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Vol. No. Tuesday,November December 8, 10,2011 2013 Vol. 7, 8, No. 2,51 Tuesday, MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
These young skaters were all smiles when they gathered together for a group photo at the Mundare Recreation Centre on Dec. 7. As part of the Mundare Christmas Extravaganza festivities, families were treated to free skating and hot chocolate courtesy of the Mundare & District Agricultural Society. Other activities throughout the day included: painting Christmas ornaments at the Servus Credit Union, Communities In Bloom bake sale and market, as well as pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus which included: cookies, oranges, candy canes, hot chocolate, and free book courtesy of the Mundare Library Board.
Power outage plunges 400 Mundare homes into darkness Residents put on evacuation alert and local firefighters on duty to check on the welfare of residents Michelle Pinon Editor
Wrapped in an afghan and blanket with the light of only two candles, Pat Tompkins waited six hours Friday evening for electricity to be restored to her home in Mundare. "It was the longest six hours of my life," said Tompkins, who was one of several hundred residents whose homes were plunged into darkness for many hours on one of the coldest nights of the year. When her sister from Nanoose Bay called around 11:30 p.m., Tompkins said she couldn't stop her teeth from chattering. "I told her I almost froze! She said you could always move to the island." While Tompkins didn't get alot of sympathy from her sibling, many neighbours and friends banned together to support each other and some
stayed together during the blackout. "I didn't realize how much we rely on power," added Tompkins, who fared well despite the extended period of certainty. Kathy and Steve Warren kept candles burning, and kept hoping the electricity would come on sooner than later. If need be, they had a generator in the garage. They were very thankful for the firefighters who came by to check on them around 10:30 p.m. "I have to give kudos to the fireman," added Kathy, who was happy they did not have to evacuate their home. Mayor and Deputy Fire Chief Charlie Gargus told the Lamont Leader that after six hours, transformer repairs were in place and power was restored before any evacuation needed to be initiated. Gargus gave a brief overview of events. "At 5:25 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6,
a complete blackout occurred in the center of Mundare, Hilliard, Warwick, West Vegreville and surrounding REA's. As it was -31 degrees celsius, temperatures dropped in homes and the Father Filas Lodge. Fire Chief Glenda Dales and CAO Colin Zyla called in members of the fire department and initiated a plan to shelter anyone that may have needed overnight care, in the event the power outage lasted through the night." Gargus went onto state: "A fire department power generator was set up at Father Filas Lodge and with lights and a cozy fire in the fireplace, residents stayed relatively comfortable." In addition, Covenant Health staff volunteered space at the Mary Immaculate Hospital and Sister Martha also was able to provide space at St. Joseph's Convent as both facilities had power and heat.
"The Stawnichy Foundation Bus and a school bus provided by Tom Hrehorets were brough to the fire hall in the event transport was required to Lamont and Andrew Lodges. Town Foreman Terry Zapf and crew were busy manning portable pumps to keep the sewage lift station operational. Many of those residents that did have power, called neighbours to check on how they were faring and to offer their homes as shelter." At the five hour mark, Gargus said firefighters began to canvas door to door and alert residents to the fact that they could be evacuated and sheltered. "Many had begun to warm up vehicles in the event they needed to stay warm, and were pleased to know that they had an alternate plan, and that they were not alone." Continued on Page 2