There may be another alternative energy project in the area in the near future.
    Aura Power Renewables is proposing a 75-megawatt solar power project north of the Drumheller Municipal Airport and is hosting a public open house next week to share information on its project.
    “We are now ready to begin discussion of the project with the community.  We find it helpful that Starland County is a leader, experienced with the use of solar photovoltaic technology, and that this region is one of the best locations in Canada for this type of technology,” said Aura Power senior project manager Victor Beda.
    He says this project is in the permitting phase. It has completed the environmental studies as well as archeological and historical resource study on the parcel, which came back positive.  The meeting is the beginning of its public consultation process.
    “We have kind of jumped through a few key hurdles,” he said.
    A project of this size could generate enough power to supply up to 18,750 homes annually and occupy about 400 acres. It would consist of the solar panels and racking, access roads, and electrical infrastructure.
    “We will work closely with the county to adhere to their requirements, and we will ensure that this is a safe operation.  We have also worked closely with ATCO Electric to confirm that the electrical infrastructure can accommodate the solar farm output. With the project located near Drumheller, we expect to find a local workforce that can assist in the construction and operation of the solar farm,” he said.
    He says Aura Power is not participating in the province’s  Renewable Electricity Program at this point. Rather they are pursuing private power purchase arrangements.
 Beda says during construction about 50 personnel will be working on the site and building the array. After it is complete, there is very little activity on site.
    “In term’s of the actual impact to the view scape, compared to a natural gas plant or a coal facility, the view scape is a lot lower. You are looking at objects that are no taller than 12 feet or so on the horizon,” he said. “The tallest thing in the entire installation would be a communication mast.”
     If the project were approved, it would take about four to six months to complete.
    “Alberta’s demand for electricity is growing, and combined with the ever-reducing cost of the technology we think the timing is right to develop this project,” said Beda.
    “We have completed our biological studies and expect that there will be no adverse effects to wildlife.  Finally, the Aura Power solar farm would contribute to the local economy as well as the Starland County tax base, bringing benefits to the region.  These benefits are achieved without emitting pollution and with minimal noise.”
    The open house is slated for Thursday, January 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Munson Community Hall.

    The St. Magloire’s Anglican Church is one Bible richer after a Salmon Arm, B.C., thrift store volunteer stumbled upon the 93 year old artifact.
    The 1925 Bible contains old flyer’s and receipts that are scribbled with notes and act as bookmarks. One weekly newsletter in particular was originally from the Drumheller based church, with an interesting saying on it; ‘Pessimism sees a difficulty in every opportunity. Optimism sees an opportunity in every difficulty.’
    Jeanetta Zorn of Salmon Arm, B.C., found the Bible while sorting through donated books and decided to keep it because she felt it held value. Zorn examined it at home and discovered the newsletter.
    “It was through that Bible that I knew where the Bible had to at least, at some point, come from,” said Zorn. “I thought, ‘I’m going to see if this Bible wants to go back home.’”
    Zorn contacted The Mail to find a person to speak with about returning the artifact. She eventually mailed it to Doug Wade, an active member of the St. Magloire's Anglican Church. He has also acted as the deputy warden and participated in the church choir over the years.
    “We don’t often have that opportunity you know,” continued Zorn. “We’re hucking  out old books and putting stuff out on the shelf so this was kind of a really neat thing to have happen as a volunteer and just being able to do that because it could have just as easily fallen into somebody’s hands that would have heaved it.”
    The Bible’s detailed notes are of what is most likely from a Bishop who was preparing sermons during Sunday mass many years ago. As a way to keep the speech pure, no written speeches were made so the Bishop would conduct an impromptu speech only guided by these tiny notes.
    A few names have been identified from the assortment of bookmarks that line its pages; A. MacPhail, Canon W.P. Griffins (Rector), and Mr. John Henry Tarbuck.
    It is believed that the Bible was Tarbuck’s based on a leaflet that has his name addressed as well as a stamp with the date September 21, ‘38.
    Tarbuck lived in the Dunphy area where his grave is located in the Homelands Cemetery.
    The Mail looked through direct archives and found Tarbuck’s name in the January 31, 1946 issue as his obituary was printed on the front page.

    The obituary stated that he was survived by his wife, one son; Jack Tarbuck, three daughters; Mary Lowen, Fanny Clark, and Olive McKinnon, and six grandchildren; Kenneth Lowen, Ralph Lowen, Jack Lowen, Tom Lowen, Hugh McKinnon and Ray Burgess.
    “I’m very thrilled with this Bible that’s found its way back home,” said Wade. “For somebody to carry that around … it’s so neat that it was saved,” continued Wade. “Obviously, he has been gone from ‘46 so that’s 70 years ago that his family packed it around as well. It’s so neat by everybody, for his family to carry that around for 70 years and then for the lady in B.C. to say ‘This has value’ and it does.”
    Wade plans to take the Bible to the next church meeting to decide what to do with it. Or returning it to who they believe may be the family that last owned the Bible.
    “I suspect that it will go to the Calgary Anglican Cathedral,” said Wade.