OYEN PHARMACY
Classroom economy motivates Grade 6 students at Oyen Public School
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Rose Public Schools Content Writer
agreement and a hike to regional emergency services.
Macdonald stated that $3,000 was also added to the operating budget for lift station repairs which are still tentative; it’s not certain the repairs are needed.
The CAO also mentioned some good news regarding fire hydrant repairs: it appears the hydrants may not need repair, just some basic maintenance. Macdonald stated she was told the hydrants may only require some gaskets and O-rings and won’t require digging up the pavement.
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.
After looking at the proposed operating budget Coun. Clark German complimented the CAO.
“I think you did an excellent job Elaine,” said German.
He also asked the CAO if she’d had a chance to look into the amount of water Big Valley actually purchased, but Macdonald answered she wasn’t able to do that yet.
German noted he felt the village
This past September, on the first day of the school year, Kayl Davies, teacher at Oyen Public School, and her class of Grade 6 students collaborated to create a set of classroom norms, giving the students a voice in the classroom environment they would be part of. Davies took the expectations and grouped them into three core values: respect, responsibility and teamwork. From there, Davies created a contract and the class held a democratic vote, which resulted in the contract being approved. Most of the students chose to sign the contract and not only did the process correlate with the Grade 6 social studies curriculum on democracy but it also provided a great learning opportunity for all involved.
German added that it does seem that Big Valley has a lot of properties assessed at the minimum value, with the CAO pointing out there are 37 in total.
Councillors unanimously approved the 2023 operating budget.
“In classroom economy we have jobs,” explained student Cruz Evans, “such as teacher’s assistant, banker, and homework helper. We also have our Davies Dollars, ranging from five cents to $5, and taxes. We made wallets at the beginning of the year to put our money in and we can each get paid and taxed.”
Once core values and a contract were in place, Davies introduced the students to the concept of classroom fines, attaching a printed list to the whiteboard for everyone to reference. Evans explained the fines are for such things as leaving a mess, which will cost 25 cents in Davies Dollars. The student holding the position of teacher’s assistant is responsible for taxing and the
money goes to the banker. Each student created a personalized wallet to hold their Davies Dollars and Evans added if a student doesn’t have enough money to pay the fine, they are allowed to go into debt.
Every two weeks, the students are allowed to shop at the classroom store using their Davies Dollars. As a class, the students chose the items, along with the price of each, that would be in the store to provide them with motivation to earn a reward.
Student Jayden Stewart currently holds the position of banker, but his preferred position is errand runner.
“I like banking because I’m good at math,” he said. “We buy prizes and other things with the money. Miss. Davies has different board games, puzzles, and squish toys. It’s lots of fun. I’ve gotten some hockey cards, a squish ball and a cup. For errand runner I get to run different errands and hand out hot lunches. I’m pretty good at that be-
Cruz Evans, left, and Jayden Stewart standing in front of the board in their Grade 6 classroom at Oyen Public School that lists all the jobs for which students in the class can apply.
Acadia Municipal Library
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH Library Manager
This week’s new item is the picture book Changing Tides by Júlia Moscardó.
Congratulations to those that won a treat in the Easter Egg hunt! A total of 63 eggs were found and the winner of the draw will be announced later this week. A few eggs are still waiting to be discovered so there’s still a chance to go home with more than just your library book!
The next after-school movie will feature Dog Man and take place on May 13th at 3:30.
Looking for gardening ideas, tips, or advice. The library system has a wide variety of materials to choose from. If we don’t have what you need on our shelves, feel free to browse the complete catalogue through the TRACpac app or at www.TRACpac.ab.ca . We would be more than happy to bring something in for you!
No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.”
—Mary
Wortley Montagu
Expert advice available for new parents across Alberta
There is now a single phone number for new parents across the province seeking expert advice on newborn care.
Primary Care Alberta’s (PCA) New Parent and Newborn Line, which launched last month, is now a provincial service. All new parents across Alberta can call 1-833-805-BABY (2229) any time, any day, to get expert advice from registered nurses specializing in postpartum care.
“There is now a single, easy-to-access phone number for new parents across the province to get expert advice on newborn care - making it simpler to find the support they need during those critical early days,” Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health. Nurses are available 24/7 to offer support, information and referrals to new parents and caregivers for the first two months after their baby’s birth. Health Link experts receive questions including caring for baby, breastfeeding, mother’s health, and baby’s health.
“Through the New Parent and Newborn Line, new parents across Alberta have direct access to experts in postpartum care,” says Patricia Chambers,
...Classroom economy
cause I’m fast.”
The classroom jobs change each month and students must apply for them, stating on their application their first and second choice along with using persuasive language on why they should be selected to hold their desired position.
Evans explained, “at the start of each month, we move our desks around so we sit by someone else and we change our classroom job. We must apply for
Executive Lead of Patient Navigation and System Integration with PCA. “Health Link 811 nurses offer that advice with compassion, as they know what it’s like to have a new baby at home.”
The Early Start Parent Information Line previously available in Calgary, and Healthy Beginnings in Edmonton, receive approximately 2,000 calls a month from new parents and caregivers.
“Offering virtual health services empowers Albertans to seek out their own appropriate care options without having to go to the emergency department or their primary care provider,” says PCA CEO Kimberley Simmonds. “Our goal is to ensure that Albertans have access to the right care, at the right place, at the right time.”
Primary Care Alberta is a made-in-Alberta solution to improve access to the primary care services Albertans rely on. By delivering coordinated services, Primary Care Alberta allows for valued healthcare professionals to do what they do best – care for you. Together, we are creating a future where compassionate, timely and effective healthcare is available to every Albertan at every stage of life.
Powering up communities with ag society dollars
Agricultural societies play a crucial role in the province’s rural communities. They bring people together, organize and run events and improve the overall quality of life for residents in their communities.
Alberta has more agriculture societies than any other province with 292 organizations. Alberta’s government is helping regional agricultural societies weather increasing costs and plan ahead with a one-time cash injection of more than $7.4 million.
“It’s hard to overstate the impact regional agricultural societies have on rural Alberta. From event organizing to infrastructure upkeep, they energize folks and bring communities together. This funding will ensure our regional agriculture societies are able to keep up their good work and continue to be pillars of their communities.”
RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.
New funding includes $4.03 million in one-time supports distributed among the seven regional ag societies to help them manage cost pressures and allow them to plan for the future, including achieving more sustainable operational models. It also includes a onetime investment of $2.87 million to support business transformation projects and funding set aside for a third-party consultant to help with those efforts.
This is on top of the continued annual total funding of $2.8 million for regional agricultural societies through the Agricultural Societies Grant Program. In 2024, Alberta’s government hired Deloitte to conduct a sustainability assessment of the societies and provide recommendations to address their financial struggles. Those recommendations helped inform this funding and the next steps.
“On behalf of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the province for the generous funding provided to us. This support is instrumental in helping each regional fair achieve its goals and make a positive impact in its community. Thank you for your commitment to fostering growth and development.”
Ron Edwards, manager, Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede
“Thank you to the Government of Alberta for its continued support of Regional Agricultural Societies and Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE). Ag Societies benefit the communities they serve, enhancing the quality of life for Albertans, while supporting the critical role agriculture plays in our economy. This strong support from our provincial government allows LDE to improve and evolve, while supporting the programming needed to cultivate the agriculture community. It’s this partnership that will help to make us successful and sustainable for another 100 years”.
Lloyd Brierley, board chair, Lethbridge & District Exhibition
Quick facts
• Agricultural societies are volunteer-driven and collectively host more than 39,000 events and activities each year.
• Alberta’s seven regional agricultural societies are in Camrose, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Olds, Medicine Hat and Red Deer.
• Regional is a long-standing historic designation for these seven agricultural societies.
the jobs on sheets Miss. Davies hands us. You write your name, age, grade, and you pick two options, first choice and second, and then there are additional notes to write on why we would be good at the job. My job right now is teacher’s assistant and I wrote what I’m good at: math for taxing people, I can multitask and I have a good memory.”
Another motivational concept Davies implemented in her classroom is having students earn letters toward spelling the word compliment. “When students
demonstrate kind acts, use good manners, or show helpfulness around the school, they may be noticed by other staff members. If a staff member, other than myself, gives the class a compliment for their behavior, we earn a letter toward the word COMPLIMENT. Each compliment equals one letter, and once we’ve collected all ten letters to complete the word, we have a celebration.”
Evans and Stewart were excited because the word was almost complete again, which will be the third celebra-
tion for the class this year. Students get to vote on the special event they want to have, such as watching a movie, having a classroom party or a pajama day.
“It’s a great way to build a positive classroom community while also reinforcing respectful and kind behavior throughout the school,” stated Davies.
“I’m truly enjoying seeing how engaged and empowered the students are through this system. It’s been such a rewarding addition to our classroom community.”
A female Mallard is perched atop old granary on the evening of April 19. PHOTO BY NANCY HANSON
OPINION: ‘Never again’ is more than a slogan
BY JOAN JANZEN
“Never again” was a slogan derived after the Holocaust. This year marks the 80th anniversary of that tragic event, and April 23 marked Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Despite the slogan, the Anti-Defamation League has been actively tracking a rise in anti-Semitic cases around the globe. There’s been a rising worldwide trend of vandalism, harassment and assault during the last four years.
This resurgence echoes the painful past of survivors who often didn’t share their memories with their children. The next generation never knew why they didn’t have grandparents, aunts or uncles.
A documentary entitled ‘The Littlest Heroes from the Warsaw Ghetto’ tells the story of eighteen children aged six to fifteen, who managed to survive without their families in the heart of the German quarter near an SS barracks. A boy named Jack was one of the surviving children who chose to live in Canada after the war was over.
On September 27, 1939, the Germans invaded Warsaw. The persecution of Jews began, including arrests, extortion, violence, and an obligation for those 12 and older to wear an armband. The Reich decided to isolate the population into three zones: Polish, German and the Jewish zone, which became the site of the ghetto.
On October 20, 1940, Jews were or-
dered to move behind newly constructed walls, where German workshops were set up for free labour. The population consisted of 360,000 adults and 100,000 children who became the breadwinners in their families.
There were openings in the walls for water and sewer, just big enough for children to escape in order to sell or barter on the street and bring back bread. However they had to return before the designated curfew.
Jack recalled, “I was eight years old, wearing wooden shoes in -20 degree temperatures, selling 100 cigarettes. I earned a small loaf of bread and I was so proud to take it home.”
In April 1943, it was decided to liquidate the ghetto; there were no Jews left in Warsaw. However, a few children managed to escape, hiding in town or in the forest. Jack was one of those who managed to escape.
“The resistance youth movement built a bunker hidden underground; I stayed with them,” he explained. Ninety people lived in three rooms until it was discovered, and everybody decided to move out. Jack had decided to stay since he thought he would die anyway.
“But then a friend said maybe on the outside we have a chance. I owe my life to him,” he said. “We got out, and I took a run; nobody shot me. I lay down between two bodies and played dead. It’s hard to talk about,” he said. When everyone was gone he went back to the bunker, sat down and cried. He was just
12 years old and all alone.
But one of the young resistance fighters tapped him on the shoulder and helped him out. They hid in the sewers until that too was no longer a safe hiding place.
The children banded together, surviving in plain sight, sleeping in ruins, and earning bread by singing and selling cigarettes.
“A cigarette was more important to the soldiers than bread,” he said. And there were plenty of soldiers in the square where they lived - German, Polish and Hungarian soldiers. “You couldn’t show fear,” he said. “If you got caught, they would shoot you.”
The boys also sold fake cigarettes made from all kinds of leaves. The leaves were dried, ironed flat, rolled and put in artificial boxes. “But you made sure you sold the cigarettes and moved on quickly before they caught you,” he said.
To avoid being captured, the children adopted a strategy. They changed locations as often as possible, scattering all across town. They decided to forget their Jewish identity. Their extraordinary instincts resulted in the use of nicknames, invented last names, and imaginary families. They spoke Polish instead of Yiddish and invented reasons to justify their presence on the streets.
They spent the winter of 1943 sleeping in ruined buildings and bushes, on the lookout at all times. It was a climate of terror.
“One day, somebody told me my little brother was picked up by two policemen. Somebody sold him out for a reward of three kilos of sugar. He was the only one in my family who was left,” he recalled tearfully.
Despite the heartache, he had to continue to survive.
The band of kids realized they could make money by selling newspapers.
The Polish people had their radios confiscated, and the Germans broadcast their news on loudspeakers, so people read newspapers. It was good for the children. Papers came out at a precise time, and trade was brisk. “I would sell them in no time,” Jack recalled.
On October 6, 1943 the order was given to exterminate all the Jewish children. They were hunted mercilessly and a number of the boys they knew were caught.
In 1944 someone from the resistance movement discovered the band of boys and couldn’t believe they had survived. He gave them a will to live and helped them obtain fake papers and school cards. “I still have my identity cards,” Jack said. At that time, Berlin was bombed, and by January 1945, the liberation was underway.
The Red Cross took charge of the children, who realized they had a future and the world was open to them at last. “After I was liberated, it was my best day and my worst day,” he said. “I’m free, but where do I go? I’ve got nobody to go to.”
Jack had escaped from the ghetto when he was 12 years old and lived on the streets until he was liberated when he was 14. He chose to move to Canada where he eventually became a furrier.
The words “never again” are more than a slogan for survivors like Jack and his children and grandchildren. It’s a promise for a future, a hope and freedom.
A large
Pop89:
The Spirit’s next move
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BORDER KENNELS
I’ve been glued to the screen, watching commentators and anchors report on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. I love the fact that, in order to speak of his papacy and the subsequent choosing of a new pope, they must mention the Holy Spirit. They must explain that the job of the conclave is to attend to “the movement of the Spirit.” How often, in a world that secularizes and politicizes, spiritual matters, do we hear “Spirit” mentioned in “tonight’s top story”? It’s too good to miss.
A couple of weeks ago I watched the movie Conclave with my sister and brother-in-law. It details the events going on behind the Sistine Chapel doors as cardinals choose the next pope. Now, what I’m trying to imagine, with even more curiosity and yearning, is how the Spirit moves the cardinals, who through silent reflection and, hopefully, sincere prayer, are “inspired” (ie: “inspirited” ) to vote for moral force, not political clout.
Yes, Catholicism is a weird religion, full of rituals and rites, bells and smells, gestures and prayers. But each one is designed to render us - and the cardinals - humble. To whisper into every ear: Yes, there is a God. And, no, it’s not you. There is, after all, more to heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philos ophies and politics, as Shakespeare wrote. In a sec ular world, it’s hard to remember that a pope who speaks on behalf of, and visits regularly, prisoners, homeless, refugees and the sick, who washes and kisses their feet, is not making a political statement but an ancient religious one.
Living in a dormitory and eating in a cafeteria, riding on public transit and wearing Velcro sneak ers instead of red leather loafers didn’t make Fran cis a Marxist, but a simple Christian. The papacy is there to remind the world of moral imperative, not political sway. It is there to be a spiritual presence in the lives of the marginalized and forgotten. Francis made the most of every encounter by embracing the least of us. But they are not just photo ops, they are how he exemplified a life aligned with mercy.
The word I equate most with Francis is “Mercy.” It’s a word on short supply these days. It is certainly not evident in certain media outlets and their guests who are already criticizing Francis for ignoring “tra dition” by blessing “same-sex unions.” One priest actually asserted that, “We don’t bless sinners!” Re ally? I believe that was Jesus’ core message.
Mercy is, by definition, compassion shown to those you could just as easily ignore: The homeless, the refugee, the mentally challenged, the rehabilitat ed criminal, the old, the marginalized. These are the people Francis wanted to be with to remind them that we are all precious in God’s eyes. Mercy is the moral imperative of those more privileged among us - the rich, the politically powerful, the celebrityanyone who has the luxury of ignoring the less priv ileged. We are always either in need of mercy or are in the position to show it.
The pope writes eloquently about caring for each other and our common home. I recently read an ex
Living in a dormitory and eating in a cafeteria, riding on public transit and wearing Velcro sneakers instead of red leather loafers didn’t make Francis a Marxist, but a simple Christian.
amination of his view on world economics, written by two Vatican reporters. It’s called “This Economy Kills”. Francis economics were in line with Christ’s, though not near as radical.
The authors quote him: “When money, instead of man, is at the center of the system, when money becomes an idol, men and women are reduced to simple instruments of a social and economic system, which is characterized-or better yet, dominated-by profound inequalities. . . . The promise was that when the glass became full, it would spill over and the poor would benefit. But, instead, when it was full, the glass magically got bigger and nothing trickled down to the poor.”
Why does Francis’ insistence we live frugally, share with the outsider, the poor and homeless,
After Masters’ win, McIlroy eyes the ‘Calendar Slam’
BY BRUCE PENTON
Now that he’s slain one dragon, how about a more ferocious, fire-breathing beast to conquer for Rory McIlroy?
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
Finally achieving professional golf’s career grand slam by winning the 2025 Masters, McIlroy can breathe easily when he returns to Augusta in 2026. For the rest of this season, the Northern Ireland golf phenom, still relatively young at 35, can go after the unthinkable — the single-season grand slam.
No one has ever pulled off the rarest of the rare — winning the Masters, PGA, U.S. Open and the Open Championship in the same season. Why not Rory in 2025? The great amateur from 100 years ago, Bobby Jones, is credited with accomplishing the Grand Slam, but that included the U.S. and British Amateurs in 1930, and the U.S. and British Opens. Tiger Woods came close, at one point in 2001 holding all four major golf trophies, but they weren’t all won in a single calendar year. He won the final three majors of 2000 and then won the 2001 Masters.
But winning all four in a single year? Impossible? Probably, but there is currently only one golfer with a chance to accomplish that feat in 2025 and it’s McIlroy, enjoying by far the most successful start to a season in his career.
He won the AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am in January. He won the prestigious Players championship in a playoff over J.J. Spaun in March. He overcame the scar tissue from a number of near misses at Augusta to finally cash in this year, beating Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff. “Every time he made a mistake, he came back and did something fantastic,” Dr. Bob Rotella, McIlroy’s sports psychologist, said in an interview..
And what’s next? Three major championship venues at which McIlroy will be one of the strong favourites at each one. So why not win all four and make golf history?
First up is the PGA in May at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C. It’s one of McIlroy’s favourite courses and a site where he already has won four times. In June, the U.S. Open will be staged at Oakmont in suburban Pittsburgh and that will present a strong challenge to McIlroy’s hopes of winning. He missed the cut nine years ago when the Open was last played at Oakmont but his game is much better now. The Grand Slam pressure would be immense if McIlroy happened to pull off wins at Quail Hollow and Oakmont, but it would be ultra intense at July’s Open Championship, which this year is being
played at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, almost in Rory’s backyard. British bookmakers have already established odds — 80-to-1 — against McIlroy winning what they’re calling the Calendar Slam. With the Masters monkey off his back, and clearly the best player in the world (even though Scottie Scheffler’s numerical ranking, mainly based on 2024 results, is better), McIlroy can approach the season’s final three majors with relative calm. Skill-wise, he has what it takes. Mentally, though … well, that’s a dragon of a different roar and hotter fire.
• New York Post columnist Phil Mushnick, who regularly laments that a certain ex-pitcher, now a TV analyst, talks too much: “Had a horrible nightmare. I was at a banquet, and John Smoltz was the after-dinner speaker.”
• A gem from long-time college basketball coach Al McGuire, snipped from Jack Finarelli’s sportscurmudgeon.com site: “I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver. Then they would really be educated.”
• Comedy guy Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “Eminem has joined a group of investors trying to bring a WNBA team back to Detroit, with one stipulation: The team uniforms must include a hood.”
• Another one from Torben Rolfsen: “The NHL is already regretting switching the draft to Zoom this spring. All because a few GMs didn’t want to have to wear pants.”
• Retiring CBS reporter Dennis Dodd, reminiscing in his retirement column: “Fun fact: The antacid still hasn’t been invented to combat the effects of press box food.”
• Headline at The Beaverton.com: “Federal election postponed until all Canadian teams eliminated from playoffs.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: “I’m so old I remember when an 82-game season that allowed 16 of 30 teams into the NBA postseason was considered enough of a ‘play-in round.’”
• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com (Hampton, Va.): “Will or won’t the Giants take Shedeur Sanders with the third overall pick? Who knows? This is a franchise that passed in 2018 on Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.”
• From Miami columnist Dave Barry, via Jack Finarelli’s sportscurmudgeon. com site: “Camping is nature’s way of promoting the motel business.”
• Headline at fark.
com: “A whole lotta people enjoyed watching McIlroy constantly switching between ‘It’s so over’ and ‘We’re so back’ (during the Masters’ final round).”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
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Your oral health is our priority To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bhushan, Dr. Flynn or one of our great hygienists, please call 403-664-3774 313 - 3rd Ave. E. - Oyen, AB ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
“Life is like a camera. Focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out, take another shot.“
Unknown
Growing Through Grief: Acceptance
BY ANGELA CLEMENT
Accepting grief as a process that can help you heal is a key to healing from the loss of a loved one. It’s not the easiest thing to do, that is for sure. There will be struggles along the way because we are not taught how to deal with the heavy emotion that comes with the grieving process.
Yet at some point, with support and guidance, you will recognize that the emotions that come with the process of grieving are meant to be embraced and shared. This puts the whole process in a new light.
Acceptance allows us to acknowledge our grief without resistance. By accepting the reality of our loss, we can reduce feelings of struggle against our emotions, leading to a more peaceful process. If we can grant ourselves permission to express our emotions freely in a way that feels right for us, it can help us alleviate the psychological burdens that hold us back from healing.
Grieving is a natural process. I believe it was provided for us because when you think of it, life is always changing and as it changes we are forced to let go of the past and look into the future. In this way, we are always experiencing some type of loss. Grief is a
sacred process that helps us heal as we continuously adjust and adapt to the changes in our lives. If we can perceive it in this way, we start to realize that we don’t have to feel guilty or shameful about grief and the emotions that come with it and it helps us cope with our loss in a healthier way.
When we practice the art of embracing and processing the emotion that arises, we just get better at it. We realize that strong emotions, even though intense and challenging, cannot hurt us. We can then learn to lean into those emotions, which is actually an essential life skill. We become more resilient to all of life’s challenges in this way.
Allowing ourselves to feel and accept the emotions without fearing them also allows us to more freely connect with those precious memories of our loved
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ones. This connection can bring comfort and joy which eventually transforms sorrow into gratitude and celebration for the life they lived and the impact they continue to have on us. We take what we cherish about our loved one with us as we start to step into new relationships and experiences. This starts to fill us with joy and purpose.
As we move forward we integrate our loss into our lives. It becomes a fuel for us as we begin to identify new aspects of ourselves and our journey. As we learn to accept this unfolding of a new chapter in our lives, we find out that we develop a greater empathy and compassion for others who are walking this path. Consequently, through our compassion for others, we make new connections which are so helpful for our mutual healing. By embracing and accepting grief as a healing process, we also open ourselves up to learning more about it as we go. We start to realize that grief is the process that can help us turn a painful experience into an opportunity for growth. We build increased understanding and ultimately continued hope for a future filled with renewed promise and fulfillment. If you are interested in having someone guide you through your own unique grieving process, check out my website at healingenergy.world. Lots of love - Angela
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Shirley Fee
December 29, 1935 ~ April 16, 2025
Shirley Ann Fee of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Lyle Fee, passed away on Wednesday April 16, 2025, at the age of 89 years. She leaves to cherish her memory two children, Debbie (Don) Bezler and Don Fee; two grandchildren, Jeff (Karleen) Bezler and Josh Bezler; three great grandchildren, Nolan, Jocelyn and Brody Bezler; her sisters-in-law Carroll McDonald of Oyen and Rose McDonald of Wainwright and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Lyle on April 27, 2003; her parents Jean and William McDonald; four brothers, Hughy, Jack, Stewart and Ken McDonald; two sisters Margy Klevyer and Joyce Hoffman.
Shirley was born on December 29, 1935, in Cereal, Alberta, and married Lyle Fee on October 17, 1955, in Hanna, Alberta. Over the years, Shirley
and Lyle lived in many communities throughout Southern Alberta, as Lyle was involved in irrigation and farming. They raised their two children Debbie and Don while Shirley enjoyed being a stay at home mom while pursuing her interests in sewing, crafts and leather work. She often spent time making custom clothes for people. Shirley had the gift of conversation with her family and friends.
A graveside was held in the McGregor Cemetery, south of Oyen, on Friday April 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant Pat Grisonich officiating. Those who wish to remember Shirley with a donation, may do so to HALO c/o HALO Air Ambulance (formerly Southern Alberta Medic Air Society) #12 - Airport Drive SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5G4. Please make cheques out to HALO. To leave a message of condolence you may visit www. pattisonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 2V6. Please call 1-866526-2214 for further information.
Marlene Louise Caskey 1957 - 2025
Marlene Louise Caskey was born in Cereal, Alberta in May of 1957. Marlene was the eldest of two sisters—both of whom continued the long legacy of farming alongside their parents Helen and Vernon Johnston. She went to a oneroom schoolhouse in Helmsdale, followed by school in Cereal, where she met the love of her life Graham in high school. She added a pilot’s license to her valedictory senior year, just to make things interesting. After a lifetime training with on-farm jobs, her first off-farm job was trucking at the United Farmers of Alberta bulk fuel agency in Cereal. Graham and Marlene attended Olds College together to sharpen their skills and to plant the seeds of friendships that bloom to this day.
In 1977, a few weeks after Marlene’s 20th birthday, Graham and Marlene made their partnership official, got married, and added a bit of fertilizer to their shared dreams. That year marked not only their wedding, but the beginning of many adventures in farming and business—especially through their long and committed involvement with UFA and the Alberta Canola Producers Commission.
In everything Marlene did, her purpose was clear: to grow. Whether it was bushels of grain, lifetime relationships, or the countless people she supported and influenced—growth was her gift. She was a good boss and steady listening post to many. Marlene and Graham shared a vision, even if their styles were different. She was captivated
by Graham’s spontaneity and talent, just as he was grounded and lifted by her raw ability to get things done—often while wearing an invisible superhero cape. That cape could transform from a warm hug to a sharp whip (and everything in between) in the blink of an eye, all in service of something bigger than herself.
In 1980 and 1982, she welcomed her two children, Justin and Christine, feeding them with love, and folding them into every part of her life—her work, her joy, and her boundless heart. She extended those gifts to her five grandchildren, who knew they were treasured beyond words.
Marlene passed away on April 15, 2025, a year after learning about her brain cancer diagnosis. Her life was too short, and the gap she leaves behind is wide. But that gap is also full. Full of love. Full of lessons. And full of her warm, persistent smile—a smile she gave deliberately, again and again, along with her favourite question, asked with such simple grace: “So, how are you doing?” Because she really wanted to know.
Marlene is survived by her mother Helen, husband Graham, son Justin (Christine) Caskey and grandchildren Owen, Grayson, and Rieka, daughter Christine (Roger) Laing, grandchildren Walker and Axel, sister Sandra, sisters-in-law Vera, Karen, and Noot, and brother-in-law Curtis, along with her much-loved nieces, nephews, and cousins near and far.
Her Celebration of Life was held at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 26, at the Oyen Seniors Recreation Centre. All are welcome.
Funeral arrangements in the care of MacLean’s Funeral Home in Oyen, AB.
To leave condolences please visit ofsmacleans. com
Truck Works Inc.
OYEN LODGE NEWS
Are you interested in volunteering?
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. Hope everyone enjoyed the long Easter weekend. It was wonderful to see some moisture to green things up for some spring yard work and for the farmers to get their seed in the ground. Spring is called the Queen of Seasons because it is the most beautiful season, where nature is in full bloom and looks pretty with blooming varied colours of flowers, buzzing bees, and butterflies hovering over flowers for pollination. It’s nice to hear the birds singing early in the mornings to start your day.
On Easter Monday, Dianne was away, so there were no activities.
Tuesday morning started with exercises, followed by the regular bus run downtown for shopping then a one on one with a resident to play scrabble. Of course I did not win again. Tuesday afternoon there was an ice cream parlor, followed by piano with Taylor Neilson. Tuesday was Earth Day, which is an annual celebration that honours the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earths natural resources for future generations.
Wednesday morning there was
Church with Brad, followed by crossword games. In the afternoon there were shuffleboard games. Happy Birthday to Wanda Ball on April 23rd.
Thursday morning was baking, followed by whist card games. In the afternoon there was the monthly birthday bash, which chocolate cake with creamy chocolate icing was served along with coffee and tea. Happy Birthday to Norma Shoemaker and Sharon Friesen on April 24th.
Friday morning started with exercises, followed by horse races. The #6 horse “Topsy” was the top winner that day. In the afternoon was bingo and in the evening was music by the Jorgenson’s.
National Volunteer Week is April 27th-May 3rd, to celebrate the importance of volunteers across Canada. It’s a chance to appreciate and express gratitude to volunteers for their contributions to various causes in terms of time, talent, voice and support. Thanks to all the volunteers in our communities. You all are greatly appreciated. If anyone is interested in volunteering at the Lodge, see the manager Gloria Jorgenson for more information.
Have a great week everyone and enjoy the sunny spring weather.
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306-463-6707
807 - 9th St. W. Kindersley, SK
We try our best to keep events up-to-date, but if you see an error or have a cancellation, please let us know!
ACADIA VALLEY
SATURDAY, MAY 10
• Community Garage Sales 10:00 AM4:00 PM. Look for signs and balloons.
ALSASK
- 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, Cultur-
Oyen RCMP arrest individual for stolen vehicle
OYEN — On Apr. 20, 2025, Oyen RCMP responded to a request from the Kindersley RCMP to assist in locating a stolen Ford F350 that had fled from police out of Saskatchewan and into Alberta. A short time later, Oyen RCMP located the Ford F350 travelling on Township Road 310. The driver of the Ford F350 again attempted to evade police and drove through a field before fleeing on foot. An extensive search for the suspect was conducted by police from multiple RCMP detachments, Police Dog Services and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services.
In the early morning hours of Apr. 21, 2025, Oyen RCMP received information from multiple members of the public that they had seen a male in the Esther, Alta. area who matched the description of the suspect. After another extensive search, Oyen RCMP located and arrested Jeffrey McLean, a 41-year-old male resident of Regina, SK, he has been charged with the following offences:
• Flight from Peace Officer
• Possession of property obtained by crime x2
• Driving while prohibited
• Operate motor vehicle without op-
erators license
• Operate motor vehicle without subsisting certificate of registration
• Drive uninsured motor vehicle
• Display unauthorized license plate Jeffrey McLean was taken before a Justice of the Peace and was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on Apr. 23, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Hanna, Alta. Oyen RCMP would like to extend thanks to the members of the public who assisted by providing information which proved to be critical in locating the suspect.
al and Leisure Society Plant & Pie Sale 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Empress Community Hall.
• Empress Community Yard Sales 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. More than 10 families! Don’t miss it!
SUNDAY, MAY 18
• Empress & District Historical Society presenting ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: Window to the Cosmos at 2:00 PM Empress Train Station. No charge. Smokies $5 each. Everyone welcome.
SATURDAY, MAY 31
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Cultural and Leisure Society Arbor Day Celebration “Plant A Tree With Us!” 12:00 - 2:30 PM. Worm Composting Workshop at 12:30. Tree Planting 2:00. Join us for lunch.
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society Craft Monday 1:00 PM at Empress Community Hall Craft Room. Everyone is welcome and coffee is always on!
- 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. - Empress & District Fine Arts, Cutlure and Leisure Society presents Snarples Thursdays 7:00 PM. No entry fee. Great opportunity to see old friends, make some new ones and learn a new card game. Empress Community Hall (314 Centre St.)
- 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.
OYEN
FRIDAY, MAY 2
• Oyen United Church Soup & Sandwich 11:00 AM -1:00 PM Adults $15, 6-12 $5.00, Under 6 Free.
Submit your Upcoming Event to kate@yourwestcentral.com or text 306-463-2211
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS
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 403-664-2462 for further information.
TUESDAY, MAY 13
• 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 403-664-8688.
- 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.