The happiest guy on the eve of the 2024-25 National Hockey League season might just be Jeff Skinner.
Ten times a 20-plus goal scorer (and 30-plus in six of those seasons) while playing for poor teams in Carolina and Buffalo, the Toronto-born left-winger could hardly be blamed for dreaming about an inaugural playoff run next spring.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
Incredibly, in 14 seasons and 1,006 games, Skinner has never skated in an NHL playoff game. But that’s about to change now that he is a member of the Edmonton Oilers, Stanley Cup finalists last year and a relative slam-dunk playoff team thanks to the talents of Connor McDavid-led roster of stars.
Skinner was one of two big-name free agents signed by the Oilers on July 1 (Viktor Arvidsson was the other one) and come next April, Skinner is just about guaranteed to skate in his first playoff game. Pre-season talk had him playing on a line with either McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. He might fill the net all season.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of interesting tidbits for fans to watch for as the new season gets under way.
— The Leafs, whose defence has been their kryptonite the past few years, are suddenly strong in that position with the addition of veterans Oliver Ekman-Larsen and Chris Tanev.
— Nashville Predators made perhaps the biggest offensive splash in free agency, signing both Steven Stamkos (555 career goals) and 2023 Conn Smythe trophy winner Jonathan Marchessault, coming off a 42-
BY GREG BUCHANAN
Like a good perogy meal from your Grandma, good things come to those who wait.
With a 7-game losing streak, the guys in Green are winning ugly, and sometime a little dirty,
The last few weeks, it has not been banner games by the offence. They have been picked up by a defence that returned to their early season form. Not only have generated turnovers
Redblacks’ quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was starting in place of injured starter Dru Brown, never looked comfortable and the Riders took advantage of an Ottawa offence that never found its footing, waiting for their chance rather than trying to force the issue.
As an aside, remember when people wanted kicker Brett Lauther cut after he missed four kicks against Montreal? He has been next to perfect seven-for-seven
goal season with Vegas. They will join forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg and defenceman Roman Josi to form one of the most powerful offensive lineups in the league.
— The NHL season takes a break from Feb. 12-20, 2025, for the 4 Nations Cup tournament, featuring the best players from Canada, the U.S., Sweden and Finland. The tournament will be played in two unnamed North American cities, one in the U.S. and one in Canada. Who skates for Canada will be a favourite debate subject for the next couple of months.
— Wayne Gretzky’s 894 career goals was thought to be untouchable, but Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin is bound to surpass that figure and wind up on the north side of 900 goals. The Russian sniper has 853 career goals and needs only 41 to tie Gretzky. If not this season, then 2025-26 for sure.
— Did Sidney Crosby sign his final contract a couple of weeks back? The two-year deal, a $17.6-million extension, takes him through the 2026-27 NHL season, when he’ll be 39. He’s in his 20th season in the league and is a certain Hall-of-Famer.
Most fans couldn’t get enough of rookie sensation Connor Bedard and now that he’s got one full season under his belt, how great will Season 2 be? The North Vancouver native scored 22 goals and assisted on 39 others in 68 games with a Chicago team that will be much improved in 2024-25. Fifty goals is not out of reach for Bedard.
• Super 70s Sports, along with a picture of a Nestle’s Quik container saying you could win a trip to Vince Lombardi’s football clinic: “This looked like a fun contest until you got there and he just yelled at your butt all day for not executing properly.”
• Canadian parody website The Beaverton, after Rogers acquired majority control of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment: “Rogers promises
vs Ottawa. He’s rebounded nicely since perhaps the worst game of his career.
While I do still take issue with a couple of decisions by head coach Corey Mace in the last few games including to punt just shy of mid-field, that wasn’t the worst thing to happen in this game.
In the game’s dying second vs Ottawa, Riders’ defensive back Deontai Williams tackled Redblacks’ receiver Kalil Pimpleton in a way that looked more like a finishing move in the wrestling ring than a football play.
After the catch, Williams had Pimpleton in an awkward position upside down and drove him down onto his head a little too aggressively. Unsurprisingly, flags flew, and the benches cleared. For a brief second, a ref’s mic turned on and we got a glimpse into the chaos in the middle of the scrum.
Williams and Redblacks’ receiver Dominique Rhymes would both end up ejected from the game for their role in the skirmish, as the officials tried to re-
Leafs, Raptors fans that their teams will be just as successful as current Blue Jays”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Rumour has it Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has two-dollar earrings that he wears during games. My first thought when hearing that was, ‘Not bad for a buck-an-ear!’”
• Headline at the onion.com: “Tom Brady Provides Detailed Analysis Of How Easy It Would Be For Him To Take Dak Prescott’s Job”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, on Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson: “So far his career is a Shakespearean play: Much Ado About Nothing”
• Andrew Perloff of Athlon Sports, on Miami Dolphins’ QB situation with Tua Tagovailoa out with a concussion, suggesting a veteran quarterback is the answer: “Relying on Skylar Thompson and waiting for Tua to be healthy is franchise malpractice.”
• Steve Simmons again: “The Leafs are paying four of the top 12 salaries in hockey. The other eight players come from eight different teams.”
• Headline at fark.com: “Honda and Alpine breach F1’s cost-cap rules and didn’t event have to consult with the Yankees or Cowboys on how to do it.”
• Sign held by a fan at the final home game of the Oakland A’s, who are moving to Las Vegas: “Today, there is crying in baseball.”
• RJ Currie again: “With the PointsBet Invitatinal (recently) in Calgary, the top five curling songs: 5. Vary That Weight; 4. In-Turn Me Loose; 3. Bump It Up; 2. You Ain’t Seen Button Yet; 1. Bohemian Rocksody.
• From fark.com: “Inside the 2024 White Sox’s road to MLB’s all-time worst record. Many years from now, Kevn Costner will plough another baseball field to redeem them as well.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
store order for the final six seconds of the game.
A “tackle” like that isn’t necessary at any time but it’s especially egregious in the final seconds of a game that’s been decided. Williams was rightfully flagged and tossed. I’m sure his game cheque will be a little lighter this week, too.
It was not a good look for a team that already has a bit of a dirty reputation around the league.
The league has to spend the off season with a long, long look at stripes. CFL officials are currently on a roll on the mic.
Over the last few weeks, head ref Ben Major has gone semi-viral for his calls after punts hit the scoreboard at BC Place. On Friday night, a punt got stuck in the scoreboard in Vancouver and led to another great announcement from Tom Vallesi.
On Saturday afternoon, it was Major’s turn yet again to give us a solid one-liner.
After a ball comically landed in the lap of a splayed-out Dominique Rhymes after being tipped by his teammate Nick Mardner on a scramble play from Masoli, the receiver was eventually called for offensive pass interference.
The key word is “eventually”, because there was a pretty long delay from the end of the play until the penalty was announced. A fairly long discussion took place between the officials and the command centre before Major cracked his mic and made the call.
“After all of this…we have offensive pass interference.”
Was Major himself also fed up with how long that took? Maybe. Either way, I’m here for the league’s refs showing some personality on the mic.
It has been almost a drinking game by some fans. Ok guys, everytime the officials screw up, “Drink”. Hey, where did all the booze go? It’s only the 2nd quarter.
NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
October 6-12, 2024
Space heater safet y 101
Fire Prevention Week (FPW) is from Oc -
tober 6 to 12, and this year ’s theme is “Smo ke alarms: Ma ke them w or k f o r you!™.” It s a great time to refresh your knowledge of fire safety particularly if you use a portable heater for extra warmth. Follow these 10 tips to ensure you use your space heaters safely:
1. Place the heater on a solid, level and non - flammable surface Never place a space heate r on a carpet, table o r other piece of furniture.
2 Keep the space heate r at least on e metre away from combustible materials, such as bedding and curtains.
3 Ensure the space heater isn’t in a highpose a tripping hazard.
4. Inspect the space heater for damaged co rds o r plugs be f o re e v ery use. I f y ou notice fraying or damage, don’t use the heater
5 Don’t use a space heater in a workshop or garage near flammable paints, gas cans or matches.
6 Regularly clean the space heater to remove dust and debris buildup, which can pose a re ha za rd if ignited b y the heat.
7 Never leave a space heater unattendyou leave the room or go to bed.
8 Plug the space heater directly into a wa ll ou t let don ’ t us e an extensio n cord or power strip. Moreover, don’t plug other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater
9 Al ways read and f oll o w the spac e heater ’s manufacturer manual to ensure you don’t overlook any critical sa f ety instructions speci c to y ou r heater model.
10 Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors near where you use the space heater and test them at least once a month to ensu re they w ork These detectors can p ro vide earl y warning in case of a fire or carbon monoxide leak related to the space heater
Visit your local hardware store to find a space heater with an automatic shutfeature that activates if the unit tips over or overheats. This additional safety measure can help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of fire or burns.
October 6-12, 2024
FIGHT THE BL A ZE
Get out your crayons and liven up this action -packed scene!
Attempting
Fire blankets are particularly useful for kitchen fires, where grease and oil can fuel flames rapidly They can also be used smothering small fires involving electrical equipment or appliances.
USING A FIRE BLANKET IS EASY
When confronted with a small fire, remember the acronym PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. First, pull the fire blanket out of its packaging Then, aim it at the base of the flames, covering them completely Next, gently squeeze the blanket to release any trapped air, ensuring optimal smothering. Finally, sweep the blanket across the flames to extinguish them entirely
Finally, remember to regularly inspect your fire blanket for signs of damage or wear and replace it as needed to ensure its reliability in an emergency Ensure a fire blanket is readily accessible to protect your home and loved ones.
1.
2.
rapid spread during emergencies.
NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Do fire blankets really work?
Fire blankets are crucial tools in fire safety kits, and it’s essential to understand how to use them for effective fire prevention and management. Here’s an overview of what you need to know.
How do they work?
Fire blankets work on a simple yet effective principle. Made from flame-resistant materials, they work by depriving the fire of oxygen and extinguishing it. It’s important to remember that fire blankets are designed for small fires only. Attempting to tackle larger fires with a blanket can be dangerous and ineffective.
Fire blankets are particularly useful for kitchen fires, where grease and oil can fuel flames rapidly. They can also be used smothering small fires involving electrical equipment or appliances.
Using a fire blanket is easy
When confronted with a small fire, remember the acronym PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. First, pull the fire blanket out of its packaging. Then, aim it at the base of the flames, covering them completely. Next, gently squeeze the blanket to release any trapped air, ensuring optimal smothering. Finally, sweep the blanket across the flames to extinguish them entirely.
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Finally, remember to regularly inspect your fire blanket for signs of damage or wear and replace it as needed to ensure its reliability in an emergency. Ensure a fire blanket is readily accessible to protect your home and loved ones.
5 tips for preventing a fire in the garage
Preventing garage fires is vital for home safety, as this area often houses flammable materials and potential ignition sources. Here are five simple tips to help minimize fire risks in your garage:
1
Keep it clean and tidy. Regularly declutter the garage to prevent flammable materials like paper and cardboard from accumulating near heat sources or electrical appliances. Install shelving or storage bins to keep items organized and off the floor.
2
Check electrical systems. Ensure all garage wiring is in good condition and not overloaded. Consider hiring a professional electrician for periodic inspections, especially if you notice flickering lights or warm outlets. Install and maintain a functional smoke detector for early fire detection.
3
Handle flammable materials carefully. Store gasoline, paint and other combustible substances away from potential ignition sources, such as electrical outlets, to minimize fire risks.
4
Use tools safely. Adhere to manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines when using tools and equipment. Keep a fire extinguisher
A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteer fire
nearby and ensure everyone knows how to use it.
5
Install fire-resistant materials. Enhance garage safety by installing fire-resistant materials like drywall rated for fire resistance or fire-resistant insulation on walls and ceilings. These materials can help contain fires and impede rapid spread during emergencies.
Make your garage a fire-safe zone by staying organized and taking proactive fire prevention measures.
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Prairie Rose Public Schools is looking for substitute bus drivers
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Substitute bus drivers are needed through Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) for extracurricular activities and field trips during school days and on weekends as well as to cover morning and afternoon routes. As a Class 2 license and S endorsement is required, PRPS will train at no cost to the driver with a wage being paid as part of the training process. Those applicants who already hold a Class 1 or Class 2 license will still need to obtain an S endorsement to be able to drive with students on board.
“School bus drivers do more than drive kids to and from school. They play an important role in fostering a stronger, more connected community by ensuring safety, building relationships, and contributing to the students’ and their families’ overall well-being,” stated Lois Bedwell, Chair of the PRPS Board of Trustees. “Every morning, after inspecting their buses, bus drivers start their day by greeting each child with a smile and a kind word. As a school bus driver, they may be more than just the person who gets the kids to school. They may also be a mentor, a confidant, and a pillar of the community. Does this sound like the perfect job for you? Please consider becoming a substitute bus driver for Prairie Rose.”
Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser said PRPS is pleased with how the new transportation system is running so far this year. There have been some learning curves, but he feels PRPS has adapted very quickly, which was aided by making improvements based on feedback from drivers. Improvements were made in many areas, including altering routes, how drivers are compensated, paperwork and driver meetings.
“That part has been really good,” said Boser. “We’ve leaned on our drivers in many instances as they are the ones who have been out there driving. In many cases, for several years, so they know this industry better than we do and the feedback has been valuable. Overall, it’s gone well, and we are continuing to add staffing in the transportation department.”
PRPS is adding a transportation dispatcher/admin assistant, who will start in the next few weeks, and have also sat down to define current roles. Derek Beck is responsible for managing the fleet, which includes 39 new buses and five spare buses, and coordinates all maintenance and servicing. Wade Lanctot is the new Director of Transportation and oversees all driver and parent concerns, route planning, along with day-today operations.
“We need subs for our routes, but we are also in need of drivers who are able to pick up additional work through the academy programming, field trips and extra-curricular activities,” explained Boser. Some of the academies, such as hockey, are seasonal, but
when they are running, the scheduling for a driver would be consistent from week to week. Substitute drivers would have as much or as little work as they want with a flexible schedule. “PRPS is willing to work with each person on the number of hours they want and the times of day they prefer to work,” said Boser. Those individuals who are interested in being a substitute driver and already hold a Class 1 or 2 license must still obtain an S endorsement because they will be transporting children. The S Endorsement course is all about safety as well as loading and unloading students properly. Currently, new drivers need to travel to Brooks or Lethbridge for this course with mileage and hotel costs along with a wage being paid. PRPS’s vision is to have their own driving school with route drivers acting as trainers whenever it works for them.
“Kids love getting on the bus in the morning and seeing a close friend, grandpa, dad or uncle drive them to school every day,” stated Trustee Nancy Haraga. “Sometimes it’s even someone who played a huge role in the community and has since retired and is looking for something to fill his/her time in the morning and afternoon. It’s a way to kindle hearts and forge futures for the upcoming farmers and ranchers of our rural communities. The kids sure enjoy seeing new and old faces of their community. It’s a way, to put a face to their name. Don’t throw yourself under the bus, jump in and see what the ride is all about.”
Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer
Brian Goethals, who drives students on Prairie Rose Public Schools Route 103 to Schuler School, stands in front of his new bus.
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Cell 403-664-1404 114 Main Street, Oyen Home - Auto - Commercial - Farm - Hail Investments - RRSP's - RESP's - TFSA's - Life
Fire “Prevention” 2024
BY BERNIE KREWSKI
HISTORY
When did we first begin to say that fires so essential to human existence needed to be “prevented”? The first reference to “fire prevention” in my quick search of Canadian newspapers surfaced in The Globe (Toronto) on April 23, 1880. The news report cited a fire in Hull Quebec, across the river from Ottawa. It stated: “Unless the conflagrations like the recent one are guarded against the future, it will not pay to run up cheap structures. Therefore, a substantial expenditure on fire prevention is a necessity for a wooden town, where houses almost cover the ground.” That theme, fires in buildings, prevailed far into the twentieth century.
In Alberta thirty years later, fire prevention continued to be a relatively insular and local matter. The Provincial Fireman’s Association held its first annual convention in Calgary on August 4, 1909. Fire Chief James Smart of Calgary pointed out that fire inspections are as important as fighting actual fires. They demand weekly inspections of the electrical wiring of hotels and theatres, adding that firemen need to be stationed in theatres for every performance. He also noted: “Fire departments may be compared to the cavalry and the artillery arms of military service, moving quickly here and there.”
By the end of the last century, the basic thrust of fire prevention practices in Canada remained much the same – an emphasis on buildings. Oyen’s major fires in January 1927 and May 1951, for example, involved several businesses on Main Street.
The conventional function of fire departments in the past was to educate the public on the necessary precautions required to prevent potentially harmful fires from occurring. Safe practices such as installation of smoke detectors and sprinkler systems were given great importance. The main audiences for fire prevention programs were students, elderly and disabled people, landlords and caretakers, hoarders, and smokers.
Canada has 10% of the world’s forests so wildfires have not been unusual. About 8,000 such fires occur every year across this country, usually regarded as occurring more frequently in rural areas.
TERMINOLOGY
By the beginning of this century “fire prevention” had become a century-long popular term, an everyday cliché. Although essential to maintain public awareness, its focus was narrow, grounded in the past, failing to encompass recent developments in technology, science and the realities of contemporary society. Prevention now is a much larger and more complex issue. Something new and different, potentially more dangerous, has overtaken much of our world.
We also need to be reminded that for hundreds of years, fire has been an integral factor in our lives as human beings, shaping our civilization, culture, and habits. It has enabled us to cook our food, defend and heat our homes, provide light, and power the machines driving many of our essential industries. Fire has energized, empowered, and enriched us!
Also important to note is that 3 billion people in this
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world still cook and heat with open stoves. I observed this first-hand in 1993 while working on a medical team in a remote area of northern Guatemala where people still lived in houses made of sticks.
While effectively using fires to benefit our lives and learning to control its risks, we developed a rather narrow view of fire prevention. Unaware for most of us, environmental circumstances dramatically changed during the first few years of this century.
21st CENTURY
Chisholm is a hamlet located southeast of the town of Slave Lake. A major forest fire began burning on May 23rd, 2001, and was not contained for over a week. It destroyed ten homes and burned 120,000 hectares of timber, three times the size of the city of Edmonton. An investigation conducted by the province concluded that the fire was caused by a CNR train. In a news report a year later, fire officials said: “it will go down in history as being one of the most destructive fires in Alberta’s history.”
A large wildfire on May 14, 2011, originated 15 kilometres outside of the town of Slave Lake, aided by 100-kilometre-per-hour winds, forcing the complete evacuation of the town’s 7,000 residents. At that time, it was regarded as the largest displacement of people in the province’s history. The fire destroyed one-third of the Slave Lake community (374 properties destroyed and 52 damaged) and another 90 buildings in the surrounding area destroyed or damaged.
John Vaillant’s “Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast” (2023) provides stunning details on the fire that struck Fort McMurray on May 3, 2016, resulting in the evacuation of 88,000 residents. It is “heavy” but essential reading for anyone interested in fire prevention.
“Fire weather,” as he describes, is the dynamic relationship between temperature, relative humidity and the moisture content present in local fuels, that is, anything that burns. Fires burning in these conditions have their own weather systems – the presence of tornadoes for example within the fire system itself. These circumstances are rare and seldom have been seen before.
Vaillant explains why homes in Fort McMurray went from ignition to complete destruction in five minutes. They are made of oil-related products – vinyl siding is made of petroleum as is flooring, veneered furniture, polyester fabrics, plastic appliances, and food packaging.
He writes about the science of urban and forest fires – wildland urban interface (WUI) where the forest meets tree-lined sub-divisions like the recent fire in Jasper National Park. More controversially, he links the Fort McMurray fire with the oil and gas industry and climate change. “What I don’t think we have learned,” he says, “is to meaningfully connect our dependence on the fossil fuel industry to its impacts on our climate.”
Fort McMurray officials, Vaillant observed in his interviews, had difficulty assimilating matters beyond their own personal experience, far too hesitant about its seriousness - like most of us. This is what he calls the “Lucretius Problem” – the Roman poet and philosopher who observed we can’t imagine a river any bigger than the biggest river we’ve personally seen.
Then on June 30, 2021, a wildfire triggered by a passing freight train destroyed much of Lytton B.C. causing two fatalities, described in “Lytton: Climate Change, Colonialism and Life Before the Fire” (2024).
FIRE PREVENTION NOW
Fire prevention cannot exist if it is not reimagined, deepened, expanded and brought into line with contemporary climate realities.
All of us need to shift our focus and return to being collaborators with the planet rather than simply being exploiters and users.
Town of Oyen Library Booknotes
FICTION:
Counting Miracles : A Novel / by: Nicholas Sparks
Evergreen Christmas / by: Janet Dailey
The Hitchcock Hotel / by: Stephanie Wrobel
I need You to Read This : A Novel / by: Jessa Maxwell
Intermezzo / by: Sally Rooney
Out of Nowhere / by: Sandra Brown
The Palace of Eros / by: Carolina DeRobertis
Playground : A Novel / by: Richard Powers
The Whip Hand / by: William W. Johnstone
YOUNG ADULT FICTION:
Kingdom of Ash / by: Sarah J. Maas
GRAPHIC NOVELS:
The Babysitters Club / by: Ellen T. Crenshaw
The Baby-sitters Little Sisters Vol. 7 and 8 / by: Katy Farina Five Nights at Freddy’s Vol. 5 / by: Scott Cawthon
NON-FICTION:
Amish Pies : Traditional recipes / by: LauraAnne Lapp
Invisible Prisons : Jack Whalen’s tireless fight for Justice / by: Lisa Moore
Radio Free Afghanistan : the 20 year struggle for an independent media in Kabul / by: Saad Mohseni
PERIODICALS: Hello Canada People Magazine
SERVICE OPTIONS:
The library is currently open as usual, but we have added a curbside service option as well. If you prefer to pick up materials this way, please call ahead or email to let us know which day to put them out. If you are unable to come out to the library due to physical conditions we can do deliveries within the town limits. Please just give us a call at the number listed below.
Dayna Wilson, Library Manager
Library Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-5; Tuesdays 2-7
Vegetables and fruits are full of nutrients that help our bodies stay in good health. Choose different textures, colours and shapes to fit your tastes. Vegetables and fruits have fibre and potassium. These nutrients help lower blood pressure and your risk of heart disease and stroke. Getting enough fibre has also been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, colorectal cancer and other bowel issues.
Canada’s food guide recommends that half of what you eat at each meal should be vegetables and fruits. Depending on how often and how much vegetables and fruits you currently eat, this may feel like a big change. Luckily, any increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables can have health benefits. Small but long-lasting changes to your diet including increasing how much vegetables and fruits you eat has a big impact on your health.
Here are some ways you can include more vegetables and fruits in your meals and snacks:
• Keep frozen and canned vegetables and fruits in your house when possible. This can make it easy to add vegetables and fruits to meals and snacks. Add frozen vegetables into soups and stews or add canned vegetables to mixed dishes like casseroles. Frozen and canned fruit is great for adding to smoothies, to snack on by itself or in yogurt.
• Plan how you are going to use your
produce before buying it. By creating a plan, you will be more likely to use the vegetables and fruit which means eating more and wasting less. If you have extra fresh produce, you can cut it up, put it in a freezer safe container and freeze the produce before it goes bad.
• Try unsweetened applesauce or fruit cups in your lunches. These travel well and don’t bruise.
• Keep washed and sliced carrots, celery, peppers, zucchini or cucumber in the fridge for a quick snack or to add to a lunch bag.
• Try new ways to cook and use vegetables and fruits. Trying new seasonings, cooking methods or types of vegetables and fruits can help keep your meals interesting. You may find a new way you can enjoy them.
Julia Rowland is a Registered Dietitian with Alberta Health Services, Nutrition Services. Learn more at ahs.ca/nutrition.
Chamber is gearing up for Christmas
BY CHARMAIN SNELL
Six Chamber members were treated to a delicious homemade lasagne lunch made by Kim Walker. The Chamber Business Directory has been completed and is available free to anyone who would like a copy. A big thank you to Betty Walker for all of her assistance in getting this project completed. If you still have not got your copy, it is available at Pats Kitchen in Acadia Valley, at the Post Office in Cereal, and in the Town of Oyen it is available at the Town Office, the Special Areas #3 Office, and at Schindel Agencies. It may only be October but the Chamber is gearing up for Late Night Shopping in December. The Chamber will again be sponsoring the Passport to Christmas program. However, this year we are adding a twist! We will be adding a Christmas Light judging to the program. We will be asking participants to nominate the homes that have the best Christmas light display. We will give out $150 in Chamber Bucks for the most nominated home. We will also make $100 and $50 in
www.lukplumbing.com
807 - 9th St. W. KINDERSLEY
306-463-6707
ACADIA VALLEY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
• Acadia Valley Sausage Fry presented by the Knights of Columbus. 5:00 PM
- 2:00 AM at the Acadia Valley Event Centre. All ages event. All you can eat supper tickets. Adults: $20; 6-12: $10; 5 & under: Free. Supper: 5-8 PM. Dance 9 PM - 2 AM. 50-50 Draw.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
• Annual Turkey Shoot presented by the Acadia Valley Rec Club Noon - 4:00 PM at the Acadia Valley Reservoir. Roll the dice. Chips, pop, sausage on a bun.
BUFFALO
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
• Annual Buffalo Fire Club Turkey Shoot at the fire hall beginning at 1:00 PM. Silent auction and raffle. Food and ammunition will be available for sale.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
• Buffalo Ladies Club Turkey Supper at the hall 6:00 PM.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
• Christmas in the Country Craft Market from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the hall. Lunch will be sold.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
• Buffalo Ag Society will present Jake Mathews in Concert at Buffalo Hall 7:00 PM.
CEREAL
Chamber Bucks for the second and third-place nominated homes. So start thinking about what you will do this year for your Christmas displays. You may win some great prizes!
The Chamber will rent space for the three late-night shopping nights and make the space available to any home-based business that would like to display their wares for our Holiday shoppers. If you have a homebased business and want to participate, please call or text Charmain at 403-664-1404 to reserve your space today. Space is limited so please reserve your space
early.
That is not all the Chamber is planning for this Christmas Season. We will be lighting up the Clock Tower Park on December 5, 2024, and we invite everyone to join us when we light up the Park and enjoy some hotdogs and hot chocolate. We are going to do some caroling and we are also going to see if we can get Santa to take some time out of his busy schedule and join us. More details are coming. Stay tuned! It’s Scholarship time! The Chamber has a scholarship we will award to deserving students who have graduated from SCHS. Submit your scholarship application to oyenchamberofcommerce@gmail.com. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2024. If you are interested in a Chamber membership, please check out our website or contact Charmain at 403-664-1404 for more information. Our next Chamber meeting will be on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the FCSS Youth Centre. All current Chamber members or prospective Chamber members are welcome to attend.
- Monday Night BINGO. Every Monday except holiday Mondays. Doors open at 6:30 and Bingo begins at 7:30 PM. (April to end of November).
- Tuesdays - Cereal Cottages Weekly Coffee Time 10:30 AM
- Wednesdays - Cereal Quilting Club 10 AM - 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre
EMPRESS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Cultural and Leisure Society and Empress Community Library present “Get Your Pumpkin On” 1:00 PM at the Empress Community Hall. Wear your costume, carve your pumpkin (or bring your carved pumpkin from home and take home in time for Halloween Judging 4:00 PM. Prizes per age group. Please RSVP to the Library.
NEW BRIGDEN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
• Winter Wonderland. Call/text 403-6640172 to book a table.
OYEN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
• Floor Curling begins for the fall and winter season at the Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre at 1:00 PM. Floor Curling continues through the season each Wednesday with new rinks being drawn up each Wednesday. If you want more information, call either Beth 403 664 2462 or Heather 403 664 3854.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
• SCHS presents The Princess Ball 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM South Central High
School. All tickets are presale. Limited spots available. $60 per child (ages 3-9) $15 per adult (lunch). Tickets to be purchased at SCHS.
• The Oyen Leisure Society presents “The Fall ‘Pickle” Ball. Crossroads Centre. VIP Steak Supper 5:00 PM. Local Talent 7:00 PM. Drew Gregory 8:00 PM. Reserve tickets 403-801-1272 or 403664-8249.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
• Oyen United Church Turkey Supper 5:00-7:00 PM Oyen Legion Hall. Adults $20; Children 6-12 $10; Family $50. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
• Oyen FCSS & CIA present Halloween Family Dance. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Music & Snacks 7:00-10:00 PM. Admission: $5 kids; $10 adult; $25 family. DJ Philly P.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
• Oyen FCSS Halloween for the Hungry. Volunteer youth will be collecting non-perishable food treasures or your generous cash donations for the Oyen and District Food Bank. Volunteers are to meet at the FCSS Community Centre at 5:30 PM. All donations are appreciated.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers.
- Drop in Pickleball Mondays 7:00-9:00 PM at South Central High School
- Walk Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 AM every Wednesday until October 30th. So-
cialize & Exercise. Snacks afterwards. Meet at NEW Adult Learning Office 105 3rd Ave (South Entance) SCHS.
- Junior League Curling (Grade 6 & up) Mondays after school. Session 1 November - mid December. Enter teams to Jerry Logan 403-664-6001.
- Fun League Curling. Tuesday evenings. Enter teams to Jackie Dick 403-664-0157. - Cash League Curling. Wednesday evenings. Enter teams to Brett Peterson 403664-8868.
- Sturling League Curling. Thursday at noon. Enter teams to Jerry Logan 403664-6001.
SEDALIA
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
• Survivor in Sedalia 5:00 PM at the Sedalia Hall. A fundraiser for the Canadian Special Operations Regiment Association (CSOR-A) supporting our Special Forces Veterans and families’ mental health and wellness. A portion of the money raised will also go to the Oyen Legion. $40/ticket. Email: survivorinsedalia@gmail.com or call 403-4330012 for tickets.
YOUNGSTOWN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
• Annual Friends of the Youngstown Library Youngstown Christmas Mini-Fair 3:00-7:00 PM Youngstown Community Hall. For more information or to book a table, contact Renee at 403-857-8322.
