Shootin' the Breeze – Dec. 21, 2016

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December 21, 2016 Year 6, Issue 15

The heart of Christmas

From our Shootin’ the Breeze family to yours, may the season be filled with joy.

Photo by Brenda Shenton

Put your best smile forward this holiday season!

Dr. Greg Steed and Dr. Mark Leishman General Dentists

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Page 2

Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

Learning how local bears prepare for winter

Photos by Brenda Shenton

Kindergarteners at Canyon School in Pincher Creek recently spent an afternoon learning about local bears and how they add a layer of fat before hibernation. Teacher Muriel McPherson invited local environmental educator Sarah Downey to share her knowledge with the class. After examining bear skins, claws and skull models, the children went outside to the hill behind the school to build bear caves. Clockwise, from bottom left, are Morgan Conley with Jenna-Mae Yellow Horn in their den; Isla Dressler enjoying the tactile learning that comes with a grizzly bear claw; Mandy Glen-Shenton watches as Owen Barclay checks out a fur sample shown by Sarah; Callie Clark and Naya Randell examining a skull model; and Rylee Baird with Kesha Shepherd in their cave.

Thank You! Angels Within Us would like to thank all the individuals and businesses that contributed to our annual fundraiser auction and dance, also all those who helped us throughout the year.

WE RAISED $60,000 BECAUSE OF YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Alberta Rocks

Mary & Roland Cote

Allied Distributors

Barry & Sophie Carney

Antonio’s Pizza

Tanya & Jason Carney

ATB Financial

Chief Mountain Gas Co-op

Avail Accountants Gaylen Armstrong John & Wendy Arnold Backcountry Butchering Mick & Christine Bennick Bert & Macs Blackburn Jewellers Boston Pizza Boulder Metal Sandi Breckenridge Tony & Lorraine Bruder Walter & Frieda Bruns John Bruns Brylor Ranch Dick & Lou Burnham Janifer Calvez Carpet One/Builders World Castle Ford Castle Mountain Ski Resort

Linda Conley Lynne DeCock Deb Keehn & Friends Erickson & Sons Explore Designs Eye Candy Western Wear Fitzpatrick Landscaping Keith & Dianne Foster Fountain Tire Fox Theatre David Johnson Joe & Marg Gilmore Thomas Gilmore Glacier Mechanical Grumpy’s Greenhouse Grumpy’s Landscaping Vanessa Haggan High Country Western Wear Marlene Hochstein

Dick Hardy

Noell Maughan

Hedderick Insurance Heritage Inn Hair Reflections Patrick and Connie Hochstein Darryl Holte Kimberly Hurst Tammy & Dean Kennedy KOST Labatts Brewery Chantal Laliberte Stuart Leal Rick & Blanche Lemire

McDonald’s McRae Silver Tillie McLeod Jessica McClelland Nineteen 89 Terry Oczkowski OK Tire Oldtimers Hockey Club Merle & Barb Olsen Outdoor Outlet Harvest Coffee House Perfect Posies

Riteline Electric Kristen Ragan Robin & Co. Chartered Accountant

The Wood Chic Johnny & Carrah Walter

Rona

Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co.

Ruffles Royal Bank Pat & Audrey Stenbeck Scorched Elements Sierra West Cabins Signs Unlimited Margo & Bob Schmidt Snodgrass Funeral Homes Silver Reins 4-H Club

Pincher Creek Co-op

Stauffer Ranches

Pincher Creek Legion

Stacey Stauffer

Bryan Mackenzie

Pincher Creek Veterinary Clinic

Dale & Diane Stuckey

McRae Holdings

Pincher Office Products

Louann Killoran Mark & Edna Mackenzie

Claire Madsen

Charlie Price

Mammoet

Providence Salon

The Grill

Teri-Lyn Richards

Sinnott Farms

Lynden House

The Brick Pincher Creek

Rocky Mountain Bobcat

Pincher Creek Credit Union

Livingstone Ladies Club

David & Danielle Tetachuk

Marj Sinnott

Sudsy’s Car Wash Sure Glass Tanexxca Ltd. Allen Tapay

Westcastle Motors Willow Valley Soapworks United Church Women Jim & Michelle Duncan Suzanne & Murray Kirby Kirk Weisshaar Lachlan Rempel Sarah Gross Pincher Creek Colony Town & Country Liquor Cervus Equipment Mountain Radio 90 Bar Ranch Peller Estates Koop Trucking Garb & Heather Kidd Mountain Drift Photography

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

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Craftsman picks holiday tunes on unique instrument

By Brad Quarin “I don’t know one note At this time of year, many from another, what key I play,” people will hear local musihe says. cians play Christmas carols.

Likewise, he figured out Few will hear the familiar by himself how to make the tunes played on homemade instruments. “I started making instruments, and it will be these for something to do,” he more unique to hear them says. from an instrument made out He made his first pandolin of a frying pan.

22 years ago, and still has it at The instrument is called a Crestview Lodge. pandolin, and making them is The pandolin can be used a hobby for Crestview Lodge to play old-time dance music. resident Jerry Sikorski.

If you can play a mandolin, “Every one’s different, one you can play a pandolin. of a kind,” he says. The same Jerry has two pandolins can be said of Jerry, a friendly with him at Crestview Lodge, and social man of 86, with a and another 10 at his daughdefinite sense of humour and a ter’s home. He has sold or distinct talent. given away the others and The neck and double strings even traded one for a TV. of the instrument are much Some buyers play the Photo by Brad Quarin Jerry Sikorski demonstrates his picking technique on a homemade pandolin. like a regular mandolin. Jerry’s instruments, while others use pandolins differ in the body, them as wall decorations. which can be made from things like pans, stove burner covers and bathroom Jerry donated one to the museum in Wadena, Sask., for the province’s centenscales. He has even used the lid from a can of fish to make one. nial.

The resulting sound is different from that of the average mandolin.

He lived in Wadena, but previously lived and worked in Alberta at various “They all sound different,” he says. “Some of them sound better, and some not points in his life. He has held jobs working with farm equipment and welding. as good, but they all play.”

After his girlfriend in Wadena was moved to full-time care, Jerry left for His craft has its origins in his army service in the 1950s. Jerry served on a Pincher Creek, where his daughter resides. peacekeeping mission and repaired tanks in Germany after the Second World He has lived in Crestview Lodge for a few months now. At the groundbreaking War. While there, he bought a pandolin. ceremony for the new lodge in July, he played for an MLA for the first time when The instrument isn’t much more common in Germany than in Canada. the government sent Karen McPherson.

Jerry didn’t learn to play it until after he retired. With no musical education, he Jerry also plays for fellow residents after exercises, and performs “Happy Birthtaught himself to play by ear. day” when the occasion calls for it.

RANCHLAND MALL PRIME RETAIL SPACE

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Please call 403-904-2227 or email info@ shootinthebreeze.ca We’re always happy to hear from you!

Ranchland Mall has retail space available 1,170 sq. ft.

Access to wireless Internet

Pincher Creek Co-op

Box 970, 1300 Hewetson Ave. Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0

403-627-2667 Please email all inquiries to pccoopct@telus.net or call Rhonda Poch 403-627-2667 Ext 122

Pyjama Tree 2016 Thank you to all who donated to the Pyjama Tree at Shootin’ the Breeze.

Your gifts to women and children at the Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter will be greatly appreciated this Christmas!

In Loving Memory of Mary Bottolfs — Dec 22, 1996 The dearest mother, the kindest friend One of the best whom God could lend.

Loving, thoughtful, gentle and true, Always willing a kind act to do.

Sunshine passes, shadows fall, Love’s remembrance outlasts all.

Christmas Eve Service

Love Sher, Bobbi, Nikki, Shawna, and spouses and great-grandchildren

St. John’s Anglican Church

Thank you to our clients and patients for supporting our clinic while the road in front was blocked for sewer and water work.

We appreciate your loyalty and perseverance Dr. Zachar, Dr. Cole, Dr. Grandoni and Staff

PINCHER CREEK VETERINARY CLINIC 403-627-3900

1124 Waterton Avenue

Pincher Creek

Please join us Saturday, December 24 at 4 p.m.

Refreshments to follow

Main Street, Pincher Creek

Did you know Shootin’ the Breeze is delivered directly to employment centres in Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass?

Book your help wanted ad today with Jessica Jensen 403-904-2227 or email to jessica@shootinthebreeze.ca

PRINT SHOP CLOSING DEC. 31 The commercial printing division of Shootin' the Breeze will close Dec. 31 It has been a pleasure to assist both businesses and individuals with their customer printing projects over the past five years. This change will allow our staff to focus solely on production of the weekly newspaper.

Thank you for your support!

Win $440 in gift certificates by shopping locally — see pages 8 and 9 and enter today!

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Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

December 21, 2016

2016 COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM – A COMMUNITY THANK YOU!

Congratulations Pincher Creek!

You received an Honorable Mention in the International Challenge this year with a “5 Blooms - Bronze” rating and an overall score of 84%.

The judge’s visit on July 25 was a very enjoyable one! We toured over 80 per cent of the community to highlight our achievements related to tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays. It is always with great pride that we showcase Pincher Creek to the judges — they were very impressed with the quality of flower beds and hanging baskets, the history of the community including the downtown murals, the quality of the local museum and the overall tidiness of our town. We would like to express appreciation to all those who continue to make Pincher Creek a beautiful and great place to live!

A special thank you to the following for their part in the 2016 Communities in Bloom Program:

Boys and Girls Club visits York Creek Lodge The Crowsnest Pass Boys and Girls Club stopped by York Creek Lodge to entertain the seniors with an abbreviated performance of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In the audience enjoying the show are, back from left, senior Clara Marconi and Boys and Girls Club member Maddy, and front from left, club members Oliver and Miles. The seniors thought the visit was nice. “It meant a lot for the kids and me,” instructor Rebecca Dewey said.

Photo by Brad Quarin

Pincher Planter Volunteers for your continued dedication and hard work for 20 years to keep the flower beds looking so beautiful and special in the public areas around the community. You do this work so selflessly year after year with your volunteer members and we truly appreciate your efforts. Also thank you for co-ordinating the downtown hanging basket program.

Oldman Rose Society Members for your inspiring work on this special rose garden that adds to the beauty of the Lebel Mansion grounds and community. You had a vision and you fulfilled it with roses!

Farley Wuth for your wonderful and interesting presentations about the history of our community to the judges.

Local Media for your coverage of Communities in Bloom events and activities throughout the year and for meeting with the judges that day.

Historic Walking Tour Committee for preparing and posting the downtown historic signs and posts in time for the judging day. Well done!

Rhonda Oczkowski, Marie Everts and Arena Staff for arrangements and set-up of the Volunteer Celebration.

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Marie and Jim Cameron for picking up the judges and returning them to the Calgary Airport.

Westcastle Motors for providing a very comfortable vehicle to tour around with the judges that day. Nice ride!

Bloomin’ Inn for your generous donation of accommodations and meals for the judges and your enthusiastic support for the Communities in Bloom program.

Perfect Posies Greenhouse for your support and donations throughout the year.

Jackie Hauck and Murray Adair & Crew for your commitment to watering the hanging baskets all summer long! They lasted long into the fall this year.

Marilyn Kirk and Desjardins Clip and Cut for your additional care and maintenance of the public beds and park areas.

LENOVO LAPTOPS & DESKTOPS MS OFFICE SOFTWARE

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Clubs, Organizations, Individuals, Businesses and Contractors for your donations and support of beautification projects in the community.

Chamber of Commerce for organizing the “Business in Bloom” competition and congratulations to the business and commercial winners!

Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village for the wonderful tour of the buildings, gardens and grounds. Also, many thanks for hosting the volunteer celebration that evening.

Myrna Dembicki, left, explores crafts with Destiny and Kiara at Literacy with a Side of Lasagna. The dinner and activities to encourage family literacy was held at the Blairmore Elks Hall in late November. The first-time event was hosted by the Crowsnest Pass Literacy Foundation, Early Childhood Development, Parent Link, Brighter Futures, Adult Literacy, FCSS and Crowsnest Community Literacy. Forty people were fed.

Photo by Brad Quarin

Residents, Businesses, Schools, Churches and Volunteers that give the extra effort to have the town look so beautiful, clean and tidy all year.

Communities in Bloom Committee Members and Town Administration for attendance at the morning meeting with the judges. Appreciation to Noreen Robbins, Adriana Hoekstra, B.J. Scott, Councillor Lorne Jackson, Diane Burt Stuckey and Adam Grose for touring with the judges throughout the day.

Allied Arts Council for the warm welcome and tour at Lebel Mansion.

Learning and lasagna go hand in hand

Barb and Louis Patterson for the beautiful floral display in front of the Huddlestun Centre and the Legion (Lenore Robertson) for planting and tending the Centennial Park bed.

Adopt-A-Trail Volunteers for your care and clean-up of the creekside pathways and trails throughout the year.

Town Operational Services Staff for your daily work and special efforts to keep our Town clean, watered, mowed, trimmed, swept and well maintained all year round.

Bylaw Services for your efforts to keep the town tidy, weeds controlled and trees trimmed up.

Mayor and Councillors for your support of the 2016 Communities in Bloom Program and for your attendance at the morning meeting and Volunteer Celebration Event.

Joint Councils for your support of the hanging basket program and the Pincher Planters initiatives.

Communities in Bloom Committee Members for your enthusiasm and support of various initiatives throughout the year such as Pitch-in Campaign, Tree Dedication Project, Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up, Tree Planting, Light Up Lebel and Cenotaph Park, Winter Lights Competition, etc. Your work promotes the benefits of the CIB program and encourages community improvements and volunteerism in areas of tidiness, beautification, environmental and heritage initiatives.

Members are: Noreen Robbins, Wendy Ryan, B.J. Scott, Councillor Lorne Jackson, Cindy Jackson, Adriana Hoekstra, John Hancock, Kathleen Hancock, Marg Starke, Rhonda Oczkowski and Diane Burt Stuckey.

Communities in Bloom is a great program to be part of as it promotes community beautification and initiatives to improve quality of life. It takes a whole community to raise 5 Blooms!

Thank you for your contributions and Season’s Greetings to all!

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

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Photos by John Launstein

In first photo, Josiah Launstein climbs a mountain in Thailand during the filming of I Am More Than You Expect. In second photo, he poses with his father, John, as they enjoy the view from their lodging while there in July.

Young photographer shares his conservation message through video filmed in Thailand

By Brad Quarin I Am More Than You Expect is an inspiring short video made up of amazing imagery, telling of a local photographer trying to share a message.

In the video, a man speaks of giving a voice to nature’s creatures, and the importance of conserving them, while shooting photos of the stunning wildlife of Thailand.

Then, the face of the photographer is revealed. It is not a man, but a boy: 11-year-old Josiah Launstein.

“I thought it would be fun to do, an adventure,” he says.

The video has been viewed on YouTube more than a million times, and the Launstein family has received positive feedback from viewers in India, Asia and Africa, talking about how inspiring it is.

Work on the video began when the family was opening Launstein Imagery Wildlife Art Gallery in Blairmore.

John Launstein, Josiah’s dad, received an email from a person representing a film company producing advertisements for Nikon.

They were interested in doing one based on Josiah who, taking after his family, has already achieved much in photography at a young age.

The representative asked for Josiah’s height and for pictures of him. After verifying that the email was legitimate, John spoke to Josiah.

Josiah had never been outside of North America, but knew Thailand was home to Asian elephants and that this was a rare opportunity. The Launsteins also researched other wildlife in the country.

Josiah and John took the trip to Thailand in July.

The company booked flights to Bangkok and then to another location in the country.

Things were complicated because both tickets were technically one-way. This meant the airlines suspected the Launsteins of not having proper documentation, and boarding each flight was blocked.

Then, Josiah’s luggage was sent to Atlanta and Detroit, in the opposite direction he was going. The luggage contained the clothes needed for the video.

When they arrived in Thailand, they needed to buy new clothes for the first day of filming, as the luggage was a day late.

The video is two minutes long, and was shot over 13 days, by a crew of 56 people from Malaysia and Thailand.

The team storyboarded the scenes and dialogue.

Josiah photographed monkeys, elephants and tarantulas, all out of the ordinary for him.

New Year’s Eve Celebration Saturday, Dec. 31 at

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He was most excited about the elephants, and they matched his expectations. He was a bit apprehensive about the tarantula, and it turned out Thailand was home to more concerning creepy-crawlies.

They saw a different kind of spider that “could have carried your dinner plate,” John says. Even more interesting was a moth that Josiah says was bigger than his small Tim Hortons cup.

After photographing a gecko, he climbed a waterfall, which was an amazing experience.

Originally, it wasn’t planned for there to be an adult narrator. Josiah spent a day in a recording studio, but the company decided to find another voice.

The effect does keep it a surprise that the photographer is a boy, though John says the director wanted to keep Josiah’s voice.

There is also a “making of ” video that allowed Josiah to talk, in his own voice, about how he got started in photography and why he enjoys it. John is excited that it can also be viewed on Nikon Asia’s YouTube channel.

See Josiah’s work at Launstein Imagery in Blairmore.

Turning Pointe Dance Studio Give the Gift of Dance This Christmas!

CROWSNEST PASS RECREATIONAL CLASSES

PINCHER CREEK CLASSES AT LEBEL MANSION

Begin Jan. 10 - 12 and run for 12 weeks – $185 No classes Feb. 21 to 23 for Reading Week Tinytots (3-4 yrs) – Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Kindercombo (5-6 yrs) – Tuesdays 5:15 - 6 p.m.

Acro 3 (9-11 yrs) – Tuesdays 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.

Acro 5 (12+ years) – Wednesdays 5 - 6 p.m.

Try-All Combo (dancers with 2-3 yrs experience) Wednesdays 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.

Beginner Jazz/Hip Hop Combo (6-8 yrs) Thursdays 5 - 5:45 p.m.

Beginner Acro (6-8 yrs) – Thursdays 5:45 - 6:30 p.m.

Beginner Jazz/Hip Hop Combo (9+ yrs) Thursdays 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.

Mondays beginning Jan. 9 and running 12 weeks – $185 No classes Feb. 20 due to Family Day Tinytots A (3-4 yrs) – 4 - 4:45 p.m.

Tinytots B (3-4 yrs) – 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.

Kindercombo (5-6 yrs) – 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Pre-Primary/Primary Ballet (7-10 yrs) – 6:15 - 7 p.m.

Jazz/Hip Hop Combo (6+ yrs) – 7 - 7:45 p.m.

Beginner Acro (6+ yrs) – 7:45 - 8:30 p.m.

Adult Jazz/Hip Hop Combo – 8:30 - 9:15 p.m.

To register, call 403-562-7730 or email tpdscnp5@gmail.com Turning Pointe Dance Studio Crowsnest on Facebook

Classique Dancewear Specials!

Register for any preschool-level class and get an outfit worth $82.50 for only $65

Register in a ballet class and get a bodysuit, ballet chiffon skirt and ballet shoes, worth $82.50, for only $65

Page 6

Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

My Little Christmas Corner

By Shannon Robison

Christmas is upon us! about family. Looking back, I wish that weren’t the case, but I believe it’s a life I remember a time when Christmas was all about gifts. Somehow Santa always phase for most of us.

I can close my eyes and hear Grandpa Hart sawing came through, even if we were naughty.

By the time I was about eight, I was the bad kid away at the turkey with what must have been the noisiwho would, oh so carefully, lift the tape from wrapped est electric knife ever made. I can hear the cat yowling gifts when no one was looking to have a peek at what for the bag of organs hidden inside the Christmas bird as Mom made her yummy stuffing. I can hear Dad was inside. I just couldn’t stand not knowing. singing Christmas carols. I can feel the love.

The best “Kodak moment” caught of me at ChristThe birth of my nephew, Darren, brought the wonmastime was taken when we lived in Sarnia, Ont. I was six and had just unwrapped the best gift ever der of childhood Christmases back to us all. Ten years later my daughter, Jaiden, reignited the flame of simple — a Lite-Brite! By the look on my face, it’s clear I had not learned the art of sneak peeking yet. My daughter delights.

Family dynamics have changed over the years. As a played with the same Lite-Brite when she was little and it is still at my parents’ home. Hopefully it will delight family we adapt and carry on. It’s all about family now. another child one day.

There’s no place I’d rather be than home for Christmas.

Each year my mom carefully decorates her tree — It takes a while for the meaning of Christmas to every ornament, every string of lights and every tinsel shift from a materialistic one to a symbolic and garland is perfectly placed. How I look forward to family-centred one.

As life carried on, Christmas shifted to being about quiet time in front of those lights later this week.

Wishing you much love, laughter and happiness time with friends. I had left my small home town by over the holidays, wherever you are, whomever you the time I was 20 and, for a period of time, trips home Photo courtesy of Mom and Dad are with and whatever you are doing. became more about reconnecting with friends than Christmas 1974

$100,000 grant toward pool construction

Crowsnest Pass councillors Shar Cartwright, left, Doreen Glavin, Dave Filipuzzi and Marlene Anctil and Mayor Blair Painter and Pass Swimming Pool Society chairwoman Leone Stacheruk and Judy Sciarra receive $100,000 from MLA Pat Stier from the Community and Facility Enhancement Program. The funding will support the construction of the new pool in Blairmore. The municipality applied for the grant, and Leone says the project is fully funded.

Photo by Brad Quarin

Thank you, Telus The Crowsnest Pass Boys and Girls Club, including executive program director Karey Lee Watanabe, back left, and program leader Leslie Paynter, receive a $3,400 cheque from Joe Roberts, networks services manager, on behalf of Telus. The children, from left, are James, Myla, Clara, Madison, Dominique, Terrance, Miles, Emily, Derrick and Oliver. A few groups applied for the donations Telus makes each year, with grants made possible by Telus customers and the company wishing to give back. Karey says this is the second grant the club has received from Telus, having received one last year. The funds will go to programs, administrative fees, and keeping the bus running.

Photo by Brad Quarin

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December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 7

Spirit of Pincher Creek shines bright in Kelly Lepine

By Brad Quarin and will be back doing that next year.

When this year’s Spirit of Pincher Creek The team was open to players from Pincher Award was announced, the person recognized Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Sparwood. It by the chamber of commerce for contributing to launched as a pilot program and attracted five the community wasn’t present because she was members. doing just that.

All five will be back, and Kelly is hoping This was the third time Kelly Lepine had word will spread. Registration will be available been nominated for this award, but the first at the recreation office in the spring. where she couldn’t attend the ceremony. She As a coach, Kelly strives to ensure that chilwas in Lethbridge that October evening, finding dren learn while having fun, and hopes they will homes for animals. develop sports skills they can continue using as “It’s fantastic!” she exclaims. “People are an adult. acknowledging what I’m doing.”

Sports can distract children from anti-social This isn’t her main motivation for volunteeractivities, and help them become more successing. ful adults. For example, learning to work with “It’s a nice little bonus,” she says. “People do teammates will be useful when the children see what I commit to, especially the youth of enter adulthood. this town, and how involved I am in making Aside from coaching children, Kelly still sure they have opportunities.” plays soccer. She is on the adult co-ed team, In large part, she does this as a coach. “They where she assists by arranging games and secureven recognize coaches. It’s really important,” ing locations. Whenever she is available, she said Bob Westrop, master of ceremonies for the plays for her old Calgary team. awards night.

“There’s lots of people that love soccer in “I’ve assistant-coached with her for years, town,” she says. No specific skill level or experiand she’s amazing,” said Michelle Spencer, who ence is required for the adult co-ed team.

Photo by Melanie Glen accepted the award on Kelly’s behalf.

Much of her coaching skills transferred to Kelly Lepine is this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Pincher Creek Kelly says she’s been playing soccer since she minor hockey, and then to pond hockey, a recAward, presented at the Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence gala in October. was three and played competitive adult soccer reational program. in her 20s.

In pond hockey, children meet at the Pincher Later, her sons began playing soccer, so she starting coaching in Calgary.

Creek arena each Sunday morning for drills and scrimmages. Children learn to When the family moved to Pincher Creek eight years ago, she brought her expeskate and develop some hockey skills. rience with her.

Pond hockey is separate from minor hockey, but both are under Hockey Her sons would play in Pincher Creek as well, and Kelly began coaching Alberta. There are 20 children in the program, from five to 12. minor soccer. She took over the program when the president, Brent Woodard, “I’m by no means a hockey player,” Kelly says. She didn’t play as a child, but stepped down. tried it later, and after learning from Hockey Alberta, was able to apply her socKelly is also chairwoman of the Rocky Mountain Soccer League, under the cer coaching skills.

Alberta Soccer Association.

All of this has to be balanced with her job at A Better Chance Animal Rescue, “I coach if there’s no coach,” she says. “I don’t want the kids to be left out.” an animal foster home.

As a result, she found herself coaching five teams in some years, from the “She has helped save hundreds of animals in need,” says Melanie Glen, owner under-18s to the recreational team. of the rescue. “Kelly is passionate about all activities she chooses to be a part of.”

She created the rec team for children unable to commit to regular competiEven at work, Kelly volunteers on top of her paid hours. tion, so they could participate in fun scrimmages and learn some skills.

“You learn to balance,” she says. “I thoroughly enjoy it all, so I like to be busy.”

“I still wanted them to have the opportunity to play soccer,” she says.

Kelly receives support from her husband, Pascal, another experienced coach.

The special-needs team is also her creation. She started coaching it this year, This is a family with much spirit, and the community has benefited.

Pass Powderkeg launches Veteran’s Way for new season

By Brad Quarin The Pass Powderkeg Ski Society will open the Blairmore ski hill on Friday. If there’s natural snow that day, skiers will be able to tackle a brand new trail.

Members of the society, municipal council, the Royal Canadian Legion, the fire department and Western Financial Group gathered at Pass Powderkeg at the beginning of December to celebrate the new Veteran’s Way trail.

Pass Powderkeg appealed to the public for a

name for the trail, and liked the suggestion proposed by local Canadian Forces member Charles Gresl.

“It’s a recognition of veterans and what they’ve done for the country,” says Brad Murray, community services project manager.

“We all get to worry about things like when a ski hill is going to open because people stood up for our freedom.”

The trail was logged in the fall with help from Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue for the controlled

burns. The firefighters say they like to support both Pass Powderkeg and veterans, and they’re skiers.

The trail will connect other runs, and more trails will be added to the hill.

Western Financial Group supported the project by applying for $5,000 for new signage, says team lead Eleanor Bergen.

The Western Communities Foundation supports infrastructure grants.

Photo by Brad Quarin

New signage is taken to Pass Powderkeg for Veteran’s Way by Mayor Blair Painter, back left, Kean Mitchell of Pass Powderkeg, Coun. Bill Kovach, Terri Davis and Eleanor Bergen of Western Financial Group, Wayne Shaw of the Legion, Derek Medlend of Pass Powderkeg and fire Chief Jesse Fox. In front are Brad Murray of Pass Powderkeg, Trent Fraser, Lorne Gault and Marty Schmidt of Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue. Not pictured from Western Financial Group are Nikki Wager and Nicole Oberle.

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Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

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Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

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Photo by Castle Mountain Ski Resort

Livingstone Ski Academy hits the slopes

Students enrolled in Livingstone School’s ski academy were excited to make their first runs at Castle Mountain on Friday. The unique program is turning heads. Watch for more in the new year.

Crestview Lodge highlights

By Mysti Ayers This year’s Christmas tea and bazaar at Crestview Lodge in Pincher Creek went over without a hitch. We had a great turnout, considering the construction and lack of parking.

We received many generous donations and would like to thank the Pincher Creek Quilters, Pincher Creek Meat Processors, Blackburn Jewellers, C&D Floral Boutique, Pincher Office Products, Perfect Posies Greenhouse, Personal Touch Fashions, Co-op, Walmart, and all the residents, staff and volunteers who worked hard to put this function together. We wouldn’t have had such a great day if it wasn’t for you.

Our raffle had some great prizes and some lucky winners. Third prize, a $300 meat certificate at Pincher Creek Meat Processors, went to Amanda Cyr; second prize, a beautiful quilt made by the Pincher Creek Quilters, went to Quentin Stevick; and first prize, an iPad Air 2 with case, went to Frida Munro. Congratulations!

So far this month, we have had the great pleasure to be visited by the Pincher Creek Brass Quartet; the Rocky View Christian School, who sang Christmas carols; and the 4-H Cleavers, who stopped by to decorate some Christmas cookies.

We are very excited in anticipation of a performance by the Trinity Lutheran Church carollers and a visit from the St. Michaels’ School Grade 1 class. Rumour has it we might also have a special appearance from you-know-who.

There was a Christmas party on Dec. 16 for family and friends to celebrate the season with their loved ones residing at Crestview. Here to perform were the Good Timers.

Our New Year’s party will be on Jan. 31. Performing will be Play’n Country.

We at Crestview Lodge would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mysti Ayers is the activity co-ordinator at Crestview Lodge in Pincher Creek.

Photo by Ola Crook

Castle Mountain opens for the season

Ola Crook bundled up against the frigid weather Friday to check out the slopes as Castle Mountain Ski Resort officially opened for the season. She says the sun was shining, the snow was crisp and light, and the faces of skiers and boarders alike were snow-kissed and happy.

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December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

All of us at Shootin’ the Breeze extend warmest wishes for a holiday filled with light and love.

We are most grateful to our loyal readers, our advertisers, our contributors and everyone who makes the communities we serve wonderful to be part of!

Enjoy our special Christmas feature from page 11 to page 29

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Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

Even Santa has a fender bender once in a while!

Don’t let car trouble get you down, Fix Auto will get you back on the road

Happy Holidays from the staff at Fix Auto!

403-627-1800 pinchercreek@fixauto.com 1071 Kettles Street Pincher Creek

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

Communities in Bloom chooses best-decked businesses Pincher Creek businesses were judged for seasonal decorating earlier this month, with winners announced last Wednesday. Best-dressed business is Mrs. P’s Coffee Corner with its bear display (bottom photo); second place was awarded to Nineteen 89 for an upside-down Christmas tree (top left); third place went to Country Vets for its festive window paintings.

Thanks to all who go out of their way to make our business areas look spectacular in all seasons.

Photos by Jessica Jensen

December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

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Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

and another named Pudding-Peppermint? Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From Ella Woodman Letters from Livingstone School Kindergarten Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to decorate. This year I would really like a ninja truck, please.

Merry Christmas from Carter G.

Dear Santa, This year I would like socks!

Some that I can pull up really high!

I’d also like to have family near, to share the love this year. Thank you Santa, I love you!

Laila Jade Doell Dear Santa, Can I have a remote control news helicopter please that can video stuff. Remote real race car that can ramp 2 meters high. We have a ginger ale and a candy cane waiting for you with cookies.

Love Glen Dear Santa Can I please have a remote Star Wars Millennium Falcon and the same as what Glen said.

Love Lander

Dear Santa, I hope every kid is happy on Christmas morning! My wish is for peace. How is Mrs. Claus?

From Evelette Crook Hello Santa!

Lego is cool. I hope you get lots of cookies to eat.

From William Crook Dear Santa, My name is Ella. I have a few questions for you. What time do you come to Crowsnest Pass? Do you ever take the chimney or do you take the door? Do you ever get presents from people? Is it true that Buddy the elf fixed the engine on Christmas eve? How do you know the people who are nice and get presents unlike the people who get coal? How many letters do you get a year? What cookies do you like the best? Do you have an elf named Squeezy-Pointy Toes

Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to decorate. This year I would really like a dog, please.

Merry Christmas from Tazio F. Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to skate. This year I would really like a stuffy snowman, please.

Merry Christmas from Keanu S. Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas!

At Christmas I like to skate. This year I would really like some trolls, please.

Merry Christmas from Kenzie S. Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to open presents!

This year I would really like a baby flying heart, please.

Merry Christmas from Allan B.

Christmas Wishes from Canyon Kindergarten In Kindergarten at Canyon School, we talked about how we can make the world a happy, healthy place to live at Christmas and always. Here are our ideas: We can play together and share.

We can help someone, even someone we don’t know.

We can talk to each other.

We can use our words if we want someone to stop doing something.

We can love our families.

We can make a new friend by saying “Would you like to play with me?”

We can eat healthy food.

We can bring food for people who don’t have enough food.

We can feed our pets; we can feed Norman, our pet fish at school.

We can plant trees.

We can water trees and flowers.

We can grow gardens with carrots, lettuce, strawberries and flowers for the bees.

We can pick up garbage so that the grass can grow and so the bears don’t eat the garbage.

Ruby, Sarah, Reese, Marley, Jett, Isla, Lane, Ridge, Oren, Kash, Chiara, Sabrina, Peyton, Kage, Jaeda, Angelica, Axel, Rylee, Owen, Callie, Morgan, Mandy, Ethan, Kaydence, Logan, Valerie, William, Naya, Kesha, Brinley, Jaxson, Jeanna-Mae

Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to visit Grandma.

This year I would really like an iPad, please.

Merry Christmas from Kayleigh E. Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to play on the hill.

This year I would really like a stencil, please.

Merry Christmas from Carson.

Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to go sledding.

This year I would really like a sparkly dress, please.

Merry Christmas from Isabelle B. Dear Santa Claus, I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to open presents.

This year I would really like Lego, please.

Merry Christmas from Dominick L.

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

Christmas Greetings Merry Christmas and happy holidays to the Jimenez family – Rick and Rose, Derick, Darrel and Dave.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the Andersons.

Dear Jimmy, It’s been a roller coaster of a year with more ups and downs than I can safely count, but I’ve only grown to love and need you more each day. Thank for for another year, another Christmas, and for being my everything. You’re still the most amazing creature I’ve ever known. * Love always, Jane

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our friends. Thanks for a great year and looking forward to another amazing one. * Savi, Michael and Navarra Houldin

December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 15

Merry Christmas!

The team at Robin & Co. extend their very best wishes for a happy holiday season

The Yellow Horn Family would like to wish our friends and family a very Merry Christmas. We are so grateful to be part of a wonderful community. * Josh, Jessica, Bree, Ashton, Cindra, Leland, Cloe, Kaydence, Tuff and Channing Merry Christmas to all of our family, friends and customers. May you enjoy time with your loved ones over the holidays. * Love, the Hurst family

Family is the heart of Christmas. Take the time to count your blessings and may every single Christmas joy be yours. We celebrate family and friends far and wide. * The Shenton family

We, at Robin & Co. Chartered Accountant, would like to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to our friends and clients in Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Medicine Hat and surrounding areas.

Your patronage is greatly appreciated both now and throughout the year.

We look forward to serving you again in 2017.

Best wishes from Dennis, Leslie, Shelly, Janet, Tiare, Julia, Nicole, Colleen, Danielle, Rishu and Priyanka

R

obin & Co. Chartered Accountant

Dennis Robin, B.Mgt., CA, CPA (IL, USA) dennis@robinco.ca 1-800-207-8584

Pincher Creek Open Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

403-627-3313 697 Main Street Pincher Creek

Crowsnest Pass Open Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

403-562-2895 2022 127 Street Blairmore

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Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

The joy of giving brings smiles to volunteers

Photos by Jessica Jensen

Volunteers have been busy collecting donations, gifts and food for the annual Christmas hamper drive organized by the Pincher Creek Legion, the Junction food bank, and Pincher Creek Parent Link Centre. Many organizations and community members have been involved, including Verna McDougall in first photo and Judy Lane, left, and Lou Burham in the second photo. This Wednesday, 307 hampers, serving 1,070 people, will be distributed. This is an increase of 127 over last year. Thank you to all who have had a hand in this important community project.

Merry Christmas and warm wishes for a magical Holiday Season from Tamara at Shear Envy Salon Thank you to all of my clients, I appreciate your support in choosing Shear Envy Salon!

Shear Envy Salon 403-563-3689 Now Located At 8105 - 27 Avenue Coleman

The warmest of wishes this

festive season

We are open 9am - 4pm, Dec 23 & 30, and regular hours, Dec 28 & 29.

We are closed Dec 26, 27 & Jan 2.

Proud to be the region’s locally owned and operated credit union. Become a member.

403.627.4431 | 750 Kettles Street

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December 21, 2016

Photos by Brad Quarin

Santa makes an early stop in Bellevue Bellecrest Community Association hosted Santa at the Bellevue Legion on Sunday. Clockwise, from top left: Zach, left, Shannon Hamilton, Nayia and Zahria race sleighs; Brianna, left, reads Christmas tales with Kiana Miskulin; Emilee shares Christmas wishes with Santa Claus; Eliott smiles warmly as he tries his hand at balancing Christmas ornaments; and 1st Crowsnest Scouts leader Kate Lockhart, left, helps Serenity and mom Alisha Caron balance ornaments.

Gero Construction would like to wish our community the best of the season and Happy New Year!

GERO

Construction & Development Ltd. 1375B Hunter Street

Pincher Creek

403-627-5356

Shootin’ the Breeze

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Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

Grade 6 students at Isabelle Sellon School have been collecting necessities this month for the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank. As of last Friday, they had gathered 430 rolls of toilet paper and 250 cans of food. This week they are collecting donations of pasta to wrap up their project. Donations will be delivered to the food bank on Thursday.

In first photo, from left, are Kate Brown, Delia Donkin, Darcy Wemp and Ember Campbell with a mountain of donated toilet paper. In second photo are Matty Janson, Sara Matheson, Skyler Huseby and Kenna Lewis with the canned goods collected.

Photos by Colleen Tkachuk

Grade 6 students exemplify Christmas spirit

By Erin Fairhurst Just as the elves up at the North Pole stay busy bringing joy to others over Christmas, so too do the students at Isabelle Sellon School in Crowsnest Pass.

Colleen Tkachuk, who teaches Grade 6, says her class has been busy helping to organize the school’s annual food bank drive.

“It’s a great way to foster leadership,” she explains of handing the reigns over to the students, “and they’ve been doing a wonderful job.”

“There’s a real sense of team,” adds student

teacher Kendel Alstad. “They’re motivating each other.”

Students collected a list of much-needed items from the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank and then set about inspiring their schoolmates to ramp up the donations.

The food bank drive will span three weeks, with each week featuring a different hot-ticket item.

“The first week was toilet paper,” Mrs. Tkachuk says with a smile, “that was fun.”

In order to remind their schoolmates that household items, such as toilet paper, are sought-after

donations at the food bank, Mrs.Tkachuk’s class came up with some interactive ways to bring attention to their cause.

“They played a game that was like hot potato, but with a roll of toilet paper,” says Mrs. Tkachuk.

“It was a creative way to bring awareness to the fact that there’s a need for these items.”

In total, ISS students managed to bring in a whopping 418 rolls of toilet paper for the food bank.

See CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, continued on page 19

r o f e m o H e B s a m t s Chri

Thank You! McMan and The Junction: Pincher Creek & Area Food Bank send thanks to our volunteers and community supporters REMINDER The Junction is Closed Dec. 23 to Jan. 1

Jan. 2 is the first day for food hamper distribution

Join us on Facebook The Junction: Pincher Creek and Area Food Bank

AFTER THE HOLIDAYS Open for Food Distribution: Monday to Wednesday 12 to 4 p.m.

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December 21, 2016

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Page 19

One special memory

Photo by Courtney Cann

Grade 6 students participating in the 6Awesome 100 Miracles Project in front row, from left, are Maggie Gietz, Luca Canderan and Jordan Pedersen. In middle row are Brayden Anctil, Adam Farraj, Connor Pitt, Julie MacDonald, Tristin White, Kyle Pearson and Aly Ford. In back are Logan Davidson, Matthew Bohmer, Cohen Laface, Krysta French, Maddy Larocque, Willow Warris and Coral Pichurski.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, continued from page 18 The second week of the drive focused on canned goods, and Mrs. Tkachuk’s class once again came up with a creative way to bring attention to their cause.

“We did canned curling, and they had a lot of fun,” she says. “But more importantly, the kids are going home and talking about it.”

The final week of the drive will focus on pasta. All members of the community are welcome to drop off food bank items at ISS before Christmas break begins this Friday.

Meanwhile, across the hall from Mrs. Tkachuk’s Grade 6B class, the students in Grade 6A have been keeping busy fostering goodwill and Christmas spirit too.

Courtney Cann, who has taught at ISS for two years, says her students have launched the 6Awesome 100 Miracles Project. The 6Awesome refers to the students’ nickname for their class and the 100 Miracles refers to a special effort to spread random acts of kindness during the holidays.

The students of 6A launched their project Dec. 5, and intend to spread as many miracles and random acts of kindness as they can by Dec 22.

Mrs. Cann says they’ve been capturing images of their random acts of kindness — from visiting residents at York Creek Lodge, to shovelling snow, to volunteering at the SPCA — and will compile the miracles into a slideshow that can be enjoyed by students and parents.

“The goal was just to bring awareness to the value and importance of how even just small things can make a big difference, and they’ve really taken to it,” says Mrs. Cann, adding that students have even been bringing in gently used toys and clothing for the Women’s Resource Centre and Parent Link as well.

Mrs. Cann says her students have been brainstorming regularly about different miracles and she’s happy to see they recognize that brightening someone’s day can be done easily, and for free.

“There are so many low-cost, or zero-cost, ways to spread kindness,” she says. “I like hearing them ask each other ‘What miracle are you doing today?’ ” So if you’re feeling a bit bah humbug this Christmas season, just remember there are all sorts of little miracles right here in our own community — especially our students, and their teachers, who do so much to teach us all a thing or two about the true meaning of Christmas.

The Christmas tree: history, care and safety

While evergreen trees were a part of Celtic pagan winter solstice rituals hundreds of years ago, the tradition of the Christmas tree as we know it today dates back to the 16th century. The first mention of an indoors decorated Christmas tree was in Strasbourg, France, around the year 1605.

At that time, they weren’t yet embellished with lights, but in the mid 17th century people started trimming them with small candles. These, of course, were replaced with electric bulbs at the beginning of the 20th century.

Variations, such as outside lights and artificial trees, also appeared around this time. From 1920, Christmas trees gradually became a custom in large urban centres, appearing in the countryside a decade later.

To keep a real Christmas tree looking good over the holidays, put the trunk in water as soon as

it is taken inside. Remember to shake it well to remove any dry needles before you take it inside! The base of the trunk should be re-cut on the diagonal to remove any dry resin that would interfere with water absorption. Once the tree is in water, ensure that the water level doesn’t get too low.

As the old saying goes, better safe than sorry. Make sure your real or artificial tree is far from any heat sources, such as radiators and wood stoves, and always choose decorative tree lights that have been approved by the Canadian Standards Association. It goes without saying that all lights should be switched off before going to bed or when you leave your home, even if it’s only for an hour. You don’t want Christmastime to turn into a disaster!

Submitted by Lois Smyth We sat perfectly still, hardly daring to even breathe — Earl, Margaret and me (Jean was only a baby) — while our dad took a match and carefully lit the half dozen real candles on our real Christmas tree.

It was Christmas Eve, about 1940. There were no other lights on our tree, as electrical power had not yet been brought to our farming area.

After about five minutes, the candles were blown out for safety reasons, but for that five minutes, it was pure magic. I thought our tree was the most beautiful tree I had ever seen. I had helped make red and green crepe-paper streamers, folding the paper over and over to make it look like a chain. There were decorations made from salt and flour “clay,” and angels we drew and cut from white paper.

As we grew up, we never believed in Santa Claus. My dad wanted us to know what Christmas was really about and where the gifts came from.

He explained to us that other kids would think that there really was a Santa that brought gifts and rode through the sky in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. But we were never to tell them that their story was not true. That was what their parents had told them and we must not spoil their Christmas by telling them anything different.

Someday they would learn about the true Christmas story that we had known about all our lives.

We felt so happy to know what was true, and we felt very special because our mom and dad had trusted us to keep this secret. But sometimes I would look out my bedroom window to see if just maybe I might see a jolly old man in a sleigh riding through the sky, even though I knew I never would.

We lived in a big old two-storey house about 15 miles from the nearest stores and we had no car, so Christmas gifts were ordered from Eaton’s or Simpson’s catalogues, and would arrive in the mail a week or two before Christmas. What an exciting day that was!

What could possibly be in those packages? Most times those gifts consisted of mitts, socks, scarves or other essentials. There would usually be one toy for each of us.

My mom would tell us that our gifts were under our bed, and if we peeked, there would be no surprises on Christmas morning and no more gifts. And, believe it or not, we never did peek!

I remember one Christmas in particular when we went to my grandparents’ place for the day. When I think about it today, I don’t know how my parents ever managed it.

On Christmas Eve my dad would add more firewood to our big old kitchen stove to keep it burning all night, then he’d put big rocks in the oven, where they would get heated right through and be toasty warm in the morning.

He would be up early on Christmas morning to milk the cows and give them feed enough for the day. We had three or four cows that were kept in the barn in the winter. When the chores were all done and the team of horses (Nancy and Polly were their names) were hitched up to the sleigh, we’d all get in, nice hot rocks at our feet, lots of blankets covering us up, and then a big buffalo robe on top of that to keep us warm.

The snowplow had not been able to get our road plowed and the snow was about three feet deep with big drifts in many places. It was a very cold day and you could hear the crunch of the horses’ feet and see their breath in the cold air.

Occasionally, we would pass by a farmhouse where all was still and quiet. Other than that, we were alone on this 15-mile stretch of country road. Many times we would have to stop and let the horses have a rest after they had worked hard to pull the sleigh through the drifts. Every once in a while, I would have to stick my head out from under all those blankets to see the big sky filled with stars and bright moon. It was like a real Christmas card picture.

When we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa’s place, Grandpa would help my dad get the horses into a stable where they could rest and have some water and food.

About 4 o’clock in the afternoon, we’d hitch up the horses and start the long journey back home, plowing through the same deep snow and drifts that we had struggled through in the early morning hours.

Home, safe and sound — the end of a perfect day filled with memories of a Christmas over 70 years ago.

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Shootin’ the Breeze

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

December 21, 2016

Volunteers brave the cold for Christmas bird count

By Brad Quarin is because of development, it’s Santa wasn’t the only one because of pollution, someDenise Coccioloni-Amatto, left, Mike Bentley and Monica making a list and checking it times it’s because of cats.”

Bartha search for birds in Sentinel on the 2016 Christmas Bird twice this Christmas season.

Monica Bartha also joined Count.

Photo by Brad Quarin Avid birders of Crowsnest the Crowsnest Pass bird count Pass rose early last Friday, bunthis year, having counted dled themselves warmly and before in the Medicine Hat packed up the binoculars to area for Bird Studies Canada. take on the annual Christmas She has a passion for wildlife.

Bird Count.

She counted west of After only 10 or 15 minColeman with Denise Cocciutes, I was already feeling the oloni-Amatto, whom Merilyn frost in the Coleman field, so credits with pioneering the the tenacity of the counters, Crowsnest Pass Christmas and their friends who haven’t Bird Count. migrated, is admirable.

One of the most interBy 8 a.m., 14 people were esting birds found in the confirmed to be counting, with Christmas count is the great more expected. A new face this blue heron, Merilyn says. year was Cindy Crane.

They are supposed to migrate.

“I like nature,” Cindy says.

Sometimes, birds wait to “I lived right on the Stave migrate because a fall is River, so that was a bald eagle misleadingly warm, and then heaven. When the salmon all winter blindsides them. died after they spawned, the These birds can become eagles would come in, and it weak and hungry and need to was amazing.” be taken to wildlife refuges.

There were also hundreds of The data from the Christother birds. She began counting them in her backyard when she lived there. mas Bird Count will go to Nature Alberta, and some will go to the eBird app This year, she teamed up with Merilyn Liddell, who has been counting birds belonging to Cornell University. in Crowsnest Pass for over 10 years.

Setting out, Denise, Monica and Mike Bentley soon spotted some feathered They covered Blairmore. Regular volunteers are often rotated, so they don’t friends and even turkey tracks in the snow. have to cover the same area each year. They cover the region from Crowsnest Over six hours between Burmis Lake and east Hillcrest, counter Peter Lake to Burmis Lake.

Sherrington spotted three birds rarely seen in this area at Christmastime — the Merilyn knows the importance of the count. “Birds are what are called an Wilson’s snipe, common merganser and rusty blackbird. indicator species. They’re an indicator of the health of the ecosystem that we live Counters were treated to cider at Crockets Trading Company. Further results in,” she says. will be tallied.

“If the bird numbers are going down, then there’s a reason. Often the reason

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00 5,0 $16 wGreat location, on busy intersection wCommercial building downtown w2 storey with opportunity to develop. wLarge windows & 4 door entries

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December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 21

Foothills Real Estate Ltd. CINDY SINNOTT

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Cindy Sinnott

Serving Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Surrounding Area Call Direct: 403-627-1935 Cell Phone: 403-627-0290 Toll Free: 1-855-627-1935

697A Main Street

Pincher Creek

Home is where the heart is

Merry Christmas from the staff at North & Company LLP Pincher Creek Branch

741 Kettles Street 403-627-4688 Pincher Creek

Happy Holidays from Dr. Baker and staff at Creekside Dental Clinic!

THE CLINIC WILL BE CLOSED

from Friday, Dec. 23 until 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 2

403-627-4900

1035 Hewetson Avenue Pincher Creek

Bev Everts, left, Caron Kozachenko, Judy Lee and Neena are ready to hit the creek path Boxing Day for Pincher Creek’s first Home for the Holidays Hustle.

Photo by Brenda Shenton

Join the Boxing Day hustle to fight Huntington disease

By Shannon Robison Home for the Holidays Hustle is the newest project of Team Cas in support of the Huntington Society of Canada.

Team Cas is a group of caregivers who assist Cas Main Freeman, a Pincher Creek woman diagnosed with Huntington disease almost 20 years ago.

Symptoms of the genetic brain disorder can include emotional turmoil, cognitive loss and physical deterioration — eventually leading to complete incapacitation.

Bev Everts, a longtime friend, has been working with Cas for about six years and put together Team Cas to support Cas and her family.

She says HD is an isolating and lonely disease that is horrible for those affected, both directly and indirectly. She lauds Cas as an HD champion for choosing to live her journey with Huntington’s “out loud.”

Bev is grateful for the opportunity to be with Cas on her journey with HD. She is inspired and motivated by the grace and courage Cas shows in facing each day.

Bev has been a tireless advocate not only for Cas, but also for others dealing with the impact of the disease.

Pincher Creek has a reputation of strongly supporting the Huntington Society. In August 2013 about 200 of Cas’s family and friends, and even many strangers, climbed Corner Mountain to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

It was an amazing day. Links to the 2013 articles will be included with the online post of this story.

Team Cas has also sold amaryllis bulbs for the Huntington Society for the past five years, raising almost $3,000 this year.

Bev says one in 7,000 Canadians has HD and another one in 5,500 is at risk or affected by the disease. Through her work with Cas, Bev has become an avid learner and volunteer with the society.

She attended the national convention in November, returning with new ideas, new hope and new enthusiasm. Bev says it’s the most hopeful time for research leading to a world free of HD and that clinical trials for dealing with symptoms are promising.

At the convention Bev found herself among kindred spirits. “There was tremendous sharing of hearts, knowledge

and understanding,” she says.

She came home from Nova Scotia ready to launch the Home for the Holidays Hustle. The idea quickly took hold with Team Cas members, family, friends and community members.

In a celebration of hope, Christmas is a natural time to bring people together.

And what better day than Boxing Day to get off the couch, grab a funky hat and enjoy a walk along the Pincher Creek?

Bev extends a warm invitation to join her at 2 p.m. Monday in the recreation room at Vista Village.

“Everyone is welcome and I’d love to have the creek path filled with people, dogs, kids, grandkids, merriment and laughter,” she says.

If you’d like to try snowshoeing, equipment will be available on a first come, first served basis.

On completion of the route, there will be hot drinks and snacks, an old-time jam session, and door prizes donated by Outdoor Outlet, Harvest Coffee Shop, Tim Hortons and Castle Mountain Ski Resort.

Local photographer Yvan Lebel has donated a framed canvas image of a single pink yarrow blossom in full bloom amidst craggy, moss-covered rock as a silent auction item.

“Titled ‘Light in Adversity,’ it reminds us all of the awesome way Cas continues to shine and bloom in spite of her very difficult HD journey,” Bev says.

It is on display at Lebel Mansion until Dec. 24. Bids can be made there, at the event or at www.hscevents.ca/PincherHustle until 3 p.m. on Monday.

Bev says there are many reasons for people to believe in life without HD and gives a gentle reminder that money is required to support research. While fundraising is one aspect of the event, she says the gift of sharing friendship is equally important.

If you would like to participate in fundraising, you can quickly set up a personal pledge page at www.hscevents. ca/PincherHustle.

Bev hopes all will consider joining Team Cas for some Christmas cheer and a winter walk.

If you have any questions, please call her at 403-627-4983.

To learn more about Huntington Disease, visit www.huntingtonsociety.ca.

There is also an excellent short video at https://youtu.be/uC1aMPVc4ek.

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Sounds of the season

The Crowsnest Community Choir and Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra performed their joint Christmas concert Dec. 7.

Photo by Erin Fairhurst

Score!

Crowsnest Pass Thunder bantam players collected food bank donations at their tournament earlier this month by encouraging players and fans to fill a hockey net. In back, from left, are Lyndon Ewen and Chris Collings. In the middle row are Cole Wemp, Sante Canderan, Tucker Bietz, Landen Yakubowski and Cameron Hewison. In front are Cooper Snider, Jace Lewis and Kyle Gault.

Not pictured is Foster Fowler.

Photo by Kim Lewis

Safety tips for the holidays

Water fresh trees daily It’s time to decorate the Christmas tree! If you’re using a real tree, buy it fresh and keep the base of the trunk in water at all times.

Keep your tree away from any sparks or heat source, such as fireplace, heater, or candle.

­­­

Make sure you have working smoke alarms With family and friends spending extra time at your home over the holidays, it’s extra important to check your smoke alarms. Replace them if they are over 10 years old. Remember that you need working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Test your alarms to make sure they alert you and your family if a fire occurs, giving you the precious seconds you need to safely escape.

Check all sets of lights before decorating Before you put those lights on the tree or around the front window, check the cords closely. Discard any sets that are frayed or damaged.

Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless gas that can quickly kill you.

Installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home will alert you to the presence of this deadly gas. Replace any alarms over seven years old.

damage to the cord and cause a fire.

Make sure everyone is familiar with your home’s fire escape plan Develop and practise a home fire escape plan with all members of the household and make sure someone is prepared to help young children, older adults, or anyone else that may need assistance to evacuate. Agree that once outside, everybody stays outside, at which point you can call 911 from a cellphone or a neighbour’s house.

When you go out, blow out!

Candles can set the perfect mood for a holiday celebration, but remember to always blow out candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Keep lit candles safely away from children and pets and anything that can burn.

Use extension cords wisely People often use extension cords for that extra set of lights or the dancing Santa in the corner. Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection.

Make sure cords never go under rugs, as this can cause

Give space heaters space If you are using space heaters to help take the chill off, remember to keep them at least one metre away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, upholstery or holiday decorations.

Keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children People often keep matches and lighters handy to light holiday candles. But matches and lighters can be deadly in the hands of children. If you smoke, have only one lighter or book of matches and keep it with you at all times.

Watch what you heat!

The holiday season is one

of the busiest times of the year, which means it’s easy to get distracted from what we are doing. Cooking fires most commonly occur when cooking is left unattended. Always stay in the kitchen when cooking, especially if using oil or high temperatures. If a pot catches fire, carefully slide a tight-fitting lid over the pot to smother the flames and then turn off the heat.

Encourage smokers to smoke outside Careless smoking is the leading cause of fatal home fires. If you do allow smoking indoors, use large, deep ashtrays that can’t be knocked over and make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished.

There’s more to responsible drinking than taking a cab home With all the festive cheer this time of year, keep a close eye on anyone attempting to cook or smoke while under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is an alltoo-common factor in many fatal fires.

Christmas 1916

By Ken Roome

The day was quiet, a ceasefire declared.

In the Allied trenches we waited prepared.

In the evening light came a warning, From their trenches the German soldiers were swarming.

From their lines shadows in the light, Carrying gifts not guns under a flag of white.

From the village a church bell rang.

As they approached the Germans sang, Silent Night in a different language sure, But we had never heard a carol so pure.

A murmur grew along our trench, Guns lowered, voices raised in English and French.

Our voices joined the Germans in chorus, As they halted right before us.

It was a sight I still don’t believe, Then our sergeant said, “It’s Christmas Eve.” Lowered weapons were stored away, Somewhere in our trench a mouth organ began to play.

We rose to meet them, hands were shaken, Gifts of sausage given, gifts of cigarettes taken.

We gathered in our trench together, Allies and Germans out of the weather.

Men of different faiths and nations, Sharing a mix of army rations.

Beer and wine opened with quiet pops, Nothing warms a soldier like German schnaaps.

Pictures of wives and families exchanged, They were all alike, isn’t that strange.

A violin, a mouth organ, carols through the night, Peace to all men, our hearts were light.

We talked of farming or digging coal, And talked of women and children, We’d like to hold.

All too soon the night was gone, Drunkenly we stood and shook hands at dawn.

Back to their lines they weaved that way and this, One of them stopped at the edge of the mist.

He shouted “Merry Christmas and many more my friend.”

I waved and choked out a whispered “Amen.”

The Stranger

By Larue Ritchie ’Twas the night before Christmas There was a knock at the door – Who was this stranger – He looked shabby, and poor.

His clothes were tattered He looked worried, full of gloom “Please lady, for tonight, do you have a room?

For my wife and I, we have nowhere to go, We’re hungry, and cold from the blowing snow.”

My first thought was no – Just NO There was no doubt – Then I remembered what Christmas Was all about.

So I bade them enter His wife, meek and mild – And I thank God that I did – For she was great with child!

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December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

Christmas bake sale raises money for Mountain View Industries Individuals from Mountain View Industries held their annual bake sale at the Coleman facility during Christmas in the Mountains celebrations earlier this month. Individuals assisted in working the sale by handling cash and cooking and selling hotdogs. Money raised will be used for recreation and leisure activities that have included trips to Coaldale to the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre and to shows in Lethbridge.

In front are Dave, left, and Roy. In back are Tammy, Duane, Darren, Ralph and Tom. Photo by Shannon Robison

We would like to thank the community and surrounding area for their loyal patronage over the past year.

We wish you all a safe and joyful holiday season with friends and family.

403-562-7144

Hope to “see” you in the New Year!

Dr. Vinge, Dr. Mann, Dr. Groeneweg, Rhonda, Barb, Sanya and Alli

13119-20 Avenue Blairmore

Happy Holidays from the staff and management at Thank You for your support over the past year!

403-627-4456 1075 Waterton Avenue Pincher Creek On behalf of the employees at Shell Waterton Complex, we’d like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Peter Argument, Operations Manager

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December 21, 2016

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

Happy Holidays to our wonderful customers!

Thank you for your continued patronage.

We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

From the staff at Pincher Office Products and Christine’s Gift Shoppe 750 Main Street

403-627-2628

Pincher Creek

Photo by Sydney Madore

Crowsnest Pass Food Bank volunteer Tony Codere receives a donation of turkeys from Deborah Ostrensky, on behalf of BCMI and Kanata Inns.

Thank you, BCMI and Kanata Inns

By Brad Quarin Turkeys are a staple of Christmas dinner, but Crowsnest Pass Food Bank co-ordinator Desiree Erdmann says few people think to donate them.

That makes the contribution of 24 turkeys from Kanata Inns and BCMInns Coleman in mid December very special.

“We’re extremely grateful for it,” Desiree says.

This is the second year the Crowsnest Pass inns have donated turkeys, which is something the BCMI chain does in different communities, says general manager Sydney Madore.

Sydney knows the food bank is important, saying, “You never know what situation you’ll be in next year.”

Funding came from head office, and she asked IGA to set aside the number of turkeys the money could buy. With each turkey weighing a little more than 10 pounds, this amounted to 24.

These donations go a long way with emergency Christmas hampers and even Easter hampers, Desiree says.

Emergency hampers are for families that missed the deadline to apply, or did not think they needed help with holiday meals until things took a turn.

Not counting emergencies, at the time of the donation the food bank and FCSS were planning 160 Christmas hampers. Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue is set to deliver them this Wednesday.

There should be enough turkeys for Christmas now, she says.

The Crowsnest Pass Food Bank is still in need of the usual items, such as rice, pasta, oatmeal and hygiene items such as toilet paper and deodorant.

Need is great this year, with November being the busiest month Desiree has ever seen in her years at the food bank.

We wish everyone the joy of the Christmas Season and a Happy New Year.

Thank you to all our customers and business associates of this past year.

Merry Christmas! from all of us at

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Dr. Bart Anderson and Dr. Laura Chisholm

Trucking Ltd.

Pincher Creek Eye Clinic 403-627-2930 761 Main Street Pincher Creek

Come go with me to Bethlehem it’s just a prayer away Thank you for all your business.

We look forward to serving you in the New Year.

During this Holiday Season, as a valued customer who contributes to our success, you are in our thoughts and we sincerely appreciate your patronage.

Merry Christmas From Barry and Sophie and the

Simply Catering Crew

We take this opportunity to send our heartfelt thanks for your trust and our warmest greetings for the New Year!

Christmas Hours: Dec. 19 to 23 and Dec. 27 to 30 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CLOSED Dec. 24

Holiday Hours: Closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 1 403-627-4000

403-627-4100 FAX

871 Elk Avenue

Pincher Creek

403-627-5475 1014 Hewetson Avenue Pincher Creek

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December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 25

Photos by Erin Fairhurst

Music and merriment highlight ISS Christmas concert

The annual school Christmas concert at Isabelle Sellon School in Crowsnest Pass took place Dec. 14, featuring a wide array of talent. The concert opened with the Grade 6 band. They have only been playing since the beginning of the school year, but already sound like pros! The school’s beginner fiddle group also took to the stage in their debut performance, and delighted the crowd with their sweet sounds. Local music teacher Shelly Groves of Groves Music has been working with the students in the program since September. The fiddles were purchased with money donated by the Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra.

Video snippets displayed on a large screen were interspersed throughout the musical numbers, and featured students discussing Christmas traditions from around the world. All musical numbers were directed by principal Paul Pichurski, who certainly proved that he’s earned a spot on Santa’s nice list.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

403-904-4040 656 Main Street pincher Creek

Merry Christmas from Grace, Savannah and Mel at

Headlines Unisex Hair Design!

403-562-8092 13147 20 Avenue Blairmore

Merry Christmas

Happy Holiday Season!

from the staff at

Love, Peace and Joy

May your 2017 be filled with

inspiris!

Wishing our community a safe and Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!

May these be yours At Christmas

Ames’ Insurance

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed 12:30 to 1 p.m.

1-866-768-0516 Ranchland Mall Pincher Creek

The gift of love, The gift of peace, and The gift of happiness.

Crowsnest Pass

403-627-3022 726 Main Street Pincher Creek

CHRISTMAS HOURS: Dec. 24 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 25 & 26 – Closed Dec. 31 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jan. 1 – Closed

CHEERS with an EGGNOG MILKSHAKE!

Take Away Call 403-562-8228 11366 20th Avenue Main Street Blairmore

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Shootin’ the Breeze

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December 21, 2016

Lights brighten holiday nights

Communities in Bloom has chosen winners in the annual Pincher Creek Winter Lights contest: First were Ty Henderson and Sariah Brasnett (top right photo — 12 Pineridge Cres.); second were Kevin and Jandy Neufeld (bottom left — 600 Tumblewood Ave.); and third were Shane and Ramona Rushton (bottom right — 15 Pineridge Cres.). Champions this year are Garry and Ruth Cleland (top left — 361 Canyon Dr.).

If you’re taking a Christmas lights tour, be sure to also pass by the displays that earned honourable mentions: Ian and Barb Blachford at 466 Charlotte St., Ken and Susan Hillman at 1091 Hewetson Ave., Pat and Audrey Stenbeck at 405 Foxborough Lane, and Sam and Maria Small — 28 Spruce Villa.

Photos by Shannon Robison and Brenda Shenton

Crowsnest License & Registry At the dawn of a new year, We would like to take the time to wish everyone in this beautiful region

A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON! 403-562-2011

12731 20 Avenue

Blairmore

Merry Christmas from the staff at

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

403-627-4864 Pincher Creek www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com

403-562-8345 Crowsnest Mall

Blairmore

Peace on Earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas Every day

All of the staff at Avalanche Contracting want to wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Happy Holiday!

Merry Christmas From Our Families to Yours

Dec. 24 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Dec. 25 – Closed Dec. 28 – Closed Dec. 31 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 1 – Closed Tel: 403-627-4211 Home Auto Toll Free: 1-888-218-0063

403-627-2242

1130 Macleod Street

Pincher Creek

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December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 27

Help the snowman find his hat before he gets frost bite!

PAGE 66, NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2004, TOOLBOX

OUR LISTS OF CLIENTS TO VISIT ARE COMPILED BY OBSERVING TO WHOM CANADIAN NEWSPAPERS SELL ADVERTISING FOR EACH OF THE VARIOUS THEMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

COFFEE BREAK Courtesy of Fix Auto

Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod

THREE REASONS TO LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: • Links to new stories posted throughout the day, every day • Online stories generally have more photos than appear in print • This is an easy way to share and save stories and photos you like WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SHOOTINTHEBREEZE

Looking for an article? Search no more! Head straight to our W

Gift Certificates Available

Give a gift of car detailing or house door painting this Christmas!

403-627-1800 1071 Kettles Street Pincher Creek

403-553-3636 603 12th Street Fort Macleod

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December 21, 2016

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Merry Christmas to you from the staff at Pincher Creek Veterinary Clinic!

Dr. Charlie, Dr. Brendan,Dr. Kari, Dr. Erin Colleen, Linda, Mikayla, Katelyn, Laura, Brook and Faith 403-627-3900 1124 Waterton Avenue Pincher Creek

Thank you for all the support ...

Wishing you good health in 2017!

Windy Slopes Health Foundation Merry Christmas to all!

Thank you for your support in 2016

BOBCAT SERVICE LTD.

Wishing everyone the best in the New Year!

LYLE REIMER 403-627-5991 PINCHER CREEK

Wishing our clients and friends a joyous Christmas season and all the best in the New Year!

D.A. Electric Where Quality and Service Are Still No. 1

403-627-4611 1160 Macleod Road Pincher Creek

Christmas Wishes From

Photos by Brenda Shenton

School choir brings cheer to Vista Village

The Canyon School Choir recently entertained residents of Vista Village with well-known Christmas carols, and stayed to visit and enjoy refreshments afterwards. In bottom photo, resident Marge Rigaux shares a hug with choir member Abi Rigaux, who is her great-niece.

ke home i l e c a l p o There’s n holidays! for the Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season shared with family and friends.

May the New Year, 2017, be filled with Peace, Joy and Blessings!

From the Residents, Staff, Management and Board of

PINCHER CREEK FOUNDATION and Crestview Lodge

403-562-8822

12731 20th Avenue Blairmore

info@crowsnestinsurance.com

www.crowsnestinsurance.com

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December 21, 2016

Shootin’ the Breeze

Page 29

Photos by Shannon Robison

4-H burgers and Legion tree sales give boost to Christmas food hampers Members of the Foothills 4-H Beef Club held a burger sale in conjunction with the Pincher Creek Legion’s annual Christmas tree sale earlier this month. Their burger flipping raised $425, which was donated to the community Christmas hamper program. C.J. and Mike Keehn also donated $400 from their tree sales to the hamper program. Good food, beautiful trees and awesome community service were shared on a windy Saturday.

From left in first photo are Tom Welsch, Bruce Kirby, Cadence Sinnott, Kassi Wells, Erica Mackenzie and Deloy Mackenzie. Justin Schoening is sporting the ketchup costume.

Merry Christmas from the Village of Cowley!

Merry Christmas From

We wish the entire community a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank you — we look forward to serving you in 2017 Juan and Suzanne Teran 403-628-2682 LUNDBRECK

JADCO SALES LTD. Wishing You a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Naked Windows?

Let us dress them!

Wishing my clients a wonderful holiday season and all the best in 2017!

Cheri Bobyk 403-627-4782 www.nakedwindows.ca

Aztec Cabinets

Office – 403-627-2226 Suzanne – 403-339-1758 Pincher Creek www.azteccabinets.com

Merry Christmas!

403-627-5552 1072 Main St. Pincher Creek

Thank you to everyone for supporting Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village and our special 50th anniversary events this past year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM COGNATION CYCLERY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2016 Book your appointment with CogNation today!

Your Local Bike Specialist

Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve, then closed until Jan. 4

Merry Christmas to all!

403-563-3844 brian.macfar@gmail.com

403-627-3684 www.kootenaibrown.ca 1037 Bev McLachlin Drive Pincher Creek

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December 21, 2016

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Thursday, Dec. 22 – Last day to enter to win $400+ shopping spree in Shootin’ the Breeze’s Shop Local contest. Draw will be made at 4 p.m.

Ave., Pincher Creek. Come and worship our newborn King — Jesus our Saviour.

– Christmas Eve service - 4 p.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church, Main Street, Pincher Creek – Crowsnest/Pincher Creek Landfill closed

Friday, Dec. 23 – Christmas in Pincher celebration - 7 p.m. at Vertical Church, 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd.

Sunday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day – Crowsnest/Pincher Creek Landfill closed

Saturday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve – Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. and Christmas service at 11:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 893 East

Monday, Dec. 26 — Boxing Day – Home for the Holidays Hustle fundraising walk for Huntington Society of Canada — 2 to 5 p.m. Meet at Vista Vil-

lage recreation room and enjoy a walk along the Pincher Creek with your family and friends.

– Crowsnest/Pincher Creek Landfill closed Saturday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve – New Year’s Eve celebration - Par-Tee restaurant in Pincher Creek. Minors welcome until 10 p.m.

– Crowsnest/Pincher Creek Landfill closed Sunday, Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day – Crowsnest/Pincher Creek Landfill closed

Listings cost $10 (per week) and include up to 25 words. Additional words are 15 cents each. Consecutive weeks, without changes, are half price.

Listings are complimentary for events also promoted with display ads.

Email your event to office@shootinthebreeze.ca or call 403-904-2227

Deadline is Thursday prior to publication at noon

CLASSIFIED ADS – You’ll find it here!

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

WINNERS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Thank you to my good neighbours: 1 – Steve Rutledge for feeding my cows while I am housebound in this foot and leg cast; 2 – Shelley Maloff for the weekly run for mail, etc.; 3 – Carol and Bill, Nancy, Shelley, Jillian and others who check on Mother. Seasons Greetings to all from ken poulsen, Sunshine Valley Hay Farm, Cowley.

Good neighbours!

C.W.L. of St. Michael’s Parish winners of Dec. 13 raffle are: $200 Pincher Creek Co-op gift certificate – Jenni Newman; Bargello – Patrick Hochstein; Afghan – Noreen Fischbuch. Thank you for your participation.

ENVIROEX OILFIELD Rentals & Sales Ltd. is looking for a Certified Picker Operator to join our team. Oilfield experience is required as well as valid safety tickets. We offer a great benefit package as well as a small company atmosphere. Please fax your resume and a current driver’s abstract to 403-501-0387 or email to: p.snyder@enviroex.ca.

PART-TIME OPPORTUNITY Carlton Cards is seeking an individual to merchandise greeting card departments in major retailers in Pincher Creek.

Must be responsible, reliable and available to work flexible hours.

No experience necessary. We will train.

VEHICLES For Sale — 2004 Ford 150 half ton, 2WD. New tires, brakes, lower ball joints, windshield, battery and signal. Tuned up motor. Very good condition, 322,000 km, $3,000. Call 403-627-8701.

WANTED Pressure-mounted baby gate. Call 403-627-8829.

Local classifieds appear in bold text, ahead of the blanket classified ads. Weekly local ad rate is $10 for up to 25 words, additional words 15 cents each. Ads are charged at half price for consecutive weeks running wihout changes. To place your ad call 403-904-2227 or send an email to office@shootinthebreeze.ca.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Contact Stephen Wilmot 403-332-1096 stephen.wilmot@carltoncards.ca

FOR SALE METAL ROOFING & SIDING. 37+ colours available at over 55 Distributors. 40 year warranty. 48 hour Express Service available at select supporting Distributors. Call 1-888-263-8254.

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employer-trusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

SAWMILLS from only $4,397 - Make Money & Save Money with your own bandmill. Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT. 1-800-5666899 ext: 400OT.

INTERESTED IN the Community Newspaper business? Alberta’s weekly newspapers are looking for people like you. Post your resume online. FREE. Visit: awna.com/for-job-seekers.

LOOKING FOR a shop? Post Frame Buildings. AFAB Industries has experience, expertise, reliability and great construction practices. For a free quote, contact Ryan Smith 403-818-0797 or email: ryan.afab@ gmail.com.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE A-STEEL SHIPPING CONTAINERS. 20’, 40’ & 53’. 40’ insulated reefers/freezers. Modifications in offices, windows, doors, walls, as office, living work-shop, etc., 40’ flatrack/bridge. 1-866-528-7108; www.rtccontainer.com.

FEED AND SEED

REACH OVER 1 Million Readers Weekly. Advertise Province Wide Classifieds. Only $269 + GST (based on 25 words or less). Call now for details 1-800-2826903 ext. 228; www.awna.com.

“On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-2505252.

HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola. Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain.

HARDY TREE, SHRUB, and berry seedlings delivered.

Order online at www.treetime.ca or call 1-866-8733846. New growth guaranteed.

HEALTH CANADA BENEFIT GROUP - Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll free 1-888-5112250 or www.canadabenefit.ca/free-assessment.

MANUFACTURED HOMES WE ARE “Your Total Rural Housing Solution” - Save up to $9000 on your Manufactured Home during our 45 Year Anniversary Celebration. Visit: www.Unitedhomescanada.com, www.Grandviewmodular.com.

LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE Six Month Term Position (January to June 2017)

Crowsnest Medical Clinic Ltd.

REAL ESTATE

Start Date – Jan. 16, 2017 Hours of Work – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

2 AND A 1/2 quarters of land near Prince Albert, SK with nice full yard & beautiful garden. Grows good crops. Great opportunity for starter farmer. $427,500. Call Doug for further details 306-7162671; saskfarms@shaw.ca.

The Primary Care Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supports the delivery of Primary Care Services in the family practice clinic setting.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current CLPNA registration • Recent acute, community, continuing care experience. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working to full scope of practice.

• Current certification in CPR • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Strong organizational skills • Proficiency OR a willingness to develop proficiency in use of computers including: MS Office, email and electronic medical record programs • Experience working as part of a team in a collaborative setting

• Knowledge and skills in quality improvement • Knowledge and skills in health education for individuals • Knowledge and skills OR a willingness to develop knowledge and skills in the prevention, screening and management of chronic diseases • IM/ID/SC injection certification required • Immunization competency required or willingness to complete • Ability to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality

SERVICES CRIMINAL RECORD? Think: Canadian pardon. U.S. travel waiver. Divorce? Simple. Fast. Inexpensive.

Debt recovery? Alberta collection to $25,000. Calgary 403-2281300/1-800-347-2540.

CREDIT700.CA. $750 loans - or more. No credit check - same day deposit. Toll free number 1-855527-4368. Open 7 days from 8 am to 8 pm.

WANTED

Please submit inquiries and applications by Dec. 30, 2016 to: Bridget R. Graf, Manager, Crowsnest Medical Clinic Ltd. via email to manager.crowsnestclinic@outlook.com

3” wide version

3” wide version

RURAL WATER TREATMENT Iron Filters • Softeners • Reverse Osmosis Tell them Danny Hooper sent you

Need a

Never shock chlorinate again!! with Big Iron’s Patented “Kontinuous Shok” Chlorinator 12345

WATER WELL

but short of cash??

• 10 Year Time Payment Plan O.A.C. • No Down Payment for Wells and Water Treatment Check status of 3 government grants/assistance worth up to $5000 or more EACH

1-800-BIG IRON (244-4766) www.1800bigiron.com

M o rMeo rt eh at hna na aj oj bo b. T . Thhi innkk cc aa rr eeeerr. .TThhi ni n k ko wo nwenr sehr isph. i p .

WE WANT WE WANTYOU!!

YOU!!

Cando ed Email: Email:Employment@candoltd.com Employment@candoltd.com Candois iscurrently currently seeking seeking qualifi qualified candidates for various positions at candidates for various positions at Fax: 204-725-4100 customer sites throughout Saskatchewan. Fax: 204-725-4100 customer sites throughout Saskatchewan.

For details on the following opportunities visit Mail: Unit 400 - 740 Rosser Avenue For details on the following opportunities visit Mail: Unit 400 - 740 Rosser Avenue www.candoltd.com/careers: Brandon, MB R7A 0K9 www.candoltd.com/careers: Brandon, MB R7A 0K9 Locomotive Mechanic/Locomotive Electrician Locomotive Mechanic/Locomotive Electrician Locomotive Engineer Locomotive Engineer Railway Conductor Railway Conductor

Please note the position title and Pleaseofnote the position title and location interest on your resume. location of interest on your resume.

3” wide version

WANTED: WILL PAY cash for construction equipment, backhoes, excavators, dozers, farm tractors w/loaders, skid steers, wheel loaders, screeners, low beds, any condition running or not. 250260-0217.

POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS

Summer Internship Program

Work alongside the editors, reporters and photographers of the community newspapers in Alberta or NWT A ten-week internship through the C.A. Maclean Foundation is an invaluable opportunity to learn firsthand the importance of community journalism.

Learn by Doing

www.awna.com/camaclean

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

Shootin’ the Breeze

December 21, 2016

Page 31

Shootin’ the Breeze Business Directory See your ad here for as little as $13.60 per week. For information, call 403-904-2227 or email ads@shootinthebreeze.ca

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL GOODS AND SERVICES

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel 1-877-896-8555

Honouring Life’s Memories . . .

Eden’s Funeral Home

A division of Caringroup

403-627-3131

13461 – 20 Ave. Blairmore www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca

Box 924, 966 Elm St., Pincher Creek, AB

Recipient of “Excellence in Customer Service Awards”

Dennis Novak

www.edensfuneralhome.com

Pincher Creek Eye Clinic Dr. Bart Anderson

Shawn Kyllo

Dr. Adam T. Gorner

MARTHA PARIDAEN

Dr. Laura Chisholm

HOME on the Range

403-628-2355 martha@realestatecentre.ca crowsnestrealestatecentre.com

403-627-2930 761 Main Street Pincher Creek

EAT WHAT YOU LIKE IN COMFORT

403-904-0099 www.rockyridgeeyes.ca

REALTOR® LEED Green Associate

ONLY 10 MORE PAYMENTS ...

Let’s do some mortgage planning before your house falls down.

835 Kettles Street Pincher Creek

NEED A LIFT?

Care Bears can provide transportation to medical appointments in Pincher Creek, Lethbridge and Calgary.

Call 403-339-CARE

Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

mr-b Computer Services

www.loangoddess.ca

PINCHER CREEK DENTURE CLINIC

403-627-4811

Rae Steil, B.ED, AMP Mortgage Planner

Mobile computer lab serving southwestern Alberta 1-877-303-7237 info@loangoddess.ca 12707 - 20 Ave Blairmore

Computers • Networking • Websites Call for a free consultation

403-795-9750

www.mr-b.ca

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL GOODS AND SERVICES ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS FARM • HOME • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

SITE SURVEY • SYSTEM DESIGN

SALES • INSTALLATION Serving Southern Alberta

403-627-8961

greg@indi-solar.com

“Our Reputation is Building!”

403-627-2242 1-855-627-2242

Sand, gravel, landscaping rock, snow removal, grader, dozer, skidsteer work Trucking Ltd. Lucas Sorge

ANDY STONE & DEREK ALLEN

P.O. Box 684 | 1176 Big Horn Avenue | Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0

403-627-5756

1373A Hunter Street Pincher Creek www.ritelineelectric.com

Electrical Supplies Sales Counter

GrayRock Contracting Road Building • Site Prep • General Excavation • Dozer Work • Land Clearing

Painting • Tiling • Wallpapering • Laminate Floors • Property Maintenance Pincher Creek Area & Waterton andrew.stone9@hotmail.com Andy – 403-627-7609 Derek – 403-929-2301

10% SENIORS DISCOUNT

Free Estimates Current C.S.T.S. and First Aid

Wade Giesbrecht – Owner/Operator 403-627-9258 giesbr1@telus.net Box 1001, Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0

NOW OFFERING THE FOLLOWING SERVICES GENERATORS

SOLAR

• Service • Sales • Installation service@ritelineelectric.com

• Design • Sales • Installation – Residential, Commercial, Off Grid, Grid Tie solar@ritelineelectric.com

1373A Hunter Street Pincher Creek 403-627-5756

ON LOCATION STORAGE and TOWING Sea Can Sales & Rentals

Contract Pricing or Hourly Work

Gee’s Electric Inc.

The Finishing Line

Shop: 403-627-4361 Cell: 403-627-7615 lucas@sorgetrucking.ca www.sorgetrucking.ca

• Residential • Commercial • Farm • Cell Phone Boosters • Maintenance • Generators: GENERAC & KOHLER

New Homes & Renovations Commercial & Agricultural ICF Superform Foundations Framing & Concrete www.avalanchecontracting.com

David Froese 403-432-0344 Visit our website: grayrockcontracting.com

* Portable storage delivered to your yard * 8x20’ and 8x40’ * Custom sizes available * Recovery

403-627-9256 403-627-5356

“Your junk is our treasure”

• • • • • • •

40, 23, 12 yard roll-off bins 6, 4, 3, 2 yard dumpsters Bear-proof dumpsters Porta-potty rentals Security fencing rentals Septic services Hotshot/picker crane service

CALL NOW FOR ALL YOUR SEPTIC NEEDS • Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Farm

Ph: 403-627-3585

info@southwestwaste.ca

Cell: 403-627-8844

www.southwestwaste.ca

Shootin’ the Breeze Business Directory Promote your business to southwestern Alberta

Book your ad today!

Contact Jessica Jensen

Enjoy weekly exposure at an economical price

Advertising deadline is 4 p.m. the Thursday prior to publication

Discounted pricing is offered with prepayment and term bookings.

See your ad here for as little as $13.60 per week

2,200+ print copies of the Breeze are distributed to town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Hill Spring, Glenwood and Brocket each week.

697A Main St. Pincher Creek

403-904-2227 jessica@shootinthebreeze.ca

403-904-2227

www.shootinthebreeze.ca

YOUR SOUTHERN ALBERTA SOURCE FOR ELEVATORS AND LIFTS Whether you’re looking for increased accessibility or a showpiece in your home or business, we can help!

• Residential and commercial lifts and elevators • Porch lifts for interior and exterior applications • Wheelchair lifts

SAFE, AFFORDABLE ACCESSIBILITY IS WITHIN YOUR REACH Contact us at: copperumbrella@gmail.com 403-563-0382

Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood

December 21, 2016

A local look back A few of those historical place names

BY FARLEY WUTH, CURATOR OF KOOTENAI BROWN PIONEER VILLAGE Local place names are often a reflection of our frontier history. They bespeak the contributions of the native peoples, explorers and early settlers who came into the countryside. Even the descriptive names for the various geographic features reflect the observations of generations gone by. Here are a few of those highlights.

The naming of Pincher Creek goes back to the 1868 visit by William Samuel Lee and his prospecting friends, who lost a pair of pincers in the creek after camping here on their way to the goldfields in British Columbia.

For generations the creek was known as Little Spitsie, which, in the traditional Blackfoot language of the Piikani First Nation, refers to the grove of tall trees along the small creek. This differentiates it from the much larger Highwood River north of the Porcupine Hills, which had a similar native name.

The various settlements in the Pincher Creek area also had intriguing place name chronologies.

Beaver Mines owes its name origins to the nearby Beaver Creek, often inhabited by those iconic rodents, and to the two coal mines that flourished particularly during the 1910s.

Likewise, to the north, Lundbreck was named in honour of Messieurs Lund and Breckenridge, who established a coal mine after the Canadian Pacific Railway line came through in 1897-98.

It was one of several mines that supported this settlement.

Cowley, which has a strong agricultural history, and was also known as the Eighth Siding, was named by local rancher F.W. Godsal, who quoted an English poem about cattle meandering over pastures.

Further east, Pincher Station was often referred to by the CPR as Pincher City.

Fishburn, which boasted a post office, a blacksmith shop, a general store and a church in addition to its country school, was named for A.W. Fish, whose family was a pioneering clan of the area. The “burn” portion of the name refers to a Scottish term for creek.

Twin Butte’s name is largely descriptive of the nearby rounded hills, which are local landmarks.

Many of the old rural school districts were named for early pioneers.

To the south, the Robert Kerr School recalls the contributions of one of the local South African War casualties of 1899 to 1902.

The nearby Crook School received its name from the pioneer contributions of the Crook family, who arrived in that area in the 1880s.

Remi Beauvais, a French-Canadian rancher famous for his race horses, also settled locally during the same era. Both the picturesque lake and former school district recall his contributions.

Heading up the west slopes of the Porcupine Hills were the Olin Creek and Heath Creek school districts.

Bill Olin, a buffalo hunter, was one of the original non-native people to come to the southwestern corner of the Canadian Prairies, in the early 1870s. He later ranched on the creek that bears his name.

W. H. Heath ranched in the district to the north in the 1880s and 1890s.

Frontier history has many a story to tell.

Season’s greetings to all of our readers!

Info Canada THE STORIES BEHIND OUR SYMBOLS

YUKON TREE: SUBALPINE FIRE In 2001, Yukon adopted the subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) as its emblematic tree. Growing anywhere from six to 20 metres tall, this conifer thrives at higher elevations. When the needles are infused, they produce a lemony-tasting tea rich in vitamin C. First Nations people utilize this tea as a medicinal remedy

We are planning a

150TH PARTY for Canada!

Question 2 — History and geography Prior to the Second World War, the world’s largest explosion of human origin occurred when two cargo ships collided near which Canadian city’s port?

Question 3 — Science and technology What weather phenomenon caused heavy damage to southwestern Quebec in January 1998?

Question 4 — Sports and leisure It took 52 days for Thomas Wilby to become the first person to accomplish this adventurous endeavour in 1909.

Canadian treasures CANADA: NATURAL SOURCE OF PRIDE SINCE 1867

Fighting to change climate change

Sheila Watt-Cloutier is one of the most highly regarded Inuit activists and politicians of our times. Her work Sheila Watt-Cloutier with the Inuit Circumpolar Council Inuit advocate and political activist — a multinational non-governmental organization representing about 150,000 Inuit people in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Russia and the United States — has led to her championing the environment as well as the traditional way of life of her people.

She has directed her efforts towards putting an end to both the use of persistent organic pollutants and to global warming — a reflection of her concern for the health, livelihood and language of the Inuit. Sheila’s work has been awarded numerous times and in 2007 she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for demonstrating how global climate change impacts human rights.

Sheila was born in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, where she was raised traditionally, travelling by dogsled and canoe and eating local game.

At 10 years old she was sent to live with a family in Nova Scotia for the purpose of earning an education. As a young woman she attended McGill University in Montreal, where she studied sociology and psychology

before returning to northern Quebec to work in education as a counsellor.

Her first steps into politics began in the mid 1990s when she became involved with the Makivik Corp. of Nunavik. There, as the group’s elected corporate secretary, she helped administer Inuit land claims. This work eventually led to her become involved with the ICC. She was president of the Canadian branch for three terms, from 1995 to 2002, and then chaired the international ICC from 2002 to 2005.

During her years with the ICC, she helped put Inuit concerns before the global community. On the heels of her time spent with the NGO, she helped launch the world’s first international legal action on climate change, claiming that greenhouse gases produced in the United States violated human rights as guaranteed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Though the petition was never heard, she did testify in 2007 at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights hearing on climate change.

In 2015 a memoir about Sheila’s life and the effects of climate change on Inuit communities, The Right to Be Cold, was published.

This remarkable Canadian lives in Iqaluit, Nunavut, where she continues to champion environmental causes.

Photo by TheSilentPhotographer at Wikipedia. Used under CC-BY-3.0.

CANADA’S DANISH COMMUNITY

www.pinchercreek.ca

OF EVERY MONTH

Question 1 — Art, literature and entertainment In 1951, Charlotte Whitton became the first Canadian woman to do what?

THE 52 LARGEST GROUPS IN CANADA’S MULTICULTURAL MOSAIC

Connect with Marie at the Town Office for information

TUESDAY

WEEKS TO GO

Where are we from?

The grant submission is in!

FIRST

28

Quiz

2: Halifax 3: Ice storm 4: Drive across Canada

Shootin’ the Breeze

Answers 1: Become mayor of a major Canadian city (Ottawa)

Page 32

DOUBLE SCRATCH & SAVE

up to

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GUARANTEED!

OPEN 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Pincher Creek Food Store

Ranchland Mall

403-627-2667

Danish-Canadians influence our collective community on every level and have made remarkable contributions since the earliest days of our national history. Notable Danish-Canadians include Paralympic athlete Rick Hansen, pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen and politician Erik Nielsen.

As of the 2011 National Household Survey, Danish-Canadians numbered a sizable 203,080.

The very first Danes who migrated to Canada were sailors who arrived in the early to mid 17th century and became trappers. However, mass migration only really began a few hundred years later, in the 1860s. Though many from this first wave — which arrived until the 1920s — came directly from Denmark and established communities

in Ontario near Thunder Bay and London, others came by way of the American Midwest and Northwest and settled in the Prairies.

Another large influx of Danes occurred throughout the 1950s and over a 10-year period the number of Danish-Canadians doubled. This group migrated to major urban centres in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. These provinces hold the largest Danish communities today.

The town of New Denmark, founded in 1872 in New Brunswick, attests to the early importance of Danish-Canadians in establishing our multicultural national identity. Today, the small settlement stands as one of the oldest Danish settlements in Canada.

Take a walk through the past and connect with the future.

Winter Hours – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday to Saturday

403-563-5434 7701 18th Ave. Coleman