Your news this week: Community helps young girl - 8 Canada Day celebrations - 10/11 Huge project for Industrial Heartland - 13 OPINION: Hit the road coalition - 4
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Vol. 19, No. 32, Wednesday, July 3, 2024 www.LamontLeader.com
Canada Day celebrations at Bruderheim, Andrew, Chipman BY LANDON ZABEL The village of Chipman celebrated the 157th Canada Day on June 30th. The festivities were held a day early; and volunteer organizer Cindy Lindemann informed the Lamont Leader that this was done to provide parents a day of rest on the following statutory holiday, while also not impeding any prior commitments people may have made for Canada Day. The day began at 3:00 p.m. with the village’s parade which did two loops through town. Children's hands hurriedly hunted the candy that momentarily littered the streets, and there was plenty to go around as the parade entrants ensured the treats rained from the sky for both laps. The baseball diamond off of 51 St and 48 Ave was the grounds that held the community's ‘family events’ – which were enabled through the wonderful cast of volunteering locals. Cindy Lindemann was pleased with the turnout, “it is bigger than past years,” a sign that the community is returning to normalcy as the isolation of the COVID years slips into the past. Cindy, who carried behind her a wagon filled with free cookies and peanut butter and jam sandwiches said, “It’s all about the children.” Her statement transformed into fact when one took in all that was happening on the grounds. There was not one, but two bouncy castles – one decorated in Disney’s Frozen characters and the other a tropical island scene, ensuring all parties who attended were satisfied. In addition to these castles were ‘Zorbs,’ which are ginormous inflatable hamster orbs – large enough for both children and adults to enter and run around carefree. The slip-and-slide featured a bubble machine – which enveloped all those brave enough within a snowstorm of bubbles. It was a popular feature
Chipman residents capture memories of Canada Day 2024. Jana Semeniuk photo. despite the overcast as the village, much like the rest of the county, is filled with hearty characters. A facepaint stand slowly but surely decorated all the cheery faces present; as well as a glitter tattoo artist who adorned those willing with sparkling images, which they gleefully compared to the real ink of the adults. An archery booth where participants shot foam-tipped arrows at targets and the abundance of balloon animals, swords, and hats added to the event's carnival aura. Even a sandpile was present which found the youngest children constructing sandcastles with great pride, and for those who had outgrown sandcas-
Rain puts a damper on Bruderheim’s Canada Day activities BY JOHN MATHER For the third year in a row, rain put a damper on Bruderheim’s Canada Day festivities. The day started fine with a well attended pancake breakfast, where
tles a karaoke system invited them to be heard. All of this was free to those who attended the event. Even the sugared donuts would not cost patrons a cent. The never-ending lineup for the treats was a gesture of gratitude from the community to the organizers and volunteers– thanking them for providing their children with a day of carnival everyone could appreciate regardless of financial standing. At approximately 6:30 p.m. a daytime firework was set off signaling to the crowd that it was time to gorge painted faces with as many free hotdogs that one could manage. This firework, different from your typical,
rained parachutes of the Canadian flag onto the crowd which children swarmed with the enthusiasm of a pinata. As the sun set, Cindy’s husband Rob Lindemann took centre stage – as the maestro of the fireworks display which began at dusk and neared an astonishing 30 minutes; and was met with applause from the crowd gathered amongst the bleachers. Mayor Morris Langevin was impressed with the event stating, “It just keeps getting bigger,” and that he wished to express a “Big thank you to Cindy and Rob for making it happen.” Canada Day pictures Pages 10-11
breakfasts were sold in two sizes, three pancakes and three sausages or two sausages and two pancakes. The Golden Seniors also offered up German Strawberry Shortcake which was cut up by Mayor Karl Hauch. One of the highlights was a performance by the Edmonton RCMP Pipe and Drum Band. Bruderheim’s Sherry Cote, one of the Canada Day organizers, said the band was a last minute addition. “I had asked them some time ago,”
she said. “But they were unavailable. Then on Friday they called and said they could make it and we were glad to have them.” But as breakfast progressed, rain came down outside forcing cancellation of the mini golf at the outdoor arena and the dunk tank. Other outdoor kids events were moved indoors to prevent injuries to the youngsters, said Cote. Canada Day pictures Pages 10-11