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Vol. 18, No. 21, Wednesday, April 19, 2023 www.LamontLeader.com
Boiler issue fixed, Chipman Hotel re-opens Forced to close for months, hotel celebrates re-opening with patron’s 90th birthday BY JANA SEMENIUK Dave Magee, owner of the Chipman Hotel, had plenty to celebrate last week as not only did the hotel finally reopen on Apr. 11 after a four-month hiatus, but one of his regular customers, Fred Chernenkoff, was surprised by his friends with a party at the hotel celebrating his 90th birthday. The hotel first ran into trouble Dec. 6 when its 85-year-old boiler stopped working. Magee, who lives at the hotel, had trouble keeping warm, as temperatures dipped below -30 C, while waiting for his insurance company to assess the situation. Friends began a gofundme page to help support Magee and get his boiler repaired, but once he realized the boiler was fully insured, he declined the offer. Magee said that although he is currently working on a different heating system altogether, the weather has warmed up enough that he can safely open the doors. He was relieved to discover the boiler was fully insured, and grateful for
Fred Chernenkoff was surprised with a party for his 90th birthday at the Chipman Hotel Apr. 13. The hotel finally reopened Apr. 11 after being shut down for four months after the hotel's boiler stopped working in Dec. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
School closure, municipal inspection, main reason CBC Radio focuses on Andrew CBC Radio journalist Liam Harrap interviews Andrew grandparents Adlor and Charmaine Howell on Apr. 13, asking about their feelings around the possible closure of Andrew School. Residents sending Lamont Leader newspaper clippings to CBC attracted the attention of the Government-owned media. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
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the help of friends while waiting for repairs to take place. “It’s a little overwhelming,” he said once the hotel re-opened. “I’m a little out of practice, but it will come back.” Meanwhile, Chernenkoff smiled and waved as at least 20 people sang happy birthday to him as he walked through the door of the Chipman Hotel Apr. 13, and presented him with a bouquet of balloons and a homemade birthday hat to wear. Cherenenkoff said he grew up in Southern Alberta and has spent the last 23 years in Chipman, and 20 years in Two Hills. “I was born in Carmangay, but I grew up in Southern Alberta in the mountains,” he said, adding he spent time as a pipeliner in his younger days and also lived in Calgary for 18 years. “I sure miss the mountains.” Cherenenkoff said he had one piece of advice for young people on maintaining their health into old age. “Keep active,” he said. “Keep in shape and don’t slow down.”