Somebody was claiming in a newspaper story that a 106-year-old lady out Falher way is one of the oldest Albertans in history. No evidence was offered and it made us curious, so the Page 9 fact-checking team sprang into action and found somebody has been keeping records. There’s a list of the oldest Canadians on record, and Bessie Roffey of Kinuso is on there, in 57th place. She lived into her 112th year, passing away in 2008. That makes her the third-oldest in Alberta history.

The list is only 100 people long, with the 100th-oldest reaching 110 years and 88 days.

Only four Albertans are in the top 100. Cora Hansen made it to 113 years, 24 days – good for 15th oldest in Canadian history. Margherita Buttiri of Edmonton (Born in Croatia) was 112 years and 46 days old when she died, second oldest ever in Alberta and 34th in Canada. In 89th place all-time for Canada is Albertan Rosalie Gaukler, at 110 years, 159 days.

By the way, 93 of the 100 people on the list were (or are) women. The oldest man on there was James McCoubrey, who lived 111 years, 295 days.

If we’re not mistaken, there are three Slave Lake players on this year’s Peace River Navigators roster.
Aaron Kuhn is one of them and 10 games into the season, he was third in team scoring, albeit with a modest four points.

Nathan Hartman had three points in his first nine games for the Junior ‘B’ team.

Kayle Dierker shows up with a pair of assists in five games with the Navs.

In other NWJHL news, Keaton Mercredi led the league in scoring after 11 games (according to the South Peace News). If we’re not mistaken, Keaton played hockey in Slave Lake a few years ago.

While we’re at it, Will Chemago had nine points in his first nine games with the St. Paul Canadiens this season.

Nov. 1 to 15 people can vote on the M.D. of Lesser Slave River photo contest. See post on The Lakeside Leader Group Page on Facebook for the link (or check out the M.D. ad on Page 11).

The Alberta Society of Radiologists sent The Leader two posters about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which was in October. The posters arrived on Oct. 31, so a bit late to put up. However, here are some of the statistics:

Breast cancer causes around 14 per cent of cancer-related deaths of women in Canada. Each year, about 28,600 women in Canada will be diagnosed with cancer. About 19 per cent of these women will die from it. However, almost 100 per cent of women who are diagnosed in the early stages of breast cancer survive. This is why screening is so important.

Once a year or so, a breast cancer screening van comes to Slave Lake. The last one was the first week in April.

Unfortunately, two Northland School Division students died recently, both in vehicle collisions.

The school division posted their condolences on social media on Oct. 30 and 31.

The first message says, “On Saturday, October 29, 2022, five Northland School Division students were involved in a vehicle accident in Wabasca-Desmarais. It is with great sadness that we confirm the loss of one student. The other four students were taken to the hospital. We do not have an update on their conditions at this time.”

Then on Oct. 31, 2022, Northland School Division made an announcement about another student death. This student died in an OHV collision in Calling Lake.

Both messages ended with “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families and communities affected by this tragic event.”

The Slave Lake Hospital Auxiliary gift shop has beaded poppies for Remembrance Day.

Weekly newspaper staff are a week ahead, so don’t be surprised by a deer-in-the-headlights look when you compliment us on the paper. Thanks to everyone who stopped us on the street to comment on the old photos in the 50th Anniversary edition last week.