




BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer
Macdonald stated that $3,000
German
Councillors discussed the municipal assessor, with Macdonald stating she was very happy with Big Valley’s assessor. The CAO stated the village’s assessor knows the job very well and meets all the requirements of the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Mayor Dan Houle responded that in his opinion assessments in Big Valley may be a bit too low.
Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) started the School of Trades this year with Grade 10 students from Foremost, Senator Gershaw, Eagle Butte and South Central schools taking part. All students enrolled bus to Medicine Hat College (MHC) for introductory sessions into seven different trades. For South Central students, this means catching the bus at 6:45 a.m. and not returning to Oyen until 5 p.m. or later.
German added that it does seem that Big Valley has a lot of properties assessed at the minimum value, with the CAO pointing
Councillors unanimously approved the 2023 operating budget.
South Central High School has 11 students – 2 female and 9 male – taking part in the program with another 16 enrolled for next year. Although they have the longest commute, students feel it has been a valuable addition to their high school classes and are grateful for the chance to jumpstart their careers.
Alyssa Kulyk has always preferred working with her hands and finds sitting in a classroom a struggle. With many family members and friends having careers in various trades, along with growing up on a farm, Kulyk is aware of how much those working in the trades contribute.
“They are proud of me for getting into a group of people who are mostly men and not being afraid to get my opinion out there. Many of them say females pay more attention to detail,” stated Kulyk. “It’s been great to explore all the different trades and we’ve experienced things that are helpful. In heavy duty, we pulled apart a jack for a trailer. Two weeks earlier, the jack
Alyssa Kulyk enjoys the hands-on learning she receives by being part of the School of Trades. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
on our trailer broke and it would have been great to have the skill then, but it’s also good to know now so I can fix it in the future.”
Principal Dawn Peers, who accompanies the students to the college, is excited for this first cohort of students from South Central. “I have a bunch of boys of my own who have gone through trades programs and are loving their lives and careers. These kids are on the path to do that as well,” said Peers. “We don’t have the staff to provide a large range of options, we needed something like this because we
Torynn Ophein is impressed with the level of instruction they are receiving at Medicine Hat College and how much they can achieve in a single full day in each lab.
don’t have that availability. They work with the same instructors my kids had when they went through trades and it’s great to see the female students taking part. There are some female instructors (at MHC) and it’s been amazing for them to see that as well.”
Dexter Miller wants to focus on both types of automotive training next year. “I am going to take over my dad’s farm. If I am a heavy-duty mechanic, I can fix my own equipment. It’s been good, when we go to the col-
BY LEE SWITZER
Spring temperatures are here. The last snow drifts are disappearing fast. I saw a meadowlark the other day and robins are back in the yard. More calves are arriving and a few outfits are starting to be brought out and tinkered on.
Lee Switzer
Congratulations are sent to Seth and Bailee Eaton on the birth of their first child; Shepherd Michael. Shepherd arrived on March 31. He weighed 8 pounds
3 ounces and was 21.45 inches long. Welcome to the adventures of parenthood.
Sincere condolences are sent to the Darbel families on the recent passing of Dave Darbel. The family is having a private family service later.
Doesn’t this warmer weather make you want to get out and check out your yard? I will be raking off gravel from some areas where snow was piled up on soon. Take care everyone.
lege, we learn what to do in each specific trade. So far, we’ve experienced welding, electrical, heavy-duty mechanic, and pipe fitting is this Friday.”
Torynn Ophein, who aims to become a welder, wanted “opportunities out of high school, it gives me a whole bunch of different trades I could do. It’s a lot more (training) than I thought we would get with everything we’ve been doing. I thought it would be more casual, but we are hands-on in the labs.”
In addition to the time spent at MHC, each school is also organizing field trips, such as to a welding shop or construction site, for students to experience different job sites. Next year will be a very different experience, with students choosing a cluster of two trades to focus on and spending four days in each of the two labs. Additionally, they will also have job shadowing opportunities and will be encouraged to find an apprenticeship position.
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH, LIBRARY MANAGER
New arrivals this week are Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and Into the Fall by Tamara L. Miller (adult fiction) as well as Bunny Made Tea by Amanda Baehr Fuller (picture book).
Remember that this Wednesday (April 16th) the library will be showing the movie Rise of the Guardians at 3:30. Free juice and popcorn will be provided!
Make sure to hop down to the library to join in on the Easter Egg hunt! Last week 23 more eggs were foundhow many will be discovered this week? Each time you sign out an item, you have a chance to find one AND be
can build most of their apprenticeship hours between Grade 11 and
entered into an Easter draw. Good luck and happy reading to all!
The Calgary Herald Archive is April’s e-resource of the month. Current library cardholders have digital access to every issue of the newspaper (including other related historical publications) from 1883-2010. This can be a helpful resource for those interested in genealogy or historical research. Access is available at www.acadialibrary. ca/eResources
What kind of books do Easter Bunnies like?
Ones with hoppy endings! We hope everyone has a Happy & Blessed Easter weekend!
12 during the summer. We already have a couple of students who have placements and can start earning their hours this summer before Grade 11.”
There are different ways a student can approach the program to suit their goals and schedules. If they fast-track, a student can obtain their high school diploma and their year one certification in their chosen trade. “Trades are a four-year program,” explained Craven. “Students can come out with year one, making them highly employable and already gives them a bump in their wages.”
There is also flexibility to when a student can enter the School of Trades, it doesn’t have to be in Grade 10. “Just taking the introductory classes alone, they are learning many skills and it’s making them more employable. It is amazing what they can do in one day,” stated Craven. “To watch them at the beginning of a welding lab, students who’ve never held a welding torch before are making pieces of art by the end of one day, such as cool flowers out of bolts and bicycles with wheels that turn.”
BY JOAN JANZEN
The one thing we all have in common is we’re all getting older every day … some of us more so than others. Radio broadcaster Andy Rooney said, “I’ve learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.”
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld said, “You know you’re getting old when you get that one candle on the cake. It’s like, see if you can blow this out.”
The prospect of a large accumulation of birthdays may cause some to consider indulging in a strong drink for medicinal purposes. However Franco Terrazzano from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) noted in a recent online interview that two-thirds of the cost of Canadian Club whiskey is tax. In 2017 the federal government brought in a sneaky alcohol escalator tax that automatically increases tax on alcohol every year. A bottle of Canadian Club whiskey costs $30 in Canada, but you can buy the same bottle for $13 in Japan.
While CTF makes people aware of how much tax they’re paying, Dr. Suneel Dhand makes people aware of the amount of prescription drugs they’re consuming. On his podcast, he made an observation concerning patients 60 years and over.
“I see it every day, people overloaded with prescriptions they may not need, leading to unnecessary side effects, complications and skyrocketing costs,” he said. Some of his patients have as many as twenty prescriptions, half of which are to treat side effects from the initial medications!
“I urge you to regularly review the list with your doctor. Many people become dependent on long term medications without realizing they no longer provide benefits, just side effects,” he explained.
Blood pressure medications are one of the three most common cases he sees.
“I see countless cases where my older patients continue taking these meds even when their blood pressure is already low,” he said, and explained that as people age, blood pressure often naturally drops. Taking meds that aren’t needed puts people at risk of fainting, dizziness and dangerous falls.
Statins taken to lower “bad” cholesterol was the next prescription he listed. “If you’ve been on a statin for years, have a discussion with your doctor about whether you still need it,” he advised. Lowering cholesterol too much can lead to increased inflammation and even cognitive decline since your brain (which is 60% fat) needs cholesterol to function properly.
Muscle relaxants and medications
prescribed for muscle pain and nerve issues can cause excessive drowsiness and cognitive impairment in older adults. “I’ve seen countless patients admitted to the hospital, only to have these medications reduced or stopped, and they didn’t even notice a difference in their pain. But they did become more awake and less drowsy,” he observed.
“Western medicine is good at fixing acute conditions quickly,” Dr. Dhand said. “But I get more and more people coming up to me and saying alternative medicine fixed my problem. Alternative medicine addresses root causes.” He gave the example of an inflamed gut which is caused by what people are eating, which usually includes a diet of processed food.
For those struggling with depression he offered the following advice. Scrolling on devices, being bombarded with negative content and problems, while not enjoying the outdoors and socializing with others will lead to depression. Depression often leads to addictions.
If you want to be healthy, Dr. Dhand advises his patients to eat real food, avoid toxic processed junk, walk 10,000 steps a day, and get adequate sleep. “Chronic conditions frequently can be reversed. Pills are a last resort,” he added.
ing daily mental health, the doctor offered the following tip: Stop scrolling through news apps or social media first thing in the morning. “Social media is not designed to help people; it’s designed to prod you and the majority of time in a negative way. It will set the tone for your day,” he noted.
The doctor said he deliberately waits as long as possible before looking at the news, social media or emails. Instead he takes time to enjoy a cup of tea, get hydrated and looks for something inspirational and uplifting to start his day. “It has really helped me during the last year or so,” he observed.
The upcoming Easter weekend is an inspirational celebration. I will leave you with a few Easter quotes to fill you with hope, love and strength.
“The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies.” - Anonymous
“Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.”Floyd W. Tomkins
“May the God who gives hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13.
BY MADONNA HAMEL
I was introduced to the so-called “reality” show “The Apprentice” in 2004 in a Chicago train station. It was late at night. I had a fever and wondered if maybe I was hallucinating. Who is this mean guy and why is he so popular? When did denigrating and insulting underlings become a form of entertainment? When did the public conversation get so crass, cutting and cheap?
My niece was in one of those American “reality” shows. Her team competed against others to create the ideal running shoe. At one point she was taken aside and warned that if she wanted to continue into the next episode, she would have to create a conflict. Conflict is what drives a story’s plot. Conflict is what keeps TV viewers glued to TVs. Nobody wants to see people get along.
In the first episode of a “reality” show everyone pretends to like each other. Allegiances must be formedeven if they are based on a shared enemy. Lie. Kiss up.
Fake friendly. Then act aghast when someone doesn’t trust you and tell the camera, in an aside, that you’re “done” being nice. “Nice” is not how the dream is achieved. Nice people don’t win. Nice people finish last.
“Reality” shows reflect a desire to win the Big Beautiful Super-sized Billion-dollar American Dream. Contestants are told that if they “work hard enough,” they can win. But only one person can win. And my niece, a Canadian who listened patiently to the concerns and worries of her teammates, did not win a spot in the remaining episodes.
“The Apprentice” turned The American Dream into The Art of the Deal: Do whatever you can to make a deal. Including hiring someone to write a book called “The Art of the Deal” then claim authorship. It’s the deal that’s important, not reality.
I was happy to finally board my train and not have to see that man’s face and hear his voice fill the Chicago train station. Little could I imagine he’d merge “reality” show with reality fifteen years later.
Sadly, the star of the show is not sobered by his new responsibility. In fact, as he sits and speaks from behind a big Oval Office desk resembling his “reality” show prop desk, he expresses contempt and disgust, trashes countries and people with the same inflamma-
Meridian Hutterian Brethren have filed Application LA25025 with the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) to obtain an approval to expand an existing confined feeding operation (CFO) on the NE 35-24-2 W4M in the Municipal District of Acadia, Alberta. The application is to increase chicken broiler numbers from 40,000 to 80,000, increase duck numbers from 0 to 400, increase geese numbers from 0 to 200, increase turkey numbers from 0 to 300 The applicant also proposes to construct a new broiler barn (18.3 m x 121.9 m), and permit the already constructed Mc Barn (12.2 m x 45.7 m). This will bring total animal numbers at this CFO to 28,500 chicken layers (plus associated pullets), 80,000 chicken broilers, 500 beef finishers, 400 ducks, 200 geese, and 300 turkeys.
Any person who is directly affected by the application may submit a written response to the NRCB. The response must be received by the NRCB on or before 4:30 pm on May 15, 2025 Submissions should be made to the NRCB address provided below. All attachments sent electronically must be in a pdf format. A copy of the responses will be sent to the applicant for comment. Responses regarding the application may be posted on the NRCB’s public website, as they are public records and are non-confidential.
Your written response must include your name, the legal land description of your residence or landholdings, mailing address, phone number, and email. You must also explain how you are directly affected For further information please refer to the fact sheet “The Permitting Process for Confined Feeding Operations in Alberta” at www.nrcb.ca
Failure to submit a written response affects your right to apply for an NRCB Board review.
A complete copy of the application and supporting documents submitted by the applicant under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act may be viewed on the NRCB website at www.nrcb.ca (under Confined Feeding Operations / Notice of Approval and Registration Applications) The application will also be available for in-person viewing at the Lethbridge office by appointment If you require further information, please contact the approval officer listed below.
Kelsey Peddle, Approval Officer
100, 5401 1st Ave S Lethbridge AB T1J 4V6
kelsey.peddle@nrcb.ca T 587-334-2560
The closing date for submissions: 4:30 pm on May 15, 2025
Dated at Lethbridge AB, on April 15, 2025
tory flare he did, shocking viewers into watching him denigrate eager future apprentices.
The one thing the man is good for is ratings. And that’s why the media resists shutting him down - he pays their salaries. And Americans know it to the bone. They have come to see human relationships as business transactions, their leaders as P.T.Barnums, and their heroes as trash-talking lone actors. They like watching train wrecks.
When TV viewers cannot - or choose not to - discern between “reality” shows and reality, things get ugly. Like they are now. The president of America calls the rest of the world “ass-kissers.” He claims we are all “begging and willing to do anything to make a deal” with him. We’ve been ripping off poor, defenceless, powerless America for so long, he says. But now it’s his “turn to do some rippin’.
He sounds like a guy who watches a lot of porn. Who assumes that the world admires and enjoys the language of degradation and punishment? Who believes that by behaving disrespectfully “America will regain the the respect of the world?” Because, they love it when you rough them up.
This is the language of an addict. And the addict deals in extremes - all or nothing, always or never, best and worst, the most and the least. He uses inflated, empty and imprecise words like: Great. Unbelievable. Tremendous. Legendary. Horrible. Stupid. Very, Very Bad. His bills, beef, bond markets and border walls are all Big and Beautiful. His tariffs are The Best Thing Ever.
According to the president, “They’re lining up to make deals” with him, and he’s “making a fortune with tariffs - 2 Billion dollars a day.” And, as far as he’s concerned, he’s not lying. The addict, until he faces his compulsive-obsessive disorder, will continue to lie, tell bigger and bigger lies, and adapt to them accordingly - until he either crashes, gets locked up in a prison or a ward, or dies. Because, left unchecked, addictions progress, they do not hold steady. Stasis is scary. Calm is terrifying. Chaos is his comfort zone.
Sometimes addicts have a moment of clarity. Something breaks through their trance. If even for a moment, the addict comprehends the situation he is in and how far he’s drifted from reality.
The problem is: the president isn’t the only one who has drifted. He’s in a big boat with a lot of people, many who claim to not even like the guy, but choose to cozy up to him, prefer to keep him as a foil, or still hold fast to the unrealistic Dream of being a billionaire too, despite the cost or damages.
However, without that moment of clarity he will continue to perceive himself as beloved and admired, as attractive to women, the life of the party, and the voice of the people. Even if that voice is calling the world ass-kissers, vermin, and losers.
The president has carte blanche to use expletives and slander, because many Americans with leverage and sway are backing away from calling him out, NOT because they agree or even tolerate him, but because they are afraid of losing their jobs.
Those who find the president’s language refreshing, or authentic or entertaining are helping make America an extremely uncivil society. That’s just reality, some might say. F-bombing, interrupting, harassing, ridiculing, name-calling is the currency of celebrity. It is the only way to get heard. And it will get worse, because addiction is a progressive disease. Gentlemanliness and diplomacy left the building a long time ago.
BY BRUCE PENTON
Winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in the National Hockey League isn’t an absolute guarantee of future success, but there have been only a handful of winners over the years who have not gone on to enjoy extraordinary careers.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
This year, it’s likely that a couple of players who don’t win the award will find their way to the Hockey Hall of Fame, because the list of top rookie contenders is stacked.
Last year’s No. 1 draft pick, Connor Bedard of the Blackhawks, won the award in 2023-24, but the most recent No. 1 pick, Macklin Celebrini of the Sharks, won’t be an automatic Calder winner this year.
That’s because three other first-year players, Lane Hutson of the Canadiens, Matvei Michkov of the Flyers and Dustin Wolf of the Flames have all had standout seasons and will garner votes when media voters cast their ballots.
It’s certainly no disgrace to miss out on the Calder Trophy. Two players with pretty good hockey resumes, Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid, did not win the best rookie award in their initial seasons. Gretzky was ruled ineligible in his first NHL year, 1979-80, because he had previously played professional hockey in the World Hockey Associa-
tion. McDavid missed out, losing to Artemi Panarin of Columbus, because he played only 42 games due to injury.
This season’s race to the Calder is attracting a lot of attention because of the quality of the top candidates. Celebrini was the pre-season favourite, and he hasn’t disappointed, leading the Sharks in assists and points, and giving San Jose fans hope that the centrepiece of the team’s rebuild will take the team to Stanley Cup heights.
In mid-season, however, Montreal’s Lane Hutson’s heroics turned the Calder race into a real conversation. The Canadiens, surprisingly, were in playoff contention after a mid-season surge, and Hutson was one of the main reasons why. The American defenceman, who played college hockey at Boston, leads all rookies in points, a couple ahead of both Celebrini and Michkov, and has been the point man on the Habs’ ever-improving 18th-ranked powerplay.
Celebrini has been one of the Sharks’ top scorers all year, surpassing the 20goal and 50-point marks by the end of March. But his defensive play has been a work in progress, with his minus-32 ranking through 73 games the second-worst on the team.
Mitchkov has piled up a few more points than Celebrini, is a constant on the Flyers’ powerplay unit, and his
plus-minus ranking is considerably better than Celebrini’s. Wolf became a mid-season top-rookie contender after taking over the Flames’ No. 1 goaltending position and keeping the Flames in playoff contention. He posted three shutouts and a .910 save percentage as Calgary kept its hopes alive to snag one of the Western Conference’s wildcard spots.
In the end, though, Hutson has been the NHL’s best rookie this year. The voting will likely be spread out between the top four contenders, but the Habs’ freshman has been the best of the best.
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com “Ichiro wouldn’t compete in MLB’s HR derby because it would ‘harm the integrity of baseball.’ ‘Not something we worry about,’ said the Florida Marlins.”
• Headline at fark.com, after NBA commissioner Adam Silver mused about reducing NBA games from 48 minutes to 40: “Adam Silver was starting to fall behind in the race for worst league commissioner in sports, so he came up with a bold idea: Why don’t we just have less basketball in each basketball game?”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: “When it’s 100 degrees in Sacramento this summer I am sure baseball fans will be thrilled to imagine that eventually they can travel to watch their team in Las Vegas where it can get to over 110.”
• A groaner from RJ Currie: “The Massachusetts golfer who bit off
part of another player’s finger got out on bail in the amount of $10,000. That doesn’t include the tip.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe. com: “The half billion dollar payroll Los Angeles Dodgers put Freddie Freeman on the IL after his ankle injury from falling in the shower. So what high-priced star from a small-market team will the Dodgers trade for to replace him?”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “The Blue Jays were Grapefruit League champs, but there wasn’t much of a parade. Just a bus ride from St. Petersburg for a flight to Pearson.”
• Another one from Rolfsen: “The Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez said his No. 1 priority on the team’s trip to Japan was to try sushi. Maybe one day they’ll get it in L.A.”
• Another RJ Currie offering: “Boxer Curtis Harper once ducked through the ropes and exited — seconds before his bout started. Allow me to speak for divorced people: usually you fight before leaving the ring.”
• Headline at the onion.com: “Aaron Rodgers Fuming That NFL Hasn’t Added Expansion Team To Sign Him”
• Headline at fark.com: “NHL players are now asking their agents for a ‘no trade to a Patrick Roy-coached team’ clause for their next contract negotiation.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
EDMONTON – Assistant Commissioner Trevor Daroux will assume command of the Alberta RCMP from Deputy Commissioner Rob Hill.
Assistant Commissioner Trevor Daroux has over 36 years experience in policing, serving with both the Calgary Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 2017, he retired from the Calgary Police Service as the Deputy Chief in charge of the Bureau of Community Policing. That year, he joined the RCMP and served as the Director General National Crime Prevention and Indigenous Policing Services. Assistant Commissioner Daroux is the current Criminal Operations Officer for the Alberta RCMP.
“It is absolute honour to be appointed the Commanding Officer for the Alberta RCMP,” said Assistant Commissioner Trevor Daroux, “The employees that make up the Alberta RCMP are dedicated professionals who serve Albertans with pride every day. I’m grateful to have such committed individuals working with me to help move the safety goals of Albertans forward.”
As Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP, Assistant Commissioner Daroux will be responsible for overseeing Alberta, the RCMP’s second largest division, with nearly 4,200 employees across 113 detachments serving more than 1.5 million Albertans.
Last month, Deputy Commissioner
Nominations forms will be accepted at any Special Areas District Office during normal business hours until noon (12:00 pm) on Monday, September 22, 2025.
• Special Area No. 2 District Office Hanna, AB
• Special Area No. 3 District Office Oyen, AB
• Special Area No. 4 District Office Consort, AB
Candidates are advised to make an appointment with authorized staff to ensure nomination papers can be received.
For more information on nomination requirements, visit www.specialareas.ab.ca or contact Shyanne Jones, Returning Officer at Shyanne.jones@specialareas.ab.ca or (403) 854 -5601.
Shyanne Jones, Returning Officer
Master Electrician, Red Seal Instrumentation PO Box 193, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0
Cell: 403-664-9637
buds_e_i_services@yahoo.com
•
Box 114, Acadia Valley, AB T0J 0A0
EMAIL: moozer@netago.ca
BY RITA AMAN
If you are looking for information to help you quit smoking, you can find many glossy pamphlets, books, websites and apps that offer helpful quit tips and strategies. I have found the real-life stories from those that have successfully quit offer invaluable inspiration and motivation.
As a facilitator of the Quit Core smoking cessation program, I have met many interesting people over the years. Through the Quit Core group facilitation process, we present tips and strategies to assist in the quitting smoking journey. However, I always find it’s the participants themselves who offer the most relatable, true to life, practical tips and inspirations. They often don’t even realize how impactful they are.
I’d like to share a few I’ve heard:
• “It was hard, but I made it. It was difficult but I wouldn’t give back this freedom from addiction for anything.”
A tax refund is just a missed opportunity
A large refund means you’ve been overpaying your taxes throughout the year. I can show you steps to minimize income taxes and keep more of what you earn.
“Having investments” isn’t the same thing as financial planning. We believe a real financial plan adapts and grows alongside your life - and includes investments, tax opportunities, estate and legacy planning, and more. Do you agree? Let’s talk.
CRAIG PAETZ CFP, B.COMM, Executive Financial Consultant craig.paetz@igpwm.ca 403-664-8311
(403) 664-9494
• “I find myself enjoying so many hobbies I gave up because of smoking. Riding my bike is fun again now that I don’t get winded so quickly.”
• “A strange thing happened as the days went by, I became stronger and my habit became weaker. It was dying and I was coming to life. I would remain smoke free no matter what. I told myself that there was no other option.”
• “It’s my life and I am worth saving. I am worth the fight to become smoke free.”
• “I was the guy nobody thought could quit, if I can do it, you can do it.”
• “I smoked for 38 years and I couldn’t believe how quickly after quitting I actually didn’t think about it.”
• “The power nicotine has on you is incredible and I was so pleased to take that power back.”
If you are looking for help in quitting, talk to your doctor, your pharmacist or any healthcare professional. There is help available. You don’t have to do this alone.
There are many resources and supports available to help you quit successfully. You may want to check out a virtual group cessation program. Quit Core is a free group program, run by trained leaders, where you will find peer support and learn strategies to help you quit and stay quit. You will get help to design a quit plan that works best for you. Quit Core virtual groups are offered regularly. In-person groups may also be available close to home. Visit albertaquits.ca or call 1-866-710-QUIT (7848) for dates and locations. There is no fee, but you must pre-register.
Rita Aman is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services
The Easter long weekend is the perfect time for the whole family to come together, celebrate, and enjoy each other’s company. If you’re looking for ways to keep kids, uncles, cousins, grandparents and everyone else busy between Easter egg hunts and brunch, consider a collective creative project. It’s a fun and original way to strengthen family ties while having a great time. Here are a few suggestions to inspire you:
• Create a canvas mosaic. Give each person a small canvas (15 cm x 15 cm, for example), along with brushes and paint. The task? Paint something that evokes Easter. Once all the artwork is dry, attach the canvases to a large backing, such as a cork bulletin board, to create a stunning mosaic.
• Shoot an action movie. Use a camera or smartphone to film a funny story full of twists and turns on the theme of Easter. Every family member can contribute, whether by playing a role, finding costumes and props or helping with lighting.
• Make a miniature village. Create houses, trees and barns using recycled materials like old shoeboxes. Paint them and liven up the decor with figurines of people and animals. Everyone, young and old, can contribute their ideas to make the village more interesting. Why not add a public swimming pool or a sandbox?
Happy Easter, and happy creating!
Mactavish & Company
403-528-4995 523c North Railway St SE, Medicine Hat, AB tmactavish@mactavishco.ca • www.mactavishco.ca
Terry Lynne Mactavish
BY KEITH SCHELL
Keith Schell
Our late Father owned a piece of bush property several miles away from where we had our home in the country. It is still in our family today. Every spring, he and his dog would go up to the bush property and spend a few weeks there making maple syrup. The property was commonly referred to in our family as the ‘Sugar Bush’.
Having been raised on a farm, this was Dad’s special time. Making maple syrup was usually a labour of love for him. He had acquired a deep respect and reverence for nature while growing up on the farm and enjoyed the opportunity to immerse himself in it whenever he had the opportunity to do so.
When spring finally began, Dad and his dog would head to the sugar bush to begin their preparations for making maple syrup.
Further up the road and across from our sugar bush property was a house, and the people had a dog. Because they were so far out in the country, they would regularly let their dog outside off-leash without any issues. The friendly dog would regularly explore the surrounding countryside, usually coming back home whenever she was called.
Playing outside one early spring day, and hearing activity across the road from their house, the neighbour dog came down the road to investigate the commotion coming from our bush lot.
As she entered our property, she came face-to-face with Dad and his dog. Because the neighbour dog was friendly, Dad and his dog struck up a friendship with the newcomer right from the moment they met.
The neighbour dog followed Dad and his dog into the sugar bush, curious as to what they were doing and eager to play with her new-found friends. She happily stayed with them for the whole day until Dad and his dog finally had to leave to go home late that afternoon.
From that day on, the neighbour dog was a daily visitor at the sugar bush. Looking forward to spend-
ing every day that spring with Dad and his dog, it got to the point where the neighbour dog would patiently sit at the end of her driveway every morning and when she saw Dad’s truck coming down the road, her tail would start wagging and she would immediately trot down the road to join her friends for a day of fun at the sugar bush.
Because his dog was constantly disappearing for most of the day that spring, the neighbour started to wonder what was going on with his pet. When he finally met Dad and learned what was happening, he just smiled and was quite happy to let his dog enjoy the company of her new-found friends.
Dad’s dog and the neighbour dog became the best of friends, running around and playing for hours on end in the snow on our sugar bush property. Dad would tend the sap boiler fire and watch the dogs for hours, never tiring of the spectacle of the two happy dogs having fun together. He would often bring treats for the two dogs or give them part of his lunch whenever they came to him.
Whenever it came time to leave, Dad would always tell the neighbour dog to “go home” and come back again tomorrow. Not wanting to leave, it would take considerable coaxing from Dad to get the neighbour dog to go home. She would finally trot down the road, tail wagging, already looking forward to the next day’s adventures in the sugar bush with her new friends.
That spring, I had the pleasure of meeting the friendly neighbour dog when I accompanied the rest of our family to the Sugar Bush during boiling season to help make maple syrup. After we gathered the sap, we would sit by the warmth of the fire as it boiled down. We would watch the two dogs happily playing together in the snow, enjoy the crisp winter quiet of nature, and wish those Norman Rockwell moments in the sugar bush would last forever.
These days, our Father, his dog, and the neighbour dog have all been gone long enough now for their memories to finally bring joy to our family instead of sadness.
I take comfort in the thought that somewhere out there in the great beyond, Dad and the two dogs are back together, happily playing, and finally not having to worry about what time they had to go home.
BY DAYNA WILSON, LIBRARY MANAGER
FICTION: All That Life Can Afford / by: Emily Everett Heartwood : A Novel / by: Amity Gaige
LARGE PRINT: Stories of the Golden West / Multiple Authors
NON-FICTION: For The Love of Plants / by: Adam Frost
PERIODICALS: Country Living Magazine The Hockey News Woman’s Day 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.
Library Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-5; Tuesdays 2-7 • 403-664-3644 ext. 2 aoymlibrary@oyenlibrary.ca • www.oyenlibrary.ca www.facebook.com/OyenLibrary
Prairie Land oh Prairie Land
Before you now I humbly stand
As memories swirl throughout my mind
Of earlier years so free and kind
Of barefoot feet and summer days
When life was lived in simpler ways
Where kids learned to work and laugh and play
And enjoy time together each new day
They walked to school in the morning light
And hurried home before it was night
For there were cows to milk and gardens to hoe
Each one had a job, and they better show (up)
When the chores were done then they could play
It was the top up to a wonderful day
Their mother would call It’s supper time They’d hurry in and get to dine
On her delicious homegrown food
That she had prepared, and it was so good
There was chatter at the table about the day
And everyone there got to have their say
The sun was going down it was time for bed
The day was ending for each sleepyhead
So off to the land of dreams they went
Knowing that it had been a day well spent
3
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What happens when you don’t advertise?
the world wants more Alberta. Alberta is world-renowned as a premier tourism destination, and it’s no secret why – from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the rolling golden prairies, from smalltown charm to the province’s vibrant cities – there is something for everyone in Alberta.
Alberta’s government understands the importance of the province’s tourism sector, and with the creation of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, has been investing in its success. These investments are paying off. In 2023, Alberta broke records, with annual visitor expenditures soaring to $12.7 billion – surpassing the previous record by almost 20 per cent. The province also experienced record international visitor expenditures, solidifying Alberta’s position as a key destination on the world stage.
Data from the first three quarters of 2024 shows that Alberta’s tourism sector is continuing to boom. From January to September 2024, Alberta tourism revenues have grown 10 per cent year over year, suggesting the province will once again break the record for annual visitor spending. Alberta is outperforming every other province in tourism sector growth, with data from the same period showing Alberta is advancing at a rate more than three times the national average.
“Alberta’s tourism economy is booming! It’s growing at an unprecedented rate, and we’re not slowing down anytime soon. Alberta’s government will continue working to unleash the potential of the province’s tourism industry, and the incredible tourism operators across the province will continue to show the world what we Albertans already know: Alberta is the best place in the world to live, play and visit,” Says Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport.
Alberta’s long-term provincial tourism strategy charts a path to growing Alberta’s visitor economy from $10 billion in annual visitor expenditures to $25 billion by 2035. The outstanding performance of Alberta’s tourism sector through 2023 and the first three quarters of 2024, coupled with Budget 2025’s continued investment in the sector and the responsible, sustainable tourism development that will occur thanks
to the recently passed All-Season Resorts Act, Alberta is well on its way to achieving this goal.
Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer, Travel Alberta commented, “Tourism is a powerful economic driver and continues to have tangible benefits for communities and Albertans throughout our province. There has never been a better time to invest in tourism in Alberta, as the industry drives export revenues, fuels job creation, strengthens local businesses and showcases the province’s incredible natural and cultural assets to the world.”
National Tourism Week is celebrated April 7-11, highlighting the benefits of tourism for Alberta communities in supporting sustainable economic growth and jobs across the province.
Quick facts
• As Alberta’s number one service export sector, tourism is a driving force in the provincial economy.
• Alberta’s tourism sector employs more than 260,000 people in the province.
• In 2023, Alberta broke records, with annual visitor expenditures soaring to $12.7 billion – surpassing the previous record by almost 20 per cent.
• In 2023, a record-breaking approximately $3 billion was spent by international visitors to the province, solidifying Alberta’s position as a key destination on the world stage.
• From January to September 2024, Alberta tourism revenues were $11.5 billion, compared with $10.5 billion for the same period in 2023 – a 10 per cent increase year over year.
• In the first three quarters of 2024, Alberta’s tourism sector growth outpaced every other province, advancing at a rate more than double that of Ontario and British Columbia, and at more than three times the national average.
• Statistics Canada determines spending through their Visitor Travel Survey. There is a lag of more than six months between data collection and publication of the data.
Work to repair the Dorothy Elevator began earlier this month, including the installation of a new roof, repairs to the cupola structure at the top of the elevator, and work to refurbish portions of the exterior.This work is expected to be completed June 2025, ahead of the busy summer tourist season in the Drumheller Valley.
“The Dorothy Elevator is one of the most photographed historic elevators in the province. This iconic structure is an important part of our history, and the Board is proud to do our part to make sure it continues to stand the test of time. These repairs will make sure this popular attraction stays an important stop on the Dinosaur Trail and remains a part of the Special Areas story,” said Shaune Kovitch, Chair of the Special Areas Board.
While current repair work is underway, the public is asked to obey all posted signage and not enter the construction area. Once repair work is complete, fencing and signage will be in place around the structure. As land around the Dorothy Elevator is occupied under an agricultural lease, the public is asked to not trespass and to obey all posted signage. Members of the public should use caution if stopping to take pho-
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- Drop in Pickleball every Tuesday 8:00 PM at the Alsask Rec Centre. All ages are welcome.
CEREAL
- Cereal Cottages Coffee on Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM
- Quilting Club weekly Wednesdays 10:00 AM
- 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
- Cereal Playground most Tuesdays 10:00 AM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
EMPRESS
SATURDAY, MAY 10
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Cultural and Leisure Society Plant & Pie Sale 10:00 AM2:00 PM. Empress Community Hall.
• Empress Community Yard Sales 9:00 AM3:00 PM. More than 10 families! Don’t miss it!
SUNDAY, MAY 18
• Empress & District Historical Society presenting ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: Window
tos by turning off into the hamlet of Dorothy instead of stopping on the highway.
Built in 1928, the Alberta Pacific Grain Company Elevator was used until 1951 when it closed. The roof was torn off in 2015 during a windstorm and was further damaged last summer with materials blowing off the structure near the adjacent highway. A safety assessment was done and initial stabilization work completed last summer to ensure the structure did not pose a risk to the public.
Last fall, the Special Areas Advisory Council recommended more extensive repair work go forward and MAST Construction was hired through a request for proposal process. MAST Construction are experts in elevator refurbishments / repair work and have completed a number of projects on elevators throughout the province including the Rowley Elevator. Local community members have shared their support for this work, with the Dorothy Community Association contributing funds towards the repairs.
Individuals who would like to contribute towards further work at the Dorothy Elevator should contact the Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta (CFSEA) and direct contributions to the Dorothy Elevator project. You can learn more about donating with CFSEA by visiting https:/cfsea.ca/donate/.
to the Cosmos at 2:00 PM Empress Train Station. No charge. Smokies $5 each. Everyone welcome.
- Game Night Saturdays at 7:00 PM at the Community Hall. Come join us for a night of fun and excitement. Play games and hang out with friends and family.
- Classic Movie Night every Tuesday at the Empress Community Hall at 7:00 PM. Bring your blanket & lawn chair. Popcorn, chips, candy, pop, water and hotdogs available in the canteen! Free Admission. A different classic film each week. Sponsored by Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society.
OYEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
• Oyen & District Historical Society AGM 1:00 PM at the Oyen Anglican Church. New volunteers needed to keep things going at the Crossroads Museum. Contact Lorraine 403-664-2499, Lois 403-664-2497 or Heather 403-664-3854 for more information.
• 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. Other upcoming dates are: April 22nd and May 13th.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
• Ecumanical Good Friday Service held at Oyen Evangelical Missionary Church at 11:00 AM. All are welcome.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
• Fun Night for members and their guests at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre 7:00 PM until Midnight. Games and Socializing. BYOB and Snacks. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403-664-2462 for more information.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 26 & 27
• Wilson School of Dance presents their annual recital, Oyen Legion. 7:00 PM Saturday evening, 2:00 PM Sunday afternoon. Adults $15; Students $5.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY AT NOON. Not intended for business use. Community and
MONDAY, APRIL 28
• National Volunteer Week is celebrated April 27 - May 3. Please join the Oyen Family & Community Support Services for a free dinner from 5:00-7:00 PM at the FCSS Community Centre on Main Street to recognize the important contributions that you, as volunteers, make to our communities!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7
• Regular Pot Luck and Meeting for the Oyen and District Seniors (50+) at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. Pot Luck at 6:00 PM and Meeting at 7:00 PM. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403-6642462 for further information.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. - Community Choir every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Evangelical Missionary Church. The choir will perform at the Ecumanical Good Friday Service on April 18th.