Two Hills Regional Chronicle - Christmas 2022

P.O. Box 156, Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 www.twohillschronicle.com

Strengthening

Superb supper at Seniors Centre

Rural Communities

Merry Christmas

Town of Two Hills hires new CAO

by Sonny Rajoo

by Sonny Rajoo

After a period when social interaction was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a great pleasure to see our beloved seniors gather once again for supper at the Seniors Centre on Saturday.

Many long standing menbers braved poor weather conditions and gatherered at the well attended event.

President Jim Darda thanked the volunteers, Board members, and all those involved with the Seniors Centre.

Following a period of instability in the Town of Two Hills Administration Department, Council has decided to hire a CAO effective 2023. The successful candidate, Adam Kozakiewicz, was selected and appointed as the new CAO. In a statement to The Chronicle: "Town of Two Hills hires a new Chief Administrative Officer Adam Kozakiewicz. Adam is not a stranger to the region as he was CAO at the Village of Willingdon before taking on the CAO roll at the Town of Smoky Lake. Adam is married to Ela an LPN and together they have five children. “I am happy to join the team at the Town and work with Council on growing the Two Hills community to achieve lower tax burden for all. Working collaboratively with the County of Two Hills and Saddle Lake Cree Nation will be key in growing the Town and attaining Provincial and Federal grants.” said Adam. No different than neighbours,

is measured by the collaboration with surrounding municipalities. When at the Town of Smoky Lake Adam was able to gain $3.9 million for a Metis solar project and brought over $2 million in Alberta Community Partnership grants to the region. Growing communities while building savings is what he was able to accomplish in his previous roll.

'With Council and the excellent Town of Two Hills staff I am confident I will be able to accomplish all of Council priorities.'"

Two Hills Economic Development Committee welcome new provincial government

Representative and County Councillor, Sebastien Dutrisac told The Chronicle that this is a step in the right direction and will showcase the work done by the provinces Regional Economic Development alliances.

Perspective for Local and Regional Economic Development

This new plan and increase funding will help the area through strategies:

by Sonny Rajoo

The Two Hills and Area Economic Development Committee has welcomed the recent announcement by the provincial government to focus on the rural economy.

Both Chairman, Michael Tarkowski and County

• Economic development enabling infrastructure to support investment and growth. We need better roads, connectivity, hospitals, schools and housing.

• Rural business supports entrepreneurship to address challenges that rural community businesses faces.

• Support skill development for our local labour force. The intent is to increase one of the

initiative

basic needs of any new development in the area which is to create a bigger pool of competent and diverse workforce.

• Marketing and Increasing Rural Tourism. We know what we have and we need to improve on how we promote it and we need to make it appealing to come here, to work here, to develop here.

• Rural economic development capacity building. Going from working in silos and moving towards collaboration and cooperation is creating synergies instead of competition and segregation. What is good for a region is good for the local area.

"Two hills Area, a place where we can set roots and grow"

(Visit www.alberta.ca/rural-economic-development.aspx to view government of Alberta release)

municipal success

(Left to right) Willie Babiuk - Vice President, Wendy Darda - Director, Walter Kulak - Director, Stan Gordeyko - Director, Emily Lypka - Secretary, Gerald Toma - Director, Jim Darda - President, Cherly Hlewka - Director (Not pictured: Ethel AlbrechtTreasurer, Donna Soprovich - Director (Photo by Bev Gordeyko)

by Darla Snow

Vermilion Play Development has been around as a Non Profit Society since 1978, we later became a charitable organization as well.

We began as a preschool and slowly evolved into 4 Licensed programs in Vermilion: Early Learn-

New Daycare in Two Hills

lieves there is a relationship between play and all areas of development; play helps children practice what they already know and learn new things, it creates thought. Our core values are a child's well‐being, play and playfulness, communication and literacy, and diversity and social responsibility. Our goals have been developed through Alberta's Early Learning and Care framework "Flight"; we have adopted this curriculum into our program plan.

gram Directors, handle daily operations, etc. I have a long history of working with families and children and have been with the Vermilion Play Development for 18 years. I am accountable to the Executive Board. We have Program Directors that oversee the program and program staff. We have hired a Program Director and some staff, but are still looking for someone with a child care certification level of 2 or 3.

ing (3-5years), Kindercare (Pre-K and Kindergarten age), Kids Korner (Grades 1 - 6) and our location at Lakeland College The Ark (12 months to 4 years). We will be opening a 5th centre in Vermilion in the new year as there is a need for more childcare spots in Vermilion.

Our philosophy is "Learning Through Play"; Our program be-

In August, I was invited to meet with members of the Town of Two Hills FCSS, the County of Two Hills and the Two Hills School to see if Vermilion Play Development would be interested in opening a childcare centre within the Two Hills School. Our board voted unanimously for it, desiring to meet the need of quality, affordable childcare in a community with limited access to it. We began the process of opening the space in partnership with St. Paul Education and the Two Hills School. By the end of September, a space had been agreed on that is big enough and suitable for a childcare centre that will hold upto 32 children from ages 19 months and up. We are undergoing some renovations and are planning to open on February 1, 2023.

My position in the company is Operations Manager, I help develop the policy and procedures, oversee Pro-

If families are interested in registering or for information about our programs, they can go to the centres website:

www.twohillsplaydevelopment. com

Families will have access to current affordability grants and subsidies to reduce their fees by upto 50% and more in some cases. This makes childcare very affordable.

Darla Snow with Bo Schubel at one of the centres in Vermilion - The Ark (Photo submitted by Darla Snow)

Willingdon Seed Cleaning Co-operative Ltd. AGM

by County Councillor Sebastien Dutrisac

The Board engaged the membership and reviewed:

• the auditors report and financials

• discussed the 2021/2022 years performance

• organizational strengths, opportunities, and challenges

• staff new accreditation for operation and seed grading

• board direction

• AGM rules and legislation

• Board roles and responsibility.

“I am very pleased to see members asking the hard questions and discussing the items that were brought up. It shows that are members care about the sustainability of our organization and our community”

The Willingdon Seed Cleaning Co-operative Ltd. AGM held Dec 14, 2022 in the Willingdon Recreational Center.

The Two Hills Regional Chronicle wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year From our families to yours

Some treasured guests at the Hillside Lodge in Two Hills

(Above)

by Sonny Rajoo

The Hillside Lodge in Two Hills had a luncheon which was attended by residents and guests on Saturday. A great lunch was followed by entertainment by Adele Johnson of Vilna and the music was enjoyed immensely by the audience. Families that attended included Jan Rajoo and their three daughters - Xylia, Xaraya, and Xianna. Their presence was welcomed by their grandfather, Sonny Rajoo.

(Right) Among the many welcomed visitors, the residents of the Hillside Lodge got another treat with members of the Two Hills Fellowship Chapel adding Christmas cheer and warmth. Residents were graced with beautiful music and Christmas carols.

(Photos by Sharon Popowich)

On behalf of myself , my Wife and Family wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year

Reeve Don Gulayec Division 1 Councillor County of Two Hills

(Photo by Lorraine Wowk)

Conservative Natural Resources Shadow Minster Shannon Stubbs On Canada’s Broken Critical Minerals Strategy

and subjective timelines, infringe on provincial jurisdiction, and allow Liberals to pick winners and losers in Canadian resource development. This strategy is more of the same.

respects provincial jurisdiction and minimizes duplication. It’s obvious that the Liberals can’t achieve this goal.

Ottawa, ON – Shannon Stubbs, Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, issued the following statement today following the release of Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy:

“The Liberal government neglects Canada’s mining sector, creates regulatory uncertainty, and adds red tape. This strategy is another virtue-signalling smoke-and-mirrors announcement that will shovel tax dollars out the door instead of fixing the problems Liberals created.

“This strategy puts $61.5 million into helping businesses navigate the Liberals' onerous and opaque regulations, instead of cutting red tape and fixing the government’s glacial approval processes. It will spend millions on roundtables, working groups, and “exploring” vague “opportunities” to align domestic and international regulation, but will achieve nothing.

“The mine-killing Bill C-69, the Liberal carbon tax, the incoming Liberal fuel regulations, and other bills like C-48’s tanker ban, create uncertain

“Despite Canada's enviable and diverse wealth of natural resources, which underpin its entire economy, its world class innovative, talented and highly skilled work force, outstanding environmental standards, and previously globally renowned regulatory expertise, the Liberals have made Canada fall far behind in competitiveness and investment attention for natural resources development. From mines to pipelines to drilling operations, the only way the Liberals can get companies to put in new projects is by bankrolling investment opportunities with taxpayer dollars, and then paying consultant fees for multi-million dollar companies to navigate Liberal red tape.

“Canada needs a clear regulatory process that

“The Liberals broke Canada’s regulatory process. They cannot be trusted to fix it. A Conservative government under Pierre Poilievre would remove Liberal-created red tape and regulatory duplication. A Conservative government would simplify regulation for all natural resources sectors, axe the carbon tax, repeal the mine-killing C-69, and displace resources from countries with low environmental and human rights standards by getting more of Canada’s world-leading environmentally and socially responsible produced minerals to the world.”

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year

Regional Update from MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk

This week marked the end of the Fourth Session of the 30th Legislature, which adjourned on Thursday, December 15th. This past session was a highly successful one for the Alberta Government, and was the first under our new Premier, Danielle Smith. The Government and Assembly succeeded in passing legislation addressing inflation issues, reaffirming property rights, reestablishing a healthy and respectful relationship with physicians, improving police accountability, and increasing tax credits for charitable donations. Each of these bills, and more, received Royal Assent from Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, on Thursday. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts these changes will have on the lives of my constituents and all Albertans.

The Alberta Government has also

released the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan. After a year of consultations with more than 370 rural Albertans, businesses and communities, the plan focuses on five key strategic directions: Identifying and improving economic development-enabling infrastructure to support investment and growth in rural Alberta, advancing entrepreneurship capacity and a culture of innovation across rural Alberta, enabling skills development in rural communities to enhance workforce capacity today and for the future, enhancing rural Alberta’s reputation and capacity as a diverse tourism destination, and enhancing rural economic development through regional and targeted capacity building.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Christmas is a time for giving, and so I hope that while you enjoy your time gathering with loved ones, that you also keep in your heart those in need, and give what you can. Merry Christmas!

Please contact my constituency office at fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca if you have any questions or concerns.

Announcement from Two Hills Airport Commission Board

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year Councillor Elroy Yakemchuk

5 Councillor - County of Two Hills Chairman - Eagle Hill Foundation Board

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

"On behalf of the Two Hills Airport Commission/Board:

We were advised by AHS of their assessment regarding the use of the fixed wing Air Ambulance at the Two Hills Airport during the winter. It was AHS's decision to pause flights during the winter months. For further clarification, please contact AHS Provincial Air Ambulance Operations and Inter-Facility Transfer Strategy Department"

Acause for concern has been has been a lack of co-operation between various municipalities, thereby allowing the provincial government in bulldozing its plans by way of regional services.

A few prime examples are the provision of health services; replacing of the R.C.M.P. with a Provincial Police Force and regional economic development regarding municipal sustainable initiatives.

It is pleasing therefore to see the Danielle Smith government placing a stronger emphasis on rural economic development.

Adding to this, the willingness of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation striving for economic ties with its neighboring communities.

To this end, Deputy Mayor

Michael Tarkowski is holding several meetings with the Economic Development Department of Saddle Lake.

I was concerned that the usually productive joint municipalities meeting of the County of Two Hills, Town of Two Hills, and the Village of Myrnam have not held a meeting for some time now.

I've often written that rural Alberta has lost its influence in the provincial government and only strong regional co-operation will solve the problem.

With my many years in community journalism, I have seen many municipalities cooperate for their mutual benefit and many with strained relationships.

To use a biblical expression, "A house divided against itself will not stand" and communities that are divided will leave a shaky foundation.

I hope that rural Alberta will speak with one voice, afterall the wealth of Alberta is not created in the office buildings of the skyscrapers in the cities but in rural Alberta.

Let us hope that 2023 ushers in a new period where we view our neighboring municipalities as friends rather than rivals.

Merry Christmas everyone! This time of year I become over-filled with the Christmas spirit. Christmas songs playing in the background as I work, humming Christmas carols (sometimes for hours on end), watching dozens of Christmas movies and TV shows. Trying to decorate every inch of my home while still maintaining the ability to navigate around it. Calculating the available square inches of space in my friddge, freezer and cupboards to make sure that I have enough space for everything I plan to cook. It truly is a blessed time.

Our community has been very busy this month with many local organizations holding Christmas events such as the Two Hills Seniors Supper, the Myrnam Fire Department Tree lighting and FCSS Christmas Tree light up, and so many more, despite the difficult weather conditions as of late. This truly shows how much our community values its residents and those who serve it.

It's hard not to be moved by the love and joy that overtakes us as the Christmas season comes. Often filled with the difficulty of trying to balance Christmas shopping, with work and responsibilties, and all the last minute end of the year chores becomes something we can whistle through knowing the joyous time that awaits us.

My favorite part of the holiday season is the time with family. As I write, I am counting down the days to spend time with my boys, Keanan, Brennan, Cam, Aaron, Pierce and Cal, my nephews, eagerly awaiting the hour long discussions with Keanan, laughing with Brennan and Cam over everything, and losing continuously at every Playstation game to Aaron and Pierce. Not to mention days of planning Christmas meals with my sisters, which is one of the best parts - the

food. I would be lying if I say I don't miss the perogies , cabbage rolls, and all the delicious Ukrainian dishes prepared with love by the Babas in our county this time of year at all the community organization hosted suppers.

I hope each and everyone of you is filled with the joy and cheer of the holiday season, and enjoy a time of laughs, great food, and family. May Santa leave something extra special under your trees. May you sing cheerful songs, eat until your pants are tight and bring in the New Year with a happy song in your hearts.

Please remember to be responsible, don't drive under the influence. Plan ahead. Have a designated driver or safe plan to get home. It is great to celebrate but it is better to be responsible while doing so.

Thank you to all our readers, community organizations and local businesses, who help make this possible. Have a safe and Merry Christmas. May the New Year bring you joy and prosperity.

If there is any news item or anything you would like to share feel free to email me at publisher@twohillschronicle. com or my personal email jareddrajoo@ gmail.com at any time.

Until next issue (and year), stay safe and stay healthy.

Sonny Rajoo Reporter/Sales

Bill Albers Photographer

Hanukkah: Premier Smith

“As

“This is a time to celebrate the miracle of the oil in the Temple. But the glow of the candles is more than a reminder of the past. It’s an invitation to reach out to others and illuminate their lives. That’s why hanukkias are placed in windows – so their light shines into the darkness. For the Jewish community, this tradition of generosity is as old as Judaism itself.

“May countless hanukkias light up our province this year. May they push back the gloom of winter and fill your homes with peace and joy.

“Chag Hanukkah sameach!”

The Two Hills Fellowship Chapel came and sang Christmas carols for the seniors on Dec 12th.

(Photos submitted by Krystal Rayner)

On December 13th the Grade 6 class from Two Hills School came to the Hillside Seniors lodge to play games and read with the residents.

(Photos by Krystal Rayner)

Premier Danielle Smith issued this statement celebrating Hanukkah:

the eight days of Hanukkah begin, I wish all of Alberta’s Jewish people a wonderful holiday surrounded by love and family.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council for the Town of Two Hills held

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Public Works Report

The Public Works Foreman’s Report was provided to Council in advance for their review.

2022-309 MOVED by Deputy Mayor M. Tarkowski that the Public Works report be acknowledged as presented and incorporated into the minutes.

Chief Financial Officer Report

The Chief Financial Officer’s report was provided to Council in advance for their review.

2022-310 MOVED by Councillor A. Romaniuk that the Chief Financial Officer’s report be acknowledged as presented and incorporated into the minutes.

Chief Administrative Officer Report

The Chief Administrative Officer’s report was provided to Council in advance for their review.

2022-311 MOVED by Councillor S. Rajoo that the Chief Administrative Officer’s report be acknowledged as presented and incorporated into the minutes.

CORRESPONDENCE:

2022-312 MOVED by Councillor A. Romaniuk that the correspondence be acknowledged as presented and filed.

BYLAWS & POLICIES:

Public Notification Bylaw 2018-983 As per our MAP audit this bylaw

needs to be repealed and advertised as a new bylaw.

2022-313 MOVED by Mayor L. L. Ewanishan to repeal Public Notification Bylaw 2018-983 this 22nd day of November, 2022.

2022-314 MOVED by Councillor K. Thompson to advertise the Public Notification Bylaw in the Vegreville Advertiser for 2 consecutive weeks.

NEW BUSINESS:

Council Calendar

Draft calendar for Council meetings in 2023

2022-315 MOVED by Councillor K. Thompson That the 2023 Council meeting Calendar be approved, as presented with all meetings occurring at 7 PM.

Holiday Hours

As the local municipalities and support services are closed and most of staff have holidays to use (due to covid-19), administration is aiming to close the office December 29th and 30th.

Christmas Gift Cards

As a Christmas bonus, Council gifts each staff member $150 towards gift cards from local businesses of their choice (not including liquor stores).

2022-316 MOVED by Mayor L. L. Ewanishan that each staff member receives $150 gift certificate to a local business of their choice.

From Left to Right Back Row: Councillor Romaniuk, Councillor Rajoo Front Row: Mayor Ewanishan, Councillor Tarkowski, Deputy Mayor Thompson

R-Star and PPF Position by Dwight Popowich

explain the fact that we drill more new energy wells every year, then we cleanup? How do we explain the fact that a large amount of Alberta’s inactive wells is in the hands of small financially weak producers, many struggling to pay the bills, or are insolvent?

By Dwight Popowich

Alberta is globally known for cattle, grain, oil, and gas production. We are particularly good at what we do. Our food production is globally known for its high quality and consumer safety. Because of our strict environmental and human rights laws we get to tell the world that Canada is a world leader when it comes to producing oil and gas to the highest environmental, regulatory, and human rights standards on the planet. But if that is really the case, then how do we explain the over 100,000 inactive oil and gas wells currently left rotting across the Alberta landscape? How do we

And it’s not like the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and the Government of Alberta doesn’t know there’s a problem. In fact, about a year and half ago, our newest Premier, Danielle Smith, while working as an oil and gas lobbyist for the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG), pointed out this environmental protection issue to Energy Minister Sonya Savage. In her July 29th, 2021, letter, Smith the lobbyist, promoted the RStar program as a solution to the growing inactive and orphaned well problem, which floats the idea of giving the energy sector a royalty holiday for cleaning up inactive wells, that producers are already legally obligated to do.

In her 5 page letter, Smith said that the AEG supports the “polluter pay”

principal, and went on to further describe the inactive well problem by saying that in the past the regulator agreed to a “no look back”(NLB) deal, that allowed producers, as she wrote, “to transfer assets, and liabilities with the notion that the original company would not bear the liability for the future cleanup of those assets”. What Ms. Smith was referring to was something called “liability dumping”, and it has been the industry norm since the early 1990’s.

However, because those assets would be dumped on smaller producer, that were not as well financed as the original producer, bankruptcies became a huge concern for the regulator. If you couldn’t go back after the original well owners, and the existing owner is bankrupt, who then would pay for the cleanup? So, when the 1991 NLB deal was struck with the producers, it came with a caveat called the Orphan Well Fund(OWF). In exchange for dropping the Polluter Pay principle and replacing it with the NLB deal, the industry would fund the Orphan Well Association(OWA), through an annual levy. The OWA would be responsible for the cleanup of wells orphaned by bankrupt producers, and the costs of that cleanup would

be funded by the rest of the industry. Problem solved, right? No not right, the problem is not solved.

Lobbyist Smith gives a clear description of today’s inactive well problem in her letter to the Minister by stating, ”Meanwhile, for a period of time in the last 10 years, the regulator permitted well-financed large companies to offload significant liabilities to small companies that have become overburdened with wellsite cleanup responsibilities that exceed their ability to pay”. So, there it is. The true results of having a “No Look Back” deal in place. Now we have a compounded problem because the regulator and industry just kept kicking the cleanup can down the road. And the longer we wait, the larger the problem becomes, because annually, we continue to drill more new wells, then the number of inactive, and orphans, that we mange cleanup. Remember that every new well drilled, eventually becomes an inactive well.

It is the same with the junior producer who bought those dirt-cheap liability dumping packages. The five or six, decent producing, wells, that they get with the 3,000 non-producing wells, may manage to pay the daily operating costs of the junior

R-Star and PPF Position by Dwight Popowich

producer. Those wells may even fund some cleanup of the non-producing wells, but never all of it, and here’s the kicker. All drilled wells lose production over time, eventually becoming just another non-producing liability to the company. That means these junior producers will have to replace their lost income wells with other producing wells, or they have to go out of business. So, what do they do? Use the most cost-effective avenue available to them, which is to buy another liability dumping package. That practice just adds more liability onto a company already struggling with how to meet their cleanup liability obligations. It can easily become a vicious circle leading to insolvency. It is time to stop allowing liability dumping. It has become a disaster looking for a place to happen.

Now we have small producers, even in today’s high resource pricing, who still don’t have the cashflow to meet their cleanup obligations. Lobbyist Smith was looking for industry to have a handout from the taxpayer and not the original polluters, which is in defiance of a recent ruling by the highest court in Canada, which reconfirmed, in the Redwater vs the AER and the OWA, the Polluter Pay

principle, making cleanup obligation first inline to be paid in a bankruptcy.

The NLB deal is a means to avoid the Polluter Pay principle, in exchange for the remaining producers paying the costs of cleaning up for a bankrupt producer. It is supposed to be a financial safety net, that would prevent the taxpayer from having to foot the bill if there’s no Polluter Pay principle in play. But for the last two decades the AER, after consulting the industry, would end up using an OWF levy that was way to low. Now the OWA doesn’t have the funds to keep up with their everincreasing inventory of orphaned wells. They’ve had to borrow from government to get the job done and are under funded for the coming tsunami of orphaned wells that are not yet in the system. There are tens of thousands of wells from bankrupt producers, still going through bankruptcy proceedings, that are not yet in the OWA inventory. Because the AER, refuses to follow the law and declare the wells of bankrupt producer as orphans, the numbers of orphaned wells used to determine the annual OWF levy amount is far too low, resulting in an underfunded OWA. The AER does this to make

the exploding orphaned well situation look better then it really is, and to keep the levy cost to producer low, knowing full well that the OWA doesn’t have the funding to decommission thousands and thousands of more wells, then they already have in their orphan well inventory.

Lobbyist Smith also suggested in her letter that producers who did well decommissioning were not obtaining reclamation certificates in a timely fashion. As a result of this, producers were not able to reduce their operating costs, such as municipal property taxes and landowner’s annual compensation payments, resulting in the producers having “no incentive to do surface reclamation or decommissioning of low-producing wells”, as Ms. Smith puts it. I would agree that there is a timing issue at the heart of the inactive well problem. But I would point an accusing finger at the lack of regulations giving timelines that force the cleanup of inactive wells. Unlike most other jurisdiction, which have timelines as to how long a well can sit inactive before it has to be brought back into meaningful production, or decommissioned, Alberta has none. And Energy Minister, Savage, has balked at the idea of putting cleanup

timelines as an incentive, into the regulations.

Ms. Smith’s letter would go on to say, “Finally, with the collapse of oil and natural gas prices in 2014, the revenue situation has become dire for the junior oil and gas sector. Since the UCP formed government, dozens of junior companies have gone bust and their assets and liabilities have been transferred to the industry funded Orphan Well Association. This is the “No Look Back” deal that our past political leaders made with the oil and gas sector that she is talking about. And given the current situation, and the financial shape of the OWF, this deal could very well become a terrible deal for the people of Alberta.

(For the full story and more visit www.twohillschronicle.com)

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Myrnam Fire Department Christmas Tree Lighting

Captain Jessie Fedoriuk, Lieutenant Chance Straty and firefighter John Peters standing around a fire.

Myrnam Fire Department (Left to right back row) Deputy Fire Chief Norm Brake, Jeff Rayner, Sean Dubelt, Training Officer Brad Straty, Terry Axley, Lieutenant Chance Straty, John Peters, Dispatcher Jodi Bannister, Aiden Clyke, (Front row left to right)

Krystal Rayner, Captain Jessie Fedoriuk, Santa, Debbie Axley, and Fire Chief John Fedoriuk.

Sitting with Santa is Tessa Rayner.

Deputy Fire Chief Norm Brake with his granddaughters.

Firefighter Jeff Rayner. Took kids for fire truck rides. Captain Jessie Fedoriuk also took kids for fire truck rides.

Little Charlotte Rayner couldn't contain her excitement at the sight of Santa.

Santa came to town in Myrnam at the annual Christmas tree lighting.

2022 Festival of Trees

by Heather Landiak

There were 13 organizations that participated: Alice Melnyk Public Library, Two Hills ATB, Town of Two Hills, Two Hills 4-H Beef & Multi Club, Two Hills Adult Learning Council, Two Hills & District Agricultural Society, Two Hills Centennial Hall, Two Hills FCSS, Two Hills UFA Farm Store, Two Hills Ukrainian Dancers, Two Hills United

Church, Two Hills Victim Services & Two Hills Wellness Coalition. The event is put on to support the Two Hills & Area FCSS Christmas Hamper Program. Winners were voted on by the attendees and are as follows: Most Christmas Spirit – Two Hills United Church, Most Creative – Two Hills Ukrainian Dancers & Best Decorated – Two Hills 4-H Beef & Multi Club

Festival of Trees

Two Hills 4-H Beef & Multi Club

Two Hills Ag Society Two Hills Adult Learning Council

Town of Two Hills

2022 Festival of Trees

Two Hills United Church

Two Hills FCSS Two Hills UFA Farm Store

Two Hills Centennial Hall Two Hills Ukrainian Dancers Two Hills Victim Services

Two Hills Wellness Coalition

Alice Melnyk Public Library ATB Two Hills

"Small Towns and Big Dreams"

and six. This allows students to have some freedom, and work on projects that excite them. They explore many different creative and educational areas that usually stick with them for the rest of their life. There are CTF options every year from grade five onward. Once students find something they are passionate about, they can continue to work on it throughout the entirety of their school years, and it may even lead to them pursuing it after high school. If kids didn't have this opportunity, there could be many things they never get to experience.

by Sydney Chanasyk

Recently when I was listening to the radio, the song “Small Towns and Big Dreams” by Paul Brandt came on. It was my first time hearing the song, and I immediately associated it with my experience growing up in a small town. After listening to it on re peat for a few days, I started connecting the lyrics with things I have seen and experienced, specifically as a student at New Myrnam School. Although we are a small school of just under 200 students K-12 (Including our MOHC program), we have managed to accomplish so much.

I strongly believe that no matter where you go in life, or what you do, where you come from will always be the basis of everything you

accomplish. Where you are raised will influence your future. Although some people may say that growing up in a small town limits your opportunities, I think that it only increases them, and can lead you to much greater things in life. The opportunities I have going to school and growing up in a town so small, “you blink and you miss it,” exceed so many people's expectations.

At NMS, we definitely try to encourage kids to explore their passions as young as possible. When you give younger kids the opportunity to explore things they are interested in, and let them pursue their passions, they are exposed to so much more than if they were purely taught in a traditional way. This is why we start our ‘Career and Technology Foundations’ (CTF) classes in grades five

It is not only in our CTF classes that students are able to explore their own passions. They also have many other opportunities within their other classes, and within the extracurricular activities offered at our school. Many of our teachers try to incorporate student-based learning into their lesson plans. We strive to create as many opportunities for our students as possible, from our afterschool crochet club to the various sports we offer. We encourage every student to engage in their interests as much as possible.

The projects that students come up with and work on every year have been recognized by a variety of different groups and foundations. We have received various grants for the many different projects we have going on at all times, including the A+

for Energy grant given by Inside Education, which we have received for 6 years in a row. In 2019, our school was nominated to receive the Energy Efficiency Champion Award. A delegation of students went to Edmonton to receive this prestigious award at the Emerald Awards event hosted by the Alberta Emerald Foundation. This award was presented to us for all of the projects we have done regarding sustainability, and striving to help our community become more environmentally friendly. Also, one of our teachers, Mr. Robert Tymofichuk, was recognized for a Prime Minister's award in STEM for his incredible teaching in our school. As a result, we have recently been recognized by CBC Edmonton for the work we do. They came out to interview our students and staff about the projects we have been working on and they shared our story through the radio and also aired a video on TV. These are just a fraction of the acknowledgments we have received. Considering the size of our school, I believe that the amount of recognition we have acquired is outstanding, and shows how our projects have an impact that reaches beyond our school and into the community.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) has been a huge part of not only all of these projects, but of everything we do as a school. (cont'd on page 17)

Our crochet club for grades 4-12

"Small Towns and Big Dreams"

(continued from page 16)

Our projects are complex and require us to learn STEM skills to solve our problems. In order to successfully incorporate STEM in these projects, we have had many different classes and grades collaborate. Quite often we have had to look to cross curricular connections in our math and science classes in order to accurately calculate various things, such as how to balance the nutrient level and pH levels in the water of our hydroponics system, or how much flooring we would need to cover the floor in our ‘cool bus’. Our high school students in “Team Net Zero” are learning coding to invent an automated snow removal system to clear snow from the grid tied solar array on the CTEC facility. In order to accomplish the amazing things we do at our school, we have had to learn to innovate, develop our critical think-

ing skills, effectively communicate and collaborate to ensure the success of our community. This is especially important since we have such a small population, it has helped everyone grow closer to each other.

Many of these opportunities have led to many of our students going on to do many amazing things in life. The experiences that our school has to offer has helped them accomplish so many things. Although many of them have moved away to bigger places, they will always have the knowledge and connection that they gained from being part of the small town that made them who they are today. So, I believe that everyone who has experienced New Myrnam School can agree with Paul Brandt when he says: “The best things around that I have ever seen, come from small towns and big dreams.”

Building up the rural Alberta

economy

Alberta’s government has unveiled a plan to drive economic growth and address challenges unique to rural communities.

Rural Alberta is a driving force in the economy and the new Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan will complement current government initiatives while supporting diversification and job opportunities in rural communities.

The five-year plan focuses on key issues in rural Alberta, including economic development-enabling infrastructure, rural business supports and entrepreneurship, support for labour force and skills development, marketing and promoting rural tourism, and rural economic development capacity building.

As one of the first tangible actions under the plan, the government has committed $125,000 to each of the nine regional economic development alliances to support long-term economic prosperity in their respective regions.

Engaging with rural Albertans

The plan was created after a year of consultations. Beginning in fall 2021, Alberta’s government held targeted sessions with rural Alberta businesses and communities, in addition to Indigenous

communities, to identify the specific challenges and possible solutions facing their regions.

In total, government hosted 23 virtual engagement sessions with more than 370 rural Albertans, businesses and communities, receiving 3,500 comments. At the same time, an online survey was conducted, which received an additional 919 responses.

Feedback from the sessions and the online survey helped develop the plan’s vision, guiding principles and strategic directions. These were refined and validated through a second phase of targeted engagement with the same individuals and groups in summer 2022.

For the full article, visit www.alberta.ca/news.aspx

One of our hydroponic systems growing lettuce for our community

By Bob Ross

The Run to the Hills Memorial Rally returned with a flourish after two years of mandated lockdowns in 2022 Organizers decided that it was time to step up the game and take the event to the next level, so in 2022 the R.T.T.H went from a single wk-end to a full on 10 day event. It proved to be a good decision with nearly 700 riders through the gates many of which stayed the full duration. Real Canadian Wrestling was introduced to the

venue and proved to be a hit with young and old alike. FCSS hosted a mainstreet Chili cook off which the RTTH Chili Outlaws captured 1st place with their secret Trinidad recipe and a little help from the bikers in the crowd. As the Champions we would like to throw out a challenge to anybody who thinks they got what it takes to meet us on Mainstreet for a show down in 2023. Local recording artist Abigayle Durie wowed the crowd The Midnight Echo and the rest of the amazing entertainment line up did as well. This past riding season saw a lot of traffic to the Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park and it is rapidly becoming a “must see” destination within the motorcycling community. This years farthest traveled came all the way from Chapala Mexico followed closely by a rider from Whitehorse Yukon.

Plans are well under way for next years 10 day Run to the Hills with many new entertainment options being developed. In addition to the usual bike rally events and entertainment this year we haved partnered with Lunkers fishing outfitters to provide Jet boat tours and fishing on the North Saskatchewan River, 1928 Tattoo in Willington for a mainstreet block party and BBQ and are currantly working on a plan for something similar in Myrnam. RCW wrestling will be returning for 2 nights with a Title match. In addition to all that we also have an important Concert announcement to make:

The Run to the Hills Rally and Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial are proud to announce that Alberta’s own Clayton Bellamy will be making a special appearance at Run to the Hills 2023. This Canadian singer/songwriter has won many awards

including a Juno, 5 Canadian Country Music Awards and many more. He has performed on the Grand Ole Opry and is a member of the Roadhammers, the highest selling Canadian Country group in Canadian history Clayton Bellamy and the Congregation’s currant single “Soundtrack to the End of the World” is in the top 20 of the Active Rock charts in Canada.

We are honoured that he has agreed to grace our stage and look forward to this amazing evening. Details to be announced soon.

In addition to the bike rally in July we will be hosting RCW wrestling at the Centennial Hall in February, and once again we will be holding our Wayside Blessing of the Bikes in May.

In conclusion we would like to thank everyone for their continued support and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Please drink responsibly

Hills Organizer

Helping physicians with business costs

A 25 per cent increase to a program that subsidizes business costs, and changes to other support programs, will help physicians deal with inflation and keep practices open.

many businesses, they have to face the realities of rising costs – which could lead to them needing to find other arrangements to continue practising. Investing in this and other programs is an investment in the future of community practices across the province, our physicians and the long-term health of all Albertans.” Jason Copping, Minister of Health

As part of the new agreement between the Alberta government and the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), the Business Costs Program will see an increase of $20 million annually. This is in addition to about $80 million the government currently invests in the program each year. On average, it will mean an extra $2,300 annually for each physician.

“Family physicians are vital to our communities, yet, as with

The program eases the pressures of physicians’ business costs in office-based practices and diagnostic facilities, particularly family physicians and specialists who face greater impacts from rising business costs. An additional rate is applied to some office-based patient services in addition to the basic rate.

Alberta Health and the AMA will review the program over the next two years to modernize it. This will include assessing eligibility criteria, parameters, incentive mechanisms and rates.

2022 Remembrance Day at Willingdon Seniors’ Center

by Ron Rudkowsky

Approximately eighty people of all ages attended the 2022 Remembrance Day Program and Luncheon at the Willingdon Seniors’ Center on November 11.

A delicious Chili Lunch, sponsored jointly by the County of Two Hills and the Willingdon Seniors’ Association, was served to all who attended. Ms. Cindy Kotelko delivered grace and thanked all who participated in the preparation of the luncheon.

During the Program, thirty seconds of silence was observed in fond memory of Comrade-Veteran George Demchuk and long-time Remembrance Day organizer NormanWalcheske.

Twenty-seven wreaths of various sizes and shapes were laid in honor of those who served our Country in the military, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice in combat.

Mr. George Leonty researched and constructed a very informative memorial display which guests were able to view and read.

Willingdon Seniors would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s ceremony as well as all those who laid wreaths to honor family, friends, and community members who served our Country.

Councillor Sebastian Dutrisac (On behalf of the County of Two Hills)

Alana Homeniuk (delivering the poem In "Flanders Fields")

Jacques Piche and Patricia Crosbie (head cooks of the delicious chili luncheon)

Lance and Lorraine Jansen laid wreaths in memory of those who served.

George Leonty, displaying the information and pictures he prepared for guests to read and enjoy.

2022 Remembrance Day at Willingdon Seniors’ Center

A SOLDIER’S PRAYER

ALMIGHTY GOD:

As the sun begins to lift itself over the horizon, I feel the dampness and the chill of this trench.

And as I anxiously wait with my eye on the enemy, and my finger on the trigger, I beg for your guidance, your strength and your blessing to help me to do the right thing in this battle - Perhaps get through another day unscathed.

Oh Lord - how very afraid I am, of what this day will bring - What casualties will be endured by the end of the day on land, at sea, and in the air ?

Will the battle for freedom end today, or will it continue? I wonder how much longer this war might last.

I am depressed to see so many fallen comrades, and I OFTEN wonder how the ENEMY SOLDIERS feel about all the death and destruction that occurs on both sides of the battle every day.

Dear Lord - help us to preserve the values of our Country, the love of our families, and the freedoms we have become so accustomed to cherish.

GOD - I HUMBLY ASK YOU TO BESTOW YOUR MOST POWERFUL BLESSING UPON ALL THOSE WHO SERVE, STRUGGLE, AND RISK THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

AMEN

A soldier's prayer written and delivered by Ron Rudkowsky

Jacques Piche and Lorraine Jansen leading 'Oh Canada' in English and French.

Honored by Alberta and Canadian flags, wreaths were laid in memory of those who served.

Willingdon volunteer firemen standing guard and laying wreaths. (L to R) Barry Hrynevich (Fire Chief) Fireman Brett Hrynevich, Fireman Keaton Kuish

Bob Cluney (on behalf of Willingdon Senior Citizens), Sebastian Dutrisac (on behalf of the County of Two Hills), Zigurd Tannas (in memory of the Unknown Soldier)

by Ron Rudkowsky

Exciting new developments in Saddle Lake

by Sonny Rajoo

It is exciting time for the Saddle Lake Cree Nation which has embarked on several projects schedules for 2023.

Some projects include but not limited to over 40 homes on a 40 acre parcel of land; a new elementary school; laundromat; and a new senior citizens lodge with the last being an approximate 14 million project. Other projects include a new car wash.

New Saddle Lake EDO Clifford Pasquette shared the exciting news The Chronicle in several visits with Mayor and Councillors.

Both EDC Chairman Michael Tar-

kowski and Town Councillor Sonny Rajoo are scheduled to meet with Saddle Lake today (December 12) to discuss economic items of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, County of Two Hills Reeve Don Gulayec and CAO Sally Dary visited the First Nations Band recently and were impressed by the progress and positive ventures undertaken by the Band. Both Reeve Gulayec and Dary spent some time touring the reserve and left there expressing their compliments to the Band Administration and Council for all they've done to uplift the lives of our indigenous community.

Saddle Lake Cree Nation is the third largest Band in the province of Alberta.

Saddle Lake Elementary School

Saddle Lake High School Recreation

Saddle Lake Administration Office

The County of Two Hills No. 21 provides Recreation Grant funding to the following Organizations and Facilities:

County of Two Hills Recreation Grant Funding Getting more Alberta products on the shelf

Two Hills Historical $ 1,000.00

Two Hills Riders Club $ 1,000.00

Two Hills Seniors $ 2,650.00

Sports Activity Council & Two Hills Curling $ 10,000.00

Two Hills Ag Society $ 10,000.00

Lakeland Breakers $ 1,000.00

Myrnam River Ridge Riders $ 1,000.00

Lac Sante Family Rec $ 1,000.00

Myrnam & District Ag. Society $ 2,650.00

Myrnam Elks Lodge $ 2,650.00

Myrnam Curling Club $ 2,650.00

Myrnam Senior Center $ 2,650.00

Derwent Golden Age Club $ 2,650.00

Derwent & District Ag Society $ 2,650.00

Brosseau Community Hall $ 2,650.00

Pathfinder Community Recreation Centre $ 2,650.00

Luzan Community Club Centre $ 2,650.00

Myrnam Derwent Golf & Country $ 2,650.00

Hairy Hill Community Hall $ 2,650.00

Derwent Recreation Centre $ 2,650.00

Willingdon Ag Society $ 2,650.00

Willingdon Senior Citizens Association $ 2,650.00

Plain Lake Ukrainian Greek Catholic Association $ 2,650.00

Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit (Derwent) $ 2,650.00

Seventh Day Adventist Church $ 2,650.00

Boian Hall $ 2,650.00

Russo Greek Catholic Parish of St. Mary $ 2,650.00

Willingdon Recreation Centre $ 2,650.00

Christ-Ascension Rutherian Ukrainian $ 2,650.00

Rusylvia Ukrainian Community Association $ 2,650.00

Ukrainian Educational Society $ 2,650.00

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox $ 2,650.00

Ukrainian Orthodox of Holy Ascension $ 2,650.00

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Elias - Luzan $ 2,650.00

“Success for many in the food and beverage industry includes getting your products on the shelf in retail,” says Margurite Thiessen, business development officer with the Alberta government. “A great product is only part of what is required. Food processors need to understand what retailers are looking for and what they will be doing to create demand and deliver the sales required to stay on the shelf.”

An upcoming webinar, Getting More Alberta Products on the Shelf, features keynote speaker Peter Chapman, SKU Foods, who will provide an overview of what is happening in food and beverage with a focus on Alberta products and how to price products and the promotion plan required to get on the shelf.

“Peter will break down some of the strategies to price your products and the costs relative to trade and marketing spend. Learn about your trade spend in-

Understanding the basis for crops

“Basis for agricultural commodities that are associated with a futures market is the difference between a cash price and a futures price,” says Neil Blue, provincial crops market analyst with the Alberta government. “Specifically, basis is calculated as ‘cash price minus futures price.’”

When the result of that calculation is positive, with the cash price higher than the futures price, that is referred to as an ‘over’ basis. In that case, an example basis quote is ‘$5 over the March futures’. When the calculation results in a negative number, with the cash price less than the futures price, that is referred to as an ‘under’ basis. An example basis quote in that case is ‘$8 under the March futures’.

The basis for crops contains costs of a difference between the cash and futures markets for crop location and costs involved in handling and storing the commodity. Basis can include freight, elevation, cleaning, storage, risk and interest during the holding period. Basis also includes the buyer’s profit in dealing with a commodity.

Basis for futures-related commodities is the way that buyers signal their eagerness to acquire a commodity, strengthening their basis relative to the futures price when they want to contract more of a product, and weakening their basis when they are less interested in contracting that product.

“The basis for canola is easy to understand because the canola futures contract price is in Canadian dollars,” explains Blue.

For example, a current cash price bid by a canola buyer for January 2023 delivery is $860/tonne with the January futures at $840/tonne. Using the formula cash price minus futures price results in a basis of plus $20/ tonne, or $20 over the January futures.

The basis levels for wheat are more difficult to interpret since the U.S. wheat futures prices are in U.S. dollars. There is a new Vancouver-based hard red spring wheat futures contract provided by the CME Group, but it is also denominated in U.S. dollars. Most grain companies are quoting wheat basis as ’Canadian

cash price minus U.S. futures price’. The exchange rate is contained within the basis.

“That method is simple to calculate, but difficult to interpret,” points out Blue. “Some grain companies, in calculating the wheat basis, first convert the U.S. wheat futures price to Canadian dollars to use in the formula. That method is the standard used for calculating basis levels for the livestock markets of cattle and hogs.”

Example of the wheat basis calculation (for January delivery): December 6, 2022 Alberta grain company hard red spring wheat cash bid $430/tonne

MINUS

Minneapolis Grain Exchange March hard red spring wheat futures ($8.96 U.S./bushel) $8.96 U.S./bushel X 36.743 bushels/ tonne/0.7332 exchange rate = $449/ tonne

EQUALS

Basis of that grain company $(19)/ tonne or negative $19/tonne A source of general basis levels for Hard Red Spring wheat and Canada

vesting with retailers and your marketing spend connecting with consumers. You will also hear about growing your baseline and take away tools to help build your promotion plans.”

Key takeaways

• an overview of the industry as we grapple with input supply challenges and inflation

• a strategy to price your products, based on the category where you compete

• definitions for all the components of trade spend and marketing spend to ensure your product has the best chance of success

• a glossary of industry terms so you are speaking the same language as your customers

“The retail market continues to evolve as consumers and customers are changing. The recent pandemic has also had an effect on this market channel. This webinar, which is being held January 26, 2023, will help participants navigate through the changing retail market,” says Thiessen.

Prairie Spring wheat is the website for PDQ (price and data quotes) administered by the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission. The wheat prices and basis levels available on this site provided by the Western Grain Elevators Association represent an average from numerous grain companies within a region and use the ‘Canadian cash minus U.S. futures price’ method of basis expression.

“Although the wheat basis levels provided on the PDQ are general and expressed with the method of including the Canadian dollar exchange rate (Canadian cash price minus U.S. futures price), the historical price and basis data available give an indication of basis ranges over time. Most of the time the Canadian dollar is discount to the U.S. dollar, resulting in a positive basis. The basis range over the past several years using that calculation method has ranged from positive $8/tonne to positive $105/tonne, with an average of positive $50/tonne,” explains Blue.

Building healthier, safer workplaces for Albertans

parts that required the most immediate updates.

“Collaboration between government and industry is vital to ensure legislation meets the unique needs of forestry operations and better protects our workers. Quick action by Jobs, Economy and Northern Development to keep health and safety standards up to date, not only safeguards workers but opens the door to a productive, economic future.”

Jason Krips, president and chief executive officer, Alberta Forest Products Association

After extensively consulting with employers, workers and health and safety professionals, Alberta’s government will be implementing changes to parts of the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code). The changes will take effect on March 31, 2023.

An updated and easier-to-understand OHS Code will help employers keep workers safe, build workplaces that support jobs, attract investment and grow Alberta’s economy.

“Maintaining healthy and safe workplaces is a critical part of the renewed Alberta Advantage. We’re modernizing the OHS Code to reflect today’s best practices, and this

is a huge step towards my goal of making sure every Albertan returns home safely at the end of the day.”

Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development

It is critical that regulations keep pace with Alberta’s modern workforce. This is the first time since 2009 the OHS has been significantly updated, and the initiative has received overwhelming support from partners across industries.

Changes to the code align with best practices, modern standards and technology, and keep Alberta in line with other Canadian jurisdictions. In making changes to the code, Alberta’s government focused on the

Updates to the OHS code include harmonizing language, reducing duplication and adopting best practices in the eight updated parts. The changes will give employers and workers the tools they need to build healthy, safe workplaces.

“AMHSA believes that it is important to have pragmatic evidencebased health and safety standards. OHS legislation that reflects best practices and available new technologies supports the achievement of physically and psychologically safe workplaces for both workers and employers.”

Craig Hrynchuk, executive director, Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association and OHS Preven-

Key facts

• The code is a regulation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) and contains the detailed technical requirements for controlling health and safety hazards at workplaces.

• Alberta’s government consulted extensively with employers, workers and health and safety professionals, including using technical working groups and an online public survey.

• In spring 2021, the online public survey received more than 1,200 responses. Respondents represented a variety of groups including employers, industry, labour, workers, and health and safety professionals.

• OHS professionals overwhelmingly (86 per cent) approved the changes.

• A three-year review plan is now in place to chart out which parts of the OHS Code will be reviewed next and to ensure the OHS Code is kept current.

tion Initiative steering committee member

Updates to Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code will make regulations easier to understand while offering better support for Alberta workers and employers.

An Advent Message from Two Hills United Church

Advent reminds us that this can be a time of new beginnings –a time to learn from our mistakes during our yesterdays in order to reimagine the possibilities of our tomorrows. It is time of Hope – hope that we will always treat each other with acceptance, understanding, and respect.

Hope that each of our actions focus on the willingness to share our blessings and work towards equality

for all. It is a time of Peace – peace resulting from the knowledge that when we can accept each other for what we are, we will be able to weave our differences into strengths, that we need this vast variation of personalities and beliefs for a complete workable world. It is a time for Joy – joy that we are a world of so many unique individuals, of views, of possibilities. Joy that together we have the capabilities of reimagining a

world represented by the birth of a baby over 2000 years ago. And finally, Advent reminds us that this is the time to focus on love – the love that is all-encompassing, the love that will bring about a world where we value and accept each person –revelling in our strengths and differences, and working toward the betterment of all.

Let’s make this Advent – this time of new beginnings – our focus for

every day of the year. Let’s see just how many positive changes we can bring about if we live Advent to its fullest.

Wishing each of you Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love in the New Year and in the years to come.

— Two Hills United Church

Two Hills United Church

Barb Boschman & Caylee Bailey

Santa comes to Willingdon Lodge

Santa has been very busy this month, here pictured stopping in to spread some Christmas cheer to the residents of the Eagle Hill Lodge in Willingdon.

He was great to spend time with residents and even lend a helping hand with Christmas baking.

Young and old, we all love a visit from jolly old St. Nicholas.

(Photos submitted by County of Two Hills Division 4 Councillor Sebastien Dutrisac)

Awesome Christmas Recipes to try this holiday season

3 Ingredient Oreo Christmas Cookies

Christmas Magic Squares

Ingredients

Oreos

Melted Chocolate Colored Sprinkles

Directions

1.In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chips for 20 second intervals (stir in between each 20 second interval). Because this is a small amount it shouldn’t take more than 2 times in the microwave for them to melt. Stir until smooth and completely melted.

2.Lay out wax paper and dip each cookie in the melted chocolate (a quarter of the cookie should be dipped). Use a small rubber spatula to help you smooth the chocolate and, of course, to get every last drop of the chocolate out of the bowl (yum).

3.When all cookies are dipped sprinkle the nonpareils

Makes18 bars

Preparation Time10 min Cooking Time30 min

Ingredients

8 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup mint chocolate-covered candies 1/2 cup M&M'S

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Put the butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, then place in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the butter has melted. Layer the graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut over the butter. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the coconut; top with the mint chocolate–covered candies and red and green chocolate candies.

Bake for 30 minutes. Set the baking dish on a wire rack and let cool completely. Cut into squares and serve.

The Christmas Story

manger filled with hay.

Whilst Mary and Joseph, and the newborn Jesus, slept in the stable, some shepherds on a hillside that overlooked the city of Bethlehem saw a bright star in the sky. As they watched the bright star shining over the city, an angel came down from the sky and told the shepherds that the Son of God had been born in the city, and they should go to him.

The shepherds left their herds and came down from the hillside to find the newborn baby. They visited Mary, Joseph, and Jesus at the stable and knelt before them to pledge their love to the Son of God.

Far away in the East, three wise men also saw a bright light in the sky. These wise men were kings from the countries far to the East of Bethlehem. They took the bright star as a sign that a new king had been born, and they began to follow it.

On the eve on the very first Christmas, Jospeh and his wife Mary, were travelling to Bethlehem. After being told by the angel Gabriel that Mary would give birth to a baby boy, but not just any boy. The angel Gabriel explained that God was to send his son to earth for mankind and that Mary would soon have a baby, that baby would be named Jesus and would be God’s son.

Unfortunately, when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, it was incredibly busy. All the rooms at the inns had already been filled. Mary was pregnant at this time and needed to rest. Luckily, they met a kind innkeeper who let Mary and Joseph stay in his stable for the night.

It was there in that special place that the baby Jesus was born. Mary gave birth to Jesus that night in the stable. She wrapped the newborn baby in a white cloth and lay him to sleep in a

The three wise men followed the star to Jerusalem, where King Herod ruled. They assumed that the new king had been born to Herod. They spoke to Herod and asked to see the child that would be the King of the Jews. This news troubled Herod, who believed himself to be the King of Kings. The wise men left Jerusalem to continue their search.

Eventually, the three kings reached Bethlehem, knelt before the baby and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. That night, they all shared a dream from an angel. They were warned not to tell King Herod where Jesus was.

King Herod only grew angrier when the three kings did not return with news of Jesus’ location. He was worried about being overthrown and ordered his soldiers to go to Bethlehem and kill all the baby boys.

Luckily, Joseph had dreamt of Egypt, and he took Mary and Jesus there, knowing they would be safe from the reach of King Herod.

Greetings Readers!

“

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His Shoulders, and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace is He”

Isaiah 9:6

The usual cheerful, and well-wishing platitudes ‘Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas, Festive greetings and Happy holidays’ are all well and good. There are wonderful, exciting celebrations with family and friends planned. Meals are prepared, Christmas puddings baked, and gifts are already placed under the Christmas tree. It’s spontaneous laughter, frenzied last-minute shopping, and joviality wherever you look...

Amidst all this festivity, let us remember, acknowledge, and honour The Christ of Christmas, The Christ in Christmas, The Christ over Christmas, and The Christ throughout the year!

May Jesus Christ bless you and your family, friends, and loved ones. May your Christmas be filled with love, laughter, and making wonderful memories!

From my family to yours, A Christfilled Christmas and a blessed 2023!

Love and blessings, Niri