Lacombe Express, December 24, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS and ★ ★

HAPPY NEW YEAR

www.lacombeexpress.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

LEGENDARY: Lacombe native coaches future NHL stars in Switzerland – PG 3

DREAM BUILD: Timber Kings build log home in Central Alberta – PG 7

SUCCESSFUL: Sisters represent Canada at ringette championships – PG 8

EVERYONE’S A WINNER!

CELEBRATION - Led by the Blackfalds Fire Department, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus travelled around the Town earlier this week during the annual Santa Run.

Sarah Maetche/Lacombe Express

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2 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Police dispatch to return to Lacombe

BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS Dispatch of the Lacombe Police Service (LPS) will be returning to the City in 2017.

At their regular council meeting on Dec. 14th, Lacombe City councillors approved the move of LPS dispatch from the RCMP in Red Deer back to the City.

City of Lacombe CAO Norma MacQuarrie provided council with a brief background of the history of police dispatch in Lacombe.

“Previously LPS did provide local dispatch,” she detailed.

In 2007, 911 services were restructured by the province and Lacombe 911 was transferred to the City of Red Deer.

In 2009, further changes were made and fire and EMS dispatch were also transferred to Red Deer. At this time, the City entered into a contract with the RCMP to receive and dispatch LPS calls.

“The primary rationale for the City and LPS in giving up 911 and contracting out the dispatch function was the difficulty in finding and retaining staff,” said MacQuarrie.

Other problems arose with staff burnout, as a 911 call centre dispatcher must remain on the line with the caller until emergency services arrive.

“The largest concern driving the desire to implement local dispatch is public safety, given the lengthy response time currently experienced under the RCMP contract,” said Lacombe Police Commission Chair Jonathan Jacobson. “Over the past three years, the single greatest complaint received about LPS is the length of time it

takes to answer and respond to citizens who call to report a crime or incident.”

With the return of local dispatch, the City and LPS hope these problems will be resolved as dispatch will be police only, excluding 911 services, fire and EMS, which will remain dispatched out of Red Deer.

Currently LPS is reaching a 13 plus minute average for response times. LPS Chief Murray said with dispatch being localized, he believes LPS can move to a seven minute response target for priority one calls (crime in progress, threats to life) and an eight minute response target for priority two calls (crime in progress, threat to property).

“So that represents a vast improvement from the safety perspective in terms of the response time,” said MacQuarrie. “There are two significant differences between the former LPS dispatch and the current proposal.

There is no 911 call evaluating or transferring responsibility and there is no fire or EMS dispatching. These were the most significant contributing factors to staffing problems with the former dispatch.”

“We have really appreciated the service provided to us by the RCMP for our dispatch needs over the past eight years and we value our ongoing relationship with all our neighbouring RCMP detachments,” said Murray. “This decision in no way reflects the services provided to us by the RCMP, rather the changing needs of a growing community.”

Chief Murray estimated that with switching over to inhouse dispatch, approximately $1,018,726 will be saved over five years. The need to build a radio tower at the

new police facility is also eliminated if the City switches over to the new provincial system called AFRRCS. “Operationally, the move to local dispatch will also improve overall police service by reducing the amount of clerical type work required of officers after hours,” said Chief Murray. “Specific areas where the night and weekend dispatcher can provide support to members will be in the areas of data entry, warrant confirmations, document preparation and other clerical tasks. Currently, each of these tasks requires a police officer to return to the station to complete. Having dispatch support would allow officers to remain more active on the street performing police functions.”

Councillor Peter Bouwsema, who sits on the Lacombe Police Commission, said he is in full support of the change over to localized dispatch.

“This is definitely going to make a major improvement,” he said. “It is expected to cut the response time in just over half, which is quite substantial. It could mean the difference between life or death.

“It is a bonus for us to bring the dispatch of our police department back to Lacombe.”

The cost to the City to bring local dispatch back includes $250,000 for facilitation and a computer aided dispatch system and $58,000 for the conversion of LPS radio system to the new provincial system. These items were partially funded through the 2015 surplus along with being included in the 2016 capital budget.

The City has scheduled local dispatch to go live on Jan. 1st, 2017. news@lacombeexpress.com

Upcoming registration for library children’s programs We were singing Here Comes Santa Claus when suddenly one little boy clutched his stomach and cried out, “I think I’m going to be sick!” I immediately sprang into action and picked him up and took him to the sink.

There was a rather long silence and he said quietly, “No, sorry, false alarm.

It’s just ‘egcitement’.” I let him down and he looked up and said, “But thanks for your fast thinking.” We continued without incident. Excitement is hard to contain sometimes.

Mary

POOLE The holiday hours for the library are as follows closed Dec. 24th -28th. Open Dec. 29th and 30th from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. On Dec. 31st our hours are 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. with Jan. 1st and 2nd closed. We are open on Jan. 4th regular hours.

THE FOOT INSTITUTE is pleased to offer the services of

I have enjoyed all the children this session but it’s that time again.

Registration for the Winter/ Spring 2016 Children’s Programs will begin on Jan. 4th at 10 a.m. You may call the library or come in to register. Please do not leave a voicemail or emails.

The fee is $5 per family for the session or a craft donation. The session runs from Jan. 12th to May 27th.

Please don’t wait too long to register since some of the classes fill in an hour.

Registration is taken on a first come first serve basis.

The MCMPL book club will be meeting on Jan. 5th at 7 p.m. in the Read and Relax area of the library.

We will be discussing Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by

Helen Simonson. Everyone is welcome. It would be a great New Year’s resolution to join this excellent book club. Come for the book, stay for the snack.

Please plan on joining us for our next fundraiser Books and Bevies. On Jan. 23rd from 7-11 p.m. the MCM Public Library Board will be hosting a gala evening of beer sampling from Blindman Brewing, wine sampling from Chateau Wine and Spirits, appetizers from HT Catering, a silent auction and live music. (I have given up hinting that I could be the live music.) Tickets are $25 per person and available at the library. Get over your winter blues, come support the library and have a

great time.

The Friends of the Library Armchair Travel Series will resume Jan. 12th at 7 p.m. in the North County room in the LMC. The lecture is entitled ‘Bits of Japan’, and will be presented by Eadie Jones.

The Local Colour Series that has special topic presentations by members of the community will resume Jan. 28th at 7 p.m. in the North County room in the LMC. The topic of this lecture is ‘Ukraine: Our 2015 Medical Mission,’ presented by Dr. Leighton Nischuk. Mark your calendars now for these very interesting talks.

On Jan. 23rd from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. we will be having a special event for

Family Literacy Day. I will give more details when I have confirmed all the activities. (Okay, that’s code for I’m not sure what theme I would like to have this year.)

Our book this week is Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells. This is an anthology of Gaslamp fantasy featuring stories from 18 authors.

This is for everyone who loves neo-Victorian fiction and modern fantasist.

We would like to thank all our patrons for their continued support and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mary Poole is the children’s library programmer at the Mary C. Moore Public Library in Lacombe.

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Our finest wishes at the holidays May your Christmas be rich in friendship, love, peace, health and happiness. We wish you and yours all the best, and we thank you for your support this past year.

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JOYFUL DISPLAY - The winners of the Community Lights and Display Contest were announced this week.

From left, City of Lacombe Community and Economic Development Manager Guy Lapointe presented the residential winners, Adrian Gilmar and Jodi Gilmar of 43 Hearthstone Dr., with the prize of Lacombe Bucks and a Christmas Vacation-style moose mug punch bowl. Rope and Tye Mechanical Ltd. were the commercial winners.

Sarah Maetche/Lacombe Express

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 3

Lacombe native behind the bench for Swiss hockey team Rob Cookson relishing his role as he heads towards Spengler Cup

BY ZACHARY CORMIER LACOMBE EXPRESS

I

t’s a rowdy crowd of just over 9,000 at Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. The ZSC Lions watch as the traditional pregame light show finishes up before they skate out to face off against their rivals, HC Davos, for some exciting National League A action.

For the past three years, Rob Cookson has brought up the rear of this pack of former and future NHL players and European superstars, and tonight is no different.

As the team skates out onto the ice, a quiet, analytical person takes his usual place on the bench to the left side of Head Coach and friend Marc Crawford and prepares for another fast-paced Swiss league hockey game.

“I think in the National Hockey League, on a daily basis, you’re dealing with the best league in the world with the best players in the world. (The Swiss league is) for sure a different type of game than what you’ll find in a game played on a different ice surface with different levels of skill,” said Cookson, a Lacombe native who served as an assistant coach for the Calgary Flames for nine seasons from 2001-2011 before joining the Lions in 2012.

This year, Cookson has been selected to represent his country in one of the oldest club tournaments on the planet in the Spengler Cup, a five day, six team tournament that features some of the best teams from around Europe and a Canadian national team.

He’ll be serving as the assistant coach of the team alongside Head Coach Guy Boucher.

“It’s pretty exciting. I haven’t had the opportunity to attend the Spengler,” Cookson said, adding that while he’s no stranger to international events, it’s always an honor to represent his country.

“It’s kind of intriguing,” he said.

Cookson has been behind the bench as an assistant for almost every major international tournament, including the 2005 World Juniors, the U18 World Championships, the Men’s World Championship and the

1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

He also worked as a video technician during the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway.

“It’s a very prestigious tournament,” Cookson said of the Spengler Cup. “It’s recognized all over the world as one of the best club team tournaments in the world and it’s certainly, I think, the oldest club team tournament in the world. Not only is it an event on ice, I think it’s exciting and well followed by the fans. During the Christmas period, it’s recognized as a Christmas celebration if you’re in that area.”

The tournament will be one of two major events that drop the puck on Boxing Day, the other being the World Junior Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

There are many paths into the world of coaching professional hockey.

Some, like Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche, are former professional hockey players who wanted to stay involved with the game at the end of their careers. Others, such as the ever controversial Don Cherry, work their way up through the minor leagues. But for Cookson that path was a little bit different.

Cookson originally broke into the world of coaching when he took a job at Hockey Canada in 1991 as a manager of video production. Basically, he was in charge of helping the coaching staff of the various Canadian National Teams use team videos to analyze and improve their teams.

“I started off not really looking at what I was doing as an opportunity to coach. I more or less enjoyed what I was doing, which was developing educational material, material for coaches when I started with Hockey Canada in the early ’90s and, you know, I think that grew into a real interest in coaching,” Cookson remembered.

From there, he worked his way up the ranks, coaching various teams including the World Championship and U20 World Championship teams, until he was eventually given the tap to serve as an assistant for the 1998 Olympic team.

CHAMPIONS - Rob Cookson, far right, poses for a photo alongside fellow coaches (from left) Assistant Coach Dean Chynoweth, Head Coach Brent Sutter and Assistant Coach Jim Hulton before the start of the 2005 World Junior Championships during which Canada won the gold medal.

Image Credit: Hockey Canada Images He was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers as a video coach that same year.

“For me, it was getting into the game of hockey from a coaching perspective early and working at it and continuing to improve and creating a good network of contacts and just developing yourself in that career path,” Cookson said about his path to the NHL. After spending three seasons with the Flyers, Cookson finally landed his first NHL coaching gig when he took a job working behind the bench of the Calgary Flames alongside some of the best head coaches in the business, including Red Deer Rebels’ skipper Brent Sutter.

“It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of focus. You’ve got to work hard at your trade and work to develop yourself and work to have a

good connection with the people you want to work with,” he said.

He spent nine seasons behind the Flames’ bench from 2001-2011, winning a Western Conference Championship and coming within a single goal of the Stanley Cup during the team’s memorable 2004 season.

Soon after Cookson found himself on yet another adventure.

“A connection I made in the ‘98 Olympics to (former Vancouver Canucks’ Head Coach) Marc Crawford led me to come to Europe to coach with him,” Cookson remembered, adding the change has been a good one.

“The people (in Switzerland) are very similar to Canadians.

Their values, I think, are somewhat similar. It’s a hard working group of people and they are seriously proud of their country and their sports.”

Cookson got to experience that pride firsthand during the 2013-14 season when the ZSC Lions won the NLA Championship, Cookson’s first with any club team.

“Winning like we did in 2013 -2014 was a tremendous feeling.

I have been fortunate to win at a World Junior level and at a World Championship level but this was the first time I had won at a club team level.

“We had a great group of players who really played hard together and showed a championship attitude which was very gratifying as a coach. Regardless of where you coach winning is a important, it validates the ideas philosophically that you hold towards building a team and the necessary fundamental beliefs you have in how the game should be played,” he said.

Thank you for your generosity.

In the spirit of the season, we would like to express our deep gratitude for the support you have shown us this year.

Wishing everyone a Joyous holiday season and a very happy New Year.

zcormier@lacombeexpress.com

4 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

OPINION

5019A - 51 St Lacombe, AB T4L 2A3

403-782-5303

Editor

Sarah Maetche 403-782-5306 news@lacombeexpress.com

Reporter

Zachary Cormier

zcormier@lacombeexpress.com

Customer Service

Hilary Stone

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Publisher

Tracey Scheveers

publisher@lacombeexpress.com

The Lacombe Express is a proud newspaper of

The magic of Christmas the season It is no secret Lacombe and Blackfalds are generous communities with great community spirit.

We often see residents demonstrating their incredible community spirit through supporting local causes and donating to charities.

Another way residents show their love for their community is through attending celebrations and festivals, in particular during the holiday season and this year is no exception.

The magic of the season could be easily seen when the CP Holiday Train rolled into Lacombe and Blackfalds just over two weeks ago.

Thousands came out to both stops

to see the festively-lit 10-car train pulling a box car stage. Then Devin Cuddy and Kelly Prescott, along with a backing band, brought some holiday cheer to the spectators by singing several Christmas songs. It was also the perfect moment to bring donations for both local food banks.

This was a true demonstration of community spirit - coming out in droves, no matter the weather, to celebrate holiday cheer with young and old while supporting local food banks.

Residents also showed their support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lacombe and District in the annual

Festival of Wreaths. Local businesses in Lacombe and Blackfalds decorated wreaths which were then auctioned off to support services and programs ran by the organization. At last tally, this year’s fundraiser generated an estimated $9,500, which is evidence of true holiday spirit yet again.

Then there is the Santa Run - the annual holiday tradition where the Blackfalds Fire Department shuttles Santa in a sleigh around the town on two separate evenings. It’s inspiring to see the kids’ faces light up when Santa whizzes by.

The City of Lacombe also rounded

off their Christmas celebrations with another spectacular fireworks display on Monday night. A couple hundred people turned out down at the lake, during brisk temperatures, to enjoy the display and visit with their neighbours.

So this holiday season, let the Christmas spirit lead you at will.

Take time to go to church, visit with your family and friends, shovel someone’s sidewalk, donate to the food bank, check out the Christmas lights around the community, attend the Community Christmas Dinner or take a moment to quietly reflect.

Happy holidays.

Catholic education is a gift that doesn’t need wrapping As Christmas nears, it is a certainty the students in our St. Thomas Aquinas Roman (STAR) Catholic classrooms are getting increasingly excited. This time of year can lead to many children having sleepless nights as they await Christmas Day and the time when they will look under that tree to see what gifts have been delivered this year.

Presents have become a constant with the Christmas season, and although gift giving and receiving seems to take centre stage, there truly is another focus one should keep with Christmas.

STAR Catholic may not be boxing up its gift to you and yours, but we offer a gift that carries with it a high-quality learning environment that is rooted in the gospels and in our Lord, Jesus Christ. The gift

Thalia

HIBBS of Catholic education is one we are blessed to give and to receive through STAR Catholic schools.

Our teachers and staff love our students and, as examples of Christ’s work, strive to do what is best for the children of STAR Catholic. Catholic education is immeasurable in its ability to bring students an education that forms and deepens a relationship with God’s greatest gift, his son Jesus Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI said of Catholic educators, “With the full and recog-

nized scholastic dignity of your teaching, you contribute on the one hand to giving school a soul and, on the other, to assuring to the Christian faithful citizenship in the places of education and culture in general. Thanks to the teaching of the Catholic religion, school and society are enriched with true laboratories of culture and humanity in which, by deciphering the significant contribution of Christianity, the person is equipped to discover goodness and to grow in responsibility, to seek comparisons and to refine his or her critical sense, to draw from the gifts of the past to understand the present better and to be able to plan wisely for the future.”

Of course this relationship is formed in part in religion class, but it per-

meates into each classroom and through the hallways as our students come to know God and through their own acts reflect that love and spirit of community with each other.

Although teachers and staff take a direct role in faith-filled education at Catholic schools, it is understood that parents are the primary educators of children, and as central figures are irreplaceable in their role in academic and spiritual formation. By embracing STAR Catholic and entrusting your children in our schools and in becoming a part of the STAR Catholic community, you share in this wonderful gift of Catholic education.

Christmas may be about gifts under the tree for many, but through our schools, students connect

through faith and learn that the birth of our savior Jesus Christ is what Christmas is about. It should be celebrated, and revered for what it is — the greatest gift of all.

As things get hectic this Christmas season, please remember that the gifts purchased and wrapped cannot replace the gift that has been given to us through Jesus and by extension offered up in partnership and in community within our Catholic schools.

Merry Christmas!

Thalia Hibbs is a Lacombe trustee on the STAR Catholic Schools Division Board.

STAR Catholic Schools has more than 3,700 students in 10 schools located in Beaumont, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Lacombe, Ponoka and Wetaskiwin. She can be contacted at thalia.hibbs@ starcatholic.ab.ca.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bill 6 from a small farm perspective

Canadian Media Circulation Audit

I know what you’re thinking, “Haven’t we heard enough from these people already?” But if you’ll give me a moment of your time I’d like to clear up some misconceptions you may have.

1) We (farmers) are not anti-safety. We live and play in our ‘workplaces’ and it is our family, friends and neighbours whose health and well-being is at stake when they step foot on our property. We take that very seriously.

2) We were taken by surprise some two weeks ago by the announcement of Bill 6. In the form it was presented it would drastically change our lives.

Since then we have repeatedly heard Premier Notley claim that ‘stakeholders were consulted’ by her government. Well, that could be true depending on the definition of consultation.

As the Oxford dictionary states, “Consultation is a “meeting with an expert or professional in order to seek advice.” So by this

definition stakeholders were not consulted.

3) We have repeatedly heard that this legislation is about ‘making sure workers have the right to minimum wage and the right to refuse safe work’. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Alberta web site, “Currently in Alberta, farmers do not fall under the act (Bill 6). Instead, they are protected under the Employment Standard Code for standard wage entitlement, parental

leave, and termination pay and notice. As well, federal legislation outlines basic responsibilities which employers must comply with to protect their staffers.”

4) The NDP government continually claims that this is the way you do legislation, you pass a bill then you fill it in later.

However, according to The Guide to Legislative Process: Acts & Regulations, prior to a bill being introduced for first reading it goes to an Agenda and Priorities Committee to ‘fill in the

details’, during the drafting period, which they have omitted doing altogether.

5) Another misconception amplified by the NDP caucus is that Alberta is currently the only province that does not comply with this type of legislation. According to AAMDC, Bill 6 Environmental Scan of Farm Safety Legislation and the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada 2015 report, “Farms are excluded from mandatory WCB cov-

erage in PEI, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.”

Now that Bill 6 has been passed and will take effect Jan. 1st, farmers are left with the daunting task of figuring out how this legislation will affect us, how we can make our concerns heard to a government who has proven they are not interested in listening and how and if the family farm way of life is a viable one for us.

Shelley Erickson Bruce, Alberta

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 5

County adopts 2016 interim budget Based on the priorities set out in the Lacombe County’s 2016-2018 Strategic Plan and a commitment to maintaining high service levels for its citizens and industry partners, County council has approved its 2016 interim operating and capital budgets.

The balanced operating budget of $46,061,000 represents a decrease of $1.9 million (3.97%) from 2015.

Due primarily to a significant loss of non-residential property assessment and lower investment income, the operating budget projects municipal tax rate increases of 3.5% for farmland and residential properties and 6.4% for non-residential properties. Total additional tax revenue realized through the tax rate changes will be $1.01 million, an increase of 3.8% from 2015. The tax rate increase for

all properties was 1% in 2014 and 2% in 2015.

“The 2016 budget and projected tax rates reflect the cost of maintaining core services, long term plans protect and enhance infrastructure and a sustainable multi-year budget plan,” said Lacombe County Commissioner Terry Hager. “While the budget provides for a projected increase in both residential and non-residential tax rates, Lacombe County residents will continue to experience some of the lowest tax rates in Alberta.”

A survey presented to council at their Dec. 15th budget meeting indicates that even with the 2016 increases, Lacombe County’s residential and non-residential tax rates are 24% and 45% lower, respectively, than the average of 16 other counties throughout Alberta.

Council also approved the 2016 interim

capital budget, which provides for revenues and expenditures of $12,982,250. Highlights of the capital budget include the construction of the Trans Canada Trail between the City of Lacombe and Ponoka County (15.5 km) for $905.370; Broadband Internet tower project in the southeast area of the County at a cost of $750,000; the purchase of a rapid response unit for the Bentley Fire Department for $250,000; reconstruction of 18.4 km of local roads for $4.6 million; purchase of public works equipment and vehicles for a cost of $812,000; bridge repairs and replacement for $2.72 million and completion of the remote shops in the east and west ends of the County for a cost of $1.5 million.

Each year council works through the com-

plex task of managing resources in order to maintain a balance between present needs and future growth.

“While tax increases are never favourable, maintaining service levels and providing for the County’s future sustainability was in the forefront of all decision made by both council and staff through the entire budget process,” said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. While the interim operating and capital budgets are approved in December of each year, the final budgets and tax rates are not set until the following spring, when the property tax levy for education purposes is set by the province and property assessment values have been confirmed.

- Maetche

Heart failure = 2.1 to five years of life “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Shakespeare wrote this over 400 years ago. The immortal bard could easily be referring to the epidemic of congestive heart failure (CHF) in this country.

So what does this disease mean to us, and our health care system? To find out, I visited the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Michael McDonald, an expert on CHF, says, “Today, if you’re over the age of 65, heart failure is the most common reason for being admitted to hospital.”

It’s prudent to read his remark twice as this diagnosis means a life expectancy as low as 2.1 to 5 years! McDonald says CHF can result from a variety of causes such as a birth defect, injured valves due to rheumatic fever, a blood infection that scars valves, hypertension and aging.

But the most common cause is a previous heart attack that damages cardiac muscle and weakens the pumping action of the heart. He adds that the early symptoms of heart failure are sometimes difficult to detect.

Dr. Gifford

JONES In some patients there may be unexplained fatigue or a slight cough. Later, shortness of breath and swelling of ankles. Or the diagnosis may become apparent when an X-ray of the lungs is taken for another reason and it shows an enlarged heart.

So what can be done to increase the length of life when the heart begins to fail? Dr. McDonald stresses that early diagnosis and treatment is essential.

Injured muscle cannot be restored. But drugs that decrease the heart rate or take the stress off the failing heart decrease the work load of the heart’s muscle and help to lengthen life.

The use of water pills also eases the disabling symptoms of heart failure.

As well, it pays dividends to follow an exercise routine. The best one is walking, to keep the rest of the body

in good shape. But why is CHF and cardiovascular disease the number one cause of death today? The blunt answer is our questionable lifestyle.

Two big problems, the epidemics of obesity and Type 2 diabetes are guilty and they’re getting worse every year. It’s tragic that 95% of those with Type 2 diabetes are obese. Sixtyfive years ago it was 5%.

Type 2 diabetes is notorious for triggering atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) which causes hypertension and additional strain on the heart’s muscle.

It’s a prime example of the Gifford-Jones Law that one bad trouble leads to another and another. Unfortunately, it requires draconian measures to correct this trend.

But it won’t happen so individuals must fight obesity and Type 2 diabetes as their lives depends on it! What’s the prognosis for the future? Along with treating patients with a variety of cardiovascular problems, the PMCC, a world class centre, is engaged in finding new ways to treat the increasing number of patients with CHF.

For instance, researchers are using stem cells to grow cardiac muscle to replace those destroyed by coronary attack. They’re also considering ways to remove the heart, repair it, and then replace it in the body. Prevention has, and

will always remain, better than cure. This means people must learn to treat their heart with tender loving care. The heart is a machine that beats 2.5 billion times by age 70 without a holiday, an amazing durability.

Today, many people are

the architects of their own misfortune. See the web site www.docgiff.com to see more reason to lead a good lifestyle.

For information, visit www.docgiff.com. For comments, email info@docgiff. com.

DEVELOPMENT PERMITS Current to December 24, 2014

Discretionary Use Take notice that the following DISCRETIONARY USE Permits have been approved: DATE

PERMIT#

LOCATION

DEVELOPMENT

December 24

61/253.48

49 Terrace Heights Drive

Secondary Suite

December 24

61/253.44

4 Willow Crescent

Variances for Deck & Shed

December 24

61/253.49

61 MacKenzie Ranch Way

Multiple Housing Development

Documents pertaining to the development permits may be inspected at City Hall, 5432-56 Avenue, during regular business hours.

Anyone claiming to be affected by the approval of the Permitted Uses with Variances or Discretionary Uses may submit an objection within 14 days from the date of notice. The appeal must be in writing, accompanied with a $50.00 fee and be directed to: Lacombe Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, Attn: Secretary to the SDAB, 5432 - 56 Avenue Lacombe, AB T4L 1E9

From our Family to Yours May Your Christmas Season be filled with Blessings from Above Thank you to everyone who took part in our annual Turkey Giveaway. We gave out 120 turkeys, collected a ton of food and cash donaƟons of $ 1,540 for the Lacombe Food Bank. Lacombe conƟnues to be a very giving and generous community!

Merry Christmas from:

Sharon Veldkamp, Jigo George, Boyd Williams, Jared Williams, Melody FleƩ, Greg Pallister, Lisa Suarez, Michael Gouchie, Sandi Gouchie, Matea PraƩ, Andries Steegstra (missing)

6 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

fyi EVENTS The FYI, Community Events Calendar is a free-of-charge service for not-for-profit organizations and upcoming community events within the Lacombe and Blackfalds region. To submit your information, please email news@lacombeexpress. com, call 403-782-5306 or fax 403-782-5344. If you would like your event or organization to be included, please submit your information to the editor by noon, the Monday before the publication date.

Lacombe Rotary New Year’s Eve Fundraiser: Celebrate the New Year in style on Thursday, Dec. 31st 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.

Midnight hors d’oeuvres.

Ticket $35 a person. Fundraising event for Veronica Willington. For tickets contact Robbin Huseby 403-391-2750 or Sunny 94 at 403-786-0194.

The Jesus Fatwah: Love Your (Muslim) Neighbor as Yourself - a Thursday evening discussion group starting January 14th at 7 p.m. Using print and video resources and encounters with representatives of both Christianity and Islam, we will seek to dispel stereotypes about Islam, explore the diversity of Muslim belief and practice and discuss how we can build respectful relationships. This program would be appropriate for Christians, Muslims or those without faith commitments.

Held at St. Andrew’s United Church. Please contact Ross Smillie at 403-782-3148 to indicate your interest and to get background reading material.

Friends of the Library, on Jan. 7th at 7 p.m. at the LMC in the County Room, the Local Colour Series will welcome students and teachers from the Robotics Club from Lacombe Composite High School to demonstrate robotics they have engineered for future competitions. Light refreshments will follow after the program.

Your weekly Community Events Calendar

Armchair Travel Series: Friends of the Library presents Eadie Jones who will inform everyone attending of her nephews trip to Japan and experiences in the Armchair Travel Series.

Jan. 12th 7 p.m. at the LMC County Room. Light refreshments will be served after the presentation. Free admission, everyone welcome.

Friends of the Library will be pleased to announce a presentation by Dr. Leighton Nischuk at the LMC in the County Room on Jan. 28th at 7 p.m. Dr. Nischuk has been travelling with Medical Mercy Canada and will provide a summary of some of the projects

and France from March 25th to April 3rd, 2016. Highlights will include tours of Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris as well as Vimy Ridge, The Juno Beach Center, the Normandy beaches, the home of Anne Frank, Ypres, Passchendaele, Flanders Field and much more.

A detailed itinerary including cost is available at the Lacombe Branch of the Legion or you can request one to be e-mailed to you at the e-mail that follows.

For more information phone Corvin at 403 357-0377 or email cuhrbach@gmail.com.

The Parkland Classical Singers, a community choir based in

Choir for those 18 and older. Practices on Wednesdays from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. Contact Roberta at 403-782-0443 for more information. Cost is free.

Invitation to join CNIB Peer Support Group: The Peer Support Group is a program dedicated to helping CNIB clients adjust to vision loss. Feelings of fear, anxiety, intimidation and anger are extremely common in adults who are diagnosed with vision loss. The goal of the group is to help transform these feelings into those of confidence and independence through education and group discussions. The program is facilitated by a vol-

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undertaken in the Ukraine where his parents immigrated from as children. Following the presentation light refreshments will be served. Free admission.

Come and bring a friend The Lincoln Hall Society presents its annual Dinner and Entertainment Night on Feb. 6th. Dinner and comedy show, catered by Bob Ronnie and starring Lars Callieou (has opened for Jeff Foxworthy). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Supper at 6 p.m., Show at 8 p.m. All tickets $50/person.

Tickets ready for Christmas giving. Advance sales end Feb. 2nd.

Calling all musicians! A jazzy new place to blow your horn or strum your strings - A jam session every second and fourth Thursday from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Lacombe Legion. $2 a person. For more information, call Rod at 403-782-1842.

The Lacombe Legion is hosting a tour for adults of Canadian battlefields in Holland, Belgium

Lacombe, is looking for more members. If you like to sing, please join us. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Community Church, beginning Oct. 15th. Two performances: Christmas 2015 and Spring 2016. For more information, call Carolyn 403-782-7365.

The Red Deer Legion Pipe Band is actively recruiting experienced and inexperienced people from the Central Alberta area, who are interested in joining the pipe band. Anyone with piping or drumming experience, or if you would like to learn piping or drumming, are asked to please contact us at 403-782-7183.

Practices are held at the Red Deer Legion on Tuesdays at 7:00.

St. Andrew’s United Church youth choir for ages five to 18.

Meets Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. contact Jessica at 403-352-5486 or jessmick16@gmail.com.

St. Andrew’s United Church Adult

unteer who has gone through the process of adjusting to a life with vision loss. The group offers seniors a way to connect to others experiencing similar challenges. Participants receive empowering, practical and useful information about vision loss and how CNIB services can help, as well as suggestions from other participants on how to reduce the impact of vision loss on their daily lives. There is no cost to participate in the program which will meet once per month.

The group meets at the Spruce Terrace located at 5002 – 51 Ave. Lacombe Walking Group Wednesdays from 12-12:30 at Medcombe Walk-In-Clinic.

No Registration required.

Kozy Korner — Tuesday Dinners every week at noon. The hot meal includes dessert and coffee at the Senior Centre.

Kozy Korner Music Jam on Sundays from 1:30p.m. to 4 p.m. In the New Year, jams will be on Jan.

10th, Feb. 14th, March 13th and April 10th. Entertainers are free. Lunch goodies by donation. For more information call 403-885-4493.

Lacombe Dance Lessons – social and choreographed ballroom dancing. Traditional Two-step or Cha Cha/Jive. For details phone Cliff at 403-782-4094.

Quilting and crafts held at Blackfalds United Church on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. Help make quilts or bring your own quilt/ craft to work on. Check out our website at blackfaldsunitedchurch.com or call 403-8854780 for more information.

The Lacombe Legion has bingo on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the upstairs hall. Coffee time runs Wednesdays from 9:30-11 a.m. ($2 for coffee, tea and cookies).

On Fridays, there are four meat draws and tickets are $2/set of three tickets. Draw starts at 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays, there are four meat draws which start at 4:30 p.m. Chase the ace starts after meat draws.

Parkinson Alberta Education offers supports groups for persons with Parkinson disease, family members and caregivers at the following Central Alberta locations: Red Deer, Lacombe, Innisfail, Olds, Three Hills and Castor. Visit www.parkinsonalberta.ca for more information.

New to Lacombe? Contact Lacombe Welcome Wagon for free maps, information about the City & area, as well as free gifts from local businesses. New baby in the family? Contact Donna Korpess with the Lacombe Welcome Wagon at 403782-0475 for free information, baby product samples as well as free gifts from local businesses.

Youth Unlimited Drop-in Activities: Drop-in activities run every Tuesday from 6 – 9 p.m. with ball hockey on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 – 9 p.m. Girls only drop-in is also Wednesdays from 6 – 9 p.m.

Thursdays Grade 3-6 drop-in program runs from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. and Grade 4 and up program from 6 – 9 p.m. Cost is 2$ for drop-in and ball hockey with drop-in 10 passes at $10 and ball hockey season pass at $50.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 7

ARTS & LEISURE

Timber Kings build home in Central Alberta

BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS From towering trees to majestic log homes, the Timber Kings from the HGTV program are dream granters - making a client’s vision of a sprawling log mansion or a basic tree fort a reality.

Timber Kings follows a group of master builders from Pioneer Log Homes in Williams Lake, B.C. as they travel across North America to construct one of a kind log homes.

In the upcoming third season, the group traveled to Central Alberta to construct a home for a couple, located outside of Ponoka.

Pioneer Log Homes of B.C. General Manager and one of six Timber Kings André Chevigny said being a part of Timber Kings is, “Icing on the cake.”

“We’ve had a business long before we had the TV show,” he said. “We were always joking we should be on TV. Now, it’s come to reality. The wonderful thing about it is it’s different from all of the other shows. Viewers get to see something natural, constructed by hand with incredible craftsmanship from start to finish.

“It is amazing what we are doing here today will be seen for centuries by people.

That just motivates us so much.”

Chevigny has been involved in building log homes for well over 30 years, getting his start in 1982 straight out of high school, helping out his brother. Today, and after approximately 1,500 builds, he manages around 115 employees at Pioneer Log Homes B.C. and tends to a global client list for the in demand handmade homes.

“It’s evolved over the years,” he said of the log home business. “That’s kind of how we started shipping into the U.S. and how we started getting the exposure that we did. A lot of it was by word of mouth.”

Slowly, but with incredible precision like an artfully cut log, the client list has expanded across the continent and beyond.

Chevigny calls Timber Kings a team effort.

“It’s not just the six people you see on the TV show,” he said. “It’s an immense crew of really talented men and women that make us look good on the show.”

Thousands of hours of manpower go into each home, as each log is handcrafted in the Pioneer Log Homes yard.

DREAM HOME - The Timber Kings of HGTV rolled into Central Alberta this past October to build a couple a log dream home. photo submitted

“We will take six or seven months to build it,” explained Chevigny. “Once the construction is done in our yard, then we have to number it, disassemble it and then move it to wherever it is going.

“It’s really neat,” he added. “In four or five days there’s a house sitting there.

That’s what’s really cool about what we do.”

As for the build near Ponoka, Chevigny said the crew delivered the home this fall.

Filming took place in October with a fair portion of the home being constructed throughout the month. Final touches, like

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the windows and doors, were still being made well into December.

“You are going to see it under construction,” said Chevigny. “The viewers won’t be able to see it completely finished because there was not enough time before it airs.”

The home is three levels, approximately 8,000 sq. ft. and took a crew of around 30-40 people six or seven months to construct it in the B.C. yard. The home consisted of 1,500 handcrafted pieces (no machines used), all which were shipped to Alberta.

“It has great big massive cedar logs with all kinds of character and flares and copper-cladded windows,” said Chevigny. “It’s just an amazing structure. Something we are really, really proud of.”

As for season three, Chevigny said the season is full of surprises and features many amazing homes.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s staggering. The season is incredible and so are the houses we get to show.”

Season three of Timber Kings on HGTV debuts on Jan. 3rd at 7 p.m. PST. news@lacombeexpress.com

8 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

SPORTS Sisters head to Finland ringette championships

BY ZACHARY CORMIER LACOMBE EXPRESS It’s not exactly going to be a quiet Christmas for the Bell sisters.

Dailyn and Jamie Bell of Lacombe are among the players that will head overseas to represent Canada at the 2015 Ringette World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

“It’s exciting. We went in 2013, so it’s just a new team and a new atmosphere on the bench,” said Dailyn, the older Bell sister, during an interview before the pair headed off for Finland.

Unlike the world championships of many sports, the senior division of the World Ringette Championship only includes two teams, Canada and Finland, who battle it out in a best of three series to determine the champion.

“The competition is just leaps and bounds way more competitive. Finland is a smaller country, so they can get together a lot more frequently and ringette is a huge thing over there.”

The sisters grew up playing ringette in Lacombe and Dailyn said that they both started playing at a high level early on in their careers.

“Petite AA was the first time that we could move up to the AA level, so as soon as that became an option we both played that,” Dailyn said.

Because of the four year age gap between the two, Dailyn grew up playing for the Central Alberta Power, the AA program that came before the CA Sting.

Eventually, though, both of the Bells reached a point where they couldn’t play competitively in Lacombe anymore.

“We kind of got to a level where we couldn’t play in Lacombe anymore, so now we drive up to Edmonton as well,” Dailyn said.

Dailyn was the first of the two to make the transition up to Edmonton.

It wasn’t until 2010, when they went to the world championships as members of Team USA that the Bell sisters had a chance to play on the same team.

“It’s a competitive league as well but there’s about seven of us from Central Alberta that drive up to play, so it’s more of a Central Alberta-Edmonton team as opposed to just an Edmonton team so it’s fun that way too,” Dailyn said.

As the name implies, the National Ringette League features teams from all over the country. Players travel as far as

Do you want your team covered?

SUCCESSFUL - Dailyn Bell, left, and her sister Jamie Bell posed for a photo in their Team Canada jerseys. The Lacombe natives are heading to Finland next week to compete in the 2016 World Ringette Championships against Finland. photo submitted Montreal and Gateneau to play regular season games, so Jamie and Dailyn have experienced a lot together.

That experience, Jamie said, should help them and their team against Finland.

“I think we bring a lot of speed to the forecheck. It’s nice because we can read each other on the ice well,” the younger Bell sister said.

Besides the benefits they bring to the team, both of them agreed that they’ll also be able to support each other when travelling abroad.

“It’s comforting,” Dailyn said.

“The experience just means that much more when we can do it together. It is a stressful time, so it’s nice to have each other. It just makes training easier and I’m sure it’ll be something we can look back on. I’m sure it’s something we won’t forget,” Jamie added.

Coaches: send contact info, rosters and schedules to news@lacombeexpress.com

It will be a tough road for Team Canada heading into this year’s event. Finland has won the past four meetings between the two teams so the team is hungry for a win.

“Last time (in 2013) was more experience. This time we’re definitely there to win,” Dailyn said.

For Jamie, winning is even more important as this will be the first time she gets to dress for the full series.

“My expectation is to win. We’ve had that from day one,” she said.

According to Dailyn, the key for Team Canada will just be to play their game.

“Finland’s style and our style is extremely different and I think with the dynamic and the depth on our bench this year and just the buy-in with the systems, I just think we have a good team-oriented team. So if we can just stick to our sys-

tems and stick to doing what we know, what we’re talented at and just playing as a team, it’s going to go our way,” she said.

This year’s world championships are actually scheduled to run alongside the IIHF World Junior Championships in Helsinki this year.

“Hopefully we can share fans,” Dailyn laughed.

According to the elder Bell sister, competing on the international stage gives a feeling that is tough to beat.

“It brings adrenaline to a whole new level for sure. It’s different. It tests your mental game and how you mentally prepare.”

The World Ringette Championships kicks off in Helsinki on Dec. 27th, with the senior championship series getting underway on New Year’s Day. zcormier@lacombeexpress.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

LACOMBE EXPRESS 9

HOMES & LIVING

COZY - This inviting bedroom at an Abbey Master Builder show home in Lacombe is the perfect place to curl up with a good book during the cold winter months.

Zachary Cormier/Lacombe Express

Enjoying the goodness of the Christmas season Christmas is right around the corner, are you frenzied?

Is life peaceful and picturesque while you wrap presents sipping eggnog waiting for Santa to arrive? My prayer for you is a joyful holiday season and a fresh start for 2016 and for many hours of joyful family time over these next few weeks.

Decorating at Christmastime has become almost a competitive sport, the need to make it bigger and brighter is thrown at us daily and it can be tempting to overspend as we strive to deck our halls and out do our previous efforts.

I find some stores to be intimidating and dangerous places this time of year and think that they weave a magical holiday spell of glitter and scents enticing us to buy more and go bigger.

The trick to holiday bliss is to focus on what is important and to be available to your friends and family rather than

Kim

WYSE getting caught up in too much running around. I have heard from several people that they are doing things differently this year and are striving to keep it simple.

This is a wonderful attitude to take as it will make the holidays far less stressful.

Simple, elegant decorations and homey meals are the must have for this Christmas.

Keep your menus doable and have more frequent, intimate assemblies to ensure that you see everyone you love this year. How many of us have come to the end of the year and lamented over not visiting with a certain friend because

we have run out of time?

Create a party where you visit a friend and help them put up their Christmas cheer, a simple potluck evening where everyone helps decorate the tree. You could even do an ornament exchange to bring your holiday favorites over to a friend’s house. This is a great way to get together and share stories and cheer while you participate in the mammoth task of decorating a tree.

It is a simple yet effective holiday party which will accomplish two goals, visiting and decorating.

Don’t forget the people in your community!

There is a tendency to only look at the notable charities but sometimes your neighbour right across the street could use a knock on their door and a small plate of cookies.

Charity can be right outside your front

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door if you take the time to look around and spend a few moments with those in your immediate vicinity.

It is very gratifying to get to know your neighbours and will continue on into the new year as you create and maintain connections with those who live nearby.

Above all, have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Thank you for continually reading and for your positive feedback, it means the world to me when someone approaches and tells me they read my articles. I hope that while you read this today you are in breathless anticipation of Christmas and that all of your wishes come true.

Every single person reading these words deserves a rich, fulfilling and family-filled holiday season and I wish you all the very best.

Kim Wyse is a local freelance designer. Find her on Facebook at ‘Ask a Designer.’

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10 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

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Obituaries

KUIPERS,

Marja Kuipers — our treasured wife, mom, grandma, greatgrandma and friend — passed peacefully to her heavenly home in the early morning of December 18, with her family at her side. She was 87 years old.

Marja was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 1, 1928 to Willem and Maartje Franken.

She was the sixth of nine children. During World War II, she and her family endured much hardship, including severe hunger during the winter of 1944.

She often recounted the jubilation in the streets of Rotterdam on the day Allied forces liberated the city, and throughout her life held a special place in her heart for the Canadian soldiers who were there. On April 8, 1954, Marja was married to Hendrik Kuipers. A week later, they immigrated to Canada, eventually settling in B.C.’s Fraser Valley.

There, they spent many happy, busy years raising their children and dairy farming. In 1977, they decided to move to Alberta, purchasing a dairy farm west of Lacombe. They retired in 1991 and moved into Lacombe. Marja was a long-time member of Woody Nook Christian Reformed Church. She loved worshipping God, especially through song. There was never any doubt she sang with her whole heart. Marja was happiest when she was sitting in the middle of big family gatherings, soaking up the noise and fun and adding to it with her laughter. Over the past decade she struggled with Alzheimer’s disease, which diminished her ability to fully enjoy time with her family and community. We are so grateful her mind and body are now whole.

Marja is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Henk; her children Peter and Trudy, Mary Ann and Melvin Ingwersen, Tineke and Glen Weenink, Frank and Muff, Angie and Robert Salomons, Henk-John and Mary-Ann, Mark and Lanette; thirty-five grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; and her sister Dit Verhagen and brother Gerrit Franken in the Netherlands.

We would like to thank the staff at Lacombe Hospital Extended Care for the excellent care they gave Mom over the past weeks. Their professionalism and grace were invaluable as we walked alongside Mom in her final days.

A funeral service for Marja was held at Woody Nook Christian Reformed Church on Wednesday, December 23 at 2:00 p.m. Interment followed the service at Woody Nook Cemetery. If friends desire, donations in Marja’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society. Expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca.

Wilson’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium serving Central Alberta with locations in Lacombe and Rimbey in charge of arrangements.

Phone: 403.782.3366 or 403.843.3388 “A Caring Family, Caring for Families”

FANNON,

Ellen Margaret (Nee SHANNON) January 22, 1924 December 19, 2015 It is with great sadness that we must announce the sudden but peaceful passing of Ellen Margaret Fannon. Ellen was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on January 22, 1924 to Edith and Thomas Shannon, the eldest of 2 daughters. Ellen is lovingly remembered by her sister Edith, daughters Elaine and Lois, son in law Bill, grandchildren Merina, Trevor, Maeora, Leif and Kaylee. Great-grandchildren Stean, Kaela, Ashlynne, Liam and Molly.

Ellen was a thoughtful, dedicated nurse and a committed, faithful army wife for many years throughout several provinces in Canada. As a young lady Ellen enjoyed Scottish Highland dancing with her sister Edith. Ellen married Chester Fannon on May 18, 1950. Together they farmed for over 5 years in Saskatchewan and in 1969 moved to Calgary with their amazing two daughters. Upon moving to Calgary, Ellen worked at Bethany Care Centre as a supervisor in the sterilization department until her retirement Ellen and Chester moved to the beautiful city of Lacombe, Ab where they resided for over 25 years to live out their golden years. Throughout her life Ellen enjoyed bowling, swimming, knitting, sewing and gardening. She was active in The Ladies Auxiliary Branch to The Royal Canadian Legion, The United Church Women’s Association and The Alberta Women’s Institute. Anyone who knew Ellen will remember her as a kind, generous lady with the sweetest laugh ever.

Ellen was predeceased by her parents and her loving, devoted husband Chester W. Fannon of 58 years on October 3, 2008.

Funeral services will be held December 29, 2015 at 1:00 at Wilson’s Funeral Chapel, 6120 Highway 2A,Lacombe. She will be laid to rest in peace at the Fairview Cemetery, followed by an afternoon tea service at the Royal Canadian Legion in Lacombe, Ab. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta. Expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca.

Wilson’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium serving Central Alberta with locations in Lacombe and Rimbey in charge of arrangements.

Phone: 403.782.3366 or 403.843.3388 “A Caring Family, Caring for Families”

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Only $269 + GST (based on 25 words or less). Call now for details 1-800-282-6903 ext. 228; www.awna.com.

Start your career!

See Help Wanted Classifieds...costs so little Saves you so much!

You can sell your guitar for a song... or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

Personal Services

1315

CANADA BENEFIT GROUP. Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000. from the Canadian Government.

Toll free 1-888-511-2250 or www.canadabeneÀt. ca/free-assessment.

Roofing

LACOMBE EXPRESS 11

1370

METAL ROOFING & SIDING. 32+ colours available at over 55 Distributors. 40 year warranty. 48 hour Express Service available at select supporting Distributors. Call 1-888-263-8254.

EquipmentMisc.

Buy & Sell #1500 - #1990 Aircraft ..............................1510 Antiques & Art ..................1520 Auctions ............................1530 Bicycles ............................1540 Building Supplies ..............1550 Business Machines ..........1560 Cameras & Accessories ..1570 Children’s Items ................1580 Clothing ............................1590 Computers ........................1600 Concert & Event Tickets ..1610 Equipment - Misc. ............1620 Equipment - Heavy ..........1630 Tools ................................1640 Farmers’ Market & Food Basket......................1650 Firewood ..........................1660 Lumber ............................1670 Garden Supplies ..............1680 Lawn Tractors ..................1690 Health, Dietary, Beauty ....1700 Household Appliances......1710 Household Furnishings ....1720 TV’s, Stereos, VCR’s ........1730 Hot Tubs & Accessories ..1740 Jewellery ..........................1750 Kid’s Deals........................1755 Misc. For Sale ..................1760 Musical Instruments..........1770 Music Lessons..................1780 Piano & Organs ................1790 Office Supplies ................1800 Pets & Supplies ................1810 Pet Services ....................1820 Cats ..................................1830 Dogs ................................1840 Sports Cards ....................1850 Sporting Goods ................1860 Collectors’ Items ..............1870 Swap, Barter & Trade ......1880 Travel Packages ..............1900 Wedding Supplies ............1910 Recycled Products............1920 Wanted to Buy ..................1930 Items to Give Away ..........1940

Auctions

1620

A-CHEAP, lowest prices, steel shipping containers.

Used 20’ & 40’ Seacans insulated & 40’ freezers, Special $2200 Wanted: Professional wood carver needed. 1-866-528-7108; www.rtccontainer.com.

Grain, Feed Hay

Agricultural #2000 - #2290

Farm Equipment ..............2010 Haying Equipment ............2020 Tractors ............................2030 Firewood Combines & Headers ......2040 Fertilizer Equipment..........2050 Misc. Farm Machinery ......2060 LOGS Semi loads of pine, spruce, Equipment Wanted ..........2070 tamarack, poplar, birch.

Farm Custom Work ..........2080 Price depends on location Farm Auctions ..................2090 of delivery. Lil Mule Livestock ..........................2100 Logging 403-318-4346 Livestock - Exotic..............2110 Sheep ..............................2120 Poultry ..............................2130 Wanted Horses ..............................2140 To Buy Horse Boarding ................2150 Riding Supplies ................2160 BLUE GRASS LTD. is looking for Lodgepole Pine Horse/Stock Trailers ........2170 and Scots Pine in any size. Pasture Wanted ................2180 Grain, Feed, Hay ..............2190 Willing to dig or pick up ourselves. Contact Bill Seed Grain ......................2200 403-226-0468.

Seeding & Tillage ............2210

1660

2190

HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola. Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252.

ROUND BALES - Hay, green feed, straw and bulk oats. Delivery available.

No Sunday calls please.

Phone 403-704-3509 or 403-704-4333.

Condos/ Townhouses

Mobile Lot

3190

PADS $450/mo.

Brand new park in Lacombe.

Spec Mobiles. 3 Bdrm., 2 bath. As Low as $75,000.

Down payment $4000. Call at anytime. 403-588-8820 Looking for a new pet?

Check out Classifieds to find the purrfect pet.

3030

1930

New Blackfalds Condo. 2 Real Estate Bdrm/2 Bath. Main Áoor & 2nd Áoor options avail. 2 #4000 - #4190 powered parking stalls. Realtors & Services..........4010 Rent $1,400. Pets negotiable. Ask about rent Houses for Sale................4020 Houses Wanted ................4030 incentives. 403-396-1688.

Condos/Townhouses ........4040 Acreages ..........................4050 Acreages Wanted ............4060 Pasture Farms/Land ......................4070 BLUE GRASS LTD. is looking for logging truck Farms/Land Wanted ........4080 loads of Birch Firewood.

PASTURE & HAY LAND. Manufactured/ Grain, Feed Split or logs, delivered or 400 - 8000 acres of year Mobile Homes ..................4090 Hay picked up. Contact Bill round water supply. Full Income Property ..............4100 403-226-0468. operational with manage- Commercial Property ......4110 FOR SALE: Alfalfas, ment available. Central Industrial Property ............4120 Clovers, Grasses plus Saskatchewan. CrossWanted Cottages/Resort Property ..4130 Hay, Pasture, Reclamation fenced & complete Businesses for Sale..........4140 To Buy and Lawn Mixtures. Early infrastructure. Natural order discount - Book now!

Buildings for Sale ............4150 springs excellent water.

FREE SCRAP and truck No charge custom Lots for Sale ....................4160 Shortly ready to locate removal including farm mablending. Call cattle. Other small & large Out of Town Property ......4170 chinery. We pay cash at 1-800-661-1529 or grain & pasture quarters. Investment Opportunities ..4180 our yard. 1-780-914-7560; esther.stigter@ $150k - $2.6m. Call Doug Mortgages Bought/Sold....4190 www.sturgeonbusparts.ca. hannasseeds.com.

Rue 306-716-2671.

3180

2190

1930

e Squeezthe MOST out of your advertising dollars

1530

NEW YEARS DAY Antique Collector Auction! 11 a.m., Friday, January 1, Wainwright Legion, 1030 - 2 Ave., Wainwright, Alberta. Scribner Auction 780-842-5666; www. scribnernet.com.

Unreserved & No Buyer’s Fee!

Need to Downsize? Brand New Valley Crossing Condos in Blackfalds. Main Áoor is 1,119 SQ FT 2 Bdrm/2Bath. Imm. Poss. Transportation Start at $219,900. Call #5000-5300 403-396-1688.

Automotive Services ........5010

4090

Manufactured Homes

HARVEST SALE! Save $50,000 from the replacement cost of this 20 X 76 drywalled Grandeur Showhome that has to go! A sacriÀce at $124,900. Call Terry 1-855-347-0417 or email: terry@ grandviewmodular.com.

Lots For Sale

4160

MacKENZIE Ranch, Lacombe, duplex lots, 4 left. Ideal Àrst time home buyer or investment.

Builder terms available.

403-556-3123 Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY TOO MUCH STUFF? Let Classifieds help you sell it.

You can sell your guitar for a song... or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

Antique & Classic Autos ....5020 Cars ..................................5030 SUV’s................................5040 Trucks ..............................5050 Heavy Trucks....................5060 Vans/Buses ......................5070 Motorcycles ......................5080 Campers ..........................5090 Motorhomes......................5100 5th Wheels........................5110 Holiday Trailers ................5120 Tent Trailers ......................5130 Utility Trailers ....................5140 ATV’s ................................5150 Boats & Marine ................5160 Snowmobiles ....................5170 Tires, Parts & Accessories ......................5180 Auto Wreckers ..................5190 Vehicles Wanted ..............5200 Car/Truck Rental ..............5210

Motorcycles

5080

WIN - 2016 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide FXDWG103. 2nd $700/credit; 3rd $300/credit. Only 599 tickets printed. Three Early Bird Draws. $100/ticket. June 17 draw.

Proceeds to support Motorcycle & Harley Programs, GPRC Fairview Campus. 1-888-539-4772; www.gprc.ab.ca. License #421307.

Let us amplify your message!

Place your ad in this newspaper and12345 province wide $ with a combined circulation of over 800,000 for only...

4040

Condos/ Townhouses

995

12345

plus GST/HST

Value Ad Network

Add this feature to your next career ad booking

Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email andrea@awna.com or visit this community newspaper

Call for more details 1-800-282-6903 ext 235

At Your Service: We can WE “Hail P Proof” YOU your home.

DEDUC Ask us how! *some condi

ROOFING & EXTERIORS

1.855.522.9226

Advertise your service or business here for a month and receive a 20% DISCOUNT! DISCOUNT!

Call Hilary at 403.782.5303

www.BigTopRoofing.com

A Full Service Exteriors Company •Skidsteer Services •Gravel Hauling •Excavating •Snow Removal

403.304.3887 www.drakeex.ca

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403-748-2628

JIM’S

SEPTIC TANK SERVICE

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CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

•AGRICULTURE •DEMOLITION •EXCAVATION •GENERAL CONTRACTING •SAND/GRAVEL •SUBDIVISION WORK

For All Your Excavation Needs 403.782.3437

www.dbbobcat.com

Delta Cleaning STEAM CARPET CLEANING Residential and Commercial Cleaning

587-377-0109

12 LACOMBE EXPRESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Dinner Rolls

TO SERVE YOU BETTER YOUR LACOMBE FOOD STORE IS OPEN BOXING DAY 9AM - 6PM. CHECK YOUR SALES FLYER FOR GREAT BOXING WEEK COUPONS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! FRIDAY, DEC 25 TO THURSDAY, JAN. 1

Boursin Fresh Soft Cheese

Selected Varieties 125-150g

Coke or Pepsi Products

$

5

$

.99 12x355ml First 3

Co-op Gold Sliced Side Bacon

10.98

$

1.99

Fruit or Vegetable Tray

Raisin Bread or Cinnamon Bread

4.49

900g-1kg

$ 450g

9.99

8.99

320-510g

$

3.99

Open Daily until 9pm

925g Roast Blends First 2

$

6.99

Dairyland Sour Cream or Cottage Cheese

Kellogg’s Cereal

Central Alberta Co-op 403-782-6200

$

each

each

5.00

each

Maxwell House Ground Coffee

$

2 for

$

Cheddar or Mozzarella, 907g or Cheestrings, 558g Package of 28 - First 2

each

plus dep & enviro

each Selected Varieties 375g

each White or Whole Wheat Package of 12

3 for

each

Black Diamond Cheese

Selected Varieties 750ml or 500g

2 for

$

7.00

English Estates Centre

Lacombe

www.centralab.coop