It takes volunteers to build a community.
    Sixty-four year old Carbon resident Sam Charlebois is the embodiment of that sentiment. Charlebois is one of Carbon’s most active volunteers, being president of the Carbon and Area Restoration Society, a member of the Legion, and volunteering in any cause that needs help.
    “I’m mostly involved with the Carbon and area restoration society, which, originally involved the restoration of the oldest building in town. We try to keep things going, look for grants, and keep the building maintained,”  said Charlebois. “Anything that comes along that needs help, we pitch in. We’re here to help promote the community and bring good things back to town.”
    Charlebois came to Carbon after retiring from a 25 year career in the RCMP in 1996. Although he was posted in a number of different places, he, and his wife Susan, always made it a point to volunteer as much as they could.
    “Helping people has always been my forte, so hopefully what goes around, comes around, and we make things better for everybody,” said Charlebois. “I volunteered throughout my whole career for hockey, baseball, and soccer teams, wherever I was posted, as our kids grew up.”
    Charlebois can trace his roots in Carbon back to 1901, when his grandfather made the trek out west.
    “Carbon is my home-town. I was born and raised on a farm near here. My grandfather came here in 1901 and my family heritage goes back to 1567,” said Charlebois.
    Despite his many efforts, Charlebois feels volunteering and helping the community involves everyone and Carbon is fairly lucky in that regard. He feels, though, for small communities to continue to thrive, the younger generation needs to step up to the plate.
    “I think Carbon is a great example of people helping people. We’re certainly not the only ones in the village. There are a lot of volunteers here. It makes for a better community spirit. We try to promote unity and helping each other, because we need it,” said Charlebois. “Volunteers make the difference. Otherwise, things wouldn’t work.”

Michael James
The Drumheller Mail

    Big plans are in the works for the Craigmyle Historic Church.
    Should all go well, the Craigmyle Historic Society will begin the restoration of one of the most iconic parts of the building; the remarkable stained glass windows.
    “We need to repair some windows and replace some others. We’ll work with the glass that is good, but there is a lot that has to be replaced,” said Bev Bergman, a member of the Historic Society. “It’s a big job, there are quite a few big windows in the church.”
    To achieve that goal, the church is looking for someone who is experienced in window restoration.
    “It’s hard to find resource people and if we find someone, they have to be approved by Alberta Historic Resources,” said Bergman.
    So far, the Historic Society has two quotes for the project; one for $25,000 to splice in new materials and another for $72,000 to completely repair the windows and frames.
    The work is something that needs to be done, but the Historic Society is now asking at what cost.
    “We’ll have to do this one way or another. Because we are a historic resource, we have to comply with Alberta Historic Resources,” said Bergman. “We could handle the lesser amount, but not the higher one. Plus, I feel uncomfortable spending $72,000.”
    The windows have been in the church for the entirety of its nearly 100 year history. According to the Alberta Historic Resources Foundation, the windows are unique and a hallmark of Methodist architecture.
    The Historic Society is hoping anyone who can point them to someone who could restore the windows and will come forward. Otherwise, the windows, which have graced the church for so long will only get worse.
    Bergman can be contacted at 403-665-2492.
    “If we don’t do anything, they (the windows) will continue to deteriorate and the more they do, the bigger the project is,” said Bergman. “We don’t know yet what work needs to be done on the frames themselves.”