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Concert of the Stars
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
The performances were polished and original when the 45th Annual Wendy Brook Music Festival Concert was presented to around 225 attendees at A.L. Horton School on March 20.
This event was meant to showcase all the finest performers from the Speech Arts, Piano, Vocal, Violin, Ukrainian, and Musical Theatre categories from the festival.
Collette Miller emceed the event which opened with Debbie Fedoruk leading with singing O Canada accompanied by Viola Braun-Fox.
The featured musicians and actors who performed were A.L. Horton Ukrainian Grades Three and Four, Rosie Drewitz, Olivia Pickett, Artymko Studio, A.L. Horton Singers, Faustina Weidman, Shelby Crowther Warawa, Oleh Koval, Jackson Orfino, Beckett Yackimec, Rebecca Yurko, A.L. Horton Grade Two, Brynn Weleschuk, Ziprick Trio, Vegreville Youth Ensemble, Sawyer Kotelko, Kira Konovchuk and Michael Kravchenko, Campbell Prestash, Hana Musama, Claire Pasay, Clara, and Ruth Derow.
The audience applauded and issued enthusiastic cheers after each piece.
During intermission periods, 105 awards were handed out to participants from the festival.
In the Name of Peace
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
A time to discuss how to have peace in the world was presented at the Creating a Culture of Peace and Unity gathering hosted by the Baha’is of Vegreville at Vegreville Centennial Library on March 23.
Jane Gray explained, “I facilitated the gathering. I am a member of the Vegreville Baha’is.
There were 12 adults and three children in attendance, which included Baha’is, Christians and members of the larger community.
The purpose of the gathering was to bring members of different faith backgrounds and members of the larger community to have a conversation about the state of the world, faith, and how to nurture a culture of unity and peace. Since this is a concern of most people of whichever cultural background and faith community he or she belongs, there is a need for occasions with an interfaith conversation about this to begin taking place.”
Member of Baha’is of Vegreville David Mockon commented, “What impressed me most was the welcoming atmosphere of the meeting where participants from different religious and cultural backgrounds were encouraged to contribute to the conversation about how to cultivate a culture of unity and peace.”
Fantastic Fun for Kids
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Children could be found running around, playing with toys, trying out the equipment or doing a craft project at the Easter-themed Stay and Play program at Kalyna Family Resource Network (KFRN)-Vegreville and Area on March 22.
KFRN Hub Facilitator Yuliia Kalutska explained, “We welcomed 22 kids and their caregivers from different cultural backgrounds, such as Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Bratislava, as well as Canadian families. It was a special day where everyone got to play, learn, and share parts of their own culture.
At (KFRN), we're all about helping kids grow and making sure families feel connected. We love seeing different cultures come together, showing that everyone's welcome, no matter where they're from or what language they speak.
You don't have to know English to play!”
A grandmother Tiia Sepmann gave a testimony. “My grandson, Junior Sepmann, and I have been attending (KFRN) for the past four years. The staff have warmly welcomed us. Children of all ages get along well with their siblings and friends while they play together in the same room. I like that there is a program for grandparents and grandchildren twice a month where we get to know other grandparents, and can share our thoughts while drinking coffee and tea.
This has been a wonderful place to go to where Junior made many friends. Families have also gotten to know each other through the various programs, events, and summer camps.”
