November 4, 2025 Country Booster

The aroma of freshly baked pies fills the Kingman Museum the first Wednesday of every month, when the Kingman Heritage Society hosts its beloved Pie Day. The monthly gathering has become a cherished tradition, offering the community a warm and welcoming place to connect over coffee, conversation and a slice of homemade goodness.

Each pie is baked with love by members of the Kingman Heritage Society, whose dedication extends beyond the kitchen. Proceeds from the event support the Society’s ongoing work in preserving and maintaining the Kingman Museum.

Visitors are invited to stop by, enjoy a piece of pie, and take a step back in time among the historical artifacts that tell the stories of the community.

by Adan Shaikh

Unreserved ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE AUCTION SALE

St ephanie Michelle of Tofield, AB

ALBERTA 55+ SUMMER GAMES

Congratulations

to our newly elected Councillors

Camrose Count y proudly congratulates the following Councillor s elected on Oc tober 20:

• Carl Bergstrom

• Cindy Trautman

• Grant Bailey

• Martin Max well

• Carlene Wetthuhn

• Jordon Banack

• Douglas Lyseng

We look for ward to your leadership and dedication in the years ahead!

A heart felt thank you to our outgoing Councillor s, Don Simpson and Tina Sroka, for your hard work and commitment over the past four years . Your service has made a lasting impact on our community

To everyone who put their name for ward and to all those who voted –thank you for being par t of the democratic proces s and helping shape the future of Camrose C ount y.

CHOOSE CAMROSE REGION campaign starts November 14!

Information on par ticipating businesses you can find here: www.tourismcamrose.com/christmas

Follow @tourismcamrose Facebook page to follow the campaign and find out the winners!

Water Manageme nt Planning Meetings

Celebrating

CAMROSE COUNTY BUSINE SSE S!

Camrose Count y proudly celebrated Small Business Week for the third consecutive year this October, highlighting and featuring incredible local businesses that make our region thrive.

Visit our Facebook page and YouTube channel to watch the featured business videos and discover mor e than 50 businesses showcased throughout these years.

Ferr y Point U-Pick Gardens and Events

Opened just last spring, Ferr y Point Springs o ers beautiful u-pick f lower gardens, scenic heritage -rich grounds, a coz y cabin, and an e vent space surrounded by prairie tranquility ferr ypointsprings.com

Highmark Machine Works

A precision-minded crew based in Camrose County, turning metal into craftsmanship for the oilfield, agricultural, automotive , and industrial sectors. highmarkmachine.com

Fisher Hill Tree Company

A local team helping acreages , lake lots, municipalities , and commercial proper ties stay safe , healthy, and beautiful. fisherhill.ca

Pond Pro Canada

Experts in pond and lake care – o ering aeration systems , f loating fountains, eco -friendly pond dyes , algaecides , and full maintenance supplies. pondpro.ca

or Campgrounds/Golf Courses R oundtable?  Contac t us: ecdev@county.camrose .ab.ca or 780 -678 -3070 (at tn: Lina)

ACSRC puts rural food sustainability and security on centre stage

By Adan Shaikh

On October 22, the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (ACSRC) hosted an informative evening focused on the industrialization of agriculture and the connection between communities and their land. The event was held at the Bailey Theatre.

The event encouraged attendees to take a closer look at the individuals who sustain the land, the people behind the food on the tables, and the effects of new technologies and mass production on rural life.

Guests were welcomed

with a spread of locally grown and prepared food, provided by the Food Artisans of Camrose County. The free event was made possible through a partnership with the Sustainable Food Endowment Fund and was part of the Food Sustainability Lecture and Film Series, which is an ongoing ACSRC initiative.

“Tonight, we will together watch the film Look and See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry–a cinematic exploration of the changing landscapes and shifting values of rural America in the era of industrial agriculture, as seen

First Canadian Army and Liberation of Netherlands

By Adan Shaikh

In the spring of 1945, Canadian soldiers played a central role in the liberation of the Netherlands after five years of German occupation. The men and women of the First Canadian Army had spent months moving through flooded fields, narrow canals, and towns under German control.

By early May, the final stages of the campaign saw Canadian troops entering villages where civilians had endured shortages and destroyed homes, and the harsh winter of 1944 to 1945, known as the “Hunger Winter,” when daily rations fell as low as 320 calories in some areas. Soldiers were responsible not only for securing these areas, but also for helping distribute food and supplies, coordinating relief efforts with local residents.

The operation came at a high cost. Over 7,600 Canadian service members lost

their lives during the fighting in the Netherlands, and thousands more were wounded. Their efforts contributed to the surrender of German forces on May 5, 1945, bringing freedom to the Netherlands.

According to veterans. gc.ca, as soldiers moved through towns such as Wageningen, Nijmegen and Arnhem, the scene was a mix of devastation and relief. Streets lined with brick houses carried the marks of occupation, windows were shuttered or broken, but Dutch citizens emerged to greet the Canadians, offering what little they had, pressing small bouquets or thank you notes into the soldiers’ hands. Sherman tanks rumbled down the streets, leaving their heavy tracks in the mud. Small children peeked from doorways, and farm animals wandered into open yards as life slowly returned to the country.

Earlier efforts to clear

Dr.

through the mind’s eye of writer, farmer and activist Wendell Berry,” said Dr. Clark Banack, director of ACSRC, as he welcomed attendees.

Banack shared a personal story of how he first encountered the film while living in Toronto. A longtime fan of Berry’s work, he decided to take his wife to see it. “At the end of the movie, my wife turned to me and said, ‘We have to move home,’ and six months later, we were back in rural Alberta,” he recalled.

Throughout his career, Berry has written numerous books, essays and col-

enced his own life. lections of poetry. One of his most influential works, The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture, examines how the industrialization of farming has disrupted rural communities, environmental stewardship and traditional values tied to the land.

The documentary followed Berry and his family’s relationship with their Kentucky farmland and of other farmers in the area, reflecting on how modern agriculture has transformed farming, and how many communities struggle to keep up with the challenges that come with that. The film highlighted the disconnection from land that occurs when industrialization becomes the focus of growing rather than sustainability and food security.

After the film, guest speaker Ben Aguilar, director of The Berry Center in Kentucky joined Dr. Joseph Wiebe, director of the University of Alberta Augustana Campus Chester Ronning Centre, to discuss the film and its significance. The Berry Center is a non-profit organization working to advocate for small farmers, land conservation, and healthy rural economies.

The next film will be the fourth installment of the series and takes place on February 9, and will showcase what makes the food systems.

To stay updated on projects and events by the ACSRC visit: www. ualberta.ca/en/albertacentre-sustainable-ruralcommunities/projects/current-projects.html

In Canada, Remembrance Day is observed each year on November 11. It was once known as Armistice Day to commemorate the moment World War I ended at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918. Today the day acknowledges the sacrifice of all soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect the freedom and lives of people all over the world.

the Scheldt estuary had opened the port of Antwerp, which allowed Allied forces to maintain supply lines into Germany. The liberation ensured civilians had the support they needed and remaining German forces stayed contained. Today, the work of Canadian troops is remembered through monuments, commemorations, and the continued friendship

between Canada and the Netherlands.

The Netherlands continues to honour Canadian forces for their role in the country’s liberation. Each year on May 4 and 5, Dutch citizens observe Remembrance Day and Liberation Day with ceremonies, wreath-laying, and visits to war cemeteries, including those dedicated to Canadian soldiers

in Groesbeek and Bergen - op -Zoom. Schools and communities participate in educational programs, to remember the sacrifices of Canadians and their contribution to freedom.

As Remembrance Day approaches, don’t forget to wear a poppy in honour of those who fought to protect not only Canadians, but lives worldwide.

Changes to Emergency Fire Dispatch

By Nadine Leming

Camrose County emergency fire dispatch is handled through the Protective Services department through a mutual aid and service agreement with the City of Camrose. That agreement hasn’t been updated since 2017.

With the recent upgrades to the City of Camrose Dispatch Center, there will be some changes. The City of Camrose has updated its equipment which is now online and operating “Next Generation 911 Service”, (NG911). This new service replaces older analog systems and allows for improved communication between first responders and the public. This new technology is digitally based using text, videos and photos and should be beneficial for better response times.

With these new updates, the City of Camrose has amended the annual service fee being charged to the County. In this agreement, the increase will go up from $3.50 to $4.50 per capita based on statistics provided by the Alberta Municipal Affairs department. Camrose County council has carried the motion to approve the change in rate and it will be effective January 1, 2026.

Camrose County Election 2025

By Nadine Leming

The official results have been confirmed in the 2025 Camrose County municipal election. Carl Bergstrom will remain the Division 1 councillor by acclamation. He is happy to continue serving the division and county for another term. Carlene Wetthuhn will also remain on council as Division 5 councillor by acclamation as is Doug Lyseng in Division 7. Division 2 will once again be represented by Cindy Trautman.

Cindy said, “I appreciate that voters came to the polls and cast their ballots. I am grateful for the support and will continue to listen and work for the residents of Division 2 and all residents of Camrose County. I would like to thank Don Simpson and Tina Sroka for their commitment as councillors over the last 4 years. We welcome Grant Bailey and Marty Maxwell as new councillors to the council team.”

Division 3 saw the largest slate of candidates

with Grant Bailey replacing Tina Sroka by a narrow margin.

In Division 4 Marty Maxwell replacing Don Simpson on council. After the election, Marty commented, “I would like to thank everyone for supporting me and voting for me.I Want to send out a great thank you to all the other councillors and all their hard work.” As part of the new council, he is ready to tackle the issues important to ratepayers as well as work closely with the City of Camrose.

Division 6 ratepayers decided to keep Jordon Banack as their representative. After the election, Jordan said he is grateful for the continued support and would like to thank everyone that came out to vote for him. He is looking forward to continuing working hard to keep the County moving forward.

At the Council Organizational Meeting on October 28, Division 2 councillor, Cindy Trautman

was acclaimed and sworn in as Reeve. Each of the remaining councillors will take eight month terms serving as Deputy Reeve, with Carlene Wetthuhn being sworn in first.

Carl Bergstrom was appointed to chair the Agricultural Service Board, while Jordan Banack was appointed to chair the Municipal Planning Commission. Council meetings will continue taking place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month with the exception of July, August and December which will continue to be just the second Tuesday of the month.

The new council completed three days of orientation as well as budget meetings on November 3 and 5. The next big event for the council will be the Rural Municipal of Alberta conference in Edmonton from November 17 to 20.

•

• We stock f lags of Canada and A lberta in a variety of sizes.

• We are a source for flags from around the globe.

• We custom produce flags for businesses and organizations.

• We sell f lag pole s of all sizes.

Advancing Camrose County together

By Nadine Leming

Camrose County Council gave third and final reading to bylaw 1574, the Advancing Camrose County Together Tax Incentive program (ACCT) at the regular council meeting on October 14 and it will take effect January 1, 2026. The intention of the new bylaw is to replace bylaw 1305, known as the Business Incentive Grant (BIG).

Under BIG, businesses were provided a cash based incentive for developments with a minimum of a $1 million investment and needed to be on rural commercial industrial land.

Stemming from changes made at the provincial level, municipalities can directly offer tax relief which now eliminates the need to collect and refund grant amounts.

The new ACCT bylaw is moving forward with the times and is allowing the county to provide business incentives that align with updated provincial legislation and fits well with the county’s long term economic development goals. The new lower minimum of $100,000 will help support smaller businesses that were previously overlooked under BIG and has streamlined the tax based incentive structure.

ACCT will be available to new and existing businesses looking to expand. For example, by adding a new building or remodeling an existing building and that cost comes in at that $100,000 threshold, you can apply for this tax incentive. “It’s a lot more equal in its distribution from small business to large businesses,” said Anjah Howard, manager of planning.

Anjah continued by saying, “We’ve also expanded it (the incentive) so that if you’re on farm land and your business is on your farm, you can apply for this tax incentive as well, so it expands who is eligible.”

The new ACCT incentive is set up over three years with a tax break of 100 per cent the first year, 75 per cent the second year and 50 per cent the third year. These tax breaks will be solely for new development. If a business develops a new building worth $1 million, the tax break applies to that new building only, regular taxation will still apply on pre-existing buildings. The new tax incentive is to help transition new or expand-

RED SEAL CARPENTER JOINS Hauser Home Hardware Team

For the past 17 years, T.J. Congdon has become well known in the construction sector particularly in and around Edberg, Ferintosh, Meeting Creek and Bashaw. T.J. was attracted to this line of work surrounded by a family active in the business of farming. Participation in 4-H was powerful for apprentice as a carpenter right through earning his Red Seal status in the part of a respected crew known to build quality homes and well-designed farm buildings. His career path also led him to a management role in the oilfield, when he took a several years break from construction.

Hauser Home Hardware Building Centre welcomed T.J. to the team in early fall. Since that time, he has been training on design programs, getting acquainted with vendors and alliances in the area building trade. T.J. has already made a favourable mark with staf and clients alike as he embarks on this welcomed bend in his accomplished career path. T.J. has joined our sales team and is ready to assist with any preliminary design or accurate pricing for home, agriculture building or commercial structure.

Away from the job, T.J. Congdon is an avid golfer and is well known in the sport of curling. He even serves as the ice-maker for the Bashaw Curling Complex. The love of his life is his seven-year-old daughter

all. Since that dors and with staff career ry or ort of curling of his life is his

Rob Hauser and the entire team at Hauser Home Hardware Building Centre hope you will stop by and officially welcome T.J. to his role.

ing business. In addition, it should reduce some of the red tape to the developer. Developers are encouraged to apply if they think their project is going to be $100,000 or more. The county is going to base the tax price on the actual assessment as determined by the County assessor.

The county feels this benefits businesses and is responding to ratepayers. They have worked to get this initiative so that it is accessible to more businesses. Anjah said, “This should be much more of an equal opportunity to any size of business.”

Anjah concluded, “We’ve been listening to

what people are saying and what we are hearing is that there are a number of things the county can be doing. In response, we have been doing more marketing of events and business videos, all tying into the larger economic development plan which is two fold. One is to focus more on existing businesses and help them to develop and grow, and secondly try to attract new business and this tax incentive touches on both of those.”

The goal of this initiative is that it will appeal to a broader range of development and includes provisions for machinery and equipment depreciation.

RURAL REGISTRY

Submitted

On October 23, Registry representatives visited the Alberta Legislature. From left, Bud James from James Insurance, and Karen Dammann from Camrose Registry, met with Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally and Camrose constituency MLA Jackie Lovely for advocacy for rural registries.

In the event of a future Canada Post labour disruption, here is where you will be able to pick up your print copy of The Camrose Booster

Round Hill

Vision Cre dit Union

Sedgewick Wild Rose C o- op

Tof ield/Beaver Count y

. Tof ield Packers

(See our Facebook page for updates to this list .)

If you are coming to Camrose, addi tional copies of the Home Team Paper and all flyers entrusted to us for deliver y can be found on racks and stands at stores, gas bars, restaurants and other high tra ic locations . Sincere thank s to all businesses, facilities and centres listed here for your immense coope ration in accommodating our rack s in a weatherproof prominent location. You are as special to us as you are to your respective communities. We value ever y reader. We believe that the ver y best way to deliver The Booster to our rural readers is through our par tnership with Canada Pos t, our deliver y me thod of choice since 1952 . We do not believe that rack deliver y provides our rural readers with the convenience and accuracy of deliver y that you deser ve. Unfortunately, if a labour disruption occurs, this deliver y alternative is our only option for our rural readers.

REMEMBER

Friday, November 7, at the Bailey Theatre

DOORS OPEN: 4:00 p.m.

Your opportunity to meet and greet other people who appreciate the exceptional talent of the makers of black and white pictures of the 1940s. Enjoy background music of the era. The stage is set and the bar is open. Relax and get in the mood for a memorable evening!

DOCUMENTARY:

FIRST FEATURE: 5:00 p.m.

Few movies have a lasting presence in their own decade, let alone 80 years later Casablanca, however, is the quintessential American lm: an unforgettable love story full of vulnerabilities, romance and one-liners. What a tremendous hole would lie in the world of cinema if this lm hadn’t been made. But truth be known, it almost wasn’t.

Our rst feature is a terri c documentary exploring the trials and tribulations of the Casablanca shoot.

Featuring commentary from directors Steven Spielberg, William Friedkin and others, industry greats con rm how in uential the lm has become in terms of editing, dialog, lighting and costume design. Seeing this segment will be of immense value to increase your understanding and appreciation of the picture.

INTERMISSION: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Break during which pre-ordered lunches will be served. Bar service, refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase. Background period music. T ime to mingle!

For your convenience, the Spotlight Bistro is offering lunchboxes by pre-purchase for $17. Choose from a chicken salad or egg salad croissant, meat and cheese or veggie wrap plus a salad, cookie and a bottle of water Pre-purchase your lunchbox by November 5 at the Bailey Box Of ce or online to be sure that you have one waiting for you! Some dietary restrictions (gluten or dairy free, etc.) can be accommodated – please call the Box Of ce.

SECOND FEATURE: 7:00 p.m.

Welcome remarks from your hosts Barb Stroh and Blain Fowler

7:15 P.M. ROLL:

Running T ime: 102 minutes

Casablanca is a 1942 American dramatic lm starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid in one of the most enduring romances in movie history. Filmed and set during World War II, it focuses on American expatriate Rick Blaine (Bogart) who owns a nightclub in Casablanca, frequented by refugees desperate to escape German domination. Despite the ever-present human misery, Rick manages to remain uninvolved in World War II, which was raging across Europe and North Africa. All that changes when Ilsa Lund (Bergman) walks through the front door of Rick’s club. Rick must choose between his love for Ilsa and helping her husband Victor Laslo (Henreid), a Czechoslovak resistance leader, escape from the Vichy-controlled city of Casablanca to continue his ght against the Nazis.

Guests are welcome to come and stay for the entire evening or just attend the documentary or the movie. Either way, Free Admission has been made possible by Camrose Booster Ltd. However, for planning purposes, you must book your free tickets in advance at www.baileytheatre.com or pick them up at the Box Of ce until the day of the event, as long as tickets last.

Mike & Janet see a machine shed with game.

This is Mike and Janet who got $1076 in profit shares in 2024. They usually invest their share in their family farm. Recently, that meant a new shed big enough for their equipment and two pickleball courts. Now they host games for friends and family twice a week. It gets pretty competitive, admits Mike. Turns out profit shares make for some serious rallies.

Sleep and academic performance go hand in hand

Metro News

Students and sleep are not always compatible. College students have long expressed a tendency to be night owls, but even schoolaged youngsters may be reluctant to go to bed on time during the school year.

Parents of school-aged children know that bedtime can be challenging, particularly when moms and dads want to ensure their youngsters get the recommended number of hours of sleep each night. Studies have found that when students don’t get enough sleep on school nights, their academic performance is likely to suffer. A 2023 study of first-year college students led by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that negative outcomes began to accumulate when students received less than six hours of sleep per night. The researchers behind the study identified a notable decline in students’ grade point averages when they received less than six hours of sleep, suggesting humans’ ability to learn and remember what they’ve learned in a given day is compromised if they don’t get enough sleep that night.

With that in mind, parents can try various strategies to get children to bed on time.

· Stay consistent with bedtime. A firm bedtime can reduce the likelihood

that sleep disruptions will affect how children perform in the classroom. If children are staying up three hours past their weeknight bedtime on Friday and Saturday, then they’re less likely to want to go to bed on time on school nights.

· Help kids calm down before bed. A winding down period leading up to bedtime can help kids fall asleep more quickly and might even make them less resistant to bedtime. Avoid particularly energetic activities directly before bedtime.

· Avoid confrontation. Parents are urged to let it go if kids aren’t falling right asleep but are still being cooperative at bedtime. Kids might want to keep reading to themselves after Mom and Dad say goodnight, and that’s alright so long as children aren’t continually getting out of bed or getting riled up.

· Create a positive sleep environment. Young children will resist sleep if it sounds like their parents and siblings are having a grand old time without them. Parents typically go to great lengths to ensure kids’ bedrooms are conducive to sleep, but it’s also important to maintain a peaceful setting throughout the rest of the house once children go to bed.

Sleep and school are inextricably linked, and parents can do much to ensure kids get the rest they need to do their best in the classroom.

Alberta Retinal Treatment Program

By Jackie Lovely, MLA Camrose Constituency

Every year, thousands of Albertans lose their eyesight because of problems with their retinas. If these problems aren’t treated, they can lead to permanent blindness. Historically, retina treatments were hard to get and expensive. Over the years I have met a number of Camrose Constituency residents who have had to seek this type of treatment. Starting October 1, it’s even easier for Albertans to get fast, high-quality eye care. That’s because United Conservatives have made the Alberta Retinal Treatment Program permanent – and it’s now completely free.

The program started as the RAPID pilot program in 2015, offering advanced eye injections to Albertans to protect their eyesight. Because the pilot program was so successful, United Conservatives transitioned it to a permanent program and is opening it up to 2,000 more Albertans. We’re also doubling the treatment options available by adding Vabysmo, Eylea HD, and Triesence to the original list, which included Eylea, Lucentis, and Avastin. Additionally, all ophthalmologists in Alberta can take part in the program.

The new permanent program offers patients more choice and makes it easier to get treatment close to home. These eye injections help protect vision, stop more sight loss, and let people stay independent and enjoy a better quality of life. Before, many Albertans had to pay out of pocket, but now all the treatment options are fully covered – with no hidden costs.

Between 2024 and 2025, nearly 23,000 Albertans received care through the pilot program – most of them seniors. With this new program, everyone in Alberta can get the same high-quality treatment, no matter their age, income, or insurance.

By building on the pilot program’s success, the Alberta Retinal Treatment Program will help thousands more Albertans protect their vision and get care when and where they need it.

Contact my office if you require my assistance. A reminder that I am a commissioner of oaths and a notary public and provide the service free for constituents.

You can contact Jackie Lovely, Camrose MLA, at Constituency Office, 104, 4870-51 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1S1. Tel: 780-672-0000, camrose@assembly.ab.ca or at Legislature Office, 6th Floor, 9820-107 Street, Edmonton, AB T5K 1E7.

deep respect and great gratitude,

The farm appearing in this photograph is located in the Camrose trading area. If you recognize it as yours, come to the Camrose Booster, 4925-48 Street, Camrose. You will be presented with a free 8” x 10” colour enlargement of the photo.

Alberta RCMP provides tips to prevent seasonal property crime

Submitted

With colder days approaching, the Alberta RCMP is providing tips to avoid seasonal property crime.

Property crime is often a crime of opportunity. The off-season tends to be when these incidents occur the most as there are less people around. Follow the below tips to help avoid becoming a victim.

Store your off-road vehicles out of sight, ideally in a locked garage, shed, or storage unit. Empty all gas and block each vehicle with physical barriers such as fencing or wheel clamps to make them difficult to remove.

Secure farm equipment in locked buildings, use wheel clamps or remove batteries. Keep keys in a separate, secure location. Maintain a log of serial numbers and equipment descriptions. Mark equipment with security markings, such as your postal code on the top of trailers.

Take home all valuables from your seasonal property, including expensive tools and electronics, and properly lock up anything left behind. Consider posting signage that states all valuables have been removed.

• Put away any outdoor furniture.

• Ensure all doors, windows, gates, and outbuildings are secured.

• If storing firearms or other hunting equipment, ensure they are properly secured.

• Consider security cameras, motion-activated lights, and GPS trackers for high-value equipment.

Alberta RCMP encourages the public to report any suspicious activity to police. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through app stores.