VOL. 68 NO. 32
65 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015
A picture of the damage after a pickup truck was rammed through the front of Guardian Drugs on August 17 to make way for thieves after narcotics. (Photo supplied)
Tofield pharmacy raided by thieves See story on page 15 Locals encourages to grab tickets early for vEGGfest
Willingdon viability review
See page 2 for story
See page 5 for story
August 19, 2015
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Chuckwagon and cart results Michael Simpson Editor The 112th annual Vegreville Country Fair was also host to the APCCA sanctioned Canadian Pony Chuckwagon Finals, in which scores of adrenaline-driven chuck-junkies tore down the track against their
competitors in a down-home country style that you can only find at the CPCF races hosted at the Country Fair. After three days of heats, Colt Peterson had the best overall time with a combined run of 197.82. Coming in second was Neil Salmond with an overall time of 200.48, Mark
Harris would bring up third place with an overall time of 201.34. Further down the roster local favourites from the Cartier and Dubuc families timed in at 209.29 for Dwayne Dubuc, 209.72 (ranked 20) for Shane Cartier (ranked 21), and 210.03 for Brett Dubuc (ranked 23). Brandon Dubuc ranked
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28 with a time of 214.45, and Dave Dubuc ranked 35th with a time of 217.89. On the cart racing side, first place was taken by Neil Salmond with a time of 193.53, second place was earned by Dwayne Dubuc timing in at 194.06 and third went to Oscar Buck with a time of 194.64. Salmond’s best cart run of the event was his first, with a ripping time of 63.78.
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treatment. In fact, a more comprehensive estimate from a 2008 study by the Centre for Spatial Economics pegged the economic cost of waiting for just four procedures ( joint replacement, coronary artery bypass surgery, cataract surgery, and MRI scans) at $14.8 billion - plus another $4.4 billion in foregone government revenues from a reduction in economic activity. By all accounts, wait times are costing Canadian patients and the economy dearly. And yet, we resolutely stick to our failed model, and
www. NewsAdvertiser.com prevent patients from seeking private relief within our borders. Part of the reason for this is that healthcare policy in Canada is routinely debated as though any change from the status quo will result in a collapse of the universal healthcare promise we cherish so dearly. Nothing could be further from the truth. The experiences of developed countries around the world show that it’s entirely possible to sustain an affordable universal healthcare system without excessive wait times. For example, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands
August 19, 2015
W E D N E S D AY, A U G U S T 19 , 2 015
Agri Days parade highlights
The 2015 Mundare Agri-Days held over August 14-16 were a series of fun, family oriented events including a bench show, pancake breakfast hosted by the Mundare Fire Department, a Chicken Coop Quilt Show and loads of baseball games. Always a welcome part is the Agri-Days parade, with is filled with participation from local businesses and communities nearby. Here are a few of the photo highlights from the event for your enjoyment! (Michael Simpson/Photos)
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News Advertiser insider
Michael Simpson Editor The News Advertiser had a window to get five questions in with lead singer James Murdoch of the Dungarees, a locally formed country band that’s opening the stage at vEGGfest on August 29 for Sawyer Brown and Doc Walker. The Dungarees can be followed at www.thedungarees.com. VNA: You’ve opened for the likes of Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton. Do you guys ever have the chance to sit and mix with the headliners, are you ever looking for any input from big names in the industry? JM: We don’t generally talk about things that way, it’s more like we sit down as peers. Big names in the industry have always been welcoming. When we sit with their bands, we swap stories of gear, road stories, which cities we’ve been in. We’re always learning stuff but we’ve been around long enough that we know the ropes. It’s always a total honour to open for big performers though.
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AUGUST 19, 2015
Five minutes with the Dungarees more familiar with the area than some of the other performers coming out. Do you have any memories of Vegreville that stand out if you’ve been here before? JM: Actually yes, about ten years ago I was on tour doing some solo work with a band and our bus broke down near Vegreville on our way to Winnipeg. We looked and finally found someone who came out and fixed our bus, it was up and running in the morning and off we went. The guy had glasses and a mustache, must have been in his fifties, not sure I remember his name however. VNA: Your band is described as high-energy traditional country music. What’s the closest traditional equivalent to your band’s sound?
JM: We love music that has that Rodney Crowell and Dwight Yokam feel to it. That’s an era of music we borrow from, but we can’t help but be modern in our sound as well, there’s definitely a new music influence in there. VNA: Is performing with the band your full-time gig? JM: Yes, this is a full time band. I’ve been a professional musician for 15 years doing solo and backing work with other bands. This band has been working together now for four years. VNA: “Ain’t Through Being Happy Yet” was released in September of last year. Have
VNA: As a locally-formed band, you’re
you had much time to record a new album for the fans? Anything else been released in between now and the last EP? JM: We’ve been down in Nashville with producers and it looks like we may get down again to do some more writing and recording in the fall. “Ain’t Through” is starting to gain momentum on the radio however and that’s really good. There’s always a bit of anxiety when you work on a project, but I’m a firm believer in the notion that it’s worth it to wait until you’ve got exactly what you want, or you’ll wish you’d taken more time later.
VNA: If your band was to become a 4person superhero team, which team would they be? MW: As obvious as this answer may be, the Fantastic Four of course! Having four guys in the band, we won’t mention which member would be Susan Storm however... Michael Simpson Editor Not to be forgotten in the shuffle, there’s some great local talent opening up for the headliners at vEGGfest on August 28 and 29. The Friday night rock night show will begin with a performance from Mourning Wood, a cover band that likes to avoid taking itself too seriously, and have a great time with music everyone loves. The News Advertiser got hold of lead vocalist Luc Riopel for five minutes and five questions about what the band’s all about. Readers can follow the band through their website www.mourningwood.ca and Facebook page, facebook.com/mourningwood. Tickets for the August 28, 29 shows at vEGGfest can be purchased at www.vEGGfest.ca VNA: Why the name Mourning Wood? What’s the story there?
VNA: What’s the most fun you’ve ever had at a show?
Five minutes with Mourning Wood MW: When we first starting playing shows in the late 90s and early 2000s, we typically changed our band name almost every year as not all members could ever agree on a name. We finally decided that if 2 of 4 members liked a particular name, we would go with it permanently. The name Mourning Wood was suggested and even though 2 of 4 members agreed on it, the other 2 were still skeptical. One fateful night in 2003 at a gig at the Kings’ Knight Pub in Edmonton, a Mourning Wood advocate asked the manager to announce us
as such (unbeknownst to the other band members) and the name has stuck ever since. Ironically, the 2 members who suggested the name are no longer in the band! VNA: You’re known for being one of the best cover bands playing around Edmonton, but does The Wood ever inject their own songs into a show? MW: Half of The Wood performs in an original project that has been around for 10+ years (Tupelo Honey) and they are also hired for numerous other projects. All this being said, the 4 members of the band are spread extremely thin so we only have time to perform awesome cover songs with this conglomerate.
MW: We’ve been extremely fortunate to have had a ton of great experiences performing music to a vast array of audiences, having many different versions of fun along the way. Opening for some well-known acts and performing on big professional stages is always surreal, but simply working the crowd into a dance-crazed frenzy is the best exchange of energy we can ask for. Being showered in $50 & $100 bills to perform encores at the end of the night can also be quite enjoyable! VNA: What was the best decade for music in your opinion? MW: That’s a tough one to answer as we love music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Most of the music from these decades has stood the test of time and this is also why the majority of Mourning Wood’s repertoire comes from this era. There’s a reason why so many songs from these decades have been covered and continue to surface today. We’d be shocked if a fraction of the songs written in the 2000s and 2010s will experience the same fate.
AUGUST 19, 2015
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Alberta Health Services ALBERTA HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM has a variety of workshops available in the Vegreville area! Weight Wise, Craving Change, Diabetes the Basics and Better Choices, Better Health. Call 1-877-314-6997 for more information and to register. All classes will take place at the Vegreville Community Health Centre (5318-50 Street)
contact Jody Nicholson at 780-632-2418.
Vegreville Food Bank Is located in the Maple Street Worship Centre at 4615 Maple Street and is open Tuesday & Friday year-round from 10am – noon. Phone 780-632-6002 or email: vegfoodbank93@gmail.com
12 Step RECOVERY AT ROCK GROUP meets every Tuesday at 7pm in the upper room at 5014 – 50 St, Vegreville, AB. For info call 780-632-2933. www.therockmc.com
Vegreville Rotary Peace Park Bookings please call John Sawiak 780-632-3208 Girl Guides of Canada SPARKS – Kindergarten & Grade 1 to be determined. BROWNIES – Grades 2 & 3 meet every Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm GUIDES – Grades 4 to 6 meet Thursday from 6:308:00pm PATHFINDERS – Grades 7 to 9 meet every Wednesday from 7:15-8:45pm. All groups meet at St. John Lutheran Church, 4513 Maple Street, Vegreville. For more information call Pamela 780-632-7147 Oil Wives Club of Vegreville. A smile. A handclasp. A world of welcome. Are the links in our chain of friendship. This we believe. Our Association has been around or over 60 years. We are here for any woman whose partner (or she herself) is involved with in any way in the Oil & Gas Industry. We meet once a month to foster friendship. Please call Ellen @ 780-632-4922 or Shirley @ 780-632-3283 for more information. Basilian Fathers Museum (Mundare). Please visit the Basilian Fathers Museum (Mundare) this summer to see its latest exhibit, “Peter Lipinski: Large and Small Canvases,” along with an ongoing display devoted to Bp. Budka in Canada. The museum is open MondayFriday, 10am-4pm and weekends, July and August, 1-5pm. Vegreville Regional Museum. Located on the site of the internationally renowned solonetzic soils research station of Agriculture Canada (1956-1995), the Museum tells the stories of community life and development chronicling how Vegreville’s unique social fabric has contributed to the harmony of community life since the 1890’s. The Rt. Hon. Donald F. Mazankowski, P.C. Collection: 25 years of distinguished public service of the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada. Home of the Vegreville & District Sports Hall of Fame. Open Year Round. May-Sept Tues-Fri 11-5, Sat-Sun 1-5. Oct-April phone for current hours. 1 km east of Vegreville on Hwy 16A. www.vegreville.com (780)632-7650 Historical Village and Pioneer Museum at Shandro. Located on Highway 857, midway between highway 45 and 28 north of Willingdon. A proud partner of the Kalyna Country Ecomuseum, this open air museum features 14 major buildings and artifacts from 1900 – 1930. Hours: Canada Day weekend to Labour Day weekend Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission by donation, For more information call (780) 603-1198 HEADS UP for AA Meets at Vegreville Hospital every Monday at 8:00 PM 3rd floor. Alanon New Beginning Meeting Thursday at 8:00 p.m. Call 780-275-0054 for location. Rotary Club of Vegreville meets for lunch meetings every Monday at 12pm at VALID 4843-49 St., Vegreville. For more information
Every Monday 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Join us in the Mundare Drop-In Centre “Walk-Along” fitness program. Literature available to help you with your personal program. Walk at the Drop- in Centre, and also, weather permitting, we will walk in Ukainia Park. Everyone Welcome!!
TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) Weighin 4:45pm. Meeting 5:30pm at St. John Lutheran Church, 4513 Maple St., Vegreville. 780-632-7433 or 780-658-2670. Every Wednesday Trapshooting Outdoor Range 7:00pm. Contact Geoff 780-6321432 341 MUNDARE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR CADETS FREE to join. Join Air Cadets for adventure that will take you from the ground up! Wednesday evenings 6:30-9:00pm through the school year. Youth 12-18 years welcome. Call 341 Squadron at 780-7642341. Visit us at www.cadets.ca or www. aircadetleague.com Friday Prayers: Weekly Jumaat prayer in Two Hills. If interested, please contact Deen 780-603-6090 or Waseem 780-603-8443 Friday Prayers: Weekly Jumaat prayer in Vegreville. If interested, please contact Hesham 780-603-6245 / 780-632-2721 or Azeem 780-885-2627 LOAVES & FISHES Lunch starting Friday September 10 – 11:30am-1:00pm every Friday except stat holidays. Good Food. Bring old friends. Make new friends. All are welcome. 4615 Maple St. (60 St.), VPC Church. No charge. How Disciples live Bible study and workshops. We meet every Friday night at The Rock 5014-50 St. at 7pm. Call for info 780-632-2933 or www.therockmc.com Bible Study at 10 am at the Vegreville Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5258 – 46 Ave. Everyone Welcome. 12 Step RECOVERY AT ROCK GROUP meets every Saturday at 7pm in the upper room at 5014-50 Street Vegreville, AB. For info call 780-632-2933. www.therockmc. com Royal Purple Lodge #125 meets first Monday of every month, except July & August at Elks Hall. Contact HRL Joyce Porayko 780-6323830 or Secretary Leah Henderson 780632-6565. Vegreville Iron Runners Auto Club at 7:30 p.m. at Vegreville Regional Museum. Call 780-632-7729 or 780-632-3495 Nonviolence Study Group for anyone wanting to learn more about the principals of nonviolence and how to apply them in today’s world. If you are passionate about making a difference, or just curious to learn more, please join us from 7-8 pm. Call Kim at 780-658-2550 for location details. Vegreville Elks Lodge #143 meets first Thursday every month except July and August. Meetings are held in the Elks Hall at 7:30 pm. Contact Robert Bennett 780-6324717. Vegreville Wildlife Federation (Alberta, Fish
& Game Association) Please check website VWF.ca Email: vegrevillewildlife@gmail. com “Women’s Book Club” meets first Thursday of each month at 6:30pm at the Vegreville Centennial Library THE RED HAT ROSES, a chapter of the Red Hat Society, an international social group for mature women, meet for fun and friendship at Leonel’s Place at 1:30pm the second Monday of every month. See www. redhatsociety.com THE CLASSY CANADIANS, a chapter of the Crown Jewels of Canada Society, a national social group for mature women meet for fun friendship and caring at Leonel’s Place the fourth Monday of every month at 1:30pm. See www.crownjewelsofcanada.com Vegreville Lions Club meets at Sunshine Senior Centre – 4630 - 49 Street. Meeting 7 p.m. 2ND and 4TH Tuesday except July and August. Kinsmen Club of Vegreville holds meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Vegreville Kinsmen Golf Course. Call Mike Webb at 780-632-2666 days THE ALBERTA DRAFT HORSE CLUB meetings every 2nd Saturday of every 2nd month. 780-764-2099 Vegreville Hospitals Auxiliary Society meets third Wednesday of every month, except July and August. Meetings held in EXECUTIVE MEETING ROOM (St. Joseph’s Hospital) at 7:00 p.m. Call 780-632-6323 Royal Canadian Legion Vegreville Branch #39 General Meeting every 3rd Wednesday of September, November, February and June at 7:00pm. All members welcome to attend. The Red Hot Red Hats meet the second and fourth Friday of each month at 1:30 pm. See www.redhatsociety.com Contact Millie 780632-2148
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632-2261 for more information UCWLC Meetings to be held every third Thursday of each month at Holy Trinity Church Hall at 7 p.m. in Vegreville. Veg-Al Drug Society an Alberta Health Services, community funded agency - Room #217 Provincial Bldg., Vegreville, AB. Out patient counselling services for alcohol & other drug addictions and problem gambling. Office Hrs. – Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Phone 632-6617. The Crisis Association of Vegreville operates a HELPLINE for those who are having difficulties in their lives and need assistance. It is a toll-free, confidential service available to those in the 632-exchange. Phone 6327070. The Kinette Club of Vegreville meets every 3nd Wednesday of the month. Joining the Kinette Club is a great way to meet new friends and to get in the community. For more information, please call 632-2848. Viking AA Group meets at the Viking Hospital Multi Purpose Room 8:00 p.m. Wednesday nights. VegMin Learning Society welcomes learners who are interested in increasing their skill levels (reading, writing, math and speaking English). Learners work towards’ their personal goals in a small class or 1:1 setting. Do you have a few hours a week to help someone reach their learning goal? Volunteer Tutor Training and ongoing support are provided along with a great volunteer recognition program. Visit www.vegmin.com or call 780-632-7920 for more information. Senior Floor Curling at 1:00p.m. every Monday & Thursday. Anyone interested please come to the Sunshine Club. 55+. Call 780-632-2624. Vegreville Flying Club meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Terminal Building
Vegreville Garden Club meets the last Monday every month at the Seniors Sunshine Club, 4630 – 49 St. at 7:00 p.m. President – Marie Eliuk 780-632-2578
VegMin Literacy Program offers free, confidential tutoring for adults over 17 needing help with Basic reading, writing and math skills. Phone: 632-7920 for interviews.
The New Vegreville Aquarium Club meets every last Monday at 7:00pm at the Vegreville Centennial Library
Everyone is Welcome Prayer House 572944A st. Veg. North of St. Joseph Hospital come and share your testimony and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise. Every Sunday at 10:30 AM. Also I will pray for the sick believing in God for the answer. But God commandeth his Love toward us, in that, while, we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. RO. 5:8 New hope church of God, Edmonton c. for the Nations Int.Veg. Doing God work together for yor good. J. Abelar. Ph. 632-2843
“Writer’s Group” meets last Tuesday of each month at 2:00pm at the Vegreville Centennial Library Legacy 4 Health Indoor Walking Program for Older Adults 10-11am at the Vegreville Centennial Library Gymnasium 4709-50 St, Contact Irvin Cowan 780-632-2977, Jim Nicholson 780-632-6437, Carol Lynn Babiuk 780-632-3331 Are you or someone you know living with a Brain Injury? We can help! The Alberta Brain Injury Initiative provides support, coordination and education for brain injury survivors and their families. For more information on our free services call 1-866645-3900
AA Meeting in Mundare Sunday’s 7PM Town Building, Conference Room 5128 50th St. Contact Robert 780-656-5829 Willingdon & District Fish & Game Assn. Regular meetings, held every last Tuesday off each month (excluding July and August) at 7:30 p.m. at the Willingdon Arena upstairs in the Club Room Everyone Welcome.
Tofield AA Meetings held Thursday at 8 p.m. Open meeting every 4th Thursday at 8 p.m. at Bardo Lutheran Church Bsmt 4737 - 57 Ave. For info call 662-3893
New to town? Join us the 1st Wed of the month for a newcomer’s potluck lunch. 121pm. Bring a friend! Bring a dish! Call FCSS 780-632-3966 for locations & info.
AWANA - a Christian club for boys and girls age 3 to grade 6. Meets Thursdays from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Now meeting in the Alliance Church’s new building at 4606-55 Ave.Call
AA meeting at Lamont United Church every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
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Power in cooperation! Rosanne Fortier Life becomes a nice voyage when people get along. On August 5, Amazing Race to mental health with M.O.D.E.L Project took this concept on the road where the winning team wasn’t the one who finished first but instead was the team that showed the best sportsmanship; politeness, cooperation and kindness to each other. All the participants met at the library where the event kicked off with a joke session. One young lad asked the children what’s black, white and red all over. The answer was a newspaper was red (read) all over it. Teams of children with their leaders ventured to various stations around Vegreville where
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once they completed the activity at each location, they had to try to guess what mental health topic, Ciera Vadnais, Student Success Coach tried to hit on. One charming activity was hosted at Parent Link Centre where Natasha Homeniuk, PLC Outreach Coordinator and Heather Fayne, Success Coach taught two children from each team how to knit by using their fingers. From this, these youngsters had to instruct their team on how to do this. Fayne mentioned that this teaches children how to knit and gives them the patience required to mentor others; the ability to listen and not get frustrated. Vadnais said that the goal of this Amazing Race was to teach children about mental health wellness and good sportsmanship. She wished to express a huge thank-you to all the partners who participated in helping to make this Amazing Race into the success it was.
Leaders from KidSport joined in the station of the Amazing Race where kids raced to the hoola-hoop that was free. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
Children at the Amazing Race snap a picture of a child doing an activity on the appropriate part of the brain the child used to do the activity. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)
The sweet sounds of Faith Vegreville’s Faith Swedgan had a wonderful opportunity to perform on the Friday and Saturday of the Vermillion Fair. What a great opportunity for her! Next up and coming performance will be at Whitecourt’s Party In The Park 2015 September 5th and 6th. For more information, you can find her on Facebook …search Faith.