It’s that time of year, where even the most subdued men begin to experiment with their facial hair, all for a good cause.
Movember is back. This is the time when men grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health. These include prostate and testicular cancer as well as mental health and suicide prevention.
In Drumheller, there are a few brave men who may be sporting a new look, whether it be a Jon Waters-style pencil moustache to a full Tom Selleck.
Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski is taking on the challenge and has a new set of handlebars growing.
“I thought it would be fun and different … I have had relatives who have had prostate cancers, so anything we can do to support it is important,” he said.
He is also showing support for Councillor Lisa Hansen Zacharuk, who is battling cancer. He has offered town employees an opportunity at the end of the month to shave his moustache.
“Whoever raises the most money, I’ll let them shave me, and the funds will go to breast cancer research in Lisa’s honour,” he said.
A quick search of the ca.Movember.com shows a few locals who are working hard to raise funds and awareness, including the crew at Glover International, which has already raised more than $500.
Cody Makowecki of Auto Value is participating in Movember for the first time.
“I’ve always had the inclination to do it but really before, it would take like two months to be able to grow anything of substance, but now it’s not quite as bad as long as you’re in the right lighting,” he laughs.
Kidding aside, he feels strongly about men’s health issues, especially mental health.
“Men are dying too young, whether that be from cancer or mental health-related issues. The branch that I’m raising funds for is the mental health side of things,“ he said.
“Society seems to view men who speak up about a mental illness or issue as weak, you know the ‘man up’ mentality has taken too many men way too young. In Canada, 3/4 suicides are men, that’s 75 per cent. It’s terrible no matter the gender but the idea that men should be able to tough out their issues because they are men is a terrible mentality. The issue sticks close to my heart, and whether I raise $5 or $5,000 I just want to bring attention to the fact that it’s okay not to be okay.”
To learn more or to donate to a ‘Mo-Bro’ or team, go to www.ca.movember.com

The Town of Drumheller remains on enhanced status with 63 active cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, November 23 and, on Wednesday, November 18, a second death due to COVID-19 was reported locally.

Across the province, there are currently 13,166 active cases, with 2,1110 of those in the Central Zone which includes Drumheller. Due to the ongoing rise in cases, local groups have had to cancel or postpone events.
“After careful consideration, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the Festival of Lights event that was scheduled for Saturday, November 21,” stated an email from Festival of Lights Planning Committee. The smaller Tree Trimming event on Friday, November 20 will still go ahead and be limited to the family and cohort groups already registered; the committee is also looking to reschedule the Festival of Lights.
There is an ongoing outbreak at the Drumheller Institution and visitations are not being accommodated at this time. A media relations advisor told the Mail, “As of today (Thursday, November 19), there are no positive inmate cases at Drumheller Institution. There are nine active cases of COVID-19 among staff who work at Drumheller Institution. Staff who are symptomatic or receive a positive result for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate at home until they are cleared to return to work.”
A report from Loblaws also identified a positive case at the Drumheller Extra Foods on Tuesday, November 17. The team member last worked on Friday, November 13.
“Almost a quarter of all our COVID-19 deaths have happened since November 1,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said during the COVID-19 update on Wednesday. “If we do not change our trajectory, the implications are grim. The daily COVID-19 death count is a tragic reminder that COVID-19 is not ‘just a flu’--it is life and death.”
Kneehill County, which was previously taken off enhanced status, has been placed back on the list with 13 active cases, and Wheatland County also remains on enhanced status with 22 cases. Starland County currently has three active cases.

All numbers are current as of Sunday, November 22.