Community Emergency Preparedness Day held in Oyen
The Town of Oyen and the Special Areas Board were excited to host a Community Emergency Preparedness Day on May 6, 2023, in Oyen, AB. Emergency management partners from across the region joined the event to help raise awareness of what people can do in and around their homes to help prepare for emergencies like wildfires, severe storms, and power outages.
With over 200 people stopping by, this event was a great opportunity for people throughout the community to get the latest information on preparing for (and responding to) emergencies.
“Getting better prepared in case of emergencies is something everyone can do! We were so excited to see so many people from the community come out to our second annual community emergency preparedness day. It was a great event that highlighted all the incredible partners we have in the region, and how important it is for everyone to work together in emergencies. I want to thank all our partners for contributing to this successful evening.”
Shaune Kovitch, Oyen Fire Chief
Special
Areas Director of Emergency Management
“The collaboration to host this event and amazing efforts from all partners is a testament to our region’s ability to work together in case of an emergency. Being prepared is always your first step when it comes to emergencies, and we were so excited to see the great turnout from our community for this event! Thank you to all partners in-
volved in making this evening a success.”
Town of Oyen
The event hosted a wide range of information from partners across the region, including Alberta Health Services, ATCO Power, Cooperators Insurance, HALO Air Ambulance, RCMP, and local fire departments. The local ATCO team was on hand to cook up a delicious BBQ supper, in addition to their $1500 contribution to the community event.
The highlight of the night was the demonstration of HALO’s air ambulance. HALO-1 dropped right outside
the Oyen Fire Hall, with local firefighters preparing a landing zone. HALO responds to calls throughout the region, including emergency medical scenes, critical care transfers, search & rescue, and much more. HALO, as well as STARS, are an important part of emergency responses throughout the entire Special Areas region. Door prizes were another hit, including 72-hour emergency kits; fire prevention & response tools like leaf blowers, fire extinguishers, and water packs; and emergency preparedness kits.
The event was funded in part through
High School Rodeo athletes pack the Crossroads Centre
BY DIANA WALKER AND SHANNA BISHELL
Big Country High School Rodeo Club hosted one of the seven weekends of Alberta High School Rodeo for District 2 held this spring. The event took place at the Big Country Agricultural Society’s Crossroads Centre in Oyen April 26, 27 and 28.
Seventy-nine junior high and 140 high school participants came from as far north as Athabasca, west to Sundre, south to Strathmore, and Oyen to the east!
Friday Junior High Rodeo started at 1 p.m.
Events: Barrel Racing, Boys Breakaway, Tie Down, Ribbon Roping, Chute Dogging, Girls’ Goat Tying, Boys’ Goat Tying, Girls’ Breakaway, Bareback , Saddlebronc, Steer Riding, Team Roping, Junior Bull Riding and Pole Bending
Junior High and High School Light Rifle and High School Trap Shooting took place at the Oyen Rod & Gun Club Friday night at 6 p.m. This was one of the three Shooting events taking place on the 7 weekends.
Despite the cold and wind the kids had a great time. Oyen Rod & Gun club were terrific hosts, even barbequing hamburgers and hot dogs for the competitors and their families!
Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.
Events: Boys’ Cutting, Girls’ Cutting, and Reined Cow Horse.
Saturday 10:30 a.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. saw full days of rodeo action with these events both days: Bareback, Saddlebronc, Barrel Racing, Tie Down Roping, Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Goat Tying, Team Roping, Pole Bending and Bull Riding.
Competitors earned a bit of prize money for top placings in their events both days.
Junior High Champions in each event received a beautiful halter or rope bag with custom leather designs by Tyrone Maines – Out of Line Leather Designs.
High School Average Champions in each event won a beautiful Corriente Buckles sponsored by one of our many generous sponsors!
High Point Awards from the Big Country Rodeo.
Junior High Girls High Point winner: Ellie Havens of Madden cleaned house Friday taking home the championship points and prizes for Pole Bending and Girls’ Goat Tying, as well as placing in Breakaway, Team Roping, and Barrels. Ellie won a lawn chair with a custom leather design by Tyrone Maines – Out of Line Leather Designs.
Junior High Boys High Point winner: Cruz Lillico of Stettler is the Boys’ Breakaway Champion, Team Roping Champion with his partner Jax, and Ribbon Roping Champion with his partner Ava! Cruz won a lawn chair with a custom leather design by Tyrone Maines – Out of Line Leather Designs.
High School Boys High Point winner: Colt Van Straten of Stettler is our Average Champion in the Tie Down Roping, 2nd in the average in the Steer Wrestling, and placed in the Team Roping! Colt won a pair of custom Corriente Buckle Co. Spurs.
High School Girls High Point winner: Aubrey Ross of Botha brought her A game this weekend! She’s took home the average buckle for the Barrel Racing, Girls’ Goat Tying as well as the Breakaway! Aubrey also won a pair of custom Corriente Buckle Co. Spurs
Junior High Event Winners
BARRELS - Laci Pole, Erskine
BREAKAWAY BOYS - Cruz Lillico, Stettler
RIBBON ROPING - Cruz Lillico, Stettler and Ava Boxma, Halkirk
TEAM ROPING - Cruz Lillico, Stettler and Jax Torkelson, Warburg
CHUTE DOGGING - Rex Curtis, Donalda
POLE BENDING - Ellie Havens, Madden
GOAT TYING GIRLS - Ellie Havens, Madden
GOAT TYING BOYS - Luke Hronek, Erskine
BREAKAWAY GIRLS - Hadley Schiffner, Wheatland County
BAREBACK - Riley Baird, Big Valley
JR BULL RIDING - Blaze Torkelson, Warburg
High School 2-Day Average Winners:
BOYS’ CUTTING - Clancy Squair, Clyde
GIRLS’ CUTTING - Annaleise Millar, Stettler
REINED COW HORSE - Sophia Lowie, Leduc
BAREBACK - Quaide Skjonsberg, Bluffton
SADDLEBRONC - Clay Greenslade, Rocky View County
BARRELS - Aubrey Ross, Botha
BREAKAWAY - Aubrey Ross, Botha
GOAT TYING - Aubrey Ross, Botha
TIE DOWN - Colt Van Straten, Stettler
STEER WRESTLING - Jake Curtis, Donalda
TEAM ROPING - Ryder Hillock and Levi Hunter, Sundre
POLE BENDING - Haley Resch, Lousana
BULL RIDING - Westen Wade, Sylvan Lake (no photo)
Junior High Light Rifle Champion: Hailey Muenchrath, Rockyford.
HS Trap Shooting Champion: Whip Gertner,. He was tied with Clancy Squair after the first round so they got to do a shoot off for the win.
High School Light Rifle Champion: Nathan Bishell, Consort.
Calvin and Haley Powell – Homestead Angus donated prizes for the Champions in all three shooting events
PHOTOS
Annaleise Millar
Haley Resch
Clancy Squair
Hadley Schifner
Drone photo by Clint Walker
Colt Van Straten
Blaze Torkelson
Luke Hronek Laci Pole
Ryder Hillock and Levi Hunter Aubrey Ross
Ellie Havens
Cruz Lillico
OPINION:
Leaving a legacy of loved and hated commentary
BY JOAN JANZEN
The monument at the man’s grave read: “Born 1940. Gave up smoking 1985. Gave up booze 1995. Gave up red meat 2000. Died anyway 2010”.
Although he was working and practicing his craft right up until May 7, 2024, well-known Canadian journalist Rex Murphy died anyway on May 9. In addition to working for the National Post, he was a familiar voice on radio, television, and podcasts. A hint of an accent gave away his roots in Newfoundland.
Known as a free thinker, Murphy was fearless in expressing his views, but was also intelligent, articulate and exercised a keen wit. Whether people agreed or disagreed with him, he was the recipient of a Game Changers Award a few months prior to his death.
His obituary stated he died at age 77 after a battle with cancer, but even that didn’t stop him from expressing his thoughts prior to leaving this earth. The health challenges he faced must have made him aware of the uncertainty of the length of his life. Sometimes, people in those circumstances tend to express what is of utmost importance to them while they have the opportunity to do so.
Two pieces Murphy penned before his passing addressed the topic of Is-
rael and antisemitism. The headline of his article published on April 25, 2024, read, “Hatred of Israel is the great moral disorder of our time.” As was his custom, he didn’t hold back any punches.
“It cannot be otherwise that the hearts and souls of those who wisely love Israel are today so troubled when the enemies of Israel, those in the Middle East, those in North America and Europe - all those everywhere who root their very being in hatred of Israel - flood the streets and higher universities with their Hamas flags, and blasphemously scream that exposed, tiny, embattled, and peaceful Israel is a genocide state,” Murphy wrote.
He ended that piece with this encouragement, “Support for Israel is the moral test of democratic leaders and all people with thinking and fair minds,” and promised he would write more in his next missive, which he did.
His May 7 piece brought the topic closer to home as he contemplated Canada’s relationship with Israel. “Political cowardice, the fear of losing some of the Muslim vote has Trudeau responding to antisemitism by dusting off tattered platitudes (“This is not who we are as Canadians”) or some equally flaccid slogan crafted by speechwriters.”
He continued to say he heard that a Jew at the University of Toronto must
TO THE EDITOR:
A PIPELINE AT LAST:
Well, we finally have a Pipeline from Alberta to the BC coast. It has taken almost 10 years and billions of dollars of cost over runs and it should probably have only taken about 2 years to complete. At about 1000% over budget it
makes one wonder if the same company that handled the Arrive Can scam was responsible for this mess? Just wondering, but I suppose we’ll never know for sure.
Robert Blagen Youngstown, AB
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show proof of anti-Israel beliefs in order to be allowed on their own campus. He further speculated if the response would differ if it was any other group besides the Jews who were being targeted with hatred.
As was Murphy’s usual custom, he boldly and unapologetically stated his views. “Trudeau is presented with a singular and essential moral choice to make. The choice to stand with democratic Israel, to rebut the insolent lies about genocide and apartheid, to name Hamas for the total sadistic villain it is,” he wrote in his final missive. “Do you think he’ll make that choice? Not very likely,” he concluded.
Canadian campuses have resorted to name-calling, saying those who believe in the existence of a Jewish state are racist terrorists, labelling others as retards and dirty Jews. Such behaviour is generally discouraged for children, but these adults somehow feel justified in their hatred.
True North questioned whether the hateful behaviour equates with their claims as peaceful, anti-war protests. They reported an Ontario MPP calling to “globalize the intifada” at an encampment on McMaster University’s campus. The term refers to an armed uprising of Palestinians.
On a positive note, True North reported the dismantling of an encamp-
ment at the University of Calgary last week. The U of A president reported fewer than 25% of the encampment were students.
Meanwhile, comments written in response to Murphy’s final missive were positive. “Thanks again, Rex,” one comment stated. “You always state the facts as they are. Much appreciated.”
In a recent article, Robin Rowland described Murphy as “one of Canada’s best-known, loved and hated TV commentators and columnists.” Regardless whether the feedback Murphy received was complimentary or derogatory in nature, at present he is beyond caring, and perhaps he always was. It could be the secret to his bold and fearless commentary.
Another reader responded by saying, “Thank you for articulating what so many Canadians feel about our PM’s failures regarding this war.”
Unfortunately, as of May 9, 2024, there is one less voice articulating the views held by many Canadians. Hopefully, a brave, articulate, informed and witty individual from the next generation will choose to pick up the baton Rex Murphy left behind. Loved and hated commentary isn’t a legacy many wish to inherit, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
Who will step up to the challenge? Time will tell.
JAIDYN WINQUIST Summer Student
Pop89: The walk home
BY MADONNA HAMEL
Isn’t a pilgrimage supposed to be religious? That’s a question I got asked a lot when I talked about the life-changing historic walks I made with pilgrimage prof Matthew Anderson and folk historian Hugh Henry. Myself and my fellow pilgrims - ranging from a handful to a dozen on any given day - retraced the historical trails made by both early settlers and Indigenous inhabitants of Saskatchewan, trails imbued with memory, blood, sweat and tears. Trails that defined us admirably and shamefully, and if we listen with complete openness, spoke in the voices of ancestors through the stones and grasses.
Last night, I had the opportunity to revisit those walks at the launch of Matthew Anderson’s new book, The Good Walk. (I’ll talk More about the book itself after I’ve read it.) Sitting in my chair at the Swift Current Museum, I felt a rush of happiness to be around my fellow walkers, who, along with me, had nursed sore feet, glugged welcome gifts of cold water, shared bags of nuts, and shared our emerging discoveries and impressions.
I cannot speak for the others, but I can say that speaking with them about their beliefs, smudging and being smudged, praying both Indigenous and Christian prayers, and above all, being taught by red-wing hawks and ancient stones, made the walks deeply religious. My own participation in the Wood Mountain to Fort Walsh and Humboldt to Fort Carleton walks can only be described as religious, considering the etymological meaning of religion- “religio ‘- is “to relink.” They were psychic links between people-past and present, between land and feet, between the inescapable heaven and earth of the prairie.
Matthew began his reading by saying: “This is a
group project, not a heroic journey. And while there is nothing wrong with a heroic journey, the pilgrimage is done together. “Yes, I say under my breath, reminded of a line that came to me when I was writing Mother’s Apron and the young woman is faced with a Jesuit who asks her if she goes to church anymore. She replies: “No. I don’t know what I believe in anymore. I guess I believe in humanity.”
And the Jesuit says: “It’s one thing to love humanity. It’s another thing to love the next person who walks through that door.” And then to have to sit next to them. Walk alongside them.
Later, when Matthew says, jokingly, “Ok. Madonna. You can speak now” (referring, I suppose, to my overactive imagination wanting to express itself all the time about everything all at once.) I say: “We were a roving congregation. We had no choice but to get along.” Thrown together we do that like every group must in order to survive.
Oyen 2 Solar Project Open House
c o
And we did that by sharing stories. I can’t help refer again to Harold Johnson who knew what power lay in stories. If we have strayed from the power of stories into the contentious realm of the story of power, we can can return to stories through walking. There is plenty of time on a long day walk to tell, listen, reflect and tell deeper, listen deeper.
I had the privilege of talking about books with Don Bolen. The archbishop in his hiking shorts and ball cap, confessed about a day he called in sick in seminary school because he wanted to finish the latest Chaim Potok novel. Oh man, I said, he was my favourite author too. Later that day, Sister Reann told me about her work in reconciliation and her own family history. A year later, she visited Val Marie, and we encountered a rattlesnake. She wanted to get closer; I had to pull her away. The snake metaphor did not escape her, and she riffed on it for the rest of the day. Other days I, talked installation art with Hugh, poetry with Louise, desert mothers and fathers with Matthew. At the end of each day, we whined to Laurent, our guardian angel driver, about our thirst and sore feet, while he offered water and an ear.
Stories rose from the land like mist in the morning, revealing gifts. Once, a welcome cold swimming pool in a park made famous by a Connie Kaldour song. And at the end of another hot, dusty day - a cozy bar with ice cold beer, several baskets of home fries and a jukebox full of classic country tunes. That night, we were given an entire primary school to sleep in. The showers seemed tiny, we had to bend to get water on our heads, but we were happy for hot water. Clean bodies make for better sleeps. Do you mind sleeping in the library, Reann and I were asked. Do we mind? Are you kidding? The last night at the end of the epic Carlton trail hike, after rubbing my hands along the felt pool table once stolen from Gabriel Dumont, I slept in my car because of a noise in the woods.
Matthew reminded us we wrote haikus along our walks, and Hugh recited a few. I remember one day after I witnessed a circle of wild horses watch me share a humbling, transformative moment with a lodge ring before we walked under a foreboding sky, I fashioned this one: “Giant clouds cast whale/ shadows floating over the/empty Bear Paw Sea.”
Near the end of his talk Matthew spoke of how we no longer talk about distance in miles but in hours. But I have a theory that the two collapse into each other: That, out here, time and space wear the same face. After the talk I wanted to share my theory, and a couple other pithy insights, with him and his lovely wife Sarah. But they were surrounded by fans. And I had said enough. I crept away and headed home. Crossing the dark and empty sea, driving home alone, I thought of my family’s hard year. Then turned my thoughts to tomorrow’s long walk, while sending out prayers into the close and holy dark road ahead.
Personnel moves rampant in curling
BY BRUCE PENTON
As the inturn turns… Well, it might not be as intriguing and dramatic as the television soap opera As The World Turns, but the Canadian curling scene continues to draw gasps of surprise from the thousands of diehard fans across the country.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
The latest: Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton, who skipped his team to the Brier title in 2021, appears to have been fired by the other three members of his team — Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant and Ben Hebert — and been replaced at skip by Brad Jacobs, who has become Canada’s most prominent member of the ‘Have Broom, Will Travel’ club. Jacobs, from Sault Ste. Marie, has a spectacular curling resume, having won one Brier (2013) and an Olympic gold medal (2014). He was a perennial participant in the Brier out of Northern Ontario but his rink split up when he took a sabbatical after the 2022 Brier. Last year, he hooked up with Reid Carruthers of Winnipeg and by the latter stages of the season, was skipping the team. After his sabbatical — reportedly so he could devote more time to family and business interests — Jacobs is now back in the full grind of competitive curling.
The Bottcher move was intriguing because only three years ago, the team’s third, Darren Moulding, was essentially fired by the team. To have the same thing happen to Bottcher must have brought a wry smile to the face of Moulding, who wasn’t happy with the move and didn’t mind saying so. What kind of supporting cast Bottcher will wind up with for next
season remains to be seen, but publicly, he took the high road, posting on X that he wished his former team-mates all the best “on and off the ice.” He said he would have “more news” in the near future.
The Jacobs-to-Alberta move left the Carruthers rink with a big hole, but Saskatchewan native Catlin Schneider, who has thrown third stones for Matt Dunstone and Colton Flasch, among others, filled it by joining the Winnipeg-based rink at third. There were other headline-inspiring moves during curling’s unofficial ‘free agency’ period. One of the bigger ones concerned Jennifer Jones, perhaps the best female curler in Canada’s history. She retired and her youthful rink went looking for a replacement, finding Calgary’s Chelsea Carey, an original Winnipegger who has two Scotties’ Tournament of Hearts’ titles to her credit.
Other personnel moves involving top curlers include Scott Howard, Glenn’s son, taking over as skip after his dad’s retirement; John Epping moving on from his Toronto-based rink and joining forces with Jacob and Tanner Horgan out of Northern Ontario (the Horgans are brothers of Tracy Fleury, the third on Rachel Homan’s world championship rink); and Lisa Weagle, who has played with Homan and Jones, has joined the Laurie St-Georges rink from Quebec.
Intrigue remains. Where will Bottcher land? Are there more changes to come? Will Moulding pop up on someone’s team? Stay tuned. Curling news is a 12-month-a-year deal these days.
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Husband and wife Michael and Jasmine Snell each bowled 300 on the same night in Omaha, Neb. Can’t say if their marriage is solid, but there were no signs of a split.”
• Headline at fark.com.: “Ahh, the signs of late spring. Flowers blooming, birds singing, and St. Louis Cardinals’ fans panicking.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: “Bal-
ly Sports channels removed from Comcast after bankruptcy of Bally operator Diamond Sports. Comcast fans of MLB’s Tigers, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, Rays, Rangers, Braves, Angels, Royals, Twins and Marlins can no longer see games. Sadly White Sox fans can still watch their team.”
• Vindictive guy Steve Burgess of Vancouver: “The Leafs are out. The Jays are losing. Drake’s beef is not going well. Sucks to be you, Toronto.”
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “Did you see where LIV Golf just made a major announcement that there will now be a trading window to allow its teams to swap players. Philosophical question: If a sports league makes a major announcement and nobody cares, is it still a major announcement?”
• Canada’s satirical website, the Beaverton, after coach Sheldon Keefe was fired: “Maple Leafs begin search for new scapegoat.”
• From fark.com: “NFL strength of schedule for all 32 teams: Browns face most difficult slate as they don’t get to play against the Browns.”
• Another one from fark.com: “He’s MVP for the third time, and that’s no Jokic.”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, lamenting some of the high salaries paid to Maple Leafs compared to Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl: “Draisaitl is paid $8.5 million a year by the Oilers, $2.5 million less than the Maple Leafs pay John Tavares, $2.4 million less than they pay Mitch Marner, $3 million less than the Leafs will pay William Nylander next season.”
• Another one from Simmons: “Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is fifth in all of baseball in hitting the ball the hardest. When that translates to runs scored, call me.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Brock MacDougall drafted to the Seattle Thunderbirds
Grandson of Dwight and Wendy Meers and son of Candice and Jeffery MacDougall, Brock MacDougall has achieved a significant milestone in his hockey experience. The Seattle Thunderbirds drafted him in the 8th round, 159th overall, in the 2024 WHL Draft, a testament to his dedication and skill.
From the backyard rinks to local arenas, Brock’s passion for hockey has been evident from a young age. His recent draft by the Seattle Thunderbirds marks a proud moment for his family, showcasing his talent and potential.
Throughout the 2023-24 season with the Edmonton Hockey Club in the JPHL, Brock’s impact was not just felt, but reverberated both on and off the ice. As the team captain, he led his team to a league championship, a testament to his leadership and determination. In a nail-biting league final, with the score down and time running out, Brock’s skill and composure shone through. He scored a goal late in the third period to tie the game, and 5:12 into overtime, he scored the game-winning goal to claim the championship. Over
This support, this sense of community, is what makes Brock’s journey all the more special and inspiring.
the 39-game season, Brock’s performance was stellar, scoring 36 goals and marking 24 assists for a total of 60 points. Off the ice, he is an exceptional student, maintaining honours with distinction in all his classes. With the unwavering support of his loved ones and the Thunderbirds organization, Brock is poised to make a significant impact on the junior hockey stage. As he continues to chase his dreams of playing professional hockey, his family stands united behind him, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in his promising career. This support, this sense of community, is what makes Brock’s journey all the more special and inspiring.
Brock MacDougall. PHOTO KJ PHOTOGRAPHY EDMONTON
ment
for
...Emergency preparedness
school and getting accepted to SAIT, or coming up with that great online username. Her greatest school memory was the time a teacher, who will remain unnamed, lets say, took a shortcut with the bus on a volleyball trip.
trip in grade 10 - I mistook you for Denver). I’ve broken a toe, not once, but twice in Ms. Strobel’s class, and not for the reasons you’d think. I will also applaud our various math teachers for tolerating my floundering attempts at 20-1 and 30-1 math, even when the odds were definitely not in my favour. Although, I’ve gotta say, breaking a taillight in the parking lot was probably the peak of my high school career. Fun times. I would like to thank my family for the obvious. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to you for loving and raising me these past eighteen years. You’ve given me the best possible start in life, and I will go forth from
Away from school she remembers her two trips to Mexico with dance the most.
through FireSmart’s 2024 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. This is a national campaign that encourages citizens to take actions that increase their home, neighbourhood, and community’s resilience to wildfire. Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc. (RES), a renewable company developing a wind power project near Oyen, also contributed $500 towards the community event.
I remember Natasha travelling to Stettler for Track and Field to compete in Triple and High jump, which she was quite good at. She always approaches situations with a happy go lucky attitude and usually ends up laughing at something.
Natasha is receiving the Grade 12 Merit Award and the T&E Pumps Equal Op-
Learn more about how to prepare for emergencies by visiting https://www.alberta.ca/resources-for-your-community. To learn more about how you can help prevent wildfires, visit Fire Smart Alberta at https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-prevention-and-mitigation.
the Best Consort Grads!
Your graduation is a proud and happy time for us, as well as you. Nice going!
Anna and the Class of 2019! Love Mom, Dad, Marsha, Chris, Tristan & Dax, Justin & Riyaz, Grandma & Grandpa and all the Clan
A tax refund is just a missed
Wishing you all the best of luck in the future. Education is the key to unlocking your potential.
A large refund means you’ve been overpaying your taxes throughout the year.
I can show you steps to minimize income taxes and keep more of what you earn. 1
“Having investments” isn’t the same thing as financial planning. We believe a real financial plan adapts and grows alongside your life - and includes investments, tax opportunities, estate and legacy planning, and more. Do you agree? Let’s talk.
CRAIG PAETZ CFP, B.COMM, Executive Financial Consultant craig.paetz@igpwm.ca 403-664-8311
PAETZ CFP, B.Comm., Executive Financial Consultant craig.paetz@investorsgroup.com (403) 664-8311
Nathan Horner MLA Drumheller - Stettler nhorner@unitedconservative.ca
Volleyball team where I have been able to make friends that I wouldn't have without volleyball. In this last season of volleyball, I was fortunate enough to be a captain of the team. Throughout my seventeen years of life, I have also been involved in dance at Tara’s Academy of Dance. For the past fourteen years, dance has had a huge impact on my life, from meeting new people and making lifelong friends to competing at festivals and traveling to other countries to showcase our studio. All three of these activities - school, volleyball, and dance - have influenced me to become the person I am today. These experiences have taught me that hard work, teamwork, and leadership are important aspects of life.
In the fall of 2019, I will be attending the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. Throughout this two year diploma, I will be study-
ing Business Administration, where I will learn about communication skills, economics, management, accounting, and marketing. With this hands-on experience, I am hoping this program will allow me to find a well paying work placement that will provide me the support I need for an enjoyable life. I chose this area of study because it allows me to start off my post-secondary education and creates a wide variety of options for the future.
~ Denver Gould ~ Denver, also referred to as John Denver or simply Colorado, will most remember his trip to Ottawa as part of the Boyd Davies Band as well as his Gr 12 trip to Italy. Although his childhood ambition was to be in the army, in the Fall Denver will be attending Lethbridge College to study Criminal Justice.
His advice to younger classmates is to not do courses by ADLC or distance learning. Denver has always been fairly opinionated on certain things and been known to stick to his guns, for better or worse, keep fighting the good fight Denver. He will also be receiving the T&E Pumps Equal Opportunity Award.
The Failed Drug Legalization Experiment
BY DAMIEN KUREK Battle River-Crowfoot MP
Dr. Brandy Frenette - Chiropractor Ph. 403-577-2081 www.drbrandyfrenette.clinicsense.com
streets without consequence. Rural parts of the country are no exception to this.
Best Wishes to Nathan and the Class of 2019 on your graduation and good luck on your next adventure! Love Mom, Dad, Jonathan and Trinity
PAETZ CFP, B.MGT. Associate Consultant steven.paetz@igpwm.ca 403-664-9494
The Sky's the Limit
STEVEN PAETZ CFP, B.Mgt. Associate Consultant steven.paetz@investorsgroup.com (403) 664-9494
Drumheller.Stettler@assembly.ab.ca
Everyone knows someone who has faced addiction and the devastation and loss it wreaks on individuals, families, and communities. Time and time again, addiction has resulted in trapping its victims in hopeless situations. This makes it unbelievable that two years ago, the Liberals, with the support of the NDP, decriminalized hard drugs like cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crystal meth in the province of British Columbia. This is nothing less than an extremist experiment that has cost countless Canadians their lives and has resulted in dangerous drug-fueled environments in Canadian hospitals, playgrounds, parks, and other such public spaces.
Conservative Party of Canada leader, Pierre Poilievre, has been critical of this policy since its inception, but it came to a head in the last number of weeks as the Provincial NDP in British Columbia admitted failure when they announced they wanted to scale back this dangerous experiment. Retired police officer, Chuck Doucette, president of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada, stated, “Whether they’re legal or decriminalized or not—doesn’t make them any less likely to kill you.”
Although BC is the only place where drugs have been decriminalized, the Liberal-NDP Government has not ruled it out from happening in other places as major cities such as Toronto and Montreal have put in requests for the same. What’s worse, the Liberals’ softon-crime judicial reforms have led to the unofficial decriminalization of hard drugs across our nation because it has become next to impossible to get convictions for those responsible for putting drugs on our streets.
There is hope in seeking help, and while some provinces are working at increasing treatment, we need a federal Government that will keep hard drugs off our streets, put gang leaders and drug kingpins behind bars, and ensure that there is treatment for those stuck in the grips of addiction.
Best Wishes to the Class of 2019!
Congratulations to all of the students on a job well done. You've worked hard for that diploma and now the rewards are yours. The future holds endless possibilities, and all doors are open to you. With continued hard work and dedication, there are no limits to the success you'll achieve.
Dream big grads and believe in yourselves! Congratulations! Today is your day You’re off to Great Places You’re off and away! -Dr. Suess To all the graduates of Special Areas No. 2, 3 & 4
It is regrettable that the Liberals and NDP would continue to promote this dangerous experiment instead of promoting treatment. Further, there are a growing number of examples where the Government has been providing drugs, all with taxpayers’ money, to which those drugs are then being resold on the
That is why Pierre Poilievre and Common-Sense Conservatives are proposing practical measures that would help restore order to the chaos caused by these radical policies. Our initiatives include offering treatment for those battling addiction, jail and not bail for hardened criminals and those who are pushing these drugs on Canadians, and the recently announced Safe Hospitals Act which would ensure that hard drugs stay out of community spaces.
The lives and safety of Canadians must never be treated as an experiment, and we owe it to Canadians to offer hope, not slow death by poison. My Conservative colleagues and I are committed to restore the promise of what Canada can and should be.
Human remains found south of Delia
On May 5, 2024, Drumheller RCMP were notified of possible found human remains. A person had been off roading in a rural area south of Delia
and found what was believed to be human remains. The bones were collected and transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Calgary, who determined that the remains are human. An Anthropologist has been engaged to date the remains.
The investigation continues.
Damien Kurek
Natasha Fawcett receives her certificate from Mr. VanLagen, Consort School Principal
SPORTS TALK
What does the future hold for the AJHL
BY GREG BUCHANAN
The future of the Alberta Junior Hockey League will have one of its biggest tests this off-season.
Five teams – arguably among some of its best in the 16-team league - jumped ship to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
With Brooks, Blackfalds, Okotoks, Sherwood Park, and Spruce Grove announcing their intent on Jan. 20 to join the BCHL, the overall quality of the AJHL will suffer, potentially hurting longstanding local teams, as more scouts undoubtedly turn even greater attention to the BCHL.
As the scouts go, so do the players who look to get seen and continue to move as far as possible in the hockey world.
All but Spruce Grove are in the top four in the AJHL, with the Brooks Bandits perennial champions in not only the AJHL but also the top Junior A team in Canada, capturing three consecutive Centennial Cup championships.
ing schedule with one division that led to more travel.
The BCHL has long been considered one of – if not the best – Junior A league in the country and has been a consistent feeder system to NCAA Division I schools, with many players going to the professional ranks in North America and Europe. As of the 2023-24 NHL season, more than 20 alumni are on active rosters.
The move will see the BCHL grow to 22 teams, with 16 of its current 17 teams based in British Columbia.
However, as one league continues to maintain its spot as a destination for upper-tier Canadian junior players, the AJHL will need to find a way to maintain its relevance.
The coming months will dictate how the league reacts and attempts to rebound, but the move undoubtedly leaves the AJHL weaker and less eye-catching for NCAA scouts.
The AJHL has not only restabilized but is looking forward to and planning the addition of more teams.
Community newspapers are living history books, recording all facets of the lives of community residents, as well as providing news that is relevant to them.
The running of a junior club is a testament to its numerous volunteers, players, billets, coaches, sponsors and anyone else who has contributed.
But for several years, teams, such as the Lloydminster Bobcats, have been unable to keep up on the ice with the top tier of Brooks and Okotoks.
The BCHL withdrew from the Canadian Junior Hockey League in 2021 – an association of Junior A leagues –and chose not to re-up an agreement with Hockey Canada last year, leaving it an independent league.
The powerhouse league said it chose to leave Hockey Canada to allow for more opportunities for players, particularly those under 18 looking to eventually make the move to the NCAA. The move allows BCHL teams to recruit 16- and 17-year-old players from other provinces, which isn’t allowed by Hockey Canada.
Hockey Canada had also mandated changes for all players – including those in the AJHL – to wear face cages, while the AJHL had converted to an interlock-
Enter, now the newest AJHL team from Devon, Alberta, awarded an expansion franchise for the 20242025 season.
Devon was long rumoured to be the preferred location for a relocation bid of the Whitecourt Wolverines franchise. The move was blocked by the former owner of the Wolverines franchise when he acted upon his right of first refusal to reclaim ownership of the Wolverines.
Unconfirmed reports have Whitecourt retaining its franchise through the return of its former owner, who regained control of the franchise. This allowed the ownership group that operated in Whitecourt this season to gain the expansion franchise in Devon.
As for Devon, it is a small suburb southwest of Edmonton. Devon’s Dale Fisher Arena will be the home of the expansion franchise. While the arena now has limited seating, an expansion project is said to be in the works for the near future.
The next steps, both short and long-term, will be key for the AJHL.
Branch member provides clarification to article
BY GORD JOHNSEN, OYEN LEGION, ACADIA BRANCH #208 MEMBER
With the permission of David McKinstry, Secretary Acadia 208, I would like to clarify a couple of points in the written article, ‘’Acadia Branch #208 celebrates 65th anniversary” which appeared in The Oyen Echo, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
The “Don McKay Jr. Chest” was not auctioned off at the Ian McKay sale years ago. As it turned out this chest was found by Doug Jones on the now deserted sale grounds and taken home by Doug. It was cleaned up and subsequently donated by Doug and Yvonne Jones to the local Legion, Acadia Branch #208. The overall intent was to have this chest remain in memory of the McKay family. It could then be used to store artifacts of WWII within the possession of the Legion.
The treasure trove of WWII documents, medals, letters were purchased at the sale by an unknown party in Hanna, AB. These treasures were sold in a cardboard box (no doubt like a “grab box”) probably for five dollars. Realizing the historical significance to someone’s family in Oyen the purchaser contacted Greg Frobb, formerly Oyen’s Dentist and asked who would take charge of these WWII artifacts. Greg contacted Gord Johnsen, a WWII Aviation Historian and
formerly Oyen’s Pharmacist, who very quickly said, “Yes, I will take charge of this on behalf of the McKay family.” When the project was completed, the very logical home for this overall Donald McKay, Flying Officer (F/O) display was the Oyen Legion, Acadia Branch #208. May these WWII letters, original telegrams, medals, Donald McKay’s King’s Commission, etc, be looked after very well. When on display for special occasions, please take a closer look at the WWII history of a local Oyen boy.
One last correction in David’s story - Don McKay was not shot down in 1942. Per my RCAF/PAF research and my story of Don McKay in The Oyen Echo, Volume 49, No. 42 (November 6, 2018), Don McKay was piloting a Lancaster Bomber, Operation and Target Name: “Berlin” on the night of August 31 - September 1, 1943. Sadly, his Lancaster was shot down over Berlin, Germany. He was 1 of 10,659 Canadian aircrew killed, joining with an overall total of 55,573 allied aircrew who gave their ultimate sacrifice while serving with RAF Bomber Command. Don McKay has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the black granite Memorial at Bomber Command Museum of Canada located at Nanton, AB.
“Lest We Forget ... “
Submitted with respect and Congratulations for 65 Years of Legion service to Oyen and District.
Ev Mills stands proudly in front of the Mills Family Display she and her family set up for the Royal Canadian Legion #208 65th Anniversary.
ACADIA VALLEY
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
• New Brigden Hall Fundraiser. An evening of food, fun, friends and entertainment at the Acadia Valley Hall. $65 per ticket. Steak Supper, Entertainment, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Dance. Contact Coleen Blair at 403-664-9687 for advance tickets. Monetary donations can be transferred to: newbrigden@gmail. com or check out www.givesendgo. com/nbcommunityhall
- Adult drop-in Volleyball Wednesdays 7:30 PM at Warren Peers School. Contact Marie 403-664-8589 for more info.
ALSASK
- Drop-in Pickleball 7:00 PM at the Alsask Rec Centre. All ages are welcome. $5 drop-in fee.
- Free Fun Learn Different Line Dances. Monday nights 7:00-8:00 PM at the Alsask Rec Centre. All welcome.
BUFFALO
AUGUST 16-18
• Buffalo Rodeo Daze. Stay tuned for further details!
CEREAL
SATURDAY, JULY 27
• 3rd Annual Cereal Mud Bog. Stay tuned for details.
- Monday Night BINGO. Every Mon-
Proudly Supporting Our Local Communities
day except holiday Mondays. Doors open at 6:30 and Bingo begins at 7:30 PM. (April to end of November).
- Wednesdays - Cereal Quilting Club
10 AM - 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre
- Thursdays - Chase the Ace progressive raffle every Thursday 7:009:00 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
EMPRESS
JULY 19-21
• Save the Dates! Village of Empress 110 Year Celebration. More info to come.
HANNA
Hanna Senior Circle
- Wednesdays 1:00 PM Cards (Spades)
- Thursdays 1:00 PM Cards (Five Hundred)
NEW BRIGDEN
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
• New Brigden Hall Fundraiser. An evening of food, fun, friends and entertainment at the Acadia Valley Hall. $65 per ticket. Steak Supper, Entertainment, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Dance. Contact Coleen Blair at 403-664-9687 for advance
Notice is hereby given that the Assessment Notices for property held in the Special Areas were mailed May 15th, 2024 in accordance with Sections 308 & 311 of the Municipal Government Act, being Chapter M-26, R.S.A. 2000.
Any person who wishes to object to the assessment for any property must, by July 22nd, 2024 register a complaint on the Assessment Review Board Complaint Form provided at: https://specialareas.ab.ca/services/assessment-taxation/ or the Special Areas District Office in your area.
tickets. Monetary donations can be transferred to: newbrigden@gmail. com or check out www.givesendgo. com/nbcommunityhall
OYEN
FRIDAY, MAY 24
• Fun Night at Seniors Centre for Members of Oyen and District Seniors and their Guests. Games and Socializing. BYOB and snacks. 7:00 PM - Midnight. Call Beth 403 664 2462 for more information.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29
• Regular Pot Luck Supper and Meeting at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. Supper at 6:00 PM. Meeting at 7:00 PM.
FRIDAY, MAY 31
• Oyen United Church Soup and Sandwich 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Adults $15, Kids (6-12) $5, Under 6 is free. 202 - 1st Avenue East.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7 - SUNDAY, JUNE 9
• District 4H Show & Sale at the BCAS Crossroads Centre
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
• Car Show / Bike Rally
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JULY 12 & 13
• Indoor Rodeo at the BCAS Crossroads Centre JULY 19-21
• Prairieland 3rd Annual Oyen SloPitch Tournament. Call 403-6640878 or 403-664-8204 to enter a team.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
• Open Farm Day at the BCAS Crossroads Centre
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 & 21
• Ranch Rodeo at the BCAS Crossroads Centre
OCTOBER 4-5
• Prairieland Pheasant Festival. Call 403-664-0878 or 403-664-8204 to enter a team.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers.
- Drop in Pickleball Mondays 7:009:00 PM at South Central High School
- Big Country Adult Learning Council’s Walk Wednesdays 9:00-10:00 AM. All ages welcome. Socialize and exercise. Wednesdays from May 22-June 20. Join us for Tea, Coffee & Snacks afterwards. Contact 403664-2060.
SIBBALD
SATURDAY, JUNE 22 & SUNDAY, JUNE 23
• The Sibbald Community Club is hosting a Quilt Show as a fundraiser for the community. There will be Quilts & Hand Crafts, Vendors, Door Prizes, Raffles, Games, Food & Beverages. Saturday 10:00 AM6:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Sibbald Community Hall.
CUTTING HAY IN SPECIAL AREAS DITCHES
Ratepayers are advised Special Areas will begin roadside grass control (ditch mowing) for local roads on June 17, 2024.
Alberta Transportation is responsible for roadside grass control on primary and secondary highways.
If you would like to harvest roadside vegetation for hay, contact your local District Office at:
- SA2 - Hanna - (403) 854-5625
- SA3 - Oyen - (403) 664-3618
- SA4 - Consort - (403) 577-3523