Columns & News

Tenant utility accounts to be transferred to property owners

By Adan Shaikh

City council narrowly approved a plan that will require all tenants’ utility accounts to be in the name of the property owner by the end of 2029.

Administration told council at the September 22 regular council meeting, they reviewed practices from more than 20 municipalities before recommending the change. Beginning in October 2025, bylaws will be updated so that all utility accounts are transferred to owners no later than December 31, 2029. Tenant accounts that remain in good standing can stay active until that deadline, but any new accounts or those more than 14 days overdue will be moved to the owner’s name sooner.

Administration said this change is meant to reduce the City’s financial risk, cut administrative workload and reduce safety concerns for staff who collect overdue payments.

“If approved, this would green light administration to take required steps to join a growing number of municipalities in requiring utilities accounts to be under the name of the property owners and finally this change will also help mitigate both health and safety and financial risks to the City,” said Malcolm Boyd, City manager.

Councillors questioned administration about how many water accounts are currently in arrears compared with the total number of accounts, and whether the rules will cover both residential and commercial tenants. Administration reported that the change will affect both residential and commercial properties and provided an estimate of somewhere between 300 to 400 accounts that are in arrears out of approximately 7,300 utility water accounts.

“Approximately two years ago, this matter was put on the agenda. We had a large audience of Camrose landlords speak to the issue. The council decided at that time to maintain the status quo. There were concerns about the utility staff’s safety, I believe we asked for measures to be put into place so these concerns can be addressed,” commented Councillor David Francoeur.

“I don’t know if these measures were ever looked into, but right now, until I see that possibility, I don’t see any reason for me to change my mind, therefore, I will be opposing this motion,” he concluded.

Councillor Don Rosland requested that a vote be recorded, after he highlighted how dealing with difficult consumers is part of running a business for anyone who provides a service or product.

“I recall this very clearly, the last time this came to council. I was not in favour of this then and I am not in favour of this now. I want to make it clear that staff safety is of most importance to me in my decision making. My job as a councillor is to look at everything from an outside perspective and I agree with councillor Francoeur and Rosland that as long as we are in the utility business, we have to deal with the consequences of it,” said Councillor DJ Ilg, echoing the other councillors.

“I do like the changes that have been made in this bylaw now in order to transition it over till 2029, and that the good payers don’t have to be put on it right away. I do think security of our employees is paramount to me and, for that reason, I will be voting in favour of this. I know this puts an onus on the owners, but at the same time we have had staff leave because of this,” said Mayor PJ Stasko, emphasizing how important the safety of the staff is.

“I hope that there is a way that we can provide this service while maintaining the safety of our staff, but I agree with the councillors that we provide this service, we provide this utility, we should be in charge of collections,” said Councillor Kevin Hycha, who was also opposed to this decision.

Mayor Stasko made the motion to approve the bylaw and record the votes, “Is there a mover and seconder that council direct the administration to begin the process of converting tenant utility accounts to owner utility accounts with the transition to be complete by December 31, 2029, and with the changes occurring as per the steps and timing outlined in this report?”

The motion passed 5 to 4. In addition to Mayor Stasko, City councillors Joy-Anne Murphy, Agnes Hoveland, Lucas Banack and Lana Broker raised their hands in favour of the proposed changes.

The rollout will begin this fall and continue in stages through April 2026. Once all related bylaws have been passed, the process will commence. In May 2026, letters will be mailed to all property owners with more information on the process.

For more information and details, visit camrose.ca

Alberta 55-plus Games

By Nadine Leming

The 2025 Alberta 55+ Summer Games were held in Leduc from August 21 to 24. This year the games served as a qualifier for the upcoming Canada 55+ Summer Games that will be hosted in Kamloops, BC, in 2026.

The Games are an opportunity for participants to engage in celebrating older adults as well as enhancing a high quality of life for all.

Events were held in a variety of sports like cycling, golf and swimming. Other competitive pursuits included cards and crafts. Also included during the Games were cultural components and comprised of photography, writing as well as other forms of artistic expression.

Alberta is a leader in sport, recreation and fitness for people over the age of 55. This year, people participated in the Games from each of the eight zones from around the province. Camrose fell into zone four and represented the community well with senior athletes and participants receiving medals and recognition in many categories.

Local Camrose senior athletes that stood out were Dennis Zukiwsky who placed second in the bicycle road race in the mens’ 75+ category while

Gloria Zukiwsky placed first in the womens’ 75+ recreational bicycle category. James Roberts placed first in the mens’ 80+ recreational bicycle category.

For all participant results at the Alberta 55+ Summer Games 2025, including those from Camrose, go to leduc55plusgames.ca results.

Barchuk shares her artistic talents

Judy Barchuk shares her artwork at many galleries around Camrose and area.

By Adan Shaikh

Judy Barchuk has been a resident of Camrose since 2002. She loves the City for its green spaces and quaint one-of-a-kind cafés and community. Judy grew up in an artistic family, which enabled her to grow up in an environment that nurtures creative minds. She attended the Haliburton Highlands School of Fine Arts in Ontario and went on to win several scholarships. After moving to Alberta in the 1980s, Judy put her art on hold for some time to raise her family, but picked the brush back up 15 years ago.

“My art is mostly inspired by places I have travelled to and nature. I am always learning and experimenting with my art. Art is therapy, art is my happy place,” shared Judy.

“I do acrylics mostly, but I do try other mediums. I love oils because of the vibrant colours they have but I don’t like to wait so I mostly work with acrylics. I generally do landscapes and nature and I do a little bit of abstracts sometimes,” she continued.

Something Judy truly enjoys painting is water. “I really like the serenity of it, the softness, the turbulence, the different shades of colours in the water.”

For new and budding artists Judy has one piece of advice. “Do what comes to you, don’t restrict yourself to any one area. Oftentimes when I start working on a piece I don’t have anything in particular in mind, you just have to let it go.”

Currently, her work can be viewed at three different spots close to Camrose: The Gallery in Holden, Miquelon Gallery at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park and Ina’s Gallery in Peers.

BRCF supports CAFCL’s programs

The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a $14,500 grant to the Camrose Association For Community Living (CAFCL), with $10,000 to support Kandu Camp and $4,500 to support brain injury awareness and prevention. From left, Henry Hays, director on the Battle River Community Foundation board, presents the cheque to Stacey Olstad, program director family services, along with CAFCL board chair Bart Orr.

Submitted

According to Stacey Olstad, “On behalf of the Camrose Association for Community Living, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for approving the grant to support our Summer Camp Program and Brain Injury Awareness Education. Your generous contribution will have a profound impact on the children and families we serve, allowing us to provide an enriching camp experience and crucial educational resources on brain injury awareness.”

The CAFCL is dedicated to enhancing support, wellbeing and opportunities for families and individuals facing barriers due to developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

As per the CAFCL’s website, Kandu Summer Camp offers a wide variety of recreation, sport and craft activities for all children, including children with special health needs and developmental concerns. The camp runs through July and August, providing fun filled days for children aged seven to 15. The program is popular and fills up quickly each year. This year, a total of 51 kids participated in Kandu’s youth and teen summer camps and, by all accounts, a great time was had by all.

The CAFCL also hosted a public lecture at the Augustana campus on June 26 featuring brain injury survivor Krista Borgfjord. The event, which was part of CAFCL’s Brain Injury Prevention Project, was both educational and heartwarming. Borgfjord spoke about the various means by which acquired brain injuries occur, the challenges she faces in her everyday life stemming from her own injury, and what she does to overcome them so as to live life on her own terms. Borgfjord will continue to raise awareness about this important subject as she takes her presentation to the local schools.

The grant for the Kandu Summer Camp was provided by the Arie and Leny Vanderjagt Fund, the Ken, Lori and Sean Ozment Family Fund, the Rostad Family Fund, the Gordon French Fund, the Dave Jacobson Memorial Fund, the Camrose Citizen Advocacy Legacy Fund, and the Battle River Community Foundation’s Community Fund.
The grant to provide funds for the Brain Injury Prevention Project came from the Aspenes Family Fund for Brain Injury Prevention and the Battle River Community Foundation’s Community Fund.

Grants from the Battle River Community Foundation are primarily made possible through the generosity of individual donors and organizations that have created endowment funds. The principal of these endowment funds is kept intact, and the income is made available annually to support local projects and organizations.

Since it was founded in 1995, the Battle River Community Foundation has granted over $9,891,300 to support charitable activities in the Battle River Region.
To learn more about the Camrose Association

For Community Living, please call 780-672-0257. To learn more about the Battle River Community Foundatio,n please contact Bobbi Way, executive director, at 780-679-0449.

Transit report shared at Council meeting

By Adan Shaikh

The Camrose Transit Advisory Committee (CTAC) presented its 2025 annual report to city council on September 22, describing a year of heavier workload, member shortages and growing pressure on local transit services.

“It is good to have a cross section of members from different age groups, and socioeconomic situations on the committee. Sadly, the volunteer pools seem to be shrinking in all areas and encouraging people to step forward is a challenge everywhere,” said Elliot Harder, vice-chair of CTAC.

The committee is down four public members after losing a long-time volunteer and will advertise this fall for new appointments starting in January 2026.

CTAC said requests for taxi tokens continue to climb and are expected to use up the full annual supply. “CTAC manages and approves Transit Token Distribution. Hoarding, while still an issue in some cases, seems to be a little less prevalent since the implementation of the new tokens,” said Harder.

“All organizations reiterate that they are grateful for the program, but the need still exceeds the number of tokens available. The dollar amount of the tokens is also becoming a challenge. The cost of a taxi ride is now, at the very least, ten dollars each way with some companies charging as much as sixteen dollars minimum. The cost of taxis is not to be unexpected as the increases the companies face in fuel and insurance rates make the profit margin very small even at the current rates,” he continued.

Use of the Community Bus has nearly doubled since fares were dropped and routes adjusted, but residents continue to ask for longer service hours and a route north of the tracks. The committee worked with administration on upcoming route changes, noted improved snow removal at stops, and is waiting on a grant for new bus shelters. If the grant is not approved, it will seek budget support for shelters in exposed areas.

CTAC is also monitoring intercity travel. A FlixBus trial to Edmonton ended last year due to low ridership, and a small van service now operates only for University of Alberta Augustana students.

“A transit service to and from Edmonton is something CTAC feels is an essential service. We understand it is not a city responsibility, but we want to encourage the city to continue to pressure the provincial government for funding,” commented Harder.

The report highlights a shortage of bike racks, the absence of designated bike routes and difficult crossings. To emphasize the challenge of living without a car, CTAC organized a “Hang Up Your Keys” challenge in May, which saw limited participation from the community. “The fact that most Councillors and CTAC members were unable to manage their lives for one week without the use of their personal vehicle, should speak volumes to the enormity of the need in our community for improved active transit and public transit options,” shared Harder.

The committee concluded that transit is essential to support residents and future growth and encouraged the city to keep exploring provincial and federal funding to build a more comprehensive system.

Augustana Athlete of the Week

By Nadine Leming

Reggie Williams had a spectacular 2024/25 season and is once again an athlete to watch this year. Last season, he earned all-conference honours in both cross country and indoor track and helped the Vikings go to CCAA Nationals last year.

He’s showing the same form and will power this season. Eight schools went head-to-head at the second Running Room Grand Prix hosted in Lethbridge on September 20. The course was a two-kilometre grass loop that included rolling hills. Despite the authentic challenge of the sun creating persistent heat, Reggie Williams powered through to grab bronze with a time of 30 minutes, 19 seconds, earning him athlete of the week for September 23.

If Reggie continues on this early season pace, it could point to another exciting run on the national stage when Nationals in track will take place at Holland College in Charlottetown, PEI, later this fall.

Updates on Highway 21 study

By Adan Shaikh

A provincial safety review of Highway 21 between Highway 13 and Highway 625 has now been completed. The study recommends a list of interim upgrades, including one additional set of passing lanes, but does not recommend full twinning.

This study was the result of a petition started by Parampreet Sainbhee that collected over 2,216 signatures. MLA Jackie Lovely discussed the matter directly with Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen.

The 47 km., two lane corridor carries heavy commuter and truck traffic and logged 448 collisions between 2015 and 2022, including seven fatalities. While overall collision rates are below provincial averages, serious crashes especially rear-end, head-on and left-turn collisions, were common at rural intersections.

The review was conducted by engineering consultants CIMA+ for Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors. Field inspections took place in October 2024, and the revised draft report was completed in April 2025.

Consultants found existing three passing-lane sections inconsistent and nearing their operational limit as traffic grows. They recommend adding one more set of north and southbound passing lanes between Armena and Hay Lakes to improve safe passing opportunities.

Other priorities include centreline and shoulder rumble strips, clearer intersection markings, and upgrades or new turn lanes at most of the 11 key intersections within the next decade. Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors is not planning to twin this stretch in the near term, focusing instead on these targeted improvements, that will surely enhance the safety of the highway.

A love story for the ages

By Nadine Leming

Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell had a brief but intense relationship that only lasted a few months back in 1967. Now their love story is brought to the stage at the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Theatre on October 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Their passionate affair began at the Newport Folk Festival and shaped their music and influenced some of the most esteemed and well known music ever written.

The audience will get lost in the story of what happened during their time living in California at the height of folk music’s popularity as they fell in and out of love. This multi-media recreates their impact on each other’s work through story and song. It’s a story like no other brought to the stage created to show the romance and heartbreak of love.

The show stars Dana Wylie who has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Joe Nolan playing Cohen. These award winning artists who bring to life the love and passion of the iconic performers they portray on stage.
For more information or tickets, visit camroselive.ca/events.

Rose City Roots show at the Bailey

By Nadine Leming

The Rose City Roots Music Society will be presenting Guy Davis on October 2 at 8 p.m. A back-to-back Grammy nominee for best traditional blues, Guy is an actor, author, musician and songwriter.

He incorporates roots, blues, rock, rap and the spoken word. He turns his music into commentary to circumvent frustration on social injustice, touches on historical events as well as contemporary struggles.

Guy’s background in theatre gives him a distinct ability to storytelling through song. An example of his unique style are found in the lyrics of

“God’s Gonna Make Things Over” in reference to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Guy has a special ability to take the audience on a journey that can be painful and real, as well as create thought provoking performances. His music is underlined by tender tones and finger-picking on his guitar or banjo.

Come prepared for a show filled with contrast and is robust allowing for an experience filled with song and dance.

Up next is a premier band coming out of Saskatoon, The Great Fuss. They hit the stage October 3 at 8 p.m. This band has built a reputation for being energetic on stage.
This show will be an encounter with reverberating piano melodies and the lasting electric guitar riffs of pop-rock. Come for an ever-changing performance that has endless possibilities that includes rhythms and lyrics that will be like an earworm into your consciousness.

This week in ÉCCHS sports

By Nadine Leming

École Camrose Composite High School (ÉCCHS) had a winning week in sports. The Trojans saw strong efforts from football and volleyball.

The Trojan football team rolled to a compelling win on the field with a final score of 48-7 over the Iron Ridge Secondary School from Blackfalds. The offensive line was very productive, racking up over 180 rushing yards and scoring 34 unanswered points to get the W.

The six volleyball teams saw action this week and were equally imposing all coming out with victories. The senior varsity teams made their presence felt at the Brooks High School tournament. The girls battled all weekend finishing fourth after dropping close matches in both the semifinals and in the bronze medal game. The boys team marched their way to the finals where they fell to a strong Coaldale team to bring home silver.

The grade nine teams finished off the week with a strong showing at the Our Lady of Mount Pleasant (OLMP) tournament. The boys’ team commanded the tournament capturing the championship title. The girls’ team overcame a slower start to power their way to back-to-back wins.

It was a week of great victories and solid teamwork for the Trojans.

Harder runs for City
council in upcoming election

Questions asked of the City of Camrose mayor and council candidates:

What made you want to run or be on the City Council?
How do you plan on involving residents in the decision-making processes within the City of Camrose?
What are some of the most important challenges and issues that you feel need to be addressed by the City in the next four years?
How would you promote growth within the City?
In your opinion, what are some decisions that the council has been a part of in the past four years, that have had an impact on the City?
Why should citizens vote for you?
What is your favourite part about residing in Camrose?

By Adan Shaikh

Camrose election candidate Ron Harder says he’s ready to bring a seasoned perspective back to municipal politics after four decades of involvement at every level of government.

“I have been involved in politics at every level–municipal, provincial to federal–for 40 years and I missed it. Sometimes you need new ideas, sometimes a new person coming onto council can provide a fresh perspective,” said Harder.
Harder entered politics at 24 after moving to Williams Lake, BC, where he and his wife opened a business. “Someone recommended that I run for council and I did,” he said.

He later became riding president for both the provincial Social Credit and federal Progressive Conservative parties, splitting his time between offices. He also served on the Parole Board for four years.

After his time in Williams Lake, Harder chaired the construction of a new community hall built entirely debt-free and worked with the provincial government to have a school built in the community of Big Lake, AB. “There were only 120 families in the community at the time, but we convinced the school board to build a school and the provincial government to give us 30 acres of land for it too,” he said.

In 2022, he successfully ran for Village council in Chase, BC.

Harder stepped away from politics for several years to focus on business and family before moving to Camrose three years ago. If elected, he wants to address the City’s housing shortage through advocacy and collaboration with the provincial and federal governments. He also plans to push for improved accessibility for residents with disabilities and to promote local businesses.

Harder cited the controversy surrounding the Catholic school development as an example of decisions that warrant closer scrutiny. “My feeling was how did they ever get a building permit without having all the Is dotted and Ts crossed. I don’t hold that against council, but I feel this is something that shouldn’t happen.”

He said one of his favourite aspects of Camrose is its low crime rate and he believes that the right team of council members can fix the challenges that residents currently face in Camrose.

For more information on his campaign, contact him at 587-322-4064 or email harderron53@gmail.com.

Murphy runs for re-election for City Council

By Adan Shaikh

Joy-Anne Murphy has been involved in the community in several ways for decades and has served on various subcommittees to address the needs of the community during her time.

“When I was elected for this past term, I was just coming out of Covid’s negative impact on singing and community groups. I had always been very politically engaged and wanted to be involved on the City level. I have strong beliefs about empathy, integrity and collaboration, so municipal politics seemed like a good fit,” shared Murphy.

“During my first term on Camrose City Council, I was honoured to work on behalf of Camrose residents through several committees and boards. I have loved working with so many committed Camrose residents, to make our City a better place to live and work. As a member of these groups, I am proud to say I have championed a sustainable, flourishing and caring community, by advocating for decisions based on evidence and expertise that will benefit our City in the coming years,” she added.

“I was already involved with the Green Action Committee which is now the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee and I knew what the committee was doing but I didn’t realize the scope of how closely the city was working with local organizations and stakeholders through the subcommittees. I lucked out because I got to participate in all these committees where I either had a real interest in the cause or previous experience through out my career,” said Murphy.

Her values as a municipal elected official are to help the community thrive through consultation, collaboration, consideration, transparency, accountability and diligence.

“I hope voters will support me in my bid for re-election because I know I have more to contribute, and more projects and dreams to see through. My vision for the immediate and long-term future includes: expanding and enhancing community wellness (housing options, social supports), upgrading and sustaining vital facilities and services, continued support for local amenities and local business, making considered and informed decisions for the long-term viability of Camrose and advocating effectively to other levels of government,” commented Murphy.

Currently, Murphy is focused on the new Housing and Homelessness Task Force. “Many municipalities including Camrose have gone from seeing someone who may be unhoused or struggling with their mental health once in a while to seeing it much more regularly. There are a lot of people working behind the scenes to find a way through this. The task force will look into what we can do to address these issues,” she explained.

Some of her immediate concerns and prospective projects include the building of a multiplex to potentially house the public library, Camrose and District Family and Community Support Services and Arts Facilities and finding flexible and supportive housing solutions for the residents of Camrose.

County Council candidate Tina Sroka

By Nadine Leming

Tina Sroka is coming up on completing her first term as a councillor for Camrose County Division 3 and is committed to continuing as long as the people continue to support her. One of the biggest challenges she sees is balancing the preservation of the County’s rural heritage with attracting new businesses that contribute to economic growth, aligning agriculture practices with a stronger tax base.

Integrity, transparency and considering the needs of her neighbours are important values to Tina.
“Every decision I make is based on our bylaws, the feedback I receive from residents, and what makes financial sense for the County. Being cautious with taxpayer dollars is one of the most important responsibilities of a councillor, and I take that seriously,” said Tina.

Tina has a proven record of bringing positive results to the county with a practical, thorough approach. She acknowledges the concerns of her division are worth a conversation and she’s happy to listen. Tina also invites her ratepayers to attend council meetings and communicate with council about their concerns.

County candidate Grant Bailey

By Nadine Leming

Grant Bailey is running for Division 3 to be on County council as he feels this is a time for change.

He feels ratepayers need their concerns conveyed to council and he wants the opportunity to voice the issues brought to him by residents.

His intention is to bring the priorities of the ratepayers in his division to council. As a ratepayer in Camrose County for 47 years, Grant comes with a strong business background as a farmer, cattleman and horseman.

Grant would like people to know he will always be available to listen and communicate with residents and bring their concerns to council. His goal is to represent each of the Division 3 ratepayers sharing their concerns.

County Council candidate Krystal Bonnett

By Nadine Leming

Believing Division 3 deserves 100 per cent focus and attention is what is needed to thrive and that’s what motivated Krystal to run for council. Protecting water resources and proper road maintenance are important issues for her.

If elected, keeping ratepayers updated with helpful information is important to Krystal.
She said, “I also plan to stay active on social media, not just sharing photos, but providing real updates and helpful information. I want residents to see action, not just words.”

As a small business owner with her husband, she’s learned the value of hard work, problem solving and community connection. Qualities she brings with her are accountability, practicality and a strong work ethic. She concluded by adding, “I believe in getting things done. I am approachable, ready to listen, and committed to working closely with our community.”

County Council election candidate Don Simpson

By Nadine Leming

Always having an interest in the happenings of the County, Don decided to run for Division 4 councillor during the last election.

Seeking re-election, Don said, “Provincial government downloading is one of the biggest challenges we face today as councillors. We’re always looking for ways to stretch our tax dollars.”

Another challenge he feels the County is facing is the aging infrastructure with the number of bridges and miles of roads in need of maintenance and repairs.

He states that his core value is listening to residents and working with council to make good decisions.

Don has seen a lot of progress with the City of Camrose and looks forward to continuing to build that relationship to the benefit of all residents in the region.

Always having discussions with ratepayers, Don will continue to be available to listen to their concerns. He feels the current council is very aware of the importance of transparency and intends to continue being open to the public.

He is grateful to the residents of Division 4 for the chance to serve them and is looking forward to continuing that commitment to them.

Kozicki’s 1933 Ford Coupe is all steel and power

A Ford Classic

Kozicki’s car was in the top ten out of a 1,000-car car show in BC. This chopped classic has won several awards.

By Adan Shaikh

Allen Kozicki owns a 1933 Ford three-window coupe.

“It has been in the family since the 1980s; it was built in the family and it has since stayed in the family. That’s the original paint job on the car, but it has been chopped, it was built after the ZZ Top cars,” he said, referring to the custom hot rod style made famous by the band’s music videos in the 1980s.

The cars in the videos, often 1930s Fords, were known for their chopped roofs, sleek lines, and bold presence on the road. The style combined the classic look of the Depression-era coupe with modern hot rod modifications, creating a car that was both powerful and visually striking.

The car is part of Ford’s Model B series, produced during the Great Depression. The three-window coupe, named for its two door windows and rear window, stood out for its sporty look and sleek lines.

The original coupe came with a choice of the base four-cylinder engine, producing about 50 horsepower or the flathead V8, which delivered roughly 75 horsepower and quickly became popular for its strength and tunability.

These cars featured a rear-wheel-drive layout with a solid rear axle and three-speed manual transmission.

Ford offered them in several colours, including black, blue, green, maroon and tan, allowing buyers to add a touch of personality even during difficult economic times.

Today, Kozicki’s coupe runs on a much more powerful engine.

“It’s a 350 Chev L-82 strong block built for power, with a 144 blower on it and it’s a five-speed tarmac. The rarity of it is that it is all steel, no plastic or fibre glass,” he said.

The L-82 engine produces several hundred horsepower, a huge increase from the original Model B or flathead V8, giving the car modern muscle while retaining its classic silhouette.
Kozicki’s setup also allows the car to handle highways and longer drives comfortably, combining vintage style with contemporary performance.

“It does very well on the highway, I enjoy driving it. It was built by my brother first of all. He built the car and I helped him with it, so it is very special to me. When he passed, I bought it back from the estate and I plan on keeping it in the family and pass it on to the children,” Kozicki said.

For him, the car is a family legacy, carrying history forward while celebrating the appeal of a classic American hot rod.

Primary Care Alberta’s mobile mammogram clinic in Camrose

By Adan Shaikh

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Alberta and a leading cause of cancer-related death.

According to Canadian Cancer Society, about one in eight Canadian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and one in 36 will die from it. In Alberta alone, more than 3,500 people were diagnosed in 2022.

While it is rare, men can also develop the disease, with fewer than 20 new cases reported annually in this province. Because awareness in men is low, their cancers are often found at a later stage. Early detection is critical for everyone, as treatment is more effective when the disease is caught before symptoms appear.
Regular screening mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early. Screening has helped lower mortality rates across Canada, and Alberta’s Screen Test program makes access easier by bringing mobile units to communities throughout the province. The program will visit Camrose from October 9 to 11, offering free mammograms without a referral for those aged 45 to 74. Health officials recommend booking a mammogram every two years, or as advised by your health-care provider. People aged 40 to 44 or over 75 should discuss the risks and benefits with their provider; those in these age groups need a referral if it is their first mammogram or if they are over 75.

Screen Tests now include breast density scores in result letters. Dense breast tissue, where there is more glandular and connective tissue than fat, can make it harder to see cancers on a mammogram because both appear white on the image. You cannot determine breast density by look or feel; only a mammogram shows it. Dense breasts are just one of many risk factors, with age and genetics playing a bigger role in overall risk. Anyone receiving a density score should talk with their health-care provider about what it means for their personal screening plan.

Appointments for the Camrose mobile clinic can be made by calling 1-800-667-0604. More information about breast cancer screening is available at screeningforlife.ca/breast.

Centra Cam shares updates at Annual General Meeting

The Centra Cam board of directors for the upcoming year are, from left, back row, Rob Hauser as first vice-president, Cameron Lewis as treasurer, Dean Inman and Brian Francoeur as directors. From left, front row, Liz Rolf as secretary, Doug Macdonald as president, Kevin Gurr as second vice-president and Wally Wrubleski as director. Missing from the photo is director of the board Darren McDermott.

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Centra Cam Vocational Training Association held its annual general meeting September 24, offering members and supporters a look back at the past year.

Board president Doug Macdonald called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. “This past year has had all kinds of occurrences, which some people might see as challenges, but these changes will only strengthen our organization,” he said.

Treasurer Cameron Lewis presented the auditor’s report. “Our auditor has looked at our books and they are happy with all that they have seen. The biggest thing on the balance sheet is that there was a drop in cash/investments of about $275,000. 2024 to 2025 assets have also gone down by that same amount. This was how much more it cost us to finance our operations during this period,” Lewis explained.

First vice-president Rob Hauser followed with the business development and long-range planning report. “In May, board members and senior staff met to review some of the challenges and opportunities currently facing Centra Cam. We identified our top priorities to focus our attention on for the next few years. One important area includes exploring our options around diversifying the programs we offer,” he said.

“This past year, there have been several government driven changes on how individuals get and receive services, and pivoting the ways in which we meet these new challenges has kept us very busy,” he continued.

Hauser said the organization plans to research other program models to ensure resources are used effectively. “Increasing our brand recognition is very important. Our website is being updated behind the scenes, and our first prototype should be ready in November. Building our social media presence, participating in community events, giving presentations and sharing client profile stories are other ways we will continue to work on helping teach the public what we are all about,” he said.

Director Wally Wrubleski delivered the personnel report, highlighting staff changes and employment updates. “It was a busy year for human resources, we saw staff move away, start new careers, return to school, or reduce their hours to accommodate post secondary studies,” he said.

“We were lucky to have two of our three Canada Summer program participants transition to full -time employment. One volunteer returned to help at the Essentials Boutique and a new volunteer joined the programming area,” he added. “Our external COR Safety audit was successfully completed in early 2025 and we set a goal to prioritize workplace and engagement initiatives.”

Macdonald returned with the building, premise and transportation report. “Along with our annual inspections, it has been a very busy year for repairs and maintenance for our building, yard and equipment at the main facility,” he said.

Repairs included work on the kitchen sanitizer, security camera hard drives, cracked linoleum and fleet maintenance. “We replaced a recumbent bike, an air conditioner, and did some electrical upgrades. A new AED was purchased using funds from a Battle River Community Foundation grant,” Macdonald added.

The parking lot was repainted and cracks filled, and repairs were made to the emergency exit stairs. “Clients learned some independent living skills by assisting with repairs. We own three buildings, two of which are rented by Centra Cam Social Enterprise Ltd. For the most part, these locations just required some smaller routine repairs and maintenance but for the Woodshop location, we supported their operations with the purchase of a dust collection system,” he said.

Program director Liz Rolf reported, “We have welcomed four new clients into our programs and said goodbye to five. We wish them all the best in their new adventures. This last year has been a busy one with many new job sites. In total we have 11 new employment sites and two self-employment endeavors. The Odd Job Team continues to expand its customer base adding four new customers this summer.”

Centra Cam now has 30 volunteer placements, 57 employment positions and serves 97 individuals.
Director Dean Inman presented the fundraising report. “For our 2024 end of summer client barbecue, we received a $1,500 donation from Royal Bank of Canada Communities Together Fund. We were lucky to be the recipients of monetary donations from groups such as the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion, Battle River Community Foundation, and Retired Teachers Association to name a few,” he said.
Centra Cam raised about $3,400 through a bottle drive, Stawnichy’s Sausage sales and a Co-op barbecue. Gift card sales brought in more than $27,000 and the annual Bowl-a-thon raised just under $33,000.

Second vice-president Kevin Gurr delivered the public awareness report, outlining the strategic plan. “We are looking to build our social media presence and over the past year created 54 Facebook posts. Our Bowl-a-thon posts and photos were very popular and reached over 3,000 people,” he said.

Centra Cam continues to work with local organizations to volunteer, network and raise awareness about its services and programs.

Member and volunteer Blain Fowler ran the board election for 2025 to 26 year. Doug Macdonald remains president, Rob Hauser stays on as first vice-president and Kevin Gurr continues as second vice-president. Liz Rolf remains secretary, Cameron Lewis continues as treasurer and Brian Francoeur, Dean Inman, Darren McDermott and Wally Wrubleski remain directors.

Activities to enjoy changing seasons

By Adan Shaikh

The leaves around Camrose are shifting to red, orange and gold, a sure sign that winter is close. October is a short window to enjoy some time outdoors before winter sets in.

Families can wander through a nearby corn maze or visit a pumpkin patch, but simple outings can be just as memorable. Walk the trails around Mirror Lake or follow the paths through Stoney Creek Valley to take in the colours before the snow comes down.

Yardwork can become a family activity. Rake leaves into big piles for children to jump in before bagging them for compost. Collect a few favourites to press in a scrapbook or use for homemade decorations for Halloween.

This is also a good time to clear closets and cupboards. Sort through clothes and toys, set aside what no longer fits and drop the items at a local charity. Your donations can mean winter essentials for someone in need.

A slow walk, an afternoon of raking or a small act of giving all capture the season. The beautiful foliage will soon fade, so these days are a chance to enjoy autumn’s beauty and prepare for the months ahead.

New high school grand opening

The St. Carlo Acutis High School held its grand opening on September 24 with dignitaries in attendance. From left, Minister of Infrastructure Martin Long, Trustees Jean Boisvert, Al Stewart, Ted Paszek and Shelley Charchun, MLA Jackie Lovely, Teresa Makowecki, Dean Sarnecki and Superintendent Paul Corrigan.

by Nadine Leming

The St. Carlo Acutis High School (STCA) recently held their grand opening. The gymnasium was filled with dignitaries, staff and families. Paul Corrigan, Elk Island Catholic School Board (EICS) superintendent, and Jaymie Reinhart, assistant principal, welcomed attendees.

Jaymie said, “The grand opening of a new high school isn’t just about the building itself, but is an opportunity to provide our students with learning, growing in faith, and building community. We look forward to building a culture of excellence, inclusivity and innovation at STCA.”

Father Kris Schmidt prayed over the school and community with gratitude, thanksgiving and blessing before greetings were brought from the Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Martin Long.
Minister Long stated, “With the grand opening, it marks the beginning of a new chapter. I want to thank everyone who helped bring this vision to life.” He thanked MLA Lovely for how strongly she advocated for this new school and her passion for making it a reality. He talked on the commitment and dedication of all involved to create the new school.

Shelly Charchun, EICS Camrose trustee, was also in attendance at the ceremony. She said, “It’s an honour to be here to celebrate a truly monumental occasion. A special thank you to MLA Lovely for your advocacy and commitment to this project.” She went on to talk about how the school isn’t just a place of brick and mortar, but a place where futures are shaped and where children will grow to become compassionate and faithful leaders.

Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association president Kelly Whalen was also in attendance to share greetings on behalf of the association.
Father Schmidt talked about the virtues of the recently canonized St. Carlo Acutis and how he lived his life inspiring the lives of his parents as well as the people around him. He shared about St. Carlo’s ability to be an inspiration to the students at STCA and for others around the world.

To conclude the ceremony, Father Schmidt walked around the school to bless each room for protection, grace and a peaceful environment.

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Students, faculty and visitors at University of Alberta Augustana Campus gathered around the quad by Founders’ Hall building to observe Truth and Reconciliation Day. Dean John Parkins, alongside Chaplain Andrea Wilhelm and Elder Myrna Yellowbird, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the long-term effects and trauma that the residential schools caused. Attendees were asked to take flags and place them in the ground around the campus, showcasing the amount of young lives that were lost due to residential school. Signs with information and names of the schools were placed and, by the end, the walkway leading towards the Forum building was covered in the orange flags.

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

3068 Army Cadets helped place flags around campus. From left, MWO. Roger Dumont, MWO. Christian Roman and Cpl. Alexandra Roman.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The Camrose Public Library hosted Orange Shirt Day activities at the library to recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day which is September 30. This day is set aside to acknowledge the tragic legacy of residential schools, missing children and the survivors and families of these schools. Included was a smudging ceremony. From left, Jeff Skinner and Joelle Skinner. Joelle leads indigenous programing at the library on a regular basis as a way to share her culture.

ROTARY CARES

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Camrose Rotary Club member Lou Henderson (right) presented a $1,000 cheque to Tyler Weber, after his name was drawn for the Rotary Cares draw. Tyler plans on donating the funds back to the Rotary Club, so they can continue doing their work in the community. Rotary Cares tickets are now available for purchase, contact a Rotarian to get tickets.

LEGION DONATION

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The Camrose Legion Branch No. 57 puts money back into the community every year. In the spirit of giving back, Kerry Grettum, Legion vice president and donation chair, left, presented Kate MacDonald with a $500 cheque for her accomplishments in sports over the past school year.

FIRE DEPARTMENT DONATION

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Camrose Fire Department received a donation of $20,000 from Richardson Pioneer to go towards the building of the Fire Department’s training facility. Pictured from left are Braden Wollum and Rayanne von Platen from the Richardson Pioneer team, Camrose fire chief Eric Graham, and Derek Ott and Terry Thiessen from Richardson Pioneer team. The training facility will provide an opportunity for the firefighters to be able to train with live fire in a controlled environment. The Fire Training Grounds project is located off Township Road 464 near the City lagoons. Ten shipping containers will form the four-storey training facility. Training props, including stairs, railings and decking, are being prepared for installation. Work on screw piles and crane operations for container placement is expected to begin soon.

LEGION DONATION

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The Camrose Legion Branch No. 57 makes donations in the community twice a year. Recently they gave back $16,500 into the community. From left, Kerry Grettum, Legion VP and donation chair, and Olivia Belanger, who was presented a $1,000 bursary to go towards her education.

LEGION DONATION

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The Camrose Legion Branch No. 57 makes donations in the community twice a year. Recently they gave back $16,500 into the community. From left, Kerry Grettum, Legion VP and donation chair, and Larry Iler, who accepted a $500 cheque on behalf of Camrose Senior Slow Pitch

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

Zucchini Wars, Part 2: Zucchini Strikes Back
Well, I finally did it. I got rid of the last of the zucchini.
The unpleasant facts of life are, hardly anyone likes zucchini. I didn’t start off knowing that.
“It’s the most wonderful stuff,” someone burbled. “So versatile. You can do so much with it.” She had a list from a magazine:
“72 Things to Do with Zucchini.” Zucchini raw, baked, boiled, broiled, stir-fried, sautéed, stewed, stuffed, deep fried. Zucchini loaf, zucchini pie, zucchini muffins, zucchini chocolate cake…
That should have been a clue.
Anything that takes such earnest effort to use must have a problem, right? I mean, you never see a list that says, “72 Things to Do with Prime Rib.”

***

I doggedly started using zucchini in everything.
I was going to a potluck supper. “I’ll bring my fabulous zucchini aspic,” I volunteered.
The hostess said firmly, “You can bring the buns and butter.”
I invited some relatives over for supper. “Are you having zucchini for a vegetable?” they asked suspiciously.
“No,” I said, truthfully.
“Okay, then we’ll come.”
On the day of our supper, they asked, “What’s for dessert?”
“Apple Crisp Surprise.”
They looked at the dessert. “Hey, this isn’t apple, it’s zucchini.”
“Surprise!”

***

I was obviously not going to be able to use all the zucchini myself. I tried phoning a few friends.
“Hi, I have some zucchinis. Would you like some?”
“No. Thanks for offering, but nobody in my family will eat it.”
Another call. “Hi, I have some zucchini…”
“Take two aspirin and call me when it’s gone.”
Then there were the hard bargainers. “Okay, I’ll take some zucchini but only if you’ll take a box of green tomatoes.”

***

I was getting desperate. Every time I went for coffee with someone, I took some zucchinis. People stopped having coffee with me.
I made the mistake of asking a group of friends, “What can you do with zucchini?” I got a lot of suggestions. None of them were on the list of “72 Things to Do with Zucchini” and most of them started with, “You can take your zucchini and…”
I actually left a couple of zucchinis in someone’s mailbox. She reported that she’d wheeled the car around the corner, looked at her house and said to her kids, “Good grief, what are those green monsters hanging out of the mailbox?”
I had visions of skulking around in the middle of the night, leaving zucchini wrapped in a baby blanket and tucked in a basket on someone’s front porch. I would attach a note that said, “I’ve been abandoned. Please take me in.” (I’ve been told that someone from Hay Lakes actually did that!)
I now know how I’m going to solve the problem of “what to do with zucchini” next year. I’m not growing any nor accepting any.
Meanwhile, does anyone want some green tomatoes?
(This is a repeat of a column from a few years ago. ‘Tis the season!)

***

I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, e-mail Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day.