The Drumheller Enerflex MS Walk is coming up on Sunday, May 6 and the society is gearing up for a fun and invigorating day to further our mission to “endMS”.
    The MS Walk is the largest national fundraising program for the MS Society of Canada.  Last year, more than $13 million was raised for MS research and services.  More than 60,000 walkers and volunteers in over 161 communities throughout the country are involved with the MS Walk.
    In Drumheller, walkers can check-in beginning at 9 a.m. at the Drumheller Arena that day, and the walk route will be the same as the past few years – out to the Homestead Museum, back past the arena, then out to the high school and back. 
    The A&W Root Bear will be on the route again to entertain the walkers, and we’re delighted that Angela Price will be performing at the arena.
    Various local businesses are providing snacks and refreshments at the check points, as well as a barbecue back at the arena.  Massages will also be offered to the walkers.  Volunteers will be on the route to provide any help that’s needed.
    Back at the arena, the MS Society will be selling red shoelaces, red hairstreaks, and MS angel pins.  Again, various businesses have donated door prizes, and all walkers will be entered in the draw.
    Deb Wynia of the local MS Chapter, said  this year registrations for the annual event are down.
    “We’re hoping that more people will come and join us on Sunday.  However, we realize that there are a lot of worthy causes out there and people are often forced to choose between a cause that affects them directly and one that doesn’t.  We estimate that there are over 100 people in our Chapter area diagnosed with MS.  Funds collected from events such as the Enerflex MS Walk are essential in providing and maintaining services for local MS patients,” said Wynia.
    She adds they have heard there have been some difficulties with online registrations. If anyone is experiencing problems, please call the MS Society toll-free at 1-800-268-7582 or contact walk coordinator Dianne Snyder at 403-823-7077. 
    Pledge sheets can be picked up at ‘This ‘N’ That’ (the old Tipple Inn at the Co-op Mall).
    She adds participants can also register at the walk.
    Volunteers are still needed, so if anyone has a few hours to spare, please call Dianne Snyder at 403-823-7077.
    “We want people to know the need is very, very real and we would never want to be in a position where we have to downsize our programs locally because the revenue isn’t there,” said Wynia.  “For a person who might be newly diagnosed who has come from their neurologist and doesn’t know what to do next, we are their next stop and we’re here to support them and connect them with others living with MS so they don’t feel like they’re going through this alone.”

    Area farmers are breathing a little better now that it is a little wetter.
    Low snowfalls and a dry spring led to low soil moisture levels in the area. This week’s rain has boosted the confidence of some farmers who are now waiting to get their equipment on the land.
    Starland County Ag Fieldman Al Hampton said many in the area reported getting close to an inch of moisture.
    “At this stage of the game this is really good,” said Hampton. “Now if it is shut off for the next month, everyone will be happy.”
    It is still early in the season, however Hampton said a few people in the Delia, Verdant Valley and even the Rowley area have gotten a little bit of seeding done. He figures that less than 1 per cent has been planted. Most is peas and some early wheat.
    “Full-blown seeding won’t start until it dries up a bit,” said Hampton.
    “I think the moisture we got has gone to a good cause. I think people are more confident putting seed into the ground than they were a few weeks ago,” said Hampton.
    Bruce Sommerville, Ag Fieldman for Kneehill County, said the moisture will go a long way to getting even germination.
    “All the seed should come up even,” he said.
    He said a few of the larger operations had a few crops in the ground so far, but most will be waiting until the ground dries to get their equipment out.
    Sommerville expects more moisture and says it is needed, but it also closes farmers’ window of opportunity.
    “Ten days from now if they are not started they will be getting concerned,” he said.