Community

Stephanie Waldron, left, and Violet Smith. (Photo submitted)

Ponoka Food Bank gets a boost

Seasons Retirement Communities in Ponoka made a $2,000 donation to the Ponoka…

  • Apr 15, 2021
Stephanie Waldron, left, and Violet Smith. (Photo submitted)
Madelyn Boyko poses along with a number of the bath bombs she makes with her mom, Jessica Boyko. Madelyn says she enjoys making the bath bombs with her mom as it is a special time for just the two of them. (Photo Submitted)

5-year-old Sylvan Lake girl selling bath bombs in support of younger brother

Madelyn Boyko is selling bath bombs for CdLS research in honour of her younger brother

Madelyn Boyko poses along with a number of the bath bombs she makes with her mom, Jessica Boyko. Madelyn says she enjoys making the bath bombs with her mom as it is a special time for just the two of them. (Photo Submitted)
Building on the success of Black Press Media’s niche digital platforms, Today’s Home brings the same wealth of knowledge and local expertise to the search for a home, be it buying, selling, or even just daydreaming about what changes you can make in the future.

Black Press Media introduces one of Western Canada’s best real estate platforms helping home buyers Find. Love. Live. that new home

Listings cover properties around the region

  • Apr 12, 2021
Building on the success of Black Press Media’s niche digital platforms, Today’s Home brings the same wealth of knowledge and local expertise to the search for a home, be it buying, selling, or even just daydreaming about what changes you can make in the future.
Amanda Howse and Butch Ballesteros’ Little Free Library sits on the corner of 53rd Avenue and 51st Street in Ponoka, Alta., on Friday, April 2, 2021. Little Free Library is operating in more than 100 countries. (Photo by Madison Fleck/SAIT)

Little library emerges in Ponoka

By Madison Fleck For Ponoka News Two local residents have introduced the…

  • Apr 5, 2021
Amanda Howse and Butch Ballesteros’ Little Free Library sits on the corner of 53rd Avenue and 51st Street in Ponoka, Alta., on Friday, April 2, 2021. Little Free Library is operating in more than 100 countries. (Photo by Madison Fleck/SAIT)
Calista Persicke. (Web photo)

UPDATED: Community supporting Ponoka family after ATV fire, COVID-19

Bottle drive being extended to April 16

Calista Persicke. (Web photo)
Easter Egg hunts can be held indoors or in backyards this year. File photo

Ponoka wide Easter egg hunt planned by local church

Home Church Ponoka has organized their annual Easter egg hunt for April 4, 2021

Easter Egg hunts can be held indoors or in backyards this year. File photo
Emma Bondt, 7, hands a cheque for $340 to manager Violet Smith in the food bank’s temporary location in Ponoka Plaza. The food bank is currently getting a upgrade with painting and new flooring and has remained open throughout the renovations. (File Photo)

Ponoka food bank doing well thanks to the community

“The community has been very generous to us. Our shelves are really full right now…”

Emma Bondt, 7, hands a cheque for $340 to manager Violet Smith in the food bank’s temporary location in Ponoka Plaza. The food bank is currently getting a upgrade with painting and new flooring and has remained open throughout the renovations. (File Photo)
L-R: Dennis Dupuis (loading), Glen Sejdl, Jim Hamilton, Glen Hill and Ron Allin. (Photo submitted)

Hamilton’s IGA presents the Ponoka Food Bank with generous donations

Hamilton’s IGA presented the Ponoka Food Bank with 4,500 lbs of canned…

L-R: Dennis Dupuis (loading), Glen Sejdl, Jim Hamilton, Glen Hill and Ron Allin. (Photo submitted)
A SAGA member (left) poses as Jessi Hanks (right) with Castle Restaurant puts up a safe space sticker to display on the restaurant’s front door. Shaela Dansereau/ Pipestone Flyer.

SAGA Wetaskiwin works with local businesses to display they are a safe space

The safe space stickers show that its a safe and inclusive space.

A SAGA member (left) poses as Jessi Hanks (right) with Castle Restaurant puts up a safe space sticker to display on the restaurant’s front door. Shaela Dansereau/ Pipestone Flyer.
<strong>Happy retirement:</strong> After working as a psychiatric aide at the Ponoka Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury for 48-and-a-half years, Ray Hart is retiring. He worked on the night shift for 36 of those years. It is believed that Hart may be the longest serving full-time staff member in the history of the Centennial Centre, although Human Resources was not able to confirm. Hart will remain as a part-time, causal staff member. He is pictured here with his wife Linda Hart at the main entrance on March 5. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

PHOTO: Happy retirement Ray

Happy retirement: After working as a psychiatric aide at the Ponoka Centennial…

<strong>Happy retirement:</strong> After working as a psychiatric aide at the Ponoka Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury for 48-and-a-half years, Ray Hart is retiring. He worked on the night shift for 36 of those years. It is believed that Hart may be the longest serving full-time staff member in the history of the Centennial Centre, although Human Resources was not able to confirm. Hart will remain as a part-time, causal staff member. He is pictured here with his wife Linda Hart at the main entrance on March 5. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
On Feb. 20, Ponoka resident Noreen Gorman celebrated her 99th birthday outside, getting some fresh air and enjoying the warm sunny day. Gorman and her late husband Lou, have lived in Ponoka since 1954 and raised six children while operating the Ponoka Pharmacy. Gorman currently resides at Seasons Ponoka, where remains healthy and safe during the pandemic, says her family. Family members were able to sing Happy Birthday to her outside, where she had her own tent/wind breaker set up for the occasion. Gorman’s family delivered cupcakes for all the residents and staff to enjoy. (Photos submitted)

PHOTOS: Happy 99th birthday Noreen

Happy 99th: On Feb. 20, Ponoka resident Noreen Gorman celebrated her 99th…

On Feb. 20, Ponoka resident Noreen Gorman celebrated her 99th birthday outside, getting some fresh air and enjoying the warm sunny day. Gorman and her late husband Lou, have lived in Ponoka since 1954 and raised six children while operating the Ponoka Pharmacy. Gorman currently resides at Seasons Ponoka, where remains healthy and safe during the pandemic, says her family. Family members were able to sing Happy Birthday to her outside, where she had her own tent/wind breaker set up for the occasion. Gorman’s family delivered cupcakes for all the residents and staff to enjoy. (Photos submitted)
Maskwacis RCMP regular members, Community Tripartite Agreement (CTA) members and support staff proudly wore pink in support of Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 24, 2021. Supplied/ Maskwacis RCMP.

Maskwacis RCMP embraces Pink Shirt Day

Maskwacis RCMP engage in virtual presentations with schools on anti-bullying for Pink Shirt Day.

Maskwacis RCMP regular members, Community Tripartite Agreement (CTA) members and support staff proudly wore pink in support of Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 24, 2021. Supplied/ Maskwacis RCMP.
Minister Rick Wilson poses with Katie at the Boys and Girls Club of Wetaskiwin, both wearing her Pink Shirt Day design. Facebook/ Boys and Girls Club of Wetaskiwin.

Wetaskiwin Boys and Girls club Pink Shirt day design focuses on kindness

Katie with the Boys and Girls Club of Wetaskiwin created this year’s Pink Shirt Day design.

Minister Rick Wilson poses with Katie at the Boys and Girls Club of Wetaskiwin, both wearing her Pink Shirt Day design. Facebook/ Boys and Girls Club of Wetaskiwin.
Starting young: Emma Bondt, 7, wanted a way to help hungry people in the community, so she and her mom baked and sold 30 dozen muffins to raise money for the Ponoka Food Bank. Pictured here Bondt, right, hands a cheque for $340 to manager Violet Smith in the food bank’s temporary location in Ponoka Plaza on Feb. 19. The food bank is currently getting an upgrade with painting and new flooring and has remained open throughout the renovations. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

PHOTO: Generous girl donates to Ponoka Food Bank

Starting young: Emma Bondt, 7, wanted a way to help hungry people…

Starting young: Emma Bondt, 7, wanted a way to help hungry people in the community, so she and her mom baked and sold 30 dozen muffins to raise money for the Ponoka Food Bank. Pictured here Bondt, right, hands a cheque for $340 to manager Violet Smith in the food bank’s temporary location in Ponoka Plaza on Feb. 19. The food bank is currently getting an upgrade with painting and new flooring and has remained open throughout the renovations. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
Jacqueline Buffalo. (Photo submitted)

TikTok connects Indigenous women during pandemic

By Chevi Rabbit For Ponoka News Usage of the popular social media…

  • Feb 22, 2021
Jacqueline Buffalo. (Photo submitted)
Roscoe received a drive-by parade from family, friends and the Wetaskiwin Fire Service. Submitted/ Karen Grant.

Wetaskiwin resident celebrates his 100th birthday

Roscoe Grant marked a milestone historical event with a major milestone birthday.

Roscoe received a drive-by parade from family, friends and the Wetaskiwin Fire Service. Submitted/ Karen Grant.
<strong>Poppy campaign proceeds:</strong> Marlene Perry, right, Poppy Chairman of Royal Canadian Legion Ponoka Branch No. 66 presents a cheque for $2,000 from the Poppy Fund to Dorothy Ungstad of the Ponoka and District Health Foundation. The drive was down about 30 per cent this year, however, the Legion is appreciative of the community’s support during the campaign considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo submitted)

PHOTO: Legion donates funds to PDHF from Poppy Campaign

Poppy campaign proceeds: Marlene Perry, right, Poppy Chairman of Royal Canadian Legion…

<strong>Poppy campaign proceeds:</strong> Marlene Perry, right, Poppy Chairman of Royal Canadian Legion Ponoka Branch No. 66 presents a cheque for $2,000 from the Poppy Fund to Dorothy Ungstad of the Ponoka and District Health Foundation. The drive was down about 30 per cent this year, however, the Legion is appreciative of the community’s support during the campaign considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo submitted)
<strong>Off they go:</strong> Several families took advantage of the slightly warmer temperatures on Feb. 15, enjoying the rush speeding down the Tom Hamilton Memorial Tobogganing Hill on Family Day. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

PHOTOS: Family Day tobogganing fun

Off they go: Several families took advantage of the slightly warmer temperatures…

<strong>Off they go:</strong> Several families took advantage of the slightly warmer temperatures on Feb. 15, enjoying the rush speeding down the Tom Hamilton Memorial Tobogganing Hill on Family Day. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
<strong>Appreciated donation:</strong> UFA Co-operative Limited recently donated $1,500 to the Ponoka Ag Society (PAS). The funds will be used to support PAS’ 2021 programs and events. L-R: Carter Stebner, assistant manager, UFA, Dale Olson, PAS vice president, Tammy Henkelman, PAS president and Frank Salsbury, manager, UFA. (Photo submitted)

PHOTO: UFA donation to Ponoka Ag Society

Appreciated donation: UFA Co-operative Limited recently donated $1,500 to the Ponoka Ag…

<strong>Appreciated donation:</strong> UFA Co-operative Limited recently donated $1,500 to the Ponoka Ag Society (PAS). The funds will be used to support PAS’ 2021 programs and events. L-R: Carter Stebner, assistant manager, UFA, Dale Olson, PAS vice president, Tammy Henkelman, PAS president and Frank Salsbury, manager, UFA. (Photo submitted)
County of Wetaskiwin Peace Officers Dan Rabel (left), Nick Sahl (centre) and Associated Ambulance Paramedic Shawn Moffitt (right) at the 2019 Free our Finest event. They are all part of the Wetaskiwin Free our Finest team participating in the Polar Plunge this year. Submitted/ Nick Sahl.

Wetaskiwin area first responders team up to Polar Plunge; fundraising for Special Olympics Alberta

This is the 10th Anniversary of the Polar Plunge and will be done virtually by the teams.

County of Wetaskiwin Peace Officers Dan Rabel (left), Nick Sahl (centre) and Associated Ambulance Paramedic Shawn Moffitt (right) at the 2019 Free our Finest event. They are all part of the Wetaskiwin Free our Finest team participating in the Polar Plunge this year. Submitted/ Nick Sahl.