December 13, 2022 Country Booster

One of Santa’s top wishes for the holidays is for everyone to have a safe and joyous season. This time of year, people are busy doing a multitude of things that come along with the holiday season, and safety and security may slip minds.

Camrose County Protective Services Officer Mike DeRyck, Round Hill volunteer firefighter Jordon Banack, and Wetaskwin/Camrose RCMP Community Policing and Victim Services officer Constable Cory Schultz do a little pleading with Santa Claus to make sure they remain on the “nice” list.

Photo by Lori Larsen

Camrose County Protective and Emergency Services, along with Camrose/Wetaskiwin RCMP, want to remind residents and guests of a few simple tips to ensure everyone has the best holiday season. See inside story on page 3 for full details.

Bawlf Wildcats girls’ team win

By Murray Green

The Bawlf Wildcats girls volleyball team captured the 1A provincials on November 24 to 26 in Picture Butte.

They went undefeated in round robin pool matches against Plamondon, Stirling, Parkland and Bassano.

In playoffs, they beat Stirling Lakers again to ad-

vance to the final against Central (CACHS) Knights.

Bawlf won provin cials in the finals against CACHS. Stirling earned the bronze medals over the Plamondon Hawks.

The boys Wildcats team placed first in their pool by beating Parkland, Jasper, Pincher Creek and the host Vegreville club.

Bawlf won in three

per took home the bronze medals.

The New Norway Spartans went 1-3 in the first round, but ended up in a third way tie for third place. They went 1-1 in tie breaker games.

Holiday season safety tips

By Lori Larsen

In an effort to ensure everyone has a safe and happy holiday season, Camrose County protective and emergency services manager Sergeant Mike Kuzio, along with Wetaskiwin/Camrose RCMP School Resource/ Community Policing officer Constable Cory Schultz have provided the following information and tips.

Home safety

If you are planning on being away during the holiday season here are a few precautionary measures to secure your home and belongings during your absence.

“If you’re able, have a security system (CCTV surveillance equipment) installed that includes motion sensors and cameras and other monitoring equipment,” suggested Kuzio.

Light up your home and your property. “Make sure you have yard lights that can be activated by motion and consider putting your home lights on a timer so it looks like someone is home.”

Other tips for securing your property include:

• ensuring doors to all buildings on your property are securely locked.

• make sure you have paper, deliveries and mail either cancelled or rerouted during your absence.

• leave some blinds or drapes open so that your absence is not obvious.

• if you are leaving presents behind make sure they are not left in plain view.

• let a neighbour know you are away so they can keep an eye on the property and report anything that looks out of the ordinary.

Kuzio also said having a family member or trusted neighbour or friend check on your property in your absence. “If possible have someone plow and shovel so, once again, it looks like somebody is home.”

Kuzio reminded County residents of the Vacant Property Monitoring Program available to any Camrose County resident.

“If you are heading out of town, whether it be for a single night or longer, you can sign up through the Camrose County Protective Services Department to have the County Officers check in on your property while you’re away from home,” explained Kuzio.

For more information on signing up for the program, contact Protective Services at 780-672-4449 and visit www.county.camrose. ab.ca to complete the Vacant Property Monitoring Waiver.

County awards local farm families, scholarship winners

By Murray Green

Camrose County honoured scholarship students, several farm families and Wall of Fame inductees at the 2022 Agricultural Awards Night at the Camrose Regional Exhibition.

Guests, MLA’s Rick Wilson and Jackie Lovely spoke before Reeve Cindy Trautman welcomed everyone to the event.

Emcee Steven Cowan introduced past scholarship winners Autumn O’Donnell, Theresa Taillieu, Kathryn Taillieu, and Kaylee Wilkie prior to naming Sarah Taillieu as the 2022 scholarship award winner.

Due to COVID-19, some scholarship winners and farm families were not publicly acknowledged when the event was postponed last year.

Lovely grew up on a family farm. “As a fifth

generation family farmer, I know first hand all of the hard work and dedication it takes to be successful on a farm. My experience allows me to truly appreciate the hard labour it takes year round. This night offers a great opportunity to celebrate and honour our contributions from local farmers. We have a proud history of resilient farmers and ranchers that have overcome the toughest conditions. To all of the farms and ranches, thank you for all that you do,” she said.

Reeve Trautman added her greetings. “On behalf of County council, administration and agricultural services board, thanks for attending. Celebrating our agricultural history and the heritage with our Century Farm recipients, our essay win-

ners and our Wall of Honour recipients is our way of saying thank you to the settlers and their decendents. The technology in our world has changed. But agriculture remains the way we feed our families, both the rural and urban. So, let’s all celebrate the history, families and landscape of agriculture,” she added.

Farm families Bellingham established 1917; Bjorge, 1916; Friend, 1918; Herder, 1915; Langille, 1914; Lundstrom, 1914; Macleod, 1908; Sand, 1905; Sheets, 1918; Tennant, 1918; TennantBrown, 1914; TennantRoth, 1907; Trautman, 1920, Carlson, 1912; and Olstad, 1915 were all honoured.

Named to the Wall of Honour were Allan Gordeyko, Verlyn Olson and Don Gregorwich.

County names three Wall of Honour inductees

By Murray Green

Camrose County honoured scholarship students, several farm families and Wall of Fame inductees at the 2022 Agricultural Awards Night at the Camrose Regional Exhibition.

Named to the Wall of Honour were Allan Gordeyko, Verlyn Olson and Don Gregorwich.

Allan Gordeyko

John Gordeyko moved to the Camrose area (near Ohaton) in 1946 and started a mixed farm of cattle and grain. His son Allan, along with son Dennis, established his own farmstead where he had a keen interest for Clydesdale horses. Today, Allen’s son Wes still carries on the tradition of raising the hard working horses.

Allan not only supplied horses for Budweiser (the Budweiser Clydesdales are a group of Clydesdale horses used for promotions and commercials by the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company) he was active in the community with 4-H as a member and a leader, he was a past president of the Alberta Clydesdale Association Clydesdale Horse Association of Canada, Camrose Agricultural Society (new CRE) board member and a member of the Ohaton Athletic Association.

He showed his horses at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair, Calgary Stam-

pede and worldwide in such places as Scotland.

Verlyn Olson

He grew up in Camrose and studied at the Camrose Lutheran College and obtained a law degree from the University of Alberta.

He entered politics in 2008 and soon found himself as the Alberta Minister of Justice and Attorney General before serving as the Alberta Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development. He was in the agricultural department from 2012-15.

In that short time he led trade missions to Asia and Kazakhstan, representing Alberta in Ottawa and Washington.

Verlyn led the development of Alberta’s Rural Economic Development Action Plan and was involved in the creation of Open Farm Days, allowing city residents an opportunity to visit rural farms.

As a volunteer, Verlyn coached baseball and hockey, served on various boards and committees of The Bethany Group, Camrose Lutheran College, Alberta Motion Picture Development Corporation, Viking Cup, Scandia Lutheran Church, Armena Athletic Association, Camrose Sport Development Society, Nordlys Film and Arts Society and Diabetes Canada.

Don Gregorwich

He was raised on a

farm near Kelsey and went to college at Greer Tech in Coal City, Illinois. After graduating he worked on a gravel crushing crew before going to the University of Alberta to obtain a teaching degree. He taught for three years before returning to the family farm.

It didn’t take Don long to receive awards for his hog operation. He sat on various provincial boards including the Alberta Agricultural Research, Cro-Offset Appeal Committee and president of the Western Hog Growers Association.

Don was an executive director of the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association. He also served on the Ankerton Gas Coop, Bawlf and District Historical Society, judged 4-H public speaking and was an actor in the Kelsey Dinner Theatre.

In 2004, he was elected as a County councillor for Division 3. He served as the County reeve for 12 of the 16 years he was on council.

During his time on council he made advances in attracting new businesses, brought in new water lines, helped develop an old gravel pit into an award winning nature park and assisted the County in winning provincial municipal awards.

Allan Gordeyko

Don Gregorwich

Verlyn Olson

Holiday safety tips

Continued from page 3

Fire safety

With the use of Christmas decor, a little more cooking than normal and the use of the fireplaces or space heaters, fire safety can become even more prevalent around the holiday season.

Kuzio offered the following fire safety tips.

“First and foremost make sure you have operable certified smoke and CO2 detectors on all levels of your home. As well, have a workable fire extinguisher in the kitchen and in your shops and garages.”

If using real candles place them where they cannot be knocked over and out of the reach of children and never leave burning candles unattended. Flameless candles are a safer alternative.

Ensure your furnace filters have been replaced and your furnace has been maintained.

“If you are using a wood burning fireplace never use it to burn trees, wreaths, wrapping paper or other combustible material not intended for use in fireplaces,” said Kuzio.

Always place a screen on the front of fireplaces, whether wood burning or gas and have the chimney and fireplace cleaned and maintained prior to use every year.

“This time of year people are also using more electrical cords and outlets to accommodate Christmas decorations,” noted Kuzio advising that electrical outlets should never be overloaded. “Begin by inspecting light strings and extension cords and never overload electrical outlets.”

Signs of an overloaded outlet may include flickering or dimming of lights, blown fuses, tripping of circuit breakers and an electrical burning smell.

Do not leave Christmas lights on in your absence or overnight and always use CSA approved lights, electrical cords and appliances and discard any strings of lights or decorations with frayed or damaged wires.

Use outdoor and indoor lights for their intended purpose.

“If you have a real Christmas tree, remember to ensure it has plenty of water and never have open flames around them,” said Kuzio. “Preparing ahead and taking a few extra precautions will ensure that everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.”

Kuzio reminds citizens to use the same precautions when it comes to cooking that you would normally and to not get distracted during the busier time of the year.

“Don’t leave cooking unattended and make sure you have clear away all cooking areas.”

Theft beware

This time of year is prime pickings for thieves. Shoppers running around doing errands leaving parcels and packages in vehicles are targeted by thieves looking for an easy opportunity. Both Kuzio and Schultz remind everyone to always lock your vehicles and if possible put parcels in the trunk or covered in the back seat so they are not easily visible, and when packing parcels into your vehicle do not leave your handbag sitting on the top of the cart for an easy snatch and run.

Safe travels

The holiday season of-

ten sees an influx of traffic on Alberta highways with people travelling to visit and spend time with family.

Constable Schultz advises motorists to drive in accordance to the laws and rules of the road and offers the following travel safety tips.

• Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you at all times.

• Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving.

• Leave early, planning ahead for heavy traffic or inclement weather.

• Check 511 Alberta for updated traffic and road conditions.

• Always ensure that every person in the vehicle is properly secured with a vehicle safety restraint.

• Do not drive while distracted. Have someone other than the operator of the motor vehicle use devices.

• Practice defensive driving.

“And never operate a motor vehicle when your ability to do so is impaired. Have a licensed designated driver so that everyone arrives to their destinations safely,” said Schultz.

“December is Impaired Driving Awareness Month, as this is this season where many holiday parties happen with family and friends,” said Kuzio. “Ensure you always have a safe ride home, monitor your consumption levels, be aware of your guests’ consumption and take control of the situation to ensure

no-one drives away while impaired.”

On a final note Schultz said, “Tis the season to be jolly. The Alberta RCMP are asking that you don’t drive while drunk or high. You could lose your licence, your vehicle or even your life. Please plan ahead, have a designated driver or use public transportation and be sure to have a happy holiday season and a happy New Year.”

Camrose County

Agriculture Services, and West Dried Meat Lake Regional Landfill

INVITATION TO TENDER FARMLAND (Camrose County)

The owners hereby offer the following parcel of land, for sale by tender, subject to the existing reser vations on title:

MERIDIAN 4 RANGE 20 TOWNSHIP 47

SECTION 5

ALL THAT PORTION OF THE NORTH EAST QUARTER LYING NORTH OF THE NORTH LIMIT OF RAILWAY PLAN C & E NO. 10 CONTAINING 59.61 HECTARES (147.27 ACRES) MORE OR LESS

EXCEPTING THEREOUT:

HECTARES (ACRES) MORE OR LESS A) PLAN 1121365 DESCRIPTIVE 2.194 5.42

EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS

The land is located approximately 1 mile west and 1 mile north of Cornerstone Camrose and borders, on the east side, the City of Camrose boundar y. There are approximately 68 +/- cultivated acres and 46 +/- pasture acres for a total of 114 +/- arable acres. There are two steel bins (1650 bu and 3900 bu), on skids, on the property and there is no surface lease revenue.

Tenders are to be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “ROSEVIEW Tender”, to Andreassen Borth, Barristers and Solicitors, #200, 4870 – 51 Street, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1S1, on or before 12:00 noon on Januar y 17, 2023, and shall be accompanied with GST number and a cheque for $5,000 payable to Andreassen Borth in trust.

Tenders will not be opened in public.

The highest, or any tender, not necessarily accepted.

Unsuccessful tenderers will be notified by mail, and their cheques returned. Successful tenderer will be obligated to complete the purchase on or before Februar y 17, 2023 and their cheque shall constitute a deposit towards the purchase price. Successful tenderer will be responsible for the cost of title insurance to facilitate timely closing. Taxes will be adjusted on closing date. Should the successful tenderer fail to complete the transaction by the closing date, their deposit will be forfeited.

For further information, or to view the property, please contact Marlene at 780-608-8434.

Santa stops for a visit

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

Makayla Schultz gets her wish in early with the jolly guy, Santa Claus, when he made a stop at the Round Hill Fire Hall on November 26.

Jubilee awards named for local residents

By Lori Larsen

Several residents of Camrose and Camrose County were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Awards at a ceremony held on November 28 at the Norsemen Inn.

Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely presented the medals on behalf of the Province of Alberta to the following residents of the City of Camrose: Norm Mayer, Ryan Koehli, Ted Gillespie, Rick Myers, Gary Smith and Janaya Iverson.

Lovely also presented awards to the following residents of Camrose County: Tyson Armitage, Garry Klein, Ian Malcolm, Karen Robinson and Perry Robinson of Sedgewick; Allen Dietz of Galahad; Dan Hillyer, Lorraine McNeely and May Korobko of Tofield; Lynne Jenkinson and posthumously Norm Prestage of Camrose County; Clint Nearing of Viking; Malcolm Bisset of Alliance and posthumously Connie Kvale of Bawlf.

After agreeing to be a partner in the medal program and advertising throughout the constituency for nominations, MLA Lovely received and submitted more than 20 nominations and was then informed of the medal recipients.

There were 19 medal recipients plus 120 guests present for the celebration on November 28.

Since 1967, Canada has been carrying on the tradition of issuing commemorative medals in recognition of the work and dedication of Canadians.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee awards were created by the Province of Alberta to mark the 70th anniversary of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.

The 2022 Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal (Alberta) is being awarded to 7,000 deserving Albertans through collaboration with provincial partners to ensure an equitable representation of all regions and all fields of endeavor.

Aboveaverage harvest yields

By Murray Green

Alberta’s crop producers continue to show resiliency despite dry growing conditions and the rising costs of farm inputs.

Alberta’s final growing season indicated significantly higher yields–about 10 per cent above the fiveyear average.

Overall, quality for hard red spring wheat, canola and dry peas was above their five-year averages, while durum wheat and oats was lower. Quality for malt and feed barley was on par with the fiveyear average.

Due to favourable conditions, farmers across the province were two to three weeks ahead in harvest progress for the second straight year.

“Alberta’s producers have faced a number of challenges over the years, but through their hard work and dedication, continue to show the immense value of the agriculture sector and the contributions this industry makes to our economy and communities,” said Nate Horner, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Soil moisture reserves declined due to dry conditions in late summer and fall. Surface soil moisture was rated as 40 per cent poor, 32 per cent fair, 27 per cent good and one per cent excellent. However, it is anticipated that soil moisture reserves and surface water supplies will build up to an acceptable level before the 2023 growing season.

The Alberta Crop Report is developed through a partnership between Agriculture and Irrigation, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen.

As of October, about 99 per cent of all crops have been harvested, two to three weeks ahead of the five-year average.

The south region had the highest yields at 18 per cent above the five-year average, followed by the Peace region, where yields were 12 per cent above the average.

Dryland yields for the central and northeast regions were estimated at nine and eight per cent above the five-year averages. For the Peace region, yields are estimated to be six per cent above the average.

About 94 per cent of hard red spring wheat and 78 per cent of durum wheat

grading in the top two

About 34 per cent of barley is eligible for malt and 54 per cent is grading

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Camrose Kodiaks players gathered up a slew of stuffed toys, toques and mittens that were thrown onto the ice during the December 3 game against the Okotoks Oilers. The goal was scored by local player Callum Gau “bearly” into the first period, 35 seconds to be exact. The annual Teddy Bear Toss game has become a heart warming tradition for residents of Camrose and area to give to those in need.