We extend birthday congratulations to Roy Haeberle, who celebrated his 90th birthday with a party of family and friends last Saturday.
Born June 9, 1922, in a log cabin north of town, Roy has spent all his life in Halkirk. Gathering at his home in town were his brother Jack and Shirley and their sons, Ken and Jim and their families; his sister Beth and Paul Thibault and their children Shelley, Jay and Joni and their families; nieces and nephews Dallas and Fay; Susan; Dorothy and son Cory; Dale and Kimberly; Wendy; Gay and Gordon, their son Jason and his family, as well as cousins from Viking.
Also calling were Myrt Hoopfer, Gail and Max McMillan, Anne Neilson, Peggy Green, Ross and Dawn Elsasser and Doug (who was also celebrating his birthday) and Virginia Duke.
A most popular guest was Ken’s Shetland pony, “Sugar,” who gave all the kids rides around town in his cart.
Letters of congratulations were received from Prime Minister Steven Harper, Governor-General David Johnston and Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson.
The Halkirk Hicks hosted two 4-H rodeos last weekend, June 2 and 3. It was the first two of a series of five.
The third rodeo was held in Stettler on June 9, with the final two scheduled for Gooseberry Lake in two weeks’ time.
In each rodeo event, juniors, intermediate and senior competitors receive points and ribbons. These points are calculated and tallied over the five rodeos, with high point in each event winning a belt buckle.
There were about 50 entries from the East Central Alberta clubs, with two or three from out of the area competing in Halkirk.
Eighteen young people belong to this very active 4-H rodeo horse club.
The Halkirk seniors celebrated seniors’ week by serving strawberry shortcake at the centre last Wednesday afternoon. They also had a bake table, some contests, piano player Colette Fetaz and Anne Neilson, who led a sing-along. It was a delightful afternoon.
Several folks turned up last Saturday to participate in the village clean-up. Workers were treated to hot dogs at noon in the hall. A lot of yards looked like they were cleaned up and unwanted things taken out to the dump.
Dale Kent and Matthew Koenraadt were among those attending the provincial Elks conference in Drumheller this past weekend. Matthew is the Halkirk Elks exalted ruler and Dale is the past district deputy for our area.
We extend sympathy to the family of Bette Hronek, who passed away June 9. Bette, an RN who worked with the local hospitals and health units, was a tireless volunteer, supporting not only the Halkirk activities and projects, but also the communities of Castor and Stettler. She had a special interest in the MS and cancer foundations.
The Hronek story is on Page 489 of the Home Fires.
Get-well wishes to Ida Bailey, who is presently a patient in the Stettler hospital.
Colette Fetaz is pleased to announce that she is a great-grandmother for the 11th time. Cameron Reid was born June 1 to her granddaughter Denise and hubby Craig of Sherwood Park. Denise is the daughter of Marie (Fetaz) and Wayne Kuefler. Congratulations.
A come-and-go preschool registration for three- and four-year-olds will be held on Thursday evening at 7:30 in the school. It’s an opportunity to meet the teacher and parents are welcome to bring their children.
The new playground has been put up in the park by the hall last week. Dirt donated by Dick and Ann Creasey and much-needed extra help from Tankstore was appreciated. The kids could hardly wait to play on it.
Funnel clouds were photographed north of Halkirk near the river on Saturday afternoon.
As of Sunday, more than an inch of much-needed rain had fallen in the area.
COMING UP: The last hall board bingo of the season is this Thursday at 7:30. The next bingo will be held in September.
COUNTDOWN — Just 21 days till Halkirk’s homecoming and the centennial celebrations.