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Golf course opening soon

March 11, 2016, 11:44 am
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The Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club is preparing to open in a few weeks.
 
"Colin, our greens superintendant, put the course to sleep in great condition last year and from all reports, from what he's been saying, it wintered really well", beamed club President Greg Morrow. "We've got a tentative opening date of April 8 depending on the weather."
 
Before the course opens they will be holding their annual general meeting on March 22 at the clubhouse.
 
"The doors are open for anybody who would like to come out. In terms of anybody who could cast a ballot in any voting concern, (they) would have to be member," explained Morrow.
 
Morrow adds 2015 was a great year for the golf course and 2016 is already shaping up to be a busy one.
 
"We got a call from a group in Calgary who want to come out with their tournament this year. we already got them booked, so that's 130 people that are coming for a tournament that we've never had the opportunity to host before," noted Morrow.
 
In addition to the course opening April 8, the club is gearing up for their annual auction April 9 at the Badlands Community Facility.
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Info session to focus on fentanyl and crystal meth

March 11, 2016, 11:11 am
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An upcoming information session in Drumheller will shed light on drug trends in the region.
 
Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health will be teaming up with Turning Point (formally Central Alberta AIDS Network) to host the session on March 16 at the Drumheller Health Centre.
 
"We're seeing an increase in conversations related to crystal methamphetamine, but we're also seeing an increase in conversations relating to fentanyl," said Jennifer Vanderschaeghe, executive director of Turning Point.
 
The information session will primarily be centered around those two types drugs as well as overdoses.
 
"With fentanyl it really is about the prevalence and ease to be able to buy fentanyl in its pure form and, of course, the cost. The markup for fentanyl is quite substantial and so it really is the business that is available to happen there," explained Vanderschaeghe.
 
Turning Point has hosted these information sessions in other other communities across central Alberta to a real mix of people who are interested in the topic.
 
"We staff it at a level so that if there's lots of people with lots of questions, we're going to be there to answer them and provide whatever support they feel they need and if we don't know the answers, we'll make sure we follow up with answers to those really hard questions," added Vanderschaeghe.
 
The information session will be March 16 from 6:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m. in the Drumheller Health Centre boardroom.  
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Dinosaur statues outside Tyrrell Museum receive upgrade

March 12, 2016, 6:00 pm
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 The dinosaurs just outside the front doors of the Royal Tyrrell Museum have received some much needed repairs.
 
A fresh layer of paint and a few other adjustments were made to nine dinosaur sculptures.
 
"It had been about ten years since we had done the last round of repairs and they had in that time been exposed to UV rays, difficult weather, people climbing on them and loving them to death, which can wear off the paint," explained Georgia Ohm exhibit project coordinator with the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
 
Five adult Pachyrhinosaurus stautes were updated to match recent discoveries.
 
"We altered the colours on all of them and with the Pachyrhinosaurus we also changed their nasal horns," noted Ohm. "Initially they had horns but they were developed when the science was not clear on whether they had horns or a boss. Now, it's more clear that they have a boss."
 
An Albertosaurus and three other dinosaur figures also received upgrades.
 
"They are actually looking pretty colourful these days so invite anybody who is familiar with them to come take a look and check out their fancy new colours," added Ohm.
 
For more information on the Royal Tyrell Museum, click here. 
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Springfest deep in planning stages for 2016 event

March 13, 2016, 4:49 pm
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East Coulee Springfest 2016 is May 6 an 7, and the official poster is about to be released.
 
According to organizer Barb Steeves, the poster design is finished, they're just working on some small details.
 
"We're still working on the last of the sponsors, where people are going to be going for advertising on the poster."
 
Michael Dangelmaier of Karo has done another great job with this year’s poster.
 
"It's not the sort of picture look that the last few years has been, it's a little more artistic, lots of fun with instruments," Steeves added.
 
Steeves added the featured artist this year is Crystal Plamondon.
 
"She sings in French, English, and Spanish."
 
They are searching for volunteers for various jobs around the site for the weekend, apply online here.
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Local man makes Special Olympic memories

March 14, 2016, 6:14 am
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A Drumheller man had a very special start to the month of March. Martin McSween travelled to Cornerbrook, Newfoundland for the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
 
McSween has worked with developmentally challenged skiers in Drumheller and Olds for about 20 years and this was his fifth national games.
 
"A lot of personal bests, not as many medals as we hoped, but we did well," he reported. "Three of our (eight) athletes were on the podium (and) our one athlete who is deaf was beat off the podium by two one hundredths of a second (in giant slalom)."
 
McSween was one of three ski coaches to travel with the Alberta contingent and he is hoping to represent Canada at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, 2017.
 
"We had to submit that (application) before going to national games," he told 99.5 Drum FM. "We would have been observed all through the games on our performance and there will be interviews coming up in the next month or so."
 
In the meantime, McSween has his memories from the Newfoundland games.
 
"Race day on Wednesday (Mar. 2) was wonderful; the Thursday, the third, we were supposed to race the slalom and the Super-G and we got rained out; then it snowed overnight and it was a great run on the fourth," he recalled. "Then we had the epic snows that rushed our way out, we almost got stuck in Newfoundland on Sunday because of the snow; they had over 30 cm. overnight."
 
Team Alberta finished with a total of 62 medals: 21 gold, 24 silver and 17 bronze.
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Annual Music Festival returns

March 14, 2016, 8:27 am
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Can it truly have been a year since the last Drumheller and District Music Festival? The 76th edition of the annual extravaganza runs March 14-24 at Kaleidoscope Theatre and the Badlands Community Facility.
 
"Each of the sessions are only $3.00 to attend or you can get for $15 a whole ten day pass," noted longtime Music Festival supporter, Doug Wade. "The final concert goes on the 24th; it's $5.00 for an adult (or) $10 for a whole family."
 
"There are over 400 entries again," he reported. "I wish I had a clear idea of how many hours each of them has spent practising and perfecting each of their disciplines."
 
Vocal competition is scheduled for March 14-15, band and speech go on the 17th, dance on March 18-19, musical theatre on the 20th, choral on the 21st and piano competition on March 22.
 
"I participated in the festival when I was younger, my children were in it (and) it's a fabulous thing for the community," stated Wade.
 
Music Festival programs are $5.00 and are available at Riverside Value Drug Mart and Wade's Jewellery on 3 Avenue West.
 
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'Wingfield Unbound' at Rosebud Theatre

March 14, 2016, 9:22 am
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A classic series returns to Rosebud Theatre this week (March 17 to 19).
 
'Wingfield Unbound' is the fourth installment in the Wingfield Farm series, written by Dan Needles, and starring Rod Beattie.
 
The series has been going for over 25 years, starting in the 1980's on CBC radio which soon went to television and now, live theatre.
 
"This whole Wingfield series of seven is taking everyone's imagination and hearts," said Rosebud Theatre Executive Director Adam Furfaro.
 
In the fourth installment Walt Wingfield finds himself attempting to save the old rural community of Persephone Township by promotong the crumbling Hollyhock Mill as a museum site. The locals believe it's haunted, so Wingfield sets out to prove there's no curse to this mill but not without near disasterous results.
 
"We open on the afternoon of Thursday (March) the 17th. There's a 1:30 p.m. show and a lunch prior to that. On Friday we have an evening performance at 8:00 p.m. with a dinner before that," noted Furfaro. "On Saturday, two performances, one at 1:30 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m. and, again, you can either have lunch or dinner with us."
 
Call 1-800-267-7553 for ticket information or visit the Rosebud Theatre website.
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Local AJHL volunteer receives special award

March 14, 2016, 9:41 am
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Congratulations to Drumheller's own Barry Pozzo.
 
He was named the Alberta Junior Hockey League volunteer of year at a special presentation prior to the March 11 Drumheller Dragons playoff game.
 
"I received an email from the commissioner of the league, Ryan Bartoshyk about a week and a half ago," explained Pozzo.
 
The email was to make sure Pozzo would be at the game on March 11, but offered no explanation as to why he should be there.
 
"I was kind of suspicious of what was going on. I really had no idea. Amanda Stahl, our managing director for the Dragons, approached me about five days ago and she was the one that kind of spilled the beans that I was getting this award and I was head over heels just with the excitement of it," smiled Pozzo.
 
Pozzo has been with the the Dragons since their inception into the league and loves helping this organization out. His duties include setting up for each game, welcoming the visiting team, ensuring the room is ready for the refs, and works very closely with the athletic trainer to ensure all needs are met for both teams.
 
Pozzo thanks the entire league for this award, including everybody involved with the Drumheller Dragons. Interestingly enough, it's his fellow volunteers he really appreciates.
 
"I cannot forget the volunteers that I work with and are under me," said Pozzo. "These guys are fantastic. I just want to say this Viterra award is not for me, it's for the entire group, it's for all the volunteers that have worked so hard and have been so dedicated with the organization."
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Local hotel owners catch crooks in BC

March 15, 2016, 4:38 am
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A Drumheller hotel owner and his night manager have become media stars after helping to catch a couple of wanted crooks in BC.
 
Newcastle Hotel's Brent Powell and his wife (Karen Powell) also own a motel in Creston, BC, where Shelly Haller was working the night shift Saturday night.
 
"They came in around 1:30 in the morning; the gentleman, she said had a big cut on his forehead, blood in his hair and running down his face and the lady had mud on her face and on her clothes," Powell reported.
 
The couple said they had been in an accident and had been checked out by police and EMT's, but Powell was suspicious.
 
"If somebody's been in an accident and an ambulance has been called, they wash you up, bandage and clean you up a bit," he noted. "I decided to call the RCMP, the guys gave the police false information and the police went to double check it. In the meantime, they hopped in a cab and took off; the cops chased down the cab and got them; they were checking into another hotel."
 
It turns out the couple were wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run accident that killed a 25-year-old woman in Burnaby.
 
"We're just really happy to provide some closure to this poor girl's family," said Powell. "It's so tragic this happened to them."
 
Since the incident, Powell and Haller have done a number of interviews with radio stations in BC and the story made the nightly news on CTV-BC.
 
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FOR Club starves to feed hungry children

March 15, 2016, 6:30 am
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It was a hungry weekend, at least to start, for some students at Drumheller Valley Secondary School.
 
The Friends of Rachel Club, FOR for short, held a 24 hour fast to raise money for charity.
 
"FOR Club chose the Morgan Jayne Project because of its local ties; Morgan Makowecki was a student at DVSS," explained teacher and school counsellor, Lynn Hemming. "Obviously, her family is in the community and it's the ties to the community that they liked."
 
The 24 Hour Famine officially kicked off at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 11. Participating students fasted throughout the day and overnight before finally sitting down to a late breakfast at 10:30 Saturday morning.
 
"It's great for the students because they really get to experience just for a few hours what it would be like to try to learn and be in school on an empty stomach," Hemming explained. "I think it's a great eye opener for kids of what it would be like to live day in and day out without adequate diet."
 
"We're not done the fundraising as they still are going to do some more," she continued. "Our goal is to raise $3,000 and that money is going to go to the Morgan Jayne Project specifically for the Charmont School in Roatan and specifically for a breakfast program."
 
Morgan Jayne Project founder, Fred Makowecki is humbled by the gesture, saying there's nothing more rewarding than to see kids helping kids.
 
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Royal Tyrrell Museum hosts photo shoot

March 15, 2016, 9:11 am
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The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller was the set for a recent photo shoot.
 
ELLE Canada Magazine is doing an issue dedicated to retro fashions and decided to go way back to prehistoric fashion.
 
"(They) approached the museum about using our galleries for the backdrop of their photo shoot," said Carrie Lunde of the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
 
Travel Alberta was a sponsor of the shoot and helped with the logistics of the project.
 
"It was a great collaboration because we were able to get so many areas of the museum involved," said Lunde. "Obviously the fossils were our first priority in that we were placing the model very carefully within the exhibits."
 
The final photos can be seen in the April issue of ELLE Canada.
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Red Deer River water conservation a priority

March 15, 2016, 10:56 am
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Water was the topic of discussion at this week's council committee of the whole meeting.
 
Executive Director of the Red Deer River Municipal Users Group (RDRMUG) Keith Ryder provided an overview of the group and talked about the creation of their management plan moving forward.
 
"The fortunate thing with the Red Deer River Municipal Users Group is that we're able to bring the municipal perspective to the forefront with Alberta Environment, certainly supporting their endeavors, but to make sure that municipal perspective is forefront," noted Ryder.
 
The group was formed in 2006 and since that time has grown to 37 municipalities including the Town of Drumheller and the Countys of Starland and Kneehill. Not only does the group work on behalf of municipalities, they also work to ensure water is of high quality for users and to work towards a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
 
One of the biggest concerns over the past year has been the level of the Red Deer River.
 
"When we see the river low, and no mater what were told technically, the minimum flow of the river is always maintained; when we still see how low it has been especially in the late summer it does bring (to) our attention that we have to look at ways of conserving and maintaining the water for future growth," explained Ryder.
 
The RDRMUG continues to work on their water quality protection plan, having completed the second round of consultations in January and will be doing a third consultation in June.
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Worman, Bourrie coming together for local cancer patient

March 15, 2016, 10:07 am
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A young Drumheller man with cancer is finding out he has a lot of friends and supporters.
 
There have been a number of recent endeavors to raise money for the family of Brandon Hall, who has been undergoing treatment since he was first diagnosed last October. The latest is the brainchild of Jamie Worman from Drumheller Chrysler and Geoff Bourrie of Jurassic Ink Tattoo.
 
"Me and Jamie have been good friends for a long time and it's hard not to feel the passion that he puts toward these events that help out those in need," explained Bourrie. "We're going to cause Jamie some pain with a tattoo and I'm going to go ahead and buzz my goldilocks."
 
It's been 16 years since Bourrie last cut his hair, which makes the initiative even more special.
 
"I was on the way home yesterday with my 15-year-old son and we were talking about it and he was telling me he was very proud of me," he related. "At the same time, he says 'you know, I've never seen you with short hair' and I thought holy man, yeah, you're 15 and you've never experienced this.
 
"The big event, or events, is scheduled for Good Friday, March 25 at Jurassic Ink starting at 1:00 p.m. First, Bourrie will lose his locks, then it's time for Worman to get some anti-cancer ink.
 
"Showing support, I think is a huge thing; when I went through that with my mom it was the support that really kept me going," he recalled. "It's nice to see how many people have come together in their time of need and, again, you can't say enough about the community and the people in it, it's amazing."
 
They hope to raise $2,500 to help the Hall family, who will have to travel to the US for cancer surgery on his lungs.
 
If you would like to support them, drop by Drumheller Chrysler or Jurassic Ink.
 
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Local legend topic of Drumheller author visit

March 16, 2016, 4:18 am
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Another author visit to the Drumheller Public Library this spring will be something of a homecoming.
 
Helen Webster will do a reading from and sign copies of her new book.
 
"She's written a story about her grandfather, and the book is called Medical Man," reported library assistant director, Debbie Laplante. "Her grandfather was Dr. T. Robert Ross, who practiced medicine in Drumheller from 1919 to 1950."
 
"You would know Bob Ross from the lawyers office, he's her brother" she continued. "So it is kind of a family story and it's about their time and their roots in Drumheller."
 
Webster now lives in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and was inspired to take up writing by the stories her grandfather told when she was a child. Prior to taking up writing, she was a teacher and school administrator in British Columbia.
 
Author Visit 1
 
Her Drumheller visit is scheduled for April 5 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Cenovus Programs Room at the Drumheller Public Library. More information on Helen Webster can be found at this link.
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Going 'batty' at the Tyrrell

March 16, 2016, 6:43 am
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This week's guest lecturer for the Speaker Series at the Royal Tyrrell Museum can be accused of being 'batty.'
 
"There's a problem about the fossil record of bats (in that) when bats show up in the fossil record they already look like bats," outlined Dr. Francois Therrien, the Speaker Series organizer. "Mammals are all land dwelling animals so this means any group must have evolved from a small, rodent like animal, but the first bats already look like flying animals."
 
Dr. Gregg Gunnell from Duke University in North Carolina went to India and Pakistan to conduct field research and look for fossils that would shed light on the origin of bats.
 
"What people think of as being typical flight, what we see in birds, is actually is actually the exception rather than the rule," explained Therrien. "Bats and pterosaurs did it differently and they probably represent the way that flight actually evolves from animals."
 
Bats represent one in every five species of mammals in the world with at least 1,300 living species, some 600 species of extinct bats have also been identified. They are also the only flying mammals known ever to have lived.
 
Dr. Gunnell's presentation “Fossils of the Night – The History of Bats Through Time” will take place in the Tyrrell auditorium Thursday, March 17 at 11:00 a.m. Admission is free.
 
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Community Futures hires General Manager

March 16, 2016, 7:05 am
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Community Futures Big Country in Drumheller has announced their new general manager.
 
Brock Harrington officially joined the organization on March 1 and brings a wealth of experience.
 
He has over 28 years of sales, marketing and management experience including 18 years of employment in the United States. He was also the President of Scotia Machinery in Indianapolis for over 10 years.
 
His role will entail working with businesses, clients, and other stakeholders in the area to enhance economic growth for the region.
 
Harrington arrives at a time when Community Futures Big Country works towards their Vision 2020 which is a plan to complete strategic goals within the operating year of April 1, 2016 - March 21, 2017.
 
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the Community Futures program.    
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Jaydee Bixby to lead cancer fundraiser this summer

March 16, 2016, 11:37 am
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This July is going to kick off with a bang in Drumheller and native son, Jaydee Bixby will be right in the middle of it.
 
Not only is the former Canadian Idol star headlining the Canada Day celebrations at Rotary Park on July 1, he's also planning a charity river float to raise money for local health care needs the following day.
 
"We're going to end it at Newcastle Beach; originally it was going to be this big run all the way out to East Coulee (but) I didn't realize it would be like an eight or nine hour river float," he confessed. "We're going to start in and around the Nacmine area and hopefully, if everything goes good, we'll have a good two to three hour river float, 5.4 kilometres right to Newcastle beach."
 
Bixby, whose father Bud has been going through a battle with cancer, wants the proceeds from the July 2 event to benefit local health care delivery and related expenses.
 
"Some families are travelling fairly far to get treatment in Calgary and if you're taking radiation you're not wanting to drive back, so usually you have to pay for a hotel room," he noted. "If you're in that situation and you're feeling overwhelmed we can work out a way that we can finance your trip."
 
The self confessed 'water guy' admits he found himself over his head at first when it came to organizing things.
 
"I've always been the guy that showed up and did the show as a way to help out the charity," he told 99.5 Drum FM. "This time I'm trying out the organization end of it and I've got a whole new level of respect for those folks who organize all that stuff, but I feel like the reward will be phenomenal."
 
Bixby wants to thank the people who have helped so far. They've printed up pledge forms, which are available at the 99.5 Drum FM studios. Proceeds go to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation.
 
More information can be found on the Drumheller's First River Float for Cancer Facebook page.
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Wedding showcase a big success

March 16, 2016, 9:11 am
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The Badlands Community Facility (BCF) was a popular place for brides and wedding parties this past Sunday.
 
49 brides and 37 vendors attended the wedding showcase this year which was organized by BCF marketing officer Charlotte Stalgitis and wedding decorator Faye Leforte.
 
"Compared to last year there were a lot more brides that were already booked into the facility that were coming through," said Laforte. "I think it's catching on for a lot of the vendors as well."
 
The Badlands Community has become a very popular location for weddings, seeing several families holding wedding dances and receptions at the facility.
 
"It's a beautiful facility, the staff is fantastic to work with. I know as a vendor I certainly have enjoyed working with all of them," beamed Leforte.  "You can't beat the beautiful surroundings, just gorgeous."
 
In all, 20 different wedding themed tables were set up in the banquet hall, 10 of which were bride specific. The draw for the 50 per cent off facility rental prize will be made on March 31.
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Stettler man wins $1 million

March 16, 2016, 1:45 pm
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A Stettler man is $1 million richer.
 
Brett Baker purchased his winning LOTTO MAX ticket at Stettler Esso. His MAXMILLIONS win was one of the two drawn.
 
He plans to set aside some of his winnings for his wedding in June.
 
"It's going to be really nice to not worry about money so much," said Baker. "We have money to pay for the wedding and money for investments and maybe a new house."
 
He added it was hard to believe it when the he found out he won.
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Bill Cross Mens Shop going out of business

March 17, 2016, 5:49 am
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A longtime retail institution in Drumheller is closing its doors.
 
The owners of Bill Cross Mens Shop have decided to end the business after nearly four decades.
 
"Actually in February it would have been 39 (years)," noted Mel Cragg. "It just seems like yesterday that I started and now it's been 39 years and I'm worn out and it's time to move on to something else."
 
Cragg is looking forward to taking a vacation for the first time in years, but admitted he will also miss the business.
 
"I've always enjoyed selling clothes and I like dressing people," he confided. "It was one of the things in my life that I kind of fell into and it was perfect for me."
 
As far as immediate future plans, Cragg doesn't have any.
 
"Not at the moment I don't," he said. "It's like for every door that closes another one opens, so hopefully it will be something good."
 
Country Acres Antique Store is moving two doors to the north to take over the Bill Cross space.
 
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