Artists, attractions and cultural groups in the valley have banded together for a one of a kind Alberta Culture Days celebration.
    It’s no secret that the area in and around the Drumheller Valley is home to a great many talented artists, musicians, dancers, and artisans.
    Equinox Arts and Cultural Society, Downtown Drumheller, Cottonwood Clay Studios, the East Coulee School Museum, and the Canadian Badlands Artists Association have come together to host a weekend of events to showcase our local talent thanks to funding from the Government of Alberta.
    The weekend kicks off Friday night with Marshall Lawrence in concert at the Knox United Church. Lawrence is an East Coulee Spring Festival favorite. Known as the “Doctor of the Blues”, Lawrence is a Blues Hall of Fame inductee and has been nominated for both Maple Blues Awards and Canadian Independent Music Awards. Organized by the East Coulee School Museum, the free all-ages show starts at 7 pm.
    The festivities continue on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. At the Badlands Community Facility, Equinox Arts and Cultural Society has revitalized the annual arts and crafts exhibition that used to be part of the Canada Day festivities in town.
    “We would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to enter our competition and display. There is an artistic division and category for every one of all ages. This event provides for friendly competition but more important it is an opportunity to admire, promote and encourage the creativity which exists in our community and area,” says Eloise Smylie of the Equinox Arts and Cultural Society.
    Also at the facility, Cottonwood Clay Studio will also be doing family art activities (11 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 1:30 pm) as well as pottery demos in the afternoon. The library will be hosting various children’s activities throughout the day.
    Explore downtown Drumheller and take in the events along 3rd Avenue West. The Tyrrell Museum will be on hand with crafts and activities for the whole family. Bring the kids down to jump in the bouncy castle, get their faces painted and take home a balloon animal. Be sure to stay to enjoy the entertainment including roaming musicians, The Wayfairing Fiddlers, Drumheller Philipino dancers, Ronald McDonald, Kaleidoscope Theatre, and more. Food vendors will also be on site.
    The Canadian Badlands Artists Association will be on hand displaying some of their work at the Badlands Galleries and will also be hosting photography and painting demonstrations accompanied by Q & A sessions throughout the day; so be sure to bring your camera or paintbrush down for some helpful hints.
    Something new this year will be a free drumming workshop at the Carol Todor Dance School. Martin McSween is a local drumming enthusiast who has been drumming since childhood and was a member of the HooDoo Drummers in the Drumheller area. Martin’s main focus for Culture Days is to promote resiliency while taking into account influential factors that impact the rhythms inside ourselves. These hour-long workshops will happen at 10 am and 2 pm. Space is limited so be sure to arrive early.
    Alberta Culture Days in Drumheller is part of the celebrations occurring throughout the province during Alberta Culture Days 2012.

    Drumheller’s top cop was honoured on the occasion of the Queen of England marking 60 years since her coronation.
 Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins was among 300 employees of the RCMP who were honoured with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal. The ceremony was held at Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton on Wednesday September 12. His Honour, Colonel (retired), The Honourable Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta presented the Diamond Jubilee medals.
    Staff Sergeant Hopkins was proud to receive the medal.
    “It has a little shine for me,” said Hopkins, explaining that more than a personal reward, it is an award to document his history and service as an officer, if not for him, but for future generations of his family.

Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins, left, is presented with the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal by the
Honourable Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
Photo courtesy Mandy Kostiuk, RCMP K Divison

    Hopkins has been a member of the RCMP for more than 33 years and has served most of his career in Alberta and Saskatchewan. He worked as a municipal and as a rural officer as well as on traffic.  He also worked in criminal intelligence where he had specialized duties. Hopkins served as a senior diving instructor for the RCMP for a number of years and was dive supervisor for Saskatchewan.
    “I used to teach diving to police officers on the east coast and the west coast annually,” said Hopkins.
    “I am kind of an exception. There are guys who have been in Calgary, or Red Deer or Edmonton for most of their career.”
     He has spent the last five years in Drumheller.
    According to a press release, employees had to be nominated to receive a medal, which is to recognize a significant achievement, or distinguished service to fellow citizens, the community, or to Canada, both at home and abroad.
    The recipients included Regular and Civilian Members, Public Service employees, and Auxiliary Members who volunteer their time to serve the citizens of Alberta.
    “I am proud of the members and employees of the RCMP who received this most prestigious recognition from His Honour, the Lt. Governor on behalf of our honourary Commissioner, her majesty the Queen” said C/Supt. Marlin Degrand.  “Every day I see examples of the dedication, sacrifice and professionalism of our employees in Alberta.  I am pleased to see this recognition of some of the many exemplary and deserving people within the RCMP who contribute, day in and day out, to the betterment of their communities and the safety and security of their fellow citizens.”