September 11 Tofield Mercury by Caribou Publishing

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Your LOCAL Media since 1918! Volume 107 Issue 03

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Holden ATB Closing - Inside! Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Open House at Black Nugget Lake Observatory

PHOTO SUPPLIED The Black Nugget Lake Observatory held a one-year anniversary open house on Thursday, September 5. The project began 20 years ago and the facility first opened on September 16, 2023. The 32-inch Unyk-Drew telescope weighs 3,200 pounds. Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

The Black Nugget Lake Observatory held a one-year anniversary open house on Thursday, September 5, and Dr. Warren Finlay, member of the Edmonton Centre Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), said about 30 people registered to attend. The project began two decades ago, though funding had been an issue throughout, delaying the process. “It takes a long time when you're doing everything on a shoestring budget and volunteers,” Finlay said. Finlay was interested in astronomy as a child, and in the 1990s became more serious, purchasing his own 12.5-inch telescope, and first began thinking about the

observatory project. “I thought the club should have a site like this, so I started out on my own, mentioning to the club now and then what I was doing, and then stumbled on this site. I took it forward to the RASC and got the Edmonton Centre on board in 2004,” he said. Finding a location in east central Alberta took some work, and Finlay said he visited about 20 sites. “I began looking in about 2003, consulting satellite maps of the world light pollution, which measure the amount of light coming up. I discovered this particular location after having scouted many dark sites in east central Alberta. You can look on these maps to determine probably how dark a site will be, but you don't actually know until you’re on the site,” he said.

Located right across from the Coal Creek Golf Course, secluded by trees, there is no artificial light interfering with viewing the night sky through the telescope. “Of course, we don't have money to buy land, we're a volunteer organization, so the site needed to be on public land, which really limits things. This is actually provincial land but the Alberta government has a long-term lease to Beaver County. We had to get both Alberta government and Beaver County approvals to do this. In 2007 we got the first 10-year use approval, which was renewed in 2017,” he said. Working with the county and applying for numerous grants, a space was cleared, gravel spread, power Continued on Page 9

Page 2 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

BRAED members meet in Daysland for late-summer BBQ Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter

Battle River Alliance for Economic Development, or BRAED, members met informally in Daysland on Friday, Sept. 9, for a barbeque and to celebrate Daysland’s completion of its lift station and force main replacement project. BRAED Chair Stan Schulmeister, Reeve of Paintearth County, welcomed elected officials, CAOs, and economic development officers from member communities in attendance. Schulmeister said, “I’d like to start by acknowledging guests Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-LloydminsterWainwright, and Jackie Lovely, MLA for Camrose,” adding that MLA Nate Horner sent his regrets. He also noted that there were BRAED board mem-

bers in attendance, as well as representatives from Lakeland College, and Fortis, as well as the Battle River Research Group. Schulmeister said BRAED’s goal is to grow communities based on the shared understanding of challenges, opportunities, and innovation that is the spirit of rural Alberta. “It’s a big deal to have community events like this, and it’s especially important because Daysland is celebrating the completion of the wastewater upgrade. “Strong infrastructure is critical to continued economic development in our communities. “And, as we do in rural communities, we will share some great food as we gather to have conversations and drive our collective work for better future for the communities in the BRAED region.”

Schulmeister gave a quick rundown of BRAED, calling it a rural economic development organization that represents 22 communities and covers Highways 14, 13, and some of 12. “The purpose of BRAED is to leverage economic opportunities to grow our communities. This can be by bringing communities together for shared opportunities, by building economic development capacity in our member communities, or by connecting our communities. BRAED is about community building and the power of a region. “We are passionate about our communities and want to ensure a thriving future, however this will only be achieved if we work together.” Schulmeister says that rural communities are facing some real challenges today, including losing

780-918-9300 www.lorenzteam.com 5118 50 St., Tofield, AB

Litwin Laff's

population, while cities continue to grow. “This is happening in a province that is economically booming, and the major centres are growing quickly.” He says, “Our question becomes: How can we participate in this growing economy to sustain our communities. No community grant will overcome this gap in economic growth. We’ve watched as coal transition funding did not reverse the tide. The question is what is possible to achieve the most economic growth we can with the 35,000 people who still live here? For 20 years our communities have relied on a regional approach, which we have found to be immensely valuable. “As small communities, we know we cannot do this work alone; we need to work together. “Together our commu-

nities worked with Invest Alberta on the regional investment initiative, as a pilot project; we are currently partnering with the Northeast Alberta Information Hub and Palliser Economic Partnership to restart the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor. “This is a prime vehicle to build a strong economic corridor on the eastern side of the province, and bring trade from the QEII corridor out to this eastern part of the province.” Schulmeister says the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, and Trade is supporting work in economic development and said the Provincial government has built an economic dashboard to highlight all Alberta communities, “to make it easier for investors to stop, shop, and find opportunities in rural communities.” “The intent of this initiative was good,” he says,

“however currently it is difficult for our communities to stand out in this dashboard compared to the communities on the Highway 2 corridor. We can be found on the dashboard by potential investors looking for site selection, however, we cannot connect with them, nor tell them our rural advantage of housing accessibility and workforce. “Unfortunately, this dashboard acts as an unofficial ranking card on metrics such as population growth, which require a steady partnership from the province. “BRAED is committed to working with the Provincial government to support rural economic development. Collectively, we need to find a way to change the key economic indicators found on this dashboard and highlight our rural Continued on Page 24

Welcome to Tofield! #12 4527 55 Ave. Belvedere Gardens

891 SQFT, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom 2002 condo

$179,900

55+ adult living with no children permitted. Main floor laundry and attached garage.

Open kitchen-living room design, in floor heating, gas fireplace, corner pantry in kitchen with island countertop.

Greg Litwin, Real Estate Associate greg@lorenzteam.com

780-662-4623

www.home-time.net Kevin Smook - REALTOR ® Celebrating 25 years of serving our Community!

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 3

Tofield School welcomes new staff 3 2( 4 49 6 & 4 -4 4 5 3 3 6 4 > $ 6 ! ! 6 ! /. :9 /./!, ;/ < ///. /#/

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Tofield School welcomed some new staff for the 2024-25 school year. Pictured above from left to right: Mrs. J. Pennington, Dr. K. Gartner, and Ms. C. Borton. Missing from the photo: Nadia Schultz. include Mrs. J. Penning- now taking up a new role Kate Priestley ton (who is taking up a of administrative assisStaff Reporter teaching position), Dr. K. tant). There is also a new stuTofield School experi- Gartner (who is taking enced a few staff changes the roll of assistant prin- dent teacher, Nadia for the 2024-2025 school cipal), and Ms. C. Borton Schultz, who is working (who was formerly an ed- with Mrs. Netik in a year. New staff for the school ucational assistant, but is Grade 6 classroom.

Unreserved Real Estate Auction for Lagoona Beach RV Park Starts on Oct 11th, 2024 to Ends on Oct 15th, 2024 Killam, AB Address: 3915 49th Ave, Killiam, Selling 5.71 Acres with 18 Full Service RV Lots with Power (2 with Power Only), Sewer & Water Plus Internet, All Graveled & Nicely Treed with a Lake View.

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Managers Office with 2 Bathrooms/Shower Combo (Handicap Accessible), Washer & Dryer Facilities Plus the Main House is 1632 sq ft with Walk Out Basement, 4 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms, Under Floor Heater, Continuous Hot Water Heating & AC. New Single Car Garage Approx. 10'x20' Built in 2022. Zoned: Commercial Utilities: 220 Power, Gas & Town Water This Property Could be an Excellent Investment as Killam is Located at the Intersection of Hwy 36 & Hwy Killiam 13 in the County of Flagstaff with a Population of 1000 People & Lots of Oilfield Activity in the Area. OR You could use it as your home with a private campground right on a beautiful lake. There are so many options for this property. Open Houses: Saturday - September 21st & Sunday - September 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Owner: Tom at (780-719-8877) Realtor & For More Information: Hill Realty Inc. Norm Hill (780) 449-5622 Aaron Olson (403) 913-9644 Real Estate Terms & Condi ons: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Possession on or before November 14th, 2024. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED by November 14th, 2024 the Deposit will be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd. (403) 843-2747 Rimbey - (780) 208-2508 Hwy 16/Rge Rd 185 1 (855) 783-0556 Toll Free - License No. 165690 E-mail: abolson@telusplanet.net - Homepage: allenolsonauction.com

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View Pics & Descriptions on Global Auction Guide

Page 4 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Ryley Citizens On Patrol raffle winner

WE ARE HIRING! Part Time Secretary Treasurer (CFO) Position

Holden Rural Academy

APPLY NOW! Closing Date: Sept 27, 2024

holdenruralacademy.ca/staff

PHOTO SUPPLIED Ryley Citizens on Patrol sold all their raffle tickets during their Ry-Tof tournament 50/50 draw. Ryley COP member Dan De Brabandere presented winner Charlie Robbins with the $1,000 cheque.

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The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 5

RCMP Report Stolen vehicle set on fire, spreads and destroys 40 acres of crop near Holden Tofield RCMP received 113 calls for service – 31 complaints were related to traffic offences. Five collisions reported with two involving animals. Six violation tickets issued. Twenty calls were related to Wellbeing checks, suspicious persons complaints, and Mental Health calls. On Aug. 21 a rural residence located in the area of Rge Rd 192 and Twp Rd 525 was broken into. Numerous items stolen from inside the house. A 2013 Chev Silverado, holiday trailer, and quad were also stolen. This file is still under investigation. On Aug. 22 two $100 American bills were turned into the RCMP that are believed to be counterfeit. Aug 22 shortly after 10 p.m. an oil site on Twp Rd 512 was broken

into. Nothing appears to be taken. Police and the Police Dog were on scene very quickly after the alarm was triggered. No one was located at the time. On Aug. 25 a 2007 Chev Silverado was stolen from 55 Avenue and 48 Street in Tofield. The vehicle was recovered by Edmonton Police Service on September 4 . On Aug. 26 another paving scam occurred in the rural area of Twp Rd 530 and Rge Rd 190. The company offers to pave your driveway at a price, then once the work is completed the price is doubled or tripled. The quality of paving is also a concern. Do not enter into an agreement with a door-to-door paving company. If you have concerns, it becomes a civil suit and you will have to go

SUNSHINE VILLA

through the Court of King’s Bench to deal with any issues. On Aug. 31 an alarm at the Ukrainian Borschiw Catholic Church was sounded. Property rep attended and found the door kicked in. Nothing on site was taken. Diesel from nearby equipment was taken. No witnesses or suspects at this time. On Sept. 6 there was a break and enter into a residence. Main items stolen were purses and iPad. Forensic Analyst attended the residence for evidence gathering. File is still under investigation. Sept. 6, report of a stolen truck from the rural Holden area. Truck was found a very short time later on fire near a field around Twp Rd 500 and Rge Rd 163.

Make sure they know you want your vehicle brought to

Autumn Pie Social 2024

TOFIELD AUTOBODY

“Pie makes everybody happy”

You can choose where your vehicle is taken for repair unless:

- Laurie Halse Anderson -

Saturday, October 5th 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunshine Villa - 5834 - 51 St. Tofield Silent Auction at the Social

• Your vehicle is impounded • You’re unable to express your wishes or • You don’t have written emergency instructions

Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-15 and under 5 is FREE Enjoy pie, coffee, tea etc.! Funds raised go toward the Residents' Association recreation and social activities fund, enhancing quality of life through leisure.

Thank you for your support! We are also accepting non-perishable food items for the FOOD BANK!

No witnesses or suspects. Forty acres of crop were destroyed by the fire along with damage to one of the firetrucks. Police are asking members of the community if they saw anyone walking or in a vehicle around 3:30-4 p.m. that day.

On Sept. 8 at 3:55 a.m., a break and enter into a local business on main street Tofield occurred. Suspects entered through the back door and appear to be looking for cash. No damage, nothing of value taken. Video surveillance

was captured. File is still under investigation. To report emergencies or serious crimes in progress call 911. To report incidents that require Tofield RCMP to investigate or assist call the 24 hour complaint line 780-662-3352.

UNRESERVED ACREAGE AUCTION SALE JERRY AND LYNN HUCK DEVON, ALBERTA SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M. LOCATION: 51424A - Highway 60, Devon, Alberta DIRECTIONS: Being north of Devon on Highway 60 to Clymont Rd, then go west to service road, then turn right (north) to 2nd driveway on left.

Watch For Signs. GST will be charged where applicable. Lunch Available. Tractors: JD 2140 Diesel Tractor, dual hyd, PTO, 3-ph c/w JD F.E.L. & bucket, good rubber, 5038 hrs, S/N 2140A-415285; AC 170 Gas Tractor, dual hyd., PTO, 3-ph, 8-sp trans, good rubber c/w Ezee-On 80 F.E.L. c/w bucket, 3582 hrs., showing; JD D170 Hydro Riding Lawn Mower c/w 54-inch mower, 498 hrs. Vehicles: 2002 GMC S10 Sonoma L.S. Extend-ACab Truck, auto, 4.3 eng, air, c/w canopy, 220,000 km, S/N 1GCC519W828217174; 1966 International 1500 2T Truck c/w duals, 4-spd trans, 6-cyl eng, 12ft x 7ft box & hoist, 16083 miles, S/N 27483C; 1951 Ford Custom 4D Car, V-8, partial restored, complete with all part; 1960 Mercury 1T Truck, duals c/w hoist, runs; 1990 Toyota 4D Car, 172,000 km, needs repair, S/N 4T1SV22E6L4187980; 1949 Ford F68 C&C Truck c/w motor & trans, good for restoring; 1929 Chev Roadster Car Body; Toyota Car for parts Trailers: 2006 Rainbow Bumper Pull Tandem Axle Trailer c/w 7-ft x 20-ft Deck, ramps, lights & brakes, 5000 kg axles, S/N 2R9HD202561625233; 1974 International Airstream Bumper Pull Tandem Axle Holiday Trailer c/w AC, window awnings, fridge, stove, bathroom, sleeps 4, nice & clean, S/N 127D4J2249; 1977 Single Axle Boler 12-ft Holiday Trailer, S/N 1770798; Single Axle Holiday Trailer, needs repair; Yard trailer with 3x4 deck Quads: 1999 Honda Foreman 4X4 450 ES Quad, c/w front winch, racks, windshield, S/N 478TE2262X4000220; 2007 Moose CTM 5000 4 WD Quad, ES, c/w winch, racks, 1671 km, S/N 11CG1DTS2476001872; 5-ft Quad Blade, sold seperate 3-Point Hitch Equipment: Muratori MA 165 - 65inch 3-ph Rototiller; Kodiak 10-ft HD 3-ph Rough Cut Mower; 3-ph Hyd., Wood Splitter, like new; Malvese 3-ph Backhoe Attachment;3-ph Post Hole Auger c/w 12-inch - 8-inch & 6-inch bits; 3-ph HD 8ft Blade; Tecma FM 230 8-ft 3-ph Finishing Mower; FarmKing 510 3-ph Rough Cut Mower; 6-ft 3-ph Cult; Cockshutt 10-ft DT Cult. c/w hyd. lift; Trailer 250-gal. Sprayer c/w 25-ft booms

Hunting & Fishing Equipment: Marlin Model 1895SS 45/70 Lever Action, new, S/N 07019037; Remington Model 700-243 Bolt Action c/w scope, new condition, S/N C6366109; Remington Model 721-270 Bolt Action c/w 9x40 Fitco Scope, S/N 377542; Winchester Model 12 12 ga. 2 3/4-inch Pump Shot Gun, S/N 1555671; Springfield Model 67 Series E 3-inch Pump Shot Gun, S/N B877401; Ruko 22 Mag. Squires Bingham c/w scope, S/N A397797; Savage Model 3B-22, 22 ga. gun, N/SN; Diana Model 34 TD5-22 cal. Pellet Gun, S/N D1357910; Walther Model 53-45 cal. BB Pellet Gun, S/N 118766; Polish Model SHE68-B2060 Flare Gun N/SN; Assort. Ammo. for above guns; Gas Ice Auger; Assort Fishing Equip; Assort Camping Equi Antiques: Horse Mower; Horse Sleigh; Horse Rake; Antique 4-ft Land Roller; Cross-Cut Saw; Antique Musical Instruments; Music Books; Antique & Collector Tea Cups & Pots; Collector Ornaments; Antique Gramaphone c/w records; Elvis Records; Large Assort Records; Antique Singer Sewing Machine; Crocks; Grandfather Clock; Teddy Bear Collection; Antique Bear Coat; Fresno Antique Trunk Miscellaneous: (2) 1200-gal. Plastic Tanks; 300gal. Plastic Tank; Gold Finder & Gold Equip; 10-ft x 30-ft x 8-ft Tent; Incinerator; Gopher & Mole Traps; Assort Pipe Posts; (4) 30ft x 5in Eavestrough; Assort. Tires; Iron Rack; Ariens Rear Tine 8.5 hp Rototiller; Landscaping Rocks; (3) Bundles 8-inch x 12-ft Log Siding, approx 300 pieces; Assort Lumber, Posts & Tin; 24-ft x 6-inch I Beam; Assort. Scrap Iron; Pile Shaving; (2) Piles Gravel; (2) 1/2hp New Garage Openers; 2-inch Water Pumps; Solar Panels; Exercise Equip; Steel Shelving Units; Portable Turbine Spray System; Assort Oils; New Rigid Bandsaw; Rigid Planer; Drill Press; Rigid Lathe; Makita Radial Arm Saw; Delta Cut-Off Saw; Floor Jacks; Electric Welder; Mig Welder; Large Assort. Household; Assort Shop Tools too numerous to mention

Visit our website for full listings and pictures: www.millersauctionservice.com

• Complete collision service • Windshield Repair & Replacement • All Insurance Companies • Guaranteed Workmanship

780-662-3432 4908 - 52 Ave.

Auctioneer Note: Mr & Mrs. Huck have sold their place therefore this Sale. Lots of good items on this Sale. Plan on attending. For more information call Jerry Huck at 780-470-0483 or Cell. 780-982-7066 or Millers Auction Service at 780-789-2226 or 780-920-6738. www.millersauctionservice.com License No. 200809 Box 71, Sunnybrook, AB

This list is subject to additions or deletions. TERMS: Cash or valid cheques, certified check, bank draft, bank letter of credit, ALVIN MILLER (780) 789-2226 electronic transfer, Mastercard or Visa. 3% or Cell (780) 920-6738 usage fee for Mastercard and Visa. No purTREVOR MILLER (780) 722-2705 chases to be removed until settlement has BARRY KASHA (780) 374-2472 Camrose, Daysland, been made. List is subject to additions Killam, Tofield, Holden, and/or deletions. Neither the owner, the Kingman, Rosalind, Viking auctioneer or staff of the auctioneer shall Clerk: Tera Lange “For Reasonable Rates and Excellent, be held responsible for any loss or accident on or off the auction site. Friendly Service, Give Us A Call”

Page 6 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

OPINION

Want to have your say? Write a Letter: news.toﬁeld@gmail.com (all opinions must be signed to be published)

JOHN’S RANT

LETTER

The shame that is Jagmeet Singh Busy B Update Ah when young lovers panded to children under forces municipalities to the age of 18 and rezone lands for new break up. Canadians with a valid housing and speed up It’s so sad to see. There’s always some- Disability Tax Credit the permitting process. It one to blame... one side certificate in June, with is estimated to cost bileligible lions. saying it’s him... the other remaining So the deal has cost you Canadians scheduled to saying it’s her. and me, the taxpayers Well the Liberal/NDP gain access in 2025. The federal govern- billions of dollars, which marriage between Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet ment has committed $13 will be ongoing, even Singh went down the toi- billion over five years for though the pact has the program, starting in ended. let last week. Singh ended the deal to Singh pulled out of the 2023-24, and is budgeting Confidence and Supply $4.4 billion annually separate himself from the sinking Liberal ship. But Agreement long before it going forward. One of Jagmeet’s his party should still go was due to end in the next year, blindsiding the favourites was the Phar- down with it. Pundits believe he Liberals and surprising macare package. He has called the plan didn’t like Trudeau and just about every political – which outlines the the government ordering pundit in the country. princi- an end to the CPKC/CN So will this lead to an “foundational ples” of a national uni- rail strike, which would early election? While Canadians, espe- versal drug coverage have cost billions and cially those of us in the plan, but does not seen hundreds if not west may hope so - don’t directly implement one – more workers not on strike, put out of work. “historic.” bet on it. But Singh doesn’t The Parliamentary The Conservatives are Officer has consider collateral damsoaring in public opinion Budget polls, while the Liberals estimated the plan could age. He stands up for the and Singh’s NDP are still cost taxpayers billions of working man in his bejoined at the hip in the dollars annually, and spoke suits and Rolex some provinces have said watch. eyes of public opinion. Sure he does. Did the CASA actually they plan to opt out of He’s all about himself, get anything for Canadi- the national program if it not the Canadian people. ans? Did it provide better is implemented. ing the urgency action fix Alberta s chronicTrudeau short staffing is all crisis. for his Whiletothe bill passed government or ofsee the necessary bate Trump centrist in fact conservative. De-in September. the Senate inalmost October of theCalgary “Rather than focus on very realEconomic concerns Albertans have about accessing sycophants and the Lauthe House of Commons, implementation of better And trotting out washed up Hilary God help the world if they arevelopment, elected. and EPCOR 2021. their health care right now, the Premier seems determined to put all of her govrentian it’s still beforeClinton the Senate policies? and Sleepy Joeelite. Biden on the first Harris grew upTrudeau in a household where Centre foronthe PerformBecause ernment’s energy into her political vendetta against AHS,” said Gallaway. “What Only Pierre Poilievre is which is its summer The Dental Care Prodoesn’t her father was a Marxist economist. That day of the democratic convention ing Arts (now ArtstoComwants to snub Alberta we are watching roll out is a destructive plan dismantle our public health care on the record as willing vacation. gram was one of the explains her radical left wing positions do anything exciting for me. mons). Hetospent hisas much the new system, whileappointees using the chaos privatize asCanadians. they can tocomforto help addition, there was keystones of the But apparently it does for CNN she has taken during theensuing pastInseveral legal career with the from Alberta are Dr. profit interests. he public has been offered no information to suggest that any of He’ll cut unnecessary the Early Learning and confidence-and-supply mentators. years. Calgary firm Kristopher whowill ismany these reckless changes improve our health carebattle system, and notprogramming simply drive expensive Child Care ActAsBurnet, (which agreement, with plans to the lines are drawn, maybe it’s While she Wells, has walked of them Duckworth & Palmer largely outspoken about moreout urgently needed workers out. Albertans should be concerned,” Trump listening toget hisrid adviback, she still keeps them around to satif extremely elected and of ensured $10 time a day for started roll coverage (espeLLP, where he became a ensuring rights for the concluded Gallaway. sors. Stop withthe thespiteful name calling and lies isfy thefor extreme left side the Demo- Anti Carbon Tax. scab cially children, sen- of daycare), andthe start talking about how theGallaway country cratic in and 1990. Hecreis 2SLGBTQ+ Chris So when Parliament relegislation, iors, party. and community low-income partner and world would be better off with yoube at Trump’sresearch unpredictability a cause Executive Director director on with and is currently sumes, there will ation of for thea Housing AcCanadians). the helm. concern as well. Friends of Medicare boardsFund of ENMAX advocacy; celerator which non-confidence motions Eligibility and thenDaryl ex- the

to call for an early election. Singh has given no statement that he will support them. He says his party will deal with each one based on its merits. Much like his deal as it pulled the Liberals to the far left and the bottom of the ocean. He liked the policies when they went his way but out of the other side of his mouth he constantly bashed the Trudeau Liberals. And try as he may have, it was the Liberals who got credit for the policies, not the Singh-led NDP. Singh is simply not to be trusted. In February he’ll qualify for a full parliamentary pension. Last Thursday, he said he wasn’t worried about that at all. He will easily be reelected in his Vancouver area riding, he stated. Well maybe, if an early election is called, motivated voters should work that riding like never before to ensure that just doesn’t happen. He is not a worthy politician and he is a useless leader of a failing party. Somewhere I’m sure the late, great Jack Layton is spinning in his grave. JOHN MATHER

Busy B Bargains is our local not-for-profit thrift store. Personally, I’ve volunteered with Busy B since this last year, four hours Tuesday and Thursday, and can honestly say that I have gained more than I ever gave. I’ve met some wonderful people, both staff and clients, and learned so much more about Tofield, and had a lot of fun. The location on the south side of the street sells mainly clothes, shoes, dishes, and the one on the north side of the street sells craft supplies, tools, small appliances, small furniture, canning supplies, LPs, DVDs, and CDs, to list a few. We can’t thank those who donate items to us enough; without these we couldn’t give money back to the community. Lately, we have donated to Wild Oats and Notes and the Western Days. Remember, if your group has a need you will have to fill out a request form (available from cashiers) and then the Board of Directors reviews them every month. In the south store, the regular clothes are taken down every Monday to be refreshed with new clothes on Tuesday mornings, which is why we’re closed until noon. Priced clothes, which are a little nicer than regular clothes, are added every Tuesday and Thursday, along with

refreshed dishes, shoes, and toys. Jewellery is changed out the first Tuesday of every month. Books, bedding, and blankets are refreshed weekly. We have different displays most weeks from memorabilia we have kept aside while sorting, like baseball, Halloween, and Christmas. Last week we put up our baseball display, with lots of mugs, hats, pennants, and jerseys up around the wall because of the Ry-Tof tournament. Lastly, I’d like to mention our volunteers, who are the glue that keeps things happening. We are very thankful for all the hours the volunteers put in at the stores, some donate two hours a week, some two days a week, and some more than that. We’re very flexible but once a set of hours is chosen with the manager, we need consistency and a “show up attitude.” You see, we all have certain jobs to do and if one person doesn’t show up the rest have to help cover. As another worker put it, we are always looking for more volunteers in “our hive.” If you are interested, please ask to see the manager. Remember, thrifting is our way of recycling and giving back to our community. Nola Pogany, Board Member

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The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 7

BRSD cellphone policy released Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

Battle River School Division (BRSD) released their personal mobile device and social media policy last week, required by the Alberta government’s introduction of a province-wide restriction on cellphone use in the classroom, which was announced in June. “More than 68,000 parents, teachers, and school staff shared feedback on student cellphone use through an online survey between April 16 and May 3, 2024. Based on that feedback, Alberta’s government (established) standards that (were) implemented on September 1 to ensure personal mobile devices and social media do not disrupt learning,” the Alberta government’s website says. Students’ personal mobile devices include cellphones, tablets, laptops, Chromebooks, smartwatches, and any gaming devices including electronic toys. These devices must be silenced or shut off while in the classroom. “All personal mobile

devices must be kept in silent mode or powered off during instructional time and stored in students' backpacks, bags, or locked lockers,” BRSD’s policy says. Instructional time is defined as “time allocated in the school day specifically dedicated to delivering planned educational programs and activities; this includes guest or visitor presentations. This time is focused on teaching students the prescribed curriculum and achieving learning outcomes set by Alberta Education,” and does not include student breaks, recess, lunch, and other non-instructional activities. School WiFi and school devices will restrict access to social media sites, which is also extended onto staff in schools, where they must abide by the same social media guidelines set in place. “Staff are expected to model proper mobile device use and behaviour during instructional time. Students and staff cannot access social media on wireless school networks or school devices,” the policy says.

Exceptions are made for students who require access to their device for their physical health, or for specific learning needs. “Limited use of personal mobile devices must be permitted, as determined by a principal or equivalent, for health or medical reasons or to support social learning needs. This must be documented within a Student Support Plan (SSP) as indicated and supported by a medical professional,” says the policy. While some parents might have appreciated the potential to directly contact their child in case of an emergency, with the new cellphone policy BRSD directs parents to phone the school. “In emergencies or when time is of the e s s e n c e , parents/guardians should contact the school through the main office phone,” the policy says. While the cellphone restrictions were implemented on September 1, school boards have been given until January 1, 2025 to have their policies in place.

RCMP investigates Highway 14 hit run On September 6, 2024, at 6:35 a.m., Strathcona County RCMP responded to a report of a hit and run collision on Highway 14. The victim was traveling westbound on Highway 14 when a silver or white four-door sedan, traveling in the same

direction, made contact with the victim's vehicle, forcing it into the ditch. Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any injuries. RCMP are urging anyone who may have dashcam footage recorded on September 6,

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Page 8 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Busy B finds family who accidentally donated photos to the secondhand store Kari Janzen

Staff Reporter

In mid-July, Robert and Brenda Clark were moving from Tofield and dropped off some donations at Busy B Bargains before they left, but volunteer sorters at the non-profit secondhand store soon realized a mistake had been made. “This is not the first time something has been donated that wasn’t meant to be. “There were full album sheets, frames with collages, and we said, wow, there's a lot of photos here, and they're all connected, so we figured it was an accident,” said Busy B volunteer Bonnie Ferguson. A picture of the photos was posted on social media on Monday, August 26, and Brenda Clark said she was notified nearly instantaneously.

“I'm not on Facebook, but my daughter Darren is, and I was just kind of creeping on her account, and I saw these pictures. And I thought, oh my god, those are ours! At the very same time, Treva Schultz called me and said Brenda, I think these are your pictures. And then Darren had just seen it too, and so it just happened, within seven minutes of being posted, that's how quickly they were claimed,” Clark said. Clark said the mix-up occurred when the bag was mistakenly put in the wrong pile as the couple was packing up their house. “We were moving, and we did it very quickly. It was overwhelming and very stressful, and that box simply got put into the donation pile instead of the moving pile. That's how silly it was, but I am so grateful to Busy B and their people for tak-

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ing the extra effort. Those pictures are precious to us and losing them would have been just terrible. It probably would have been a while before I recognized that they were gone. I haven't even got the pictures on the walls here yet,” she said. Clark said some of the photos were quite old, having inherited them from her husband’s par-

ents when they passed away. “A lot of them are Robert’s old family pictures. The other half were pictures that I had just taken off the wall from the basement! I mean, all of them are precious, there's no doubt, and all of them are irreplaceable, but the old ones were especially such a relief to get back,” she said.

Clark said she and Robert had lived in the Tofield area for 37 years, and have now moved to Calgary. “We had been at the last house for 27 years, and we went from a big house on the acreage to a smaller place in the city, and we're missing Tofield terribly. Leaving Tofield for us has been very, very difficult. It happened very quickly,

we sold our place very fast, and we had to be out and gone,” Clark said. Clark said their friend Treva Schultz is visiting on Friday, and will bring the photos with her then. “Busy B has been such a benefit to our community for so many years, and this is just another reason why we all love them,” Clark said.

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The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 9

Observatory Open House Continued from Cover hooked up, and bathrooms built. “Beaver County has been very supportive over the years. At the very beginning, this area was just bush and nettle. We said, look, we don't need this in the summer, it's not dark enough to observe. So how about, if you help us with the cost of making it a nice graveled site, Beaver County gains a new group site. They were keen on that, so we split some of those costs at the beginning,” Finlay said. With the site prepared, a big next step in making the observatory a reality was the necessity of a telescope. “But that's a very expensive proposition. To buy one would probably be half a million dollars, just for the telescope alone, without even the building. We couldn’t come up with that kind of money, so we were thinking, puzzling, and waiting. It was in 2016 that one of our club members, Bob Drew, donated the 32-inch mirror, which is worth about $100,000,” Finlay said. During that period, the site was being used by RASC members for observing the night sky with their own equipment. “We had made great use of it with our own telescopes over that time. A lot of public sites that we would go to in the past, anybody can go there. You never know who's going to come in at night. For example, at Elk Island National Park or the Blackfoot grazing reserve, the user sites have people coming and going, hunters, people setting up campfires, all with huge lights. People love their lights at night. So sometimes you'd be set up with your scope and then just have to go home. It's really nice here, private, and we are the only ones allowed to be here in winter,” Finlay said. The telescope, built by Roman Unyk, took six

years to construct and weights 3,200 pounds. It is the largest Western Canada dark site telescope. “Roman loves to make telescopes, he’s made quite a few over the years, and so he offered to make it at no charge. He built it, and designed it with the help of the community, deciding what kind of telescope to make,” Finlay said. A used observatory dome was donated to the project by the University of Alberta from an old observatory in Devon. “In the 1960s the U of A’s Physics Astronomy Department built an observatory with a 20-inch telescope that they used for a research back in the 60s, 70s, and into the early 80s. It hadn't been used for 20 years, and so they decommissioned the whole facility. They contacted us, and I said, yeah, we'll take that. We refurbished it, and then built up the walls, and got it into place in fall of 2018,” Finlay said. With the donated dome dictating the size of the observatory, the 32-inch telescope was designed to fit. In the documentary Finlay created, called Opening a New Window into the Stars, it was said that in order to fit the telescope, an unusual folded design was used. “The folded design actually solved quite a few issues,” said telescope builder Roman Unyk, in the documentary. “It shortened the tube length by about 23 inches. It decreased the height of the eyepiece almost four feet, which is a huge thing, but what it meant was that we now had a telescope that can fit into an observatory,” he said. The telescope was completed and placed into the observatory last summer. The facility officially opened on September 16, 2023. “It was a long, slow process to put people, funds, and crews together. We had a really good team of people,” Finlay said. The observatory is open to RASC members primarily, but as in the open house, members of

the public are invited to visit on occasion. “It's a big deal to come out here and open it up. This facility is volunteerrun, and a lot of them are coming from Edmonton. The second issue is that it has to be clear. There's only two weeks out of every month where the moon is not in the way. There is a very limited number of times when everything lines up, and so it's not open very often. And because it was built by the RASC for its members, the first priority is to have it open for members. But we do occasionally, as tonight, open it up for county residents,” Finlay said.

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Page 10 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Prize bingo in Ryley continues to be popular Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

“It did not come to fruition before I left in May 2022. But as we grew the program on my return, I wanted to get it going and there was interest so we kicked it off in May this year,” he said. Winners receive a prize, which consists of items that people from the community have decluttered from their homes, and bingo players who bring an item receive two extra bingo cards for the evening. “We've had nothing but positive feedback about it. People have asked if we would do it weekly, but that's outside of our capacity as a small program. It takes quite a bit of work to get it set up and maintain it and, like so many organizations now, we find volunteers are in short supply,” Wilson said. Wilson said new people show up each time, and while the majority of the bingo players are from the

Over 35 people attended prize bingo in Ryley on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Community Resource Centre (former ATB). Ryley Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Director Mickey Wilson said the program started in May and was popular from the get-go. “It was popular right from the start with about 25 people in the first week. There was interest in having it more often so we shifted from once a month to twice a month,” he said. Held from 6:30-8:30 p.m., about four rounds of bingo can be played, and each round ends in a blackout. The night is free to attend, and pop and chips are available for purchase. Wilson said in 2021 he thought that starting up a bingo night would be a great family-friendly event for the community.

village, there are Beaver County residents and others from the surrounding municipalities who come play too. “The program is growing in popularity with new people coming almost every time. Many are from Ryley but there are people from the county and close local communities. The program is designed to create opportunities for people to gather, have fun, create and strengthen relationships with others and foster a sense of community. And I think bingo is meeting its objectives,” Wilson said.

PHOTO KARI JANZEN

Over 35 people attended prize bingo in Ryley on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Community Resource Centre. Winners receive a prize, which consists of items that people from the community have decluttered from their homes, and bingo players who bring an item receive two extra bingo cards for the evening.

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Committee reviews several policies - includes workplace violence after recent incident Patricia Harcourt Beaver County’s Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) met Sept. 4. Due to renovations taking place this fall in the county’s council chambers, the meeting was held at the Claystone Waste Ltd. administration building. The committee met with Cpl. Ken Petruik of the Tofield RCMP. Cpl. Petruik’s impending transfer was discussed at the Aug. 21 meeting of County Council. Petruik has been the acting commander for the Tofield RCMP since just last June. County Council held a closed session discussion before agreeing to advocate to keep the current interim chief. Council heard from CAO Kayleena Spiess that Petruik showed consistent community based policing and a commitment to small rural communities.

Council had agreed to ask the RCMP commanders in charge of these decisions to speak before them on the issue. Reeve Kevin Smook had asked that this be done in an upcoming session at county council; however, the meeting with Petriuk ended up at a GPC meeting Sept. 4. These meetings are not livestreamed (as are council meetings) so access is limited to attending in person. The committee, which is composed of the five county councillors, were introduced to several policies recommended for approval to county council for final decisions. Policy CORP-032Electronic Signatures was introduced by Margaret Jones, general manager of legislative services, to the GPC. She asked that the policy be recommended to county council for its adoption. “It is common practice

for the public and county staff to use and accept electronic signatures on most documents to streamline processes, improve customer service, and reduce paper waste,” said Jones. “The Municipal Government Act specifically indicates that council must authorize the use of reproduced signatures on certain documents.” The Electronic Signatures Policy would apply to both internal and external documents, with most county documents included in the policy. “The use of electronic signatures is optional,” she stated. “The county may choose not to allow electronic signatures on sensitive documents and likewise a person can choose to sign with a pen. The county cannot refuse to provide a service because an individual prefers to use an original signature.”

Dan Blackie, general manager of infrastructure, introduced Policy NFR-015-Road Use and asked the committee to recommend it to county council for approval. “Utilized by both residents and non-residents alike, county roadways are the heartbeat of the county,” said Blackie. “It is crucial to protect and preserve the integrity of the roads regardless of the type of vehicle using them.” Changes proposed to the road use policy included definitions, general guidelines, and road use agreement guidelines. A third policy for GPC consideration was the Policy PD-009-Letters of Support, as introduced by Rob McMullen, economic development officer. “Council often receives requests to provide letters of support for various projects within the county,” said McMullen.

“The Letters of Support Policy establishes a clear framework and guidelines for issuing such letters, ensuring consistency and fairness in council’s approach to supporting local initiatives.” Committee members were also introduced to a review of Policy HR-033Workplace Violence Prevention and administrative procedure. Explaining the policy review was Health and Safety Officer Carla Martin. Martin defined the issue as concerning both physical violence and that behaviour which causes psychological injury. “The county is committed to eliminating hazards related to workplace violence,” she stated. “When a hazard cannot be eliminated, steps will be taken to control it.” Also, “Lack of respect and vocal criticism

towards public servants is more common and can be stressful for staff,” said Martin. The county has a program to help address rude or angry members of the public under the Health and Safety umbrella. “However, a recent serious incident prompted a required review of the policy and procedures resulting in amendments to the Workplace Violence P r e v e n t i o n Administrative Procedure,” said Martin. These new procedures for responding to an aggressive person may include, depending on the level of aggression: filing an incident report, reporting it to the RCMP, or restricting contact between the member of the public and county employees. Once the GPC recommends approval, the proposed policies will be forwarded to county council for final consideration.

Celebrate the third Annual Ag Society Day coming Sept. 21 Patricia Harcourt Local agricultural societies in Beaver County and others around the province are being encouraged to celebrate the third annual Alberta Agricultural Societies Day taking place September 21.

“These societies are the backbone of countless fairs, events and community initiatives, and this special day is an opportunity for the public to celebrate their contributions,” the release stressed. There are 292 agricultural societies in Alberta, with six in Beaver

County alone. They play an essential role in fostering community spirit here and across the province. The work of these societies is all through volunteers as the driving force organizing community events like rodeos, fairs, barbeques, fun fundraisers and mar-

kets. They allow other groups to use their facilities for gathering places and for emergency services when needed. Agricultural societies have been quietly working behind the scenes for over a century now and locally, they

have helped small towns and rural areas thrive with their contributions. To honour their special day, local societies are being encouraged to host activities such as community dinners, volunteer recognition events, or public presentations showing gratitude for the work

being done by their volunteers. Events can be hosted showing the impact an agricultural society has had on its community, along with vital programs and services. It’s a chance to shine and show off some of the great work done over the years.

2 - Beaver County Chronicle, September 11, 2024

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³ǝȒɖǼƳƺȸ ¨ɖǼǼɀ ³ǝȒɖǼƳƺȸ ȵɖǼǼ «Ǖƺ «Ƴ ‫ א׎א‬ƫƺɎɯƺƺȇ Áɯȵ ‫א׎ד‬ ۭ Áɯȵ ‫ג׎ד‬ ƏƬǸɀǼȒȵǣȇǕ ٢ǼȒƬƏɎǣȒȇ Á (٣ JȸƏɮƺǼǼǣȇǕ

¨ȒɀɎȵȒȇƺƳ ɖȇɎǣǼ ǔɖȸɎǝƺȸ ȇȒɎǣƬƺ ƬɎ ‫א‬

zȒɮ ‫׏‬

ȇǕȒǣȇǕ

(ƺƬ ‫אא‬

Á ( ‫ ډ‬Á ÁȒ Ȓ ƫƺ (ƺɎƺȸȅǣȇƳ

ȸǣƳǕƺ «ƺȵƏǣȸ ‫ ٮ‬Áá¨ ‫ אחג‬Rá áç ç ‫דז׏ «« ۭ גבז‬ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫ ׏‬٢0ȇǕǣȇƺƺȸǣȇǕ٣ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫! ي׏‬ȒȅȵǼƺɎƺ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫ א‬٢³ȵƺƬǣƏǼ ȒȸƳƺȸ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼɀ ۭ ǣȇɀɎƏǼǼ ɀǣǕȇƏǕƺ٣ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫ يא‬Xȇ ¨ȸȒƬƺɀɀ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫! يב‬ǼȒɀƺƳ ǔȒȸ ƬȒȇɀɎȸɖƬɎǣȒȇ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫ يב‬ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫« ي ג‬ƺȒȵƺȇƺƳ ǔȒȸ ɖɀƺ ¨ǝƏɀƺ ‫يג‬

Áá¨ «( ‫« ¨ ٮ אחג‬ÁX n !n ³È«0 Áǝƺ ƫȸǣƳǕƺ Ȓȇ Áá¨ ‫ אחג‬ƫƺɎɯƺƺȇ Ráç ‫ גבז‬ƏȇƳ «« ‫ דז׏‬ǣɀ ƳƏȅƏǕƺƳ ƏȇƳ ȸƺȷɖǣȸƺɀ Ə ɀȵƺƬǣƏǼǣɿƺƳ ƫȸǣƳǕƺ ƬȒȇɎȸƏƬɎȒȸ ɎȒ ƬȒȅȵǼƺɎƺ Ɏǝƺ ȸƺȵƏǣȸɀِ IȒȸ ƺɮƺȸȸɵ ɵȒȇƺٔɀ ɀƏǔǔƺ ƺɎɎɵ ɵً Ɏǝƺ ƫȸǣƳǕƺ ɯǣǼǼ ȸƺȅƏǣȇ Ȓȇƺ ǼƏȇƺً ɯǣɎǝ Ə ‫ ׎׏‬ɎȒȇ ɯƺǣǕǝɎ ȸƺɀɎȸǣƬɎǣȒȇ ɖȇɎǣǼ ǔɖȸɎǝƺȸ ȇȒɎǣƬƺِ ¨ǼƺƏɀƺ ɖɀƺ ƏǼɎƺȸȇƏɎƺ ȸȒɖɎƺɀً ɀɖƬǝ Əɀ Áá¨ «( ‫ ׎חג‬Ȓȸ ‫ ًגחג‬ɖȇɎǣǼ Ɏǝƺ ȸƺȵƏǣȸɀ ƬƏȇ ƫƺ ƬȒȅȵǼƺɎƺƳِ áƺ‫ټ‬ȸƺ ɯȒȸǸǣȇǕ ɎȒ ȸƺɀȒǼɮƺ Ɏǝǣɀ Əɀ ȷɖǣƬǸǼɵ Əɀ ȵȒɀɀǣƫǼƺ٪ ٪ɎɎǝƏȇǸ ɵȒɖ ǔǔȒ Ȓȸ ɵȒɖȸ ȵƏɎǣƺȇƬƺ ƏȇƳ ɖȇƳƺȸɀɎƏȇƳǣȇǕِ

ƺ Ə ɮ ƺ ȸ ! Ȓ ɖ ȇ Ɏ ɵ ۴ ‫ ׎ ד ٮ ׎ א ׏ ד‬Ɏ ǝ ³ Ɏ ȸ ƺ ƺ Ɏ ً Ȓ ɴ ‫ « ً ׎ ג ׏‬ɵ Ǽ ƺ ɵ ً Á ‫ ׎ ג ׎‬۴ ‫ ׎ ב ו ב ٮ ב ה ה ٮ ׎ ז ו‬۴ ƫ ƺ Ə ɮ ƺ ȸ ِ Ə ƫ ِ Ƭ Ə

Beaver County Chronicle, September 11, 2024 - 3

ƺƏɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ǣɀ ƬɖȸȸƺȇɎǼɵ ƏƬƬƺȵɎǣȇǕ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺ ǔȒǼǼȒɯǣȇǕ‫ي‬

«Iª‫ז׏ٮגא׎א‬XzI«‫ ي‬JȸƏɮƺǼ !ȸɖɀǝ ۭ ³ɖȵȵǼɵ ‫ ٮ‬áƺɀɎ !ǼȒɀƺɀ ³ƺȵɎƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ ׎׏ ۬ גא׎א ًוא‬x nȒƬƏǼ Ɏǣȅƺ

Xx¨ «Á zÁ ( Á0³

«Iª‫ח׏ٮגא׎א‬XzI«‫ ي‬JȸƏɮƺǼ !ȸɖɀǝ ۭ ³ɖȵȵǼɵ ‫ ٮ‬0ƏɀɎ !ǼȒɀƺɀ ³ƺȵɎƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ ׎׏ ۬ גא׎א ًוא‬x nȒƬƏǼ Ɏǣȅƺ

³ƺȵɎƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ז׏‬ ‫ ׎בيח‬x ‫¨ ׎בيג ٮ‬x‫« ي‬ƺǕɖǼƏȸ !ȒɖȇƬǣǼ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ ٢nȒƬƏɎǣȒȇ ɎƫƳ٣ ƬɎȒƫƺȸ ‫א‬ ‫ ׎בيח‬x ‫¨ ׎בيג ٮ‬x‫ ي‬JȒɮƺȸȇƏȇƬƺ ۭ ¨ȸǣȒȸǣɎǣƺɀ !ȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƺ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ ƏɎ !ǼƏɵɀɎȒȇƺ ƳȅǣȇǣɀɎȸƏɎǣȒȇ ɖǣǼƳǣȇǕ ƬɎȒƫƺȸ ‫ג׏‬ ǔǔǣƬƺ !ǼȒɀƺƳ ‫ ٮ‬ÁǝƏȇǸɀǕǣɮǣȇǕ ǔǔ

áR Á³ R ¨¨0zXzJ Xz È« ! xxÈzXÁ Áç ç

z ! xxÈzXÁç R nn ɮ ɮƺِ R n(0zً ‫ חג‬

ȒȒǸ !Ǽɖƫ nȒƬƏɎǣȒȇ‫« ي‬Ȓɀɀ !ȸƺƺǸ !ȒȅȅɖȇǣɎɵ RƏǼǼً ‫« ׏ג׎׏בד‬Ǖƺ «Ƴ ‫׏ח׏‬ «ɖȸƏǼ ƫȒȒǸ ƬǼɖƫ ɎǝƏɎ ȅƺƺɎɀ Ɏǝƺ ǔǣȸɀɎ ÁɖƺɀƳƏɵ Ȓǔ ƺƏƬǝ ȅȒȇɎǝِ xƺƺɎǣȇǕɀ ȸɖȇ ǔȸȒȅ ‫¨ו‬x ‫¨ז ٮ‬xً ƏǼǼ ƏǕƺɀ ɯƺǼƬȒȅƺٍ ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳ ‫ ٮ‬ÁǝɖȸɀƳƏɵɀً ‫¨ ח ٮ ז‬x ƏɀƺȅƺȇɎ Ȓǔ ƏȸƳȒ nɖɎǝƺȸƏȇ !ǝɖȸƬǝً ‫ וד ובוג‬ɮƺً ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳِ àǣǸǣȇǕ ‫ ٮ‬áƺƳȇƺɀƳƏɵɀً ‫¨ ז‬xً ñȒȒȅ ȒȵɎǣȒȇ ƏǼɀȒ ƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺِ J ǼƳƺȇ àƏǼǼƺɵ nɖɎǝƺȸƏȇ !ǝɖȸƬǝً ‫ הד ואבד‬ɮƺً àǣǸǣȇǕِ ɀ‫ٖٖٖٖي‬ƏȸƺƏ‫זו‬ƏƏِȒȸǕٖȅƺƺɎǣȇǕɀٖٖ‫בٮוג׏׏‬

ƺȵɎƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ ד׏‬ƏɎ ‫¨ ׏‬x

ȅǣɎ ɵ ɵȒ Ȓɖȸ ƺɮ ɮƺ ƺȇɎ‫ٱ‬ɀ Ɏ‫ٱٱ‬ɀɀ٦٦ ȅƺƺɎǣȇǕɀ ƏȇƳ‫ٱٱ‬Ȓ Ȓȸ ǕƏɎǝƺȸǣǣȇ ȇǕɀ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ƺɮ ɮƺ ƺȇɎɎɀɀ ƳƏȸ Ȓȇ Ɏǝƺ ɯ ɯƺ ƺƫ ƫɀɀǣǣɎɎƺ٨ hɖ ɖɀɀɎ ǝƺƏƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ɯ ɯƺ ƺƫɀǣɎƺ ƺ٦٦ ɖȇƳƺȸ Ɏǝƺ 0ɴ ɴȵ ȵǼǼȒ Ȓȸȸƺ ƺ ɖ ƬǼǼǣǣƬǸ Ȓȇ ! !Ȓ ȒɖȇɎɎɵ ɵ «ƺǕǣȒȇ 0ɮ ɮƺ ƺȇɎɎɀɀ ! !Ə ƏǼƺȇƳƏȸȸ٫٫ á áƺ ƺ ǝƏɮ ɮƺ ƺ ȵƏȸȸɎɎȇƺȸƺƳ 0Ə ƏɀɎ ɎȒ ɀǝƏȸȸƺ ƺ ǼǼȒ ȒƬƏǼ ƺɮ ɮƺ ƺȇɎɎɀɀ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯ ɯƺ ƺƫɀǣǣɎɎƺ٨ JȒ 0

à0n ¨x0zÁ ¨0«xXÁ³ zȒȇƺ Ɏǝǣɀ ɯ ɯƺ ƺƺǸ

³ɎƏɵ ǣȇ Ɏǝƺ ǼȒȒȵٍ

xƏǣǼǣȇǕ ǼǣɀɎ JƺɎ ȇƺɯɀً ȅƺƺɎǣȇǕ ǝǣǕǝǼǣǕǝɎɀً Ɏǝƺ ȸȒƏƳ ƬȒȇɀɎȸɖƬɎǣȒȇ ɀƬǝƺƳɖǼƺً Ɏǝƺ !ǝȸȒȇǣƬǼƺً ƏȇƳ ȅȒȸƺ ‫ ٮ‬ƳǣȸƺƬɎ ɎȒ ɵȒɖȸ ǣȇƫȒɴٍ

³ȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ

áƺƫɀǣɎƺ

IǣȇƳ ɖɀ Ȓȇ IƏƬƺƫȒȒǸً æ ٢ÁɯǣɎɎƺȸ٣ً XȇɀɎƏǕȸƏȅً çȒɖÁɖƫƺً ƏȇƳ nǣȇǸƺƳXȇِ

XȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ Ȓȇ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ȵȸȒǕȸƏȅɀ ƏȇƳ ɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ƬƏȇ ƫƺ ǔȒɖȇƳ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺً ƏǼȒȇǕ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ǼƏɎƺɀɎ ȇƺɯɀِ

4 - Beaver County Chronicle, September 11, 2024

Canola industry worried for farmers on future markets Patricia Harcourt Canola farmers may have tariffs put on their own crops in retaliation for Canada slapping a 100 per cent tariff on electric vehicles from China. The tariff by Canada is to protect the manufacturing of electric vehicles in Ontario, an emerging industry whose cars and trucks will cost more than the cheaper versions coming into the country from China. The move by Canada also included a 25 per cent tariff placed on steel and aluminum from China. The Canadian government took its cue from similar measures already imposed by the United States and European Union on China. Following this,

Chinese officials made it known they are planning an investigation into anti-dumping regarding imports of Canadian canola into China, calling the move by Canada ‘deplorable and discriminatory.’ An anti-dumping investigation is unnecessary as Canada operates under international rules of trade regarding canola, states Canada’s agriculture department. Both government and farmers will be watching this unfold carefully, due to the fact that Canada sells half its canola product to China. Reports indicate that last year 94 per cent of the total amount of canola imported by China came from Canada, or a total of 5.5 million tons valued at $3.72 billion US. C o m p a r a t i v e l y,

Canada has imported 460 per cent more vehicles from China to Vancouver in 2023, or 44,356 with the Tesla made in Shanghai considered the electric vehicle that made this happen. While the possibility of losing a strong canola importing country due to a 100 per cent tariff on imported Chinese vehicles, the Chinese government is also starting to retaliate against the European Union for the EU imposing tariffs on China. More China investigations are also being done regarding importing of pork, brandy an dairy from Europe. Meanwhile, canola agencies representing Canadian farmers issued statements of their own on the issue.

The Canola Council of Canada confirmed its belief that the Chinese anti-dumping investigation into canola was part of China’s response to Canada’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. “China is an important and valued market for Canadian canola,” says Chris Davison, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) president and CEO. “We are confident that an investigation into Canada’s canola trade with China will demonstrate alignment with and reinforce our support for rules-based trade.” CCC said it waits for further details on the investigation and “will work closely with the federal government on this situation.”

Keeping the canola market “open and predictable” is a top priority for the CCC, says Davison. “We will continue to engage on this issue to support market access and competitiveness for Canadian canola in this key market.” Roger Chevraux, chair of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, expressed concern about the situation. “This news comes during the peak of harvest and on the heels of both a challenging growing season and a very recent rail disruption,” said Chevraux. “While we continue with harvest, the news has farmers thinking about the impact on their farms over the coming months,” he added. “China is a market of critical importance to us

and Canadian farmers want to see predictable market access so that we can continue to do what we do best, produce and sell high quality crops.” “Canadian farmers rely on rules-based international trade, and we feel strongly that Canada’s canola trade is in alignment with that,” says Rick White, president and CEO of CCGA. “With China being our second-most important market for canola exports, it is critical that issues facing canola farmers are brought forward in discussions.” CCGA stated it would also be “closely monitoring the situation and communicating with fellow stakeholders and government about the importance of stable market access for canola farmers.”

Parrish and Heimbecker Harvest in full swing approved for milling of grain through tax credit Patricia Harcourt Parrish and Heimbecker grain company has announced it has qualified for an agri-processing investment tax credit for its P&H Milling Group. The funding will be used to build a flour milling facility with the ability to expand in Red Deer County. P&H has a grain handling facility at Viking, and operates other such facilities across the Prairies. The announcement stated that “the flour milling industry plays an important role within the food manufacturing sector,” which is the second largest such industry in the province. Canada’s need for more locally processed foods will rise in the coming years with the expected increase in the population, and this includes high quality wheat flour products. Alberta farmers grow

one-third of Canada’s wheat crops, so this makes them “well positioned to help meet this demand,” said the September 6 statement. P&H Milling Group is a subsidiary of Parrish & Heimbecker Limited, is constructing the $24 million facility in the hamlet of Springbrook to mill about 750 metric tonnes of wheat from western Canadian farmers into flour, on a daily basis. It is designed to complement the Lethbridge wheat and durum milling operation. “This new facility not only strengthens our position in the Canadian milling industry, but also boosts Alberta’s baking industry by supplying high quality flour to a diverse range of customers,” says John Heimbecker, CEO, P&H Limited. It also means that P&H grain facilities will be contributing to the grain

needed for the new milling operation. “We are proud to contribute to the local economy and support the agricultural community by sourcing 230,000 metric tonnes of locally grown wheat each year,” said Heimbecker. The Alberta government has granted P&H Milling Group conditional approval for a tax credit estimated at $27 million. Last year, farmers in Alberta grew 30 per cent of the wheat produced in the country, or 9.3 million metric tonnes. From 2019 to 2022 demand for flour products rose in Alberta as indicated in a 24 per cent rise in retail sales. The announcement is an indication that value added products made with the wheat grown by local farmers is going to be increasing over time, with elevators like P&H using more of the grain grown for secondary and tertiary purposes.

KARI JANZEN PHOTOS

Harvest is in full swing and combines can be spotted throughout the county by watching for dust rising from the equipment. Here a farmer combines a field of wheat southwest of Ryley on Thursday, September 5.

Manhole replacement in Holden

KARI JANZEN PHOTOS

A manhole was being replaced on Thursday and Friday, September 5-6, by the railroad crossing on 50 Street, blocking one of the main entrances into Holden.

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 11

Gordon Cormier brings 140 people into Holden Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

Gordon Cormier, of Codroy Valley, Newfoundland, graced the stage in the Holden Community Hall on Friday, September 6, one of 19 stops on his Canada-wide tour. “I'm playing from Newfoundland all the way to British Columbia. I know Val Andres, she lives in this town, and Val said that this would be a great fundraiser for the community. She contacted the local people involved, and got the ball rolling. I created the posters and tickets, sent it all out, and here we are,” he said. The funds raised from the event went to the Holden Community Hall Association. About 140 people attended, and a food truck was parked outside to provide supper before the show began. The show, called The Country Legends Tribute Show, featured numbers from George Jones, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Johnny Cash, and Newfoundland songs. “It works out so well, because there's not a lot of people playing this music anymore. I have so many people that come up and

say, we don't hear this anymore, and we're so glad to have a show that we can come and just sit and listen. It's not a dance, because there's a lot of comedy in the show as well, there's also some Newfoundland jigs and reels, that sort of thing, so it's a mixture of a lot of different things,” Cormier said. Cormier first began playing professionally when he was 15 years old, joining a band in 1980. “I've been playing music professionally, getting paid for it, since I was 15, which is 44 years ago. I started in a fivepiece band and they were all in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. We all knew each other in the community, and they knew that I was already playing quite a bit. It was a great

opportunity. I went solo when I turned 18 years old. We also had a family band, called The Cormier’s, and with that band we picked up six Newfoundland and Labrador Music Awards and we were also nominated for an East Coast Music Award, the ECMAs,” he said. Cormier can play over fifteen instruments, and picked up his first when he was three. “I started when I was three years old with a button accordion, and I went on to add another 16 instruments after that. Tonight, I have about 10 instruments on stage, including a pedal steel guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, button accordion, bagpipes, tenor banjo, guitar, and harmonica,” he said.

Cormier plays each instrument individually, though he said he used to do shows that included playing numerous instruments at once. “I used to play bass with my feet, and I used to play the guitar and harmonica at the same time, but that was years ago, and now I have moved away from that a bit,” he said. Cormier is one of nine children, and he said his three kids are all musically inclined as well. “I grew up in a big family. They're all musical, but we're also farmers, and we used to have the third largest dairy farm in Canada, and now it's the largest east of Quebec. “I have eight siblings, and about four of us play. All three of my kids, my

two sons and daughter, they all sing and play, and they play multiple instruments as well. “My niece Mallory Johnson is now big in Nashville, big in Canada; you'll hear her on the radio a lot. She's phenomenal. “She's an amazing songwriter, and she does stuff down in Nashville with Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Mallory opened for Shania Twain last week,” he said. Cormier said he has passed through the area

before, having a relative he visits in Wainwright. “I have a cousin that lives in Wainwright, so I have passed through once or twice. I am always trying to add more shows, so I reach out to people I know, like Val, and they get the ball rolling. It brings in a nice crowd of people, and I bring the full production for stage, with everything, so the venue, really, all they need to do is sell the tickets, open the doors, set up the tables, and we're good to go,” he said.

OBITUARIES Gordon Cormier, of Codroy Valley, Newfoundland, graced the stage in the Holden Community Hall on Friday, September 6, one of 19 stops on his Canada-wide tour, The Country Legends Tribute Show.

SANDRA SCOTT Sept. 2, 1947 – Sept. 2, 2024

Church Directory Bardo Lutheran Church Salem Mennonite Church

Worship: Sundays at 10:30 AM 49232 Rge Rd 184 Tofield, AB Pastor Calvin Andringa Sunday Worship Services:

In Person – 10:00 AM Streaming – 10:00 AM Livestream available at: tofieldalliancechurch.com

We find joy and hope when we are joined to and rooted in Christ!

Pastor Mark Loewen 780-662-2365

Pr. Peter Beckman www.bardolutheranchurch.ca 780-662-2762 • 5907 - 49 Street 5609 48th St. - 780-662-3411

Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am

TOFIELD COMMUNITY CHURCH

St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Parish

4619 - 57 Ave

(780) 662-3 3166

Sunday Worship Service 10:30am www.tofieldchurch.com Lead Pastor:

Jon Stewart Children/Youth Pastor:

Nathan Nichols

Tofield United Church 4832 - 53 Ave, Tofield

Sunday Worship Service @ 10 am in person or via zoom/phone

for more information call 780.662.3471 or email tofieldunited@gmail.com

Pastor: Fr. Jim Corrigan Sunday Mass @ 11 A.M. 5523 - 50 st. Tofield, Ab.

Coffee and snacks after Mass, everyone welcome! Contact Wendy @ 780-232-5300

Sandra Scott of Tofield, Alberta was born Sept, 2, 1947; she passed away peacefully at home Sept 2, 2024, at the age of 77 years. She was predeceased by her loving husband Sieko. She is survived by her sons Robert (Roberta), and Ronald (Brenda); grandchildren Kiara, Jonathan, Heidi and great - grandchild Char; her brother Danny; sister in law Marg and their families; along with other family and friends. Cremation has taken place and there will be a private gathering at a later date. The family asks in lieu of flowers to please keep the Canadian Lung Association in mind for donations. Weber Funeral Home 780-662-3959 www.weberfuneralhome.ca

Page 12 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Real Estate Auction Sale Starts October 11th & Closes on October 15th, 2024 Ryley, AB - Selling in 2 Rings Ring #1 Featuring The Young Family Farm 4 Quarters/1 Full Section of Beaver County's Finest Farm Land Buy 1 Or Buy All 4 Quarters of Pristine Farm Land with Great Opportunities Situated In The Heart Of East Central Alberta. Just A Short 30 Minute Drive to Vegreville/Camrose/Sherwood Park. These Quarters of Land Will Also Make a Great Investment Opportunity as Many Neighbours are Willing to Rent & Purchasing these Would Give the Buyer the Ability to Farm In Mile Long Stretches. Directions: From Hwy 14 to Hwy 854, North on Hwy 854 for 12 Kms to Hwy 626, West on Hwy 626 for 0.3 Kms to Rg Rd 173, North on Rg Rd 173 for 3.1 Kms, East Hand Side of Road. OR From Hwy 855 to Twp 510, West on Twp Rd 510 for 4.5 Kms to Rg Rd 173, North on Rg Rd 173 for 1/2 Mile, East Hand Side of Road Parcel #1: NW-15-51-17-W4M Being 160 Acres M/L w/ Approx. 129 Cultivated Acres Currently Seeded to Wheat. This Quarter Consists of 160 Acres with Approx. 130 Cultivated Acres & Approx. 30 Acres Hay/Grass Land Which Can Be Used For Pasture Land/ Hay Land/ Future Yard Site, With Its Own Approach or it Could Also Be Cleared Into Arable Acres. Currently Being Rented for $110.00/ Acre Parcel #2: NE - 15-51-17-W4M Being 160 Acres M/L w/ Approx. 113 Acres Cultivated Currently Seeded into Wheat. This Quarter Consists of 160 Acres with Approx. 113 Cultivated Acres & With A Little Bit of Work 47 Acres Could Be Developed into Arable Land. Currently Being Rented Out At $110.00/Acre Parcel # 3: SW-15-51-17-W4M Being 157 Acres M/L w/ Approx. 140 Acres Cultivated Currently Seeded into Canola This Quarter Consisting of 160 Acres with Approx. 140 Cultivated Acres & With A Little Bit Of Work 17 Acres Can be Developed Into Arable Land. Currently Being Rented Out At $110.00/Acre Parcel #4: SE-15-51-17-W4M Being 160 Acres M/L w/ Approx. 79 Acres Cultivated Currently Seeded into Canola This Quarter Consists of 160 Acres with Approx. 79 Cultivated Acres & With A Little Bit of Work The 81 Acres of The Old Yard Site Could Be Developed into Arable Land or Turned Back Into Future Yard Site. Currently Being Rented Out At $110.00/Acre. The Old Yard Site Consists of Power & Gas at Property Line, Abandoned Water Well. Subject to Final Bid. If Final Bid is not Accepted, the Deposit Will Be Returned. Real Estate Terms & Conditions: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Possession on or before November 14th, 2024. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED by November 14th, 2024 the Deposit will be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages. All measurements are approximate and need to be verified by the purchaser.

Ring #2 Selling by Totally Unreserved Auction for Darrel Magneson 4 Quarters of Land Forming a Full Section (Selling as 1 Block) of Mixed Farming Land in the Heart of Beaver County. Located ofRiley RyleyononTwp TwpRd Rd500. 500. LocatedJust Just3.5 3.5Kms KmsNorth Northof ofHwy Hwy#14 #14on onRge RgeRd Rd165 165or or55Miles MilesEast Eastof of the theVillage Town of This Full Section of Farm Land Consists of Approx. 400 Acres M/L of Cultivated Land and Approx. 80 Acres M/L of Hay Land with the Waskwei Creek Running Thru the East Side, Providing the Property with Ample Water for Both Livestock and Nature Lovers. In addition No Subdivisions have happened on the Beautiful Parcel of Land. The Former Yard Site is Located in the Centre of the Section with Power, Natural Gas & an Older Water Well. There is Also an Older Quonset with a Few Out Buildings. This is an Excellent Opportunity for Either a Farmer or an Investor. The Cultivated Land Does Have a Current Lease in Place Until October 31st, 2028. However, the Lease/Rent is to be Renegotiated at the End of this Harvest Year. The Current Renter Does have the Option to Match the Final Bid on Sale Day. Legal Descriptions: SE 4-50-16 W4M Consisting of 160 Acres M/L - SW 4-50-16 W4M Consisting of 160 Acres M/L NE 4-50-16 W4M Consisting of 160 Acres M/L - NW 4-50-16 W4M Consisting of 160 Acres M/L Real Estate Terms & Conditions: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Possession on or before December 14th, 2024. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED by December 14th, 2024 the Deposit will be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages. All measurements are approximate and need to be verified by the purchaser.

Real Estate Transactions are being Handled by Maxwell Polaris Victor Lillo (780) 708-2000 & Allen Olson (403) 783-0556

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd. Rimbey & Hwy #16 East/Rge Rd 185, Alberta (403) 843-2747 Rimbey - (780) 208-2508 - Hwy #16 East/Rge Rd 185 - Toll Free 1-855-783-0556 Email: abolson@telusplanet.net - Homepage: allenolsonauction.com License No. 165690

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 13

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Page 14 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

School chums

REMEMBER WHEN

One thing about going back to school, you get to renew old acquaintances. Tammy Kropielnicki, 10, Jo Ann Tiedemann, 12, and Denise Campbell, 11, are all grade six students at the Ryley School. After two months of holidays, they were eager to swap stories on ʻHow I spent my summer vacation.ʼ This photo appeared in the Tofield Mercury on September 9, 1982.

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The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 15

CLASSIFIEDS

NOW ONLINE AT cariboupublishing.ca

All Classified Ads booked in our paper will also be posted online at the new online Classifieds Section at no additional cost. THOUSANDS of page views online every month in addition to our THOUSANDS of weekly readers. Plus our site is Employment. Employment. Events. Events. Thank Thank Yous. Yous. Memorials. Memorials. Services Services & & More! More! Google SEO optimized. IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE WITH US!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS

FOR FOR SALE SALE

Fall Vegetables are Ready!! Potatoes, Carrots, Beets, and Cucumbers! Off Highway 13 Turn North on RR 122 go North 3 Miles. Helen Tanton 780-888-6800

Clothing Sale Friday, September 13 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 14 9 a.m. to Noon Daysland United Church

Wheelchair Ramp. Aluminum frame, 20'x20'x3' high x3' wide. Mint shape - no maint. $3000.00, phone 780-895-7458

CARD THANKS CARDOF OF THANKS The family of the late Judy Ann Stefiszyn wish to thank a number of people who helped her so much in her final days. First of all thankyou to Dr. Abuzehar and the staff of the Tofield Health Centre for the comfort and compassion Judy received. We also thank the many friends and former co-workers who sent flowers, food, cards; well wishes and prayers for Judy. The family appreciates everything you did for her. Also thank you to Weber Funeral Home for their help, guidance & advice they provided the family. Again, we thank everyone for their kindness. The family of Judy Ann Stefiszyn. COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS Volunteen Program at Hardisty Health Center (2024-2025) Registration is Now Open! Are you a youth aged 14-18 interested in a career in healthcare? The Hardisty Health Center is offering a valuable opportunity to gain experience through their Volunteen Program. Those interested can call or message Sheila Commandeur at 780-888-7007, Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 4 pm. The deadline to register is October 4, 2024.

Forestburg Arena Association Annual General Meeting Monday September 23, 2024 7:30 PM Upstairs at the Forestburg Arena and Multi-Use Facility Positions to be filled. 2 year term. Everyone welcome. Viking AA Group Meetings Wednesdays at 8 p.m. at the Golden Valley Lutheran Church Creation Ministries International will be at Killam Baptist Church on Sunday September 15 at 6PM. Gus Olsthoorn will be speaking on "If the Bible is True...." There will also be a Q&A session Books and media will be available for purchase. All ages welcome. EDMONTON COIN SHOW & SALE September 21/22 2024, 10 am - 4:30 pm, Sunday,10 am - 3:00 pm.. Lions Centre 11113 - 113 Street, Edmonton. Free market evaluations. Dealers from across Canada * Auctions * Displays * WATCHES * Family friendly! www.edmontoncoinclub.com/shows.

SUDOKU

OBITUARY

in Killam Large Keller china cabinet (approx. 2001) glass doors, glass shelves, mirrored back, lights up. 2 separate pieces, top & bottom Approx. 7 ft tall. Pretty heavy - will need truck and 2 people will be picked up from garage/driveway. $100. Text 780-336-3422 if interested. WHITE SPRUCE TREES: 5’ average $50. Installation ONLY $19. Includes: hole augered, Wurzel Dip enzyme injection, bark mulch application, staking. Minimum order 20. One-time fuel charge: $150 - 200. Crystal Springs. 403-820-0961. Quality guaranteed. LANDFOR FOR SALE LAND SALE Land for sale: 13.22 acres in Whitford. Great piece of land for farming or to build your dream home or hobby farm. No services on land. Call 780-951-7158 for more information.

SEED SALE SEEDFOR FOR SALE WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN - Heated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. "On Farm Pickup". Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252. ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789. HEALTH HEALTH HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-453-5372.

ANSWERS

Allen Hnybida It is with great sadness we announce that Allen Hnybida passed away peacefully at the age of 77 in his home on September 6, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. Allen spent a great deal of his life as a long haul truck driver. In his retirement, he moved to Viking and was able to further fulfill his passion for horses when he resided at the Sauers rental. He is survived by his brother, Dale (Lorna), sister Pat (Randy), stepson Kerry, numerous nieces and nephews and other family. Also, very close friends Vera Minchau, Lynette Field, and numerous others. Thank you to the homecare aides who took such good care of him to the end. He was predeceased by his dad Nick, mom Natalie, and sister June. As per Allen’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. A private burial will take place at a later date. FOR RENT RENT FOR Large, non-smoking 2 Bedroom Apartment in Killam. Call Chuck 780-263-7290 HARDISTY: 2 BR furnished house for rent available now. $1200 plus electricity. Call or text 780-717-6783

Page 16 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

CLASSIFIEDS

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FOR RENT

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55+ adult bungalow in Belvedere Gardens with a single attached garage. Two bedrooms. In floor heating, vaulted ceilings, open concept. Available September 1st. $1,400/month includes utilities, except power. 4527 55 Ave. Tofield, AB. Contact Dan 780-970-7908.

Clay-Con Construction Clayton Rauser 38+ year Journeyman Carpenter 780-385-5448 All Types of Renovations •Additions •Decks •Roofing •Concrete •Windows •Framing •5” Continuous Eavestroughs •Siding •and More!

Hawkeye Ag Inc. Custom Corral Cleaning. Excavator, Bulldozer, Grader, Skid Steer, Compactor, Manure Spreader. Serving Lamont County and Areas, custom corral cleaning, earth works, aggregate and excavation. Call Clayton @ 780.718.7479, or email at hawkeyeagservices@outlook.com.

Specializing in Hail Damage Metal Roofing, Vinyl Siding, All Farm Structures, Metal and Building Restructuring. Call Clint at 780-226-9693. AA Affordable Contracting.

In Chipman, 2 bedroom, newly renovated. Comes with fridge & stove, washer & dryer. Suitable for 1 person: non-smoker, no pets, references needed. Text 587-785-9339. HELPWANTED WANTED HELP Join Our Team! Dynamic insurance brokerage seeking an experienced broker. Competitive salary, Work-life balance, and a supportive team environment. Grow your career with us! Apply today: Call 780-662-0330, Email hello@ravenhillagencies.com. ROCKY MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT IS HIRING: Parts Technicians, Sales Consultant, Agriculture & Heavy Equipment Techs - Journeyman, Apprentices and Sales roles. View Open Roles www.rockymtn.com/careers. Possible Relocation and Signing Bonus Offered.

Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 Drywall Taping/ Ceiling Texturing 40 years experience on the job, from commercial buildings to new homes to home renovations. No job too small. Experienced Killam drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job, big or small. Don't want to do it yourself? - Give me a call! I also do ceiling textures. Flagstaff Taping & Texturing Murray Cholowsky Call or text at 780-385-1251 Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097

Medical Taxi Service Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back $175 •Absolutely NO Hidden Fees •Escort to Reception/Waiting Room •Pick up and Drop off at your door •Top Notch Service! •Retired Medic •Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810 CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com. PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.

Serving local area for 30 years. CWB Covered and Fully Insured. Mike & Dave Rv Inc. Service, Storage, Parts. Call us today! 780-415-5015 or visit our website: www.mdrv.ca **Located just 11 kms North of Tofield on Highway 834** TRAVEL TRAVEL "Northern Lights RV resort is the Alberta Coast to Coast Affiliate Campground open year round. For Fall camping call 780-6566559."

WANTED WANTED COLLECTOR/ ENTREPRENEUR PURCHASING COINS & COLLECTIONS! CASH PAID! ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, collections, rare & old coins, silver & gold coins, jewelry, nuggets, bullion, sterling, gold & silver! 306-774-2420.

CLUES ACROSS 33. Walk heavily 1. Tall, upright post on a boat 34. About a wood 5. Basics 36. Free-swimming marine 9. Used to refer to cited invertebrate works 38. Political action committee 11. Folds 39. SB19 hit song 13. Former UK PM May 41. Scorch the surface of 15. Cold region of Russia 43. Moved quickly on foot 16. Standard operating pro- 44. Sacred state for a cedure Muslim 17. Separating 46. Growl 19. Particles 48. Pearl Jam frontman 21. A way to map out 52. Irritating person 22. Referee declares 53. Something requiring a 23. Beginner solution 25. Water (Spanish) 54. Firing 26. Gov’t lawyers 56. Hazards 27. Non-reproductive parts of 57. Taiwan capital an organism 58. Impudence 29. Spanish friends 59. Rock frontman Durst 31. A type of tree

CLUES DOWN Arabian peninsula 1. One who rides an ele- 26. A bend phant 28. Fishes of the herring 2. Absence of bacteria family 3. Soviet Socialist Republic 30. Antelopes 4. Men’s fashion acces- 32. Chaos sories 34. Popular music app 5. “Honey” actress Jessica 35. Cooking material 6. Round red root vegetable 37. Musical instrument 7. Latin term for “charity” 38. San Diego ballplayers 8. Doesn't smell good 40. Small amounts 9. Mental health issue 42. Poured 10. Millisecond 43. Fabric 11. Hairstyle 45. Food option 12. Edible starch 47. Finger millet 14. Middle Eastern military 49. The U. of Miami mascot title is one 15. Protein-rich liquids 50. Alberta, Canada river 18. Indian musical pattern 51. Canadian flyers 20. Cancer and Capricorn 55. Dry white wine drink 24. Country along the

ANSWERS ACROSS: 1. MAST 5. ABCS 9. PASSIM 11. PLEATS 13. THERESA 15. SIBERIA 16. SOP 17. SEGREGATING 19. DUST 21. CHART 22. TKO 23. TIRO 25. AGUA 26. DAS 27. SOMA 29. AMIGOS 31. PALM 33. SLOG 34. PINEAL 36. SALP 38. PAC 39. WYAT 41. SEAR 43. RAN 44. IHRAM 46. GNAR 48. EDDIE VEDDER 52. PIA 53. PROBLEM 54. SACKING 56. PERILS 57. TAIPEI 58. SASS 59. FRED ANSWERS DOWN: 1. MAHOUT 2. ASEPSIS 3. SSR 4. TIES 5. ALBA 6. BEET 7. CARITAS 8. STINKS 9. PTSD 10. MSEC 11. PIGTAILS 12. SAGO 14. AGHA 15. SERUMS 18. RAGA 20. TROPIC 24. OMAN 26. DOGLEG 28. ALEWIVES 30. GOAS 32. MAYHEM 34. PANDORA 35. LARD 37. PANPIPE 38. PADRES 40. TADS 42. RAINED 43. REPP 45. MEAT 47. RAGI 49. IBIS 50. ELLS 51. RCAF 55. KIR

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 17

C.W. Sears Elementary School hosts welcome back BBQ for staff, students, and families PHOTO VANESSA POITRAS On Thursday, September 5, C.W. Sears Elementary School hosted a welcome back barbeque for teachers and families. Principal Adam Madsen said they had a great turnout, and had prepared enough food to serve 400 guests. Teachers, education assistants, and volunteers were present to help to make the barbeque a success. Children played in the park while parents and teachers were able to have conversations in the sunshine.

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Page 18 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Holden ATB branch closing at end of the month ATB says changing usage by area residents no longer requires a branch in Holden Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

The last day that ATB clients can use the services provided by the branch in Holden is Friday, September 27, when the branch will permanently close at noon that day. The statement from ATB says that the changes in usage by area residents shows they no longer need to have a location in Holden. “The decision to

close was made after careful consideration of various factors, including the changing banking habits of Holden clients, with a growing preference for digital banking options and transactions at nearby full-service branches,” the statement says. The statement also said that the long-time employee stationed in Holden is retiring. “We're grateful for the dedication of our team member in

Holden, who is retiring after many years of service to the community. “We wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” the statement reads. Following the Holden location closure, customers will need to carry out their in-person banking needs in the towns of Tofield, Viking, or Vegreville. The former ATB building in Ryley still houses a full-service ATM.

PHOTO KARI JANZEN The Holden ATB branch will permanently close on Friday, September 27.

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The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Page 19

Village of Ryley to review land use bylaw Kari Janzen Staff Reporter The Village of Ryley has begun reviewing its land use bylaw (LUB), last amended in August 2020. Discussion began at the last council meeting, the Committee of the Whole, on Tuesday, September 3. “The Village is looking at the LUB first and foremost to stimulate healthy development and growth in Ryley. “Secondarily, the Village is looking because the current LUB has not been majorly reviewed since 2012, with minor changes made in 2018 and in 2020,” Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Glen Hamilton-Brown said in a later interview. Hamilton-Brown said, as per usual with a LUB, a running list of notes and suggested edits are kept, and minor amendments are made as necessary. “For example, we don't have much in our bylaw about the construction of fences and we note that

with such missing ordnance, one could legally build a mud wall fence. That is probably not something that the community would want in Ryley,” he said. The timeline suggested by Hamilton-Brown during the meeting on September 3 was that the next three months would see the councillors review the LUB in detail, to discuss proposed amendments, for the first reading to be completed in January. A public hearing would be held and advertised prior to the second and third readings, so the projected end date for the LUB amendments would be March 2025. “Now, that can all shift to the right, depending on what our workshops are going to be between now and then. We could open it up with a first reading now, so we could do the workshops in the Committee of the Whole, but the problem is that because it's the land use bylaw, we don't have a

big framework for where we're going at this point. Under normal cases, if you have a bylaw, all you need is an idea for the first reading, but when we're talking about a statutory bylaw, we want to have a good framework when we're introducing it,” Hamilton-Brown explained to Council. A look at definitions in particular was discussed, at making clearer distinctions between zones and what is and is not permitted to be built or added to properties within specific zones. “We are a government. We want to facilitate development. We don't want to be overreaching, but we want to control, to set conditions for success. “We want to support people, but we have to draw the lines of what we don’t want. When you look at our land use bylaw, I think it doesn't have a clear vision with respect to what the differences are between R1, R2, R3, and RMH, residential

mobile homes, which is the trailer park,” Hamilton-Brown said. Another example given by the CAO included trees, and what neighbours are permitted to do if branches are hanging over their property. “Today I had a discussion with a resident, and it's a recurring thing, about trees. Our bylaw says you have to cut your trees if they are going over the road. In this instance I actually couldn't answer the question, because I don't know if our bylaw says that you have to cut it if it goes into your neighbor’s. “It's a very complex thing. It's a neighboUr problem, but at the same time, I've done some research and one of the issues is, in a lot of places, you have the right to just take like a lightsabre and cut it. But the law also

says that if you kill that tree, then that neighbor is entitled to, I think, four times the cost of the replacement of that tree,” he said. Hamilton-Brown said the most recent change, in 2020, was the introduction of the Central Business District. “Prior to 2020, Main Street was in the Commercial 1 District. Council of the day felt that Downtown needed to be managed differently, so we could focus on Economic Development in more specific ways. This change set the conditions for us to introduce a Business and Commercial Grant which we are working on,” Hamilton-Brown said after the meeting. “Council is focused on developing growth opportunities to increase our tax base so we can reduce our tax rate growth. We

have a long way to recover from 2022 financial losses, and to build reserves back up to start improving infrastructure and to provide valuable services for our community. As well, costs of living are soaring nationally and provincially, and inflation is high. Property values are growing in Ryley, but not at the same pace that costs are rising. Council wants to fix this and for people to see Ryley as a place of choice; to operate businesses, to enjoy community and recreation, and to be able to afford life. “A LUB sets the conditions for all this by permitting positives and restricting negatives. Council's challenge is to figure out what those positives and negatives are and what they will be in the future,” HamiltonBrown said.

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Phone: (780) 208-2508 Office

Providing Safe Earwax Removal, Hearing Testing, Hearing Aid Sales and Service, Medical Referrals, 3rd Party Programs for Hearing (WCB, Veteran's Affairs, AISH)

Aaron Olson - (403) 913-9644 - Allen Olson - (403) 783-0556 We are now accepting Listings for this Sale. Any items prelisted by September 11th will be included in our Sales Posters, Newspaper & Radio Advertising, Web Page & Social Media. Selling equipment to all four Western provinces and the Northern USA.

benchmarkhearingcentre.ca

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd. Rimbey Office - 403-843-2747 - Toll Free - 1-855-783-0556 Hwy #16 East Office - 780-208-2508 Rimbey & Hwy #16 East, Alberta - License No. 165690 Email: abolson@telusplanet.net - Website: www.allenolsonauction.com

Page 20 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

BRAED BBQ Continued from Page 2

advantage. “The needles need to move on population growth, labour force, and more. “We need a clear, consistent path as to how to reverse our

economic trends and build economic recovery consistent with the rest of the province.” Schulmeister acknowledged that there are opportunities available with economic development grants to support local initiatives, but says, “These are largely oneoffs.”

He says BRAED hopes that the grants do create opportunities for those communities who have the matching dollars, “However, many of our small communities are left out of grant opportunities, due to limited capacity, and our shrinking populations. “Creating sustainable growth will not

happen with one-offs. We need to find a stronger way of working collaboratively to ensure the return on investment will be a long-standing value. “It is through events like today that we reaffirm our commitment to continue to meet and hold conversations, open communication, and

GOLF 7780-374-3633 780 80 80

SEDGEWICK GOLF CLUB Men's Night - Tuesday Ladies Night - Wednesday Sunday Breakfast 8-10:30am

• Men's Night - Thursday • Seniors Morning - Wednesday •Mixed Cash Scramble - Sept 14 • Ladies Night - Wednesday Book a round today before the snow flies! Tee Times Mandatory - Book online: www.dayslandgolf.com

County, Daysland, Forestburg, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Alliance, and Hardisty. Members also include Beaver County, the Town of Viking, the Town of Irma, and the Village of Ryley, as well as the County of Wainwright No. 61, and Paintearth County No. 18, and the Town of Wainwright.

Start planning your golf season at these incredible courses within our region!