Canada Day
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Vol. 20, No. 38, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 www.LamontLeader.com
Thieves target rural churches in Lamont County BY JOHN MATHER The Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church of Star at 19202 Township Road 564 was broken into last week and chairman of the board Jim Kuzyk is upset about it. “The thieves made off with everything they thought was gold,” said Kuzyk. He added there was actually nothing of gold but many very old items that were made from brass. “They took the candle holders, crosses, chalice, the spoon and things that go with the chalice, and the incense burner,” he said. They also stole the safe containing the old records of the church.” The church was built in 1913, but an original church had been built on the site in the late 1890s. The thieves also made off with two antique wedding crowns. He said many of the items taken were more than 75 years old. “It’s my understanding we’re the fifth church that has been broken into in the past couple of months, Kuzyk
The Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church of Star. added. He said two of the churches were in the Andrew area, while another was between Star and Andrew. He wasn’t sure where the fifth church was located. Kuzyk said the break-in was reported to police but they stated they didn’t
have the manpower to immediately attend to the scene. Kuzyk did plan to file an official report to the Fort Saskatchewan Detachment of the RCMP this week. He added they did have photos of items taken and would be sharing those with police when they filed a for-
mal report. The church has about 50 parishioners but not all regularly attend services. Kuzyk said the church wasn’t damaged during the break-in but an outside door was smashed by the thieves breaking in and Kuzyk said it would have to be replaced. The thieves came in looking for what they thought was valuable,” he said. “But the sad thing is I have no idea who they might sell any of the items too because they have very little value.” Kuzyk admits it’s hard for the police to watch the rural churches in the county because he just wants people in the county to be aware of the thefts. “The people in the county need to be aware of what’s going on,” he said. “But if we make people aware of it, maybe people will watch the churches more closely. “The thing is,” he states. “There’s really nothing in these churches of any value.”
Canada Day to be celebrated across Lamont County BY JOHN MATHER Several communities in Lamont County will have a full schedule of activities on Canada Day, July 1. In Andrew, from 12 Noon until 3 p.m. there will be live music, face painting, a photo booth, fire department activities, and complimentary hot dogs and cake. At 12:15 participants are encouraged to line up for the annual bike parade which will begin at 12:30 p.m. At the community centre there will be bouncy castles, family bingo and a spaghetti supper hosted at 5:30 p.m. Later following the dinner at 7:30 p.m. there will be a family movie night beginning at 7 p.m. at the community centre.
Bruderheim will host a large assortment of events to mark Canada’s birthday. From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Community Hall the fire department will host a pancake breakfast. Cost is $10 per. plate and $7 per plate for children. From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m at the town’s agricultural grounds there will be Touch a Truck, Bumper Balls, Cliff Jump, and Bouncy Castles. Other games
will include axe throwing, horse shoes, yard pong, shaka ball, yard snakes and ladders, and tic tac toe. There will also be a pie eating contest with pies donated by Ironwood Catering. During the afternoon, the Bruderheim Seniors’ Club will have strawberry shortcake to enjoy and there will also be popsicles for the kids. At 10 p.m. head over to the outdoor arena for the fireworks display
and from 9 p.m. enjoy the community bonfire and marshmallow roast at the town gazebo. In Chipman, there will be a parade through town beginning at 3 p.m. After the parade there will be games and activities for all ages. There will be bouncy castles and starting at 7 p.m. there will be hot dogs available. The parade starts at 3 p.m and then at the agricultural grounds there are all sorts of games to partake in. At dusk the village will host a fireworks display. According to spokesman Kieron Willis the parade starts later in the day so it can lead into all the other activities and then culminate in the firework display.