Organizers of the Rumsey Ride For STARS are elated to pull off their 32nd ride, and the second virtual ride due to the pandemic.
And what a ride it was as participants and supporters were able to raise over $31,000. They finished up crunching the numbers on August 15.
“It always feels good. The last couple of years we had to pivot on a dime a little and do things a little bit differently, but we were really happy with what happened, and we still have pledges coming in, so another unbelievable year,” said Rob Richmond, the Rumsey Ride for STARS committee.
The numbers were impressive. From the “Your Ride For STARS,” the pledges raised by participants taking on their own ride, raised $17,795. The top pledge earners were Lynn Tanner, who raised $10,045, Ernie Goddard, who raised $3,700 and Chesney and Chase Anderson, who raised $3,550.

The STARS Online Auction brought in $2,474, and the Richmond Stars Raffle raised $1,509.
They are grateful for the support of those who donated prizes and auction items.
At last year’s event, Rob Richmond undertook “Robs Walk to the Bar” and walked 31-kilometres to the TL Bar Ranch. This year he followed it up with “Rob’s Walk 2 for 32” where he trekked from the TL Bar Ranch to Rowley, and then back to Rumsey. This year he raised $9,072. A few people joined him on portions of his walk, including old friend Peggy Kopjar, who typically lives half the year in Hawaii.
“She gave me her Hawaiian turtle power so, that kind of got me going too,” he said.
The results of this year’s event put the total raised over the last 32 years at $939,021.94. This puts the million-dollar milestone within reach. At the STARS 25th anniversary ride, they raised more than $60,000, so it is possible.
“That’s the magical number,” said Richmond. “That is ultimately what we want to do, that’s the exciting thing.”
He is looking forward to next year when the ride may return to the TL Bar Ranch if pandemic restrictions allow. The organizers have shown their adaptability to the situation, and there could be some activities they have used hosted for the last couple of years that could be rolled into the traditional event.
“It’s not just the dollars, it’s the support we have as a group that makes all of us sort of proud of Rumsey and the whole area and anybody involved.”

Candidates for the upcoming Kneehill County municipal election have announced their intention to run for a seat on council in October, including four incumbent and five new candidates.
Of the four incumbent candidates are current Reeve and Deputy Reeve for the county, Division 3 and Division 1 candidates Jerry Wittstock and Faye McGhee respectively, along with Division 6 Councillor Wade Christie, and Division 7 Councillor Kenneth King.
Along with the incumbent parties, five new candidates have also been announced-Christopher Morton for Division 2, Carrie Fobes and Rick McInnis for Division 4, and Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham and Robert Park for Division 5.
Division 2 candidate Christopher Morton says his decision to run for council began out of frustration regarding the county’s operations and “a personal quest to learn more” which grew into a passion over the last year.
“Our councillors and administration are our neighbours and members of our community. I have attempted to be measured in my criticism because, ultimately, I hope to work with both the councillors and administration,” Morton tells the Mail.
Morton adds he wants to establish better relations with the municipalities which are part of Kneehill County, and advocate for volunteer organizations-Morton currently serves as a volunteer firefighter with Linden Fire and Rescue and previously with Acme Fire.
Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham is running in the municipal election for the first time and is vying for the Division 5 seat alongside fellow candidate Robert Park.
Though this will be her first time putting her name on the ballot, Machell-Cunningham has previously worked for the Town of Three Hills and has served on numerous committees over the years. She currently serves as Three Hills Chamber of Commerce Director and is a longtime resident of Kneehill County, having only left the area temporarily to complete her training in social work.
“I’m a passionate advocate for people and it’s a mission of mine to help people have their voices heard, issues resolved, and for ratepayers to know their opinions matter,” Machell-Cunningham tells the Mail.
Nominations close on Monday, September 20 at 12 p.m.