Halkirk Home Fires, Volume 2, arrived in town Tuesday morning. First copies will be auctioned at the birthday bash this Saturday afternoon.
Mother Teresa classes for the 2011-12 year ended last Wednesday. All the students got to enjoy a year-end field trip.
The kindergarten to Grade 6 students went to Red Deer on June 25. The K to Grade 3 students went on a walking tour at Waskasoo Nature area behind principal Mrs. Pinkoski’s home. Mr. Pinkoski was busy preparing lunch of barbecued hotdogs for the group, which then spent the afternoon at the Kerrywood Nature Centre for a fun day of studying birds, animals and flowers, including the wood frog.
The centre is designed to create a population that is interested in and aware of their natural and cultural heritage.
The grades 4, 5 and 6 students spent the morning in the wave pool at the Collicutt Centre, followed by lunch at the heritage ranch.
In the afternoon, they toured the Alberta Sports hall of Fame and Museum, with a hands-on gallery. Students could explore Alberta’s incredible sports history and heroes and see how sports and its equipment have evolved.
The junior high class had a year-end campout south of Halkirk and, despite the rain, had a great time. They enjoyed swimming, fishing, games and trying to stay dry in tents.
The Paintearth mine entered the 32nd annual Alberta mine rescue competition for the 10th time, in Fort McMurray. Joey Boxma stepped into the position of captain this year, with Marty Rowland taking over as team coach. Matt Koenraadt moved up to rigger, with Robert Cook, Brian Wegenast, Greg Blumhagen, Joel Leslie and Kassia Keogh making up the rest of the team.
Halkirk competed against some very big teams from the Oilsands and did a very good job of showing what we are made of out in Central Alberta.
Darrel and Erin Ashbacher attended the Canadian Sheep Classic in Truro, N.S., where one of their flock won reserve champion Hampshire lamb ram.
On their return, the whole family (except Clint, who is in Russia) attended the wedding of niece Rebecca Ashbacher in Cranbrook, B.C.
Noel and Shirley McBride of Sheep Meadow farm held their annual open house at the weekend, showcasing their miniature horses and any newborns to family and friends.
Rob Kent from Fort Nelson was visiting with grandparents Dale and Melody for a few days this week.
Nano Kerr, along with her daughter Rachel and granddaughter Olive from Australia visited with her cousins, Noel and Shirley McBride, this past weekend.
Nano and her late husband, Gilbert, both taught in Castor many years ago. They were pleased to tour grandpa Paul Farnall’s homestead, now the home of John and Judy deMos.
Malene Scholer, the Ashbachers’ Ag exchange from Denmark, is looking forward to taking her mom, Mary Ann, on a two-week tour of Alberta tourist sites.
HALKIRK COUNTDOWN: One more day until the village’s 100th anniversary celebrations. We are looking forward to meeting with all our visitors.