Submitted by Paulette Heer Gadsby/Westwoods News
Congratulations to Matty McKay, Lawrence Clarke’s grandson, who has won the CCMA (Canadian Country Music Awards) Guitar Player of the Year award. Matty recently opened for Garth Brooks, along with Brett Kissel, in Calgary and was presented with his award on stage, September 9. Proud parents are Joanne (Clarke) and Stewart McKay.
Kathleen Bignell is still successfully showing her black lab dogs in British Columbia. This September she, along with trainer Peter Brunold showed Ava, Kathy’s four year old Lab. As they say, Kathy “put Ava through her paces” and won Senior Title. The ribbon reads “Senior Heart Test”. September 3 Kathleen and Ava received 2 “Legs” in Rally Advance and 2 “High Point” ribbons in Class for both days. A team effort. In all Ava has received eight titles in Obedience, Rally and Hunt. She is also a therapy dog.
Good job and many thanks goes to our local Hutterite Colony, Nitschke Trucking and especially to the Stettler Fire Department who were quick to come to the aid of a baler and grass fire just west of Botha. Plumes of grey smoke could be seen out my west window, and with the dry conditions and winds a very bad situation was avoided. Luckily no one was injured.
Special Birthday Greetings to Alex Skocdopole who turned eighteen on September 16. Parents Greg and Richelle Skocdopole hosted a family supper on Friday, September 15 with Uncle Wade and Auntie Ybiett and family there as well as Uncle Arden and Auntie Deanne and family, Nana and Papa Diegel (Gloria and Stan) as well as Grandpa and Grandma Skocdopole (Jim and Dixie) all there to help him celebrate entering into adulthood. Saturday night Alex invited his adult friends and family to join him at the local bar.
A grand lady has left us with the passing of Laura Calkins (Peterson) Hanson of Red Deer and formerly of Gadsby. Laura raised her family in Gadsby where they took their schooling and participated in local events such as 4H Garden and after school activities. After raising her children Laura went back to high school in Stettler and graduated in 1972 along side her son Donnie. She was proud of her Scandinavian heritage and always an interesting lady to visit, with a positive, cheerful attitude. She leaves to mourn her loss, her family, Julia (Robin) Weir, Karl Peterson, Sharon (John) Avery), Don Peterson. She leaves four stepchildren, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and many dear friends. Funeral services were held Friday, September 15 in the Stettler Funeral Home Chapel, interment in Coronation.
The family of octogenarian Belle Fisher would like friends to know of her passing. There will be a graveside service at the Gadsby Cemetery on Saturday, September 23 at 2 p.m., lunch to follow at the Gadsby Community Hall. Her full obituary will be in the Stettler Independent.