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Badlands Boogie supports East Coulee Truss bridge preservation

Bridge Vern 2

   Music fans that want to see the truss bridge in East Coulee restored can get ready to Boogie this weekend.
   The first annual Badland’s Boogie is set to go this Labour Day long weekend and has a full slate of musicians, bands and comedians to keep everyone entertained. The festival, organized by John Barry Graham, and it is a benefit to support saving the Truss Bridge in East Coulee.
   Earlier this year the National Trust for Canada identified the East Coulee Truss Bridge on its top 10 list of endangered places. According to its website, “The bridge has an important historical connection to Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine National Historic Site (the last in the Drumheller/Red Deer River valley). It provided the essential transportation link to the main rail lines across the Red Deer River. From the dual CPR/CNR branch line near the town of East Coulee, the bridge enabled trains to cross the river and service both the Monarch and the Atlas coal mines.”
   Graham has organized the concert to get the ball rolling on taking care of the bridge. He said right now it is very preliminary and the funds will be held in trust by Hemming and Associates in Strathmore and used as seed money for whatever the project develops into.
   He explains that years ago he worked on preserving the East Coulee School Museum, and at that time they had no funds, and much of the project was bank rolled privately.
   “We had no nest egg. So with this we’ll have a nest egg, and then we’ll get together as a committee and decide if we are going to set up a society, or if we are going to work under the Dinosaur Valley Heritage Society or the Atlas Coal Mine Society. We’re not sure, but the money will be held in trust.”
   All of the funds from the gate, as well as the sale of the limited edition poster will go directly to the trust.
   The responsibility for maintaining the bridge, according to the National Trust For Canada lies with CP and CN Rail. Graham says they have been in touch with CP, and he says CP is receptive. The next step he said is to approach to Alberta Transportation to get a walkway on the East Coulee Bridge.
They also have letters of support from MLA Rick Strankman and Premier Rachel Notley showing support for the event.
The weekend provides an entertaining slate of performers including Canadian country singer Sean Hogan, blues legend Harpdog Brown and English blues singer Little Victor, to name a few. The genres range from old time country to heavy metal. They also have a slate of comedians performing as well.
   The site east of the Atlas Coal Mine will be rocking from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. In the spirit of the event, many suppliers are donating their time and services, including the Calgary Stampede, which has donated the use of its 53- foot-fully contained mobile stage with two volunteer techs.
   There are limited tickets to the event, and they can be purchased by going to www.eventbrite.ca or from Drum FM.

Co-op Till tape program pays out $8,392 to community groups

Till tape

The Drumheller Co-op Till Tape Program continues to support local non-profit organizations and last week presented $8,392 to the groups that support the community.
   For the last 15 years, the Co-op Till Tape Program has presented local groups with a simple and unique fundraising initiative. All groups have to do is register with the Co-op and then collect Co-op till tapes from members. Add up the totals, less the GST and submit them to the Co-op.
   Twice a year (in January and in August) the Drumheller Co-op pays out a portion to the community groups.
   Since 2000, the program has paid out more than $338,180. In turn, the funds stay in the community through local projects by non-profits groups.
   This year the highest payments went to the Dalum Fire Association, Drumheller Youth Bowling, Morrin School and Verdant Valley and Dorcas Woman’s Institute.
   Those interested in the program can contact the Co-op’s administration office or call at 403-823-5555 to learn more.

Designer’s goalie masks score high

schinniy2

   While the SAIT Trojans and Mount Royal Cougars women’s hockey teams no longer meet in the league play, they will have something in common when they take to the ice this season.
   Both of their goalies will be wearing Shinny Design Masks
    Mail readers learned about Morgen Schinnour’s exceptional artwork on goalie masks. Morgen is a talented airbrush artist and has been plugging away designing and painting masks and making a name for herself. Some may have seen her design on a mask, which was created to raise funds at the Atlas Coal Mine’s History and Hat Tricks event. Since then, business has not slowed down, and in fact has picked up significantly.
   “I have been extremely busy. Over the last couple months I have done maybe 10 or more. I have six more in the works and three on the way,” Morgen tells The Drumheller Mail she has been pretty much trying to keep up.
   “It’s still a lot of fun, the worst part is prepping and sanding the masks,” she chuckles.
   Beyond being busy, this season she picked up some high profile clients.
   Jessica Ross is a fourth year goaltender for the Mount Royal University Cougars Women’s hockey team. She contacted Schinnour to do her mask. Mount Royal played in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association, a member of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport.
   Across the City Jocelyn Wynnyk is wearing a Schinny Design this season playing for the SAIT Trojans in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.
   “She just contacted me through Facebook,” said Morgen.
   “I was hoping the Pronghorns at the University of Lethbridge would contact me, but when Mount Royal comes down to play The University of Lethbridge I’ll go down and watch because it is always cool to see your stuff on the ice.”
    She adds that Facebook has been a great tool to put her in contact with clients, including a goalie playing for the Plattsburgh Cardinals.
   The State University of New York at Plattsburgh plays in the NCAA Division III and goalie Brady Rouleau commissioned a mask. Last season he starred in 19 of 28 games with a 12-6-1 record.
   Something else that has helped is she is certified by Bauer Masks. She is working on CCM.
   Her aim is to get a goalie in the AJHL and eventually the WHL wearing her gear.

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