Community News

A Hearty Welcome to Ukrainian Newcomers

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Vegreville and Area Stands With Ukraine offered a Welcome to Canada Pancake Bunch (Meet and Greet) for newcomers from Ukraine during Vegreville 49th Annual Ukrainian Pysanka Festival on July 1 at Vegreville Social Centre.

Maria Buhrak who has lived in Vegreville for four years had her two children with her- Diana who arrived in Vegreville three months ago and Vasil who came to Vegreville two months ago. When asked what they thought of Vegreville so far, Diana said, “I love Vegreville; it is very nice and quiet. Vegreville Pysanka Festival had very powerful Ukrainian traditions in it,” Diana said.

Vasil said he feels that Vegreville is a very nice town. “It is very clean and has lots of things happening all the time. Vegreville Pysanka Festival had many roots and traditions from Ukraine. I am amazed how people are still keeping those traditions so strongly from Ukraine in the Vegreville Pysanka Festival,” Vasil added.

Pictured from L-R: Svitlana Fedorouk who lived in Vegreville for many years with newcomers to Vegreville-Vasil Buhrak, Diana Bilovus, Maria Buhrak.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Pictured from L-R: Halyna Mytsyk, Oleg Mytsyk, Solomiia Mytsyk, Myroslava Mytsyk.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Oleg Mytsyk who came to Vegreville with his mother, Halyna Mytsyk and his two sisters Solomiia and Myroslava said he has lived one week in Vegreville and he feels Vegreville is a good town to live in. “Vegreville is a very beautiful town. There are very good people here. Vegreville Pysanka Festival is very nice as I met a lot of Ukrainian people at it,” Oleg added.

Liudmyla Kiudmyla was with her two daughters, Daria and Oleksandra. They moved to Sherwood Park from Ukraine. Liudmyla said she was just visiting Vegreville for the Pysanka Festival. “Since I visited Vegreville, I think it is a very nice place. I really like the festival.

For the future, I really want to live in Canada, I don’t want to go back to Ukraine,” Liudmyla added.

Pavlo Sakun who moved to Edmonton from Ukraine with his wife, Tetiana and their three children, Viktoriia, Dreksandk, and Karolina said he was in the Ukrainian army but in Ukraine if people have three or more children they are allowed to leave the country during the Russian war against Ukraine. He added that he is living in Edmonton because his son, Dreksandk is an elite level diver and there are more opportunities for him there.”

Some of the kitchen volunteers.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

VBS Helps Kids be Peace Seekers

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Vegreville United Church Vacation Bible School (VBS) was held from July 5 to 8.

Rev. Pamela Milton said she wrote the curriculum for “Peace Seekers.” My volunteers and myself sat down and worked out how it should run as a team. We had six children in age from 4 to 13. We hosted VBS to introduce our faith to children.

This year’s theme was “Peace Seekers.” Peace with God, friends, earth, family and the world. We did singing, story time, snack, games, and crafts.”

Volunteers help children with crafts.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Delnorte School Track and Field Day Hits the Mark with Students

Rachel Miller - Submitted

On June 27 our grade 1-8 students participated in the Track and Field that was hosted by our Grade 9 students and Phys Ed teacher Mrs. Tomlinson.

Students participated in the 100m run, 200m run, hurdles, ball throw for elementary; javelin, shot put, discus for secondary;

standing and running long jump, high jump and relays.

We had a hot dog BBQ lunch put on by our school council for all students and parents who attended. The Innisfree Fire Department came out in the afternoon to provide our water for the slip and slide to end our day of activities.

Enjoying the slip and slide.

(Delnorte School/Submitted Photo)