Work on the replacement water main under Sawridge Creek seems to be proceeding briskly. Not that we are any judge of these things, but the contractor, Pidherney’s Inc. (‘The Vanderwells of Rocky Mountain House,’ somebody called them), are certainly on the job and doing things, seven days a week. Last week when we walked by, a directional drilling machine was probing under the creek from the Springwood side, while on the other side, a long pipe snaked around the perimeter of Schurter Park, waiting to be put into a trench. Two days later, it was gone, presumably under the ground.
One of the nice things about visiting the Sweetgrass (formerly known as Points West) residence in Slave Lake, is, if you arrive at the right time of day, is the sound of Evelyn Norberg playing her guitar and leading a singalong in the common room. It sounds good and is also interesting to look at, due to the unusual playing style she uses, with the guitar flat on her lap, Hawaiian-style. Chords are made by pressing a bar across the strings, instead of with the fingers. It requires a non-standard sort of tuning, which according to an article, is often a ‘closely-guarded secret.’
How Evelyn came to play the guitar in that unconventional style is a good question, and as it happened, fellow Sweetgrass resident Bert Tanghe – who turns 100 next month – had the answer (It came up in an interview last week; story coming soon). Bert says it was his older brother Reginald, “after he came back from the war,” who taught Evelyn the guitar style she still uses today.
“And she’s pretty good at it!” says Bert.
It’s been a long time coming and will be a while longer, but it looks as if the Roland Michener Rams football team will enter league play this fall. A spring training camp is scheduled for May 26 and 27. Coach Taylor Hulme is hoping to be able to field a competitive team for the nine-man division in inter-school play, beginning in September. If that’s not possible, there’s a six-man division as well. Training resumes for the fall season on Aug. 15. Go Rams!
Thanks to the urging of Harry Bartlett of the Rotary Club, The Leader is yet again entered into the ‘Media Challenge’ division of the Rotary’s NHL Playoff Pool. We have to say this isn’t as exciting as it once was. The last few times it’s been just us against the folks at Eastlink and we keep winning that pizza from Alimo’s. It’s getting so we’re almost feeling sorry for the competition – all those years with no free pizza. Maybe this year will be different. Who knows?
Meanwhile, Harry tells us (as of April 14) the pool was 60 per cent sold.
Former Slave Lake school teacher and author Aaron Lehman died in early April. His funeral is April 23, starting at 2 p.m. at the Slave Lake Alliance Church. It will also be live-streamed on Slave Lake Alliance’s YouTube channel.
The Fourth Annual Brooms and Brew Bonspiel is April 23 at the Slave Lake Curling Rink. For details, call or text Ryan at 780-260-0014. No minors allowed.
Be cautious when registering for minor soccer. There are two soccer options in Slave Lake, with very similar emails. The options are – the Slave Lake Minor Soccer Association and a new competitive league, which is not connected. See article on Page 13.
In other soccer news, there’s a training camp coming to Slave Lake. The registration deadline is May 10. The camp is May 13 to 15th. There are sessions for people U8 to adults. For information, contact Esther Bylsma at 780-516-4389, or register at spartan.soccer.
Games are back at the Flatbush Legion. It is open every Friday from 8 p.m. to midnight for ‘Wings & Games.’ Everyone is welcome.
Applications are open for Slave Lake Family and Community Support Services grants. Applications are available at www.slavelake.ca or by emailing fcss@slavelake.ca. The deadline is April 29, 2022.
June 4 is the Fourth Annual Clays 2 Raise Family Fun Shoot, put on by Slave Lake Victim Services. It is at the Slave Lake Rod and Gun Club. To register or sponsor this event, contact Jacquie at victimservices2008@gmail.com or 780-849-6884.
SHARA has released information about the Smith Hondo Fall Fair and Rodeo on smithalberta.ca. It is Labour Day weekend, September 2 to 4.
Slave Lake’s Community Cleanup is May 6 to 13th this year. See the TOSL for more information.
