18-24th it was National Volunteer Week. I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to all volunteers that offer their time and resources both in my own community and across the province. Alberta has more than 26,000 non-profit organization, more than 1.5 million Albertans are volunteers, and they provide more than 262 million volunteer hours. This contributes to the non-profit and voluntary sector, which is at a value of $5.6 billion. The Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, is providing a grant of $95,000 to Volunteer Alberta to support volunteer celebration activities aligned with public health guidelines in communities across Alberta.

Alberta’s government released

a call for grant proposals totalling $1 million. The successful organization, or group of organizations, will work with schools to deliver financial literacy training to students this fall. This grant program is part of our government’s commitment to ensuring students have the practical skills and knowledge they will need to make financial decisions.

This call for grant proposals builds on successful current financial literacy programs, including those offered by Enriched Academy and Junior Achievement in the 2020/21 school year. These organizations have been working with 39,000 students in Grades 4 to 12 in the past year – in urban and rural communities.

As part of this grant, students will study important financial concepts such as costs, interest, debt, investing, insurance, and how the economy affects their lives. Our government wants to ensure that students have these important financial skills before they go out into the world.

Details of this call for Grant proposals will be available in May, at www.purchasingconnection.ca.

Lastly, a new neonatal inten-

sive care unit (NICU)opens up at the Stollery hospital. This means that critically ill infants can now receive surgical care in a newly renovated, familyfocused space at the new David Schiff NICU at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

The $11.7 million NICU project was funded as part of a $54.7 million project to develop and expand the critical care units. The Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation provided an additional $1.2 million to fund comfort items for families using the NICU. The redevelopment includes 18 beds in single- or doublepatient rooms, offering more privacy and space for patients and family members who stay overnight as their newborns undergo and recover from surgery.

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

Have any information to share?

We love to hear for you.

Email us at news@twohillschronicle.com.

Check us out online at www.twohillschronicle.com.

Notice is hereby given that, under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, the Town of Two Hills will offer for sale, by public auction, in the Town of Two Hills Council Chambers at Two Hills, Alberta, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., the following lands: ROLL

LOT

BLOCK PLAN ROLL

00240 5 14 120HW 08570 00250 A 120HW 08580 00260 W PB B 120HW 08590 00270 E. PT. B (#1) 120HW 08600 00350 7 6 274NY 08610 00620 9 1 709EO 08620 00630 10 1 709EO 08630 01070 1 & 2 1011EO 08640 02600 OT 16 4790HW 08680 02640 5 16 4790HW 08690 03610 4 2 6316ET 08700 03640 6 2 6316ET 10330 04020 8 6 8309ET 10410 04610 E. PT. A 12 8309ET 10420 04620 B 12 8309ET 10530 05460 PT SE 32-54-12 W4 10540 08520 20 (#69) 24 9323640 11130 08530 21 (#70) 24 9323640 11140 08540 22 (#71) 24 9323640 11230 08550 23 (#72) 24 9323640 11240 08560 24 (#73) 24 9323640 11260

LOT 25 (#74) 26 (#75) 27 (#76) 28 (#77) 29 (#78) 30 (#79) 31 (#80) 32 (#81) 36 (#84) 37 (#85) 38 (#86) 15 (#59) 23 (#67) 24 (#68) 5 6 (#14) 4 (#25) 5 (#26) 14 (#33) 15 (#34) 17

BLOCK PLAN ROLL 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 22 22 22 23 23 24 25 24 24 24

9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 9323640 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287

11270 11830 11850 11860 11870 11880 11890 11900 11910 11920 11930 11940 11950 12140 12150 12390 12620 12630 12640

LOT 18 (#37) 4 (#39) 6 (#41) 7 (#42) 8 (#43) 9 (#44) 10 (#45) 11 (#46) 12 (#47) 13 (#48) 14 (#49) 15 (#50) 16 (#51) 2 3 2 K L M

BLOCK PLAN 24 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 20 20 20

8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021287 8021571 8021571 8222580 8421200 8421200 8421200

Page 19

Derwent Agricultural Society $45,000.00 CASH RAFFLE! The prizes are phenomenal!!

1st $ 30,000.00 2nd $ 10,000.00 3rd $ 5,000.00 It’s a 1/666 chance of winning and 1,999 tickets are printed.

AGLC Raffle License no. (532108) We were to have the draw on on Dec. 31, 2020, but didn’t have enough tickets sold because with Covid we were not able to go to Fairs, Rodeos, Farmer’s Markets, hockey rinks and other public venues.

The lottery board extended the draw until May 29, 2021.

Call 780 977 4714 for tickets ($50.00 each).

We can do e-transfer or accept cheques until the end of April, we can arrange pick up or delivery of tickets at your convenience.

Tickets can also be purchased at: • Auto Parts Plus in Vermilion • Integra Tire Auto Centre in Vermilion • Uniquely U Styles in Vermilion • Derwent Hotel • Derwent Store • Derwent Tattoo Shop • Golden Loaf Bakery in Elk Point • Grocery/Liquor Store in Myrnam • Nutrien Ag. Solutions in Myrnam • Majek Meats in St. Paul • Mundare Sausage House in Mundare (We are arranging

with Judy at the new leisure cntr. in Two Hills to have tickets available there on Tuesdays & Thursdays).

We were disappointed not to have our popular ‘Cabin Fever’ dance this year with Covid. It is an event that I had introduced to the community a few years back.

The Winter was so long that we thought it would break up the Winter with a dance and a live band & the fun time proved to be beneficial to all that attended.

We are hoping to have it again next February so we hope to see you then. :) We are raising funds for upgrades in our community hall that is used for a variety of events such a craft sales, weddings, funerals, public speaking, sports and...

We would like to encourage the purchase of tickets for Mother’s/Father’s day, graduation, birthday gifts or whatever you may need to help support our cause.

THANKS to all our supporters in whatever way you have contributed as it takes a village to have a healthy, happy village. *Stay safe & remember that you may be one person in the world, but to one person, you may be the world.

Blessings today & always to all!

Each parcel will be offered for sale, subject to a reserve bid and to the reservations and conditions contained in the existing certificate of title.

The land is being offered for sale on an “as is, where is” basis, and the Town of Two Hills makes no representation and gives no warranty whatsoever as to the adequacy of services, soil conditions, land use districting, building and development conditions, absence or presence of environmental contamination, or the developability of the subject land for any intended use by the purchaser.

The Town of Two Hills may, after the public auction, become the owner of any parcel of land not sold at the public auction.

Terms: 10% non-refundable cash deposit and balance payable by cash or certified cheque within 24 hours. The above properties may be subject to GST. All bidders or their agents must be present at the public auction.

Redemption may be effected by payment of all arrears of taxes and costs at any time prior to the sale.

Dated at Two Hills, Alberta, March 17, 2021.

Gerren Saskiw, Chief Administrative Officer.

Contact Connie Mackney for more information

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W

e have been very busy this month preparing presentations for our Virtual Spring Showcase. Given the current restrictions, we are preparing a virtual showcase.

We will have a web page featuring all the exciting projects in our school, including our construction projects, our Renewable Energy Net Zero Vehicle progress, and our hydroponic food production program.

Our horticulture students have been preparing to launch our curbside greenhouse sale this spring.

We will be open for orders online, by phone, or by order form from May to June, as our students learn the skills required to work in a commercial greenhouse operation. We have so many plants coming that we had to open a second greenhouse - it

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

This Month at New Myrnam School is actually our Eco-Classroom that students designed and built a few years ago for another project. Students have been researching various plants, and also working through the Green Certificate program to become a Greenhouse Technician. We have been heavily invested recently in ordering, receiving, and processing young plants from commercial growers. Students are learning about flower combinations to prepare baskets and annuals for planting, and have even had hands-on experience in pest control! We are so excited for the last frost to pass so we can get out in the dirt and see our plants on the streets of Myrnam! We plan to keep our greenhouse open for several weeks this year to give students a complete opportunity to see what it

is like to be involved in commercial greenhouse operations.

In addition to this, our ECS to grade 2 students have been involved in hands-on projects by growing microgreens for the community. We have even partnered with local businesses to provide produce for their menu items. Please visit CJ’s Cafe in Myrnam and the Twisted Fork in St. Paul to sample our produce. We continue to expand our operations and will keep you informed about any upcoming news.

Our grade 3/4 class has been exploring vehicles and devices that move with Mr. Tymofichuk by designing their own vehicles and using our existing bicycle-phone-charging device to understand energy and motion. In addition, our grade 5/6

class has been busy in the shop designing customized homes for their class hamster named Fish. We are so proud of the problem solving skills these students are learning.

Finally, our grade 7/8 class has been investigating Forces and Motion by designing and building their own structures to withstand weapons, and will test their designs in a “battle” soon. They have developed an in-depth understanding of how structures must be designed to withstand forces, both man-made and naturally-occuring.

We will see you next month to update you on all of our projects!

Please check out our Virtual Open House on our website starting on April 30th for more information.

April 2021

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Updates from Two Hills School

Physics 30 Students Learning About Magnetic Fields

Grade 2’s making water filtration systems on Earth Day

Grade 2’s exploring the properties of water

Page 21

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 22

April 2021

MUD or STARS

“Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw mud and the other stars”

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wo people in similar difficult circumstances but with two very different perspectives. One looked up; the other down. One had hope, the other manifested a spirit of despair.

One was optimistic; the other pessimistic. One was positive; the other negative. Why did one see only mud but the other saw only stars? What determined their perspective in their circumstances? We all have similar hardships in our lives so what determines our perspective? Perhaps you are not behind literal prison bars, but you are locked up with Covid 19 restrictions and protocols. Maybe your marriage is stagnant and loveless; or financially you are over your head and drowning in debt. Some may have children who when they were small stepped on your toes but now

are stepping on your heart and it is crushed by their choices. You might have just come from your doctor with a diagnosis of the worst kind; or you have been to the cemetery having said good-bye to one who was the apple of your eye. With what perspective will look at your circumstances? Will you see mud or stars? Our reactions are not necessarily shaped by our circumstances or personalities, but by our beliefs.

What we believe to be true is what will determine whether we see mud or stars. One writer has said, “We do not always practise what we profess but we always practise what we believe.” What we believe is clearly seen by our reactions in hard times.

This is where Easter touches our life, not just once a year but every day.

Easter gives us a radical hope for all the possible scenarios of our lives. The apostle Peter praises the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ because “in his great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Notice the words- “A Living Hope.” Peter links this living hope to God’s great mercy and to Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This living hope assures us God’s mercy and kindness surrounds and supports us every day of our lives. His

COUNTY OF TWO HILLS NATURAL GAS UTILITY

5606-51 Street Box 428 Two Hills, AB TOB 4KO Phone: (780) 657-2446 Fax: (780) 657-2731 NATURAL GAS UTILITY Email: countygas@thcounty.ab.ca Carbon Levy Increase As of April l, 2021, the Carbon Levy imposed by the Federal Government will increase by approximately $.53/GJ to $2.1025899 /GJ. This increase will be applied to natural gas consumption starting April l, 2021 and will be included on your May bill. The County of Two Hills Gas Utility is responsible for reporting, collecting, and remitting these amounts to the Federal Government on a monthly basis.

Click Before You Dig With construction season coming up PLEASE CALL/CLICK BEFORE YOU DIG@ 1-800-242-3447 or www.albertaonecall.com Click Before You Dig is FREE and SAVES LIVES; PLEASE DON’T take a chance without it.

NO locates will be done until your project is registered with Click Before You Dig.

Natural Gas lnfills The County of Two Hills Natural Gas Utility reminds residents to book new natural gas service infills early, as they are scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis. Rates for the 2021 construction season are as follows:

Rural: $ 8000.00 Urban: $ 4000.00 Grain Dryers and Commercial: Actual Cost To book your infill or for further info please call us at 780 657 2466.

TO AVOID LATE PAYMENT PENALTIES, PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY 4:30PM ON THE DUE DATE

If you pay your bill at the bank, on the phone, or online, please allow 2-3 business days for the payment to show in our account. If you are mailing a cheque, please allow 7-10 business days. Canadian banks currently process transactions in batches, as opposed to in real-time, which is why it can take 2-3 business days for bills to be paid.

mercies are new every morning and his compassions are unfailing. In the day of trouble we can call upon this God who sent his Son into the world to save us from our sins, and he will come to our aide with understanding and compassion to comfort us. Because of this hope in Christ we can live with a spirit of quiet optimism and joy. If God is for us in his son Christ Jesus, if God is for us in his great mercy, what circumstances or conditions of life can ultimately overcome us? From whatever prison we may find ourselves can we not look up with hope and expectation of our Father’s mercies. Banish all cynicism and despair for by God’s great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

This living hope is not filled with faded pie-in-the-sky dreams, but with Christ’s resurrection life.

By his resurrection from the dead, Christ has overcome death and the grave. He now possesses life that is eternal and indestructible. Our hope is filled with his life. That’s why it is called a living hope! It is filled with Christ’s victory over death.

It is filled with life that is stronger than sin. This living hope promises us an inheritance from God that will never perish (it is permanent) never

spoil (it is as pure as Jesus) or fade (it never loses its power to satisfy).

This inheritance is being kept in heaven for all who keep on living by faith in Christ our Saviour. The living hope that the Father gives us through Christ’s resurrection assures us there is more to life than what we can see, feel, or taste. It is a hope that enables us to see things from an eternal perspective. Now for a while we may have to suffer grief and hardships in all kinds of trials, but what is that in comparison to the glory of our inheritance? We may be behind bars of all different kinds but we have a living hope that assures us that this is not all there is to life.

The best is yet to come! It is guaranteed because God’s Son, our Saviour has been raised from the dead and lives forevermore. One day we shall be with him and see his glory.

This is the living hope that changes our perspective on all of life. Christians of all people are to be envied, for in Christ we have a living hope.

Do you have this hope? Are you living in the power and reality of this living hope? It is a gift of God’s free mercy to all who will call upon the Lord Jesus to be saved.

Warren Charlton Pastor Two Hills Fellowship Chapel

Brosseau Cash Calender winners for April

Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Ticket 358 661 86 811 549 976 355 589 873 922 837 526 109 523 735 544 651 720 705 388 496 210 346 225 907 569 362 184 73 866

$ $ 20 $ 20 $100 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $100 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $500 $ 20 $100 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $100 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20

Name Shirley Kercher Yolande Williams Kayla Pulyk Darcy Poliakiwski Jen Horne Theresa Rudkowsky Kiersten Munkedal Ken Bodnar Travis Dehnhardt Larry Williams Sheri Ginter Robin Boutin Gerald Ouelette Murray Tupechka Janice Dulaba & Tammy Randon Terry Orum Rose S. Plaska JR Sawiak Kelly Marsh Shaun & Janelle Peters Gilles Boulianne Leroy Andrashewski Bailey Hadland (Deacon) Candide Ouelette Amber Myshak Walter Wheeler Laurie & Brett Taschuk Cynthia Ewanchuk Antoinette Foisy George Bodnar

Address Vegreville Brosseau Vegreville Vermilion Turney Valley Two Hills Vegreville Two Hills Two Hills Edson Edmonton Manor, SK Vegreville Two Hills Innisfree Calgary Vegreville Vegreville Glendon Two Hills Brosseau Willingdon Bonnyville St. Paul Two Hills Edmonton Two Hills Two Hills Foisy Brosseau

Congratulations!

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

Page 23

Celebrating our mothers this Mother’s Day

by Brennan Joseph

What is Mother’s Day? Mother’s Day is a celebration whereby families honor the mother or maternal figure of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influential mothers of society.

Why and how did it start?

The origins of Mother’s Day, as celebrated in the United States, date back to the 19th century. In the years before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how to properly care for their children.

These clubs later became a unifying force in a region of the country still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation.

Another precursor to Mother’s Day came from the abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe.

In 1870 Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” a call to action that asked mothers to unite in promoting world peace. In 1873 Howe campaigned for a “Mother’s Peace Day” to be celebrated every June 2.

Other early Mother’s Day pioneers include Juliet Calhoun Blakely, a temperance activist who inspired a local Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the 1870s. The duo of Mary Towles Sasseen and Frank Hering, meanwhile, both worked to organize a Mothers’ Day in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some have even called Hering “the father of Mothers’ Day.” So who’s Ann Jarvis?

The official Mother’s Day holiday arose in the 1900s, as a result of the efforts of Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. Following her mother’s 1905 death, Anna Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children.

After gaining financial backing from a Philadelphian department

store owner named John Wanamaker, in May 1908 she organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. That same day also saw thousands of people attend a Mother’s Day event at one of Wanamaker’s retail stores in Philadelphia.

Following the success of her first Mother’s Day, Jarvis—who remained unmarried and childless her whole life—resolved to see her holiday added to the national calendar. Arguing that American holidays were biased toward male achievements, she started a massive letter writing campaign to newspapers and prominent politicians urging the adoption of a special day honoring motherhood.

By 1912 many states, towns and churches had adopted Mother’s Day as an annual holiday, and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association to help promote her cause. Her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. What is Mother’s Day to me as a young adult?

Mother’s Day is a very unique day on the calendar. The day itself is not like an ordinary day. There is a certain peace on that day, it’s not something that happens occasionally or ever, but only on Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is not only about honoring mothers but loving and appreciating all their efforts and struggles, all the pain and agony that they

had to go through. Mothers are rare for many women give birth to children, but very few are mothers.

Appreciate your mother if she is still alive, love her, care for her, look out for her, be her stronghold because, at one point she was your stronghold, she looked after you and loves you more than anyone else ever could.

And if your mother has passed on, then honor her legacy for you carry it onwards along your path. She will and cannot be forgotten. Mothers are precious and rare. Don’t let death be the reason you do not celebrate her life.

I saw a quote that read: “A mother can look after 10 children But 10 children can’t look after 1 mother.”

My heart was so saddened by this quote because it is so true. Society does not treat or appreciate genuine mothers. A mother’s heart weighs more than gold, and it is worth more than a diamond dipped in gold and covered with sapphires, rubies and embroidered emeralds.

So, in conclusion, love, respect, honor and be grateful for a mother.

Her love is unique, kind, loving and precious. A mother will always have her children’s backs and surely protect them from anything and everything. Love and peace to all the moms out there. #MOTHERSARELOVE “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.” —Maya Angelou

The Two Hills Regional Chronicle would like to wish all the mothers and mothers-to-be and anyone playing the role of a mother a very happy Mother’s Day. Send us pictures of you with your Mom and we will feature them in our next issue. We love you Moms! news@twohillschronicle.com

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 24

Bell ringers par excellence

April 2021

Two Hills Fellowship Chapel Pastoral Change

Zane and Marek Boettcher, faithful bell ringers of the Two Hills Fellowship Chapel

Z

ane and Marek Boettcher, the two youngest sons of Terry and Amy Boettcher have rung the bells at the Two Hills Fellowship Chapel for 53 Weeks consecutively as of Easter. Initially the decision to ring our church bells was put forward by the Orthodox and United Churches in 2020 as a way of celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

On these special days the three churches rang their bells simultaneously in celebration of the salvation from sin that the Lord Jesus Christ has secured by his death, burial, and resurrection. However, at the Fellowship Chapel we continued to ring our bells each Sunday and Zane and Marek faithfully pulled our bell ropes at the beginning of every one of our services throughout this

year. While we celebrate our faith in Christ through the ringing of the bells the brothers have also asked if they might ring the bells for our seniors who have suffered so much because of Covid or for those who do not know our Saviour in a personal way. As Marek and Zane ring the bells our hearts are turned to the Lord as our hope and help in these troubles times. Kaleb and Maddie Boettcher have consistently served with their younger brothers by operating our camera for livestreaming on Facebook and by overseeing our power-point slides used for singing.

In jest, we say that Zane and Marek also brought their parents to church each Sunday where they have faithfully led us in worship throughout the year.

Pastor Warren Charlton with Pastor Ted Lance

O

n Sunday April 25, the congregation of the Two Hills Fellowship Chapel voted to call Ted Lantz to be their new pastor upon the retirement of Pastor Warren Charlton.

There will be an official Induction Service for Ted on Sunday May 30.

The Chapel is greatly encouraged in the Lord.

Be sure to check out our website at www.twohillschronicle.com. Our print editions are available for viewing and download.

Remember to like us on Facebook. Tag us in posts to share your stories with our readers.

Happy birthday Sonny. Wishing you health and wellness on your birthday - Councillor Elroy Yakemchuk

April 2021

I

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 25

Wishing Sonny Rajoo a very Happy Birthday!!!

reminded of an African proverb that says that it takes a village to raise a child. My brother Sonny is a product of a world village having spent colourful stints of his life in South Africa, India and Canada. Being the eldest son, he asserted his authority as the prince of my family long before I was born. Besides the communities, my brother’s values and his character building were shaped by the love and affection from periods of time in his life with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, many cousins and his nuclear family. He reminisces by reciting many stories from his childhood days including the games with my two elder sisters. Along his life journey, he made many lifelong friends and touched the lives of countless numbers of strangers and especially those in need.

Our brother is blessed with many talents. Some say he is smart, witty and charming. He loves a good conversation, a joke or two and bringing a world view to heated discussion topics. He is known to possess the gift of the gab so a venture into marketing and later journalism was a natural fit. Later in life, my brother expanded his reach into local politics to help serve his community in Two Hills. On a lighter note, we have an unwritten family rule that it is a high stakes games provoking my brother Sonny to any debate. Don’t even bet on success. He will win no matter which side of the argument he is representing.

My brother will be approaching 71 years on this planet on May 5, 2021.

I

, Donna Rudolf, on behalf of the village of Myrnam, wish to dedicate this poem to Sonny Rajoo, on the occasion of his 50(ish) birthday.

To our county so fair a long time ago Appeared a dark stranger we all got to know A foreigner! We cried, is it really so?

Does he eat pyrogies, has he ever seen snow?

Is he Christian? a Druid? I think Hindu.

What does it matter, he’s like me and you.

Well, we all got to know him and that’s just not true He’s one of a kind, our Sonny Rajoo.

He moved into Two Hills, and man, they got lucky To have someone there, smart, vocal and plucky.

Now watch what you say ‘cause he’ll write it all down And quote you verbatim, this man is no clown!

A thinker, a writer, who uses this power To make our world better, a man of the hour.

I love how with Sonny, one can debate In a decorous manner, no yelling, no hate.

His life journey has been shaped by a few setbacks including a near death experience from his failing health.

We are grateful and indeed blessed to see him rebound and recover in short order under the watchful care provided by an army of dedicated health care providers. Our brother draws inspiration from his daily dose of reading the scriptures. He has a voracious appetite for reading. He tells me that age, life experience, graduating as a senior and sprinkled with sage advice from his children and grandchildren has humbled him.

Our prince has had some memorable milestones in his life. One worthy of mention is from his career in journalism. He lightens up and becomes energized when I remind him of his rare interview with the longest Monarch in the Royal Family, Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom during her official visit to Canada.

Our brother is loved and respected by his family and his community. He feels empathy and duty bound to be the voice for the less fortunate and underrepresented citizens. On behalf of our family, as he marks another birthday, we wish our brother Sonny continues to be blessed with many more years of happiness, good health and many adventures. We love you and cannot wait to be entertained by your stories in years to come.

Left: Sonny Rajoo, Councillor of the Town of Two Hills Right: Sonny’s biological and adoptive mothers Chittammah and Chendramma Rajoo

On 5 May 1950, my mother gave start Sonny had given a father, or birth to her third son. Little did she uncle or cousin; someone who now know then that her boy would one lives in his parents’ home which day cross the Atlantic Ocean, and Sonny was able to acquire for his settle in a country she never heard needy family. Today they are homeof but would someday visit. owners because of Sonny’s interOver these many decades, I have vention. The list of his generosity watched this brother rise from the goes on. ashes time and time again. In my Sonny loves politics, I prefer the heart I knew he will once again get wide outdoors. It is his interest in back on his feet, dust himself off, politics, especially local politics that and start afresh. changed communities around. His We disagree on many things, our wisdom and wide general knowlperspective on life is quite different edge left his dissenters speechless. and our hobbies are as diverse as From an early age, even the smartthe moon is from the sun. However, est around him avoided a debate we share a common heritage. Sons with this brother who can “think on of incredible parents – adventurous his feet”. and loving. Traits Sonny and I do As a family we are proud that Sonny escaped the claws of death just a Contributed by Vernon (Ram) Rajoo have in common.

My dear brother, Sonny Rajoo will few short years ago. An amputated On Behalf of Sam and Chendramma be 71 on 5 May 2021.

In his time in leg slowed him down for just a short Rajoo Family Canada, he proved to be a resilient while. man, having been a leader in the reWatch out world, my baby brother tail business, until he found his true Sonny is back – back to honest jourA professional journalist and he calling – journalism. Readers of nalism, back to serve his beloved wears it well If it needs to be heard, then that’s this paper will know Sonny’s story community of Two Hills, and back – from a reporter, to an editor, then to lend a helping hand to those most what he’ll tell. the manager of newspapers and now in need.

India? Africa? Have pen, will an accomplished publisher.

Happy birthday, my brother! We travel, All his adult life, Sonny has been thank God for His hand over your Newsworthy, you say? He’ll write, lending anyone in need a helping life. I know you will serve Him he’ll unravel.

A seeker of truth, a reporter tells all, hand. To this day, I hear of relatives the rest of your life in humility and No issues out there, too big or too of people he helped, many quite deep gratitude. emotional and so grateful for the Gonam Raju, Barrhead, Alberta. small.

Lest you think Sonny is all work and Happy 71st Birthday Councillor Rajoo!

Sonny, The words to exno play, press my feelings of the re- Thank you Sonny for all your passion and He’s sown wild oats and reaped lationship we have shared support for the Town of Two Hills & area, wild hay. we really appreciate it! I hope you have a since our first meeting His laughter is plenty, he’ll make great day! any toast, back in 2007 totally To our county, our country, the Councillor Gerren Saskiw. escape me. You have often queen, or a ghost! called me Brother and Sonny, your kindness, guidance and conCause Sonny loves people, a wiseso, with the feelings of a versation light up my world. Wishing you man or clown, Brother, I wish you all the only good things today and always! Happy Though he sits pretty high, he never best the world has to offer Birthday My Dear Friend! looks down. you, and may we continue -Karla (Thurber) Fodchuk And so our “dark foreigner” is a to get together for coffee beacon of light, Happy Birthday, Sonny ! It has been a and conversation many If you need a voice, he’ll fight the pleasure to have worked with you on Two more times in the coming good fight.

Hills Town Council. Your experience and years.

No borders, no colours, not black, knowledge has been an asset to our town white or yellow, With all the best of BirthCouncillor Elaine Sorochan Just a fine human being, a REALLY day wishes from myself GREAT FELLOW! and Ginger as well as (vir- To my Friend of many years, we wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONNY!

tual) hugs, your brother and family, Bill and Ginger.

a Happy Birthday and many more, I look forward to continue our visits and healthy conversations for years to come take care Reeve Don Gulayec

Page 26

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

In memory of Steve Ewanec

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n April 15, 2021, Mr. Steve Ewanec of Myrnam passed away suddenly at the age of 82 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Adeline; son, Kurt (Samantha); 2 daughters, Tammy (Morris) Beeks & Shelley (John) Neumann; 8 grandchildren, Holly, Cory (Gina), Ryan (Wendy), Landin (Kelby), Joe (Renea), Daralea, Tanisha & Amanda in Heaven; 1 greatgrandchild, Sloan & one on the way; special family members, Sandra Homeniuk & Sherry (Cory) Cormier & their daughters, Shana & Emily; 3 brothers & 1 sister, Bill (Hilda), Henry (Shirley), Nadia (Jan) Sumyk & Nick (Linda); 2 sisters-in-law, Sylvia & Liz Ewanik; aunt, Mary Kitt; numerous nieces & nephews.

Mr. Ewanec was predeceased by his granddaughter, Amanda Bruneau; parents, Stanley & Nancy; 3 sisters, Lillian (Joe) Bilyk, Mary (John) Yarmuch & Julie (Bill) Shpeley; 2 brothers, Mike & Harry.

Steve was cherished for his love, generosity, and leadership. He was not only a pillar in his family but was a pillar of the community.

Steve started his path with humble beginnings, born in the Pathfinder district on January 29, 1939 to Stanley and Nancy Ewanec. You would not find a harder working family, being homesteaders from the former Galacia area, which is now known as Ukraine. But Steve and his 9 brothers and sisters still found the time to get themselves into mischief. In the snowy winter fields, Steve and his siblings would hop on their sleigh and hold onto the family milk cow’s tail to pull them around the yard.

Well, it was all fun and games until they pulled that cow’s tail right off!

When they weren’t dismantling the cows in winter, in the summer they often would steal the fresh cream their mother intended to sell to make crow pies in the field, we can only imagine the lickens they got from their mothers’ broom when they got home.

It was also in childhood that Steve’s love for music was born. Playing in a band with his brothers, Harry and Henry, and his neighbours, Harry and Pete, they would tour around the countryside entertaining family and folks alike. Steve was a master on the harmonica and accordion, and was still very talented until his last

days. His grandson Cory was fortunate to listen and watch in wonder as he turned a dusty old relic of an accordion he found in an antique store into a beautiful music that friends and family danced and sang along to, a memory which will always be cherished. He loved Ukrainian polka music, we can still hear him singing and sometimes yodelling along to his favourite tunes on CFCW’s Ukrainian hour while cruising along the backroads in his van. Well at least it better have been in his van because Adeline wouldn’t hack it hearing that in the house! Now when anyone goes for a drive to check the cows or to look at the wildlife, we will be singing along with you, Steve.

Steve had a work ethic surpassed by no one. He left home as a young man to make his mark in Edmonton, working construction, but very quickly returned to his passion in the countryside.

Steve and Adeline married on June 3, 1961, and hand in hand they worked the land and animals together, forging a beautiful life from the ground up, and welcomed their three children, Kurt, Tammy and Shelley into the world. But their clan wasn’t quite fulfilled until Sandra and Sherry joined the home a few years later to complete their family.

With his new farm hands in tow, Steve raised his family and his farm.

As the family grew, so did the farm, and the family recalls Steve keeping a multitude of different livestock over the years in every nook and cranny he could fit them. Whether it was cattle, turkeys, pigs, chickens, goats, pheasants, the family pet goose, goosey lucy, and even Shetland ponies, Steve raised them all.

But one Shetland pony in particular gave him extra grief. That’s because he once purchased a specialty bore pig, one with big floppy ears, and he had it sent all the way from Ontario by train to Wainwright, where he excitedly picked it up and brought it home to join the farm family. Well, that Shetland pony wasn’t too happy about the new addition, and ate those big floppy ears right off of the bore!

And it wasn’t just animals, Steve liked to try all kinds of new things.

Crops, recipes, homebrew, garden vegetables, and fruits. He had the most impressive orchard, he’s the only person we know in Alberta to have successfully grown grapes, or to have an Oak tree in his yard. An agrologist somehow caught wind of this and even came to Steve’s yard to verify it was an Oak since those aren’t even supposed to grow here.

Steve had a true pioneering family, they grew multiple gardens, picked fruit by hand, smoked their game meats, and drank their homebrew.

Everything they had was made from the land.

Despite all of the hard work and dedication to his family and farm,

Steve always made time to contribute to his community. Working with local neighbours as a young man, Steve was instrumental in the establishment of Pathfinder Community Hall, a place which became his second home and the people which, if they weren’t already, became family. For decades it brought Steve a sense of joy and pride to volunteer, creating events that brought people together from far and wide to share in food, dancing, laughter and stories. A task his son, Kurt now carries on in honour of Steve, with an equal sense of joy and pride.

Steve was remembered as a hunting enthusiast. So much so that Adeline said he was away on a hunting trip before the birth of his daughter, Tammy. Well Steve quickly popped by to meet the newborn, and carried on back into the hunt 2 days later.

His son Kurt shared in this passion, with Steve taking him on his first big trip when Kurt was 14 years old. Kurt missed 2 whole weeks of school to go up north with his dad, and they didn’t bag a single animal.

But not all their trips where a complete shut-out, Kurt got a little better, and the family remembers one trip which produced 9 moose in one day.

Steve’s hunting pursuits continued for many decades and generations, and his grandsons Landin and Joe have fond memories or their hunting trips with Steve, including the trip where Joe shot his first buck. It’s a wonder Joe was even awake enough to make that shot since Kurt kept everyone up with his snoring, even Steve wanted his own room after the

first night.

Steve was also an avid trapper.

His daughter Tammy lovingly recalls riding on the on the back of her dad’s orange ski-doo, checking up and down the trap lines for fresh catches. Skinning their finds in the old house, and rubbing the muskrat pelts together until they shined, to get extra profits. With the extra pelt money in hand, Steve proudly drove around the 3 three kids in his blue single cab truck he purchased with the money, each in their specific assigned spot of course.

Steve was a natural story-teller, who captivated anyone listening.

He would make you laugh, make you cry, but would always leave you with the finest advice to guide your own life. This is how his youngest daughter, Shelley remembers her dad. The wisest man she ever knew, he instilled in her the understanding of how to make something out of nothing, and it’s not money you need in life to be rich.

Just as Steve always welcomed anyone into his home to sit with him at the kitchen table for a drink, we know he will be waiting for us, with a chair and a glass when we meet again, and will always be watching over us, just as he always did.

We love you, Steve and you will be truly missed.

If desired, donations may be made to Pathfinder Community Hall c/o 5626 – 51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1.

In loving memory of

Anne S. J. Elkow 1920-2016 Our Dearest Mother May you always walk in sunshine And God’s love around you flow For all the happiness you gave us No one will ever know.

Your thoughts were always with us You never could forget And so we know that where you are You are watching over us yet.

As angels keep their watch up there Please God just let Mom know That down here we will not forget We love and miss you so.

Lord if there are roses in Heaven Pick a bunch with care Place them in both her arms And tell her we will always care.

Always remembered and missed by The Dolinski, Ewanchuk and Kuzio Families

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

Aunt Niri’s Fun Corner

Page 27

From my corner

Happy Birthday Sonny Rajoo!!

by Niri Rajoo-Jeevanath

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his outspoken, bold, brazen, intelligent, witty, charming, jovial, fearless, selfless, relentless champion for the underdog turns 71 on May 5th!

Being his firstborn and only daughter, (and pretty much a chip of the old block) I spent most of my childhood in awe of my father. He was my real-life superhero!! He was the strongest, most handsome man I knew, and I aspired to be like him.

He encouraged me to read, excel in my education, be well-versed in general knowledge, particularly the global political sector and to always be honest and respectful, regardless of race, status or religious standing.

Being as outspoken and tenacious as my father, I grew up quite often locking horns with him, both of us being extremely headstrong and relentless in our beliefs and ideals.

My dad is blessed with a diverse

imagination and his creativity knows no bounds. For the longest time, I believed that my father was Six-Gun Sonny, the fastest shooter from the Town of Sweet Waters, riding his beloved steed and capturing the outlaws and bandits, all in the name of Justice. By the way, dad has never fired a gun, never rode a horse and most definitely, dad was never a cowboy…but that was one of his many talents, the manner in which he captivates any audience and entertains those around him.

In 2019, Sonny gave us the greatest scare, when he almost lost his life and was at death’s door for several weeks. I, just like many of you, prayed fervently for his health and recovery. To God alone be the Glory…he has recovered and is back to his usual antics and cajoling. There is never a dull moment when Sonny Rajoo is around.

Dad, it is an honor to be your daughter and in keeping with your birthday tribute, we want to take this opportunity to salute you for who you are, all that you have done and your selfless endeavors in always trying to make our lives and the lives around you, better, richer, more fulfilling, and more enjoyable.

May God continue to lead you, guide you, protect you and bless you!

We love, appreciate and treasure you Mr Sonny Rajoo.

Love always, Niri

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APPRECIATION BEAUTIFUL BREAKFAST CANDY CHARMING COMFORT DEVOTED FLOWERS FORGIVING GIFTS

GUIDANCE HUGS JEWELRY JOY KISSES LAUGHTER LOVE MATERNAL MOM MOTHER

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NURTURE PERFUME PROTECTIVE SHARE TELEPHONE TENDER THE BEST WARM WISE

Mother’s Day Word Scramble

Instructions: Unscramble the letters to find the Mother’s Day words below

f o l r s w e k e j o s t s e u p e l r c f i s l e m s t r i e n s l e a e t r h c e r t t y i n g e i t a m r s r e g n e o s u n g u n u t i r r WORD LIST

flowers nurturing generous respectful integrity smart jokes smiles listener teacher

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 28

Melanie Wowk appointed as new Alberta Beef Producers Chair

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ocal well-known Melanie Wowk, from Myrnam was recently elected the chairperson of the

April 2021

Fire Chief urges caution when burning

Alberta Beef Producers Association. This organization represents over 18,000 beef producers in Alberta.

The Wowk family have been involved in various aspects of community life in the Myrnam region and Melanie has also served the farming community as a dedicated veterinarian for several years.

Congratulations to you, Melanie. We are all immensely proud of your leadership growth and your selfless contribution to improving the lives of Rural Alberta.

Wishing Tabitha Raju the best with her wedding

Brush fires have become frequent and dangerous in northern Alberta. Fire Chief Brad Straty reported that he had to put out 12 fires in three weeks and is urging caution in and out of the town and county of Two Hills and to behave responsibly when lighting fires (Photos by Brian Fodchuk)

Contact us today to share your birthday stories or any announcements you wish to share with the community. Email Niri at news@twohillschronicle.com, Jared at publisher@twohillschronicle.com or call Sonny Rajoo and the Two Hills Regional Chronicle Sonny Rajoo at (780) 657-3536. We love to extend their well wishes to Andrew and Tabitha for their share the stories that matter to our community. upcoming wedding. May it be as magical as you have Check us out online at www.twohillschronicle.com always dreamed it to be. May your future together be and like us on Facebook. filled with love, laughter and joy.

• • • •

Fresh produce Meat Deli Household items • Much more in store

Two Hills Foods

5002 50 Ave, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0

(780) 657-3544 Open 7 days a week

• Prescriptions • Health & beauty • Cosmetics • Gifts • Much more

Two Hills IDA

5019 51 St, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 (780) 657-3530

April 2021

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

As we all adjust to following COVID safety protocols, there are still things we can do to make each day a little bit brighter. Here are some ideas for activities you can enjoy in Smoky Lake, while keeping yourself and your family safe.

THINGS YOU CAN DO

• Betty’s Burger Shack - best poutine in the region • The Tipsy Cow - lattes, sandwiches and treats • Old Fashioned Bread Bakery - fresh baking to be enjoyed on the outdoor patio • Smoky Lake Inn - patio!

• Skyway (at Country Garden Hotel) Western and Chinese Cuisine, patio • Red Chimney - take out Italian at its best • Great Bear Cafe - all the convenience foods and fresh made chicken and treats • Smoky Lake Golf Course - clubhouse with patio and daily specials

• Smoky Lake Golf Course - 9 challenging holes in a scenic valley • Iron Horse Trail - 100kms of ATV, walking, biking and equestrian trails right from Smoky Lake staging area • Art Walk - artwork in storefronts accross town • Blue Horse Gallery & Studio - meet and view the work of local artisans • CN Station - with train car open to public • Pumpkin Park - create your moment on the big pumpkins • Metis Crossing (13km south on Highway 855 from Smoky Lake) cultural gathering and interpretive centre - weekly activities; along the beautiful Victoria Trail (take a slow drive) and also visitVictoria Settlement Historic Site.

• Kin Park - Zipline, Spray Park, Pavilion for indoor picnics and plenty of outdoor spots too!

• Smoky Lake Mercantile & Thrift - second hand shop

• Linda’s Market Garden - fresh produce, canned goods and bedding plants • Anderson’s Supermarket - onsite butcher • Bigway - Deli with rotisserie and fried chicken • Farmers’ Market - every Saturday at Agricultural Complex • Smoky Lake Home Hardware - all your gardening needs including seeds, bulbs and decor • Shiftt360 - for all your health food needs

FINGERS CROSSED Events - Smoky Lake will host as many of our annual events as possible - stay tuned!

56 Wheatland Avenue, Smoky Lake, AB T0A 3C0

w w w. s m o ky l a ke . c a

Town Phone: (780) 656-3674 Town Fax: (780) 656-3675

Page 29

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

Page 30

April 2021

Business Cards ACCOUNTING SERVICES

APPRAISERS

AUCTIONEERS

WOWK RANCH AUCTIONS 4915 50 Ave, Bonnyville, AB, T9N 2G4

INCOME TAX • BOOKKEEPING • GST TWO HILLS OFFICE

#5 5002 Diefenbaker Ave, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0

Tel: 780.657.2492

www.ncubelandry.com AUTOBODY VEGREVILLE AUTO BODY LTD

Property Valuations in Bonnyville, Cold Lake & Beyond Main 780-826-2719 Fax 780-573-7765 Email appraisalsval@gmail.com

www.valappraisal.ca

5213 51 Avenue, Vegreville, AB

(780) 632-2445

www.vegautobody.com

BUILDING SUPPLIES

www.wowkauctionservices.com

AUTO REPAIR

BUILDING SUPPLIES

BIDS GENERAL SUPPLIES

Providing superior automotive services since 1993.

Collision repair • Refinishing services Frame repair • Inspections • Sandblasting Custom and performance work• Diagnostics Mechanical services • Wheel Alignments, service jobs ...& more!

CONTACT: MILES WOWK PHONE: (780) 366-2514 FAX: (780) 366-2204

5012 50 St, Willingdon, AB

Fixin’ rides since ‘85

Tools • Building Supplies • Hardware

4728 - 55 AVE St. Paul, AB

(780) 367-2221

(780) 645-5548 BUILDING SUPPLIES

CONCRETE LOEWEN CONSTRUCTION Phone: 7806038973 Email: loewen@loewenconstruction.org Address: Po Box 526 Two Hills AB

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545010 Highway 36, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 For all your lumber, building materials, hardware, and construction needs

Building Supplies • Equipment Rentals Finishing 4723-45 Avenue, Vegreville, Alberta T9C 1L1

Tel. 780-632-2119

(780) 657-1026 greenhillsghc.com CONSTRUCTION

vantagebuildingsupplies.ca

DELAWSKI CONTRACTING LTD

Jerlanco Renovations & Construction Box 565 Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIRS

(780) 632-3904 DENTIST DR DARYL CHOMAY

FAMILY DENTIST 26 Wheatland Avenue Smoky Lake, AB T0A 3C0

(780) 656-3557

EYE CARE

St. Paul

4916 51 Avenue, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0

Phone: 1-780-645-3790

Delivering excellence in eye care and eyewear services for over 20 years.

lakelandeyecare.com

• COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • EXPOSED AGGREGATE

Email: vbssales@vantagebuilders.ca

www.loewenconstruction.org

CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION

4723 45 Avenue, Vegreville, AB T9C 1L1 Home Renovations and Construction

(780) 657-2399

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • AGRICULTURAL

(780) 632-3422 vantagebuilders.ca

DENTURES

ELECTRICAL

tzayak@telusplanet.net

Vegreville Denture Clinic Digital Impressions • Digital Transitional Dentures Implant Retained Dentures • Standard Dentures Standard Partial Dentures • Relines • Repairs

5117 50 Street, Vegreville, AB T9C 1S7

vegrevilledentureclinic@gmail.com

Tel: 780-632-2722

www.albertadenturist.com FARM SUPPLIES

5101 53 Ave, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 ANIMALS • GRAIN STORAGE, HANDLING & DRYING BUILDING SUPPLIES • SHEDS AND SHELTERS CLOTHING & WORKWEAR CROP FENCING FUEL, LUBRICANTS & ACCESSORIES YARD, GARDEN & HOME

(780) 657-3333

Tel: 780-646-2678

Residential Commercial Fire Alarm Services

www.zayakselectric.ca

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Two Hills Branch

5006-50 Ave, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 • • • •

Personal Banking Business Banking Commercial Serivces Wealth Management

(780) 657-3391

www.atb.com

Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021

Page 31

Business Cards FINANCIAL INSTITUTION 4916 47 Ave, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 (780) 657-3321

Banking • Borrowing • Insurance • Wealth Management

www.visioncu.ca FUNERAL

5036 51 Ave, Vegreville, AB T9C 1M

(780) 603-5800

autumnrosefuneralhome@telus.net Gordon & Patricia Pawluk – Proprietors and Directors

“Family Owned and Operated”

autumnrosefuneralhome.com

LAND SURVEYORS 5133 50 Ave, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0

3-D SCANNING • RIGHT-OF-WAY PROGRAMS • UAV TECHNOLOGY • SONAR BATHYMETRIC SURVEYS • DIGITAL TWINNING

(780) 645-3399 www.exploreinc.ca LIQUOR

FINANCIAL SERVICES

DEREK FOX FINANCIAL LTD 150 Chippewa Rd, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6A2

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

(780) 449-6511 GLASS 5609 Birch Ave Vegreville, AB. T9C 1J7

FLOORING

Ideal Carpets

& Interiors Ltd

5029 50th Avenue, Saint Paul, AB T0A 3A0 HARDWOOD • CARPET • VINYL LAMINATE • TILE

(780) 614-2701 www.idealcarpetsandinteriors.ca

HAIR DRESSER

Vicki’s Beauty Salon

4709-50 Street, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0

Residential • Commercial • Automotive Ag Equipment • Industrial Equipment Replacement Window & Flat Glass Vehicle Glass Replacements • Stone Bruise Repairs

(780) 632-3880 www.vegrevilleglass.com LAWYER

(780) 657-2340 LAWYERS

KUZYK & MOL LAW OFFICE 5038 50 Ave, Vegreville, AB T9C 1M1

A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW

(780) 632-4552 PLUMBING

5226 – 50 Ave, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0

REAL ESTATE • WILLS & SUCCESSION PLANNING ESTATES • PERSONAL INJURY • CIVIL LITIGATION GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP • CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL LAW • FAMILY LAW

(780) 645-2981

www.morrowtchir.ca REGISTRIES

TWO HILLS LIQUOR STORE

5046 50 Ave, Vegreville, AB T9C 1R6

4909 Diefenbaker Ave, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0

(780) 632-7474

GREAT PRICES ON BEER, VEGREVILLE PLUMBING & HEATING LIQUOR, AND WINES. RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • RURAL GREAT SELECTION

(780) 632-2275 (780) 657-3303 www.vegrevilleplumbing.com RESTAURANTS TWO HILLS FAMILY RESTAURANT 5017 - 50th Street, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 Authentic Mexican Dishes EAT-IN • TAKE-OUT

(780) 603-3060 SENIORS LODGES HILLSIDE LODGE TWO HILLS

4801 – 53 Ave, Two Hills, AB, T0B 4K0 SENIOR CARE FACILITY

(780) 657-3559 www.eaglehillfoundation.ca

SENIORS LODGES EAGLE HILL LODGE WILLINGDON

5303 – 49 ST, Willingdon, AB, T0B 4R0 SENIOR CARE FACILITY

(780) 367-2717

Motor Vehicle Registration • Driver Exams Marriage Licenses • Birth Certificates • Civil Enforcement (Fine Collection) • Land Title Searches • Personal Property Lien Searches Corporate Registry • Identification Cards Passport Photos

hi-wayregistries.com

SENIORS LODGES EAGLE VIEW LODGE MYRNAM

4802 – 49 Ave, Myrnam, AB T0B 3K0 SENIOR CARE FACILITY

(780) 366-3750

www.eaglehillfoundation.ca SEPTIC SERVICES

www.eaglehillfoundation.ca

JEFF’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICES

Cougar Tire & Lube

Port-O-Potty Rentals

“YOU Jeff Zielinski DUMP IT, Box 5 Myrnam, AB, T0B3K0 WE PUMP IT” Phone: (780) 366-3855 Cell: (780) 581-3867

TIRES 4510 51 St, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 Wheel Balancing • Truck Tire Tractor Tire • Rim • Mag Wheel • Atv Tire • Oil Changes • Louisiana BBQ’s For Sale • Car Tires

(780) 657-0087

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Two Hills Regional Chronicle

April 2021