ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | SPORTS | A5
Brooke Disher wins gold at women’s world championship Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca If hockey doesn’t work out for Brooke Disher, she may want to become a psychic. Then again, maybe she is already. “I just woke up this morning with a feeling,” said the 17-year-old just two hours after the Canadian under-18 womens team took gold, beating the U.S. 3-2 in the final of the world championships in Wisconsin Monday night, June 13. “It feels surreal. It’s a dream come true.” For Disher, who started playing hockey in the North Peace, and her teammates, it would prove to be the hardest game they’d play in the eight-team tournament. Canada actually led 3-0, in this one, until late in the
HOCKEY CANADA PHOTO
Team Canada and former Fort St. John product Brooke Disher (back left) celebrate after winning the 2022 U-18 womens world championship, June 13, 2022.
second when the Americans would score twice in seven seconds to make it a one-
goal affair. But, it would be goaltender Mari Pietersen who would
hold the U.S. at bay, turning aside all 10 shots she faced in the final frame, preserving
the lead and a gold medal for Team Canada. “Wow! Just, wow! She’s awesome. Played steady for us in the tournament. She was solid,” said Disher. The two, as it turns out, will play together on Boston University’s ladies team, starting in the fall. And how are mom and dad, brother, and two sets of grandparents, who were all at the game, feeling about all of this? “They’re all super excited, super proud of me. I haven’t had a chance to talk to them all yet. Haven’t had the time. Hopefully, I get some time tomorrow (Tuesday).” And, to those in Fort St. John where it all started for the Team Canada captain? “Thanks everyone for watching and cheering us all on. We really appreciate it.”
Saulteau athlete awarded
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO
THUNDER SHOWER — The famous 357 jet boat of Fort St. John’s Gord Humphrey thunders down the back channel next to Peace Island Park June 19 in the final race of the Taylor Flats 200. Even high water and debris didn’t keep the boats away.
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council has announced outstanding athletes named as the North regional recipients of the 2021 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport — including Logan Richter from right here in the Peace Region. The 22-year-old volleyball player from Chetwynd and Saulteau First Nation is among six athletes in the north being recognized. I·SPARC, in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, launched the regional nomination process in 2021, receiving nominations from each of the six regions (Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest,
Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island). Applications were open to Indigenous youth athletes 25 years and younger who compete in performance sport and demonstrate a commitment to their education, culture, and promoting healthy and active lifestyles. Due to the pandemic, the Regional Awards celebrations are not being held inperson this year. I·SPARC will be announcing the 29 regional recipients of the Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport, by region. These regional recipients automatically serve as nominees for the Provincial Premier’s Awards, which will be announced later this year.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | OP-ED | A11
Busy times at seniors hall By Ruby McBeth
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hings have been buzzing in the Seniors Hall lately. Under the direction of president Wendy Clayson, the pool hall has been emptied out. This was no small feat considering the size and weight of the pool tables and shuffleboard. The floor has been washed and the walls painted in preparation for the Metis Society, which will be renting the room. There are also plans afoot to refinish the floor of the main room if we get a grant the executive has applied for. RECYCLING I recently took my questions about recycling to the depot on the south side of Fort St. John – 10095-85 Ave. There my questions were answered and I learned more about their program. Questions: 1. Can a broken pottery tea pot be recycled? Answer: Yes, in with glass. 2. Can a glass candle jar with the wax removed be recycled? Yes, in with the glass. Even though there are three little bits of metal in the bottom it is still OK. 3. Can bubble wrap be recycled? Yes, in with the plastic bags. 4. Where does my old defunct kettle go? Inside the building in the orange carts. 5. Where does the net bag that onions came in go? In with the flexible packaging. It is good that the employees are into teaching about recycling as there
are sometimes changes to where to recycle articles. You are now asked to take old TVs to the Fort St. John bottle depot on 93 Avenue. One interesting fact I learned: glass is shipped to Quesnel where it is put in a small mountain of glass. After a couple of years, it is washed and ground up to be used for sand blasting. PROPERTY TAX DEFERMENT Did you know that property owners 55 or older and eligible people with disabilities can put off paying their taxes? You will apply each year to receive this benefit. The province does charge interest on your tax deferment loan. However, it is only 1.2% for seniors. To find out if you are eligible google “apply for a BC property tax deferment” or phone 1-778-698-5636. SHELTER AID FOR ELDERLY RENTERS BC Housing has a program called Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER). Their information says that “lower income seniors renting in the private market may be eligible for a rent supplement through SAFER. To read the details google “BC Housing SAFER or phone 1-800-257-7756.
WENDY CLAYSON PHOTO
Moving the shuffleboard center plank at the seniors hall.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “No one has ever become poor by giving.” (Anne Frank) Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.
Happy Father’s Day By John Grady
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here is something very exciting and rewarding to see a father holding his first-born child for the first time. Sometimes, it seems like the father is carrying a bag of potatoes and everybody is saying “keep the head and neck up.” Over a short time, the father and child mould into a comfortable pattern and the voices of concern about the head and neck diminish. The father carries the child until the crawling and walking stages in their life but even then, from time to time the father carries the child in his arms when the child is overtired, not feeling well, needs attention. Moses shares with the Israelites after they crossed the Red Sea, journeyed through the wilderness, and, being prepared to cross the Jordan River to possess the promised land, of how the Lord carried them (600,000 men, not including the women and children) as a man carries his son. The Good News for us is how our Heavenly Father carries us in our journey of life even if we are not aware of it. It is during the time of brokenness, sickness, our deep valley time, feeling abandoned, feeling unloved and feeling unable to carry on that somehow, He grabs hold of us, somehow He carries us, somehow He lifts us up, somehow He opens the critical door for us at just the right time. As fathers celebrate Father’s Day, know that we have a Father that loves us, has purpose for our lives, promises to never leave us or for-
sake us, promises to forgive us, promises to walk with us in our journey of life and as we turn to Him He promises us eternal life. In Deuteronomy are the following words from the Lord to the Israelites that are of value today, for fathers and children, which are worth noting: “Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years to humble and test you in order to know what was in your hearts, whether or not you would keep His commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your hearts that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.” There is so much in there for fathers and children. Obedience, fathers keep your promises, teach children humility, testing has a purpose, follow the ways of the Lord, a father’s faithfulness, the value of discipline, and most of all our hearts. I hope you had a great Father’s Day. John Grady lives and writes in Fort St John.
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO
EYES OF THE TIGERS — Graduating grade 6 students at Taylor Elementary, off to middle school in September, pose one last time together as Tigers. The school’s parent council treated the students to a barbecue after the June 16 grad ceremony.
A16 | NEWS | THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
Grads told to stay kind, remember roots, and work to build community Continued from front “From the days of Kindergarten, where they learned their letters, their numbers, and how to play together, and the occasional how-to-solve-a-conflict,” he said, “to this year, where our grads continue to work on their letters and numbers, continue to work and play together, and solve the odd conflict. “This day is their celebration but it also a celebration for teachers, parents, families, friends, and all those who have supported our grads over the years.” He was asked after the ceremony if he has words of wisdom as his students head out into the world. “Remember where they came from. Remember what they’ve learned.” The two-hour ceremony included music from the jazz band as well as individual performances by graduates Brian Hoffman, Rosette Jewel, Olumide Ayeni, and Brayden Watson. And, of course, the many dignitaries who took the mic offered plenty of advice on finding purpose, succeeding in life, and, ultimately, finding their way back home to Fort St. John. District of Taylor Mayor Rob Fraser told students they were leaving high school equipped with the skills to learn something new every day, and that it was important to remember their roots. “Take pride and ownership of your community. Appreciate your time growing up here in this part of the country,” he told them. “We need you to gain skills and we need you to come back and help us keep these communities vibrant and growing.” Schools superintendent Stephen Petrucci reminded students that no one person is an island when they become involved in a community. He said he had begun to become community conscious, socially conscious, and self conscious. “We all continue to grow and mature through our entire lives. I’ll admit that in our education system there is often an emphasis on what you will become: a welder, a nurse, a teacher,” he said. “But as an educator, citizen, and father of four children, I believe it is more important to work on who you will become: we want you to be happy, kind, independent contributing members of society.” In his parting words, Louie the valedictorian acknowledged the pride he had for all his peers on their graduation day, reminding them that it costs nothing to be kind, and that consistency in their efforts would take them far. “I don’t know where you’ll be tomorrow, next week, a month from now,” he admitted. “If we managed to overcome everything we went through in the past three years, I can’t wait to see the change that we will make in the world.”
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO
North Peace Secondary grad Rosette Jewel sings a song for her peers during convocation ceremonies, June 17, 2022.
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO
North Peace Secondary principal Todd Koponyas gives an address to grads during convocation ceremonies, June 17, 2022.