The Oyen Echo changes ownership
—to you (Kate Winquist) from failing hands
By Diana Walker,
“Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today the Oyen Echo has met its saviour. She is Kate Winquist. Hallelujah!”
After a whole year of contemplating, searching and finally decision-making, I d concluded The Oyen Echo would close its doors: I’d been going through those doors for nearly 52 years.
That final decision came after several conversations with a prospective buyer who decided to turn down the offer to purchase. I thought she was the perfect person to lead The Oyen
Echo during COVID and beyond. But alas, she felt this was not the right climate. But, here is the rest of the story . . . In Kate’s own words It was mid-August of this year. I only had a few editions of Your West Central Voice (Kindersley) under my belt. Things were going pretty well. Subscriptions were climbing, and advertising was starting to trickle in.
Joan Janzen had stopped by for a visit and had mentioned that I should contact The Oyen Echo, a weekly community newspaper that serves our friends in neighbouring Alberta, a mere hour’s drive along the No.
7 highway.
"What's up?" I asked inquisitively.
I can't remember how Joan responded, but she implied that The Echo's editor contemplated retirement and thought I might be interested.
I'm a believer that it never hurts to gain information if it could be beneficial. I didn't know much about Oyen, other than my husband's cousins lived around the area some time ago. Curiosity got the better of me, and I sent off an email inquiring about what their thoughts were. I didn't immediately receive a reply, so I thought that I would do some investigating about The Echo.
What I found immediately intrigued me. The editor was Diana Walker, who was born in Oyen in 1947. I started counting decades on my fingers and concluded that Diana was 72-73 years old. No wonder she wants to retire, I thought to myself—Diana's start in the newspaper business was 1969, the year I was born.
Diana called and left a message a couple of weeks later, apologizing for not getting in touch sooner. It sounded like life was getting in the way, as it has a habit of doing. After playing phone and email tag for a few weeks, Diana and I finally were able to speak. I'm not sure how long our conversation was, but I felt like I had known her for a
we throw the torch, be yours to hold it
long time. The conversation was effortless. She let me know what her thoughts were on The Echo and that she thought that I would be a good person to take over the reins because of my passion for the industry.
I promised Diana that I would give it some serious thought.
I took a drive to Oyen with my husband, Robert. We wanted to see what kind of business district the community had. We were quite impressed. Neither of us expected the town to have such a diverse selection of businesses. It took us some time to locate The Echo office, and when we did, unfortunately, it was closed. I could have called Diana on her cell, but it was a Friday, and I didn't want her to feel obligated to come to the office on her well-deserved day off!
I emailed Diana, and we arranged to meet in person. My daughter and I drove to Oyen, and finally, I met the whirlwind, otherwise known as Diana Walker. We had such a great visit. Again, it felt like we had known each other for a long time. If my daughter wasn't so anxious to get home, I'm sure I could have stayed for another hour at least.
We continued to email back and forth, exchanging copies of our papers. On September 28, I had made up my mind. I regrettable had to tell Diana that I could not purchase The Oyen Echo.
Gage Lemare dedicated volunteer in sports and community
Recipient of Big Country Ag Society Scholarship and Jardine Bursary 2020
April 14, 2020, Gage Lemare received confirmation that he had been accepted into the Medicine Hat College’s Aviation Management Program.
“I was born and raised in the rural farming community of Acadia Valley and it has given me the opportunity to be involved in experiences and opportu-
nities that living in a larger center could not offer,” said Gage. “I plan to return to my rural community after I complete my aviation education and become a commercial pilot and pursue my goal of establishing my own crop dusting business.”
“My community is like
an extension of my family, you know everyone personally and throughout the years I have been involved with them in some aspect of their life whether it be branding cattle, fighting fire or being a part of a community function,” says Gage.
“Gage has demonstrated
"… I'm sorry, Diana. I just don't have enough of me to make it work. I think I have enough on my plate building what I have started here. I would hate to add more to it and have the rest suffer as a consequence. I do hope that you are able to continue or find someone local to take it on. If things change, I will surely let you know. Please do keep in touch, and I hope we can still exchange papers electronically. If there's anything else that I can help you out with, please let me know!”
I know Diana was disappointed, but she understood. We continued our friendship and support for one another through our papers and love for community and storytelling.
On November 26, Diana emailed me, saying she had four papers to go. I asked, "Are you hanging it up at the end of the year for sure?”
"Yes ;-(" was her heartbreaking reply.
"No other prospects," I inquired.
"No.”
"Maybe I should be revisiting this? I don't know what to do!”
Diana didn't respond to me, but little did she know that I was revisiting the opportunity. My husband and I talked about it for a long time over the weekend, and I told him the only way that I could see it working was if I had him to help me. To my shock and disbelief, Robert said,
excellent skills and attributes as a mentor and coach throughout various sporting programs geared to our community youth such as the shinny hockey program,” states Jaime Didychuk, t eacher and community member. “Gage is a natural with youngsters. He is able to get down to their level in conversation and activity and show he truly cares.”
“Throughout the years, I have volunteered in many different aspects,” says Gage. “Through my grade school years, I helped set up and clean up for funerals in the community, played cards with the seniors, and picked up garbage around the town.
"Let's go for it.”
When I started Your West Central Voice back in July, my husband told me that I was the only one crazy enough to start a newspaper during a pandemic. It's now six months later, and we are adding another newspaper to our publishing business. Who's the crazy one now?
My husband gave his official notice at his job at Nutrien Ag Solutions on December 7 and w ill be moving to Kindersley at the end of the month to become a part of the Your Southwest Media Group team. He will help me in a variety of capacities, but his main job will be advertising sales.
Robert has no sales experience whatsoever, but he's a friendly guy with a great sense of humour, and he is up for the challenge! After slugging it out on the oil rigs for 30 years and the agriculture industry, I think he is deserving of a job that isn't so physically demanding. I am proud of him for taking that leap of faithsomething that would not be easy for him. He's not a big risk-taker, although he took a risk 20 years ago when he made me his wife, which turned out alright! I am looking forward to the next chapter. It's been almost three years since our family was altogether under one roof, and I am so grateful to the west-central area for giving us this opportunity.
“I delivered groceries to neighbors who had to isolate for 14 days during the COVID pandemic.” Sharon Dahl, Jardine Bursary committee member, said she was impressed with the variety of volunteering Gage had done including clearing tables and washing dishes at community functions.
“Gage volunteered with the Rec Club dating back to 2012 when he helped with the construction of the new community skating rink,” writes Yolanda Kuhn, Rec Club secretary. “Gage is a bright young man who knows the value of hard work and volunteerism,” concluded Yolanda.
Big Country Agricultural Society Vice-President Bill Kolkman presents Gage with an ag society scholarship. When it was time to present Gage with the Jardine Bursary it was necessary to pop it in the mail after he emailed Diana the photo to the right.
The Jardine Bursary, set up in honor of Rose Jardine’s 80th birthday in 1991, is administered by the Community Foundation. Interest is sent to the Special Areas office annually. Sharon Dahl (taking over from George Austen) and Diana form the Jardine Bursary Committee.
I’ ve learned so much already thanks to my amazing instructor Mitchell Hattebuhr. I fly every morning from 8-10 unless it’s a cross-country flight, We practice on the Cessna 172 planes but I’ m working my way up to hopefully flying the King Air sooner than later! says Gage.
The Oyen Echo: Its Extraordinary History
By Bernie Krewski
There were no diaries, few documents, and no relevant archive deposits left by members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly elected to govern Alberta from 19051921. This is what a professor told a small group of us one evening, eager history students, as we sat in his apartment looking down on the fast-flowing North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton. To write a history of this period, he explained, newspapers were his principal source of research.
This was one of the many lessons I learned as a student about the importance of adequately recording how we live, work, and entertain ourselves so future generations can understand us. The title of Wayne Arthurson’s book, Alberta’s Weekly Newspapers – Writing the First Draft of History (2012), firmly captures this perspective. Newspapers are a vital source for recording our history.
Newspapers—
a vital source of recording history
What we now call newspapers originated in the 15th century with the invention of mechanical printing and the publication of pamphlets, ballads, journals and the first news-sheets.
The first printing press in what became the province of Alberta arrived in December 1880. It was transported from Winnipeg by Red River cart along the “Yellowhead route” and printed
The Edmonton Bulletin for the next seventy years.
The Alsask News
The first of several weekly newspapers in this district, the The Alsask News, began publishing not long after, on April 6, 1911. Alsask was then “the end of steel” – where the Goose Lake Line ended. This landmark paper documented the arrival of settlers from Kindersley on ox teams during the spring before, with the railway finally reaching Alsask in September 1910.
The Oyen News
A.G. Holmes started the Alsask News but we know little else about him. Charles L. Dunford edited his paper for two years and then moved down the road to establish The Oyen News in March 1914 (not 1913 as indicated in Many Trails Crossed Here I, p. 284).
Alsask was incorporated as a village on Nov. 22, 1910 and Oyen on Jan. 17, 1913. This two-year gap in village settlement is a story of how long it took to build 40 km of railway tracks!
Five more newspapers are born
The Alsask and Oyen newspapers had company. The Empress Express and The Youngstown Plaindealer began publishing in 1913, The Chinook Advance in 1915, The Hanna Herald in 1920, and The Cereal Recorder in 1925.
The Depression led to the
demise of weekly newspapers in Alsask, Oyen, Youngstown, and Empress in the mid-1930s. Chinook managed to keep its newspaper operating until 1945 and Cereal to 1947. Hanna as a long-time regional railway centre was able to sustain its newspaper and continues publishing to this day. Contributing columns along the way from correspondents like Lillian Gibson of Oyen, Bud Thomson of Alsask, and Janet Peers of Acadia Valley gave the Herald a much wider regional perspective.
These newspapers were the backbone of their respective communities during the early years of settlement. They were not only sustained by advertising revenue from local businesses but vigorously promoted their owners and the long-term interests of their village. Stated simply, a newspaper was the most important local source of information and communication.
How often have you heard a conversation like this between two people:
“Have you read the paper? Yep! What’s in it? Nothing!”? A common response if a reader is already aware of what was published in the latest edition.
Then consider this conversation three months later:
“Do you remember that article that was published awhile ago? Yes, but only vaguely. When did the paper carry that? I think it was about six months ago. No, it was a lot less than that. Do you still have backcopies? No, I threw them out.”
Twenty-five years (about 1,000 copies) of The Alsask News were not purposely thrown out. However, no mechanism was established
to preserve them, despite an excellent provincial archive in Saskatchewan (where I have conducted research). Much of the history of Alsask, regretfully, has been lost.
That has not been the case with some of the newspapers listed above. Early newspapers from Oyen, Chinook, and Empress, for example, are available online to the public at no cost in The Peel Collection at the University of Alberta.
The Oyen News began publishing in March 1914. The lead story on July 2nd, the first preserved copy, described the Dominion Day Celebration at John Gripp’s farm. Oyen’s baseball team (and band!) were there, joining the horse races, foot races, tug-o-war, baby show, and a dance continuing “until after dawn.”
Editor Charles Dunford joined Canada’s armed forces in the latter stages of WWI, but the News kept publishing in his absence. Shortly after his return, from 1920-1924, copies of The Oyen News were unfortunately not preserved, the only copy interruption in its twenty-year history.
The Oyen Telegram
The Oyen Telegram published a few issues at the beginning of WWII but did not survive.
Oyen High School students printed a newsletter called The Oyen Echo in 1943. It contained items of local news. One item said that my mother and me, then age 4, went to Rocky Mountain house by train to visit my father who was there temporarily as the foreman for the Canadian National Railway. That event was likely reported because my brother Stan was the editor of The Echo.
But more importantly, it confirmed and dated one of my earliest memories – of my father telling me how he would observe the eyes of the cougars, lynx, and other wildlife peeking through the trees as he patrolled the tracks on the western leg of the Brazeau railway line.
Acadia Valley Tid-Bits
At least 13 editions of a wartime newsletter, Acadia Valley Tid-Bits – To Our Boys in the Services, was published by an ardent group in Acadia Valley (Times to Remember, pp. 32-36).
A start-up newspaper in Oyen during the mid-1950s ended after publishing a few issues, the result of a building fire on Main Street. The late Jim Campbell, author of To Oyen With Love – A Trilogy, witnessed that fire – as recorded in a back issue of this newspaper.
The “news vacuum” in this community from 1935, encompassing my early life, came to an end in 1960 when David Snideman reestablished The Oyen Echo as an advertising sheet. Prepared and printed at home (without computers!), it incorporated local news and circulated every two weeks until 1968. Then the Echo was “rescued,” moving to the home of Helen Ball when the Snideman family moved to Drumheller. Some of the early copies are preserved at the Crossroads Museum and Archives. The Legislature Library in Edmonton has copies of the Echo beginning in 1968.
Oyen Echo becomes a weekly Acquiring much needed technical and financial support from the Holmes Publishing Company in Medicine Hat in 1974, the Oyen Echo became firmly established as a weekly newspa-
per, joining the network of its many counterparts throughout the province.
The Echo has now reported and recorded the news in this district for more than half a century. What will be its legacy? What is the Echo’s legacy
First, its endurance.
Publishing a weekly newspaper is hard work requiring diligence, skill, and commitment, often with limited financial reward and an uncertain future. Readers of this newspaper enjoy the finished product which they receive online or at the post office. But many are likely to underestimate the number of working hours required to produce it.
Second, the Echo has given the people of this district a public face and a sense of community, important in a population so dispersed. Young people involved in sports, 4-H, and other activities see their names in print. Everyone knows from photos who has graduated from high school. Those who have died are acknowledged in a published obituary, archived at the Crossroads Museum.
Third, “All history is local” is a common refrain. Recording local events of “what’s happening,” as the Echo has done so effectively, establishes and embeds the historical foundations of a community. Such transactions help to solidify the identity of residents, creating who they are and how they perceive and engage in the world. This serves as a platform for their innermost sense of being.
Numerous examples of this are evident in my own life. Youthful observations of how disabled people were integrated into the social life of the Oyen com-
munity enriched my views about interacting with those who are disadvantaged.
Community support of seniors like my mother in her later years was exceptional and heartfelt. My involvement in local sports had beneficial consequences years later as physiotherapists tested and measured the adaptations of my body to cancer treatments.
Fourth, the Echo has consistently followed journalism’s best practices. That is, the art of narrating what one sees and hears, based on research and evidence with the intent of reflecting what is real.
Recently and unfortunately, the lines between “facts” and “opinions” have been dangerously blurred. Misinformation prevails. “Fake news” is portrayed as doctrinal truth. Scientific knowledge is ignored and denigrated, even reaching the highest levels of the governance of this province. Our political language has become putrid and vulgar.
Gratefully, there are treasures like the Oyen Echo, writing about everyday life, whether exciting or bland, constantly proclaiming the “power of the local” in a globalized world that at times seems to be plagued with madness.
Imagine for a moment a baby born in the Oyen district this year, turning thirty in 2050, and having children of their own. As young curious children are prone to do, they ask their parents what their life was like when they were growing up. This is what inspired Harlo L. Jones to write about Dinsmore Saskatchewan in O Little Town, Remembering Life in a Prairie Village (1995).
The 2020 baby, having become an adult and a parent, might say: “Well kids, I guess we have to take a trip to the Crossroads Museum and Archives and check-out The Oyen Echo!”
By Joan Janzen Old soldier meets young soldier
“I have good news! Your test results are back and you have only two days to live,” the doctor said.
His patient responded, “That’s good news? So what’s the bad news?”
The doctor answered, “I’ve been trying to reach you for two days.”
Dr. Pierre Kory has been trying to reach the masses with his good news concerning COVID. “We have a solution. There is a drug that is proving to be of miraculous impact.” The drug is called Ivermectin.
Dr. Kory is President of the Frontline COVID-19 Care Alliance (FLCCC), and appeared as a witness on December 8 before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Dr. Kory is Board certified in pulmonary diseases, critical medicine and internal medicine, and has been caring for COVID patients in multiple states. FLCCC is a nonprofit group whose mission is to research and develop accepted treatment protocol for COVID using repurposed drugs.
“In May I was here and I
recommended it was critical we use steroids in this disease when all the international health organizations said we can’t use those. That turned out to be a life saving recommendation. Now I’m here with a new recommendation,” Dr. Kory testified.
“Based on mountains of data that has emerged in the last four months, Ivermectin obliterates transmission of this virus. If you take it, you will not get sick. Our manuscript details all the evidence; it’s effective in the prevention of the illness.”
“In Argentina they gave it to 800 healthcare workers; not one got sick. In the 400 they didn’t treat, 237 got sick,” the doctor explained. They have done over 1500 patient trials, each one proving it’s immensely effective in protecting people from getting ill.
Not only is the drug effective but it’s completely safe. “It has already won a Nobel prize in medicine for its impact in global health in the eradication of parasitic diseases. I’m speaking on behalf of the organiza-
tion I’m a part of. We’re a group of the most highly published physicians in the world. We have 2000 peer reviewed publications among us. I don’t know of any task force that was developed to try and find a repurposed drug to treat this illness. Every one of them has been about expensive pharmaceutical drugs. We are experts in all the medicine we use yet no task force was reviewing this. Our group has filled that void. All we have done is focus on the things we know and the things we do.”
Dr. Kory continued his compelling testimony, “I’m a lung specialist. I’ve cared for more dying COVID patients than anyone can imagine. They’re dying because they can’t breath. They’re on ventilators or mechanical ventilators that breath for them and they die. Early treatment is key. Any further deaths are going to be needless deaths, when I know they could have been saved with earlier treatment. The amount of evidence is so immense and the drug is so safe it must be implemented.”
Dr. Kory concluded, “It will all be needless death from here on out, given that there is a readily available scientific solution to the pandemic.”
You can contact me at joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Alberta has disgraceful COVID record
I wrote a column on the COVID-19 situation three weeks ago. Since then the situation has become much worse especially here in Alberta. At present we have about the same number of cases as Ontario, but they have 3 1/2 times the population that Alberta has which means our per capita rate is by far the worst of any province in Canada.
COVID-19 is the most dominant topic being reported by the news media so I thought that another column on this subject would be appropriate at this time.
More people are getting sick from this virus than at any time since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as getting sick and tired of this whole issue. However, this is NOT the time to let our guard down. This is the time to redouble our efforts to cooperate with the new restrictions that have been imposed by the authorities.
Due to the increased number of people becoming infected, Alberta imposed more new restrictions on December 9 to try and reduce the infection rate. I thought that Jason Kenney struck a good balance when increased restrictions were announced some time ago. Many people in Alberta did not. There were large demonstrations in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer objecting that the new rules were too restrictive and on the other hand you had Rachel Notley from the NDP yelling that they were not restrictive enough, she wanted the government to
shut everything down. With her, you have to remember that her major interest is with the public service unions. Their paycheques are not affected by business shutdowns. Of course, she has never demonstrated any respect for taxpayer money anyhow so her answer would be for the government to just borrow more money to pay to the private sector. So, you can see that the government is caught between a rock and a hard place.
It wouldn’t matter what the government did here in Alberta. As I see it what we have here is a fundamental problem of attitude.
People seem to think that these restrictions are infringing on their rights, freedoms, charter rights, you name it. Alberta has a significant number of people with no respect for the rights of others and especially the safety of the elderly in the seniors' institutions. The way some people act you would think these restrictions have been implemented permanently.
I just don’t see why people can’t put up with the inconvenience for a few months. This virus will not be with us forever. What is so difficult about frequently washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, keeping your distance from people, wear a mask and only interact with no more than three or four people in a group when you are outside your home?
Scientists have developed vaccines that they say are effective 95% of the
Kelli Smigelski - won a bottle of
time. We were informed on Dec. 07 that some of the Pfizer vaccines will be available in December. The problem with that vaccine is that it has to be kept at -75° Celsius which complicates the vaccination process. Other vaccines will be available before too long which will be much easier to administer. When vaccines are available the first people to receive them will be the residents and the frontline workers in the seniors' institutions and hospitals. It will be some time before enough people are vaccinated to bring this pandemic to an end.
Till that happens we will just have to put up with the safety restrictions to control the virus as best we can.
Had everyone in Alberta continued to follow the rules in place last summer I don’t think we would be in the mess we have now. It is a sad reflection on our society when people can’t discipline themselves and have to be forced to do the right thing.
Intimidator Trucking and Pioneer put them up; Marika Lyster, Lois Bedwell and Shane Hertz donated the lights; and John Van Otterloo loaned the use of his lift. Art’s TV & Appliances pipes music into the air Thursdays between 4 and 9 p.m. as part of Late Night Shopping.
The Oyen Echo with Diana, Jessie and Denise at the helm will publish one more issue December 24. It will actually be in the Oyen post office on the morning of December 23. Your next Echo will come from Kate Winquist whose contact information can be found below.
THE OYEN ECHO
Excel pioneer recalls days of early “Landseekers”
(From the Hanna Herald, Dec. 17, 1959 - exactly 61 years before the date of this issue)
Editor’s Note (Bob McCrea)– Fifty years ago on Oct. 23 (the day before his 30th birthday) a party of eight home-seekers left Brooks to seek their fortunes on the plains of Southern Alberta. In the little group of sturdy young men were E. H. Davies of Excel and Sam Maley, well known former farmer of the Rose Lynn district and now residing in Hanna. In a letter to the Herald Mr. Davies recalls his
experience of 50 years ago. The names, other than Sam Maley, the Forsters and one or two more are not familiar to the Editor, but to many of the Herald readers they may recall those stirring pioneer days. Herewith is Mr. Davies’ account of their experiences of Oct. 23rd, 1909 and the years following:
Fifty years ago on the 23rd of October (incidentally the day before my 30th birthday) a party of eight home-seekers left Brooks, at that time little more than a flag station. Our transportation was two democrats, one of which was driven by your present townsman Sam Maley. His brother, A. F. Maley, rode horseback and guided us until we forded the Red Deer River a few miles west of where Steveville now is, when he turned back, and left us in Sam’s charge.
Included in the party were a Mr. D. S. Howick and his son from Walla Walla, Washington, U.S.; four men from Cottonwood, Idaho (I never heard the real names of three of them, we only knew them as Red, Buck and Baldy).
The fourth was Pat Milan, who took up a homestead near Benton, and sold out some time around 1917. The other two were my former friend and neighbor the late A.J. Banks and myself.
We spent the night in a tent on the P.K. Ranch, close to the mouth of Berry Creek. Sam was head cook and bottle washer, but we all helped do the chores, care for the teams, hunt firewood, etc. The next day was quite foggy and Sam took the wrong trail sometime during the day, but managed to find shelter for the night at the homestead of a Mr. Low. They were living in a tent, but had quite a large dug-out barn were we slept in the hay.
The next day we only made a short journey to the homestead of the late Douglas McColl, in the district now known as Collholme. He was building a frame house, the only building we saw until we got back to Berry Creek. We had to wait there to meet the locater, a halfbreed called Jasper, with another party.
The next day we were quite a crowd, twenty-four in all. We picked up the sur-
vey stakes of the proposed Canadian Northern Railway to Calgary early that afternoon, somewhere in the vicinity of my homestead. The locater had maps showing the land open for filing but they were by no means up to date. Mr. Banks and I intended to take a section as we meant to pool our energies and resources until we could manage alone. We picked 12 different sections as suitable, and the last one was the only one left open when we got to the land office. We doubtless could have found adjoining half sections with a road between, but we only wanted a line fence. We spent the night in a tent on Section 12, Twp. 28, Range 3, where there was and still is, a spring. We were quite crowded that night, but the next day the parties split up again. We stayed at McColl’s that night, and the next day went straight west to Berry Creek where we stayed in a log cabin. At noon camp, we met another party at a water hole on East Berry Creek, being guided by a Mr. Schumacher. Most of this party
settled in this district, among them Mr. W. J. Byler, who has retired and lives in Calgary. On Oct. 29th we travelled along Berry Creek as far as Forster’s Ranch and from there to an abandoned shack on Bray’s Ranch at the Red Deer. The next day we crossed the river at Emerson’s ford and reached Brooks about half an hour too late to catch the west bound train. We left Brooks on Sunday, Oct. 31st.
The following morning we were up bright and early at the land office by 8:00 a.m., only to find a notice “Civic Holiday, Closed For The Day” posted on the door. The next day there was quite a crowd waiting and some of us were told to come back at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Banks and I just managed to get to the desk before closing time and filed on Section 34, Twp. 27, Range
Business & Professional Directory
5, W. of the 4th, Mr. Banks on the east half and I on the west. There really wasn’t any choice. Distance from railroad was the only thing we had to gamble on. As it turned out Mr. Banks was half a mile nearer Excel and was half a mile nearer Lanfine.
Of the others in our party, Mr Howick bought C.P.R. land at Rockyford where he died some years ago. I never ran across any of the others. This may interest some of your readers who haven’t much idea of how we went seeking land in the “Big Country.” I haven’t seen Sam Maley since that day to this, and believe it or not, I’ve never been in Hanna, although I have passed through it on the train.
Yours truly, E. H. DAVIES, Excel, Alberta (Diana Walker’s Great-Uncle)
WARD Violet (Vi) Ann Ward (nee Martin), beloved wife of Allan Ward, of Calgary, AB, on November 8, 2020 at the age of 82 years.
1932 ~ Eva Ross ~ 2020
With heavy hearts, the family of Eva Elizabeth Ross, beloved wife of the late Lloyd Ross, died peacefully December 6, 2020.
Eva was born in Alsask, Sask. hospital on October 14, 1932, the youngest of
STOLZ: Ronald Valentine
Aug. 29, 1938 - Dec. 7, 2020
Ron was born to Jack and Mary Stolz in Kelowna, B.C. on August 29, 1938, and died at the age of 82 on December 7, 2020.
Ron married Doreen Geiron on May 28, 1960, in Acadia Valley and this is where they started their life together farming and were soon blessed with five children.
Ron was a devoted man, with endless love for his family and a passionate hard working farmer. Ron was also a devout catholic having an above all love for the Lord our Savoir belonging to St. Mary's Church in Acadia Valley and also a
Vi was born on March 28, 1938, in Calgary to Thomas and Olga Martin. Vi grew up on the family farm near Buffalo. Her interest in caring for people took her to Calgary, where she attended SAIT to train as a Nursing Aid. Vi subsequently took jobs in Stettler, Drumheller, High River and Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary.
Vi met Allan in 1956, the two dated and were married in January 1961. They settled in the village of Big Valley where Allan worked for British American Oil, which later became Gulf Canada. Later that
seven children.
When Mom was young she was very involved in the girls’ choir, softball and curling. After graduation she worked in the bank. She married Lloyd on November 14, 1953, and continued with softball and curling until they started their family, which then became her priority. Later they moved to the Little Plume area south of Dunmore, and then to Buffalo where they enjoyed many years with friends and neighbors, playing cards, guitar and impromptu sing alongs, until retiring to Medicine Hat. They continued to go “out home” to help with the work and to look after grandchildren.
Eva is survived by her five children, Dale (Deb) Ross, Dean Ross, Marty
lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus.
Ron worked at various jobs in his younger years, the Alberta Wheat Pool and the Acadia Valley Hotel but his passion was always to be a farmer.
In 1965, Ron and Doreen bought the Stolz family farm from Ron's dad and still lived there until Ron's death. Son Michael soon shared in his dad’s love of the farm and together along with his grandkids or as grandpa would say "hey little fella" or "ya little whipper snapper" they operated Stolz Farms. You could always find Ron out in his shop or watching his cows eat for hours.
Ron was still farming and proudly took his last crop off of the field operating that big red combine this summer at the age of 82.
Sundays were Ron's favorite day of the week. For well over 30 years the family gathered at the farm for Ronny's famous breakfast including lots of love and laughter.
Ron also loved socializing, and ripping up that dance floor and always had a stimulant waiting for your arrival.
Ron will be dearly
The Oyen Echo joins family and friends in remembering those who made a meaningful contribution to local residents, and joins the community in sending condolences to surviving family members.
same year, Vi and Allan were blessed with the first of three sons, Darcy in November 1961, Darren in 1964 and Layne 1967.
Allan's career in the oil industry took the family from Big Valley to Stettler in 1979 and then to Calgary in 1985, where Allan retired from Gulf in 1992 and from the oil industry in 2008. After Allan's retirement the couple took up condo life and soon circled themselves with numerous close friends.
Vi had many passions including professional sports which involved season tickets to the Flames and Stampeders, cooking and trading recipes with daughters, walks with Allan at Bowness Park and Baker Park, lattes, and iced cap-
(Lori) Ross, Kelly (Bonnie) Ross, and Lana Stadnicki; and her 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Luella Eby; three sisters-in-law, Tillie Styles, Leona Styles, and Kay Benn; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be no funeral service at this time. Memorial gifts in Eva’s name may be made to S.P.C.A., 55 Southview Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8.
Condolences may be sent to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Eva Ross. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Centre, Medicine Hat.
missed by his loving wife Doreen; son Randy (Sandra) Stolz and their children Jordan, Josh (Presley); daughter Rhonda (Terry) Stone and their children Alex (Karla) and Bodhi, Mark (Katelyn); daughter Denise Stolz (Franco) and her children Mathew (Gen) Lily and Jimmy, Tyson (Brandi) James and Lucas; daughter Michelle (Jeff) Shoemaker and their children Travis (Courtney), Paige; and son Michael; one sister Pat (Carl) Kuhn and brother Jim (Sharon) Stolz, sister-in-law Darlene Stolz; brother-in-law Dennis Geiron and sister-in-law Carol Vold and numerous other family members and friends.
He was predeceased by his father Jack; mother Mary; father-in-law Jake; mother-in-law Bernice; his baby sister Lorraine; his brother Max; brother- and sister-in-law Vern and Marianne Otto.
Memorial tributes may be directed to the St. Peter and St. Paul Restoration Fund, Box 165 Acadia Valley, AB T0J 0A0 or foundation of your choice.
Funeral arrangements in care of MacLean’s Funeral Home of Oyen.
puccinos. Vi and Allan travelled around the world during retirement, visiting Australia, British Isles, Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, Caribbean and the USA.
Vi unselfishly donated her time during her years in Big Valley to UCW/Legion and countless other community events. Generosity, selflessness, caring, mental and physical strength were part of Vi, right up to the
HARRIS: Alan Ray
Aug. 4, 1934 - Nov. 28, 2020 It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Al Harris. Al was born in Oyen on August 4, 1934, to Leonard and Inez Harris. He was the youngest of six children. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Oyen. As a young man, he acquired a piece of property from the farm and opened a gas station on the junction of Highways 9 and 41. In 1956, he married the love of his life and best friend,
last minute of her passing. Besides her loving husband Allan, Vi is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Darcy and Marion of Olds, Darren and Kathy of Red Deer, Layne and Laura of Calgary; her grandchildren, Morgan and Ayden; her sister Nina Dziatkewich; her sister-in-law Muriel Martin; godson Clinton Martin of Bolivia; and many nieces and nephews.
Eunice.
They lived in Calgary for two years before moving to beautiful B.C. (Salmon Arm), where they started their family. In 1964, they moved to Vancouver Island.
Al managed the Co-op bulk plant in Duncan for many years. In 1980, he became the property manager at Camp Qwanoes in Crofton, where he worked for 14 years. In 1994, he and Eunice moved to Sayward where he worked until he retired.
Al was a man of great faith. He served as chairman of the board at Sayward Christian Fellowship Church for many years until his last days. He was a wise, kind, quiet man who lived what he believed. He was artistic and loved paint-
Vi was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Olga Martin; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and George McNaughton, Alice and Peter Melnychyn, Mike and Joe Dziatkewich; and brother Donald Martin.
A Private Service will be held within Covid restrictions. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Vi's obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com
ing, woodworking and playing bass guitar. He was a great example of what a man should be. He touched many lives.
Al is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eunice; his daughters Crystal Johnson (Dan), Susan Hawkes (Rob), Tara Harris (Ron); his grandchildren Andi, Carli, Jesse, Jake, Jenn, Cassi, Garrick and Jorja and his great-grandchildren Aiden, Austin, Ezra, Leila and Annabelle.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be no service at this time. We hope to have a celebration of life in Summer 2021, if possible.
E. ROSS
R. STOLZ
V.
WARD: Violet (Vi) Ann (nee Martin)
March 28, 1938 - Calgary, AB
November 8, 2020 - Calgary, AB
It is with great sadness we announce the death of
HARRIS
We sure do appreciate the kind support of volunteers and sponsors. Merry Christmas, partners!
SOUTH ZONE – A new online program designed to help participants understand and manage chronic pain is set to launch next month.
Explain Pain is a free educational series comprised of seven classes. Anyone who has experienced chronic pain for three months or longer can benefit from the series.
Registration is now open for adult group workshops that will take pl ace via Zoom, enabling participants to join from the comfort of their home.
The first three classes provide an update on new findings in the realms of neuroscience and chronic pain, and address questions such as: why does my pain flare on certain days, why does my pain tolerance vary, and what role does my brain play in pain? The final set of classes provides patients with practical tools to manage their pain.
Explain Pain has been designed as a precursor to the chronic pain workshops offered regularly by the Better Choices, Better Health program. Better Choices, Better Health works with participants to develop action plans that help those with chronic pain build movement into their lives in practical ways.
Explain Pain begins Jan. 14 and runs Thursday afternoons until Feb. 25. Classes are approximately 90 minutes each and will include one-on-one opportunities to connect with a registered nurse. Participants can access classes at home on a computer or tablet. Call to inquire about the next available series as
future dates and times may vary.
Lethbridge and area residents can call 403-3886654 or 1-866-506-6654 to self-register and for more information. Medicine Hat and area residents can call 403-529-8969 or 1-866795-9709.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
ollieselectrical@hotmail.com
403.664.0167, Oyen
From Your Ministerial Association
The year is 2020. It is the year where life seems to revolve around saying “yes” when we would rather say “no.” But something within us tells us to accept the invitation. Sometimes the invitation begins with being told “no” … “no you may not…” No, you may not have social gatherings; no, your sports tournaments may not happen; no, we cannot schedule your surgery; no, you may not celebrate weddings or funerals with large gathering…The list of 2020 “no’s” seems endless. Yet, health – ours and that of our neighbours — depends upon our saying “yes” to all those “no’s.” When the first COVID-19 restrictions were implemented, we had no experience to draw from to even imagine if we were headed in the right direction; there was no frame of reference to reassure us that “all will be good.” All we could do is wait as we discovered how to do what was an ingrained routine in new and creative ways. It soon became apparent: what was, isn’t now, and may never be again.
The Spirit of the LORD God has taken control of me!
The LORD has chosen and sent me to tell the oppressed the good news, to heal the broken-hearted…
(Isaiah 61:1, CEV)
These words are from one of the Biblical prophets known as Isaiah. They are words spoken to a community that was forced into exile and lived with strict government-imposed restrictions. Isaiah spoke these words as the community who returned home only to discover that what was, was no more and there was work to be done to restore health and livelihood to the community. Perhaps someone else spoke up and said “trust … we’re in this together”.
It is right to say “we’re in this together” when it comes to community health. It helps to remind us that “it isn’t about me” … or is it? This passage from Isaiah states: “me” was sent to help … to encourage those in despair, to comfort, to heal … Some voice -- a Divine One … the LORD God -- within the “me” of this passage was inviting him to look beyond his own needs, wants, and desires and discover how his energy and efforts could contribute
to the rebuilding and revitalizing of a broken community. If what he did, helped someone else to contribute to rebuilding and recreating a healthy community … then “me” becomes “us” and we are in it together.
This powerful passage reminds us that world changing events happen because of people being drawn beyond themselves to respond to, what often turns out to be, a Divinely inspired request. The birth and life of Jesus the Christ is linked to this passage in many ways.
The Christmas story is full of “no”, that will not happen, followed by the “yes” echoed through Mary’s statement of faith: “nothing will be impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).
Angels appeared at different times to tell Mary and Joseph how their family would start – their first child would be the Messiah. Joseph turned his back on a cultural norm to dismiss Mary because she wasn’t carrying his child. The government of the day forced their immigration from Nazareth to Bethlehem where they were greeted with: “no” there is no accommodation. But they replied “yes” to the offer for a crude stable for their home and the baby Jesus’ birthplace.
God sent the Messiah to the world disrupting the ingrained hopes and dreams that Mary and Joseph likely held about marriage and family life. Mary and
Joseph were able to embrace their new reality because they were willing to look beyond themselves and trust God the Creator. They said “yes” to the Divine “trust me” and let God take charge. Their willingness to embrace their new reality changed the world.
Admittedly, God asked a lot of Mary and Joseph. A request of such magnitude is not likely to come our way. We are not waiting for angels’ visits to tell us that we are going to accomplish something humanly impossible. But, through living with and working through the confusion of all the “no’s,” we are being invited to say “yes” to that “something”, that Divine One, and give our best life-giving efforts and energy to our community and the world. What a wonderful Christmas gift to offer!
On behalf of the Oyen
Ministerial Association: Have a blessed and safe Christmas season!
The Rev. Dr. Catherine Holland Big Sky Anglican Parish All Saints, Oyen / St. John, New Brigden
AV Rec Club is again holding a Christmas Light Contest. There will be a prize for best in town and best in the country. There are many entered for town, and six for the country, so far. There is a map at The Store. You can cast your votes at The Store December 16 to 23. Call Yolanda to register.
AV Rec Club, along with several volunteer men, built and set up an outdoor rink beside the Community Hall. The Arena is closed for now due to Covid 19 restrictions. They received several donations to off set the cost.
Sympathy to the Stolz family on the death of Ron Stolz on December 7. The funeral Mass was held on Friday and live streamed so many of us could be there in spirit for the family. Ron will surely be missed by us all! He was a great man!
YEAR IN REVIEW:
Here are some of the stories we reported in 2020.
January – Christmas lights winners were Rob Willis and Randy Stolz families
-Skating lessons and shinny started at the Arena
March – Ice to Dice with Jarrod and David giving up the reins to younger guys
-Bryce and Jill Rashleigh of Saanich, BC bring 2000 daffodils to town
-Ashton and Randi Kuhn bring in a new house
-Coronavirus hits Canada. The school children to go virtual learning
-Avery Dillabough and Jillian C hudleigh receive 1st place in dance competition
April – we all go to take out restaurant food and curbside shopping
May – The AV Reservoir gets re stocked with fish
June – playgrounds and campgrounds open for use but no congregating
-AV Volunteer Firefighters did a Drive By for all the kids birthdays during the summer months.
July – free masks arrive at the MD and we are encouraged to wear them
August – Pipeline gets started
- Kids summer camps were a big success
- harvest is in full swing
- students return to classroom learning
September – elevator gets new coat of paint
October – Turkey Shoot a big success
-No Sausage Fry for the second time in its history
-Elevator burns down in Marengo
-WPS live streams volleyball games
-WPS students carve and deliver a pumpkin to every household
--WPS students parade around town to show off their hallowe’en costumes
November – huge snow storm; we were snowed into our houses.
December – Junior and Senior High students return to virtual learning.
-Outdoor skating rink is built as the arena is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions
I don’t know if this will reach everyone by Christmas, I hope it will. I want to wish everyone a very “Merry COVID Christmas,” such as it is, and a “Happy New Year.” All the best to you in 2021! At
-Movie Night started February – Fishing derby was cancelled due to decline in fish
-Ladies Bonspiel was held
-The Koe curling team visited Oyen and gave lesson to the school kids in the area
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bud Turnbull of Oyen who died recently.
FYI—Due to the COVID restrictions put in place last week, the Skating Rink and Curling Rink here in the Village will not be opening at this time and possibly not at all this season depending on the duration of the shutdown of our province. I will report and pass on any information and developments as they are reported to me.
The Friends of the Youngstown School are spearheading a project to
upgrade the surface of the current school playground and install some pieces of inclusive equipment to ensure that all children attending school and living in the community can play together without barriers. If anyone is interested in donating or wants more information, contact either Hayley at 403-854-6197 or Nat at 403-854-6558.
—My Opinion—
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Robert Blagen
Box 171 Youngstown, AB
Ph. 403-779-3859
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year: At this time of year, a lot of people seem to want to remember our Saviour Jesus Christ, and if you read your Bible, God has a lot of information and instruction for us. A lot of us profess to be Christians, but a Sunday morning Christian just won’t cut it. God wants us to be in tune with him 24-7, and he tells us very plainly we need faith in God and to put on the armour of God!
We have some very trying times coming and there will be “Wind and Rain”, “Floods and Fire” and “Earthquakes” such as has never been seen before, along with “Pestilence” and Pandemics.”
While we are in lockdown, it is probably a good time to study your Bible. And remember, you can’t fool God because he tells us in the Bible that he knows our every thought. You need to control your old wild imagination even because it can get you into a whole lot of trouble with God. God is trying to get your attention. He says it’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff and he says he’s no respecter of persons.
Our armed forces are now working in the Long Term Care Homes during the Pandemic and have also been called on to help in times of floods and other disasters.
Do you think this is what he means when he says they will beat their weapons into plow shears?
We have a very “whompy ” Prime Minister who says he is going to control the weather with a “Carbon Tax." Well, good luck with that!
God tells us very plainly who controls the weather.
Of course, Trudeau is not alone in his foolishness. Most of the leaders in the world are crazy enough to think they can control the weather. I believe Trudeau professes to be a “Church going Christian” but it’s pretty plain to see he has never bothered to read his Bible. Nor have a lot of other leaders of the world who are going to try to change the weather. Trudeau is going to throw 15 Billion out there to control the weather. He hasn’t said who that’s going to be yet, maybe the “We Charity”?
I do hope everybody has a good Christmas and New Year! Eat, Drink and be Merry. I’m sure that’s God's wishes for us all!
Buffalo News
December 13, 2020
Reported by Lorraine Monkman 403-379-2222 lorrmonkman@gmail.com
This week with further restrictions due to the virus, there is little to write since there are no events happening. Please note the library at the Buffalo Hall is now
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However, once again I regret to share the news of the death of another former Buffalo resident, Eva Ross in Medicine Hat on December
Cereal News
December 17, 2020
Reported by Maxine Girletz 403-664-0513
The Cereal Municipal Library Board is very pleased to announce that the Cereal Library will not have to close when the Village of Cereal becomes part of the Special Areas.
In co-operation with the Special Areas Board and the Marigold Library System, the Cereal Library will continue to provide library services to Cereal and the surrounding area until the end of June, 2021.
The Library Board is grateful for the time, effort, and consideration that have gone into making this very welcome opportunity possible. Our libraries are more important than ever now that so many other activities are being restricted or closed down completely.
The Library Board appreciates having partners such as the Special Areas Board and the Marigold Library System who appreciate the value of libraries and are willing to do whatever they can to retain library services
in our communities.
Thank you for that support!
(Submitted by Elaine Michaels)
We send sympathy from the community to the family of Bud Turnbull who died December 7. His laugh and yodelling will be missed.
December 13-19
Happy birthday to Madison Stief, Michelle Volk, Stacey Duffield, Ashton Isbister, Desi Stief, Natasha Smith, Wyatt Seemann, Bryce Rosenau, Kathy Householder, Kathy Miller, Norman Peterson, Sharon Crowe, Teresa Turnbull, Aaron Bouck, Aaron Fletcher, Cory Machell, Danny Rude, Parker Fraser, Austin Olds, Candice Armstrong, Chace Behr, Lindsey Currie, Tina Rosenau, Hayley Campbell, Kayden Mizera, Belle Armstrong, Brandt Grover, Cody Branden, Heather Berreth, Kelly Lewin, Terry Logelin.
Happy anniversary to Kayla and Travis Kerslake, Sharon and Ray Stark.
6, 2020, at the age of 88 years. The Lloyd Ross family resided on the former Cud Howe place near the river at Buffalo. Eva is survived by her children Dale (Deb), Dean, Marty (Lori), Kelly (Bonnie) and Lana Stadnicki as well as numerous grandchildren. Our sincere sympathy to all the family. No funeral is planned.
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New Brigden News
December 13, 2020
Reported by Lucille Hertz 403-664-2431
Congratulations to Quade Tye for winning 1st place at the Legion Branch level in Oyen and 3rd place for the district level for his 2019 Remembrance Day poster! Kim Walker from the Royal Canadian Legion in Oyen came to the New Brigden School for the presentation. She gave him two plaques and two cash awards! Exciting for Quade and the school!
Congratulations also to Quade for winning 3rd place for his bus safety poster for Grade 3 in all of the Prairie Rose Public School Division! A real artist you are becoming Quade – AWESOME!
Great job by Nicole B and Nichole F and all the ECS families for all their volunteering to put the Christmas tree fundraiser together! Huge shout out to all who supported it! A win–win situation for sure!
Great fundraiser and families can enjoy their stay at home Christmas with a real Christmas tree!
The Poinsettia community fundraiser was a great success thanks to Lorrie and Savanna pulling all the orders together! Record number of sales this year! Appreciation to all those who supported this and to Lorrie and Joan for getting them all delivered!
2021 calendars have been delivered. If you didn’t get yours please let me know. Appreciation to all those who advertised on the community calendar and to all those who purchased the 2021 calendar! Please take a look on the months of the calendar to make sure it is New Brigden area and family names, as on one of the calendars, there was birthdays and anniversaries of people we have never heard of.
On a sad note Lindmark Publishing has informed us they are closing their doors at the end of December. Another business unfortunately lost due to COVID. The calendar was made possible due to efforts of Linda Wilson, Gloria Jorgenson and Carol A Hagens 26 years ago! Fantastic job ladies!
On a hockey note, it wrapped up over the weekend to take part in the province wide lockdown. Hockey players from NBS include Alaina Hagens, Jayden Stewart, Halen and Jaxson Blair, Quade and Keller Tye, and Ridge and Reid Foot. Also seen around the rink the past few months from the New Brigden area have been coaches Ryan Hagens, along with Riley and Savanna Tye. Awesome job by both players and coaches! Hoping 2021 brings back full time hockey on the indoor rink!
In the meantime things are rolling along on the outdoor rink! We really appreciate all those who are helping out with the rink!
Stay tuned for a curling update in the New Year!
Appreciation to Lauren for taking time to share her yoga skills for a few weeks. Definately some relaxation!
Catching up on a few new stork deliveries:
Congratulations to Kristen and Keldon Kulyk of Buffalo on the addition to their family. Rylan Charles was born in Medicine Hat December 3 weighing 10 pounds 8 ounces and measuring 20 inches long! Cailyn and Ethan are thrilled with their little brother!
Congratulations also to grandparents Brenda and Bill Rumohr and Russell and Carla Kulyk, and greatgrandparents Don and Marg Bamber, Oyen.
Congratulations to Nancy and Tyrell Christianson on the addition to their family. Kade Dempsey was born November 9 in the Saskatoon children’s hospital! Big sister Emma is loving her little brother! Congratulation to grandparents Twighla and Kyle Christianson, Lori McDonald and Glenn and Lily McDonald and great-grandparents Louise Christianson and Gordon and Carole Heatherington all from Consort and great grandma Kay McDonald!
Congratulations to Katie and Brendan Berg on the arrival of their son, Fenton (Finny) Harold Berg born September 26 in Stettler weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces! Congratulations to grandparents Rita and Darcy Berg and Dawnta and Ronald Sortland, and to great grandparents Karl Berg and to Wesley Fenton Hamilton of Carson City, Nevada, whom the new baby is named after!
Our community congratulates all of you on your new additions, definately some exciting times for your family!
The community still has history books for sale and the ECS has cookbooks for sale—great Christmas gifts for those hard to buy for people! Give me a call if you would like one.
Speaking of history books, appreciation to the Sedalia Coop and the Oyen Echo for once again selling our community history books this year! Sedalia Coop also sells the ECS cookbook, greatly appreciated by the ECS as its one of their ongoing fundraisers.
History books will still be available at the Sedalia Coop and now be available in Oyen at Schindel Agencies located at 114 Main Street. Appreciation to Ed and staff and Charmain and Daniel for selling our books going forward!
Snow removal in New Brigden was a challenging job in November. Great job by the Jorgenson and Hayworth families for taking care of this! Thanks to Riley and Chris for braving the hall roof snow removal!
is greatly appreciated! As another chapter of life closes, this will be the last column of the New Brigden news in the Oyen Echo. Over the past 37 years of my time in New Brigden, I remember Lil Hazelwood being a VERY dedicated NB news writer! Through the years others who come to mind are Lorie Herron and Brenda Rumohr. I’m sure I
Business
have missed some but great job by all! Thank you to Diana and staff for putting up with my painful spelling and typing through the years.
On behalf of our community of New Brigden, I would like to extend our most sincere congratulations to Diana on her retirement, all knowing when one door closes, another opens! All
your years in the community, your endless volunteering and working full-time at The Oyen Echo have not gone unnoticed! THANK YOU for your dedication and commitment to the community! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
As we bring a very unique 2020 to a close we give a shout out to the Sedalia Coop and all the
businesses in Oyen and Consort who have kept the doors open for the rest of us to survive! We truly do live in the best part of the world! From our community to each and every one of you –we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and CHEERS! to 2021 – it can only get better – right? Wishing you all a very Happy Healthy New Year!
Offering Chiropractic Services on Sunday afternoons in Oyen, Alberta 103 - 2nd Avenue East
CHRISTMAS LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
Shopping hours extended to 9 p.m. in participating businesses—
THURSDAYS
December 10 & 17
“Chamber Bucks” available at Schindel Agencies SHOP LOCAL
Get your Passport to Christmas stamped between Dec. 1 & 19 and win some great prizes! Draws Dec. 7, 14 & 21
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Booknotes
by Tricia Fischbuch
From all of us to all of you
Although the miles are many and our meetings may be few, this card is sent to tell you that we miss you all year through. Our thoughts are always with you and this greeting is so true, So have a
This design in memory of Helen Ball who hung cards on a string at the Echo office
Ron & BergenGwenDrayton Valley Melvin & BingemanLinda Oyen, AB
THE BARNETTS Ron, MaryAnn & Families Oyen AB
Hugh, Perry & Kathy, Charles, Brittany, Kaleb & Bowen Allen, Denelle, Jamie, Brinn & Colton Cutler
Gerald & Linda Campion & Family Hanna, AB
Jessie Battrum Oyen, AB
& Margaret
Mabel Cordell,
Noreen Chiliak Alsask, SK
Ted Hoffmann Oyen, AB
Order items and easily manage your account with the new TRACpac app. Download it for free from your app store. 403-664-3644 ext. 2727 aoymlibrary@marigold.a b.ca
Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 125 p.m.; Tuesdays 2-7 p.m. "Christmas! 'Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." - Washington Irving **With the new COVID restrictions the library CAN continue to offer curbside service as usual – patrons just aren’t able to come into the building at this time.**
This month’s new Book Club read is Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak with a fitting theme for Christmas 2020! Contact the library to register and pick up your copy. We will meet online in January to discuss.
’s no
Bill & Cynty Kolkman Oyen, AB
Gordon & Lou Melvill Oyen, AB Dick Woods Oyen, AB
Myrna Michelle& Smigelski Oyen, AB
Shirley Park, Pam and Rob Stark & Family Oyen, AB
Ray Donald & Mary Wenzel Oyen, AB
Ralph & Marvel Jorgenson Oyen Lodge Miles & Vallery
Ken & Joan Mick & Family Oyen, AB
Have a blessed Christmas with your family & friends and a joyous, happy New Year. From the McDonalds Rose, Kenneth, Kimberley & Kevin
Michael & Delores at the Stein Ranch Chinook, AB
Gerti Kuzmiski Oyen, AB
WONNENBERGS
Bob, Rita, Justin & Autumn Oyen, AB
Mindy & Don Good Acadia Valley, AB
JoAnn, Kevin & Kurtis McBain Oyen, AB
Daryl, Janice & Taylor Peers Oyen, AB
Lynn & Bart Findlay & Family Maple Ridge, BC
Vicki & Dave Smale Oyen, AB
& Dave Grover & Family Stettler
Logan & Families Oyen, AB
Evhyn Kulyk Oyen, AB
Margaret & Ken Helm & Family Oyen, AB
Rev. Catherine Holland and Dennis Trevor Esther, AB
Michael & Marie Kulyk & Family Buffalo, AB
Lorraine
Trevor, Sheila, Dwight, Cyril, Rosie & Families Oyen, AB
Brad & Sharon Berg Oyen, AB
Don
Bamber & Family Oyen, AB
Betty Walker Oyen, AB
Shirley Jorgenson Oyen Lodge
THE YAKE FAMILY Alice, Jake, Penny Perry & Denise
Walter & Diane Walker Oyen, AB
THE WALLACE FAMILY Camrose, AB
THE WAGSTAFFS Barry & Juanita Sedalia, AB
Peter and Sharon Dahl & family Sedalia, AB
Phyllis Swanston & family Oyen, AB
Bob, Lorraine, and Dale Monkman Buffalo, AB
Rick Wenzel & Troy McDonald Oyen
Rita, Norma & Family
“Who owned the butcher shop?” It should have been Jack Shields.
from the ’40 and ’50s Oyen & District Golf Club 2021 Golf Memberships
1. The name of a 6’7”
truck?
2. Nickname of the youngest Smith boy. Good ball player?
3. Name of the first Bantam Hockey Team c/w uniforms?
4. He drove Cec’s white International delivery truck?
5. Who kept a milk cow in a little barn in the middle of town?
6. A major Oyen event that ceased in 1946?
7. A travelling cowboy singer with the name of a pig part?
LICENSES FOR 2021
All dog owners within Oyen Town Limits, who have dogs that are three (3) months of age or older, shall apply for a License for that Dog by completing an application at the Town Office. The Owner shall pay the License Fee by January 31st of each year.
If the Dog reaches the age of three (3) months after January 31st; or the person becomes the Owner of that Dog after January 31st; or the Owner takes up residence in the Town of Oyen after January 31st; the Owner shall apply for the License within seven days (7) of that time.
The License fee for each dog is $20.00
Please contact the Town Office (403) 664-3511 for more information or attend the Town Office 201 Main Street, Provincial Building to License your dog.
Noreen Rude CAO
8. A partsman for Berg’s Garage for years (big eyebrows)?
9. Owned the Excel Store?
10. The teacher who had his car filled with chickens one night?
11. Who were in the cars around the hospital at night?
12. He broke high jump records at the Acadia Track meet?
Necking Nurses 12. George Doupe Apologies for an incorrect answer the to Question
M. Dzurko
Floyd Bishop
Joe Rehill
Rodeo
McKays
Mercurys
ANSWERS:
SAVE $50 on Adult Senior Memberships Call Debbie Hryciw 403-664-9877 to purchase The perfect Christmas Gift! Blitz Ends Dec. 19/20
WHAT IS TIPP?
TIPP is the Tax Installment Payment Plan by which taxpayers pay their property taxes in monthly installments by pre-authorized transfer of funds from their bank account or post-dated cheques, rather than one single tax payment.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE TIPP?
• TIPP breaks the annual tax payment into 12 monthly payments to make budgeting easier.
Business Licenses expire December 31
Business licenses expire on December 31st of each year. Every person “carrying on business” within the corporate limits of the Town of Oyen is required to have a valid and subsisting Business License issued pursuant to the provisions of Bylaw 808-11 unless exempted by Federal or Provincial statues or regulations.
The fee structure for 2020 business licenses is as follows:
RESIDENT BUSINESS
$25.00
NON-RESIDENT BUSINESS $100.00
HOME OCCUPATION – OTHER THAN CATALOGUE SALES $50.00
HOME OCCUPATION –CATALOGUE SALES or HOME
PARTY BUSINESS$10.00
PEDDLER
- full year
$500.00 - per month$250.00 - per week
$150.00 - per day$100.00
CIRCUS, CARNIVAL, OR RODEO - per day
SEASONAL BUSINESS
BUSINESS LICENSE TRANSFER FEE
$100.00
$10.00
$10.00
CRAFT OR TRADE SHOW - per day$100.00
Please attend the Town Office, 201 Main Street, Provincial Building, Oyen, Alberta to apply for or renew your business license. For further information, please contact the Town Office at (403) 664-3511.
Noreen
Rude Chief Administrative Officer
• Regular payments are assured. If you are on vacation, out of town on business, or sick, your payment will be made on time.
• Convenient and reliable method of ensuring that your tax bill is paid.
• TIPP is not subject to discount or penalties provided monthly payments are made.
WHO CAN USE TIPP?
All taxpayers are eligible providing all previous years’ taxes are paid in full.
HOW DOES TIPP WORK?
• Payments start in January in each year and are made on the last business day of every month thereafter.
• Monthly payments for January to June shall be equal to 1/12 of the annual tax levy from the preceding year.
• Monthly payments for July to December shall be equal to 1/6 of the outstanding balance for the current year as of June 30.
• Once you are on TIPP you will be automatically renewed on the plan each year.
WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR TIPP?
You can apply for TIPP up to June 30 for the current year’s taxes. If your application is received after January 31 of the current year, you will be required to make an initial payment equal to the total of the missed installments of the current year.
HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR TIPP?
To apply for TIPP, complete and sign the TIPP PreAuthorized Debit Application form available online at www.townofoyen.com or pick-up a copy at the Town Office, attach a void cheque, and return to the Town Office for processing.
Installment payments will not be allowed on payments of taxes in arrears.
Please attend the Town Office, 201 Main Street, Provincial Building, Oyen, Alberta.
For further information please contact the Town Office at (403) 664-3511.
NOREEN RUDE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
driver of the bulk propane