2011, a Year in Review Part one

January 2011

2011 started with a day of sledding for many families, at the home of Dennis and Sherrie Busse, near Killam. The weather warmed from -26˚C on Dec. 31 to a balmy -6˚C on Jan. 1.

2011’s New Years Baby from Daysland was Ethan Weber, born to Chad and Jolene Weber from Castor.

The BRHL started 2011 with Daysland and Sedgewick in first and second places respectively.
Jan. 7 and 8 brought heavy snowfall to the province, closing major highways and stranding motorists. Locally between 10-13 cm of snow fell, making road conditions on local highways hazardous. The storm put a damper on Sedgewick’s Hockey Day, but the teams made the best of it.
Daysland hosted a Stakeholder meeting for the members of the Association for Lifewide Living (ALL) to discuss the possibility of bringing cataract surgeries to the area.

Jacqueline Chevraux, a Central High Grade 11 student, brought the national campaign ‘Because I am a Girl’ closer to home when she and friend Harley Burland held a number of fundraisers at the school.

Alliance’s landmark arena was destroyed Jan. 18 when the roof collapsed from the weight of ice and snow.
Vegreville-Wainwright MP Leon Benoit held a series of Town Hall meetings on Jan. 24, in Sedgewick, Killam and Forestburg. The gatherings served the purpose of ‘pre-budget’ consultation and feedback.

The Daysland Medical Clinic held its official Grand Opening on Jan. 31, celebrating the completion of the building.

The Battle River School Division voted to consider closure of four schools on Jan. 28. The vote put Lougheed School, Strome School, Rosalind School and the Phoenix Outreach School at risk of closure.
Premier Ed Stelmach announced his intention to retire from public service on Jan. 24. Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths said the announcement caught him completely by surprise. Griffiths added, “This is a watershed moment for the party.”

February 2011

Despite snow and gusting winds the annual F.I.R.S.T. supper, held in Forestburg, was a success, according to FFCS Director Gail Watt. The sum of $21,230 was raised during the live and silent auctions.

School councils and parents of students of three of the schools being considered for closure galvanized into action, holding meetings in their communities to develop their plans of action in their fight to keep their schools open.

BRHL’s Daysland Northstars finished the regular season in first place, with the Sedgewick Sabres taking second and the Hardisty Stampeders finishing in fifth overall; with all three teams advancing through to the second round of the playoffs.

The Killam Junior B Wheat Kings ended their NEAJBHL season in fifth place overall, facing the Wainwright Bisons in the first round of the playoffs, who eliminated them in game four, ending their season.
In early Feb. Killam council announced their Main Street makeover project would take place in 2011, including sewer and roadway upgrades, as well as a general aesthetic beautification plan.
During their Feb. 9 council meeting Hardisty Town Council responded to a request from the Village of Lougheed, agreeing to provide administrative support to Lougheed’s acting CAO. “It’s all about cooperation,” said Hardisty CAO Alan Parkin.

Lougheed School Recycling club led the province once again in their recycling efforts, receiving awards for the students and school.

Forestburg Fire Department took delivery of a new pumper truck, replacing their 1968 model with a state-of-the-art unit, funded jointly by the village and Flagstaff County.
Doug Griffiths, MLA for Battle River-Wainwright, announced his intention to seek the Alberta PC leadership. “Alberta needs charismatic, dynamic leadership,” Griffiths said, adding that a strong leader needs a vision and a plan, and he has both.

Hardisty held an organizational meeting to form the Hardisty and District Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 17.

Bitter cold temperatures in the minus 20s affected attendance for Sedgewick’s fourth annual cutter rally, while their Family Day Snowmobile Rally caught a break in the frigid temperatures and had over 200 riders take part.
Fish Lake’s Family Day Fishing Derby participants enjoyed mild temperatures and many activities, thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and local businesses.

Family Day marked the official Grand Opening of the Flagstaff Regional Aquatic Centre, with remarks from Killam Mayor Bud James, Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson, and Flagstaff County Councillor Mike Kueber.

The lucky 2010 Baby of the Year was Marcus Robert Hilbert, born to Kelly and Sabrina Hilbert. Marcus was nominated by Grandma Lois Ponto.

Karen and John Stenson of Forestburg won the 26th annual Sweetheart’s Draw, sponsored by businesses county-wide, winning prizes and gift certificates totalling over $1,000.

March 2011

Ugandan Children’s Choir Watoto wowed students in Killam and Hardisty when their choir stopped in to perform.

Battle River-Wainwright MLA and PC Party leadership candidate Doug Griffiths met with concerned parents in three communities regarding possible school closures.

The Flagstaff Players racked up another successful set of performances in Sedgewick with their presentation of the comedy ‘Everybody Loves Opal.’

Hardisty took delivery of a 2011 Handivan, after 10 years of planning and fund-raising efforts.
Hardisty’s Stampeders wrapped up their BRHL season, their first on their own; happy with their overall results, grateful to their fans, and optimistic about next season.

Daysland’s Northstars swept the semi-finals against the Sedgewick Sabres to advance to the BRHL finals, defeating the Provost Blades in game four of the final series to win the league championship.

The Galahad Lions snowmobile rally organizers were very happy with lots of snow for once, and over 100 participants.

Three local girls were invited by an Edmonton Team to play in an “A” Travelball 16U tournament. Adelle Almberg of Hardisty, Chanaya Snethun of Lougheed, and Micaela McConnell of Sedgewick flew to Las Vegas to play.

Forestburg native Evan Oberg was traded to the Florida Panthers near the close of the NHL’s trade deadline.
Joe Anglin returned to Flagstaff to address residents in Daysland about High Voltage power line projects and controversial Bills 19, 26 and 50.

BRSD public meetings continued to draw large crowds as parents and community members showed their support and commitment to local schools threatened by closure.

The Alliance Arena Rebuilding committee got a pleasant surprise when Edmonton area entertainers Wayne Knight and Rob Rushton offered their musical talents, free of charge, to the fundraiser planned for April, and another boost when a former resident made a donation of half a million dollars towards their new facility. The then-anonymous donor matched the insurance proceeds from the old arena.

Flagstaff seniors in Daysland, Killam, Lougheed and Hardisty participated in a Wise Owls presentation sponsored by the RCMP K Division. The presentation warned of many popular scams circulating the province, with advice on recognizing and dealing with fraud.

The Battle River Railway completed construction of a new storage barn for the engine they acquired in Dec. 2010.

The Sedgewick Heat girls hockey team were ecstatic to find out they would be playing in the Provincials as they received word of their wild card entry status.

Flagstaff District 4-H clubs held their speaking and presentation competition on Mar. 13 in Forestburg.

The Battle River Alliance for Economic Development (BRAED) hosted a Voices of Prosperity symposium in Killam featuring guest speaker David Beurle of Innovative Leadership Australia.
Flagstaff County held their first Facebook Photo Contest and announced Killam’s Shaina George as the winner. A total of 42 entries were received.

The Golden Prairie 4-H club entertained their audience with an indoor circus at  Forestburg School after completing a three day circus camp taught by Flying Bob.
Flagstaff Victim Services and the ACE committee were the fortunate recipients of the proceeds raised by the Fifth Annual Red Serge Ball. The final tally after expenses was around $25,000.

Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths hosted an information session in Killam Mar. 24 with the Honourable Mel Knight, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development.

Strome’s Major Michael Fawcett travelled to Vimy, France to lay the remains of Canadian Private Thomas Lawless of the 49th Battalion CEF to rest. Lawless was killed in WW1 but his remains had only been positively identified in Feb. Fawcett said there are still 20,000 men whose remains are unaccounted for from WW1 alone.

The Forestburg Multi-plex fundraiser held on Mar. 26 was a huge success thanks to the work of many volunteers and contributions from local groups and businesses.

Forestburg Atom Thunderstars won the Battle River Minor Hockey League championship in a two game sweep over the Killam Warriors.

Continued next week in the January 10, 2012 edition!