Vermilion & District Rotary Music Festival

The Vermilion & District Rotary Music Festival ran from March 29 to 31st with the showcase performance on April 2. To attend the Festival attendees could enter by giving a silver donation for the Vermilion Food Bank.

Bernie Huedepohl, president of the organization was pleased to be able to welcome the festival back after having disappeared during COVID, but stated, “We are not out of the woods yet” due to lower registration.

Huedepohl noted that while the world of 2023 features a lot of items their greatgrandparents could only dream of, a lot of features have been lost as well.

“Family singing and music making was once a feature of many homes, but it is no longer available in many homes. The singing that was once a feature of church attendance has also fallen away as church attendance has declined. Community singing and playing of shared musical heritage drew us together. Its loss makes us poorer and we, at the Festival, hope to restore it because it is too important to allow it to die,” commented Huedepohl.

On March 29 the band and instrumental program (Guitar, Concert, and Jazz) of the Festival was held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vermilion Elementary School, and was adjudicated by Bill Dimmer, who has played trumpet with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Tommy Banks Band and The Plumber’s Union (gave a command performance for the Queen at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.) He graduated from the University of Calgary, studied in Denmark and Chicago; and is currently the music director and conductor of Nova Musica. He is host/narrator of the ESO’s Educational Concert Series. During this program, there were performances by the Cold Lake High School Concert Band – Senior High - Grade 3 who won an award. Lauren Noster (won Violin/Viola – Own Choice – 8 & Under, and String Duet -12 & Under), Sonya Noster (String Duet- 12 & Under), Maureen Noster (won Violin/Viola – Own Choice12 & Under), Anjana Raja, Maegan Davies, Douglas Romeo, and Kaedence Erikson (won Guitar – TV/Movie/Pop – 14 Years & under) also performed on different string instruments such as Violin/

Viola, String Duet, and Guitars.

The piano program was held on March 30th at the Parkview Alliance Church and was adjudicated by Miriam Mahood who is a music examiner and has examined music students from all over North America. Since COVID began, she has examined 780 candidates, mostly from North America, but also from all over the world. Mahood is a graduate of the Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria, the Universities of Saskatchewan and Alberta and the Royal Conservatory of Toronto.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years Alice; children Shonna Blonke (Joe Soloway), Calvin Blonke, Darrell (Michelle) Nowosad, and Cheryl Nowosad; grandchildren Dennis Murray (Jolene), Tyler (Sarah) Murray, Quintin Soloway (Teagan), Jordon Soloway (Taryn) , Eric Nowosad, Rebecca Nowosad, and Taylor Rutledge (Cole); 5 great grandchildren; siblings Joe (Pat) Nowosad, Victor (Jessie) Nowosad, Francis Yaceyko, and Elsie (Edward) Bykewich; sister-in-law Donna Nowosad; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives & friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Anton & Mary Nowosad; siblings Tony (Irma) Nowosad, Anne (Wlady) Adamowski, Victoria (John) Shyska, Bill Nowosad, and Alex Nowosad; and brother-in-law Steve Yaceyko.

A private family service will be taking place at this time, with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Diabetes Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation, or a charity of one’s choice.

Reflections Funeral Services in care of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.reflectionsfuneral.com

Wainwright at the age of 74 years.

He will be remembered by his children Amber (Kent) Prior and Angela Kuenzl (Joseph Storms); stepchildren Shelly (Curtis) Chomlack, Ron (Des) Lamb, Dan (Tabetha) Lamb, Rick (Nicole) Lamb, Bill Lamb, and Bevan (Shawn) Kindt; grandchildren Keelan and Konnor, Mersadies and Regan; 16 step grandchildren; 9 step great grandchildren; siblings Robert (Cathy) Kuenzl, Walter (Shonny) Kuenzl, and Margot (Ozzie) Entlicher; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives & friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Joan Kuenzl; and parents Willibald & Anna Kuenzl.

A private family celebration of life will be taking place on a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Re ections Funeral Services in care of arrangements. To leave condolences, please visit www.re ectionsfuneral.com

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There were 10 young music students registered with five taking home awards: Piano Level 2 student- Luke Romeo, Piano-Movie/TV/Pop-Level

3 student - Douglas Romeo, Piano II-Canadian Composer-Pre-Grade

1- Mya Reid, Piano II-Early Modern (1900-1970) - Grade 5 - Gabriel Sader, and Piano II- Canadian ComposerGrade 8- Mary Ulrich.

Vocals were held on March 31 at the First United Church from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the afternoon was kickstarted by a performance from Blessed Sacrament School Elementary Choir from Wainwright which won an award.

School Contemporary Vocal GroupKamleigh Wyard-Scot, Hayze Bensmillier and Presly Bensmiller won an award, as well as, Abrie Robertson –Musical Theatre – Contemporary 16 & Under, and Classical Vocal –Italian Art Song 16 & Under. Luke Romeo won an award for Lyric Poetry 10 & Under. The Vocal program was adjudicated by Judith Richardson. Richardson is a soloist and teacher from Edmonton and studied at the University of Alberta, Western Board of Music and received a Higher Diploma in Opera from Pretoria, South Africa. Richard -

Thank You

On behalf of the 'Derwent Ag. Society' we would like to acknowledge and THANK Paul Jaremco for his generous donation!

Paul said he had many fond memories of his times in Derwent Hall and we hope to keep his memory alive by making more fond memories for others. *Rest in peace Paul, knowing you made a di erence for your community.

son has been a soloist with the Alberta Baroque Ensemble, and the Lethbridge and Red Deer Symphonies, as well as performing frequently in the UK.

There were 12 categories with Abrie Robertson entered in six of them, two group performances performed by Kamleigh Wyard-Scott, Hayze Bensmiller and Presly Bensmiller. Luke Romeo and Douglas Romeo performed solos in Lyric Poetry.

The Showcase was held on April 2, with Douglas Romeo receiving two Rotary awards, Lauren Noster bringing home one Rotary award and Abrie Robertson receiving two Rotary awards and will be heading to Provinicials. Bernie Huedepohl also performed and was the oldest participant in the Festival, he said, “I entered to encourage other people to participate, you can be any age.”

Chocolates Available At Fantasy Flowers!

Our delicious offerings include Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, Pretzels, and Caramel Popcorn, which come in two different sizes. Boxes Of Chocolates which come in 3 different sizes, Hot Chocolate Bombs, Double Chocolate Brownies, and a variety of Easter chocolates available until Easter. Everything Chocolate!!

Angela Mouly Reporter

Approximately 40 people attended the Vermilion RCMP’s Open House at the Clandonald Hall March 29.

“I’ve been in the RCMP 19 years, and I wouldn’t change a thing. We have a small group of very dedicated members that I think do a fantastic job, but we held this meeting to find out what your perception is. There are nine members in Vermilion, and three support staff. When I joined the detachment I pushed for members to be on the road; there are no bad guys in the office,” said Sergeant Mike Dunsmore. The RCMP will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary or Birthday this year.”

A presentation gave an overview of the detachment area, the call volume and statistics, an RCMP App and body worn cameras, followed by a Q and A.

MLA Garth Rowswell said, “It provided a great opportunity for area residents to have a positive connection with the RCMP, and there was a good turnout. Usually they are meeting the public in a negative environment, where as this was an opportunity to have a friendly conversation.”

The Vermilion Detachment area covers from Ranfurly to Islay, and south of 619 following the Battle River and north to meet up with neighbouring detachment areas of Elk Point, Two Hills County and Kitscoty to the northeast. Of 116 detachments in the province, there are 27 in the Eastern Alberta District, which he said includes Vermilion and is the biggest and busiest. The Vermilion Detachment looks after four zones; the Town of Vermilion, County of Minburn, County of Vermilion River, and a small portion of the County of Two Hills. With a minimum of two members on duty at a time.

“We try to be out of the office 80 per cent of the time, and when Priorty 1 calls happen; you don’t just get Vermilion Detachment. Rural crime is an issue plaguing western Canada, and the rural population within them; it’s not unique to our community,” said Dunsmore.

Of the crime, approximately 40 per cent