Fall festivities keep spirits bright at Oyen Lodge
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. The residents are still enjoying some outdoor walks, with the weather still in double-digit temperatures. Halloween is approaching soon, so I hope everyone is ready for all the little ghosts and goblins that will be out and about looking for treats. Get your pumpkins carved and lit up for the night. The Oyen Lodge residents will be giving out candy around 4:30 p.m. It will be great to see all the different costumes.
Monday morning started with exercises, followed by a one-on-one Scrabble game with a resident. In the afternoon, there were bingo games. Congrats to Jean Olds, who had bingo on special number I29, in which she doubled her winnings.
Tuesday morning, there were exercises, followed by the regular bus run downtown for shopping. Also in the morning, there was Catholic Church led by Father Rodell. In the afternoon, there was an ice cream parlor, where floats, sundaes, and banana splits were served.
Wednesday morning, there was church led by Pastor Brad, followed by crossword games. Then Amanda and Bob the dog were at the Lodge to do some visiting with the residents. In the afternoon, there was the monthly Birthday Bash, where banana cake with vanilla icing and ice cream, along with coffee and tea, were served. Before supper, Taylor Neilson was at the Lodge to entertain the residents with piano music.
Thursday, Dianne was away, so there were no activities.
Friday morning started with horse races. #4 horse—Willie—was the top
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winner that day. In the afternoon, there was bingo. Congrats to Don Coomber, Ken and Joan Mick’s brother-in-law, for getting I29 on bingo, in which his winnings were doubled. In the evening, there was music by Jorgensons.
Have a great week, everyone.
“Have a spooktacular Halloween.”
“Ghosts and goblins, spooks galore, scary witches at your door, jack-o-lanterns smiling bright, wishing you a haunted night.”
Doug Jones re-elected Mayor in Oyen Municipal Election
Unofficial results from the Town of Oyen’s municipal election show Doug Jones re-elected as mayor, receiving 173 votes. Terry Caron received 129 votes.
For town council, the following candidates were elected as councillors: Blake Hertz (250 votes), Jack Hauck (235), Troy MacLean (232), and Dustin Dick (214). Other candidates included Ann O’Connor (185), Keith Munro (200), Mark McCush (153), and James Walker (120).
Voters turned out to make their voices heard in shaping Oyen’s local government for the coming term on Monday, October 20.
Amanda and Bob the Dog!
A Thread, Not a Blanket
The following is Part 2 of the winning entry in the Town of Oyen Library’s Short Story Contest. Congratulations to grade 7 student, Rowenna Broadhead.
BY ROWENNA BROADHEAD Grade 7
Part 2
When I went to school the next day, William was very kind—not boastful like I had expected. I ignored him entirely.
When we went to class, the teacher who had decided to talk about threads and blankets decided to review the topic from yesterday’s lesson. The new kid was very attentive. I, on the other hand, ignored the review entirely, still enraged by my punishment and the new kid’s smugness.
After class, I called my subjects. I could tell they were eager for more mischief.
“I have decided to hit the girls’ dance studio!”
Everyone was pumped—everyone but that annoying new kid.
“The dance studio? That’s not a great idea—”
“Did I ask?” I retorted.
There was silence, and then William finally stopped pestering us and walked away.
“Anyways, the dance teacher only comes to the studio to practice with her students, namely those girls who aren’t in this group!”
“We’ll show them!” someone shouted. “You bet!” shouted another.
“Simmer down, simmer down!” I commanded. Within a few seconds, the crowd was under my control. “Since I’m grounded, I will have to find a reasonable excuse for my absence. Any ideas?”
“Oh, oh, I know!” piped up a little boy. “You tell her you got an after-school detention on the telephone!”
“What if she calls my teachers?” I snarked.
“She won’t!” he piped up.
“How do you know?” I scoffed.
“You will just tell your teachers that you got an after-school detention. They won’t double-check. After your last scheme, they won’t be shocked at all,” he responded.
Well, he had a point, but it was still risky.
“You sure?” I queried.
“Yes,” he insisted.
I had no choice but to agree. Time was running out, and the girls’ dance studio would be packed in less than half an hour. I bolted into the nearest classroom, dialed my mom’s phone number, and waited while the ringing echoed ominously.
“Hello?” a voice asked.
“Mom, I got an after-school detention,” I responded, trying my best to sound depressed.
“I figured as much. How long will the detention be?” she asked.
“I’ll get back to you on that,” I answered.
“Okay, Deral, come home right after. No going to your friend’s house,” she ordered.
“Okay, sure,” I lied. I felt awful. I had lied to my mom. I was starting to doubt if this was actually going to be worthwhile, but there was no turning back. I had a group to lead, and a general doesn’t desert his troop in a time of need.
I sighed, then turned to my eager followers.
“Soap—make sure it’s stuff that doesn’t bubble. Go!” I commanded.
Everyone got to work while I sat there pondering. Suddenly, William was beside me.
“Hey, you know it’s not too late to stop. Why don’t we call it off?” he asked.
I glared at him, my eyes latched onto his.
“No, it is too late, and you aren’t the boss. I am!” I argued.
William didn’t flinch; he just continued to sit beside me in silence. It was quite awkward.
Soon, my subjects came with the most slippery, non-bubbly soap they had stolen from an abandoned janitor cart. I looked at them with approval. William just sighed and went away. I was glad; he had really been getting on my nerves. I just hoped he wouldn’t come back, ever again.
My subjects were starting to get impatient, and time mattered more than puzzling over William. I quickly gathered my group and led them to the dance studio. It was locked, of course, but one of the windows was open. I guess luck was on our side today.
We slipped in one by one and spread the soap across the floor, then slipped back out. You couldn’t tell anything was wrong, except that the floor looked
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a tad bit shinier. The dancers were already arriving by the time we hit the sidewalk.
“Break a leg!” we jeered.
It was so ironic. We all crowded around one of the windows, pushing and shoving for the best view. The dancers filtered in, getting ready to do warm-ups before the teacher arrived. Right as the first dancer stepped on the floor, she let out a scream. She slid across the floor with her leg twisted awkwardly behind her. Ouch!
We ran for it. I was feeling sick—it wasn’t funny. It hadn’t been like I thought it would be. I could tell a few others felt the same way. If that girl went into the hospital, it would be my fault. It would be all my fault. I escaped punishment, but that made it all the worse. When I got home, my mom treated me like normal. No one knew. I was safe—or was I? It felt worse than being caught ruining the choir. I sighed. I wasn’t even sure if I was a good guy trying to have fun now. I may have never been a good guy.
School the next day was boring. We had a quiz on threads and blankets, and I flunked it. The rest of the classes were all painfully boring lessons. At lunch, I learned that the girl had broken her leg and was now hobbling around with a large cast. My group teased and taunted, saying, “Broke a leg! Isn’t that the goal in dance?” Stuff like that—it was all rubbish. Knowing what I had done and gotten away with made my stomach squirm. I knew I had to confess.
“I’m sorry. You see, my gang poured soap all over the dance floor, and... I’m so sorry.”
I couldn’t even look her in the face.
“I forgive you,” she replied.
I felt sick, so I turned and walked away. William was at my side within seconds.
“You were right, okay? Now leave me alone!” I shouted.
William looked deep into my eyes.
“I know. Remember the first day? That thread and blanket lesson?”
I nodded, my eyes beginning to water. I knew what he was trying to get at, but I was still the blanket. My group, many threads, made me their leader—more important than the single threads they were. I was the blanket, but now, knowing what I did, I wasn’t so sure. Was I more important?
William’s face became serious.
“Did you learn your lesson?” he asked.
A sudden rage filled me—he wasn’t my mom! Then I remembered the poor girl with her leg in the cast.
“Yeah, I guess,” I muttered.
“Then what are you, a thread or a blanket?” he inquired.
“I’m a thread, not a blanket,” I responded, and for the first time in my life, I meant it.
The End
How to fix a problem that doesn’t exist
I’m not sure if it’s true, but I’ve heard semi drivers who transport beer constantly get asked if they give away free samples. This week I’m giving you just one sample of many products the government is trying to sell us.
The recent push for automated tax filing for low-income Canadians is being presented to the public as a winning proposition. The media pointed out it will fulfill one of the Prime Minister’s campaign promises to make life more affordable for Canadians and make a difference in their bank accounts.
Opinion By Joan Janzen
You may have heard news reports saying automatically filing taxes of up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians beginning next year will ensure they are getting access to federal benefits they’re entitled to. However, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is claiming this is not such a good deal for Canadians.
Franco Terrazzano from the CTF was interviewed on Northern Perspective and pointed out the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can barely do the job that it has now. Even the finance minister acknowledged that the challenges plaguing the CRA are unacceptable.
“Good luck getting government bureaucrats on the phone when the CRA inevitably messes up your tax bill and overbills you,” Franco quipped.
According to the Auditor General, the CRA answers approximately 36 percent of the 53.5 million calls it receives per year, and about 30 percent of the time those who did get someone on the phone were given the wrong information.
So, if they are only able to answer 36 percent of calls, it’s fair to conclude the automatic tax filing will require the hiring of more bureaucrats to get the job done — meaning this will only add to the already bloated government that already exists, and which the government is promising will be reduced.
Add to that the fact that the CRA is already one of the largest arms of the government, with well over 52,000 employees and growing. That means there is one employee for every 800 Canadians. In contrast, the U.S. has one IRS employee for every 3,800 Americans.
When asked what problem the government was trying to solve, Franco replied, “They say it will make it easier for people to file taxes who aren’t filing their taxes already, but the solution already exists and it’s outside of government.”
There are free voluntary tax clinics people can go to if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. There are also many different businesses that offer free tax filing services.
CRA is already one of the largest arms of the government, with well over 52,000 employees and growing. That means there is one employee for every 800 Canadians.
Isn’t it more advantageous for the private sector to help low-income Canadians file their taxes, rather than spend tax dollars to pay bureaucrats to do it?
He also pointed out that people who are going through really hard times may be homeless, don’t have a bank account, phone or computer, and the government doesn’t know who they are or have their information. “This isn’t a solution for them,” he concluded.
“When the government gets their foot in the door, they keep cranking up the power over taxpayers,” he said. “If anyone wants to say this is a conspiracy theory, in the last budget it says right in there that the government wants to start exploring expanding the automatic tax filing to middle-class Canadians.”
Franco also asked his listeners, what happens if the CRA has the power over people through automatic tax filing and it comes time for union
negotiations for a pay raise? He answered his own question: “The same thing that happened in 2023 when the CRA union went on strike right during tax season.”
Automatic tax filing has been tried in other countries. “In the British experience I’ve heard they’ve thrown it out,” Franco said. “In 2010, six million taxpayers received incorrect returns from Britain’s tax agency when they overbilled taxpayers.”
He continued to inform his listeners how the government gave Canadians until October 9 to send in an email or survey submission about automatic tax filing. Just hours later, on October 10, they made the announcement. “Asking Canadians for their opinion and then ignoring their input makes it look like government consultations are just a sham,” he said. “Canadians have every reason to believe this is going to be a disaster.”
He calls it a conflict of interest for the government to do your tax return. They can’t be both the tax filer and the tax collector.
Not only will the government fix a problem that doesn’t exist, but they will also make an existing problem worse by adding more bureaucrats to the CRA at a time when federal employees have grown by 77 percent in the past ten years.
If you ever wanted to know how to spend massive amounts of money to fix a problem that doesn’t exist, our federal government can show you how it’s done.
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OYEN DENTAL CLINIC
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By Madonna Hamel
Have you ever reached the end of a momentous chore and been surprised to find you’re not as ecstatic as you imagined you’d be? I recently finished a project seven years in the writing. But now that I’m here, I feel oddly sad. I’ve developed a relationship of sorts with my project— life is, after all, where we put our time and energy. And I’ve invested a great deal of both. But I also suspect perfectionism is telling me I can’t possibly be finished.
I’m no perfectionist when it comes to housekeeping and coiffing. But I can become irrationally idealistic and exacting when it comes to creating art and stories. And that can be a huge hindrance to completing projects and releasing them into the world, which is the goal of every artist and work of art—connecting with others through your work and your vision.
I’ve been told perfectionism leads to procrastination, which, if not nudged into action, leads to paralysis. What is worth doing is worth doing badly, with the option of improving on that by doing the best we can with what we have at the time. To live in the perfectionist’s world is to judge the work of others according to unrealistic standards. How many times have you left a concert or show and said, “I could do better than that”? In your dreams, yes. Or maybe you’d just do it differently. Either way, I say, “By all means, go for it!”
At the moment, I am dealing less with perfectionism than a kind of mourning for things left out. You never include everything you research, as juicy and interesting as it may be. I’ve been writing about the lives of a disparate group of misfits who find themselves living in the middle of nowhere—i.e., southern Saskatchewan—in the late 1800s. In doing research, I’ve learned a great deal about the lives of Métis living in the territory, of cowboys coming up from the States where they could still roam free, of mail-order brides, life in boarding houses, misinformed settlers arriving entirely unprepared, religious orders filled with good intentions, not all of them abusive or imperial in intent. I discovered the story of an apparition of Mary in the far North, diaries of former surveyors establishing the border, the first war correspondent and his stories of the Crimean War—to name just a few.
With every new character, scene, or event in the history of my unraveling story, there was a book to read. I fell in love with my research. It’s a pitfall for most novelists. It certainly was my case back in the days of working in radio, making documentaries on subjects that intrigued me and drew me deeper into them with every new fact. It’s the best way to become an expert on something—decide to write a book or make a doc about it!
I was lucky to have deadlines and the fear of dead air looming over me. If the clock was getting perilously close to showtime and I was still tinkering with my script—fretting over having to cut a precious factoid— my producer would shout: “Murder your babies, Madonna. We got a show to put on!”
However, left to our own devices, writers would spend their lives “reading up” on a subject. Beside my desk is a bookcase stuffed with hundreds of books on Victorian England, the rise of newspapers, the life of cowboys, the spirituality of Indigenous peoples, the beginning of consumer culture, the decline of the buffalo, the invention of the gospel of wealth, the building of barns, the wildest weather events of the last two centuries, the expansion of empires, the effect of train
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travel on land and people…the list goes on and on. And on.
I also have notebooks full of facts and figures, quips and quotes, and delicious, vibrant descriptions of a place and time. What do I do with all those notes I meant to plough into the story? The book would be thousands of pages long if I used them all. I can’t think of throwing away my notes. Please, let me share some of them here.
Did you know that the Gilded Age (1870 to late 1890s) saw the rise of sensationalist and investigative journalism at the same time that mindless materialism was wedded with the prosperity gospel and its notion that if you were rich, you were a good— i.e., hard-working—individual, and if you were poor, you were a bad—i.e., lazy—person? The man behind the Gospel of Wealth was Andrew Carnegie, the Pittsburgh steel magnate who we may think of as the benevolent originator of libraries, but whose ruthless business practices earned him the title: robber baron.
The Chicago World’s Fair (1893) introduced the art of “mechanical reproduction” and “staged authenticity” to the degree that fake everything was preferable to the original. Fake buildings went up faster. Fake pyramids meant no need to leave home. Fake battles meant no one dies, and fake happy villages of natives meant no more guilty consciences.
In 1898, Eastern Canada was hearing predictions of a bad wheat crop out West. Maclean’s hired Cora Hind to get the facts. She did what no reporter ever did before her—got off at every stop along the train route and spoke directly to local farmers. She stood in their fields, rubbed their wheat between her own fingers. She wired Maclean’s: “Not as bad as thought. Will be an average yield.” And she was right. She estimated a yield of 50 million bushels and was off by 4. The next year, she was off by less than 1.
My book begins in 1890—the year the stop sign, the semi-automatic rifle, and shredded wheat were invented. And it ends in 1893, the year Gandhi arrived in South Africa, Conan Doyle gave us Sherlock Holmes, and the song “Happy Birthday” was published. But in between, there’s so much more!
Pop89
Just a gal from Glidden
Hot flashes, home runs and Halloween hijinks
BY KATE WINQUIST
Well, as it turns out, my optimism really did pay off — the Blue Jays are still going strong. Suddenly, even people who normally think baseball is boring are joining the bandwagon, including my sister Carrie. Boring? Really? George Springer’s three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh against Seattle on Monday night had the whole country buzzing. It felt like one of those classic Canadian moments you’ll be talking about for years — Joe Carter’s 1993 World Series homer, anyone?
Springer had been hit in the knee the night before, so there was some doubt he’d even play. My sister shared a post on the Blue Jays Facebook page: “Congrats guys! Now take it the rest of the way! My mom was a huge fan and she passed last December at 88. She’s smiling down on you, and the fact that George hit the winning home run was an extra bonus for her …George was my dad’s name.” And then Vladimir Guerrero Jr. LIKED HER COMMENT. I repeat: Vlad Jr. liked HER comment, not mine — the one actually writing about baseball. Where is the justice?
I refuse to predict anything about the World Series. The Jays are up against the billionaire Dodgers, so let’s just say: stay tuned to see if the fat lady starts warming up her vocal chords. Because she has not sung quite yet — and this fat lady isn’t even humming. October has been gentle on us so far — Old Man Winter has mostly stayed away. One brief snowfall was the extent of it, giving us time to put away the patio furniture, rake leaves, and start thinking about Halloween goodies for the little ghosts and goblins. My husband especially enjoys handing out the treats, and I must admit, I don’t mind the excuse to make sure the candy is “good.” We had a full case of Coffee Crisps left over last year, and yes, I did wonder why I can’t seem to lose weight. Some mysteries may never be solved.
I do hope the weather holds, though. It’s such a shame when cute costumes are hidden under parkas and snowsuits.
Evenings are cooling, but I’ve become a one-woman climate crisis. Menopause has been showing its ugly face, and the nights are full of hot flashes and night sweats with me apologizing to my husband for creating a sauna in the bedroom. He has been curling up under layers, only his head peeking out from the blanket — I think he’s convinced he’s sleeping in a morgue. I used to think night sweats were overblown. I was a fool.
The past few weeks have been busy. We’ve finally found a small office space in the Mini-Mall for our Rosetown Eagle staff, giving David and Ian a place to write and me a spot to handle ad sales. It’s also perfect for storing our archives, which will one day belong in the museum, I’m sure. I’m looking forward to digging through back issues, especially with Remembrance Day coming up.
And with all this busyness, we’ve been laughing at the old sayings we’ve dusted off: busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest, busier than a three-legged cat burying a turd on cement, busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger… and a few others best left unprinted.
Despite it all, I will find the time to relax and watch some ballgames and perhaps help pick out the Halloween candy, all while trying to stay cool through it all.
That’s it for another week of musings from the gal from Glidden. Week’s not over yet — and just a reminder, don’t cue the fat lady. She hasn’t even cleared her throat.
Carrie and Katie Drummond getting ready to trick or treat in Glidden, SK (circa 1974).
New stats flood world of baseball
Baseball statistics are getting ridiculous. Every day, it seems, some analytical expert delivers a new statistical category that, ultimately, will probably result in fans learning that a batter produces more hits when his heart is in mid-beat.
Way back when, all a baseball fan knew of his favourite players were batting average, runsbatted-in, base hits, runs scored, and walks. If a statistician wanted to get cute, he or she might even break down the regular walks from those issued intentionally.
Sports By Bruce Penton
Today? It’s out of control. A few new baseball-stat categories started showing up 10 or 15 years ago, such as WAR (wins above replacement, a category that determines a player’s value to a team were he playing instead of a replacement player). Offensively, the stat used most often to determine a player’s value is OPS, which is adding up the player’s on-base percentage plus his slugging average. Anyone over 1.000 is an all-star. Here’s a quiz: What is BABIP? It calculates a hitter’s batting average only on balls in play. In other words, a strikeout or a home run aren’t counted. Only those balls that stay in the field of play. There’s a fairly new stat showing up as ISO, which is described as ‘isolated power’ — measuring a hitter’s rate of extra-base hits per at-bat. Also
measured these days are categories for exit velocity, launch angle, hard hit, and barrels. Barrels? This is where stats start to get really haywire. If a batter hits a ball with an exit velocity of a minimum 98 miles per hour and a launch angle between 26 and 30 degrees, it is deemed that the ball must have hit the ‘barrel’ of the bat. Google says an elite hitter manages to ‘barrel’ a thrown pitch at least 15 per cent of the time.
Advanced computer software and radar equipment figures all of this out. When the Blue Jays beat Seattle 13-4 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, post-game reports said the Jays socked 11 hits at 100 mph or more. Significant? Must have been, because it reportedly broke the record of 10 by the 2018 Red Sox and 2020 Dodgers. Every possible detail of a baseball game is stored in some computer and easily retrievable. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., reported Sports Illustrated, was responsible for four of those 11 smashes. Only one other player has ever crushed four hits so hard in a post-season game and that happened this year (Detroit Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter in Game 5 of the ALDS).
Wrote SI’s Tom Verducci: “The tally of Guerrero’s night of whistling baseballs throughout T-Mobile Park read like someone fiddling with the FM ra-
dio dial looking for a decent tune: 102.8 (single), 104.9 (double), 106.4 (home run), 108.0 (double).”
How did it happen? Guerrero apparently has the flattest swing in baseball (1 degree). He adjusted his elevation by a couple of degrees and … boom!, a fourhit night and a 13-4 win.
Are all these stats important? Not really. Just the one that says 13-4.
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “How dumb are the Raptors and new president Bobby Webster? They charge good money for a pre-season home game against the Boston Celtics and don’t dress any of their starters. You do that kind of thing on the road in exhibition games. You don’t treat or cheat your paying customers like that.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “J.T, Miller was named captain of the New York Rangers and congratulations poured in from around the league. Elias Pettersson sent him some dead flowers.”
• Headline at fark.com: “Danica Patrick thinks Bad Bunny shouldn’t perform at the Super Bowl if he’s not gonna sing in English, a rule which would ban every note of country music ever performed at NASCAR events since its creation.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Great camera shot of Bengals’ QB Joe Flacco staring with mouth agape disbelief after Ja’Marr Chase dropped a perfect pass. I haven’t seen that look
since my wife caught me vacuuming our living room.”
• Cathal Kelly of the Globe and Mail, on the difference between the Blue Jays recent opponents, the Yankees and Mariners: “Playing the Yankees gets you ready to go to war. The Mariners make you feel like lying down and just getting a few quick winks.”
• Headline at theonion.com: “Aaron Rodgers Suffers Torn Cerebellum After Attempting Telepathic Audible”
• Another one from Kelly, on Mariners’ fans booing Blue Jays’ George Springer: “They hate him because he was a mezzo-soprano in the Houston Astros’ garbage-can choir.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastssportsbabe.com: “I know Phillies fans boo Santa Claus, but Mariners fans cheering when Blue Jays’ George Springer is injured by Bryan Woo hitting him on the knee with a pitch is a new level of trashy.”
• Another one from Torben Rolfsen: “There’s talk of a third ‘Goon’ movie. The producers said they’d need a budget of about $20 million. Connor McDavid said he could do it for $12.5 million.”
• A groaner from RJ Currie: “I hear police in Canada doubled radar patrols from Thanksgiving Monday to Thursday. No surprise — many folks exceeded the feed limit.”
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Oyen and District Curling Club gears up for 2025-26 season
The Oyen and District Curling Club is preparing to launch its 2025-26 season this November, running through the end of February. Dan McLaughlin will return as the club’s Ice Technician, ensuring top-quality playing conditions throughout the season.
The club’s executive for the year includes Riley Carroll as President, Brett Peterson as Vice-President, Jackie Dick serving as Secretary/Treasurer, and directors Kari Kuzmiski, Jerry Logan, Erin Logan, Jared Carroll, and Ray Penner.
Leagues will take place on three nights each week:
• Monday – Sturling League: This fast-paced variation of curling features two-player teams and sixend games, with each player staying at one end for the duration.
• Tuesday – Fun League: Designed for recreational curlers and newcomers alike, this league offers a
relaxed atmosphere perfect for families. Games begin at 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday – Cash League: For those seeking a competitive edge, the Wednesday night league showcases skilled curlers and exciting matchups. Several bonspiels are also planned for the season, including:
• Junior Spiel – November 22-25, 2025
• Sturling Spiel – December 6, 2025
• Keith Mitchell Spiel – January 23-25, 2026
• Ladies Spiel – February 7, 2026
League registration information will be available in the Oyen Echo.
Gather your team and experience the excitement of the ice at the Oyen and District Curling Club this season!
Farmers wrap up 2025 harvest amid mixed conditions
Alberta’s 2025 harvest is complete, with most regions reporting strong yields and high-quality crops despite a challenging growing season, Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson said Friday. “Hot, dry weather through late summer and into fall supported a rapid harvest pace, keeping farmers hard at work to bring crops off the fields before the weather shifted,” Sigurdson said in a statement. “For some areas, 2025 was a difficult growing season, and most of the province is entering winter with dry soil conditions. We are hopeful for above-average winter snowfall and spring rains to replenish soil moisture for next year.”
OYEN BRIEFS
Overall, regional yields are expected to surpass five-year averages in nearly all parts of Alberta, with the exception of the Peace region, where output is close to average. Crop quality for spring wheat, barley, and canola exceeded expectations, with a larger proportion of these crops meeting the top two grades. Durum, oats, and dry peas, however, graded lower than the five-year average.
“Alberta producers are resilient, dedicated, and resourceful,” Sigurdson added. “They face challenges head-on and continue to drive sustainable growth in our agriculture sector. Congratulations to farmers on another successful harvest.”
Oyen residents stay safe online and celebrate Legion raffle winners
BY DIANA WALKER
Oyen residents had the opportunity to learn about cybercrime prevention during a free webinar hosted by ATB on October 7. Presented by Aisha Kitchlew, the session “Protecting Your Business from Cybercrime” drew 166 viewers over the noon hour. Kitchlew offered practical advice for business owners, emphasizing that victims should not feel ashamed and should contact their financial institution immediately. She also cautioned against signing unexpected documents electronically, suggesting instead to visit a branch or call a trusted employee for verification.
In local recycling news, residents are reminded that small batteries can be safely recycled at South Country Co-op.
Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 208 held its raffle draw on October 18, awarding prizes to several lucky winners. Savanna Tye won the top prize of $40,000, while Brad Slorstad claimed $2,500. Additional winners of $1,000 included Dave Chudyr, Ryan Niwa, Richard Woods, Em-Dee-En Enterprises Inc., and Walt Scarff. The $500 prizes went to Koen Anderson, Taylor/Tyler, Ken Mick, Dean Loran, and Denis Lemare. Proceeds from the raffle will support ongoing renovations at the Oyen Legion.
Halloween For The Hungry Halloween For The Hungry OCTOBER
Alberta slashes wait times for Water Act licences
Alberta’s government has cut wait times for Water Act licences by more than half over the past year, a move officials say will save both time and money for landowners, businesses and municipalities.
By streamlining processes, setting clear standards and reducing red tape, the province has lowered wait times for licences by 52 per cent in the last year. Compared with 2021, the improvement reaches 79 per cent, meaning applicants now receive decisions an average of 354 days sooner.
“Routine water applications shouldn’t take months or even years,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “We are getting government out of the way so that farmers, ranchers, communities and businesses can keep on growing. Over the past two years, we’ve maintained Alberta’s world-class environmental standards while making sure people can access the water they need.”
The province introduced mandatory service targets for all Water Act applications last year and launched a new online system to make submission and review faster. Other regulatory improvements, such as removing unnecessary 10 per cent hold-backs on most water transfers, have also cut down on paperwork.
“These results are good news for every Albertan, company or community looking to access water in this province,” said Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Water. “We will continue to look for ways to cut red tape, reduce bureaucratic delays and eliminate outdated processes.”
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, emphasized the broader goal: “We’re tossing out the long delays for regulatory approvals and decisions that hold businesses and communities back. Our government continues to knock down bureaucratic barriers so Alberta remains the best place in Canada to live, work and do business.”
Officials say the changes have already made a tangible difference. Bob Marshall, reeve of the County of Grande Prairie, noted that the Digital Regulatory Assurance System and streamlined application process have cut approval times for both small- and largescale projects from six months or more to just one to two months.
“For years, the sand and gravel industry has struggled with permitting delays, which hampers investment and development,” said Rob Fragoso, executive director of the Alberta Sand and Gravel Association. “The industry welcomes a future with less red tape so we can focus on producing the materials needed to serve Albertans.”
Quick facts:
• Over 88 per cent of Water Act applications submitted in the past year were complete as of Sept. 30.
• Outstanding applications from before 2024 have been reduced from 644 to seven.
• Timelines for authorizations requiring a Water Act approval have dropped 46 per cent in the past year and 63 per cent since 2021, meaning decisions come 140 days sooner on average.
• Service targets allow for thorough review and public consultation where necessary:
– Low-risk decisions: 60 days
– Medium-risk decisions: 90 days
– High-risk decisions: 120 days
• Since April 2025, 86 per cent of applications have met their target timelines, with 71 per cent completed at least 30 days ahead of schedule.
The province says these changes are part of a broader effort to modernize Alberta’s water management system and make more water available to support growth in agriculture, industry and communities.
Delivering results: Alberta’s 2025 Fall Session focuses on health, education and public safety
As Alberta’s legislature prepares to reconvene, the government is turning its attention to delivering tangible results for residents, with a focus on health care, education and public safety.
Members of the legislative assembly return on Oct. 23 for the second session of Alberta’s 31st legislature. The first session passed 55 government bills, setting a strong foundation for continued action. The 2025 fall session will open with a speech from the throne, outlining the government’s next steps to fulfill its mandate.
A key priority is creating the conditions for economic growth, job creation and stronger communities. Joseph Schow, Government House Leader and Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, said the government is focused on the issues that matter most to Albertans.
“Albertans gave us a job to do, and we are getting it done. We are defending our interests with low taxes and regulatory burden, supporting public safety, strengthening health care and making life better and safer for all. This session, our government is taking steps to keep Alberta the best place to live, work, do business and raise a family,” Schow said.
Legislation this fall will include the full implementation of new health agencies, such as Acute Care Alberta and Primary Care Alberta. The government will also introduce amendments to establish the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS), designed to increase law enforcement capacity and address Alberta’s evolving public safety needs.
Other proposed measures aim to boost labour mobility by streamlining approvals for internationally trained professionals in regulated fields. The session will also introduce legislation to protect regulated professionals from undue discipline for matters outside their work.
Since 2019, the government has cut red tape, saving taxpayers and businesses more than $3 billion. This session promises further reductions to bureaucracy, saving Albertans time and money.
At least 15 pieces of legislation are expected to be tabled, including:
• Regulated Professions Neutrality Act
• Health Statutes Amendment Act
• Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act
• Utilities Statutes Amendment Act
• Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act
• Water Amendment Act
• Justice Statutes Amendment Act
• Financial Statutes Amendment Act
Names of acts are subject to change.
This fall, the government is emphasizing action and accountability, aiming to turn plans into results Albertans can see and feel. Through debate and decisive legislation, the session seeks to strengthen essential services, protect freedoms and keep Alberta’s economy moving forward. With a clear direction and a proven record, the government is set to build on its success and deliver for Albertans once again.
Cart brings Ronald McDonald House hospitality to bedside
LETHBRIDGE — A new Comfort Cart is now rolling through the halls at Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH), bringing support and comfort to families caring for a sick child.
The Comfort Cart moves between the prenatal clinic, NICU, pediatric, maternity/child, and labour/delivery units, offering snacks, coffee, reading materials, activity books, and hygiene items such as toothbrushes.
“The carts are more than supplies or distractions. They’re an opportunity to connect with our patients and their families when it’s needed most,” said Monica Whitehead, Director of Women’s and Children’s Health with Alberta Health Services (AHS). “Volunteers who circulate the carts engage with patients, help brighten their day, and remind them they are not alone in their journey.”
families outside the House, enhancing family-centred care at the bedside. The items we provide also support siblings visiting their hospitalized brother or sister.”
Comfort Carts are also available at the Foothills Medical Centre and Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary, and at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. The CRH cart marks the first time Ronald McDonald House Alberta has partnered with a hospital foundation in this capacity to sustain ongoing operations.
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - 10:30 AM Sharp Potluck Lunch to follow
The initiative is made possible through support from the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Alberta. With Houses in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat, the Comfort Cart brings Ronald McDonald House hospitality closer to home for families in Lethbridge.
“Families in Lethbridge are familiar with Ronald McDonald House, as dozens stay there each year when traveling for pediatric care,” said Natasha Tiemstra, Chief Operating Officer of Ronald McDonald House Alberta. “The Comfort Cart allows us to support more
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Ronald McDonald House to bring the Comfort Cart to Lethbridge,” said Crystal Elliott, Chief Executive Officer of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. “Working with such a respected organization strengthens our team and ensures the impact of this initiative reaches even further into the community.”
The cart began circulating at CRH on Oct. 14 and will make rounds Monday through Friday. Volunteers are always welcome. Visit ahs.ca/volunteers to register.
@ Oyen Legion Hall 207 - 5th Ave. E., Oyen, AB
“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.“
Napoleon Hill
Applications are now being accepted for The Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary #208 Bursary.
Oyen & area students entering their second year of University, School of Technology and Art, Nursing Programs, and all recognized colleges are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be a graduate of 2 years and current year. The bursaries are not for mature students (i.e. over 21 years of age).
Applications are available from the Oyen Town Office, SCHS Facebook page, and any Legion Auxiliary member.
Completed applications with the required supporting documentation are to be mailed to: Ladies’ Auxiliary #208 Bursary, Chairman, P.O. Box 334, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0
Deadline for applications is November 10, 2025
To be awarded at the Remembrance Day Service.
New exhibit at Royal Alberta Museum
Albertans will soon have the chance to confront one of life’s most universal experiences in a thought-provoking new exhibit at the Royal Alberta Museum. Opening Feb. 26, 2026, Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery invites visitors to explore how cultures around the world understand and honour the end of life. The travelling exhibition, created by Chicago’s Field Museum in 2022, features 100 objects from anthropology, zoology, geology and botany collections, alongside interactive digital and sensory experiences—all designed to spark reflection on the final frontier of human experience.
“Alberta’s world-class museums offer unforgettable experiences, and we are excited to bring this incredible new exhibit to life at the Royal Alberta Museum,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “Death will spark deep conversa-
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tions and leave lasting impressions as visitors explore the mysteries of life’s final frontier.”
The exhibit highlights everything from fascinating animal adaptations for survival to cultural rituals that celebrate the lives of those who have passed. “The topic of death is personal and complex,” said Meaghan Patterson, executive director of the Royal Alberta Museum. “Through Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery, the museum invites Albertans to engage with life’s big questions in a safe and even surprising way. We look forward to presenting new perspectives and welcoming visitors.”
The Royal Alberta Museum is the first in Alberta— and only the second in Canada—to host the exhibition. Major support for the exhibit was provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc., with additional support from Alicia and Peter Pond.
FOR SALE FOR SALE
2023 SOUTHLAND HB20 TRAILER WITH MOUNTED 1325 IMP. GAL. TANK.
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Old Ida and the Halloween nobody came
Before we moved to our newly built country house further up the road, we grew up in a little home nestled in a small gully beside the highway, about eight miles outside the nearest town. On the opposite side of the highway was a little hill, and atop that hill stood a small, weather-worn house that had been there forever. It was occupied by a woman our family simply knew as “Old Ida.”
Remembering When By
Keith Schell
Old Ida was quite the character. She was a feisty, single older woman who occasionally entertained men in her home—probably for simple companionship as much as anything else.
Because she was so feisty, she wouldn’t put up with any guff from the men she entertained. And because the air was so still and the countryside so quiet, we could usually hear the loud arguments she had with her gentleman callers from across the highway at our house.
Old Ida’s fights became legendary among our nearest neighbours. Even though the houses were spread fairly far apart in our part of the country, sound carries under certain conditions. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones who could hear her noisy fights on a still summer night.
One man in particular caught Ida’s fancy, and it was decided they would move in together. That relationship didn’t last long before the fights started again, and Old Ida eventually threw the guy out on his ear.
Around that time, Halloween rolled around. Not wanting me to miss out on the fun because I was so young, Mom and Dad decided to drive me around the countryside for trick-or-treating. I was far too young then to go up to a house on my own, so Dad waited in the car while Mom walked me up to each door.
We visited all the neighbours we knew, calling on them for trick-or-treat. Because the countryside was so vast and the houses so far apart, it took a long time to make our rounds.
The only house we didn’t visit was Old Ida’s. Because of her feisty reputation, we weren’t sure what kind of reception we’d get if we came to her door. Apparently, a lot of the neighbours with young kids felt the same way that night.
Nine o’clock was my bedtime back then. We had visited quite a few neighbours by that time, and my parents decided it was time to head home.
When we got back to our house, we pulled into the driveway and got out of the car. We’d left the outside light on to make it easier to see as we walked up to the front door.
We had an outdoor tomcat that we fed, so we always kept a clean plastic cat food dish on the front step.
And then we saw it—illuminated by the glow of the porch light.
The plastic cat food dish on the front step was filled
One man in particular caught Ida’s fancy, and it was decided they would move in together. That relationship didn’t last long before the fights started again, and Old Ida eventually threw the guy out on his ear.
with Halloween candy.
As we walked up to the step, we tried to figure out where the candy had come from. Then, in a sudden moment of realization, my mother looked at my father and said, “It must have been Ida!”
We looked up the hill at the little house. All the lights were off and Ida had retired for the night.
Because of her crusty reputation, no one had bothered with her on Halloween. For a lonely old woman who had thrown her man out and didn’t seem to have a friend in the world, that exclusion must have hurt considerably. Realizing she wasn’t going to get any kids that night, she must have come across the road while we were gone and filled our cat food dish with the candy she had bought in preparation for us coming to her door.
Not long after that, Old Ida sold the house and moved away to God knows where. She is long gone now, and we never even knew if she had any friends or family to mourn her passing.
Looking back on it now through understanding adult eyes, I kind of wish we had gone up the hill that night to see Old Ida for trick-or-treat. Like most women, she probably would have gotten a big kick out of seeing a smiling little kid on her doorstep, all dressed up in his costume and engaged in the age-old quest for Halloween candy.
If you still make the Halloween rounds with your kids and know of an older person who would like to be included in the festivities, try to drop in on them if you can. It would make their night. They’d love to see the happy, excited faces of little kids in costume, searching for candy. It would make them feel part of the celebration again—especially if their own grown kids and grandkids live far away and can’t be with them for the occasion.
Loneliness for an older person can be a terrible thing, especially during the child and family-oriented times of the year. There’s nothing sadder for an old person who wants to be included in the festivities than no one coming to see them.
Like Christmas and birthdays, Halloween is a happy and exciting time for little kids. And the more people who want to be included in the festivities, the happier it is for everyone involved.
To all the witches, ghosts, and goblins out there (and their parents), have a safe and happy Halloween!
2025-26 League Registration
STURLING CURLING runs every MONDAY
Contact Jerry Logan 403-664-6001 to enter
FUN LEAGUE runs every TUESDAY
Contact Jackie Dick 403-664-0157 to enter
CASH LEAGUE runs every WEDNESDAY
Contact Brett Peterson 403-664-8868 to enter
A shoebox can change a child’s world
CALGARY — For a child in West Africa, Ukraine, or the Philippines, a simple shoebox filled with toys, school supplies, and a personal note can mean the world. This holiday season, Canadians are once again packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, bringing joy to children living amid poverty, war, or disaster.
The annual program, run by international Christian relief group Samaritan’s Purse, delivered more than 436,000 gifts last year. Each $12 box covers shipping and program costs, helping children know they are loved and remembered.
“Every shoebox shows a child that they matter,” said Kendra Shields, director of Operation Christmas Child. “This simple gift can bring hope, joy, and a
ALSASK
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1
• Alsask Drop-Inn Centre Fall Supper & Games Fundraiser
4:00-8:00 PM. Ham or turkey, potatoes & gravy, veggies and finish with dessert, then stay for games! 206 Main Street. $25/ person (Age 12 & under - $10). Call Dave 306-463-0169 for more info.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
• Alsask Lioness Christmas Craft and Trade Show 1:00-4:00 PM at the Alsask Community Hall. Admission: $5.00. Door prizes, coffee, tea, dessert and shopping!
BIG STONE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
• Annual Big Stone Roast Beef Supper & Silent Dessert Auction 5:00-7:00 PM Big Stone Community Hall. Ages 13 and up $20; ages 7-12 $10; Ages 6 & under Free. Come out to enjoy a good meal and community visit.
CEREAL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
• Cereal Turkey Supper & Christmas Market. Market 4:008:00 PM. Supper 5:30-7:30 PM. Visit from Santa 6:00-7:30 PM. All at the CJ Peacock Centre.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
•Save the Date! 2025 Ham & Turkey Bingo.
- Monday Night Bingo (except holidays) at the CJ Peacock Centre. Doors & Concession open at 6:30 PM. Bingo starts at 7:30 PM
sense of being valued.”
National Shoebox Collection Week runs Nov. 1723. Boxes can be dropped off at hundreds of locations across Canada or packed online at PackABox.ca. Online packers can also track where their gift ends up. About Samaritan’s Purse - Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian relief organization inspired by the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. It aids people affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution, and provides programs including safe water projects, vocational training, and Operation Christmas Child. More information is at SamaritansPurse.ca.
- Cereal Cottages Coffee on Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM
- Quilting Club weekly Wednesdays 10:00 AM - 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
- Cereal Playground most Tuesdays 10:00 AM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
EMPRESS
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society Craft Mondays 1:00 PM at Empress Community Hall Craft Room. Everyone is welcome and coffee is always on!
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society Crib Wednesdays 7:00 PM at Empress Community Hall. $5 entry fee. $1 for each hand scoring 19 goes into the loonie pot. All monies will be paid out at end of evening. Great opportunity to see old friends and make some new ones.
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society presents Snarples Thursdays 7:00 PM. No entry fee. Great opportunity to see old friends, make some new ones and learn a new card game. Empress Community Hall (314 Centre St.)
- Game Night Saturdays at 7:00 PM at the Community Hall. Come join us for a night of fun and excitement. Play games and hang out with friends and family.
OYEN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
• Fun night for members and their guests at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. 7:00 PM to midnight. Games and socializing. BYOB and snacks. Call Lynda 403664-0908 or Beth 403-664-2462 for further information.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
• Halloween For The Hungry. Get ready for a doorbell symphony! Our fabulous volunteer youth are hitting the pavement to collect your non-perishable food treasures or your generous cash donations for the Oyen & District Food Bank. All donations are appreciated. Volunteers wishing to par-
ticpate are to meet at the FCSS community centre at 5:30 PM.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 18, 25
• 50+ Crafting and Socializing 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Oyen Seniors Rec Centre. Stay or drop-in. Bring your own project and lunch if needed. For info or to RSVP contact Cheryl Getz at 403-664-8688.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
• Regular Pot Luck and Meeting for Oyen and District Seniors (50+) at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. Pot Luck at 6:00PM and Meeting at 7:00 PM. New Members welcome. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403-664-2462 for more information.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
• Royal Canadian Acadia Branch #208 will be holding the Remembrance Day Service at the Oyen Legion Hall 10:30 AM Sharp. Potluck lunch to follow. Lest we forget.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
• Oyen United Church will be hosting a Bake Table at the Christmas Farmers Market. Donations of baking would be very much appreciated. Convener: Jessie Battrum 403-6642515.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
• Oyen and District Seniors Association in collaboration with a Minor Hockey Team are Hosting their annual Christmas Banquet at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre at 6:00PM. Tickets $25. Tickets must be purchased in ADVANCE from Jessie Battrum 403-664-2515 as no cash received at door.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers.
- Community Choir every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Evangelical Missionary Church.
- Oyen United Church Coffee Time every Tuesday at 10:00 AM. All are welcome!
- Oyen FCSS Community Centre Playgroup every Monday 9:30 - 11 AM at the Centre. Activities include: Storytime, Arts and Crafts, Free Play. Contact us! 403-664-2255
YOUNGSTOWN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
• Presenting the Annual Friends of the Youngstown Library “Youngstown Christmas Mini-Fair” 3:00-7:00 PM Youngstown Community Hall. Variety of crafts and home-based business products, Christmas hamper raffle, Santa photos available, Beef-on-a-Bun Supper by Dryland Multi 4H Club. For more information or to book a table, contact Renee at 403-8578322. Come experience fun, stress-free Christmas shopping with a small town atmosphere.