2020
Vol. LXIX, No. 17 City Edition – 32 pages Country Edition – 40 pages March 23, 2021
ALWAYS BETTER – ALWAYS BETTER READ
Empathy for the Elks
Photo by Ron Pilger
Even for Gerry Czapp, an eternal optimist, the past year has been challenging.
Inside
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n last week’s issue of The Booster, our news team shared some stories of business owners’ challenges and resilience during 52 weeks of being harshly impacted by COVID-19. We reached out to Gerry Czapp, Exalted Ruler of Camrose Elks Lodge No. 70, to get a better understanding of the repercussion of the pandemic on local service organizations. Gerry shared some hard data: Being unable to rent out the Elks Hall during this time period means a 12-month revenue shortfall of $6,250 as compared to the previous year. No Sunday morning pancake breakfasts in the past twelve months has cost the club $2,304.75. Being unable to host bingos means the loss of another $8,000. That’s a total over $16,554 in missing revenue from the balance sheet of this group of local volunteers. Meanwhile, utility bills and property taxes have to be paid, as do bills for building maintenance and normal aging and deterioration. The Elks budget these operating expenses monthly at $1,000 or $12,000 per year, when all goes well. Net result: The Elks are not in a financial position to give back or fund community and charitable projects anytime soon. It’s easy to understand both the fear and frustration of everyone who prides themselves on pitching in with committed community service and support. For a continued look at other entities negatively impacted by COVID, don’t miss page 8 of this edition.
Who Can I Count On? . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Out and About . . . . . . . . . . . 12 and 13 City of Camrose . . . . . . . . . . 14 and 15 On the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 and 21 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 and 25 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 to 30 Central Agencies Realty Inc. . 31 and 32
News Features Camrose County doesn’t support provincial police proposal. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Reflections by Bonnie Hutchinson . . . . 4 Just Sayin’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 City hosts “eggs”tra special Easter egg hunt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Kodiaks douse Dragon’s fire. . . . . . . . 13 RCMP provides update during town hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
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To Camrose Homes To Rural Homes *partial coverage Tuesday With Booster A & W ✔ ✔ ✔ Brick Warehouse Canada Safeway ✔ ✔* Canadian Tire ✔ ✔* Hauser Home Hardware ✔ ✔* M & M Food Market ✔ ✔* Peavey Mart ✔ ✔* Rona ✔ ✔* Save-On-Foods ✔ ✔* Shoppers Drug Mart ✔ ✔* UFA ✔ ✔* Walmart ✔ ✔* Wild Rose Co-op ✔ ✔