Community

The Ponoka Air Cadets worked hard all year long and displayed their marching talents at their final parade at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Centre on June 7. There were 18 cadets on parade and awards were given to deserving cadets during the event. Local dignitaries graced the event and included Mayor of Ponoka Larry Henkelman, Comrade Herb Keith, Councilor Wayne Clark, president of the Ponoka Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion Dorothy Houghton and more.

Tradition, heritage and friendship are valuable aspects of the 72nd annual Ponoka Stampede. Those will be carried on at the Team Roping and Reunion on June 24 starting at 12 p.m. at the Stampede Grounds.

There is a lot of talk these days about a phenomenon known as “Peak Oil.” Some scientists, geologists and economists are promoting the idea that we are about to reach the halfway point of the amount of conventional oil we have used up since oil production began in 1856.

The Rimbey Plant of Keyera Energy, a natural gas business, has presented a cheque for $17,500 to the Wolf Creek District School board to install strobe lights on all their buses. On a very foggy April 9, 2008 morning a gravel truck collided into a Wolf Creek Public School bus claiming the life of Grade 12 student Jennifer Noble and seriously injuring Keenan Clark.

Alberta’s successes and the importance of seniors in the community was highlighted by minister of seniors and community supports, honourable Mary Ann Jablonski on June 5. Jablonski was the guest speaker at the Lacombe-Ponoka Progressive Conservative Association Annual General Meeting held at the Tommy Dorchester Paddock at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds.

Sometimes a smile and a small token can be enough to brighten a person’s day and put a smile on their face knowing someone has thought of them. For Seniors month Sunrise Village Ponoka is encouraging members of the community to show their appreciation to the seniors of Ponoka for all they have done by reserving a bouquet of flowers at no cost to be delivered to a senior’s door.

Between May 25 and June 1, Ponoka RCMP members executed a number of drug related search warrants over the past few weeks. Cash, drugs and offence related property was seized. Several young anti-citizens are facing a variety of charges. (It always amazes me that these high rolling, Scarface, wannabes all have their fridges stocked with the cheapest beer and no-name bologna).

Scott Lewis helps out at Ponoka Outreach School by barbecuing up some sausages for the school’s perogy lunch fundraiser.

Two Ponoka youth will be heading to camp this summer because of the generosity of the community. Ashton Soosay, 10 and Matthew Kebel, 11, will be packing their bags and flying to St. Georges, Ontario where they will spend part of their summer holidays at the Onondaga Tim Hortons Camp.

The 72nd annual Ponoka Stampede has entertainment almost every day from June 25 to July 1. The main concert on June 26 features country artists George Canyon and hometown star Shane Yellowbird.