increased recycling costs with a County of Stettler agreement and a hike to regional emergency services.
Macdonald stated that $3,000 was also added to the operating budget for lift station repairs which are still tentative; it’s not certain the repairs are needed.
The CAO also mentioned some good news regarding fire hydrant repairs: it appears the hydrants may not need repair, just some basic maintenance.
Macdonald stated she was told the hydrants may only require some 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.
German noted he felt the village
Oyen launches innovative housing project to attract professionals
BY KATE WINQUIST
OYEN — A major step toward easing Oyen’s housing shortage is underway as construction begins on a new 10unit apartment development, a project designed to support workforce recruitment and strengthen community growth.
may be a bit too low.
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 the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Mayor Dan Houle responded that in his opinion assessments in Big Valley
The need for additional housing was identified during the Town of Oyen’s recent strategic planning sessions. Local leaders noted that limited rental availability was a barrier to attracting essential professionals such as RCMP officers, teachers, nurses, and doctors, while also restricting local business expansion.
German added that it does seem that Big Valley has a lot of properties assessed at the minimum value, with the CAO pointing out there are 37
Councillors unanimously approved the 2023 operating budget.
To address the issue, representatives from Prairie Rose School Division, RCMP, Big Country Medical Dental Board, Big Country Hospital, Special Areas & Oyen Development Corporation, Special Areas, the Town of Oyen, and the MD of Acadia came together to explore solutions.
The Special Areas and Oyen Development Corporation stepped forward after identifying a unique opportunity. Two prefabricated apartment buildings—originally built for another buyer—became available when a sale fell through. The corporation purchased the units and will install them on basements in Oyen, creating 10 new rental apartments.
The Town of Oyen and Special Areas are providing loan support, with the Town also contributing land. Once the buildings are sold, the municipalities will be reimbursed, along with inter-
est, ensuring the project remains revenue-neutral.
This approach mirrors the success of the Oyen Railyard project, where public investment initially launched a vital initiative before transitioning to private ownership. Mayor Doug Jones emphasized that this “catalyst model” is helping Oyen address its most pressing needs.
Jones also clarified that the apartments are not intended as low-income housing, countering misconceptions that had circulated. “There are some landlords who were upset, thinking this was a low-income rental property which could negatively impact their property,” Jones said. “That is not the case. A one-bedroom apartment will start at approximately $1,300. We simply need more rental properties.”
The two buildings will include a mix of unit sizes: one three-bedroom apartment, three two-bedroom apartments,
and five one-bedroom apartments. Located in a residential area near medical facilities and central to Oyen’s three schools, the apartments are expected to be completed and available for rent early in the new year.
“I’m very excited to have been able to help facilitate this project with the support of many others in our community,” Jones added.
The Special Areas & Oyen Development Corporation will also hire a property manager later this fall, with the position to be advertised in the Oyen Echo and on the Town of Oyen website.
Looking ahead, the town has more developments on the horizon, including the upcoming announcement of a new doctor in a couple of weeks and the addition of a 14-bed dementia wing at the seniors’ lodge, scheduled for January.
For more information, contact Debbie Ross at cao@oyen.ca.
Pictured are (L-R): Darrin Newnham, Little Rock Consulting; Jenman Luk, Everlast Concrete Inc.; Tim Davey, Oyen Concrete & Vortrax Construction; Rodney Schmidt, Ramrod Construction Ltd.; Debbie Kovitch, Project manager, Town of Oyen; Doug Jones, Mayor, Town of Oyen; Kevin Dick, Kevin’s Plumbing & Heating Ltd.
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First Yuill Foundation Golf Classic tees up opportunities for Prairie Rose Students
SUBMITTED BY PRAIRIE ROSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Desert Blume Golf Course was filled with energy and community spirit on September 11 as the Yuill Family Foundation hosted its inaugural Golf Classic. The event brought together golfers, sponsors, and local supporters for a day of premier golf and philanthropy, raising funds for Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) and the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation (WCPHS).
Organizers said Prairie Rose was a natural choice for the tournament’s first year, pointing to the division’s focus on innovative programming. “We really like the work that Prairie Rose is doing, and that they’re answering the call of what this community needs and what southeastern Alberta requires,” explained Cori Cuthbertson, administrator of the Yuill Family Foundation. “Kids are coming out of here with real, tangible skills, and I think they’re making school fun again.”
That impression was reinforced when Yuill Foun-
dation board members toured the division’s specialized academies earlier this year. Advisory committee member Heather Lemeshuk said seeing programs in aviation, hockey, and baseball firsthand made a lasting impact. “Preparing students for future employment at the high school level is an initiative that’s thinking outside the box, and we give great praise to the management of the school district,” she said.
For Prairie Rose, the recognition was both humbling and exciting. Superintendent Reagan Weeks said the support will go a long way in strengthening opportunities for students. “Prairie Rose is one of the fortunate recipients from the proceeds of this tournament, and we are truly grateful for the Foundation’s belief in our students and programs.”
Proceeds will support the division’s growing academies in aviation, agriculture, hockey, baseball, fire, rodeo, and trades, each designed to provide students with hands-on skills and pathways to success after graduation.
Oyen Lodge News: September 15–19
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello everyone! The weather has been beautiful this September. The nights are getting cooler, and the mornings are dewy, but the days have been absolutely wonderful. It’s great to see the flowers still looking vibrant and thriving. The Oyen Lodge would like to welcome a new resident, Noreen Chiliak.
Monday, the 15th, started with exercises, followed by a one-on-one Scrabble game. I had better luck getting good letters this time and squeaked by with a win! In the afternoon, there was bingo.
On Tuesday, the day began with morning exercises, followed by the regular bus run downtown for shopping, and a one-on-one Sudoku game. In the afternoon, residents enjoyed the ice cream parlor, featuring floats, sundaes, and banana splits.
Wednesday began with church led by Brad, followed by crossword games. In the afternoon, residents played
shuffleboard and held the resident council meeting. Family members are welcome to attend these meetings to listen or participate alongside the residents. Thursday morning started with exercises and baking. In the afternoon, the monthly birthday bash was celebrated with rhubarb dump cake topped with Cool Whip, served alongside coffee and tea. We would like to thank a special community member who donated roses for the September birthday residents—they were beautiful! Happy Birthday to Sheila Davidson on September 18th.
Friday morning featured horse races, with #2 horse Mariah taking top honors. Later, Amanda and her dog Bob joined us for an outdoor walk before lunch. In the afternoon, residents enjoyed card bingo. Happy Birthday to our CAO, Allen Stober, on September 21st! Just a reminder: Alberta Clothing will be at the Lodge on September 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Personal Touch Clothing will be here on September 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“May the beauty of autumn fill your heart with peace and happiness.”
“Autumn, the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.”
Have a great week, everyone!
Dianne Spath
OPINION:
This level of theft is not normal
BY JOAN JANZEN
In the middle of a bank robbery, a bank customer with no arms shouted out to the armed robbers, “Don’t shoot! I’m unarmed.”
Ya, I know it’s kind of a groaner, but my point is — unarmed Canadians are being robbed by a crushing load of taxes. In his podcast Chris Baker analyzed the Fraser Institute’s recent report which showed Canadian families spent more on taxes in 2024 than on shelter, food and clothing combined; it’s their largest household expenditure.
“The report showed the average Canadian family spent $48,000 in total taxes in 2024,” Chris said. The amount includes the following taxes: income, payroll, municipal, provincial, federal, carbon, health, sales, property, fuel, excise, plus taxes that get passed on to the consumer.
“Families spent 42% of their income on taxes,” he continued. Those families can skip vacations and other luxuries and even necessities in order to save money, but they have to pay their taxes, he pointed out.
Taxes are the fastest growing expense in Canadian history, faster than food, clothing, housing and even inflation.
That 42% of our income is based on today’s tax bill. “But what if the govern-
ment had to balance the books instead of running the massive deficits they have today?” Chris mused. “What if government didn’t run deficits and instead taxed Canadians for every dollar they spent?”
If that were the case, our tax burden would jump to over 3,000 percent higher than 1961 levels when 33.5 percent of family income was paid to taxes.
“Today’s deficits are tomorrow’s tax hikes,” Chris reasoned. “The national debt is $1 trillion. Ask yourself, where is that money coming from and how are we going to make that up?”
Chris continued to evaluate the situation. “So let’s play this out - let’s assume that deficits require repayment. It means new taxes or increased rates on existing ones. Everything is taxable in the eyes of a desperate government.”
The tax burden has hit a record high and is still growing, and Canadians need to decide if they are getting good value for their tax dollars. We need to be vigilant because government loves to invent new taxes instead of decreasing spending. Canadians need to speak up, he advised, because government tries to hide some of these new taxes in levies that don’t need to be approved by parliament.
“There’s a difference between civilization and servitude. You should not
TO THE EDITOR:
I accidentally found the articles written about the Peck family. I would never have expected such a wonderful response to my grandmother’s wedding accessories. I am so glad I contributed them to the museum—it truly made my day! I have also learned so much about the history of my grandparents.
have to work until June just to pay your taxes. We should not be punished for working hard,” he pointed out.
“Canadians need to stand up or we’ll have a generation that grows up thinking this level of theft is normal,” Chris said.
He observed that unchecked taxation breeds debt, stress and a sense of powerlessness in the masses. “It means delayed retirement, parents who can’t save for their kids’ education, and anxiety. The human cost is massive,” he concluded.
We saw a massive human cost unveil right before our eyes when a shot was heard throughout the world. Much can be said and much has been said about the recent assassination. It was both shocking and sad to hear people in various leadership positions say “he deserved it”.
Such sentiments reveal part of the “massive human cost” when humans choose to hate the person delivering opposing views. MP Rachel Thomas from Lethbridge addressed the issue when Parliament opened last week.
“Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of a free society. It means we will hear ideas that we disagree with and express views we may find offensive. This freedom can make us feel uncomfortable but silencing voices, whether
for a moment or forever is never the answer. We must protect a society where people can hold beliefs and share opinions without fear. Charlie Kirk was an outspoken advocate for faith, family and freedom. Many disagreed with him, some were offended. Tragically he was assassinated in an attempt to silence his voice. But when has political violence ever been the solution? It destroys dialogue. It undermines democracy and it breeds fear instead of understanding. True progress comes from persuasion not intimidation. May we defend the right of our opponents to speak freely.”
Chris Baker encouraged Canadians to speak up and fight for their future. “If you don’t, no one else will,” he advised. No one wants to be robbed of their hard-earned livelihoods by a ballooning tax bill. And no one wants to be robbed of their right to speak freely because of fear, intimidation, ridicule and threats.
Like Chris Baker said, “Canadians need to stand up or we’ll have a generation that grows up thinking this level of theft is normal.” A generation that considers the theft of 42% of their income by taxes as normal is sad. But I don’t want to belong to a generation that considers the voicing of opposing views as deserving of loss of life.
I would like to send a wedding picture to add to the accessories. My grandparents lived in Lacombe, AB, happily farming their whole lives, happily married, and raising three children, one of whom was my mother. Please express my thanks again to everyone who made this happen!
Sheila Cartwright Whitecourt, AB Granddaughter of David and Edith Peck
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We reserve sole discretion to decide whether or not a reader submission will be published. We will not publish anonymous submissions or letters containing personal attacks. We reserve the right to edit or refuse all letters.
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• Rapid Access Counselling (RAC) for Children Youth/Caregivers
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• Court Mandated Supports The West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre’s mission is to provide support services to individuals and families experiencing
Disarming words
go from a kind of mano a mano, all-out hollerfest of name-hurling to a more gentle consideration of a genu-
He did his homework. He read a range of books. He observed human behaviour. He was driven, he had a cause. His questioners - chosen ahead of time by his handlers - were not aways as articulate. They weren’t doing this for a living, they were just taking an opportunity for a shot at him and at their 6 minutes of fame. After they hurled their invective or framed their somewhat-considered query they receded back into the crowd. In that way, his appearances were less a debate between two equal partners and more a showcase of his
If you were in line with Kirk’s politics you had a better chance of receiving a gracious response from him. If you proclaimed yourself a Christian, you were embraced. Today many Christians are claiming him as one of their finest evangelists. John Horvat, a writer for the website The Imaginative Conservative recently wrote: “Like it or not, Charlie Kirk was a man-symbol …he represented much more than the positions he held or the person he was. As a symbol, he proposed an ideal for America. His behavior was governed by a profound respect for a moral law and a strong faith in God. He symbolized what might be called the Ten Command-
This is not my understanding of God nor Christ’s message. Not once does Christ say it’s ok to defame, ridicule, exclude, denigrate others. Instead he says: love
Mr. Hovat’s view is not mine, but this does not mean I will be unsubscribing from the site because, like the world I live in and the people I treasure as friends, the site delivers a variety of insights, views and opinions, and tomorrow there will be a brilliant piece I will find myself reading over and over to let its wisdom and po-
My point being is we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” (psalm 139) of a range of thoughts and experiences, opinions and beliefs. And we are all sinners. The Benedictines define sin as, “the refusal to grow.” I can’t help feeling that the journalists AND self-proclaimed Christians among us could use some growing up. Polarization and speaking in absolutes are a sign of emotional immaturity. It’s what we all did in our rebellious teens. But when adults keep hurling inflammatory rhetoric back and forth we are looking at an entire culture that panders to not just emotional immaturity
Another site I read daily is: Aleteia. Today Cardinal Pizzaballa, who lives in Gaza, reminded us that “ending violence begins with ending dehumanizing speech. …When suffering becomes overwhelming, people can lose the capacity to notice the other’s pain. Changing
This is not my understanding of God nor Christ’s message. Not once does Christ say it’s ok to defame, ridicule, exclude, denigrate others. Instead he says: love your neighbour, love your enemies even.
how we speak is one practical way to resist that numbness. It begins with the storytellers who can seed a different moral imagination.”
The cardinal quoted Pope Leo who urged journalists to “disarm” our words and communicate in a way that “never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.”
“Peace begins with each one of us,” he said. “In the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others. In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance: We must say no to the war of words.”
Pope Francis warned about legalism getting in the way of love. Christ’s ultimate teaching is the same. His sermon on the mount insisted we love and help the poor. He doesn’t say to deport them.
We view each other through the polarized lenses of left/right, wrong/right, good/evil so we can identify “the enemy”. So we can gauge the degree of grief we need to access to mourn the death of a young man. As if all murders aren’t worthy of grieving. Aren’t we all precious in God’s eyes?
So what about evil? I believe there are evil forces in the world. But it is one thing to label a person evil and another to condemn their acts as evil. We are all sinners. We have all lost ourselves in moments of hellish hate. But Augustine reminds us to hate the sin not the sinner. To write people off as evil is an easy way for some self-proclaimed Christians to stop listening, to stop loving, to go numb.
There is a dark, armed energy that we keep circulating in the world when we engage in aggressive, rage-provoking language. And whether we call it evil, or mental illness, it will ultimately destroy us.Rhetorically, we’ve unleashed something malevolent and we give it momentum and traction daily, aggravating a public battle of words that is anything but civil.
The question is: do we actually want to stop the battle? Do we want to see each other? Do we believe in a shared, common humanity? Then we must move past this adrenaline hit of cruelty and crassness, beyond slurs posing as wit. We have to mature into people who care. Who don’t dismiss our neighbour because they don’t vote the same as us.
Sure, maybe you drew a line, because your neighbour said something egregious. But the next day they brought soup. Then they made a remark that offended you. Then they loaned you their car. What do you do? Jump back and forth over the line? Filter their words to fit your world view, mimicking your computer, with its algorithmic choices made on your behalf?
Or, you accept your neighbour as is, warts and all. Knowing that we are all are bundles of ideas, loves and hurts, you choose spiritual growth over political alignment.
Bud Herbert
McDavid’s contract the talk of the NHL
BY BRUCE PENTON
September is baseball and football season but in Canada, hockey is a 12-month-a-year deal, so no one should be surprised that one of the hottest sports story today — other than Blue Jays’ mania — is about Connor McDavid and ‘will he or won’t he’ sign a contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
Without an extension, the world’s best player will play the 2025-26 season on the final year of an eight-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2017. But other than stating the obvious cliche that he wants to make sure his next contract is best for him and his family — it will be, no matter how much money is involved — his contract situation will have huge implications around the National Hockey League.
While he’ll have plenty of money for the fanciest of cars, the most elaborate home, the most spectacular off-season travel adventures and nothing but the best in jewels and clothing for his wife Lauren, what McDavid wants more than anything is to win a Stanley Cup. Since he’s been an Oiler since entering the NHL in 2015, he’d love to do it with Edmonton.
But is it possible? Even though the league’s salary cap is rising in $95.5 million this year, $104 million next year and $113.5 million the year after, paying McDavid the maximum 20 per cent of the Oilers’ total salary could make it difficult for general manager Stan Bowman to surround McDavid with enough quality players to win the Cup.
Yet, if McDavid were to sign a ‘home-town discount’ contract that allows salary cap room for a couple of extra stars, the NHL Players’ Association would not be happy, because whatever sum McDavid signs for would be regarded as the ceiling around the league, leaving superstars such as Jack Eichel and Kirill Kaprizov likely forced to sign future contracts for a little less than what McDavid agrees to.
“All options are on the table and that would mean length of term, short term, long term, no term,” McDavid told NHL.com. “All options are on the table as I’ve alluded to, so that would include a short-term deal.” No-term? Does that mean he’d consider not sign-
ing an extension and becoming a free agent on July 1, 2026? Like he said, everything’s on the table.
Edmonton’s roster still has Stanley Cup talent. Not much has changed since June, when the Oilers lost their second straight Stanley Cup final to Florida Panthers, whose roster includes no one in the superstar orbit of McDavid or Leon Draisaitl but with more balance than any of the other 31 NHL teams.
“When you’re trying to plan the next three, four, seven, nine years of your life, you don’t just dream it up in one day, you take your time, talk it over, think about it some more, talk it over again,” McDavid told NHL.com.
The winter of 2025-26 may or may not prove to be a troubled one for McDavid, but the real anxiety will be felt by fans in the 18,500 seats of Rogers Place.
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “UFC CEO
Dana White says he and his good friend President Donald Trump have worked it out where there will be a major UFC Fight on the Fourth of July right at the White House to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Why? Because nothing represents the state of American politics today like two opposing factions beating the hell out of each other in the nation’s capital.”
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “They’re calling it the Geezers at Caesars. Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson Agree To Fight”
• Headline at fark.com: “Tyson and Mayweather to appear in special episode of The Walking Dead.”
• From theonion.com: “Pirates Under Fire For Directly Marketing Team To Children — “It is deeply irresponsible to lure kids into becoming Pirates fans before they’re emotionally equipped to handle the kind of disappointment and chronic underperformance this franchise will almost certainly inflict on them.”
• NFL writer Doug Farrar, after Miami Dolphins were hammered 33-8 by Indianapolis Colts on the opening weekend of the NFL season: “This was less a contest between two evenly matched NFL teams, and more like what happens when Ohio State or Alabama pays Racoon State Teachers College half a million bucks to get embarrassed by 70 points in a Week 2 non-conference laugher.”
• Comedy guy Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “NFL RedZone will soon be disrupted by commercials: But hopefully just the most exciting parts of commercials.”
• Rolfsen again, after the Cowboys’ Ceedee Lamb
had a rough night against Philadelphia Eagles: “Ceedee — stands for catches dropped.”
• Another one from Rolfsen, after Bill Belichick’s North Carolina team lost 48-14 in its opening game: “Belichick is about one week away from appointing his girlfriend as defensive co-ordinator.”
• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, after the Dolphins’ season-opening loss: “The Dolphins in their 33-8 loss in Indy stunk like limburger cheese left in a car trunk.”
• Columnist Norman Chad, as he previews NFL games: “49ers at Saints. If you’re watching this game, you’re either a 49ers fan, a Saints’ fan, or you’re doing time upstate and it’s the only game they’ve got on the prison TV.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Each parcel will be offered for sale subject to a reserve bid and to the reservations and conditons contained in the existing Certificate of Title.
The Village of Youngstown may, after the public auction, become the owner of any parcel of land not sold at the public auction.
Terms: Cash or certified cheque. Subject to Schedule A of Bylaw 500.
Redemption may be affected by payment of all arrears of taxes and costs at any time prior to the sale.
Dated at Youngstown, Alberta, July 15, 2025.
Emma Garlock, CAO
PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW BRIGDEN SCHOOL
is currently seeking a
Required starting January 6, 2026 until approximately mid July 2026, with some work available until mid September. No experience necessary. Duties include: Planting, watering, moving and packing plants. Wage $17 98 per hour. Send or drop off your resume to:
Oyen Greenhouses Ltd.,
201-1st Ave. West | PO Box 358 Oyen, AB T0J 2J0 • Fax 403-664-3326 Email :accounting@oyengreenhouses.ca
STARS Rescue on the River raises over $700,000
On September 18, six esteemed industry leaders took on a series of STARS simulation challenges to help raise over $700,000 in monumental support of STARS’ life-saving work.
Beginning at the STARS base in Edmonton, participants were airlifted by a backup STARS H145 air ambulance helicopter to an undisclosed location. During the STARS simulation challenges, participants simultaneously called friends, family, and colleagues to help meet a fundraising goal of at least $50,000 each to earn their flight home. Funds raised through Rescue on the River directly support the delivery of advanced critical care to the next patient in need.
“Today demonstrated how vital community support is in helping continue the life-saving work we do at STARS,” said Mike Lamacchia, Chief Operating Officer, Provincial Operations at STARS. “Rescue events are one of our most interactive fundraising initiatives of the year. They offer our community a behind-thescenes look at the daily life-saving operations of our air medical crew—and show the complexity it takes for missions to be successful.”
“Getting a behind-the-scenes look at STARS’ incredible operations was humbling,” said Brandon Spiller, Rescue Participant and CEO of Sublatus Inc. “The level of preparation, expertise, and care that goes into every mission is truly inspiring. It’s a powerful re-
Classifieds
minder of why this cause matters so much—not just to me, but to everyone working in the remote and highrisk industries we serve.”
Participants competed in a series of challenges around engineering, fundraising, medical, and STARS Vigilant. At every step, they were paired with a STARS air medical crew member. The participants who took part in the fundraising event were:
• Tony Bagga CEO and Director of Northern Lakeland Indigenous Alliance, Lake First Nations, and Black Wolf Molecular Solutions.
• Mark Beck CEO of GCS General Contracting Services Inc., HML Contracting Ltd., Cattail Crossing Golf & Winter Club, and OMNIA Training.
• Christy Elliot Senior Vice-President of Sustainability, External Affairs and General Council at Keyera Corp.
• Lorne Gould Vice-President of Health, Safety and Environment at ConocoPhillips Canada.
• Jeff Granberg Executive Chairman and Majority Owner of PD Group Companies Inc.
• Brandon Spiller CEO of Sublatus Inc.
Rescue on the River in Alberta is the second of three Rescue events held by STARS. Rescue on the River in Manitoba took place in May 2025 and Rescue on the Prairie in Saskatoon is set for Sept. 24, 2025.
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New arrivals, events, and exciting updates at the Acadia Municipal Library
The library is buzzing with new additions and events this September! Adult fiction enthusiasts can dive into Deep End by Ali Hazelwood, which arrived on September 10th, along with The Maiden and her Monster by Maddie Martinez, Shadow & Storms by Hellen Scheuerer, Quicksilver by Callie Hart, and The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, all arriving the following week.
For those interested in adult non-fiction, Completely Normal and Totally Fine by Rosie Viva joined the shelves on September 3rd. Young adult readers can enjoy Allison Saft’s latest novel, Wings of Starlight, also arriving September 3rd.
Congratulations to Faye Loken, the winner of the library’s Summer Draw! She received her prize once the school year began.
The library’s first movie of the school year will be
TRACpac+ lets you:
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Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, showing on September 23rd from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Free popcorn and juice will be provided.
Exciting news for digital readers: TRACPac+ has officially launched! More information is available at your local library or on the Marigold website.
Please note, the library will be closed on September 30th in observance of Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Fatal collision involving Hanna family
KATHRYN, AB — On September 17, 2025, at 10:00 p.m., Airdrie Rural RCMP responded to a report of a two vehicle collision on Highway 566 and Highway 9. A Dodge Ram pickup heading northbound struck a semi truck heading southbound on Highway 9. As a result of the collision, the truck caught on fire.
The semi driver was not injured.
REMEMBERING WHEN
The driver of the truck, a 36-year-old female resident of Hanna, Alta., and an 18-month-old female passenger, were declared deceased at the scene. Two other children were injured and were transported to a Calgary hospital.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation. RCMP sends condolences to the family and friends of everyone involved.
Only the best for the little food critic
BY KEITH SCHELL
Growing up, we had a food critic living in our house whose discriminating palate could rival the most powerful critic at The New York Times. She insisted on the best and would never settle for anything less, constantly rejecting anything that didn’t meet her rigid standards for taste and quality.
And that food critic was… our family cat!
As any cat owner knows, one of the true “joys” of owning a cat is trying to feed it. We had that joyful experience many times over the years.
Contrary to what our cat might have believed, we always made sure she was well-fed and well looked after. Food-wise, we never cheaped out. We bought what we thought was good, nutritious food—the best the grocery store had to offer. Or at the very least, the best cat food we could afford without being ridiculous about it.
The trouble was, we had the greatest feline food snob in the entire world.
In buying the best we could afford, how many times did someone open a tin for her, sniff it before serving, and say to anyone who was listening, “Hey, this stuff smells pretty good! I could probably eat it myself.” We figured she’d love it too, since it smelled pretty good to us. Then we’d put the food down on the floor for our fuzzy little food critic. She would walk over to the saucer, give it a sniff—and walk away, unimpressed.
(Of course, this was the same cat who, after refusing a gourmet meal of the best food available, would go outside, catch a mouse, and try to eat that instead! I know—it’s just a cat being a cat, but I never truly understood that one.)
Every time she turned up her nose at a meal, a legendary battle of wills would begin. We’d say to her, “Won’t eat it, eh? Well, you won’t get anything else until you do!”
Sometimes the cat would eventually cave and lower herself to eat what we
gave her. Other times, we’d have to wrap it up and put it in the fridge so it wouldn’t spoil—only to try sneaking it past her again later.
When it came to opening tins of food, our cat insisted on being kept in the loop. Along with her discriminating palate, she had a discriminating ear as well. Amid the cacophony of household sounds, no matter where she was in the house, the moment she heard the can opener, she would briskly trot into the kitchen—laser-focused on what was being opened—to determine whether or not it was something she liked.
Because she wouldn’t leave you alone until she knew what you had in the can, eventually I got into the habit of holding the opened can down for her to sniff. And usually, once she realized it was something she wasn’t interested in—like corn or some other kind of vegetable—she’d let out a deep sigh and walk away, disappointed. Better luck next time!
Our cat was hardly deprived. On big family dinner nights with roast beef, ham, or turkey, she’d come to the table to check out the food situation. And because she was part of the family, Dad would have one of us kids give her a small piece of meat. We’d break up a little bit on a saucer and put it on the floor for her.
After eating her fill, she’d retire to the living room, hop up onto the top of our floor console TV set, and sit there licking her chops for five minutes—happy as a clam.
Did we spoil our cat? Maybe a little. But hey, she was part of the family too.
And I smile when I think about the memories.
call
book your appointment.
Keith Schell
ACADIA VALLEY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
• Cross Country Meet (Grades 3-6 Run 1 KM). Start time is 4:00 PM at Acadia Valley Ball Diamonds. Entries need to be in by September 22nd.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
• 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.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
• Annual Turkey Shoot presented by the Acadia Valley Rec Club. Acadia Valley Reservoir Noon - 4:00 PM. Roll the dice. Chips, pop and sausage on a bun.
ALSASK
OCTOBER 24 & 25
•Alsask Haunted House from 7:00-11:00 PM nightly at the Alsask Recreation Centre. $15/person (Cash only bar). Everyone welcome.
CEREAL
TUESDAY, NOVEMEBR 30
•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
- 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.
- Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society Garden Market Saturdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM until September 6. Breakfast served 9-11 AM or lunch from 11-2! Buy/Sell Local. Promoting local gardeners, artisans, crafters, bakers.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
• Empress & District Historical Society Whistle Stop Supper presenting Sleepless Nights (Classic Country & Rock) Empress Train Station. Only 60 tickets available. Advance tickets $50. Bar Opens 5:30 PM Supper 6:30 PM. Cathy (306) 628-7042, Rachel (403) 6645164, Laura (403) 580-7088.
OYEN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 30
• Oyen United Church Coffee Time 10:00 AM (202 - 1st Avenue East). Contact Virginia Schroeder at 403-664-3987 or pioneerpastoralcharge@gmail.com for more information. All are welcome!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
• Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce bi-monthly meeting 7:00 PM at the FCSS Youth Centre. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Please RSVP prior to September 22, as dinner will be provided and we need to know how much food to order.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
• Fun Night for members and their guests at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre 7:00 P.M to Midnight. Games and Socializing. BYOB and snacks. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403-6642462 for more information.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
• In-Person Referee Clinic. 2013 birth year and older can register. First time officials need to complete the online course prior to the in-person clinic. For info and registration call Wonona Makranoff 306-460-4489.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
• Prairieland Athletic Association Pheasant Festival
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8
• Regular Pot Luck and Meeting for Oyen and District Seniors. (50+) at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. This will be the ANNUAL Meeting. Pot Luck at 6:00 PM and Meeting at 7:00 PM. Call Lynda 403-664-0908 or Beth 403664-2462 for more information.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 21, 28
• 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 403664-8688.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
• Floor Curling at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre.begins for the season for Seniors (50+) at 1:00 PM. Floor Curling continues on each successive Wednesday through Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, and Apri. with new rinks being drawn up each Wednesday. Call Heather at 403-664-3854 or Beth 403664-2462 for further information.
- 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! 403664-2255
