december 25, 2015 strathmore times

8/20/2019 December 25, 2015 Strathmore Times

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Page 10

Look on Page 4 for Town of Strathmore

Municipal Notices

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D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 1 5

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 52

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Page 20

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MIRIAM OSTERMANN

Times Associate Editor

Escalating numbers of those destitute, soaring job loss-

es, and an incessant unstable economy became active mo-tivators in local officials’ decision to dig into the town’spockets and invest up to $60,000 for a transitional shelter– much to the surprise of those in attendance where towncouncil had earlier indicated bringing the proposal backin early 2016 to allow time to familiarize themselves withthe content. John Hilton-O’Brien, Pastor Elizabeth Karp, Pastor Dawn

Nelson, and Waldo Munoz provided council with a detailproposal on a transitional shelter that would house those

without overnight accommodations, and provide them with a meal in the morning before vacating the premises.

However, while the Harvest Healing Centre Church is willing to provide the space, the building requires up-grades and modifications to make it eligible for the neces-sary insurance. As a result, the town was asked to donate$40,000 for capital costs, and $5,000 a month for opera-

tions. This would translate into the installation of showers andadded washroom space. Although some council members had praised the pro-

posal and acknowledged the urgency of the project, theysaid they would like to see the issue be brought back ina few weeks time. Yet Pastor Dawn Nelson, with Lord of

All Lutheran Church, ensured council of the need withinthe community, having already dealt with more residentsin need than before.

“Since Monday morning at nine o’clock, I’ve had 13people come to our doors that are in crisis, I’ve neverseen it like this and if we don’t do something, we’re go-ing to find bodies, I know that,” said Pastor Nelson at thecouncil meeting on Wednesday Dec. 16. “I’ve never had a

week like this and it scares me. The other concern I have with that is the economy right now. What we’re seeing isscary. People don’t have money for their own needs, so as

we go out into the community there’s a need.“I’m going to tell you that most of the people I’m talking

to are going, ‘yes, because I’m that close.”Pastor Elizabeth Karp at the Harvest Healing Centre

Church echoed Pastor Nelson’s concerns about the in-crease of local people in need, with the line-ups continu-ously increasing for their bread ministry program – a pro-gram she said attracts not only homeless people or thoseon the verge, but regular citizens and those who’ve losttheir jobs. The transitional shelter - for now a mat program - would

accommodate 10 individuals per night. To ensure the shel-ter’s ongoing operation throughout the year, the expectedcost is estimated at $164,000, including the $30,000 do-nated by the Harvest Healing Centre Church for space,

which would’ve been spent on rent otherwise.Continued on Page 7

Town supportshomeless shelter

Justin Seward Photo

Gingerbread creations!Heath Meyer and his mom Angela were in the decorative mood while they cre-

ated their gingerbread train at the ‘Ginger All The Way’ event at the Strathmore

Municipal Library on Dec. 21.

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Bisons split


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Page 2 • Strathmore TIMES • December 25, 2015 www.StrathmoreTimes.com

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December 25, 2015 • Strathmore TIMES • Page 3

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The renewal of the town membership with the CanadianBadlands grew divisive, when former empty promises and alack of effort for increased town involvement divided coun-cil on the issue and shelved a decision to dish out thousandsof dollars. The Town of Strathmore received an invoice from the Ca-

nadian Badlands, the largest municipal partnership in Cana-da, for the 2016 annual shareholder levy totalling $6,423 – afigure derived from $0.50 per capita based on the populationprovided by the 2012 Municipal Affairs population list. Therequest for the continuation of the membership, however, was met with dissent from some councillors who felt theorganization failed to follow through on previously agreedupon commitments.

“I cannot sit here and support our involvement any longerto the Canadian Badlands, we’re still not even on the list ofstops, at this time I’m not prepared to vote in favour of stay-

ing with this organization,” said Councillor Brad Walls.“I felt like I had a gun to my head when they came to us

last year at this time when they said ‘We’re going to pull the AGM if you guys decide to pull out.’ I listened to the execu-tive director and I listened to Barry [Morishita] talk aboutsome of the good things that have come from Strathmore,and some concerns about getting our name on the map andreally trying to make us actually part of the team. That hasn’t been done. So I cannot sit here and support an organizationthat can’t even update their map because now we’re a partof that.” According to Walls, he is receptive to further discussions

with the organization, upon a new map, including Strath-more, being presented to the town. In a letter to the town,the Canadian Badlands outlined their achievements, in-cluding their efforts to implement regional and local tour-ism initiatives, facilitating the development of new tourism

products, marketing many of the region’s key attractions andevents, and promoting the region as a whole. Yet the lackof representation and promotion in relation to Strathmoreraised concerns among other councillors.

“This is a never ending story, and … the only reason we

went another year was they said they wanted the AGM here but other than that, I haven’t seen them,” said Councillor

Bob Sobol. “On a couple of occasions, when we come to thispoint, I’ve heard that the onus is on us to do a little bit moreto deal with these people. That’s where I have my issue.

“I think the onus should be on them to be working withus and I have yet to see that to any great extent. I see some value in this, but I see some value in a group that’s going totake their responsibility seriously and I have great concernsabout that.” Asked whether attempts had been made to contact the

Canadian Badlands and increase promotion for the town,Chief Administrator Dwight Stanford confirmed that effortshad been made in the past.

However, not all councillors dismissed the proposal soquickly. With 63 partnering communities across southeast-ern Alberta, Councillor Denise Peterson felt that better com-munication and raising their concerns with the organization would help acknowledge different applications.

“I think it needs to become a part of this municipal coun-

cil planning initiative and we can bring things to the Cana-dian Badlands that we want to see on that agenda; I don’tthink that we’ve done as much as we possibly could,” saidPeterson. “I see huge opportunities for this 63 partneringcommunity organization to move into areas, for instance thesenior advisory have acknowledged that there’s opportunityfor senior events within this capacity.

“Anytime we can bring 63 communities into a communica-tion partnership for $0.50 a person, I think it’s a wonderfulopportunity and it’s one that we need to put on our planningagenda for the spring. I think we can encourage them to doa much better job than they’ve been doing.” While Peterson said she understood her fellow council-

lors frustrations, she proposed an interim solution to contactthe organization and request actions to be taken to addresscouncil’s concerns before making a motion.

Council agreed to accept the request for the 2016 Cana-dian Badlands annual shareholder levy as information, andadvised administration to draft a letter to the organizationoutlining the concerns of the council with regards to theomissions related to the community within their advertisingtourism structure, at the Dec. 16 regular council meeting.

Disagreement over Canadian Badlands

membership tables issue

$50 / TICKETONLY 1,999 TICKETS

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Soccer Without Boundaries, a program where immigrant children in Calgary congregate

to play soccer, had some help from SHS’s Me to We club by dressing up as Santa Claus,

organizing supplies for crafts and cookie decorating, and handing out candy, tuques, andscarfs during the program’s Christmas Party on Dec. 12. Photo Courtesy of Mariah Wilson

SHS gives to sportsThe Holy Cross Collegiate junior and senior high schoolbands, and African drumming performed on Dec. 15

under the instruction of Mr. Hutcheon.

Manny Everett Photo

Ready for Christmas


4/28


680 Westchester Road, Strathmore, AB T1P 1J1 • 403-934-3133 • Office Hours: M - F 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

www.strathmore.ca

WINNER OF THE 2012 VENTURE MAGAZINE’S BEST SMALL COMMUNITY TO DO BUSINESS IN

T O W N O F

S T

R A T H M O R E

The next regular

Council Meeting

will be

January 13 & 27,

2016

SNOW REMOVAL FROM SIDEWALKS

COMMUNITY STANDARDS BYLAW #13-05 (1) The owner or occupant of a private parcel of land adjacent

to a Sidewalk or Pathway that runs in front of the property oralong the side of the property where:(a) Such Sidewalk or Pathway runs parallel to and directly

adjacent to a Street, or(b) Such sidewalk or Pathway runs parallel to and adjacent to a

Street, where the Pathway or Sidewalk and Street are separatedonly by a grassed or otherwise covered boulevard; Shall removeice and snow from that portion of the Sidewalk or Pathwayadjacent to the parcel so that the Sidewalk or Pathway is cleared

to the bare surface, within 48 hours after the ice and or snow hasbeen deposited.(2) Where the owner or occupant of a parcel of land has not

complied with Part V Subsection (1), The Town may remove the ice and snow, and the owner of the parcel is liable for such

removal costs.(3) Where the owner or occupant fails to pay the expenses andcosts of removal referred to in Part V Subsection (2), such costsmay be added to the tax roll of the parcel.

PLEASE KEEP OFF THE ICEDUE TO THE WARM TEMPERATURES THIS

WINTER SEASON, THE ICE IS NOT FULLY

FORMING. PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS AND STAY

OFF ALL WATER BODIES!

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS – DECEMBER 16, 2015

• Ms. Betty Fountain on behalf of the DDRC presented arecognition award to Linda Oberg and Barb Stefanich of the RedCarrot to the enhancement of their property downtown.• Council donated $40,000.00 to the Harvest Healing Church for

the Transitional Shelter from the Financial Stabilization Fund and that up to $20,000 more be donated as a matching grant in 2016.

• Council gave second, third and final reading to Bylaw No. 15-30 Land Use Bylaw Amendment Bylaw.• Council approved the purchase of a replacement ¾ ton pick up

at an amount not to exceed $39,500.00 excluding GST.• Council approved the amendments to the Long Form

Development Agreement Template as identified in the attachedlist of amendments, including additional textual amendments

to Sections 10.3 and 23.1 as presented by Administration, and that the Long Form Development Agreement, as amended, beattached to Policy #6602 as Schedule A.• Council accepted the request for payment of the 2016

Canadian Badlands Shareholder Levy for information and instructAdministration to forward a letter to the Canadian Badlandsoutlining the concerns of Town Council related to the omissionsof the Town of Strathmore within their advertising.• Council accepted the request for information and that

Administration contact the Legion and Canadian Heroes about the project as well as information on the plaques.

• Council appointed Mr. Colin Huxted, Mrs. Christine Huxted,Mr. Randy Tiller, Mr. Geoff Ball and Ms. Natalie Campbell to theSustainability Committee for one term ending October 30, 2016.• Council appointed Mr. Michael Field and Mr. Bruce Klaiber to

the Downtown Design Review Committee for one term endingOctober 30, 2016.• Council appointed Mr. William Musani, Mr. Leo Helfrich and

Mr. Martin Wiseman to the Traffic Advisory Committee for one term ending October 30, 2016.

• Council appoint Mr. Geoff Ball to the Strathmore Library Boardfor one term ending October 30, 2016.• Council award the Brentwood Reservoir Repairs tender as per

EPCOR’s recommendation to Gabriel Construction and approve$440,000.00 be put in the 2016 budget to complete this projectand that the funds be withdrawn from the Financial StabilizationReserve.

TOWN UTILITY BILLS

December 15, 2015 Utility Bills have gone out for:

Wildflower Heights/Strathmore LakesWestmountDowntownThorncliffParkwood

Green Meadow/Grande PointAspen CreekThe Ranch

If you have not received your paper copy or email copy of yourUtility Bill please let us know.

The town office will be closed forChristmas starting on December

24th, 2015 at noon and re-opening onJanuary 4th, 2016 at 8:30am.

COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR

JANUARY 2016-DECEMBER 2016

JANUARY 13TH & 27TH

FEBRUARY 3RD & 17TH

MARCH 2ND & 16TH

APRIL 6TH & 20TH

MAY 4TH & 18TH

JUNE 1ST & 15TH

JULY 6TH & 20TH

AUGUST 3RD & 17TH

SEPTEMBER 7TH & 21ST

OCTOBER 5TH & 19TH

NOVEMBER 2ND & 16TH

DECEMBER 7TH & 21ST


5/28

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When measuring cholesterol levels, doctors often

calculate a “risk ratio” when interpreting results of

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With so many smartphones cameras in pockets or

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1-800-222-TIPS

(1-800-222-8477)

403-934-5552120 - 2nd Avenue, Strathmore

Strathmore RCMP is currently

investigating a number of theft from

vehicles that occurred in the earlymorning hours of December 20th. RCMP

members noticed multiple vehicles

along Maplewood Drive with their doors

left open and unlocked. These vehicles

appeared to have been rummaged through and the unknown suspect(s)

appeared to be looking for change

and cigarettes.

RCMP Strathmore later recovered a

bag of sunglasses left on the road ona nearby street. Should you have any

information regarding these thefts, or

have been a victim, please contact the

Strathmore RCMP.

File:20151633513

Cozy in pyjamasMrs. Lenox Grade 5 class donated 251 pyjamas to the Wheatland Crisis

Shelter on Dec. 18. Lindsay Jensen, the crisis supervisor, and Erin Har-

wood, the crisis manager, picked up the donations that were collected

throughout Wheatland Elementary School from Dec. 7-18.

Miriam Ostermann Photo

Manny Everett Photo

The Sacred Heart

Academy Grade 6

classes organized a

food drive for theirGood Works project

Dec. 14-17.

Christmasfood tree


6/28


JUSTIN SEWARD

Times Reporter

Half a dozen break-ins have been identified inthe Carseland and Dalmead area within the last

month and the public is urged to call the RCMPif they see any more suspicious activity in thearea.

“At Boundary Road over here, about a mile upfrom the river hill, about a month ago a servicetruck was stolen, it’d be two weeks ago, a house

was broken into and there was about $15,000 worth of guns stolen,” said Wheatland CountyCouncilor Don Vander Velde said on Dec. 2.

“They’re professional, they broke into a housethrough a patio door and didn’t trash the houseat all. But they took the guns, booze and cash.”

He added that the people who brought the con-

cern to light are well aware of what is happeningas these thieves have stolen vehicles and brokeninto properties and have left them destroyed. Theconsistent targets have been farms in the area.

Strathmore RCMP Sgt. Steve Vince wanted to

make the public aware that break and entersdo happen and there are safety precautions thatpeople should take when not in the vicinity oftheir homes and vehicles.

“There’s been some break and enters,” said Vince.

“But no more than normal. I think the bestthing for people to do is to keep their vehicleslocked, keep their houses locked and keep valu-ables out of site.”

However, Vince said the break-in and entershave no connections and there is no evidencethat anything out of the ordinary is occurring.

Boundary Road areatargeted for break ins

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Adult Drop In VolleyballDrop in adult volleyball. Wednesdaynights 7:30-9:30 at Crowther Junior HighSchool. Contact info 403-934-4963.

AL-ANON: Are you concerned oraffected by someone’s drinking?Strathmore New Hope Al-anon Fam-ily Group can help. Meetings everyThursday at 8:00pm @ Lord of AllLutheran Church. 112 Lakeside Bou-levard. (Entrance at back) For moreinformation call our 24 hour help lineat 403-266-5850.Alcoholics Anonymous MeetingsStrathmore – open meetings MON-DAY 8:00 P.M. at Hope Communit yChurch, call 403-901-9666 or 403-901-4570. Strathmore Full GospelChurch -TUESDAYS at 8:00P.M.,call 403-901-6816. THURSDAYS8:00P.M. at Full Gospel Church, call403-361-9396. SUNDAY 2:00 P.M. atStrathmore United Church, call 403-934-9570. If drinking is a problem,please come to a meeting or call anyof the numbers just to talk.Alcoholics Anonymous Langdon Meeting 8:00pm Friday nights. 23Center Street North Langdon. Con-tact Karen 403-612-2622.Cheadle Lions ClubDrop off your pennies or change offat the Civic Centre. “All proceedsraised goes toward local projects.”Chestermere and area Children(& Families) with Type 1 DiabetesOur Goal is to create a group of ma-ture, responsible members where weopen our own homes as Safe Placesfor Diabetic Children to go to if everin Diabetic Distress. Join the Face-book group for more information.Come Fly With Us

903 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Sqn.meet Wednesdays at 6:30pm at theblue building and Quonset on theAg grounds. Boys & Girls between12 & 19 years welcome. Call TammyAnderson at 403-901-5395 for moreinformation.Community Futures Wild Rose Inpartnership with ‘The Business Link’Attend valuable, low-cost learningsessions for small business ownersin Strathmore. Phone: 403-934-8888for info & to register.Crown Jewels of Canada SocietyLadies, looking for fun? Friendship? Join the Crown Jewels of Canada So-ciety, Strathmore Chapter – Damesof Whine and Roses. Meeting 1stThursday of the month at LambertVillage at 10:00am. Call Jean at 403-934-6761 for further info.

Free Tree for all New Born BabiesRegister to commemorate your birthso a tree can be planted with the Chi-nook Credit Union Birth Forest inStrathmore. Registration Forms areavailable at the Town ofce, ChinookCredit Union and Health Unit. (ACommunities in Bloom Project)Go Green UpcyclingThursdays 10 a.m. to noon at HopeBridges Studio 104 3rd Ave Strath-more, and every third Wednesdayfrom 7-9pm; at Parent Link in Strath-more, Hopebridges.ca

HIV EdmontonProviding support, education and ad-vocacy for those infected with, affect-ed by or at risk of HIV and AIDS for25 years. Go to www.hivedmonton.com or call toll free 1.877.388.5742.HAPPY GANG 55+ Society 85 Lakeside Blvd. Phone; 403 934 2676.OOur Fall & Winter Activities are asfollows; Mornings-Mon/ Wed/ Fri Pool9 am , Yoga,10 am, Tues/Thurs Walking10 am. Afternoons- Mon, Line Dancing1:30, Tues, Rummikube & Whist 1:30,Wed. Bridge 1:00, Mah Jong 1:30,Thurs. Canasta 1:30, Fri, Crib 1:30. HallRentals Call Marjorie 403-983-3951.The Healing Rooms at HarvestHealing Centre Church is openevery Monday from 7-9 PM for prayerand healing. The Healing Room atHarvest Healing Centre Church, 102Canal Road Strathmore. For info call403-901-0893 or 401-800-3171. Joinus for Spirit lled prayer and healingevery Monday Night.Hope Bridges Society forCreative & Continued LearningAdvocating for, and bringing togetheradult citizens of all abilities for mean-ingful relationships, friendships, & op-portunities through the Arts. BoardMeetings are monthly TBD. Publicinvited. Please contact Wanda at 403-983-3640, or 403-901-5081 (Cell)for further information, events or tobe added to friends/contact.Thereare many other workshops includingknitting, crocheting, photographytips and zentangle. Visit our website:www.hopebridges.ca.Job Search SupportResume Development, Cover letterdevelopment. Call to register 403-

934-4305. At the McBride CareerGroup ofce.Meals on Wheels Available in Strathmore. For informa-tion or to obtain this service call 403-324-0655.Sewing/Quilting Workshops The 2nd and 4th Thursday of ev-ery month at 7pm. We meet at theStrathmore Ag Grounds, Red Quon-set. New Members welcome. Con-tact Laurie at 901-0088 or Wendy901-3756.Royal Canadian LegionFor information regarding hall rentals,darts and crib, Please call 403.934.5119Senior Drop-in CurlingThere is Senior’s Curling Mon, Wedand Fri starting at 1.00pm to 3.00pm.No experience required. All Seniorswelcome.

Seventh-day Adventist Church Meeting in the Lord of All LutheranChurch at 112 Lakeside Blvd,Strath-more. Saturday morning @ 10:00 AM.Pastor Ghena Girleanu, phone 403-983-0081.Sing Your High NoteEach Tuesday at 1:15 to 2:30 pm Janu-ary 13, - June 30, 2015. Located at thePhysio Wing at the Hospital - BrentBlvd Strathmore.

Strathmore Country Gardens Club

Meetings at least once per month. Formore information visit www.strath-morecountrygardensclub.webs.comor phone Linda Pekrul 403-901-0017.Strathmore & DistrictAgricultural Societywww.Strathmorestampede.com, [email protected]. Ofce 403.934.5811, Fax403.901.0299, Facebook: StrathmoreStampede Twitter: Strathmore RodeoStrathmore & DistrictChamber of CommerceMeets the second Thursday of themonth @ 7:00 p.m. All members wel-come. www.strathmoredistrictcham-ber.com for meeting location. For moreinformation call 403-901-3175.Strathmore District HealthServices AuxiliaryMeetings are held the fourth Mondayof the month @ 1:30 pm (excluding July & August). Lower level Confer-ence Room at the Strathmore Hos-pital. New members welcome. Formore info please call 403-934-4436Strathmore Elks Lodge #491 Meets 3rd Tuesday at the StrathmoreCurling Club 6:30 pm. Steak Supperat 7 pm. New Members welcome.Call Greg 403-888 -6155.Strathmore Full Gospel Church We’re a Pentecostal bible-based fam-ily church that has something for allages. Call 934-2225 or visit www.strathmorefullgospel.comStrathmore Fun Runners Car Club Meets the rst Wednesday of themonth. New members welcome!Please call Todd at 403-934-0558 orShawn at 403-901-9303 for info.Strathmore FASD Parent SupportGroup

At the Strathmore United Church.For more info call Pam @652-4776.Strathmore Homeschool Families

Any Strathmore and area familes thatare homeschooling are invited to joinour Yahoo Group. www.groups.ya-hoo.com/group/strathmorehsfamsStrathmore Hand in HandParent Link FREE programming to kids 0-6 andtheir caregivers! Check the Townof Strathmore website Communi-ty Events section for programs andtimes. Located at 421-2nd St, acrossfrom Paragon Pharmacy. 690 -1237.Strathmore Library•Get Your Game On @ StrathmoreLibrary (1-4pm) Held the every 2ndand 4th Friday of the month, 7-9pm.• Lego in the Library @ StrathmoreLibrary (10:30am – 12:00pm) Held the

3rd Saturday of the month.• Crafternoon @Strathmore Library(4-5pm) Weekly on Mondays begin-ning Sept. 15.• Baby Goose Rhyme Time runs week-ly on Mondays from 10:30am-11:30am.At the Strathmore Library. Designedfor parents/caregivers and child ages0-12mos.Strathmore Lions ClubMeets the rst and third Thursdays at theStrathmore Civic Centre at 6:45 pm.

Strathmore Musical Arts SocietyLove music and musicians and have aspecial soft spot for the Blues? Be apart of this group. Call 403-934-4196or 403-680-7721 to get on our phoneor email list, and notications aboutmeetings and upcoming events.Strathmore Parent & Tot PlaygroupMeets every Tuesday at 9:30 - 11:30am. in the Strathmore United ChurchBasement.Strathmore Masonic Lodge #53Meets the rst Monday of each Month

at 7:30 p.m. Call Glen at 403-901-6038.Website: www.strathmore53.comStrathmore Regional VictimServices Society (SRVSS)SRVSS is looking for men and womeninterested in becoming front line victimadvocates to provide support, informa-tion and referrals to victims of crimeor tragedy. If you are interested in vol-unteering please contact the ProgramCoordinator at the Strathmore RCMPDetachment at (403) 934-6552. Web-site: www.strathmoreregionalvictim-services.comStrathmore Writer’s GroupMeets once a month at the library, Foradult writers who would like to sharewriting for feedback and support, andspark creativity through writing ex-ercises, prompts, and group writingprojects. Contact Katie at [email protected], see our website at http://lonesomecow.ca/category/strath-more-writers-group/ or nd us on

Facebook under Strathmore Writer’sGroup.St. Michaels & All Angels AnglicanCurrently at interim location: 245 BrentBlvd. (North Door) 403-934-3017. Sun-day Morning Worship 10:00am.

Storytime at StrathmoreMunicipal LibraryStory Time with Miss Hope Wednes-days 10:30am-11:30am.Sunday School for All AgesLord of All Lutheran Church offersChristian Education opportunitiesfor ages 3 years to adult, on SundayMornings. For more informationplease call Margo Sevick 403-901-2044 or call the Church Ofce at403-934-2374.Wheatland County Food BankSocietyFood applications accepted at (403)324-4335 Monday through Thursday12pm to 4pm or through the websiteat: www.wheatlandfoodbank.com.Wheatland Rural Crime WatchMeetings are the 3rd Thursday of eachMonth. Featuring guest speakers. For

more information call 403-934-4055.Youth Club of StrathmoreProvides youth (6-17yrs) with affordable,barrier free programs that build positiverelationships, develop self-esteem andpromote personal skills. Includes a home-work program offered Monday to Fridayfrom 3pm-6pm. Call the Youth Clubfor further info 403-934-4918 or www.youthclubofstrathmore.ca.

What’s Happening a free weeklycommunity calendar special events

Have you updated your event? Please contact us directly to update your event in this community calendar. Phone 403-934-5589, or email your changes to [email protected].

Book Sale – Fri. Jan. 8(12pm-7pm) & Sat. Jan. 9

(10am-5pm) – StrathmoreLibrary (85 Lakeside Blvd.)Books for all ages! All items$0.50ea or 3 for $1.00.www.strathmorelibrary.ca

Lego in the Library – Sat.Jan. 16 (10:30am-12:00pm) – Strathmore Library (85Lakeside Blvd.) Kids! Join usfor our monthly block partyas build your own creations

with the wonderful worldof legos! Duplo blocksavailable for little builders.Free to attend. Drop-in.www.strathmorelibrary.ca

Stitchin’ Time – Sat. Jan.16 (1-3pm) – StrathmoreLibrary (85 Lakeside Blvd.)Want to learn how tohem those new pants orreplace the zipper in your

favourite jacket? Joinour resident seamstressIlke as she teaches youthe ins and outs of yoursewing machine. www.strathmorelibrary.ca/stitchintime for full details.


7/28


JOHN GODSMAN

Times Contributor

Odo is a German name, and is reallyspelt ‘Udo’ but when he was baptizedit changed to ‘Odo’! His father JosephMelcher was a farmer in Germany, andcame to the Rockyford area in 1928,

where he purchased farmland from BillRudd in 1929.

To this day, members of his fam-ily still live and farm this land locatednorth and west of town.

Joseph returned to Ger-many in 1936, where hemet and married MarieSummerhausen, and

brought her with himto Rockyford. This mar-riage produced two chil-dren – a sister Ellenmie

born in 1938, and Odo born on Dec. 31, 1940 –the last baby of that year

born in Calgary. Joseph and Marie

transformed their landinto a large mixed farm

with cattle, chickens,pigs, and grain fields.In 1960, Joseph was instrumental in

building St Rita’s School on the northend of town. They retired to Calgary in1963, but two years later returned toRockyford where they built the housein town.

Odo has lived all his life at the fam-ily farm, attended school at St Rita’sand sang in the church choir, wherehe met, then married Sharon Koester.

They took over the farm from his par-ents, and moved to the farm. Today, thefarm is mainly cattle and grain.

Sharon’s father Ralph Koester was born in 1920, and moved from Iowato Rockyford in 1929. Sharon’s motherRose was born in Shuler northeast ofMedicine Hat in 1915, and moved to

Rockyford. She married Ralph Koesterin 1943. Sharon was born in Calgaryin 1944, and attended St Rita’s Schoolfor 12 years, and as a member of StRita’s Church sang in the choir, whereshe met Odo. They were married at StRita’s Church in 1963, and have threesons - Randal born in 1964, Brent (Pa-

mela) born in 1965, and Colin born in1969. They also have four grandchil-dren - Gavin, Carly, Paeton and Rea-gan. Randal now farms the home place,and he also bought 800 acres from his

grandfather Ralph, aftergraduating from highschool. Brent farms theformer Ace Explosivesland on Hwy 21, as wellas a section that his fa-ther purchased fromMorgan’s in 1965. Colin

works for Flowmax inDrumheller.

Odo has been a member of the Knights ofColumbus for 42 years,on the St. Rita’s Ceme-tery Board for 30 years,a member of the Rocky-ford Lions Club for 40

years, a member of the Curling Club,and is a sales rep for Remeo Memorialsof Regina, Sask. for 30 years. One ofhis biggest challenges as a Lion was toconvert St Rita’s School into the Rocky-ford Community Centre and Library in1979. This was the same building hisfather built in 1960!

Sharon is a member of CWL – theCatholic Women’s League, and as agrandmother is always available for

baby-sitting! And, she loves to knit andcrochet.

The main changes they have seen arethat all the elevators are gone, there’sno farm implement dealer in town, andthey’ve heard the public school willclose for good, next year.

REMEMBERING OUR ROOTS

~ Odo and Sharon Melcher

15123DG0

Family-owned farms and ranches that have no waged, non-family

workers will remain exempt from occupational health and safety rules

and mandatory worker’s compensation in the new year.

Farm and ranch operations that employ non-family workers have some

new obligations as of January 1.

Visit farmandranch.alberta.ca for information on:

• registering with the Worker’s Compensation Board by April 30

• basic health and safety rules that apply as of January 1

• how you can help shape the application of future safety and other

workplace rules in coming discussions

You can sign up for regular updates on these topics

at farmandranch.alberta.ca. You can also e-mail

[email protected] or call toll-free

at 310-0000 for more information.

Get the information you need for the new year.

Does your farmor ranch havenon-familyemployees?

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Hitting All The Right

Notes For YOU! TIMESSTRATHMOREIf you live in the area

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give us a call 403.934.5589

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Continued from Page 1

The shelter would also require somestaff, some with mental health training,to be hired. With at least 10 individuals in Strath-

more without shelter on a daily basis,some of them sleeping in vehicles thatare moved each night as to not attractattention, and additional units in the

campgrounds living in trailers withoutinsulation, concerns are rising. As organizations in Calgary, such as

the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centreand Inn from the Cold, have alreadyreached capacity, Strathmore is runningout of options to house its homeless.

“We know that the problem is goingto get worse, following the numbersit looks like about 300 jobs, mostly inoil-patch-related work, are going to belost in Strathmore this year that’s whatthe total should stand at right now,”said John Hilton-O’Brien, member ofKnights of Columbus in Calgary and anexperienced homeless worker. “People

will be coming up on the end of their

employment insurance this winter. Giv-en the numbers, that’s about 900 men,

women, and children whose family isdeprived of its primary source of in-come.

“We’ve also seen anecdotal evidenceof people who are staying temporar-ily in nearby campsites, people whoare staying in their cars often movingovernight so as not to be disturbed by

authorities, and the occasional person who is simply sleeping in the rough. There is a real concern that this wintermay see someone die of exposure. And

we’re hoping to avoid that.”Council requested a five-minute re-

cess, and upon their return voted infavour to approve $40,000 from finan-cial stabilization for 2015 to the Har-

vest Healing Centre Church, and up to$20,000 in matched donations for 2016.Councillor Rocky Blokland and Coun-cillor Pat Fule were not present duringthe meeting. Council was told the tran-sitional shelter could be up and run-ning within a couple weeks of receiv-ing the funds.

Town donates thousands to address homelessness


8/28


Thought for

the Week

~

We live our

lives in forward

motion,

but only

understand

them when

looking

backward

By Irene Knappe, Secretary / PR / Membership

Strathmore Legion Branch #10 NEWS

This time of year is always a joyous and busy one for most of us. But we

must not forget about those who are much less fortunate. It’s also a bad

time in our economy, both provincially and federally. A lot of us have lost

our jobs and are wondering what to do. I have always firmly believed that

NO-ONE deserves to be alone at Christmas and hope that you do too. If you

know of someone who will be alone, why not put out an invitation for Christ-

mas dinner? It’s never too late to add a plate! Something I’ve learned: no

matter how bad you have it, there is someone who is worse off! And please

go by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

My father, who left us in July, told me a story I loved listening to him tell. It

was about one Christmas during World War II. There was no Christmas tree.

Indeed, there are no Christmas trees in the tropics. So, my dad and some

of the others got together and from the tropical trees made their Christmas

tree. No decorations. An idea came to mind that if all the men who smoked

kept the silver wrap that was around the cigarettes and made ornaments

out of them to hang in the tree, they would indeed have glittering orna-

ments! Well, it worked and they had a beautiful, decorated, Christmas tree

for Christmas.

Well, I hope everyone who has read this Legion News article throughout the

year has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS with all your friends and loved-ones,

and perhaps a cold and hungry stranger or two.

For further information, please call the Legion at 403.934.5119

LEST WE FORGET / WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

LAUREEN F. GUENTHER

Times Contributor

My year-end conversation with Paul Muir, RosebudSchool of the Arts educationdirector, started with a tourof the 102-year-old Rose-

bud Hotel, which houses the

school’s offices. Muir andI mused about the storiesthose walls hold about peo-

ple who moved in and out ofthe building 100 years ago.

We agreed the hotel guestscouldn’t have imagined theirrooms would one day be of-fices for a performing artsschool.

But likely or not, RosebudSchool of the Arts (RSA) is

here - and it’s thriving.“I am continually so pleasedand proud of our graduates,”

Rosebud Education Director grateful that God blesses and providesMuir said. “I was at the Emergeauditions, back in April, whichare the province-wide auditionsfor (new) grads of all the theatreprograms, and I was so proud ofall of our people ... everybody

just did so well.” And those graduates - Fellows

of Rosebud School of the Arts

(FRSAs) - are in demand. Thisfall, for instance, four FRSAs wereinvolved in Theatre Calgary’s TheCrucible, and several were in-

volved in The Shakespeare Com-pany’s Romeo and Juliet.

In December, two more per-formed in Theatre Calgary’sChristmas Carol. That demandcan bring unexpected results,though, as when Muir wantedto hire a 2015 graduate to stagemanage an upcoming RSA stu-dent show, but found she wasalready stage managing for an-other theatre.

“The fact that they are busy andgetting work -- I’m just pleased

and proud of them,” he said. That’s the goal and reputation

he’s been working toward sincehe came to Rosebud 15 yearsago. “There’s this theatre schoolthat’s a place of faith that trainspeople and that our graduatesare recognized in the profes-sional world,” he said. “So that isgratifying, that people recognizethe training here to be somethingthat is really outstanding.” To keep making that possible,

Rosebud Centre of the Arts (RCA)launched The Harvest fundrais-ing campaign this year, with thegoal of $250 000, to be matched

by patrons Richard and Lois Has-kayne. In fall, another donor of-fered to match, and thereforetriple, the last $100,000. By mid-December, RCA had exceededthe goal - resulting in a total ofover $600,000.

“That has been an absolute blessing,” Muir said. “An unex-pected joy to actually go, wow!

We did it! People came forwardand contributed and that wasawesome.”

For Rosebud Theatre, Muir act-ed in Miracle Worker this spring,connecting deeply with the story,

because RSA strives to do for stu-dents what Helen Keller’s teacher

did for her.“We work to try to bring life

and voice and language to ourstudents,” he said. “Once that

student really steps into theirunique, God-given, authentic

voice - when that voice speaksfrom the stage, when that voice,that essence, puts who they areinto a set design or into a build-ing a costume or something, then

we’ve got the magic theatre. Andtheatre that has the potential to

transform lives.”Muir directedMass Appeal inRosebud this fall,and also sharedhis directing tal-ents at Pacific

Theatre, remount-ing Underneaththe Lintel in Jan-uary, and Che-mainus Theatre,

where he directedConfessions of aPaper Boy in Au-gust. The primary

challenges of

2015 have beenstaff departures, but Muir mar-

veled that God provided just theright people to replace them.

April Harrison filled the vacantrole of recruitment officer.

“We’ve been so grateful for herhelp,” Muir said. “That broughtus into a really fine and full class,12 students for this past Septem-

ber.” When FRSA Cassia Schramm

filled the vacant position of Edu-cation Assistant, her work “revo-lutionized the office.” And when Rosebud Theatre’s

wardrobe manager Jette Brown

retires, she’ll be replaced by AmyMcIvor-Castro, “a perfect fit.”Pianist Sarah Penner and a

voice instructor are also leaving, but Muir is optimistic their roles will soon be filled. All in all, hesaid, “people leaving, but then in

ways that we really wouldn’t ex-pect, God providing new peopleto step into those spots.”

It’s been a busy year for him, but “in my tiny little pockets ofspare time, I continue to makesome progress on the ongoingproject that is my house!” Muirsaid. “This fall’s project has been(building) a deck, which my

brother came down (from Ed-

monton) and helped with.”RSA will open 2016 with a

Winter Intensive on Acting forthe Camera, and a few weeks lat-

er, the new Bloomin’ PlaywrightsFestival, showcasing the plays ofLeah T. Herne and Laird Salkeld.

In February, students willagain take theatre trips to the

West Coast and New York. Muiris pleased that FRSAs are in-

volved in leading those trips, andthat other graduates are working

as RSA teaching as-sistants.“To learn the

(skill) is one thing,”he said. “To learnto teach it is an-other whole skillset, so it’s neat tohave ways in which

we can pass on notonly the skills, butpass on the teach-ing of the skills.”

Between Janu-ary and August,six fourth-year stu-dents will presentFinal Projects, rang-

ing from a wartimelove story, a performance basedon the music of Travis Friesen, acompilation of women’s stories, apoetry piece, a play based on L.M. Montgomery’s Rilla of Ingle-side, to a one-man show calledHouse.

In March, the fourth-year class will perform the Rosebud The-atre for Young Audience’s Sleep-ing Beauty, and in April, thesecond-year class presents Made-leine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.

Muir is excited that RSA is re-developing the Arts in Actionprogram, set to begin in Septem-

ber and “designed to give peoplea grounding in using theatre asa medium for (gospel ministry)outreach and for social change.”

He’ll act in Rosebud Theatre’sOutside Mullinghar in spring anddirect Miracle on 34th Street nextDecember.

In school, theatre and furtherafield, Muir looks forward to an-other full year.

“Here we go, and take a deep breath!” he said. “Trust in Godand jump in and somehow wemake it to the end of the year,every year. Trust God with theeducation here. Trust God withtheatre. Trust God with ticket

sales. Trust God with our financ-es. Trust God with our students.

We have to go into each year likethat.”

Legion Ladies Auxiliary honouredThe Strathmore Fire Department hosted a dinner at the fire hall in honour of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary on Dec. 1. Wanda Cold-well, a Legion Ladies Auxiliary member, was inducted onto the fire department honour roll.

Manny Everett Photo


9/28


403.325.0372 • [email protected]

MERRYCHRISTMAS

from my hometo yours,DEBBEST

Jody Schneider Production ManagerKristina Bezic Office ManagerTIMES

STRATHMORE

Strathmore Times is published every Friday by Strathmore Times Inc. and is distributed by Canada Post to Strathmore, Carseland, Cheadle, Cluny,

Gleichen, Hussar, Indus, Langdon, Lyalta, Namaka, Nightingale, Rockyford, Rosebud, Speargrass and Standard. We also have various pickup locations

throughout our coverage area. Our 11,500 issues are printed by Star Press Inc., Wainwright, Alberta. The content in the Strathmore Times is copyright

and reproduction without the proper written consent of the Strathmore Times is strictly prohibited.

Contributors: Doug Taylor, Sharon McLeay, John Godsman, Kevin Link, Wendi Tashlikowich, Laureen F. Guenther

123 2nd Avenue, Strathmore, Alberta T1P 1K1 • 403.934.5589

Mario Prusina Publisher / Editor

Rose Hamrlik AdvertisingMiriam Ostermann Associate Editor

The Times welcomes letters to the editor for publication. All submissions must be signed and a phone number i ncluded for verification purposes. We reserve the right to

edit letters for length, legal considerations and taste. Please tr y and keep your letters under 400 words to ensure that it will appear as close to its original form as possible.

Alissa Jensen Production

Justin Seward Reporter

Manny Everett Office Manager

JUSTIN SEWARD

Times Reporter

Wheatland County Council arrived at a decisionto spend millions of dollars over the next decadeto ensure the Wheatland County Fire Capital Com-mittee funding for new equipment.

Over $6 million will be spent over the next 10 years in Fire Capital Funding for equipment for

seven fire departments in the county. Wheatland County’s Chairman of the Fire Capi-

tal Committee and General Manager of Agricul-ture and Community and Protective Services, JimLaslo, was pleased that council approved the 10- year capital plan and some adjustments that will be made accordingly.

“The Fire Capital Committee brought forwardtheir requests and recommendations for capitalassets, based on the needs of the Fire Associationsand Wheatland County Fire Services,” said Laslo.

“The 10-year capital plan is reviewed annually,and changes are made to it as deemed necessary.Based on priorities with the needs of the county

as a whole considered.”For 2016, the pieces of equipment that were

approved in the budget were the tender for theGleichen and District Fire Association that’s worth$350,000 with $210,000 of that coming from theFire Large Capital Fund, a fire engine for theHussar Rural Fire Association for $500,000 with$300,000 coming from the Fire Large CapitalFund. Lastly, an engine for the Wheatland County

Fire Services and the Carseland Fire Departmentfor $436,000 with the Fire Large Capital Fund sup-plying $261,600 of that to round out the sufficientfunding that Wheatland County will include intheir 2016 budget for the four front line apparatus. Additionally, the Fire Capital Committee wanted

the large capital fund to help with the RosebudFire Association’s bush buggy worth $160,000, with $96,000 coming from the large capital fund,as well as Dalum receiving a generator for $27,000 with $16,584 of that being funded by the largecapital fund.

Council was told that all associations are includ-ed in some aspects of the 10-year plan.

Fire departments equipment approved for 2016

MARTIN SHIELDS

Bow River Member of Parliament

The Speech from the Throne read by the Gover-nor General of Canada on Dec. 4, was the officialopening act of Canada’s 42nd Parliament. As this is my first opportunity to write to you

as your new Member of Parliament in Bow River,allow me to thank you for choosing me to be yourrepresentative.

I will do my utmost to make sure your voiceis heard in our federal parliament. The thronespeech contained, in very broad terms, the plan

of this Liberal government for the next four years.I think there were some positive commitments

in the throne speech, but I also have some con-cerns that there were gaps. Some sectors wereavoided entirely. Issues that are critical to our re-gion, such as the oil and gas, agriculture, and ruralinfrastructure were not touched on whatsoever. As they are the backbone of our local economy

here in Bow River, I think that as a proactive, re-sponsible Member of Parliament, it is my respon-sibility to speak for these sectors. I referred tothese sectors in my maiden speech in the House. The next four years are crucial for Bow River

and Alberta as a province, and we will need a gov-ernment that is proactive on trade policy. A number of our local businesses rely on exports to sur-

vive, and they would not be able to grow withouta clear and focused trade policy.

I was encouraged to hear that the Liberal gov-ernment would continue to work on trade dealsin the throne speech. Unfortunately, there was nospecific mention of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is the most important trade deal in Canadi-an history. Our Conservative government workedhard to secure a spot for Canada in this deal, and we will make sure that this Liberal governmentcommits to signing it and ratifying it as soon aspossible.

I look forward to hearing from you am eager to

work hard for you in Ottawa. I look forward toany questions or comments that you have, and Iinvite you to contact my office for further informa-tion. You can contact my Brooks office by mail at403 - 2nd Avenue W Suite 2, Brooks, AB T1R 0S3or by e-mail at [email protected]. You can contact my Ottawa office by mail at

Martin Shields, MP, House of Commons, Ottawa,ON K1A 0A6, by phone at 613-992-0761 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Keep in touch on Facebook by liking my pagehttps://www.facebook.com/MartininBowRiver/and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MartinBow-River.

I also invite you to watch for me in your area asI will often host community meetings.

Critical issues need to be discussed

A Rosebuddian ChristmasThe Rosebud Masterworks Choir, including Rosebud School of the Arts students and Rosebud residents, sang The Beauty of

Winter, composed by Deah Schulz-Clark of Standard and arranged by Sarah Penner of Rosebud. Rosebud School of the Artshosted the annual Christmas concert in Rosebud Church, Nov. 29. Directed by Bill Hamm of Rosebud, school and community

choirs and ensembles sang an entire program written and arranged by Rosebud area residents, students and graduates. The

Rosebud Younger Company also performed a play written by Rosebud high-school students. Laureen F. Guenther Photo

Santa’s playlistBrentwood Elementary School held their 36th annual Christmas concert on

Dec. 17. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 performed many holiday clas-sics such as Deck the Halls and Jingle Bells.

Brad Everett Photo


10/28

SABRINA KOOISTRA

Times Junior Contributor

Audience members weretreated to a unique produc-tion this week, filled with lo-cal talent, African culture, andthe remarkable true story ofa young community member.

From Dec. 14-16, Strath-more High School (SHS)

Dance 25 and Dance 35classes presented a dramaticretelling of the beautiful re-union of Rwandan-CanadianGrade 11 student RachelMutesi with her mother. The 45-minute production

featured Mutesi’s journey of believing she was virtuallyan orphan for six years, herstruggle to grip the realityof a murdered father and amissing mother, and finally,the anticipated reunion at theCalgary International Airport

when she was 12 years old. Just over 20 years ago, the

country of Rwanda was tornapart due to a horrific geno-cide that lasted 100 days.

This did not mark the endof the turmoil, though, andsix years after the end of thegenocide, the continued vio-lence placed Mutesi in thehands of an unkind caregiv-er when her parents disap-peared unexpectedly – she

was only six years old.For the next six years,

Mutesi’s mother was hunted,relocated to the DemocraticRepublic of Congo and Ugan-da, and lived as a homeless

woman outside of refugee

camps and in front of im-migration offices waiting fora country to accept her. Sheendured these conditions inhopes of one day reuniting

with her daughter.Upon entering the theatre,

audience members weregreeted by traditional Africandrumming and throughoutthe show, were enchanted bythe dancing and singing of

Alueter Demshakwa, Mutesi’s

theatrical mother, and Mutesias herself. A unique aspect ofthis show was the usage ofEnglish and traditional lan-guages, which were KinyaRwanda and Tiv, spoken byMutesi and Demshakwa. The dancers were also

a major component of theshow, filling the space be-tween the testimonies of

Mutesi and also reciting herstory through dance andthe usage of props such aslengthy grass sprigs.

In addition to the emotion-al and moving side of Mama

Ararira, the play was verymuch an interactive perfor-mance. As part of an Africantradition of encouraging com-munity members to dance to-gether, performers pulled au-dience members on stage to

join them in a group dance, which can be interpreted asa sign of tradition and therelationship Mutesi now has

with her Canadian brothersand sisters. Audience mem-

bers were also given the op-portunity to quiz the dancersand actresses on the impactthat contributing to this typeof production had on them. With the production of

Mama Ararira and NewBlood, a 2014 play about anSHS student and his grandfa-ther’s experiences as a resi-dential school student, Strath-more and SHS are becomingincreasingly interconnected

by each other’s diversity. The timing of this produc-

tion greatly impacted the

performers, as Canada andthe world are currently deal-ing with the difficult issuesof war and displacement ofthe Syrian people who arenow entering our country. It

brings to life the importanceof our individual and collec-tive identities. Even though

we were all born into varyingcircumstances and cultures,our individuality is often

what binds us together.


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Strathmore High School

Dance 25 and Dance 35

classes presented the

true story of Grade 11 stu-

dent Rachel Mutesi andthe reunification with her

mother from Dec. 14-16.

Sabrina Kooistra Photos

Westmount Elementary School attracted numerous students and residents with their Christmas market on Dec. 17.

Miriam Ostermann Photos

Christmas market


11/28


JUSTIN SEWARD

Times Reporter

Original Joe’s Restaurantsare in partnership for a thirdconsecutive time with Stella

Artois, Goose Island BeerCompany and Shock Top todonate $0.25 from every pintsold towards the CommunityPint program, where pro-ceeds are being donated tothe Western Food Bank As-sociations. The program is under the

umbrella of Original Joe’sCommunity Cares Fund, which encourages or chal-lenges the restaurants tofundraise for local causes. Aiding in the promotion ofthe initiative is their motto‘Down There, Down the

Street.’“We just like being involved in the community ingeneral,” said Blake Chayer,Strathmore’s Original Joe’smanaging partner. “It’s lo-cal food banks we’re usuallyinvolved in, basically thingsto help the community. [It’s]$0.50 from every pint. Thismonth it’s Goose Island,so we actually contact the brewers first and they do-nate $0.25 and we donate$0.25.”

Cheyer said they had previously been involved withthe Strathmore and District

Agricultural Society golftournament through spon-sorship and spoke about theimportance of giving back tothe community that supportstheir franchise.

“We get all our businessfrom Strathmore people, soto give back to them, it feelsnice,” he said. “I think it tellsthem that we’re willing to getinvolved in the community. Idon’t know a lot of other res-

taurants that are doing that. Ithink branding-wise it holdstrue to our ‘Down There,Down the Street.’”

Executive Director of Al- berta Food Banks, Stepha-

nie Rigby said, that Original Joe’s contacted the NationalFood banks Canada and in-dicated their intentions todo something in the westernprovinces. The discussionsled them to contact the provincial associations for sup-port.

“I think in the past theyhave often done individualcharities at each locationfor the pint program,” saidRigby. “They wanted to trysomething different. They wanted to do one charity perprovince for all the locationsand see how that worked.

“We were opened to that but a part of that they also wanted to do an event in therestaurants that would bene-fit the local food bank wherethe restaurant was located.”

She added after the cam-paign is over there will be adonation made provinciallyand then the province’s as-sociation will work with 66food banks, including the Wheatland County FoodBank, and they will providefood, funding, programs andservices to the member food banks.

“We can get food andmoney delivered to the food banks to do their job better,”she said. There are 66 food banks

across Western Canada inthe Original Joe’s Pint Pro-gram and to date there has been $410,000 raised for theCommunity Cares Fund. The breweries’ and Origi-

nal Joe’s donations will end Jan. 31, 2016.

Original Joe’s helps

food bank associations

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SOLDStrathmore Original Joe’s employee Corbin Durocher hopes customers willcome into the restaurant and enjoy a featured pint while donating to a good

cause until the end of January.Justin Seward Photo

Sacred Heart Academy Grade 2S and Grade 2H classes spearheaded theMitten Tree project that collected 107 mittens and touques during the Ad-

vent season to be donated to the Strathmore FCSS.

Mittens and touques

Miriam Ostermann Photo


12/28


Music in a MangerTrinity Christian Academy students performed ‘A Play

In A Manger’ musical that included songs such as Big-

ger is Better, Glory in the Highest and Peace on Earthon Dec. 16.

Justin Seward Photos

SABRINA KOOISTRA

Times Junior Contributor

Arguably, the most controversial billin Alberta this year is Bill 6. Farmers were infuriated by the new changesthat will and are being implemented,and the source of most of this anger is

from the provincial government’s apa-thy in addressing the actual concernsof farmers.

Children who are growing up in Al- bertan farming families, many of whichare planning on pursuing a careerin this industry, are disgusted by thechanges.

Strathmore High School (SHS) stu-dents Layne Wilson, Connor McBean,and Colten Stewart, participants in theGreen Certificate Training Program,a course that awards farming stu-dents with their early-acquired farm-

ing knowledge, were particularly dis-pleased by the legislation’s intentions.

“They’re trying to make it safer, butthe way they’re going about it is aw-ful,” McBean said. “They’re cramming itdown our throats whether we want itor not.” The students also addressed the con-

cern they feel for the destruction this bill will have on the future of their andother families multi-generational farm-ing operations.

“When you don’t do it when you’re younger, you lose interest in it ... sothere’s no one to take over this farmand pretty soon there’s no more farmsor ranches or anything ... pretty soon,[farming] will just die out,” Wilson said.

Not only will the next generation loseinterest in the industry, some Albertansfear that current farmers may pull outof their careers in agriculture.

Farming students disappointed by Bill 6“It’s going to be more work and peo-

ple may not want to deal with the extrahassle of it, and just say to heck withit,” McBean added. Among the concerns for family farms

is the jeopardy that 4-H may encounterdue to this bill and the safety measuresit outlines. 4-H is a program with a va-

riety of projects that members can takepart in, but with some safety hazardspresent when tending to animals, it is believed that Bill 6 may eventually ter-minate the program. Though the Alber-ta government assures that 4-H will not be affected by the legislation, Albertansare skeptical.

“4-H is ‘learn to do by doing.’ Youlearn not to walk behind your horse be-cause it’s going to kick you ... but if younever learn that, or if you never learnhow to handle a calf or the best wayto feed your calf, you’re never going toknow that, and that’s kind of what 4-His about; learning that,” Wilson said.

4-H is celebrated for being a programthat rewards members with credibility

and competence in important life skillssuch as public speaking and commu-nity service.

It also teaches children of all ageshow to be responsible and to demon-strate a commendable work ethic inany task that is presented to them.

“A lot of kids learn from that experi-ence” Stewart said. What made the students the most an-

noyed was the fact that Bill 6 was not written by people who know first-hand what the daily procedures on a farmare, and so for them to restrict farmers when they may not even know whatneeds to be solved, seems illogical.

“I think people that actually know

what work takes place on the farm,someone that’s lived or worked ona farm (who) has actual experienceshould have been in charge of writingthe bill so they actually know what isneeded and acceptable,” McBean said. Wilson agreed, “Why should they

have that rule or why should they takeaway parts of our lives if we were al-ready taught by our parents? It’s how we were raised. You should already beraised to know better.”

In addition to the damage that may be done to family farms, the studentsagreed that all facets of agriculture in Alberta will suffer.

“Without the grain and raw materialscoming in from the farms there would

be less work at factories and process-ing and so people could lose their jobs,” McBean said.

But for Wilson, it’s affecting the prov-ince in more ways than just job losses.

“So many people come to see CalgaryStampede and for some people it might just be to enjoy themselves, but for lotof people, that’s almost their culture ...Canada is a multicultural country that’ssupposed to be accepting of all of thesecultures and their rules even if it’s notsafe.”

15123ZF0

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Justin Seward Photo

Members from the Youth Agricultural Project(YAP) Carseland lend a helping hand wrap-ping gifts for locals on Dec. 18 at the Carse-

land Community Hall. The YAP group was

asking in return for a donation to plan youth

activities in the community.

Gift-wrapped


13/28


Photo Courtesy of Carolyn Steeves

Local violinist Timothy Steeves and piano

player Jani Parsons performed a recital andChristmas carol sing-a-long for Brentwood

Elementary school students on Dec. 18.

Christmas Carols!

Happy Holidays from yourfriends at Walmart!

OPEN NEW YEAR’S DAY8 am - 10 pm

200 Ranch Market, Strathmore

MIRIAM OSTERMANN


The Band-Aid solution put in placeaddressing the ever-deteriorating stateof the support columns in the Brent- wood reservoir no longer mask the

dire, and possibly life-threatening, situ-ation that requires nearly half-a-milliondollars in repairs – well under budgetthan was previously expected. A whopping $1.1 million budget was

calculated into the 2015 budget year forBrentwood reservoir repairs. Havingalready spent $245,000 in inspections,designs, and bypasses this year, the$440,000 price-tag associated with theupcoming repair project’s cost came asan

december 25, 2015 strathmore times

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