Pat's Articles

Updated 17/08/2008

AUGUST EVENTS

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Check back often for new entries!

In conjunction with Elnora FCSS and Neighborhood Place

For further information regarding upcoming events, or to send in submissions to

the Elnora Advance Newsletter, please call Helena-Elnora FCSS at 773-3920 or email elnorafcss@platinum.ca

or contact April at 773-3171

or fax to 773-3173

Deadline for submissions for the September issue is August 21st, 2008!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

August 15^th - 17^th - Family Slow Pitch Tournament

August 21^st - Youth Forum at Elnora Drop-In to let your voices be heard!

August 23^rd - Flower Show

August 25^th - Shop ‘til you drop day

August 26^th - Ladies Night Out - call 773-3144 to reserve your seat! The meals are always delicious!!

August 30^th & 31^st - Collins 100^th Anniversary starting with registration Saturday afternoon and supper Saturday night. Call Vina Lawrence at 749-3987 or 749-3911 for more info.

September 26^th - C.O.W. (Classroom on wheels) is coming to Elnora from 9 a.m. - noon. This is a cow-decorated bus with a mobile library and play centre inside.

The following articles are by Pat Buckland

If you would like your news or events published here, please email Pat!

moocow43@platinum.ca

On April 16^th the Pine Lake Singers put on a very special Concert at the Elnora Drop In Centre. The collection they received will be given to the African Choir which came to Elnora on Saturday. The women wore beautiful corsages of pink and purple and the men looked great in their black suits and bow ties. The harmony as the Choir sang was fantastic. During the evening hilarious jokes, advertising and readings were given. Director, Donna Reay ,from East of Red deer, did a wonderful job as did their pianist, Laura Baxter from Delburne and Judy Serl, from West of Bowden, on the flute. There were 19 singers giving us various renditions of songs. One song was "We’re the Men of the Chorus" which was humorous. Another song was based on "OH Lord It’s Hard to be Humble" with the words changed to depict the Choir, their practices and personalities. Judy and Donna dressed up for the song " Side By Side". The Choir also did a tribute to Oscar Peterson. Gwen Renouf read about his life and history, as an introduction to the song, "Hymn To Freedom". It was beautifully done with wonderful harmony. The Choir takes a break over the summer months, but will start again in September. A delicious lunch followed with lots of visiting. It was a very special evening."

From April 16 - 19^th, the Cumberland Playful Theatre presented 3 hilarious plays. This is their 24^th year they have been doing this and it’s always sold out performances. Stephen Potter entertained us between the plays and Ray Reckseidler, a.k.a. Red Skelton visited us as well. (He had Red’s pantomimes down extremely well!) The first play was called "Cupid and Company", and dealt with taking out ‘Heartbreak Insurance’ for the Lovesick. The romance between Susie (Brenda Williams) and Joe played by Gregory Hope (his first time acting), was in question. Miss Hart (Carolyn Folkerts) and Mr. Valentime (Ray Reckseidler) tried very hard to get people to take out insurance. Sasha Spiller was their Typist. Linda Attfield was Director and Linda and Wendy Mason were Prompters. Wendy also did their hair and makeup. The play was really cute and quite funny.

The next play was called "A Test for Three Detectives". Gary Linneberg was the Announcer at the beginning of the Play informing us of a murder. Sir Lock Bones was the first detective ( Bill Chandler); the second detective was Gussie Gumshoe ( Betty Bellerive) and the third detective was Weirdly Warlock (Glenn Goddard). They tried to find the culprit in their own way. They had several suspects. The murdered Uncle had 3 nieces - Lisa (Daphne O’Neill), Portia (Melanie Grant) and Helen (Tracy Kozey) as well as neighbours Bill & Tom (Lyle Duda), Leonard (Gary Linneberg), Vance (Glenn Goddard), Fred (Bill Chandler) and Mrs. Goodheart (Anita Jones). It was also very well done and very funny. Anita Jones was director and Ada Linneberg prompter.

After Intermission and another visit from Red Skelton, the last play was "The Bachelorettes" - a match making reality show. Directors Susan Tyndall, Kathy Innis and Jan Hart did a great job with this play. Brenda Hazen was prompter. It started off with Kelly Lawrence as the "Cheers/Applause" person, holding up her sign at the appropriate time. Brad Nitwit (Philip Massier) did a great job of announcing the show. Luana Banana (Kathy Ennis) brought the ‘guests’ on to the stage. The first was Herbie Hinkle (Briand Tyndall), a very shy man - a nerd type with his head in a paper bag when he felt threatened. He was so funny! He had to choose which woman to marry from the various women who came on the show. Jill (Jan Hart) attacked him; Sue (Susan Tyndall) tried to appeal to him in her own way; Truck Driver, Mindy (Chelsey Szakaly) tried to bully him; Cindy (Diane Peters) went through a long list of what she wanted in a man; Wendy (Toots Nicholson) wanted a biker dude; and finally the last woman was led in. She had a paper bag over her head and Herbie Hinkle fell in love with her. She was Kim (Dale Peters). Herbie picked her even before the bag was removed from her head. (Anyone who knows Dale, can only imagine how funny he was!) Brad Nitwit really had his hands full trying to keep order on his match making show.

Once again, everyone was royally entertained and left with smiles on their faces, even though it was snowing out. The winner of a pink heart under the chair as a prize was Philip Reay. A lot of work goes into preparing for this event every year and we look forward to next years plays."

The Elnora Community Hall was packed with people from all over Central Alberta to come to see the Memeza African Choir ensemble from Soweto, South Africa on the afternoon of April 19^th, in spite of the terrible weather!

WOW!! They were fantastic! Holly Wright performed with them. She had spent 2 years from 2004 - 2006 living in South Africa and was able to bring these 22 wonderful performers over to Canada. The Choir sang in beautiful harmony with 2 awesome drummers and Holly Wright with her guitar. Their outfits were very colourful and the ensemble’s movements and dances mesmerizing. We were treated to a mixture of Canadian songs written by Holly, African songs and a blend of both. The drummers were something to watch, with their drumming techniques and change of rhythm. Jimmy Mulovhedzi, their Choir Director sang several solos and danced.

After Intermission, Marion Brown and Ruby Olmstead thanked so many people for making this afternoon possible. They presented Choir Director, Jimmy with money donated of $4,500. Jimmy, on behalf of the Choir, was very appreciative. Marion thanked Ruby and Lorne Olmstead for bringing these wonderful entertainers to Elnora. A draw was made for a CD which was won by Larry Brick from Elnora. The food for the Intermission was provided by the Elnora Drop-In and the meal to be served later for the Choir was provided by the Ghost Pine 40+ Club.

When the group started up again, we were treated to real African dancing. There are 11 tribes and languages in South Africa. Those tribes are the Zulu, Xhosa, Venda, Tsonga, South Sotho, North Sotho, Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Tswang and Swazi. Jimmy speaks all 11 languages. One of the drummers was dressed up in a special way and performed a Zulu hunting dance. The dancer is actually from the Xhosa tribe. During the dance there is a lot of leg kicking which represents a bull and the dance shows respect for the bull. Another dance was performed which is supposed to help digest food and reduce weight. It was also a very energetic dance and they said we could try it at home! Sure. The "Gum Boot dance" was also performed. Jimmy sang a song dedicated to Holly and to all the women in the audience about Canada. To make the men feel better, a Warriors song was sung and danced for them. Holly gave a history of all the support she had in bringing the Choir to Canada. She had composed a song for Jimmy’s sister who had passed away and he had written a song, too, so they combined it and sang it for us. It was beautiful and very moving. During all of the solos, the Choir sang in the back ground with dance moves, as well. We enjoyed hearing gospel songs along with more dancing. Holly introduced each member of the Choir, then sang a song she had written about her deceased grandmother with the Choir adding their own way with music of dealing with the spirits of past family members. They all sang the song that had brought Holly together with these wonderful singers called "The World Shall Love Again". Then Jimmy lead a song called " Meadowlands" which is a celebration of their freedom from apartheid. He gave us a bit of the history of this time in their history.

Jimmy and Holly thanked everyone for their support of the Choir. They received a standing ovation, and had to come back for an encore. The Choir will perform in Red Deer on April 30^th at the Match Box Theatre, in Edmonton at the McDougall United Church on May 3^rd, and again at Knox United Church in Calgary on May 6^th. The performers have been in Canada for almost 7 weeks and will be returning to Africa on May 16^th. They will also be performing an many smaller communities before leaving. For more information about this fabulous Choir, please visit their web site at www.memezaafrica.com. Everyone enjoyed this afternoon so much! Before we left, we had a chance to talk to the Choir members and received hugs of friendship from them. They thought the snow was wonderful, too. We all left with a smile on our faces and in our hearts.

The Kneehill Valley Constituency held it’s 55^th Annual Conference on April 5^th at the Trochu Community Hall. The Acadia Women’s Institute also celebrated its 90^th Anniversary. The morning began with the Opening Exercises which included the singing of "O Canada", Mary Stewart Collect, Minute of silence, flag salute, welcome from the Trochu Community Association, greetings from the Town of Trochu, introduction of the head table and Roll Call of members and visitors. Darlene Rakatti was MC for the day. This was followed by the reading and adoption of the Minutes and the reading of the Financial Report.

The District 5 Director, Brenda Willsie then gave her District report. Each Branch in each constituency in every Province contributes to their communities. The women volunteer at many community activities, including working with an Alberta Women’s Institutes Girls Club, funding Farm Safety Camps, etc. The District Picnic will be held at the Trochu Aboretum on July 23td. She announced that Joyce Silbernagel will be the new District 5 Director.

In Brenda’s Provincial Report, she said that one of the projects Provincial W.I. is working on is collecting old cell phones for recycling, using the funds to help the second stage women’s shelters in the Province. After the women’s maximum 30 day stay at the first shelter, these second stage shelters offer them a place to go where they gain skills to become employable and to get articles together to set up a new home situation. These types of shelters in Alberta are already located in Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lloydminster, Fort McMurray, Sucker Creek and Desmarais, and many more are needed. Grande Prairie and Cold Lake are in the process of raising funds to construct these shelters in their communities. She mentioned about the Provincial Convention to be held in Camrose on June 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th, 2008. Their theme will be "It’s Great to Be Green". Brenda then gave a report from the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada. Each Province has a project, usually supplying outlying and Northern areas of each Province with much needed items. Their Triennium Theme is "Women Inspired; Women Involved - Can Achieve Anything". How true! The Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada’s 2009 Convention will be at the University of Prince Edward Island from June 14^th - 20^th, 2009.

Back to Trochu’s Conference - A very old quilt titled the "Friendship Quilt of Kneehill Valley Constituency" was on display made up of 72 squares from 5 different Branches of K.V.C. Audrey Ortwein, who passed away in September 1999, made the quilt. She was the Constituency Co-ordinator for Kneehill Valley from 1966 to 1970. The squares were made up of 19 from Acadia; 18 from Hogadone; 13 from Horse Shoe Lake; 10 from Kneehill Valley, and 12 from Milnerton Branches.

Mildred Hoppins directed the Memorial Service for members who had passed on this past year. Helen Hargraves, Margurite Demers and Eira Silver were all remembered by family members as a short history of their lives and memberships were read and candles lit during the service.

Ruth Weisenburger, accompanied by Nonie Hepburn, sang a beautiful song, after which there was a break for refreshments and to look at the displays, items for sale and items in the various competitions. At the W.I. table there were ‘Write On Books’, "Let’s Celebrate Alberta" to commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of Alberta; "What I like about Alberta" sent in by Grades 4, 5 & 6 students from across the Province; "War Year memories"; and 2004 Hand Books.

There was also a table with items for sale to support the Morgan Jayne Project which was presented to us by out guest speakers, Shelley Morgan and Paula Peke. This project is about saving babies and is based out of Drumheller. Shelley and her friend, Paula, showed us slides as they did a skit about our lives here compared to what we saw on the screen of life on Roatan Island, Honduras. What a difference. While we, here, are concerned about redecorating our bathrooms, for example, on Roatan, their bathroom is outside in a pool or back alleys beside their houses, or in the river. Everyone there carries guns. HIV is out of control. It’s a social standing to have a T.V. even though there may be no power. Rats are a huge problem there. There is a great need for cloth diapers, but they have to use velcro because shiny pins attract rats. They are always on guard against rats coming in their open windows (no screens or glass) and killing their babies. Houses are built on stilts (some very rickety) because of the rains and flooding. Corruption is ramped with briberies happening all the time. The Governor lives in a huge mansion while the regular people live in squalor. If the people vote him in, he’ll make sure they get a tin roof on their hut. There are power lines sometimes hooked up to a power plant. There are armed guards at gas stations and convenience stores because theft is a continual threat. You can’t leave anything unattended. Because there are no screens on the windows, bugs and flies are everywhere. Shelley and Paula are volunteers who have gone to Roatan several times. They did a Christmas Project taking used Christmas dresses for the little girls and Christmas presents there personally, so that the donations would go directly to the people in Roatan. There are plans to build a clinic in Honduras. The hospital in Roatan has no power and is very dirty. Valarie (a Social Worker) and Klaus Nelson have been working in Roatan in a testing clinic and if any of the Volunteers had problems, they have been instructed to only see Val, not the Hospital or the Police because of the conditions and corruption within the Police Force. What an eye opener, just to see the pictures on the screen. How fortunate we are to live where we do and to have the things, comforts and security we do here. We have no idea what life would be like in Roatan, unless we went there ourselves.

Mr. Bob Painter from the County of Kneehill congratulated the W.I. on it’s 90^th Anniversary and presented Acadia W.I.’s President, Ruby Quinlan with a certificate.

Diana Bigelow spoke about the Caring Grannies from Wimborne, of how they support Ronald MacDonald House by baking comfort foods, making hundreds of squares from yarn to be put together by people in Bieseker to make blankets for the needy, and many other things. She then spoke about the baking, crafts, preserves, etc. and the judging. The results are as follows:

Special Baking - Date Pinapple Loaf - Winnie McFayden

Best Plant - Beryl Gelinas

Baking - 1^st - Eldena Adam with 96.5 points on 22 entries

- 2^nd - Anna Moore with 36.5 points on 9 entries

Handicraft - 1^st - Diana Bigelow with 48 points on 8 entries

- 2^nd - Doris Wade with 39 points on 5 entries

Photography - 1^st - Percy Poland with 68 points on 18 entries

- 2^nd - Leona Pryor with 55.5 points on 3 entries

Plants - 1^st - Percy Poland with 44 points on 5 entries

- 2^nd - Leona Pryor with 26.5 points on 3 entries

Overall:

1^st is Percy Poland with 157 points on 31 entries

2^nd was a tie between Leona Pryor with 127.5 points on 28 entries

(Leona entered all categories)

and Eldena Adam with 127.5 pints on 26 entries

The items that were judged were so well done. It must be very difficult to judge with so much talent in the W.I. Institute Branches!

The Acadia Branch had the highest points, so will have their name on the shield for 2008.

Nonie was presented with a gift for her piano service, Leona Pryor and Darlene Raketti were presented with flowers for stepping in to help Gerri Shadlock with planning the Convention.

There were more door prize draws and regular draws made then a Courtesy Report was given by Joyce Silbernagel thanking all who helped with the conference . All present were wearing colorful ribbons and name tags which Dan and Joyce Silbernagel in conjunction with the constituency had supplied. This was followed by the singing of God Save the Queen.

The 90^th Celebration for Acadia W.I. followed. Darlene Wicks, President of the Alberta Women’s Institute spoke regarding Acadia W.I. and how the people in the Branch make a person feel with their warmth and caring attitudes. Then Brenda Willsie, District Director spoke about the Acadia Branch, followed by Ruby Quinlan speaking about the Branch. Bob Painter presented Ruby Quinlan with a Certificate from the County, as well.

Brenda Dowell gave us a very interesting history of Acadia W.I. It was originally organized from the Social Club of Acadia. The first meeting was at the Acadia School House where a stake marks the spot today. Their purpose was to improve the comfort and efficiency of the early settlers. Their roll calls taken from the 1920's records applied to their time, such as ideas on turkey raising; tearing a shape of an animal out of a piece of paper - no scissors; does the modern woman accomplish as much as her grandmother?; or how to make new furniture from old. They offered courses on home nursing, which was extremely important because of the long distances from doctors or hospitals. Because the W.I. are a world-wide organization, Queen Elizabeth was at a meeting in England. Meetings were also a social time which included having contests, whist drives, secret pals, pie socials, culture events such as writings and studying writers and music. During another war, WWII, and more rationing, they sent packages to the troops which included knitted items. The first Huxley History book was published, a cook book was published for the 50^th anniversary of Acadia W.I., caring and compassion was shown through the sunshine committee, had sewing courses, craft and baking, caring of the ill or infirmed, community suppers, involved with 4-H Clubs, farm safety courses, making quilts, helping families in distress, involved with a school breakfast program. In the 1920's, Acadia W.I. supplied hot lunches to schools. They help many organizations, food banks, supply tools for schools and belong to the Federated and Associated Country Women of the World.

They recognize the support husbands give with Christmas suppers and there will be another supper in June. Men are very supportive and helpful to their wives’ activities - helping with preparations for this conference as an example. Each member makes a unique contribution to the Branch, form friendships and meet so many new people they wouldn’t have otherwise met. Membership in W.I. enriches the lives of so many.

Eva Robertson, a former member, sent roses; other branches in the constituency and individuals also made the day very special with flowers, cards and letters. Five over 50 year members were recognized - Belle Tindal, Florence Blair, Margaret Swanson, Maxine Meding and Mary Colley. Other members are Eldena Adam, Brenda Dowell, Melinda Easton, Thelma Enzie, Lise Nielsen, Ruby Quinlan, Lorrane Robertson, Dorothy Sailer, Joyce Silbernagel, Kay Silver and Darlene Winther.The Acadia members had their picture taken around the large cake baked and beautifully decorated by member Thelma Enzie. Everyone enjoyed visiting, congratulating and eating cake before leaving for home.

This was again a very successful conference and enjoyed by all who

came"

The Elnora School is now accepting Kindergarten Registration for 2008 - 2009. Please call the Elnora School at 773-3624.

The Campbell’s Soup Label Program is off to a good start, so bring your labels from various Campbell and Pepperidge Farm products to Jewell’s grocery or the Elnora School.

The Annual Freedom to Read Week at the Elnora Public Library will be held from February 24^th to March 1^st. A new book that’s in is "Robert’s Rules for Dummies". Also the Library is also now open on Fridays from Noon to 5 p.m. for a couple of months. NEWCOMERS - Stop in at the Library for a free 3 month membership! What a great deal that is!!

Does anyone have a sock machine? Call 773-2188 if you do.

A new business has started up in Elnora called ‘The Mixing Spoon’. Call (403) 505-2931 for more info. It sounds like a very interesting enterprise to be in. Good luck to Deb Jackson and Colleen Hovey!

Please keep in mind that the "Golf for Cancer" for 2008 has been changed to June 14^th at the Buffalo Rock Golf Course near Elnora. Your teams must be entered very soon in order to secure a spot in the Tournament. Call 773-3191 or 877-7907 to register. Cheryl Warren will be shaving off her hair for cancer as well!

It’s good to hear the Elnora 4-H Beef Club is up and running again this year with 9 members. The Executive is as follows: Colin Maxwell, President; Kendra Silbernagel, Secretary; Dianna Maxwell, Treasurer; and Jacey High as News Reporter. Their 1^st meeting was on November 19^th and their next meeting was on January 7^th. Best of luck to you all with your calves, public speaking, record books and all the hard work that goes into your Club!

The Elnora Cabin Café is open again after the holidays, every week day until 4:00 p.m. Their special evenings are held each Wednesday evening from 5 - 8 p.m. and Ladies Nite out is the last Tuesday each month at 6 p.m.

Congratulations to Glenn Craig who is now the Elnora Fire Department’s Fire Chief effective January 1^st, 2008. The community appreciates all the hard work the previous Fire Chief, Dale Perry, has done over the past 3 years in that position. The community and area are so fortunate to have such a professional and committed Fire Department. All the members work very hard to keep us safe. In 2007 they had 48 calls for various reasons and performed with great expertise at each one.

The Elnora Cornerstone Fitness Centre was pleased to announce the winners of their Challenge. Congratulations to Anita MacDonald who won a $500.00 Travel Voucher, 2^nd place was Wendy Corry who won $100.00 and 3^rd place was Wendy Bridge. Everyone worked very hard to loose a total of 127 lbs! The next fitness challenge will be at the end of January! Watch for it. Sounds like fun!!