9 minute read
County names three Wall of Honour inductees
County awards local farm families, scholarship winners
By Murray Green
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 winners 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.
County names three Wall of Honour inductees
By Murray Green
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 Stampede 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
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.
Camrose County Administration, Agriculture Services, and West Dried Meat Lake Regional Landfill will be closed the following dates:
Monday December 26, 2022 Tuesday December 27, 2022 (Landfill open) Wednesday December 28 (Landfill open) Thursday December 29 (Landfill open) Friday December 30, 2022 Monday January 2, 2023 (Landfill open)
Check the website for Transfer Site hours.
…A busy year …a year of change …a time we need to say thanks to you!
JUNCTION OF HIGHWAYS 13 & 21 4 miles west of Camrose, AB 4929 50 Street, Camrose | Phone 587-844-2811
“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. 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.”
