AHN MAR 23, 2023

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The airport campus in Fort St. John was buzzing with intrigue and excitement last week as a group of students made their way terminal to tower and hangar to hangar as part of an exclusive tour designed to inspire the next generation of female aviators.

The 42 students from Dr. Kearney and North Peace Secondary schools, as well as a group of homeschoolers, spent the morning of Tuesday, March 14, meeting and hearing from airport managing director Carolyn Turner, flight service specialists Taylor Moskowitz and Regina Prost, and smokejumper Chelsea Marshall about their careers in the local industry.

After lunch, they were treated to tours of the North Cariboo and North Peace air terminals, the control tower, the fire base, and the Delta Helicopters base. The main purpose of the crosscountry tour put on by Elevate Aviation is to encourage young women to pursue careers in aviation and promote diversity within the industry.

“There is a very low percentage of women in all different types of careers in aviation,” said Becky Grimsrud, Fort St John base manager and pilot with Delta Helicopters, who hosted the

event, the first held locally since 2019.

Up in the tower, students were treated to spectacular 360-degree views, and learned flight service specialists are responsible for all aircraft landing, departing, or passing within a five mile radius of the airport. They’re also responsible for collecting regular weather data and reporting observed conditions to pilots and to Environment Canada.

Weather plays a huge factor in what the specialists do — on a busy day, they may see up to 400 aircraft movements; in bad weather, as few as 30. And on a clear day, they can see all the way to the mountains.

“It’s something different every day. I get to talk to pilots, I get to see cool planes. We’ve had some 737s here and other cool planes,” said Prost, who worked in education in Saskatchewan before switching careers, training in Edmonton and arriving in Fort St. John just over a year ago.

“It’s pretty cool. I enjoy it and I want to get other people involved in it or excited about it. I find not a lot of people know what we do,” said Prost, adding she’s also been able to qualify and complete her on-the-job instructor training since moving to Fort St. John.

“It’s provided a lot of opportunities because we’re such a young station,” she

said.

More than 200,000 passengers came through the North Peace terminal in 2022, and students learned people from all over the world come through the airport.

Carolyn Turner, the airport’s managing director, wanted to be a doctor when she was young. But a chance suggestion by a friend got her involved in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets at the age of 13, where she fell in love with aviation.

“The reason I joined was because one of my friends at school said, Hey, you should join air cadets; you can get your pilot’s licence before your driver’s licence. And I said, Oh, well, I want to do that,” Turner recalled after taking students on a tour of the terminal.

“So I joined and, sure enough, I had two pilot’s licenses before a drivers licence through scholarships from the air cadets,” she said. “You have to work hard to do it, it is competitive, but if you put your everything into it, you can be successful.” In cadets, youth don’t just learn about flying and aviation, but about air traffic control, survival in the bush, physical fitness, and the military, Turner said.

“It’s just a wonderful, wonderful program that teaches everything from leadership to self discipline

Money Fair teaches Grade 7s about financial literacy

to teaching; once you get to be an older cadet, you’re teaching the younger cadets,” Turner said.

“Even if people don’t follow through on an aviation career, the experience of being in any of the cadet programs — land, air, or sea — is phenomenal for a teenager to be involved with.”

Turner turned her experience with the air cadets into a national aviation career, working for the likes of Bombardier Aerospace and Canadian Aviation Electronics, at airports in Toronto, Moose Jaw, and Regina, as well as in air operations for the Yukon government’s wildland fire management brigade.

She arrived in Fort St. John to manage operations of the North Peace Regional Airport in September 2022. “I’m loving every minute,” she said.

For any students who missed the tour, Grimsrud encourages them to reach out to anyone in the local aviation community — the hangar doors are open.

“We’ve all got a bit of an obsession with it. We’d love to show people around and tell people all about it,” Grimsrud said.

“For anyone that missed out, don’t feel like you can’t ever have this experience. If you show up at the door of somebody’s hangar, they’re probably going to give you a tour.”

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Flight Service Specialist Regina Prost gives a group of Dr. Kearney middle school students a tour of the control tower at the North Peace Regional

March 14, 2023.

Trustees raise concerns over safe injection site

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

School trustees in Fort St. John want answers from Northern Health on its plans for a safe injection site near a downtown elementary school.

The health authority is looking to open a site at 10067 100 Avenue by the end of the year, less than 200 metres as the crow flies from Ecole Central on 99 Avenue.

Trustee Thomas Whitton said at the March 13 board of education meeting that there “was a breakdown in communications somewhere” and the school district is owed an opportunity to give its input.

“They should consider the feedback from the school district when choosing a site that could potentially increase risk to students,” said Whitton. “I appreciate Northern Health has a mandate… but we’re here for the kids.”

Superintendent of schools Stephen Petrucci said while he’s not privy to the health authority’s processes, changes to city bylaws or zoning affecting schools have

traditionally required the district’s input, he said. “Not in this case.”

Whitton as well as board chair Helen Gilbert both wanted to know where else safe injection sites have been located near schools in the province, and the issues they’ve experienced, positive or negative.

“Whichever side it was, I’d be interested in seeing that,” said Whitton. “It might even be an opportunity to invite Northern Health for a conversation with the board.”

“We’re here, we’re open, we’re willing to have discussions,” he said.

Whitton also wanted to know what the district was doing to prevent drug use among local students and educate them about B.C.’s overdose crisis.

“I know we’ve had some great programs in the past, like the PARTY program, but those have gone to the wayside due to other organization’s going under,” he said.

“I am worried about our children, that is my biggest concern. How are we educating them with

Notice of Public Hearing

OCP Amendment Bylaw NO. 2511, 2023

When: April 5, 2023 | 6 pm

Where: North Peace Leisure Pool - Meeting Room 9505 100 St. Fort St. John B.C

For More Information: Contact: Development Services 250-784-3200

Toll Free: 1-800-670-7773

Email: planning@prrd.bc.ca

View applications at: www.prrd.bc.ca

regards to this?”

Sixteen concerned residents attended the trustee’s meeting, who called Northern Health’s plans a “massive oversight,” considering there are also three day cares located within less than a block of its proposed site.

They also noted that city bylaws prohibit commercial cannabis retailers from opening stores within 200 metres of a school or 100 metres of a park.

Gilbert acknowledged the ministry of health has mandated a response to the province’s overdose crisis, and that the health authority has decided Fort St. John needs a safe injection site.

“To my knowledge, there was no government to government contact about that,” Gilbert said.

She told the concerned residents, “Now, we’re hearing you people here tonight with a concern, and we will go through a process of raising the concerns from this table and from our public.”

Twelve people died of a toxic drug overdose in the Fort St. John and North Peace area in 2022, according to the provincial coroner.

North Peace Fringe Area

Those lands around Fort St. John, Taylor including Charlie Lake, Grandhaven, Baldonnel and Two Rivers.

The Peace River Regional District is hosting a public hearing to discuss the proposed OCP Amendment.

Proposal:

To exempt approved Non-Farm Use applications from requiring an amendment to the Official Community Plan.

Proposed location for a supervised drug consumption site on 100 Avenue in Fort St. John.

Farmland values up 6.6%

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Farmland values in the Peace and Northern regions of B.C. increased by an average of 6.6% in 2022.

That’s according to the latest report from Farm Credit Canada, which tracks and compares yearly prices per acre across the country based on benchmark properties and recent sales.

According to the report, farmland in the Peace-Northern region of B.C. saw values increase to an average $2,200 per acre last year, up from $2,100 in 2021, and $1,800 in 2020.

There was still some variability across the region, however, with values ranging from $1,000 to $4,600 an acre.

“The market remained stable in the region, but values per acre were still much lower than other regions in

the province,” the report said.

B.C. farmland as a whole increased 8% in 2022 after a whopping 18.1% jump in 2021.

The average value of an Okanagan farmland jumped 14.3% to $34,000 an acre in 2022, the third highest figure in the country, behind only two other B.C. locations: the South Coast ($139,000) and Vancouver Island ($63,800).

Farmland in the Kootenays jumped 33.6% in 2022, but its average per acre was still fourth highest in the province at $22,400.

The Peace-Northern region, where most of B.C.’s pastureland is located, saw the highest increase in pastureland values last year at 4.9%, up to $1,600 per acre.

Pastureland throughout the region ranged from as low as $800 to as high as $6,800 per acre.

Across the border in the Alberta Peace,

farmland values spiked by 13.6% to an average $2,700 per acre last year. An acre of pastureland was up 8.4% to $1,400 an acre on average.

The FCC report says changes in land values varied; the southern area of the Alberta Peace region posted increases of more than 35% while other areas remained stable.

“Areas that experienced a wet spring that negatively affected yields saw lower increases in value, while areas with above-average yields showed larger increases,” the report said.

Nationally, the average value of Canadian farmland increased by 12.8% in 2022, the largest percentage increase since 2014. It’s being attributed to strong farm income, elevated input prices and rising interest rates.

— with files from Kirk Penton/Castanet

Wrapping the track in toonies

T.W. Buck tbuck@ahnfsj.ca

The Fort St. John Special Olympics annual Toonie K fundraiser was a success last Saturday.

Local athletes walked laps and raised money at the Pomeroy Centre to support the local programs and initiatives, the first time the event has been held since 2019 due to Covid restrictions.

By noon, they had already raised close to $4,700 in donations and pledges.

“The money all goes back towards the athletes, programs, and paying for events and facilities. All the coaches are volunteers,” said Lynette Gula, treasurer for Special Olympics in Fort St. John. “These fundraisers help pay for the team to participate in events that are outside our community.”

Special O bowlers recently won a bronze medal at Provincials, and now wait to find out if they will be competing at Nationals in Calgary.

“I’ve been bowling for 20 years, since I was four,” says athlete rep Levi Fowler, who raised $790 and competes in bowling, golf and curling.

4-H

I don’t know about any of you, but I am done with this snow.

Hello readers my name is Jessica Wiebe I am a Sr member in the Prespatou 4-H Community Club. So for any of you new readers I don’t write this whole article by my self. We have a Jr member that writes the dog section for the article. is is one of the most fun months of the 4-H season. We are very busy. It is one of the most productive month of the 4-H season, working with our animals, naming our animals, picking out our theme for the barn displays and with communications. Our club has gone through club communications and district communication. We all placed in our club communications, so we went to the next level district communications, one board, the only demonstration, and one out of two speak and shows of our club will be going to the next level, which is regionals. Regionals is on April 15.

e beef projects have been doing amazing!! We will be having another weigh in this month. Now that it’s been warmer we will have more time to work with our animals. I can not wait to learn new things. I am really excited for the achievement days.

I have so really excited news to share with my guys. We had some unexpected lambs this year! Lucky the ewe that I am using for my ewe with lamb project got pregnant in the summer. ankfully We where blessed with a healthy ewe lamb. She was born on February 2. We are getting our other project animals this month. Luckily my little sister and I don’t have to wait to get our lambs. We will be using our own home grown lambs this year. Although the other member that is doing sheep projects will be getting her lambs towards the end of the month. She is getting her animals from a local farm.

Hello my name is Arielle Reimer and I am part of the Prespatou 4-H Community Club. I am excited to share an awesome article about dog 4-H with you. When you have a dog in 4-H you have to make sure your dog is well socialized. If it’s not you will have a hard time at Achievement Days. at’s why you want to have your dog meet up with other dogs in 4-H so the dogs can get used to one another. When your dog meet up with another dog, we have to make sure you have a positive attitude. So you and your dog will both feel calm. It is important that your dog is calm so your dog and feel more comfortable when he is around other dogs anywhere you go.

When asked what winning the bronze medal at provincials meant to him, only one word was needed: “Huge.”

“It’s a great way for the athletes to be involved, socially, to be involved in an activity that gets them out and about,” said Gula. “It builds skill and confidence.”

Kim Turney has volunteered as a coach ten years for the SOBC Team, leading numerous local athletes to prestigious events.

“If we can get the volunteers, we can have the sports. My eyes and ears are open all the time for volunteers and athletes here in Fort St John,” said Turney.

Donations are still being accepted online where residents can add their support and help athletes meet their goal.

“If we don’t have the volunteers and we don’t have the athletes, then the program collapses, and those that are interested and want to, can’t,” said Gula. “If we can increase the athlete participation and can have the coaches available, it opens a whole new availability to people and allows the programs to expand.”

As me and my dog are getting ready for Achievement Days we are making new friends along the way. My dog and the other dogs project met up on March 2. My dog did not like the other dog as much as the other dog liked my dog. Towards the end, if we were giving both dogs attention, they would sit side-by-side and not bark or growl . So overall, they did a good job for their rst meeting.

at’s all we have for you this week. We hope you have an amazing spring. Until next time

Special O athletes celebrate the return of their Toonie K fundraiser on March 18, 2023.

Bronze for local archers

Matt Preprost

editor@ahnfsj.ca

A pair of Fort St. John archers had bronze finishes at Archery Canada’s recent Regional Indoor Championships.

Kori Meyer won bronze in the female U13 barebow category with 322 points, including one 10, and four 9s.

Andy Fochuk won bronze in the male 21+ compound category with 587 points, including forty-seven 10s, and thirteen 9s.

Three others from the local New Totem Archery club took part:

- Melanie Meyer placed fifth in the female 21+ barebow, with 399 points (seven 10s, five 9s)

- Graham Goertzen tied for 10th in the male 21+ compound, with 573 points (thirty-three 10s and twentyseven 9s)

- Tim Giesbrecht tied for 32nd in the male 21+ compound, with 531 points (eleven 10s)

Huskies down two in nals

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

After winning 39 games in a row, the Fort St. John Huskies hockey club was due for a loss, but the team took two in a row over the weekend in their NWJHL championship final against Grande Prairie.

The Huskies lost game one 4-2 on home ice Friday, March 17, and again on the road March 18, a close 2-1 final in overtime.

Fort St. John skaters outshot their opponents 73-36 over the two games, with Jaden Loverin, Cayden Frenette, and Colby

Busche each scoring a goal.

The Huskies find themselves down two games to none heading into game three back at the North Peace Area on Tuesday night. Head-to-head, Fort St. John won the regular season series five games to one, outscoring Grande Prairie 24-12.

The Huskies still have time to dig out of the hole when the puck drops 8:30 p.m. at North Peace Arena on Tuesday, and again when the series returns to the Corsslink County Sportsplex in Grande Prairie on Thursday night.

For updates, visit alaskahighwaynews.ca

$125K for ATV campground

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The District of Hudson’s Hope says it is receiving $125,000 from the BC South Peace Mackenzie Economic Diversification and Stabilization Trust to complete the third phase of its ATV campground development at Dinosaur Lake.

The campground opened last summer, and the district says funding from the Trust will allow for the addition of amenities, including completing the south wing of the campground with services, as well as the installation of two outhouse style

Ready to smash at Winter Games

A group of young Fort St. John badminton players are getting ready to compete in the BC Winter Games this month.

The four boys and four girls will be representing the Zone 8 region from Prince George to Fort Nelson when they take to the courts March 23 to 26.

This year’s Games are being held in Vernon, with badminton competition played at the Kelowna Badminton Club.

try,” Sharma said.

“It’s a very safe sport and it is an individual sport,” he added. “If you’re a good player, you will win the game.”

toilets, picnic benches, signage, and garbage bins.

“The Hudson’s Hope community is grateful to the BC South Peace Mackenzie Economic Diversification and Stabilization Trust for the financial support towards its completion of Phase III of the Dinosaur Lake ATV Campground,”

Mayor Dave Heiberg said in a statement.

The Trust was announced last year to encourage and support economic development, diversification and stabilization in areas impacted by the recovery of the Southern Mountain Caribou herds.

“We’re ready. We’ve been training for these games since 2021, so two years now,” said team coach Rishav Sharma during a practice at Bert Ambrose school Sunday evening, March 12.

“The team is ready and I’m confident in my team,” he said. “They’re doing good.”

Sharma, himself an internationally renowned badminton player, started the local youth club in 2019 leading into the winter games held in Fort St. John in 2020, where five local players took part.

The racket sport has grown in popularity ever since, with 40-plus athletes ages 8 to 17 training under Sharma every Wednesday and Friday.

“I didn’t expect people would love badminton but it was a pretty good response. Everybody wants to give it a

Representing the Zone 8 region at the Winter Games will be Elizabeth Binu, Rhea Lawrence, Tanisha Mustafa, Kori Meyer, Connor Vig, Ezra Wiebe, Advai Nair, and Cas Wheat.

Sharma has added an extra Sunday practice for the team to help build bonds among the players and improve their playing together before they leave town for the tournament.

“We will be looking for positions… first, second, third,” he said.

Great conversations don’t start themselves.

PREPROST PHOTO

The Zone 8 regional badminton for the 2023 BC Winter Games. From left: Elizabeth Binu, Rhea Lawrence, Tanisha Mustafa, Kori Meyer, Rishav Sharma, Connor Vig, Ezra Wiebe, Advai Nair, and Cas Wheat.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

15,

Green light for Phase 4 of 100 Street rebuild

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Knappett Industries will continue the redevelopment of 100 Street through downtown Fort St. John this year.

City councillors awarded Monday an $8.23-million tender for a fourth phase of construction, north of 101 Avenue to north of 103 Avenue.

Work includes the upgrades of all underground utilities and the paving of 100 Street. The city says work will begin in early April.

The city budgeted $10.54 million for this year’s project, and says it again used a best value procurement process that “uses selected criteria to evaluate tender submissions not just the cost of construction.”

That includes a project and

risk assessment plan, as well as interviews with proponents.

“This process has provided significant advantages to the municipality in past awards,” CAO Milo MacDonald wrote in a report to council. “It allows for multiple factors to be considered in addition to pricing which provides greater value for taxpayers on large or complex projects.”

City council approved a finalized plan for 100 Street redevelopment through downtown in 2019.

Work began in 2020, and Knappett Industries has built the first three phases up from 96 Avenue.

Work is planned to continue up to 105 Avenue, and includes the replacement of underground water and sewer lines that the city says were installed in the 1940s and 1950s.

Lights up for new church

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It was a great start for Rev. Shannon Stange as he launched Fort St. John’s newest church earlier this month.

Two dozen worshippers turned out to the Lido where the first public services for the Northern Lights Church were held on Sunday, March 5, a year after it began with a small group in Stange’s living room.

“Obviously you can’t fit this many people into a living room so moving into a public space is the key to taking a church from that initial stage of getting it going and getting a core team going,” said an energized Stange after the two-hour service that included music and guest speakers Chris and Marilyn Byberg of the National House of Prayer.

Northern Lights is Stange and his wife Rita’s fifth church plant, half of which are still going today, he said.

“Anytime you can make a new attempt for a launch, you’re trying something new. And when you try something new, it’s sort of like Elon Musk, he was like, you never know whether or not it’s going to work this time. But if you try enough times, you’re going to have a good possibility of a great launch,” Stange said.

“There’s something about Fort St. John that I think is going to be a great launch. I think that we’re going to make it out of the stratosphere and into orbit and that there’s going to be a future here for this church.”

“There’s something about this city… the heart for the city is something that we have,” Stange added. “It’s hard to put in words but I really believe that God is calling this city to experience

Him in a new way that they have never thought of before.”

The Bybergs were in the city as part of the 2023 Mission Vision conference, and were encouraged by the turnout to launch Northern Lights. Chris Byberg noted many came different places and socioeconomic backgrounds.

“I really sense there are a group of people here that want to reach out and love this community,” said Byberg. “I think the more love the better.”

Special guests also included Dean and Kelli Eklund of King’s Valley Camp as well as Peace River North MLA Davies. Davies said he was honoured to attend the launch.

“I believe any group that brings people together with a positive message is a good thing,” he said. “Their guest speakers, Chris and Marilyn Byberg, with the National House of Prayer, provided a strong poignant message of being positive and looking at what is good in our lives.”

He added, “I certainly also appreciated the prayer for politicians!”

The launch happened to coincide with the 2023 Mission Vision conference held at Peace Lutheran Church March 3 to 5, which brought congregations from across the city together for a weekend of workshops and worship. Its theme this year was “In One Accord” and Stange says he looks forward to working with the church community to help advance that vision.

“After this weekend, we’ll be able to get some time and begin to reach out to the other ministers in town and begin to form those friendships, and really bring the message of One Accord from Mission Vision into action amongst the Christian leaders in the city,” he said.

WINNING SMILE — The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation wrapped up its second Community 50/50 on March

and winner Kathy Kruk took home a prize totalling $5,140. Kathy plans to spend this money on a new deck and house improvements. As a long time resident of the North Peace, Kathy has been a supporter of the Hospital Foundation since 2007. The Foundation is excited to offer the community this opportunity to support local health care.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Rev. Shannon Stange delivers a sermon at the launch of Northern Lights Church at the Lido on Sunday, March 5.

A woman of unparalleled compassion: Kathy’s eternal impact

By Steve Thorlakson

Oh Kathy, you left us all way too soon! But we are content that you are safe in the arms of our Lord, and that he has bigger and better things for you, and without the physical limitations of the past.

Kathy truly was, and is an angel. The most totally unselfish person I have ever known. Even during the past few weeks in the hospital, Kathy was concerned to not inconvenience the staff, even when we told her that’s what the nurses and staff were there for – to help her. Kathy no longer needed to make everything she did about helping others. Kathy even wanted no flowers so that people might have more ability to help her favourite charity – Operation Christmas Child.

We met very soon after Kathy moved to Fort St. John, and I was immediately smitten. I had two daughters from a previous marriage, and both Shannon and Jennifer referred to Kathy as their “bonus Mom”. Kathy doted over them dressing them up in cute girlie outfits, playing games, and teaching them crafts. When son Trevor came along in 1987 and daughter Meagan in 1993, that shifted a bit, but Kathy never lost her focus of making sure that all the extended family felt loved and important.

Kathy was blessed with a phone call from Willy Olesen a few days before she passed, and Willy said “the Care Home would never have been such a great place without Kathy’s loving hands”. Kathy modestly said “Oh, I don’t know,” but we all told Willy we agreed! Kathy had a deep and abiding love for seniors, and the names ring out as touchstones of history in the Peace. Augustine Jumbie, who only spoke Cree, could communicate with Kathy. John Unruh, a veteran of the White Army during the Russian Revolution adored her. Hans Kvikstad, Archie Ferguson, Edith Waite, and so many more, I only regret that their

names slip my memory, but their faces are burned into my brain, all with a deep affection and love for Kathy. Her job was to keep them active and engaged, to make their quality of life the best that it could be, but she couldn’t do all that byherself. What she could do though, was recruit volunteers to help in numbers that would astound you.

During the 1984 BC Winter Games, Kathy and I were

in charge of the souvenirs. Kathy with her fashion merchandising background and skills at recruiting, we made a tremendous team. To the disappointment of the BC Games brass, we committed to purchase locally, not from his friends; anything to give the local economy a boost during the worst recession since the National Energy Program. The result was that our sales and net profit set

all-time records that would not be bested for 20 years, and that meant a larger legacy left for Fort St. John.

Kathy continued to devote her time, talent and treasure to so many things. She taught Sunday School at the Presbyterian Church, organized a highly successful Alzheimer’s Family Support Group, served on the Board of the Fort St. John and Area Seniors Care Foundation, and so many

more. The pinnacle of her joy was achieved when grandchildren started to come along: Kayleigh, Sydney, Jay, Heidi, Ethan and Hudson. Nothing gave her more joy than finding just the right gifts to shower on those she loved. Meagan in her piano playing, band at school and Highland Dance, Trevor in soccer, hockey, school band. Nothing was so important as to overwhelm what the kids and the grandkids needed. And to top it all off, Kathy put up with an overbearing and opinionated husband, and stood by me – always.

In 2014, Kathy discovered she had a very rare form of cancer, and she probably had it for 10 to 15 years prior. Very slow growing, with no known cure, only containment strategies. Surgery for the primary tumour, then a week every three months for 5 years at the Cross Clinic in Edmonton for a specialized clinical trial. It tested all of us, but Kathy remained stoic, positive and prayerful, taking up crocheting on the road trips and quilting, including a quilting cruise to the Bahamas – all to give away to those she loved, and often to people she never even knew through the Salvation Army.

Kathy loved travelling, and we started with our honeymoon in Hawaii in 1985, and the list is so long that I won’t repeat it, but her favourite trip of all was to Nicaragua, with a group from Operation Christmas Child to actually hand out the shoeboxes full of gifts to little children in Nicaraguan villages. Even when suffering with her illness late last fall, she organized, again, the local Operation Christmas Child collection and packing that happened right here in the basement, with the participation of that host of volunteers and many seniors.

None of us are truly worthy of the love Kathy gave, and gave, and gave, but we all are eternally grateful for her gifts to us, and the inspiration of her strength of character is a pattern to follow. God bless you and Rest in Peace our angel.

SUPPLIED

Kathy Thorlakson enjoying a sunny day in a field of sunflowers.

It’saGirl!

It’saGirl! LEXI JO

L’HEUREUX

Parents: Joel&MollyL’Heureux

Weight: 6lbs15oz

Length: 19inches

Time: 07:15am

Date: March4,2023

Hometown: CecilLake,BC

JANE EDITH

TOEWS

Parents: Colin&CorinnaToews

Weight: 7lbs9oz

Length: 18.9inches

Time: 09:57pm

Date: February28,2023

Hometown: FortSt.John,BC

CELEBRATEBABIES

BIRTH Ph:250.261.7563

BABY BOUQUET WALL

www.fsjhospitalfoundation.ca email: fsjhf@northernhealth.ca

Viva Swanson

A champion of quality care in the north

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A Fort St. John health care practitioner is one of 19 individuals and groups being recognized by the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council.

Viva Swanson, leadership development advisor for Northern Health in the northeast region, was recognized as an ‘Everyday Champion’ for patient safety and quality care as part of the council’s 2023 BC Quality Awards.

The patient council says Swanson’s work “has significantly improved how people are cared for in BC’s northeastern communities, which are among the most culturally diverse and remote in the province, with residents facing daily challenges accessing health care.”

patients without access to primary care other than attending the ER. The clinic was opened and operational within two months in January 2014;

• working with the North Peace Division of Family Practice to open the unattached patient clinic in July 2014;

• working as executive lead for Northern Health’s Perinatal program, establishing a team approach across all disciplines and identifying regional quality improvement opportunities that would benefit rural and remote communities; and

ARIES  MAR 21/APR 20

It is very important that you do not count your chickens before they hatch, Aries. Something you suspected was a sure thing may not pan out this week.

TAURUS  APR 21/MAY 21

You have a secret desire that you want to let out, Taurus. But you’re not sure of the timing. Stop letting your head dictate your heart and put plans into action.

GEMINI  MAY 22/JUN 21

Friendships could falter due to your insecurities, Gemini. Others want to be around you for good reason. Try to see the value in relationships and make the e ort to socialize.

CANCER  JUN 22/JUL 22

Cancer, you could be defeating your own e orts this week. There may be something telling you that you’re not good enough to go for your goals. A pep talk can put you back on course.

LEO  JUL 23/AUG 23

There’s a fresh development in your love life coming down the pike, Leo. Romantic feelings solidify and you might be in for some exciting adventures in the weeks to come.

VIRGO  AUG 24/SEPT 22

Virgo, the crowd around you may not be the support system you need right now. Making new friends can be tough, but it’s worthy pursuit at this point.

LIBRA  SEPT 23/OCT 23

Libra, no matter how much you want to spend time with family or friends right now, work seems to draw you away. Focus on nding more balance.

SCORPIO  OCT 24/NOV 22

You might be feeling fed up with the pace of lessons being taught to you, Scorpio. If the teacher or mentor simply isn’t e ective, then you might need to nd a new educator.

SAGITTARIUS  NOV 23/DEC 21

Sagittarius, it might seem like having the utmost control sets you up for security, but that’s not always the case. Being too controlling may push others away.

CAPRICORN  DEC 22/JAN 20

This may be an emotional week for you, Capricorn. Your relationship will have to weather a few storms before things right themselves again.

AQUARIUS  JAN 21/FEB 18

Poor habits can keep you from getting where you want to go, Aquarius. A friend or family member may need to step in to show you where you could be going wrong.

PISCES  FEB 19/MAR 20

Help a partner heal by being sensitive to his or her su ering. You may not know all the ins and outs, but being supportive can help greatly.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

MARCH 19 Neil LaBute, Director (60)

MARCH 20 Spike Lee, Director (66)

MARCH 21 Jace Norman, Actor (23)

MARCH 22 J.J. Watt, Athlete (34)

MARCH 23 Victoria Pedretti, Actress (28)

MARCH 24 Jim Parsons, Actor (50)

MARCH 25 Elton John, Singer (76)

“Over the years, that’s meant taking on roles that often fell outside her sphere as a registered nurse and certified perinatal nurse specialist to include major project management and leadership development,” the council said. “But no matter the project, Viva jumps in with both feet, inspiring others to join her.”

Swanson was recognized for a long list of accomplishments and initiatives throughout her career, including:

• providing clinical support for the design and construction of the Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa longterm care home;

• working with the North Peace Division of Family Practice to lead the implementation of a new prenatal clinic in an underutilized space in the hospital after Fort St. John lost 13 family physicians in 2013, which left prenatal

• leading the launch of drive-thru vaccination clinics as well as Northern Health’s vaccination van during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase vaccination rates for rural, remote and vulnerable people. The van travelled across the northeast reaching farming communities, farmers’ markets, First Nation communities, industry camps, highway pullouts, and businesses.

“I try every day to be the best version of myself,” Swanson told the patient council. “I’m an early adopter with a significant case of FOMO (fear of missing out)!”

“Viva’s work, and really her soul, are rooted in Fort St. John, and she looks for opportunities to benefit others and their communities,” said Peter Martin, project leader for workforce sustainability, housing, and childcare initiatives for Northern Health.

“Viva has demonstrated dogged persistence in addressing the needs of others. She combines a love of others with a creative approach that consistently searches for opportunities to forward the initiative that she is working on.”

$1.73M for school upgrades

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

School District 60 has been granted $1.73 million from the province this year for school upgrades and new buses.

The district is receiving $1.37 million through the provincial School Enhancement Program for HVAC upgrades at École Central, Hudson’s Hope, and Robert Ogilvie schools.

It’s also receiving $368,632 for two replacement school buses, one 76seat bus, and a second for 70 to 75 passengers.

Trustees passed a capital plan bylaw at their March 13 meeting to approve the provincially funded projects, and announced by the Ministry of Education on March 15.

The HVAC project at Hudson’s Hope school will be done in two phases at a total cost of $1.8 million. Two similar projects are being undertaken at Ecole Central and Robert Ogilvie to upgrade the electrical controls for their respective HVAC systems.

Meanwhile, superintendent of schools Stephen Petrucci says the district continues to lobby for the replacement and renovation of Wonowon Elementary. A final project development report is now with the ministry for funding approval.

“We hope there will be an announcement within the year,” he said.

The province says it is spending $261.1 million on school maintenance projects over the next year.

That includes $1.69 million for School District 59, for projects including electrical upgrades at Canalta Elementary, interior construction upgrades at Dawson Creek Secondary Central Campus, HVAC upgrades at Windrem Elementary and the Dawson Creek Secondary South Peace Campus, as well as three new buses.

School District 81 in Fort Nelson is receiving $806,233 for exterior wall systems upgrades at the SD Core Building, interior construction upgrades at Fort Nelson Secondary, and electrical upgrades at GW Carlson Elementary.

By Ruby McBeth

Ihave pleasant memories of people who have passed away recently.

I remember Josephine Pimm smiling as she played cards at the Seniors Club. I met Janet Johnson when she was treasurer of the Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Board. Don Stirling could be counted on to appear at Burns Night in his Mason’s uniform.

Kathy Thorlakson came to a meeting of the Baldonnel W.I. to tell us about the shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I saw Victor Plotnikow’s collection of trophy animal heads when his wife Florence hosted the Bert Bowes Christmas party at their home. Richard Fuerst sold his wood products

ey will be missed

at the Baldonnel WI markets. I know each of you readers will have memories of people who are no longer with us. They were part of our community. May they rest in peace.

INCOME TAX HELP

The Fort St. John Public Library is offering an online income tax help session for individuals of modest income. People of no fixed address are also welcome to use this service. You can join this webinar at the library or get the link by emailing programs@fsjpl.ca. The webinar is scheduled for April 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. It is put on by Canada Revenue Agency and will discuss benefits and credits, ways to do your taxes, free

tax help, how to keep getting your payments, CRA services and tools, and scam awareness. You will have a chance to ask questions and have them answered.

For brief hints on taxes go to “Seniors in Canada YouTube Channel.” This video shows a senior talking about benefits and services in Canada. It’s short but includes important links.

KNOWLEDGE NETWORK

Lorne and I have enjoyed watching nature programs on the Knowledge Network. A while bac, we saw one on bald eagles. A webcam had been set up by a nest so we got to see the development from the egg to the young leaving the nest.

Letters...

RISING ABOVE ADDICTIONS

Last Wednesday at the Pomeroy arena, the group Rising Above came here to discuss their prospects of opening a new rehab centre in the Baldonnel area. The Grande Prairie-based team consisted of Mel Siggelkow as the Executive Director, Stephanie Hudson as the Communications and Development Manager, and Mark Van Der Raadt as the Employment Readiness Facilitator. The attendance consisted of the three staffers and the crowd, which numbered approximately 40-plus people.

We were pleasantly surprised to see John Elliot joining in as a guest scientist on the video. We knew he was a biologist, but hadn’t heard that he was doing research. I was friends with John’s wife Cathy. You may remember her as the librarian at the Fort St. John Public Library. Sadly, Cathy passed away far too young.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today, because if you enjoy it today, you can do it again tomorrow.” —

James A. Michener

What next after Asbury?

By John Grady

The Asbury Revival that started on Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, at the Asbury University Chapel in Wilmore, Kentucky, was officially closed down by University and City officials on Feb. 23, after tens of thousands of visitors flooded the campus and small town, overwhelming locals and blocking traffic for miles.

A month later, a range of discussions have been taking place about whether it was a revival, some discrediting the event as all hype and emotion, others stating it was a planned university event. Others said “who cares,” and some claimed it was just a social media manipulation.

What I enjoyed and appreciated about Asbury was that it didn’t revolve around spiritual celebrities. It experienced the sweet pres-

ence of the Holy Spirit with the anointing of peace and holiness, a deep conviction of personal sin with a renewed hunger of love for their Messiah and others. From scripture, we ask the Lord to search our hearts; this is not a checklist, but this can be a deep supernatural work that reveals areas of our lives that we never knew existed and this clearly took place.

What added credibility was how they kept order during these three weeks as actors sought attention by loud, unnecessary aggressive prayer, efforts of exorcism, and blowing the shofar when not appropriate. That was not the purpose of this Holy Spirit visitation. There was one microphone and the hosts screened those that claimed they had a word and wisely held onto the mic to avoid any grandstanding.

The real heroes were those

behind the scenes, namely the 100-plus volunteers who did a host of mundane yet critically important parts of serving. The real keys to so many successful churches are those that quietly but efficiently serve, and that was the case at Asbury. In fact, citizens of Asbury provided cooked meals, opened up their homes for visitors, and received guests with class and distinction. The common area outside the Chapel Auditorium facilitated more than 20,000 people at a time. It’s special that Generation Z (ages 16 to 25) were the ones that initiated this revival by being faithful to the work of the Holy Spirit and there are reports of over 200 Colleges and Universities being represented during this three week period.

Will there be efforts to create another revival? Yes. Will

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John

there be copycat efforts? Of course. Is this event understood by everybody? No.

The Apostle Paul helps us understand when he states that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him; and, in contrast, the man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

There is no doubt that lives were touched by the presence of the Holy Spirit, and it is to be our prayer that the same visitation of revival comes to the Peace River area and beyond.

John

Grady

lives and writes in Fort St. John

The meeting was focused primarily on various kinds of addiction, such as hardcore drugs, alcohol, and pornography; the demographics of clients who are addicts and the ones who are not (Mr. Siggelkow said about 10-plus% of the Canadian population is highly addicted); and the approximate opening date of the former “It’s A New Day” women’s shelter (late summerearly fall 2023). Mr. Siggelkow went into further details such as the number of total beds in this “mixed” shelter. He further explained that the main chemical, dopamine, closely interacts with both sides of the brain, no matter which addictions are involved. Furthermore, the number of cases of family neglect, abuse, etc. increase exponentially with both the number of traumas and the intensity of them through childhood.

The largely Fort St. John crowd was very appreciative of this potentially successful rehab centre. As the writer of this letter, I also highly support it.

Claude Dionne Fort St. John

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Horses — friends or foe?

Last in a six-part series

By Evan Saugstad

It’s the second week of October, and I’m on a guided sheep hunt with Scoop Lake Outfitters in the Kechika Mountains of northern B.C. with guide Nick Fabish, wrangler Richard Craig, and eight horses. We are back at Wiser’s Lake camp after chasing sheep for a week at a distant spike camp.

Weather is still good, cooled off a bit, much windier now but still no snow. The ground is bare and dry, so dry that one dares not light campfires for fear they will run with the wind. Forest fires are still burning nearby, smoke is in the air, but not enough to hamper long distance glassing. Five days left of my two-week hunt.

After another unsuccessful day finding a qualified ram, we close down Wiser’s camp, pack the horses, and head for Alberta Springs meadow and, with the move, ever closer to Scoop Lake and home for the horses. After a long and windy day in the saddle, looking at mountains and past a still smoking wildfire, we reach our cabin in the woods.

This time we’re all in the same room and, with that, instructions on how to deal with Evan and his snoring. Just call my name; I’m well trained at rolling over and giving a brief respite before I start again.

Horses are hobbled and turned out so, if they so choose, they must pass by the cabin if they decide to head for home. Their GPS collars are now dead. Tomorrow is to be the last day of hunting as, after that, it’s another long day of riding with few areas of sheep potential. It rains hard most of the night. Being in a cabin with a tin roof and no insulation, might as well have been inside a drum. At least that drowned out my snoring.

Morning comes and no horses, no bells. They snuck past and started towards home on the trail. Off Richard goes, catching up to them, two miles distance. After a slow process of trying to chase hobbled horses in the opposite direction they wish to go, he decides to take their hobbles off to make better time, but, without halters or hobbles, the horses have other ideas. They all bolt for home and off they go, Richard chasing behind. A satellite message goes out to Nick that the horses are headed for home, on the run, and off Nick goes with all the halters.

Five miles later, Nick catches up and passes Richard, and catches the

Ask Miss Patti: Dealing with preschool tears

Dear Miss Patti,

When I first brought my child to preschool, they went without a tear and barely said goodbye. Now we have been attending for months and suddenly they have started crying at drop off. What is happening? —Suddenly Sad

Dear Suddenly Sad,

horses on a rocky gravel bar, their feet now too sore to run anymore. It’s a bareback ride back to camp by 1 p.m., Richard an hour behind. Today’s bright spot: they didn’t have to walk all the 20-plus miles to Scoop, then come back tomorrow for me.

Both are beat, so there’s no hunting today, as it’s too late to head up the mountain. And with that, my sheep hunting is limited to hoping for one along the trail back to Scoop.

Another camp to break, to put the bear deterrents in place, and saddle up for the long ride home. A few goats, lots of wolf tracks, lots of creek crossings and just before supper we arrive back at Scoop. The horses are happy to be there, and stand quietly as the few remaining shoes are removed, happy to be back where there is still some green grass, and to be turned loose for the winter on their home range.

Me, I’m also happy to be back unscathed, a bit sad on not finding my ram, but truly appreciative of a great time spent in the solitude and magnificence of these remote northern landscapes. It was a great adventure, one that most will never experience, and that’s a good thing. These places do not deserve to become another Banff or Jasper, and be changed by the sheer number of visitors.

The Northern Rockies, Muskwa, and Kechika areas are one of B.C.’s true gems, preserved for the wilderness they are, and available to those with the time, money, and desire to visit, to experience something that has always been and, hopefully, always will be.

Thinking back, would I do anything different? Not really. I didn’t need to shoot something just to say I was successful. I didn’t need to kill myself either in trying, but I do feel for the guides. Being the last hunter looking for a scarce commodity usually results in staying to the very end, at a time when everyone wants to go south and go home.

Would I do it again? At the time, I thought no. I’m getting to the end of my body’s willingness to take on these mountains and the physic-

ality. But, in reality, maybe; might think about one more time, or maybe just look for a mountain goat, something a bit easier to find, yet just as hard to get to. And for those out there wishing to experience this, you can, if it’s high enough on your bucket list. Not cheap, but what great adventures are?

For those who don’t hunt, there are ways to do this. Some outfitters offer up wilderness trips prior to the start of hunting season on Aug. 1, or with wilderness packers like Wayne Sawchuk at Muskwa-Kechika Adventures, who take visitors on summer horse back trips through some of these same areas. Or, if physically and mentally prepared, to do it by oneself with everything on your back.

Finally, thanks to Denim,

Liard, Crazy Eye, Moose, Red, Bud, Zeke, and Horace, the horses who made this possible. 2022 was a tough year on them, not helped by the provincial government’s shortening of the moose season, so all previously booked hunters arrived in a compressed timeframe, requiring these horses to pack more hunters and more meat than they normally do, and then still have someone like me show up, who rides all over the country in hopes of finding a grand ram. I know you were tired, that your feet hurt, and that you just wanted to go home.

Never know, as memories of the sore body fade, maybe I will be back one more time.

Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John

We see this a lot in preschool! This especially happens as a child is about to turn 5. There is a lot of growth that takes place in a child’s brain and sometimes this growth spurt can trigger behaviours we haven’t seen since they were little. This is normal and we just have to give these big emotions validation, patience, and space. This is not the time to tell them, “You are a big kid now, no more tears,” nor, “Crying is for babies.” Sometimes we just need a good cry, no matter the age. We don’t want to ever make them feel shame about their emotions. All emotions are needed to grow. Sometimes it’s as simple as older family members talking about death, or watching a lovely Disney movie that has a parent pass away in it. Suddenly your child does not see you as immortal and this might scare them. They might not want to leave your side for fear you will not return or that something might happen to you. These are big topics that they might not understand enough to share with you. For me, it was a cousin who told me that my mom will not live forever. What!? Suddenly I didn’t want to leave my mom’s side. We can’t be with our child all the time and we don’t always know what they have overheard, have been told or what they have watched on TV. Again, validate their feelings and remind them you always come back to pick them up. Give them something of yours (please, not something valuable) that they can carry with them to feel close to you even when you’re not there.

This is the time too when we start talking about Kindergarten and we might go to Get Ready for Kindergarten events. This is a big change for children, and it might scare them. “If I act a little maybe I don’t need to go... Maybe if I start having accidents I don’t have to go.” My son told me he was not going to ever turn 5 so that he wouldn’t have to go. Maybe dial back all the Kindergarten talk for a bit to see if that helps.

This is also a time when we might be adding to our family and a new baby comes into the house. We feel this is a great time for them to go to preschool so that they get some time for them as well as you get some time with baby. But some children might interpret this as, “The new baby gets to stay home with mom/dad and I get kicked out!” Again, validate these feelings and make sure to find some quality time with your older child as well.

Finally, I always say the magic number is two weeks. Share the concerns and changes in behaviour with the educators and hang in there for two weeks. Don’t give up yet and give in. If you let these big feelings steer the decisions it will only get harder. Now they know that tears will let us go home. Remember, these small transitions get us ready for bigger transitions. It’s easier to work this out now with educators who are very used to separation tears and more than willing to work with you. (So are Kindergarten teachers, but remember their ratio might be one teacher to 20 children, whereas preschool is one educator to 10 children). If after persisting for two weeks and it’s still a nightmare drop off, then maybe your child really isn’t ready yet. Give it a few months and try again. Sometimes that little break and a bit of growth makes all the difference.

—Miss Patti

Send your questions to Miss Patti at motherofdragonflies2021@ outlook.com

EVAN SAUGSTAD PHOTO

All packed up and heading out of the Kechika Mountains of northern B.C.

EVAN SAUGSTAD PHOTO

Back at Watson Lake, no plane flys half empty.

EVAN SAUGSTAD PHOTOS

Above: Packing out, crossing a creek Below: End of season and off come the shoes.

Mission Vision reunites Fort St. John faithful

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Unity was the message this month as the Fort St. John church community massed together for the first time in several years for the annual Mission Vision conference.

Hundreds attended a weekend of workshops and worship services at Peace Lutheran Church March 3 and 4, and to showcase a diverse range of missionary work being undertaken locally and overseas to help make the world a better place. It was the conference’s first full year back in-person from the Covid-19 pandemic, and was an excellent weekend of fellowship for worshippers of all denominations.

“It had such a sense of peace and joy and fellowship in the atmosphere,” said Helena Peters of Alliance Church, and chair of the organizing committee that saw reps from 10 churches work together to bring the event together.

“It felt like everybody was happy to be back after two years of not being able to meet,” she said. “We did feel like Covid had really brought a lot of division, maybe not intentionally, but it separated people and lot of people got isolated at home. It brought about the feeling of being torn apart, so we really really felt that we needed to reconnect people.”

Three dozen exhibitors were showcased during the two-day conference, which also featured several keynote speeches by author and missionary Russell Stendal.

Three hundred people had packed into the Peace Lutheran sanctuary Friday and Saturday night to hear Stendal speak about his experiences as a hostage of rebels deep in the jungles of Colombia, where he eventually became an influential friend of military and government leaders, as well as in Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela.

“The theme of the weekend was unity among Christians so we can be a witness all over the world. I was really encouraged to see how people came together here in Fort St. John,” said Stendal, who first began travelling up the Alaska Highway in the 1990s to speak about his missionary work. While Christians are really coming together in countries like Venezuela, Stendal said, it’s been harder to do in North America.

“People, maybe they’re more individualistic and they’re more used to strong opinions, and churches have doctrinal differences and use that to set themselves apart,” he said. “But here, it seems people, they’ve got a heart for one another, and have come together from all different churches. All the churches here in Fort St. John seem to have a good attitude, so I think this is a special thing.”

Seminars were held throughout the weekend, which covered topics ranging from prayer to persecution to how churches can respond to the drug overdose crisis. Of the exhibitors on display, many were local, including Light and Salt Ministries, which was started by Fort St. John resident Tara Germain in 2009 to support a school for boys in Dario City, Nicaragua.

“The purpose is to show boys a way of integrity and responsibility,” said board director Jim Friesen, noting the mission has grown to offer sewing classes to women and single mothers to help them establish their own small businesses and earn an income for their families. The centre also provides food packs of rice, beans, and oil for the elderly. About 60 people are served by the ministry, and if one has been to the annual midnight madness sale held at Dunvegan Gardens, they’ve helped support the cause.

“She had a good vision and a worthwhile endeavour,” Friesen said of his friend Tara, whom he first met when she was a teenager working at the greenhouse. He got to personally visit the school three years ago. “Being there is a big thing,” he said. “You walk the paths that they walk on and see what they do there… that impacts you.”

Also among the exhibitors was Carl Reimer, part of a group of 30 local residents supporting the Mercy and Truth Children’s Home in Nepal. They started a foundation to support the home during the pandemic after a chance meeting with its director through online church services held by the North Peace Mennonite Brethren Church. The foundation is working in partnership with the International Humanitarian Society to raise and distribute funds to the home, and support medical treatments for children in need.

“I thought, OK, that is something that I, as a Christian, can definitely jump on board with, and Nepal is a definitely a country that’s in a lot of need,” said Reimer, noting the cost of medicine for a young boy at the home who suffers from a kidney disorder runs around $1,000 per dose.

overdose crisis. Just last week, he hosted a separate public seminar at the Pomeroy Sport Centre for residents to learn more about potential paths to recovery for those struggling with addiction.

Siggelkow wants people to understand the mechanics of addiction and shift their

to deal with the sights sounds and smells of your active addiction. The people and places that have set those patterns,” he said. “If you’re able to work though your past pain, through counselling or our model, and you’re able to put into place some good accountability structures and have a support team like AA or NA, then you’re setting yourself up to move forward in a healthy way.”

A key goal of Mission Vision was to highlight the work being done by local missionaries, who can always use more helping hands and financial support.

“It’s really good for us to know what our community is doing and we’re also hoping that through Mission Vision we can match a local ministry that’s looking for help with someone who’s looking to go and help somewhere,” said Peters, the organizer.

“Our group helped fund four or five treatments for him.”

Reimer hopes to be able to visit the home soon, maybe as early as this fall. He says he’s close to retirement, with enough saved up plus a little extra to continue supporting the home. “I’ve been blessed a lot here,” he said. “That little bit extra, these people need it way more than I do. Even if it means one less trip a year for me to Mexico, I’m willing to give that up to help the kids.”

Elsewhere among the exhibitors were representatives from Rising Above, the Grande Prairie organization leading efforts to expand its community-led treatment program into Fort St. John. Executive Director Mel Siggelkow led a conference seminar on addictions and was also part of a panel discussion on the church’s response to the

mindsets to reduce stigma, whether they’re struggling with addiction themselves, or seeking to support someone who is.

“You drive by people on the street, and you kind of go, ‘Why don’t they smarten up? Why don’t they just get a job?’ and they have that harsh judgment,” he said. However, shifting attitudes from judgment to understanding is the first step to helping. Since starting in 2007, Siggelkow says more than 2,000 people have been helped by Rising Above, dealing with a range of issues at the root cause of their addiction, from childhood abuse and bullying, to feelings of abandonment and shame from other events in their lives. People need help to walk through their trauma, Siggelkow says.

“There’s basically two things: A, you got to deal with your trauma, and B, you have

“There are young people sometimes that are looking to go somewhere and maybe they’re not ready to branch out into a foreign mission but there’s missions at home, there’s organizations at home that they can help. It’s a good training ground for them; if they are thinking of going to mission they can start with lending a hand at home.”

Chris and Marilyn Byberg of the National House of Prayer in Ottawa were among the many out-of-town visitors who attended this year’s conference. Byberg said he was encouraged by the engagement of local churches.

“It’s really important that we do more things together because the community sees it,” he said. “My heart is that they start to see us not so fractured, but they start to see us more unified. Jesus said that this is how the world will know that you’re my disciples, by your love for one another. I really believe that Fort St. John is on its way in a greater capacity of loving one another, with the local church, so that we can love our community even better.”

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Russell Stendal gives a keynote address at the 2023 Mission Vision conference in Fort St. John.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Above: Jim Friesen, board director, and Shelene Mitchell, volunteer, with Light and Salt Ministries, a mission that supports young boys, women, and the elderly in Nicaragua.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

It was a full house at the Mission Vision conference for a panel discussion on the church and the opioid crisis.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Above: Leah and Carl Reimer at a display on the Mercy and Truth Children’s Home in Nepal which is being supported by around 30 local residents.

Investing advice for young students: Start early!

T.W. Buck

tbuck@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John middle school students sharpened their financial smarts last Thursday.

Dr. Kearney students took part in a Money Fair organized by high school student William Brown, who brought the initiative to Jared Kaye’s Grade 7 class as part of his Capstone project, teaching students about their financial future.

“I’ve been interested in finance for a very long time, since grade 7 actually, that’s why I picked a grade 7 class,” said Brown, who heads off to the University of Calgary to study finance in the fall.

He worked with students over the course of a week to prep their projects. A total of nine were completed and graded based on the quality of the students’ research. One group compared the cost of buying a used truck to new; another compared the costs of eating at home to eating out.

“They’re trying to figure out how to save money because you don’t make a lot of money when you’re a teenager,” said Brown. “They’re also learning how to apply money, and how to use it in a more useful way while not being wasteful.”

Jackson Hedlund and Channing Salinas worked together on a project about modern scams. When asked about what they learned, Hedlund replied, “to know when, and when not to, trust someone with your money.”

“Scams are everywhere,” he said.

Brown is furthering his education in Calgary in the hopes of one day becoming a hedge fund analyst in the United States. He said he didn’t learn much about

money when he was in middle school.

“I figured out that I really liked money and dealing with finance when I was in grade 7, but it wasn’t a school thing,” he said. “I thought that introducing these kids to financial concepts that they wouldn’t learn otherwise might be cool.”

His advice for young students?

“Start young if you’re investing because it really adds up,” he said. “Compound interest, it works magic over time. So, if you start young, you’re going to have a lot more than if you start later.”

T.W. BUCK PHOTO Preston Dunning grades a Money Fair project at Dr. Kearney middle school on March 16, 2023.

T.W. BUCK PHOTO

Money Fair winners Linden Anderson and Ashton Mockler with NPSS student William Brown and teacher Jared Kaye. Anderson and Mockler did their project on the costs of rep hockey versus recreational hockey.

Abbey eld House overjoyed with 100 Women donation

Hanna Petersen hpetersen@pgcitizen.ca

The $33,900 raised for Abbeyfield House in Fort St. John by the 100 Women Who Care philanthropy group is going to make a big impact on the organization.

Abbeyfield Canada is a national non-profit organization that offers affordable housing and companionship for seniors, with 20 houses across the country.

The House opened in Fort St. John in 2008 and although it offers a beautiful spacious home with 12 rooms for seniors, it hasn’t seen any updates since the first residents moved in.

“They had some very tough challenges as many people in organizations did through COVID and so they desperately need this money, and I can’t even tell you how grateful they were,” said Karin Carlson, an organizer with 100 Women Who Care Fort St. John.

The long-awaited and popular fundraising event made its return after being put off to the side by the pandemic with the highest donation since its launch in the fall of 2017. It’s a simple concept — at least 100 women get together to donate $100 each to a local worthy cause.

Three charities are chosen out of a hat and after they each give presentations, the one with the most votes receives the donation.

This year 208 women attended raising $20,800, which was propped up by a $10,000 donation from Tourmaline Oil Corp. An anonymous donor then contributed $3,200 so the 100 Women Who Care could reach the $100,000 donation mark since launching six years ago.

“It was successful, the best one that we’ve held so far,” said Carlson. “The power of these women in a room together to commit and help people in our community - It’s an amazing experience.”

This also means Abbeyfield House

Caregivers:guring

There are about 15 million people caring for and supporting the thousands of Canadians who have Alzheimer’s. As a caregiver, you may feel reluctant to take the long-term view on such matters, but the sooner you undertake some legal planning, the more the person with dementia can participate in important decisions.

There are two main areas where legal planning comes into play. They both require some kind of assessment of legal capacity in order to determine whether the person with Alzheimer’s understands the consequences of their actions in making legal decisions. A visit to a lawyer can clarify all the legal needs that should be taken care of.

The agent, or designate, is able to make decisions about the assets and income of the person with Alzheimer’s. A successor, or backup, and even a third successor agent should be chosen as well, in case the designate is unable to perform their duties. As long as the person with dementia is deemed to have legal capacity, the agent may not override any of his or her decisions, even if they seem contentious.

This is an important step in advance planning. When the person with Alzheimer’s can no longer reasonably make decisions about treatment, care facilities, and healthcare professionals, the agent may do so instead. Making a living will is essential as well; this document allows the person with dementia to decide in advance which kinds of interventions they don’t want to undergo and specify other end-of-life decisions.

got to take home a $33,900 donation, which was much more than they had ever anticipated.

“We didn’t know that we were going to win. It was shocking and it was amazing for us at Abbeyfield, but it’s going to benefit us in many, many ways,” said manager Kimmy Fenton.

Abbeyfield House has a laundry list of projects to accomplish including updating bathrooms and replacing bathtubs, servicing the HVAC system, and applying a fresh coat of paint.

“There’s a whole list of things that that need to be done that are just basically upgrading from when we first opened, so that $30,000 is going to go a long way,” added board director Rita Schonewille.

“It never ceases to amaze me how generous Fort St. John is; you put out a call for something, then the whole community seems to step up straightaway.”

Schonewille said it was a nervewracking evening that ended in cheering and hollering.

“There was over 200 women in that room. Hats off to the ladies that did this. It was a really great event,” said Schonewille. “And I think we also need to thank our presenter, Nelson Stowe. He did the presentation for Abbeyfield and he was the only man in the room with over 200 women - so pretty brave.”

The next 100 Women Who Care event will take place on Sept. 26, 2023.

“We guarantee or we commit to running a very tight ship,” said Carlson, who noted that the whole event takes place in just one hour. “The women can come in, donate their money, and get a really good feeling and help the community, and then we are done by 8 p.m.”

The North Peace Ride for the Disabled, the Fort St. John Fire Fighters Charitable Society, New Day in the Peace Ministries, and North Peace Seniors Housing Society have also all benefited from the group since its founding.

Notice of Construction

For a 76.2m

Self-Support Steel Tower

Constructed at. 56°17’34.8”N 121°45’49.7”W (LSD – 4-20-84-24 W6)

On August 1, 2023

Any questions or concerns can be directed to 3CIS at 780-433-3752

COMMUNITY NOTICES

We’re here to help!

• PREVENTION • EDUCATION

• SUPPORT Northern Brain Injury Association

1-866-979-HOPE (4673)

We’re here to help!

• PREVENTION

• EDUCATION

• SUPPORT Northern Brain Injury Association

1-866-979-HOPE (4673)

BOOKS, COINS,STAMPS

Todd’s Coins: Buying gold, silver & coins

250-864-3521 FOR SALEMISC Avon Collection, 1967-1973. Original packaging and contents. Un inventoried. Includes catalogues o ers. 250-785-4636

Firepit for sale. 40” wide by 20” High. Pipeline Metal. Grill included. $400 Mike

250-329-7477

Mixed Forage seed for sale. $4.25/lb.

250-785-5505

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN Reference 23017

Shell Canada Ltd. is renewing current Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) under British Columbia’s Integrated Pest Management Act and associated regulations.

The purpose of IPMP is to manage vegetation and invasive plants on facilities, Right-of-Ways (RoW’s), lease sites and related infrastructure.

This IPMP will cover various activities within the Peace River Regional District and nearby associated communities such as Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Taylor, Arras, Groundbirch, Chetwynd and other small communities in that region.

Using the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), the pest management methods proposed for use may include seeding, re-vegetation, hand-pulling/cutting, mowing, string trimmers, brushing, biological control agents, and the use of herbicides.

Trade names of the herbicides proposed for ground application use under this plan may include:

•EcoClear, Vantage RT, V 480, Clearview, Milestone, avius VM, Escort, Tordon 22 , Banvel VM, MC A Amine 600, 2,4- Amine, Truvist, Esplanade SC, Transline, Lontrel 360, arlon, Arsenal, ayload, Fierce.

•Active ingredients are: Acetic Acid, Aminopyralid, Metsulfuronmethyl, iflunfen opyr, MC A, icloram, Chlorsulfuron, icamba, 2,4- , Aminocyclopyrachlor, nda iflam, Clopyralid, lyphosate, Triclopyr, Flumio a in, yro asulfone.

The proposed duration of the IPMP is from May 30, 2023 to May 29th, 2028 Maps and the draft IPMP document are available and may be viewed by contacting the appropriate office or contact persons below.

Jim Chramosta, Shell Canada Ltd., 6814 Airport Road, Fort St. John, BC V1J 4M6, Tel: 250-794-3426, Email: im.chramosta shell.com

WANTED TO BUY WANTED SASQUATCH SKULLAlso purchasing SILVER & GOLD coins, bars, jewelry, scrap, nuggets, sterling, 999+ BULLION, maple leafs, bulk silver, pre-1969 coins. Coin collector BUYING ENTIRE COIN COLLECTIONS, old $ & Royal Canadian Mint coins. TODD

Any person wishing to contribute information to the development of this IPMP please contact the above within 30 days of the publication of this notice

EDUCATION TAKE YOUR CONFIDENCE & communication a level. Get the career and family life of your dreams! Jon a Toastmasters International group near you. www.toastmasters.org/ nd-a-club

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES LOCATED AT 11104 ALASKA RD FORT ST. JOHN BC, V1J 5T5 HAVE BEEN ABANDONED AND WILL BE REMOVED FOR SALVAGE AS OF APRIL 13, 2023 IF NOT CLAIMED BY THIS DATE

2011 FORD F-150 XLT - VIN # 1FTFW1EF0BFA00463

LAST KNOWN OWNER SHYANNE BASKOTT

KeyDutiesandResponsibilities

•Assist sales team with the development of the digital business category in their territories

•Achieve monthly, quarterly and annual targets

•Ability to clearly articulate the benefits of a digital marketing strategy

•Understand the current media landscape, traditional and new

•Successfully deliver compelling presentations for our digital solutions

•Facilitate the development of online strategies for SMB, and medium to large enterprise clients alike

•Ability to analyze and report on campaign metrics and secure long term business

•Contribute to the success and growth of the sales team and the overall revenue

•Proactively review client’s digital footprint and digital business practices to enable needs analysis selling

•Exposure or experience with Challenger Sales mindset

•Demonstration of strong background in one or more of the following: Website development, SEO, SEM, Social Media, Display Advertising, Video and/or Brand Identity

•Google AdWords and Analytics certification is an asset

•Outstanding verbal and written communication

PersonalQualities

•Self-motivated with the ability to find creative resolutions and drive

Supporting Salvation Army

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Three years after hitting the streets, the Salvation Army’s food recovery initiative in Fort St. John will continue for another year thanks to community sponsorship.

It was announced last Wednesday that CDN Controls is taking the honours in supporting the program and the Salvation Army’s food truck this year, which picks up pre-packaged food and recyclables from the Site C work camp, and surplus food from local grocers.

It’s helped prevent hundreds of thousands of pounds of food from ending up in the landfill since 2020.

“At The Salvation Army in Fort St. John we recognize that we are the front door to meeting many of the greatest needs in our community. Many people are struggling to afford the essentials of life like food,” said

executive director Jared Braun.

“But because of support and partnerships like that which we have with the Pass the Torch initiative, we have the confidence to meet those needs and take people from the front door of vulnerability to a place of hope for their future.”

The Salvation Army began making trips to Site C in 2020 with sponsorship from Tourmaline, to address food security for vulnerable community members. In 2021, it received support from Surepoint Group and last year from Pacific Canbriam.

Jennifer Ezekiel of CDN Controls said the community was elated to carry the torch in support of the program for 2023.

“Since its inception, this initiative has been fueled by the energy industry’s shared commitment to invest in the well-being of the communities where we operate,” said Jennifer Ezekiel of CDN Controls.

All the former torch bearers (from left): Donna Phillips of Pacific Canbriam, Jennifer Ezekiel of CDN, Curtis Whitford of Tourmaline, and Trevor Muir of Surepoint, stand with together in support of this homegrown sustainability and food security project.