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Year in Review: September, October, Novemeber, December
SPN Staff
for South Peace News
September
Sept. 1, 2009: The M.D. of Big Lakes meets to discuss the dissolution of the Village of Kinsuo. Council agrees to keep the municipal office open at least until the end of the year.
Sept. 4, 2009: Driftpile First Nation celebrates the graduation of 18 heavy equipment operators at St. Rose of Luna Church.
Sept. 4, 2009: Lucy Edna Gibb passes away at the age of 78 years.
Sept. 4-6, 2009: The High Prairie team of Clayton Kruger and Chris Kruger win the Golden Walleye Classic and $50,000 with a catch of 22.62 pounds.
Sept. 8, 2009: Town of High Prairie CAO Lonnie Miller announces his resignation effective Oct. 9.
Sept. 9, 2009: High Prairie’s annual FASD Walk draws about 35 people.
Sept. 10, 2009: The NPHL meets in Fairview for the coming season and decides to disqualify any team from its playoffs entering Allan Cup (AAA) playoffs.
Sept. 10, 2009: Lynne Mathieson passes away in High Prairie at the age of 61 years.
Sept. 12, 2009: Boondock’s Grill hosts the second of two dinners during the year. Connie Sabo’s belly dancers perform and an authentic Mediterranean meal is served to a sold out audience.
Sept. 12, 2009: Darrel Shewchuk is busy pouring the footings for his new building opposite Macleods True Value Hardware.
Sept. 13, 2009: Town of High Prairie treasurer Hermann Minderlein announces his resignation effective Oct. 9.
Sept. 13, 2009: Only 10 people attend the annual Terry Fox Run in High Prairie.
Sept. 15, 2009: The Faust Lakeside Hotel and Burger Baron are destroyed by a spectacular fire in Faust. The old Bittman Garage is also destroyed.
Sept. 15, 2009: The High Prairie Regals decide to operate for another season after a dozen people attend the annual general meeting. Lee Hunt is re-elected president.
Sept. 16, 2009: South Peace News reports the High Prairie Regals are in danger of folding if new executive members and players don’t step forward.
Sept. 16, 2009: RCMP Supt. District Officer Arlen Miller tells the M.D. of Big Lakes council the Faust RCMP detachment is not closing.
Sept. 16, 2009: Prairie River Junior High School holds its awards ceremony. Daniel Badger wins the Kenny Bissell Memorial Award while Brendan Murphy is named top Grade 9 academic student.
Sept. 16, 2009: The High Prairie School Division board of trustees votes to disqualify Marilyn Willier from her trustee position citing her absence from the May, June and August meetings.
Sept. 17, 2009: High Prairie Elementary School Grade 1 teacher Melissa Isaac is named the Peace Zone winner of the Edwin Parr Award.
Sept. 17, 2009: Jo Steinley opens Wholesome Jo’s Restaurant opposite the Park Theatre.
Sept. 17, 2009: The M.D. of Big Lakes holds its annual barbecue, postponed from June because of construction along Highway 2.
Sept. 18, 2009: CCS holds an open house at its plant south of High Prairie to celebrate its recently completed expansion.
Sept. 18, 2009: Only one day after opening, the building where Wholesome Jo’s Restaurant is located suffers damage in a fire. The fire starts at an electrical box.
Sept. 18, 2009: The High Prairie Golden Age Club raises about $1,500 at its annual Alzheimer Coffee Break.
Sept. 19, 2009: Local bands Still Unknown and In Chaos perform at Town Shake-Up, an outdoor concert at the Sports Palace held by A Community Together Against Drugs.
Sept. 20, 2009: Maria Helena Babcock passes away at the age of 86 years.
Sept. 21, 2009: Conway Blake Laboucan, 21, of Atikameg, is sent to prison for one year after pleading guilty to sexual assault.
Sept. 23, 2009: High Prairie town council meets behind closed doors and ponders a governance review, advertising for new manager and sustainability study.
Sept. 24, 2009: Lloyd Cunningham wins $514.26 in Enilda Mud Bowl’s Strike it Rich contest.
Sept. 24-25, 2009: High Prairie author Burgel Mertens launches her new book ‘There is a Tomorrow: My Life’ at the High Prairie Municipal Library.
Sept. 25, 2009: High Prairie Elementary School raises $396.20 in their annual Toonies for Terry fundraiser.
Sept. 26, 2009: Grouard celebrates its 100th birthday with a bash including games, an open house, dinner and dance.
Sept. 26, 2009: Joussard bids farewell to Father Virgil Baratto, who leaves the community after 20 years of service.
Sept. 27, 2009: High Prairie Bethel Baptist Church holds the Fall Harvest Festival. Among activities is a jail where people could pay a $1 and “send” a person to jail. Proceeds are forwarded to Santa’s Little Helper.
Sept. 28, 2009: High Prairie provincial court sentences Tyrone Burt Isadore, 23, to three months in jail after he pleads guilty to break and enter with intent. Isadore entered J.B. Wood Extended Care Unit June 13 and locked himself inside making for an easy arrest for police.
Sept. 30, 2009: Athabasca MP Brian Jean predicts a federal election “soon” which never comes. Friction on Parliament Hill threatens to bring down the Conservative government.
Sept. 30, 2009: The ‘War on Drugs’ locally is alive and well after the M.D. of Big Lakes agrees to pay the majority of the bill and extends an agreement for enhanced policing three more years.
October
Oct. 1, 2009: Ernest L’Heureux of Joussard passes away in High Prairie at the age of 92 years.
Oct. 3, 2009: Another piece of High Prairie’s history comes tumbling down as the old Turbo gas station is demolished by HAZCO of Edmonton.
Oct. 4, 2009: Bruce Stewart wins the High Prairie FireChase 10-km run in a time of 41:48.50 seconds. A record 200+ people enter the event.
Oct. 5, 2009: Crown prosecutors withdraw six charges against Tolko Industries and a single count against Valin Industrial Mill Installations. Both companies were charged after an incident involving the death of Heather Flaman May 30, 2006.
Oct. 5, 2009: High Prairie provincial court Judge G.W. Paul bans a boy from playing video games for one year after he pleads guilty to break and enter, not into a dwelling home.
Oct. 7, 2009: South Peace News features a story on East Prairie’s Roseanne Supernault, 20, who has a role in the TV pilot Blackstone.
Oct. 7, 2009: The Lions announce they are cancelling this year’s Lions Radio/TV Auction because of a lack of volunteers and the poor economic situation.
Oct. 10, 2009: Titen Badger wins a pomegranate eating contest held at High Prairie Freson IGA.
Oct. 14, 2009: South Peace News publishes a story on the famous ‘Canada Barn’ near Guy, which is featured on Royale tissue boxes.
Oct. 14, 2009: M.D. of Big Lakes fire chief John Gould tells council fire calls for all departments tops 100 so far this year.
Oct. 15, 2009: Kelsey Marquardt receives the highest marks in the Grade 12 Advanced Stream as E.W. Pratt High School holds its awards ceremony to recognize top academic achievement.
Oct. 15, 209: High Prairie’s Joyce Dvornek is re-elected chair of High Prairie School Division.
Oct. 15, 2009: The M.D. of Big Lakes fires long-time agricultural fieldman Gary Braithwaite.
Oct. 16, 2009: The Town of High Prairie’s protective services committee hears from Tammy Napier and her complaint of noise caused by Carillion Canada in the town’s south end.
Oct. 16, 2009: Eugene Ulm passes away in Vancouver at the age of 49 years.
Oct. 17-18, 2009: Karen Nielsen and Marla Willier win top prizes at the High Prairie Quilt Guild’s annual show and sale at St. Andrew’s School. Nielsen wins in the Small Category, Willier in Large Category.
Oct. 19, 2009: High Prairie provincial court hears shocking details of how a small child recorded a spousal assault.
Oct. 20, 2009: Wholesome Jo’s Restaurant re-opens after a Sept. 18 fire which forced a temporary closure.
Oct. 20, 2009: Alberta Health Services staff inform Festival of Trees organizers the event will be canceled this year at the hospital because of the H1N1 flu outbreak.
Oct. 21, 2009: The NPHL is shocked after hearing the Spirit River Rangers request a year’s leave of absence. No reason is cited in their letter to league president Jack McAvoy.
Oct. 22, 2009: Archie Grover is hired as the Town of High Prairie’s interim CAO until a full-time CAO is hired.
Oct. 24, 2009: High Prairie Police Cadets are given a special demonstration by a police dog as part of a day of training and activities at Prairie River Junior High School.
Oct. 24, 2009: High Prairie Scorpions Taekwondo Club members Edwina Ayles, Julia Isaac, Keana Duchesneau, Melissa Isaac and Chantelle Billings win medals at a meet in Sundre, AB.
Oct. 27, 2009: Peavine Bishop Routhier School holds a soccer tournament and promptly wins first place with a 6-3-0 record.
Oct. 29, 2009: The High Prairie Regals open their season on home ice and are blasted 9-1 by the visiting Falher Pirates. It’s their most lopsided win in High Prairie since records were kept in 1989.
Oct. 30, 2009: The M.D. of Big Lakes celebrates the grand opening of their municipal services facility in Grouard.
Oct. 30, 2009: Lucien Duchesneau passes away at the age of 48 years at his Grande Prairie home.
Oct. 31, 2009: The Pomeroy Inn dining room is filled to capacity as their annual pumpkin carving contest draws over 30 people. Tommy Blacha wins the carving portion of the contest; Scotia Dunphy wins the colouring contest
November
Nov. 1, 2009: Jerry Cooper and Ray Cramer open J.C. Heavy Truck Parts in the NAPA Building in High Prairie’s east end.
Nov. 2, 2009: Gift Lake Metis Settlement honours several of its citizens at its annual Recognition Night. Among those honoured are Joyce Laderoute, who receives the Community Member of the Year Award.
Nov. 4, 2009: Thieves steal poppies and money from Fields and leave the poppies scattered across the parking lot.
Nov. 6, 2009: High Prairie loses one of its finest citizens as Fred Spendiff passes away at the age of 87 years.
Nov. 6, 2009: Kapawe’no First Nation in Grouard celebrates the graduation of 11 new heavy equipment operators at the administration office.
Nov. 7, 2009: The Park Theatre donates proceeds from all ticket sales to High Prairie Minor Hockey to promote girl’s hockey. Tickets are presold by members of the peewee and midget teams.
Nov. 7, 2009: The local chapter of Ducks Unlimited holds its annual banquet at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites.
Nov. 11, 2009: The High Prairie Legion Hall is packed again for annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Nov. 11, 2009: Driftpile First Nation holds a special ceremony at the Community Centre to honour Aboriginal Veteran Peter Willier.
Nov. 12, 2009: Pedestrian Joan Wilson is hit by a driver at the intersection by Shell Snack and Car Wash. Charges are laid.
Nov. 12, 2009: A logging truck causes damage at Fas Gas after ripping apart part of the roof. The gas pumps are closed pending repair.
Nov. 12, 2009: High Prairie town council offers land to Northern Lakes College for a new campus.
Nov. 13, 2009: The High Prairie Regals and Lakeland Eagles are both awarded losses and coaches Jim McLean and Clyde Goodswimmer suspended after both using illegal players in their game Nov. 5. All statistics are struck from the record.
Nov. 13, 2009: Erika Witt of Faust passes away at the age of 82 years.
Nov. 14, 2009: High Prairie Tigers Taekwondo Club members return home from a tournament in Edmonton with two gold, seven silver and four bronze medals.
Nov. 16, 2009: Joseph Leonard BigCharles is found dead in an alley behind the former NAPA Auto parts building. Efforts to revive him are unsuccessful.
Nov. 16, 2009: High Prairie provincial court hears that Leslie Michael Auger, 29, robbed Shell Snack and Car Wash Nov. 10 to get money to pay a drug debt because he feared for his life. He is sent to prison for 42 months after pleading guilty to robbery.
Nov. 16, 2009: The Sucker Creek Recreation Centre is the location of a lively and spirited election forum.
Nov. 17, 2009: Missionaries Anthony and Barbara Manswell give a presentation on their experiences at the High Prairie Church of the Nazarene.
Nov. 18, 2009: High Prairie’s economic development pursuit committee admits the No Frills store planned for High Prairie is on hold until economic conditions improve.
Nov. 18, 2009: High Prairie’s economic development officer, Brian Holmberg, tells the economic pursuit committee he has no idea why stores in town are closing.
Nov. 18, 2009: High Prairie’s economic development pursuit committee agrees to lobby Costco to see if they will build a store in High Prairie.
Nov. 19, 2009: Just over 50 people participate in the annual National Addictions Awareness Week Walk held in town from the MITAA Centre to the Provincial Building.
Nov. 19, 2009: Over 200 people pack the Sucker Creek Recreation Centre to watch over 40 acts compete at the Sucker Creek Talent Show. Julie Calliou wins the Adult Category.
Nov. 19-21, 2009: Warehouse One rents space near the post office to test its products in the High Prairie market. The moves angers some people who view it as a cash grab by the company before Christmas.
Nov. 20, 2009: Myrtle Cook passes away at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton at the age of 62 years.
Nov. 21, 2009: High Prairie Scorpions Taekwondo Club members return home from a tournament in Whitecourt with five first place, four second place and four third place trophies.
Nov. 24, 2009: Blackstone premieres on APTN with East Prairie’s Roseanne Supernault, 20, starring in one of the roles.
Nov. 25, 2009: Gift Lake’s Pauline Flett starts a Chemo Bank to help people financially who are suffering from cancer in her community.
Nov. 26, 2009: East Prairie residents and students at Hillview School participate in the March Against Violence.
Nov. 26, 2009: High Prairie’s Anita Fisher wins a Yard Man lawnmower from POPS Home Hardware in the Ultimate Backyard Makeover Contest. Fisher is one of 12 winners from across Canada.
Nov. 26, 2009: The Sucker Creek Women’s Shelter receives a donation of $10,725.52 thanks to the efforts of Darlene Lightning-Mattson and Edna Willier, who volunteered at the Alberta Ladies Petroleum Classic Golf Tournament in Beaumont, AB Sept. 11.
Nov. 27, 2009: The largest number of entries ever for the annual Santa Claus Parade highlights Winter Light-Up festivities.
Nov. 28, 2009: Jim Badger wins the election for chief at Sucker Creek. Elected to council are Thomas Willier, George Prince Sr., William Terry Calliou, Lavern Willier, Matthew Willier and David Prince.
Nov. 29, 2009: Mary Hedrich passes away at the age of 87 years.
Nov. 30, 2009: M.D. of Big Lakes CAO Jeff Renaud resigns after exactly one year on the job.
December
Dec. 1, 2009: Louise Zahacy steps down as High Prairie and District Agricultural Society president after over 20 years of service.
Dec. 2, 2009: South Peace News reports on the High Prairie and District Food Bank’s desire to find a new home.
Dec. 2, 2009: The High Prairie Air Cadets hold their Christmas Mess Dinner and present promotions to several cadets.
Dec. 2, 2009: The Prairie River Junior High School boy’s basketball team outguns the visiting Valleyview Hillside Cougars 51-24 as Tyler Hubar scores 15 points. The PRJH girl’s team loses 52-42 and are led by Nicole Perry’s 18 points.
Dec. 2, 2009: Marjorie Poloz passes away at the age of 61 years.
Dec. 2, 2009: A boy wields a knife during an attempted robbery at Kinuso Family Foods. He later pleads guilty to theft under $5,000 and possession of a weapon in High Prairie youth court Dec. 14.
Dec. 3, 2009: The E.W. Pratt Charger’s men’s basketball team falls behind 16-4 and loses on home court to the Valleyview Hillside Cougars 52-38. The Lady Chargers win their game 60-28 over Hillside as Shaylene Patenaude and Sarah Jenkins each scores 12 points.
Dec. 4, 2009: The High Prairie United Church holds a ‘Raise the Roof’ spaghetti dinner to help raise money to pay for roof repairs at the church.
Dec. 5, 2009: Jadin Cox plays the role of Mary and Father Abraham Srambical the role of Joseph at the St. Mark’s Anglican Church Nativity celebration.
Dec. 5, 2009: Big Lakes Dodge is honoured as the Business of the Year while two Elders, Myrtle Cook and Peter Kushner, are honoured as Elders of the Year at the High Prairie Native Friendship Centre’s Elder’s Banquet. Karlynn Willier is chosen as Employee of the Year.
Dec. 6, 2009: The High Prairie Municipal Library hosts its annual Christmas Party. Attendance rises from last year with an estimated 140 attending.
Dec. 6, 2009: The High Prairie United Church hosts the annual Ecumenical Christmas Service.
Dec. 8, 2009: The Golden Walleye Classic Society donates $2,800 to the High Prairie Fire Department. Each year, the fire department provides volunteers to cook and serve the GWC’s banquet; in turn, a donation is later presented.
Dec. 9, 2009: Theresa Wiebe begins her job as the Town of High Prairie’s new treasurer.
Dec. 10, 2009: The High Prairie and Area Chamber of Commerce cancels its meeting because only five people attend.
Dec. 13, 2009: The High Prairie Christian Centre holds A Night in Bethlehem. The hand-on Holy Land experience has many activities and a manger scene to teach children about the night Jesus was born.
Dec. 16, 2009: Canada’s Next Top Model contestant Linsay Willier and So You Think You Can Dance contestant James Jones visit Driftpile School. The next day they visit High Prairie Elementary School.
Dec. 17, 2009: The High Prairie Royal Canadian Legion announces winners in the annual Remembrance Day contest. President Don Ebbett is thrilled a record number of people enter. This year, 186 entries were received, up from a previous high of only 112.
Dec. 18, 2009: High Prairie is awarded the 2010 Midget Female A Provincials.
Dec. 18, 2009: High Prairie’s Mr. Hockey, Fred Spendiff, is honoured posthumously by High Prairie Minor Hockey for his contributions.
Dec. 18, 2009: Andrew Cardinal scores five goals as the High Prairie Legionnaires whip Smoky River 12-5.
Dec. 19, 2009: Ron Smith is awarded a High Prairie Regals jersey posthumously before the team’s game against Peace River. His brother, Carl Smith, accepts.
Dec. 20, 2009: Marc Laboucan scores twice as the High Prairie Legionnaires defeat Peace River 6-3.
Dec. 23, 2009: South Peace News publishes a story on Royal Bank employee Doris Duchesneau, who will be carrying the Olympic Torch at Dawson Creek Jan. 31, 2010.
Dec. 23, 2009: South Peace News publishes a story on High Prairie’s Quin Sekulich, who is helping train Canadian bobsleigh athletes for the Olympics.
Dec. 23, 2009: The High Prairie Regals conclude the calendar year with a 9-6 home ice loss to Peace River.
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