The Hanna Firefighters Association, in partnership with the Hanna Food Bank, collects Christmas gifts for children during the annual toy drive Unwrapped gifts, cash, and gift cards can be donated for babies, toddlers, youth, and teens The Association will use the cash to buy gifts for those youth and teen hard-tobuy-for age groups or fill gaps.
The following collection sites are ready to accept your donations until Fri Dec 17: Town Office, Warwick’s Home Hardware, Pharmasave Harvest Sky, and Freson Bro Members of the Firefighters Association collect, sort, wrap and deliver the gifts to the Hanna Food Bank for distribution with the annual Christmas hampers
If you require a food hamper and gifts for your children, you must go to the Food Bank on Wednesdays between 1:00 pm -2:00 pm in the Provincial Building and request a Christmas Hamper Please help spread the word
Reminder:
Application deadline for a Food Bank Christmas Hamper is Dec 6.
You must attend the food bank to complete the form (Hanna Provincial Building)
For more information contact: 403-854-8501
Town Council Budget Meetings
Municipal Councils must approve a Financial plan annually The financial plan is to consist of - Three-year Operating budget for 2024-2026
- Five-year Capital budget for 2024-2028
Administration is targeting the Jan 9, 2024, Regular Council Meeting as the date to approve the 2024-2026 Operating budget and 20242028 Capital budget
These plans are reviewed by Council annually and amended as required Because the budget will be approved prior to receipt of assessment changes, requisitions, and grant allocations, the budget will be brought before Council in the spring of 2024 for review prior to approving the annual Tax Rate Bylaw
Budget documents from the previous year can be viewed at: https://hanna ca/budget
In order to review and discuss these budgets, Council will meet at the following times These meetings will be live-streamed via hanna ca/tv
Wed Nov 29
Thu Nov 30
Fri Dec 1
Sun Dec 3
Tue Dec 5
Wed Dec 6
Thu Dec 7
Tue Dec 12
Council Information Meeting 8:30 am
Candlelight Service Lutheran Church 7:00 pm
Parent and Tot skating 10:30 am
Drop in Hockey 12:00 pm
Light Up Parade
Santa visits Westview CO-OP 4:30 pm
Parade 7:00 pm
Craigmyle Pancake Breakfast
Ladies Drop-In Hockey 4:00 pm
Parent and Tot skating 10:30 am
Drop-in Hockey 12:00 pm
Workout with Shandi 6:00 pm
Deadline: Apply for Food Hamper
Live entertainment at Acadia Lodge 7:00 pm
Parent and Tot skating 10:30 am
Drop-In Hockey 12:00 pm
Council Meeting 6:00 pm
Include your event in the Community Calendar Contact the Town Office
New Businesses to Celebrate
The following have acquired a business license in 2023 which permits them to conduct business within the Town of Hanna and be listed in the business directory found at hanna ca/directories
Wraptek Inc.
Hanna Gas Bar (Co-op)
Jiminy Thrift & More
Miss Heather's Music
Yeshua-Do Academy of Martial Arts
BE Mechanical
J&J Property Management
Farmhouse Plant Studio
The Daisy Inn
Mi-dan's Lawn Service
5B Permanent Beauty
Asian S Mart
Holistic Helper
FREE WORKOUTS WITH SHANDI
Centennial Place Fieldhouse
Dec 5 &12 - 6:00 -7:00 pm
Tues Nov 28 at 6:00 pm Thurs Dec 14 at 6:00 pm
It is a time to increase awareness of the warning signs of family violence and the resources and supports available so we can work together to end family violence and build healthier relationships in our communities
By engaging in education and open dialogue, we break the barriers of silence and stigma, encouraging individuals to speak out and seek help
Family violence can happen to anyone and you are not alone.
To promote awareness, Hanna FCSS implements the Red Rose Campaign. A red rose is delivered to businesses throughout Hanna in memory of women, children and men in Alberta who have died as victims of family violence Hanna businesses are asked to show their support by displaying this rose in a prominent location for the entire month of November
Help is available 24/7
Call 3 10-1818
Chat: alberta.ca/SafetyChat
Did You Know: The effects of family violence may be carried on from generation to generation?
Did You Know?: All Albertans have a role to play in preventing family violence?
Did You Know?: It takes all of us working together to promote healthy relationships and create safer communities in our province?
OPINION: The greatest power grab in history
BY JOAN JANZEN
Here’s a riddle for you. Question: Do you know how an electrician tells if he’s working with alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power? Answer: If it’s AC, his teeth chatter when he grabs the conductors. If it’s DC, they just clamp together.
This week’s topic is about a different type of power grab. American media personality Dr. Drew interviewed Michele Bachmann, Dean of Regent University, who spoke about the “greatest power grab in human history” that would impact every human being on earth. She’s referring to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) health treaty.
“Here is the challenge,” she said. “This coming January, the finalized amendments and health treaty will be presented publicly, so we can read it. However, the WHO has already announced they will not have their documents done in time. According to their own rules, that means they shouldn’t be allowed to proceed next May at the World Health Assembly,” she explained.
Nevertheless, they will go ahead and proceed. They intend to have their final written documents done and given to the delegates of the World Health Assembly at the last minute so they won’t have time to read them.
“Then they’ll say let’s go ahead and approve it,” Bachmann speculated. “That’s what their intention is, but we
have time between now and then to alert more people.”
Anyone can go to WHO.int and click on the documents, read the proposed amendments, and read the treaty for themselves. “They’re very clear of what their intention is. They are telling us what they propose to do. It’s so audacious that’s why it’s difficult to believe it’s true,” Bachmann observed.
She said the documents show the arrogance of decision-makers who will make decisions for every area of our lives. They will have the power of censorship and the ability to decide what is misinformation.
tional health rules works is if nations don’t object, then the amendments are passed. Today, there are 307 proposed amendments to the international health rules as well as the global Pandemic Treaty. Those would be merged into one document.
Once we transfer sovereignty over decision-making to the international health care body, we don’t get that authority back.
She explained their concept of “one health,” which includes environment, animals and humanity. “Those making decisions won’t elevate the needs of humans over the environment. The needs of the environment can be elevated over the needs of humans,” she said.
Michele Bachmann
“The bottom line would be the same; international health care decisions would be removed from national decision makers. That decision-making would be transferred to global governing authorities like WHO,” Bachmann explained. “Once we transfer sovereignty over decision-making to the international health care body, we don’t get that authority back. The WHO could announce a public health emergency, and nations would be without remedy and couldn’t appeal to our government because we would have already transferred decision-making to the WHO.”
in Geneva, Switzerland, covering the convention. However now, alternative western media have been covering it, so people are getting to know this is a real and viable threat.
Thanks to an individual from Botswana, Africa, who objected to the amendments, the amendments didn’t go through, and the power grab didn’t materialize. “The worst thing we could do is give away that level of power to international decision-making bodies that we can’t trust,” Bachmann noted.
“President Chairman of the WHO is also head of the Chinese Communist Party. I would have a hard time distinguishing between those two titles,” Dr. Drew added. And even though the Director-General of WHO is not a doctor, he would be able to override the WHO Emergency Committee’s decision, as was the case on July 23, 2022.
“This is the most upside-down idea I’ve ever heard of,” Dr. Drew said.
Decisions can be justified by a very small elite group called the Council of the Parties, who will meet in a constitutional convention. “They don’t have to ask the nations for permission; they’ll be able to change rules and make rules without having to get it ratified by all 194 member nations,” she explained.
The way the adoption of interna-
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Dr. Drew asked his guest why there’s not a major panic about this since it’s such a threat to our sovereignty?
Bachmann responded, saying very few media outlets have talked about it, even though it’s been around since 2022. “They thought they could go under the radar in 2022 when they met in Geneva, Switzerland, at the 75th World Assembly,” she said. There was scant media
Bachmann agreed, saying, “I’m a federal tax litigation attorney and researcher on education projects. I’ve read a lot of really bad ideas, but this is probably the worst idea I’ve ever read.”
A lot of people are starting to pick up on this now, and Bachmann urged people to contact their government representatives and urge them not to give sovereignty over healthcare to the WHO. “This is not time to be silent,” she advised.
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Leaning against a display case of Christmas cakes in the frozen foods section of the Medicine Hat Superstore last week, I sighed and wept. Was it the voice of Bing Crosby promising he’ll be home for Christmas? Was it the thought of my brother struggling through the winter season alone? Was it the exhaustion of trying to be a solution to a problem that is beyond me? Was it the cake itself?
The more seasons we cycle through, the more memories and stories we gather in our heads and hearts. I am one of the fortunate ones; I have more wondrous tales than horror stories. Not that I haven’t suffered my share of shocks, accidents and indignities, but as a writer, I know that everything is fodder for the story mill. I’ve had enough examples of fortitude and lifelong learning in my life, enough seekers and survivors among friends and relations to glean that it is always better to turn crappy into happy than to dally in the dung.
But, whoah, has this year been tough. My brother’s stroke has stretched our faith to its limits. It has forced us to reassess our own lives. As sisters we ran to his side, then spelled each other off as he slowly grew into accepting the reality of his situation. I had just returned from my watch on his magical remote island when Bing Crosby broke my heart in the grocery store. And I wondered: how long do we all have? Where did the time go? And what a blow it is when the last vestiges of denial slip away, and there’s no more avoiding the truth: we’ve less time ahead of us than behind us.
Pulling into my drive as the snow begins to fall, I feel my shoulders drop. I have re-entered the Twinkle Zone that is the prairie at dusk. A peace surpassing my limited understanding overtakes me, and I gladly yield to it my fears.
of a chapel crowded with families in boots and mitts and overcoats, huddled against the freezing Northern winds outside, eager to get home to a reveillon and presents, we sang our hearts out in three-part harmony.
At one point, mom would sing the words of Luke as put to music by Handel in The Messiah - her voice high and sweet and pure: “And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.”
Usually, I wait for the first day of Advent to put my Messiah CD on perpetual play, but the growing dark and the family’s troubles calls for it now. The Messiah was never even meant for Christmas. An Enlightenment creation alluding to the passion of Jesus Christ - it debuted in Dublin in the mid-1700s. Handel developed a whole new approach to the oratorio genre by writing it in English and shifting the plot from the typical courtly and romantic scenarios of opera to deeper concerns. As Jonathan Keats writes in his book on the composition, The Messiah gave the chorus a voice that represented the “wider community” and sang “sacred narratives” wherein lay “the deeper question of how a community stands in relation to God.”
What a blow it is when the last vestiges of denial slip away, and there’s no more avoiding the truth: we’ve less time ahead of us than behind us.
After unpacking the last of my duffel bag, I pull out my Nativity scene which includes a hanging star with a wee disco motor inside that scatters stardust around the room and into the night. I light all the candles in the room, then play my mother’s favourite Christmas CDs: among them the standards that made up the Hamel Family Choir Christmas Songbook: Ding Dong Merrily on High, The Coventry Carol, The Huron Carol, Carol of the Bells, The Holly and the Ivy.
We were a singing family. Some of you may remember The Rhythm Pals from the Tommy Hunter Show; well, I liked to joke that we were The Rhythm Method Pals - a Catholic family big enough to form a choir. I also referred to us as The Big Trap Family, playing on the name of the famous Von Trapps.
Every Christmas we sang at midnight mass, conducted by our mother, Aurore. We performed at other occasions as well - funerals and weddings - but Christmas was the most wondrous, less a performance than an expression of bubbling joy. Standing at the front
When I was a teen, mom would tune into the Singalong Messiah broadcast live every Christmas season from the Met in New York City. I recall one season singing with her, standing in front of the TV, the dog yapping in the kitchen at my brother and his friends, who were frying eggs in the kitchen after a football game in the snow. She cajoled them into joining in on the Hallelujah chorus. She had sheet music for everyone. I’ve been to a few live Messiah’s over the years. And every year, according to tradition, we rise and sing that Hallelujah Chorus because, apparently, when George II first heard it, he was so moved he leapt to his feet, necessitating a standing ovation and affording full audience participation with the chorus. Now, alone in my room, I rise from my couch and bellow along.
I am one who rankles at the use of the Hallelujah chorus in tv ads, rendering Black Friday and Boxing Day sales holy events, sucking the mystery and reverence out of a piece of sacred music meant for rejoicing redemption after a long dark night of body and soul. The word “hallelujah” means praise be. It matters greatly to me where I direct praise and worship. And it ain’t at 60% off sales.
Somewhere, I have a copy of The Hamel Choir singing at midnight mass, recorded on a little cassette recorder by the church accompanist. Despite being “sore afraid” of becoming inconsolable upon listening to my mother sing, “fear not, I bring you tidings of great joy,” this year, I’ll dig it out and start singing along with her again.
Canucks shine in topsy-turvy NHL
BY BRUCE PENTON
In the National Hockey League, ‘V’ stands for victory. ‘V’ also represents two of the best teams in the Western Conference, Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
The Canucks, a team that in recent years has been an also-ran and a playoff non-contender by mid-November, are a near-juggernaut in the early going of the 2023-24 season. Edmonton Oilers, predicted to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, were so bad to start the NHL season that they’re already on their second coach.
Welcome to the upside-down world that is the NHL.
In the pre-season, Canadian teams in the NHL seemed to be be pegged into three groups: The Oilers and Leafs were believed to be contenders; Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames would be middle-of-the-road teams; and Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver the usual doormats.
Ha! How has that changed? The Canucks are one of the league powers, with superstar defenceman Quinn Hughes leading the way and coach Rick Tocchet getting the most out of a fast-paced, talented offensive unit that has by far the best goals for-against differential in the league. And the Oilers? Well, you should probably say a little prayer for Connor McDavid and Co. up there in the City of (gulp!) Champions.
As a harbinger of things to come, Edmonton opened the season with back-to-back losses to Vancouver, including an 8-1 thrashing in the opener. Things didn’t get much better and while the best player in the game,
McDavid, was nursing some sort of nagging injury, he went an unheard-of eight games without a goal. The team hit rock bottom with a 3-2 loss to San Jose Sharks, who, to that point in the season, had only one victory. That loss set in motion the firing of coach Jay Woodcroft, even though the actual termination of employment came one day after the visiting Oilers beat Seattle 4-1. Unfortunately for Woodcroft, who served for 133 games and compiled a 79-41-13 record, that win did not represent a stay of execution. The Oilers replaced him with Kris Knoblauch, who had been coaching in the American Hockey League and who had been McDavid’s coach in the junior ranks with Erie.
The Knoblauch era started with a 2-1 record, and Oilers’ fans were hopeful that the coaching change would continue to turn around the team’s fortunes.
Vancouver, meanwhile, was neck-and-neck with defending Cup champion Vegas for Western Conference supremacy. Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and Hughes were among the league’s top 10 scorers and the Canucks’ powerplay, at better than 30 per cent efficiency, was best in the West.
It’s a long grind, this 82-game NHL season, but the upside-down developments in the first month have made fans wonder how the rest of the season will unfold. Will the Oilers bounce back? Will the Canucks continue to roll? We’ll check back in February or March.
• Headline at fark.com: “Lakers crushed 128-94 by youth movement Rockets. To be fair, LeBron James said he couldn’t practise all week due to MeTV’s Matlock marathon.”
• From the Canadian parody website The Beaverton: “Oilers struggles blamed on carbon tax.”
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, who wrote a column about the “obscene Buyout Bowl. If schools can pay middle-aged multimillionaires NOT to coach, why can’t they pay athletes who do all the work and take all the risks?”
Trudeau’s failed fall economic statement
BY DAMIEN KUREK Battle River-Crowfoot MP
On November 21st, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, presented a mini-budget, known as the Fall Economic Statement.
To sum it up: the Liberals have gone years spending without thought of the possible consequences, and now our nation’s once enviable financial position is in tatters.
But let’s look at some of the details:
The total price tag of the Fall Economic Statement is $20 billion of costly, inflationary new spending. This will keep inflation and interest rates rising, much higher than Canadians can afford, continuing to make homes, groceries, fuel and other necessities unaffordable. And the tragedy is that inflation only benefits the very wealthy.
In addition, the Government has proposed to increase taxes on the backs of middle-class people and next year, unbelievably, Justin Trudeau will spend more money servicing his debt than he will on provincial healthcare transfers or more than double what the Government spends yearly on the military.
While the Liberals promised fiscal responsibility, the reality has been an astounding disregard for basic fiscal principles. Trudeau has added a hundred billion dollars of additional debt. Under Justin Trudeau,
114, Acadia Valley, AB T0J 0A0
there has been a decrease in the quality of life in Canada. Housing costs have doubled, and more people are visiting food banks than ever before. Business insolvencies have increased by 37% this year, while violent crime is up 39% and over half of Canadians are $200 or less away from going broke.
For housing alone, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that Canada is the most at risk in the G7 for a mortgage default crisis, people renewing their mortgages at today’s rates will see an increase from 2%-6% or higher, and mortgage payments are up 150% since 2015.
Despite warnings from experts, and instead of listening to common sense Conservative proposals to reverse this damage, Justin Trudeau has introduced more half-measures and photo-ops that will do little to solve the problems Canadians face.
This is all while the Liberals continue their plan to quadruple the carbon tax, refuse to extend their home heating carve out (given to just 3% of Canadians) to everyone, and are holding up Bill C-234 that would exempt all agriculture from the damaging effects of the carbon tax.
Conservatives will continue to bring common sense to the national debate, we are increasingly hearing from folks across Canada who support our plan to axe the carbon tax, balance the budget, and build homes and not bureaucracy to bring home lower prices for Canadians.
After eight years, prices up, rent up, debt up, taxes up, time’s up. It’s time for a change in Ottawa.
• Bianchi again: “Question: If Tom Brady is the GOAT with seven Super Bowl rings, is Philip Rivers, who recently welcomed his 10th child into the world, the rabbit?”
• Brandon Kravitz, on X: “The Texas A&M job is essentially the LIV Golf of college football. Big time pay day with nothing to show for it in the end.”
• RJ Carrie of sportsdeke.com: “Last week I had cardiac failure, was in ICU, had 2.5 litres of fluid and blood drained from a lung, was intubated and close to death. Even I looked better than the Argos did in their playoff game.”
• Headline at the onion.com: “LIV Golf Announces Fans Concerned Over Israeli-Palestinian War Can Make Donations To Saudi Royal Family.”
• Fark.com, after the Oakland A’s officially cemented plans to move the franchise to Las Vegas: “VegA’s”
• From a guy who goes by @Bazecraze: “The one thing I’ve learned from the World Cup is that Europe still hasn’t mastered the haircut.”
• Steve Simmons of Sunmedia in Toronto: “Can Johnny Gaudreau have a do-over in free agency? In 97 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he has 22 goals and 58 assists for a respectable 80 points. In his final 97 games as a Calgary Flame, he had 45 goals, 90 assists for a spectacular 135 points.”
• Simmons again, with a pro and con about Regina: “My favourite Grey Cups have been in Regina, which might be the least interesting city in Canada and the greatest place to have a football celebration.”
• Haven’t had a chess anecdote for a while, so here’s Matt Kirshen: “I was playing chess with my friend, and he said, ‘Let’s make this more interesting.’ So we stopped playing chess.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Damien Kurek
Post-construction field work complete for Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline project
The official record shows that construction of the Canadian portion of Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Program (L3RP) was completed more than four years ago and that the new pipeline came into commercial service in December 2019.
But as the general public marked those milestones, small Enbridge construction crews readied to tackle a final series of tasks – ensuring full and final restoration of the 1,070-km pipeline’s surface corridor to its pre-construction state.
“Most people thought we were done with Line 3 in 2019, but there’s plenty of work that goes on in the field even after construction is complete and a new pipeline becomes operational,” says Enbridge Construction Manager Allen Sawatzky. “With the last seed sown within the pipeline right-of-way (RoW) at the end of October, we can now say the job is truly complete.”
Going forward, maintenance of the pipeline RoW will continue under the Enbridge Operations team.
At the time of its construction, L3RP was the largest Canadian pipeline project in more than a decade. It included installation of 36-inch-diameter, Canadian-made steel pipe over a vast stretch of the Prairies, three above-ground tanks capable of storing up to 1 million barrels of oil, and 18 pump stations to keep the product flowing. Construction took place over several seasons by a peak workforce of about 5,300.
Both during and after construction,
Enbridge worked closely with landowners to identify patches of land that would require additional attention such as reseeding, noxious weed control or rearranging topsoil among other measures. Aerial and ground surveys also helped pinpoint these areas.
By the start of 2023, a total of 84 items remained in need of some form of additional attention. With the support of subcontractors – Castle Oilfield Construction of Virden, MB and Neil Charteris Reclamation Services Inc. of Kerrobert, SK – this final field work commenced in the spring and wrapped up in a snow-dusted field near Kerrobert on Oct. 29.
The full scope of work in 2023 involved:
• Reseeding pasture seed mixes following a third year of drought and poor germination in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan;
• No-till drilling and hydro seed (applied wet with tackifier seed mix) to stick to steep, dry slopes;
• Rearranging topsoil and repairing settled ditch lines;
• Side-by-side chemical boom spraying, select hand spraying and mowing to control weeds; and,
• Tractor, skid steer and whipper snipper hand mowing.
“From the very beginning, Enbridge made a commitment that we would leave the land in as good or in better condition than it was before construction started,” Sawatzky says, “and we can now say we’ve done what we said
Line 3 Construction Manager Allen Sawatzky (right) and contractor Brodie Charteris checking progress along the RoW.
we would do and made good on that promise.”
The construction manager’s words are borne out by a total of 61 formal field inspections conducted by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) dating to September 2017. While the focus of these inspections was environmental protection and reclamation, they also touched on erosion and sediment control, sites of Indigenous significance and general environmental compliance.
In keeping with commitments to
landowners and Indigenous communities, the restoration crew also featured a monitor from the Canadian Association of Energy Pipeline & Landowner Associations (CAEPLA) as well as an Indigenous construction liaison.
"At the end of the day, the people who live along or in proximity to the pipeline right-of-way are Enbridge’s neighbours and we have an obligation to continuously live up to the trust that they’ve placed in us,” Sawatzky concludes. “That’s really what drives us.”
(Hamlet of Bindloss)
Left: Spraying crew.
Below: No-till seeding near Stranraer, SK.
In some areas, seed was applied wet, with a tackifier to adhere to dry slopes.
Highway 3 twinning moves ahead
Alberta’s government has awarded the first contract to begin twinning Highway 3, improving safety, creating jobs and spurring economic investment in the region.
Highway 3 is a vital economic corridor and east-west link, and the first section of the highway being twinned sees approximately 3,900 vehicles per day. Through $179.7 million in provincial funding, this first phase will twin Highway 3 between the town of Taber and the hamlet of Burdett. The contract for the 46-kilometre project was awarded to Ledcor Highways Ltd.
“Highway 3 is a key economic corridor in southern Alberta between Saskatchewan and British Columbia, south of the Trans-Canada Highway. It is critical infrastructure for Alberta’s growing agri-business industry and will enhance tourism and improve safety in the region as well.”
Devin
Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors
Pre-construction work, including acquiring the right of way and relocating utilities, is underway and will be completed this year. Construction will begin in spring 2024, with completion anticipated in 2025. The project is expected to support 755 jobs.
“I am excited to see this important project get underway. Twinning this stretch of Highway 3 is critical to supporting jobs, growth and the agri-food processing corridor in the region. This project has been a priority of mine and I want to thank Minister Dreeshen for his commitment to twinning this vital east-west link.”
Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner
Twinning Highway 3 from border to border will be completed in eight phases to limit costs and minimize disruption to people and businesses along the route. The other seven sections of the project are in various phases, including consultation, planning and design, land acquisition, environmental assessment, engineering or contract tendering.
“This is great news for our association members and municipalities all along the agri-food corridor, in addition to all southern Albertans who will be ecstatic when dirt begins to move next spring. Our association extends our thanks to Premier Danielle Smith and Devin Dreeshen, minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, for your commitment to this vital project.”
Bill Chapman, president, Highway 3 Twinning Development Association
Know your personal risk for heart attack & stroke
Albertan’s aged 40-75 will now be able to find out what their risk of having a heart attack or stroke will be in the next 10 years using a new cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk screening tool and a simple blood test ordered by their health provider.
Enhanced Lipid Reporting (ELR) is a new, easy-touse, lab-based approach to calculate CVD and stroke risk that ensures those at risk receive early treatment. When your doctor does your screening, you will get a score that tells you how likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years if you do not make any changes to reduce your risk. Patients will also receive their CVD risk results in their MyHealth Records account.
You and your doctor can use this personal screening score to plan and take steps to lower your risk and help prevent a heart attack or a stroke.
Everyone has some level of cardiovascular disease risk. Men are usually diagnosed with CVD between 55-64 years of age; and women between 65-74 years of age.
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
CVD is the second leading cause of death in Alberta, and the number one cause of death for women. Every hour, 12 Canadians over the age of 20 with heart disease die. Managing your risk is important for your health and quality of life. Many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes and medication when risk is known. Identification of those who are at risk of CVD is an essential first step.
gaskets and O-rings and won’t require digging up the pavement.
After looking at the proposed operating 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.
Knowing your personal risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke can help you act to lower your risk by making healthy lifestyle changes and taking prevention medicines. Talk with your healthcare provider to create a plan to help manage any health conditions.
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 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.
Your risk can be influenced by factors such as:
• tobacco use
Hoogenberg also mused that the water tower has been drained and refilled which may have also played a role.
• blood pressure
QUICK FACTS
The eight phases of this project include:
• Phase 1, 46k – twin Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett
• Phase 2, 10k – Highway 3X/Coleman Bypass
• Phase 3, 15k – east of Seven Persons to Medicine Hat
• Phase 4, 47k – Blairmore to east of Highway 6 at Pincher Creek
• Phase 5, 28k – east of Bow Island to east of Seven Persons
• Phase 6, 23k – east of Burdett to east of Bow Island
• Phase 7, 38k – Pincher Creek to west of Fort Macleod
Where to get help to lower your risk? Starting to make these changes can seem overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start. As a first step, talk to your doctor.
To learn more about prevention, connect online to the many supports and resources, including patient videos, guidance on talking with your doctor; the CVD risk screening tool, making lifestyle changes, and more. Heart attacks and strokes are a serious medical emergency, and delaying treatment can have serious consequences. Knowing the signs of a heart attack or stroke and acting fast is important.
Hanna Family Day Homes Inc. support to families expanding to Oyen
BY GWEN SNELL Freelance Journalist
Melanie Jensen is pleased to announce that Hanna Family Day Homes Inc. will expand its services to include Oyen. The expansion of services beyond Hanna and Drumheller is in response to requests for services from the area residents.
Oyen presently has several quality private childcare providers servicing the community, but they lack a crucial component for subsidization – they are not licensed. As a result, parents and providers are missing out on subsidies and support only avail -
able to licensed programs through the province of Alberta. Hanna Family Day Homes Inc. intends to change that status by encouraging both new and existing educators (providers) to join the team and become licensed with agency support through Hanna Family Day Homes Inc.
Jensen stated that she was recently one of the few applicants who obtained the province of Alberta’s Spaces Creation Grant for the area. This grant will be key in securing more licensed spaces, enabling Jensen to administer an educator incentive of $500 per child up to a maximum of 6 children. It will also assist with funding to purchase equipment and possible home renovations that may be required to operate.
Jensen clarified that the Family Day Homes provides childcare in a small group setting and are not to be confused with facility-based child care.
No stranger to the childcare services, Jensen began in 1999 as an Approved Provider. In 2011, McMan Family Day Home was awarded the contract for this area, with Melanie Jensen employed through McMan as the Coordinator/Consultant for the program. What spurred Hanna Family Day Homes into existence? When McMan announced they would not renew their contract to provide childcare services, that stirred Jensen into establishing Hanna Day Homes Inc. “I knew that this would be a significant blow to families and Educators in our community. Being we were the only licensed program in which parents have access to subsidies and grants, many would not be able to afford the cost of care without funding supports. Childcare Educators would lose Agency supports and funding as well, which would likely have led to them having to change their fee structures and result in loss of income.”
Supports for licensed Family Day Homes is sub -
stantial. Families benefit from funding, monitoring of childcare programs, subsidies, applications and placement services. Educators help with funding wage top-ups and professional development in addition to the agency support of invoicing and guaranteed pay, collection of fees, mentorship and access to resources and professional development opportunities. In addition, the Educators are included under the Liability Insurance coverage.
Financially, the funding levels make for an impressive incentive for Educators to take part in a licensed program. Professional development funding amounts to $2,000 annually, and the top-up wage is based on a scale in conjunction with the levels for Child Care Educators. Several Educators in the area are currently working to obtain their Level 3 Child Care Educator through Red Deer Polytech, including Jensen. Obtaining advanced education is just one more way to support the program and children, according to Jensen.
Becoming established with a licensed program in the area begins with connecting with Melanie Jensen. Presentation of an informational package that contains outlines on government standards, the requirement of criminal background checks, a child intervention check, and two in-home visits to ensure that the space is safe and appropriate for child care services. Once established, the educators are required to provide monthly documentation of program planning as well as a menu that follows the Canada Food guide.
“Educators offer programming that supports the development of the “whole” child, Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative, Emotional – they maintain records and adapt programming to suit the needs of each individual in care. They are attentive to the unique needs of each child in care. They work with parents to ensure expectations are being met.”
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HEALTH
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What happens when you start to feel the pressure from the world around you? Do you have trouble sleeping at night because you think of all the overwhelm that comes with the Christmas season or things that you should do? Does it feel like your mind is on overdrive? Losing a loved one will definitely put your nervous system on high alert. If you were an anxious person before your loss it will be magnified now. One thing I have noticed since my loss is that my nervous system seems extra sensitive. Consequently, I have set boundaries as far as listening to the news, watching TV and putting myself in situations where I may have to deal with someone else’s drama in person or on social media. This has helped me stay calmer and able to deal with the challenges of daily life and the grieving process.
It has been two years since my loss. I have done a lot of work to help myself and I feel like the energy is now starting to return. I have taken on projects that are fulfilling and make me happy. They are also making me busy and I have noticed a little more stress and anxiety. My body has been letting me know when I am pushing the edge of this new boundary. Through what I have learned about grief I know that when uncomfortable feelings come forward we best be listening. I also recently learned from a podcast with Mel Robbins and Lewis Howes that Anxiety is an alarm going off asking you to listen. With both anxiety and grief the tendency is to try to cover the feelings up. We do this by eating, scrolling on social media, getting busy, drinking alcohol, smoking or shopping. Just remember, the emotion we resist will persist. You might put it away for a while but it will come back again and again.
Mel suggests that there is a part of us that is crying out for love and reassurance. So why not give that part of us what it wants? We often look outside ourselves for love and attention. We have spent our lives relying on our parents or teachers to
give us the support we need. We go to extraordinary lengths to make others happy so we can feel loved. Looking back I realize I was this person. I felt like if I could make others happy that would mean I would be successful and then I would be loved. If I completed some major project or provided some service then people would love me and admire me and I would feel fulfilled. Yet even when I was successful I never felt fulfilled. I was always searching for the next thing to make me happy.
Showing yourself love and support are key in being able to navigate the emotions that come from anxiety and grief. Mel suggests a simple exercise of putting your hands on your heart and breathing and reassuring and supporting yourself. We can also put our arms in such a way as giving ourselves a hug and then rubbing our upper arms. Taking the time to acknowledge what is happening in your body and providing acknowledgement and understanding is key. If you can provide that inner voice with reassurance and love the discomfort subsides.
We are often spending our days making sure that the daily tasks get done. We do those first and then if we have time, we consider ourselves. Do something to honor yourself first. How can you show up for you today? Practice self care. Have a bath, listen to some calming music or read a book. Maybe do all three at once! Showing up for yourself is the greatest gift you can give to you. It is also the greatest gift you give to the world. You are already enough just as you are. You are worthy. You deserve self compassion. You will be surprised at how far this can take you and how much more fulfilled you will feel. For more helpful tips or to subscribe to my newsletter join me at www.healingenergy.world.
To place your Career / Employment Opportunity ad, Call (306)
The Municipal District of Acadia No. 34 is inviting applications for a full-time Chief
Administrative Officer (CAO)
The MD of Acadia is in east-central Alberta along the Saskatchewan border and is home to 494 people.
Reporting to Council, the CAO is responsible for a variety of tasks, including:
- Financial Management
- Human Resources
- Legislation and Policy Implementation
- Community Engagement
- Intermunicipal Collaboration
- Planning and Development
The MD of Acadia is seeking an individual that is highly motivated with excellent communication skills. The individual should possess strong organization, leadership, and interpersonal skills to guide staff, interact with community members and groups, and an ability to provide Council the necessary information and advice to make informed decisions.
The ideal candidate will also possess at least 3 years of experience in municipal administration; a post-secondary degree; and a strong knowledge of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and of the fundamentals of financial management (budgeting, accounting, PSAB principles).
The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $110,000 annually with a competitive pension (LAPP) and benefit package avaialble.
To apply for this position, please forward your resume and cover letter, along with three professional references to:
CAO Competition
Municipal District of Acadia No. 34
P.O. Box 30, Acadia Valley, Alberta T0J 0A0 or via Email to: councillor.rafa@mdacadia.ab.ca
Deadline for applications is Friday, December 15, 2023. For more information on this position, please contact Peter Rafa at 403-664-9135 ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
ACADIA VALLEY
- Yoga in The Valley Thursdays from 7:30 - 8:30 PM in the Hall. Call/text Jamie 403-548-5146 for more info.
- Gymnastics - Cactus Gym Club’s Fall Classes until November 4 at the Acadia Valley Event Centre. To register or for more info, contact Michelle Hutton at 403-502-3050.
- Adult drop-in Volleyball Wednesdays 7:30 PM at Warren Peers School. Contact Marie 403-664-8589 for more info.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
• Here’s the Deal. Acadia Valley Community Club presents Golden 20’s Christmas at the Acadia Valley Hall. D.J. Steve with Table of Fun is the entertainment this year. Kelly Skappak catering. Tickets $65 each. For more info call/text Jena 403-928-0021. No minors.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
• Christmas in the Valley presented by the Acadia Valley E.C.S.
CEREAL
- Tuesdays - Cereal Cottages Weekly Coffee Time 9:30 AM
- Wednesdays - Quilting Days 10 AM - 4 PM $10.00 CESSFORD
- Tuesday from 7:00 - 9:00 PM Pickleball in Gym and Craft Night in Library Berry Creek Community School (except school holidays)
CRAIGMYLE
- Wednesdays - 9:30 AM Coffee at Craigmyle Historic Church DELIA
- Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9:00 AM Coffee & Cards at the Drop in Centre
- Wednesdays - 7:00 PM Cards & Pool at the Drop in Centre
- Thursdays - Pickleball 6:30 PM at the Delia Gym (No Pickleball Nov. 16)
- Thursdays - Drop in Curling 7:00 PM starting November 23
- Fridays - Public Skating at the Delia Arena 3:30-5:30 PM
- Sundays - 10:30 AM DCF Morning Service
- Sundays - Public Skating at the Delia Arena 2-4 PM
- Teens Only Crafts & Cookie at the Delia Library 4:306:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
• Delia & District Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner 5:00 PM at the Delia Drop-In Centre. See ad in this newspaper for details.
ENDIANG
- Mondays - 1:00 PM Endiang Floor Curling
EMPRESS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
• Christmas Tree Lighting. Starts at 5 PM. Tree Lighting at 7 PM. Hay rides and carolling. Includes free food and drinks.
HANNA
Hanna Senior Circle
- Wednesdays 1:00 PM Cards (Spades)
- Thursdays 1:00 PM Cards (Five Hundred)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
• Candlelight Service at Redeemer Lutheran Church 7:00 PM. Join us for a service of comfort and hope this holiday season. The Service will be followed by desserts in the lower hall of the church. All are welcome.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30
• TURKEY BINGO at Hanna Senior Circle 7:30 PM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
• Hanna Chamber of Commerce “Light Up The Night” Parade & Festivities. Parade begins at 7:00 PM. Tree Light Up following the Parade at Memorial Park. Fire Pits and Treat 5:00 - 8:30 PM. Pictures with Santa 4:30 - 6:30 PM.Call/Text 403-854-4004 for more information. See advertisement on page 10 of this newspaper.
• Public Skating. Supported by Town of Hanna. No fee. 6:30 - 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
• Last Call Christmas Extravaganza Market 10 AM - 4 PM at the Lions Hall in Hanna. See what the locals are creating. Enjoy a cup of Hot Cocoa or Coffee & a cookie. Any non-perishable food donations would be greatly appreciated for the Hanna Food Bank
• Cheer on the Colts! Game schedule coming soon.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
• Ladies Drop-In Hockey. Contact Ashley (403) 854-0535 or Robin (403) 854-0669. Supported by the Town of Hanna. No fee. 4:00 -5:00 PM.
• Public Skating. Supported by the Town of Hanna. No fee. 5:30 - 6:30 PM.
• Men’s League. Contact Darren at 403-857-9453 or Jay at 403-854-7051. 7:00 - 8:45 PM
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4
• Public Skating. Supported by the Town of Hanna. No
fee. 2:30 - 3:30 PM.
• Minor Hockey practice. 4:00 - 10:25 PM.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5
• Parent and Tot. Supported by the Town of Hanna. No fee. 10:30 - 11:30 AM.
• Noon Hour Drop-In Hockey. Supported by the Town of Hanna. No fee. Noon – 1:00 PM.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers
- Oyen & District Curling Club Fun League runs Tuesday evenings and starts first week of November. Contact Kari 403-664-1001 to enter a team.
- Oyen & District Curling Club Cash League runs Wednesday evenings and starts first week of November. Contact Brett 403-664-8868 to enter a team.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30
• Fun Night (rescheduled from Nov. 24) at Oyen Seniors Centre. Games and Socializing. BYOB and snacks. 7:00 PM until midnight. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403801-3535 for more information.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 & 2
• Oyen Night in Bethlehem production. Free interactive Christmas event for the entire family. Food Bank donations accepted. Call 403-664-1275 for more info.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6
• Oyen Senior and District Citizens Association Christmas Supper at 6:00 PM. $25 per person. Contact Jessie Battrum 403-664-2515 for tickets.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
• Oyen & District Leisure Society and the Oyen Eagles present Dancing with the Stars 8:00 PM - 3:00 AM at the Oyen Legion Hall. Funds will go towards upgrading our existing tennis courts and adding outdoor pickle ball courts.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31
• BCAS presents Happy Bucking New Year - CPRA Professional Bull Riding at the Crossroads Centre in Oyen.
