Valley Auto Recyclers are leading the way in environmental stewardship and have achieved a Gold Standard Designation from the Automobile Recyclers of Canada (ARC).
    Chris and Lloyd Morgan have owned the business in the HyGrade Industrial Park just over a year. This was the first time they tried for the national designation, and achieved an over 90 per cent compliance level to earn a gold standard.
    “It’s a nice pat on the back to get this on our first try,” said Chris Morgan.
      Gold is the highest level of compliance.
    The designation assures the company is doing its part to responsibly operate its business by adhering to environmental standards. This affects virtually all aspects of the business.
These requirements begin as a car comes into the yard. This includes disposal of chemicals, oils and other harmful compounds. ARC has standards for how a vehicle is dismantled, how parts are stored and how the land and water are protected. It takes account of inventory management and final disposal of vehicles.
    “We’ve worked hard not to be a junk yard. We are a recycling facility,” said Chris.
    For the past year, the company has been improving the site, and at times, literally digging cars out of the coulee. He said inspectors for ARC recognized their effort to do things the right way.
    This designation allows the company to expand its inventory and also further act as environmental leaders.  In achieving the designation, Valley Auto Recyclers is now able to participate in programs such as "Cash for Clunkers" or "Retire Your Ride".
    These programs are designed to take older vehicles, which contribute the most to air pollution, off the road for good.
    These vehicles cannot be simply parted out like most acquisitions by a recycler.  Vehicles that are 1995 and younger can be completely recycled and parts can be sold. If cars are older than 1995, they cannot sell any part that would keep another car of the same vintage on the road mechanically. This means they are not able to resell power train parts for example.
    “It is a pretty good way to control higher polluting vehicles,” said Chris.
    He adds these programs help build their inventory and give them the opportunity to sell newer parts.
    Chris said they are looking at other endeavours such as making the site a place
for residents to dispose of used oil and are exploring a battery recycling program designed to raise funds for local charities.

    Rosebud Theatre has for years possessed the gifts of story telling, entertainment, evoking emotions and inspiring.
    This Christmas they are also sharing “The Gifts of the Magi.”
    This musical is based on the classic O’Henry short story of selfless giving and irresistible love. Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts took the simple story and created a tale of the hardship of a young couple in New York City facing the hustle, opulence and poverty of the berg, and a Christmas without snow.
    Cassia Schramm, recent graduate of Rosebud School of the Arts,commnded he stage last season with roles in Oliver! and The Secret Garden. In Gift of the Magi she plays Della, one half of the young couple in their tiny flat furnished with a shabby little couch. Jim, played by Aaron Krogman, who is also recognizable from the Rosebud stage after playing roles in Fiddler on the Roof, Christmas on the Air and a Bright Particular Star, hits the pavement each morning in search of work. While his love for his young bride is unquestioned, being part of a faceless, jobless mass is taking its toll on the young man with Christmas just days away especially when Jim has no means to buy a gift for his wife.
    Those who are touched by the simplicity of the original story would certainly be curious how a musical production could carry the fable without losing its charm.
    Rosebud succeeds. The flavour of New York and all of its hustle is captured through a simple set and the versatility of “City Him” (Joel Stephanson) and “City Her” (Laura Gillespie) who help set each scene. Mike Thiessen, through his homeless character “Soapy” provides comic relief and Natalie Gauthier as a newspaper boy provides a gentle narration to keep the play moving.
     While much is added to the original story in the production, the emotion of the “two foolish children” whose sacrifices pale in comparison to their love, is not lost.
    One of Rosebud’s continual successes is bringing in the Christmas season with its final production of the season. Year after year, the productions warm the heart of its audience, delivering them their first gift of the season.