APRIL 1, 2020
News Advertiser PAGE 17
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Tributes
Vegreville Pysanka Attracts Shutterbugs
OBITUARY
MURPHY, Florence Marie December 1, 1934 - March 15, 2020 It is with deep sadness the family announces the passing of Florence Marie Murphy of Vegreville/Mundare, Alberta on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Vegreville, AB at the age of 85. Florence will be sadly missed by family and friends. Florence is survived by her son Kenneth Murphy of Mundare, AB. Loving Daughters Jeannette (Dewey) Watt of Ft. Macleod, AB and Patricia Murphy of Vegreville, AB. Florence’s brother Victor Ladouceur of Lac La Biche, AB and her Beloved Sister Verna Pezderic of Golden, BC. 10 Grandchildren - Albert Murphy, Ken Jr. Murphy, Edward Renee Murphy, Angelina Hartwell-Murphy and Arlene Murphy all of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Edward (Catherine) Watt of Leduc, AB; Jamie (Cameron) Watt-Plourde of Ft. Macleod, AB; Adeliane Nelson and Keith Jr. Nelson of Vancouver, BC; Flory (Jon) Reron of Lethbridge, AB. Florence also leaves 22 Great-Grandchildren to mourn her loss. Along with numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and many friends. Florence was predeceased by her Loving Husband Edward Kenneth Murphy, November 13, 1975 and her beloved daughter Shirley Nelson and granddaughter Arlene Murphy. Brothers Peter Ladouceur and Joseph Ladouceur. Sisters Alice Ladouceur and Bernice Wells. Parents George and Rosie Ladouceur of Lac La Biche, AB. Special Thanks are given to St. Joseph’s Hospital (Doctor and Staff). Park Memorial Funeral Home in Vegreville, AB. Cremation took place March 18, 2020 in Edmonton, AB. Memorial Service will held at a later date in Lac La Biche (Mission) in accordance to Florence’s request (wish)..
News Correspondent Rosanne Fortier recently captured this photo of Vegreville’s world-famous pysanka at dusk. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser The Vegreville Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg) is not only a popular tourist attraction, it draws many photographers to capture its beauty. Recently, Vegreville News Advertiser News Correspondent Rosanne Fortier snapped this picture at dusk. The pysanka symbolizes the harmony, vitality, and culture of the community and is dedicated, as a tribute, to the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who brought peace and security to the largest multi-cultural settlement in all of Canada. The pysanka measures 25.7 feet long, 18 feet wide, and stands 31 feet high. Professor Resch, the computer scientist at the University of Utah, was responsible for the entire Pysanka concept which required the development of new computer programs. The Pysanka is an immense jigsaw puzzle containing 524-star
patterns, 2,208 equilateral triangles, 3,512 visible facets, 6,978 nuts and bolts, and 177 internal struts. The Pysanka is recognized around the world as not only a unique artistic masterpiece but also an achievement of nine mathematical, architectural and engineering firsts. The design represents the first computer modeling of an egg. Alberta Artist Paul Sembaliuk, who passed away in December of 2019, designed the world’s largest pysanka monument. According to the Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce, “Mr. Sembaliuk’s creative vision and passion for Ukrainian culture resulted in a vital economic driver for our region. In 2019, a survey conducted through the Town of Vegreville’s Visitor Information Centre showed that 55% of participants came specifically to see our famous Pysanka. The Town also estimates that during the peak of the 2019 tourism season, over 25,000 individuals visited the Elks/ Kinsmen Park, the home of our Pysanka.”
Covy the Snowman Brings Cheer Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
One Vegreville family spent some quality time together during the COVID-19 Pandemic recently. Jason Lamarche and his three children-William Kozua, Xandi Lamarche, and Jason Jr. went out to have some traditional fun when they made Covy the Snowman about two weeks ago. Xandi and William said it took about 20 minutes to make the snowman and they called him Covy because everyone is in isolation and they thought it would be fun to create a snowman and call him Covy which stands for isolation
Creators of this snowman from left to right are William Kozua, Jason Jr., Jason Lamarche, and Xandi Lamarche. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
Preparations Underway for Online Learning Vegreville Composite High School is closed but their Grade 12 students and all Grade 12 students from EIPS have been taking online courses since March 20. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Students are and will be back to learning but in a different style by online learning soon due to the COVID19 pandemic.
Laura McNabb, Director of Communication Services for Elk Island Public Schools, (EIPS), said the teachers have all been developing lesson plans just like they normally would in the classroom, but with things they can
post online. “They do this through a platform called Google Classrooms so they will post lessons; there will be segments where they will actually be doing a class and students will be joining the class through computers in their own homes. There will be set times for this because it will be a live thing and then teachers will still be doing assignments based on the work that students are covering and students will submit their assignments through a Google Classroom platform.” As well, McNabb said for students who have different challenges; there are plans in place by the schools and by the support for students’ staff that will come to the schools to provide those extra supports and to help those par-
ents to ensure their children are still gaining meaningful content in learning during the course of the year. When asked how this will look, McNabb said everything will depend on the child; everything is individualized but the staff will be working directly with those parents to put together a plan that will work for each child. McNabb added, “The Kindergarten to Grade 11 students will be starting their learning on Monday, April 6 because they thought it would be better to start then rather than having that week of Spring Break in between. “But the Grade 12 students actually started on March 20. Finally, we are all really missing the kids; it is just not the same without having them at the schools.”
