Rockyford’s Merle Marshman had an easy decision, which was to take the $100,000 and run.

The grand prize winners of the Foothill Hospital Home Lottery were announced on Thursday, May 4, and Marshman was on the list. His prize was the choice between a new Range Rover Sport HSE, a Jaguar F-Pace S Sport or $100,000 cash. He went for the cash.

“I didn’t want the cars, I don’t need them,” he said. “I took the cash so I could divide it up among some people. How can you divide a car?”

He says he plans to donate a portion of his winnings back to the Calgary Health Trust, and then share some it.

“I’ll have to talk it over with my daughters and my family,” he said.

He tells the Mail he buys tickets to the home lottery every year, but this is the first time he won. He went into Calgary for the ceremony to claim his prize.

The proceeds of the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery are directed towards priority programs and equipment at the Foothills Medical Centre. It sold out this year. The entire listing of prize winners will be posted May 11.

“It came pretty late in life because I am just past 90, I just about missed it!” he laughs.

The long-standing career of the Ross Rawlusyk was celebrated last Saturday night at Delia Hall.
    Rawlusyk, who has served 30 years as CAO of Starland County handed the key of the county to Shirley Bremer who began as the CAO on Monday, May 1. A great crowd gathered for his retirement celebrations on April 27, and included many employees, past and present, as well as council members and reeves.  There were also many political figures from the surrounding areas and Jack Hayden, former MLA for Drumheller-Stettler brought greetings. Assistant Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs in Municipal Services and Legislation, Gary Sandberg, attended.
    Former reeves Barry McLeod, Art Grenville, Norman Stanger and Don Thompson entertained the crowd with memories of Rawlusyk’s career. Dorothy Gywnn, Ross’s first hire after becoming CAO read a poem she composed.
    Ross showed appreciation to the many staff and politicians he worked with throughout his career, many with three decades of service.