Community

Jace Harty was a bull rider from the Ponoka area who lived his life for the moment. He competed in the Professional Bull Riding association and Canadian Professional Rodeo events, the Calgary Stampede, the Ponoka Stampede and events all over North America.

The 2008 Ponoka Outreach School graduating class posed on stage during their commencement ceremony at the Kinsmen Centre on June 16

School’s out for the summer and it’s finally time for some good fun and games. The Ponoka Youth Centre is offering a summer program for the youth of the community that offers games, crafts, life skill development, field trips and more.

The Central Alberta Regional Trails Society (CARTS) held their Annual General meeting in Red Deer on June 11 to discuss the progress of the Trans Canada Trail. Ponoka is one of the communities in Central Alberta that has developed a trail system which has been registered as Trans Canada Trail links. Plans are currently underway to link these trails and the goal is to have them connect by 2010.

‘Go west young man’ was the exciting invitation extended at the beginning of the 19th century and hundreds of hardy pioneers would pack up their families and worldly belongings and venture into the fertile prairies in search of new opportunity and adventure.

Picture is presentation of half of the funds raised on the sale of the Charity Steer at the 4-H Show and Sale on May 5, $4427.33 toward Kids With Cancer. The remainder of the funds go to Ponoka Stampede Rodeo Challenge which will be presented at a later date. Presenting the cheque are Ponoka 4-H Beef club presidents Samantha Sperber, Brittany Hehr and Marissa Weleschuk. Accepting the cheque on behalf of Kids With Cancer is Erika Cissell.

The rich and vibrant culture of Aboriginal people will be celebrated with drums and dancing at the Lion’s Centennial Park on June 20. The park will be filled with large teepees and there will be many ceremonial dances. The Traditional PowWow Demonstration will be from 12 to 3 p.m with the grand entry beginning at 12:15 p.m.

Since last report, a lot has been happening in our club. In March, our club went to the Collicutt Centre in Red Deer for a day of fun and water. Everyone had a blast and we ended the day with our meeting and pizza at Boston Pizza.

Zander’s Teddy bear drive was a huge success as 746 teddy bears were collected. The bears will be donated throughout Central Alberta including to Ponoka Victim Services Unit, Guardian Ambulance and possibly some hospitals. Pictured with the stuffed animals are Jessica Johnson from Ponoka who ran the drive, left, Destine Ekvall and Brody Ekvall. The drive was in memory of Destine’s son Zander who passed away earlier this year, Destine is also originally from Ponoka.

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.