November is Violence Prevention Month and the Big Country Anti-Violence Association (BCAVA) is working to raise awareness of the issue and taking a stand against family violence.
    On Tuesday, November 1, volunteers from the association were joined by Grace House in distributing red roses to businesses throughout the valley. This has been a long time initiative of BCAVA. The red rose is in memory of women, children and men in Alberta who have died as victims of domestic violence.
    “The businesses are very cooperative and most businesses accept a rose and display it in their store to represent those who have lost their lives to violence,” said Marian Ewing, spokesperson for BCAVA.
    The Red Rose Campaign covers all of Drumheller, including East Coulee, Wayne and Rosedale, as well as surrounding communities such as Morrin, Munson and Delia. On this day, more than 200 red roses were distributed.
    There is no associated charge for the rose, and it has been supported well by Home-Town Realty, who buys the roses. R&J Flowers also supports the campaign by providing the roses for half price.
    Another exciting endeavour for the BCAVA is they are asking residents to help take back the night.
    “In the 10 years I have been involved we haven’t done Take Back the Night, but we felt it was very representative of what our group is trying to tell the community, so we are looking forward to it, and continuing it every year,” said Ewing.
    The Take Back the Night walk through Drumheller will take place on Thursday, November 17. It is a vigil march through the core designed to raise awareness about violence against individuals and to support those who are in, or have been in abusive situations.
    The vigil will start at the Drumheller Civic Centre at 7 p.m. with a short program. Candles will be distributed and the vigil will move through downtown. The procession will return to the Civic Centre for refreshments.
    The committee has arranged to have the Silent Witness Silhouettes at the walk. These are life size silhouettes painted red. Each represents a woman or child in Alberta who was murdered by a family member or partner.
     Ewing says the goal of stopping violence is a valiant one.
    “Anyone who is suffering with any situation of violence needs to know there is a number they can call to get assistance,” she said. “Statistics say violence is on the rise and we want to do everything we can to prevent or reduce that.”
    More information on BCAVA, its activities and endeavours can be found at www.bcava.com. It also includes links to resources for education, as well as contacts for those in a crisis situation.   

    The annual Atlas Haunted Coal Mine broke their attendance records during their Big Boo on Saturday, October 29, and Little Boo on October 30.
    “There were lines like Disneyland,” said Linda Digby, Executive Director of the Atlas Coal Mine. “All in all we’re expecting that numbers are a big jump from previous years.”
    Roughly 720 guests braved the eerie mine on Saturday night and 350 guests came for the milder Little Boo the next day.
    Guests took a fright filled walk through the mine, beginning with the tipple, followed by a stop at the ever creepy wash house, which had undergone a radical change.
    “A new team was Andy Neuman and his team,” said Digby. They transformed the wash house like never before.”
    Guests then walked into the night, with scares around every corner, such as the unsettling presence of an unwelcome ghoul on the train or a maniac with a chain saw.
    Attendees had a great time, with comments being positive.
    “We heard lots of screams all over the sights and also a lot of laughs,” said Digby. “It turned out really well.”
    Roughly 70 per cent of the guests were from out of town, indicating that the community event conceived seven years ago is reaching a wide audience.
     “It boosts the shoulder seasons tourism economy”, said Digby. “It helps everyone in the valley.”
    The Haunted Coal Mine was filmed this year as an information piece for those who haven’t attended before. The video will appear on the Atlas Coal Mine website and their YouTube channel.
    When asked what next year has in store, Digby replied “I’ve got some ideas for next year, but I’m not telling.”