A DVSS student who has a passion for the stage is taking on producing, directing and acting in a production of The Trail to Oregon.
Alivia Gerlinger, 15, loves musicals. At school, she is in the choir and is in the Musical Theatre program at Tricia Hatch School of Dance. She stumbled on a production of The Trail to Oregon and decided she would love to put the show on a stage in Drumheller.
She explains the musical comedy was originally produced by Starkid Productions, a troupe in the US.
Alivia took it upon herself to contact the company and secure rights to perform the show, which included securing a venue and insurance. She was successful, and they sent back a contract.
She held auditions and for the last six weeks, the cast of six; which includes two adults and four students, has been busy rehearsing.
The Trail to Oregon is a parody of the legendary video game The Oregon Trail from the 1980s. After the father burns down the family farm, the family departs Independence, Missouri for Oregon in a broken-down wagon pulled by a deformed ox. Alivia says it is a road trip story about a family in a covered wagon. She says she likes it because it is not a run-of-the-mill standard play, but unique.
The play was originally performed in Chicago, but has made its way to off-Broadway, had a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has even reached Australia.
The small group and the covered wagon are now getting ready for a February 16 opening at Kaleidoscope Theatre. Tickets are available at Dinosaur Valley Wellness.
As for the future for Alivia, she says she hasn’t given post-secondary education too much consideration yet, but she has a passion for the theatre and wants to pursue it. Kaleidoscope Theatre is a good place to start.

Kneehill County had some major accomplishments over 2023. They have significantly increased public consultation and opportunities for ratepayers to have input on county policy and direction regarding the potential for a Three Hills East water system. Successfully lobbying the Province to replace the bridge on Hwy 587 at the Bigelow Dam and to maintain and upgrade their road network, including new asphalt and major culvert replacement near Swalwell.
They have established six working groups and held two working sessions, allowing ratepayers to give input into the ongoing Municipal Development Plan, and hosted an information session on renewable energy.
A project with the Town of Three Hills and Prairie College is in the beginning stages to explore options for efficiency in operation of the Three Hills Airport and trade connections between the airport and local businesses.
The development of Horseshoe Canyon has been and continues to be in discussion with Council and they will be looking at options for the future, including updates to the Horseshoe Canyon Master Plan.
Their ability to plan and budget successfully earned the County the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award for the third year.
The biggest challenge for Kneehill County in 2023 was the drought affecting their livestock farms. Pasture and feed supplies had varying impacts on crop production, with the greatest impact on the East side of the County. Drought and water supply issues remain a concern for 2024, and the County will be closely monitoring fire hazard conditions due to this worrying issue.
At the end of November, 2022, Deputy Reeve Ken King replaced Jerry Wittstock as acting Reeve of Kneehill County. During his first year, King earnestly accepted and settled into his new role.
“The role of Reeve is an honor for me, and I accepted the role at the request of the former Reeve, Jerry Wittstock, and with the support of the rest of Kneehill County Council. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Wittstock, and his work as the Reeve has allowed Kneehill County Council to develop as a strong team with a very good working relationship with each other and our administration. Being the Reeve is a responsibility that I take seriously, and I have pledged to do my best to serve the Council and County residents,” states King.