Vegreville News Advertiser - January 15, 2020

VOL. 73 NO. 3

73 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNIT Y WEDNESDAY, January 15, 2020 The Only Locally Owned News & Adver tising Media in Vegreville .

Hockey Reigns Supreme in Viking VEGREVILLE

Liquor Store EVERYDAY PRICES

Edmonton Oilers Mascot Hunter hams it up for the camera during the team photo.

Michelle Pinon New Advertiser Nearly 250 of the youngest and brightest hockey players in the region participated in the Viking Gas King`s Invitational Tournament on January 11 at the Carena in Viking.

The 16 team day-long tournament went off with a hitch because of all the efforts of volunteers and financial support from sponsors

who dedicated their time and resources to make the fun-filled affair a rousing success.

Tournament co-directors Brandi Bird and Laurel Weisgerber were very happy with how smoothly things went considering there were nearly 250 initiation players, between the ages of 4 and 6 years, along with their coaches, parents, grandparents, other family members and friends to accommodate.

“Last year there were eight or nine teams, and this year it jumped to 16,�said Weisgerber. There were 30 teams in total that had requested to participate in the tournament. Bird and Weisgerber began planning the tournament three months ago, and tried their best to match players and teams evenly.

They were also very thankful to

Hockey Reigns - CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Tough Budget for the Town of Vegreville

Royal Purple pumps up Lifesaving Cause

See page 5 for story

See page 8 for story

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Message from the MLA Page 9

New Years Eve at PLC Page 18

RCMP files from January 6 - 12 Arthur Beaudette News Advertiser January 6 00:11 – Complainant reports that her son is intoxicated, playing loud music and yelling at her. Members attended and arrested the unruly 41 year old son who was found yelling at his mother.

He was arrested for mischief and housed in cells until sober. The complainant did not want to press charges.

04:36 – Report of breach of conditions when a Vegreville resident previously charged with drug trafficking who was out on conditions was found to have left her residence during curfew hours. The subject was arrested and remanded in custody.

10:35 – Report of mischief (one of several) where vehicles were egged overnight.

21:18 – Complainant reported that her son has a knife and was threatening to kill her. Members attended and found the subject with the knife who had stabbed another male in the home in the foot. The subject was arrested and then later released by the justice of the peace with documents for court.

January 7 09:04 – Report of the theft of a catalytic converter from a vehicle in Mundare.

14:00 – Report of a wallet stolen from a vehicle what was possibly left unlocked (in Vegreville). Under investigation.

18:41 – Multiple calls about a vehicle travelling westbound in the eastbound lane of hwy 16 just East of Vegreville.

Members located the vehicle and the driver was issued a 24 hours suspension. The vehicle was towed. A request for license review was sent in to Alberta Registries.

January 8 12:45 – Report of a break and enter to a shop in Vegreville. Locks were cut, the alarm was triggered, and the shop was entered. It is not believed that anything was stolen, but the lights were left on.

15:28 – Report of a vehicle sitting on the road East of Mundare that was not known to residents in the area. A plate was provided that did not match the vehicle.

Members attended and the vehicle was towed.

January 9 08:17 – Five different reports of break and enters (or attempts) to garages in

Vegreville. In at least one case it is believed that a stolen garage door opener was used to gain access to the garage. Under investigation.

11:14 – While plowing roads an operator located a White Ford F350 on the side of the road (Hwy 16). Members attended, and determined that the wrong plate was on the truck, it was not registered or insured and a stolen license plate was located on the seat.

The vehicle was towed and charges are pending against the registered owner of the truck.

17:37 – Report of a break and enter to a machine shop near Lavoy. Entry was gained through a main door and miscellaneous items were stolen.

Under investigation.

received multiple speeding tickets and wants the vehicle back before more tickets arrive. This is a civil related to the division of property.

15:57 – Report of the theft of a license plate over night. The plate belonged to a grey F350 and was entered into the RCMP database.

20:56 – Attempted robbery at a Vegreville business. Members attended and learned that the subject entered the business and asked for cigarettes (not wanting to pay). The subject made a threat by informing the clerk that he had a weapon. The subject left without any property and was identified and located by police. The subject was arrested and charged with robbery and resisting arrest. He was remanded into custody and is set to appear in court on January 17, 2020.

January 12

19:42 – Complaint of a suspicious male and female entering a property the evening prior and claiming to own a trailer which is located on the property in Lamont County (NE of Mundare). They were driving a white Ford F350. The resident at the property confirmed that they DID NOT have any trailer on the property and they were told to leave. The subjects of the complaint indicated that they had been driving by multiple times looking for their trailer. They were persistent but when asked to leave, did so.

January 10

Nothing of interest

January 11

14:16 – Request to assist a male who wanted to retrieve his vehicle from his ex girlfriend. He has a no contact order. The vehicle is in the complainant’s name but the subject of the complaint has been using it. He has

11:29 – Traffic enforcement in the area resulting in multiple speeding tickets and a couple of tickets for window tint.

19:24 – Vegreville detachment received a complaint of an erratic driver entering the area from the Fort Saskatchewan detachment. Vegreville members located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. A formal warning was provided to the driver as requested by the complainant.

22:38 – While on patrol, members observed a suspect that they had been trying to locate on outstanding warrants. Members arrested the individual on his warrants. Upon arrest the suspect was found to be in possession of a knife which was in breach of his conditions of release to NOT carry any weapons. Charges are being pursued in addition to the breach for the weapons possession. As of writing, the subject is in custody currently awaiting a Judicial Hearing.

During the week there were 71 calls for service made in total including: 0 false alarms, 0 false 911s, 3 animal strikes and 9 tickets from traffic enforcement.

Have questions about the blotter?

Reach out to us at blotter@newsadvertiser.com and we will do our best to provide answers to your queries.

JANUARY 15, 2020

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Coffee with a Cop

Citizens speak to Cpl. Raymond Stack, MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, and Tim MacPhee, Mayor of Vegreville. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent People had a chance to meet and speak to RCMP Officers from the Vegreville Detachment at the second session of Coffee with a Cop hosted by Vegreville Centennial Library on January 3.

This session featured Cpl. Raymond Stack who is a Supervisor /Investigator for Vegreville RCMP Detachment and Cst. Sherrie Choo with the Vegreville RCMP. As well, there was the opportunity for citizens

to talk about their concerns with special guests, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan/Vegreville, Jackie ArmstrongHomeniuk and Tim MacPhee, Mayor of Vegreville.

Library Manager Donna Williams said the idea of the program was to have an open forum, and give people the opportunity to come into the library and chat with an RCMP officer. If citizens have questions or concerns, they can address these to the officer. This program was also meant to bring people into the library to show them that police are approachable people.

“The library is also trying to do a program called Coffee with a Councilor, so people can bring their questions and concerns about how things operate to town council since one of the goals of this town council is transparency. Also, the library is a nice, inviting place where people can speak to RCMP Officers and town councilors. It is easier than having to call them at home, and we offer free coffee too for this program,” Williams said.

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Undocumented Features of Globalization Arthur Beaudette News Advertiser - Opinion There’s an ongoing joke in technology circles about “Undocumented Features” in computer hardware or software. The term is meant to refer to beneficial or useful things that are found but not formally disclosed. However, for some it has become somewhat of a joke.... “it’s not a bug, it’s an undocumented feature”. This has fortunately spread beyond the IT world for the rest of us to enjoy.

At the risk of offending any used car salespeople in our readership, here are a few examples. A car that drifts to the right is a safety feature to keep the driver from drifting into oncoming traffic. The large dents in the car are anti-theft features and the rust holes are to allow the air to pass through so the car goes faster. :-) One of the undocumented features we see with globalization is that we

Name: Marjorie Kuly Occupation: Retired Likes: Colouring Dislikes: People who know everything and like to gossip.

are at times at the mercy of foreign countries. Not formally of course, but that what makes it an undocumented feature.

When Canada detained Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition warrant for fraud, suddenly a number of things took place. Within a week, 2 Canadians were arrested and accused of spying. Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are still being held in jail and no proof has been provided to Canada and despite our persistence. Canadian canola and meat exports to China also came under fire with many “legitimate” reasons being cited.

Last week an angry series of tweets from the CEO of Maple Leaf Foods Inc. about the downing of a Ukrainian airliner in Iran focused attention on the US government.

Not to be outdone, Prime Minister Trudeau used the same phrase “collateral damage” when discussing the incident. One has to wonder if Maple Leaf Foods and their planned $310 million facility in Indiana will be subject to any repercussions. Maybe the incentives will dry up or the US will find some issue with Canadian beef.

Not long after, it came to light that the Maple Leaf CEO weighed in on potential sanctions being considered on Chinese officials in relation to human rights violations in that country. A letter obtained by CTV was sent by Michael McCain to Canadian Senators referenced a motion introduced in the Senate calling for sanctions. “On behalf of Maple Leaf Foods and the entire Canadian livestock and meat industry I appeal to you to withdraw this initiative...”.

Our global connections have also provided us with an seemingly unending supply of attacks on our computer networks from the likes of China, Russia, North Korea and others. Many of these attacks are known to be from state sponsored groups and have cost government and corporations millions of dollars and also compromised sensitive information.

There is also the elephant in the room when it comes to China. Huawei and the future of 5G in Canada. While many companies such as Bell, Telus and Rogers and a long line of retailers have jumped in with both feet, our security partners continue to warn of the dangers of using Huawei technology.

It is possible if our government and corporate entities move forward that we will be denied intelligence sharing from the group of “Five Eyes”.

There is no question that having access to new markets across the globe has been beneficial to many industries. It’s the undocumented features that worry me. At what point do we become beholden to a foreign power and put aside our own interests or our values? Maybe if the cash keeps rolling in, it doesn’t matter.

Tell me what you think.

Email me at abletters@newsadvertiser.com

JANUARY 15, 2020

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Tough Budget for the Town of Vegreville Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Vegreville town council ended 2019 by passing its operating and capital budgets for 2020.

Mayor Tim MacPhee said it was his sixth budget, and the toughest one he’s had to face.

“This is the first time that we`ve seen the reduced amount of grant money, and knowing what`s coming next from the provincial government, and trying to stay ahead of it.”

MacPhee went onto say, “We already know there is a decrease in our MSI (Municipal Sustainability Initiative) grants. We’re looking at the Parent Link Centre (PLC) right now and the funding for that. We’re not really sure with a lot of the stuff to do with the social programs that the town operates through FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) and where that’s at. We need to be ready for it. We can`t spend money the way we used to, because we know basically that there`ll be decreased funds for some of these programs, plus the fact we are anticipating the drop in revenue from the assessed value.”

Based on that information the town has projected a one

per cent increase for municipal taxes this year.

Paul Casey, Corporate Services Director for the Town of Vegreville, stated: “The assessed value is based on fair market value as of July 1 of last year. Any decline in the assessment is basically indicative of the economic environment and the housing resale market. If you look at Edmonton just last week they announced a reduction of anywhere between three and nine per cent in the assessed market value of housing.

Casey said he won’t know how much the assessed value will go down until the end of February when the independent assessor the town hired, has finalized all of the numbers.

He does, however, expect to see a decline once again in residential assessment. “In terms of business assessment there might a small decline in that as well, but how much, I can`t say.”

MacPhee noted that council worked on a five per cent decrease in assessed value of residential property during budget deliberations.

“That`s what we were basing our decisions on in our budget. We picked five per cent because that`s how much property values have gone

down in town. It usually takes the assessed values a couple of years to catch up to any large swings in property values.

If you look at the province`s projections with the deficit going down each year, so either revenue for the province is going to go up or the amount they`re willing to spend is going to go down even more each year.

“Here`s the thing, when times are good it’s pretty easy to budget and it’s easy to make heartwarming decisions that everybody understands. But when you`re looking at the situation, and I give the Government of Alberta credit, they have not lied. This is what they ran on, and if you look at their forecasts of the deficits, they forecast every year less and they want to be balanced by the end of their

term. So either they create a windfall of money, or they are going to spend less, so we as a municipality have to be prepared,” said MacPhee The town is not allowed to run a deficit unlike the provincial and federal government. “We set our tax rate based on the amount of money we need to collect to balance our budget over our assessment base. Just because the assessment goes down it doesn`t mean we`re going to get less money because we`ll adjust our tax rate,” explained Casey.

For example, the average residential house in Vegreville is assessed at about $230,000 over 2,300 residents. If the assessment remains the same, a one per cent increase in taxes, which means residential taxpayers will pay about $19 more a year. If the assessed value is

Tough Budget - CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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from the pages of the vegreville observer

Compiled by Dan Beaudette

90 Years Ago – January 15, 1930

A record was established by the Vegreville fire department on Friday morning when they were forced to answer no less than three fire calls in a single night. It was about one o’clock in the morning when the buzzer sounded the first time and fire laddies rushed out and extinguished a slight blaze in a shack at the rear of Mrs. Mary Bord’s residence, north of the track. Warning the occupants of the shack to watch for further outbreaks, the boys returned home, and had just climbed into bed when the notes of the bell were again heard in the land. It took a lot of these notes to awake some of the weary firemen and it didn’t help at all that the fire was in the same place and that the shack was so far gone that the only thing to do was to let it burn. The final call of the morning did not come until around eight o’clock when the residence of Jack Slusarenko was totally destroyed by fire.

75 Years Ago – January 17, 1945

Fire of an unknown origin, presumably started by sparks from the motor, broke out in the chop mill in Willingdon owned by Fred Zukiwsky. Within incredibly short time the entire building was in flames. Fortunately there was no wind so that nearby buildings were saved. A farmer, Mr. Wm. Shewchuk, who was having grain chopped, was able to pull out his team and wagon, though he lost a good part of the load. The fire engine arrived on time but could do very little against the fierce blaze. The building was not covered by insurance.

The Willingdon Bakery, owned and operated by Steve Kalancha has been sold to Mr. Fred Popowich of Beauvallon, who has already taken over. Another one of the numerous changes which are altering the complexion of our fair town.

A recent casualty list reports that Pte. Joseph Bienvenue, Vegreville son of Aristide Bienvenue was slightly wounded in action. Also Pte. Richard Lamb of Holden, son of Charles S. Lamb.

Whether kiddies choose bulls eyes or fruit drops as favorite hardboiled candy, dimes and nickels must buy as much now as they did in 1941 basic period, says the Prices Board. In any case, a five-cent bag of candy must weigh at least two ounces and a 10 cent bag four ounces.

Pasteurizing of honey, drying of goods and the packing or packaging of goods on a custom or commission basis are now designated as “services” and therefore subject to price ceiling regulations. Prices must not exceed those charge in the 1941 basic period the Prices Board said.

50 Years Ago – January 15, 1969

The Hon. Ray Speaker, Minister of Social Development spoke at an evening meeting of the Vegreville Rotary Club. Representatives of most other organizations were present at the meeting to discuss proposed approaches to the matter of social welfare.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Lougheed, discussed matters of mutual interest with Alex Elder at the Jaycee Open Meeting last week, Mr. Lougheed was guest speaker while Mr. Elder is one of ten finalists in the Outstanding Young Men Competition in Alberta.

An addition to the Library Building Fund was made by the Jaycette Carolers, who received a fine response to their singing efforts during the Xmas season. Jaycette president Ellen Lowry presented the cheque of $200.00 to Library Board member Mrs. A. Desmond.

25 Years Ago – January 17, 1995

Minburn County is being considered for a major new landfill project. The county and waste management company Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) are in the midst of discussing the proposal.

“BFI decided to look at sites here in Minburn,” explained Ed Wieclaw, county development officer. “We see jobs, spinoffs and financial benefits to the county if this project goes through. It’s a way to restore municipal grants which are being cut back.”

The vice-chairman of the former Minburn County education unit will serve as vice-chairman of the new regional division. Lois Byers of Vegreville was selected vice-chairman of the new Elk Island Public Regional School Division during the division’s inaugural organizational meeting. Elk Island encompasses schools in the Counties of Strathcona, Lamont, the western portion of Minburn and the City of Ft. Saskatchewan.

The County of Minburn Board of Education was dissolved December 31, 1994 into two wards: the Elk Island Regional Division and the Buffalo Trail Regional Division. Schools, contents, employees, reserves or liabilities will be transferred to the respective regions. The county administration office employees will be reduced by seven, approximately half of the administration, by eliminating the school function.

Letters Welcomed

One role of the Vegreville News Advertiser is to promote dialogue on various issues of concern to area residents. We accomplish this by welcoming Letters to the Editor and allowing various issues to be debated through our pages. All letters must contain the writer’s name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be printed, however the writer’s name may be withheld from publication in special circumstances deemed appropriate by the Publisher.

The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, spelling and grammar, taste or for reasons of potential libel. The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to withhold letters from publication.

Federal Finances on a Razor’s Edge Tegan Hill and Jake Fuss The Fraser Institute The recently-released Economic and Fiscal Update demonstrates the federal government’s proclivity for marked increases in deficitfinanced spending despite warning signs of a slowing economy.

New borrowing and a larger deficit increase the risk to federal finances should a recession occur.

The federal update pegs the deficit at $26.6 billion for 2019-20 – $6.8 billion more than originally planned for in the 2019 budget released last March. In 2020-21, the deficit is projected to be $28.1 billion – and that’s excluding several costly campaign promises.

The increased deficits largely reflect actuarial revaluations of employee pension and benefits, compensation to dairy farmers, and a revenue agreement for the Hibernia project in Newfoundland and Labrador.

It’s particularly concerning that higher-thananticipated spending in areas such as employee pensions and benefits contributed to the larger deficit because it demonstrates that the government didn’t adequately account or prepare for changes in the economy (for example, lower interest rates), how those changes could affect its financing, and that it’s not positioned to absorb increases in spending.

This is worrying lapse should a recession occur.

If a recession occurs next year, as some experts predict, the state of federal finances would be become much worse. Not only would spending automatically increase while revenues decrease (due to automatic stabilizers such as employment insurance) but the government would almost certainly increase spending in an

attempt to stimulate the economy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to the minister of finance specifically requested that he retain “fiscal firepower” should it be needed to respond to an economic slowdown.

But according to a 2018 study, the federal deficit could have reached $42.7 billion in 2019 even if a mild recession (similar to 1991-92) occurred and the government responded in a similar way as it did then. If a deeper recession occurred, similar to 2008-09, the annual deficit could have skyrocketed to $120.5 billion. Remember, this is not a four-year deficit, this is the deficit in a single year.

And yet, when presenting the update last month, Finance Minister Bill Morneau expressed no concern for continuing to run large deficits given the current economic outlook.

But concerns are valid. The latest forecasts from private-sector economists peg annual economic growth at only 1.7 per cent, according to the update. These forecasts are in fact more optimistic than the Bank of Canada, which estimates the economy will grow only 1.5 per cent.

In addition to the bleak economic forecasts, Statistics Canada’s recent monthly labour force survey estimated that the Canadian economy lost 71,200 jobs in November, the largest monthly job loss since the 2009 recession. This news comes on top of continued trade disputes and lagging business investment, all signs that the economy is headed for a downturn.

Clearly, the federal government can’t continue to ignore the warning signs of a slowing economy.

It should limit discretionary spending now to lessen the risk of a serious deterioration in federal finances should a recession occur.

Tegan Hill and Jake Fuss are economists with the Fraser Institute. This op-ed was coauthored

by Milagros Palacios, a Fraser Institute economist.

JANUARY 15, 2020

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Vegreville Rangers Jr. B Hockey Players Peaking at just the Right Time

Front row left to right: Louise Fernandez, Gage Warrington (asst. coach), Tyler Musgrave, Colin Twitchell (asst. coach), Noah Budinski, Sean Malone (head coach), Brady Dunn, Eric Powley, Jared Steinbach (asst. coach), Zach Micklich (AP). Back row left to right: Cole Twitchell (AP), Brian Roth, Keegan Giroux, Ben Roth, Kolten Melnyk, Nathan Gottselig, Tucker Stefure, Brenden Shapka (AP), Liam Erickson, Nolan Ling, Braeden Watling, Morgan Watling, Brandon Lamash, Josh Micklich, Deven Rewega, Carson Brunet, Max Amero.

Missing: Peter Skoreyko (Equip. Manager), Ryan Koenig, Josh Theil, Nate Daku, Luke Hauser, Wazeer Jaber, Owen Baxandall (AP) and Dylan Hennig (AP). (Photo Supplied)

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

This is the second season Sean Malone has been behind the bench of the Vegreville Rangers Jr. B hockey team.

As head coach, Malone has many responsibilities, and one of them is preparing his squad for the play-offs.

“We still have quite a few games left in the season and don’t want to look too far ahead.

There is still a lot of hard work that we must put in to finish the season as strong as possible. I have been telling the players that with every team making the playoffs, the most important thing is to keep getting better every practice and every game so that we can peak at the right time of year when playoffs start. As of right now we are on the right track.”

Malone says, “The players have done an

excellent job adjusting to this level of hockey and the young players are beginning to build up confidence in their game. On Saturday, January 4th we played an away game in Wainwright against the League’s first place Wainwright Bisons. They had not lost a home game in regulation in almost 100 games, the equivalent to almost four years. We ended up winning the game 6 – 4, which was an amazing accomplishment for our team. It was a great example of just how far these players have progressed throughout the first half of the season and what we, as a team, are capable of. I have never been more proud of a group of players that I have coached. It is a very special group.”

As far as community support from local businesses and fans, Malone says it has been great. “We, as an organization are working extremely hard to engage with

Hockey Reigns - CONTINUED from FRONT PAGE have the support of all the hockey parents who volunteered their time along the way and during the tournament.

Trevor Warawa with the Vegreville Wranglers team was happy their team was chosen to participate. He said it’s hard to find tournaments where the abilities and skills of the players are evenly matched. Warawa, whose two sons Benjamin and Jake play on the team, said the event was good exposure for the players who will be playing in their own home tournament on February 1.

Holden resident Kelsey Place came to support the home team and her nephew Easton Morken who plays for the Viking Gas Kings. A special moment came when Edmonton Oilers Mascot Hunter posed for a picture with Easton and her son Taylen.

In fact, Hunter was one of the biggest attractions of the tournament. The players loved his antics and were often

seen following the mascot throughout the arena. The Indoor Activity Centre was also popular with the kids who stayed active between games.

Hockey Mom Melissa Olson thoroughly enjoyed watching her kids Kinslee and Gage, who both play for the Holden Oilers. “The kids are having fun and that`s the most important part at the end of the day.”

Tara Docksteader also loved watching her three boys Taylor, Tanner and Conley play. All three boys are members of the Viking Gas Kings.

It was unfortunate that Bird`s son Peyton couldn`t play in the tournament after breaking his arm over the Christmas holidays. Berkley Hafso was also out of the line up, but Bird was hopeful they would be able to participate in an upcoming tournament at Rogers Place.

the community and put the best on ice product together that we can. We are always looking to improve in all areas to be the best that we can be both on and off the ice. We have been very lucky to be a part of many community events so far this season, which myself and the players have a great time with. It’s nice to get to meet the kids and adults in the community that make up our fan base as we appreciate their support so much.”

Even though the hockey club is in the rebuilding phase, Malone says the players have done an excellent job adjusting to this level of hockey and the young players in particular are beginning to build up confidence in their game. While rebuilding a roster isn’t the easiest thing to do, Malone says you have to find ways to measure success that don not necessarily correlate to

wins and losses, but rather consistently improving throughout the season.

Malone also played at the Jr. B level in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan with the Southern Rebels who won the league championship, provincial championship and the Western Canadian Championship. He is definitely putting that experience and his expertise as a hockey consultant to good use. Malone’s company specializes in skills development sessions as well as off season training throughout Western Canada for players of all ages, from minor hockey all the way up to the pro’s.

This past summer he signed a two year contract extension with the Vegreville Rangers, and is doing all he can both on and off the ice to make the team successful.

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Royal Purple Pumps Up Lifesaving Cause Michelle Pinon News Advertiser `Your Cause Is Our Cause` That`s the official tag line of the Canadian Royal Purple and is exemplified at the local level through members of the 125th chapter in Vegreville who support a number of charitable organizations.

The most recent cause was at the blood donor clinic on Tuesday, January 7 at the Vegreville Social Centre where members gave donors a warm welcome, glasses of water, offered assistance at various stages of the process and served snacks afterwards.

One of the snacks the organization pays for and provides is freshly baked raisin bread. Not only do donors love the special treat, nutritionally raisins are an excellent source of iron that is essential for the formation of new blood.

Surveying the clinic it appeared as if the ladies volunteer duties were second nature for them, and one member said they have been volunteering at the blood donor clinic for the past 58 years.

Several of the members said that volunteering at the blood donor clinic is a nice way to spend an afternoon, and they really enjoy chatting with the donors, many of whom contribute on a regular basis.

“It’s such a worthy cause,” said member Janet Kobylnyk, who admitted she didn`t fully realize how important it was to donate blood until her Mom needed

it. “It really opened my eyes.”

Blood donor Barbara Tschetter was happy to report that it was the 29th time she has given blood. Tschetter said she was thinking especially of her niece who was to undergo a kidney transplant

donate blood on a regular basis. “About 15 of us came today.” She also said the same holds true for the residents of Hairy Hill, Two Hills and Viking colonies who make it a priority to attend the blood clinic which is held in Vegreville

Local resident Dennis Trachuk donated blood at the Jan. 7 clinic in Vegreville.

the following day. “I feel people need it.

It’s just like donating an organ. That’s how I feel about it.”

Tschetter, who resides in the Vegreville Colony, is not alone in her thoughts and action as many other residents there

eight times a year.

“One donation saves five lives,” noted Tschetter, who appreciates the fact the clinic is located not too far away from home. Tschetter said she has O negative blood, and receives a lot of phone calls from Canadian Blood Services to donate.

Vegreville area cattle rancher Dennis Trachuk said it was the first time in 40 years that he has donated blood. “It just never seemed to work out.” Trachuk said he usually can’t make it or doesn’t hear or see anything about the blood clinics ahead of time; but he took particular notice of the half page ad in the January 1 edition of the News Advertiser and decided to donate.

Sharon Willey, Territory Manager of Donor Relations for Canadian Blood Services, was happy to report the blood donor clinic exceeded its target of 96 units of blood, having received 98 units of blood that day. “We are really appreciative of all the support we get from the Vegreville community.”

Willey said Canadian Blood Services is also appreciative of the Canadian Royal Purple. “We are so grateful they continue volunteering their time at these clinics.”

“I think it’s amazing to see returning donors, but more importantly, to see returning donors bringing in new donors. We’re actually looking for 112,000 new donors over the next year…

It’s a pretty substantial number. Less than four per cent of eligible donors sustain the blood system for all Canadians, so new donors are critical to meeting Canada’s future blood needs which is one of the reasons why we are so grateful for Vegreville and surrounding communities that support Canada’s lifeline and give patients hope.”

Willey said people can start donating blood at 17 years of age, and there is no limit as to how old you can be to donate.

“As long as they are healthy, hydrated, and feel good, they can donate.” She does recommend seniors get consent from their family doctor before donating blood.

As far as the younger generation is concerned, Willey said a lot of teenagers don’t realize they can donate, and that’s one of the reasons the organization has an outreach program through various high schools.

In the Alberta North Territory of Canadian Blood Services there are 25 communities the organization serves, one of which includes Vegreville.

The next blood donor clinic will be held in Vegreville on March 31, and Willey encourages residents to make an appointment ahead of time.

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Message from the MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville Happy New Year everyone and Khrystos Rodyvsia to all who celebrate Ukrainian Christmas.

It’s been wonderful to be back in the riding. I’m grateful to have some time to spend with my family during the holiday season. I’ve also had the chance to spend some valuable time in our community meeting with constituents.

On December 18, our government appointed a committee to provide recommendations to government about how to stabilize and reduce the cost of auto insurance, while ensuring injured Albertans are protected with appropriate treatment and compensation in recovery. This is a three-person committee that includes a consumer representative as well as legal and medical experts. The committee will report back to the government in the upcoming spring legislative session. Our government is committed to making the necessary changes to ensure that automobile insurance is affordable, accessible and sustainable.

Albertans should not be punished for driving their kids to school or heating their homes. Our government continues to fight against the federal carbon tax in court, by challenging it at the Alberta Court of Appeal and supporting Saskatchewan and Ontario in their legal efforts to challenge the tax which came into force on January 1. At the same time, we continue our efforts to combat climate change through the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) plan, which incentivizes large industrial emitters to adopt emissions reductions practices, such as implementing clean technology.

Our government takes the need to reduce methane emissions very seriously. Alberta has a strong regulatory framework to reduce methane emissions from our oil and gas sector, and we are confident that these regulations will meet incoming standards imposed by the federal government. Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon is working with federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson to streamline regulations such that industry is

Innisfree Minburn 4-H Beef Club January Report Brad McLaughlin The Innisfree Minburn 4-H Beef Club held its December meeting on December 4, 2019. It is a quiet time of the year, but all our members have been working with our calves to get them tamed down for Achievement Day in May. Our Christmas party was held at the Launch Pad in Sherwood Park on January 2, 2020. We had a blast jumping on the trampolines, battling in the joust pit, and tackling the other obstacles there.

Some members of our club attended the 4-H Oil Kings night on January 5, 2020 at Roger’s Place. The Edmonton Oil Kings edged out the Saskatoon Blades 4-3.

Our next meeting was held at the Minburn Curling rink on January 8.

We had a public speaking workshop before the meeting to help us prepare

for our public speaking competition in February.

We will be having a halter-making and signmaking workshop in the next few months, as well as a field trip to an agricultural site.

Our next meeting will be in Innisfree on February 5.

VEGREVILLE FOOD BANK SOCIETY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING February 11th 12:15 pm at the Maple Street Worship Centre

not overburdened. Our government will continue to stand up for Alberta’s jurisdiction over energy policy and remains committed to a regulatory framework that helps the environment and the economy.

January 1, the Job Creation Tax Cut officially took effect. Our plan to gradually reduce Alberta’s corporate income tax rate to eight per cent by 2022 is part of our plan to bring investment and jobs back to our province. Businesses will also benefit from enhanced capital cost allowances and our government’s ongoing efforts to cut red tape. TELUS and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. have announced new investments in Alberta because of our efforts to reduce the cost of doing business in our province. I’m also happy to report that

compared to last year, non-residential investment in Alberta’s business has increased, home sales are up, and weekly earnings have also increased.

Our government will continue to work hard to deliver on our promise to revitalize our economy and bring back jobs to our province.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to represent the residents of the Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville constituency and I want to send best wishes to all for a wonderful 2020.

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JANUARY 15, 2020

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D.I.Y Program at Library Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Children from the ages of eight to 12 learned self-care techniques and projects at the D.I.Y For Yourself program at Vegreville Centennial Library on January 3.

Mental Health Capability Building (MHCB) Vegreville partnered with Vegreville Centennial Library to offer this

program. Kirstin McSveen, Program Manager for MHCB said the children did four different projects to show them how to do self-care techniques. One of the projects had the children make their own stress balls out of play-doh which they later placed in a balloon where they used the balls.

“We also did some colouring sheets because colouring is a form of stress reduction. Later,

we made our own bath salts because that is really relaxing, and Mckenna Makowecki, MCHB wellness coach led the children with some stretching exercises which included deep breathing and other relaxing techniques,” McSveen said.

“I think it is always important that people do self-care, but it is especially important around the holidays because some people get stressed out, and then it is

important to learn ways to feel better,” added McSveen.

Library Programmer Calina Sokalski said she felt self-care is especially important for students because they have a few extra worries at times when they have exams or other stressors and this program helps them learn how to relax. It’s all about coping strategies.

Children make stress balls out of play-doh.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

JANUARY 15, 2020

News Advertiser PAGE 11

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Common Sense Peter McArthur Being reminded by my own common sense that I should share knowledge of the “STUPPA” with my many Ukrainian friends located throughout the Vegreville Trading Area; where some of the elder citizens will have some understanding of the “STUPPA”. First, I must explain to the younger generation who might wonder about the truth of this article; please ask some of your elder citizens for their own story around the “STUPPA”; some I’m sure will surprise you!

My experience with a “STUPPA” came only as I listened to a conversation; one of a great many; around the kitchen table as my father shared stories with old-timers over a beer. These stories were like a magnet to my ever so keen ears; whenever good old-time stories were being told; in this case what caught my mind was the claim that: “not a kernel was lost”. This statement caught my attention and was placed in my memory, as an awesome fact.

It was not until about fifty years later; that I came across an item at auction that I visually believed was indeed one of these early Ukrainian Made items for separating the kernels from the heads without the loss of a single kernel. This marvelous means of separating the chaff and kernel; so incredibly well, was the Ukrainian best way to utilize every kernel of seed; after arriving in a new country with but a handful of seed for planting.

Of course it was most advantageous to make a “STUPPA”; for the threshing out of that first crop. The “STUPPA”

PJ and Fort Themed Day at PLC Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Children had a chance to make their own blanket fort at the PJ and Blanket Fort Themed Day at the Vegreville and Area Parent Link Centre (PLC) on December 30.

Litania Holyk, community programmer for PLC, said the program was meant to be a day where children could come into the centre after Christmas in their pajamas and just have fun. “It encouraged all the five domains of early childhood development,” said Holyk.

As well, there was a breakfast themed snack of pancakes and eggs, and Holyk read the children a PJ story. was the threshing means of saving every kernel as the heads were dropped into the bored out center of the “STUPPA” to be gently pounded with a smooth ended log; which would separate the Kernels from the chaff; being carried out a few heads at a time; while each kernel was so precious for the next seasons seeding.

At that auction; while I was bidding on the “STUPPA”; my uncle Henry advised me that in fact I was bidding against a man who he said was a millionaire; to that I just said; “I don’t care; but let me see if he really wants it?” I purchased the “STUPPA” about twentyfive years ago and proudly showed the Grade Four Class from the school; visit-

ing our Seniors Center; how it works.

Today the only practical use for the “STUPPA” is the educational value; as no other method of threshing a crop matches the efficiency of the “STUPPA”; in regard to saving every kernel of seed for the next crop year.

Common sense dictated that my “STUPPA”; now perhaps one of a kind; as it was hand-made, by some early Ukrainian Settler, would be my guess; it must be in a good museum and preserved for future generations; providing a little education to younger generations who would find it difficult today to imagine coming into the

This young gal shows others the toys she found at the centre.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Canadian West with only a snuff box full of seed to plant your first crop and with a little common sense the “STUPPA” was every bit as important as the Snuff Box of Seed.

I donated my “STUPPA” to the fine Museum at Tofield, Alberta; where the curator has asked and received my permission to loan it to the Ukrainian Village for a one month period last year; as it now appears to be a one-of-akind historical item; which can be seen at the Tofield Museum.

Articles written by Peter McArthur based on historical knowledge gleaned over many years.

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Vegreville Centennial Library hosts Tech Thursday Calina Sokalski helps Antoinette Fortier learn how to print pages off of the computer’s printer.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent As part of Vegreville Centennial Library’s 100th Anniversary, the first session of Tech Thursday was held at Vegreville Centennial Library on January 9.

Calina Sokalski, Library Programmer said on Tech Thursday, the public can come into the library and get help with any thing they want to know how to do on their technical device or they can ask any question they wish to about tech-

nology. “They can do e-resources multiple ways; most people do them on their phone, their tablet, or their ipad. There are various apps that a person can use to access magazines, listen to audio books, read e-books, look at newspapers, and almost anything else they wish have access to with their library card.”

Sokalski added that people can access some audio and video materials when they use the appLibby, which is linked to Overdrive, but is a user friendly version. When the person is

online, they can also download and listen to audio books or read e-books on there. When they are on the go where they don’t have WiFi, the person can download them and take them to wherever they are. They need a library membership for this where they can get up to three weeks or later to access them if they need to or they can renew them.

People can put holds on items and wait for them to come in for them, and the items will automatically be added to the person’s shelf.

JANUARY 15, 2020

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News Advertiser PAGE 13

Infant Development Stages Discussion at Baby Talk Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent It is essential that parents are aware of their infant’s development stages and what screening is available for this in Vegreville.

That is why Tasha Homeniuk, Support Coordinator for ‘First Years’ program at the Vegreville and Area Parent Link Centre invited Alberta Health Services professionals, Deb Massey, Physical Therapist, Neila Nelsen, Occupational Therapist, and Candice van der Torre, Therapy Assistant for Early Hearing Detection Intervention (EHDI) to the Baby Talk program on January 8.

Each of these health care professionals gave a brief speech. van der Torre said their offices are at Vegreville Community Health Centre where parents can speak to public health nurses and other professionals on a regular basis.

Van der Torre then spoke about the talking and listening stages of infants and said by three months, they like to see babies cooing, gurgling, and grunting. “By six months, we want the babies to start to make babbles. By one, we want them to babble in a variety of sounds and we expect them to say their first words around this age. The expectation for babies to say their first words is between nine and 15 months but the average age to do this is definitely around 12 months. We want to recognize that they are using the words consistently and in a different context but the words do not have to be pronounced correctly. By two years old, your child should be able to put two words together.”

She went on to say Alberta’s (EHDI) Program is located in the community health centre and encourages parents to have their baby’s hearing screened as soon as possible after leaving the hospi-

tal. “Even though your baby may respond to sounds, they may not hear well enough to develop speech and language.” Screening is offered every Tuesday afternoon at the community health centre. Their services include screening babies for hearing loss by one month of age, diagnosing permanent hearing loss by three months of age, and ensuring access to intervention by six months of age. The screening is done by soft sounds being played in the baby’s ears and a computer measures how the baby is hearing sound.

Nelsen said her role is to help children perform their daily occupations; eating, sleeping, and playing. “We look at the textures of food, introducing solid foods, drinking, positioning of babies when they are eating, and increasing a variety of foods to introduce to babies and children. When I speak about these occupations, I talk about the three pillars which are relationship, routine, and their development stage. For sleeping, we look at pillars which include relationship, calming, smoothing, self-regulation, and routine. For playing, we look at how the babies are developing their motor skills and how they can reach, gasp, and manipulate the stuff. We also look at how they are using their vision, and their senses.”

Massey explained about what to look for developmentally when the babies are sleeping, crawling and starting to walk. “All of us are born with different types of skills and muscle tone. Some babies are stronger and faster when they hold themselves up or pull themselves up. Some babies will take more time to sit up. Even if your baby isn’t starting to walk at the typical age of eight months, it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with them; it just might mean they are a bit slower and more cautious.”

The Alberta Health Services professionals who spoke during the session were from left to right: Deb Massey, Physical Therapist with Alberta Health Services (AHS) Candice van der Torre, Therapy Assistant for the Early Hearing Detection Intervention (EHDI), and Neila Nelsen, Occupational Therapist with AHS. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION The County of Minburn is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated leader to manage its Finance and Administration department. As a key member of the senior management team, the Director of Finance and Administration will be involved with organizational planning and will have the following duties: • Overseeing the County’s overall financial operations; • Preparing the annual operating and capital budgets; • Managing the assessment and taxation functions; • Managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll; • Managing short and long-term investments; • Managing grants and grant reporting; and • Managing the risk management and audit functions.

The ideal candidate will have: • Undergraduate degree in business or public administration; • Experience with strategic & business planning processes, budget process, financial reporting and forecasting; • A minimum of five years senior level experience in a related field and a solid understanding of PSAB standards; • Municipal government experience would be considered a strong asset.

• A professional accounting designation (CPA) would be considered an asset.

• Proven leadership, supervisory and team building strength required along with superior verbal/written communication; • A strong team player who can identify, and add value, across all departments; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills along with the ability to build strong relations with Council, stakeholders, and staff.

The County of Minburn offers a competitive salary and compensation package.

More information pertaining to the position is available by contacting the County at info@minburncounty.ab.ca.

Letters of application, including a detailed resume will be accepted until Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 or until a suitable candidate is found. Please email applications to info@minburncounty.ab.ca.

PAGE 14

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JANUARY 15, 2020

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MR. CLASSIFIED

Call toll free from anywhere in Alberta

1.800.522.4127 or fax to 780.632.7981

Ask the Guys Dear Classified Guys, While I was in college, I did something really stupid. A few friends and I had a bit too much to drink and were getting kind of rowdy. On my way home from a party, I mooned a passing car. It turned out the driver was a police officer in an unmarked car. I was arrested for public indecency and given one month of community service. Now it's six months later, I graduated and I'm applying for a job as a sales manager. I'm afraid this silly incident will hurt my chances, especially if employers ask about prior convictions. Any ideas on how to handle this with potential employers?

• • •

Cash: Unlike your drunken

escapade, we suggest that you put your best side forward this time.

Carry: I have to say that you had pretty bad luck in mooning a police officer. Most college pranks go unnoticed, but now you have to clean up loose ends!

Cash: Okay, enough of the bad puns! The thing to remember is to be up front about your conviction if someone asks. Lying would only cause you additional problems.

Duane “Cash” Holze & Todd “Carry” Holze 01/11/15 01/12/20 ©The Classified Guys®

Carry: Today many employers do background checks prior to hiring. Your failure to disclose a conviction when asked, or lying about the circumstances, could cost you the job.

Cash: Of course, that doesn't mean you have to advertise it either. Some companies may never ask you about it. They may simply request a resume and inquire about your qualifications.

Carry: However, interviewers have an obligation to the company to inquire about an applicant's fitness for a job. So it's likely that you will encounter a question like, "Have you had any convictions in the last few years?"

Cash: When you disclose this

on an application, be brief. State the conviction with a simple explanation that it happened while you were in college. You can discuss it in more detail in the interview, if necessary.

Carry: You're applying for a responsible position. Mooning a passing car doesn't speak well in your favor. But you need to take responsibility for your actions.

This will help show your honesty and good character.

Cash: But I wouldn't worry too much. Since you are applying for a sales position, your interview will most likely focus on your qualifications and outgoing personality. Keep smiling and all will work out in the end!

Fast Facts Get Out of Jail Free

Reader Humor Restricted Access

Monopoly's "Get out of Jail Free" card is a handy one to have in the game. Unfortunately, one does not exist in real life. A conviction or even an arrest can have a chilling effect on your future job opportunities. Employers have the right to ask about any felony or misdemeanor convictions during the interviews. Although employers can't ask about arrests where no conviction occurred, they can look for this information on their own and take it into consideration when determining your eligibility for a job.

I work as a consultant where my job is to troubleshoot security systems. I was recently hired by an auto dealer who was burglarized three weeks in a row.

He hired me to find the flaw in his homegrown security system.

After looking around for a minute, I had him set the system and wait inside the building.

Within 30 seconds I was able to walk right through the front door.

He looked at me completely shocked and said, "I installed those systems myself. How in the world did you bypass the motion detectors, emergency light system and the alarm panel?"

"Quite simple," I smiled. "I just unplugged the power cord out back!"

(Thanks to Billy D.)

Just Don't Do It When a college prank goes wrong, it can leave you with a criminal record. Many years ago a 21-year-old Duke University student painted a Nike swoosh on his back and streaked across the game between the Blue Devils and North Carolina. He was wearing nothing but a scarf and running sneakers.

On his way to jail, the young student told police officers that he was mimicking the popular Nike commercial in hopes of becoming famous or getting endorsements.

Unfortunately, the only one who got to know him was the judge.

•

•

•

Got a question, funny story, or just want to give us your opinion? Email us at: comments@classifiedguys.com.

Laughs For Sale Someone wasn't happy about leaving their job.

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APARTMENTS

with respectful tenants. We have a (1) bedroom and (2) bedroom suite available.

Rents are $725.00 to

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280-1727 or Murray at 780-6037772 to view.

AUTOMOBILES 2000 Windstar. Ex. engine & transmission. Body damage. For parts

922-5999 Rare

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EDUCATION

Large round green feed bales for sale. 780-603-0232

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FARMLAND

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damaged

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Caliber

125,000kms. Drives excellent. For parts. $1500. Phone 780-994-3005

2005 Mercedes Smart Car diesel, automatic,

Land for Sale NE 11-55-16, 161 total

black,

$3900. 780-994-3005.

192,000kms,

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Large Round Hay Bales. 780-6321349

FOOD Primrose Lake fish: Whites, Jacks & Pickerel fillets PH: 780-808-3826

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For Sale: 159 Acres N of Beauvallon

Visit us at jobs.newsadvertiser.com

1½ Husky-mixed, spayed, shots. $350 OBO 1-780-222-8897

Farm For Sale. 160 Acres 6 miles

north and 1.5 miles east of Andrew,

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2 bedroom house. Built in 1961.

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water, power, natural gas. 150 acres

Advertise your rental property here for as little as $7.95 per week!

call Ken. 604-454-7884

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cultivated. For more information

RV Wanting to buy a Boler, Trillium, Scamp or Burro trailer a maximum of 13 ft. Can be a fixer upper if pest free. Phone 780-632-3453.

$685/mo. Call 780-275-0089. New developments.

For Rent: Main Street Vegreville store front. 3900+ sq. ft. Landlord, motivated. Phone or text 780-6320480

Southside 2 bedroom 1 washroom 4 appliances, garage. $875/mo. DD same. To view text or call 780-6329835

2004 Dodge Dakota 4x4 loaded, superb condition. Low km. $6,500.

780-632-3527.

2000 Dodge Dakota V8, 4x4, farm truck. $1600. 780-922-5999 2002 GMC 4x4 HD ¾ ton Service Truck 340k $3500 780-922-5999 1997 Ford 7.3 Diesel, 4 x 4, missing transmission. Nice deck, $2800. 780922-5999 2004 Chev 4 x 4, new t/case, canopy, $3200. PH: 780-994-3005

acres, 155 cultivated. Old yard site 764-2407

Anniversary Grand Prix. Loaded.

$600/m + utilities. Same DD.

Timothy hay for sale. No rain. $75.00 780-913-4675

Loaded. 150,000 Kms. Clean. $5200.

Excellent Needs TLC $3200 780-

appliances,

References required. Call or text

2008 Dodge Calibar. Automatic.

2002 Honda Civic, Standard Drives

kitchen

washer/dryer, soaker tub. NS, NP.

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VM SYSTEMS Looking for a new computer? VM SYSTEMS has all you’ll ever need in computers! Installation – Sales – Service – Internet. One call will get you in touch. Phone 780-632-2859 9am – 5pm.

Arlington Place (5333 – 49 Avenue) is a very clean and quiet building

FEED

2006 Ford 4x4 Crew Cab. New tires. $4600. 780-994-3005

V

TRUCKS

1993 Chev 4x4 Ext Cab. For parts. $650. 780-922-5999

2002 F250 Crew cab, 7.3 diesel.

Loaded. 410,000kms. $6500 PH: 780994-3005

WANTED Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201

Wild Fur Wanted. Coyote, fox, etc.

Will be at Musidora Rock Store 5 miles east of Two Hills, January 4 and February 15, 2020 at 11:00am.

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JANUARY 15, 2020

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Hope Springs Eternal in Agriculture

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Farming has its fair share of ups and downs and last growing season was no exception as it brought forth both drought conditions and excessive moisture to producers in the area.

Darwin Ullery, Director of Agricultural and Utility Services for the County of Minburn, described moisture levels as excessive. Estimates range between 19-23 inches above the average of 8-12 inches of rain throughout the growing season. “Spring was excessively dry here, drought conditions actually; but on or about June 10 we got 2 1/2 inches of rain and 3-4 inches of wet snow, and it never quit after that.”

He went onto say that it was hard to spray weeds.

“Fungicide application was once again held up by weather. There was a lot of usage of aerial spraying. At one time the airport had between 10 and 12 planes working at one time. It was hard on ground equipment.

The positive side of that is yields were pretty well record breaking. We had good heat units and excessive moisture that created growing conditions we don’t get to see very often in this area.

The negative would probably be that harvest was extremely difficult. Probably 10-15 per cent is still left out in the fields, so we’re going to have some Spring harvest. We won’t know the quality of that (crop) until spring. You always get a little bit of mice feeding and some deterioration in quality like a grade loss. So we’ll see what the spring brings. Spring harvest doesn’t happen in this area very often, bit it’s going to this year.”

He describes farmers as a “resilient bunch” and expects them to get last year’s crop off. Most of the grain that came off last year had to be dried. Some producers had their crops custom dried or sold it wet to the grain elevators at a discount. Last year we had both positives and negatives for sure. Typically we get our grain off dry but last three or four years it’s been hard to get it off with early freezing and snow falls,” pointed out Ullery.

“Even hay crops ended up being pretty nice. Very few second crops. Hard to get off as well. The quality is poor, but there’s a lot of it,” noted Ullery.

“There really is no pest infestations. There’s quite a bit of Fuseurim Graminearum in wheat in barley; we’ve been hearing amounts up to five per cent, so that could be an issue we’re dealing with. And clubroot as well.

Both diseases are quite heavily tied to the weather and moisture levels, and they have a tendency to flare up in wet years and disappear in dry years.

From our perspective we enforce the Provincial Pest Control Act and the Provincial Weed Control Act for noxious weeds so if there’s a bad clubroot or fusarium infestation we can issue an enforcement notices to landowners to destroy that crop to try and limit the spread of those diseases. I don’t foresee it ever getting to that level.

In the case of clubroot we would need to see it wall to wall, corner to corner. But now science has brought us resistant varieties of canola so

the infection levels we’re finding is extremely low so we haven’t had to take any enforcement action on canola or fusarium so I don’t forecast that we will.” Currently there’s no legislation regarding crop rotation, but there are regulations around best practices. “We recommend a three year rotation. It helps break up that disease cycle.”

As far as canola,“It’s actually coming back up in price right now. People were worried about being locked out of the Chinese market, but from what we’ve seen so far, producers have been doing a good job at finding other markets. It really hasn’t been hit that hard. With the market looking like it is right now I don’t think it will affect things in 2020.”

Most often producers plant canola, wheat, barley and some oats. Ullery said there’s still some experimentation with soybeans, and some talk about lentils and fababeans. “They are all smaller markets though, and if you don’t have production contracts locked in before you seed the crop you don’t know if you’ll be able to market it or what price you’ll get. It carries a lot of risk. It’s kind of the same with the hemp, you want to make sure you have a buyer to take it. There’s a lot of new crops on the horizon, so well see how the markets develop.”

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PAGE 16

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JANUARY 15, 2020

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Tributes MEMORIAM

MEMORIAM

MEMORIAM

OBITUARY

In Loving Memory of SEREDA, Marcy January 14, 2015 If roses grow in Heaven, Lord, please pick a bunch for me.

Place them in my mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me.

Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there’s an ache within my heart that will never go away.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed Bob, Elaine and Family

GIEBELHAUS, Eric April 26, 1957 - January 12, 2019 God looked around the garden and saw an empty space.

He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful for He only takes the best.

He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb.

So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered “Peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone; For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

Lovingly Remembered Sharon, Shannon, Lincoln, Richard, Michelle, Konrad, Sarah, Tyler, Lukas, Elise, Adam and Mom Li Giebelhaus and Family

GIEBELHAUS, Florence October 4, 1937 - January 19, 2014 They say there is a reason They say that time will heal But neither time nor reason Will change the way we feel For no one knows the heartache That lies behind our smiles No one knows how many times We have broken down and cried We want to tell you something So there won’t be any doubt You’re so wonderful to think of But so hard to be without Your memory is our keepsake With which we’ll never part God has you in His keeping We have you in our hearts.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed Wallace, Janet, Mark, Lynn and their families near and far.

HAPIENKO, Emily Julia Formerly Kulmatyski, nee Lazaruk August 22, 1943– January 11, 2020 Emily Hapienko of Barrhead, Alberta passed away surrounded by her family at the Barrhead General Hospital on January 11, 2020 at the age of 76.

Emily is survived by her daughter Sherry (Wilfred) Klemp of Barrhead, their children, Jessica and Matthew (Jennifer); her son Perry (Sheila) Kulmatyski of Westlock, their children, Serena, Jared and Amelia; Step-daughter Karen (Russ) Fisher, their children, Alora and Alexandra. Step-son Joe (Michele) Hapienko, their children, Dawson and Lane.Step-daughter Tina Hapienko, along with numerous other family and friends. Emily was predeceased by her first husband, Ernie Kulmatyski (1975), her second husband, George Hapienko (2009) and her parents Tom (2002) & Lena (2007).

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5406-49 Street, Barrhead, Alberta, with Pastor Ben Wyatt officiating. Interment to follow in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Emily may be made to The Alberta Heart & Stroke foundation or a Charity of one’s choice.

Words of Sympathy may be sent to www.mem.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Rose Garden Chapel 780-674-4644.

An Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial

SHULKO, Judith July 28, 1944 – January 16, 2015 In Loving Memory of a Dear Mother, Grandmother and Mother-in-Law: You can only have one mother Patient kind and true; No other friend in all the world, Will be the same to you.

When other friends forsake you, To mother you will return, For all her loving kindness, She asks nothing in return.

As we look upon her picture, Sweet memories we recall, Of a face so full of sunshine, And a smile for one and all.

Sweet Jesus, take this message, To our dear mother up above; Tell her how much we miss her, And give her all our love.

Lovingly remembered and deeply missed by your family, Brian, Charlene, Lana, Bria and Tyra Kevin and Tracy

KOMARNISKI, Lawrence In loving memory of Lawrence Harry Komarniski December 31, 1941 - January 7, 2015 Our lives go on without you But nothing is the same We have to hide our heartache When someone speaks your name.

Sad are the hearts that love you Silent are the tears that fall Living without you is the hardest part of all.

You did so many things for us Your heart was so kind and true And when we needed someone We could always count on you The special years will not return When we were all together But with the love in our hearts You walk with us forever.

Lovingly remembered by Donna and Families.

Fiddlin’ Funds help Finance Bursary Jamie Bowman

Her shoes could not be filled.

But Heather Soldan’s fiddle-teaching legacy lives on, with a bursary boost this week from the society she helped build.

Based in Two Hills, Heather Soldan taught fiddle in the area for over two decades until she tragically passed away in a 2014 car accident.

She had founded The Fiddlin’ Kiddlins early on, guiding youngsters and teens (and later the Fiddlin’ Grannies too) through performancebuilding concerts in senior homes and at community events.

The Kiddlins annual family dances and concerts in Vegreville, organized by Heather and parents, raised funds for supplies and field trips to play and hear musical events.

After her passing, a series of other fiddle teachers tried to carry on the Kiddlins, but without her steady and tenacious leadership, the group eventually petered out.

The last director of the Fiddlin’ Kiddlins, Ralph Lange, decided the group’s final act should be to donate its $810 bank balance to the Heather Soldan Memorial

Pictured from left to right: Ralph Lange presents the cheque to Allan Soldan and Dave Bowman.

Bursary. He recently presented the cheque to Heather’s husband Alan Soldan and her brother Dave Bowman.

The bursary helps kids in financially challenged families to attend the Yee Haw at He Ho Ha annual winter fiddle camp put on by the Alberta Society of Fiddlers, this year landing on Feb. 14-17, as well as the summer camp, held in August near Alix.

Until she passed, Heather taught the beginner class at the camp for many years.

Heather had a passion

for both music and youth, and with her endless energy, creativity and gift of teaching, she impacted many young people in their musical journeys.

As a tribute to her accomplishments to honour her memory, Heather’s siblings and husband established the bursary in 2018.

“Nothing would have pleased Heather more than knowing her dedication to help young people get a start in fiddling is being carried on,” said Bowman.

“We felt the money should be used for what it was intended for-- to help kids learn to play fiddle and have fun while doing it,” said Lange.

The registration deadline for the fiddle camp is Jan. 31. Applications for the bursary must be submitted as soon as possible.

The deadline date has been extended to Jan. 20 this year. Application forms can be found on the Heather Soldan Memorial Bursary Facebook page.

JANUARY 15, 2020

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Kozak Carollers Raise Funds for Multiple Sclerosis Submitted A group of 16 carollers travelled to places in and around Vegreville, Hairy Hill and Two Hills to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) on Saturday, January 4.

Besides great hospitality, the carollers received nearly $4,000 in donations. In return, the local residents heard some of the best male voices who have sung or currently sing with choirs and bands the likes of Axios, Viter, Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton, Flying Kozaks, Millenia and Trubka.

The men sang both Ukrainian and English Christmas carols to the delight of their audiences.

This year marked the 30th year of carolling for multiple sclerosis. The initial idea

came from the group Flying Zozaks with Tim Baydala suggesting the donations go to M.S. research, as his mother Molly was afflicted with the disease. Tim and Terry Baydala continue to be the driving and organizational force behind the initiative.

Since 1990, through Kozak Carolling, it is estimated that over $75,000 has been raised for multiple sclerosis research.

While the size of the group of carollers has varied over the years depending on who could make it, the commitment to the cause has never wavered, and they are truly grateful for all the support they have received over the years.

marketplace

These Ukrainian carollers traversed the local area to raise funds for multiple sclerosis on Jan. 4

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JANUARY 15, 2020

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New Years Eve at PLC Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent The Vegreville and Area Parent Link Centre hosted a New Year’s Eve Themed Drop-In on December 31 where parents and children counted down to 12 and made a toast of champagne juice at 12 a.m. instead of 12 p.m. to welcome 2020 the New Year in.

This program featured a scavenger hunt, some balloons for the children to play with, craft supplies were set up for the children to make their own party hats with, and a fun snack of popcorn and jello.

Litania Holyk, Community Programmer for PLC said the reason they wanted to host this program is to give children a chance to celebrate the New Year in a child friendly way.

A Happy Themed Drop-In at PLC

Dane looks at a happy face orange while his mother, Laura Agnemark holds Amy Yakimetz’s eight-week-old daughter Lillian. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

ColorPhoto Copies

Box 810 Phone (780) 632-2861 Vegreville, Alberta T9C 1R9 Fax: (780) 632-7981

Kaley wears a New Year hat.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Happiness was circulating around the Vegreville and Area Parent Link Centre (PLC) at the Happy Themed Drop-In program on January 10.

This program featured happy themed games which included a bucket game and scavenger hunt where children searched the centre for pictures of faces celebrating occasions.

There was a snack with happy faced hash browns, oranges and a cake. As well, there were happy songs that played in the background.

A ngel Campbell, Program Planner for PLC, said with the bitter cold weather outside,

they wanted to offer a fun program for children.

“This program focused on developing all of children’s gross motor skills.

As well, it taught children how to be mentally healthy on a good day and it helped them to understand good emotions and how to process those emotions with the occasions that matched with these emotions. .

At the end of the program, Campbell read the children a book about joy.

JANUARY 15, 2020

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Karl Schneider Tells the Story of his Life Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Karl Schneider was born in Germany in 1930. He grew up in the town of St. Augustine in North Rhine-Westphalia with his parents and two sisters. “I most

when they came looking for me. A lot of my classmates served in the war and they never came back. We helped dig ditches for the soldiers to find shelter in or sleep in and we tried to help them anyway we could. I was 15 when the war

Karl Schneider lived through the Second World War and he likes his life now as he resides at Heritage Heights where he said the staff must like their job as he has not seen a grumpy face yet. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

surely had good parents. I remember having a good life and being free until Hitler took over,” Karl said.

Karl said he grew up during the Second World War and he admitted this wasn’t fun. Financially they were an average family because everyone was poor during the war. Karl remembered the rations they had when they were only able to have a loaf of bread a week but this didn’t bother him as they made do with what they had and found creative ways to obtain more foods which included having a garden.

“War is horrible, the things you see.

During the last two years of when this war was happening, my family and I slept in cellars because of air raids.

They wanted me to go to war but I took the most sensible route because I didn’t report and I went out into the cellar

ended. But even after the war, the economy wasn’t that good.”

Karl said he was an average student at school and he went on to community college to pursue commerce. But he never finished college because he had to leave as his father died and they couldn’t afford to pay for the tuition anymore. So, he went into an apprenticeship in a wholesale for a while and then he found out he wasn’t cut out for office work and he started a photography business where he mainly took pictures of people’s weddings. After this, he started working for the post office and did other types of work.

Karl’s wife to be, Christine, lived in a neighboring town and he used to see her around at functions but at one dance he asked her to dance because he thought she was nice. “I thought she was

pretty too, she still is,” Karl admitted.

Karl then asked his wife what her first impression of him was the first time she noticed him, she replied she felt he was tall and handsome.

Karl married Christine in 1951. At first, they couldn’t get an apartment or anyplace to stay so they subdivided Christine’s mother’s bedroom to fit their family of three. “By 1953 we decided there was still no outlook for years to get an apartment so we applied to immigrate to Canada. We came to Canada with nothing. My wife and children came to Canada after I did in 1956. I worked at various places. I finally found steady work. “ Karl and his wife were blessed with four children. Today, they have six grandchildren which they are proud of.

Karl said Canada is different from Germany in the way food is much more expensive in Germany. They

spend at least 50% of what they earn on food. In Canada, people complain about spending around 20% of their income on food.

Karl and his wife eventually settled on a farm near Mannville where they lived for 50 years. This year, they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

“We got married with the idea that we were going to stay together. We had a good marriage and got along well but like every marriage, we had our ups and our downs.”

Karl likes living at Heritage Heights now. He said the staff must like working there as they are always friendly and cheerful and they try to help the residents anyway they can.

Karl’s advice to people is to try to save money because you never know when you might need it.

Tough Budget - CONTINUED from PAGE 5 $500,000 it would be a 35 or 40 dollar increase, said Casey.

The assessed value of commercial businesses has not dropped because they are not being put up for sale.

Houses are being sold for less than they were two years ago and commercial properties are not being sold. Fair market value is easier to determine on home sales, added MacPhee.

As far as uncollected taxes for individual taxpayers, there was an uncollected levy of 1.8 per cent for 2019 and two per cent in 2018. For commercial businesses, the percentage was higher, at five per cent . “There`s three or four of them (commercial businesses) that haven’t paid taxes for 2019 which impacts where we are at. But it (the taxes) may still come with a penalty attached to it,” said MacPhee.

Casey said the town has collected about 98 per cent ($11.5 million) of its 2019 taxes. “Seventy per cent of our assessment is residential,” he added.

The municipality is required by law to pay for the education and senior portion of taxes. “We have no

control over that. They (the province) send us a requisition and we are required under legislation to collect that money, and the only way to collect that money is from the taxpayers. The only one we have control over is our municipal portion,” noted Casey.

As to how much the education and seniors requisition will be? “We won`t know until March. We’re basing it on last year projections.

We could see a larger number going forward, because there’s usually an increase every year.”

Casey expects that because the government is cutting back in all sectors, including education.

There will be no reduction in services or staffing in the 2020 budget. MacPhee said every department was examined and all department heads had to come up with some cost savings, and find some efficiencies. There will be no cost of living adjustment for staff in the next three years. Employees received a cost of living adjustment of 1.5 per cent last year.

“As a municipality there’s only so many ways we can generate money, and that`s through user fees, tax levies and through grant money, stated MacPhee.

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JANUARY 15, 2020

Prime Minister offers no assurances in Mandate Letter Submitted Ottawa, ON - Shannon Stubbs, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Lakeland and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources responded to the Mandate Letter from Prime Minister Trudeau to his new Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan: “This mandate letter gives no assur-

ance that Prime Minister Trudeau will take concrete action to change direction, listen to the concerns of Western Canadians and work to unite our nation.

Canada faces a national unity and economic crisis because of the Liberals’ anti-energy, anti-business, anti-natural resource development legislation, polices and regulations that intervene in,

and undermine provincial jurisdiction. The proof of this reality is in the flood of capital leaving Canada’s natural resource sector, resulting in hundreds of thousands of Canadians losing their jobs under these Liberals.

“There is no mention in this Mandate Letter of reversing the damaging changes to the project review process implemented by the Liberals’ ‘anti-energy, anti-business’ Bill C-69. Every single Premier from every province and territory demands a legislative overhaul of its potential devastating economic impact for all provinces across all natural resource sectors. This mandate letter includes further commitments to new regulations, royalty frameworks, taxes and cost increases that will cause further uncertainty for new projects – compounding the damage from Bill C-69.

“There is no commitment to repeal the Liberal oil shipping ban Bill C-48 that discriminates against, and blocks, only the export of Western Canadian oil. This shipping ban is opposed by

hundreds of indigenous communities and indigenous-owned businesses represented by the Indigenous Resource Council, and the Lax Kw’alaams band have filed a court challenge against Bill C-48 because it effectively prohibits the development of land in their traditional territory without any consultation or accommodation.

“This Liberal government is incrementally and systematically dismantling economic development in rural Canada, which will have profoundly negative consequences for urban Canadians, government revenues, all communities, and Canada’s standard of living and the economy overall. The Liberals talk of haphazardly and rapidly ‘transitioning’ workers to a ‘global’ low-carbon economy is not grounded in reality. Demand for oil and gas will continue to increase for decades. There is no scenario where the world transitions away from carbon fuels in our lifetime. What the Liberals are proposing is to destroy resource industries across rural Canada with taxes, redtape and project approval uncertainty – which will move global investment to mines, mills and projects in countries with terrible human rights and environmental standards. The historic flight of capital that’s already taken place under the Liberals is also a brain-drain on Canada – when investment moves to other more competitive jurisdictions, it takes R & D, new technology and innovation, and Canada’s brightest minds with it. This is not a plan to address global environmental challenges – and it is not a plan to help Canada’s struggling middle class.

“Prime Minister Trudeau said on election night, to “Canadians in Alberta and Saskatchewan, know that you are an essential part of our great country.

I’ve heard your frustration and I want to be there to support you. Let us all work hard to bring our country together.” If the Prime Minister is serious about his promise on election night, he will provide his Natural Resources Minister with a new Mandate Letter that includes commitments to repeal the Liberal oil shipping ban Bill C-48 and to overhaul the Liberals’ antienergy, anti-business Bill C-69. He will also immediately and consistently champion the necessity and contribution of a thriving Canadian energy sector to every community and province. He will immediately take concrete measures to restore competitiveness and attract investment to the Canadian sector, which underpins the entire economy as Canada’s largest private sector investor and export.