News | DrumhellerMail - Page #2960
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Last updateFri, 20 Dec 2024 5pm

Santa’s Christmas Dinner returns for 29th year

    After a banner year of serving 284 guests to a Christmas feast, Santa’s little helpers are back in action on Christmas Day continuing a valley tradition.
    Santa’s Christmas Dinner is back for another season. Hosted since 1983, it has gone from simply being a dinner among friends when there was no other venue to becoming many family’s Christmas celebration. At its heart lies the belief that no one needs to be alone on Christmas.
    “My girls and I had a blast hosting the dinner last year,” said Mike Yavis, whose restaurant is hosting again this year. “It was so great to see the restaurant packed with customers and friends who chose to spend Christmas with us. It’s a highlight of our Christmas”.
    The door is wide open to those who don’t have plans, maybe those who are not able to travel to be with family, maybe those who don’t want to make a huge dinner, or those who don’t have the means.  Many others have made it their own Christmas tradition.
    Volunteers will also bring meals to those who are not able to leave their homes to attend. They also have a shuttle for those in need of transportation.
    A core of volunteers has assembled to plan this year’s dinner, but there is always room for more help. Whether it be serving, cooking or entertaining, all are welcome.
    The dinner goes from noon to 3 p.m. on Christmas Day. While the event has been held at a number of venues, last year Yavis Family Restaurant came forward to share in the Christmas spirit, and this year they are hosting it again.
    “We’re putting the final touches on the preparations for this year. I want to thank the 40+ volunteers who work each year to make this dinner a success,” said Amy Yavis.
    For more information on the event, to volunteer, or arrange for a ride or a drop off, contact Century 21 at 403-823-2121 or contact Bob Sheddy at 403-823-2222.


Drumheller RCMP needs help from citizens

    The Drumheller RCMP Detachment is asking residents to lend a hand to help stop crime in the area. The Drumheller RCMP covers a huge area, extending north slightly past Rumsey, south to Rosebud, east to Delia, and west just shy of Highway 21.
    The RCMP needs citizens to help monitor the area.
    Citizens on Patrol and Rural Crime watch are two volunteer organizations that donate their time to patrol neighbourhoods.
    The two organizations are non profit and work alongside RCMP to provide extra pairs of eyes and ears. Any suspicious activity is immediately reported to the RCMP.
    “When they see something that’s not quite right, their eyes give us a big advantage,” said Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins of the Drumheller RCMP.
    Criminals naturally will strike at the most opportune time, when no one is around. Patrols made by the aforementioned organizations remove these opportunities and help create safe communities.
    “Exactly how many crimes they have prevented, I can’t say,” said Hopkins. “But, they have definitely prevented crime.
    “They have done amazing things over the years,” continued Hopkins. “They supply us with pieces of the puzzle we wouldn’t otherwise have.”
    Unfortunately the number of volunteers in the two organizations has steadily been decreasing. The need is great for new volunteers to help reduce crime in the area.
    If interested, please contact the Drumheller RCMP at 403-823-7590.

East Coulee School Museum gives old fashioned Christmas fun

    On Sunday, December 18, at 1:00 p.m. residents of the Valley can enjoy an afternoon of an old fashioned Christmas at the East Coulee School Museum.
    “We’re calling it Christmas in the Coulee,” said Owen Thompson, manager of the East Coulee School Museum. “It’ll be a nice afternoon of being with your family.”
    Attendees will be treated to an afternoon of pony rides through town, homemade Christmas cookies, and music. The Rosebud men’s choir will be making an appearance to sing for the event.
    This is the first year that Christmas in the Coulee is being done. In previous years East Coulee residents have put on other events, such as a medieval Christmas.
    “We were batting around ideas of what to do at the East Coulee school museum,” said Thompson. “We decided on something traditional, less commercialized, and that families can go to reconnect with the season.”
    For those wishing to attend, admission to the festivities is by donation. If interested in getting involved, contact the East Coulee School Museum at ecsmuseum.springfest@gmail.com or 403-822-3970.


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