An active and involved Big Country Agricultural Society volunteer, Keldon is attending Lethbridge Polytechnic in the Civil Engineering Technology Diploma program.
Last fall, he took business and finance classes at Olds College to gain knowledge of running a farm as a business and to manage his own finances for better sustainability. He spent the spring working with Precision Drilling near Grande Prairie and operated equipment for Special Areas for the third consecutive summer.
The son of Haley and Calvin Powell of Youngstown, Keldon grew up on his parents’ farm where he learned many things.
“It taught me to be dependable and hardworking,” says Keldon. “I have always been an adaptive learner, and I enjoy learning new things. Coming from a community-involved family, I have spent time with Big Country Agricultural Society as a volunteer and a participant in the Crossroads Centre.”
Over the past four years, Keldon helped host the team roping jackpot series, the rough stock winter series, the Beef Expo, the 2022 Rugged Rodeo and the 2023 and 2024 IRA Indoor Rodeos.
“I helped with planning, setting up, running cattle, operating the stripping chute and prize committee decisions,” says Keldon.
On behalf of 4-H and his high school rodeo club, Keldon helped with the Beef Expo set up and take down.
He volunteered in surrounding communities during his 7-year 4-H career including the Cereal Athletic Association with Cereal Kids Rodeo. He also designed, manufactured and donated a stripping chute for their rodeo grounds. Through Big Country High School Rodeo Club, he helped organize and host a three-day rodeo for hundreds of his peers during the four years of his high school rodeo career.
Keldon competed for four years in Alberta High School Rodeo in team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and lite rifle shooting. He represented Alberta in Lite Rifle Shooting at the 2021 Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska and qualified again for the 2022 and 2023 Nationals. He qualified for 2022 and 2023 provincials in team roping and steer wrestling and competed in amateur rodeo during 2022-2024. He enjoyed competing at the college rodeo level last year, qualifying for the finals in both team roping and steer wrestling.
Keldon, one of three Big Country Agricultural Society annual scholarships recipients, receives the first half of his $1,000 scholarship from BCAS director/scholarship committee member Kerry Molzan. Recipients must reside within the Special Areas and have completed Grade 12 from a school within Prairie Rose School Division north of the Red Deer River, or any school within Prairie Land School Division. They must be enrolled at a post-secondary institution in a post secondary course that would enhance rural living.
“After school, I plan to return to the Special Areas where I hope to farm while working within my field of civil engineering. The Special Areas is home to me. I consider farming and ranching a large part of who I am. The communities within the Special Areas have done so much for me that by returning to the area, I hope to give back to the communities,” concludes Keldon.
Keldon Powell: Farming and Ranching are a large part of who he is
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19Santa Claus is coming to Town! Come join us downtown at the FCSS Youth Centre and get your photo with Santa (we kindly ask for a toy donation to the Big Country Hospital or a food donation to the Local Food Bank). presents ... SPECIAL EVENTS on
Each Thursday in December the Oyen Chamber of Commerce will be hosting events that we hope will encourage everyone to come downtown and celebrate the Christmas Season.
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Each Thursday in December the Oyen Chamber of Commerce will be hosting events that we hope will encourage everyone to come downtown and celebrate the Christmas
To book space for Home Based Businesses in the Oyen Chamber’s pop up market in either the Schindel Agencies or FCSS Youth buildings during the last three late night shopping days, text Charmain 403-664-1404. Space is limited so book early.
Hours of Operation: Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from 5 - 9 PM
Christmas and Hope
BY DAMIEN KUREK Battle River-Crowfoot MP
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season, I wish for renewal, hope, and joy to all who are reading this. While this season is a time of celebration, it also offers an opportunity for reflection on the events of the past year. These events—both joyful and challenging—form the memories we carry with us. And while I pray most of your memories are filled with joy, it is often the difficult moments which bring us closer together, strengthening the bonds we share with our families, friends, and communities.
Damien Kurek
This has not been an easy year—economic and political challenges here at home, war and unrest in many places around the world. As your MP, I have heard about these challenges from you. I can assure you; this feedback has only strengthened my resolve to work for the change our country needs. Difficult personal times draw us closer to those we love and there is power in this unity as we face shared challenges.
The Christmas story is a shining beacon of hope—a reminder that, in times of hardship or weariness, we can turn to Jesus for guidance and strength. This season encourages us to lean on one another, to embody
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His grace, and to offer a helping hand to those in need. For many, this time of year is one of joy, but for others, it can be a period of loneliness and increased stress. As such, please take this holiday season as an opportunity to come together, share the love of Jesus, and support one another in our communities and families. As our community did for my family when we experienced with the sudden and unexpected loss of my father.
Let’s reflect on the life and hope we find in the birth of Jesus. Let’s share generosity and compassion, especially with those in need. Whether it’s supporting a local food bank, lending a helping hand, or visiting a neighbour with some fresh baking, each act, even small ones, can make a big difference.
Let’s also remember those who may find Christmas especially difficult this year in our communities: those serving in our Canadian Armed Forces away from loved ones, our police, fire departments, and emergency services, and those who are facing loneliness or loss. May they feel the hope of Christmas and the strength of our community.
In the midst of challenges, the hope found in the birth of Jesus rings true. From Danielle, myself, and my boys, Merry Christmas to you all, and may the New Year bring blessings of renewal and hope to everyone across Battle River—Crowfoot and Canada!
Residents at the Oyen Lodge have been busy enjoying all of the seasonal activities, including their annual Christmas Party. See the full story on page 8. PHOTOS BY DIANNE SPATH
OPINION:
A teen responds to the overwhelming needs around her
BY JOAN JANZEN
A parent of five children said every time he leaves the house to go on a trip with his kids, he gains a better understanding of how the McCallisters were able to forget Kevin in the movie “Home Alone.” Although fictional movies provide excellent entertainment, nothing compares to a true story like the one I’m about to share.
Katie Davis shared her story on Family Life Today. She left her home in Tennessee after graduating from high school in 2007, intending to spend a year in Uganda working at an orphanage. The one year turned into fifteen years and a very unusual story of Katie fostering over 40 kids by the time she was 28 years of age.
“I fell in love with the people, and the culture is so warm and hospitable,” she said. I had never experienced that immense poverty.” She came to realize that the majority of the children in the orphanage had families right in their small community, but because of poverty, they sent their kids to the orphanage. Children living there were eligible for sponsorship to attend school; however, it required their families to make a huge sacrifice.
The government was pushing for more foster care as opposed to institu-
Her story began when a grandmother was raising her twin 5-yearold granddaughters after her daughter had passed away.
tions. “Uganda is super community oriented, and it’s not uncommon to raise your sister’s kids or grandkids, but it’s the poverty that’s a hurdle,” she said.
Her story began when a grandmother was raising her twin 5-year-old granddaughters after her daughter had passed away. When the grandmother’s health deteriorated, she was considering sending the girls to the orphanage.
“I asked, if I could get money to send the girls to school, would she want to keep the girls at home. She said yes and started crying,” Katie recalled. “I called my parents and said I need $100 a month. My parents are huge advocates and they taught me about loving your neighbour as yourself.”
Katie’s parents contacted family and friends in the US to help sponsor kids. Meanwhile, word spread quickly in Katie’s small community in Uganda. “In
TO THE EDITOR:
FIGHTING WARS:
Canada was able to finance the fighting of 2 World Wars, and I’m just wondering why we can’t fight a war on poverty the same way. This war would seem to be more important to a lot of people, and I’m sure it could be won with a lot less loss of life too. We definitely need some politicians with a little
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more brain power than we’ve had lately. It would seem to me that we should have a lot more money available now than we had then. NATO partners seem to want us to spend a lot more money to be ready for some kind of future war. I think spending it on a “War on Poverty” would make more sense.
Robert Blagen, Youngstown, AB
my first year, I was raising money to send 40 kids to school,” she said. When I think about it now, I think, what was I doing?” She was still in her teens at the time.
Her first foster kids were three girls, who were living with their ailing grandmother. When the 9-year-old was hospitalized, Katie stepped in and took care of the two younger siblings, who she was already sponsoring. “The grandmother passed away, and we couldn’t find a family caregiver, so I became their foster mom,” Katie said. “I fostered 40 kids over the course of the next ten years, but I had a lot of Uganda neighbours and friends who were helping me. I could not have had that many kids in the United States.”
The young teen started writing a blog to keep friends and family updated. “A ton of people started reading my blog and wanted to help. I was just a kid, but as long as the funds were coming in I was going to use it to help more people in my community,” she said.
After she started writing her blog, she was approached by publishers about writing a book. She was 20 years old when she wrote her first book and has written two more books since then, one of which was a New York Times best seller. How she had time to write while fostering all those children is another mystery.
Before long, she formed a non-profit organization to distribute the funds and named the ministry the Ugandan word for “truth” after her favourite verse, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
At that time, she began hiring com-
munity members to help. Now, 18 years later, they have two schools, with each student assigned a personal mentor. “Each student has a one-on-one relationship with someone who checks on them in their homes, someone they can look up to,” Katie explained.
In 2015, Katie married Benji Majors, who had come from Tennessee to work in Uganda. “He is unequivocally one of the greatest gifts of my life,” she said. Together, they spent the next two years adopting their thirteen foster girls, who ranged in age up to 16 years. The girls were all sets of two or three siblings.
Since then, Katie and Benji have returned to the United States, where nine of their adult daughters now work or attend college. The remaining four are in high school and live at home, along with Katie and Benji’s two young biological sons.
“If our foster kids returned to their families it was a huge celebration because we had our eyes set on that the whole time. Other times, it was sad because we hadn’t expected that to happen,” Katie said. “In our home, we are all in with loving each child, whether they’re going to be with us forever or will return to their biological families.”
Their home has an unusual family dynamic, which is why their four-yearold biological son once asked, “Mom, who is my biological family?”
Katie’s story is incredible. It relays how one teen impacted so many lives simply because she responded to the overwhelming needs around her.
DIANA WALKER Editor Emeritus PATTI MORAN Production GREG PAULHUS Web/Social Media
Pop89: Where’s the Arrow?
BY MADONNA HAMEL
Every year, we go from autumn to winter, from falling leaves to falling snow, in one night. And the first response is always: “We need the moisture.” We always need moisture. Around here, I have come to realize that the weather is our mistress. Every morning when a rancher or farmer wakes, she is there, sitting, waiting. You open your eyes, and she claps her hands and says: “Perfect, you’re up. So … here’s what I have planned for you today!”
This year is no different. I went for a walk one warm November evening in runners and a sweater, and the next day, it was time for parka and mittens. The snow began to fall and it hasn’t left yet. In fact, a light skiff seems to land every night, turning every day into a “fresh start.” My neighbour Eugene has kindly taken to shovelling everyone’s walk. One morning I stuck my head out the door to thank him, assuring him he was going straight to heaven. He pointed to a giant heart that was stomped on the snow in the front yard right under my living room window. “Someone left you a valentine,” he said. “Oh, that’s so sweet! Probably, Staci; she came by to watch a movie last night,” I replied. “Where’s the arrow? “He asked. “What do you mean?” “You can’t have a Valentine without an arrow,” he shrugged. Considering that most of my conversations with Staci revolve around personal hardships, past relationships and breakups, the shock of aging and goofy insights about a lifetime of seeking answers to The Big Questions, an arrow seems appropriate. There is no heart without heartbreak; living means hurting as well as loving and healing. “Never a pithier word was spoken, Gene, “I said.
Three days later I’m in an online workshop about the mystics. In the evening, we are invited to do some journaling and drawing after a day of study -
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ing the work of an anonymous Russian mystic who wrote The Way of The Pilgrim. As we begin to draw, I spy the giant heart illuminated by my lamp in the living room window. It reminds me of a form of tag we played in the snow as children. It involved stamping out a big pie and cutting into slices. You could only chase each other by running along the edges of the slices. I laugh to myself: we start by chasing each other by playing tag, then we catch each other and break each other’s hearts. Such is life.
That night was The Lions Club’s annual Christmas supper. This is an event I do not like to miss, not only because it’s free for seniors but because it’s a chance to visit with everyone I haven’t seen in months. And to see the newborns snuggled next to their pretty young moms. A new baby in this village is a big deal; we all gather around the newborn, imitating shepherds at the nativity. There is a knowledge that this child will be loved and watched over by everyone. And if he or she wavers or gets into trouble, all the locals will stand by them - often to a fault - until they “grow out of it” or “get over it” and eventually “settle down.” I move from one table to the next, visiting with Mette, who first welcomed me here as a writer-in-residence at The Convent Inn. When my month of residency was up, I reminded her of our agreement, and she replied: “Ah, who’s counting!” and she and Robert let me stay another two months. Those three months “in the convent” changed my life in ways I’m still discerning. Also at the table is Susan from The Crossing - a giver of warm hugs. And Catherine, a painter with whom I talk about the mystery of inspiration.
Then I move over to sit with Betty and Judy, where we watch the kids playing on the stage, and someone invariably says:” That kid was only this
high last month!” Marvelling at growth spurts of kids is as common as remarking on the weather. It’s standard procedure at Christmas dinners. As the girls chase the boys around the room, I think of that heart awaiting them in the not-so-distant future of puberty. “I’m not sure when it happened,” I laugh, confiding to Betty. “But at one point, I stopped believing in that whole some-day-myprince-will-come thing. But it’s a whole other thing to accept that I’m not the princess. I’m the crone!” I leave the hall with two bottles of half-drunk wine - I cannot bear to just leave them sitting on the table. One I end up using as a marinade. The other I polish off watching a Hallmark Christmas movie - a guilty pleasure I indulge in every season. I know how these movies turn out - it’s a formula: a feisty city gal finds herself in a charming made-fortv country village wearing the wrong shoes and the wrong attitude. Maybe she’s got a deadline to meet for her investment or property development firm, which involves selling her soul for her company. However, lucky for her, she encounters a plaid-bedecked single dad hunk with great hair who sets her straight about the things that really matter in life. They spar, sparks fly, and then they rally to save a child or a barn or a Christmas tree farm. Then, they laugh, make up, and live happily ever after. Sweet. It’s a valentine with barely a rip, and certainly no piercing arrow.
On the last day of my workshop, I draw great, big hearts surrounded by rose thorns- a harkening of the holy cards from childhood- with Jesus pointing to his pierced heart on fire with love. Outside, snow begins to fall, and tears fall down my cheeks- they are arrows of melancholy and a heart of gratitude. That’s good. I need the moisture.
All I Want for Christmas is to be understood
BY TINA MEGGISON
Communication is everywhere. It’s essential to every part of life, shaping how we connect with others and even how we understand ourselves. From the moment we’re born until the day we pass, communication is at the heart of it all. But what happens when communication becomes a challenge?
In English, there are countless ways to say the same thing, with subtle variations that can invite one to share more details or clarify their thoughts.
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As a Low German kid growing up in an “English” world, I often found myself navigating two different styles of communication. At home, our language was mostly Low German. In the outside world, it was all English. The difference was stark – not just in vocabulary but in how people communicated.
In English, there are countless ways to say the same thing, with subtle variations that can invite someone to share more details or clarify their thoughts. But translating those same phrases into Low German can be tricky – sometimes they all sound like the exact same question. This is something to keep in mind when using an interpreter, no matter the language.
The need to feel understood is universal. When someone truly listens and works to meet your needs through effective commu-
nication, it can feel like the world is a better place. But when communication breaks down – when needs aren’t understood or met – it can leave a person feeling frustrated, isolated, or even hopeless.
Having worked as an interpreter and Community Health Representative for over a decade, bridging these communication gaps has been my mission. It’s my hope that this work has brought a sense of understanding to both service providers and clients, creating connections that foster trust and mutual respect.
One universal form of communication that transcends all language barriers is body language—especially a smile. No matter how much of a language gap exists, a smile and an effort to understand can go a long way. Think about moments when you felt judged or like an inconvenience, whether with a family member or a stressed service provider. Suddenly, it becomes harder to communicate clearly. For newcomers accessing services in a new country, these feelings of anxiety or inadequacy can be constant. But a simple smile or a warm demeanor can make all the difference.
No matter what language or style we communicate in, we all have a role to play in bridging the gaps. A smile, a bit of patience and a willingness to understand can transform stressful moments into manageable ones. Let’s commit to treating others the way we want to be treated. In doing so, we can help create a world where everyone feels heard, valued, and – most importantly – understood.
Tina Meggison is a Low German Interpreter and Community Health Representative with Alberta Health Services.
VIVA VITALITY
Oilers overly reliant on their two superstars
BY BRUCE PENTON
It’s a good-news, badnews scenario that Edmonton Oilers have the two highest-scoring teammates in the National Hockey League.
The good news is that Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are a threat to score almost every time they’re on the ice, but the bad news is that the team’s secondary scoring beyond the two superstars is scarce.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
Memo to NHL coaches: Figure out a way to stop, or slow down, Draisaitl and McDavid, and you’re more than likely to stop the Oilers.
Recent NHL stats show that while goal production from the top two scorers on each team in the NHL represents, on average, 28.5 per cent of a team’s offensive output, the figure is a league-high and unhealthy 40.2 per cent for the Oilers.
Through the end of November, Draisaitl had 17 goals and McDavid 12. The next-best goal output by an Edmonton forward was four — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Corey Perry and Jeff Skinner.
Other teams quite dependent on their top two scorers are the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Habs depend heavily on Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, who provide 36.7 per cent of the team’s goals, while the Leafs relied on William Nylander (15) and John Tavares (11) to lead the offence. The Toronto situation could hardly be called dire, though, because high-scoring Auston Matthews missed almost a month due to injury and Toronto’s offence is spread out further now that he’s back.
At the lower end of the statistical story are Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets, whose top two scorers provide a little more than 20 per cent of the team’s total.
Oilers’ general manager Stan Bowman is obviously burning up the phone lines trying to find a dependable scoring forward to add to his roster, because if either Draisaitl or McDavid were to be sidelined for any length of time, the Edmonton offence might come close to drying up.
On the other hand, McDavid and Draisaitl are so prolific, that coach Kris Knoblauch gives them an extraordinary amount of ice time, which reduces the chances for lesser players to shine. Anther point in Edmonton’s favour is the status of the slumping Zach Hyman, coming off 36- and 54-goal seasons, but with only three in the team’s first 20 games. A Hyman breakout can be expected, easing the requirement for the Oilers’ big two to carry the heaviest load.
The season isn’t half over yet and there’s no reason to think the Oilers can’t get things going. They started slowly last year, then ran off a 16-game winning streak at one point, and were powerful through the playoffs, losing in Game 7 of the Cup final to Florida.
Memo to NHL coaches: Figure out a way to stop, or slow down, Draisaitl and McDavid, and you’re more than likely to stop the Oilers.
Recent NHL stats show that while goal production from the top two scorers on each team in the NHL represents, on average, 28.5 per cent of a team’s offensive output, the figure is a league-high and unhealthy 40.2 per cent for the Oilers.
“It’s about bringing a level of urgency … and doing your job and doing what you need to do and understanding that everybody else is going to go out and do their job,” Hyman told NHL.com. “We’re not playing up to our standard.”
• Canadian rapper Drake, quoted by Mike Bianchi on X: “Wzzzzzzzzhen writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Molly Schuyler once won the Wing Bowl in Philadelphia by eating a whopping 501 chicken wings in 30 minutes. She was poultry in motion.”
• Headline at fark.com: “Tom Brady just can’t understand how all QBs aren’t just like him.”
• Michael Traikos of the Hockey News, on the controversy surrounding offer sheets: “It’s the NHL equivalent to asking out someone who is wearing a wedding ring.”
• NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, after throwing three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, amid a 497-yard passing game vs. Denver: “I’m praying for the Lord to deliver me from pick-sixes.”
• Canadian parody website The Beaverton, on the most popular Christmas present in Ontario: “Raptors tickets (mostly as an excuse to get rid of them).”
• Another one from The Beaverton: “Report: Juan Soto in talks with Ohtani about best way to get Canadians’ hopes up before crushing their dreams.”
• Another fark.com headline: “New Toronto WNBA franchise chooses name … seriously, the Tempo?
them losses.”
• Simmons, with more money talk: “When Scottie Barnes’ new deal kicks in next season, he’ll be getting $44 million U.S., which is about $60 million Canadian, which is $10 million more than the nine rosters in the entire Canadian Football League pay out to their players, give or take a dollar.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
On October 2, 2024, we lost a loving husband, father, grandfather and family member, as well as a friend to many in the Oyen area. Peter Ian White was taken from us suddenly, and his passing has left a big hole in our lives.
We are so grateful to the many people who have helped and supported us as we grieve our loss. We particularly want to thank those four wonderful angels who came to Peter and Heather’s assistance, on the 570, that sad day, and also the Oyen EMS, Fire Department and RCMP who rushed to help in the emergency. We are forever grateful to Kim Walker and Pam Stark and the staff of the Oyen Funeral Home for their comfort, kindness and efficient organization of all the funeral arrangements. Thank you to the ladies of All Saints Anglican Church and Sacred Heart CWL for the provision of the delicious refreshments at the Celebration of Life, and to the Town of Oyen crew for the preparation of the burial site. A special thank you to Rev. Dr. Catherine Holland for her friendship and comfort, and the beautiful Requiem Mass and Celebration of Life services, which meant so much to the entire family.
We have been overwhelmed and are full of gratitude to the many friends and neighbours who visited; sent words of condolence; related wonderful stories of memories; lent photos for the Celebration of Life; and provided so many gifts of food, items of remembrance and deeds of kindness. You have been a great comfort to us and have shown us that Peter was loved and respected by so many in this community.
May each one of you experience comfort, love and peace during this Christmas Season.
Sincere thanks from, Heather White
Jason, Shonna, Morgan and Connor White
Danielle, Murray, Frazer, Izaac, and Eliza Paetz
be departing from Oyen soon. Their son, an entomologist, received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from McGill University on October 6, 1936, and married Miss Virginia Gardiner of Point Claire, Quebec, the next day. His life enters this story in more detail later.
The residents of Oyen celebrated “Coronation Day” on May 18, beginning with an impressive march by the Scouts and Guides. The program began with a service in the Anglican Church conducted by Rev. A. Patterson who spoke briefly on the significance of the Coronation ceremonies. He was assisted in the service by Mr. G.S. Peck. A sports program followed in the afternoon. It included “an exciting bicycle race won my Walter Krewski with Howard Tilley (the son of CNR station agent) second.” Later, the Scouts held a dance in the theatre with music by the Gullekson Orchestra.
On July 7, Scoutmaster Patterson took a group of Scouts and Cubs to Alsask to welcome the Governor General of Canada who was visiting a school friend from years ago. A report on this event was previously published in this newspaper. The Pecks were at the Calgary Stampede which likely explains their absence
In early September Mr. and Mrs. Peck had as their guest Miss Sibbitt of London, England who was a niece of Mrs. Archie Johnson, formerly of Oyen but then residing in Melbourne, Australia. Miss Sibbitt was on the last lap of her trip around the world. Several families with the surname “Johnson” settled in this district, but I found only one reference to Archie Johnson in The Oyen News on August 5, 1925.
Two major developments distinguished the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Peck in 1938. They received a cable from their son Edward on March 17 indicating he would be arriving in Oyen to visit them on April 1st. He was at that time a government veterinarian and agriculturalist in Northern Africa and on vacation in England. His career also enters this story in more detail later.
The Oyen News ceased publishing in 1935. Fortunately, we have this story from the Calgary Daily Herald (name changed to the Calgary Herald in 1939) on
Residents Move To Calgary.” Last week Mr. and Mrs. Gerard S. Peck, pioneer residents of the Oyen district, left to make their new home in Calgary, where they are now living on Sunnyside Boulevard. They played a prominent part in community affairs there.
Mr. Peck took great interest in the agricultural society and fair association and Mrs. Peck served several terms as president of the Anglican Women’s Auxiliary. One son Edward is in Somalia, Africa; another Oswald is at Ottawa; a third, Hubert, is at Cochrane; and a fourth, David, farms at Lacombe.
Seven years later, Gerald Septimus Peck, 77, died in a Calgary hospital on September 28, 1945, following a lengthy illness. His obituary noted he was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, and moved to Oyen in 1921 where he became a police magistrate and served in that capacity for 17 years – farming until moving to Calgary in 1938.
Surviving were his widow Annie and four sons. Two of them had military status – Corporal Hubert Peck of Cochrane, Alberta and Major Edward Peck then serving in Tanganyika, Africa. Also surviving him were three sisters in England – Mrs. Arthur Burns, Mrs. Sidney Stephenson, and Mrs. Campbell Meyer, and nine grandchildren. Services were held at St. Barnabas Church with interment at Queen’s Park Cemetery in Calgary.
Annie Peck, Gerard’s wife, died four years later, on December 1st, 1949, under very tragic circumstances. She was in a small vehicle driven by her eldest son Hubert on Saturday afternoon November 19 when it was struck by a truck on a Calgary street. His vehicle was totally wrecked. Annie, age 81, had a fractured pelvis, Hubert had a collarbone and four ribs broken. She died from her injuries twelve days later. An inquest determined that Hubert had made an illegal U-turn while the truck was passing another vehicle, causing the collision.
Information in Mrs. Peck’s obituary not reported previously is that she was born in Bolton, England in 1868 and moved to Oyen in 1921. She was past president of the Oyen Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. In Calgary she was a member of the Women’s Canadian Club and St. Barnabus Anglican Church. Her second son Edward at that moment was living in Somaliland, British East Africa. She was survived by a brother Edward in England and ten grandchildren.
Thus ends the news coverage when Mr. and Mrs. Peck were residing in Oyen and Calgary. What follows in the next half-century – the next stage or denouement of their generation – are some surprising revelations. These will be described in several forthcoming articles.
Acadia Valley Library News
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH
Season’s Readings!
The library will be closed over the school break. Our last open day of the year will be Thursday December 19th and we will re-open on Tuesday January 7th. Stop in this week to stock up on items while we’re away.
Another way to enjoy items over the closure (especially helpful if you’re travelling) is by accessing e-Books or e-Audiobooks through the library’s e-Resources. Cloud Library is one in particular that offers fiction and non-fiction for all ages. Access it through
GROWING THROUGH GRIEF:
the library’s website: www.acadialibrary.ca/eResources and by selecting Cloud Library. There are also instructions and an informational video to help walk you through the process if needed. Your library barcode and pin (the last 4 digits of your phone number) are required for access. If you are unsure of your barcode, drop by, call us at 403-972-3744, or email aavalibrary@marigold.ab.ca and we will gladly get it for you!
Keep watch for a Story Walk popping up at the skating rink in the near future. Families can read The Night Before Christmas by Barbara Reid together as they walk around the rink.
Between worlds at Christmas
BY ANGELA CLEMENT
This time of year can be really exciting and joyful and it can also be a really difficult time for so many who are perhaps not feeling the spirit of Christmas so much. It is challenging when you are hurting and everyone around you seems to be joyful. We feel like we are alone, left out of the magic of Christmas and the inspiration that comes with being excited about the future. When we are missing someone, time seems to stand still. We just want to go back. We have such fond memories of the past and we yearn to revisit those moments of delight and excitement. Why wouldn’t we want to go there? That is where we feel close to our loved ones. Yet we are not in the past. We can’t go back. What are we to do with all of this emotion that continues to consume us? It is like we are stuck here in this place of despair and it causes us to become depressed. We lose hope. If we try to glimpse into the future it just feels so overwhelming and in some ways impossible to imagine. The future is unknown. Even if we thought we could step into future goals and aspirations, it seems pointless when we don’t have our loved ones beside us. The future seems so far away and quite frankly, we would just rather not go there. It is just too painful to think about. How can anything ever be okay again? So here we are in between worlds. We cannot go back and we have no desire to move forward. What can we do in this space? How can we overcome these feelings that overwhelm us this time of year? I have found that the only thing to do is to take this time to slow down and reconnect with yourself and your own wisdom. We remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle for a time. We give ourselves a little retreat. We say no to things we don’t want to do. We start looking after ourselves in the best way possible. We practise all the things we know will help us, like eating properly, getting rest, getting out in nature and for us here in the winter and cold maybe we connect with those house plants! We need to prioritize things to help us emotionally, physically and spiritually. We talk to a trusted friend or coach. We find
creative ways to allow all the emotions to come out of us so we can heal and be free again. We do this not because we feel like it, but because we want to feel better. We want to heal and feel joyful again.
Please know that you are not alone if you are the person in between worlds and needing to retreat this time of year. It is okay. By looking after yourself now in whatever small way you can, you are setting yourself up to find positive ways to move forward. This time of difficulty can and will pass. It takes a little time, patience and some healing work. Embrace it now and allow the grieving process to transform you in positive ways you do not know yet are possible. Christmas will come and go. Enjoy what you can and over everything else continue to focus on what you need to feel better. If you need help, reach out. Support is all around you. Sending so much love, Angela www.healingenergy.world
Fred John Walker Feb. 19, 1942-Dec. 19, 2023
Until We Meet Again
We
We
And you
We hold you close within our hearts And there you will remain To walk and guide us through our lives, Until we meet again.
- ever loved and missed by Diana, Lee Ann, Sheldon, Kaylin, Nathan & Renn, Shaina & Matt, Brittany & Dave
Resident Winter Wonderland Christmas Party was very special
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. Sorry, I missed the news last week -
Monday, January 6, 2025
Truck Works Inc.
2-6th, we had some nice temperatures with the weather. Christmas season is approaching fast, so everyone can start decorating and shopping. The maintenance men have been busy putting up outdoor Christmas lights, and they look very festive.
Monday, December 2nd, started with exercises, followed by Phase Ten card games, and bingo in the afternoon.
Tuesday morning was the regular bus run downtown for shopping. Also, there were exercises, followed by scrabble games with my one-on-one resident. Tuesday afternoon was ice cream parlour followed by piano with Taylor Neilson.
Wednesday morning was crossword games, and Wednesday afternoon was shuffleboard. Wednesday, December 4th, is National Santa’s Lists Day, so hopefully, everyone got their requests in for their Christmas presents from good old Saint Nick.
Thursday was spent finishing decorating, and ATB Financial was at the Lodge from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday afternoon was card bingo.
On Friday, December 6th, there weren’t any activities as my volunteers and I were setting up the resident Christmas party. The party started at 5 p.m., with a happy hour, the selling of raffle tickets, and a visit. Turkey supper was prepared for 6 p.m. Lyla Rutherford sang Grace before we enjoyed our meal which was prepared by the Lodge kitchen staff. Thanks to the kitchen staff for doing a great job and to all the residents’ guests who came and brought a salad or a dessert to complete the meal. It was greatly appreciated. The tables and the dining room were decorated in blue, white and silver décor to set the scene for a winter wonderland look. I want to give a huge thank you to my volunteers, Shyann and Sandy Lockhart, for helping me set up the party, running the bar, and running raffle ticket sales. Also, thanks to our secretary Erin Van Koughnett for helping and always being there to lend a hand when needed. The lucky winner of the 50/50 was Norma Shoemaker. Gary Jorgenson and Doug Jones won the Christmas raffle baskets. Congrats to all. Thanks to all those who purchased tickets, proceeds go towards entertainment for the Oyen Lodge. Some door prizes were drawn. I would also like to thank everyone who donated: Brad and Sandy Lock-
CEREAL
- Cereal Cottages Coffee on Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM
- Cereal Board of Trade Bingo Mondays at 7:30 PM. Last 2024 date Nov 25th CJPC (restart in April 2025)
- Quilting Club weekly Wednesdays 10:00 AM
- 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
- Chase the Ace weekly Thursdays 7:009:00 PM at the Cereal Hotel
- Cereal Playground most Tuesdays 10:00 AM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
hart Ranches, Home Hardware, TGP Foods, Avon, “If the Shoe Fits” Company, Alberta Clothing, Personal Touch Clothing, Oyen Liquor Mart, Sandra Woytkiw, and Dianne Spath.
Following the door prizes, Ralph, Marvel and Gary Jorgenson and residents played music and sang Christmas Carols. December 6th is National St. Nicholas Day, so Santa decided to show up knowing all the residents have been very good this year with a present for all the residents. Thanks to all the residents, guests, staff and volunteers for attending the Resident Winter Wonderland Christmas party and making it very special.
Fun was had by all. December 9-13th the weather started to get a bit chillier with some much-needed snow. Monday morning started with exercises followed by crib games. In the afternoon was bingo. Tuesday morning was the regular bus run downtown and exercises. Scrabble games were played with me one-on-one (I actually won again, which doesn’t happen very often, lol). Tuesday was National Lager Day, so we had a pub afternoon to celebrate the National Day. Taylor Neilson was at the Lodge to play piano, and in the evening, Don Bamber had Karaoke.
Wednesday morning was Church with Bill Kolkman followed by card games. In the afternoon there were shuffleboard games.
Thursday morning ATB Financial was at the Lodge so that the residents could do their banking one last time before Christmas. Thursday morning were shuffleboard games and there were no activities in the afternoon, Dianne was away in the afternoon.
Friday morning, there were exercises and horse races. Friday afternoon was a visit to the Auxiliary for afternoon coffee and a visit with those residents before Christmas. Friday evening was music by the Jorgenson’s.
The Oyen Lodge would like to extend its deepest sympathies to Val Logan and Miles Logan’s family on the passing of Miles Logan. Val and Miles lived at the Oyen Lodge for many years before Miles moved to the Auxiliary. Thinking of you all.
Thank you to Lorraine Kuhn from Acadia Valley for the beautiful Christmas candy tray. Have a great week, everyone. Stay warm and stay safe.
OYEN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
• BCAS 2024 Happy Bucking New Year’s Eve. The Crossroads Centre. Doors open at 4:00 PM. Bulls buck at 7:00 PM. Dance to follow. Mechanical Bull Competition. Steak Supper Fundraiser $40/plate (limited). Proceeds to New Brigden Community Association. Contact 306-717-3850 or 403664-9872 for more info.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21 & 28
• Crafting and Socializing at the Oyen and District Seniors Rec Center (50 plus). Come and Go or stay for the day. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Bring your own project and a bag lunch. $20 membership for the year or $5
drop in fee. Contact Cheryl Getz 403-6648688.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers.
- Drop in Pickleball Mondays 7:00-9:00 PM at South Central High School
- Junior League Curling (Grade 6 & up) Mondays after school. Session 1 November - mid December. Enter teams to Jerry Logan 403664-6001.
- Fun League Curling. Tuesday evenings. Enter teams to Jackie Dick 403-664-0157. - Cash League Curling. Wednesday evenings. Enter teams to Brett Peterson 403664-8868.
- Sturling League Curling. Thursday at noon. Enter teams to Jerry Logan 403-664-6001.
SEDALIA
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
• Sedalia Late Night Christmas Celebration. Late night shopping at Sedalia Co-op & 6S In Sedalia from 6 to 9 PM. In store contests, prizes, snacks, fireworks, hayrides (weather permitting), and a great evening of laughter and visiting. Dance to follow at the Sedalia Hall starting at 9 PM. Contact Ed 403-326-2152 for more info.
