!– wp:paragraph –> The following came in after the publishing deadline for the Sept. 8 paper – regarding Sept. 30 – National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Both Living Waters Separate Catholic Schools and Slave Lake Koinonia Christian School will remain open this year. They will commemorate the day by wearing orange shirts and having activities on the topics of residential schools. Northern Lakes College will also be doing the same (see full statement on Page 6). Also, the provincial court announced it will be open this year on Sept. 30. The news release says, “To do otherwise at this stage would seriously disadvantage those affected, particularly those involved in criminal trials as accused, complainants and witnesses due to the time it would take to reschedule them.”
Sept. 18 to 19th was going to be a very busy weekend, but with the rise of COVID-19 active cases in the area, some activities are postponed. As of Sept. 9, the ones still going ahead were: A soccer camp Sept. 17 to 19. Adult soccer tournament Sept. 18 to 19 (if more teams signed up). Colour Fun Run and BBQ – Sept. 18 two races one at 11 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m. Postponed events: Art in the Park (to next spring). Welcome Back Fair (to Jan. 8, 2022). The Future is Female – Ladies Night Out (new date TBA).
The Roland Michener Secondary School is raising money with the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 23.
Incumbent MP Arnold Viersen announced on Sept. 4 that his wife gave birth to their fifth child on Sept. 4, 2021.
Sept. 7 was Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day. The Slave Lake Ukrainian Cultural Society is currently recruiting dancers of all ages. For more information email slucsdance@gmail.com.
It was looking very likely when this was written there would be no candidates’ forum for the federal election in Slave Lake this time around. That’s too bad, because those in-person events are always helpful for a certain number of voters when it come to making up their minds. But it seems the time is too short, and the folks who usually organize such events are too busy. Then there’s the factor that nobody was expecting or particularly wants a federal election in the middle of municipal and school board election season. Somewhere in this edition of The Leader you’ll see some info on each of the candidates running in Peace River-Westlock. We’re hoping it helps a bit.
‘Who do you think will get in?’ This question one hears often these days, referring to the federal situation. Predictions aren’t worth much, especially when based on ‘gut feelings.’ You can look at the polls, which showed the Conservatives with a slight lead. Polls aren’t always right, but what else is there to go on? They suggest another minority government is likely, one way or another.
Did we mention the chainsaw sculptures shaping up on the Allarie Trails in Slave Lake? Two large poplar trees were taken down in the course of re-routing a piece of the trail (away from the creek). A couple of tallish stumps were left and Randy Lukan has been crafting them into sculptures with a saw or saws. The location is behind the church and mosque in SE Slave Lake.
Randy Lukan’s sculpture on the Allarie Trails.
You’ve probably noticed larger-than-usual numbers of vehicles around bearing B.C. plates. It suggests British Columbians are vacationing in our neck of the woods more than they usually do. Some of them might also belong to members of work crews. We heard last week that a contractor from that province has had people in this area doing mountain pine beetle work.
It’s always nice to give the arts a plug. There are articles about two music teachers in Slave Lake on Page 12 and 15. Other music teachers in Slave Lake and area – Colleen Johnston (violin), Carla T. Boisvert (piano and guitar), in Kinuso Angelina Brubacher (piano), and in Widewater Judith Burns (piano). There may be others that haven’t come to The Leader’s attention.