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Never hard to find news to report in the summertime

Bill and Joyce Hansel were among the friends and family that met at Debbie and Dwayne Sutton's to celebrate Bernard Garland's 80th birthday.

Bill and Joyce Hansel were among the friends and family that met at Debbie and Dwayne Sutton's to celebrate Bernard Garland's 80th birthday. Bernard's sister Dorothy Garland Biggelaar was home from Kelowna, Husband Rocky was unable to come. Daughter Michelle (Biggelaar) was with her mom.  A short program was enjoyed. Bernard's granddaughter Andrea (Dawn and Bernie's daughter) sang (and wrote) a special song for grandpa and was accompanied by her dad Bernie. The birthday took place Aug.1, his actual day was July 25. Happy birthday, Bernard!

 

Also Aug. 1, Paulette Heer and friends Jeanne Beisel drove to Ponoka to attend aunt Jean Hankin’s 85th birthday at her home.  There were close to 60 people there, including all but one of Jean's sons and daughters, Dale had to work and couldn't be there. Debbie (Ray), Helen (Harvey), Patsy, Barb (Ken), Barry, John (Lorraine) were all there as well as two sisters Alice and Marg and lots of grand and great grandchildren.  Happy birthday, Jean!

Aug. 3, third Bill and Joyce Hansel took birthday cake to Eleanor Dahlgren in the morning.  Eleanor's daughter Brenda Laboucan and four grandchildren arrived in the afternoon for a week of holiday. They all went out for birthday supper and were joined by Darcy and Tammy, Kayla and Luke.  Brenda enjoyed a week of seeing all her family, even taking in the garage sale in Gadsby.

Kyle Bigney participated in the "Death Race" in Grande Cache recently.  His team of five placed seventh overall (out of 165 teams), fourth in the men's.  Kyle did 27 km in four hours and 12 minutes over rugged terrain, rocks, water, high altitude and some of the steepest spots in the area.  Way to go, Kyle!

Happy 45th anniversary to Gloria and Stan Diegel on Aug. 1, and a milestone birthday to Yvonne Coleman, who turned 85 recently. A family celebration was held at daughter Daphne and Terry's.

Happy birthday to Percy Heer ! Helping him celebrate were Fred and Velvet Entwisle on Saturday night and sister Dale and Eldon Van Straten, John and Jewel Heer and Bailey Sunday night.

We bid farewell to Helen Bailey who passed away July 30 at the age of 97. A private family interment service was held at the Halkirk cemetery. Helen was an icon in the Westwoods district, where she and her sisters Lorraine and Yvonne made the Westwoods community center and later the Agrilot, a viable, very active spot.  Ball tournaments, sports days, bingos, Sunday school and Christmas concerts were among these events. Helen was a font of information, which was invaluable when writing the Westwoods Book and later the Gadsby "From the Big Knife to the Battle" history book. In 1977, she led the charge to save the Gadsby Bank Building and created the Gadsby District Hobby Club. This became a hub of activity for over 35 years. By chance, Helen passed away at the time the last members of the club were getting ready to close the Bank Building, the club and preparing for an "all must go" garage sale. Her last project was to save the Gadsby Church building, which she, along with family and friend, did.  This building is active and a project still on going. Helen wrote the Westwoods News for years in the Stettler Independent.  People said they bought the paper just to read her news.