Empress celebrates its 110th anniversary
BY JOAN JANZEN
On July 20th and 21st, the village of Empress celebrated its 110th anniversary. Breakfast was available at the Empress Community Hall, and lunch followed at noon. Vendors filled the hall for the Garden Market, where visitors browsed, made their purchases, and enjoyed visiting with friends.
A parade began at the hospital, with cars, tractors, bikes, horses and people making their way through the village. The train station was open for tours, and fire engines were displayed on the boardwalk. Twenty-five years ago, the railway salvage company dismantled the tracks at Empress, which had been in place for 86 years. The building was in a state of advanced disrepair, when the community of Empress took on the massive restoration job.
Just one year earlier, in 1998, the former Toronto-Dominion bank building had been purchased by Peter and Bernice Zieman. They were artists who worked in rare metals, designing and making jewellery.
An anniversary celebration cake and coffee were served at the Friendship Centre, where slide shows depicted the history of Empress, the school, the CPR Station and local artists. Dean Francis’ Sagebrush Stu-
dio was open both days, and guests could get out of the sun and be refreshed by beautiful art. Meanwhile, youngsters cooled off at the local splash park.
A heritage marker plaque was unveiled at the hospital grounds in mid-afternoon, and visitors were invited to tour St. Mary’s Anglican Church. The church, built in 1914, was designated a Municipal Historic Site in 2009. Everyone was invited to a Sunday morning celebration service at St. Mary’s.
A July 1964 edition of the local paper featured an advertisement listing the events scheduled during the elaborate Golden Jubilee celebration. The two-day event included a ball tournament, a midway, a parade with 30 floats, a movie, speeches by local MPs, a stampede, a community dance and a beard-growing contest. Competitions included horseshoe contests and children’s races, along with old men’s races and old women’s races. There was also a wrestling competition with wrestlers from North Carolina, Utah, Germany, California, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver, as well as one local wrestler, Dave Ruhl, from Hanna, Alberta.
The 100th celebration may have been a smaller-scale affair; nevertheless, it was enjoyed by everyone who came out for the festivities.
and memorabilia were on display at the Friendship Centre while anniversary cake was being served. More photos can be found on our website at www.oyenecho.com
A big horse for mom and a pony for junior. PHOTOS BY JOAN JANZEN
Quilts
...Hanna District 4H Club report
won by Keaton Duque (ESC)
• Champion Jr. Judging: Homestead Angus, won by Kaydence Baird (Hanna)
• Champion Int. Judging: Scott & Crista Viste, won by Kipton Conners (Dryland)
• Champion Sr. Judging: Shiloh Cattle Company, won by Callie Mashon (Hanna)
• Champion Senior Steer Grooming: Madge Farms, won by Elizabeth Brady (Dryland)
• Reserve Senior Steer Grooming: Hanna Medical Footcare, won by Rhett Rude (ESC)
• Champion Intermediate Steer Grooming: Mine Coulee Ranch, won by Kate Brady (Dryland)
• Reserve Intermediate Steer Grooming: Fountain Tire Oyen, won by Brandt Lyster (ESC)
• Champion Junior Steer Grooming: Brandon Cuddie, won by Ridge Foot, (ESC)
• Reserve Junior Steer Grooming: CarStar Hanna, won by Ernie Stahl (Hanna)
• Champion Senior Steer Showmanship: Shiloh Cattle Company, won by Elizabeth Brady (Dryland)
• Reserve Senior Steer Showmanship: Coffee Break Hanna, won by Rhett Rude (ESC)
• Champion Int. Steer Showmanship: Aaron & Nadine Rude, won by Kinzy Quaschnick (Hanna)
• Reserve Int. Steer Showmanship: Ray’s Construction, won by Kennedi MacMillan (Dryland)
• Champion Junior Steer Showman-
BUFFALO NEWS
Family Farm Award presented to the Krause/Waldner families
BY LORRAINE MONKMAN
lo families from all your neighbours.
Reserve Champion Market Lamb: Wagstaff Land & Cattle, won by Rexstin Griffith (Hanna)
This week, I am especially proud to report that the Krause/ Waldner families were presented with the Farm Family Award on Monday at the Calgary Stampede. Stan and Robin Krause of Medicine Hat and their daughter Beth Peet of Scotland, along with Willie and Kendra Waldner and daughters Brooklyn and Nicole of Jenner, are the 2024 winners of this special award—warm congratulations to these two Buffa -
Lorraine Monkman
A memorial service honouring Betty Rinker’s life will be held in Buffalo Hall on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 2 p.m. My old neighbour Betty passed away on May 2, 2024, in Calgary at the age of 97. She is survived by her daughter Debbie (Jerry) Schimpf, her granddaughter Kristal Riddick, and great-granddaughters Hannah, Nyah, and Ellie Riddick, all of Calgary. Our sincere sympathy is extended to all the family.
Mobile mammography service to visit Oyen this month
Alberta Health Services’ Screen Test program will be in Oyen this month to provide screening mammograms to eligible individuals aged 45 to 74.
ship: Diamond T Herefords, won by Rexstin Griffith (Hanna)
• Reserve Junior Steer Showmanship: Core Ag Inputs Hanna, won by Jensyn Duque (ESC)
District Lamb Competition took the ring with three ewe lambs, one yearling ewe competing from supreme female ewe. There were two market lambs and one cleaver lamb shown, all from the Hanna Rangeland Multi Club. Debbie Frose was the confirmation judge, and Chelsea Frose showmanship/grooming for the sheep.
Awards were presented as follows:
• Grand Champion Market Lamb: Shand Trucking, won by Ocean Scheerschmidt (Hanna)
• Reserve Champion Market Lamb: Wagstaff Land & Cattle, won by Rexstin Griffith (Hanna)
• Champion Market Lamb Rate of Gain: Blue Acres, won by Rexstin Griffith & Ocean Scheerschmidt (Hanna)
• Champion Market Lamb Jr. Showmanship/Grooming: BNT Mechanical, won by Rexstin Griffith (Hanna)
• Champion Market Lamb Int. Showmanship/Grooming: BNT Mechanical, won by Leevi Quaschnick (Hanna)
• Reserve Market Lamb Int. Showmanship/Grooming: TQ Leather, won by Ocean Scheerschmidt (Hanna)
• Grand Champion Ewe: Bills Building, won by Leevi Quaschnick (Hanna)
• Reserve Champion Ewe: K. Griffith Ranching, won by Rexstin Griffith (Hanna)
A mobile mammography trailer will be at the Big Country Hospital (312 3 St. E.) from July 22-25.
Screening is available at no cost for eligible individuals but appointments are required. Call 1-800-667-0604 to book an appointment or learn more about the program.
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Screening mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early when treatment may work better. Getting screened for breast cancer saves lives.
More information about breast cancer screening and who is eligible can be found by visiting https://screeningforlife.ca/breast/ get-screened/#who_should_get_ screened.
Visit https://screeningforlife.ca/ breast/screen-test-mobile-clinics/ for more information and a complete listing of communities that the Screen Test mobile visits.
Screen Test is improving access to cancer screening for thousands of individuals in Alberta communities where mammograms are not readily available.
In addition to mobile mammography clinics, screening can also be performed at specific radiology clinics and some hospitals. Individuals aged 45 to 74 can discuss their breast cancer risk with their healthcare providers to determine whether screening is appropriate for them and book with a radiology clinic or with Screen Test mobile mammography. For more information, visit screeningforlife.ca/where-to-get-screened.ca.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
The Fertile Valley Baseball League (FVBL) Championship is now set as the Oyen Eagles will face the Kindersley Stallions in a best-of-three series. The first game of the final was scheduled for Monday, July 22 in Kindersley, followed by game two in Oyen on Tuesday, July 23. A potential third game would be back in Kindersley on Wednesday. PHOTOS BY KATE
Grand Champion Swine: CJS Farms won by Leevi Quaschnick (Hanna)
6 Canada Day IN OYEN A
PHOTOS
Oyen Community Handibus is looking for drivers
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello everyone. I hope everyone enjoyed the Canada Day long weekend. July is here and is the warmest month on average. It is also called hay month for the farmers.
On July 1st, some of the residents enjoyed the Canada Day BBQ. The rest of the week was spent on regular bus runs downtown, crib games, baking afternoons, card games, dominos, shuffleboards, and Bingo.
July 15-18 week was our regular exercises, One on One’s, bus runs downtown, crossword games, coffeetime in the courtyard, whist, shuffleboard, outdoor cornhole games, horseraces, card bingo and music by the Jorgenson’s.
On July 3rd, the Summer Camp Daycare kids came for a visit, played some games with the residents and enjoyed freezes in the courtyard.
July 5th was the weekly farmers market, and some of the residents enjoyed the spaghetti dinner prepared by Lori Toth. The proceeds will be donated to the Oyen Lodge for entertainment. A huge thank you to Lori and her family for such a wonderful donation. Also, thanks to Sandy Lockhart, one of our volunteers, and to all who helped with the lunch. Happy Birthday to Donna Maclean on July 7th. Happy Birthday to Sara Heath on July 8th.
July 8-12 week was our regular Bingo’s, One on One’s, exercises, Sequence games, baking afternoons, Horse Race games and music by the Jorgenson’s.
July 10th Personal Touch Clothing, Avon, and Beltone were at the Lodge. There was also a mini bake sale.
On July 11th, Physiotherapy Ladies did a Prewalking Program with the Residents. ATB Financial was also in the Lodge in the morning. In the afternoon, the residents enjoyed a lovely lunch at Pats Diner in Acadia Valley, followed by a little tour of the Municipal Reservoir.
On July 17th, Alberta Clothing was here from 10-2, along with the Lodge mini bake sale. Happy Birthday to Amy Brown and Janice Kulche on July 14th and Gloria Dahl on July 15th. On July 15th, the Residents enjoyed a fabulous Garden Party in Christie Hittel’s backyard. Christie and her helpers did an excellent job of serving cool refreshments and very tasty treats. Christie and Trevor have a beautiful backyard, which was very inviting and enjoyed by all. July 18th was our monthly birthday bash.
The Oyen Community Handibus is looking for volunteers to drive it. If interested or for more information, contact Manferd at 403-664-0957. Have a great week, everyone, and stay cool and hydrated—it’s hot out there.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
New Entry Requirements for
Dogs Traveling to the United States
As of August 1st, 2024 there will be several changes to the requirements for dogs entering the US. All dogs entering the US must be at least 6 months of age, and have a ISO compatible microchip prior to required rabies vaccination. They must appear healthy upon arrival and be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form (available on the CDC website). This needs to be filled out online by the owner 2-10 days prior to border crossing. These new requirements are undergoing constant revision so please check the requirements on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website inspection.canada.ca
Career OppOrtunity
FTG Enterprises Inc. is looking for a Shop Hand/Apprentice, Heavy Equipment Technician
We are looking for an individual to join our team who is hard working, self-motivated, and willing to learn. - Previous experience with heavy trucks is an asset, but not a requirement.
Email your resume to: ftgent@netago.ca or drop off at 141 Council St., Monitor, AB For more information call Ron at 403-577-3214
Applications are now being accepted for an Elementary Generalist Teaching Position at Assumption School, a Kindergarten to Grade 6 school located in the town of Oyen, Alberta
This position begins mid-August, 2024.
Apply to costafichuk@redeemer.ab.ca before July 29, 2024 or contact humanresources@redeemer.ab.ca for more information.
The School Division expresses appreciation to all those who apply. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Christ the redeemer Catholic Schools is a large and fast-growing organization providing high quality education in a faith-based Christ-centered environment.
Applications are now being accepted for: Relief Educational Assistants at Assumption School located in Oyen, Alberta
The successful candidates will be enthusiastic, caring, and committed to students with an openness to learning. Flexibility, patience, responsiveness, cooperation, and strong communication skills will lead to success in this role. Experience supporting students with complex learning profiles is an asset.
To apply go to www.redeemer.ab.ca, employment, career opportunities, support staff, active postings; you will be required to create an online account. This post will remain active as required.
If you have questions about this job, please contact Clarence Pereira, Human Resources Coordinator at: Email: cpereira@redeemer.ab.ca Phone: 403-938-8562. The School Division expresses appreciation to all those who apply. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Dianne Spath