The Community
Press
0 202 TURE UL ION C I T R EC ! AG S E D 2N NSID I Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Volume 112, Issue 38
Telling your story
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BRSD votes to close Hardisty School Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Battle River School Division Board trustees voted on Thursday, March 19, on three motions for closure; affecting Round Hill School, Ryley and Holden Schools, and Allan Johnstone School. The final result of the vote was for Round Hill School to remain open; for Ryley and Holden to consolidate into one school with Grades K through 9, closing the High School, and moving everything into the Ryley site, closing Holden School; and for Allan Johnstone School in Hardisty to close, effective June 30. Since the division office was closed to the public due to the pandemic, the meeting was streamed live via YouTube. Trustees had an opportunity to speak briefly prior to each vote, some chose to address each decision separately, while others indicated a desire to speak once to all three votes. Laurie Skori from Flagstaff County East said, “This decision is that of the Board of Trustees and ours alone,” adding that it was administration’s job to provide the information necessary to make a decision, and that in her eyes, administration works tirelessly for students and staff in the division. She said she was bothered greatly by negative remarks against the division’s administrative staff. She also noted she had been one of those pushing for
using reserves to keep the budget balanced, and expressed her “deep disappointment” in the behaviour at some of the smaller schools, who she said were unappreciative of past efforts to keep them open. Beaver East trustee Zsuzsanna Hemperger spoke before the Round Hill vote. She thanked the public for all the presentations submitted to the board, and division staff for all their work, as well as her fellow trustees. “These are hard decisions; we all have lost sleep over them.” She implored parents, students, and communities to believe in the division, and to keep their children in BRSD schools. “I ask you to trust us; to have faith in local teachers and their abilities in being able to handle what comes next, and I’m asking you to do the same.” Kendall Severson, Trustee for Camrose County South said, “The decisions that we have to make today are huge and will impact many families. I myself have not been sleeping well as this weighs heavily on me. I would like to thank all the communities for their creative presentations and the time that has been invested into creative new ways to educate kids. “As the longest-serving member on this board, I have had to take part in several of these closure meetings over the years and none are ever easy. “Regardless of the way votes go today, our students are resilient, and will continue to have success in the years ahead.”
Jeff Kimball, from Flagstaff County West, said his thoughts echo those of his fellow trustees, thanking all communities for their presentations; in their uniting and bringing these communities to the forefront in showing their solidarity. “None of this is easy, by no means, whatever decision is made today, there will always be consequences to that. I look at our mission statement as a school board/division, we are supposed to work in cooperation with our communities to support students for long learning and contributing member of society.” Karen Belich, Camrose County North, said, “We are all aware of the declining number of students in communities all across Alberta and Canada.” She spoke about how she had reviewed all the information brought forward from both the division and the community presentations, as well as results of the Thought Exchange survey done by the division, and all other correspondence regarding the motions. “I reviewed all of it thoroughly and in doing so there have been many things to consider. These are extremely difficult decisions to make but I do believe that it is our responsibility to do so.” Board Chair Norm Erickson praised all the communities for their positive presentations. “Our mandate in the BRSD is to make sure all students are giving the opportunities to receive a complete See AJS P5
RCMP asking for help regarding Hardisty theft On Sunday, March 22, Hardisty A-1 Local Rentals business was a victim of property crime. Four or five suspects, one of which was a female, stole diesel and a Flagro trailer unit heater valued at $45,000. Three vehicles were involved in the events that took place between 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, and 5:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23. The first was a blue Dodge Ram, stolen from Edmonton and recovered behind the business. The second is an older grey minivan, possibly a Dodge, and the third vehicle is a white truck which was used to tow the trailer. Killam RCMP is requesting the help of the public in identifying the suspects, locating the suspect vehicles, stolen trailer, and providing any information that may help with the investigation. If you have any information about any criminal activity or any of the circumstances described here, please call the Killam RCMP at 780-385-3509. You may also choose to submit a tip with Crime stoppers at canadiancrimestoppers.org or by calling 1-800-2228477. Left: One of the vehicles involved is a grey or silver mini van. Above: The stolen truck hooking up to the trailer. Right: The individual who cut the lock on the hitch.
Page 2 - The Community Press, Wednesday, March 25, 2020
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Learn a new skill or hobby while you’re stuck at home Ally Anderson Killam News
Howdy my fellow Killamites! I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe. With the COVID-19 pandemic swirling around our nation, around the entire globe, it is hard to not get wrapped up in fear and anxiety as it is getting harder and harder to find positive news about the situation. If we all maintain some social distancing, limit gatherings, and quarantine when we are not feeling well, it will help this virus skedaddle much quicker and let us return to a little bit of normalcy sooner. Although probably not too soon. Are you picking up new skills or hobbies while you have some down time? My new hobby is to play a video game Eric bought me for my birthday on Friday, which I have been playing non-stop ever since. I admittedly have a list a mile long of things to do in the house, but I’d rather go fishing or bug collecting in Animal Crossing instead, at least until we finally get some warmer weather. There are so many things one can do to keep your mind and hands busy. Find a new podcast to listen to, grab a book you’ve been meaning to read, clear out some junk and make a guest room or office. Got a new TV show you want to start watching? Now is the time! There are puzzles,
Can you find the hidden Easter Bunny in this week’s edition?
games, drawing, sewing, knitting. The possibilities are endless. And if you want to learn a new skill, the internet is full of tutorials and classes, most of which are free, that will help teach you. In this week’s edition of The Community Press, you will notice a page that has a tear out to put in your window or door to signal to your neighbours if you are okay or in need of assistance while we are going through this pandemic. Please use these, especially if you are under a quarantine, are immunocompromised, are nervous to leave your home, disabled, without a car, or for any other myriad of reasons. No one will judge you.
Most neighbours are here to help and we encourage folks in the community to be on the lookout for these or other signs of distress. It is a time for everyone to come together to help one another. Now is a time to ask for help and our fantastic community will be there to assist. If you see any of these
lovely people this week, be sure to wish them a happy birthday: Morgan Paydli, March 25; Vanessa Borgel, March 29; David Borgel and Thomas Bruketa, March 30. Do you have some stories to share? Some tips for dealing with this pandemic? Even just a joke to send to help brighten every-
20034DG1
one’s day. Email me at nyboera@gmail.com since our office is closed
to the public. Have a good week and stay safe, my friends.
5005 - 50th (Main) Street, Killam 780-385-3712 www.fcal.net
Call 780-385-3712 or email director@fcal.net for an appointment if you need access to the internet, a printer, or a fax machine. Check our Facebook @FlagstaffLearning All in-person classes are cancelled and our office is closed except by appointment.
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Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, March 25, 2020
March 2020 Meetings
Council Highlights
Council Council M Meeting eeting Cancelled Meeting Cancelled
FFlagstaff lagstaff C ounty C ouncil M eetings County Council Meetings aare re cconducted onducted the 2nd and 4th W ednesday of each month Wednesday a.m.. unless ccommencing ommencing at 9 a.m otherwise planned.
Special Council Meeting of March 24, 2020
C ouncil and Committee Committee meeting Council agendas are are aavailable vailable at the County’s C ounty’s website website at: flflagstaff.ab.ca/council/meetings-andagstafff.a . b.ca/council/meeetings-andminutes minu tes
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email:
Council Highlights briefly identify decisions made by Council. Council encourages its residents, businesses and stakeholders to keep in touch with Council news. Cancel March 25th Regular and March 27th Special Council Meeting Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the office being closed to the public, the March 25th, 2020 Regular and the March 27th Special Council Meetings have been cancelled. Once approved, the full Council Meeting minutes can be found at www.flagstaff.ab.ca under the “Council” tab and in the “Meetings and Minutes” section.
St ay C onnected with Us: Us: Stay Connected
Public Works Updates Please refer to www.flagstaff.ab.ca for up-to-date road work happening throughout the County. Winter Road Maintenance:
A Address: ddress:
ownship 12435 TTownship Road 442 PP.O. ox 35 3588 .O. BBox SSedgewick, edgewick, AB T0B 4C0
Roadways are cleared of snow as necessary. During normal winter conditions, County gravel roads should be cleared of snow within four days, unless there is heavy snow and persistent winds. One plow truck is designated to remove snow and apply sand/salt to oil and paved surface roads. Two graders are allocated for snow and ice removal on MG30 roads. Back roads or blind roads will not be plowed unless deemed necessary by Public Works. Please keep in mind that our seasonal crews will be out working on our roadways and to use extreme caution while travelling on these roads while they are being maintained in any way. We thank you in advance for your cooperation during this season.
Support your local businesses during the COVID-19 shutdown: Buy a Gift Card from your favourite stores or restaurants. Support them now, save later!
The Community Press, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - Page 13
March Sedgewick Ladies Bonspiel winning rinks
The Sedgewick Ladies bonspiel was held Thursday, March 12, to Sunday, March 15. Above, from left: Winners of the first event were Tammy Maxwell, Marie Miller, Leslie-Ann Nelson, and Karen O'Connor. Second event winners were Callie Piller, Theresa Armstrong, Diana Hooper, and Kaitlyn Sieben. Third event winners were Theresa Sparrow, Marilyn Maertz, Yvonne Paterson, and Marilyn O'Brien.
Nominate a farm family from Flagstaff County The Farm Family Awards honour those who best exemplify the value of the family farm to rural communities and society by being leaders in the industry. For more information, visit: bit.ly/FlagstaffFarmFamily ily
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2nd Section
2020
Mercury LEADER The Tofield
THE LAMONT
From football to farming, Kevin Lefsrud’s newest venture has culinary enthusiasts sitting up to take notice Leslie Cholowsky Viking born and raised, Kevin Lefsrud grew up on the family’s centennial farm, where they’ve been for the past 117 years, going on to play football in the CFL for seven seasons, with the Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes, and winning three Grey Cups. When his football career ended with two concussions in a five-week period, Lefsrud, who had been farming in the football off season, returned to the farm full time. Lefsrud says, “I lost about a year and a half of memories from that period immediately afterwards,” and says he is losing more memories all the time. Kevin says his wife, Kyla, has helped him to regain his overall health, and helps him every day maintain his mental health today. “She points out what I need, she helps me out more than anything.”
He always enjoyed splitting his time between the farm and football for the challenges each brought. Now his focus between farming and a new family venture producing honey liquor products is helping him keep his brain occupied. Kevin, Kyla, and sister Lynette now operate Section 35 Farm Distillery, with Kevin taking the lead role in production and development. The name of the company is a throwback to their pioneering ancestors who settled in the Viking area in 1903, a tribute to the Lefsrud homestead on Section 35. Lynette says, “Section 35 is very special to me - it is a way for me to be in business with my family and to stay connected to our roots as fourthgeneration Albertans – farmers and business people. “I love that I get to work with my brother and promote Alberta-made products at the same time.” At present the company has two
very popular products: Wildflower is a vodka-like liquor, sitting at 36 per cent alcohol by volume, made only from honey distillate and water, and Bad Teacher, a blend of honey distillate, apple juice, vanilla, brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. About five or six years ago, neighbours Mike and Dustin Yaremcio approached him about putting some bee hives on some of his land. “Bees and canola go together, so I agreed immediately,” he says. Rent came in the form of honey, which soon started to pile up. “There’s only so much honey and toast you can eat.” He says it was around that point that he started fooling around with meads and honey wines with Mike and Dustin. “We weren’t very good at that,” he said. An unfortunate byproduct of these products was awful hangovers, too, taste testers reported. The trio started looking at other See LEFSRUD Page 9
Three-time Grey Cup winner and fourth generation farmer in the Viking area, Kevin Lefsrud, along with wife Kyla and sister Lynette, has started Section 35 Farm Distillery.
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