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Last updateSat, 21 Sep 2024 12pm

Stylish nuptials

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It is not uncommon to see couples tying the knot or renewing their vows at Drumheller’s Little Church, but very few do it in such post-war style. On Saturday, August 26, Shayla Ottens became Shayla Byer, marrying Shane. Her dad Pete made sure she got to the church on time with his 1948 Pontiac SilverStreak. It is a very unique whip. This was an American model with a Straight 8 motor, and 1948 was the first year Pontiac installed an automatic transmission. Pete has owned the vehicle for about eight years and it is a 30-year-old restoration. Since he has owned the vehicle he has done a little bit of customization for looks and drivibility. This includes new wheels and tires, dropping the rear end, and adding red highlights. He has more planned, but so far the most important duty it undertook was making sure his daughter made it to the altar. The world famous Little Church was built in1958, as a brain wave of the late Elim Pentecostal Reverend E.C. O’Brien, meaning the Silver Streak would have been only 10 years old had it shown up when the church was erected.


New venue for Badlands Boogie

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The site has changed, but the music stays the same.
Music fans will be boogying into the night this weekend to raise awareness of the East Coulee Truss Bridge.
This is the 9th annual Badlands Boogie, and the music festival offers an eclectic mix of musicians and bands to keep fans entertained.
Organizer John Barry Graham says the biggest change this year is the venue.
“The new Festival site is directly across from the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, along the river,” said Graham, adding it is more accessible.
The goal of the festival is to raise funds and awareness for the East Coulee Truss Bridge, one of only two left in Canada. He said so far they have raised close to $8,000 and are working on approaching CP Rail to put some signage at the site.
“We are hoping to do some interpretive signs on the south side of the East Coulee Truss Bridge and continue to work to raise awareness,” he said.
The festival runs from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4. The lineup includes some well-known names to valley music listeners including Shoulder-High Weeds a Tragically Hip tribute band, Joey Pringle and local acts including Cathie Brown and Jay McLean.
Another fun band that will be on-site is called Big Yellow Van. They have been playing throughout Alberta for years, with their brand of classic rock and R&B.
“They used to play at the Wild Horse Saloon years ago,” said Graham.
Tickets are available at Eventbrite or Neighbours Pub in Drumheller and include camping for all three nights.
There is also concession on site.

RCMP host open house for 150th anniversary

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The RCMP has a storied 150-year history, and this Thursday, August 31 the local detachment is inviting the community to celebrate this milestone.
The detachment has been planning an event to celebrate the history of the force in Canada, and also raise awareness of the service it provides in the modern era.
“It is our 150th anniversary, and in the spirit of one of our detachment’s priorities of continuous engagement with the community, on the 31st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. we are going to have an open house and barbecue for the public,” said Staff Sargent Robert Harms. “It gives us a chance to interact with the public, and the opportunity to come meet the officers and staff of the detachment.”
They are planning a barbecue as well as games for kids, and the recruiting unit.
“We are hiring and are looking for a lot of people,” says Harms.
The RCMP Tactical Armoured Vehicle unit and RCMP Motorcycle traffic members have also been invited, as well as the RCMP police dog unit.
They will also showcase some of the local initiatives by local members including the traffic unit, bike unit, forensics, Safety Bear, Victim Services, and other partners.
He does note most of these units are on call and there is always a chance calls influence their presence. He adds he is grateful for the support from the Town of Drumheller as well as Freson Bros, and Tim Hortons.
Harms is a proud RCMP member.
“The RCMP was established in 1873 and has been serving Canada since then. We are really proud of our heritage and background, and the ties we have to our county, not to mention to Alberta. I am very proud of that and so are the members,” he said.
A big part of the formation of the RCMP is the peaceful establishment of Western Canada.
“You look at the Great March West, which happened when the RCMP was established as the Northwest Mounted Police. We came from east to west to this area for different reasons. We established sovereignty and peace, and dealt with some legal issues that were already ongoing in Western Canada,” shares Harms. “We are proud to be in Drumheller and serving Drumheller and Area. This is an opportunity for us to be able to give a little bit back to the community as well.”
“Any time we can spend some time with our community we love doing that.”


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