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OYEN LODGE
“There is only one happiness in this life: to love and be loved.”
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. Sorry there was no news last week; I was away, so I will combine the two weeks together. Everyone is enjoying the nice, warm winter weather—surprising for February. Unfortunately, there isn’t any snow left, but winter isn’t over yet, and I’m sure there will be a few surprises in the next few months.
On Monday, Jan. 26th, there was card playing in the morning and bingo in the afternoon. On Tuesday, there was Church led by Father Rodell and the regular bus run downtown for shopping. On Wednesday, the residents played cards, and there was Church led by Brad. Taylor Neilson was at the Lodge and played piano before supper. On Thursday and Friday, there was some card playing and card bingo. In the evening, there was music by Jorgenson’s.
On Monday, February 2nd, there were exercises followed by a one-onone Scrabble game. In the afternoon, there was bingo. Congrats to Jean Olds, who had a bingo on I29 and doubled her winnings. It’s nice to have my work experience girls back for the next semester; they are both very helpful with my activities and decorating. Monday was Groundhog Day, and apparently, we have six more weeks of winter. Happy 95th Birthday to Maxine Girletz on February 2nd.
On Tuesday, the morning started
with exercises and the regular bus run downtown for shopping. Catholic Church was led by Father Rodell at 10:30. In the afternoon, there was Pub Hour, where refreshments were served along with snacks. Wednesday morning started with crossword games and decorating for Valentine’s Day. In the afternoon, there were shuffleboard games followed by the Resident Council Meeting. Happy 95th Birthday to Evelyn Mills on February 4th. On Thursday morning, there were exercises and dominoes. In the afternoon, there was a one-on-one visit with
Oyen Lodge residents and staff celebrated National Wear Red Day!
The Lodge celebrated a couple of milestone birthdays this past week. Maxine Girletz (left) and Evelyn Mills both turned 95 years-young.
Community heroes sought for Alberta seniors service awards
Albertans are being invited to nominate community heroes for the Minister’s Seniors Service Awards, which recognize individuals, organizations and groups that improve the quality of life for seniors across the province.
The awards honour outstanding commitment to enhancing the well-being of Alberta seniors, with recipients celebrated for their dedication, innovation and long-term service.
“Seniors are at the heart of Alberta’s communities, and it’s important we recognize those who work every day to support them,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, in a statement Thursday. “The Minister’s Seniors Service Awards are an opportunity to honour the Albertans who go above and beyond to ensure seniors are supported.”
Awards will be presented to individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. One of the honours, the Alice Modin Award, recognizes a senior individual or couple for exceptional long-term volunteer service to their community and the province. The award is named for Alice Modin, a longtime advocate who campaigned for Seniors’ Day and helped establish Alberta’s annual Seniors’ Week.
...Oyen Lodge
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a resident to do some baking. We made banana bread, carrot muffins, and some chocolate Valentine cakes. On Friday morning, there were horse races. Horse #1, Poncho, and Horse #2, Mariah, tied for first place. In the afternoon, there was bingo. In the evening, there was music by Jorgenson’s. Friday was National Wear Red Day, and some of the staff and residents were
A Special Service Award will also be presented in 2026. The Stronger at Every Age Award will recognize efforts that create inclusive, accessible and connected communities where Albertans can live and age well. This includes initiatives that support age-friendly infrastructure, improve accessibility and transportation, foster intergenerational connections, reduce social isolation and integrate local services that help seniors remain active and independent.
The deadline for nominations is April 30. Submissions can be made online, by mail or by email. Additional details, including past recipients, are available online. Award recipients will be honoured at an in-person ceremony this fall.
Since 1998, the Minister’s Seniors Service Awards have recognized nearly 200 individuals and organizations of all ages for their service to seniors. The Special Service Award was introduced in 2021 and features a different focus each year to highlight areas of particular importance.
In 2025, recipients were selected from 93 nominations based on their positive impact on seniors and communities, the need for the service provided, and the quality, diversity and originality of their work.
dressed in red to match the theme for the Valentine’s décor. Happy Birthday to Todd Knull on Feb. 8th.
The Oyen Lodge would like to welcome new residents, Brent and Carla Stammers.
Hope everyone has a great Valentine’s week. Spread love everywhere you go.
“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
Against the winter stillness of an east-central Alberta farm, Bianca and her daughter Leah share a moment of comfort and connection. PHOTO BY 83-YEAR-OLD NANCY HANSON, NEAR CEREAL.
A child’s drawings record history
Teachers hear all kinds of comments from their students. One teacher was asked, “When did the world stop being in black and white and change to colour?”
This week we’ll take a look at a young girl’s perception of life during WWII as she captured it by sketching one hundred colourful drawings. Her story was told on January 27th, which was Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Opinion By Joan Janzen
In an online recorded interview, Helga Weiss said she began keeping a diary at the tender age of eight years. “I had a very lucky childhood, but after occupation everything changed and our life became more and more difficult,” Helga said in broken English. “My father was expelled from his job and children were expelled from school.”
The excerpt from her diary read: “Since March 15th there’s not been a single calm day. Everything is our fault, even though we didn’t do anything. We can’t help being Jews.”
On October 5, 1941, young Helga wrote in her diary that she had started wearing a yellow star. “There will be transports. Everyone is getting ready to travel. The arrests never stop. When you leave your house you never know if you will return,” she wrote.
On December 5th of that same year, Helga and her parents were transported to Terezin concentration camp. “There are 21 of us in quite a small room,” the diary read. She was one of 7,000 people in the camp.
Helga’s dad was placed in a men’s camp; however, they managed to smuggle messages to each other. “I was fond of drawing and it was December,” Helga recalled. She had packed crayons and a sketch pad and sent her dad a drawing of children building a snowman. “It was a memory of our past life. It was my first drawing in Terezin. When I smuggled it to my father he answered me and wrote, ‘Draw what you see.’”
“After his response I started to describe the every-
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Helga Weiss was ten years old when she and her parents arrived in Terezin concentration camp in 1942. Her dad told her to “draw what she sees.” This drawing illustrates each person carrying 50 kg of allowed luggage.
PHOTO: THEGUARDIAN.COM
day life in Terezin. During the time I created about 100 of these drawings because I spent almost three years in Terezin. They are very important today because it was forbidden to make pictures, to make film. And maybe that’s why my drawings today are so important because there wasn’t any other picture material.”
She remembered the Germans producing one film. “It is the only film which existed, but it is propaganda. From this film they asked the prisoners to come in front of the camera and say, ‘I am well in Terezin. I don’t miss anything,’” she recalled. She also remembered the International Red Cross Commission coming for a visit. The event was recorded in her diary.
“A huge clean is in progress. It’s funny, but it looks like they are trying to make Terezin into a spa town. Freshly planted grass is coming up in the square. The middle is decorated with a bed of roses. There’s a pool, merry-go-round, and a see-saw. Everything was arranged like a stage set,” young Helga wrote.
“At the time we very much hoped when the Red Cross would come they would see the situation and something could be changed for the better,” Helga said. “But the inspection came and they looked only at the places which were shown to them. The inspection lasted only a half day, and in
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the evening they described in a certificate they found everything to be okay. So it was a great propaganda and they believed it.”
In 1944, Helga and her mother were deported from Terezin and spent the remainder of the war in three different camps. Since it was impossible to write or draw anything in those camps, her drawings remained hidden behind a wall of one of the barracks in Terezin. After the war she reclaimed her drawings, and soon after her return in May 1945, Helga recorded everything that had happened since leaving Terezin and tried to draw all those experiences.
After the war, Helga and her mother returned to their old apartment in Prague. “We left the camp, but we carry the camps still inside. They told us we were free and go home, but it was no home. Nobody expected our coming back. I had my mother. I never gave a thought that we could be separated. So when I married, she lived with my family till her death,” she reported. Helga spent the remainder of her life living in the apartment in which she was born and became an accomplished artist.
Helga’s father didn’t survive life in the camps. “I always think about him. I always wondered what my father would think and say. He was very fond of music and I married a musician, and my son and granddaughter are professional musicians. I always think it would be a pleasure for him,” she said.
Her drawings accompany her diary, which was published in 1998 in the book Draw What You See, and Helga’s Diary was published in 2013.
As the generations read her diary and look at her drawings, she offers some advice. “Read it very carefully and keep it in your memory of what happened. And do something so it won’t happen anymore. That’s what we learn. To be tolerant of each other, to understand each other, not to be selfish, to be healthy, to have family, to have hope and freedom.”
Who could have guessed that a child’s drawings would someday record history?
Letter from a Birmingham Starbucks
My column title comes from a quote by the podcaster Sarah Isgur, who said: “There’s a reason it’s called ‘Letter From a Birmingham Jail’ and not ‘Letter from a Birmingham Starbucks.’” She was, of course, referring to the nine-page letter Martin Luther King Jr. wrote while spending eight days in a jail in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963.
While in jail, King’s lawyer showed him a letter published by a group of white ministers deploring the protests, but, sadly, not deploring the violence perpetrated by cops with clubs and firehoses and dogs. King wrote his famous response in the margins of the very newspaper the letter was published in. And when he ran out of space, he wrote on paper towels and a napkin.
“You deplore the demonstrations,” he wrote. “But I am sorry that your statement did not express a similar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into being. I am sure that each of you would want to go beyond the superficial social analyst who looks merely at effects and does not grapple with underlying causes.”
His letter eerily reflects what’s happening in Minnesota today, where extreme levels of violence have
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in attendance on Wednesday, March 4 KIPLING B. WEISE in attendance on Wednesday, February 18, March 18
led to fatal shootings, with no evidence of an investigation into the murders of two protesters. Not to mention the serious physical harm done to others, including bystanders.
You would almost think that protesting was a crime! And yet, everywhere you look—online, at coffee row, at our own kitchen tables—we doth protest! From parliament debates to barstool b.s.-ing to backyard blustering over a barbecue—we contend, we remonstrate, we attest. We protest, without a second thought to getting arrested, let alone shot, for it.
By Madonna Hamel
“There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in this nation,” wrote King in 1963. “These are the hard, brutal, and unbelievable facts.”
King’s protests never involved throwing things, hollering expletives, or disrupting church services. Despite the bombings of Black citizens’ homes and churches, there is no record of a single f-bomb in his speeches or those of his fellows.
“We presented our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and national community,” he wrote. “We were not unmindful of the difficulties involved. So we decided to go through a process of self-purification. In workshops on nonviolence we asked, ‘Are you able to accept blows without retaliating?’ and ‘Are you able to endure the ordeals of jail?’”
Recently, activists undertook an “operation” in a church in Minneapolis-St. Paul to protest ICE, screaming “ICE OUT!” and “Don’t Shoot!” as they entered the church mid-prayer service. I watched the whole thing on Don Lemon’s podcast, right from the beginning, as he was driven to the church and explained that he couldn’t disclose too much because it would be “a surprise attack” led by Pastor Levy Armstrong, who later compared her actions to Jesus overturning the tables of the moneylenders in the temple.
Armstrong and Lemon were arrested. But journalism and activism aren’t crimes; they are free speech. So why were they arrested? They were arrested for disrupting a church service, which is against the law. Confusing, isn’t it? There is so much righteous indignation flying around that it’s easy to forget that the “surprise attack” was on a group of people who were praying, hopefully for peace in their city.
Despite being with the protesters, Lemon claimed he was just being a reporter—just doing his job, ques-
tioning the pastor in the midst of a service. Somehow, using his profession as a means of removing himself from the “attack” makes his noble pursuit of the truth seem…disingenuous.
However, the reason for the disruption deserves urgent focus: one of the church’s pastors is the ICE coordinator for the city. The pastor present suggested he have a dialogue with one of the protesters, who replied: This is your dialogue. The ICE pastor—which has to be The Biggest Contradiction in Terms— wasn’t there at the time. Just rows of stunned-looking churchgoers holding Bibles. At one point, I mistook the raised hands of protesters shouting “Don’t Shoot!” for those of the congregants, raising their hands to their Lord.
One of the protesters videotaped himself screaming into his cell phone and at the congregants—among them an Asian woman doing her best to soothe her obviously frightened kid—accusing them of being “rich white people sitting in lavish homes drinking their lattes in their suits.”
What surprised me most about this “surprise attack” is that the protesters, pastors among them, seem completely fine with the idea of disrupting a prayer service. Would it be OK with them if protesters entered their church, Buddhist temple, mosque, or sweat lodge? I understand they were there to call out the ICE agent pastor. But why are the congregants the ones subjected to their rage?
Meanwhile, pastors throughout the city and beyond step into the pulpit to remind the world of Christ’s constant call to welcome the foreigner. Nonviolent protesters stand witness to the actions of aggressive agents. At a vigil after the death of Renee Good, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld of New Hampshire said:
“I have told the clergy that we may be entering into…witness. And I’ve asked them to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements, but for us, with our bodies, to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable.”
How did we get here? And how do we counter hatred of immigrants, of churchgoers, of journalists, of protesters, of each other? We are all implicated, wrote King. We can’t sit idly by and drink lattes, like Isgur and the angry protester remind us. Will we go beyond “superficial analysis” and excuses to ask ourselves how we can help in the healing?
Oyen RCMP investigate break, enter and theft at Bindloss
On Jan. 27, 2026, Oyen RCMP responded to a break and enter which occurred at the Bindloss Community Center. It is believed that between Jan. 6 and Jan. 27, 2026, unknown persons(s) broke into the community center, causing thousands of dollars damage to the buildings electrical systems. The suspects stole numerous items worth thousands of dollars, including alcohol, a meat grinder, sound system, and animal mounts which are family heirlooms.
If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Oyen RCMP at 403-664-3505. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www. P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
Card of Thanks
A late but HUGE thank you to all who helped me celebrate my 95th Birthday at the New Brigden Community Hall. What a great time we had in that wonderful new facility! Thank you also for the many phone calls and birthday cards I received. It was all very much appreciated. I would also like to thank the family members who prepared the Family Dinner and the lunch for the afternoon Open House. Love to all, Ralph Jorgenson
Pop89
Lousy prognosticator picks U.S. to win hockey gold
Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team begins its quest for gold Feb. 12 vs. Czechia and, of course, this calls for a bold prediction: Canada will not win gold.
Sports By Bruce Penton
Now, before you go talking to government officials to get me kicked out of the country or to have my citizenship revoked, an explanation is required: In my career as a prognosticator of sporting events, my record is horrendous. I believe it’s 3-672 over the years, which means I’m wrong 99.555 per cent of the time. If I were to be so bold as to pick Canada to win, and they lost, the blame would fall squarely on my shoulders and, deep down, I want nothing more than for Canada’s best to stick it to the rest of world, especially those loud-mouth Americans who were vanquished in last winter’s 4 Nations Face Off. If things go as Vegas oddsmakers would have you believe, it will be Canada vs. the U.S. in the gold medal game at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The U.S. team is favoured in many quarters primarily because its three goalies — Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman — are considered vastly superior to Canada’s troika of Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper. But Binnington, whose stats this season with the woeful St. Louis Blues are enough to scare any Canadian hockey fan, pushed his ‘sensational’ button and combined it with his ‘spectacular’ switch last year and stopped the U.S. cold in the 4 Nations clinching game. Connor McDavid, the best player in the world, did the rest, potting the overtime goal on a pretty setup by Mitch
Marner.
Those two will be back, along with Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby, two Tim Hortons commercial stars who also play a little hockey.
It’s not a stretch to say the two North American hockey powers are fairly equal in strength. But Canada has history on its side — three out of the last four gold medals when NHL players were involved in the 21st century.
The Mario Lemiuex-Steve Yzerman-Jarome Iginla-led team won in Salt Lake City in 2002; Crosby’s golden goal in 2010 in Vancouver will never be forgotten and the 2014 gold-medal game victory over Sweden confirmed Canada’s power in the game of ice hockey.
But while players from Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Germany and other European countries dot NHL rosters, the main hockey powers remain Canada and the U.S. Most of the players on the American roster are from northern U.S. states — Minnesota, Michigan, Montana — where the winters are so similar to Canada’s that those players are de facto Canucks. Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, the Tkachuks and Clayton Keller, for instance, are players Canada would love to have on its roster. They can play, but will they have that Canadian-like je ne sais quoi it takes to win gold?
Probably. The Americans will win. (Wink, wink).
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “The CFL, as a league, produced record revenues in 2025, $10 million more than ever before. The Blue Jays, as a team, did about $100 million more than budgeted for in the 2025 season.”
• Cathal Kelly of the Globe and Mail, on the Leafs’ playoff chancers: “Turn off the oven. Pull the Leafs out, put them on a countertop and tent them with tin foil. This team is cooked.”
• Comedy writer Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver:
“Quinn Hughes said the Minnesota Wild are a better hockey team than the Canucks. The Wild then put a ‘CO’ on his jersey —Captain Obvious.”
• Rolfsen again: “Bills’ owner Terry Pegula threw wide receiver Keon Coleman under the bus at a recent press conference. Fortunately for Coleman, the Bills’ bus is currently stuck in a snowdrift.”
• Norman Chad again, after Denver bypassed a field-goal opportunity to go up by 10 in the AFC title game and failed on its fourth-down attempt: “What’s wrong with a 10-0 lead in what is going to be a defensive game in deteriorating weather conditions playing with a quarterback who has not thrown a pass since Kirk Cousins had hair.”
• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: “Bill Belichick is not perfect. Spygate happened. But when six Super Bowl wins isn’t enough for the Hall of Fame, the shame is on the voters and the Hall.”
• Super 70s Sports: “Cooper Flagg sets a new record by scoring 49 points in an NBA game as a 19-yearold. If you liked that, just wait till next week when some dude will probably set a new record by becoming the first 49-year-old to score 19 in an NCAA game.”
• Super 70s Sports again, alongside a photo of O.J. Simpson at his trial, on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub: “I’m just glad this man doesn’t have to share the Hall of Fame with Spygate guy.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “With the Jets losing 4-1 to the Lightning, I’ll spare them the electrical puns — like lacking a spark, feeling re-volted or Tampa being amped up. I will say this: Watt happened?”
• Headline at fark.com: “Todd Monken loses game of hot potato, forced to coach Cleveland Browns next season.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Just a gal from Glidden
Life, laughter, and a cup of ambition
BY KATE WINQUIST
Some weeks, Dolly Parton just shows up uninvited in my brain and refuses to leave. This week was one of those weeks.
Maybe it’s her lyrics. Maybe it’s her infectious sense of humour. Maybe it’s her… ahem… figure—which, as someone who has also been generously gifted in the chest department, I find oddly comforting. Representation matters, people.
Whatever the reason, Dolly’s been rattling around in my head like loose change in a purse. And honestly, in times like these—crazy, loud, exhausting times—I’m okay with that. Dolly is relatable. Dolly is fun. Dolly reminds us not to take life (or ourselves) quite so seriously.
Case in point: a lovely lady named Jolene stopped in this week to do some photocopying. Jolene. I genuinely think she may be the first Jolene I’ve ever met in real life. I resisted the urge to sing at her. Barely.
Last week, I shared a photo and a story from my high school days, and somehow—miraculously—four of us from that photo actually managed to get together this past Saturday. We add-
“Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition”
ed a couple of new friendships, celebrated a birthday, enjoyed lunch, a few adult bevvies, and some really good conversation.
It’s fun to reminisce about the good old days, but I think we all agreed we wouldn’t actually want to go back. Well… maybe just for a quick redo on a few life decisions. Nothing major.
Of course, the photo being published in the local paper raised some eyebrows. One friend got a text from someone out of province who screenshot it and said, “You’re famous!” Another quipped, “Don’t let Kate take a photo or it’ll end up in the Voice.”
Honestly, I’m starting to think no one will want to talk to me anymore. Even my sister weighed in: “Your columns
resonate with lots of people—I enjoy them… just quit dropping my name in your articles.” (Insert crying/laughing emoji here.)
The conversations have definitely changed over time—along with the number of drinks and the time of day we’re consuming them. Younger me might have gone for a tequila shot at the Red Lion Inn. Older me knows José Cuervo is not my friend. Conversations now revolve around grandchildren, achy knees, diabetes… and learning that apparently tequila might help blood sugar levels. Who knew?
Saturday afternoon is usually when I write this column, but this week it was delayed. I could have written it Saturday night, but older me was tired, chose an early bedtime, and decided a fresh start was the better option. Alarm set for 5:30 a.m. Office by 6:00 a.m.
Which immediately brought another Dolly classic to mind:
“Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition”
Most of my time is spent behind a desk these days. Don’t get me wrong—I truly enjoy my job—but sitting all day is starting to take a toll. Getting out of my office chair, off the couch, or out of
bed in the morning feels harder than it used to. I’m not old… but I’m not young either. At 56 (almost 57), I should probably be in better shape than I am.
So I’ve made a decision. Every hour or so, I get up and walk the long hallway in our office building to limber up my weary bones. It’s not glamorous, but it’s something.
“Workin’ nine to five, what a way to make a livin’”
Here’s what older me has learned: we need to pay attention to our own lives and the people who matter most. The ones who tease you because they know they might show up in your weekly musings. There’s a lot of noise out there. The news is scary. Social media is exhausting. Half the time we don’t know what—or who—to believe. So maybe we need more afternoons with friends, birthday cake, laughter, and a few drinks. Maybe deadlines still matter, but fun should too. Work should still have joy in it. Life should still feel… lived.
I’ll let Dolly have the last word this week (sing it with me):
“It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it.”
And honestly? I’m choosing not to let it.
Athletes ready for Milano-Cortina 2026
Forty-five Alberta-based athletes are set to compete for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina, highlighting the province’s continued presence on the international sport stage.
Athletes from communities across Alberta will take part in events ranging from alpine skiing and curling to hockey, luge and Para Nordic, as the Olympic Games run from Feb. 6 to 22, followed by the Paralympic Games from March 6 to 15.
Alberta’s government says the athletes’ participation reflects years of dedication, preparation and investment in high-performance sport.
“Alberta is home to some of Canada’s most committed and high-achieving athletes, and we are thrilled to see them take their talents and commitment to the 2026 Winter Games,” Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko said in a statement. “Their hard work, resilience and passion inspire us all. On behalf of Albertans, I wish them success in Italy.”
The province supports high-performance athletes through programs such as Podium Alberta, which provides financial assistance to help offset costs related to training, coaching, equipment and competition. The program distributes $750,000 annually to eligible Alberta-based athletes preparing for national and international competition.
In 2025, Podium Alberta supported 240 athletes across 40 sports.
Curling veteran Marc Kennedy, who will represent Canada in men’s curling, said the support has been instrumental throughout his career.
“I am so honoured and proud to represent my hometown of St. Albert and the province of Alberta at the Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy,” Kennedy said. “I am forever grateful for the support that Podium Alberta has provided me throughout my curling career.”
In addition to direct athlete funding, Alberta has invested in high-performance sport infrastructure. The Canmore Nordic Centre, a key training site for winter and Para sport athletes, recently underwent a $27.1-million expansion and modernization to support international competition, recreation and elite training.
Para Nordic athlete Mark Arendz, who is competing in his fifth Paralympic Winter Games, said Alberta-based training environments have played a critical role in his longevity.
“It is a privilege to be named to my fifth Paralympic Winter Games team, which speaks to the consistency
of my training,” Arendz said. “The majority of that training occurs in Alberta, through investments like the Canmore Nordic Centre and supporting individual athletes through Podium Alberta.”
Freestyle skier Dylan Marineau said provincial support helped make his Olympic debut possible.
“Words cannot describe the excitement to finally make my dreams happen by paving my own path through sport while still being able to follow in my dad’s footsteps,” Marineau said. “Without the support from our province, getting to this point would have been much more difficult.”
During medal rounds of Olympic events, Albertans will be able to watch Team Canada at participating restaurants, bars and pubs offering extended liquor service, subject to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis guidelines.
Para Nordic athlete Derek Zaplotinsky said representing his hometown and country remains the ultimate goal.
“Competing on the world stage is a dream I’ve worked towards for years, and having the opportunity to represent my hometown and Canada is something I carry with immense pride,” he said.
Alberta employment rises sharply in January as job market tightens
Alberta’s labour market began 2026 on strong footing, with employment rising sharply in January and the province’s unemployment rate falling below the national average, according to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada.
The Labour Force Survey shows 2.65 million Albertans were employed in January, up 20,300 jobs, or 0.8 per cent, from December. Compared with January 2025, employment increased by 86,400 positions, a gain of 3.4 per cent.
The unemployment rate fell to 6.4 per cent, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous month and below the national rate of 6.5 per cent. Alberta’s labour force grew by 13,300 people in January, while the number of unemployed declined by 7,100.
Full-time work drove the monthly gains. Full-time employment rose by 41,800 positions, while part-time employment fell by 21,400. On a year-over-year basis, full-time employment was up by 102,100 jobs, while part-time employment declined by 15,700.
Employment growth was strongest among the self-employed, which increased by 24,700 jobs month over month. In contrast, employment edged down in the private sector by 1,700 positions and in the public sector by 2,600.
By industry, construction recorded the largest employment increase in January, adding 9,200 jobs. Gains were also reported in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+6,200) and health care and social assistance (+5,500).
These increases were partly offset by declines in pro-
fessional, scientific and technical services (−4,100); forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (−3,400); and transportation and warehousing (−2,400).
Other key labour market indicators pointed to continued strength. Alberta’s participation rate rose to 69.0 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points from December, while average weekly wages increased to $1,419.21, up 0.4 per cent month over month and three per cent compared with a year earlier.
Among major urban centres, the three-month moving average unemployment rate fell to 6.8 per cent in Edmonton and 6.7 per cent in Calgary.
Indigenous labour market conditions also improved on a year-over-year basis. The unemployment rate for Indigenous peoples living off reserve in Alberta was 8.9 per cent in January, up slightly from December but down 5.3 percentage points from the same month last year.
Employment gains among Indigenous Albertans were concentrated among men aged 15 to 24 and women aged 55 and older, while declines were recorded among younger women and men aged 25 to 54. Month over month, employment increased most in educational services, finance and real estate, and transportation and warehousing.
Statistics Canada noted that historical Labour Force Survey data were revised in January, which may result in minor changes to previously published figures. The full reports are available through the Government of Alberta’s Labour Force Highlights and Indigenous Labour Force Highlights publications.
“Having investments” isn’t the same thing as financial planning. We believe a real financial plan adapts and grows alongside your life - and includes investments, tax opportunities, estate and legacy planning, and more. Do you agree? Let’s talk.
Seniors celebrate pot luck, grant success, and upcoming events
BY BETH SYMES
Seven people gathered on the beautiful evening of February 4th for the Seniors Pot Luck. (Attendance was impacted by members being away on vacation, or closer to home but celebrating family birthdays, etc.) The meal was delicious, as usual, including a goodly number of desserts as well as main-course dishes.
Three other members came at 7:00 p.m. for the meeting, which Shirley Foot called to order at 7:05. The minutes from the January meeting were presented and adopted. Sherry Bamber presented the financial report for the month of January. Sherry had also had our 2025 financials audited and presented that report as well. Both reports were adopted as presented.
Following that business, several items of old business were discussed. Sherry updated the meeting that the grant from the Community Foundation, which had been applied for to pay for part of renovating the kitchen, had been approved. She will learn about the results of the application for a New Horizons grant in March. If that is approved, it will also be designated for renovating the kitchen. Sherry also updated the meeting on other grants she will be applying for during the upcoming year.
The Fun Night on January 30 was attended by seven people, somewhat impacted by people being away as well. Those attending enjoyed playing cribbage and several table games. The next Fun Night will take place on February
Turning hope into results
BY PIERRE POILIEVRE Battle River-Crowfoot MP
It is with hope and humility that I accept the endorsement of grassroots Conservatives at our party convention. It was a vote for the hope of an affordable, safe and self-reliant country; and it is a win for the young couple skimping to start a family, the single mothers fighting to pay bills, the soldiers, police and border guards who beat danger to keep us safe and everyone else who overcomes hardship and setbacks and NEVER GIVES UP.
heard back. So, I am seeking an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss how Parliament can quickly reverse the food-price crisis, the crime crisis and the dependency crisis Liberals caused. I will bring practical solutions, an openness to hear other ideas and work together to fast-track results.
The time for judging the Prime Minister by his words is over. Time for results.
20, the third Friday as opposed to the fourth. A decision to make this change was made as games nights are being held in the Legion Hall on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.
We had a further discussion about hosting a games event at the Seniors Hall, to which we invite seniors from seniors groups in the surrounding area. We will reach out to these groups prior to our meeting in March to determine if there would be interest among other senior associations in the area to attend such an event.
Somewhat related to that, we had a short discussion about the media that is available in the hall. In 2023, the Seniors Association received grant money from the federal government that was designated for media. Two large TV screens,
which are hooked up to Optik TV, and a projector were purchased at that time. This is to remind individuals and/or groups of this availability. The Seniors Hall could be used to host a gathering around a sports event such as the Super Bowl (too late for this year), Stanley Cup, World Series, Grey Cup, etc. Please keep this in mind for 2026.
Regular activities continue to take place in the hall during the week (crafting on Tuesdays, floor curling on Wednesdays, pickleball on Thursdays). Newcomers continue to be welcome to join any of these activities in 2026. Phone Beth (403-664-2462) or Lynda (403-664-0908) for further information.
The next Pot Luck and Meeting will be on March 4.
The message from our convention is that Canadians want to turn hope into results.
Our people want to return to a time when a trip to the grocery store was carefree and even fun. When they could have a full stomach, full fridge and full bank account ALL AT THE SAME TIME. They want crime-free streets and a self-reliant economy and military.
We are a country in crisis.
I wrote the Prime Minister offering to fast-track policies for an affordable, safe, self-reliant Canada. I have not
In our meeting, I will remind him that nearly a year after he took office, food costs are now rising twice as fast and are rising the fastest in the G7. Fortunately, U.S. tariffs do not apply on food bought into Canada, so that is not the cause. All the other G7 countries are paying tariffs, and their food inflation is lower than Canada’s. It is becoming an emergency, as 2.2 million people line up at food banks, which are running out of supplies.
Liberals have a reintroduced a Trudeau-era rebate that most Canadians will not receive and that will, at most, give families $10-a-week to pay for $300 weekly grocery bills. It is not much—it
will add another $12 billion of inflationary debt—and it will not reduce grocery prices. Still, passing it quickly might allow some hungry people to survive until we can reverse the taxes and other costly Liberal policies causing the worst grocery inflation in the G7.
My message to Mr. Carney will be this: Sure, let’s pass the rebate this week, but let’s also eliminate all the hidden taxes and other costly government policies within the next sixty days, so Canadians can afford nutritious food by Canada Day. If he has better ideas, I am open to hearing them.
Next, crime is out of control. Liberal laws have released violent offenders into our streets, causing massive spikes in violence. The Prime Minister has introduced a weak, watered down bill that, while better than nothing, does not scrap Liberal bail. Fast-tracking it will allow us to start the conversation about repealing all the Liberal laws that caused the crime crisis in the first place. I will share my proposals to end bail, parole, probation or house arrest for anyone with three serious violent offenses. I ask the Prime Minister to work with me to fast-track this change.
The dependency crisis is also worsening, with more reliance on the U.S. and other countries than is safe or responsible. Canada has had the worst economic growth and investment in the G7 under the Liberals. And Bloomberg reports that our economy is now shrinking. The Prime Minister has not approved a single pipeline or eliminated a single anti-development law or bureaucracy since getting elected. He has added NEW agencies and laws. We helped the Prime Minister pass bill c-5 giving him the power to go around all rules, bureaucracies and to permit projects immediately. Seven months later, he has not used to approve a single project. He has not negotiated a single new trade
deal, despite a lot of high-profile meetings and speeches. And he has broken his promise to get free trade between our provinces.
We do not need more signing ceremonies and announcements, or speeches.
We need to fast-track results now. My message to the Prime Minister is, CONSERVATIVES RENEW OUR OFFER TO HELP FIGHT US TARIFFS AND GET A TARIFF-FREE DEAL WITH THIS OUR AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS. AND let’s fast-track a bill to implement free-trade deals with the UK and Indonesia that had been negotiated before he took office but are still not law.
But we can’t rely on others. So, let’s agree to fast-track passage of a Canadian Sovereignty Act so we can stand on our own feet. That would give Canada the fastest permits in the world, greenlight a pipeline to the Pacific and end capital gains tax on reinvestments in Canada. I am to add other ideas to the law that may come from other parties. And I encourage the Prime Minister to introduce the bill himself, so he can take the credit.
In fact, who cares who gets the credit. We don’t have time. We need to start getting results for people. NOW.
The good news is that if we start now, life can be dirt cheap in Canada because we have the most dirt in which to build homes, grow food and dig resources. It requires tax cuts, fast permits and lowcost energy.
By getting government out of the way, and unblocking these treasures in our ground, we will make Canada the world’s most affordable, safe and self-reliant country. And we can deliver a Canada overflowing with hope, opportunity and optimism. Because while some say this is as good as it gets. Canadians know the best is yet to come.
Pierre Poilievre
TOWN OF OYEN ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS FOREMAN
Permanent, Full-Time Position
The Town of Oyen is seeking a dynamic individual to assist with, and/or provide leadership for, the installation, maintenance, repair or upgrade of all Municipal infrastructures. These include roadways, signage, sidewalks, water distribution, and wastewater system.
Mechanical abilities, heavy equipment operator experience, and experience with water and wastewater systems would be an asset. Level 1 water / wastewater operator certification is considered a strong asset. The successful applicant must be reliable, a proven team player, and willing to undertake any necessary training.
A detailed Job Description is available upon request from the Town Office.
Remuneration will be in accordance with the Town of Oyen salary grid and town policies. The Town of Oyen offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes participation in the Local Authorities Pension Plan.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and a detailed resume outlining their experience and training to Debbie Ross, Chief Administrative Officer.
Please forward resumes to:
Debbie Ross, Chief Administrative Officer: cao@oyen.ca
Or in person at the town office - 201 Main Street, Oyen AB T0J 2J0 Phone: 403-664-3511
Applications will continue to be accepted until a successful candidate is found. The Town of Oyen wishes to thank all applicants but will only be contacting those selected for an interview.
Leading the country in full-time job growth
Alberta recorded strong job growth last month, adding 41,800 full-time positions despite ongoing global economic uncertainty, according to Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow.
Minister Schow said the latest figures highlight Alberta’s economic resilience at a time when other regions of Canada are experiencing slower growth.
“Once again, Alberta is leading the country in job creation,” said Schow. “This growth comes in the face of global economic uncertainty that continues to affect other parts of Canada.”
Over the past 12 months, Alberta’s employment increased by 3.4 per cent, well above the national average of 0.6 per cent. The minister said the gains reflect the government’s efforts to diversify the provincial economy and attract investment, helping employment levels keep pace with Alberta’s rapid population growth.
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Alberta also continues to post strong economic indicators, including the highest productivity rates in the country, higher average weekly earnings, and an unemployment rate below the national average.
“These indicators show Alberta remains a competitive place to live and work,” said Schow. “They also demonstrate the importance of creating an environment where businesses can grow and create jobs.”
Looking ahead, the minister said Alberta is well positioned for continued economic growth as businesses invest in the province, citing low taxes, a skilled workforce, and Alberta’s expanding presence in global markets.
The government says it will continue working with employers and industry partners to support job creation and expand market access for Alberta businesses within Canada and internationally.
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Janice Margaret Parker (Carr) was born on September 1, 1958 in Oyen, Alberta, the middle child of Ken and Laura Carr.
Janice Margaret Parker (Carr)
September 1, 1958 - January 14, 2026
Left to cherish her memory are her Husband James, children Jesse (Kari) Parker of Grafton and Samantha Parker-Dunlop of Brighton; grandchildren Levi and Cooper Dunlop; siblings Bob Carr of Medicine Hat, AB, Sheila (Barry) Clark of Strathmore, AB, Gordon (Evangeline) Carr of Oyen, AB, Larry (Donna) Carr of Qualicum Beach, BC, Jim (Lucy) Carr of Medicine Hat, AB, Arla (Robert) Fauth of Acadia Valley, AB, Karen (Ted) Beals of Chestermere, AB, Debora Humble of Fort McMurray, AB, and Audrey (Paul)
Riess of Strathmore, AB; Deb (Rob) Chatten of Cobourg, ON, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Janice spent her younger years in Alberta, and moved to Ontario after meeting James. They moved back to Ontario on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Janice grew up in Oyen, Alberta. She lived in Calgary, Alberta, Cobourg Ontario, Baltimore Ontario and spent the Last of her life in Colborne Ontario.
Janice was the kindest, most generous soul. Her smile could light up a room when she entered. Everyone loved to be around her. She loved her family and friends. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. she will be deeply missed by all.
Janice was predeceased by her parents Ken and Laura Carr; mother and father-in-law Stanley and Shirley Parker; Sister Judy Carr; sisters-in-law Linda Day and Michelle Carr; brothers-in-law Trevor Soroka; and nephew Kris Carr.
Judith Maureen Carr
March 24, 1949 - November 8, 2025
Judith Maureen Carr was born on March 24, 1949, in Oyen, Alberta, the oldest child of Ken and Laura Carr.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Tony Holler of Camrose and Charlotte (Randell) Martishuk of Edmonton; grandchildren Nicholson Holler and Campbell Schuller; siblings Bob Carr of Medicine Hat, AB, Sheila (Barry) Clark of Strathmore, AB, Gordon (Evangeline) Carr of Oyen, AB, Larry (Donna) Carr of Qualicum Beach, BC, Janice (Jim) Parker of Colborne, Ont., Jim (Lucy) Carr of Medicine Hat, AB, Arla (Robert) Fauth of Acadia Valley, AB, Karen (Ted) Beals of Chestermere, AB, Debora Humble of Fort McMurray, AB, and Audrey (Paul) Riess of Strathmore, AB; and numerous nephews and niec-
VIVA VITALITY:
Judy had spent her last years at the Bethany Meadows in Camrose, Alberta. The family would like to thank the staff for the love and care they provided her over the years, especially in her final days.
Judy grew up in Oyen, Alberta. She lived in Calgary, Germany, Wainwright, and Camrose for 40 years.
Judy had a good sense of humor and always said what she thought.
Judy was predeceased by her parents Ken and Laura Carr; sisters-in-law Linda Day and Michelle Carr; brothers-in-law Trevor Soroka; and nephew Kris Carr.
The family will gather for a Celebration of Life at the Oyen Cemetery in August of 2026 where she will be buried next to her Mom and Dad.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Judith’s memory may be made to the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta.
Canadian Movement Guidelines
BY ERIN LAWSON
Living well isn’t about one workout or one good night’s sleep. It’s about how we move, sit and rest over the course of an entire day. The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines offer simple, practical advice throughout our lifespan, helping people build healthier routines every day.
Move More – Your Way
Adults (aged 18-64) are encouraged to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities twice a week. This could look like:
• Walking or cycling along the Seven Persons Creek pathways
• Joining a fitness class or swimming at the Big Marble Go Centre
• Playing recreational sports, yard work or shoveling snow in the winter
• Doing stairs or walking during work breaks
Sit Less, Break It Up
Too much sitting can negatively affect our physical and mental health. Adults should aim to limit sedentary time to eight hours or less a day, including no more than three hours of recreational screen time. Even brief breaks make a difference. Simple strategies include:
• Standing during phone calls
• Walking to nearby shops or cafes
• Taking short movement breaks while working or watching TV
Prioritize Sleep
Sleep is just as important as movement. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night, with consistent bed and wake times. Good sleep helps improve mood, focus and energy for staying active the next day.
Why
it Matters
Following the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and other chronic conditions, while improving your overall quality of life.
For more information and to view recommendations for other age groups, visit the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology’s Movement Guidelines at csepguidelines.ca.
Erin Lawson is a health promotion facilitator with Primary Care Alberta.
Provincial tourism boost from Netlix
Alberta’s mountains, badlands and urban centres are appearing on screens around the world following the release of a new Netflix romantic comedy filmed in the province.
Can This Love Be Translated? , which premiered globally Jan. 16, features scenes shot in Calgary, Drumheller’s Badlands and the Rocky Mountains. Midway through the series, the Alberta locations serve as backdrops for key moments in the story, exposing millions of international viewers to the province’s scenery.
The Alberta government says the production is part of a broader effort to position the province as a competitive filming destination and to leverage screen exposure to drive tourism.
“Productions like Can This Love Be Translated? showcase Alberta’s iconic locations to millions of viewers worldwide,” Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko said in
BUFFALO
a statement. He said investments in film and television support tourism spending, local businesses and job creation across the province.
Through Travel Alberta, the province has invested in marketing Alberta as a filming location and in attracting international productions. Officials say those efforts have helped place Alberta landscapes before audiences in markets including South Korea, Japan, Mexico and France.
Travel Alberta chief marketing officer Tannis Gaffney said the Netflix series highlights the province’s range of scenery and aligns with efforts to convert international interest into visits.
“South Korea is a strong and growing market for us, and we’re working to transform on-screen connection into real visits to these remarkable destinations,” she said.
The production follows a recent Alberta trade and tourism mission
to South Korea in September, during which Boitchenko and Travel Alberta representatives met with partners in Seoul and held discussions with media organizations, including Netflix Korea. The government says the trip focused on strengthening relationships and translating international exposure into long-term visitation and investment.
Arts, Culture and Status of Women
Minister Tanya Fir said screen productions continue to contribute to Alberta’s economy while promoting the province’s culture and landscapes abroad.
“ Can This Love Be Translated? is another example of how investments in our screen industry are creating jobs and reinforcing Alberta’s reputation as a premier destination for film and television production,” she said.
Series director Yoo Young-eun said Alberta’s scenery was selected to re -
EMPRESS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
• Valentine’s Day Extravaganza. Doors open at 5:00 PM with full ham supper served at 5:30. Live music for dancing and digging in the sand for prizes.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
• Buffalo Ladies Club Pancake Supper, Bingo and Bake Sale beginning at 6:00 PM.
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.
flect the emotional tone of the story.
“Canada’s romantic scenery — from sunsets to northern lights to lakes shimmering with sunlight — helped express the characters’ emotions,” Yoo said, describing the locations as visual “postcards” for the lead characters.
The province says more than 60 per cent of Alberta-made film and television projects are shot in small cities, towns and rural areas, bringing economic benefits to local communities through spending on accommodation, services and tourism.
According to government figures, Alberta’s film and television sector contributed $1.25 billion to the provincial economy in 2023 and supported more than 9,000 jobs. The province estimates that every dollar of government support for film and television production generates four dollars in economic investment.
- 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 Thursdays 7 PM. No entry fee. Great opportunity to see old friends, make some new ones and learn a new card game. Empress Community Hall (314 Centre St.)
- Game Night Saturdays at 7:00 PM at the Community Hall. Come join us for a night of fun and excitement. Play games and hang out with friends and family.
OYEN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 & 24
• 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 403664-8688.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
• Painting Trivets without brushes 6:30 PM at the Town of Oyen Library (located in SCHS). Cost $5.00 / person. Limited space.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
• Fun Night for members and their guests at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. 7:00 PM - Midnght. Games and socializing. BYOB and snacks. Call Beth 403-664-2462 or Lynda 403-664-0908 for further information.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
• Soup and Sandwich event at the Oyen United Church from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
• Regular Pot Luck and Meeting for Oyen and District Seniors (50+) at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation 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.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Thursday of every month 6:30 PM in Council Chambers.
- Oyen United Church Coffee Time every Tuesday at 10:00 AM. All are welcome! - Oyen FCSS Community Centre Playgroup every Monday 9:30 - 11 AM at the Centre. Activities include: Storytime, Arts and Crafts, Free Play. Contact us! 403664-2255
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