1-877-465-8279 6305 - 44 Avenue, Ponoka WE SERVICE ALL MAKES & MODELS Schedule an appointment today for S S S S S S S S S S S S S Sc c c c c c c ch h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h he e e e e e e e e e d d d d d d d d du u u u u u u u ul l l l l l l l le e e e e e e e e e e e e a a a a a a a a an n n n n n a a a ap p p p p p p p o o o oi i i in n n nt t t tm m m me e e en n n nt t t t t o o o od d d da a a ay y y y f f f f o o o or r r r r r r r S Sc c c c ched du ule e a a an n n a appointmen nt t t to oday f or r • OIL CHANGES • TIRE ROTATIONS • BRAKES REPAIRS • HOSE/LINE REPLACEMENTS • MULTI-POINT INSPECTIONS We’ll get you back on the road right away! NEED NEW TIRES? CHECK OUT OUR PRICES! Vol. 68, No. 22 | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 | 403-783-3311 | WWW.PONOKANEWS.COM CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY Inaugural soccer camp unqualified success Story on page 29 Ilona Carter is the Honorary President of the 2016 Ponoka Stampede Story on page 5 Reflections Sports Dog walk fundraiser Several participants begin the annual Purina Walk for Dog Guides at Centennial Park on Sunday, May 29 in support of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Ponoka’s event this year raised almost $3,800 that will go toward paying the full costs of providing specially trained guide dogs to those with physical or medical disabilities. Please see our story on page 10. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Inaugural soccercamp unqualifi ed successStory on page 29
Ilona Carter is theHonorary President of the2016 Ponoka StampedeStory on page 5
Refl ections
Sports
Dog walk fundraiser
Several participants begin the annual Purina Walk for Dog Guides at Centennial Park on Sunday, May 29 in support of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Ponoka’s event this year raised almost $3,800 that will go toward paying the full costs of providing specially trained guide dogs to those with physical or medical disabilities. Please see our story on page 10.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
2 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
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Rain no hurdle for playground builder volunteers
Two years, four long hard days, tons of volunteers and $250,000.
That’s what it took for the Ponoka Kinettes and Ponoka Lions to complete the Centennial Park Playground project, which was fi nished on Saturday, May 28 and was already being well used by chil-dren of all ages an hour after the site was cleared that night.
The project is the largest of the play-grounds that have been constructed in Ponoka with the help of service clubs such as the Kinettes and Lions. The equipment is also among the most up-to-date with regards to giving children opportunities to learn and try various physical and fun activities along with some defi nite favourites from the past. In addition, the project included the construction of fi ve gazebos, complete with tables, around the splash park and playground for fam-ilies to use for picnics or simply to sit down and get out of the sun.
That wasn’t an issue for most of the fi rst three days of the construction proj-ect, as cool wet weather battered the area and complicated things slightly.
Kinettes Club president Lindsay Kaupp stated the weather was something they had to manage with, even with the fact the area the playground was being placed on was under several inches of water the night before the project was to begin, but the perseverance of the volunteers won out in the end.
“The rain was defi nitely a hurdle we had to overcome, but the volunteers got it all done and on time,” Kaupp said.
“The Lions, Kinettes and the businesses worked well together on this project and we even saw people come to help out that had never been out before or were new to the community and want to get involved in this as their way of making a connection to their community. There were also a lot of questions asked about the project and the community, so there was a lot of interest out there in what was being done.”
Kaupp added that with the completion of this playground, there will continue to be future opportunities for people to get involved as there are other playgrounds - she specifi cally mentioned the one now being planned for Ponoka Elementary - and other projects coming up that will need their support.
This specifi c project was made possi-ble by the fi nancial and other contribu-tions from the County of Ponoka, Town of Ponoka, the Kinettes, the Lions and Chicks for Charity.
“With their support, we were able to re-ceive a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant of $100,000,” said Leanne Reed with the Kinettes.
“Along the huge number of businesses that provided volunteers, equipment, sup-plies, food, drinks - it was amazing to see what happens in just four days. We are so lucky to live in a small community with a great spirit of volunteering and service. We are so grateful for that support.”
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
Better weather arrived just in time on Saturday, May 28 as volunteers work hard to spread the pea gravel base to fi nish off the new playground at Centennial Park. The four-day build-ing bee saw a variety of weather with everyone working through it so the $250,000 project would be completed on time.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
16055UU0
honouringthe past appreciatingthe present visualizingthe future
| #UFAFarmersDay | UFA.com
Celebrate with us!Farmer’s Day
*Exclusions apply. See in-store for details. One day only. Offer valid at all UFA Farm & Ranch Supply stores. Products may vary by location and are available while supplies last. Valid on UFA Farmer’s Day, June 10, 2016 only. No rain checks.
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25% off* in-store items and 15% off* yard itemsOne-Day Sale
Join us for special draws, offers, giveaways and more!
Proudly Presents:“Visions of Courage- The Bobby Smith Story.”
Thursday, June 2Ponoka Legion
5:30pm – Doors Open6:00pm – Presentation to Begin
Free Admission – call 403-783-6539 for tickets
Dr. Bobby Smith, a survivor of crime & tragedy will share his incredible life stories, which will encourage and inspire others to rise above being a victim and to become SURVIVORS. His powerful message will resonate with many in our community to use the Power of Your Voice to create positive change.
Bobby Smith, a retired Louisiana State Trooper, is a recognized national/international speaker who has addressed a variety of audiences, including law enforcement, government agencies, emergency medical teams, corporations, schools and churches.
We encourage members of the Ponoka Community from all walks of life the join us! Admission is free, but space is limited, call 403-783-6539 for your tickets.
THANK YOUWe would like to extend a huge thank you
to all who have supported our family in many ways throughout Samantha’s new
life journey. We know words can’t express our gratitude to you ALL!
Here’s an update on the progress of Samantha’s journey. We were blessed to bring Samantha
home April 13. She’s taking outpatient therapy in Lacombe Hospital 3 days a week. She’s going
to Rip’ N Ronnies to build up her upper body strength so she can start brace walking in June at the Glenrose
Rehab Hospital, Edmonton. Samantha continues to have a great positive attitude on her new journey.
We the Wiebe family thank you all for your support! We especially thank the Lord because without him
nothing is possible.
BLISSFUL BALI - A WOMEN’S JOURNEYBLISSFUL BALI - A WOMEN’S JOURNEY“ A Journey of the Mind ~ Body ~ Spirit ”
11 DAYS/ 10 NIGHTS - NOV. 4 - 14, 2016Tour Inclusions during your stay~ 10 night’s accommodation Puri Gangga Resort~ Daily breakfast~ Daily Morning Yoga lesson~ Daily afternoon tea and Balinese cake~ Local Journeys Yoga Guide~ Entrance fees & admission for all included tours~ Daily Balinese fresh fruits in the room~ Coconut lead craft lesson every Sunday~ Making offering lesson every Sunday~ 8 lunches and 8 dinners~ 2 community based projects
Per person based on twin share $3565, for single add $625*Other destinations also available*
Couple arrested for possession of stolen propertyQuick thinking residents
helped police locate suspi-cious individuals in posses-sion of a stolen truck and license plate.
The incident occured Saturday, May 28 at approx-imately 6 p.m. on a rural property at Range Road 245. A man and woman were seen wandering a fi eld and when seen by the complainant, they left the scene.
While police were en route to the loca-tion the complainant again caught sight of the couple and followed them west-bound on Range Road 432.
Earlier in the day police say the same suspects were reported at a neighbor’s residence who managed to get a picture. The suspects had stolen a truck and license plate. The police recognized the male and female from the photos taken earlier in the day and they were subse-quently arrested for possession of stolen property. The female also had seven war-rants that were dealt with.
Motorist evades policeMembers of the Ponoka
Integrated Traffi c Unit called off a chase of a suspect in a vehicle after they sped away May 27 on Highway 2.
An offi cer was called to the area over reports of a sil-ver SUV travelling at speeds estimated at 170 km/h. Witnesses say the driver was weaving in and out of traffi c.
The Sheriff stopped the ve-hicle by the Bear Hills Travel Centre. Two male subjects were in the vehicle but would not stop for police. The vehicle did a U-turn and drove off in the opposite direction and fl ed from police. The plate on the vehicle was reported as stolen. The fi le is currently under investigation.
Bowling balls stolen from vehiclePolice are looking for four distinct per-
sonalized bowling balls stolen from a vehicle overnight of May 16.
Suspects entered the vehicle and also went through the contents of the console and glove box. There were four person-alized bowling balls stolen. The bowling balls had “Maximum 450” engraved in
PONOKA NEWS STAFF them. The fi le is currently under inves-tigation.
Vehicle with expired platesDuring a routine traffi c stop on May 27
at 2:13 a.m. Ponoka RCMP stopped a vehi-cle for displaying expired plates.
The driver was found to be in breach of her conditions to not consume alcohol and she gave a false name to police. She was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. The female suspect was charged with obstructing a peace offi cer and fail-ing to comply with conditions.
Youths attempt vehicle break in
On May 29, 2016 at approximately 1 a.m., RCMP received a complaint of youths trying to break into a vehicle that was parked on 56 Avenue in the alleyway. The complainant had one of the youths restrained. The suspects were trying to get into the vehicle using a crowbar. Police arrested the youth. The fi le is cur-rently under investigation.
The Ponoka RCMP reminds that due to a se-ries of vehicle break-ins, residents should not leave any valuables inside their vehicles and make sure their vehicles are locked if parked out on the street or any open area.
4 7/8”3 lbs 8 Oz’Both balls engraved with white block letters “MARISSA”
Ponoka RCMP ask anyone who has seen bowling balls similar to these to call as they were stolen from a vehicle overnight of Monday, May 16.
Photo submitted
4 7/8”3 lbs 6 Oz’Both balls engraved with a “MAXIMUM 450” symbol like a road sign
9 miles east on Hwy 53 403-782-9877Jr. Church during service for children
Sunday Service 10:30 am
Religion
Good bye, Ponoka…
All good things must come to an end. Ecclesiastes, in chapter three, recites the seasons in a life, telling us that everything has its season. My time of ministry in Ponoka is coming to a conclusion. I am retiring at the end of this month. So for me, it is not only an ending of ministry with Ponoka United Church, but also an end to my season of what we call in The United Church of Canada, “paid accountable ministry.” I have served the church in four different capacities over the past 23 years, starting with being a chaplain at the University of Calgary, and then serv-ing congregations in Calgary and Banff before moving here. My fi rst career was as a social worker in
a number of challenging positions that spanned three provinces. (You can read more about that on our new website www.ponokaunitedchurch.ca Look under About Us>Staff.)
It has been my pleasure and hon-our to serve the wonderful people of Ponoka United Church and Dakota United Church. Although Dakota closed in 2009, I still cherish many fond memories of that small, but vi-brant, congregation. As I take on the task, in fi ts and starts, of disman-tling my offi ce in the church, I am reminded that I have served here for thirteen years. Not long, compared to some of the clergy in Ponoka, but longer than many.
Through the congregation here, I have had the privilege of serving a large number of you in Ponoka town and Ponoka County, mainly through funerals, weddings, this column and leading worship in Rimoka, Sunrise Village, Northcott, Long Term Care and the Centennial Centre. I can’t count the number of people I have gotten to know (and my apologies when I don’t remember a face or a name). Whether I remember imme-diately or not, I have treasured the opportunity to offer you the love of Christ and the embrace of God in your times of special need or cele-bration.
My time in ministry has reinforced for me that people, all people, are precious and that you never know how you will infl uence someone in unexpected ways. I remember one
of my fi rst funerals here, and how a widow in the family (someone I hadn’t even met,) sitting through the service of their family matriarch, came to incredible insight about her own life. A few weeks later she made a point of reaching out to me to ex-plain how overcome she was during that funeral. Up until then she had been stuck in her own grief and, sud-denly, she knew what she needed to do next in her life.
Although that example is from my formal role, I believe it is true for all of us. Those of us who are people of faith, just in the living of our lives, display the love of God to those around us, even when we are not aware of it. Being part of a congregation means that we are living as the Body of Christ. Sharing in the activities of our congregations means that we are reaching out to a broken world, often from our own brokenness, and bringing about the kingdom of God. That reality has shaped my life; I hope it shapes yours as well.
Many people, learning of my retire-ment, ask what is next for me. James and I are second on a waiting list for senior’s housing in Wetaskiwin. No idea how long it will take for that to become available. I will continue to explore spiritual accompaniment through a program I graduated from in 2012. I look forward to how my life will unfold in my new community. In closing, using words from an old hymn, “blessings on your head!”
STAR Catholic partnering in myBlueprint for student successHigh school and indeed junior high can be some of the
toughest years of a student’s school experience. There are increased demands and pressures put on children as they are asked by everyone from parents to career coun-selors “What are you planning on doing as a career?” It’s not an easy question to answer at the best of times, but when all these new experiences are thrown at a student, it can be a pretty tough inquiry indeed.
At STAR Catholic, we strive to not only provide quality education, but through the gift of Catholic education we help the student grow as a person: socially, academically and spiritually, as they prepare to make that next step from our schools to post-secondary and the workforce.
STAR Catholic has partnered with an extremely in-novative program to help make perhaps the toughest question a student will face — “What are you planning on doing as a career?” — a little easier to answer.
The program myBlueprint was launched in 2005, and for the past two years STAR Catholic has partnered in this software that engages students into planning for not only their time in junior high and high school, but for the next step after that and the next step after that. The software is highly interactive and allows students in junior high and high school to plan school courses, set goals and targets years in advance. Through the software they will track their achievement in these courses and
that tracking links to post-secondary options. With every course completed, more post-secondary options become available through the Pathway Eligibility Indicator, coin-ciding with what the student has accomplished at the high school level. As they continue on more doors are opened.
There is also a post-secondary and occupation plan-ner, so if the student already knows the answer to that dreaded question — “What are you planning on doing as a career?” — they can explore different paths and plan academically and fi nancially to reach that post-second-ary and career aspiration. It’s a revolutionary program to assists students, as myBlueprint also offers students a resume and cover letter builder, as they can track key experiences such as volunteer time, club involvement and work experience.
Today’s students have tough roads to travel, with more competition for post-secondary and careers. STAR Catholic is excited that such programs can assist our school division in paving an easier path for students and helping guide them through this time as they grow as students and as young adults.
Dan Svitich [email protected] is a Ponoka Trustee on the STAR Catholic Schools Division Board. STAR Catholic Schools has more than 3,700 students in 10 schools located in Beaumont, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Lacombe, Ponoka and Wetaskiwin.
BY DAN SVITICH
BEATRIX SCHIRNER
Ponoka United Church
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 5
Refl ections of Ponoka
RememberWhen...
Photo submitted
The congenial staff at Classic Style Ladies’ Shop along Railway Street always looked forward to the annual Ponoka Stampede, decorating the store, dressing up for gala occasion, and taking part in the parade. In this 1970s photo, Ken Sheehan drives the little cart while (from left to right) Classic owner Ilona Carter and staff members Myrtle Fessler, Eva Jorgenson, and Mrs. Don Fessler follow him. Mrs. Carter will proudly serve as the Honorary President of the 80th annual Ponoka Stampede from June 27 to July 3.
Ilona Carter is the Honorary President of the 2016 Ponoka Stampede
Long time Ponoka district resident Mrs. Ilona Carter, 91, was thrilled and honoured to be named as the Honorary President of the 80th annual Ponoka Stampede.
This great lady has always been very proud of the long and colorful history of her early pioneer family, which began when her great-great grand-parents David and Annie Wing established their fi rst homestead in the Dakota district in 1901 and raised their children Corliss and Cora. Corliss and his wife Hattie lived on the home-place for many years, and then in 1921 their son Delmar married Cora Jensen from Minnesota, and would later raise their children Ilona and Darrell on the same orig-inal family farm, where they also operated a store to serve the new district.
A great place tocall home
Ilona was born in 1925 on the pristine family farm in the Dakota district, and has many fond memo-ries of her active early childhood, which included living out in the open countryside and then at age four moving into Ponoka with her parents and
Photo submitted
In 1963 Ilona Carter of Ponoka was crowned as the Queen of the Alberta/Saskatchewan Flying Farmers, of which she became an avid and active member in 1960. She has proudly made this community her home for nine decades and served in many capacities.
BY MIKE RAINONE FOR THE NEWS
brother Darrell. Over the years, one of the grand tra-ditions of the Wing family was taking part in local stampedes, races and picnics out in Ferrybank and other local districts. They all loved to cheer for the amazing skills and antics of such local heroes as Ray Graham, George McKeddie, Tommy Dorchester, Buster Doran, her brother Darrell and many others in the thrilling pony carts, chariot and Roman rac-ing events.
From 1936 and on, the big summer family event for thousands of fans was the annual Ponoka Stampede and Fair, which attracted participants from near and far to take part in an exciting day of rodeo, wagon/horse/running races, games, food and treats, carnival rides, and dancing to the wee hours. Ilona Carter vividly recalls that her grandfather Corliss Wing was one of the judges in the wagon races, and when the big new wooden grandstand was built in the 1940s, he would have to climb up a shaky retractable ladder to a little shack on the roof. After the timing of each dusty race, he would place the results in a tomato can and then lower it on a string to a runner below who would dash across to the PA announcer so that they could be passed on to rowdy crowds to see who had won the friendly bets.
Ilona loved taking her entire schooling and making lots of friends in and around Ponoka, later worked for a while at Thirsk’s 5 to $1 Store on Chipman Avenue, and then met and married Mickey Carter on February 7, 1943. The happy couple, who would share their busy lives together for 67 years until Mickey’s passing in 2009, fi rst moved to Ontario for a couple of years while Mickey served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and then returned to their favou-rite hometown in 1945. In 1946, they purchased their beloved mixed farming operation just a few miles north of Ponoka along Highway 2 in the Arbor Park
district, and along with their son Barrie, who was born in 1943, and daughter Janet in 1952, they would together expand to over 2000 acres during a span of 50 years as a part of the family.
As a busy farm wife and mother, Ilona and Mickey always spent lots of time with their children, who loved animals and cherished their own pets and horses. Barrie and Janet both went to school in Ponoka, with Barry later playing hockey at Colorado College and Janet attending Notre Dame College in B.C. Barrie currently lives in Las Vegas, and Janet, who went on to enjoy a career as a fl ight attendant and a lawyer, unfortunately passed away from can-cer. With both Barry and Mickey very much involved in hockey and Janet in fi gure skating, Ilona spent countless hours at the Ponoka arena as a supervisor, a mom and a fan. As well as operating her very suc-cessful Classic Style Ladies’ Wear Shop on 50t Street in Ponoka for 20 years, she learned to fl y in 1959-60 and spent many happy hours in the air as well as helping to host Ladies’ Fly-in breakfasts and events at the Ponoka Airport.
While Mickey and Ilona were long-time members of the Ponoka Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs, the en-tire family were avid and dedicated community supporters in countless year-round promotions and activities. During her ongoing love and pride for the ongoing success and friendship of her community, Ilona Carter has always shared a strong passion and keen support for each and every edition of the annu-al Ponoka Stampede. Along the way, the highlights have included hosting the very fi rst tea for the moth-ers and contestants running for Stampede Queen, selling tickets and volunteering for many events, dressing up her staff and shop to the theme for en-tering into all the parades, and on and on. She is real-ly looking forward to meeting friends old and new at this gala 80th edition of the Ponoka Stampede.
We are marking the end of another school year with graduation ceremonies at various schools in our town and the neighbouring communities.
That is, we are seeing off another batch of young people as they set out on their next journey, one on which they will make a lot of decisions, will have to take responsibility for them, deal with the outcomes of their choices, some good, some bad and will have to learn to get up after they fall.
Fall, they defi nitely will, each and every one of them, on various paths, for one reason or another, but they will learn how to become stronger as they learn how to get up each time they fall.
In that process, these young people will have to face much bigger challenges than the previous generation has had to, but they will also have a much wider set of opportunities and a bigger set of tools than even the last generation before them.
Obviously, the wealth of the opportuni-ties they will enjoy stems primarily from the digital information revolution. With the vast ocean of information waiting to be accessed through Internet, it only takes fi nding right words to search the
topic on the cyberspace and to start building the proper blocks to take one to advancing on one or another path.
It is no secret that the availability of such a mass of easily available infor-mation has also changed the way young people are shaping the way they think and act; they fi nd the social norms, atti-tudes and behaviour that marked the development of the generation of their parents outdated and they have no problems expressing their intention to replace them.
In short, they are ready to challenge the patterns of the old and establish the parameters for the new.
They may be right on the money.Because the world we have known is
changing brutally fast, and those who cannot keep up with the pace of the transformations we have been going through may be unable to survive the tumult that is likely to be more tangible
as time goes by.From the possibility of a
Donald Trump presidency in the US to the increasing probability of dissolution of the European Union to possible implosion of Japan under its moun-tains of debt and to the potential of military con-fl ict in the South China Sea in addition to the al-ready burning Middle East, the world is awash with hotspots of instability. At the current level of global-ization and swift interac-tion of all political, social and/or fi nancial factors, no one is immune to the
repercussions of such crises happening around the globe, even in our quiet and -by most standards-tranquil Canada.
Gone are the days when a university degree would mean a lifelong, secure income generated by a permanent job, a handsome bank account would provide the security for a decent standard of liv-ing and the retirement would come with comfort and ease.
The time is of increasing gaps between haves and have-nots, of rising poverty, malnutrition, insecurity and the danger of being left out.
The question here is a vital one for both those bright young people setting out on their new life paths and those elders who are supposed to be advising them: Who is better equipped to deal with the challenges of so unforgivingly changing times?
Will the ability of the young to seek and fi nd information extend to the point of drawing the right conclusions and make the correct choices in vital matters?
Alternatively, is the older generation really capable of keeping abreast of the transformations in a way that will be adequate to guide the young in an in-creasingly uncertain world?
Undoubtedly these questions, and their answers, may mean different things to different individuals depending on where they sit on the social or economic scale.
But what is common to all the various versions of the refl ection of those ques-tions is the mystery that looks at all of us right in the face: How much are we in control of our own fate?
6 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
5019A Chipman Ave., Box 4217, Ponoka, AB. T4J 1R6Phone: 403.783.3311 Fax: 403.783.6300 Email: [email protected] every Wednesday by PNG Prairie Newspaper Group in community with: Regional Publisher, Michele Rosenthal
All editorial content, advertising content and concepts are protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is forbidden.
MUSTAFA ERIC
Editor
Opinion
Dear Editor,Thanks for your timely, sane handling of the House
of Commons Brawl (elbow-gate) before the members of parliament vote on the new law on medically assisted suicide.
I don’t believe for a minute that this incident is being shrugged off by the general public! I think we were all embarrassed and stunned to fi nd out we were watch-ing a very bad “hockey-game” gone wrong. We simply expect some sportsmanship to fi nally rule on the fl oor of our elected members, House of Commons, in Ottawa.
We, also expect elected people to do their job in a civil respectful manner and not pander to be in a fan club for rich and famous or to think our elected members of government should be “Hollywood stars” or Princes of Royalty.
“Sunny ways” implies civility and respect. To think mindless kissing and hugging of the women of Canada in the House of Commons or in crowds outside is ap-propriate behaviours is plain silliness and can stop instantly. If any politician wants to treat women and men equally, a simple handshake is universal with Canadians. More importantly, if women want job equal-ity in government, be competent for the job in the Commons, in the Senate, in the workplace, and the home.
The way the general public really are; we are the un-usually “silent” majority.
1) Historically, colonized in the British way - stiff upper lip, morally restrained, stickler for the rule of rea-son, good example in public, and domestically.
2) Historically, the Canadians - colonists are Victorian, puritanical, and view Canada as a classless, equal society. So, we are amazed that the government has “saved the middle-class” as their task in the House of Commerce.
3) Historically, Canada is an immigrant nation. We fl ed to Canada from Europe and Asia for freedom from church taxation, royal rulers, strong desire for owned land, less corrupt governance, and less industrial in-denture.
Business-wise, if anyone could pay a living wage to their workers and do well for themselves too – they were in business. Now we suffer under “mega”ism. While we legislate, (often in silly ways) our profi t ideas on a large scale of greed that enslaves, our minimum wage, part-time work, no benefi ts, workers in hard and dirty jobs, we continue to overpay the government civil service workers who, on the job, still read books and waste time on cell phones. They actually occupy spaces with little to do. We call them gatekeepers, who keep people out so that the access to assistance programs stays in their computers.
4) The good ways, we, the general public, really are, are in adversity. We can really respect the general public of Canada for their reactions to:
1)Fort McMurray fi res2) Slave Lake fi res – four or fi ve years ago3) High River fl ooding4)Town of Lamont – no cell phones in work places or
in cafes. This gives a warm and welcoming behaviours between the locals and strangers.
5) The general public can really respect dozens of individual heroes, politicians, mayors, and neighbours. For example,
Rosie Barton - CBC Power and PoliticsRona Ambrose – Temporary Conservative LeaderBrian Jean – Wild Rose LeaderRCMP – evacuation 88,000 people with no injuries or
deaths reportedTown and District of Lac La BicheTruckers - of essential goods to Fort McMurrayElizabeth Mae - in the House of Commons summed
up the incidentJennifer from Global News Edmonton – gave her hand-
shake to Mr. Trudeau on the ending of the Edmonton Morning Interview and the compliments she received from Angus Watt for doing so.
In summary Mr. Editor, I think this May 25 copy of your paper is an award winning one for a small town paper.
Sincerely,Stella Freidel
Ponoka
Canadians expect sportsmanship in Ottawa
Grads facing an uncertain world
Letter
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 7
Wednesday, June 8th at 6:30 at the German Canadian Club Site
Located west on 32nd St on CNE Trail to Range Road 280 (follow the road to Fort Normandeau)
Admission by donationCoffee and cake will be served after the performance!
Call 403.346.0085 for more information
Gull Lake Deer Creek Gas Co-op Ltd. will be holding aSpecial General Meeting at the Leedale Hall on June 15th, 2016 7:30pm.
June 15th, 2016 – Leedale Hall, NW 35 41-04-W5M
Registration for voting begins at 5:00 pm, with an opportunity for you to meet and talk to your Directors from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm,
dinner from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm and the Special General Meeting from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
At the close of the Benjamin Gas Co-op Ltd. 2016 Annual General Meeting, a Special General Meeting will be held to vote on the following.
Notice of Extraordinary ResolutionThat Gull Lake Deer Creek (G.L.D.C.) Gas Co-op Ltd., pursuant to section 24(1) of the Rural Utilities Act, Alberta, amalgamates with Benjamin Gas
Co-op Ltd. on the terms and conditions set out in the Amalgamation Agreement.
BBQ Dinner and meetings are open to Gull Lake Deer Creek G.L.D.C. Gas Co-op Ltd. members, Benjamin Gas Co-op Ltd.
members and invited guests only.G.L.D.C. members are requested to R.S.V.P. for the BBQ
Over 25 Years Experience• INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR • HIGH SPEED POLISHING • PROTECTION PACKAGES
Town working on asset management plan
First phase of the plan to create inventory and assess cost
Town of Ponoka council was recent-ly briefed on the progress of an Asset Management Lifecycle Plan, approved in the 2014 capital budget, which has sev-eral phases, according to Dave McPhee, town’s director of operations and prop-erty services.
The fi rst phase takes an inventory of all the town’s infrastructure assets and includes buildings/structures, bridg-es, roads, sidewalks and curbs, water and storm system, sanitary sewer and treatment, electricity infrastructure and the Industrial Airport. To accomplish the task, the town has been working with RPM Consulting to ensure no stone re-mains uncovered.
Also in the fi rst phase is the breakdown of what it cost to build the assets when fi rst installed and what they would cost to replace.
McPhee was clear on what the asset management plan actually is: a working document that can change over time. He said the best way to have an understand-ing of the potential infrastructure costs is to know what is there. This is also something that can help council as well during budget planning, added Mayor Rick Bonnett.
“If you don’t know what you have and where you’re going to go, you can’t make good decisions,” said Bonnett.
The second component of the proj-ect puts the town’s infrastructure on a maintenance/replacement program. Where McPhee sees a need for work is in the roadway system. Generally the
underground infrastructure is in good shape, explained McPhee.
While the capital dollars needed to replace infrastructure over a period of approximately 10 years sound as a big number — $9.4 million in roadway reha-bilitation, $13 million in roads — the life-cycle plan sets out time lines for mainte-nance, which could extend the life of the asset, and sets out general time lines for when a replacement is needed.
“If everybody knows (what’s) going in, then we’re way further ahead in the long run,” said Bonnett.
Asset management is a federal require-ment for municipalities. McPhee said communities need to include in their statements a list of assets and the value of those assets. In addition, municipal-ities are required to provide an asset management plan in 2017 to be able to take advantage of the Federal Gas Tax Fund.
Bonnett suggests like any business, or homeowner, when looking at a large cap-ital project requiring grants or loans, a plan is the fi rst thing lenders will look at. The provincial and federal governments are no different.
The town did conduct an asset inven-tory in 2002 when it was mandated, but it wasn’t managed over the years as the town grew. McPhee said this new plan helped identify any misses and clarifi ed for planners what is actually in the com-munity. His goal is now to create a long-term capital planning system.
When asked about balancing out re-quests for improved recreation while ensuring infrastructure is maintained, Bonnett replied that the more people
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
that move to town, the more taxes the town generates. By improving on infra-structure such as the new North Bridge, it shows to newcomers the town is ready to provide services to residents.
McPhee says two key things will hap-pen as a result of this study. First it will allow planners to budget and prepare for replacements needed in the future. The second thing to occur will be for engineers to put together a maintenance plan to get assets to the end, or beyond, of their lifecycle.
Bonnett said the upcoming demolition
of Town Hall is a perfect example of the need for proper maintenance. “If that would have been maintained 10, 20, 15 years ago, or we would have remediated some of the issues going forward, we wouldn’t have had to close it.”
Bonnett said the building is 45 years old and when there were issues of fl ood-ing, proper clean up and maintenance could have extended the life of Town Hall.
Council is expected to see the fi nal version of the report in the next few months.
8 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
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$1000 from EMBER Resources and 2 x $500 from CSA
Available to all present and former high school graduates planning to take fi rst year post-secondary studies.
Greater CSA Area extends from Highway 2 east to Highway 56 and from Highway 611 south to the Red Deer
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Should you have any questions or wish to apply for one of these Scholarship Awards, the CSA contact is:
Leanne Walton at 403-784-3437
Deadline for the Application Form, Essay and Letter of Reference to the CSA contact is June 15, 2016
Transcript of Marks and Proof of RegistrationDeadline is August 31, 2016
Resident asks council to back down on water meters stance
A resident has asked Ponoka town council to change its stance on no options for residents on wireless water meters.
Greg Nelson spoke to town council Tuesday, May 24 during the pubic forum of the regular meeting.
His hope is that council will allow res-idents an option to have regular water meters rather than the wireless water meters already installed in the vast ma-jority of the residences in town. Nelson has spoken with CAO Albert Flootman as well as RCMP on the issue.
He said his real concern with the water meters is over two specifi c issues: privacy and health. For the former Nelson said he has always been a private individual and he does not like knowing that someone could monitor his water usage remotely.
His other concern is over health. Nelson said, for him, the issue is about choice. In an effort to stay healthy he has chosen not to have wireless systems in his home, nor does he have a microwave. “Asbestos was once safe…please give us a choice.”
He said knowing that the town allows residents no choices on the matter has caused him some anxiety as he worried he would have his water cut off. Nelson added he would be willing to pay an extra $205 per year to allow him the choice, an amount to ensure cost recovery for man-ual reading.
Administration looking at optionsCouncil was presented with an update
on the hard holdouts of the wireless water meter system.
A refusal to complete dangerous work was fi led by town utility operators over the last seven water meter installa-
tions in town. The refusal was made after concerns for their personal safety. Information was presented to councillors stating the last seven residents called themselves “freemen of the land.”
“Their fear stems from recent news stories of deaths from incidents with freemen of the land in Edmonton and Calgary,” the information states.
One employee lives two doors down from one of the hard holdouts and they feared for their safety within the commu-nity, it adds.
As a result of the refusal, the town de-termined it needed to bring in a contrac-tor to do the work, which would involve a hazard assessment of the community, needing to be accompanied by an RCMP offi cer and Community Peace Offi cer. The water would then be turned off from the curb and if the resident complies then the water would be turned on.
If they do not comply, the town would notify Alberta Health within 72 hours as per the Housing Regulation under the Public Health Act. The town would then have to proceed with the legal process of access to the property.
Flootman said Nelson’s main concern is over having a choice. There are other municipalities and businesses that allow an opt out program with cost-recovery.
Flootman suggested that while council did make a motion last year, there is the potential to revisit the decision and make some allowance.
Mayor Rick Bonnett suggested if a choice is granted, other residents should have that option.
Council directed administration to come back with some suggestions on how to move forward and what the costs would be for manual reading.
Council approves plans for preliminary design for new arena
Town council gave the nod for $88,000 to develop a preliminary design plan for the town’s new recreation building.
Dubbed the Community Wellness and Activity Centre, the decision for planning of the facility was made Tuesday, May 24 during the regular meeting, which will bring further community feedback on the concept designs.
Coun. Loanna Gulka had some concerns over the expense. She said with the re-cent meeting on asset management, she struggled with the idea of these addition-al costs. “Our budgets are so tight.”
CAO Albert Flootman said having a plan ready to go is a good fi rst step. “I would make the point that if the recreation fa-cility was to go ahead in this form (with a plan), it would be with senior federal funding.”
Coun. Tim Falkiner agreed suggesting there is a strong recreational culture in Ponoka. He added if the town isn’t ready to go with a plan, if grants do become available, then residents will have missed out.
Other councillors were concerned over the constant change to the plans present-ed by McElhanney Consulting, the com-pany hired to put together the Recreation, Culture and Master Plan. Coun. Carla Prediger said she has seen several differ-ent design ideas, which seem to change each time they are presented.
Gulka reiterated her concern. “Are we relying too heavily on grant money that may or may not come?” she asked.
Completing the project, regardless of grants, was on Coun. Sandra Lyon’s mind. She suggested even if grants do not come, residents still want to see the project completed.
Mayor Rick Bonnett said the Town of Penhold was able to take advantage of grants from the federal government be-cause they were ready and while Ponoka doesn’t have a solid plan if there is no grant money, the chances are greater. “We’ve got one shot at this,” said Bonnett.
Money for the project will come from the building development reserve.
Administration working with Ponoka Minor Soccer
Coun. Lyon voiced her concern over the upkeep of the Lucas Heights soccer pitches.
The soccer pitches were redone last year with new sod and layout and she worried that with all the money spent to rebuild them it would be a disappoint-ment if they were lost through not being watered.
Before the rains arrived, there was lit-tle watering done on the pitches and Flootman said part of the issue was over not clarifying expectations between the town and the Ponoka Minor Soccer on up-keep responsibilities. He said the plan is to meet with Rob McArthur, president of the association, to discuss expectations. “We need to defi ne expectations about the level of maintenance.”
Change of dateDue to the busy Ponoka Stampede week
coming up at the end of June, town coun-cil will move its regular meeting on June 28 to 5:30 p.m. up from 7 p.m.
Town supports playground project with letter
Town council supported a request for a letter of support for the Ponoka Elementary
School playground committee.The group is continuing its grant re-
quests for the project, which is expected to start in the fall.
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
The fi nal touches for roof repairs at the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury will ensure pa-tients are taken care of.
In a statement on Monday, May 30 Alberta Health Services (AHS) an-nounced more than $200,000 were spent to repair about three quarters of the whole roof of the facility.
“These investments are an important part of helping our patients stay well,” said Kerry Bales, chief zone offi cer, cen-tral zone. “It is also vital we keep our health care infrastructure up to date and well maintained.”
Funding for these projects came from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure Maintenance Program (IMP). In recent years, an additional $400,000 in IMP funding has been invest-ed in other projects at the Centennial
Centre, including repairs to the steam humidifi cation system, doors, electri-cal panels, staff call system, outdoor awnings, shower room and fl ooring re-placement.
“No matter where you live in the prov-ince, it’s important that your health care needs can be met as close to home as possible,” says Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Health. “These projects help make that a reality, and are part of our commitment to manage and improve health infrastructure and capital across Alberta.”
It took about fi ve months to round up the project, which was completed late last fall, with some fi nal inspections and approvals done this spring.
AHS maintains more than 450 facil-ities throughout the province, includ-ing hospitals, clinics, continuing care facilities, mental health facilities and community health sites.
PONOKA NEWS STAFF
$200,000 from province for Centennial Centre roof
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 9
Town of PonokaC, 4900 - 54 Street, Ponoka, AB T4J 1N8Town phone: 403-783-4431Town email: [email protected]
Ponoka Moves Ahead in Planning of New Recreation Centre
~ COUNCIL UPDATES ~NEXT MEETING OF COUNCIL: Tuesday, June 14, 2016, and Committee of the
Whole on June 23, 2016. Both meetings are at 7 pm at the Ponoka County Council
Chambers.
Agenda packages are posted on www.ponoka.ca under ‘Town Hall’ in advance of every Council meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.
• Fort McMurray residents are being offered free swimming, free swim lessons and free water fi tness classes.
• Free Friday Family Swim: June 3 from 7-9 pm. Sponsored by Ponoka FCSS.• Summer swim lessons – Registration is now open.• Private swim lessons – Offered all day, every day this summer for all ages.
~ AQUAPLEX NEWS ~
• Green Carts - Please remember, Green Carts are for yard waste ONLY (grass clippings, leaves, plant debris, small branches less than 1” in diameter). No garbage. No plastic bags. No recycling materials. No food waste, please.
• Communities in Bloom - Ponoka has registered for the Communities in Bloom (Friends category) again this year. The program is run by the Alberta Parks & Recreation Association. Communities in Bloom judges will visit our community on July 14.
~ TOWN NEWS ~
~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~
• Splash Park – The Splash Park at Lions Centennial Park is open! Enjoy!• Pride in Your Property Contest – Nominations are open for our annual Pride in Your
Property Contest. Residents and business owners can enter their own property or nominate a neighbour. Deadline for entries is June 30 with judging taking place in early July. Town of Ponoka utilities gift certifi cates will be awarded to the best kept residential and commercial properties.
• Pickle Ball Clinic – Weather permitting, there will be a pickle ball clinic offered on June 18th from 9-2:30 pm with a one-hour lunch break. Everyone is welcome to come out and see what pickle ball is all about. Pickle Ball is every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 pm at the Ponoka Tennis Courts. For more information, please contact Janice Mackie at 403-396-3160.
Conceptual Design
- Community
Activity and
Wellness Centre
Project Will Require Senior Government
Funding
The Town of Ponoka is moving ahead in the planning process for a new Community Activity and Wellness Centre following a vote in favour of the move by Town Council last week.
“We’re advancing to the next planning stage which will bring us closer to being shovel-ready and in a much better position to qualify for some of the billions of dollars in federal infrastructure grant funding announced in the 2016 federal budget,” says Ponoka Mayor Rick Bonnett. “Ponoka residents identifi ed their desire for new and improved recreation facilities as a priority in our 2015 Recreation Master Plan,” he adds.
Conceptual Design
The total estimated cost of the new Community Activity and Wellness Centre is approximately $25 million based on a conceptual design that was created following a public consultation process in 2015. That conceptual design includes a new aquatics centre with a leisure pool and lane pool, an indoor walking track, a new hockey arena, an indoor playground, a curling rink, an indoor wheel park and a multi-purpose fi eldhouse equipped to accommodate soccer, lacrosse and up to three gymnasium spaces separated by retractable walls.
“We’re fully cognizant of our fi scal reality. A project of this scale will only be achievable
with the help of considerable senior government funding and partnerships,” says Mayor Bonnett. “That is why moving ahead to Phase 2 of the planning process now is so important. We intend to do everything possible to be ready to apply for that federal infrastructure funding when it becomes available,” he says.
“One way that we’re hoping to manage the cost of the project is to request that the architects develop a design for the Centre that can be built in stages based on available funding,” says Mayor Bonnett.
Public Consultation
Phase 2 of the planning process will involve a second, more extensive round of public consultation. “We’ll meet with individual user groups that utilize our recreational facilities, as well as the general public to review the existing conceptual design, and engage in more detailed discussions to ensure we fully understand each group’s wants and needs before completing a preliminary fi nal design of the Centre,” says Wes Amendt, Director of Community Services for the Town of Ponoka. Those public consultation discussions could result in changes to the conceptual design before completing the preliminary fi nal design.
Planning Process
There are four phases to the planning process. “Phase 2 will take us from a conceptual design to a more detailed preliminary design that should be
completed next spring,” says Amendt. Phases 3 and 4 are expected to move more quickly – taking about a year to complete. Phases 3 and 4 will provide detailed schematic drawings that include mechanical systems, electrical and lighting, followed by working drawings that can be put out to tender in order to begin building.
Phase 2 will begin with the Town hiring
a consulting fi rm that will guide the public consultation process and develop the preliminary fi nal design of the Community Activity and Wellness Centre. Phase 2 will also include a proposed capital and operational budget for the new facilities, as well as a site survey and geotechnical study. The total budgeted cost of Phase 2 is $87,750 which will be funded from the Town’s Development Reserve.
10 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
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RECEIVEA FREE FLAT SCREEN TV!with a 1 yr signed lease Fundraising walk leashes in cash for guide dogs
It was a dog day afternoon of raising funds to support a great need.
The Ponoka Lions Club hosted their fourth annual Purina Walk for Dog Guides at Centennial Park on Sunday, May 29 and collared nearly $3,800 that will go toward paying for specially trained guide dogs for people with physical or medical disabili-ties.
Dixie Tyndall and Peggy Mouck were the co-chairs for the event this year which, along with the dog walk, also encompassed a youth fi shing derby at the park’s pond and a demonstration by the Canadian Search and Disaster Dog Association (CASDDA).
Mouck explained they raised somewhat less than last year, though the number of fi shing derby entrants was down while the number of registered walkers was about the same.
The walk is organized nationally to sup-port the Lions Foundation of Canada’s training school and breeding program for guide dogs, stated Tyndall, which provides guide or support animals for several differ-ent needs.
Those include guide dogs for the blind or visually impaired, hearing ear guide dogs for the deaf or hard of hearing, au-tism assistance dogs for families with children ages three to 12 diagnosed with
autism spectrum disorder, service (former-ly known as special skills) guide dogs to assist those with disabilities due to phys-ical or medical conditions perform tasks they are unable to do, seizure response dogs that can provide a pre-alert to an on-coming epileptic episode and, the newest category, a diabetic alert dog that can alert a Type 1 diabetic to an possible hypoglyce-mic event.
Tyndall added everyone of these guide dogs allows the client to have a great feel-ing of safety and independence, while also giving them more confi dence that allows them to be more engaged in daily life out-side their homes.
There was also a special guest the Lions Club welcomed to open this year’s walk - Bev Irwin from Calgary, who suffered a serious brain bleed back in January 2015.
“There are times that an event such as the one we have here to raise funds so that people in need of guide dogs can get them and make their lives so much for the bet-ter,” she stated.
“And then, this event can help people in other ways. (Bev Irwin) was in hospital for an extended length of time. When going through rehab, she needed to set goals for herself, the biggest goal was to be well enough to participate in this walk. I am very pleased to say Bev was able to be here and take part in the walk as well as cut the ribbon to begin our walk.”
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
Searching skills - One of several handlers and her dog show off one of the many skills they use in searches during the Purina Walk for Dogs fundraiser on Sunday, May 29 at Centennial Park. The demonstration was put on by the non-profi t volunteer organization Canadian Search and Disaster Dog Association (CASDDA) and showcased their training and what it takes to fi nd people that go missing or during searches such as what members have done during disasters such as the Pine Lake tornado. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
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Drop-ins welcome at all events.June 19 - Gospel Concert 7 pm with “New Song Band”Billiards - Weekdays 1:00pm. Mon through Sat – 50 cents per game. Honour systemMonday Bridge 1:00pmMonday Whist - 1:30pmMonday Yoga - 6:30pmTuesday Canasta - 1:00pmTuesday & Thursday Exercise class 9:30am - no classes till fallTuesday Shuffl eboard - fi nished until FallWednesday Sewing Guild 9:00am to 4:00pmWednesday Cribbage 1:00pmWednesday Yoga - 6:30pmWednesday Duplicate Bridge 7:00pmThursday Floor Curling - 1:00pm - fi nished until FallThursday Weaving 1:00pm Welcome to drop-in to see how it’s doneThursday Bridge 1:00pmThursday Art Club Drop In Noon to 4pmFriday “500” 1:00pmSaturday Yoga 9:30amMemberships available for 2016 - $10.00 per person. To rent our facility contact Dorothy @ 403-783-3027 or George@ 403-783- 3514 or leave a message @ 403-783-5012. Rentals are increasing and we would like to invite our town administration, business groups, and general public (Wedding, funeral, and Birthday groups), to inquire about rentals services and prices early in their planning. We may fi t your bill!
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County budget on trackDespite fi nancial pres-
sures causing some grief in Alberta, Ponoka County remains on course with their 2016 budget.
Chief administrative of-fi cer Charlie Cutforth pre-sented council with an update of the county’s fi -nancial situation for the fi rst four months of the
year at their regular meet-ing on Tuesday, May 24, outlining that the majority of revenues and expenses are in line with what was anticipated when the bud-get was approved earlier this year.
Tax revenue has in-creased somewhat - by about $340,000 - although Cutforth stated that is a re-sult of the jump in assess-ment value with the ma-
jority of the hike due to an increase in the school req-uisition from the province.
He added that there might be a shortfall in the amount brought in through the linear tax as-sessment - which includes oil and gas wells, pipelines and utilities such as elec-tricity, phone, internet and cable - though it should be minor and not likely to affect the budget.
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
“There is some good news on that front though, as revenue from the issu-ing of drilling permits is up as there is still some activity going on in the county, more than we had expected,” said Cutforth.
Given the economic sit-uation and price of oil and gas coming into 2016, plus the bankruptcy of two companies doing work in the county, the budget only included an extreme-ly conservative $25,000 estimate of revenue from drilling permits. So far, the county has secured more than double that amount.
Among the other budget fi gures that Cutforth noted was the $90,000 received from the contractor con-structing the new bridge in Ponoka to pay for poten-tial damage to the coun-ty’s road that was used by heavy trucks to haul ma-terial for the project, the nearly $833,000 spent on capital administration and the $90,000 expense for a pair of projects regarding water.
“That money from the contractor was predeter-mined to pay for that dam-age, but the road has come through all that work in fairly good shape,” he said.
“The capital includes the purchase and renovation
of the new fi re hall, the new county peace offi cer vehicle and the $120,000 advance that was provid-ed to help with rural high speed internet - some-thing that will be adjust-ed out later as it is going to be recoverable through a long-term repayment schedule that’s been set up with the company.”
The money being spent on water projects is split between $40,000 to the fund for Gull Lake stabi-lization and $50,000 for a study on the water supply and quality at Chain Lakes.
“The county’s last pay-ment for Gull Lake will be in 2017, should there be no funds drawn to pay for any work this year as the county portion of that fund will have reached our 250,000 contribution limit,” he added.
In addition, Cutforth told council that the bud-get for the county’s fi re-fi ghting service is well in hand, despite the lack of a detailed break down of expenses for both east and west district fi re depart-ments. That, he explained, is due to the new account-ing system installed last year not being able to do what they need, but that is being worked on for the next report.
Splish Splash - Kids of all ages, and a few parents too, took advantage of the wonderful temperatures on Sunday, May 29 for a few runs through the Ponoka Splash Park at Centennial Park. This was the fi rst weekend since it was offi cially opened on the May long weekend that the weather was good enough to draw people out and provided a good way to cool off after playing on the new playground.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 13
FRIDAY, JULY 1 & SATURDAY, JULY 2FRIDAY, JULY 1 & SATURDAY, JULY 2
PONOKA STAMPEDEPONOKA STAMPEDE
Doors open at 8:30 pm Continuous Music
Spirits & Coolers ServedNo Minors
Mammoth2 PIECES OF I.D. REQUIRED
BEER GARDENS& DANCE
Tickets available at Ponoka Stampede - 403-783-0100or 1-855-985-5000
Free fl ights all about generating interest among kids
Nearly every kid has dreamed about flying and the hope is an an-nual event will help give children an opportunity to learn more about it as a potential career option.
A national program run by the Canadian Owners & Pilots Association (COPA) has been providing free fl ights for children from ages 8 to 17 for several years with Ponoka and area pilots, and they took to the sky from the Ponoka airport on Saturday, May 28 for the second straight year.
“The purpose of the event is to help make children aware of avia-tion, since only about one in every 1,000 people in Canada knows someone that has their pilot’s li-cence. The hope is maybe this help further devel-op the interest for those that may never have had the chance to experience
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
being in a plane before,” said event organizer Perry Wilson, who also fl ew one of the seven planes that participated in Saturday’s
activity.“Everyone knows about
professions like doctors, lawyers and fi refi ghters, but not a lot of children
know or have much in-formation about the num-ber of professions that are employed in the aviation industry. If they can see
some ordinary people are fl ying, maybe they can see themselves in those shoes and open their eyes to the knowledge that they can
do it too.”A total of 51 children re-
ceived a free fl ight during the day with about 20 vol-unteers giving their time to help out on the ground with the use of the planes being provided through sponsors. There was also a static display set up near the terminal with a few different kinds of planes the children got a chance to get an up close look at.
“The kids got to go through a mini-ground school where they learned how the planes work and how they are able to take-off and move through the air,” Wilson said.
“It’s hoped that they came away with a better understanding of how fl ight happens plus that aviation is one of the ca-reer options that are open to them if they choose. If they aren’t interested, then we hope the children learned that anything is possible and that they should go after whatever career they like.”
Volunteers escort the fi rst plane fi lled with kids off the tarmac at the Ponoka airport following their fl ight on Saturday, May 28 during the COPA Flight for Kids event. The weather was perfect for the second annual event meant to demonstrate how planes fl y and possibly inspire children with an interest in the profession.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
14 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
ONE DAYONLY!
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BBQ
Hamburgers & Drink $5
Cost: $20 Chamber of Commerce Members$30Non Chamber Members
Four years and running for a unique fund-raiser that piggybacks on the popularity of reality television.
The Capital One Race for Kids brings teams of four together to compete in a series of challenges to earn a clue in order to fi gure out what and where the next challenge will be with kudos going to the team that fi nishes the fastest.
This year’s event brought in just under $16,800 with Team Ponoka Elementary School - consisting of Paula Wilkins, Shauna Wessner, Courtney Larsen and Maggie Henderson - taking the title of the fastest squad with Team Let’s Get Physiccal - con-sisting of Lisa Carr, Kim Roos, Courntey Bowes and Rebecca Cornall - placing second.
“The race was about the same toughness this year as in the past, with just the right mix of physical, mental and pure luck challenges,” explained Paige Brose with the Ponoka Youth Centre/Boys and Girls Club of Wolf Creek.
“All of the teams did extremely well and had a blast”
The challenges ranged from having to scarf down a ‘shot’ of various foods or condiments to performing fi refi ghting jobs such as using a fi re hose and dragging a ‘dummy’ as well as ‘walking’ in a group on a set of skis to collect pieces in order to complete a puzzle, ‘booking’ a criminal on a mischief charge and executing a successful country line dance.
Brose added it was Team County Cards - made up of Debbi Raugust, Donna Noble, Blaine Rose and Paul McLauchlin - that raised the most money for the cause while Team Heppy Feet - consisting of Kailey Wall, Jessalyn Adams, Alty Kanten and Jenna Pickett - bringing the second most funds. Raugust was the top individual fundraiser with $2,800 with Wall close behind raising $2,146.
“The purpose of the race is to raise funds, as well as awareness, for the Ponoka Youth Centre/Boys and Girls Clubs of Wolf Creek.” Brose stated.
“We also want it to be an event that gives back to the community as a fun way to say thank you for all they do.”
The race also wouldn’t be possible with-out the great support of many community businesses, services and organizations who supplied not only donations, but the facilities used for the 10 challenge stations.
“The community business support is es-sential. We ask the community businesses to sponsor the checkpoints where the teams participate in the challenges,” Brose said.
“We also have many corporate teams sign up and run as a staff group and plenty of local business-sponsored individual racers as well. We are so grateful for the businesses that allowed us to use their facilities for the checkpoints.”
All of the funds raised through the race remain in Ponoka to benefi t the 13 different programs the organization offers to children and youth from ages fi ve to 17.
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
Just like on television, not every challenge in the Race for Kids on Saturday, May 28 was physical as teams had to use their minds at the RCMP station. Teams had to perform an ‘arrest’ then fi gure out how what charge to lay and fi ll out the paperwork correctly before getting their next clue.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 15
Local singers to perform at Carnegie HallPonoka singers with the
Willan Choral will soon be able to check ‘singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City’ off their bucket list.
The group is heading to New York City to perform Sunday, June 12 with 200 singers from choirs around the world, explained Warren Mack, conductor with the Willan Choral. He said the trip brings singers from a broader group of choirs in the area: The Choir of Robertson-Wesley United Church, United Voices of Edmonton and Knox-Metropolitan United Church.
The concert is part of the Distinguished Concerts International New York, says Mack, where singers will perform Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aerterna.
Mack had sent an audition tape to organizers and as it turned out, they liked the sample.
“It’s a really amazing op-portunity,” said Mack of the trip.
He added that it will give everyone in the choirs a chance to enjoy New York City.
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
Ponoka singers with the Willan Chorale are heading to Carnegie Hall in New York City with other singers from the Edmonton area. The singers will take part in the Distinguished Concerts International New York and will join voices with singers from around the world. Pictured are Charmaine Arandez, Sue Henderson, Warren Mack, Romeo Mandanas, Lydia Mandanas-Fairclough and Maria Perez Photo submitted
“A lot of dedicated team members worked for a year and a half to plan all the
details. We’re all looking forward to sidewalk hot dog stands, Broadway musicals
and shopping in the Big Apple,” said Mack.
“Everyone in the choirs
from Ponoka and Edmonton is thrilled to be part of this once in a lifetime chance to
sing with a large choir and symphony orchestra at such a prestigious venue.”
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16 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
UNRESERVED REAL ESTATE SALE TODD BRAITHWAITEUNRESERVED REAL ESTATE SALE TODD BRAITHWAITEJUNE 17, 2016 • 12:00 NOON Sale Conducted Just East of Rimbey at our Sale Site Land located in Bluffton, AB
Directions: From Rimbey, North on Hwy #20 Approx. 10 Miles to the Iola Road, West on the Pavement 5 Miles to Rge Rd 40, 1/2 Mile South on the Paved Road on the West Side.
Selling In Conjunction with the 36th Annual Summer Machinery Consignment Sale
SALE CONDUCTED BY:ALLEN B. OLSON AUCTION SERVICE LTD.RIMBEY, ALBERTA • License No. 165690 • (403) 843-2747
PARCEL #1 - SE 12-44-4 W5M - HOME QUARTER - BEING 160 ACRES M/L
Selling a House Built in 2000 that is Approx. 1454 Sq Ft on the Main Level with a Completely Finished Basement. 3 Bedrooms Upstairs with 2 Full Bathrooms, 3 Bedrooms Down Stairs with 1 Full Bathroom. Wood Burning Stoves on Both Levels, Fridge, Stove, Washer & Dryer. Natural Gas Heating & 1 Water Well.
Also Includes a 30’x64’ Shop on 2’ Grade Beam w/ 14’x16’ Door. Steel Working Corrals & Water, A Year Round Spring plus it is Fenced & Cross Fenced Several Times.
Oil Lease Revenue of Approx. $7,425.00
Taxes: $1479.00
PARCEL #2 - SW 12-44-4 W5M BEING 160 ACRES M/L
Being a Quarter of Land with Some Lower Ground & Very Good Grass. This Pasture Quarter is Accessed by an Oil Well Road Threw the Home Quarter & Contains a Large Dugout. The Land is Fenced & Cross Fenced with Permanent & Hot Wire Fencing
Oil Surface Lease of Approx. $6,740.00
Taxes: $45.08
PARCEL #3 - NE 12-44-4 W5M BEING 148 ACRES M/L
This Quarter joins the Home Quarter on the North Side & is Very Good Pasture Quarter with a Dug Out & Cross Fences.
Taxes: $108.67
Open Houses: May 28th & June 5th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by Appointment - Contact Allen B. Olson at (403) 783-0556.
All measurements are approximate and need to be verifi ed by the purchaser.
Real Estate Transaction are being Handled by Morrison Realty (403) 783-0556
Real Estate Terms & Conditions: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Possession on or before July 18, 2016. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED by July 18, 2016 the Deposit will be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages. #100, 4918 - 46 Street, Red Deer
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Quilts for Fort McMurray - Women from around Alberta converged on the Ponoka Legion Saturday, May 21 and 22 to sew quilts for families in Fort McMurray. A total of 25 quilts were sewed and are soon to be completed and delivered. Pictured are (l-r): Robyn Longpre, Glenda Orlesky, Amber Look, Denise Bos, Delly Ann Look, Marlene Perry, Deanna Lunn, Candyce Orlesky, Karin Douglas, Pat Austin and Pat O’Brien. Missing are Claudia Peters, Betty Poettcker, Rema Boisvert and Carrie-Ann O’Brien.
Photo submitted
WWW.PONOKANEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 17
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Road construction set to begin near Chain Lakes
Public works superintendent Herb Schwingel presented his monthly report to council at their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 24 with a focus on the work that will be done this summer.
Work is expected to start later this year on upgrading a mile of Township Road 420 in the Chain Lakes area to improve access for the residents on the currently low grade trail, while the county is considering moving over to work on the 2.5 miles of Range Road 273 (Dakota Road) as Schwingel isn’t confi dent they will get wetlands approval for a project that was planned on RR 282 west of Crestomere.
Other road work that needs to be done is chip sealing on a number of county roads, though Schwingel stated the job on Arbor Park Road could be larger than fi rst thought as the road base is creating issues and it’s likely they may have to dig up and rebuild some of the soft spots.
And council heard that the county’s three used graders each sold for be-tween $40,000 and $50,000 less than the $315,000 that was guaranteed by the auction company. Schwingel stated that was pretty good since the grader market wasn’t great in spite of the auction attracting a record number of items and sales.
Safety concernCounty councillor Doug Weir ex-
pressed to council a concern about buildings being constructed at a cou-ple of cattle CFOs (confi ned feeding
operations) that seem to be very close to each other and wondered what the county can do considering what seems to be obvious issues with fi re and safety regulations. He added that anyone in the county should have a building and/or devel-opment permit to ensure they meet the necessary regulations, which would also help to possibly mitigate the potential of insurance rates ris-ing.
Cutforth explained, though, that, unfortunately, the county has no legal recourse as CFOs are regulated strictly by the province’s Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB).
“While they do notify the county of what is taking place when an appli-cation is made and we can submit an objection should we have one, but we are also not privy to if any objections are made,” Cutforth said.
“As for the fi re code regulations, that’s a good question as there have been a couple of incidents in recent years.”
Cutforth added that making ev-eryone in the county wanting to construct certain buildings would be possibly onerous as farmers only need a permit if it meets certain cri-teria and it may not work as some people don’t bother getting a permit anyway.
Catching upCouncil went back to rectify a cou-
ple of items that were missed during discussions in the past month.
They approved $7,000 in funding to the Rimbey Historical Society, part of the county’s annual contribution
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
to certain community non-profi ts. Councillor Nancy Hartford brought up the oversight in not including the money during their 2016 budget dis-cussion, after mistakenly thinking they had given the group the money when not approving the society’s $90,000 capital project request.
Cutforth also brought forward an amendment to the county’s recently passed fi re protection bylaw to fi x a regulation regarding the use of fl ash-ing green lights by fi refi ghters.
The bylaw, which was approved on April 26, originally stipulated that only county fi refi ghters were allowed to use the fl ashing green lights while responding to a emergency call in Ponoka County. The lights are to no-
tify other motorists that a fi refi ghter is responding to a call and to please give them the right-of-way on the road in order for them quickly and safely get there.
However, as much of the bylaw used regulations similar to those in other provincial jurisdictions - including the Town of Ponoka - Cutforth explained the intention was never to limit the use of the lights to only county fi refi ghters and that this change was missed in the originally bylaw.
The amendment now clarifi es that all fulltime and volunteer fi refi ghters are allowed to operate the fl ashing green lights in the county while re-sponding to an emergency call.
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18 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
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We will pick up your paper, clean tins, No. 1-7 plastic and cardboard.
We also pick up cardboard from local businesses.
For more information on these programs please call
403-783-5810 Weekdays
Ponoka County tired of issues being recycled
Members of Ponoka County council are clearly getting tired of having to discuss a pair of issues that keep constantly resurfacing.
The topics of the recycling bins at the county’s Ponoka transfer station along with the continu-ing saga regarding Cutting Edge Tire Recycling made their return to the council chamber at their meeting on Tuesday, May 24, leaving the reeve and councillors wondering if they will ever stop fi nd-ing the issues on their meeting agendas.
On the tire front, county’s Chief Administrative Offi cer Charlie Cutforth stated there has been a new development, though unfortunately it may just be part of the shell game being played by the company.
“(The county) was notifi ed that Cutting Edge was sold to a company called Aboriginal Power Corporation,” Cutforth explained to council.
“However, upon further investigation, it was found that both companies have the same B.C.
Weekly pick-up of cardboard to be considered as
option to prevent pile-up at recycling areaBY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
mailing address and the same owner.”He went on to further explain that, in the notice,
the new company hoped to establish a new rela-tionship and also requested a development permit for a building that is currently partially construct-ed on the property.
“We also responded with a letter that said it’s also our hope for an improved relationship and that no permit would be issued until three con-ditions are met - substantial progress is made on removal of the tires, especially from county property, a bond is provided and that they pro-vide proof of licensing approval by the regulator,” Cutforth added.
“We haven’t gotten a response yet and, appar-ently, the reason for the permit request is because the building has been paid for and the contractor is waiting to fi nish it, but there was never any per-mit issued at all. So, we are continuing to monitor the situation.”
He also stated the county will be meeting with their legal representation shortly to discuss the various options and what would be involved should a stop work and removal order is required. Council was also informed that a fi re inspection has been done and there are a number of items that need to be immediately rectifi ed.
Bin battle Councillor Doug Weir then brought up a concern
that’s been expressed by some residents about the
state of the recycling area at the transfer station in Ponoka, which was started earlier this year and has been a resounding success.
It’s that success, though, which has become part of the problem, with Weir noting there is so much cardboard that he was wondering if there are enough containers and if the county should be providing more access.
Cutforth stated that administration is aware of the issue, that is more about people not properly breaking down the cardboard so that it fi ts easier into the containers at the site. There are pres-ently 16 bins for various types of recycling that are available during the two days per week the transfer station is open and are emptied every two weeks.
Aside from the cardboard ended up on the ground, Cutforth explained there are a few other problems driving the issue - that being the huge success of the recycling program along with non-county residents plus some businesses drop-ping off their recycling at the station.
“It’s one of those things that sounds great, but is not without its problems,” he said.
“We have some commercial businesses using it to drop off cardboard and some of those operate in town, but live in the county. And, while some of the problem is garbage being dumped in with the recycling, the site isn’t just being used by county residents either.”
There was a suggestion made that perhaps the county should hire someone to monitor the recy-cling area specifi cally, but Cutforth believes there is another step they could take fi rst that would be more cost effective.
“We should fi rst try moving to a weekly pick up that will cost us slightly more, but will be less than paying someone to look after it. Since the program is in its infancy, if dealing with it this way will solve the problem, then great,” he said.
Council approved that suggestion along with better educating the residents using the site on to properly break down the cardboard.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 19
UNRESERVED AUCTION SALE FOR WARD & SHAWNA CHESNEYUNRESERVED AUCTION SALE FOR WARD & SHAWNA CHESNEYJUNE 5, 2016 • 12:00 NOON CRESTOMERE, ALBERTA
Directions: From the Crestomere School, Located 1/2 Way Between Rimbey & Ponoka on Hwy #53,1 Mile East to the Bismark Road (Rge Rd 275), 3/4 Mile North on the West Side
SALE CONDUCTED BY:ALLEN B. OLSON AUCTION SERVICE LTD.RIMBEY, ALBERTA • License No. 165690 • (403) 843-2747
JD LA165 Riding Lawn MowerJD 265 Riding Lawn Mower - No DeckSnow Blade for Lawn TractorRototiller for Lawn TractorSmall Green House5 Hp SnowblowerPush Mower
2 - Single Harnesses for a Miniature HorsesDouble Harness for a Miniature HorseSaddleSteel Riding Gear w/ Helmet, Vest, Ropes, Chaps, Spurs, Bell, Glove & Rodeo CaseMisc. TackHorse Feeder25 - 10’ Panels2 - Panels w/ Walk Through GatesGrain Troughs2 - Rd Bale FeedersCattle ScratcherChicken CoopMISCELLANEOUS13” Drill PressTransmission JackTable Saw5.5 Hp Water PumpPressure Washer2 - Lrg Wooden Bins5th Wheel Hitch
2 - Garage Doors w/ Motors & All PartsBranding IronsLarge Steel BBQStock TankMisc. Tires & WheelsLandscaping FabricBlocks of Mulch2 - Dog KennelsMisc. Fence Posts300 Gal Fuel Tank w/ StandHeadache RackTruck TopperAssorted Misc. ItemsBucket of New Fencing StaplesHOUSEHOLD ITEMSAntique Cream SeparatorCream Cans2 - Reclining SofasLeather ReclinerFabrice ReclinerLift ChairLarge OttomanCoffee Table2 - End TablesHitachi 41”x71” Television Large China CabinetSmall Shelving UnitRed Toddler Bed2 - DressersCabinetBench SeatKitchen Table w/ 4 ChairsOutside DaybedAssorted Household Items
Owner’s Phone Number: (403) 704-8002Terms & Conditions: Cash, Cheque or Debit Card, G.S.T. Will Apply On Some Items, All Items Must Be Paid For On Sale Day. Listings are Subject to Additions & DeletionsLunch Will Be Available
BRIGHT & CLEANOPEN 6am-11pm
daily!3 sizes of washers2 sizes of
dryers
Comfortablesitting area
with tv
4205 64 ST., Ponoka • 403-783-8382P o n o k a • W e t a s k i w i n • L e d u c
Centre of attention -Hundreds of people took in the events, displays and the newly constructed playground under a gorgeous, warm sunny afternoon at Centennial Park on Sunday, May 29. The day was the fi rst real chance this year for the public to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather plus put to good use the fi shing pond, the splash park as well the playground that was completed a day earlier.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
STAY CONNECTEDWWW.PONOKANEWS.COM
20 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
SANDRA LYONBroker/Owner
CHANELLE LYONAssociate
TYLER FESSLERAssociate
403-783-8881 #3, 5012-48 Ave in the Wedin’s Prof. Bldg.
TO VIEW ALL LISTINGS VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.FIRSTCHOICEPONOKA.COM
• 6.52 acres, close to town• 3658 sq. ft. of developed space• 5 bdrms & 3 baths• Walkout bsmt, A/C, Rinnai hot water• 30 x 40 attached garage
Call Sandra Lyonfor more information
$699,000
NEW LISTINGNEW LISTING
• 4 acres approx. 10 min from town • Older 3 bdrm home • Some recent upgrades incl. kitchen, fl oors and
bath • 2 detached double car garages
Call Sandra Lyonfor more information
$349,900
NEW LISTINGNEW LISTING
• 2000 sq ft of developed space• 4 bdrms & 2 baths• 2 tier deck with built in fi repit• Rinnai hot water system• Corner lot in Lucas Heights• 4 Level split
Call Sandra Lyon or Chanelle Lyon for more information
$299,000
LUCAS HEIGHTSLUCAS HEIGHTS
• Newly fi nished middle unit condo• 2 bdrm• Kitchen with eating bar, appliances incl.• Single attached garage
Call Sandra Lyon orChanelle Lyon
for more information
$230,000 + GST
LUCAS HEIGHTSLUCAS HEIGHTS
Prime location lots available to build your new home!
Architecturally controlled to protect your investment!Plenty of lot sizes and
locations to choose from!
LOTS STARTINGIN THE LOW $80,000’S
Call Sandra Lyon or Chanelle Lyonfor more information.
6 ACREAGES AVAILABLE
Beautiful building sites just a short drive south of Ponoka in Jada Estates. Building restricitons make this property an exclusive area for upscale homes.
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NORTH ENDduplex unit 2 - 3 bdrm units fully rented.
Asking $257,000
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MORNING MEADOWSVery private acreage in Morning Meadows with many upgrades incl. granite tops on cabinets & vanities. Large triple garage.
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Mamawi Atoseketan Native School breaks new ground
Seeds have been planted at Mamawi Atosketan Native School (MANS) intended to bring long term benefi ts to First Nations students.
A special groundbreaking ceremony was held at MANS Wednesday, May 25 at the site of the school’s soon to be constructed junior and senior high school. The ground-breaking is just one part of an overall goal called the Bridge Campaign. In it, the school hopes to develop special labs and workshops that will give students a vari-
ety of skills before graduating.The school, located within Ponoka coun-
ty territory but outside Maskwacis re-serves, also seeks to grow its busing pro-gram, create scholarships and bursaries, a nutrition program and after-school programs. Completing the project is esti-mated at $4.9 million, with the majority of the funds — $4.1 million — going to the building of the school.
There were several guests at the ground-breaking ceremony, each of whom had something to add to the day. Samuel Minde, president and CEO of the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies, said he is a proud
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
Students help break ground at the Mamawi Atosketan Native School Wednesday, May 25 at the site of the school’s new junior/senior high school. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
parent of four children, two of whom go to MANS.
He told attendees that he chose MANS because it continues with a strong First Nations culture and brings teachings on Christianity. He praised staff and teachers for their dedication to the students.
Larry Wilkins, the founding donor and honourary campaign chairperson, said he is grateful to see the fruits of their labour at the groundbreaking ceremony. The school’s dream to create a new building is on its way to completion. “It’s been a long time coming.”
He feels once the building is ready, the future of First Nations students will look brighter than ever. One of the elements of the new school will be a new industrial
learning centre. Working with the school on the plans is the Canadian Welding Association.
Andrew Bartlett, technical outreach of-fi cer with the association, suggests there is an untapped workforce in First Nations people and the program will not only increase safety awareness but grow the industrial arts program at MANS.
Lynn McDowell, MANS campaign man-ager, said the school expects continued growth in the next few years. With the installment of two portable classrooms at the school, there are 200 students this year.
Construction is expected to start this month with completion set for approxi-mately 18 months from now.
$4m construction expected to be completed in 18 months
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 21
TO VIEW A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR PROPERTIES AND VIRTUAL TOURS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.remax-ponoka.com
real estate central alberta
6000 - 48 Ave.(Beside The Old Iron Horse
Restaurant)
403-783-5007 TODD REEDAssoc. Broker
DEB STEVENSAssoc. Broker
LISA SMITHAssociate
JANE WIERZBAAssociate
BOB TILTGENAssociate
Proud sponsors ofRDC Arts Programs
EXECUTIVE BUNGALOW! - Gorgeous open floor plan- 4 bedrooms, 3 baths- Fully developed- Main floor laundry- Landscaped and fenced$414,900 Call Lisa
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HUGE LOT! - 1278 sq. ft., 3 bdrm bungalow- 6 appliances included- Bright open design on corner
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Fun fi nding - A large number of kids and parents engaged in some fun learning activities at the Bright Futures Play School information and registration day on Friday, May 27 hosted by Wolf Creek Public Schools at the Kinsmen Community Centre. The session included several booths with demonstrations and activities for the children while the parents were provided with some education on what the activities they would help develop.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
22 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
AAlberta Seniors Week 2016 ~ Celebrating 30 Years ~
Ponoka FCSS ~ Celebrating 50 Years Provincially! Ponoka Drop In Centre ~ Celebrating 30 Years!
PLEASE JOIN IN ON THE FUN TUESDAY, JUNE 7
9:45 am Gather at Drop In Centre 5015 46 Avenue, Ponoka
10:00-10:30 am Tai Chi Activities
10:45-11:00 am Dynamo’s Senior Gymnasts Performance
11:00-12 noon Drumming Circle Activity
The Drop In Centre will be open for Open House between 10 am and 3 pm for Ponoka
area residents to learn about activities offered. ~ Refreshments will be served ~
Morning events to take place between the Drop In Centre and the Kinsmen Community
Centre next door.
For more information call Ponoka FCSS 403.783.4462
Labrie receives sportsmanship coaching awardIt takes a special kind of coach who can not only
win games but create upstanding individuals in his or her players.
Volleyball coach Ron Labrie has been in the game long enough to know that it’s not just winning that matters, but also how players treat each other on and off the court. That hard work for Ponoka Secondary Campus athletes was recognized this year at the Alberta School’s Athletic Association’s AGM recently where Labrie was presented with the 2016 Most Sportsmanlike Coach Award.
This award comes not long after his Broncs senior girls volleyball team was awarded the most sports-manlike team at provincials.
For Labrie being nominated and winning the coach’s award was a surprise and honour. “Honestly I was very humbled by it and it’s really awesome to be recognized by the people in your school who are in charge of athletics.”
Labrie was nominated, something he was un-
aware of at the time, by athletic directors Cody Baird and Paula Chapman.
But what is it that makes a coach sportsmanlike? For Labrie, it’s a way of life, applying an ethical ap-proach to the game, something he feels all coaches should operate on. He credits some great mentors over the years who helped him see that being a leader of youths requires a certain personal code of conduct.
Over the years, Labrie has led his volleyball teams to several provincial competitions, earning the championship in 2003. During those provincials challenges, his teams have received several sports-manlike awards. Labrie was also recognized as being a sportsmanlike coach at the 2003 provincials.
The biggest lesson to his players? No team mem-ber is bigger than the game. That philosophy is modeled on and off the courts, in training and in players’ personal lives.
“There’s just certain things that none of us are above, and that’s the spirit of the game,” said Labrie.
“Integrity and ethics. I think that’s a big part of how I am built.”
Shawna Pearman poses with volleyball coach Ron Labrie recently after he was presented with the Alberta School’s Athletic Association 2016 Most Sportsmanlike Coach Award. Labrie was presented with the award during the association’s AGM.
Photo submitted
16055OS0
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
Seeing the results of these actions doesn’t hap-pen overnight and there needs to be a balance of sportsmanship and competitiveness. However, it is the kids being coached that need to be considered as they are half of the equation.
We have had questions from a num-ber of people in regards to our com-munity garden, mainly because it’s a frightful mess right now. We realize it doesn’t look very nice, but unfortu-nately it won’t be changing anytime soon, because the community garden will not be continuing. There are a couple of reasons for this, but by far the biggest is the fact that we will no longer have a water supply for the gar-den, as the adjacent house which we attached our hose to is being knocked down this summer. Without water, a garden simply can’t happen. The good thing is that when the house gets knocked down, the planters are supposed to go with, so the mess will disap-pear. We want to thank the Town of Ponoka for letting us use the land for our garden for the past two years, as well as supplying the manpower to build the planters and all of the water that has helped it grow so well. And thank you to all the businesses, communi-ty members and the Ponoka Youth Centre for their time and donations of supplies. There is still some rhubarb growing over there, so feel free to pick some for home use.
Speaking of things being knocked down, we’re sure by now that most people are aware that the old town hall, our neighbour to the east, is being torn down. This means that the park-ing spots that used to be used for the
town staff, and have been available for library patrons to use since late last year, will not be available during the destruction period. We know that we are very limited in available parking spaces, so it’s very tempting to park in a staff parking spot (any of the four spots to the north of our side door), but we do ask that you refrain from doing so. We’re hoping that after the old building is knocked down, the parking spots will once again be open for pa-trons to use. Thanks for your patience and cooperation with this.
We’re getting super excited about our upcoming TD Summer Reading Club, which runs in July and August. This program is to help keep school-aged chil-dren reading and learn-ing over the summer va-cation. The program is offered for children ages fi ve to 12, on Tuesdays
and Thursdays, and is being run by our returning summer programmer, Emma Neufeld. She will be leading the kids in activities and games, making crafts with them, all while encouraging them to read as much as they can in order to earn prizes. Registration runs from June 13 to June 30, so come on down to the library to fi ll out your forms, and pick up your goody bags.
Coming soon: When two roads di-verge…take the one that leads to the beach. Hannah McKinnon delivers a charming gem of a novel in ‘Mystic Summer’, a great summer read.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 23
YOU ARE INVITED TOFARMER’S DAY BBQ & FAMILY FUN!!!
Featured Groups: Battle River Rural Crime Watch Society, Bashaw RCMP &Victim Services, Ponoka and Lacombe County Peace
Offi cers, Farmer’s Advocate, AER, Synergy Alberta
Friday June 10th, 2016AT SCHULTZ HALL ON HIGHWAY 53(about 32 km east of Ponoka)
PLEASE JOIN US FOR SOME FARMER’S DAY FUN, GOOD FOOD,
FAMILY GAMES, AND A TREASURE HUNT!
HOSTED BY: Calumet Synergy Association & Schultz Hall Club
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP from: EMBER RESOURCES,QUICKSILVER RESOURCES, CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
MIKE RAINONEHAMMERTIME
BY JACLYN BERRY
Our school track meets were great fun
Community garden update from Ponoka
Jubilee Library
I guess it was a long time ago for some of us, but how sweet it is when we drive past our local school grounds and see
hundreds of kids rushing around in their shorts and T-shirts taking part in their annual summer track meets. Not only is it a super chance for all the guys and gals and their teachers to get out of class for a whole day and hang out together, it is also a neat way to show off your athlet-ic skills and strut your stuff in the sunshine.
These annual school track and fi eld meets have surely been around for countless decades, and it doesn’t really mat-ter if you are a partici-pant, a judge, a parent, a volunteer at the fi nish line or the treat shack, or just a real good fan….each and every student is a big part of ‘the fresh
air team.’ At noon, every-one sits around in a cir-cle for snacks, except for those who sold their bag lunches and snuck out to go to the local pool hall for a quick game. After the fi nals in the afternoon, the ribbons are handed out, then it’s time to head to your bus or bike after one of the best days of the year. Some of our track stars may even get a chance to compete the following week at the central zone meet or the provincials where they will proud-ly wear the traditional Broncs and Aces colors and letters.
About the only thing that little old me was good at in those clas-sic school track meets
was running, as fast as I could, because I was always somewhat of a ‘motor mouth’ and was usually being chased by the bigger boys or the tougher girls. As far as the other events the shot-put and the discus were way too heavy, I was so short that I could only run under the high jump bar, if I was al-lowed to throw the jave-lin everyone would need a shield, and my best effort at the long jump always had me landing hard on my butt way before getting to the soft sand. Whatever the case, we always tried to give it our very best effort, and win or lose, you cheered for every-one else, whether they were good buddies or not. I will never forget way back in the 1950s and beyond when tough farm boys like Howie Smith, Dick Osokin and Don Trenerry, as well tal-ented young lassies like Lynn Treleaven, Nadine McCoy, Cathy Galusha
and so many others were breaking Provincial High School Track and Field records while they were still competing in junior high. Both the Ponoka Junior High and Ponoka Composite High Schools have always en-joyed great success in track and fi eld and cross country competitions, a proud tradition that car-ries on to the present day.
What all of our gung-ho students have always looked forward to down through the ages is that once the invigorating track and fi eld season was over, it is back to the books for a month of heavy study before sur-viving fi nal exams, and then with great joy, they head out for two glori-ous months of summer holidays, sun and sand with family and buddies, and absolutely no home-work.
Have a great ball sea-son
We all watch a lot of baseball these days, and
as proud Canadians, most of us are likely pulling for the Blue Jays. The umpires, just like our hockey referees, are those brave souls who have to stay out there for the whole game, quite often getting yelled at or hit by a foul tip, but should be allowed to make a few errors just like the players do. After a wild baseball game with lots of ejections and questioned calls three umpires were asked by reporters how they dis-tinguished between balls and strikes. The fi rst umpire explained “Well, some pitches are balls and some are strikes and I call them as I see them.’ The second an-swered ‘Some are balls and some are strikes and I call them as they are”, and then the third ump replied, “Some are balls and some are strikes, but they ain’t nothin’ til I call em..’ Play hard, play fair, have fun, and al-ways make sure to have a great week, all of you.
ACROSS 1. Absorb again 4. Physical effort 6. Man on horseback
DOWN 1. Horse sport 2. Large animal 3. Half-tamed horses 5. Group of three
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 25
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12 chosen to perform at Stampede Talent ShowcaseSingers will have their chance in the spotlight after
showing they have the right stuff to perform in front of thousands.
A total of 13 performers (two sang as a duet) were cho-sen to show they have what it takes at this year’s Ponoka Stampede talent showcase Wednesday, June 29.
To get to this point, close to 50 aspiring professional singers strutted their stuff Tuesday, May 24 and 25 at the Stagecoach Saloon at the Ponoka Stampede talent show. The top singers were chosen from a panel of three judges.
The winner of that showcase will have the chance at a custom made guitar from Gilmore Guitars in Red Deer or a recording session with MCC Recording Studio in Calgary. Whatever the fi rst place singer decides on, the second place winner gets the other prize, explained Keith Kjenner of the Ponoka Stampede Association.
Started by Don and Althea Lewis 30 years ago, the tal-ent show gave performers a chance to shine. It has been a useful stepping stone for some memorable performers, explained Kjenner. Brett Kissel, Amy Metcalfe, Shane Yellowbird, Adam Gregory, Stacie Roper with Hey Romeo and Gord Bamford, to name a few.
Kjenner suggests this is an ideal showcase to hone one’s skills.
For judges David Gilmore of Gilmore Guitars, Jessica Hoy of CKGY radio and Glen Chidlow of Ponoka, picking the best ones to move forward is a tough challenge.
“The level of talent that comes out each year. It’s pretty consistently good,” said Gilmore. “When we end up with those fi nal 10 (12 this year) it’s really a diffi cult choice.”
Hoy is always impressed with the strength of per-formers and their confi dence. She noticed several young singers under 10 and said they were able to get on stage and do a strong performance.
Tips for aspiring artists: “Come back year after year,” says Hoy.
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
She feels the more experience the better for perform-ers who maybe didn’t quite make the cut this year. Gilmore added that there were several performers who are on the verge of breaking that barrier that takes them to the next level.
Chidlow suggests these talent showcases are a big change for someone used to performing in front of friends or in the shower, he joked. What makes or breaks a performance is song choice, voice tonal quality and pitch, all paramount to a strong performance.
“The overall package of the overall performance,” ex-plained Chidlow.
He suggests working with a band, something that happens at the showcase, creates another challenge and performers need to show they have what it takes.
“And the microphone is an instrument,” added Chidlow. “You have to play the microphone in accordance with your voice.”
One performance of the evening came from Qian Meng, who rather than singing a country song, chose to showcase her vocal abilities with an Italian opera aria. It took everyone, including the judges, by surprise.
“I don’t think we can ignore that performance,” stated Gilmore.
Michelle-Laine performs a rousing song for attendees of the Ponoka Stampede talent show Wednesday, May 25. A total of 12 performers were chosen to showcase their skills at the Ponoka Stampede talent showcase Wednesday, June 29 with the winner walking away with a handcrafted guitar or studio session. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Performers chosen for the showcase are as follows:* Falen Nelson* Gizelle de Guzman* Josie Bryant* Taylor Pilgrim* Taya and Nikale van der Vlis* Alex Dion* Qian Meng* Preston Cave* Jaret Matthews* Michelle-Laine* David Vold* Devin Cooper
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BRENNAN TURNER
FarmLead
Questioning satisfaction
Grains continue to sit around their highs as we get closer to the end of May and the Plant 2016 season. The ele-vated levels relative to a few months ago contin-
ues to be mostly based on managed money building up their long positions in the mar-ket and extending their bullish push as El Nino officially ended last week. With the very good spring weath-er and low amount of winter losses, crops in the Black Sea are look-ing pretty deluxe. As such, consensus seems to be that Russia will harvest another 100 million tonnes of grain, oilseeds, and pulses this year, including 62 – 64 million tonnes of wheat. At the global pulse crop convention in Turkey, the consen-sus seems to be that there will be a tighter pipeline situation for green lentils than for red, due to the large number of increase in acres of the latter. As such, the math suggests the green lentil market may have more upside throughout the 2016/17
marketing year. Finally, the driest of areas in Saskatchewan and Alberta fi nally got some rain – now it’s a ques-tion of how long will it satisfy fi elds until?
In any commodi-ty market downturn, you tend to see an in-creased level of merg-er and acquisition ac-tivity (M andA). This year is no different for the ag industry with Syngenta-ChemChina, Dow-DuPont, and now Bayer-Monsanto. The $62 Billion USD bid by Bayer for the St. Louis seed company was rejected initially but there’s likely more to that number (rule of thumb in negotiation: the fi rst offer is never the best). While B.A.S.F. could get in the mix (they have a bigger money chest to work with) and make things a bit more hostile, the fi nal number to close a deal will likely be a lot
of stacks (and I’m not just talking about the dollar bill kind….). The combining of 2 com-plimentary businesses – Bayer with its chemi-cal game and Monsanto with its seeds – has more than a few farm-ers worried about the resulting pricing of the new company’s prod-ucts.
The Western half of the Canadian Prairies got a good shot of mois-ture over the Canadian long weekend, but those in the northern Peace region got snow while the southern and central areas got “A Billion Dollar Rain”. The A.A.F.C. believes that canola acres have been maxed out due to dis-ease and insects build-ing up over the course of consecutive years of no rotation. That being said, the Canadian Ag
Ministry is channeling Statistics Canada by calling for 19.3 million acres this year, a sig-nifi cant drop from the A.A.F.C.’s previous esti-mate of 20.86 million acres of the oilseed. With production now pegged at 15.4 million tonnes, consistent de-mand both locally and internationally will push ending stocks fdown to 700,000 MT, a 48 per cent decline from this current mar-keting year’s expected carryout.
However, with the generally drier condi-tions contrasting a price rally, like soybeans, how many canola acres have been added thanks to the rally of the past few weeks? Again, contrast-ing weather against a higher number, the market is likely going to be satisfi ed at current
prices. To growth,
Brennan Turner President and CEO |
FarmLead.com
Brennan Turner is origi-nally from Foam Lake, SK, where his family started farming the land in the 1920s. After completing his degree in economics from Yale University and then playing some pro hockey, Mr. Turner spent some time working in fi -nance before starting FarmLead.com, a risk-free, transparent online and mobile grain mar-ketplace (app available) that has moved almost 250,000 MT in the last 2.5 years. His weekly col-umn is a summary of his free, daily market note, the FarmLead Breakfast Brief. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) or phone (1-855-332-7653)
With nearly a month gone in a somewhat ex-panded growing season this year, farmers have really gone to town in getting the crops in the ground.
According to the lat-est Alberta Agriculture and Forests department crop report issued last week, producers in cen-tral Alberta have nearly completed seeding of the crop varieties that domi-nate those grown in the region.
The report stated ap-proximately 95 per cent of the spring wheat crop is now in the ground, canola crops are sitting at 94 per cent, dry peas are at 98 per cent, barley is about 85 per cent com-plete and oats is lagging behind slightly at 74 per cent.
While the steady rain-fall that occurred over the May long weekend then carried on some-what through the week was a huge relief and a welcome sight for farm-ers, it also put a tem-porary halt to seeding activity. Several farmers across the region have also reported that some crops had to be reseeded due to some frost dam-age from two weeks ago.
That said, more than half of the crops that made it into the ground - 55 per cent - have emerged, an increase of 21 per cent from one week earlier.
Also as a result of the precipitation that fell recently, soil moisture levels have improved immensely and are now being rated as good to excellent in 89 per cent of the region as compared to just 23 per cent the previous week. That rain also helped push tame hay and pasture growth along with benefi ting
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
alfalfa in the area that has been suffering from damage due to frost.
Overall, Alberta farmers
have around 90 per cent of their crops seeded - just fi ve per cent behind what they were at this
time last year with soil moisture levels hovering at 72 per cent rated as good to excellent, three
per cent rated excessive and 25 per cent as fair to poor.
Pasture and hay condi-
tions remain poor, with both reported at being rated fair to poor at levels above 50 per cent.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 29
COUNTRYSIDE DENTURES
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U12 United boys have strong weekWhile rain affected many
of the soccer games last week, Ponoka Storm’s U12 United boys had a strong showing.
They played Ponoka ‘Y’ Tuesday, May 24 winning 10-2. Cameron Haagsma and Colin Sim scored the two goals for the ‘Y’ team.
Goal scorers for Ponoka United were Levin Spitzer (3), Luis Baitinger (3), Ben Hinton (3) and Brayden Lubach.
United played Rimbey on May 26 winning a strong 13-0 game. Goal Scorers were Levin Spitzer (5), Luis Baitinger (3), Brayden Lubach (3) and Ben Hinton (2). The match stopped at 42 minutes due to weath-er.
Under 12 girlsThe girls had a close 1-0
loss against Lacombe May 24 and a tougher loss of 3-0 against Stettler on May 26. The game was called at 42 minutes due to weather
Just like the rain, Ponoka U12 boys were relentless in their attacks on the Rimbey goal and their efforts were awarded with a 13-0 score while there was still playtime left in the game, which was stopped by the rain. Photo by Mustafa Eric
Inaugural soccer camp unqualifi ed
successThe fi rst of its kind soccer camp in Ponoka held over the
weekend has come off as a grand success.The Crazy 8 Sports college showcase soccer camp took
place at the Lucas Heights fi elds over the weekend and generated huge interest from both players and the coaches who attended the event in search of recruiting players.
Organizer Lonny Behm explained the concept for the showcase was a result of wanting to accomplish a couple of goals.
“It was an idea I’ve been working on for a while,” said Behm, who had coached tier I girls in Red Deer before taking on coaching in Ponoka a few years ago.
“I noticed that there were so many good players in Ponoka and other rural areas that weren’t getting the same opportunity, the same shot at being seen by colleges, universities and other elite programs. It’s also something that us in Ponoka can hang our hat on as bringing people here, showing what the community can offer and help continue to grow soccer here.”
The camp drew a lot of local male and female players, but also reached as far away as British Columbia and Saskatchewan in attracting nearly double the number of players Behm anticipated getting for the inaugural camp.
“It was fantastic see the players coming from all over western Canada,” he said.
“Originally, my vision was to have 44 players - 22 boys and 22 girls, but the idea for the camp simply exploded on social media.”
As the word showcase implies, the camp focused on having the players demonstrate their skills and talent through game action in a series of exhibition matches with players being separated into different teams for the weekend.
Behm added it was truly amazing how things came to-gether, having spent many hours on the phone reaching out to coaches and other soccer contacts he has made over the years to gauge the interest level for such a camp.
“Setting this up was tough, spending hours on the phone talking to schools and coaches all over asking them to give the camp a chance,” he explained.
“And they bought it, then told me they were so amazed at how the camp was put on, the support we had from a great group of sponsors and the calibre of players that were there. We have made some big inroads with many of the schools, developed some really good relationships and I hope we have put soccer in our area on the map.”
Behm has plans to bring the camp back again next year, hopefully much bigger and better. It might also include a couple of other initiatives that would further raise the profi le of soccer in the Ponoka, but he didn’t want to specify what that would all entail as the details have yet to be worked out with the parties involved.
The camp also handed out a pair of $250 awards with the female award going to a player from Swift Current, Saskatchewan and Ponoka’s Lewis McDowell receiving the male award.
Sports
PONOKA NEWS STAFF
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
Ponoka’s Leah Jensen (#71) thwarts an attack from the University of Alberta squad during the exhibition game played Sunday, May 29 between the Showcase black team and the visiting university girls. UoA girls played a shortened exhibition game with each of the three showcase teams assembled for the weekend event. Photo by Mustafa Eric
but is considered a com-plete match.
Under 14 boysFor the U14 boys their
May 25 game against Red Deer went well with a 5-2 win. Goal scorers were Niklas Schlak (3) and
JanHarm Bakker (2).
continued on page 32
30 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
DON’T MISS OUT!80th Annual
PONOKA STAMPEDEJune 27 - July 3, 2016OPENING NIGHT MONDAY, JUNE 27
Win a 2016 Dodge Ram Truck Crewcab 1500 Series 4X4
Truck sponsored by Ponoka Stampede and Alberta Dodge Dealers
Every adult ticket purchased for Monday’s performance has a chance to win.
Must be in attendance to win!
Weather holds for Ponoka softball tournament
A week fi lled with wet, gloomy weather had organizers trembling that they might not get to their fi rst pitch.
However, the temperatures improved and the sun came out for the Ponoka girls’ softball tournament over the week-end with all four local teams getting some work on the diamonds.
The Peewee (Under 14) squad played host to Lacombe and Camrose in a one-day round robin event on Saturday, May 28 with the girls making it all the way to the fi nal before coming up on the short end of a 2-1 score against Lacombe.
“We held them off until the bottom of the fi fth. Our defence was incredible and our pitching came up strong,” said head coach Lucas Willier.
“It was just one of those games. They got a pair of timely hits and we twice had the bases loaded, but couldn’t score.”
He added Lacombe’s catcher didn’t let anything get by her and his team couldn’t get the bat on the ball, as the majority of Ponoka’s runners reached base via walks.
Ponoka reached the fi nal by beating Camrose 9-8 in the semi-fi nal after win-ning big over them in the round robin to go with a large loss to Lacombe.
Meanwhile, Ponoka’s Squirt (Under 12) division team barely missed out on mak-ing the fi nal after posting a two win, two loss round robin record. The squad opened their tournament on Friday, May 27 with a 15-9 win over Camrose then fol-lowed up the next day with a pair of loss-es to South Edmonton and Wetaskiwin before defeating Sherwood Park 14-10 on Sunday.
Head coach Ben Quine was very pleased
with how the girls played the entire weekend, but really would have made the fi nal.
“The girls played really well in every game,” Quine said.
“The turning point was giving up an 8 run lead in the fi nal two innings against Wetaskiwin, which ended up knocking us out of contention for the fi nal. It really shouldn’t have had to come down to that, but the girls showed improvement each game out there and that was great to see.”
Two other local teams also hosted their tournament in the Mites (Under 10) di-vision on the weekend, which was more of a fun event as well as chance to get in some action for the girls that are basically just starting out in the game.
The Ponoka Mitey Mites 1 fi nished off the event with a record of three wins and a loss with the Ponoka Mitey Mites 2 club ending up with one win against three losses.
“The girls played very well and contin-ued to improve after every game. I am pleased that all the girls are willing to learn to play every position and work very hard learn that position,” stated Mitey Mites 1 coach Tina Nielsen, who is also the president of Ponoka Minor Ball.
“The girls were all swinging the bats with confi dence, even though they saw some faster pitching this weekend. Our focus is about having fun, improving our skills and working together as a team. In a tournament, we get to work on all three of those goals.”
In addition, in her role as president, Nielsen said the entire tournament was a success due to the work of all of the par-ents, coaches and volunteers combined with the number of very generous local sponsors.
BY JORDIE DWYERPONOKA NEWS
Ponoka’s Taylee Yellowbird fi res this pitch past the Lacombe batter and into the glove of catcher Torrence Clelland during Peewee division round robin action on Saturday, May 28. Ponoka would fall later that day in the fi nal to that same Lacombe club.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 31
DON’T MISS this year’s Ponoka Stampede Parade salutingDON’T MISS this year’s Ponoka Stampede Parade saluting
“80 Years of Stampede Legends”“80 Years of Stampede Legends”THURSDAY, JUNE 30THURSDAY, JUNE 30THTH STARTING AT 10 A.M. STARTING AT 10 A.M.
The Ponoka Stampede Association would like to welcomeThe Ponoka Stampede Association would like to welcome
“THE LEGENDARY IAN TYSON”“THE LEGENDARY IAN TYSON”as the 80as the 80thth Anniversary Parade Marshall Anniversary Parade Marshall
Now 82, Ian Tyson has followed dual careers as a singer/songwriter and rancher since moving to Alberta some 40 years ago.
Some of the songs establishing him as one of Canada’s best known artists are Four Strong Winds, Someday Soon, Summer Wages, Navajo Rug and so many more.
Ian will also be singing the National Anthem at the one o’clock performance June 30.
Track and fi eld action - Dylan Giles and Lochlan Bishop, of St. Augustine Catholic School, jump a hurdle Friday, May 27 at Ponoka Secondary Campus during the Wolf Creek North track and fi eld events. Track and fi eld action continues Thursday, June 2.
Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
32 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
TO BOOK YOUR SPACE CALL 403-783-3311 • FAX: 403-783-6300
80th Anniversary Ponoka
StampedeJune 27-July 3, 2016
Canada’s largest seven-day rodeo, the Ponoka Stampede, will take place from Monday, June 27 to Sunday, July 3. The Ponoka News will be publishing a special section on this prestigious event in the Wednesday, June 22 edition.
This popular and much-anticipated special section will highlight all the events and festivities surrounding the Stampede and contain feature stories of local cowboys and cowgirls competing. In addition to our distribution of 6000, we will provide an additional 2600 copies for distribution at the Stampede grounds.
Thousands of visitors will be coming to our town for the event and this section will give your business tremendous opportunity to promote your products and services.
Round-ing up some golf - Two groups at the annual Cattlemen’s golf tournament look to go to school on this player’s putt on the ninth hole on the Links course at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort on Saturday, May 28. The tournament was the fi rst one of what will be a season fi lled with events, including a prestigious national championship this August. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Under 14 girlsThe U14 girls tied up their rescheduled
game with Stettler 1-1 from May 23, which was played May 25. The goal was scored by Brooklyn Budd.
Under 16 girlsA close 1-0 score almost made a win for
the U16 girls but the game was cancelled at the 32 minute mark due to weather. Emma Bendera scored the goal and a re-schedule is being planned.
Men’s teamPonoka versus Manluk in Wetaskiwin
Sunday, May 29 was also called due to weather. Ponoka was down 2-0 at the time the game was cancelled.
continued from page 29
Boys have strong week
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 33
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Just between me and you - Competitors from around the prairies showed just what it takes for a working horse to separate cattle during the three-day Black Elk Cutting Horse Classic at the Calnash Ag Event Centre over the weekend. The competition featured several divisions from youth to open classes with nearly $20,000 in prizes up for grabs.
Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Vold wins $20,000 at Cloverdale Rodeo
It’s early days in the rodeo season but that didn’t stop bareback rider Jake Vold from earning $20,000 at the Cloverdale Rodeo in B.C.
He held on tight in the fi nal showdown Monday, May 23 earning the 92.5 points to secure the $20,000 cheque. Getting there was no easy task with 24 bareback riders competing for bragging rights. Through each ride, Vold knew getting to the showdown was the prior-ity. “That’s where all the money is,” he said.
With the strong win, Vold is excited about the season and while he has taken it slow to start, his performances are going well. Recently he’s had a knee disc fi xed up and is excited to make his way to the Ponoka Stampede.
What Vold enjoys about Ponoka is the top line stock and rodeo athletes. Not
BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS
Jake Vold (left) poses with organizers of the Cloverdale Rodeo Monday, May 23 after winning the $20,000 fi nals.
Photo submitted
that Cloverdale doesn’t have good stock. Vold said his last ride just went well for him.
Despite the knee fi x, Vold said he has kept himself ready for the season by staying fi t and keeping the muscle memory going for
this year. “You rodeo so much, I don’t practice as much anymore.”
The way he practices is to ensure reaction time is quick when riding bare-back.
Ponoka Stampede starts Monday, June 27.
OLSONVirginia Ruth
Dec 11, 1997 - Nov. 20, 2015
We could not bear to reduce our daughter’s life into words at the time of her funeral. We have had some time to refl ect and here it is now…. Virginia Ruth Olson was born in Red Deer AB. She was born fi ve weeks premature, with the umbilical cord around her neck. The umbilical cord restricted the blood fl ow to her brain during labour. So, as worried prayers were sent skyward, the doctors and nurses brought the birth along quickly and Virginia began her life on earth. Although, she was very mad at the doctor for pulling her out so fast. Virginia lived out her fi rst three years in the Crestomere area, West of Ponoka, AB on her parent’s feedlot/farm which was just down the road from her Riley grandparents. When Virginia was two, she received the best birthday present ever; her sister Celeste. Virginia and Celeste were constant playmates and partners in crime in their preschool years. Virginia then moved to the “Brager” place (east of Camrose, AB) when her parents moved their farm
operation. This farm is only a mile north of Parkland Church where Virginia is buried. At the farm East of Camrose, Virginia lived only a few short miles from her Olson grandparents. Virginia started going to school in Camrose at Sifton. Her brother, Brendan was born at this time in 2003 and she always felt very nurturing towards him. In fact, Virginia’s mom would have to remind Virginia that she wasn’t Brendan’s mother. Virginia really started to show her love of animals, cooking and gardening in Camrose, and she also started pursuing her passion for fi gure skating. In grade 5 Virginia moved with her family to Russell, MB where they had bought the Jack Cochrane farm. She started singing lessons with a neighbor for the local festival every year, continued fi gure skating and started 4-H. Virginia’s parents were able to purchase a pony at that time and she started riding regularly. She kept all these activities throughout her childhood. By grade 12 she went to Provincials with her singing, belonged to Provincial 4-H Council, won several 4-H trips, rode her horse regularly, started breaking her colt, had 4-H heifer and steer projects, and was keenly pursuing her instructor training for CanSkate. Virginia also enjoyed playing high school sports such as basketball, soccer, track and fi eld, and cross-country. She really enjoyed the people that were on her sports teams. Virginia was shy and moving to a new community was hard on her when she was in grade 5. It was a privilege to watch her determinedly work though her shyness and fi nd her place in the world. By the end of grade 12 she had really good friends to have fun with, confi de in, help each other out, and have her back. Virginia even got downright assertive and, in grade 12, when she noticed that her school wasn’t organizing track practises, she organized her school track and fi eld team. Virginia and a Japanese exchange student ended up competing at Regionals and qualifying for Provincials. Even though she was asthmatic, she won her heat at Provincials in Winnipeg and ended up placing 19th overall in the province in the 1600 m. Virginia’s confi dence carried with her to University of Saskatchewan where she was studying Agricultural Biology. She quickly amassed a group of friends - her “squad” and was actively involved in organizing intramural sports teams. Undoubtedly, some of these university friends and the special friends she made in the last few years of high school would have been her lifelong friends. We were honored to see so many of them make such a huge commitment, and travel so far to attend her memorial service. Virginia lived out her faith. She tried to bring love and positiveness to everything she did. Virginia always had time for people whether they were young or old. She belonged to a bible study group at university and was actively pursuing the word of God. It is comforting to know that Christ was her savior and she is safe in heaven. Virginia was not perfect; in fact, she was very human. Her family fondly remembers the time she realized her sister, Celeste was taller than her. Despite being 16 she kicked Celeste in the shins and laid down on the fl oor in a tantrum that ended with all of us laughing. One other time Virginia wanted to know if one of our cattle fence was “hot” so she got her three-year-old sister to be her guinea pig and got her to touch it. Unfortunately for Celeste the fence was “hot” and she got a nasty shock from the fence. Missing Virginia is so painful but we feel grateful to have had her in our lives for nearly 18 years. She taught us so much and we will never forget the life lessons that we learned with her. Virginia’s loss is mourned by her parents Brian and Ronda, sister Celeste, and brother Brendan; grandparents, Donald Olson of Camrose, Keith and Nettie Riley of Ponoka; aunts and uncles, Lana (Kevin) Knopp of Athabasca, Bev (Wayne) Meadahl of Camrose, Darrel (Tracy) Olson of Winnipeg, Robert (Clare) Riley of Ponoka, Cody (Melanie) Riley of St. Paul; and numerous cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her grandmother H. Dianne Olson.
BOUWMAN, Kornelis On Saturday morning, May 21st, 2016, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather Kornelis Pieter Bouwman went to be with his Lord and Saviour at the age of 72 years after a two year battle with cancer. He was born September 7, 1943 in Winsum, Groningen, the Netherlands to Klaas Bouwman and Grietje Mulder-Bouwman. He was the
second of four children. He was born on the Luchtenborg farm and was the ninth generation since the 1600’s on the same family farm. Kor was a big help to his father on the farm from an early age. On May 10th, 1974 he married the love of his life Julie, and they were blessed with four children. They remained on the Luchtenborg farm until June 1996, when the family immigrated to Canada and settled in Ponoka. He continued dairy farming until 2003 at which point he and Julie moved off the dairy farm and began crop farming, bee keeping and gardening while helping out on their daughter’s dairy farms. Kor had a great love for nature, wildlife and all of God’s creation. Kor was a loving, soft spoken and kind-hearted man. He always put others before himself and enjoyed the little things in life. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his thirteenth grandchild in June. Kor was predeceased by his older sister Martha, as well as his parents and a brother-in-law. Kor will be deeply missed by his loving wife of forty two years, Julie Bouwman (nee Kooistra) and his four children; Klarence Bouwman (Mychal) and their children Zakary and Anneka of Fort Vermillion; Cathy Haagsma (Cornelis) and their children Cayleigh, Cassidi, and Cameron of Ponoka; Margreet Dijkstra (Sipke) and their children Sharissa, Randall, and Amber of Ponoka; and Elizabeth Harkema (Ferdinand) and their children Hunter, Denver, Silver and Summer of Ponoka. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Jan Stol (Roelie) (Martha) of Stitswerd; Gre Grashuis (Roelf) of Aduard; and Ant Nienhuis (Daan) of Winsum, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by the Kooistra family and many friends. As expressions of sympathy, memorial tributes may be made to Christian for Israel. To express condolences to Kor’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.
On Thursday, May 19, 2016 Isabell Hughes of Ponoka passed away at the Northcott Care Centre at the age of 94 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Thomas (Diane) Hughes, Dennis (Paulette) Hughes, and Carol Potts (Al Schierman); grandchildren Terri (Bruce) Wilson, Joel (Helen) Hughes, Todd (Lorraine) Hughes,
Jocelyne (Jeremy) Ostrowski, and Carey (John) Mitchell; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brother Harvey (Geneva) Seagrave; brother-in-law Karl Johnson; sister-in-law Annabelle Hughes; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Tom; grandchild Ricci; and siblings Clarence (Anne), Irving (Betty), Frances, Janette, and Marjorie (Wally and Don). A Family Graveside Service was held at Zion Christian Fellowship Church Cemetery followed by a Service of Remembrance at Trinity Lutheran Church at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta. To express condolences to Isabell’s family, please visit
www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.Arrangements Entrusted To
PONOKA FUNERAL HOME~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~
LOURANCE, AlfredOn May 27, 2016 Mr. Alfred William Lourance passed away at the Rimbey Hospital & Care Centre at the age of 90 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Marjorie, Orville (Lynn), Patricia, Darrell (Joy), Sharon (Ken), Wade (Jackie), and Katherine; 21 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; his brother Dennis (Eileen); as well as
many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Marion; great-grandson Jake; his parents George and Teresa Lourance; sisters Noreen and Loreen; and an infant brother. A Funeral Service will be held at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre in Rimbey (5109-54 Street) at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2016 with the Interment Service following in the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta or the Stollery Children’s Hospital. To express condolences to Alfred’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~
SCHALIN, Gordon
On May 22, 2016 Mr. Gordon Schalin of Ponoka passed away at the age of 89 years. Gordon is survived by his wife of 61 years, Verna; son Douglas; daughter Heather; brother Harvey (Beatrice); sister Myrna (Bert) Harsch; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents
Fred & Molly Schalin; brothers Sidney and Erven; and sister Bernice Dietz. A private Family Graveside Service at Forest Home Cemetery was followed by a public Funeral Service at the Ponoka First Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2016. In lieu of fl owers or cards, memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Ponoka Wheelchair Van Society or any charity of your choice. To express condolences to Gordon’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~
I would like to thank everyone who sent flowers, cards, messages, and hugs
after Auntie Mary (Hickmore) passed away.All of your kindness means the world to me.
- ADVANCED EYE HEALTH & VISION EXAMS- CONSULTATION & REFERRAL SERVICES- DESIGNER EYE WEAR & CONTACT LENSES- INSURED MEDICAL EYECARE SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES
oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged
or offgrade grain. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan
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SeedGrain 2200SEED Barley & Seed Oats
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Larry Trautman, 403-783-1564 Mark Trautman 403-704-3157
For Rent#3000 - #3200
Acreages/Farms ..............3010Houses/Duplexes ............3020Condos/Townhouses........3030Manufactured Homes ......3040Four Plexes/Six Plexes ....3050Suites ..............................3060Cottages/Seasonal ..........3070Roommates Wanted ........3080Rooms for Rent................3090Motels/Hotels ..................3100Offices ..............................3110Stores/Commercial ..........3120Industrial ..........................3130Warehouse Space............3140Garage Space..................3150Storage Space ................3160Land ................................3170Pasture ............................3180Mobile Lot ........................3190Misc. for Rent ..................3200
Wanted to Rent#3250 - #3390
Acreages/Farms ..............3255Houses/Duplexes ............3260Suites ..............................3270Rooms..............................3280Manufactured Homes ......3290Housesitting Wanted ........3300Garage Space..................3310Storage Space ................3320Stores/Commercial ..........3330Office Space ....................3340Industrial ..........................3350Warehouse Space............3360Resorts & Cottages..........3370Pasture/Land....................3380Mobile Lot ........................3390
Houses/Duplexes 30202 bdrm walk out bsmt
suite in Ponoka- 4 appliances
- Power, heat & water incl$900/month plus D.D.
403-396-1977 or 403-318-1572
Houses/Duplexes 30202 BDRM DUPLEX
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plus $750 D.D.water/sewer/garbage incl
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Available ImmediatelyExecutive style 3 bedroom
upper suite in duplexSuitable for working
person or coupleOak kitchen5 appliances
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$1200 per month plus D.DN/P, N/S
Call 403 341-9660See Red Deer Kijiji for
photos and e-mail
Available June 15Spacious 3 bdrm duplex
with large front deck[ 4 appliances ]
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IN PONOKA, large kitchen, dining and living room,
4 appls., rent + utils. Avail. June 1. 403-783-3860
NEWER 3 bdrm. townhouse, 6 appl., 3 bath, walk-in
closets, deck, lrg. laundry storage room, $1195.
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Condos/Townhouses3030
3 bedroom town home with 5 appliances. Close to
schools/recreation/shopping. $1,100.00/month,
$1,100.00 DD. Smoking on deck only, no pets. Water, sewer, garbage included. Call Mary 403-783-6609
Hillbilly Tree Mulching Ltd.• FENCE LINES• FENCE LINES• CUT LINES• CUT LINES• POWER LINES• POWER LINES• PIPELINES• PIPELINES• BRUSH & BUSH• BRUSH & BUSH• STUMPS• STUMPSMULCHING TO SUIT ALL NEEDS Can do trees up to 15” wide
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• Murray Jacobson, DVM • Clayton West, DVM
• Nicole Macdonald, DVM • Katie Graves, DVM
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE
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38 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 PONOKA NEWS 39
Suites 3060ONE & TWO BDRM
APTS FOR RENTClose to schools
Includes heat & garbageRent $700 - $775/mnth
Call Irene at403-913-5550
FURNISHED BACHELOR SUITE FOR RENT
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PONOKA 1 bdrm. well maintained quiet adult
building, no pets, $735/mo. + power, heat/water incld.
avail. immed. Brian 403-348-6594
PONOKAlarge 2 bdrm. bsmt. suite $950 incld’s
util’s, 403-704-1645
* RIVERSIDE APTS. *Newly renovated
1 & 2 bedroom units in Ponoka: 3724-45 Street.
403-357-0287
Pasture 3180160 ACRES of bush
pasture at Win eld for rent. 1-403-286-1157
PublicNotices 6010
Real Estate#4000 - #4190
Realtors & Services..........4010Houses for Sale................4020Houses Wanted................4030Condos/Townhouses ........4040Acreages ..........................4050Acreages Wanted ............4060Farms/Land ......................4070Farms/Land Wanted ........4080Manufactured/Mobile Homes ..................4090Income Property ..............4100Commercial Property ......4110Industrial Property ............4120Cottages/Resort Property ..4130Businesses for Sale..........4140Buildings for Sale ............4150Lots for Sale ....................4160Out of Town Property ......4170Investment Opportunities ..4180Mortgages Bought/Sold....4190
Farms/Land 4070
5 PARCELS OF FARMLAND near Hondo,
Alberta. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved Auction on June 9. Over 475 acres of Farmland & Grazing Lease. Contact
Cody Rude: 780-722-9777;
rbauction.com/realestate.
PASTURE & hay land. 400 - 8000 acres year round
water. Management available. Central Sask. Natural springs excellent water. Grazing available. Other small & large grain & pasture quarters. $150k
assessed at $500,000. SE 32-4-22-32 assessed at $615,000 (some surface
revenue). Both parcels are 160 acres more or less and are rented for the
2016 season. The execu-tor can accept the rst
offer that is at assessed value. The property can be
sold together or separately. Forward offers or expressions of interest to: [email protected] with
subject “estate land”.
ManufacturedHomes 4090WE ARE “Your Total Rural Housing Solution” - Save
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BusinessesFor Sale 4140
HOTEL/APARTMENT/LIQuor Store/VLTs/
Restaurant and Lounge for sale in High Prairie,
Alberta. 780-507-7999.
BusinessesFor Sale 4140RESTAURANT FOR SALE by tender, closing on June 17, 2016. Highest or any tender not necessarily
accepted. Seating capacity for 100. Fully equipped with grill, deep fryer,
coolers, freezers, walk in cooler, chairs, tables, pots,
pans, dishes, glasses, atware, etc. Located on
three lots on the corner of Highway 3 and 24,
Saskatchewan. Contact Ron Radke at
306-883-4321, by email at ron.radke@spirit-
wood.cu.sk.ca or Lola Lapesky at 306-883-4322
or by email at lola.lapesky@
spiritwood.cu.sk.ca for further information.
Financial#4400 - #4430
Investments ......................4410Money Wanted ................4420Money to Loan ................4430
MoneyTo Loan 4430
NEED A LOAN? Own property? Have bad credit? We can help! Call toll free
1-866-405-1228; www. rstandsecond
mortgages.ca.
Trucks 50501974 250 Ford
Truck with 9 ½ ft camper for sale
No rust$5500
403-598-1170
Motorcycles 5080
2008 SUZUKI C109, 1800 CC
No shortage of powerALL the Bells & Whistles!!
44,600 kms. MINT CONDITION
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(403)318-4653 Red Deer
Public Notice#6000
Public Notices ..................6010Special Features ..............6050
Ponoka CountyROAD ALLOWANCE
LEASE NOTICENotice is hereby given of the intention of the Council of Ponoka County to consider the following road closure and lease by-law:
By-Law 14-16-RL closing all that portion of the statutory road allowances lying west of Section 22-44-27-W4.
The closed roads (1 mile total) will be jointly leased to Ryan Smith and Mackenzie Smith.
Before considering the by-law, Council will hold a Public Hearing at which any person claiming to be affected my ask questions or make comments. This hearing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 in the Council Chambers of the County Administration Building.
A copy of the proposed by-law may be inspected at the County Administration Building, Ponoka, Alberta during regular offi ce hours.
Dated at Ponoka, Alberta this 25 day of May, 2016.
Charlie B. CutforthChief Administrative Offi cerPonoka County4205 - Highway #2APONOKA, Alberta T4J 1V9Phone: 783-3333Fax: 783-6965e-mail: [email protected]
Transportation#5000-5300
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The road ahead for Alberta
conservativesAfter a year of NDP
government, huge num-bers of right-of-centre Albertans are clamoring for a united conserva-tive party to stand in the next election.
Despite overtures made by the Wildrose last autumn, leadership and delegates at the re-cent PC annual general meeting, emphatically voted to move ahead in isolation. For those who want to see conserva-tives united in the next election, this is unfortu-nate.
As desirable as uniting conservatives sounds to many, the obstacles are signifi cant and abundant.
The conservative movement needs to be broad enough to encompass a winning coalition, but not so broad as to abandon time-tested principles that have proven successful in growing the economy, helping Alberta prosper and taking care of our most vulnerable.
There needs to also be a recognition that PCs are heirs to a proud institution that served Alberta well for a time and was once a home to the vast majori-ty of Wildrose conservatives, but that time has passed. Unfortunately, this legacy carries burdens and baggage.
But if we are going to point fi ngers, Wildrose has an obligation to engage in serious introspection. For many of us, bruises and mistrust of the PCs have kept us from welcoming them as equals and acknowledging that they also only want what is best for Alberta.
A major obstacle that lingers is a suspicion that some elites in the PC establishment would just resume old habits built up in the post-Klein era that caused Albertans to turn against them. As has been demonstrated, merely changing who leads the PC party did not fi x this problem. A uni-fi ed conservative movement would need to embrace the best elements of the Lougheed and Klein legacy while rejecting the liberal drift and ques-tionable ethics that caused Wildrose members to leave the PC Party in the fi rst place.
Egos and factions will also be diffi -cult to overcome. A legitimate grass-roots split in the conservative move-ment began over a decade ago – with roots in a longer and equally bitter struggle at the federal level – and all sides have scars to show for it.
Wildrose conservatives had every reason to forge our own way a decade
ago, and while we made some early mistakes, we have been remarkably successful. More recent-ly, Wildrosers have over-come incredible odds to rebuild a shattered party after the betrayal of December 2014. There is a deep belief in our mis-sion that is equaled by a legitimate grassroots opposition to short-cuts to power.
But sitting across the aisle from an NDP gov-ernment that is bent upon reshaping Alberta in its government-fi rst image has made us re-assess our prejudices. It’s time for all conser-vatives to do likewise.
Since the PC establishment fi rmly shut the door to any form of merger of organizations at their convention, there is no point in pursuing that path.
Instead, the Wildrose will rise to the occasion and move to invite and unite conservatives with more than a greeting. The current incarnation of the Wildrose can and should become a bigger and broader coalition of con-servatives. We will begin a process whereby all conservatives can come together and be welcomed as equals, and not as winners or losers.
Let’s start with a shared vision: A conservative party dedicated to prin-ciples of individual freedom, fi scal responsibility, religious liberty, equal-ity of opportunity and the greatness of Alberta; welcoming to Albertans of all backgrounds; unafraid of taking principled stands, even when it may be unpopular; and uncompromising in its commitment to accountable and ethical government.
Achieving this will be more diffi cult than just writing out a vision. This summer our party will bring people together at meetings and townhalls right across Alberta to solicit support for changes to make our party a home for all Albertans that reject the over-spending, overtaxing, and economi-cally illiterate NDP.
Together, we will put our children’s Alberta above ourselves.
As MLA for the Lacombe-Ponoka Constituency my top priorities in-clude meeting with and listening to local constituents. Please feel free to contact my offi ce at 403-782-7725 or by e-mail [email protected] or drop in for a chat at 101, 4892 46 street, Lacombe, AB T4L 2B4.
RON ORR
MLA
40 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
OPENOPEN10 AM - 11 PM10 AM - 11 PM
77 Days Days A WeekA Week
Hammy’sHammy’s SPIRITS
Bay #5, 4502 - 50th St. • 403-783-2333Prices in effect Wednesday, June 1 to Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Prices do not include GST or deposit. We reserve the right to limit quantities
