april a hpn
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Hitching Post News digital version. Its the election issue! Profiles on the NDP, Conservative, Liberal and Wild Rose candidates for the Three Hills-Didsbury-Olds riding. More from Scott Davis, Frank van Doorn, Patricia McKean and much more!TRANSCRIPT
April 2012 * Volume 2 * Issue 4A
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 1
2 • Volume 2 , Issue 4A • Hitching Post News
Distributed to Cremona, Water Valley, Carstairs,Crossfield and Sundre, Didsbury & the Rural Routes
of Carstairs, Crossfield, Madden, Dog Pound,Didsbury, Sundre, Bergen and Bottrel
Deadline for the Second April
issue is:
April 20 , 201211am
Paper Release Date:
April 26, 2012
Paper Day is
Thursday
HITCHING POST NEWS
Office Hours:9am-3:30pm
Phone: [email protected]
EditorTara Jenkins
PublishersTara Jenkins & Angela Lambert
[email protected]@hitchingpostnews.com
Box 456Water Valley, AB
T0M 2E0
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Everywhere we drive lately we see signs for our upcoming Provincial
Campaign. In this issue you will find profiles on the Olds-Didsbury-
Three Hills candidates for the NDP, Conservative, Liberal, and
Wildrose Parties. Election day is April 23, 2012 you can check online
for local polling station locations.
Our regular contributors also fill the pages of this issue with their
stories of adventure as well as local “what’s happening” information.
Have you been to the website lately? There is always something
going on there. The current project is one we’re very excited about.
The new classifieds will give you the ability to post your service,
business, “for sale” items by category, as well as community
resources in a very dynamic way. There are a few bugs to still work
out, but by next week it will go live! Watch FaceBook for that
announcement.
The first ever photo contest has seen a lot of submissions with some
amazing photos. It is so exciting to see what “winter” in our area
looks like through other’s lenses, not to mention all of the amazing
faces that have been submitted. Next issue we will share the winners
of this contest as well as the individuals who selected them.
Dear Editor:
Allison Redford and her PC party have taken away our Property Rights with
bills 19, 24, 36 and 50 removing our access to courts and much more. Next
on their agenda is Alberta’s Education with Bill 2, which will adversely
affect Protestants, Catholics, Jewish and all parents’ rights over their
children’s education. They plan to put Education under the Alberta Human
Rights Commission, which has been given sweeping powers over the
courts.
The Wild Rose Party tried to stop this attack on parents’ rights, but they
need more representatives in the Legislature to make that happen.
Section 3(1) of the old schol act, states “All education programs offered and
instructional materials used in schools must reflect the diverse nature and
heritage of society in Alberta, promote understanding and respect for others
and honour and respect the common values and beliefs of Albertans.”
The PC’s Bill 2 Section 16 is wordy similarly up until “honour and respect”
but the phrase, “common values and beliefs of Albertans” is replaced
with “Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Alberta Human
Rights Act.”
Please notice, failure to comply with the Human Rights Act in Bill 2 sec
29.4 states “The Minister may cancel or suspend the registration or
accreditation of a private school… (d) if the person responsible for the
operation of the private school permits courses, programs of study or
instructional materials that do not comply with section 16…
This shows all accreditation and funding will be stopped to those who do
not comply with the Alberta Human Rights Commission, which is a non-
elected board and is accountable to no one.
In the March 27th edition of The Rocky View Weekly, the impact of Bill
2 is explained in the article “Local Residents Join Backlash against Bill
2” According to Greg Lammiman, who was interviewed in the article, “his
right to pass on his traditional beliefs in a home school setting is being
threatened.”
This Bill “ forces home schools, Catholic and private schools to teach
within the limits of the Human Rights Act as interpreted by the Alberta
Human Rights Commission. That body, said Lammiman, has historically
been very unfriendly to anyone holding Judeo-Christian values. “Anyone
who holds those beliefs is dragged through the kangaroo court with no
appeals,” said Lammiman. “My concern isn’t just as a home school dad.
Having been a public school teacher for over 30 years, every teacher should
be concerned about being under the Human Rights Act. There is no recourse
for the person who is being investigated.”
Airdrie MLA, Rob Anderson, of the Wild Rose Party was unsuccessful in
amending the bill by giving “parents the paramount (legal) right over their
children’s education”. If you believe that children were given to the parents
and not the province, be sure you send that message to the PC party on April
23rd because the PC Party now wants to have the legal rights over your
children.
For more information see http://aheaonline.com/index.php/political-
updates/319-response-from-education-minister-and-education-critics
And while you’re at it, research the Land Use bills
at http://www.albertalandownerscouncil.com/apps/podcast/ and http://ww
w.landownerassociation.ca/
Our War Veterans gave their lives for our freedoms. First the PC’s put in
the Land Use Bills to take away our property and now they are working on
taking away parents’ rights over their children. A Wild Rose government
will rescind the
Bills on Land Use,
and stand against
the PC’s Education
Bill. On April 23rd,
VOTE to regain the
freedoms that we
are losing.
Yours truly Susan
Berdahl
Letter to the Editor
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 2
Keeping Our Communities Connected! Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 4A• 3
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Nesting robins, budding trees, slushy snowfalls, these are all part of our
welcome Alberta springtime. Let’s enjoy each minute, because this, too,
shall pass.
We have some important dates coming up at CCC. You’re welcome to join
us for a potluck lunch after church on April 22. Bring anything you like
from salad to main dish to dessert, then stay for the visit. If you forget to
bring a dish you can stay anyway; there’s always lots of food.
The following Tuesday there is an Official Board meeting. Each group in
the church should be represented, and there’s usually—guess what?—food
and coffee served. This is a church that feeds the body as well as the soul!
Saturday, April 28 is the Annual Beef Supper and Bake Sale from 5:00-7:00
pm. It’s a great meal for a reasonable price and the proceeds go to missions.
Bring the friends and neighbors as well. There may even be some dinner
music! Stop at the Bake Table and stock up on fresh, homemade bread and
goodies.
The Ladies’ Christian Fellowship meets on Thursday, May10. We welcome
visitors and new members anytime. Food and fun served.
Keep in mind that Mother’s Day is coming up on May 13, also a
communion Sunday.
Here’s the calendar:
Sunday, April 15, 10:00 am: Family Worship and Sunday School
Sunday, April 22, 10:00 am: Family Worship and Sunday School
Potluck lunch to follow
Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 pm: Official Board meeting
Saturday, April 28, 5:00-7:00 pm: Annual Beef Supper and Bake Sale
Sunday, April 29, 10:00 am: Family Worship and Sunday School
Sunday, May 6, 10:00 am: Family Worship and Sunday School
Thursday, May 10, 2:00 pm: Ladies’ Christian Fellowship
Sunday, May 13, 10:00 am: Mother’s Day Family Worship and Sunday
School
Contacts: Church Office and Pastor Ian Mason: 403-637-3768
www.cremonacongregationalchurch.com
Message from God: Faith is the pause between God’s plan and seeing it
come to pass.
Cremona Congregational Church NewsSubmitted by Kathie Reid
_
Cremona
Congregational
Church
BEEF SUPPER
April 28, 2012
5-7pm
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 3
4 • Volume 2 , Issue 4A • Hitching Post News Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Our Division has many projects
slated for the budget for Spring of
2012 as well plans for a project on
the Acme Road in Spring of 2013.
I would like to provide you with the
project details of each. The first is
the re-paving of the Burnt Timber
Road TWP 304 to HWY 22. It is a
total of 28.2 km and this was a
project was applied for under the
Resource Road Grant.
The Provincial Government has this
available when industry and
municipalities work together on
projects. The total cost of the project
is $5,402,364 with the province
paying $2,701,180, Shell Canada
$1,250,000, MD of Big Horn
$548,000, and Mountain View
County $902,883.00.
This road was constructed as a
partnership between the Province,
Shell Canada, Mountain View
County and the MD of Bighorn. The
road was constructed in 1989 and
paved in 1991 to serve as a ban-free
structure to the Burnt Timber Gas
Plant. The asphalt is showing
distress and both the municipalities
have dedicated large amounts of
resources to its repair.
If this road is not re-paved a seasonal
ban may be required in order to
protect this road from incurring
damage. Based on the condition and
use of the road this ban could be a
permanent feature. So, council is
happy to report that this project did
receive the funding requested and
will be going ahead.
We are currently in negotiations with
the land owners adjacent to the
Acme Road TWP 292. We have been
able to negotiate most of the land
deals without complication. Due to
safety of the road and the upgrading
needing to be done at RR 35 to RR
32, we need extra land from one land
owner to construct this new design.
The land deal for this is not going as
well as planned.
It saddens me to say that if a deal is
not reached in the next two months
we will be leaving out this portion of
road in the 2013 construction
season. The money has been granted
from the province in Municipal
Sustainability Initiative funding as
well the county has compiled
reserves for this.
The funds for this will be put to
another project and will be lost until
council decides to add this back to
the project sheet. I hope in the next
couple of months I will have better
news on this to report but for the
time being the project will not be
completed fully until an agreement
is reached.
COUNTY PEACE OFFICER
REPORT
Occurrences Investigated
Traffic:
• All traffic related violations and
warning tickets as well as
complaints relating to speed, stop
sign, concerns, traffic hazards, off
highway vehicles and any other
traffic related complaint or self
generated investigation.
County Bylaw:
• All violation tickets and warnings
and investigations, dealing with any
County bylaw including the Dog
Control bylaw and Parks Bylaw.
Commercial Vehicle:
• Matters relating specifically to
commercial vehicles, such as
suspected overload complaints,
highway damage, and haul requests.
County / Assist other Agencies:
• Includes involvement with County
Disaster Service and Health and
Safety program as well as
investigations done specifically for
the county relating to Insurance
claims or providing assistance to
other agencies such as RCMP.
Provincial / Other:
• Pertains to violation and warning
tickets as well as complaints relating
to provincial statutes not related to
traffic, such as Environmental
Protection, Stray Animals and
Gaming and Liquor Acts.
Traffic Education & Enforcement
• Total number of Charges: (Includes
all traffic, overload and bylaw
offences) - 87
• Total over-weight permit requests -
211 up slightly
• Drilling Rig Moves – 17 down 5
from January
• Service Rig moves – 53 up 22 from
January
Traffic Stops of the Month.
• 4 stop sign offences
• 132 Km/hr in an 80 Km/hr zone
• Vacuum truck 3250 Kg overweight
I invite you to contact at 403-637-
0140 to discuss any of your concerns
or you can email me at
patricia.mckean@mountainviewcou
nty.com
Division 2 Councillor
Patricia McKean
News from Division 2submitted by Patricia McKean, Division 2 Councillor
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 4
Keeping Our Communities Connected! Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 4A• 5
Moore Equine Veterinarians provide services for Reproduction and Outpatients including:
MOOREV E T E R I N A RY C E N T R E
We are opening our NEW Reproduction Centre and Outpatient Clinic adjacent to
the Calgary Polo Club
MOORE Reproduction Centre & Outpatient ClinicLocated Adjacent to The Calgary Polo Club Grounds27061 306 Ave West, Municipal District of Foothills, Alberta
Interested in travel to Haiti or
Iceland? Mark Monday, April 16 on
your calendar to hear Gwen Day talk
about her trip to Haiti and to see the
slides of the school where she
worked with elementary students,
and the building and medical
projects going on all around her
while she was there. Later in the
evening, Donna McKinnon will
speak about her trip to Iceland – the
intriguing country of ice, snow and
geysers, farming and cities. And
both presentations are free.
How can that be? Cremona
Community Engagement Society
(CCES) wants to pick your brain
about the programs we are offering
and the ones you would like us to
offer. We are holding our Annual
General Meeting (AGM) on April 16
and need your guidance for the
coming program year. As well, we
will be electing a secretary,
treasurer, and director-at-large for
the next two year period. If you or
someone you know is interested in
one of these positions, please submit
your nomination prior to or at the
AGM.
The meeting will begin at 4:30 with
the opportunity to meet the current
executive and members, to learn
more about CCES and to contribute
to the list of suggestions for next
year’s programming. At 5:00 Gwen
Day will talk to us about Haiti. Then
we will offer a light meal and a very
brief formal meeting and elections.
We will wind up with Donna
McKinnon’s presentation on
Iceland.
Watch your mailboxes and your
email for more information from
CCES about this exciting event!
CCES is also pleased to announce
we have achieved formal Society
status as of the end of January. We
are currently in the process of
writing a set of policies to
complement the Society Bylaws.
Our mission is to connect our rural
communities, schools,
organizations, businesses and
individuals with people throughout
the world through innovative
communication technology:
affordable, easy to access and time
efficient, promoting lifelong
learning.
This is a fairly wide reaching
mission statement and we need your
input as community members to
help your Engagement Site be as
valuable as it can be to you and to
this region. We look forward to
seeing you on April 16 at the Site in
Cremona School.
For further information on the
AGM, site offerings or on the
CCES, please contact Jan Shand, co-
ordinator (Cremona Community
Engagement Site)
Phone: 403 637-3856 ext: 4862
After hours contact: 403 899-3066.
mailto:[email protected],
or for information on the Society or
the AGM, you may call me at
403-337-2368.
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Cremona Community Engagement Societysubmitted by Lana Yakimchuk
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 5
Keeping Our Communities Connected!6 • Volume 2 , Issue 4A• Hitching Post News
I am a fiscal conservative and I
firmly believe in government
transparency. My record speaks for
itself.
Married to Carol, we have two
children and two grandchildren.
In my spare time I enjoy golfing,
reading and spending time with
family and friends.
Political Career:
First elected to Village of Beiseker
Council in 2001, and have been
Mayor for the past 7 years. I served
on the Alberta Urban
Municipalities Association
Executive Board as Vice-President
for
Summer Villages and Villages as
well as on the Board of Directors as
Director for Villages South. I was on
the Board of Governors for
Alberta Municipal Services
Corporation, member of the Safety
Codes
Council and the Beverage Container
Management Board.
Business Experience:
Prior to entering politics my
entrepreneurial ambitions lead me
on a
successful career as an electrical
contractor, an owner/operator of an
electrical company. My experience
in the political arena as well as
the business community has given
me invaluable knowledge regarding
government regulations.
Why am I running for Wildrose?
Wildrose will enable free votes in
the caucus, cabinet and most
importantly in the Legist lure, which
will be a return to true democracy
and true representation for
constituents.
Wildrose wishes to ensure
Albertan’s property rights are
strengthened-that will be done by
repealing Bills 19, 24, 36 and 50.
Wildrose wants to provide quality
healthcare with local decision-
making.
I am an advocate for strong
municipal funding.
As a local politician, I have a
passion for serving people and will
listen to Albertans, for Albertans
hold the solutions to our
challenges.
Top 3 Priorities if Elected:
Ensure property rights are
strengthened for Albertans. Quality
healthcare with local decision-
making and strong municipal
funding.
When Darcy took the time to chat
with me he told me that he felt there
were 4 main issues to this election -
Health, Education, Strong
Communities and Agriculture.
When talking about health the main
thing that Darcy pointed out is the
lack of strong health care for
seniors. The system is adequate but
could be better. He'd like to see
money spent to provide more long
term care solutions for seniors,
including options for housing or
home care. Making a specific care
situation so that they can be
removed from hospital beds and
have better care for them. "Our
seniors need the best care and
facilities that we can provide as they
move through the last stages of life."
”Our children have to have a world
class education so that they can
prosper in the new economy based
on technology and knowledge." We
are in a high growth area and he
feels that our infrastructure could
use improvements to have our
children get the best education
possible. He would like to see the
schools in our area be refurbished to
accomodate for the growth and new
technologies that aid in learning.
He'd like to see these refurbishments
made with the long term capitol
costs deferred over 4 years. He'd
also like to see that there is adequate
support for home school so that
parents can provide their children
the kind of education they want.
Also giving options for parents to
support their moral and ethical
views as not everyone's views are
the same.
Darcy supports strong communities
that provide the services that
families and business’s need.
Schools, health care centers and
seniors facilities are crucial for
our future in this region. The
Provincial Government must
work with municipalities to build
the infrastructure that the people
of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills
need. "Our business’s and farms
need smart regulation that helps
rather than hinders their bottom
line."
Darcy himself is a property owner
and has had dealings with oil
companies, he'd like to see that
property owners in the area get
the support that they need. He
feels that they should be
consulted about natural resources
and get properly compensated for
the use of their land to remove those
resources. He also feels that land
owners should always have access
to the courts to work out resource
disputes.
He would like to see strong support
for agriculture in our area. He'd like
to see a Young Farmer's Council
formed to support the younger
generation get into farming with
mentoring. He feels that we need to
do what we can to keep our ag areas
strong by looking at trade
agreements to support that.
"I want be part of a government that
drives innovation, respects property
rights and is fiscally responsible:
* Alberta needs to be a leader in
confederation, as Canada can only
succeed with the involvement and
input from the provinces.
* Communication with constituents
is crucial whether as individuals as
business’s or as industry.
* We need to continue to look
beyond our own borders to develop
international relationships and
markets in order to prosper.
I believe in a principled and strong
Progressive Conservative party:
* One that looks at both sides of the
ledger, the financial side and the
human side
.* A party that is conservative and
compassionate.
* A political institution that respects
democracy and that will allow
caucus to be heard and to vote on
matters that affect the whole
province.
Alberta’s future is bright and we
need new leadership and fresh
representation in Olds-Didsbury-
Three Hills. I would be proud to
represent the PC party with the
openness, transparency and good
governance that we need to
guarantee that bright future. "
2012 Alberta Provincial ElectionDarcy Davis - Progressive Conservative
Angela Lambert
Bruce Rowe - Wildrose CandidateSubmitted
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 6
Keeping Our Communities Connected! Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 4A• 7
My name is Kristie Krezanoski and I
am the Alberta New Democrat
candidate for Olds – Didsbury -
Three Hills. I am very excited to
have the opportunity to run in this
provincial election. With an election
as dynamic at this right around the
corner, I encourage all Albertans,
especially youth, to practice your
right to vote!
Alberta has had a Conservative
government for over four decades
and I think it's time for change. Our
publicly funded and publicly
delivered healthcare system has
come under attack during this
election and it's up to Albertans to
defend their values. Other parties
are focused on changing to a two-
tier private healthcare system that
favours the rich. This not the
Alberta I envision. The New
Democrats will guarantee quality
public healthcare for everyone.
Shortages of 500 doctors and 1,000
nurses, excessive emergency room
wait times, and rises in public
funding for private operators are
clear indications that things are
working. I stand beside Brian
Mason and the New Democrats
because we believe putting families
first is crucial.
I am a passionate person who is
dedicated to making the concerns of
my constituents heard. Being that
voice in the legislature is my number
one priority. I challenge Albertans
to educate themselves on the issues
facing this province, envision the
Alberta they wish to see and vote
Alberta New Democrats on April
23rd.
Born September 8, 1946, Regina
Saskatchewan
Married to Maria
3 children and 3 grandchildren
(getting ready to go to University.)
Live and worked in the Olds Area
since 1976.
Education – Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture, Master in Agriculture
Economics
Community involvement- Director
of Alberta Surface Rights group,
past minor soccer coach, past
treasurer of Cubs and Optimists.
Work Experience- Taught at Olds
college since 1976 in the area of
Farm Management , Economics,
and Business Management. Also
worked as a District agriculturist for
5 years. Retired in 2011. Also run
an active farm during this time,
primarily raising hay and grain
crops.
Why I am running
In this period of time experienced
the Klein era cuts and the continued
underfunding of maintenance and
repair, a huge infrastructure deficit
right across Alberta that cannot be
solved without increased
government spending . This is the
core root cause of rising Tuition fees
and Post Secondary education
charging more but giving less. Thus
the Job skills deficit despite record
spending on Post Secondary and K-
12. Any promises by the Wildrose or
Conservatives that they can solve
the problems without increased
spending show their total lack of
understanding of the current
situation.
Health care - once again the
increased privatization of seniors
services is going to leave many
seniors in very poor living
conditions in their supposedly
Golden years. The government is
not prepared for the onslaught of
seniors hitting the health care
system showing a total lack of long
term planning.
Agriculture – the long years of
Conservative government has seen
the huge sell off of the Alberta Beef
herd, which is decimating the beef
industry. Numbers are where they
are in the late, 1950’s. Also
witnessed the huge concentration of
power by the meat packers, only 2
Cargill and Tyson, also own about
80%% of feed lot cattle. They set the
prices they will pay the producer.
Also concentration of Buyers in
grain industry, resulting in same
situation for grain producers. This
has resulted in a decline in smaller
rural communities that will not be
reversed.
The Liberal party platform best
offers a solution for a future more
prosperous Alberta.
Loss of property rights , Carbon
capture is about government seizing
ownership of all land rights below
top 6 inches without compensation
for land owners. Really about
government owing all the WATER
and eventual privatization and sale
of Water. If an OIL company causes
pollution of ground water by a
Fracking process, then there is no
lawsuit because the landowner
cannot sue the company or
government for compensation. Bill
19 says if a landowner opposes a
government assembly project then
they are subject to fines of $100,000
and 2 years in jail without trial by
judge or jury. This is Communist not
Democracy
Bills 19, 24, 36 and 50 need to be
cancelled, which is liberal policy.
I fell I am the best qualified to serve
the electors of the Olds – Didsbury
riding.
2012 Alberta Provincial ElectionGarth Davis - Liberal Candidate
Submitted
Kristie Krezanoski - NDP CandidateSubmitted
VOTE APRIL 23, 2012
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 7
Keeping Our Communities Connected!8 • Volume 2 , Issue 4A• Hitching Post News
The Cremona Cowboys Atom team
had an amazing year ending up first
in the Central Alberta Hockey
League (CAHL) standings, winning
every game and tying one.
Round 1 of playoffs were done in 2
games against Duchess, Round 2
was also done in 2 games against
Beiseker. The Banner Round was so
exciting with Canmore. We won the
first game, lost the second game in
Canmore bringing back home the
third game. This game was as good
as it gets! Both goalies stood on
their heads; it was a true a goalie
game (good job Dawson in net) We
ended up winning late in the third
period with a goal from Kyle
Crosbie. It was so awesome to see
the support the community gave this
little team that night. I really don't
think I have ever seen the arena have
that many people in it, it was packed
and so exciting for everyone. We
truly have an amazing community,
when the Canmore players were
leaving the arena all the parents and
fans gave this team a huge applause,
very classy! Good Job Cremona.
This is Coach Clair Crosbie, Kyle
Crosbie and Dawson Laye's 3rd
Atom Banner in a Row. Assistant
Coach Terry Black, Dylan Laye,
Madison Black, Dane Bennett-
Nimijean, Denton Argent, Tage
Fawns's 2nd Atom Banner in a Row
and a 1st Banner win for Assistant
Coach Jody Laye, Brandon Tetz,
Brody Coleman, Dayton Foster &
Julien Ducharme.
This team made it to Provincials for
the 2nd year in a row in
Mayerthorpe, AB. After the first
night we made a huge statement that
we were there to win! The team
won the "A" pool, winning semi-
finals and playing Claresholm for
the Provincial Banner, where we
ended up winning. Playing in
Provincials is an experience of a
lifetime for these players, coaches
and parents. In Cremona's hockey
history there has been no team win
both their league and provincials in
the same year.
But yet we were not done winning, 1
more Tournament to go. We headed
to Lacombe for the "Tournament of
Champions" where we won also.
This team is small with 11 players,
but the heart and the “never quit”
from these athletes showed every
time their skates touched the ice. All
year our coaches Clair Crosbie,
Terry Black and Jody Laye worked
the kids very hard in practices with
it showing in how the kids played
each game. They never gave up and
never quit!
Good Job Cowboys you are the
2012:
Atom Tier 2 CAHLChampions
Hockey Alberta Provincial
Atom "D" Champions
Tournament of Champions -
Champs
" TRIPLE CROWN"
Cremona Cowboys Triple Crown- Amazing Year for Cremona Atom Hockey Teamsubmitted by Sheri Laye
Back; Sheri Laye (manager),Jody Laye (Asst Coach), Terry Black (Asst Coach),
Clair Crosbie (Coach). Middle; Madison Black, Kyle Crosbie, Julien Duscharme,
Dane Bennett-Nimijean, Dylan Laye, Denton Argent. Front; Tage Fawns,
Brandon Tetz, Brody Coleman, Dayton Foster. Goalie; Dawson Laye
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 8
It’s off to fight night in Hua Hin, as
the boys check out the cultural
extravaganza that is Muay Thai
boxing.
We were lazily lounging around the
lobby yesterday, wondering what
kind of fun we could have without
going bar-hopping, when a truck
drove by, blasting an advertisement
for Thailand’s national sport, Muay
Thai boxing. Everywhere you look
in Thailand, you see training
facilities and stadiums for the sport,
so we figured that it’s gotta be good.
Our host Tony confirmed that we
had made an excellent choice, and
told us about the event’s location
and ticket prices, and had his staff
arrange a tuk-tuk at a confirmed
price. He also told us that there was
a great marketplace right across the
street from the arena, and suggested
that we go a bit early to stroll around
and ensure that we got a good seat
for the Muay Thai matches. We did
as we were told, and reserved
ringside seats (you can’t get better
than seats A1 and A2) at the Grand
Sports Stadium, a bit of a shabby
arena attached to Hua Hin’s version
of Caesar’s Palace, the Grand Hotel.
We wandered around the
marketplace for a bit, but didn’t
have enough time to fill our
suitcases with stuff.
We settled into our seats, ordered a
beer, and surveyed the scene. On the
wall behind the ring was a brilliantly
lit photo of the King and Queen of
Thailand. Underneath that were
three gigantic photos of the man
who is obviously second in
reverence to the royals, Mohammed
Ali (AKA Cassius Clay).The event
kicked off with a recital of the
national anthem, a doleful dirge if I
ever heard one. There were five
bouts on the card, and what a
spectacle it was!
Muay Thai is similar to boxing,
although the competitors are also
allowed to kick and knee each other
in the head, or any other part of the
anatomy they can reach. Each match
consists of five three-minute rounds,
and is refereed in the same manner
as the sweet science of boxing. The
fighters are incredibly
intense, although there
is a surprising degree
of ritual and
sportsmanship about
the whole thing.
The first bout featured
two slender but
muscular men, who
before the match made
a great display of
stretching, flexing, and praying to
Buddha for a favorable result. The
bell rang, and they proceeded to try
to kill each other. During each
round, loud, rhythmic music blares,
which the fighters seem to use as a
metronome to time their assaults on
each other. The racket is further
enhanced by the excited babble of
Hua Hin’s version of Ed Whalen,
whose job it is to rile the crowd into
a frenzy.
Between rounds, the managers haul
a shallow galvanized tub into the
corner, put a stool in the middle, and
proceed to rub down their fighters
and splash them with water to cool
their overheated bodies. The first
match lasted the full five rounds,
and was settled by a decision by the
ringside judges. I have no idea how
they score the bouts, but the judges
conducted themselves with the same
professionalism and dignity as the
referee.
A winner was declared, and they
stuffed the prize money in the
victor’s mouth. He then proceeded
to wade into the audience sporting a
face full of Baht, and received
copious tips from his appreciative
audience. The same routine
continued for the rest of the fights,
so there is no need for a blow by
blow account.
There were two matches, however,
that were worthy of further
commentary. The third bout
featured two little kids who
appeared to be about 10 years old.
Despite their tender age, however,
they had already turned pro, and the
winner was rewarded with a
mouthful of money, just like the rest.
The fifth match and main event
featured contestants that we thought
were even more bizarre than the pre-
pubescent kids we had witnessed
earlier. In the blue corner was a lean
young man, and in the red corner
was -wait for it- a woman.
Obviously, the Thais have reached a
level of sexual equality undreamed
of in Canada, and they proceeded to
kick the crap out each other. I had
my money on the girl, figuring that
they must have set her up against a
stiff that couldn’t punch his way out
of a paper bag. However, for the
thousandth time in Thailand, I was
proven wrong, and he knocked the
unlucky lass out in the third round.
The whole affair lasted over three
hours, and the bloodthirsty throng
streamed to the exits. Every tuk-tuk
was filled to capacity, so we settled
on another, even more
unconventional mode of transport.
A lonely, toothless old man
presented himself, and ushered us
into Thailand’s version of a
rickshaw, a tricycle with a double
seat. His fare (100 Baht) was the
same as charged by the tuk-tuk
jockeys, so we settled into our seats
and enjoyed a truly memorable ride.
As our cyclo jockey strained and
sweated to take us to our destination
(we told him to take us to the Hilton
Hotel, a landmark not far from our
hotel) he whooped and hollered in a
most entertaining fashion. Even
though the old bugger dropped us
off in the middle of the red light
district, and not at the Hilton as
ordered, we were so appreciative of
his efforts that we doubled his fare.
Such amusement cannot be found at
home at any price, and we were in a
generous mood after watching the
carnage at the Muay Thai matches.
Next Issue:
Three weeks of tearing around
Thailand can take their toll, but a
quick change of pace and some
local therapy prepares Scott for the
next leg of his journey.
Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 4A• 9Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Two Men in Thailand - Fight Night in Hua HinTravel Log by Scott Davis
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 9
March has been a fabulous month
for FCSS! Our Community
Discovery Night on March 21 was a
huge success! 35 community groups
took part in the event, with
approximately 100 community
members browsing through. I
learned more about what’s offered in
our community, and got to meet lots
of smiling faces that are involved. If
you missed this event, you missed a
fantastic opportunity…be sure not to
miss out next time. A big thank you
to the students and staff at Cremona
School for your support, and all the
community groups who set up
tables…we could not have made this
event as successful as it was without
you.
The Try-Camp Experience is
underway, and is getting rave
reviews! 54 excited kids got to
participate in some great events at
our local camps. The camp filled
up, and had a waiting list! This is an
excellent opportunity to discover
camps in our own “backyard”.
A reminder to everyone out
there…April 15 – 21 is National
Volunteer Week. Volunteering and
volunteer groups are one of the
foundations of every community.
Provincially, FCSS recognizes that
and supports volunteers. Our
principles and beliefs speak to that:
A community’s most valuable asset
is its people. All people are valuable
and we value all people and their
capabilities. Each of us can make
valuable contributions to our
communities, and communities need
the contributions of all of us.
Working together allows us, as
citizens, to contribute directly to our
community, which in turn is linked
to positive outcomes for individuals,
families and community. Each
municipality has unique
programming needs and is best able
to determine what its own needs are
and propose solutions to meet them.
Municipalities can support
individuals, families and
communities by providing well-
designed preventative social
programs. Each of these 6
statements speaks in some capacity
to volunteering. Thank you to all the
dynamic and committed volunteers
in Cremona & Water Valley! We
wouldn’t be what we are without
each and every one of you!
A unique opportunity has crossed
my desk this week, and I’d like to
share it with you. The Rural Alberta
Development Fund & the Alberta
Community & Cooperatives
Association have teamed up to pilot
a project that aims at empowering
communities to invest locally, direct
their own economic development
and reduce dependency on
government supports. The
UNLEASHING LOCAL CAPITAL
project will educate rural
communities on a community
investment model, and assist in
establishing a community
investment fund (which is a pool of
capital raised from local investors,
managed by a local committee then
invested back into local businesses).
Three rural pilot communities will
be chosen to receive a substantial
monetary grant and implement &
test the model & create a Raising
Local Capital Guide that will be
provided to future community
leaders in Alberta. The project will
focus on addressing rural business
succession planning, directing local
capital into communities and
simplifying and reducing the cost of
investing. Does this sound
interesting to you? FCSS will be
hosting a Lunch & Learn webinar on
April 17 @ noon. The webinar will
last 1 ½ hours, and discussion will
follow; only 15 spots are available at
a cost of $10/person (to cover
lunch). If you have questions or
want to book a seat call FCSS @
403-637-3731.
A reminder that the Tri-
Communities Transportation project
is up and running until June. If you
need a ride to a medical or other
appointment in Carstairs, Didsbury,
Airdrie, Cochrane or Calgary, call 1-
877-389-2887. The ride fares are
approximately 1/3 of the cost of
other transportation, and are a
shared ride – meaning that there will
be other stops along the way to pick
up and drop off others. All the
details can be obtained by calling the
above number. Please call as early
in advance to book your ride, so you
won’t be disappointed.
Transportation is available Tuesday,
Wednesday & Thursday.
As always, you may contact me by
phone – 403-637-3731 or 403-510-
4521 or
My office hours are 9 am to 3 pm,
unless otherwise posted. If I’m not
answering my phone, please call me
and leave a message, I’ll return your
call as soon as I’m able.
10 • Volume 2 , Issue 4A • Hitching Post News Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Bookings: 1-877-389-2887
FCSS Happeningssubmitted by Tanya Shand, Director Cremona FCSS
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 10
Keeping Our Communities Connected! 11 • Volume 2 , Issue 4A • Hitching Post News
Here is one of those things that just
keeps getting better the more times I
read it. Maybe as I get older I am
more able to laugh at myself, or the
memory of the little hook and that
pain fades with time. The following
story is from my fishing journal…
June 4, 2000
I went fishing on the Dogpound
Creek yesterday afternoon and then
again later that evening. Managed to
put a hook through my pants and
into my leg. Don't ask how, it was
just a lapse in clear thinking. It
happens, leave it alone. I couldn't
back the hook out even though
earlier I had crimped the barb down.
My pants were, in effect, stapled to
my leg, which made walking almost
impossible and so I cut the shank
with the mini side cutters I always
carry for just such an event. Well,
mercifully, home was a 100 meter
limp away. All the way I pulled my
pant leg away from my knee so the
hook shank would not catch the
fabric. I could feel the imbedded
hook wiggling as the muscle flexed
with each step.
In my kitchen I sat myself down,
gingerly took my pants off and saw
this little hunk of steel wire sticking
out of my leg just above my knee.
"Is that it?" I said to myself, "It's so
tiny!" I took out my small hemostat
pliers that I use to free fish of their
hooks and thought I could grab it
and just push it through. I had seen
John Wayne do this with barbed
Apache arrows to some poor
unfortunate wounded trooper in a
movie I once saw long ago. "Yah," I
thought, "I can do that." I took two
good shots of Gin and began my
work. I could make the skin poke up,
but the hook point would not
continue to penetrate its way out
despite my twisting of the little piece
of exposed wire. It was like as
though the skin were tougher on the
inside than the outside! Watching it
poke up, but failing to push through
made me get woozy and feel a little
sick. I called my neighbour, to come
over and do it.
My neighbour quickly appeared
with mechanics tools, selected big
'geezuz' pliers, got down on his
knees for a closer look and decided
he was not the man for the job. He
called his personal doctor in
Cochrane for advice. He said he
could do it there in his home, but
that he had no
a n e s t h e t i c .
Nicely primed
on two more
Gins I replied
that it was okay
and that all I
wanted was to
have it out. So,
my neighbour
did the
a m b u l a n c e
driver routine
and took me to
his Doctor’s
house by 11:30
that night. I had no idea ancient
Toyota four-cylinder diesel Land
Cruiser's could go that fast! They
actually can't, I had forgotten about
the few hits of Gin I had consumed,
but the tires really did spin on the
gravel! And my neighbour making
the , WheeOoo, WheeOoo! sound
must have been the inspiration for
that old beast to get up and go and
for me to feel enormous acceleration
and a sense of speed. Well, there,
too, the Gin just might have played a
role.
Anyway.....
Once at the Doctor’s, he sat me in a
dining room chair, redirected one of
his ceiling spot lights to my knee,
got out his big "You could hold a
kidney with that!" hemostat and
asked which way the hook was
pointed. I showed him, looked away
as he grabbed the exposed end and
twisted the point the rest of the way
through. I sucked air through my
teeth and gave a little yelp once I felt
the point push through the skin.
Then with another 'stat’, the Doc
grabbed the point and pulled it
through. The relief was
instantaneous upon its removal. A
half dozen of Traditional Ale and
another of Rikard's Red was the
good doctor’s price, which I would
gladly pay in a few days.
Even though we were entertained
with pale green Northern Lights, the
return trip in the 'ambulance', the
emergency over and siren quiet, was
much more subdued. Which was
good, as the gin had worn off along
with all my bravery and bravado.
John Wayne wasn't so tough, but the
trooper who had the arrow pushed
through him, now, HE was tough!
Cremona United Church opened in
1937 and is celebrating its 75th
Anniversary this year.
With Spring just around the corner
we have begun planning for our
Anniversary Celebration this
Summer.
April 15, 2012 – Guest speaker
Rev. Paul DuVal
Service on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Church contact: Rev. P. Marie
Wedderburn 403-637-2200
Where a warm welcome awaits
with refreshments after service.
DID YOU KNOW: The first
pews were fashioned and built by
local farmers.
Braversubmitted by Frank van Doorn
Cremona United Churchsubmitted by Sheila Snowdy
coming Soon to HPN’s website a new
ONLINE CLASSIFIED TOOLLook for introductory rates and exciting changes beginning next week!
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 11
12
• Volume 2 , Issue 4A • Hitching Post News
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Here’s My Card
HPN offers a widevariety of advertisingoptions right for your
business, event oractivities.
Contact by email orphone
(403)637-2953
GreeneBlade
CALL NOW FOR SNOW PLOWING!!
SPLIT FIREWOOD FOR SALE: CAN BE PICKED UP OR DELIVERED
rototilling · mowing · cultivating · seeding tree removal · wood chipping · tree planting light hauling · debris removal · snow plowing
Dan Axelsson BSc Office: 403-637-2013 Cell: 403-620-3301
Email: [email protected]
GD Ranch W A T E R V A L L E Y
F e e l t h e d i f f e r e n c e !
HORSE BOARDING HEATED INDOOR ARENA/WASHROOMS HORSEMANSHIP CLINICS/LESSONS
Please contact Debbie Alexander:Cell: 403 608 2985 Home: 403 637 3004
Email: [email protected]
There’s still time for your entry into HPN’s First Ever Photo Contest
Email or mail your submission by April 15
AprilA_Layout 1 4/11/2012 9:15 AM Page 12