MacLean’s Funeral Home staff: from left: Blake Hertz (representing his mother Conny Hertz, funeral attendant since 2016), Lauren Burgemeister (Hanna Funeral Home – helped out several times over the year and Kim helped them), James Walker (funeral attendant since 2017), Kevin McBain (funeral attendant since 2011), Bonnie Burke (attendant, driver, celebrant, answers phones since 1987), Pam Stark (funeral director - returned in 2017 and relicensed in 2019), Rosalind Scarff (funeral attendant since 2020), Ryan Koehli (owner since 2019), Kim Walker (employed since 2013 - funeral director, embalmer, business manager), Joanne McBain (food prep helper). Missing from photo: Ken Shubert (drives and answers phones since 1991), Daena Wilson (2019-2024, retired to focus on work and other commitments). Joining the photo in front are Morgan and Ethan Koehli. PHOTO BY DIANA WALKER
BY KIM WALKER
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, MacLean’s Funeral Home hosted their annual Tree Of Remembrance at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Oyen. This evening is held annually to honour the families served over the past year. All community members were welcome to join in this time of fellowship.
Throughout the evening, attendees were entertained by a choir formed from the local churches, led by Pastor Brad Broadhead. Before the entertainment, delicious ham, cabbage rolls, pasta sal-
Dry Land Butchering
KELSEY MACDONALD
ad, veggies and buns were enjoyed, all cooked by Kim and Pam with prep help from Joanne and James.
Since moving this event to the Legion, organizers have had the privilege of having East Sounding Creek 4H club parents and kids assist with greeting ev-
eryone, hanging up the coats, helping with kitchen duties, serving beverages, etc. The 4-H has lent helping hands the last 4 to 5 years with next year already booked!
The evening consisted of speeches, a PowerPoint, musical entertainment, and recognition of people and groups who have helped the organizers with a highlight of medallion presentations. This year roughly 150 family and community members enjoyed many laughs, conversations and tears but most importantly fellowship of a common loss.
Next year’s Tree of Remembrance is scheduled for November 22, 2025.
East Sounding Creek 4-H Beef Club: from left: Hayden Bingeman, Doug Westerlund, Rhett Rude, Cooper Norris, Leif Westerlund, Warren Westerlund, Cabrie Tye, Emma Westerlund, Camrie Norris, Quade Tye, Colt Grover.
PHOTO BY
Community Choir: Organist Marilyn Lehman, conductor Pastor Brad Broadhead. Back row, from left: Ken and Joan Mick, Heather Norris, The Rev. Dr. Catherine Holland, Shirley Foot, Bonnie Burke. Middle row, Joan Shields, Mel and Mary Loose, Ralph Jorgenson, Madeline Nichols. Front row, Lealla, Nigel, Elowen, Linnea, and Rowenna Broadhead. PHOTO BY KELSEY MACDONALD
OPINION:
Immigration plan: a reversal from previous announcements
BY JOAN JANZEN
The sign said: I’m getting stronger with age. I can now lift $100 worth of groceries with one hand.
There’s truth in that statement as we watch prices and situations change around us. Brad Wall, former Premier of Saskatchewan, is now retired and watching those changes take place. He served from 2007 until 2018 and was recently interviewed on the Shaun Newman podcast. Shaun asked Brad, “As a political nerd who has spent his life in politics, what helps formulate your viewpoint on watching politics play out?”
Brad responded by suggesting two important questions people need to ask. The first is, what do you want for your family from the government? The second is, what would you like them to stay away from?
“We want a party that has policies that lift people up, not bring people down. A party that has a platform whose commitments lift you and your family up, and leave families alone where it’s important that they leave them alone,” he said. “I think that’s what we should look for.”
Stephen LeDrew, who served as President of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1998 to 2003, now hosts The LeDrew 3 Minute podcast. He commented
that the number of Canadian bureaucrats is increasing by 40 percent. “We have to shrink highly paid government employees who don’t have enough to do, and are looking for ways to get into somebody else’s business or family life,” he said.
His guest, Jay Goldberg from the Canadian Taxpayer Foundation, agreed, saying, “The government hires more and more staff to be less and less effective. They aren’t helping; they’re hurting Canadians.”
Immigration is one area which Canadians expect the federal government to be involved in. Hosts of Northern Perspective, Ryan and Tanya, commented on the Prime Minister’s 7-minute You Tube video about the recent reduction in permanent residents being admitted to Canada and changes to the temporary foreign worker program.
“Today I’m going to let you know where we made mistakes,” Justin Trudeau explained. The Prime Minister reported the Globe and Mail’s statistics that nearly 14,000 asylum claims were filed by international students in Canada so far in 2024. In his video clip, he continued to explain some temporary students turn to the asylum system as a short cut to stay in Canada when their visa expires. These claims are analyzed, processed, and if claims fail, they will be sent back home. It often takes over a
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year to process these claims.
Ryan informed his listeners of information which was not included in the 7-minute video. “Here’s the numbers for you folks! We knew well over a million people were coming into Canada, but I thought the majority were temporary foreign workers, asylum seekers and refugees,” he said. It turns out those three categories amounted to approximately 250,000. “In 2023 there were 900,000 international students who came in Canada!” Ryan exclaimed. He compared that number to the 350,000 international students who came into Canada in 2015.
“You have 240,000 homes completed in 2023, and you had almost 1.5 million people coming into the country!” Ryan reported. “The Prime Minister is saying we need all these workers in Canada, and yet unemployment is going up.”
His wife and co-host Tanya chimed in saying, “The number of jobs being created is the same or less than the number of people who are coming to the country and are looking for work. And a lot of those jobs are in government since they’ve increased public service jobs by 40 percent.” Tanya observed. “Those jobs don’t give back to the economy, but cost taxpayers.”
Unfortunately, there was more bad news. “Trudeau says he’s being responsible,” Ryan said. “But in the first six months of 2024, we were on track to breaking the record of 2023, which was 900,000! I was incredulous; I thought it was fake news! This is what happens when you have open border policies.”
Tanya noted that the government
should build the infrastructure first and ensure our healthcare system can handle the influx of people before bringing them in. That would be the common-sense solution.
Meanwhile, in Ottawa, the government is putting up “sprung structures,” otherwise known as tent encampments, to house asylum seekers. David Krayden, host of Stand on Guard, said what is happening in Ottawa is incredible.
“You’re going to hear it every day in the mainstream media about the asylum seekers. These are not asylum seekers; they are illegals sneaking across the border and getting into Canada,” he said.
Harrison Faulkner from True North also reviewed the Prime Minister’s video and observed, “Canada’s new immigration plan is a complete reversal of their announcements just six months ago.”
If you listen to the video you’ll hear the Prime Minister say many people are coming to this country who need a decent job, health care, and a decent place to live. “We need to make sure our population isn’t getting ahead of those things. Immigration is primarily a federal job. We have the levers to rein it in,” the Prime Minister said. It would have been great if he had come to that realization years ago, instead of prior to an election year.
His solution is to put a pause on immigration and then resume it in 2027. However Faulkner noted, “You can’t just stop this train and then pick it up a few years later and pretend as though everything is fine.”
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Community newspapers are living history books, recording all facets of the lives of community residents, as well as providing news that is relevant to them.
Pop89: You had a dream
BY MADONNA HAMEL
Of all the gifts one can be given in staggering abundance, mine is dreams. But when was the last time you listened to someone’s dream? I’m not talking about their vision for the future for themselves, their families, or humankind. I’m talking about that wild and wondrous nonsense poem of a dream they had last night.
“Your dreams,” a professor once warned me, “are as interesting as my drug trips. Or slide shows of my recent vacation.” (Those were the days before Instagram and cell phones and FB pages when people had you over for beers and popcorn, and you made a night of it. I actually enjoyed slideshows – but then, I had some interesting friends. And my brother took some exquisite pictures of hikes into the wilderness).
Why are so few interested in dreams? Dreams cannot be fact-checked. However, we are willing to accept “news” reported in news “shows” by “personalities”–gone are the days of opinion-less news anchors. We’re even willing to get our news from social media.
But dreams are news about ourselves. They are not meant to tell others what to do or how to see, but help us see ourselves. There are people who make a point of examining dreams. One is my brother. He is a Jungian, an adept of the psychologist Carl Jung, who based his whole profession on taking his analysands dreams seriously. My sister, who has kept a dream journal for over forty years, studies with author and dreamworker Robert Moss. He believes, like many Indigenous peoples, that dreams are no less than the secret wishes and language of the soul.
My siblings are always asking: “had any good dreams lately?” And then, they actually listen, agog, not just to mine, but to everyone’s dreams. But why? Because the ego has no say in what comes up. And neither do corporate heads, nor lobbyists.
I fear that the human soul, at least in the Western world, is on life-support, so I believe that dream awareness is a good and even necessary habit. Some of us have lost hope, or are hoping, in a dark direction We endlessly try, like the sorcerer’s apprentice, to fill a soul-shaped hole with other gods, like: politics, or AI technology, or celebrity. But any attempt at replacing the Transcendent with material gods just can’t quite make the leap beyond our material world. That’s where dreams come in - they can reveal to us our shadowy tendencies and even offer alternate story-maps out of those shadows.
The Talmud says, “An unexamined dream is like an unopened letter.” And yet, we continue to keep the nightly correspondence sealed. Why? Is it because dreams are nonsensical, gibberish, and erratic? And our politicians aren’t?
There’s a story about a student who asked his rab-
bi why, in olden days, there were men who saw the face of God in their dreams and why don’t they any more? The rabbi replied, “Because nowadays, no one can stoop so low.” Our inability to listen to our dreams is due, partly, to our hyper-rational self sneering: that makes no sense.
Thankfully, many great writers, inventors, musicians, and scientists stooped low enough to listen to the still, small - if quirky - voices that came in their sleep. Some famous works are so outlandish they could only appear as dreams:
August Kekule discovered the hexagonal structure of benzene after he dreamt about a snake eating its own tail. “I dreamt was sledding with my friends at night,” wrote Einstein, “I started to slide down the hill but my sled started going faster and faster. I was going so fast that I realized I was approaching the speed of light. I looked up at that point and I saw the stars. I understood in some way that I was looking at the most important meaning in my life.” He was looking at the Theory of Relativity.
McCartney dreamed the entire hit song “Yesterday.”
Mary Shelley wrote about her 1816 classic “Frankenstein”: “I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life, and stir with an uneasy, half vital motion. …he is awakened; he opens his eyes; behold, the horrid thing stands at his bedside, opening his curtains and looking at him with yellow, watery, but speculative eyes. I opened mine in terror.” And then, she wrote it all down.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge dreamt his poem, Kubla Khan, then wrote: “What if in your sleep you dreamed? And what if, in your dream, you went to heaven? And there, plucked a strange and beautiful flower. And what if, when you awoke, you had that flower in your hand? Ah, what then?”
I’ve had dreams that point to dream objects found later in the light of day. But most often, what comes is a single word. However, those words have nudged me forward in life. Their insight, foresight, and spirit stay with me.
The Christmas story is full of dreams - beginning with the angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream to assure him that his betrothed was pregnant via The Holy Spirit, which had to be a relief for Mary. Then Joseph dreamt a warning to get out of Egypt, now! Later, the magi were warned to avoid Herod and take the long way home. Then, after Herod died, a dream alerted Joseph that it is okay to return home. Only, as the family made their way through Judea, he had a fourth dream, warning him that Herod’s son had taken the throne, so he moved the family to Nazareth.
Is there a difference between those who listen to their dreams and those who don’t, who dismiss or trust, learn and act on them? Perhaps we need to stoop lower to drink from the stream of dreams. Thanks to my siblings, I choose to pay attention.
THE OYEN & DISTRICT HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
Wishes to acknowledge that between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024 they have been the grateful recipient of donations in memory of the following:
Barwacz, Leokadia Byler, Dennis Code, Allan Devereux, Terry Dillabough, Jean Evans, Paul Gillis, Margaret Goodine, Dylan Gray, Beth Grover, Ab Grover, Jean Jorgenson, Grant Jorgenson, Shirley Kuhn, Irwin Lijdsman, Mary Lou Lockhart, Ben Logan, Esler Logan, Nettie Marlow, Tim McBain, May McKelvie, Dean McKelvie, Edna McLaughlin, Luci Paetz, Rita Peterson, Mark Rice, Ed
Sanderson, Denny Schroeder, Cheryle Sletton, Muriel Smith, Vi Sulz, Stan Tarr, Lydia Trevor, Dennis Van Otterloo, Marion Walker, Fred White, Peter Woods, Dick Wulf, Gerhard
A Crossroads Museum Story - Part 2
BY BERNIE KREWSKI
The creation of this museum moment, as described in these pages last week, was straightforward and unfettered –who originally belonged to several donated wedding accessories, who married this couple and when?
The Oyen News, fortunately, supplies an answer, publishing details of the wedding of David A. Peck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard S. Peck of Oyen, and Edith Balaam nearly a century ago.
Many Trails Crossed Here, vol. 1, has a brief history of the Balaam family (pp. 117-118) but contains no information about Mr. and Mrs. Peck, other than reference to their married son and daughter-in-law eventually “moving to a farm near Lacombe.”
One other question remained – who was the mysterious “police magistrate who was also the Anglican minister?”
The following newspaper accounts shed a few lights. Gerard and Annie Peck and their four sons came from England to Oyen in 1921 and farmed “two miles northwest of Oyen.” Gerard Peck was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, and had been a police magistrate in Bolton, England, for ten years. Their sons had completed basic schooling by this time and were pondering future careers when their parents decided to settle near Oyen.
Mr. Peck’s appointment as Police Magistrate three years after coming here was publicly announced on November 5th, 1924, in a brief statement in The Oyen News. It was probably of great significance considering his previous experience in England. Local businessmen C.W. Robinson and Fred J. Whitlock had previously acted in this capacity.
By then, the Peck family seemed to be well entrenched in the life of this community. Gerard Peck won several prizes in the Horses category, “Brood mare with foal at side” at the Oyen Fair in July. Edward, their second son, “left to take a veterinary course at the Guelph Agricultural College in Ontario.”
In early March 1925, the Pecks hosted a “Big Rabbit Drive” at their farm - “Bring your own lunch. Mr. Peck will provide coffee for all!” About fifty people at-
tended and 124 rabbits were caught and destroyed. A week later, another drive occurred. It was attended by 150 adults and schoolchildren. A hundred rabbits were killed. “From accounts from those who attended, rabbit drives are proving just as popular as crossword puzzles, and the furry pests are due for numerous parties before seeding time comes around,” said the editor of The Oyen News.
Magistrate Peck adjudicated several cases that year. Tom Lafferty, former owner of the Livery Barn, was sentenced to two months incarceration for common assault, later reduced on appeal to a $20 fine and costs. Martin Hayes, who operated the Sibbald Drug Store, was charged with unlawfully selling liquor. He was remanded and taken to Drumheller to await trial and received a sentence of two months at the Lethbridge jail. Frank Trautman of Lanfine was fined $5.00 + costs for running a car without a license.
The Pecks appeared to be a highly sociable couple. On January 9, 1926, they hosted a “most enjoyable function” at their home for about fifty guests - a dance from 8 p.m. until midnight after which “a dainty supper was served. Mr. L. Shuttleworth officiated at the piano.”
A month later about fifty friends arrived at their home. It was a surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. G.S. Peck. The evening was spent in dancing, refreshments being served at midnight.
Twenty couples from the Young People’s Club informally called upon Mr. and Mrs. Peck on April 16, spending a pleasant evening dancing. “The Club is planning to hold its next dance in the Masonic Building on Friday, April 30.”
Other news events reported in 1926 included an advertisement by Mr. Peck: “For Service – The Percheron Stallion, “Ben of Excel,” will stand for service at the Peck farm two miles northwest of Oyen on June 2.” Herbert, the Peck’s oldest son, attended a reunion at the Olds School of Agriculture in July. This indicates he must have been a student there earlier. Mr. Peck also arranged a visit for an official from the Department of Agriculture. The purpose was “the culling of poultry flocks.” Edward, the Peck’s second son, resumed stud-
Oyen quilters give gifts of comfort
BY JOAN JANZEN
There’s nothing better than snuggling with a quilt on a cold, snowy day, and there’s a group of ladies who are making it possible. During the past eighteen months, Betty Walker, Vicki Smale, Doreen Rude, Budz Crace, and Kari Kuzmiski have joined forces to complete approximately 140 comfort quilts, which they donate within the Medicine Hat and Oyen area.
“Kari prints our labels and does embroidery at no charge,” Betty Walker explained. “And Budz Grace does our patch work tops.” Budz is a former Oyen resident who now resides in BC;
however that hasn’t stopped her from helping out. The Oyen ladies send her scraps of material and sometimes Budz supplies some of her own material.
Doreen Rude resides at the Lodge in Oyen, where she keeps busy quilting for a cause. Meanwhile, Betty and Vicki meet at the Anglican Church in Oyen every Monday, where they spend the day sewing comfort quilts, which are 48 inches square, with some being larger and some smaller. All of these ladies volunteer their time and talents.
“We don’t put our quilts through a quilting machine because it’s not economical for us,” she explained. “We buy the batting and scrounge for the back-
ies at the veterinary college in Guelph, Ontario. Two significant events occurred in 1927. Hubert Peck departed from Oyen in April, having purchased a ranch at Radnor, Alberta, west of Cochrane. Also, Loftus (Sam) Martin, a farm worker from Birmingham England, age 24, died four days after an operation for appendicitis. He came to Oyen in the spring. After spending a short time employed at a farm south of town, he suddenly became ill while working for Gerald Peck and passed away on November 7 (Keith MacLean records, MTCH, v.2, p. 173). His funeral was held at All Saints Church, conducted by Rev A.W. Gollmer of Cereal.
In April 1928 Edward Peck graduated as a veterinary surgeon at Guelph Veterinary College. He married Miss Sylvia Le Marchant, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. A. Le Marchant of Bolton Lanes, England on June 2. Their marriage took place in Oyen at All Saints Church. Rev. Charles Wright, incumbent of Alsask and Oyen, conducted the service.
As The Oyen News reported, Sylvia Le Marchant was given away by Mr. Gerard S. Peck in the unavoidable absence of her parents. David A. Peck supported his brother as best man. The wedding march and music for the service were played by Mr. George Benbow. “The little church on the corner has a pretty interior, and it was beautifully arranged with plants and flowers provided by the Women’s Guild and their friends. This was the first wedding to be held within its doors.”
One hundred and twenty-five guests attended a dance in the evening at the Masonic Hall to the music of the Oyen Imperial Orchestra. The happy couple left for Calgary and Banff on the night train, escorted by half the guests with many cheers and much rice!
1929 was highly eventful for Mr. and Mrs. Peck. Herbert, their firstborn, had his own farm. Edward was a veterinarian and recently married. Oswald, their third son, was a student at the University of Alberta. David, the youngest, married in April. In January the Pecks announced they were looking for a house in Oyen, planning to move in the spring. Two weeks after David’s wedding, they left two months in England, andvisited Edward and Sylvia in Quebec.
There will be more about the Peck family in the next issue of The Echo.
ing material.” Some is donated, and some is purchased at sale prices at different outlets.
The quilters don’t do any fundraising, but occasionally will sell some quilts in order to buy supplies. Recently a lady purchased twenty-four of their quilts for Christmas presents for her grandchildren and family members.
“That was unusual,” Betty said. “We don’t normally do that.”
Most of the fabric used by the group is donated by local residents. “We work with what we have and anything that isn’t suitable for quilting is sent to people to use for crafts. Everything we get is used; nothing goes to waste,” she said.
During the past eighteen months, the quilters have given away quilts as fast as they can complete them. Some of them were sent to Medicine Hat, where 60 quilts were given to the Ronald McDonald House, 25 to the Nurture Preg-
F. Stodalka, Ronald B. Baba, Marilyn A. Herrmann, Bryce R. Farrell, Darren E. Folkersen, Ashley D. Herrmann, Mario M. Mudri, Mikala A. Zubrecki
Bernie Krewski
- RRSP's - RESP's - TFSA's - Life
Town of Oyen Library: Booknotes
FICTION:
Brotherless Night : A Novel by V.V. Ganeshananthan
The Ferryman : A Novel by Justin Cronin
God of Malice by Rina Kent
Here One Moment : A Novel by Liane Moriarty
Over The Edge by Irene Hannon
This is why We Lie by Karin Slaughter
To Die For by David Baldacci
JUVENILE FICTION:
The Crimson Spy by Jordan Quinn
Den of Wolves by Jordan Quinn
The Dream Portal by Jordan Quinn
The False Fairy by Jordan Quinn
A Ghost in the Castle by Jordan Quinn
Goblin Magic / Jordan Quinn
Keeper of the Gems by Jordan Quinn
The Sorcerer’s Shadow by Jordan Quinn
Stroke of Midnight by Jordan Quinn
The Thirteenth Knight by Jordan Quinn
Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
The Memory Thief by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Merci Sualrez Changes Gears / by : Meg Medina
The Palace of Dreams by Jodi Lynn Anderson
The Sea of Always by Jodi Lynn Anderson
YOUNG ADULT FICTION:
Fledgling by S.K. Ali
CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
Dino-Rama by Steve Behling
The Harvest Feast by Emeli Juhlin
Meet Ariel and Friends by Elizabeth Lynch
Pig The Pug by Aaron Blabey
I Quit by Tracy Kristen
Classifieds
GRAPHIC NOVELS:
Captain America : The Ghost Army by Alan Gratz Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 18 / by : Gege Akutami
NON-FICTION:
I Am More Than My Body : The Body Neutral Journey by Bethany Meyers
The Real Body Manual : Your visual Guide to Health and Wellness by Nancy Redd
The Smart Mediterranean Diet Cookbook:101 Brain
Healthy Recipes by Serena Ball
Transitions : A Mother’s Journey by Ellodie Durand
PERIODICALS:
People Magazine
Good Housekeeping Magazine
Country Living Magazine
SERVICE OPTIONS:
The library is currently open as usual, but we have added a curbside service option as well. If you prefer to pick up materials this way, please call ahead or email to let us know which day to put them out.
If you are unable to come out to the library due to physical conditions we can do deliveries within the town limits. Please just give us a call at the number listed below.
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PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll
Katherine Grace Benn (nee Ross)
September 18, 1929 – November 13, 2024
Katherine “Kay” Benn was born on September 18, 1929, to Grace (nee Brown) and Murdoch Ross on the family farm near Merid, Saskatchewan. She was the oldest of three children, Lloyd and Cameron being her younger brothers. She attended grade school in Merid and high school in Saskatoon and Alsask. Following her schooling, she worked at Bishop’s grocery store, the Royal Bank and the Post Office in Alsask.
Kay married Willis Benn on October 27,1949. They moved to Merid, where Willis was a grain buyer for Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and then to Alsask, where they raised their daughters, Rita and Shelley. In 1992, they moved to Medicine Hat and Kay continued living there after Willis passed away in 1993. Kay’s last home was the Cypress View Lodge where she truly loved living and where she had many friends, old and new.
Kay was a lively, sociable and independent person. She was always excited to watch curling or baseball and catch up on news. Kay played many hands of crib at the Elks, the Moose and the Vein-
...Oyen quilters
nancy Centre, 25 to the women’s shelter, and some premie quilts were given to the Medicine Hat Hospital.
“We supply a quilt to every resident in the Oyen Lodge and to people in long-term care. We also give to the health unit so every new baby in the area gets a quilt,” Betty said. “We give at no charge.” Over the years, the group has become smaller and lost members, but they’re always hopeful and welcome new quilters who would like to join.
L-R: Vicki Smale, Doreen Rude and Betty Walker of Oyen display samples of the many quilts they make and donate within the Medicine Hat and Oyen region.
PHOTO BY DIANA WALKER
er Centre. She possessed a detailed memory of the past, a great sense of humour, and was continually curious about what was happening in the world and with her family. She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Rita Anderson (Darell late) and Shelley Norris (Doug), sister-in-law, Gerri Ross and Ross families. Kay had five grandchildren - Wade (Stacey), Aaron (Jody), Beth (Mark), Leslie (Wyatt), and Spencer (Robin) and twelve great-grandchildren - Dallen, Brody, Aidan; Keifer, Koen, Bennet; Leif, Ivan; Avery, Beckham, Lennix; and Arthur. Kay Benn passed away on November 13, 2024 at the Medicine Hat Hospital, at the incredible age of 95. Her family would like to thank the Medicine Hat Hospital and staff at the Cypress View Lodge for their excellent care and kindness. At Kay’s request, there will be no funeral. Condolences may be made at www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by GRACE MEMORIAL AFFORDABLE BURIAL & CREMATION 1924 10th Ave NW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5 403-905-0440 info@gracememorial.com.
Acadia Municipal Library News
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH Library Manager
This is the last week to enter the library draw! Come in and register for a new library card (or renew your current one) to get your name entered.
Our book sale table is up and running. Drop by to stock up on some cheap winter reading.
Last week we had the Grade 4, 5, & 6 classes come in to write letters to Santa. (His mailbox is strike-immune!) A reminder that Canada Post will accept letters until December 6th and no postage is required.
Did you know that the library has 2 computers as well as printer/scanner access available for public use? A big help if you don’t have your own or if it’s on the fritz!
Truck Works Inc.
MOORE, Wayne
September 29, 1944 – November 13, 2024
Wayne Moore of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the age of 80 years after a two-year battle with cancer.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Sharon, his children, Karla Hayduk (Vince) and Kaleb Christensen-Moore (Sandra); and four grandchildren, Walter, Alec, Gracelyn and Sebastian Hayduk; his brothers, Alvin (Gayla) and Dennis; mother-in-law Carol Stewart; as well as five brothers and sisters-in-law; ten nieces and nephews; and thirteen grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Wayne was predeceased by parents, Walter and Helen Moore.
A Celebration of Wayne’s Life was held at Glamorgan Church of God (4715 45 St SW, Calgary, AB), on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
The family would like to thank Wayne’s care team for their expert and compassionate care, including Dr. Adam Neufeld (Family Doctor), Dr. Daryl Jenken (Surgeon), Dr. Jose Monzon (Oncologist), Michelle Wysocki (Registered Nurse), and Chelsey Matson (Registered Dietician).
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Wayne’s family at www.MHFH.com.
Everyone is Welcome
presents ...
SPECIAL EVENTS on
THURSDAYS 5:00 - 9:00 PM
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
Everyone is Welcome
presents ...
SPECIAL EVENTS on
THURSDAYS 5:00 - 9:00 PM
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.
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
December 5
We are going to light up the Clock Tower Park. There will be hotdogs and hot chocolate to share; and everyone is welcome to join us to go caroling downtown, at the hospital, the longterm care centre, and the Oyen Seniors Lodge.
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.“
John Steinbeck
ACADIA VALLEY
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
• Christmas in the Valley. Starting at 10:30 AM with breakfast. See you there!
BUFFALO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
• Christmas in the Country Craft Market from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the hall. Lunch will be sold. Contact Gwen 403-502-3054 for tables and info.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
• Buffalo Ag Society will present Jake Mathews in Concert at Buffalo Hall 7:00 PM.
CEREAL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
OYEN LODGE REPORT
Getting ready for the Christmas season
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. We have been lucky till now with the weather, and now we have winter, the snow, the cold temperatures and the slick roads. Monday morning started with exercises, followed by card games. Monday afternoon was bingo, and one of the residents had a bingo on I29, so the resident received a $20 gift certificate from Alberta Clothing. The clothing company is so generous to give out gift certificates for the residents to use for their next shopping day with Alberta Clothing.
Tuesday morning was the regular bus run downtown. The rest of the day was one-on-one with residents and decorating for Christmas. The residents decorated the big Christmas tree, were served hot chocolate and Baileys, and relaxed in front of the Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music. Thanks to Sandy Lockhart, one of the Lodge’s volunteers, for participating in the tree decorating and visiting with the residents. It not only looks like a winter wonderland outside but also inside with décor of white, silver and blue.
Happy Birthday to Landon Purchke on November 19th. Wednesday started with Church with Bill Kolkman. Church services are now held in the activity room on Wednesdays due to construction at the north end of the building. Allan Stober’s office will now be in the Chapel. After Church was phase ten card games. In the afternoon was shuffleboard.
Thursday morning was one-on-one with a resident who wanted to help decorate, followed by some baking. Thursday afternoon was the regular monthly birthday bash. Chocolate cake with ice cream and coffee and tea was served.
Friday morning started with exercises followed by horse races. In the afternoon there was card bingo. Happy Birthday to Susan Elliot on November 22nd and to Sandi Jamieson on November 24th.
The “If The Shoe Fits Company” and Avon will be at the Lodge on November 28th from 10:00 to 2:00, along with a mini bake sale. Have a great week, everyone. Stay warm and stay safe.
• Ham & Turkey Bingo 7:30 PM. All ages welcome at the CJ Peacock Centre.
- 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.
NEW BRIGDEN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
• Winter Wonderland. Call/text 403-6640172 to book a table.
OYEN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
• Fun Night for Members and their Guests at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Recreation Centre 7:00 PM until midnight. Games and socializing. BYOB and Snacks. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403-6642462 for more information.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
• 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 ev-
ery month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. - Drop in Pickleball Mondays 7:00-9:00 PM at South Central High School - Walk Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 AM every Wednesday until October 30th. Socialize & Exercise. Snacks afterwards. Meet at NEW Adult Learning Office 105 3rd Ave (South Entance) SCHS.
- 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 403-664-8868. - Sturling League Curling. Thursday at noon. Enter teams to Jerry Logan 403-664-6001.
