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Easter Cross Walk Commemorates Good Friday

Lorna

Hamilton

Reporter

In a moving tribute to Good Friday, members of the community united for a Cross Walk orchestrated by the Vermilion Ministerial Association on March 29. Despite overcast skies and brisk temperatures, around 30 individuals gathered at the First United Church to embark on a symbolic journey bearing a substantial wooden cross. This proces -

sion wound its way through downtown, retracing the steps of history and faith before returning to the church.

Along the route, participants paused at designated points to reflect on scriptures recounting pivotal moments preceding and following Jesus’ crucifixion. From the betrayal and arrest to the trial, scourging, mockery, and the arduous carrying of the cross, each scripture served as a poignant reminder of

the sacrifice commemorated on Good Friday.

The atmosphere resonated with timeless hymns, including ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘Lead Me To Calvary,’ ‘In The Garden,’ ‘Jesus Paid It All,’ ‘The Old Rugged Cross,’ ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,’ and more. These melodies underscored the profound spiritual significance of the occasion, filling the air with reverence and solemnity.

As participants walked, they had the opportunity to contemplate the solemn events of Good Friday, symbolically following in the footsteps of Jesus as he bore his own cross towards his ultimate sacrifice.

The Cross Walk served not only as a gesture of remembrance but also as a testament to the unity and faith shared among the community during this sacred time of year.

Top photo, participants in the Vermilion Cross Walk. Bottom left, their first stop along the walk to perform a scripture reading, and prayer. Bottom right, continuing their trek with the cross. Photos Lorna Hamilton

Vermilion Tigers’ Season Ends In Heartbreak As Wainwright Bisons Claim Championship

Braxton Hoare Reporter

The Vermilion Tigers’ valiant playoff run came to an end in a dramatic final game showdown against their rivals, the Wainwright Bisons. In a series characterized by intense battles and momentum shifts, the Tigers fought tooth and nail, but ultimately fell short as the Bisons clinched the championship title with a 5-2 victory in the decisive game.

The series began with the Tigers asserting their dominance, claiming victories in the first two games with scores of 4-1 and 4-2, respectively. However, the Bisons showed their resilience in Game 3, edging out a narrow 4-3 win to keep their championship hopes alive. The momentum swung further in favour of the Bisons in Game 4, as they shut out the Tigers with a 2-0 victory, leveling the series at 2-2.

With tensions running high and the championship on the line, Game 5 saw a stunning performance from the Wainwright Bisons, who dominated the ice with a commanding 10-2 win, putting them one

victory away from glory.

The final game of the series was a tense and closely contested affair, with both teams leaving it all on the ice. Dalton Irvine struck first for the Bisons, finding the back of the net early in the first period, but Jaxson Toutant quickly equalized for the Tigers, keeping the game level heading into the second period.

In the second period, the Bisons seized control with two short-handed goals from Joshua Paulgaard and Ryker Singer, putting them ahead 3-1. Ryan Nelson managed to pull one back for the Tigers, assisted by Wyatt Dyck and Rohan Quist, but Mason Ganser extended the Bisons’ lead with a goal late in the period.

Entering the final period with a two-goal deficit, the Tigers fought desperately to stage a comeback. However, their efforts were in vain as Joshua Paulgaard sealed the victory for the Bisons with an empty-net goal in the dying seconds of the game, securing a 5-2

win and the championship title for Wainwright.

Despite the heartbreak of defeat, the Vermilion Tigers can hold their heads high, knowing they gave their all in pursuit of glory. Throughout the season and playoffs, they displayed resilience, determination, and sportsmanship, earning the respect and admiration of fans and opponents alike.

Caylie Gnyra

Reporter

St. Jerome’s Holds Gymnastics Day

One of the highlights of St. Jerome’s Catholic School’s academic year is its annual Gymnastics Day competition, and 2024 didn’t disappoint.

Each year on St. Jerome’s Day in late September, students in grade four as well as students new to the school are initiated into one of three “houses”: Mackenzie, Fraser, and Cartier. They remain affiliated with these houses for the duration of their time at the school, fostering connections across grades and developing a sense of belonging.

Gymnastics Day is the much-anticipated event that pits the houses against each other in friendly performance-based competitions. This year, it fell on Wednesday, March 27.

After five weeks of lunch-hour practices and an all-morning practice immediately preceding the event, students from grades four through twelve excitedly streamed into the school’s gymnasium clad in the colours of their house, taking their place in the bleachers with their housemates. Students still too young to participate were not excluded, and

took their place on the floor of the south side of the gym to watch the spectacle unfold.

Principal Allan Chase opened the program with the Prayer of St. Francis and the school’s song. In his opening remarks, Mr. Chase choked back tears, saying, “This is my last— ,” unable to finish his sentence. Regaining his composure amidst cheers from the students, he continued, saying, “At the first Gymnastics Day I was ever at, I remember being completely blown away by your school spirit and your love for God. Never lose that.”

He went on to introduce the judges for the afternoon: beloved former teacher and principal Mrs. Paulette Moir, the always-cheery former teacher and vice-principal Derek Collins, and current superintendent Jim Taplin. Cartier opened the event with their Swedish drill, telling the tale of Mario, Princess Peach, Luigi, and Bowser through a series of jumping jacks, lunges, and other exercises. Fraser then performed their own Swedish drill, pitting Shrek and a swarm of ogres against Rumpelstiltskin and his witches. Mackenzie charmed the audience with a set of exercises inspired by Barbie, featuring a dance-off

and tongue-in-cheek “patriarchy positions.” Continuing their narratives, the three houses faced off with their performances of group balancing pyramids on the gymnastics mats laid out on the floor. Kneeling on hands and knees, up to four older students created a base for smaller students to climb on top, building pyramids that would then collapse— following safe, tried-and-true techniques— to emphasize different parts of the storyline they were weaving. Some pyramids even crawled forward, demonstrating skill in working together. The houses each created their own configurations to bring life to their stories.

Following the pyramids, the event moved into the individual and dual gymnastics events. These featured impressive performances by younger and older students alike, including individual routines set to music as well as individual and paired balances and tumbling. Each move was marked out of a predetermined degree of difficulty.

As the judges tallied their scores, the houses faced off in a series of tug-of-war matches. The gym reached a deafening roar with the victory of each match.

Just prior to announcing the winners, Mr. Chase said, “It’s my favourite day of the year. It’s a lot of fun. The kids always do great. There were a couple of them that got scared, but they persevered.” Mrs. Moir agreed, stating simply, “It was fantastic.” When asked how long the event had been running, she said, “I came in ‘73 and it was well-established by then.” The longevity of this event is a testimony to the school spirit alive and well at St. Jerome’s.

Just prior to bus pick-up, Mr. Chase announced the placings: Cartier came in third, Fraser second, and Mackenzie took first place. Congratulations to everyone who was involved in making such a memorable day.

Anne Etherington

Dear Friends and Family of Anne Etherington,

So very many people have o ered love, condolences, food, donations and help to our family since Anne’s passing. You have shared in making her life shine as brightly in our memories as it did when she lived. The sadness was overshadowed by the extraordinary stories and remembrances about Anne, our mom, Granny Annie.

Anne’s service was memorable because of Ken Stange, Kate Garnier, Dorothy Bowman, and the Quickstad cousins. Thank you for being extra special people to mom and for participating in her service. It brought comfort to all that loved her.

Thank you to the Clandonald Ladies and the Lois “Ted and Anne’s ower girl” Cusack group for giving us the opportunity to gather together over a prepared lunch of sandwiches and sweets.

Thank you, with deep appreciation, to Harvest Home for being a place of comfort, safety, and friendship. The nurses that went beyond just doing their job will be her legacy. In remembrance of Anne, you will continue to make a di erence.

Re ections Funeral and Cremation Services will forever be remembered for their friendship, professionalism, and the ease in which they made this moment in time all about Anne and re ecting on her life.

Thank you and we ‘love you more’.

With love and gratitude,

Ted, Deborah and Mark, Caroline and Edward, Alan and Diana, and families

St. Jerome’s students participate in Gymnastics Day. Photos Caylie Gnyra

Caylie Gnyra Reporter

Lakeland Students Learn Innovation Leadership Through Play

A few months ago, I had a dream that I got to return to 4-H camp—my most-loved summer activity in adolescence—as an adult. Sitting in on Dr. Adrienne Levay’s Innovation Leadership course for first-year Bachelor of Agriculture Technology (B.Ag.Tech.) students felt like my dream had come true.

The course ran weekly for the winter semester with a classroom lecture component complemented by a six-week lab component. It was the lab component that was really the star of the course. With the support of a grant from the Royal Bank of Canada’s Future Launch program, Dr. Levay devised a series of challenges for the students, delivered through an adaptation of the British game show Taskmaster.

In her preface to the game, Dr. Levay had shared the following passage from Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire’s book Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind. “As adults, cultivating a childlike sense of play can revolutionize the way we work. We tend to think of work—even when it is creative in nature—as being serious and difficult. And of course, successful creative people tend to be very serious about their field and put hours of hard work into what they do. But the most eminent creative minds learn to balance seriousness with fun and enjoyment in one’s work. Playing with work gives us a certain lightness and flexibility when generating new ideas and also helps

motivate us to continue to work long hours without becoming too stressed or depleted. When it comes to creative work, there is a time for seriousness and a time for play, and very often, the best work arises as a result of combining the effort and ease

As many of us know well, we tend to lose the spirit of play and fun as we grow older, as our lives become dominated by work and seriousness. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, ‘We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.’ But that doesn’t mean we can’t infuse playfulness back into our adult lives. One experiment asked college students to imagine either that their classes had been canceled for the day or to envision being their seven-yearold selves in the same situation. The students who imagined themselves as excited children gave more creative responses on a subsequent test of divergent thinking. It just goes to show that playful curiosity can help us break free from conventional ways of thinking.”

Each week, five or six students were pitted against each other in a series of challenges while the rest of the class formed the audience. The first task to be completed each week was called the Prize Task, in which students were asked to bring a particular item from home. The student with the best item had the good fortune of taking all the other Prize Task prizes home. Examples of the Prize Task included “Bring in the best hairy thing that is not alive,” which resulted in offerings of a fox pelt, a dinosaur pinata, a kiwi, sheep wool, purple eyelashes, and a fuzzy worm, and “Bring in the weirdest wooden thing,” which brought in, amongst other things, a used wooden toothpick. Many students

made the case for their offering by claiming they were thinking laterally, a key concept in the classroom that the Interaction Design Foundation describes as using “indirect and creative methods to think outside the box and see problems from radically new angles, gaining insights to help find innovative solutions.”

The Taskmaster, Dr. Levay, awarded one to five points to each person based on how well they met the outlined task.

The second task given each week was called the Long-Term Task, in which students had two weeks to prepare something following the directions they were given. Such tasks included “Write and illustrate a bedtime story for adults” and “Use the Kinder egg provided and put in the most surprising thing for the Taskmaster to find.” Taskmaster Levay was visibly surprised to find that one student had hidden soup in the Kinder egg. Again, students were awarded one to five points.

The third task each week was an Individual Task. One week, students raced against each other to set up a pop-up tent, change into the onesie found in the backpack that had been provided, jump out of the tent, and salute the Taskmaster. Another week challenged them to toss mini stuffed rabbits into the hole cut through the top of a plastic top hat on the top of their heads while holding their hands behind their backs. Some students opted to work together, taking turns filling each other’s hats. When queried whether students could bend the rules, the Taskmaster would reply, “All the information is in the task.” Students often took this statement to mean that anything that wasn’t explicitly written in the task could be worked around, and in several cases, worked together with a competitor to increase their chances of success.

The fourth task each week was a Team Task, where participants were divided into teams to compete against each other. One week, one team member had a minute to write out as many obscure animals as they could think of, and then had to play charades to try to get their teammates to guess which animal they were acting out.

Another week, teams were challenged to have the front person in a line draw out the picture their teammates had drawn on their back.

The final two tasks each week were Individual Tasks, where again, students tried to earn up to five points. In the first week, students were challenged to complete the most detailed and accurate rendering of the Taskmaster on a balloon in 100 seconds. In one of the most challenging tasks, participants were tasked with picking up mini rubber ducks and dropping them into a bucket using a reach extender while wearing goggles that flipped their vision upside down. In another task, one participant in particular masterfully applied the concept of thinking laterally: when given the challenge of getting as many green Skittles out of a bowl of mixed Skittles and into an empty bowl while wearing boxing gloves, the student wrapped the boxing glove strap around his wrist with the fist part dangling to the side, leaving his hands free to expediently sort. Other students solved the problem by using their mouths to pick up and drop Skittles, while others tried their best to manoeuvre using the cumbersome boxing gloves. Upon realizing the successful student’s technique, the class agreed that he had been thinking laterally, and conceded that he deserved the highest points.

Each week, students assessed each other’s participation levels, which will be integrated into their final grades.

On March 21, Dr. Levay’s Taskmaster challenge had its final face-off, with the winners from each of the previous weeks competing for a coveted prize. The finalists provided their reflections on the efficacy of the course. “It really teaches a person to pick their brain to complete a task,” said Ashten Form. “It challenged you to look at your surroundings and see value in what you wouldn’t normally think of. Being aware of your surroundings and how they can help you,” said Travis Lundgren. “You’re encouraged to think outside the box, but sometimes the simplest answer is the right one,” countered Sebastian Bradley.

Ava Moller, who was declared the winner of the game, said, “It was really fun to try the new tasks and try them under pressure. It’s fun to try to think around a task.”

Reflecting On The Joy Of Easter Weekend

Lorna Hamilton Editor

Dawn Hames Columnist

These cookies are a chocolate lovers delight. Full of chocolate, sweet and gooey. For me they are a bit too sweet, but no one agrees, they love them just as they are. If you decide to use less sugar, reduce the white sugar, and keep or increase the brown sugar. The role that sugar plays in cookies is that it increases the spread and size of the cookie, especially brown sugar. Sugar also adds mois-

Dennis Giesbrecht

passed away March 24, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 64 years.

A celebration of life will be taking place

Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Parkview Alliance Church, 5902 52 Avenue, Vermilion Memorial donations may be made to Parkview Alliance Church (4906—49 Avenue, Vermilion, T9X 1C6 or e-transfer at o ce@parkviewalliance.com), Cross Cancer Institute (11560 University Ave, Edmonton, T6G 1Z2) or charity of choice.

In a world that often seems to move at an ever-accelerating pace, it’s all too easy to become caught up in the craziness of daily life and lose sight of the importance of spending time together as families. Yet, it is during these moments of togetherness that we find comfort, support, and a sense of belonging. Whether gathered around the dinner table, participating in Easter egg hunts, or simply enjoying each other’s company, these shared experiences hold considerable value.

For some of you however, this Easter may have been tinged with the bittersweet

As we bid adieu to another Easter weekend, I find myself reflecting on the significance of this holiday beyond its religious connotations. Easter is a time of renewal, of hope, and of togetherness. It’s a time when families gather, traditions are upheld, and bonds are strengthened. As the editor of the Vermilion Voice, I am afforded the opportunity to express our heartfelt wish that each and every one of you had an enjoyable Easter weekend, filled with moments of joy, laughter, and cherished memories with loved ones.

pang of loss. To those who navigated their first Easter without a loved one, I extend my deepest sympathies. Losing someone dear to us is an indescribable pain, and the firsts without them—whether it be holidays, birthdays, or other significant milestones—can feel particularly daunting. It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions during this time, from sadness and loneliness to nostalgia and even moments of unexpected joy. Each person’s journey through grief is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to navigate it.

Regardless of the challenges we may face, the significance of Easter extends beyond individual families to encompass

our broader communities and society as a whole. It serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and unity. Regardless of religious affiliation, Easter offers an opportunity for individuals to come together in celebration of shared values and beliefs, fostering a sense of camaraderie and goodwill.

With that said, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. Please remember that the children are on spring break and therefore they may be more present during the daytime hours with in our community if the weather becomes nice. So keep your eyes peeled and let’s keep everyone safe this spring holiday.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

ture, and prevents the gluten in the flour from getting tough. For success, I would say use a generous 1/2 cup of butter, and a scant 1/2 cup of white sugar. We may have all heard that dark chocolate is heart-healthy. Cocoa powder is a good source of magnesium and an excellent source of anti-oxidants. Cocoa it is known to reduce blood pressure and to be heart-healthy. Researchers at Harvard Medical School, the Brigham and the Women’s Hospital in Boston found that regular consumption of a standardized cocoa beverage improved blood vessel function, especially with the aged. You

 



Monday, April 15, 7:00 PM Parkview Alliance

 

Tuesday April 16 – 8:30 AM Parkview Alliance

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Wednesday, April 17, 9:00 AM 

Wednesday, April 17 – 6:30 PM First United Church



might want to add a cup of cocoa with your double chocolate cookies. For some of us, you can never have too much chocolate. Just remember, dark chocolate, without the excessive sugar, is the best choice over milk chocolate for health reasons, so go ahead and use the darker semi sweet chocolate chips.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 cups flour



5006-50

Phone: 780-853-6305

Fax: 780-853-5426

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350

Cream the butter and sugars together. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Add in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and chocolate chips. Form into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Lightly press down with a fork.

Bake 9 – 13 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies, smaller ones bake faster, and large ones will need a little more time. Do not over bake, or you will lose the soft chewy texture.

Email: vermilionvoice@gmail.com

Publisher:

Susan Chikie

Editor:

Lorna Hamilton

Craig Baird Columnist

Being angry with the federal government seems to be a Canadian pastime these days, and it was in the past as well.

In the same week, a community and its residents could be happy with something the federal government did, but also be angry about something else.

Such was the case for Vermilion during the second week of April in 1939.

The Great Depression was ended,

Vermilion Was Happy With And Mad At The Federal Government

and the Second World War was emerging on the horizon. Before that could happen though, some government initiatives were making news.

First, the Vermilion Board of Trade was angry over a 60-cent peg initiated by the federal government. The term pegging in currency means the practice of attaching or tying a currency’s exchange rate to another country’s currency.

The Vermilion Board of Trade sent a resolution that was wired to Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and the

minister of trade and commerce.

But it wasn’t all anger towards the federal government.

On April 12, 1939, the Town of Vermilion put forward a bylaw to begin working towards the construction of 160 new houses in the community. These lowcost houses were helped because the federal government had agreed to pay municipal taxes on all houses erected under a new law up to Dec. 1, 1940.

The price of the lots would be set at $25 each. These 130 properties would help increase the size of the community,

bring work in for many residents and provide housing during a time when the population of the community was beginning to boom.

Good and bad in the community when it came to the federal government and how its decisions impacted Vermilion as a whole.

Contact Craig at craig@canadaehx. com

Support Craig by donating at www. canadaehx.com (Click Donate)

Listen to his podcast Canadian History Ehx on all podcast platforms.

Walking Through Grief Society

Submitted

A common question from those grieving is: “Will I ever find purpose in my life again?” Finding purpose is challenging and takes committed working through, however, with time it can happen. There may be many reasons why we disengage from life, and withdraw socially and emotionally. It is protective and adaptive when you only have so much energy to focus where needed (survival for day to day). The urge to retreat from life in the short-term is normal. Retreating may lead you cut yourself off from sources of support, coping skills and positive emotion and hope. Therefore, it is important to become aware of this impact to ensure retreating does not become your norm for the long-term. There are many reasons that people retreat from others

during their grief journey. You may relate with the following common reasons for retreating:

-You feel distracted or as though you can’t focus on anything other than your loss/grief.

-You feel like you have to conserve your energy to deal with the emotion and stress of grief.

-You feel as though the things you once enjoyed now seem meaningless or unim portant.

-You disengage from activities because they remind you of your loved one.

-You feel anxious about social interac tion or being emotional in front of others.

-The world no longer feels like a safe and reliable place.

-Engaging in activities feels like a betrayal or as though you’re “moving on”

-You think you will feel better in time, so activation:

The Vermilion Curling Club would like to thank all of those you have been a part of the curling season this year.

Thank you to the members, sponsors and volunteers.

A big thank you to Lawson the Icemaker, Becky and staff for bartending, Aiden for janitorial, and Snelgroves for many years of helping with ice removal.

We look for ward to seeing ever yone for another curling season starting up the first week in November.

Wishing you a fun and safe summer See you in November!

- Vermilion Curling Club

National Geographic Adds Funga To Definition Of Wildlife

Caylie Gnyra Reporter

Are mushrooms plants or animals? It’s a trick question; they’re neither. Fungi comprise their own kingdom distinct from plants and animals. In fact, mushrooms are more closely related to humans than to plants, sharing nearly 50 per cent of their DNA with humans.

As the fruiting bodies of many fungi, mushrooms are typically the sole visible traces of fungal organisms that live predominantly underground. Given their relative invisibility, fungi have not been given the same attention in scientific exploration as flora (plants) and fauna (animals). However, years of dedication on the parts of passionate mycologists— that is, scientists who study fungi—has recently led the National Geographic Society to include funga—that is, the recently proposed term for the kingdom of fungi— in their definition of wildlife alongside flora and fauna, opening up the possibility for future funding, research opportunities, education, and inclusion in conservation and agricultural policy frameworks for this massively overlooked area.

Other major policy gatekeepers, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Italy’s Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, have also joined the push to formally include funga in their own conservation policies and granting opportunities. Giuliana Furci, a Harvard University associate, National Geographic Explorer, and the founder of the Fungi Foundation, explains, “We demonstrated that funga was equivalent to flora and fauna, and then we built the three-F proposal for decision-makers to include the term funga in conservation frameworks. It’s three Fs, not two: flora, fauna, and funga.” Educators, ecologists, and laypeople in all areas can make a difference by using the three terms—or simply “plants, animals, and fungi”—

together when talking about wildlife and conservation.

Fungi are essential to life on earth. Together with bacteria, they form lichens that slowly break down rock into fertile soil. Fungi were responsible for helping plants out of the water and onto land around five hundred million years ago by serving as root systems until plants could evolve their own. Even today, over 90 per cent of plants depend on mycorrhizal networks. ‘Mykos’ comes from the Greek term for ‘fungus’ while ‘rhiza’ means ‘root.’ Together, fungal hyphae—that is, fine tubular structures that split, fuse, and knot underground—and plant roots work together to exchange the essential nutrients and water acquired by the fungi for the sugars plants generate through photosynthesis. This relationship also helps protect plants from disease and drought. These networks of hyphae are known as mycelium, and some have been shown to be electrically excitable, similar to the electrical impulses in mammals’ nerve cells.

Most fungi reproduce through the release of spores. Some mushrooms explode with a force that propels their spores faster than the speed of sound, albeit for only a few hundred microns. Other spores drift on the wind and get carried along in the earth’s atmosphere. From there, some trigger the formation of water droplets, leading to rain and snow. Others find habitable ground and begin producing hyphae, extending into the earth and building connections with plant life, fruiting mushrooms when conditions are ripe for reproduction.

Unlike plants, which produce their own food through photosynthesis, fungi actually live inside their food, secreting enzymes to digest the world around them. Their cell walls are made out of chitin, which is a major component in the exoskeleton of insects.

Compared with plants and animals, knowledge of and interest in fungi in Western culture are just in their infancy, but exciting possibilities are already on the horizon. Mycotextiles and mycofabrication involve the use of fungi to create various materials to sew and build with, providing sustainable alternatives to leather and non-biodegradable materials like plastic, glass, or metal.

Mycoremediation involves the application of fungi to digest and remove pollutants in the environment. Research has shown mycoremediation to be effective in cleaning up oil spills as well the Chernobyl radiation. Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) have been particularly effective and easy to cultivate for mycoremediation projects.

Mushrooms are also increasingly recognized for their medicinal qualities, with several varieties like reishi, cordyceps, and lion’s mane available as supplements from various vendors around town. Last year, Health Canada announced a research investment of nearly $3 million through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to support clinical trials to examine whether psilocybin, the psychoactive constituent in psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms, could be used effectively in concert with psychotherapy to treat alcohol use disorder, treatmentresistant depression, and end-of-life psychological distress in advanced-stage cancer patients. Similar clinical trials are in progress in the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, with promising preliminary results.

On a spiritual level, fungi are profound teachers of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, and spending time observing them over the course of a season can result in ineffable understandings that cannot be acquired otherwise. Many of the fungi that produce the mushrooms that we can see are saprotrophic, mean-

ing that they derive nutrition from decaying organic matter. In fact, if saprotrophic fungi did not exist, the earth would be buried under layers upon layers of dead material lacking the ability to transform into new life. This was precisely the case during the Carboniferous period 290 to 260 million years ago, when plants first began to produce the lignan that would grant them the support to grow into trees taller than a few feet. At the time, fungi had not yet worked out how to decompose lignan, and for tens of millions of years, dead trees could not decompose. Today, fungi expertly decompose dead trees into nourishing new soil that begets new life.

Despite these strengths, their unprotected status means that many fungi are under threat. “The same threats that affect plants and animals, such as habitat destruction, climate change and overharvesting, also affect fungi. We hope that by including fungi, current and future Explorers will know the [National Geographic] Society supports projects that aim to understand, illuminate, and protect these critical organisms,” says Ian Miller, Chief Science & Innovation Officer of the National Geographic Society.

Furci says, “We’ve been looking at protecting habitats through conservation frameworks that focus on large, charismatic species and explicitly excluding a whole kingdom of life. It’s about being scientifically correct and it’s about habitat protection for the organisms that connect it all.” She continues, saying “Once you discover fungi in nature, your vision of nature will never be the same again.”

To read the National Geographic article on the addition of funga to their definition of wildlife—the first cover story on fungi in the magazine’s 130-year history—visit https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ science/article/kingdom-funga-fungi

Continued on page 8

Continued from page 7

To watch a short film on flora, funga, and fauna featuring Furci, visit https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=2DsnWcWeyoI

Merlin Sheldrake’s book Entangled Life is an excellent starting point to begin learning about the fascinating world of fungi. The iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer apps allow you to document mushroom observations from your front lawn, pasture, or anywhere you might visit, and have peers and trained scientists help identify what you’ve found.

Edible and medicinal mushroom kits like oyster mushrooms or lion’s mane are available online and are great for teaching youngsters about the life cycles of mushrooms. Educators can find resources on teaching children and youth about fungi at https://fungieducation.thinkific.com/ Kids and adults alike will enjoy taking spore prints, a simple project that involves placing a mushroom cap with the gills down on a piece of paper and placing a cup or bowl over the cap overnight, creating

just enough condensation to prompt the spores to release and fall on the paper. The colour of these spore prints can be used to help identify mushrooms, although amateurs are always advised to err far on the side of caution when trying to identify edible mushrooms.

Before consuming mushrooms picked in the wild, be sure to first check with an expert, as many edible mushrooms have deadly look-alikes. Joining the Alberta Mycological Society (https://www.albertamushrooms.ca/) is a great way to meet other mycophiles and participate in identification events called forays with experienced mycologists. From the Wild will be offering a foraging tour in Vermilion on June 3 for a cost of $75 per person (https://www.fromthewild.ca/productpage/foraging-tour).

Finally, a visit to our beautiful provincial park after a rainfall is an amazing place to sit down, take a deep breath, and have a slow look around for what fungi might be growing alongside you.

We are a Dealer for Union Forage. Ask about our forage blends, cover cropping options and seed coatings. We have annual and perennial forage options available.

7% discount for all orders booked and paid by Mar 31. Includes Union Forage and Speedrite.

Early purchasers are entered in a buyers draws for 7L reel.

Visit Unionforage.com for product descriptions

A shaggy parasol mushroom (Chlorophyllum rhacodes) found just outside of Vermilion.

Photo Caylie Gnyra

2024 Drought Assessement And Alberta Investing In Projects To Maximize Water Supply

Lorna Hamilton Reporter

Despite some areas of above-normal precipitation, Alberta continues to grapple with severe drought conditions, particularly in the southern regions. The persistent drought, exacerbated by long-term precipitation deficits and poor water supplies, presents significant challenges to the province’s agricultural sector and communities reliant on water resources. As Alberta faces this pressing issue, the government has taken proactive steps to invest in projects aimed at maximizing water supply and ensuring adequate access to drinking water for its residents.

According to recent assessments reported on the agriculture.canada.ca website, the province has experienced below-average snowpack levels and recordlow river and reservoir levels, painting a grim picture for the upcoming growing season. Critical water shortages have been reported in over half of the province’s river basins, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to address the water scarcity crisis.

In response to these challenges, the Alberta government has announced strategic investments in collaboration with Alberta Innovates, the province’s largest innovation agency. With over $75 million allocated through its Water Innovation Program, Alberta Innovates is spearheading efforts to support research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing water management, conservation, and quality protection.

Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, highlighted the significance of these investments in modernizing water usage practices and finding innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of drought. She emphasized the importance of leverag ing technology to optimize Alberta’s water resources effectively.

Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the pivotal role of technology in driving innovation across industries. He underscored the importance of investing in projects that offer tangible solutions to real-world challenges, such as developing advanced waste management systems.

The Water Innovation Program encom passes a diverse range of projects focused on various aspects of water management, including future water supply, watershed management, aquatic ecosystems, water conservation, efficiency, and productivity, as well as water quality protection. These proj ects aim to address the pressing needs of communities and industries grappling with water scarcity and environmental degrada tion.

One notable project, developed at the University of Alberta, involves the utiliza tion of a granular sludge reactor to enhance water treatment processes and increase the capacity for water reuse and recycling. The pilot project, currently underway at a waste water treatment plant in Calgary, demon strates promising results in improving water treatment efficiency and sustainability.

Laura Kilcrease, CEO of Alberta Inno vates, emphasized the program’s role in fostering innovation and developing tech nologies essential for ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for future generations. She underscored the impor tance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry in driving techno logical advancements in water manage ment.

Aminah Robinson Fayek, Vice-President of Research and Innovation at the University of Alberta, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to leveraging its expertise to address critical societal challenges. She expressed optimism about collaborating with Alberta Innovates and the government to accelerate the development of innovative water technologies.

In addition to supporting research and development initiatives, Alberta Innovates has facilitated the commercialization of clean technologies, digital clean energy solutions, environmental technologies, partial upgrading, and recovery technologies. The agency’s efforts have yielded tangible outcomes, including the influence of new policies and practices, the development of innovative products and services, and the support of highly qualified personnel.

As Alberta navigates the complex challenges posed by drought and water scarcity, investments in innovative water technologies are crucial for building resilience and ensuring sustainable water management practices. By harnessing the power of innovation, collaboration, and strategic investment, Alberta is taking proactive steps to safeguard its water resources and

mitigate the impacts of climate change on its communities and ecosystems.

As residents there are several ways in which water conservation can be implemented to help reduce the strain on local water supplies, low water supplies due to drought is not just an agricultural issue it is an everyone’s issue.

For indoor water conservation residents could: take shorter showers limiting them to five minutes, and even reducing the number of showers per week with sponge baths in between.

When washing dishes fill the sink instead of letting the water run down the drain, it will also help save on your water bill. Fix any leaks, including leaky toilets and faucets, and use dishwashers and washing machines only when there are full loads, and lastly, keep a jug of water in the fridge

to keep the water cool instead of running the tap wasting an enormous amount of water waiting for it to become cold.

For outdoor water conservation only water your lawn when absolutely necessary and only in the morning and evening to reduce evaporation. Collect and reuse water for outdoor plants, and consider planting drought tolerant plants and vegetation around your premises, and again check outdoor pipes, faucets and hoses for leaks.

Photo Agriculture and Agrifood Canada.

LOCATION:

PREVIEWING & BIDDING STARTS AT 10 AM & BIDS START CLOSING ON AT 10 AM

●2017 CASE IH 620 Quadtrac 4WD tractor, 2,528 hours, 620 hp., 16F/2R full powershift, Nav III controller, GPS, + MANY MORE OPTIONS.

●2016 JOHN DEERE 6175M MFWD tractor, 827 hours, 175 hp. eng., 20F/20R powershift & "E" range, LHR, shedded, + MORE OPTIONS

●2021 DEGELMAN 46/57 front 12 ft. 4 way dozer blade w/ JD 6175 mounts, hyd. angle.

●1984 JOHN DEERE 2350 tractor w/ JD 146 FEL w/ 6 ft. bucket & pallet forks, 60 hp. diesel, 3,554 hrs.

●2020 BOURGAULT 3320XTC 60 ft. air drill with 7700 TBH air tank, 10” spacing, double shoot, approx. 11,500 acres, + MORE OPTIONS.

●BOURGAULT 9200 cultivator, 36 ft.

●Morris CP -731 cultivator, 35 ft.

●KELLO-BILT 210 tandem offset disc, 12 ft.

SPRAYING

●2021 CASE IH Patriot 4440 120 ft. sprayer, 529 hrs., 1600 gal. tank, 335 hp., + MORE OPTIONS.

●1975 COLUMBIA t/a dually hiboy 36 ft. sprayer trailer, w/ (2) Freeform 3,180 US gallon poly tanks, & Chem Handler III. ●(4) - MICHELIN 380/90R46 sprayer tires. ●(4) - TRIDEKON crop dividers.

See Website for Optional Swather & Combine Finance Terms

●2018 MASSEY FERGUSON WR9950 swather w/ MF 5400 35 ft. draper, 339 eng. Hrs., GPS, double knife, excellent condition, + MORE OPTIONS

●2012 NEW HOLLAND H8040 swather w/ NH HB 30 ft. header w/ p/u reel & plastic fingers, 2,374 eng. hrs., + MORE OPTIONS

●2012 NEW HOLLAND 16HS hay header, 16 ft., double knife, fits the above NH H8040 Swather

●(2) - 2014 JOHN DEERE S680 combines w/ JD 615P p/u, 1,065 & 1,094 sep. hrs., 1,557 eng. Hrs., GPS, GREENLIGHTED, + MORE OPTIONS.

●2015 JOHN DEERE S680 combine w/ JD 615P p/u, 1,233 sep. hrs., 1,886 eng. hrs., + MORE OPTIONS

●1997 JOHN DEERE 9600 s/p combine w/ JD 13 ft. p/u, 3,061 sep. hrs., 4,172 eng. hrs., VG condition. ●(2) - 2014 JOHN DEERE 635D draper headers w/ 35 ft. pickup reel & plastic fingers, transport

AUGERS

●2019 FARM KING 1395 hyd. TeleSwing grain auger, 13”, 95 ft., hydraulic winch, 1000 pto

●2015 FARM KING 1684 hyd. swing auger, 16”, 84 ft., 1000 pto, xtend retracting swing.

●2013 WHEATHEART R10-41 grain auger with hydraulic mover, 10”, 41 ft., 35 hp. motor

●2007 WESTFIELD TF80-41 grain auger with hydraulic mover, 8”, 41 ft., 25 hp. motor

●2005 WESTFIELD MK130-81 mech. swing grain auger, 13”, 81 ft., dual auger hopper flighting

●1995 WESTFIELD WR60-51 auger, 6”, 51 ft.

● Scoop - A- Second grain auger, 6”, 35 ft. ●(2) - WESTFIELD utility augers, 4”, 10 ft.

●GRAHAM G3 seed treating applicator with Westfield 6”, 16 ft. auger with electric motor.

GRAIN VAC & GRAIN CLEANER

●2017 REM VRX grain vac, 1000 pto, shedded.

●2002 SILVERLINE 1000 Gjesdal 5 in 1 grain cleaner on trailer, w/ (2) Westfield 4”, 20 ft. utility augers, spare sieves & grader shells, shedded.

SEMIS & GRAIN TRUCK

●2013 INTERNATIONAL Prostar highway tractor, 27,202 km, 2,550 hours, 500 hp. diesel, 18 speed fully automatic, + MORE OPTIONS.

●2012 PETERBILT 386 highway tractor w/ sleeper, 1,065,447 km, 19,075 hrs., 475 hp.

Paccer MX engine, 18 speed, + MORE !

●1999 INTERNATIONAL Eagle 9300 highway tractor w/ Pro sleeper, 796,595 km, 18,074 hours, 475 hp. Cat, 18 speed, + MORE OPTIONS.

●1992 IH 9400 Navistar semi, 521,147 km, 9,252 hours, 430 hp. Cummins, 18 speed, + MORE!

●1993 FREIGHTLINER t/a grain truck w/ 20 ft. steel box & hoist, 791,430 km, 9 speed trans., 310 hp. Cummins, wireless remote, roll tarp

TRAILERS

●2017 LODE-KING Prestige 45 ft. tridem grain trailer, dual hopper, + MORE OPTIONS

●2012 Wilson 37 ft. t/a grain trailer, roll tarp, air, optional side chutes, + MORE OPTIONS.

●2004 CBI t/a 32 ft. end dump grain trailer, roll tarp, wireless remote, 66” high steel sides, 1 owner.

●1996 Cancade t/a 30 ft. end dump grain trailer, wireless remote hoist & endgate control.

± 100 ft. rolls of 6” hose. ●HONDA 5000W gen.

AUCTIONEERS NOTE:

●DOUGLAS 6 ft. rototiller, 3 pt. hitch. ●± MORE! Bid with confidence on this exceptionally nice lineup of well maintained, shedded, low hour top notch equipment! For more info. call or text Ron @ (780) 385-6021 or Dunkle Auctions @ (403) 740-6251.

●2012 VERSATILE 450 4WD tractor, 2,767 hours, 450 hp. Cummins, 16F/4R full powershift, 6 hyd’s., rear weights, GPS, excellent condition.

●1997 NEW HOLLAND 9682 4WD tractor, 5,456 hours, 360 hp., N14 Cummins, 12F/4R, 4 hyd’s. w/ return, flow control, Starfire ITC GPS.

●2001 FORD NEW HOLLAND TL100 2WD tractor w/ FEL, 7 ft. bucket, 95 hp. diesel, 1,445 hrs., 24F/12R, 3 pt. hitch, 540/1000 pto., 2 hyd’s.

●1976 CASE 1370 tractor, 8,936 hours, 155 hp., 1000 pto., 12F/3R, partial powershift, 2 hyd ’s

●2014 FLEXI-COIL 5000HD 51 ft. air drill w/ Flexi-Coil 4350 430 bushel 3 compartment tank, bought new in 2017, + MANY MORE OPTIONS!

●2013 WISHEK

14.5 ft. offset breaking disc, excellent condition.

●2009 BRANDT Contour Commander 7000 heavy harrow, 70 ft., 5 bar, 5/8” tines.

●CAT No. 60 pull scraper, 11 yard, 3 hyd’s.

●MORRIS Magnum II CP-750 cultivator, 50 ft.

●MORRIS CP-743 cultivator, 43 ft., 3 bar harrows.

●FLEXI-COIL System 95 70 ft. harrow packer.

●John Deere 1200 one-way disc, 14 ft.

●2016 CASE IH Patriot 3340 120 ft. sprayer, 1,278 hrs., 285 hp., DEF deleted, Pro 700 monitor, excellent condition, + MANY MORE OPTIONS! ●(4) - MICHELIN 650/65R38 sprayer tires.

●Chem Handler III w/ hoses & Honda 5 hp. motor.

●Sotera 12 volt chemical pump.

Previewing Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM

Starting April 13

Gate Sign: 12029 - Twp. Rd. #495 NW - 25 - 49 - 12 - W4

LOCATION:

From Viking go 17 km north on Highway #36 to Twp. Rd. #494, & then go 10 km east to Rg. Rd. #121, & then go 1.5 km north, farm is located on east side of road.

●2003 KENWORTH W900 highway tractor w/ sleeper, 1,289,381 km., 15,879 hrs., 550 hp. Cat, (rebuilt in 2019), 13 speed, GVWR = 52,000 lbs.

●1999 KENWORTH highway tractor w/ sleeper, 1,246,699 km, 150,000 km. on rebuilt Cummins, 18 spd

●1992 KENWORTH T800 highway tractor, 1,255,760 km, 1,519 hrs., 460 hp. Cummins, 18 spd

●1976 KENWORTH highway tractor, 541,569 miles, 30,000 miles on rebuilt Cummins, 8,649 hrs., 13 spd

●2021 DOEPKER Super B grain trailer, 28 ft. lead tri-axle trailer, 30 ft. t/a rear trailer, wireless remote chute openers, air suspension system, each trailer GVWR = 77,200 lb

●1994 DOEPKER 38 ft. t/a grain trailer, roll tarp, new brakes & drums, GVWR = 77,160 lbs.

●1965 FRUEHAUF water tanker hauling trailer w/ ±4400 US gallon stainless steel tank.

●2018 WESTFIELD MKX 130-84 X-Tend retracting hyd. swing grain auger, 13”, 84 ft.

●2018 WHEATHEART XTA 80-41 grain auger w/ hyd. mover, 8”, 41 ft., 35 hp. motor.

●2010 BRANDT 1070XL remote control electric swing auger, 10” 70 ft., 540 pto

●2009 BRANDT 840 grain auger w/ hyd. track mover, 8”, 40 ft., Kohler 35 hp. engine

●BRANDT 1060 electric swing grain auger, 10”, 60 ft., single auger hopper flighting, 540 pto.

●Westfield 7”, 14 ft. drill fill auger, 7 ft. extension.

●2013 NEW HOLLAND H8040 30 ft. swather w/ HB header w/ p/u reel, 804 eng. hrs., 638 header hours, double knife, fore & aft, GPS, deluxe cab

●(2) - 2016 NEW HOLLAND CX8.80 combines w/ 2016 & 2019 790CP 15 ft. pickups, 1,197 & 1,349 eng. hrs., 822 & 1,036 sep. hrs., + MORE OPTIONS!

●2010 CASE IH 8120 combine w/ Case IH 2016 14 ft. p/u, 2,056 sep. hrs., 2,800 eng. hrs., Autosteer, auto header height control, fore/aft,

●2021

knife drives, transports, + MORE OPTIONS!

●2020 GT RB800 portable propane recirculating 820 bu. batch grain dryer, 100 hours, 30 hp. electric motor, 500 bu./hr. drying rate, 540 pto

●KONGSKILDE Cushion Air 1000 grain vac.

●DEGELMAN R570S bat reel rock picker.

●1983 Chevrolet C30 s/a dually 2wd service truck w/ flat deck, 350 gas, manual, slip tank.

●Chevrolet s/a dually truck with water tank.

●2007 Magnum light tower, Kubota diesel, 4,704 hours showing, (4) lamps. ●Taylor Industries ±15,000 gallon hopper bottom

842N Heavy Duty

MACDON FD135 & 2018 MACDON FD75-S Flexdraper headers, 35 ft. split p/u reels, fore/aft, single

●(7) - WESTEEL ROSCO ±2250 bushel 6 ring hopper bottom grain bins on double skids. ●(6) - WESTEEL ROSCO ±1750 bushel 5 ring flat bottom grain bins w/ new wood floors. ●(5) - BUTLER ±2500 & ±3500 bu shel bins.

Making Your Wedding Memorable: A Guide To Renting A Limo Service And Outdoor Tents

3 tips for a memorable rst dance

the aisle. Here are a few tips to ensure it’s a moment you’ll look back on fondly for years to come.

1. Choose a well-known song, or of genres so you can transition energetic salsa or swing dance routine.

2. Hire a professional to choreograph the shoes you’ll wear at the wedding) until

Book Vermilion Regional Centre

5 things to consider when choosing your wedding cake

As one of the key components of most weddings, decisions about the cake shouldn’t betors to consider before you order yours.

the distance to your wedding venue. This information will help you select the appropriate vehicle size and ensure everyone travels

1. THE NUMBER OF GUESTS

You want to make sure there’s plenty to go

Inspect the Vehicles: Before making a reservation, ask to see the limousines in person or request photos. Pay attention to factors such as cleanliness, maintenance, and amenities offered in each vehicle.

2. THE WEDDING THEME

5. THE INGREDIENTS

able weather can pose a challenge. Renting outdoor tents provides a practical solution while enhancing the ambiance of your outdoor venue. Here’s what to consider when renting tents:

3. If neither of you are particularly good dancers, opt for a slow romantic song and go all out on light or smoke effects dynamic.

Call 780.581.2413 to reserve your booking Or email vrc@vermilion.ca

about putting on a show for your guests. dance a moment you’ll enjoy.

3 extraordinary marriage proposals to inspire you

marry you? If you’re wondering how to make sure the moment is perfect, here are three incredible stories of how people popyes!)

1. Filmmaker Lee Loechler took his highcial screening of Sleeping Beauty in the as the prince approached the sleeping princess, the animation changed to feature chaAfter waking her with a kiss and holding out a ring, the cartoon prince Lee tossed the ring box off screen for his real-life self to catch. Lee got down on one knee and, in front of friends and family members who’d been sitting at the back of the

marriage. The bill had passed the senate in the lower house. As the member of par-

liament concluded his speech, he turned his attention to the public gallery where was sitting. The couple had been engaged for nearly a decade but were unable to proposed once again. The bill passed and, three months later, the couple married.

Check Reviews and References: Reading reviews from past clients can provide valuable insights into the quality of service offered by a limo company. Additionally, ask the company for references and contact them to inquire about their experience.

The cake is as much a part of the decor as of the decorations to guide the baker.

3. THE DESIGN

Book in Advance: Limousine services are in high demand for weddings, especially during peak wedding seasons. To secure your preferred vehicle and ensure availability, book your limo service well in advance, ideally several months before your wedding

In addition to choosing the shape of the cake and the number of tiers, consider what deco-late lace are just some of the many choices.

4. THE FLAVOUR

Renting Outdoor Tents:

Hosting an outdoor wedding offers a unique charm and allows you to embrace the beauty of nature. However, unpredict-

Americanized versions of our articles are included in the online page folder when necessary.Documents are identified as follows: TITLE_US.doc.

seen online, Isabelle Marin put together an elaborate performance for her partner, -

renaded him in the food court and a dance troupe performed in the atrium. Friends and family members emerged from the gathering crowd to hand Jean-François roses. her entrance on an escalator and got down on one knee.

If there’s one thing to take away from these theatrical as you want during a proposal —nal touch.

One of the most important factors to consider when searching for the perfect wedding

recommendations, here are a few basic tips for some common body shapes.

• Hourglass. with a sheath dress or a mermaid gown, and accentuate your chest with a sweetheart neckline.

• Pear-shape. Choose an A-line or ballgown silhouette to accentuate your natural waistline, and balance the full skirt with a boat

• Rectangle. Create a sexy silhouette with weight fabric, and opt for a V-neckline and low back.

• Diamond. and thin straps or a detailed bodice that will draw attention to your upper body.

• Inverted triangle. Balance your proportions by pairing a high neckline and long

• Round.

for your chest with a boat neckline and an elegant off-the-shoulder look. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines, and the important thing is that you feel comfortable and beautiful in the dress you choose.

Contact cake shops in your area to schedule a consultation and make sure your cake checks all the boxes.

Assess Weather Conditions: Monitor weather forecasts leading up to your wedding day to anticipate potential rain or extreme temperatures. Tents offer protection from the elements, ensuring your guests remain comfortable regardless of weather conditions.

Choose the Right Size and Style: Select tents that complement the aesthetic of your wedding theme and accommodate your guest count. Consider factors such as tent size, layout options, and decor possibilities when making your decision.

Explore Rental Options: Research rental companies that specialize in providing outdoor tents for weddings and events. Request quotes and compare pricing, services, and available inventory to find the best fit for your needs.

From praline mouse to passion fruit, you might be surprised by how many options arefer tastings to help you make your choice.

Coordinate Logistics: Coordinate delivery, setup, and takedown logistics with the rental company to ensure a seamless experience on your wedding day. Provide clear instructions regarding the desired placement and configuration of the tents.

By carefully selecting a limo service and outdoor tents for your wedding, you can create an enchanting and unforgettable experience for you and your guests. From arriving in style to exchanging vows amidst breathtaking surroundings, every detail contributes to the magic of your special day. With proper planning and attention to detail, your wedding

The perfect dress for your body type

Let’s make your wedding unforgettable!

Gold Horse Casino is pleased to offer a full service venue for your wedding and reception requirements.

Included in your rental:

On site catering & bar services

Spacious Event Centre with options to accommodate 50 - 220 people

Customizable seating arrangements for your event

Customizable table linens and napkins

Media-rich video and sound systems

For more details, inquiries or to book a tour, please contact:

Event Coordinator

3910 41 Street | Lloydminster, SK | S9V 2K8 306-825-3777

goldhorsecasino@siga.sk.ca

SOCAN - Society of composers, authors, and music publishers

Fee included for any event where outside music is played. It is collected by the Casino and sent to the Society.

New Learning Pathway For Class 1 Drivers Aims To Address Truck Driver Shortage And Road Safety

Lorna Hamilton Reporter

In a bid to enhance road safety and combat the ongoing commercial driver shortage, Alberta’s government has unveiled a new learning pathway tailored for professional truck drivers. This initiative, dubbed the Made-in-Alberta Learning Pathway, marks a significant milestone in the province’s efforts to revamp Class 1 licensing and training.

Implemented on March 1, 2019, Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) became a prerequisite for Class 1 commercial drivers in Alberta. However, its introduction coincided with a surge in insurance claims among Class 1 drivers, exacerbating the industry’s struggle with recruitment and retention. Recognizing these challenges, stakeholders in the trucking sector called for reforms aimed at improving safety standards and streamlining the training process.

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, emphasized the proactive nature of the new learning pathway, stating, “This is a proactive approach to ensure truck drivers in Alberta have the right training with the right vehicle to perform their jobs professionally and safely.”

The enhancements to Class 1 licensing and training are the culmination of extensive consultations with industry experts. These improvements aim not only to bolster road safety but also to foster continuous professional development among Class 1 drivers.

Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education, underscored the collaborative effort with industry leaders in shaping the new learning pathway, envisioning it as a gateway to rewarding career opportunities in the trucking sector.

Modeled after an apprenticeshipstyle framework, the learning pathway offers a progressive trajectory for aspiring professional drivers. Trainees will have the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience in the vehicles they will operate daily, culminating in the Red Seal designation.

Doug Paisley, Chair of the Alberta Motor Transport Association, hailed the initiative as a pivotal step toward addressing the province’s commercial transportation needs while ensuring highway safety.

“Getting the right people with the right training behind the wheel is critical to the province’s commercial transportation industry and economy. This new made-in-Alberta learning pathway will help train more drivers while securing safety on the province’s highways,” commented Paisley.

The program also garnered support from national organizations such as the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) and the Insurance Brokers of Canada, who lauded Alberta’s commitment to bolstering training and oversight for Class 1 operators.

“The PMTC is pleased to participate in the Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridor Commercial

Driver Shortage Committee. This committee, which is working on a Learning Pathway for Class 1 Drivers, will serve as the foundation towards a professional designation for drivers,” said Marcel Pouliot, western Canada representative, Private Motor Truck Council of Canada.

“Our economy depends on the safe, efficient delivery of goods, and Insurance Bureau of Canada applauds the government for leading the way to support Alberta’s commercial trucking sector. The enhanced focus on training and oversight for Class 1 operators brings the potential to improve road safety, help reduce collisions on our roadways and create new opportunities for drivers to enter this important profession,” noted Tim Morrison, director, Insurance Brokers of Canada.

Recognizing the vital role of women in the transportation sector, Carol Moen, President and CEO of Women Building Futures, expressed pride in facilitating their entry into commercial driving roles.

“Women Building Futures also sees the huge demand in commercial transportation. Alberta needs more safe, qualified commercial drivers to keep our economy moving, and we are proud to help women shift gears into these roles,” said Carol Moen, president and CEO, Women Building Futures.

In a move tailored to accommodate Alberta’s agricultural community, the new learning pathway exempts farmers and their immediate family from pre-license training requirements;

however, farmers who are eligible for the new farm restricted Class 1 driver’s licence must still complete a knowledge test, road test and vision screening, and submit a driver medical assessment to demonstrate they can safely drive Class 1 vehicles. This exemption aims to alleviate trucking shortages impacting farms and ranches while preserving the integrity of the agricultural supply chain.

Brodie Haugan, Chair of Alberta Beef Producers, welcomed the farmer exemption as a positive step toward ensuring a robust agricultural sector.

Roger Chevraux, Chair of Alberta Canola, echoed Haugan’s sentiments, emphasizing the exemption’s role in recognizing farmers’ contributions to the provincial economy.

With the program set to commence in March 2025 and the farmer exemption slated for implementation on April 1, stakeholders anticipate a revitalized approach to commercial driver training in Alberta.

Budget 2024 allocates $41 million over three years to establish a commercial driver training grant, supplementing the Driving Back to Work program announced in Budget 2022.

Alberta currently boasts over 149,000 licensed Class 1 drivers, with only 31 per cent employed as truck drivers.

Statistics Canada reports 4,260 commercial truck driver vacancies in Alberta, comprising 20 per cent of Canada’s total vacancies.

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Meet Cheech! Are you looking for a wise and charming companion to share your days with? Look no further, because Cheech is here to steal your heart and ll your home with laughter and love! Cheech may be an older fella, but don't let his age fool you - he's got plenty of spunk and sass to keep you on your toes! His ideal home would be a cozy paradise with comfy beds aplenty (because, let's be real, he's going to nap wherever he pleases), loving humans around to shower him with attention, and a commitment to keeping him healthy and happy in his golden years! This social butter y thrives on companionship and loves nothing more than making new friends, whether they bark or speak your language! Cheech is a socialite among dogs and adores the company of his furry pals. Plus, he's a total people person and would t right in with a family, especially if there are kids around to play with! So, if you're ready to open your heart and home to a lovable goofball who's ready to bring joy and snuggles into your life, look Come meet this charming gentleman and get ready to embark on a new adventure lled with tail wags and belly rubs. Apply to adopt Cheech today and let the good times roll!

PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT

Available Immediately.

To support 2 pleasant young adults

In Home & Community

Must have good values & reliable vehicle

$22-24.20 per hour

Please call/text 780-581-3435

Email resume lois35@icloud.com

Clandonald Agricultural Society

$50-A-Week Winners

Mar 5-Susanne Martin Mar12-Siobhan Fundytus

www.lloydminsterspca.com

Wainwright RCMP

Submitted

Wainwright RCMP Return Stolen Property With The Help Of The Rave App

Wainwright, Alta. – On March 7, 2024, Wainwright RCMP were able to return a stolen truck, trailer, and ATV to their rightful owners with the help of the Rave Mobile Safety mass notification system and the people of the community.

At 6:25 a.m., the theft was reported to the RCMP who promptly shared the information with the public through a Rave alert. At 11:05 a.m. a citizen reported seeing a truck with the stolen property in Fabyan; at 2 p.m. a local

farmer reported the location of the ATV and trailer; both of the individuals recognized the stolen property after receiving the description via the Rave alert. By 3 p.m., the rightful owner of the property was hooking their trailer up to their truck and taking their stolen property back to Wainwright.

The rapid return of stolen property demonstrates the advantages of the Rave Mobile Safety mass notification system. Rave enables community members to assist police and be a useful resource to their local detachment and their respective commu -

nity. By staying informed about public safety, residents and the police can work together to reduce crime and improve the safety of their communities.

The Alberta RCMP encourages residents to sign up for the Rave Mobile Safety mass notification system as an additional tool to be used in crime prevention and community safety. Rave alerts provide Albertans with real-time, trusted information around public safety and crime prevention.

Users register online and then select the region or regions they wish to receive alerts

for, as well as the type of information they want to receive, including: Traffic advisory notifications; Crime watch notifications; Crime prevention tips; Requests for public assistance; and General public safety messaging.

They can then decide how they would like to receive alerts, whether it be via phone call, SMS text message, or email.

For more information, or to sign up, please visit www.ruralcrimewatch.ab.ca/l/ rave.

JR Robson Hosts Canadian Author Online

Submitted

Mrs. Lindsey McLaren’s grade eight students at J.R. Robson School were treated to a virtual author visit the morning of March 21. Canadian author David A. Robertson has authored several books. He spoke of his love of writing, the premise for a lot of

his work, and took the time to answer the numerous questions that the class asked of him. The grade eights just finished a novel study of one of Mr. Robertson’s most known books, The Barren Grounds. It was an enjoyable and meaningful experience for all of the students.

Please take note that as of 9:00 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2024 weight restrictions are in place as follows:

Please take note that as of 9:00 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2024 weight restrictions are in place as follows:

Please take note that as of 9:00 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2024 weight restrictions are in place as follows:

 Axle weight capacity on all gravel roads is at 75%, except where noted below

 Axle weight capacity on all gravel roads is at 75%, except where noted below

 All oiled and hamlet roads are 75% axle weight capacity or as posted.

 All oiled and hamlet roads are 75% axle weight capacity or as posted.

 Axle weight capacity on all gravel roads is at 75%, except where noted below

 Township Road 524 from Vegreville Seed Cleaning Plant to Highway 857 is at 90%.

 Township Road 524 from Vegreville Seed Cleaning Plant to Highway 857 is at 90%.

 All oiled and hamlet roads are 75% axle weight capacity or as posted.

 Township Road 524 from Highway 16A to Vegreville Seed Cleaning Plan is at 100%.

 Township Road 524 from Highway 16A to Vegreville Seed Cleaning Plan is at 100%.

 Township Road 524 from Vegreville Seed Cleaning Plant to Highway 857 is at 90%.

 Range Road 143 between Highway 16 to Highway 631 is at 100%

 Range Road 143 between Highway 16 to Highway 631 is at 100%

 Township Road 524 from Highway 16A to Vegreville Seed Cleaning Plan is at 100%.

Please respect these bans and help minimize road damage.

Please respect these bans and help minimize road damage.

 Range Road 143 between Highway 16 to Highway 631 is at 100%

Please respect these bans and help minimize road damage.

Crea t ive G la s s

Custom Glass Showers

Grade eight students at J.R. Robson School take in a virtual visit with David A. Robertson, author of The Barren Grounds. Photo submitted

Buffalo Trail Public School

Submitted

New Wainwright School Delayed Due To Alberta Government Priorities

Buffalo Trail continues to advocate for a new school for Wainwright as the Government prioritizes putting capital dollars into growth in cities.

In the most recent announcements from the Alberta Government, Wainwright Elementary School will continue to be on the waitlist for a new school. The elementary school for kindergarten to Grade 6 students has been the first priority for Buffalo Trail Public Schools since 2018 and a capital priority since 2008.

Wainwright Elementary School has been going through a design process over the past year and was on schedule

to be approved for a new school facility. Trustees and leadership, including school staff, have been working with consultants and the Government to ensure they were ready for approval in 2024.

“We both understand and are frustrated. Wainwright Elementary School has been a first need for our division for many years and to hear we need to wait again is not what is best for our students and community. The Alberta Government knows this is needed and yet still we are waiting for full funding. The Board of Trustees accepts this as an opportunity to speak even louder for our students and our communities,” said Board Chair Kara Jackson.

COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating 60 Years: 2024 marks 60 years since the incorporation of the County of Vermilion River. Save the date for June 11, 2024. A special celebration in recognition of this milestone year is being planned!

PROTECTIVE SERVICES: A partial fire ban is now in effect for the County of Vermilion River, effective Thursday, March 28, 2024. All fire permits are suspended, however recreational fires and burning barrel fires are still permitted. Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment: If you are interested in volunteering with one of our stations (Blackfoot, Clandonald, Dewberry, Islay, Kitscoty, Marwayne or Paradise Valley), please contact the County at fire@county24.com

PLANNING & COMMUNITY SERVICES: Effective April 15, 2024 the hamlets of McLaughlin, Streamstown and Rivercourse civic addressing updates will be rolled out. The updates aim to rectify inefficiencies with the current civic addressing system, reduce confusion for ratepayers, County staff, and Emergency Services. The Planning & Community Services team is working diligently to provide the updated addresses to Canada Post, utility companies, Natural Gas Utility, RCMP and 911 to ensure a seamless transition. Contact our office if you have questions or need more information.

PUBLIC WORKS: Road Ban #01-24 went into effect on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:01 AM. Certain County of Vermilion River roads will be banned at 75%. Visit our Permits and Road Bans webpage for an interactive map and detailed list of roads included in the road ban.

AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT: No Spray Agreements are available to those ratepayers who do not want herbicides applied to the municipal right of way (ROW) adjacent to their property and agree to themselves control weeds and vegetation within the County ROW. Complete the No Spray Agreement before May 31 annually by filing out the form on the County website.

In 2020, the Alberta Government conducted an extensive review of the current elementary school building including structural, mechanical, electrical, and building envelope, followed by the Alberta Government approving a design process in 2023 for the new school to be built.

The new school for Wainwright Elementary School will be located on the same lot on the east-side of Wainwright where the Rotary All-Seasons park will be built. Conversations and planning also include Wainwright’s early childhood providers to build a new daycare centre next to the new school. Together, these would all be great additions for Buffalo Trail families as well as Wainwright and surrounding communities. Because of the continued delays in the new school, dollars that can go to supporting other schools in the division will now need to be used to maintain the aging infrastructure of the current building. Maintenance and additional costs for the current school have been well over $150,000 over the past four years and are expected to increase the longer the division must wait. Further, a new school facility would offer enhanced

learning opportunities for the students of Buffalo Trail which was generating excitement with school staff.

“We have been working with the staff at Wainwright Elementary School to design a school that would be even more fantastic for our students, including learning spaces that are modern and reflect current learning practices. I am so proud of what the school has done so far. While we appreciate the Government’s support for helping to design the school, we need this school built today for our community, and I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees on how we can advocate strongly for our students,” commented Superintendent Michelle Webb.

On March 20, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved Wainwright Elementary School as their continued first capital priority, representing a new school building estimated to be built for at least $20 million. When approved, a new school can be expected to open within one to two years. The Board of Trustees will be finding ways to ensure strong communication continues with the local MLA, Alberta Education, and the Alberta Government. Families that would like for their voices to be heard by the Alberta Government are encouraged to reach out to MLA Garth Rowswell at 780-842-6177 or Vermilion.Lloydminster.Wainwright@ assembly.ab.ca, as well as E-mail the Minister of Education at Education.Minister@gov. ab.ca.

For more information or questions, please E-mail buffalotrail@btps.ca.

The County of Vermilion River Weed Warriors Program is a new opportunity for local community groups to work with the County to pull noxious weeds, and receive a $500 donation. Contact Cathie at 780-846-3301 or watch our social media pages and website for more details

Reminder to check our website www.vermilion -river.com for news, events, announcements, employment opportunities and more! For current news and updates, follow County of Vermilion River on Facebook and Twitter.

Caylie Gnyra Reporter

Curling Club Wraps Up Season

The Vermilion Curling Club held their Member Appreciation Night on Wednesday, March 27 to celebrate the season and start the labour-intensive task of taking out the rink’s ice.

About 20 members gathered that evening to throw some last rocks, help clear out the club’s fridge and freezer with great specials on beer and food, and carefully hammer the sponsorship logos out of the ice—the first step in

the ice removal.

The next morning, a handful of volunteers joined the club’s secondgeneration icemaker Lawson Clyke to take out the beams separating the sheets of ice and break up some of the ice by hand before the arrival of a bobcat, which helped speed up the process.

Twenty-three-year-old Clyke began learning the trade from his grandfather Rick MacKenzie at the tender age of 15, when MacKenzie would invite

Clyke to help him out with the Vermilion rink. Over the course of several years, Clyke learned the tricks of the trade, and today has an impressive knowledge of how to create and maintain ideal ice conditions for the varying needs of weekday league play and high-use weekend bonspiels. The work is full-time throughout the curling season, starting with the demanding month-long task of putting in the ice in October, and ends each year around Easter.

Though not as spry as he once was, MacKenzie still shows up to help the club take out the ice each spring. Alongside other volunteers, he helped to shovel ice and squeegee the rink’s cement surface dry after the bobcat had done the heavy break-up work.

The piles of sponsorship logos airdrying in the lobby and the willingness of club members to show up for this laborious work are testimony to Vermilion’s dedication to this communityoriented classic Canadian sport.

Vermilion Curling Club members work together to take out the rink’s ice on March 28. Photo Caylie Gnyra

The Vermilion Curling Club held its final bonspiel of the season March 22–24. The dress-up theme was “What do you wanna be when you grow up?” Aspirations were varied, from billionaire and astronaut to professional wrestler to rockstar.

Photo submitted

Lorna Hamilton Reporter

Irma Aces Host U13 Tier 3

Hockey Alberta Provincials

In a display of youthful talent and sporting spirit, the Irma Aces played host to the U13 Tier 3 Hockey Alberta Provincials Championships from March 21 to March 24. The event brought together great teams including Smoky River, Cochrane Rockies, St. Alberta 509, Foremost U13 Flyers, Hughenden Jets, Bow River Bruins 3 Gold, and Manning.

Action kicked off on Thursday evening at 4:30 p.m. as Smoky River clashed with the Cochrane Rockies, setting the stage for an intense weekend of hockey. At 7 p.m. the Irma U13 Aces faced off against the St. Albert 509 ultimately clinching victory with a score of 9-2.

Friday morning saw an early start at 8 a.m. with Foremost Flyers taking on the Hughenden Jets, followed by a exciting bout between Manning and the Bow River Bruins. The day culminated in a grand opening ceremony at 1 p.m., a momentous occasion where teams, players, managers, and coaches were formally introduced amidst a backdrop of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

During the Opening Ceremony a poignant land acknowledgment was delivered, recognizing the ancestral territory of the Indigenous peoples of Alberta, a gesture emblematic of respect and inclusivity. The stirring rendition of the national anthem, “O Canada,” and ceremonial puck drop further height-

ened the sense of occasion.

The Irma Aces resumed their quest for provincial glory immediately following the opening ceremonies, facing the formidable challenge of Smoky River. Despite a valiant effort, Smoky River were unable to over come their opponents, succumbing to a 10-2 defeat inching the Aces closer to the cham pionship title.

On a high from their previous win, the Aces took on the Cochrane Rockies on Saturday at 1 p.m. Unfortunately, their winning streak was cancelled when they lost with a score of 8 – 4.

As the tournament entered its decisive phase on Sunday morning, anticipation

IN MEMORY OF A SPECIAL

Jock David Ockerman

April 24, 1992 - April 2, 2018

It’s sometimes hard to know why some things happen as they do For so much joy and happiness was centered around you.

It seems so hard to comprehend that you’re no longer here

But all the happy mem ies will help to keep you near You’re thought about with pride, Son With each mention of your name Death cannot change a single thing The love will still remain.

Love From, Mom & Dad, April and Grandma Peggy

Irma Aces, U13 Tier 3 Hockey Champions. Photo Grandpa Ken’s Photography