may not need repair, just some basic maintenance. Macdonald stated she was told the hydrants may only require some
kets and O-rings and won’t require digging up the pavement.
ating budget Coun. Clark German complimented the CAO.
“I think you did an excellent job Elaine,” said German.
He also asked the CAO if she’d had a chance to look into the amount of water Big Valley actually purchased, but Macdonald answered she wasn’t able to do that yet.
German noted he felt the village should be as prepared as possible for water purchases because an unexpected and non-budgeted purchase could have a big financial effect on the village.
During discussion Coun. Amber
Being a teacher at Oyen Public School is a dream come true
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer
Councillors discussed the municipal assessor, with Macdonald stating she was very happy with Big Valley’s assessor. The CAO stated the village’s assessor knows the job very well and meets all the requirements of the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Mayor Dan Houle responded that in his opinion assessments in Big Valley may be a bit too low.
Hoogenberg asked why numbers show the village’s water usage has dropped year to year.
Macdonald answered the village has had a couple of leaks repaired over the past few years.
Hoogenberg also mused that the water tower has been drained and refilled which may have also played a role.
Working at Oyen Public School (OPS) is a dream come true for Kayl Davies, this year’s Edwin Parr nominee for Prairie Rose Public Schools. Davies currently lives on an acreage near Cereal with her finance and credits her future motherin-law as the one to inspire her to pursue teaching as a career.
German added that it does seem that Big Valley has a lot of properties assessed at the minimum value, with the CAO pointing out there are 37 in total.
Councillors unanimously approved the 2023 operating budget.
“I knew I wanted to go back to school. My motherin-law is a retired teacher of 30 years and she always speaks so highly of education. My finance was born and raised in Cereal and attended OPS. His mom also taught there, so it is full circle for her to be the inspiration and for me to now teach at the school she taught at.”
Davies trained as a speech language pathologist assistant and communicative disorder assistant and then worked for several years with AHS. Having always dreamed of becoming a teacher, she chose to return to post-secondary and obtained her degree in education.
Both her practicums were with Grade 5 students and,
even though she was hesitant about teaching Grade 6, when the job opened, she knew it was too good an opportunity to pass on. There are 16 students in her Grade 6 class and Davies also teaches both Grades 5 and 6 social studies and Phys-ed. Additionally, she teaches Grades 3 and 4 Phys-ed twice per
week and also coaches mini basketball and mini volleyball.
“Everyone laughs that I am coaching sports because I’ve never made a team in my life. I am the least athletic person, so coaching and teaching Phys-ed is comical.
I’m a part of student council, I have helped
with bon spiels, led a few assemblies and run multiple field trips. I feel like there is always something to be doing.”
Davies describes herself as a passionate person and someone who pours everything she has into whatever she does. She is grateful for her students, who tell her she is their favourite teacher. It is the highest honour that students find her classroom safe and feel they are able to make mistakes on their learning journey.
Four of her students – Kieran, Scarlett, Dior and Hadley – all talked about how kind Davies is and the time and attention she gives to each of her students. Kieren particularly likes the style of teaching Davies uses and the fun activities she plans to make the lessons more interesting.
“She has a really good personality and knows how to teach a great lesson. If you are confused, she has a really awesome way of helping you understand the lesson,” stated Scarlett, who added Davies is quirky and often uses dance moves in class to make them all laugh and lighten the mood.
Kayl Davies, who teaches Grade 6 at Oyen Public School, is the Edwin Parr nominee for Prairie Rose Public Schools this year. SUBMITTED PHOTO
PITCHIN’ IN AWARD: Back: Grant Fletcher, Brandt Grover, Front: Jessica Fletcher, Kaylee Fletcher, Alice Grover, Allen Fletcher, Alyvia Grover. PHOTOS BY DIANA WALKER
Tiny Mite Champion Kaylee Fletcher receives her buckle from sponsor, Ty Wilson Lazy TL Angus
Reserve Champion Tiny Mite Hayden Hovind receives his prize from Haley Powell
Codee Galloway: 3rd Place Tiny Mites
Jessica Fletcher: 4th Place TIny Mites
OPINION: Don’t be fooled on April Fools
BY JOAN JANZEN
As April Fools Day is just around the corner, a few people shared their favourite pranks. A teacher who taught one of two Grade 5 classes in her school recalled an April 1st morning. All of her students went to her teammate’s room, and all of his students came into her room, entering the classrooms as if all was normal. “It was hilarious, and we were so proud of them,” their teacher said.
Another teacher, who was noticeably pregnant, filled an empty mayonnaise tub with vanilla pudding and proceeded to eat it during class. She thought it was the perfect prank until one of her students threw up.
Yet another teacher left a chocolate-covered raisin on his desk. During class, he yelled, “Bug!” grabbed a book, smashed the chocolate raisin, and then ate it. “I do it every year,” he said. The kids love it!”
Last of all, a son recalled, “My dad asked my mom to marry him on April Fools Day. She always said the joke was on him because she said yes!”
As Canadians flip their calendars to April 1, it might feel like they’re being bombarded with pranks from all sides, from within our own country. A carbon tax hike that’s supposedly cancelled, but not really cancelled because it’s still costing you money as you’ll get hit with it even when it’s hidden. And as Leighton Grey observed on Bridge
City News, “The fact that we have to hope for an election is part of the problem isn’t it?”
Brian Lilley from the Toronto Sun was also interviewed on Bridge City News and said, “Mark Carney is saying we need the industrial carbon tax if we want to sell our oil and gas into Europe, which isn’t true.” Is it another prank on Canadians?
When Brian was asked how the Liberal party differs now that it is under new leadership, he replied: “All of a sudden, they’re worried about these industries that they wanted to forget ever existed. I don’t think there’s any difference. It’s the same group with the same policies that brought us to this position where immigration doesn’t work, housing doesn’t work, nothing works in the country, and we gotta fix it.” Does it sound like an April Fools prank to you?
David Freiheit, former Montreal litigator, informed his online audience he recently discovered Mark Carney is the godfather to the son of Chrystia Freeland. That’s the same Chrystia Freeland who was opposing him in the Liberal leadership race. “It’s a tightly knit group, and Canadians aren’t in it,” David said. If only it was an April Fool’s prank.
Franco Terrazzano from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) made the following report: on April 1, MPs will receive a pay raise ranging from $6,700 all the way up to $13,400. This
will be their sixth pay raise since the beginning of 2020. “So much for we’re all in this together,” he added. But that’s not all …
Remember when Justin Trudeau waved goodbye on camera? The CTF reported that he is taking two taxpayer-funded pensions along with him, which amount to $8.4 million until he reaches 90. Did someone say ‘April Fools’? I’m afraid not.
The National Citizens Coalition’s (NCC) newsletter commented on Mark Carney’s recent encounter with a CBC journalist. “When pressed on his failure to fully disclose his corporate ties from his banking days, his global consulting days, and his net zero days he snapped dismissing it as irrelevant noise and told the CBC to look inside itself for daring to ask him about his millions of dollars in conflicts and refused to come clean,” the NCC newsletter observed. And Carney wasn’t joking either.
Dan MacTeague was interviewed on Bridge City News. He is president of Canadians for Affordable Energy and spent 40 years serving in various capacities in the Liberal Party, but noted the Liberal party isn’t what it used to be.
Dan said, “They never really did a cost-benefit analysis on the second carbon tax. With the help of Professor Ross McKitrick, an economist specializing in environmental economics and policy analysis, Dan said their analy-
sis showed that for every dollar of benefit obtained from the second carbon tax, it also cost consumers $6 at the end of the day.” Sounds like a prank, right?
An observation in the Epoch Times observed: “Net-zero policies have been Carney’s focus and will likely stay his government’s priority.”
Dan MacTeague continued his comments and didn’t pull any punches, saying, “I’ve said this right from the outset - this is the man behind the levers of the government during the past five years. If you like what’s happened in Canada the past five years, OK. But if you know there’s a problem, then you must vote accordingly and make sure these people are not returned to power any time soon. This election is about how vulnerable we’ve made ourselves by making some really awful political choices. It’s time for Canadians collectively to smarten up.”
April 1 may be designated as a day for pranks; however Dan MacTeague is determined he won’t be fooled. “Mark Carney is no fool, but he has a lot of people who are willing to be duped and I’m not one of them,” he concluded.
A wise man once said, “The truth will set you free.” So have fun on April Fools Day, but in real-life scenarios, I hope you don’t fall for any pranks.
Truck Works Inc.
Pop89: A Dear John Letter to America
BY MADONNA HAMEL
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will be open commencing at 1:00 p.m. Ashley D. Herrmann in attendance on Wednesday, April 9th, May 7th, June 4th, June 25th, July 23rd For appointments call 1-800-245-9411 or 1-403-526-2806
Oyen Law Office #215C Main Street (South side of Lijdsman Insurance) Wills & Estates Real Estate General Matters
Back in my days as a reporter, I interviewed the researcher Michael Adams about his intensive studies concerning the differences between The States and Canada. His books “Fire and Ice” and “Unlikely Utopia” confirmed for me what I witnessed and experienced living in the States on and off over the years: Despite how many Americans see us as basically the same as them, we’re really quite different. If you’re Canadian, you already know this; if you’re American, this may – still – come as a surprise.
I want to say from the start that not ALL Americans are as ignorant of their neighbours up North. However, I offer an analogy that was used by Adams in his books, and recently, by Mark Carney (Look it up!)
in a chat with Jon Stewart: When describing Canada’s relationship with the States, picture us as the woman in the relationship.
I used this analogy when living in Quebec just as their referendum to separate from the rest of the country was about to take place. If you are an American you may or may not know that we have a province wherein everyone, virtually exclusively, speaks French. To continue the analogy Quebec would be one of 13 kids you’d adopt if you went through with your forced marriage to us.
And by the way, what do you think is happening when interviews on Canadian news are suddenly voiced-over in French? It’s because politicians, when addressing the country, move between French and English, our two official languages. Tu comprends? Je ne pensais pas. (Look it up!) (Recherchez-le!)
and Americans 1400 different values questions. And, to put it in a nutshell, he summed up the data to describe America in a way that may upset, but can’t surprise, too many Americans: “America is where dad is the head of a household and gets up every Sunday morning, picks up his semi-automatic and says, OK kids, we’re going to church.”
The idea of “American First”, he continues, grew out of the image of America as a melting pot. On the other hand, Canadians view (though don’t always live) their country as a mosaic. We embraced the word “diversity” before it became policy. On occasion we celebrate our diversity rather than just tolerate it, although violence against immigrants has increased in both countries since Adams’ last big survey. But, our future depends upon it. We will need to listen to each other as a family and grow in appreciation of each other from coast to coast. Especially if we don’t want the bully from below to move himself, his mob, his furniture, flags and fixtures into our homes, our yards, our public and private sacred spaces, which includes a vast wilderness under our protection and stewardship. Come to think of it, what is really needed is a Canadian understanding of all our relations! Time to visit cousins and ancestral territories. Time to value each other. Let’s take a trip, as a family, by train, cross-country on VIA (Look it up!). Having taken the transnational train trip half a dozen times myself, I keep falling deeper in love with this country, in all its raw and homespun gorgeousness. (VIA really does need to cash in on this moment.)
Country Gas Co-op Ltd. Back Shop Areas Up for Election:
Dry Country Gas Co-op Ltd. Back Shop AREAS UP FOR ELECTION Acadia Valley, Cereal & Esther
“Battle of Duck Lake: Louis Riel’s forces defeat Canadian forces at Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, 1st engagement of the North-West Rebellion“ March 26, 1885
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As I was saying, Quebec was about to separate, but Canada claimed Quebec had no right to leave, we were married, after all. Quebec said, don’t worry, we can still be friends. In the end the two worked it out, though some of our offspring will say the unification was at their expense. So, imagine now, that some bigger power on steroids thinks he can just move in, when he doesn’t even know the offspring’s names! (Look them up!)
But seriously, if you think you can just move in because you make more money than us and that somehow makes you desirable, we’ve got news for you. Other people like us, too. And frankly, they know a little bit more about us. As Carney said: “We’re resetting the relationship and we’re going to be stronger going forward… But it can’t just be transactional, not after all we’ve shared together.”
In “Fire and Ice,” Michael Adams argued that, despite the two countries’ profound and many historical, demographic, and geographic similarities, and the ubiquity of American popular culture in Canada, Canadians and Americans increasingly view the world differently, especially when it comes to matters ranging from religion, authority, and the family, to entertainment, consumption, and civic life.
In a TVO (Look it up!) interview Adams explained how his survey group Environics asked Canadians
...Kayl Davies
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Dior said Davies was kind, funny, smart and makes the lessons engaging. “She always listens and offers extra help. She’ll even stay after school if you need help. She does classroom economy and spends her own money on prizes for our class, which I think is pretty awesome.”
“Miss. Davies includes everyone and finds different ways to make us have fun while we are learning,” added Hadley. “You feel like you can talk to her about anything. Nothing we have learned is boring. She is such an amazing teacher who knows how to do her job well. She is funny and makes you laugh whenever you are down and aren’t having a good day.”
As a Christmas enthusiast, Davies and her fiancé are planning their wedding for December 13 this year. It’s been a busy year for her, but also a fulfilling and exciting one and she’s glad she took a risk on herself and pursued her dream of becoming a teacher.
And don’t skip Quebec! Especially if you feel like dancing all night, being kissed on each cheek with every new greeting, and drinking outstanding craft beers. Quebec is a most “European of non-European” province. America, we are not your cowed girlfriend. Even though you might assume we never have any opinions of our own. Or that we’re “nice” (read: civil) because we just didn’t want to start a fight, though a fight is most often pointless, immature, and frankly a waste of our time.
We’re lovers, not fighters. (It’s that French blood.) Not to mention the ancient Indigenous wisdom tradition that welcomes All Our Relations (Look it Up!). As for our cultural creations, they tend more to the musical and literary variety. The only Canadian movie poster featuring a smouldering dude or chick wielding a gun is bound to be a SCTV (Look it Up!) or This Hour Has 22 Minutes skit. The self-serious smile of a Hollywood icon is not our style - our theatrical influences come from our British and French heritage, where character actors play real people and are not expected to exit gracefully after they turn 40. on” letter, I’ll say: Telling us we’re “beautiful” and that you’ll “cherish” us forever doesn’t fool us; you just want to own our assets so you’re free to plunder without having to pay. You don’t know us, but we know you. In closing this Dear “Don” letter, I’ll say: Telling us we’re “beautiful” and that you’ll “cherish” us forever doesn’t fool us; you just want to own our assets so you’re free to plunder without having to pay. You don’t know us, but we know you.
Kayl Davies with students in one of her Phys-ed classes at Oyen Public School. SUBMITTED PHOTO
President’s Trophy not worth the risk for Jets
BY BRUCE PENTON
Canadian hockey fans, particularly those on the Prairies, can only hope the Winnipeg Jets fade slightly down the stretch of the long, 82-game grind that is the National Hockey League’s regular season.
Why? Because the President’s Trophy Curse awaits.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
Not since 2012-13 — a dozen years ago — has the team finishing first overall in the NHL regular-season standings gone on to win the Stanley Cup, the shiny bauble that Jets’ fans are hoping captain Adam Lowry carries around the ice in celebration on some warm night in June.
So, say Jets’ fans, take it away, Washington. It’s all yours. Please.
The Jets and Capitals have been the 1-2 teams for most of the NHL season and while most of the attention with Washington has centred around Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record, the fact that coach Spencer Carbery’s overachieving Capitals have dominated the Eastern Conference has been somewhat overlooked.
Winnipeg hasn’t been so lucky in flying under the radar. The Scott Arniel-coached Jets got off to an historically quick start (14-1 in November) and have slowed only slightly. In mid-March, the Jets were the best team in the Western Conference in almost every statistical category: Wins (46 in 67 games), points (96, 10 better than runner-up Dallas), goal differential in the entire NHL (plus 80, 11 better than runner-up Washington). As well, goalie Connor Hellebuyck was the league’s dominant netminder, posting a 39-9 record in the Jets’ first 67 games, leading the league with a 1.97 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. His name has circulated prominently in Most Valuable Player conversations, but unfortunately, goaltenders rarely win.
But back to the President’s Trophy: In 2022-23, Boston Bruins set a record for most points in a season (135), but were beaten in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, the New York Rangers were No. 1 during the regular season, but lost in the conference final to Florida. Seven President’s Trophy winners since 2000 have been sidelined in Round 1. If the season ended after 67 games, the Jets would find themselves playing Vancouver Canucks in the first round and then likely
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either Dallas or Colorado in the second round. Both the Stars and Avalanche loaded up at the trade deadline, are definite Stanley Cup contenders, and would be tough to beat..
In 37 years, the President’s Trophy winner has gone on to win the Stanley Cup only eight times. Does the chase down the stretch for the President’s Trophy lead to exhaustion for the winner, rendering weaker their playoff hopes? Or is it just dumb (bad) luck? Is home-ice advantage through every round worth the extra effort to finish first overall? Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire says teams like Cup contenders Florida and Colorado are “pacing themselves,” realizing it’s more important to be playing their best at the right time rather than win a “fabricated trophy.”
Ask any Jet which piece of silverware they’d prefer to win and it’s no contest. Let the Caps have the President’s Trophy. The curse is real.
• Matt Miller on Bluesky.app: “If you’re a former first-round pick that has failed to live up to expectations, the Cowboys want you.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen, on the long-time Bruin being traded to Florida: “Brad Marchand gonna put the rat back into Boca RATon.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com, on the NCAA basketball tournament: “Maybe they should consider a name change. At this point they could get sued by Trump’s DOJ for using the term ‘March Madness’.”
• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on Aaron Rodgers’ future: “Some are still intoxicated by whatev-
er perfume is left of Rodgers’ Hall of Fame career. They would note he was pretty good in the second half of last season for the Jets.”
• A note from fark.com, after a 14-foot alligator took over a green on a golf course: “Golf does not allow taking naps on the green even if you are 14 feet long.”
• Columnist Norman Chad, with another thing overheard from the four-legged competitors at the Westminster Dog Show in New York: “Little-known dog fact: The Australian terrier chases its tail counterclockwise.”
•Ontario columnist Keith Schell, reminiscing about a CFL transaction in the early 2000s when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers released Tom Europe and signed Tom Canada: “Don Cherry would be proud.”
• Jessica Hadwin, wife of PGA Tour player Adam Hadwin, as the two were driving away from Sawgrass Saturday morning after Adam missed the cut at the Players on Friday: “Look at these losers, having to work on the weekend.”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, on why Mitch Marner may ultimately choose to leave the Leafs, according to a hockey insider: “He’s tired of being the public piñata of the team.”
• Another one from Simmons, after a recent Toronto Raptors’ winning streak: “The poor Raps, trying so hard to tank and wind up in lottery pick position, can’t stop winning.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Name: Nolan Hill Position: First Base, DH Where are you from? Lower Wedgeport, Nova Scotia Billets: Kalsey & Lloyd Fraser
What do you love most about the Badlands Baseball Academy? Playing baseball daily.Who is your favourite MLB team?
Name: Riley Tweten Position: Pitcher
Where are you from? Medicine Hat, Alberta Billets: Rachel & Luke Ruschowski
do
love most about the Badlands Baseball Academy? Playing baseball every day! Who is your favourite MLB team? Toronto Blue Jays
Canadian flying ace Billy Bishop claims his first victory, shooting down and mortally wounding German Leutnant Theiller. March 25, 1917
Calgary resident arrested with 108 kg of cocaine at Coutts port of entry
CALGARY - On March 8, 2025, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers discovered and seized approximately 108 kg of cocaine following a secondary examination of a commercial transport vehicle at the Coutts port of entry in southern Alberta. The vehicle’s load originated from the United States and the drugs were hidden in the vehicle.
The Integrated Border Enforcement Team in Alberta, a joint force operation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, CBSA and Calgary Police Service, was notified and a criminal investigation was initiated into the individual.
Arshdeep Singh, 26, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
• Importation of a controlled substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substanc-
U11 TIER 2 BLUE CHAMPIONS
Front row, from left: Lincoln Ruschkowski, Maverick Bailey, Jaron Jorgenson, Grayson Robertson, Cole Evens. 2nd row: Ryker Bowles, Carter Dorowicz, Charlie Berg, Bennet Skappak, Winston Smith, Jaxson Blair, Keller Tye and Remington Bailey. Back row: Luke Ruschkowski (AC), Jena Skappak (Manager), Chris Jorgenson (AC), Brenden Berg (AC) and Kyle Dorowicz (HC).
PHOTO BY NICOLE BLAIR-
Municipal Rd., Coronation 403-578-3221
es Act; and,
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Singh is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lethbridge on May 7, 2025.
“Stopping dangerous drugs from coming into Canada is part of the CBSA’s commitment to keeping our communities and our streets safe. This significant seizure demonstrates the important work being done by our border services officers as we continue to secure and protect our border alongside our law enforcement partners, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service,” said Ben Tame, Director, Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan District, Canada Border Services Agency.
U11 TIER 2 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Front - Cole Evens. Second row: Maverick Bailey, Jaron Jorgenson, Carter Dorowicz, Ryker Bowles, Grayson Robertson. Third row: Keller Tye, Lincoln Ruschkowski, Jaxson Blair, Charlie Berg, Remington Bailey, Winston Smith, Bennet Skappak. Back row: Jena Skappak, Luke Ruschkowski, Brenden Berg, Kyle Dorowicz and Chris Jorgenson.
Fantastic season for U11 Oyen Bees
BY JENA SKAPPAK
The U11T2 Bees went into Playoffs with a record of 11-1-4 in regular season. They had some fairly close games with the other teams in their tier, so they knew they would need to play their best every game.
First round of playoffs, they got a bye, then second they played Raymond in the semi finals where they won 8 to 3 in Raymond and then 8 to 6 the next day in Oyen, moving them on to the final round for their colour banner. (The teams they played against all season)
Playing our strongest competitors all season, they headed to Duchess. The team was jiving and earned a 10 to 3 win, then coming back to their home ice to win 13 to 4 to secure their Tier 2 Blue Banner!.
Next, they played a single game round robin with the other two winners in tier 2 in their league. Needing to win both games, they were determined to get the next banner. After the long drive to Eckville on March 15th, they won their game 6 to 1.
Then March 16th, they needed to win against
Drumheller to complete their goal of getting both banners.
Once again on home ice, they took the win. They beat Drumheller 9 to 4. The kids skated their hearts out and gave it their all in playoffs. They came together as a team and in the end were able to bring home the tier 2 blue Banner as well as their tier 2 league banner.
You currently can see the new banner displayed proudly at the arena. We are still waiting on the league banner to get to Oyen.
Our coaches were amazing with the kids this year and they definitely had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Head Coach Kyle Dorowicz, Assistant coaches Luke Ruschkowski, Brenden Berg and Chris Jorgenson.
The U11T2 had a “6-49” line that consisted of our three U9 players that joined our teams as underagers this year—Maverick Bailey, Jaron Jorgenson and Grayson Robertson.
We also had the bonus of having three first years that were both goalie and out players—Lincoln Ruschkowski, Jaxson Blair and Cole Evens.
The other first year players were Winston Smith, Remington Bailey, Carter Dorowicz and Charlie Berg! (The only girl...poor thing lol)
The second years consisted of Keller Tye, Ryker Bowles and Bennet Skappak. What a way to end their last year in U11 with 2 banners for Oyen.
Overall it was a fantastic season.
Thank you to the families, fans, refs and all the volunteers who made the 2024/2025 hockey season a success. Till next year.
Oyen man may be the oldest person in Canada
Bert Tressider has “Recipe” of “Self Abuse” for longevity
(John Kuchle of Cereal was sorting through a box of memorabilia belonging to his deceased grandparents John and Alice McGillis of Mossleigh, Alberta when he noticed this newspaper clipping. He thought Oyen Echo readers might find it interesting. It appeared in the Hanna Herald September 28, 1962.)
Editor’s Note: “Abuse yourself, it’s later than you think”, may be the sum and substance of how Bert Tressider of Oyen has reached the age of 107 years. Early this summer Terry Bourke, staff writer for the Calgary Herald interviewed Bert when he was in the city. A reader of the Hanna Herald submitted the following clipping for information of readers. Bert has quite a story to tell, and for those who wish to reach at least the century mark in this life, his “recipe” is interesting, if not astounding:
Herbert L Tressider
He’s quite a guy. The leather and rock type. Bert has been around a long time. A long, long time. Since 1855.
Sunday, July 15, Bert turned 107. He looks 70. He may be the oldest living person in Canada, and one of the oldest humans in the world.
Bert’s philosophy of life is simple and straight. “The more you abuse yourself, the better off you are.”
And for 107 years —well almost, Bert has spent most of his life farming at Oyen 200 miles east of Calgary, has lived that philosophy to the inch.
In fact, he’s still living it. And he has no intention of stopping.
As for instance: Last Wednesday Bert was gulping beer at the Carelton Hotel, his favorite pub when he gets to town. (Owners there gave him a beer party two years ago when he celebrated his 105th birthday.)
He ended up dancing with a couple of women (“I don’t remember their names.”) Eventually he and one of the gals took off for the Stampede midway where Bert twisted and twirled on all the rides.
“My doctor told me once, “Bert, if you’re going to horse around with women, pick the young ones. The old ones ‘ll wear ya out”, he laughed.
Bert, who claims he’s attended all Calgary Stampedes, looks like a thin Mark Twain with grey hair and glasses.
He puffs his way through five giant cigars a day (“Used to be a box but I cut down.”) guzzles pint after pint of beer.
Said friend Charlie Dunkley, 106, 18 Ave. N.W., where Bert stays when he comes to the city.
”This fellow can drink anyone under the table. I’ve seen him in action. I’ve also seen him flatten out a few 22-year olds after getting into a bar-room argument. Knocked them out flat-cold.
Photo attribution: “Herbert L. Tressider, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1962-07-16], (CU1211603) by Calgary Albertan. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary. This photo is preserved, as indicated, in the Glenbow Archives (PA-2807-3858). Its collection was transferred to the University of Calgary in 2019.
Bert can’t remember when he arrived in Calgary, “But it must have been sometime in the late sixties or early seventies.”
He blew out a long stream of cigar smoke into the air.
“I remember when you could buy a glass—and no little glass either of whiskey for less than two bits. That was at the Yale Hotel on 9 Ave. A lot’s changed since then. Yes a lot’s changed.”
The centurion-plus-seven was born in Cornwall, England. He arrived in Canada with a “guardian.” He doesn’t remember his parents.
Later Bert worked in several Alberta lumber camps, on cattle ranches, and with the CPR before starting a 50-year farming stint at Oyen.
“I helped build the number one and number two spiral tunnels through the Rockies for the CPR back at the turn of the century.”
But not for long. Bert got hit by a dynamite explosion in one of the tunnels. “They took a palm full of splintered rock out of my eyes. I was in the hospital for eight month.”
Mr. Tressider also got kicked twice in the face by cantankerous horses while working on farms, his arms broken a number of times in accidents (“I once
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED PUBLIC HEARING ORDER A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025 AT 1:00 PM.
PLACE: OYEN SENIORS RECREATION CENTRE 310 - 2 ST. W., OYEN, AB
The purpose of the proposed Public Hearing Order is to establish procedures for public hearings, including the requirement for public hearings held under Part 17 (Planning and Development) of the Municipal Government Act to be conducted by electronic means. Copies of the proposed Public Hearing Order are available online at www.specialareas.ab.ca and at Special Areas District Offices during regular business hours. Electronic copies of the proposed Public Hearing Order may also be requested by emailing public.input@specialareas.ab.ca
Any person adversely or otherwise affected by this action, and wishing to address the Board relating to this matter, may attend the public hearing at 1:00 pm on April 8, 2025. Time limit of oral presentations is subject to the Chair’s discretion.
Written comments and suggestions are invited and should be addressed to proposed Public Hearing Order. Submissions must contain your full legal name and physical address. Submissions may be mailed to:
Maeghan Chostner, Communications Officer
Special Areas Board
Box 820, 212-2nd Ave. W. Hanna, AB T0J 1P0
Submissions may be emailed to public.input@specialareas.ab.ca
Written submissions must be received by 4:30 pm on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Submissions will be presented publicly to the Board at the above hearing date. This notice is given pursuant to Section 606 of the Municipal Government Act.
First Publication: Week of March 24, 2025
Second Publication: Week of March 31, 2025
crawled a mile-and-a-half with a broken arm along a farm road to get help at a neighbor’s.”), a knife pushed through his nose during a fight in a train travelling to Moose Jaw, Sask.
And he has numerous other scars from fights and accidents.
He knew well Bob Edwards, Calgary’s famous “Eye Opener” editor. He saw Sir Wilfred Laurier in a procession and he clearly remembers Sir John A. MacDonald. “I remember when Forest Lawn was a pasture.”
He even remembers the American Civil War. Bert was married to Rita Baker of Calgary in 1914. They had one son, Harold, who farms at Blackie, Alta. “I can’t really recall when Rita died.”
Many of the Glenbow Foundation exhibits in the Stampede were familiar to Bert. “I used most of them at one time or another—even that old steam thresher.”
Mr. Tressider—a one-time champion runner and amateur boxer—still rides a bicycle.
Bert sat in the Dunkley’s kitchen sipping beer. He was surrounded with inventions that had been nothing more than dreams when he came into the world.”
What do you think is the greatest invention in your time?”
“In my time—I think the car and the gasoline motor. It seems to have paved the way for everything else. It was sort of a foundation.”
Bert drove one of the first cars in Alberta—a 1912 model T Ford. He still drives, has never had any trouble getting a license.
Mr. Tressider returned to England in 1910, stayed there for 18 years, returned to Canada in October 1928.
“I lost my 1910 passport and couldn’t remember how old I was. So I got a new one in 1928. The government checked the files and said I was born in 1855, July 15.”
There’s a double “S” in Tressider on the passport. But I find it easier to spell with one “s”. His son uses two s’s.
Bert who talks clearly and slowly will be going back to Oyen on Tuesday. He lives in the Oyen Hotel—“sometimes, other places other times.” He likes to drink beer in Oyen.
Everyone in Oyen knows Bert Tressider. Especially the mothers.
Said one: “He’s the greatest baby sitter in the district.”
More than that.
Herbert L. Tressider is the greatest.
Diana’s Note: The Blackie, Alberta history book, “Fencelines and Furrows,” may make reference to Rita Baker, Bert’s wife, and his son Harold.
The purpose of the proposed Advertising Order is to establish alternative methods of providing notice to the public of ministerial orders, resolutions, meetings, public hearings and other things as required by Section 606.1 of the Municipal Government Act
Copies of the proposed Advertising Order are available online at www.specialareas.ab.ca and at Special Areas District Offices during regular business hours. Electronic copies of the proposed Advertising Order may also be requested by emailing public.input@specialareas.ab.ca
Any person adversely or otherwise affected by this action, and wishing to address the Board relating to this matter, may attend the public hearing at 2:00 pm on April 8, 2025. Time limit of oral presentations is subject to the Chair’s discretion.
Written comments and suggestions are invited and should be addressed to proposed Advertising Order. Submissions must contain your full legal name and physical address. Submissions may be mailed to:
Maeghan Chostner, Communications Officer
Special Areas Board Box 820, 212-2nd Ave. W. Hanna, AB T0J 1P0
Submissions may be emailed to public.input@specialareas.ab.ca
Written submissions must be received by 4:30 pm on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Submissions will be presented publicly to the Board at the above hearing date.
BY LEE SWITZER
The longer daylight hours and being on the same time as our neighbours to the east sure feels great.
Last Saturday, March 15, Sibbald Community Hall was a bustling place! Thirty-eight people competed in the second Sibbald Games. Teams were from Alsask and Marengo, Acadia Valley, Sibbald, Medicine Hat, and lots of places in between. Lots of laughter and fun was had as six teams competed in various events. Ski/sloshing, beer curling (on an ice surface), nail pounding, and backing a tractor with a trailer through an obstacle course were just a few of the events.
A concession was held throughout the day, and a delicious beef supper kept everyone full while the bar helped quench the thirst. Everyone had a blast and was highly impressed with the event organizers and all the volunteers who made a day like this a success.
The Sibbald Community Club’s annual general meeting will be held next Wednesday, March 26, starting at 7:00. We hope to see you there. Take care everyone.
ACADIA MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
Ongoing Easter Egg Hunt begins April 1st
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH Library Manager
Never Say Never by Danielle Steel and The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly are the most recent adult fiction additions. The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay by Mary Averling is new in juvenile fiction.
Remember that the movie Escape to Witch Mountain will be showing on Tuesday March 25th at 3:30. The sequel will also be available to borrow on DVD for those interested.
We’ve recently started a new Spring-themed puzzle. Feel free to bring a friend to visit with (and a coffee/tea if you like) while you work on it!
The library will have an ongoing Easter egg hunt beginning April 1st. Easter eggs will be hidden in select library items. If they are found in an item when you go to check out, your name will be entered into a draw. There may even be a surprise in the Easter egg! The hunt will run April 1-24.
“When I was young, we couldn’t afford much. But, my library card was my key to the world.” John Goodman
Town of Oyen Library Booknotes
BY DAYNA WILSON Library Manager
FICTION:
The Charlie Method / by: Elle Kennedy
The Frozen River : A Novel / by: Ariel Lawhorn
Wild Dark Shore / by: Charlotte McConaghy
The Jackal’s Mistress : A Novel / by: Chris Bohjalian
Demon Copperhead : A Novel / by: Barbara Kingsolver
Amish Love Letters / by: Shelley Shepard-Gray
A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage : A Novel / by: Asia Mackay
Hatcher’s Legacy / by: Del Pratt
Onyx Storm / by: Rebecca Yarros
JUVENILE FICTION:
Away / by: Megan Freeman
CHILDREN’S BOOKS: Every Monday Mabel / by: Jashar Awan
GRAPHIC NOVELS:
Dreamover / by: Dani Diaz
Kaiju No.8 Vol 12 / by: Naoya Matsumoto
LARGE PRINT: Bear Gulch / by: B.N. Rundell
PERIODICALS: People Magazine
Hockey News Focus on the Family Popular Mechanics Hello! Canada
OYEN LIBRARY OF THINGS: Portable DVD Player
SERVICE OPTIONS: The library is currently open as usual, but we have added a curbside service option as well. If you prefer to pick up materials this way, please call ahead or email to let us know which day to put them out. If you are unable to come out to the library due to physical conditions we can do deliveries within the town limits. Please just give us a call at the number listed below.
Viva Vitality: Little Hands, Big Risks –Preventing Medication Poisoning in Kids
BY LISA DOYLE
A moment of curiosity can turn into an emergency in seconds, especially when medications are within a child’s reach. Every year, thousands of children in Canada experience unintentional poisonings, and medications are a leading cause.
Last year alone, Alberta’s Poison and Drug Information Centre (PADIS) received over 1,000 calls about children aged 0 to 5 who had ingested ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Alarmingly, half of all poisonings in this age group that required hospital treatment involved medications.
Young children are naturally curious and explore their surroundings with little understanding of potential dangers. They might grab a pill bottle left on the kitchen counter, open a purse and find loose medication, or even try to be helpful by giving medicine to a sibling. In some cases, parents or caregivers may unknowingly give a child two doses of
medication due to miscommunication, such as one parent administering a dose without realizing the other has already given it. These situations can lead to serious health risks, but they are preventable with careful storage and communication.
How can we keep kids safe?
When giving medication:
• Follow dosage instructions carefully and double-check labels before giving medicine.
• Keep a record of when medication is given to prevent duplicate doses.
• Do not give multiple medications that contain the same active ingredient, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, at the same time.
When storing medication:
• Keep medication locked up tight, out of sight and out of reach of children.
• Always store medicine safely after each use.
• Ensure that guests keep their bags, coats, and purses containing medication away from children.
• Store medications in their original packaging to ensure proper labeling and instructions are available.
Suspect a poisoning? Act!
• Call the toll-free, 24/7 poison centre helpline at 1-844-POISON-X (1-844764-7669) for suspected poisonings. In an emergency, always call 911 immediately.
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By taking these simple steps, we can prevent unintentional poisonings and keep children safe. Let’s work together to raise awareness and ensure that every child in our community is protected from the dangers of medication poisoning. For more tips and resources, visit the Injury Prevention Centre.
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Lisa Doyle is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services.
Violet Lohr 1945 ~ ~ 2025
A
A tax refund is just a missed opportunity
A large refund means you’ve been overpaying your taxes throughout the year.
Violet Elnora Lohr, of Empress, AB, was born on December 16, 1945, and passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Violet was a devote Christian who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Violet leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Kevin (Lisa) Perich, Dennis Lohr, and Collin (Vicky) Lohr; grandchildren, Mackenzie Perich,
Justin Perich, Taylor Lohr, Tattiana Lohr, Damian Lohr, Alex Lohr, and Conner Lohr; great-grandchild, Amelia Lohr; brother, Arthur (Dora) Gill, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Violet was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Elnora Gill; son, Carlyle Gill; daughter, Colleen Lohr; as well as numerous relatives that have gone before. The Graveside Service will be held at the Empress Cemetery on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, at 11:00 am with Pastor Shane Hein officiating. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@ saamis.com subject heading Violet Lohr. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Saamis Memorial.
The Woodcutter’s Philosophy
BY KEITH SCHELL
When we were young, our late father, early one Saturday afternoon on our bush property as our family culled and cut down dead and decaying trees in the spring snow to harvest as firewood for our home, shared this profound piece of manly philosophy over lunch with his three growing boys: “A man who cuts his own firewood is twice warmed.”
And that’s very true. For those of you who may not know what he meant, he meant that you are firstly warmed by the physical effort of cutting the wood yourself, and then later on you are secondly warmed by the heat from the burning of that same wood as you burned it in your wood stove or in your fireplace at home.
Our father was an ardent and robust outdoorsman who loved and respected the bush. Dad loved everything about wood. He loved to cut down trees, he loved to cut the downed trees up into splittable sections, he loved to split the wood sections into usable firewood, and he loved the heat and roaring glow of a fire in a wood stove. Firewood was an essential part of our father’s life growing up.
Dad grew up on a country farm where wood was the sole source of heat for their home. Not only was his country home heated solely by wood as a boy, but he was also appointed by his teacher as the boy who had to get to school a bit earlier than everyone else in the winter to get the wood stove going to heat up their one-room schoolhouse so that everyone else would be comfortable when they came to school to begin their studies for the day.
Because the burning of wood held a special place in our father’s family life growing up, it also held a special place in our memories of growing up in the country. I distinctly remember our grandparents having a big black cast iron wood-burning cook stove in their kitchen that they used to cook meals every time we visited. They also had an electric stove as a backup, but it was only used as a last resort if the wood stove was going to take too long to cook the meal. The wood stove was big and black with white enamel oven doors, and you had to lift the cooking surface stove lids with handheld lid lifters to feed wood into the stove to maintain the fire for cooking. Many a happy Sunday dinner we enjoyed at Grandma and Grandpa’s was cooked on their wood-burning cast iron cook stove.
Eventually, after Mom and Dad married, started our family, and built our house in the country, Dad decided it was finally time to invest in a wood-burning stove for our family home. He originally purchased a Franklin stove and set it up in the living room. We enjoyed the warmth and crackle of a wood fire on many cold and snowy winter nights and occasionally saw the natural phenomenon of the ‘migrating geese’ radiating from the fire on the inner walls of our Franklin stove.
Taking his love of firewood to the next level, our entrepreneurial father decided to turn woodcutting into a profitable side business. While we usually just cut wood for ourselves, Dad knew the local cottagers enjoyed the pleasure of a glowing fire as much as he did. We boys would go with Dad to a local sawmill to buy truckloads of slabwood to cut to size and sell to the local cottagers for firewood. For those who may not know, slabwood is the outside part of the tree, including the bark, that is left over when the sawmill cuts the harvested tree logs into usable building materials. Slabwood was considered scrap at the time, so the mill was happy to sell it by the truckload to anyone who wanted to take it away.
We would pile the wood as high as we safely could in the back of our truck, using extra-long pieces of sturdy slabwood as side slats to secure the load and make the pile even higher. Once our truck was stacked to the sky with slabwood, we would tie the load down securely and take it home to pile close to our own little personal sawmill, ready to be cut to size and parceled out to any cottager who wanted to order a cord of wood from Dad. As word about his business spread, many local cottagers experienced a warm and soothing evening fire in their fireplaces thanks to the efforts of our family.
Double entendres aside, men and wood will always have a special relationship with each other. Lynn Johnston, the Canadian creator of the ‘For Better or for Worse’ cartoon strip, understood this, once writing in her autobiography, as she lived with her dentist husband in a rural community in the wilds of Northern Ontario, “You can mess with a man’s wife, but not his woodpile.”
Like in the story of the grasshopper and the ant, our family spent many weekends in our bush lot in the early spring before the bugs came out, harvesting decaying trees for firewood in preparation for the winter to come. And I smile about those times spent in our youth, working in the early spring snow and bonding with family, all the while being ‘twice warmed’ by the cutting of our own firewood.
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Keith Schell
Oyen Lodge News
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. The residents sure do like this warmer weather. A few residents walk around the Lodge daily to enjoy the fresh spring air. There isn’t much snow left and soon things will start turning green again.
The Oyen Lodge would like to welcome Karen Opheim.
Monday morning started with exercises, followed by Catholic Church with Father Rodell. Monday was St. Patrick’s Day, so there was a party in the afternoon to celebrate the day. Green beer, green wine and green lemonade were served along with little green cakes. Everyone dressed up in green so that they didn’t get pinched. Tables were decorated with pots of gold and shamrocks— Happy Birthday to Sherry Wilbur on March 17th.
Tuesday started with exercises and the regular bus run downtown for shopping. In the afternoon was our regular pub afternoon. Refreshments and snacks were served. Before supper, Taylor Neilson was at the Lodge to play piano.
Wednesday morning there was Church with Catherine, followed by crossword games. Wednesday was “National Let’s Laugh Day,” so hopefully, everyone had a giggle or two that day.
Thursday morning, the Grade 9 Students were at the Lodge doing the story writing activity with the residents. The green decorations all came down, and a
CEREAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
• Cereal Community Club AGM 7:00 PM at the Cereal Community Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
• Cereal & District Board of Trade 2025
Marathon Bingo 1:00 PM & 5:30 PM starts (Doors open at 11:30 AM) at the CJ Peacock Centre (415 Main Street). Admission: $10 for each session (ie $10 for the afternoon; $10 for the evening)
- Cereal Cottages Coffee on Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM
- Quilting Club weekly Wednesdays 10:00 AM
- 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
- Cereal Playground most Tuesdays 10:00 AM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
EMPRESS
SATURDAY, MAY 10
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Cultural and Leisure Society Plant & Pie Sale 10:00 AM -
few spring things were put up for decor so we could enjoy our spring tea in the afternoon. Lemon cake with lemon frosting and little bunnies on top of the cake, along with coffee and tea were served.
Thursday, March 20th, was the first day of Spring.
Friday morning started with exercises, followed by horse races. Poncho, the #1 horse, won most of the races that day. In the afternoon there was bingo and in the evening there was music by the Jorgenson’s.
The Oyen Lodge residents and staff would like to send our condolences to Marion Peer’s family. Marion was a resident at the Lodge before she moved to an Auxiliary. Our thoughts are with you all.
On Tuesday, April 2nd, Delbert Pratt will be at the Lodge at 7:00 p.m. for a book signing and cowboy poetry. Everyone welcome.
Have a great week, everyone, and keep enjoying the spring weather.
2:00 PM. Empress Community Hall.
• Empress Community Yard Sales 9:00 AM3:00 PM. More than 10 families! Don’t miss it!
- Game Night Saturdays at 6:00 PM at the Community Hall. Come join us for a night of fun and excitement. Play games and hang out with friends and family.
- Classic Movie Night every Tuesday at the Empress Community Hall at 7:00 PM. Bring your blanket & lawn chair. Popcorn, chips, candy, pop, water and hotdogs available in the canteen! Free Admission. A different classic film each week. Sponsored by Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society.
OYEN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
• Oyen Chamber of Commerce bi-monthly meeting 7:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
• Dry Country Gas Co-op Ltd. AGM 1:00 PM at the back shop. Acadia Valley, Cereal and Esther are up for election.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
• Oyen United Church Soup and Sandwich 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Adults $15, Kids 6-12 $5, under 6 Free.
MONDAY, MARCH 31
• Acadia Seed Processing Plant Annual Meeting 2 PM in the AFSC meeting room.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
• Oyen Lodge with Town of Oyen Library present Del Pratt, Author and Cowboy Poet! 7:00 PM Oyen Lodge dining area. Book signing and cowboy poetry.
TUESDAY, APRIL 8
• Oyen & District Curling Club AGM 7:00 PM. All members are encouraged to attend.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
• Prairieland Athletic Association Annual General Meeting 7:00 PM at 402 - 5th Avenue East.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
• Ecumanical Good Friday Service held at Oyen Evangelical Missionary Church at 11:00 AM. All are welcome.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7
• Regular Pot Luck and Meeting for the Oyen and District Seniors (50+) at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. Pot Luck at 6:00 PM and Meeting at 7:00 PM. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403-6642462 for further information.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. - Community Choir every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Evangelical Missionary Church. The choir will perform at the Ecumanical Good Friday Service on April 18th.
Got an upcoming event in your town? Let us know about it!
