Looking for information or photos of the demolition of the CN station?
BY DIANA WALKER
Wednesday night, I enjoyed a telephone visit with Lauretta Thygesen of Calgary. This former Oyenite, who will celebrate her 98th birthday on May 14, was thrilled to learn of the Royal Canadian Legion’s upcoming 65th Anniversary. She and her daughter hope to attend.
What a fitting date, February 29, leap day, for Keith Mehl to retire from South Country Co-op. After eight years as a salesperson, he plans to turn his efforts into farming full-time during the growing season and having more time to volunteer in the community he and Michele have raised their family.
A few years ago, Bernie Krewski and I tried to find the date of the demolition of the CNR Station in Oyen. We never discovered when that occurred. Bernie
MASH
has collected substantial material about the Goose Lake Line that began at Saskatoon and wound westward. It includes a news clip of when the last passenger train occurred in 1963. We want to fill the gap regarding the disappearance of the Oyen Station.
We emailed the Oyen Town Office to see if they had any information, i.e., a demolition permit, transfer of land title, or any other type of documentation.
A few days later, we received this from Debbie Kovitch:
“To date, I have found the write-up penned by Jerry Dziuba for Volume II (Oyen History Book). It states the CNR appeared in Oyen in 1912, provided full services until 1963, and then dropped the passenger line. They abandoned the depot between June of 1973 and July of 1974. Also, in Volume I (Page 246), a photo caption states: In 1980, the station
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is old and disused except as a truckers' depot.
I assume demolition occured after this. I will keep looking in the files at the office and the old Council minutes if I can find anything.
By chance, would any Oyen Echo readers have any information or photos of the demolition of the CN station?
Oyen Legion: Its Early Roots
By Bernie Krewski
The history of the Legion is outlined on pages 346-350 in Many Trails Crossed Here, vol. 1. The original charter, it states, issued in 1946, remained inactive for the next twelve years. Re-issued in 1958, the first renewal meeting took place on March 20.
These notes compiled from news reports in the Hanna Herald expand the story about the Oyen Legion’s beginnings. Some may wonder why there was such a long delay in establishing a local branch considering that WWII ended in 1945. I would suggest they read Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan’s fine book, “War: How Conflict Has Shaped Us.” I know how it has shaped me, having two older brothers who were WWII veterans and my son who is currently serving in Canada’s Naval Forces Reserve.
This was the front-page headline in the Hanna Herald on November 14, 1957: Large Number Attend Memorial Day Services at Oyen; Held in Community for the First Time.
The Herald’s correspondent, at that time, was Lillian Gibson whose husband George was a WWII veteran. The Service was held at the Oyen Theatre. Those present included veterans in this district from both world wars and members from the Empress branch. The guest speakers were three members
of the local clergy – Reverends Page, Schwindt, and Webner.
Six months later, on June 5, 1958, the news story was “Oyen Legion to Have Ceremonies.” The Legion announced that the installation of officers in the newly formed branch would occur on June 18. Known as the Acadia Branch No. 8, it would also host members from the Empress and several other neighbouring branches.
In her regular column, the Oyen correspondent commended the Legion for its efforts in purchasing the building known as the “Dorm,” the former residence of out-of-town students attending high school in Oyen. Truckloads of material were being hauled away, she noted, in preparation for the big day on June 18.
A report on this major event was published in the Herald on June 26. It was held at the Oyen Theatre with 275 – 300 people in attendance. Included were: representatives from the Empress, Hanna, Eatonia, and Delia branches. Besides installation of officers for the Legion and the Women’s Auxiliary, a buffet supper and dance followed.
The founding officers are listed: President – William Cunningham, veteran and former mayor; Sergeant-at-Arms – Floyd Horne; First Vice-President –Kenneth Munroe; Second Vice-President – Don Code; Secretary – William Mills; Treasurer – Fred Boulter; Executive Council – John Dziuba, Art Chaplain, Ian McKay, Fred Tye.
The Women’s Auxiliary: President –Nan McCallum; Vice-President – Lillian Gibson; Secretary – Hazel Evens; Treasurer – Bernice Windrum; Executive Council: Margaret Kuhn, Lauretta Thygesen, Judy Berg, Anne Schauer. Lest We Forget!
BY JOAN JANZEN
Forty years ago a group of approximately 25 women gathered in Esther Profoun’s basement in Oyen where she taught them how to make porcelain dolls. Students came as far away as Medicine Hat and Kerrobert to learn the art of doll making.
Three basement rooms, two kilns, and a
sewing machine were utilized for the classes. The dolls were meticulously painted and adorned with wigs, plastic eyeballs, and eye lashes, and stuffed with poly-fil. It took up to 46 days to complete one doll.
In the spring of 1998, the group had 200 dolls assembled to present to students at the Oyen High School. The star of the show was a miniature two foot high Shirley Temple doll.
Esther Porfoun of Oyen pictured in 1998 with the Shirley Temple Doll she had made. She taught doll making classes in her basement in Oyen.
PHOTO: WEST CENTRAL CROSSROADS MARCH 1998
OPINION: Contradictions in Canada
BY JOAN JANZEN
When it comes to contradictions, there are some funny examples to consider. The following two statements are contradictory: “God made me an atheist. Who are you to question Him?” Or how about this inscription on a monument: “Nothing is written in stone.” And finally, cartoon cat Garfield pointed out, “Good Morning is a contradiction in terms.”
Meanwhile, there are plenty of contradictions in Canada which aren’t humorous. Let’s have a look.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation reported the federal government’s three affordability cabinet retreats during a one-year time span cost taxpayers more than $1 million. The goal of the retreats was to come up with plans to make life in Canada more affordable. Obviously, they never considered Zoom calls as an alternative mode of discussion.
The Daily Mail observed the following contradiction. Recently, 90-yearold Fran Itkoff was shocked to receive an email telling her she was fired as a volunteer for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. This was a result of a representative asking her to start using pronouns in her email signature. However, the senior citizen didn’t understand what that meant.
Her daughter said, “To me, it’s ironic because they are saying they are inclusive, but they are excluding a 90-yearold disabled woman who has volun-
teered for 60 years. Literally, her sole purpose was to help MS patients and find a cure.”
When supporters threatened to withhold their funds, the organization issued an apology, but it’s unknown if Itkoff will rejoin the organization.
On a recent podcast, Tanner Hnidey discussed a news conference our Prime Minister attended in Poland. Hnidey said, “How can he (the PM) talk about defending Canada when in the same breath he is flooding this country with hundreds of thousands of individuals from all across the world every single year?” He noted protecting our borders is the first step towards protecting our nation.
Journalist Lorne Gunter discussed the PM’s recent visit to Edmonton in a Toronto Sun interview. In the PM’s 30-minute conversation with a blogger, he said, “Oil is becoming unprofitable.”
Yet Gunter noted the oil industry is still the largest economic engine in the country and is the reason Alberta receives 50,000 new Canadians every year. “Real events are contrary to what Trudeau says,” Gunter concluded.
The next contradiction was described by independent journalist David Krayden in an online interview. He asked how the Arrive Can app, which was about keeping Canadians safe, ended up costing taxpayers $60 million instead of the initial projected cost of $80,000.
Karen Hogan said in the Auditor
TO THE EDITOR:
FOOD PRICES:
The cost of food in Canada is not too high. It’s just that there is a shortage of money in the country to be able to buy the food with. Money is pretty scarce for the lower income half of the country. We appear to have a problem and I believe it’s called Trudeau. He seems to have no problem sending billions of dollars around the world, but no money for Canada. People are much
the same as business. If you don’t have a cash flow, your business will fail. If people don’t have a cash flow, their cupboards go bare. Of course, I believe there is a pretty easy solution for this, but I wonder if the Government will ever figure it out. Here’s a little hint! “GMW”
Robert Blagen Youngstown, AB
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General’s report, “The Canadian Border Services Agency’s documentation and financial records of the Arrive Can Application were so poor that we were unable to determine the precise cost of the Arrive Can Application. We estimated the cost.”
Krayden reported the first company that was hired to make this app consisted of four guys who willingly admitted they didn’t know anything about IT. Yet this company of four people collected $258 million in contracts from the federal government since the Liberals took power. He also noted that the Arrive Can not only didn’t work properly to keep people safe, but it also cost taxpayers a lot of money.
On another topic, Faytene Grasseschi on Faytene TV discussed the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to include the mentally ill, the drug addicted and depressed. The expansion is set to go ahead on March 17, although the government could change their minds. However, Faytene said let’s look back to where we started.
“We were told this would only be made available to those who had terminal illnesses. But we are now in a situation where we’re regularly hearing stories of people who are saying they can’t get a kidney or liver transplant, or heart surgery, but they can have MAID within 24 hours, and their friends and loved ones won’t even know,” she said, and proceeded to point out the contradiction.
“I remember a few years ago when we rolled out the National Suicide Prevention Hotline,” she recalled. It was a number Canadians could call if they were in a low place in their life and just couldn’t take it anymore. Someone on the phone would “walk them off the edge of the cliff”, Faytene said. “On the other side, there is this mechanism where people can actually walk to the edge of the cliff without their family and friends even being aware of what’s happening. It’s a weird dynamic we’re seeing right now.”
Faytene’s guest, Toyin Crandall, is a finance and leadership coach who helps people, businesses, and organizations shift from fiscal vulnerability to strength. In her own journey, Toyin went from being homeless to leading a flourishing life.
“The biggest thing I have to say as someone who didn’t have money to feed my family is, there is hope,” Toyin said. “The decisions of people that are outside of your control do not have to dictate your end. I decided that despite what was happening in the economy, there has to be a way for myself and my family to thrive.”
Now, Toyin helps others navigate through similar difficult circumstances. She realizes that when it comes to contradictions, we need to agree to disagree, think differently and find hope, even when we’re told there is none.
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ACADIA VALLEY
- Adult drop-in Volleyball Wednesdays 7:30 PM at Warren Peers School. Contact Marie 403-664-8589 for more info.
CEREAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
• Cereal & District Athletic Association planning session 7:00 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre (south side door only).
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
• Cereal Board of Trade Annual General Meeting 7:00 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
• Cereal Community Centre Annual General Meeting 7:30 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
• Cereal Board of Trade Marathon Bingo at the CJ Peacock Centre. Time TBD.
MONDAY, APRIL 8
• Cereal Board of Trade weekly Bingo begins 7:30 PM at CJ Peacock Centre (AND every Monday afterwards until end of November, except holidays).
- Tuesdays - Cereal Cottages Weekly Coffee Time 10:30 AM
- Wednesdays - Cereal Quilting Club 10 AM - 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre
Proudly Supporting Our Local Communities
- Thursdays - Chase the Ace progressive raffle every Thursday 7:00-9:00 PM at the Cereal Hotel & Bar. Chance to win TWICE each week. Ace Jackpot could grow up to $7000! Must be at least 18 years. Winning ticket must be present to win. Cash ticket purchase on site only. AGLC #669949
- NEW Thursday Tea Time 2:00-4:00 PM at Claire’s Emporium (4th Ave East) Free coffee & tea. Crafts TBD.
EMPRESS
TUESDAY, MARCH 12
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society 2024 AGM and Member Meeting 1:00-2:00 PM at the Village of Empress Community Hall.
HANNA
Hanna Senior Circle
- Wednesdays 1:00 PM Cards (Spades)
- Thursdays 1:00 PM Cards (Five Hundred)
- Seniors Circle Bingo will be held February 8, 22, March 7 & 21 at 7:30 PM
NEW BRIGDEN
SATURDAY, MARCH 9
• Family Fun Spiel at the Central Curling Club. Enter as a team or individual to Lucille
403-664-0172.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
• Ladies Fun Spiel at the Central Curling Club. Enter as a team or individual to Lucille 403-664-0172.
OYEN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
• Regular Pot Luck Supper and Meeting for Oyen and District Seniors at the Seniors Recreation Centre. Supper at 6:00 PM. Meeting at 7:00 PM.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
• Oyen Skating Club presents “Lion King” at the Oyen Arena 5:00 PM. Free Admission. Booth open. Prize table. Donations welcome!
• Soup & Sandwiches at Oyen United Church 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Proceeds to Oyen Schools Breakfast Program.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
• Oyen Otters Meeting 7:00 PM at the RCMP Centennial Park Food Booth. Everyone welcome. Secretary and Vice President positions need to be filled immediately for the club to continue.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
• Prairie Athletic Association Annual General Meeting 7:00 PM at the RCMP Centennial
Park Food Booth. Everyone is welcome. Supper will be provided.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers - Oyen & District Curling Club Fun League runs Tuesday evenings 6:30-10:00 PM. Contact Kari 403-664-1001 to enter a team. - Oyen & District Curling Club Cash League runs Wednesday evenings 6:00-10:00 PM. Contact Brett 403-664-8868 to enter a team.
SEDALIA
MONDAY, MARCH 4
• Community Strategies for a Changing World presents “Free James Sowery, Alberta Political Prisoner.” Speakers: Ron Clark and Judi Sowery, mother of James Sowery. Hear his story. Everyone welcome.
SIBBALD
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
• Sibbald Community Club presents The Sibbald Games at the Sibbald Community Hall. Doors open at 1:30 PM. Games start at 2:00 PM. For more info, to enter a team or purchase advance tickets call/text Chandra 403-664-0469.
Newspaper in Education Week - March 4 - 8, 2024
How newspapers teach students important critical thinking skills
Newspapers are a valuable tool for nurturing critical thinking skills in students. They provide a real-world context for intellectual growth and help develop analytical, evaluative and argumentative skills. Here are some ways in which newspapers impact students’ critical thinking skills.
NEWSPAPERS OFFER DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS
Firstly, newspapers encourage students to engage with current events and complex issues. They provide in-depth coverage of local, national and international news, which allows students to explore different viewpoints and form their own opinions. This process of analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information is central to critical thinking.
NEWSPAPERS TEACH MEDIA LITERACY
Secondly, newspapers promote media literacy. In an age of digital information overload and “fake news,” students need to develop the ability to discern credible sources from unreliable ones. By regularly reading newspapers, they learn to identify trustworthy news outlets and differentiate between fact-based reporting and opinion pieces.
NEWSPAPERS IMPROVE LANGUAGE SKILLS
Moreover, newspapers enhance vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. The varied content and writing styles found in newspapers challenge students to understand complex ideas and concepts, which in turn improves their language proficiency and comprehension abilities.
Newspapers in Education Week takes place annually during the first week of March. It’s a perfect time to encourage students to incorporate newspapers into their classroom routines to help in their intellectual development and prepare them to be informed, critical thinkers in today’s complex world.
Using newspapers to foster civic engagement among young readers
Youth today have a reputation for not voting and being uninterested in getting involved in their communities. However, research shows that newspapers can play a vital role in increasing civic engagement among young people.
RESEARCH RESULTS
Research conducted by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation (NAA) found that young people who read newspapers regularly were more likely to volunteer, participate in community activities, get involved in local politics and vote in elections.
THE LINK BETWEEN NEWSPAPERS AND ENGAGEMENT
The study also found that engaged young people remembered having newspapers as part of their high school classes, homework that involved reading newspapers and consuming teen-focused content in their local papers. This also included digital media online.
Moreover, talking about news-related subjects and events with parents, teachers and peers had a sig-
nificant impact on their knowledge and involvement in public affairs.
TYPES OF ENGAGEMENT
Young people who volunteered cited youth mentoring, community improvement and environmental work as their top activities. Also, on the list were walking, running and riding a bike to raise money for a charity and taking part in blood donation drives. They were also more likely to donate to causes they felt were impactful and participate in local political rallies and election campaigns.
During newspapers in Education Week, ensure newspapers have an active role in your child’s learning routine to help foster a future generation made up of engaged citizens.
