Last week students at St. Anthony’s School were given a primer on highway safety, and more than just helping kids remember how to cross safely, it built resolve at the school that something more needs to be done about highway safety.
    The Mail reported in its March 19 edition that the area in front of St. Anthony’s School on North Dinosaur Trail be deemed a “School Area.” This means improved signs, however the current speed limit of 70 kilometres per hour was not changed. .
    The school initially planned to have parents and volunteers serve as crossing guards to add another level of safety. They later learned that it would be illegal for parents to act in this capacity unless it was a school zone.
    The school also made an effort to teach proper crossing safety to the students and last week a representative from the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) was at the school talking to parents and teachers.
    “We had Lisa Nowlin-Clayton, the School Patrol Coordinator from AMA, she came in and did a presentation to the parents. The administration then went all the way through the elementary wing and did a quick presentations on ‘point, pause, proceed,’ with the kids,” said St. Anthony's Principal  JoAnne Akerboom.
    “What it really showed me is that because we have Kindergarten, and grades one and two in particular, this needs to be a school zone. We had fun with the kids but in the end they are in Kindergarten, they are not paying attention and we can do all the training we want, but they are five years old.”
    “We want to keep doing the training because we want to teach our kids, but it would sure be nice if we had a 30 kilometre zone in front of the school so when those little ones are crossing, they have a better chance.”
    According to correspondence from Alberta Transportations, new signage is scheduled for completion by May 2014 and will remain on a trial basis until the end of the school year (June 2014). Alberta Transportation will be soliciting feedback from school representatives, local RCMP and the Town of Drumheller on the effectiveness of these changes. Information collected will be reviewed to see if any additional changes are necessary prior to the start of the next school year.    
    “Our parents are going to track and share with the RCMP, the town and Alberta Transportation so we can be confident the decision we made is a good decision or if we need a school zone,’ said Akerboom. “I told the parents lets resolve this once and for all and gather the information needed.”
    She said that she has received many e-mails and reports from parents on close calls and concerns. She says these need to be shared with the police to be put on record.
    “I don’t know what we are going to end up with, but doing this survey, tracking for the next six weeks until the end of school, at least we could have a comfort level that the kids are crossing safely,” Akerboom said.

The valley’s annual show and shine is set for this Saturday, May 24.
  Boogie in the Badlands takes place downtown from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for it’s 18th annual show.
  Organizer Bryan Telford said this year, the show is raising funds for Alberta Wish Ride in conjunction with Alberta Children’s Wish Foundation.
  Last year Boogie raised about $1,000 to contribute toward the charity, which raised about $50,000 and saw five kid’s wishes come true.

You could see a vintage car or two at Boogie in the Badlands, scheduled for Saturday, May 24, this year. Organizer Bryan Telford said they’ve added a division for bikes, and have five awards to give out.

  Telford re-directs his fund raising efforts every couple of years, in the past having donated to the local Salvation Army and Nazarene Church, to name a few.
  Telford said there is no restriction on the cars that can join the show.
  “Old, new, fancy, work in progress, all makes, all models.”
  Since he’s worked on coordinating the show six years ago, Telford has seen a high of 107 entrants, which was about four years ago.
  The show doesn’t have a pre-registration - those interested in showing off their pride and joy on wheels arrive the morning of the show and pay their ten dollar registration fee.
  There is no charge to spectators, but if they’re interested, they can make a donation, Telford said.
  There will be a few things different at this year’s Boogie in the Badlands - Telford has added a bike division, for motorcycles of any kind.    
  He also has a couple of different vendors planned for this year - one from Red Deer that sells mini-donuts, and another vendor selling neon signs and clocks.
  A number of local businesses have also generously donated items for a raffle table at the show, and there will be a concession available.
  Boogie in the Badlands hands out five awards at the show:
People's Choice Award for Best Bike sponsored by Badlands Choppers.
People's Choice Award for Best Vehicles sponsored by the Drumheller and District Agricultural Society.
Best in Show Ford sponsored by Westergard Motors.
Best in Show Chrysler sponsored by Drumheller Chrysler.
Best in Show Chevrolet sponsored by Western Chev Olds.
  Telford said over the years the show has gone from one award to five awards, and last year was the first time he moved the show to downtown Drumheller.
  He hopes that both of those changes will open up the show, bring everyone together, and help get more people interested in the Boogie in the Badlands.
  And the success of the show, Telford said, “All depends on mother nature.”