Oyen kids enjoy Breakfast with Santa
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More than 50 local children joined their families for “Breakfast with Santa,” hosted by the Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Dec. 6. The event featured a pancake breakfast with all the fixings and a special visit from Santa Claus, who made the trip from the North Pole to meet the youngsters. Families, grandparents and friends enjoyed the festive morning despite the cold temperatures.
Tracy Hudson of Remember When Photography captured the event, preserving memories for years to come. TD Canada Trust sponsored the breakfast with a donation to help cover food costs. All proceeds from the event will go to the Oyen Food Bank.
Front, from left, Jamie and Joey Mehl with Kylie and Kenzie Paulson sitting with Santa. (REMEMBER WHEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRACY HUDSON)
Agricultural Society vice-president and scholarship committee member,
Gillis-Johnson with a BCAS scholarship. $500 is given in the fall, with the remaining $500 presented upon proof of registration in the second semester.
PHOTO BY DIANA WALKER
Shania Gillis-Johnson receives Big Country Agricultural Society Scholarship
BY DIANA WALKER
A 2025 South Central High School graduate, Shania Gillis-Johnson, headed to Calgary this fall to attend the University of Calgary for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Indigenous Studies.
“My course is focused on the history and culture of Indigenous people; however, in the future I wish to expand into either law or psychology,” says Shania. She admits she is leaning more towards a path in law.
She feels that rural communities don’t always have easy access to a variety of services.
“I feel that being an advocate would benefit my community greatly in areas of knowledge, leadership and building a stronger community reliance,” says Shania.
“I have always been happy to help people. It’s because of this desire that I volunteer when and where I can. Oyen is quite small but big on agriculture so I made most, if not all, of my volunteer hours helping with every kind of rodeo event Big Country Agricultural Society hosted,” says Shania.
She and her two sisters applied their kitchen experiences learned at Subway, A&W and Hi-Way Pizza, volunteering in the Crossroads kitchen.
“Volunteering is a way that I can give back to my community for all the times they’ve helped me out,” says Shania.
“It makes me happy to help people and make their load a little bit easier. I get to meet all kinds of people and learn a little about them and their lives. This makes conversations easy and fun. I believe that helping your community is one of the best ways to put yourself out there and make connections you otherwise wouldn’t make.”
Shania and her twin, Sinead, and older sister, Taelor, grew up in Oyen with their mother, Charlene Gillis, a nurse at Big Country Hospital.
UPDATE: When asked how her classes were going, Shania responded: So far, I love what I’m taking. Of all the courses I am currently taking, my favourite is my law class. I like it so much that I intend to minor in Law and Society. I really enjoy that while I am here, I can both hang out with my friends as well as focus on my studies. There is just so much to do here.
OYEN LODGE
“December is the most wonderful time of the year.”
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello everyone. Good thing the cold snap didn’t last long. The Oyen Lodge would like to extend its condolences to Juicy McKay’s family and friends on her passing. Juicy had lived in the Lodge before she moved to Medicine Hat.
Thank you goes out to Rack Petroleum, Cheryl Ball, and Dave Cordick for donating a beautiful wooden crib board. The residents will enjoy it; it’s greatly appreciated. Thank you also to the maintenance men for putting up the outdoor Christmas décor—it looks wonderful—and to Gloria Jorgenson for all her help at the Christmas party.
Monday started with exercises, followed by a one-on-one Scrabble game. In the afternoon, there was bingo. Tuesday morning started with exercises, followed by the regular bus run downtown for shopping. Father Rodell led Catholic church service at 10:30. The rest of the week, there were no activities due to an influenza outbreak at the Lodge.
Happy Birthday to Norman Peterson on December 15th.
“December: A month of lights, snow, coziness, and feasts; a time to make amends and tie up loose ends, finish what you started, and make your wishes come true.”
Have a great week, everyone.
Payments for 2025 lease rentals and agricultural permits will be accepted with no penalties until the end of day (4:30 pm) on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Payments can be made online, in person, or through the mail.
All mailed payments must be postmarked and online payments must be processed on or before December 31, 2025 to avoid penalties.
Contact your local District Offices for more information on payment at:
• Special Area No. 2 (Hanna) - 403-854-5600
• Special Area No. 3 (Oyen) - 403-664-3618
• Special Area No. 4 (Consort) - 403-577-3523
Big Country
Kerry Molzan, presents Shania
The heroic story that wasn’t taught in Canadian schools
BY JOAN JANZEN
A youngster asked his grandpa, “After 65 years you still call Grandma sweetheart. What’s your secret?” His grandpa replied, “I forgot her real name five years ago, and now I’m too scared to ask.”
Sometimes we also forget significant pieces of Canadian history. In some cases, we may never have been told about them. As I listened to a Canadian WWII documentary, I discovered a piece of history which I knew little about.
Opinion By Joan Janzen
As the comments poured in during the documentary, one Canadian recalled curling a number of years ago with an old farmer from Ontario who was wearing a Lancaster Bomber hat. The hat triggered a conversation with the elderly man, who relayed a story of crash-landing a Lancaster while flying over Germany. “They patched me up and sent me to Holland, but this time, when I opened my bomb bays, I was dropping food. Much better,” he recalled.
A Dutch Canadian born in Holland said he heard and read about this story as a child in Holland, but the heroic story was not taught in schools when he came to Canada. This is the story that was never told in Canadian schools.
In 1944, the Germans had opened the dikes in the western Netherlands,
flooding massive areas in order to slow the Allied advance. The water surrounded millions of trapped civilians who were forced to eat tulip bulbs and sugar beets meant for cattle. It was called the Hunger Winter, when civilians were perishing from starvation in six Dutch provinces under German control, covering 16,000 square kilometres of cities and flooded farmland.
By April 1945, five hundred Dutch civilians were starving to death every day. The plan was for the Canadian army to assault across the flooded lowlands and eventually capture the cities filled with starving Dutch civilians and cornered German soldiers. It would take four months and 60,000 Allied casualties, and an enormous number of Dutch civilian deaths; however, the British generals accepted this as the price of victory.
But Canadian General Charles Foulkes proposed something that had never been tried before. He wanted to let the Allies drop food, and in exchange, the Germans wouldn’t shoot down the planes. Then, after the immediate starvation had ended, they would talk about surrender.
The 120,000 German soldiers were cut off in the Netherlands with no supplies and no hope of victory. They were also surviving by eating tulip bulbs. Germans were instructed to fight to the
In 1944, the Germans had opened the dikes in the western Netherlands, flooding massive areas in order to slow the Allied advance.
death and destroy everything in sight, yet they knew they were fighting for absolutely nothing.
The German general realized he would be executed for such a decision, but the Canadian general convinced the Germans by saying no one in surrounded Berlin would survive long enough to execute anyone for treason. He gave them the choice of watching millions starve or choosing to do what makes sense to save lives on both sides.
The German general capitulated and agreed to a ceasefire for humanitarian purposes. Within 24 hours, the Canadians began Operation Mana — dropping mana from heaven. On April 30, 1945, the first RAF Lancaster bomber flew low to the ground, bomb bay doors opened, and packages tumbled out with parachutes attached. It was the first real food many had seen in six months.
Within one week, the death rate dropped from 500 people per day to 50 per day. While the food drop continued, Adolf Hitler ended his life, removing
the primary obstacle to surrender.
The statistics reported six provinces had been liberated in 72 hours with no one killed. In comparison, the Battle of Berlin took two weeks and killed over 160,000 people to capture one city. During the operation, 11,000 tons of food had been delivered, 100,000 Dutch civilian lives were saved from starvation, and 120,000 German soldiers were taken into custody.
The bond between Canada and the Netherlands grew stronger. By the end of 1945, Dutch families had adopted all of the 7,600 graves of Canadian soldiers and, over the years, continued to tell their children stories about these young men.
Every year since 1946, the Dutch send 20,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa as a thank-you gift and a living reminder of liberation. The Canadian Tulip Festival is one of the largest tulip festivals in the world.
An additional comment posted after the documentary said, “What I admire the most from the Dutch is they have passed this story down to their children.”
During this holiday season, I encourage everyone to pass a much more important story on to their children and grandchildren — the story of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He too was sent as mana from heaven to save both you and I, and is a living reminder of our liberation. I wish all my readers a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends, sharing good food and lots of fun.
Choirs & Angels
BY MADONNA HAMEL
One of the greatest gifts I inherited from my mom is music. From the very beginning, its universal language, its rhythms and rhymes, permeated my bones. In fact, my mother was choir director of our church and was in rehearsal for Easter Mass when she went into labour with me.
By Madonna Hamel
All my early memories have music attached to them — surrounded as we were by bedtime lullabies, Sunday hymns, Christmas carols and music festivals.
By the time we were in school, my mother had turned us into a family choir, singing three-part harmony. We sang at weddings and graduations and at every midnight Mass. And from adolescence onward, I grew up turning to music to soothe my oft-broken heart and hurt pride.
Later, I wrote songs for performances and eventually collaborated with other musicians. That’s when I learned how creating, playing and touring with other musicians fuses a solid and unique bond between people who otherwise have absolutely nothing in
Truck Works Inc.
common. Even with the tensions borne of long hours squished together in a van, driving all day and night to the next gig, speaking entirely different languages (often literally), once we hit the stage we were joined together in shared song. Such is the power of music.
Recently, Pope Leo held a Christmas concert for folks struggling financially. “Music is not a luxury for the few,” he said, “but a divine gift accessible to everyone, transmitting feelings, emotions, even the deepest stirrings of the soul, lifting them up and transforming them into an imaginary stairway connecting earth and heaven.”
“Music,” he said, doesn’t serve simply as a distraction or diversion; it reminds us that “we are far more than our problems and our troubles.… Singing belongs to those who love,” he said. “Those who sing give expression to love, but also to the pain, tenderness and desire that dwell in their hearts.”
“It is not a coincidence that the feast of Christmas is very rich in traditional songs, in every language and every culture,” he went on to say. “It is as though this mystery could not be celebrated without music, without hymns of praise.… After all, the Gospel itself tells us that while Jesus was being born in the stable in Bethlehem, there was a great concert of angels in heaven!”
Most beloved Christmas carols feature angel choirs. And some angels are more boisterous than others. “Look up and harken to us!” the choir in Hark the Herald Angels cries out. “Join the triumph of the skies!” However, the angels are less noisy in It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. It’s late, there’s been a lot of activity, Mary is exhausted, so they “bend near the earth,” playing “their harps of gold” and singing of “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.”
And in O Little Town of Bethlehem, we don’t even hear them. But they’re there, “gathered all above, while mortals sleep,” they “keep their watch of wond’ring love.”
And then there’s Handel’s Messiah, the lyrics taken from both Testaments of the Bible and arranged by librettist Charles Jennens. In my mind, there is no better depiction of ecstatic winged creatures belting hallelujah than The Messiah’s vibrating oratorio filling the skies suddenly full of heavenly song.
I am also reminded of the great gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s classic, “Up Above My Head,” where she sings: “Up above my head I hear music everywhere. I really do believe there’s a heaven
somewhere.” Tharpe, who grew up in the Pentecostal church, brought gospel into the bars. And unlike Ray Charles, she didn’t change the words to fit the audience. She trusted the power of the music and the message to lift us out of the mire of our daily frets and prejudices. As her biographer Gayle Wald wrote, Tharpe was called everything from a “hymn-swinging evangelist” and “religious shouter” to a “Holy Roller singer.” But as often happens in music, nobody was offended. And more than a few were converted. That’s how music works.
My dear friend Kelly Joe Phelps, who left this world far too soon, marvelled at the way he could fill his songs with praise and awe for his own conversion experience and no one complained, but if he were to talk religion, “people would just get all crazy.” Combined with the beauty of his guitar playing, his songs transcended social and religious thought and theory and launched us into the sublime ether.
When I first moved to Val Marie, I read the autobiography of Jean Stav, a local whose family farmed the field my mother’s family eventually built on, years later. Stav, who referred to himself as “the barefoot boy from Val Marie,” wrote about an evening when he was coming home from feeding the cows. The sky was filled with ethereal light, and above his head he swore he could hear angels singing. After that night, nothing could trouble him very much for very long.
A generation later, my aunt was walking in the same field, worrying over whether to marry or become a nun. She too swears to have heard angels singing. And when she returned from her evening’s agonizing, she knew exactly what to do. Soon after, she entered the order of the Sisters of Providence and became a chef for retreat houses. Her specialty was desserts. When she died in her 90s, the superior who ran the nuns’ retirement home phoned me and asked if we would like them to put her ashes in her favourite cookie tin.
Both Jean Stav and Cecile Laprise were so altered by their respective encounters with musical angels that nothing could shake them — in that experience they placed all their trust. They had their struggles, their fears, their questions and pains, but neither needed further evidence of being watched over and guided and deeply loved.
In a world wherein many of us make our way through the day leaning on bluff, may I suggest, this Christmas, you look — and listen — up.
Christianson named Director of Regional Initiatives with Special Areas Board
SPECIAL AREAS — Jordon Christianson has accepted a temporary two-year position as Director of Regional Initiatives with the Special Areas Board.
“Jordon’s work on these key priorities will help our region continue to thrive in the future,” said Shaune Kovitch, Chair of the board. “His extensive leadership experience and deep understanding of these complex challenges will support innovative solutions for the long-term viability of Special Areas, and the entire region.”
The role, created in partnership with Alberta Municipal Affairs, will provide strategic advice on regional challenges, including healthcare, irrigation, and economic development. As Director of Regional Initiatives, Christianson will represent Special Areas on the province’s East-Central Region Rural Health Committee, which is tasked with assessing regional healthcare needs and working with local medical boards on long-term revitalization plans.
He will also oversee the creation of a municipally controlled corporation to support continued development of the MD of Acadia & Special Areas Regional Irrigation project, following the completion of Phase 2 work.
Jordan Christianson
Additionally, Christianson will represent the region on several economic development groups, including the Palliser Economic Partnership.
For more information on the Special Areas Board’s senior leadership team, including this temporary role, visit specialareas.ab.ca.
Pop89
A December that feels a little Looney
BY KATE WINQUIST
I had a column all ready for this week, but it was a little too negative and opinionated for my taste. After all, this should be a happy, joyous time of year, right? Unfortunately, for many individuals and families, Christmas can feel more like a high-speed chase than a holiday celebration. The stress of finding the perfect gift—or any gift at all—and making sure there’s enough food on the table and heat in the house can make even the calmest person feel like they’ve been spun through a tornado. If you can, consider donating to your local food bank or toy drive—help make Christmas a little brighter for those in need.
Lately, my life seems like an episode of Looney Tunes. Picture me spinning around like the Tasmanian Devil. Remember when Saturday mornings were reserved for Bugs Bunny and the gang— Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester and Tweety, and of course, Porky Pig. There were also the unforgettable oddballs— Marvin the Martian, asking “Where’s the kaboom? There was supposed to
be an earth-shattering kaboom,” or Michigan J Frog with his “Hello my baby, hello my honey…” before returning to a very ordi nary frog chorus.
Wile E. Coyote and his Acme gadgets nev er seemed to catch a break—and politically incorrect by today’s standards - but it was more than enough entertainment for Dad and I. I still remember my Bugs Bun ny toy with the pull-string phrases: “What a maroon!” “Ain’t I a stinker?” and of course, “What’s up, Doc?”
This week, the weather has had our heads spinning, too. Every Tues day is paper delivery day. Robert heads north and west, I head east. Thankfully, our studded winter tires have kept us on the road. There was a freezing rain warning, but it miraculously skipped our route. Then the temperature dropped, and—wouldn’t you know it—the office furnace quit. That gave me
‘Spread joy, not germs’ this holiday season
Health officials are reminding Albertans to take precautions against respiratory illnesses as the holiday season gets underway.
Primary Care Alberta is encouraging people to practice good hygiene, stay home when sick, and get immunized to protect themselves and others.
Key tips include: washing hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based sanitizer; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of the arm; avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands; and regularly cleaning commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches.
Immunization remains a key tool in preventing illness. “It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” Primary Care Alberta said, noting that vaccines are safe and far less risky than the diseases they prevent.
Officials also stressed that antibiotics do not work against influenza or other viruses, although antiviral medications may be used for treatment or prevention.
Primary Care Alberta, a provincial initiative, aims to improve access to primary care across Alberta by coordinating services and meeting patients wherever they live, work, play, and learn. The organization says it is committed to providing timely, compassionate healthcare to all Albertans throughout their lives.
For more information on vaccines and safe medication use, visit Immunization benefits and safety and Guide to Wise Use of Antibiotics — Do Bugs Need Drugs.
the perfect excuse to skip my SWNA Zoom meeting (budget talk avoidance: accomplished!).
Joan and I have been running our usual routine, adding Christmas greetings on top, like Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. We clock in, exchange a cheerful “Mornin’ Ralph,” “Mornin’ Sam,” then get down to business, like a couple of well-mannered cartoon characters trying not to chase each other across the pasture.
I admit I’m struggling with the Christmas spirit this year. It’s already December 13, and I haven’t put up a single decoration. Shopping? Nada. Though Robert, in true Yosemite Sam style with his impressive moustache, bought himself a new snowblower yesterday—“Give me YOUR debit card,” he says. Our old snowblower, inherited from his dad, was practically a fossil—
gears shot, safety features nonexistent. It seemed like the perfect gift for our son Kalen and his new place: a third-generation snowblower! Meanwhile, Robert’s shiny new acquisition hopefully guarantees an early spring. I guess that’s two names checked off my list!
Then there’s the Christmas menu planning. Earlier this fall, my doctor warned me my blood sugar was high. Not diabetes—yet—but I need to shape up. So for the past couple of months, I’ve been avoiding ice cream and pizza (apologies, local Dairy Queen), living instead on a diet of salad and veggies. I’m starting to mumble “Eh, what’s up, Doc?” with every carrot I chew. Meanwhile, Robert, and his sweet tooth, is fully supportive—even if I feel like a cross between a slightly despicable Daffy Duck and a portly Porky Pig. I’ll likely make his favourite salad and grab some Pot ‘O Gold chocolates, keeping the peace in our own little Merry Melodies cartoon.
So, until next time, this is your gal from Glidden signing off: “Th-th-ththat’s all, folks!”
Child care agreement extended for a year
Alberta and federal officials have agreed to extend the current child care agreement for one year, ensuring stability for families and keeping costs low.
The deal, originally set to expire March 31, 2026, maintains parent fees at $15 a day for children in kindergarten and younger and continues savings of up to $100 per child per month on preschool fees.
The extension also provides more funding for childcare providers, including 5,000 additional for-profit spaces and expanded support for family day homes. Federal and provincial investments cover about 80 per cent of child-care costs, saving families an estimated $11,000 per child annually.
Alberta has seen child-care enrolment rise signifi-
cantly since the agreement began, with more than 150,000 affordable spaces now available and the certified early childhood educator workforce increasing by more than 75 per cent.
Demetrios Nicolaides, Alberta’s minister of education and childcare, said the extension provides certainty for families and providers while negotiations continue on a long-term agreement. Federal Minister Patty Hajdu said affordable child care helps parents work and train, boosting the province’s economy.
The one-year extension includes the Canada-Alberta Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Agreement and related infrastructure funding, with federal contributions totaling $1.17 billion for 2026-27.
Patty Hajdu
Recognizing Canada’s best in 2025
It’s been a great year for Canadians on the world’s athletic stages. As 2025 winds down, it’s time for the year-end awards in the top three categories — male and female athlete and top team.
Sports
By Bruce Penton
Male athlete — It’s pretty hard to not be declared the athlete of the year in Canada when you’ve actually shown you’re the best player in the National Basketball Association (i.e. the world). Twenty-six-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton had a dream year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading his team to the league championship, taking the individual scoring title and being voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. He averaged 32.7 points per game last year and is off to a similar start this year as the Thunder lost only one of their first 23 games.
Runner-up — Tennis star Felix Auger-Aliassime moved up the men’s world rankings to No. 5 thanks to a sensational season on the court. The 6-foot-4 25-yearold won more than $5 million in prize money, had a 50-24 record in singles’ play and won three tournaments — in Brussels, Belgium, Montpelier, France and Adelaide, Australia.
Female athlete — There is no official world ranking for swimmers, but Toronto’s Summer McIntosh is either No. 1 or No. 2 among females. The 19-year-old won four golds and one bronze at the world aquatic championships and is the current 200- and 400-metre world record holder.
Runner-up — She came out of nowhere (almost), but Victoria Mboko, who started 2025 ranked 350th in
the world, zoomed all the way up to 18th thanks to her sensational play. The highlight was her victory in Toronto at the Rogers National Bank Open. where she beat Naomi Osaka in the final. Mboko also won a tournament in Hong Kong and racked up $1.44 million in earnings.
Team of the Year — This one was easy: Toronto Blue Jays came within one out of winning the World Series, and the team’s success captured the hearts of Canadians from coast to coast. Pre-season picks to finish at or near the bottom of the American League East, the Jays instead roared to a record of 94-68, thanks to outstanding offensive seasons from George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., and Bo Bichette. After beating Seattle Mariners in the A.L. championship series, the Blue Jays took the powerful L.A. Dodgers to Game 7 of the series before bowing out with a 5-4 loss.
Runner-up — The Rachel Homan curling team could logically lay claim to being the greatest women’s curling team in Canadian history, quite a title when the competition includes the likes of Sandra Schmirler, Colleen Jones and Jennifer Jones. A threetime world champion, including 2025, Homan and her rink of third Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew and lead Sarah Wilkes put together an astonishing 75-8 record in 2025 and capped off the year with a decisive victory in the Canadian Olympic curling trials. She and her team will wear Canada’s colours in Milan, Italy, at the 2026 Winter Games where she will seek her first Olympic medal in her third try.
• The Babylon Bee, on Twitter: “Sad: Britain Tries To Play Baseball But Gets The Rules Wrong And Forgets Their Gloves And Puts Sticks Behind Home Plate For Some Reason”
• From Jack Finarelli’s site, sportscurmudgeon.com, on Weber State coach Mickey Mental being fired: “And obviously, if he and his wife ever have trip-
lets, they should name them Funda, Instru and Monu.”
• Headline at fark.com: “Congratulations on making the World Cup for the first time in 50 years, Haiti. Too bad your fans won’t be allowed into the U.S. to see it.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “Raiders’ coach Pete Carroll said he is ‘all in’ on QB Geno Smith. Just like he was ‘all in’ on that Super Bowl pass from the one-yard line.”
• A soccer fan on Twitter after the Great One had trouble pronouncing names of countries at the FIFA World Cup draw: “The World Cup Group of Death is Wayne Gretzky and any country’s name he has to pronounce.”
• More on Gretzky’s pronunciation mishaps: “Can you imagine if Niger had qualified and he picked that ball… you’d see like 20 people try to tackle him before he started to speak.”
• Torben Rolfsen again, on the Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion team in Vancouver: “The ‘Let’s Go Goldeneyes’ chant is a bit too long. Could we shorten it to ‘Let’s Go G-eyes?’”
• Headline at fark.com: “Jayden Daniels cleared to be injured in game that some say could decide how far the Commies end up from the playoffs.”
• Another one from Rolfsen: “Shohei Ohtani said he will play for Japan when the World Baseball Classic opens at the Tokyo Dome. Hey, whatever happened to tryouts?”
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “UCF starting quarterback Tayven Jackson will enter the transfer portal and will soon be on his way to his fourth college. At this point, he isn’t getting an education; he’s collecting frequent-flyer miles. His next NIL deal should be sponsored by U-Haul!”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Dear readers and advertisers
The Christmas season is the perfect time for us to thank you for your continued trust and support throughout the year.
Our greatest desire is to continue providing you with coverage of the news and issues that matter to our community and surrounding area ... because they're ours!
We wish you a Merry Christmas, filled with warmth and good cheer, and we hope to have the pleasure of offering you many more moments of enjoyment and reading in 2026.
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every 2nd Friday! DECEMBER 19th, JANUARY 9th, JANUARY 23rd
OYEN
OURLASTPAPEROFTHEYEARWILL BETUESDAY,DECEMBER23. Ourfirsteditionbackwillbe Tuesday,January6,2026!
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Without a voice, there is no echo.
Our office will be CLOSED from DECEMBER 22 to JANUARY 2.
Our last edition of 2025 will be TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23
The first edition of 20206 will be WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7.
Kate & Robert Winquist and Staff
Diana Walker Patti, Greg, Ian, David and all of our columnist and contributors.
Michael Noah Smigelski 3rd Annual Basketball Tournament
Michael Noah Smigelski peacefully entered heaven on March 20, 2023. He was born in Medicine Hat, Alta., on March 11, 2003, the only son of Neil and Anne Marie Smigelski and younger brother to Rachel Willis (Smigelski). Michael grew up in Oyen, Alta., beginning his education at Assumption Roman Catholic School, continuing at Oyen Public School for junior high, and finishing at South Central High School.
During high school, Michael worked part-time at A&W, where he quickly became known as the kindest worker on staff. He greeted every customer with a warm smile, making each person feel welcome. Outside of work, he loved spending time with friends Nathan and Maddock. When his mom suggested he stay in, he would grin and say, “I’ve got to go vibe with my friends.”
That same loyalty and enthusiasm followed him after high school. He convinced Nathan to move to Calgary with him while he attended SAIT’s Pre-Electrical Program. Michael apprenticed with Trecc Electric for several months before returning to Oyen to explore new opportunities. There, he joined Supra Energy on the Borea Windmill project, where his hard work, dedication, and positive energy earned the admiration of his crew.
Michael’s passions included basketball, The Mandalorian, and shoes—more shoes than anyone else in his family. A devoted LA Lakers fan, he admired Kobe Bryant and the “Mamba Mentality”: striving to be the best version of yourself. Michael lived by this philosophy and inspired those around him to do the same. Since his passing, his family and Oyen High School have honoured his legacy with an annual basketball tournament and a scholarship awarded to a local Grade 12 student.
Scholarship recipients:
• 2024 – Anthony Lawrence
• 2025 – Luke Caskey
Get it Built!
Late last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” (“MOU”) with the Government of Alberta. Key to that agreement was “a priority to have a pipeline to Asia that’s going to make Canada stronger, more independent, more resilient, more sustainable.”
The 2026 tournament is tentatively set for Jan. 30–31. Oyen A&W will again donate $2 from every Teen Burger sold to Michael’s Scholarship, with TDG Food sponsoring the event.
Michael is remembered for his kindness, laughter, passions, and the way he brought people together. Through this tournament and scholarship, his legacy continues to lift others—just as he did in life.
Conservatives have always supported getting shovels in the ground to unlock trillions of dollars in investment, create powerful paycheques for Albertans and all Canadians, and strengthen the value of our dollar. Last week, we gave Carney and his Liberal caucus a chance to prove they’re serious about a pipeline to the Pacific, by moving a motion in Parliament that directly quoted their own MOU.
Instead of joining in a spirit of collaboration to get this promised pipeline built, the Liberals rejected the Prime Minister’s own words on the floor of the House of Commons - proving that Carney’s radical keep-itin-the-ground caucus will find any excuse to block, delay and obstruct this much-needed project.
Prior to the vote, Carney’s sole MP from Calgary even said that his party would oppose a pipeline to
the Pacific unless it involved a massive carbon tax - an insult to the Albertans he should be proud to represent.
This matters to Battle River-Crowfoot. This region has seen firsthand the impact of Liberal policies that are meant to keep our resources in the ground and hold back our economy from reaching its full potential. From visiting communities across Battle River-Crowfoot and speaking to both those who directly work in the oil patch and those who benefit from its prosperity, it is clear the people here need this critical infrastructure. In fact, I recall speaking to your former MP, Damien Kurek, when projects like the Keystone XL pipeline were canceled, and the real-world effect this has.
It’s clear there’s only one party who can deliver on the promise of building at unimaginable speeds. Conservatives will always fight to unleash Canada’s full energy potential - building a country that is strong, self-reliant and sovereign.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column, or if you require assistance regarding a Federal Government program, you are encouraged to send an email to pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca or call 1-800-665-4358.
Michael Noah Smigelski
BY THE HON. PIERRE POILIEVRE, MP for Battle River—Crowfoot and Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Pierre Poilievre
Fall session comes to an end
Alberta’s legislature wrapped up its fall 2025 sitting this week after passing 14 pieces of legislation focused on health care, education, public safety and economic development.
The government also adopted two motions it described as key to advancing provincial interests. One endorsed an Alberta–Ottawa memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding energy development and attracting new investment, including a proposed pipeline intended to increase oil exports to Asian markets. The other, brought forward under the Sovereignty within a United Canada Act, opposed the federal government’s gun confiscation program.
Government House Leader Joseph
Schow said the session delivered results for Albertans.
“Through a robust legislative agenda, our government has successfully delivered on keeping Alberta the best place to live, work and play,” Schow said in a statement.
Among the bills passed was the International Agreements Act, which asserts Alberta’s expectation to be consulted when the federal government signs international agreements affecting provincial jurisdiction. The Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2) advances work toward establishing an Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.
The Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 was also
ReCoNNeCt here
approved, reaffirming provincial policy on youth choice and rules governing female sports participation.
Other legislation included amendments to the Education Act mandating literacy and numeracy screening for students from kindergarten to Grade 3, and changes to utility statutes aimed at improving grid reliability and providing data centres with additional options to meet power needs.
The Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2) reduces regulatory requirements, enables the inclusion of citizenship markers on government identification and removes barriers for internationally trained professionals seeking to work in Alberta.
Health-related legislation included amendments to modernize the health system and expand access to services, including the introduction of a dual practice model allowing physicians to
work in both public hospitals and private clinics. The government says the move is intended to increase the number of surgeries and reduce wait times.
Financial legislation approved during the sitting includes the creation of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, which the government says is designed to better support Albertans with disabilities seeking employment while maintaining access to benefits.
The legislature also passed the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, which limits the ability of professional regulators to discipline members based on personal beliefs, and the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, which includes changes to election rules governing party names and ballot access.
The government says it is preparing for the spring sitting, when it plans to continue work on priorities it says matter most to Albertans.
Alberta launches $10M program to expand greenhouse, vertical farm production
Alberta’s government and Ottawa are launching a new three-year, $10-million program aimed at expanding greenhouse and vertical farm production and increasing the supply of locally grown produce year-round.
The Growing Greenhouses program, funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will support new construction and expansions at commercial-scale greenhouses and vertical farms, with a focus on boosting output and improving energy efficiency.
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson said the program is intended to strengthen food security while creating opportunities for producers and processors.
“Everything our ministry does is about ensuring Albertans have secure access to safe, high-quality food,” Sigurdson said in a statement. He said the funding will support technologies that increase production and improve energy efficiency.
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said the investment will help growers supply Canadian consumers with locally produced fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
“This program strengthens local communities, drives innovation, and creates new opportunities for agricul-
tural entrepreneurs,” MacDonald said. The initiative targets the controlled environment agriculture sector and aligns with Alberta’s Buy Local campaign launched earlier this year. The province said the program was designed in response to industry needs, with the aim of reducing reliance on imported produce during the fall and winter months, when prices typically rise.
Michiel Verheul, president of the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association, said the funding will help the sector expand capacity and reduce dependence on imports.
“By investing in expansion and innovation, we can grow more fresh produce year-round and strengthen food security for Albertans,” Verheul said. Alberta’s greenhouse sector ranks fourth in Canada, with 195 greenhouses producing about $145 million worth of produce annually. About 60 per cent of those operations run year-round, and greenhouse food production in the province is growing at an annual rate of 6.2 per cent. Alberta currently imports about $349 million in fresh produce each year.
The program will support investments in renewable and efficient energy systems, advanced lighting, energy-saving construction, and automation and robotics.
50 impaired drivers removed during enforcement day
Alberta RCMP, along with other law enforcement partners, removed 50 impaired drivers from the province’s roads on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, as part of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day.
Check stops set up across Alberta led to 28 Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) fails, 13 IRS warnings and six IRS zeros for novice and commercial drivers. Officers also issued 328 tickets, including 54 for speeding and five for distracted driving. There were 12 injury collisions reported, but no fatalities.
“These statistics are just a snapshot of what is occurring on Alberta’s roadways,” said Sgt. Darrin Turnbull of Alberta RCMP Traffic. “Enforcement
initiatives such as National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day are an essential reminder that driving impaired by drugs or alcohol is never acceptable and can have devastating consequences. If you suspect an impaired driver, call 911 immediately.”
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AUCTIONS
Ward’s and Bud Haynes FIREARMS AUCTION. January 31st in Edmonton. Firearms, Ammo, Accessories. Call Brad Ward, 780-940-8378 to consign your items or collection. FirearmsAuction.ca.
AUCTIONS
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COMING EVENTS
FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2025 AUCTION PROGRAM: Firearms, Ammunition, Accessories, or Militaria. Collections, Estates or single items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Contact us: 1-800-694-2609, Email: sales@switzersauction. com or Visit us @ www.
switzersauction.com for Auction Dates & Details.
CHILD
CARE
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beginning at $269, $299 or $599 to share your message in over 70 Weekly Community Newspapers. Contact THIS NEWSPAPER today or email classifieds@awna.com for more information. Call 1-800282-6903 or 780-434-8746 or visit www.awna.com.
TRAVEL
EXTRAORDINARY VILLA IN OSOYOOS, BC, breathtaking lake views, just 3 minutes from town. Vacation in Canada’s warmest destination. Or warmer weather, two luxurious 5-star resort units in Phoenix, Arizona. Doug 306-716-2671; osoyooslakevilla.com.
Gaudiosa “Juicy” Pajigal (Galbo) McKay passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 90.
JUICY
McKAY 1935 – 2025
Born in 1935 in Bohol Province, Philippines, to Celestino Galbo and Leoncia Pajigal, Juicy lived a life defined by courage, humour, and adventure. She began her career as a seamstress and hairdresser before completing her studies in midwifery in Manila. Motivated by her adventurous spirit and determination for a better life, Juicy immigrated to Canada in 1967, settling in Oyen, Alberta, where she worked at the Oyen Big Country Hospital.
Juicy quickly became an integral part of the Oyen community while raising her two children, Erol and Shauna, with her second husband, Ian. She retired from Big Country Hospital in 1981 after the closure of the obstetrics department—a bittersweet moment after delivering a generation of babies, a source of pride she carried throughout her life.
Never one to sit still for long, Juicy and Ian opened
a convenience store in 1989, complete with a small arcade. For nearly two decades, this store became a gathering place for local teens, and Juicy became more than a shop owner—she was a confidant and caring adult figure to many until the store closed in 2007.
In her later years, Juicy embraced retirement with the same zest for life that defined her earlier years. She traveled, gardened, and remained fiercely competitive in games and in her curling fandom. In 2012, she and Ian moved into the Oyen Lodge, where Juicy continued to march to the beat of her own drum. Her love for animals and her spirited nature never faded.
Juicy is survived by her daughter Shauna (Robin) Bownes, her son Erol (Lori) McKay, and her beloved grandchildren Jordan, Kieran, Deghlan, Fionn, and Lewis. She was preceded in death by her husband Ian.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Royal Canadian Legion #208, Box 184, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0.
Funeral arrangements are in care of MacLean’s Funeral Home, Oyen, Alberta.
The funeral service was held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Oyen Legion. To leave a message of condolence, please visit ofsmacleans. com.
Alberta releases clearer land reclamation rules
Alberta has unveiled new guidance aimed at simplifying and speeding up land reclamation across the province.
The fact sheet clarifies the roles of businesses, landowners, Indigenous communities, and the public in restoring industrial sites once work is complete. Officials say it will reduce confusion, cut red tape, and support jobs and economic growth.
“Albertans, First Nations, industry and communities have told us the reclamation process needs to be clearer and easier to understand,” said Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz.
The rules cover small projects, such as well sites and renewable energy developments, and larger operations like mines, pipelines, and quarries. They allow flexible, science-based approaches and encourage community and landowner input. Qualified experts must certify that sites meet provincial standards before they are officially considered reclaimed.
Industrial sites across Alberta have already been transformed into forests, grasslands, recreational areas, and community spaces. Examples include the Blue Ridge Recreational Area near Whitecourt and several reclaimed peatlands in Peace Country.
“The framework offers a clear and practical path for responsible land restoration,” said TransAlta’s Ryan Braden. “It balances environmental outcomes with operational flexibility and local needs.”
Alberta was the first province in Canada to legislate land reclamation in 1963. Under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, sites must be certified before being considered fully reclaimed.
Fred John Walker Feb. 19, 1942-Dec. 19, 2023
Until We Meet Again
We think about you always, We talk about you still. You have never been forgotten, And you never will. We hold you close within our hearts
And there you will remain
To walk and guide us through our lives, Until we meet again.
- ever loved and missed by Diana, Lee Ann, Sheldon, Kaylin, Nathan & Renn, Shaina & Matt, Brittany
Amanda, Craig, Asher, Ada, Archer & Aislyn Debby, Chuck, Stephanie & Brady, Robby & Ashley
Dale, Stacie, Vance & Ki, Mya Travis
The reclaimed Blue Ridge Recreation Area near Whitecourt was once a gravel pit (Credit: GOA)
ALSASK
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
• Ukrainian New Year Celebration. Kaiser tournament at 1:00 PM. $5/ person entry. Cash prize. Supper served 5-9 PM featuring homemade perogies, sausage and veggies for $25/plate or $10 (under 10). Help support the Alsask Drop-Inn Centre (206 Main St). Contact Dave at 306463-0169 for more info.
CEREAL
- Monday Night Bingo (except holidays) at the CJ Peacock Centre. Doors & Concession open at 6:30 PM. Bingo starts at 7:30 PM - 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
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society Craft Mondays 1:00 PM at Empress Community Hall Craft Room. Everyone is welcome and coffee is always on!
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society Crib Wednesdays 7:00 PM at Empress Community Hall. $5 entry fee. $1 for each hand scoring 19 goes into the loonie pot. All monies will be paid out at end of evening. Great opportunity to see old friends and make some new ones.
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society presents Snarples entry fee. Great opportunity to see old friends, make some new ones and learn a new card game. Em press Community Hall (314 Centre St.)
- Game Night 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
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16
• 50+ Crafting and Socializing 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Oyen Seniors Rec Centre. Stay or drop-in. Bring your own project and lunch if needed. For info or to RSVP contact Cheryl Getz at 403-664-8688.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Thursday of every month 6:30 PM in Council Chambers.
- Community Choir every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Evangelical Missionary Church.
- Oyen United Church Coffee Time every Tuesday at 10:00 AM. All are welcome!
- Oyen FCSS Community Centre Playgroup every Monday 9:30 - 11
• Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce presents late night shopping from 5:00-8:00 PM. Santa Claus is coming to town! Get your photo tak ation Centre. Pot Luck at 6:00 PM. Meeting at 7:00 PM. New Members Welcome. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403-664-2462 for more information.
