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Last updateSat, 21 Sep 2024 12pm

Passion Play launches 20th anniversary season

    This past week over 40 staff showed up to begin work at the Passion Play site. In another week more than 100 volunteer actors will begin rehearsals.
    2013 will be the 20th performance season of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play and the success we have enjoyed over the years has been due, in great part, to the support of the people and businesses of Drumheller and area.
    The site has gone through great changes with the lodge being renovated, the Jerusalem Wall transformed into a functional  backstage facility, the stage area tripled in size, and a new theatre space, The Forum, has been built next to the Jerusalem Wall.
    The success of the play has been evident in the responses from the patrons. This past season over 800 people completed the survey and 99.4% say they will recommend the Passion Play to others.
    The Passion Play has enjoyed increasing attendance the past 7 years and with that increase comes increases spending in the local area. The average spending per person in Drumheller was just over $100. That means $1.4 million infused into the local economy. In 2013 more growth is anticipated with two additional performance dates.
    Events such as the June 21, 15th annual Golf Tournament play a huge role in the ongoing success of the Passion Play. 
    “The Passion Play tournament has a great reputation for being an enjoyable event that takes place on one of Alberta’s best golf courses. Drumheller has a lot to be proud of,” said Executive Director, Vance Neudorf.
    To golf in this years tournament check the ad in today’s paper.


DVSS to present “fine arts night”

    The school year is coming to a close in a hurry, and the year’s activities are winding down.  In celebration of the school’s achievements in the Fine Arts, the combined drama, art, band and choral departments will present a concert at the Kaleidoscope Theatre that will highlight some of the things they have worked on throughout the year.
    The Drama 10-20,30 class under the direction of Roger Hamm and Nicole Wooley will be presenting a one-act entitled “A Seusstastical Journey”, which highlights the Dr. Seuss story books that we have all grown up with and loved. 
The DVSS Gr.7-9 Band is under the direction of Virginia M. Sakofsky.  They have toured to Standard and Carbon schools this year, as well as performed for the Seniors Christmas Dinner and Music Festival.  They will be performing such pieces as “Get Off My Cloud”, “The Muppet Show”, and “Mission Impossible”.
    The DVSS Choir, directed by Becky Neuman will be highlighting some pieces that they performed from the Music Festival, as well as some favorites from their Rock Show which they performed in April of this year. 
    Throughout the evening, you will see a slide show as well as displayed art work of projects that were created by the Art Dept., under the skilled guidance of Shauna Johnson.
    It is going to be a fabulous performance held at the Kaleidoscope on May 29 at 7:00, and the afternoon of May 30 at 1:20.  Tickets will be available at the door.  See you there!

MLA discusses provincial issues

    It has been a busy year for Strankman as a member of the opposition.
    “As opposition some people say, you are not out here handing out cheques so how do you represent your people?“ said Stranmkan, “…there are three ways the opposition works, to the first being to expose, the second being to oppose and the third being to propose.”
    While Edmonton seems miles away to some constituents, Strankman says some of the opposition’s efforts have hit close to home, including the lobby to have seniors in care to have access to fresh meals and more than one bath a week.
    He said these practices were happening on lodging in the Stettler area.
    He adds the efforts to reinstate free parking for veterans affects residents when they travel to hospitals in larger centres.
    Going forward into the next three years, he hopes to see more openness in government and accountability.
     While he entered politics without the design to make it a career, he is committed to the long term.
    “I am primarily a two term guy. I have had lots of thoughts because obviously the learning curve is straight up, but I am pretty well committed to stay for two terms,” he said addressing some rumours that he may not run again.
    He does say however, it has been a challenging year.
    “It has been a onerous task and I think that is where some of the frustration that mounted in the demise of our predecessor was the lack of being at functions, being seen, and covering the constituency,” he said. “I am finding it challenging. There is no doubt it is a large constituency.”
    “They took a chance on the representation of Rick Strankman and I sure as heck don’t’ want to let them down.”


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