News Advertiser - Community News

Vegreville Alliance Church Community Nerf Day

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

A good time was had by 80 people at the Vegreville Alliance Church (VAC) Community Nerf Day on May 7.

People participate in the 3v3 Nerf Tourney.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Everything at this event was free which included a 3 vs 3 Nerf Tourney, Fairway Nerf Games, Bouncy Castles and BBQ Lunch.

Associate Pastor Josh Whincup, who coordinated the event, said, “We wanted to host this event as an opportunity to reach out to the community and provide a fun family friendly event as the spring started. I got the idea for the event from two of my volunteers, Roy Koop and Hunter Moore.

The community response was great, and we are excited to continue hosting this event for years to come.”

Children enjoying the bouncy castles

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

People take part in the games

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

People take part in the games

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Speaking in Class Gives Kids Life Skills

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Students at A.L. Horton Elementary School had a chance to hone their public speaking skills at the Speaking in Class Competition at the school on April 26.

Judges were: Larissa Bombak, Jeff Dyck, Gladys Menzak, Tina Warawa, Judy Anderson and Colleen Welsh.

Students Ada G and Logan A emceed this event.

There were 12 speech contestants who wrote topics ranging from a scavenger hunt which Brynn W created for her sister, why we shouldn’t have winter by Elliot A, how to convince your mom to buy you a horse by Corbin L, and especially fitting was Samar B’s statement in his speech, “Education is a basic human right. It provides freedom and empowerment. One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the whole world!”

There were also speeches by Livia G, Nick M, Corbin L, Savannah G, Tahlia R, Becca A, Danica K, Maddi Z, and Ella B.

Judges from L-R: Tina Warawa, Colleen Welsh, Gladys Menzak, Larissa Bombak, Judy Anderson, Jeff Dyck.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Contestant Danica Kuhn wrote her speech, ‘A Leopard Gecko Named Gex in about 40 minutes. When asked if she owns a reptile and what the experience was like for her, she answered, “I live on a farm and I do have a reptile for a pet because I am very passionate about animals. The best thing about reptiles is watching them eat. The best thing about this experience was doing it as it was fun to get to speak in front of the whole school. The hardest part was being scared in the very beginning. But I would definitely like to do it again.”

The judges’ feedback were they thought all the participants did well. The contestants were well-prepared, made good eye contact and they demonstrated a high level of confidence.

Teacher Mrs. Stephanie Kuhn organized this event with a committee of teachers who included: Tracey Palamarek, Melanie Semeniuk and Chloe Giebelhaus.

Judges and contestants in no particular order: Larissa Bombak, Jeff Dyck, Gladys Menzak, Tina Warawa, Judy Anderson, Colleen Welsh, Brynn W, Elliot A, Samar B, Livia G, Nick M, Corbin L, Savannah G, Tahlia R, Becca A, Danica K, Maddi Z and Ella B.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Mrs. Kuhn said, “Personally, I feel that public speaking, at a young age, develops communication life skills that will benefit students now and in the future. It encourages confidence with speaking in front of an audience and allows students to have an opportunity for self-expression. It involves research, preparation, storytelling, practice, presentation, leadership and creativity. They figure out how to captivate an audience, persuade, share their opinion and deliver a message in a variety of ways. They reflect on their strengths and recognize areas requiring further growth.

The students did a fantastic job and we support and applaud them for having the courage, motivation and perseverance to get up in front of a large audience! It was a really great competition and I am certain the judges had their work cut out for them in their decisions!”

Thrifters Paradise in Mundare

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

It was a thrifters’ paradise in Mundare during the annual Town Wide Garage Sale on May 6.

With 48 garage sales scattered throughout the community there were plenty of amazing bargains to be had. There was everything from a toilet seat to tank tops to tires to motor oil, and antiques. There was a quilt and bake sale at the Mundare Seniors Centre as well as a multi-family sale at the Mundare

Recreation Centre. Firefighters were busy cooking and serving delicious hot food at the fire station to keep hungry shoppers happy throughout the day.

Mundare Servus Credit Union Branch Manager Shelly Taylor, left, with staff members Becky Sankowski and Jamie Wasylciw.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

At one of the stops, Jamie MacNeil had some of her puzzles displayed on antique window panes. MacNeil said her husband picked up a puzzle one day and they decided to give it a go. She and her husband like to do puzzles in winter with their daughter.

MacNeil said puzzles are the one thing that Santa still brings and are a great way to pass the time.

Rhonda Yurkiw was also looking for something to pass the time during the winter months and decided to try crafting planter boxes. Last year alone, she sold 65 planter boxes to people who purchased them for Mother’s Day gifts and had a beautiful assortment available at the Town Wide Garage Sale.

Quilter Gail Patrie had many of her gorgeous quilts for sale. From L-R: Amanda Cender, Gail Patrie, Corry Klose and Morgan Klose.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Yurkiw said he husband cuts all of the wood pieces and she paints and assembles the planter boxes. Of course, her favourite planter box is the one painted with the signature green and gold of Edmonton’s professional football club. Even though they changed the name of the team, Yurkiw said she will be an Eskimo’s fan forever.

Friends of the Mundare Library hosted a book sale in the town office to raise funds for supplies for the three programs it operates. There are three programs, one geared for three-year-olds, pre-school children and the Vegreville Association for Living in Dignity, (VALID) which supports people with developmental disabilities.

Servus Credit Union also hosted a book sale with proceeds going towards the Mundare School Breakfast Program.