Canada Day in Beiseker

Tomorrow is Canada Day!  On that day (July 1) in 1867, Canada officially became a country.  To be truthful, it wasn't much of a country.  It only had four provinces and most of its affairs were still controlled by the British back in London, but it was a start.

And look how far we've come!  We've grown from sea to sea to sea with ten provinces and three territories.  We make all of our own decisions domestically and internationally, we have our own national anthem, and our own flag.  We're a strong and peaceful country, to the envy of the two other nations which share North America with us.  Canada is respected around the world.  We have much to celebrate!

Tomorrow is the day we celebrate.  I hope those folks who place those little Canadian Flags at our pathways are going to do that again.  I haven't heard. 

We'll have a big celebration in Legacy Park, which is just north of the Village Office.  Alberta Health Services has told us that we can't BBQ burgers there any more, but we'll be giving out pre-packaged goodies and treats.   It goes from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

Be there to show your nationalistic spirit!  See you there!

Here's a couple of trivia questions for you;  What were the four provinces in Canada back in 1867?  What province joined Canada last to make it an even ten?

Please, Plant A Tree!

If you really want to do something about the rising carbon dioxide level and pollution in our atmosphere, plant a tree.  One tree will filter out 40 tonnes of pollutants and thousands of cubic meters of carbon dioxide from the air, in its lifetime!

It will also release thousands of cubic meters of pure, life giving oxygen back into the air during that time!

Trees also provide home for birds and shade on those sunny days.  Evergreens provide a winter windbreak while deciduous trees allow the winter sun to shine through. Trees hold back a tremendous amount of water, which helps prevent flooding. Trees can be harvested for wood.  Fruit trees provide apples, crab apples, pears, and a few other hardy varieties of fruit.  Maple trees (even the Manitoba Maples around here) can provide sap to make maple syrup! 

Some of Beiseker's trees are old and reaching the end of their lifespans, especially the poplars.  As they are removed from your property, buy and plant a replacement. Your descendants will thank you!

A Fantastic Country Fair!

The weather turned out perfect for Beiseker's 96th edition of its Lions Club Country Fair!  The fun started with a fantastic morning breakfast at the community centre and continued all day. 

I thought the parade was a little sparse of decorations but those who participated were definitely enthusiastic! 

I was disappointed that I didn't see Rocky View Fire Services in the parade, but our Beiseker Fire Department was joined by the folks of the Kneehill Fire Department from Acme, in their firetruck.  I met a few of them at breakfast and welcomed them to Beiseker.

The Color Me Beiseker Run was FANTASTIC, especially for the young people there.  Our MLA (and former Beiseker Mayor) the Honourable Bruce Rowe and his wife Carol actually ran in the colour run!  Everyone was having fun.  It was great to see.

I didn't see much of the 4H Show & Sale but I understand it was a huge success.  Some of the other scheduled events didn't have as large a turn-out as I expected, but those who were there had a great day!  Chris Heighton's tenth annual Show & Shine on Main Street was awesome!  I think the early morning clouds and rain kept some car guys at home with their mechanical babies, but they missed a wonderful day.

Overall I thought this year's Beiseker Lions Country Fair was one of the best ever!  Thank you to everyone who made that day possible. You rock!

(Here's a request from me;  If anyone got a photo of myself and my little dog Duggie in the parade, I'd love to put it here and on my facebook page.)

Fire Services Agreement with County

This afternoon, I signed an agreement between Rocky View County and the Village of Beiseker to mutually cooperate to provide fire protection to the area in and around our village!  Now the documents are on their way to County Council to be signed, there. 

This mutual aid agreement will ensure that the folks living in and around Beiseker (especially those to the northeast) will receive the best fire protection possible.  Rocky View Fire Services will now be able to help the Beiseker Fire Department - and vice versa - when required!

Congratulations to Rocky View Fire Chief Smith and Beiseker Fire Chief Ursu on their success in creating this agreement.  You have made history in this part of the county.

I am very proud of our volunteer firefighters here in Beiseker.  They exemplify our village values in neighbours helping neighbours.  Now they will be able to help even more neighbours! 

This weekend I hope that Rocky View Fire Services will be able to participate with our Fire Department in our annual Country Fair Parade.  If you see them rolling by, give them an extra loud cheer like you gave our firefighters when they went by!

Honouring the RCMP's Fallen

Beiseker is a long way from Moncton, New Brunswick, when measured in miles or kilometres, but it's only a short distance when measured in values and honour.

At last night's Beiseker Council meeting, we agreed to lower our flag to half mast all day Tuesday to honour those three RCMP officers killed in the line of duty in the streets of Moncton last week.  Their funeral will be held today.  Moncton has been desribed as a very quiet and peaceful city, not unlike our quiet little village here in Alberta.  The horrific events of last week could have happened anywhere in Canada.

When the call came into Moncton RCMP headquarters that a heavily armed individual had been spotted in a quiet neighbourhood, the Mounties responded.  Those officers went toward the trouble while residents moved away and stayed behind locked doors.  The officers put their lives on the line to protect the folks of Moncton! 

I think it is to the credit of those officers that no citizens were injured in the 30 hours that it took to bring the situation under control again.  Two officers were injured and three lost their lives making that happen!

The heroic actions of Constable Ross, Constable Gevaudan, and Constable Larche will not be forgotten. 

The RCMP lost three of their own last week.  Two other officers are recovering from their wounds.  If you get a chance this next few days, thank a police officer for their service and dedication.

Calgary's New Hockey Arena Debate on Again

I read in the paper this morning that the Calgary Flames organization have cranked up the heat on the "New Hockey Palace For Calgary" debate, again. 

The way I read it, the NHL owners are almost demanding that Calgary, the Flames, and the province fork out a huge amount of money (probably around $750 million dollars)  to build this thing like the one in Edmonton, which is under construction as we speak.  I think that's ridiculous!  

The Scotiabank Saddledome is older than almost all the other NHL buildings, so I guess they want it demolished and a new arena built somewhere else. 

But the 'Dome just had a major multi-million dollar facelift, thanks to last year's flood damage!  It's seating capacity is about equal to all other NHL arenas!   True there is only 6 000 seats in the lower bowl and other arenas have 9 000 or more seats there.  But who will benefit the most from having those extra 3000+ seats in the lower bowl?

I don't think the Saddledome is an embarassment to Calgary!  If the Flames think it is, then they should gather a few of the NHL Billionaires and Millionaires together and pass the hat!  Those folks have the bucks; Alberta's taxpayers do not! 

If the City of Calgary wants to contribute to building a new "NHL Palace" in their city, that's their business!  I pay taxes in Alberta, and I'm saying the province should put its chequebook away on this one!  Just because they threw a bunch of money at Edmonton's new arena, doesn't mean they should do the same in Calgary!

Historical June

Today, June 4, marks the beginning of three of the most important anniversary dates in the history of the twentieth century.

June 4, is the 25th anniversary of the battle for democracy in China, focused on Tienanmen Square in that nation's capital.  Students from across China gathered in the square to ask the government for more rights and freedoms, and democratic elections.  The protest/demonstration went on for days.  Finally the police and army moved in with tanks and guns to remove, arrest or shoot the demonstrators.  I believe hundreds if not thousands were killed, although no official accurate body count was ever announced!

According to official Chinese records the incident never even happened.  All Chinese history books do not mention the atrocities of Tienanmen Square twenty five years ago.  Many of us interested in world democracy watched the happenings in that square.  We saw the film of the "Tank Man" actually stopping an army tank by standing in front of it!  We saw the film showing truckloads of dead and wounded students being hauled away after the carnage.  We know it happened and we will remember!

June 5 & 6 marks the anniversaries of two Second World War battles which turned the tide of war in favour of the Allies. 

The Battle of Midway took place on June 5th, 1942.  It put an end to the aircraft carrier domination by Japan in the Pacific.  The Americans ambushed the Japanese fleet as it prepared to invade the tiny island of Midway in the Pacific. 

The Americans sunk all four of the Japanese carriers and started turning the war around in their favour.

D-Day took place on June 6, 1944.  Allied armies stormed the beaches of Normandy in France.  It was the largest invasion force ever assembled.  It was the beginning of the end for Hitler and his Nazi domination of Europe. 

Canadians landed on a beach named Juno while Canadian aircraft provided air cover overhead.  Thousands of Canadians were killed or wounded on those first few days.

I'll See You at the Country Fair!

Mark down Saturday, June 14 down on your calendar!  That's the day Beiseker celebrates its 96th Country Fair!

The celebration is the centre piece of the very active Beiseker Lions Club.  This group continues to work so hard for the betterment of our community.  The fair gives them a chance to "let their hair down" and party!

Come early and have breakfast at the Beiseker Community Centre (7:00 am to 9:00 am.), then plan for a busy but fun day!  The parade starts down Main Street at 10:00 a.m.

There is going to be a HUGE show and shine on Main Street after the parade (weather permitting).  There will be ball games, face painting, a 4H show and sale, skydiving, a money pit, beer gardens, beef supper, pie & coffee at the Seniors' Centre, a tailgate sale, a colour run, a photo display, a cabaret, and a host of other things to see and do.

I'll see you there!