she was told the hydrants may only require some gaskets and O-rings and won’t require digging up the pavement.
After looking at the proposed operating budget Coun. Clark German complimented the CAO.
“I think you did an excellent job Elaine,” said German.
BY DIANNE SPATH
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. the village’s water usage has dropped year to year.
Macdonald answered the village has had a couple of leaks repaired over the past few years.
Hoogenberg also mused that the water tower has been drained and refilled which may have also played a role.
Hello, everyone. The month of March went fast; hello, April. April is still frosty and cool, but warmer weather is coming.
Monday started with exercises, followed by Catholic Church with Father Rodell. At lunchtime, Doug Jones and Damien Kurek were at the Lodge talking to the residents about the upcoming election on April 28th. Damien had a discussion at every table with every resident. In the afternoon there was bingo. On Tuesday morning, there were exercises, and the regular bus ran downtown for shopping. In the afternoon there was a pub afternoon. Refreshments and snacks of their choice
were served. Later in the afternoon, there was a resident council meeting. Residents’ families are welcome to attend these meetings if they wish. Residents discussed old business and new business and had discussions of future ideas. Taylor Neilson was at the Lodge before supper to play piano. Tuesday was “April Fool’s Day”. There weren’t too many pranksters that day.
Wednesday started with crossword games, and in the afternoon was shuffleboard. In the evening, Delbert Pratt was at the Lodge to entertain residents with his cowboy poetry, selling and personally signing of his books. The evening was enjoyed by all.
Thursday morning was dominos and making Easter decorations. Thurs-
day afternoon, there were phase ten card games, and in the evening, there was music by Rob Shields.
Friday morning started with exercises, followed by horse races. Willie #4 horse was the top winner that day. In the afternoon there was bingo. Congrats to Sandi who got bingo on I29, who got double her money on that bingo. Friday evening there was music by the Jorgenson’s.
On Tuesday, April 8th, Alberta Clothing and Avon will be at the Lodge from 10:00 to 2:00. On April 14th, the Popovichs will entertain at the Lodge at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Have a great week everyone and enjoy the nice weather in the 2nd week of April.
TRIP! Warren Peers School in Acadia Valley would like to thank Jordie and William Kuhn for making arrangements and to the WPS Parent Council for sponsoring their Grade 4-9 field trip to Edmonton. They toured Roger’s Place, the Legislature and the Telus World of Science. They even got to personally chat with Mr. Nate
and the
the
Alberta’s government is providing $1.1 million to help school boards develop plans for school building projects.
A major part of building or renovating a school is planning the design, location, classroom layout and more to ensure the school best serves the community. By providing pre-planning funding to school boards, Alberta’s government is helping ensure that proposed projects are ready to go to the next step of the construction process. These funds also help the school board engage with the local community and parents to find the best school plan for their students.
“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.“
Geoffrey B. Charlesworth
“We continue to be committed to building and renovating schools now, so we can keep up with increasing numbers of students and growing pressures on our education system. We already have more than 130 school projects underway, and we are keeping our foot on the gas pedal. This pre-planning money is helping school boards create strong project ideas for potential schools in their communities.”
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
School boards can use the information gathered in the pre-planning stage to submit a project proposal that is well-rounded and better prepared for consideration for funding by Alberta’s government. While many projects that receive pre-planning money do eventually move to the next stage of the construction process, not all projects that get pre-planning funding move forward.
“We know Alberta’s growing communities need new and modernized schools, and we continue to take action to move school projects forward as quickly as possible; this includes investing in pre-planning. Thorough pre-planning helps determine whether a new school, modernization or replacement is required. Additionally, we determine grade configuration, capacity needs and site conditions. Having this vital
information will enable our government to accelerate projects once full funding is approved.”
Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure
Last fall, Alberta’s government announced the $8.6 billion School Construction Accelerator Program to speed up school construction and build more than 100 new and renovated schools over the next seven years. School projects approved for funding by Alberta’s government will move forward as part of that program.
“Alberta School Boards Association appreciates this investment to support our locally elected member school boards in preparing for future school projects. Pre-planning brings our boards one step closer to ensuring students have safe, modern learning spaces. These funds will help boards as they develop well-informed plans that address the longterm needs of their communities.”
Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association
Building and renovating more than 130 schools is a massive undertaking, and it needs to be done right. The pre-planning, planning and design stages are very important steps in the process that help ensure schools are built correctly, on time and on budget.
• A pre-planning approval typically provides $50,000 in funding but can vary depending on required pre-planning activities.
• Alberta’s government uses a staged school project funding approach that includes pre-planning, planning, design and construction approvals.
• Pre-planning funds are being provided to a mix of public, separate, francophone and charter school boards, supporting more choice for parents and students in Alberta’s education system.
BY JOAN JANZEN
This week, I was not planning on writing about politics, but after listening to a ‘4 My Canada’ broadcast, I was reminded how much is at stake in this election. And even though there’s little humour to be found in politics, I’ll share a couple of riddles.
Q: What is the favourite footwear of politicians? A: Flip Flops. Q: Why don’t politicians ever play hide and seek? A: Because no one would ever look for them.
People wouldn’t look for them because they’re too busy searching for all the important issues that are being suppressed and taking note of the sudden flip-flops that occur during election campaigns. There’s much at stake in this upcoming 2025 election, but we’ll cover just a few things today.
Faytene Grasseschi pointed out on the ‘4 My Canada’ broadcast that the Liberal-NDP union changed everything in the last election, enabling them to receive a majority. A majority equals 170 seats. So, what are a few situations that occurred during the past decade?
The federal debt doubled, which means 100 percent of all federal sales tax collected goes to interest on the debt; nothing goes towards paying the debt. An average Canadian owes between $50,000 to $60,000 in debt, depending on what province you live in.
Another change was that MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying) is on
track to be legal for the mentally ill and depressed by 2027, with same-day requests and administration for the vulnerable.
Something many may not be aware of is Canada is one of the largest distributors of child porn. The present government has refused to shut down PornHub, which is based out of Montreal, exporting mass non-consensual and child porn to the world.
Equalization payments are a massive dividing factor in the country. The Fraser Institute reported that in 2022 alone, Alberta contributed $14.2 billion more than it received in federal transfer payments. Meanwhile, New Brunswick received $2.9 billion, which makes up nearly 25 percent of its total provincial budget.
“Alberta is a major contributor, not a recipient, despite the fact that federal policies have actively harmed and targeted Alberta’s economy,” Faytene reported.
A graph of the Canada Pension Plan showed BC paid $8.9 billion and Alberta paid $53.6 billion which helps fund the pensions of Canadians in nearly every other eastern province except for Quebec. On the receiving end were: Ontario $18 million, Manitoba $319 million, PEI $750 million, Sask. $1.9 billion, Newfoundland $3.5 billion, New Brunswick $4.5 billion, and Nova Scotia $12.1 billion.
These situations, plus many others, have caused the Premier of Alberta to
kate@yourwestcentral.com oyenecho@telus.net
list demands that need to be met by the next Prime Minister within the first six months of being elected. A few of the demands include lifting the tanker ban off the BC coast, guaranteeing Alberta full access to oil and gas corridors to the north, east and west, and repealing the No New Pipelines Act. Nevertheless, recent reports indicate that Mark Carney has no intentions of repealing the No New Pipelines Act.
A possible “unprecedented national unity crisis” would dramatically shake the economies of provinces if Alberta declared sovereignty as Quebec did in 2006.
In December 2024, a new government recommendation was made to amend the Income Tax Act to provide a definition of charity that would remove the privileged status of ‘advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose. This recommendation was buried in a 300page report. Since 42 percent of all charities fall under this category, “It would deal a massive blow to society in general,” Faytene observed.
“Recommendations are gently introduced until finally they are picked up into a legislative mandate and cast into law. This has been our national experience,” she observed. “Some say that will never happen, but we do have tangible evidence that Christian and prolife charities are already being actively targeted.”
So what happens if charitable status is lost? Her guest, Stockwell Day, said
there’s more to it than not being allowed to issue receipts. “If your status is taken away, you have to dispense with all of your assets within 12 months. Your assets will go to a registered charitable organization, or if you’re not willing to do that, you’ll be subject to a 100 percent revocation tax after one year. These things are very real but responding on this can turn the tide,” he advised.
He suggested Canadians email or phone their Member of Parliament and ask a simple question: “Do you and your party plan to put in place the recommendation from the financial committee to cancel charitable status of churches?” He said a few people sending that message makes a difference at a caucus level. “The Liberals have not at all indicated they’re not going to act on this recommendation,” he advised. By this time, you may be thinking you’re in need of a strong drink (purely for medicinal purposes, I’m sure). But even that is of little consolation since two-thirds of the cost of good old Canadian Club whiskey is tax.
The good news is that you can sign up at 4mycanada.com, where a system has been set up to make it easy for people to volunteer wherever they are. Volunteers would help distribute important information prior to the election, which is especially important in swing ridings.
BY MADONNA HAMEL
Calls for justice are everywhere these days. At least once a week, I hear abolitionist preacher Theodore Parker’s quote, made popular by and often attributed to Martin Luther King Jr: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Neither King nor Parker spoke these words as a kind of relax-it’s-all-gonna-come-out-fine-for-our-
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side” bromide. They understood that pain and suffering can be the most powerful means of entering into communion with others. Relating to the pain of others allows compassion and mercy to follow.
Parker was a Yankee abolitionist in pre-Civil War America. He became a Unitarian minister after losing six siblings and his mother to tuberculosis. He argued that morality is not merely “obedience to one’s conscience” but that a truly moral person requires a belief in a power greater than themselves to expand the limited capacity of our consciousness. King said often that divine Love was required when it came to loving a neighbour we do not like.
Today, preachers, following in the footsteps of Parker and King, urge us to contemplate our own rage and impatience, and not add to the undignified status of this moment’s public conversation.
One of those preachers is Reverend Liz Walker. She facilitates actual spaces where people of all stripes and party affiliations come together to tell their personal stories. She then encourages contemplation and reflection on those stories.
Rev. Walker grew up in a Black family at a time when church was the only place where her “ancestors could testify, weep, pray and also dance and sing” their way to transcendence in the midst of chaos and pain. In church, they trusted “that whatever needs to be healed will be healed by the Spirit of a creative God who works in and through us.”
The civil rights movement was born through the contemplative spirit of the Black church. The social justice movement was a social gospel movement. Marchers and movement organizers were emboldened by a faith in a power greater than themselves. That faith enabled them to focus on a larger Love which kept the marches nonviolent. At least, on their end.
Rev. Walker understood that “the exterior work of social justice is only as strong as the interior work that births and fuels it. We can’t heal as a community if we do not concern ourselves with healing our own lives. Storytelling, listening, all represent the interior healing necessary to empower the hard work of social change.”
I write this on my birthday and the anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King’s, fifty-seven years ago. He died on my tenth birthday, and that event sticks forever with me as pivotal turning point in my own moral education. It also marks a moment in the direction we, as North Americans, went as citizens concerned about justice.
As a Baptist preacher, King understood, like Parker before him, that without the strength of his faith founded in the gospel stories, he could not carry on in the struggle for justice. In a sermon King spoke of a kitchen table moment when he realized that without a real con-
nection with a personal God, he was ready to cave beneath the crushing pressures of the movement, among them, daily death threats against him and his family.
Political struggles are about both justice and trauma, writes Roger Gottlieb, in his book “Joining Hands.” He quotes Thomas Merton, saying “without compassion the protestor becomes more and more centred in anger and may easily become an obstacle rather than a solution.”
Gottlieb writes that great religious social activists ( including Dorothy Day, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mahatma Ghandi) tend to speak to the traumatic aspects of social conflict more than secular activists do. Trauma is a physical reality, affecting individuals in their daily lives. Having understood the transformative power of suffering, religious leaders like King, chose transcendence over despair and revenge. They used their own pain to develop a kind of spiritual muscle and directed their efforts toward a merciful tenderness and a courageous open-hearted empathy for other sufferers. That merciful courage, I believe, is what ultimately bends the arc of the moral universe toward justice.
It’s easy to practice values and morals when times are smooth. But when things get desperate - that is when we test the strength of our spiritual muscle. Our values are precisely for times like these when we are tempted to break our rules of behaviour and behave in knee-jerk, reactionary, desperate ways that mimic the very acts if injustice we decry.
When times get tough we tend to justify desperate measures. But King, Parker, Day, Hahn, and Ghandi sought divine succour to continue doing what is right, simply because it was the right thing to do. Period.
The arc is still bending and it behooves us to keep it bending in the right direction. One way of doing that is by listening to stories. Story-telling without story-listening is simply speaking into a vacuum. In a political climate where knee-jerk decisions trigger knee-jerk reactions, contemplation and self-reflection allow for justice at a personal level.
As Canadians, we need look no further than Saskatchewan’s Tommy Douglas, another Baptist preacher, who after suffering a rare bone disease as a child underwent several treatments from a surgeon offering to treat him for free. Later, he said, “I felt that no boy should have to depend, either for his leg or his life, upon the ability of his parents to raise enough money to bring a first-class surgeon to his bedside.” And thus, through his own suffering, his fight for universal health care began.
Ideally, in a court of law, justice is not served until all the stories are heard. Perhaps the most radical act of justice we can practice is “just” listening to the stories of people’s suffering beneath the rage. “Just” listening is something we can all do.
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH Library Manager
We have new books in for the adult and juvenile age groups. In adult fiction, new titles include The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny, A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia MacKay, and The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhorn.
Juvenile books include What if Marty Doesn’t Like My Party? by Katie Arthur (graphic novel), Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien (fiction), and A Year in Nature: Explore the Countryside Month by Month by René Mettler (non-fiction).
Have you dropped in yet to try your chance at finding an Easter egg? So far 15 have been already been found! Check out a book and you might discover one, too! This runs until April 24th. Good luck to all!
Another after-school movie is planned for Wednesday April 16th at 3:30. Join us to watch Rise of the Guardians. Parents aren’t required but are certainly welcome to stay if they wish!
“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest (people) of the past centuries.” Descartes
BY BRUCE PENTON
There couldn’t be a more appropriate word for the scramble to determine the final few teams for the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s wild, man, so the term ‘wildcard’ could not be more apropos.
The 82-game regular season winds up April 17 and while some teams locked up berths weeks ago — hello, Washington; hi there, Winnipeg — there are division positions and wildcard spots still up for grabs.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
The situation is extreme in the East, where at one point in late March, there were five teams battling for the second and final wildcard position and separated by a mere three points. Barring a late collapse, Ottawa Senators have seemingly locked up the first wildcard berth in the East, but Montreal, the Islanders, Rangers, Columbus and Detroit were all neck-and-neck.
It’s not so crazy tight in the West, but fans of Vancouver and Calgary will be on pins and needles down the stretch as they try to sneak into one of the wildcard spots. Minnesota and the hardcharging St. Louis Blues appeared fairly secure as the calendar flipped to April, with the Canucks and Flames needing late-season winning streaks to have a hope.
The chase for the wildcard positions in the East is just one of the highlights
of a very entertaining NHL season, which offered excitement galore. Ottawa making the playoffs with former Canucks’ coach Travis Green at the helm created loads of excitement in our nation’s capital. Montreal and Columbus both coming to life and making solid runs was a surprise, with the possibility of playoff regulars Boston and Rangers being sent to the sidelines. The relative success enjoyed by the Blue Jackets was especially heart-warming, considering the team’s best player, Johnny Gaudreau, was killed along with his brother Matthew while riding their bicycles in August.
Five Canadian teams could make the NHL playoffs, making Sportsnet happy. Winnipeg was one of the best stories of the year, roaring off to a 14-1 start and not letting up, battling Washington all season for the President’s Trophy as the league’s overall points leader. Jets have perhaps the best line in the league — Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi. Goalie and MVP candidate Connor Hellebuyck was the team’s glue.
Another goalie who was the undisputed kingpin of his team was Linus Ullmark in Ottawa. The Senators picked him up as a free agent after a great season last year with Boston and the Swedish netminder has been sensational.
Alberta’s government is committed to expanding access to cardiac services so that Albertans can get the care they need, when and where they need it. That is why Budget 2025 provides $5 million to advance plans for enhanced cardiac and intensive care services in southern Alberta, including a cardiac catheterization lab in Lethbridge and expanded intensive care units in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
Last fall, Alberta’s government announced Lethbridge’s cardiac catheterization lab progression to functional programming, accelerating timelines by up to one year. Budget 2025 provides funding for detailed planning to prepare the cardiac catheterization lab for construction funding in a future budget.
“Increasing cardiac and ICU capacity is critical, especially in areas where residents are currently travelling significant distances to receive care. These projects include a cardiac catheterization lab, which will improve health outcomes for residents and, ultimately, save lives.”
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
“Expanding intensive care services in Medicine Hat represents the Alberta government’s strong commitment to health care. As the MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, I know this will address the health care needs of southern Alberta communities.”
Justin Wright, parliamentary secretary for rural health
Montreal won only 30 games in 202324 and had already exceeded that total after 67 games this year. The vastly improved Habs have one of the most potent lines in the league, led by sniper Cole Caufield, captain Nick Suzuki and former No. 1 overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky.
Canada’s two other playoff hopefuls, Toronto and Edmonton, led by superstars Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid respectively, have had solid seasons, but are anything but dominant. It would certainly be a surprise if the Leafs snapped their 58-year Stanley Cup drought, but hey, why not? Just add that to the ‘wild’ pile.
• Headline at fark.com: “Seahawks DE DeMarcus Lawrence to former Cowboys’ team-mate Micah Parsons: ‘Maybe if you spent les time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn’t have left.’”
• Super 70s Sports: “Slap Shot gets better with each passing year. At our current rate of cultural decline, we’re about a decade from it becoming the new Citizen Kane.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “Ohio State running backs showed off absurd talent with their performances at the NFL combine. It’s amazing what they can do when there aren’t any Michigan defenders on the field.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.co: “I was surprised to learn Rob Gronkowski grew up in the state of New York. Usually, he seemed to spend
most of his free time in the state of intoxication.”
• • Headline at fark.com: “Arizona Cardinals might be the best in the entire NFL with 2025 season ticket renewals and sales; might be the rumours of upcoming dozen-egg night.”
• Torben Rolfsen again: “They did the wave at the Tokyo dome (during the Dodgers-Cubs game), or as they call it, the tsunami. Trivia: Did you know that in the southern hemisphere, the wave goes counter clockwise?”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe. com: “Arkansas blew a 16-point lead midway through the second half and a six-point leaded with one minute and 15 seconds left and the ball, to lose to Texas Tech in OT 8583. This is the most embarrassing thing to happen to Arkansas since they elected Sarah Huckabee Sanders governor.”
• RJ Currie again: “According to Forbes, roughly eight in 10 NFL players go broke within three years of retiring. It’s a different story in the CFL, where players go broke three years into their careers.”
• Headline at the onion.com: “Star BYU Player Suspended After Testing Positive For Coffee.”
• fark.com headline: “Cuba has record 26 players on opening-day rosters. ICE not saying how many will be on second-day rosters.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
“Building these cardiac and intensive care facilities will help strengthen communities in southern Alberta. On top of creating jobs during construction, this work will literally save lives and enhance the overall quality of care for patients. I look forward to these important projects moving ahead as soon as possible.”
Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure
In addition to a new cardiac catheterization lab at the Chinook Regional Hospital, Budget 2025 supports plans to redevelop and expand intensive care units and diagnostic capabilities at both the Lethbridge hospital and the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Pending the completion of the planning process, it’s anticipated that about eight new beds will be added at the Medicine Hat hospital and about 34 beds will be added at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. These new beds will have the ability to be ICU or lower-acuity beds, depending on hospital needs at any given time.
Quick fact
• In 2024, Alberta Health Services submitted a needs assessment for cardiac services in southern Alberta that recommended the construction of new intensive care units at Chinook Regional Hospital and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, and the development of interventional cardiac services in Lethbridge.
Bottom:
MEDICINE HAT
—The Archaeological Society of Alberta (ASA) is excited to announce its milestone 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference, which will be held from April 25 to 27, 2025, at the Medalta Potteries in the Historic Clay District, 713
Medalta
coveries and innovative techniques including a recent excavation in Medicine Hat.
• Specialized workshops on flint knapping and rattle making.
Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB. This gathering will bring together archaeologists and enthusiasts from across Alberta to celebrate half a century of archaeological exploration, education, and preservation in the province.
This year’s theme, “Archaeology Alive – 50 Years of Telling the Story of Archaeology in Alberta,” will feature presentations, workshops, and keynote addresses that reflect on Alberta’s rich archaeological heritage and the evolving methodologies and technologies shaping the future of archaeology here. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore the Medalta Potteries in the Historic Clay District National Historic Site. Designated as a national historic site in 1985, this former factory symbolizes Alberta’s cultural heritage and commitment to preservation.
The ASA’s AGM and Conference is an exciting venue for discovery, connection, and collaboration featuring:
• Keynote speaker Dr. Talva Jacobson, who carried out the excavation of a kiln room in 2010.
• Presentations by leading archaeologists and researchers on recent dis-
• Guided tours of Medalta Potteries, allowing participants to explore
Alberta’s clay industry history in a remarkable setting.
• Opportunities for attendees to connect with experts and enthusiasts through social events like the ASA Welcome Reception on Friday Night (April 25th), the keynote speaker and dinner on Saturday night (April 26th), and Field Trips on Sunday (April 27th).
Archaeological Society of Alberta
President Brian Vivian says, “It is an exciting year where we are gathering to celebrate the Society’s accomplishments and archaeological studies completed over the last half-century, and I look forward to meeting you all in Medicine Hat.” Conference co-chair Wendy-Ellen Nittel notes, “This informative event will highlight the importance of protecting significant archaeological sites in Alberta. Attendees will be presented with information about Alberta’s Indigenous, settler, and industrial archaeology.”
This event is open to everyone interested in archaeology and Alberta’s heritage. For registration details and further information, please visit arkyalberta. com.
CROSSFIELD — On March 26, 2025, 5-year-old Ellie Mae Lefebvre was at her home in Crossfield with her father when he suddenly had a medical emergency. Ellie stayed calm and called 911 (she activated the medic alarm they have at home and then 911 called the residence and obtained additional information from Ellie Mae). RCMP and EMS quickly responded and her father was taken care of.
On April 4, Airdrie RCMP Sgt Cagri
Yilmaz and Cpl Ryan Meeko, on behalf of Detachment Commander Inspector Lauren Weare, presented Ellie with a certificate for her bravery and quick thinking, along with a few RCMP presents. Great job Ellie!
This is a great reminder to parents to have that conversation with your children. It is so important to teach children what to do in an emergency. Because Ellie knew what to do, her Dad is still with them today.
Special Areas Advisory Council met for their regular spring meeting on March 27 and 28 in Hanna, the first meeting with Shaune Kovitch as Chair of the Special Areas Board. He shared how much he was looking forward to working with Advisory Council, and spoke about the role of Special Areas in delivering high-quality, diverse, and dependable services, as well as the need for respectful collaboration throughout the region.
The upcoming municipal (general) election was discussed, including the nomination deadline of noon on September 22, 2025. Information on local election requirements, including nomination forms, is posted on the Special Areas website and will be shared throughout the nomination period.
Motions from earlier Advisory Council meetings were reviewed, including the need to investigate opportunities for developing more water infrastructure in the region. Administration has been working with MPE, an engineering firm, to complete feasibility studies on the expansion of potable waterlines
in the region. Public engagement is planned for May 2025, and will include a series of open houses where people can stop in and learn more about the potential projects being investigated. Findings from this feasibility work, including feedback collected through public engagement, will be reported back in the fall. Work on the extension of the potable waterline to Compeer was discussed; this project is being managed by the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Services Commission with construction expected to begin this fall.
Dennis A. Heimdahl OD Wardell ZoBell OD
Tuesday & Wednesday 9 am - 4:30 pm Thursday & Friday 9 am - 4 pm 609 - 2nd Ave. W., Hanna 403-854-3003
Wardell ZoBell OD Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 5002 Municipal Rd., Coronation 403-578-3221
Advisory Council welcomed representatives from medical centres in Consort, Hanna, and Oyen who shared updates on key initiatives and projects in their communities. During these discussions, the group heard about a variety of initiatives supporting lo-
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
tres of surfacing work, 33 kilometres of road recrowning, and 24 kilometres of construction work on local roads and new resident access roads. Advisory Council recommended the 2025 road program move forward as presented. A draft policy related to the construction of new residence roads was shared with the group. This policy is intended to help clarify expectations around the construction of new residence roads.
cal healthcare in the region. One project highlighted was the 14-bed dementia and assisted living unit being constructed in Oyen, a partnership between Special Areas, the Acadia Foundation, and the Government of Alberta. Construction is expected to be completed late in 2025. The nurse practitioner project in Consort, a two-year pilot program which began in 2024, is being positively received by the community. With funding from the government now in place for nurse practitioners, Special Areas funding is being used to support additional coverage needed at the clinic. Challenges with the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals were a key focus of discussion for the entire region. Council recognized the need for continued investment in local healthcare projects to help ensure high-quality and accessible healthcare stays available in our communities, especially considering significant competition for key healthcare personnel.
Darren Jones, Director of Finance & Administration, presented the draft 2024 financial statements. Special Areas continues to draw down the accumulated operational surplus while taking advantage of cost-sharing opportunities for major infrastructure projects. The 2025 budget was reviewed, with a discussion on expected increases to revenue as a result of growth in linear assessment from renewable energy projects. The group discussed significant pressures communities in the region are facing which could drive future expenditures, including regional healthcare and housing initiatives.
rent Fecho, Superintendent of Roads & Equipment, reviewed the road program planned for 2025. The plan had been taken out to local road committees earlier this year and includes 30 kilome-
Opportunities to expand partnership work with the province was discussed, specifically the need to address three-digit highways with gravel structures which need stabilization or reconstruction. Meetings with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors are planned for early April to identify potential projects, as well as discussing local concerns related to intersection safety, including along Highway 570. With the MD of Acadia and Special Areas regional irrigation project nearing completion of Phase 2, a recent public information session was held in Acadia Valley to share findings. The final report from this phase of work is expected to be shared later this year.
The request by a local breeding association to operate one of the community pastures as a grazing cooperative was discussed. Administration has been developing an operational agreement to allow the breeding association to take on day-to-day management of the community pasture on a trial basis. Discussions with the breeding association have been productive, and local patrons appear to be in support for this approach. The importance of public lands continuing to be sustainably managed was highlighted, as well the value of using the existing Special Areas community pasture policy as a base for any operational agreement. Administration will continue to work with the breeding association and will report back this fall.
During the committee roundtable part of the meeting, Advisory Councillors shared updates on the various external boards and committees they sit on. The focus on controlling costs was a consistent priority for the group, as well as ensuring sustainable requisitions levels for municipalities in the region. Upcoming ratepayer meetings have been confirmed for this May and June. Information about local ratepayer meetings, including reports from administration, will be shared on the Special Areas website later this spring.
To learn more about Advisory Council, visit www.specialareas.ab.ca.
BY MARJORIE GIRARD
It was right around dark around 5 o’clock or so
On October 1956 when that oil well did blow
Oh yes it was a dry well or so they had said
But it proved them all wrong when things came to a head
Yes that was the year that the well straight north of town
Blew up and lit the night sky for many miles around
The people working outside in the almost dark
Heard a whoosh and a bang as it made its mark
And though we lived over two miles away
Our bedroom at night was as light as the day
As the flames in the distance leapt higher and higher
It became quite apparent that the situation was dire
They tried to cap off that well and bring into order
But they had to enlist help from South of the border
They called Red Adair and his expert advice
Was to pump lots of mud down it and seal it off nice
Finally after many tries and not too much success
They were able to cap it off and clean up the mess
They used cats to pull the rig and deck off the well
That had buckled with the heat like an inferno from hell
Some of the pipe was dumped over the hill
And used over the years by the farmers at will
Esther returned to our quiet little town
The weeks were forgotten of its time of renown
But the people living there remembered and knew
That night in October when the oil well blew
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Kenneth Russell Nichols was born on October 29, 1934 in the Cereal Hospital to Ruth and Ralph Nichols. He passed away on March 26, 2025.
Ken Nichols
October 29, 1934 - March 26, 2025
Ken was always a very hard worker, He loved farming and the farm life. In his youth, he had a couple of other jobs while still working on the farm. He milked cows and sold cream and worked at the Cereal Auction market as a clerk.
Sports always played an important role in Ken’s life. He played baseball and hockey for years. He also enjoyed curling and horseshoes or whatever games were going on at different events. He also enjoyed following the kids and grandkids to watch whatever they were involved in. He was extremely proud of us all.
Even though farming and sports were important, family always was Ken’s top priority. He was the favourite uncle to his nieces and nephews. They loved going to the farm and hanging out with Uncle Ken.
In 1977, Ken made a huge life change — he married Madeline Muzyka and her 4 kids. He was a wonderful addition to our family, and certainly made our life better. We loved Ken for his patience and kindness and over all caring for all of us.
When the grandchildren came, another round of fun began. Ken taught them all how to ride bike, play crib, baseball etc. Ken had a great sense of hu-
mour — he loved a good prank—whether it was played on him or he was involved in playing it on others. His one-liners and wit were still sharp right up until the end.
Although Ken was a homebody, Mom got him out of his comfort zone for holidays. He enjoyed going to Hawaii, Mexico, a couple of cruises, Las Vegas and a few motorhome trips.
Ken was predeceased by his mom and dad, sister Marion and brother-in-law Del, brother Fred and sister-in-law Rose, brother-in-law Terry and son-in-law Daryl.
He leaves to mourn, Madeline, his wife of 48 years, kids Kathleen Smigelski, Maureen Muzyka, Kellyann (Brian) Rude and Stephen (Shari) Muzyka. He was a grandpa to Janet (Duane), Janine (Keray), Brett (Kelli), Janelle (Wayne), Kurtis (Jillian), Kayla (Travis), Brooke (Ryan), Dylan (Mackenzie), Janine (Nathan), Cliff, Sarah (Simon) as well as 19 great grandchildren.
Ken leaves a brother Pat (Peggy), sister Margaret (Don) and sister Ruth as well as numerous nieces and nephews and all those who knew him. Ken will be missed by many.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Oyen and District Health Care Foundation Oyen and Resident Family Council Box 1 Oyen AB T0J 2J0, Cottrell Cemetery Fund Box 66 Cereal AB T0J 0N0, or to a charity of your choice.
Funeral Service took place on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the CJ Peacock Community Hall in Cereal, AB. Funeral arrangements in the care of MacLeans Funeral Home in Oyen, AB.
BY VAMINI SELVANANDAN
Death, politics and religion – three topics we are told to avoid at parties and the family dinner table. But in this age of polarization and uncivil public discourse, it is time to relearn how to have difficult conversations with kindness and mutual respect.
We can add racism to the list of uncomfortable topics. Before the murder of George Floyd, we did not speak about racism in everyday conversation, but his death and the protests that followed brought about an awakening of the horrors of racism.
Racism is a reality for Indigenous Canadians who live on average 9 years less than non-Indigenous Canadians, and a shocking 19 years less in Alberta. Racism is also real for black men in Canada, who are incarcerated at much higher rates than white men. And racism is real for the Muslim family killed in London, Ontario while out for a walk on a beautiful summer day. Racism is not always conscious, explicit or visible. It is easy to recognize racial slurs, overt acts of discrimination or hate crimes but much more difficult to identify the invisible systems and structures in our society that perpetuate unfair treatment and oppression.
If racism is an iceberg, overt interpersonal racism is the small tip that is visible above the surface of the ocean. The greater bulk of systemic racism lies below the water unseen. And just as it is with an iceberg, it is the invisible part that causes the most harm. Systemic racism denies people of colour good jobs, decent housing, higher education, quality health care and fair treatment by the criminal justice system.
Real change in the lives of racialized people won’t happen until we take specific steps to include everyone in our economy, our institutions and in governance. So, what are some actions we can take towards these goals?
We can call for reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous people to move beyond words to real and we can advocate for Indigenous people to have control over their own governance, resources and land. Employers and businesses can hire racialized people for good jobs that pay a living wage, have good benefits and clear pathways for advancing their careers.
Furthermore, all of us can leverage our personal networks, resources and spheres of influence to shift outcomes for racialized people. We can use our purchasing power in businesses owned by people of co-
lour to buy products and services or invest our money. We can rent dwellings to racialized individuals, couples or families as they often have a hard time securing housing, and we can encourage racialized people to run for elected office and vote for them in elections. This is not about favouring one group over another, but about levelling the playing field and including those who have been left out for far too long. When people chant “Black lives matter!” they are saying black lives matter too. When people cry out “Every child matters!” they are saying Indigenous children also matter. We must recognize the humanity in all of us and acknowledge that we are stronger when we stand together.
Vamini Selvanandan is a rural family physician and public health practitioner in Alberta.
BY KALEIGH SOUTHWELL
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. Every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer. With that in mind, this is your friendly reminder that early detection and treatment of oral cancers greatly reduces the mortality rate and many health-related problems.
Head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells inside the mouth, nose, throat and salivary glands. While smoking and tobacco use are still the main risk factors, the fastest-growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals due to the connection to the HPV virus.
Although we cannot stop this disease from spreading, our hope to save lives is with professional involvement and public awareness. This is your opportunity to get involved and give back to your community by raising awareness of oral cancer and the need for early detection. Together we can make a difference in the world of oral cancers!
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer to look for:
• Any sore or ulceration that does not heal within 14 days
• A red, white or black discoloration of the soft tissues of the mouth
• Any abnormality that bleeds easily
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
MONDAY, APRIL 8
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society presents local band Empress Express 6:30 PM at the Empress Community Hall for some great music with family and friends. Free Admission! Other dates are April 22nd, May 8th and May 22nd.
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 AM -
when touched
• A lump or hard spot in the tissue, usually on the border of the tongue
• Tissue raised above the skin; a growth, lump or thickening
• A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, does not heal
• A painless, firm, fixated lump felt on the outside of the neck, which has been there for at least two weeks
What can you do to prevent or stop the growth of oral cancer:
• Not starting, or quitting, smoking/ vaping/chewing tobacco/betel quid
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Get vaccinated against the HPV virus
• Protect yourself from the sun, wear sunscreen on your face, neck and lips
• Eat a balanced healthy diet, limiting processed and sugary foods
• Brush and floss your teeth twice daily
• Visit your dentist annually and if they don’t already do so, ask them for an oral cancer screening For more information and recommendations on oral health, visit ahs.ca/ oralhealth
Kaleigh Southwell is a Registered Dental Hygienist with Alberta Health Services’ Oral Health Program.
As the weather gets warmer this spring and roads become clear, your Alberta RCMP reminds motorists of the dangers of speeding. Even as driving conditions improve, it’s important not to exceed posted speed limits. Unsafe speeds increase the risk of collision and serious injury for all road users in any conditions.
Unfortunately, speeding is a common habit among drivers. Last year, the Alberta RCMP issued 48,600 speeding tickets in RCMP jurisdiction. In April alone, 4,283 speeding violations were handed out. Meanwhile, there were 9,419 charges for aggressive and dangerous driving.
According to Alberta Transportation, approximately one in four fatal collisions involve unsafe speeds, and more than half of these fatal collisions occur in rural areas. According to Transport Canada, 27% of fatalities and 19% of serious injuries on the road involve speeding.
Avoid a speeding ticket, or worse a collision, by following the below tips:
• Leave early. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Avoid using unsafe speeds—they increase the risk of collision and serious injury.
• Follow posted speed limits, especially in school, playground, and
construction zones. These areas often have high pedestrian traffic— slow down to keep everyone safe.
• Remember, speeding isn’t just surpassing legal speed limits, but also driving too fast for weather, road, and traffic conditions. Driving a safe speed allows you to stop quickly in the event of an unexpected traffic hazard.
• If you are a passenger in a speeding vehicle, speak up. Don’t let speeding be the norm.
“Speeding is one of the biggest threats to traffic safety, and unfortunately, it’s a common traffic violation among drivers,” says Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic. “Stay safe this “speeding season” by respecting the posted speed limit, even when you’re in a hurry.”
For more traffic safety tips and information, follow our Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and X @RCMPAlberta.
3:00 PM. More than 10 families! Don’t miss it!
- 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 8
• Oyen & District Curling Club AGM 7:00 PM. All members are encouraged to attend.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
• Prairieland Athletic Association Annual General Meeting 7:00 PM at 402 - 5th Avenue East.
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
• BCAS & Royal Canadian Legion #208
present ALL CANDIDATES FORUM 7:00 PM Legion Hall Oyen. Live steame on The Oyen Echo Facebook page. Lunch provided by Big Country Agricultural Society.
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.
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.