MONDAY, MARCH 22,
Oyen Weekly Briefs
BY DIANA WALKER fwalker1@telus.net
Canada geese were seen flying overhead heralding spring’s arrival. The weather must not have suited them as they seem to have continued their journey.
Gophers are scurrying along the edge of the road in search of the first green blades of grass. Some, searching for greener grass on the other side, never reach their destination.
Kim Mendenhall, Family School Liaison Worker, Prairie Rose School Division No. 8, began her second round of student equine therapy at the Crossroads Centre March 10. She, her students and the horses have booked the Centre every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., till the end of May with the exception of March 31 which falls during the Easter break.
In-person meetings, following COVID protocols, are starting up again. Big Country Regional Recycling Society will hold their Oyen meeting at the United Church March 21. Oyen & District Curling Club is holding their AGM at the curling rink April 6.
Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes Brittany Warner, ATB Financial branch manager, who is splitting her time between Oyen and Consort branches.
Big Country Agricultural Society members Jessie Battrum and Cheryl Ball delivered Meals on Wheels the first two weeks of March. Assumption R.C. School is delivering for the remainder of the month.
I have really missed reading the Oyen Lodge news in The Echo the past couple of weeks so am pleased to learn that Sara Smith is filling in for Activity Director and will continue to keep Echo readers informed as to Lodge happenings.
Scammers are infiltrating our area again. This time locals are receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be representing Telus. They are offering lower rates, more services and several bonuses including sending gifts upon providing your credit card to cover minimal shipping charges. SCAM.
One day this week while the dogs and I were taking our walk a pilot appeared to be working on his/her aviation skills.
During the one-hour walk the same plane took off and landed at the Oyen airport more than eight times.
Pipelines for Ponies
Great cover photo on the winter 2021 CAEPLA’s Pipeline Observer— ‘Pipelines vs Ponies, CAEPLA helps a rancher save his wild horses.’
An interesting and informative read on page 22 and 23 about Oyen’s Arnold McKee and his struggle to rescue some horses from the Suffield military base beginning in 1994.
The article quotes the 76-year-old rancher as saying, “They are extremely special. Their quality is so unbelievable. These horses are so intelligent and so strong. They are a mixture of all breeds.” And, he says the “only surviving genetics of those horses are in his yard today.”
McKee says when the pipeline activity split his property right down the middle the disruption led to stress and left dry mares incapable of breeding. He lost dozens of horses to dust pneumonia, others wore their teeth down eating dust covered grass, one hit a fence put up by the pipeline and broke its neck, colts caught in the fence lost their lives.
After getting nowhere when he took his concerns to the pipeline officials Arnold reached out to Dave Core, CAEPLA’s director of special projects explaining what had happened to the horses during TC Energy’s construction of Keystone in 2010 and how he didn’t want a repeat.
After two intense meeting with TC lands people and Arnold some solutions were worked out but Arnold says it is not over as it is impossible to replace genetics that can’t be replaced.
Condolences
Condolences to the Bunney family on the death of Hilda Bunney in the Brooks Health Care Centre at the age of 91 February 26, 2021. She was born in Patricia April 22, 1929, married Austin Bunney in 1947, and raised three children Bryan, Cheryl (Hyland) and Calvin on the ranch near Duchess. She was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion and Cowboy Hall of Fame and active volunteer
at the Silver Sage Arena. She was predeceased by Calvin and Austin.
Sympathy to the Garbutt, Jorgenson and Carr families on the death of Garry Garbutt of Calgary on March 9, 2021, at the age of 71 years. Born in Oyen, Garry was the youngest of four children born to Archie and Opal Garbutt. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three granddaughters and brother Neil (Anne) of Red Deer. Garry’s mother Opal (McMurray) was Laura Carr’s sister and Garry’s father Archie was Vera Jorgenson’s brother.
Sympathy to Gwen Bergen, her mother Mary Wenzel and Ray Donald and fam-
ilies on the death of former Oyenite Ron Bergen, 57, of Drayton Valley on March 14, 2021, at the University of Alberta Hospital following a fearless battle against cancer. Ron had a remarkable skill as a welder, not to be outdone by his expertise as a journeyman chef. A private funeral service will be held in Oyen March 22. I need help
NOTE: I have had positive feedback from readers about Oyen Briefs but I need your help!
If you have club or personal news you would allow me to include in this column please email fwalker1@telus.net.
I thought that I would share one of my favourite photos from a few years ago that was taken about this time of year at the Gull Lake, Saskatchewan Golf Course. | PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Ireada joke that read like this ... “I petitioned to rename a Canadian province. Their government would have Nunavut.”
You may have noticed a significant increase in the amount of petitions
OPINION
CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen
Petitions make a difference
made available on social media throughout the past few years. I know I have personally signed more petitions than ever before. However, when people sign a lot of petitions, they may begin to question whether their signature makes a difference in the long run. Well,
according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) those petitions you sign do make a difference.
Last year, a CTF petition to cut off taxpayer support for the famous royal couple, Harry and Meghan, was successful. In Quebec, one of CTF’s petitions led the govern-
FOOD
FOR THOUGHT
By
Robert Blagen Youngstown, AB • 403-779-3859
WHAT’S A CRIMINAL WORTH: I hear a criminal’s life has been judged to be worth “Twenty Seven Million Dollars.” I wonder what they would consider a good upstanding honest citizen to be worth? I guess we’ll never know because good honest people do not seem to get arrested, or they probably wouldn’t resist and try to fight with the policeman anyway! There have been enough criminals hurt and killed that you would think that they would get the message that it is not a good idea to resist arrest but they don’t seem to be smart enough to figure that out.
Hello Kate,
I’ve never met you, but have been a long time subscriber to e Oyen Echo. Really pleased that you have taken over and continue to publish.
It’s a nice change to have a new format. Your articles are very good. I have really enjoyed the old-time pictures. e one of the Esther elevator is the icing on the cake. I spent 51 years of my life in that area. Many years during that time, my husband Bill and I ran a general store, post o ce and UFA bulk gas station. It brings back many memories. Have been in Oyen now for 26. Once this Covid thing is over and people get out and about, you will get more news from your correspondents. ese days nobody has any. Congratulations, keep up the good work.
ment to refund taxpayers $1.5 billion in hydro overpayments.
Recently over 200,000 Canadians signed the CTF’s petition calling on our Prime Minister to scrap the lifetime expense account for retired governors general. The CTF delivered this, their largest ever petition, to the Prime Minister’s Office in person. There were so many boxes of paper, the trolley they used for delivery broke. There were eight boxes delivered to the Prime Minister’s door. All that paper helped make the message clear - Canadians agree that retired governors general should not be getting $206,000 annual expense accounts for life. Petitions are an efficient way for Canadians to keep pushing the government to act.
Not only petitions, but postcards have recently been used as a means of communicating to the government. When Prime Minister Trudeau recently sent out postcards, the CTF notified Canadians to use their postcard to send him their views about multiple issues. The government showed they cared
by sending blank postcards to Canadians from sea to sea, with the postage paid.
As a result, thousands of CTF supporters sent the postcards to the prime minister’s office with their concerns. Some of those concerns included increasing carbon taxes, the trillion-dollar debt that is mortgaging our children’s futures, and pleas to save our oil and natural gas industry and Line 5 transporting Canadian oil east to final destinations in Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.
There seems to be petitions available for everything ... from the pipelines, to cutting off taxpayer support of roy-
als, refunding taxpayers, or scrapping retired governors general expense accounts. Whether it’s by means of petitions or postcards, Canadians simply want their voices to be heard and acknowledged.
You can contact me at joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor! Share your opinion to the west central community and get your voice heard. Write to:
Your Southwest Media Group Box 727 Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0 or email: kate@yoursouthwest.com
2% LIQUID STRYCHNINE
For the 2021 season, producers can purchase 2% liquid strychnine concentrate from their oca istrict Office his roduct is on y a ai a e to a ricu tura roducers ocated within the S ecia reas Producers are limited to up to 2 cases at the discretion of the Angriculture Fieldman. his roduct is on y a ai a e unti u ust 1 2 21 for the 2 21 season
Producers are encouraged to complete strychnine request forms in ad ance a ai a e on ine at https://forms.specialareas.ab.ca/ forms.strychnine
o confirm a ai a i ity of 2 i uid strychnine concentrate ease contact oca istrict Offices at
Sincerely, Ellen
Foot
R. Barry Miskuski, John F. Stodalka, Jeffrey J. Neumann, Ronald B. Baba, Marilyn A. Hermann, Bryce R. Farrell, Darren E. Folkersen
1938 ~ Changes in the past 80 years ~ 2018
The following was brought to me by a subscriber. I promised that I would not publish his name, but I thought our readers might enjoy the read. I would imagine that young boys growing up in east central Alberta feel the same way.
Iwill not use people’s names or names of schools or towns, as this could be one of many farm boys growing up in Saskatchewan.
Started school at age seven (no kindergarten then) to a one-room country school, class of four to ten students with one teacher, grades one to eight. Some of these schools had a teacherage (small house in the same yard for the teacher to stay in). Schoolyards were approximately two acres. If no teacherage, the teacher boarded with one of the pupil’s parents. After receiving their grade eight at fifteen, some worked on the farm at home or worked for neighbours. They got their driver’s license at sixteen for two dollars after taking a road test with the traffic officer.
These schoolhouses were about eight miles apart, so no one had that far to travel to school. Students rode a pony in winter and a bicycle in summer. There were no school buses in those days. These schools were heated with a coal furnace in the basement, with one of the older boys responsible for lighting the furnace each day. In June, the schools would have a field day where they would meet with kids from other schools, competing to win the crest for their school.
As the boys reached seventeen or more, they would buy a truck. In 1955 you could buy a brand new half tom for $1800 (the price of a nice bicycle today). In 1949 you could buy a new Pontiac car for $2400. In 1967 the same car only cost $3050 with automatic transmission and radio. By 1974 a nice Chev Impala cost $4800. In 1982 a Buick LeSabre cost $12,000. In 1990 and Olds Ninety-Eight cost $38,000 with prices going up every year. Today, cars and trucks are in the $46,000 price range depending on the options, up to $70,000. That covers the auto price changes in those years.
Now for the price of machinery. In 1939 you could buy a new Oliver 80 tractor for $900 plus an eight-foot combine for about the same price. The hopper on the combine held 35 bushels of wheat. Combine hoppers today hold about 400 bushels. The grain was hauled eight miles to the elevator with a 1939 half-ton truck ($900 new), full load being 50 bushels. Today grain is hauled anywhere from 10 miles to a hundred miles in a 30 wheel truck, 1800 bushels per load.
As for seeding, back then, it was an eight-foot seeder, increasing over the years to eighty-five feet today. Back then, people only seeded half their land each year, leaving half in summer fallow. The crops seeded back then were mostly wheat and barley, some flax, also oats for the livestock. Seeders started at $500, increasing to $200,000 today with seed tank holding 600 bushels.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Municipal District of Acadia No. 34
SUMMER TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT
e Municipal District of Acadia #34 is looking for 2 summer Agricultural/Public Works Assistants
• 35 hrs/week beginning May 3rd and ending August27th
• $15 - $20 per hour depending on experience
• Valid Driver’s License is required
• Ability to work outdoors, perform physical labour and operate equipment is considered and asset
• Application deadline is ursday April 1, 2021
If you are interested in 1 of these positions, please submit a resume to:
Municipal District of Acadia #34
c/o Deena Dillabough
P.O. Box 30, Acadia Valley, Alberta T0J 0A0
Email: md34@mdacadia.ab.ca
Crop sprayers started at 32 feet, pulled behind an open tractor for $500. Today they are up to 130 feet, self-propelled priced at $300,000 plus.
Grain storage wooden bins held approximately 1000 bushels. Today some large steel bins hold 29,000 bushels plus. Many farmers are using grain bags filled with a special machine and a different machine to empty them—each bag holding 3000 bushels or more.
Stepping back to the home. Most people used to live in houses that were about 24x26 feet total; some had an upstairs. There was no phone or power back then. Telephones came in some rural areas in about 1950. Power came in some rural areas in 1955. Water and sewer in towns came in the late 1950s.
Growing up in rural Saskatchewan, most small towns had a movie theatre (Friday night and Saturday night shows). You could go to a show for 15 cents. School-kid prices were – 7 cents for pop and 3 cents left for candy.
These small towns had churches, at least three grocery stores, hardware, lumber yard, hotel, restaurant; some had their own laundry stores, some with hospitals and doctors, and a dentist. These towns had larger schools with grades one to twelve. The hospitals usually had a drug store to go with them. Some of the small towns had two or three auto dealers plus two or three machine dealers. With all this service, people didn’t have to travel to a larger town as they do today. Most
small towns had their own bank. Some towns had two or three grain elevators, different elevator companies, Pool, UGG, Searle, Federal.
The local farmers brought cream and eggs to town to be shipped away, giving them money to buy their groceries. The farms ranged from one-quarter section to one section (4 quarters), one section being a large farm in those days.
Through the years, farms kept getting bigger, with some farming 10,000 plus acres owned and rented. In those days when farmers built a house or barn, they all banded together and built it.
Those are some of the changes we have seen over the years, not all good, as farms are now few and far apart. This has also closed a lot of small towns.
I guess time goes on, like it or not.
I’m just one of the many who have seen these changes.
SPECIAL AREA NO. 3
NOTICE OF DECISION
This is to notify you with respect to a decision of the Development Officer, whereby a development permit has been issued authorizing the following:
2021 SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY
Big Country Agricultural Society is now accepting applications for GENERAL ASSISTANT
TERM: May 17-August 6, 2021; min. 30 hour work week
DUTIES:
• Marketing the Big Country Agricultural Society
• Day to day maintenance of the Crossroads Centre including landscaping and janitorial duties
• Scheduling activities for the Big Country Agricultural Society and the Crossroads Centre
• Development of a marketing brochure
• Working co-operatively with joint community projects
• Working at BCAS events (must be willing to work some evenings and weekends)
• Data organization
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Skills in public relations
• Good communication skills a must (letter writing, phone calls, computer)
• Valid Driver’s License with access to a vehicle an asset
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere or alone WHY WORK FOR US?
The Special Areas Land Use Order provides that any person claiming to be affected by a decision of the Municipal Planning Commission may appeal to the Development Appeal Board by serving written notice of appeal to the Secretary within 21 days.
Further information regarding the above application, may be obtained from the Special Area No. 3 District Office in Oyen.
Dick Development Officer
Area No. 3, Oyen
- Expand your knowledge of marketing and human resources
- Enhance communication and public relations skill
CLOSING DATE: March 31, 2021
Submit resumes to :
BCAS Employment Committee, Box 446, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0 Email: thebcasoffice@gmail.com For more information, please call (403) 664-6600 Wethankallapplicants;howeveronlythoseinvitedforaninterview willbepersonallycontacted
COUNTRY CHURCH: St. Anthony’s Church (Grosswerder) in west central Sask. | PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST
The St. John’s School is a one-room schoolhouse built in 1924. It is located approximately 12 kms south of the Town of Leader. | PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST
Sports with Bruce Penton
Leafs giving hope to long-suffering fans
Municipal planners in Toronto are getting an early start on arranging the Stanley Cup parade route, which will be held shortly after the Maple Leafs win their first National Hockey League title since 1967.
“We don’t want to get caught off guard,” said one of the organizers. “We want to give our long-suffering fans plenty of advance notice about where they will be able to view their hockey heroes go by.
“We also expect Prime Minister Trudeau will want to have the Leaf team visit Parliament, and we expect he may want to give out a few Order of Canadas, too, depending on who scores the winning goal, etc.”
One day, the Leafs appear to be for real. The next, they look like the same ol’ Leafs that have endured a Stanley Cup drought since 1967.
Runaway leaders in the Scotia North Division, the Leafs got off to one of the best Western road trip starts imaginable in late February and early March. They skated into Edmonton, playing the high-powered Oilers three times in four nights, and not
only won all three, but they won them with a combined score of 13-1. Oh, by the way, coach Sheldon Keefe was without his best player, Auston Mathews, for the first two of those games, and used three different goaltenders — Jack Campbell in the opener; Michael Hutchinson in the middle game; and No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen in the finale.
But when one sees Dr. Jekkyl, you know Mr. Hyde is not far behind.
Four losses in five games followed, two in Vancouver and two of three games at home vs. Winnipeg. Parade plans, however, continued unabated. If nothing else, Toronto fans are true beLeafers.
Toronto is getting scoring from all four of its lines, but is led by Mitch Marner and Matthews, both rolling along at better than a point per game. John Tavares and William Nylander are also among the league leaders. Playing surprisingly effective roles are veterans Jason Spezza and Joe Thornton.
At one point, Toronto’s winning percentage was closing in on the .800 mark, considered either a) remarkable;
or b) indicative of a weak division. Winnipeg, Edmonton and Montreal are also generally regarded as Stanley Cup contenders, so for the Leafs to dominate as they did through the first half bodes well for the rest of the season and the playoffs.
The millions of Leafs’ fans across the country are starting to get giddy, thinking about the championship possibilities and for the first time in a long while, their enthusiasm has genuine merit. As for that parade, organizers say it’ll start on Yonge Street and work its way ….
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel, after Nets guard James Harden — who forced a trade out of Houston
— said he hoped Rocket fans would show him ‘some love’ upon his recent return: “Yes, James, and I hope to have a pouffy head of hair like Bruno Mars, a sculpted physique like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and the entrepreneurial skills of Jeff Bezos, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “In honour of the (competitive curling season), the top five curling rock acts: 5. Kiss; 4. Crowded House; 3. Ice-T; 2. The Jam; 1. The Rolling Stones.”
• Patti Dawn Swansson, aka the River City Renegade, on animal rights activists’ opposition to declaring rodeo to be Alberta’s national sport: “They figure if you’re going to pay homage to a bunch of big, dumb animals that work for no more than eight seconds a day, why not the Calgary Flames?”
• Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post, on Twitter, after it was announced the XFL, fronted by Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, and the CFL were planning preliminary talks about a potential working arrangement: “Today’s news demonstrates that the CFL is caught between a Rock
and a hard place.”
• Lou Brown, on Twitter, trying to analyze on-course woes of Rory McIlroy: “Rory needs to ditch his Peloton, his self-help reading list and his Trackman and get back to his roots. Because right now, he looks like Hendrix trying to read sheet music.”
• Headline at the theonion. com: “Duke Basketball Attempts To Lure Bronny James By Offering To Help Family With Rent, Utilities”
• Headline at fark.com: “Texas Rangers to open Globe Death Field at full capacity of 40,000 for season opener.”
• Gary Bachman, via Facebook, on Russian bodybuilder Kirill ‘Popeye’ Tereshin facing a bunch of surgical repairs after injecting his arms with petroleum jelly to make his muscles bulge: “Wouldn’t it have been much safer just to eat lots of spinach?”
• Patti Dawn Swansson again, on the remarkably intact, first-century chariot unearthed in Italy: “Although they don’t know what to make of the Tom Brady rookie card stuck in the spokes.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
A Little Bit Western Tune Up
By Tara Mulhern Davidson
March brings warmer weather, a little mud (if you’re lucky), an awakening of gophers (if you’re less lucky), and the piano tuner.
If you were playing a game of “one of these things is not like the other” and had to select a single item from our camp that fit that criteria, most would look to my beautiful grand piano. There is nothing about our home - not the lingering smell of manure, nor the multiple loads of laundry looking to be folded, nor the kids armed and ready with their BB guns - that says “I bet a classical pianist lives here.” Yet, here I am!
Growing up, my parents had a nice Baldwin piano where I plinked away over years of lessons, music festivals, piano exams, and even the disciplined drudgery of theory. Perhaps this inspired my dad who, rather than have the local music festival return the Yamaha back to its city habitat after that year’s event, he diverted it to our farm. He had budgeted for a new hay bine for the upcoming season, but instead invested in this musical machine with the instruction that if (when) the old New Holland limped back to the shop for repair, I was to play the piano loud. Dad did upgrade the hay bine a year or two later and I got fairly experienced at operating that unit too.
Like any musical or mechanical implement, the piano needs a little maintenance every so often. I’m sure that piano tuners encounter all kinds of situations when they travel to different homes, and that is a great comfort when I consider some of their experiences here. One time I was expecting the knock at the door to be said tuner, but instead it
was a surprising (and welcome) visit from friends. A long afternoon of swapping stories and daytime beverage consumption ensued. Our rowdy cowboy company joked that they could probably tune my piano and I assured them (insisted, really) that we should leave it to a qualified professional. When the expert did arrive to this redneck scene, he was greeted warmly and loudly by everyone on site.
During that session, he recovered numerous odd articles from within the piano, some of which I could blame on the kids. When he extracted a long-lost food item, I had to admit that probably fell under the realm of sketchy housekeeping. Finally, as the he was finishing up this particular appointment, my toddler daughter – who never coloured on the walls before or since – thought this was a great opportunity to make her mark. If this guy was writing a book, he could file this visit under the hillbilly chapter.
To be clear, this tuning service is incredibly professional and most diplomatic, something I appreciate greatly. Subsequent appointments have gone smoothly with delightful musical outcomes. Yet, the memories from that specific day are very motivating for me. I now do a pre-tuning sweep of the interior of the piano as well as a thorough living room clean. And I lock down the kids’ art supplies. And keep the liquor cabinet shut.
The general chaos around our ranch and home can make our life seem off key, but it’s nothing that some fine tuning can’t fix. That, and patience.
BOOK Notes
WE ARE OPEN! The library is now open to the public starting at 3:30PM, Monday through Thursday. Maximum 3 people/1 family at a time; no appointment necessary (but waiting may be required if over limit). Patrons are asked to wear a mask, sanitize, and fill out a basic COVID symptom checklist prior to entering the library (there is a digital sign-in stand in the hall). No washrooms available at this time.
Curbside service will continue to be available during regular library hours. Please contact the library to arrange pickup.
ADULT FICTION: Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay
The Push by Claire McGowan
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
NON-FICTION: Extraordinary Canadians: Stories from the
Heart of Our Nation by Peter Mansbridge
A Perfect Planet: Our One in a Billion World Revealed by Huw Cord-
ey PICTURE BOOK: Spot the Difference by Sam Smith
KITS:
*NEW* Spring Family Grab & Go Packs
*COMING SOON* Easter Pre-School Story Time Kits* (books, activity sheets, & a craft) Book & a Movie Packs (book, movie, crossword/word search, popcorn)
Adult Colouring Kit
Top of the morning to you, Happy St Patrick’s Day to everyone! I hope your are enjoying the sunshine and brilliant blue sky these days. Well, we survived another time change. Now maybe some folks have the “correct” time in their vehicles or on the PVR. Many of us don’t know how or simply don’t bother to change some clocks.
Hall walking has been swapped for outdoor strides up and down
Sibbald News
March 17, 2021
Reported by Lee Switzer
gravel roads. It’s good for the mind and body to be outside. More birds can be heard or seen each week as the temperatures rise.
Covid has certainly changed many aspects of our lives, some for the good. I have learned more about mobile banking and increased my knowledge of technology as I visit with my family weekly. My mom has even mastered FaceTime on an iPad, and she detests digital technology.
Local young people are still completing the public speaking component of 4-H but this year they have submit-
ted their work virtually. This activity may have been a monologue, an interview, or a more traditional written speech or presentation. It’s very tough to watch yourself after being recorded and I am sure that there were a few retakes before submitting a final copy. Three judges will give feedback through the marking sheets. There will be no placements or further events. Well, this isn’t the usual formula for Public Speaking, its shows 4-H can be forward thinkers and still have students gain critical experience in public speaking. Take care.
Oyen Lodge
By Sara Smith
by Tricia Fischbuch
(colouring book & pencil crayons)
Puzzles
*Please specify ages and number of children when ordering so enough craft materials can be included.
Just a reminder that March’s Online Book Club takes place on Wednesday March 31 at 6:30PM. We will be discussing We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates. For those planning to join in, please register so we can send you the link. We look forward to seeing everyone!
“A library is a miracle. A place where you can learn just about anything, for free. A place where your mind can come alive.” ― Josh Hanagarne, The World’s Strongest Librarian 403-664-3644 ext. 2727
aoymlibrar
@marigold.ab.ca
Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 12-5; Tuesdays 2-7
Hi! My name is Sara Smith; I am originally from the area living just up north between Consort and Sedalia. I attended Consort School and eventually wound up dating a boy from Oyen; we moved to Calgary for a few years but ultimately decided we were missing the prairies. So we packed our bags and headed home, just one week before the pandemic hit last year! This was the perfect timing! I am trained in childcare but seeing as there was a pandemic in affect in the mist of our move and with schools and daycares closed it was difficult to find permeant work. I eventually applied at the lodge and fell in love
DID THIS AD CATCH YOUR EYE?
with the work, starting in the kitchen I always felt welcomed by all the staff and the residents. I am over joyed to be stepping in as a temporary fill for activity coordinator as I get to learn so much more about the residents, they have been so helpful in assisting me with activities and always keeping me on my toes in Crib! I have been learn-
ing daily and am always looking for new and fun things to do with the residents (Covid Friendly of course!) As the weather is warming up it will be nice to get outside with the residents for walks, and eventually starting the community garden. I look forward to my future here at the Lodge and the beautiful community of Oyen!
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Covid protocols will be in place
Then imagine the MONSTROUS number of other readers that noticed it too! Advertise your products and services in our newspaper and get noticed! Call 306-463-2211
Cereal News
Reported by Maxine Girletz
403-664-0513
March 22-28
Happy birthday to Brent Hryciw, Emerson Mandseth, Emmie Smith, Jade Smith, Kevin Olds, Tyler Satterlee, Alex MacLean, Karlee Beaudoin, Kendall Dziatkewich, Lois Stark, Sharon MacNutt, Janelle Grover, Reid Clow, Adam Diakow, Annie Davis, Barbara Curtis, Claire Pederson, Jeremiah Klatt,
Johnathan Thornton, Madison Kilroe, Noah Kulyk, Tami Olds, Aileen Machell, Emily Molzan, Weston Olsen, Bonnie Olsen, Brandon Riehl, Crystal Fraser, Kiarra Dziatkewich, Owen Pederson, Parker Greenhalgh, Denise Stief, Ethan Kulyk, Kevin Girletz.
Happy anniversary to Megan and Barrett Mahaffey.
Acadia Valley NEWS
March 17, 2021
Reported by Yolanda Kuhn
yakuhn@hotmail.com call or text
Happy St. Pattrick’s Day everyone. My kids didn’t have any luck catching that tricky leprechaun again this year!
St. Mary’s Easter Week Church Services are as follows:
Palm Sunday March 21st 9am, Holy Thursday March 25th 5pm, Good Friday March 26th 6pm, Easter Sunday March 28th 9am Everyone is welcome to join in on the Easter Week Services.
The Acadia Municipal Library is now open for short browsing and pick up appointments. They will be offered
403-664-0582
from 4:00pm-6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Call the Library to schedule your appointment 403-9723744.
The Rec. Club is still selling 50/50’s this month. The next draw will be made April 5th. You can get your tickets at The Store, Skappak’s Farm Supply or from a Rec. Club member.
Thanks for reading this week. I will end with a quote from Amy Poehler, “Limit your ‘ALWAYS’ and your ‘NEVERS’.”
the warmer temperatures. The snow and ice are disappearing and we are transitioning between our winter duds and our spring. I have observed kids playing in puddles, people of all ages out walking, riding bicycles and motorcycles, both street and dirt, and we have changed our clocks to gain on later daylight hours. We will have to see if Old Man Winter has any surprises left for us before “Spring is Sprung” for certain.
BLANKET ALBERTA
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MUST-READ BOOK Now
Available: - Canadian Agriculture in the 21st Century. 14 chapters; 340 pages; 200 illustrations; index. $60 softcover: $70 hardcover, Delivered. maryanderson360@ gmail.com. Also available from Amazon, Indigo and Friesen Press.
AUCTIONS
2 BANKRUPTCY AUCTIONS conducted simultaneously. Laser Clean Ltd., Edmonton; Turcon United Building Systems Inc., Grande Prairie. Bidding starts Friday, March 26, ends Thursday, April 8. Construction equipment, Duct cleaning trucks, Pressure trucks, Floor & Restoration equipment. Trucks,
Trailers, Skidsteer, Light Towers. Complete listing, terms & details. www.foothillsautions.com or Foothills Equipment Liquidation, 780-922-6090.
NOW ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS! ANNUAL SPRING EQUIPMENT CONSIGNMENT AUCTION. Online timed Auction April 21 – April 27/21, Blackfalds, AB. ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS of RV’s, Vehicles, Farm Equip., Ind. Equip., Lawn & Garden Items, Lumber, & More. www.montgomeryauctions. com 1-800-371-6963.
BUILDINGS FOR SALE INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE
POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-9747678 www.integritybuilt. com.
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
BLANKET THE PROVINCE t a la ed ad. nl $269 (based on 25 words or less). Reach 90 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-282-6903 Ext 225; www.awna.com.
FREIGHTLAND CARRIERS, a tr a le a r r de atde k carrier is looking for Owner/Operators to run Alberta only or the 3 Western Provinces. Must have own plates, insurance & WCB. Truck gross revenue is an average of $16,000/month. Call 1-800-917-9021 or email: dispatch@freightland. ca.
FEED AND SEED
HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola. Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying da a ed or off rade ra n. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-2505252.
To
Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789.
FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.
HEALTH
HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. l W u ke t refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-453-5372.
LAND FOR SALE
VERY INEXPENSIVE 2 QUARTERS OF PASTURE LAND, Central SK, for sale. 8 other good quarters may be available. Requires fencing. Great hunting $74,900. Call Doug at 306-716-2671.
for the first 25 words, $8 for each
options starting at $269 or $995 to get your message out! Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email la ed a na. o or
COMING EVENTS
43rd ACADIA RANCHING 1976 LTD BULL SALE Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 PM. Featuring 2 year-old Charolaid & Black Angus, @ BSSA, DLMS online bidding. Lunch at noon. Call Don Good
FOR SALE
FOR SALE: MF 220 Tractor w/ 3 pt. hitch. 25 HP. Excellent condition. Great tractor for yard. Call Brent (403) 664-8256.
details. 1-800-282-6903, 780-434-8746 X225. www. awna.com.
GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own homeyou qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com.
CERTIFIED SEED. - WHEAT – Go Early, Pintail. - OATS –AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, SO1 Super Oat. - BARLEY – Amisk, Busby, Cerveza, Conlon, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre. Very Early Yellow Pea, Forage Peas. Polish Canola, Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-556-2609.
ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat,
Services CRIMINAL RECORD? Why uffer e lo ent l en ing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com
GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Cla ed or alue Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two
RIVERS - Adeline (Adi) Rivers, 87 years old, of Olds, AB passed away on March 4, 2021.
Adi was born in Estuary, Saskatchewan. She was the 6th of the 7 children born to parents John and Mary Chester. She met and married Cecil Rivers and moved to Empress. They later moved to Oyen, then Calgary where they started their family of 4 children. Over the years, they lived in Vernon, Hussar, Didsbury, Rocky Mountain House, Empress and
Olds. They enjoyed many travels in their 5th wheel trailer intertwined with managing several campgrounds in B.C. and AB.
Adi loved baking, and was well known for her beautiful wedding cakes, pies, and amazing donuts.
Adi is survived by her sister Mary Loose (Mel), and sister-in-law Joyce Chester. Also surviving her are their four children: Don (Catherine), Dale (Terry), Barry (Glenda), Bonnie (Willie). She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Adi was predeceased by her loving husband Cecil, her parents and two brothers and three sisters.
Due to Covid restrictions a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be sent to the charity of your choice.
SCHWENK - Herman
Dietrich Schwenk was born in Innisfail, Alberta on March 7, 1931. He was the first child of Eugene and Doris Schwenk followed by three sisters Evelyn, Sonja and Alberta. Herman grew up just outside of Sundre, Alberta before the family moved to the Talbot area in 1947.
Herman graduated from the Olds School of Agriculture in 1951 with a diploma in Practical Agriculture. At the age of 21 Herman moved back to Talbot where he began farming on a half section of rented land.
Herman met the love of his life, Marcella Seredynski, in 1957 and married at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary on August 9, 1958. Together they raised 7 children, Anne (Andrew), Helen (Stephen), Stephen (Lori), Peter (Connie), Philip (Deena), Edward and Michael (Gail).
His farm is now being operated by the third generation. Herman began growing grain and had a small cattle herd. The farm now includes
feedlot production. Herman enjoyed operating equipment and was still running a swather and combine in his 80’s.
Herman began writing an opinion column in the local East Central Alberta Review newspaper in 2003. He was involved with more than 20 various boards, task forces and advisory committees for over 70 years where he often served as president, vice president or director. He was president of Alberta Federation of Rural Electrification Associations, Coronation Federated Co-op and the Paintearth Gas Co-op. He was also a delegate to the Alberta Wheat Pool, Alberta Cattle Commission, the Alberta Energy and Utility Board, the Clean Air Strategic Alliance and served on the Catholic Church parish councils to name just a few.
On March 13, 2021, after 90 years, Herman Dietrich Schwenk completed his earthly journey. Herman was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Doris. He is survived by his wife (Marcella) of 62 years,
3 sisters, 7 children, 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He touched so many during his life and will be greatly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 1:00 PM in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Parish with Father Roger Niedzelski as Celebrant. The interment then followed in the Coronation Cemetery where Herman was laid to rest next to his parents Eugene and Doris.
Should friends so desire memorial contribu-
tions in Herman’s memory may be made to the Paintearth Lodge, Box 209, Castor, AB T0C0X0 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Those wishing to pay respects with written condolences or view the funeral mass online, you may do so by visiting www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels of Coronation, AB were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please contact 403-578-3777.
Meeting IN PERSON again on Sunday mornings at 10 AM for Sunday School and 11 AM for the Worship Service. e service may still be viewed live on Facebook and later in YouTube.
SACRED HEART RC OYEN
1st Friday 6:30 p.m. Mass & Adoration at Sacred Heart Church. Rest of the Fridays at the Extended Care unit 6:30 pm Sunday Mass at 11:00 a.m. Cell 403-795-6912. shcoyen@telus.net ST. MARY’S RC, ACADIA VALLEY
ursdays 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m. Rectory 403-664-3603. newtonrodrigues17@outlook.com
OYEN EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH