Come and sing or just listen

A little bird dropped this message on my desk the other day about an upcoming event in Bonnyville. And, as you'll see to the right the Bonnyville Society Singers are presenting a special Salute to our Armed Forces concert with net proceeds going to the Bonnyville Legion's building fund. It'll be a great night likely experiencing a few numbers from back then as well as modern times. (Just click on the poster and it will get big enough to read the small type.)

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Great job by the fund raising committee of the Bonnyville Pro Rodeo and Chuckwagon Association on their fund-raising Cowboy Gala last Saturday. I heard they raised about $75,000 that will help them to finish sheeting in the grandstand and adding a couple of concession areas.
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I see that our town council is starting to get a bit worried and anxious to find a solution to the fresh water supply that they had hoped would come in a pipeline from Cold Lake. Seems our current system will be pushed to its maximum capacity to take on the increased amount of treatment required to pull water from a shallow Moose Lake. 

The hold up now is that the Cold Lake Regional Utilities Services Commission (CLRUSC) withdrew the application for a waterline because of concerns that adding on Bonnyville and other potential users numbering 65,000 that it would impact levels in Cold Lake. The Commission heard presentation in late March informing them otherwise and that the lake was indeed a reliable and sustainable water source. So now its up to all parties concerned to get back to the table and get it launched again. The project likely won't start until at least 2011 considering the fiscal restraint our government has in place. The project would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $62 million.
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Easter is coming up this weekend and a lot of folks will be on the road to spend time with family and get out to great the spring. Just a reminder to drive safely by not using your cell phone or texting or anything crazy like that. OK.
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Here's a little story for you.
An adorable little girl walked into a pet shop and asked... "Excuse me; do you have any rabbits here?"

"We do" the sales representative answered...

By leaning down to her eye level she asked, "Did you want a white rabbit or would you rather have a soft, fuzzy black rabbit?"

She shrugged and said "I don't think my python really cares".

Ouch! Hope you have a great week. Dave

Close but no Cigar

Tied 2 all after the second period and well into the third it looked like our home boys could pull off a win with the right bounces. Then a scramble in front of goal tender Julien Laplante in the last 5 minutes of the third put the Pontiacs behind by one. With the clock ticking down, our Pontiacs fought their valiant best even pulling their goal tender for the extra man advantage but it was to no avail. The final buzzer ended with 3 to 2 posted on the clock ending not only the game but the season for the Bonnyville Pontiacs who went down four straight to the Spruce Grove Saints who only lost four games total in the regular season.

All the best to the Pontiac members who will be leaving the team as they move on in their college careers and elsewhere in the league. Thanks for an exciting year. We look forward to a dynamic young team with a little more size and with some crafty drafting to fill the roster we will once again be contenders in this league.

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Hey its almost the middle of March and I see a little bit 'o green starting to poke out so that means it can't be far from spr... nope. St. Patty's Day and you'll be wanting to take your fill at the local St. Patty's Day supper at St. John's United Church, Wednesday March 17th on the corner of 43 Avenue & 46 Street here in Bonnyville. Well not on the corner but in the Church. The supper runs from 4:30 to 6:30 PM and admission prices are as follows: Adults $12.00 / Children $6.00. It's a heck of a deal and you'll be spreading a little bit 'o the green yourself. Into the Church coffers that is.

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Don't forget, Jack Hayden, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development will be in Fort Kent at the Senior's Center for a meet and greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Then he'll be speaking at the PC Association Annual General Meeting at Ardmore Community Hall that starts at 7 p.m. Election of officers and membership sales will be available. Come and be heard.
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Get ready to rock as the Stampeders are in Town on Friday night.  Not the Calgary Stampeders but the one and only Canadian Legendary classic rock band, Juno award winning Stampeders. They'll be fronted by local band Cold Tie Walker and you can get your tickets at the C2 box office (main desk). You can also go on line to www.centennialcentre.ca to order or phone 780-812-3400. Rock on People.
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Also, Gardener's Day is just around the corner on March 27 at the St. Louis Parish Hall. This Bonnyville Ag Society sponsored event runs from 9 a.m until about 4 p.m. with guest speakers and demonstrations from the likes of Dr. Ieoun Evans, founder of the Evans Cherry plus much more. There's also lunch and a silent auction. Tickets are $25 each and to book yours, call Charlene at the Ag Society Office at 780-826-3240 for more info.
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That's it for now but keep checking back because you never know what might pop up on this blog.

It was So Close!

Our Pontiacs almost got the first one in a very close OT game against the Spruce Grove Saints in round two of the playoffs. The first period and 3/4 was a scoreless tie as the lads matched rushes with the Saints to keep it double Ought on the scoreboard. I missed the final period but it must have been a dandy with the teams tie 2 a piece at the end of 60 minutes. It must have been just like the Canada / USA final for the gold except the wrong team got the winning goal. It's Just one lads. There's another chance tonight at 7 p.m in the Grove. Split this series lads and bring'em back to our barn and we'll help with the enthusiasm. Remember, they put their hockey pants on the same way you do - One leg at a time. You Can Beat them!
Go Pontiacs!

There's some cool new technology here at the trade show in the C2 Field House with several solar energy companies.  Greg Sawchuck from Muriel Creek Farms has the neatest solar hot water heater I've ever seen. They're about $500 bucks and heat up 140 litres of water in about 40 minutes to about 150 degrees.
In case you miss the show he's going to be demonstrating his equipment again on May 2 out at his farm east of Ardmore just south of Alexander on Hwy 28.  The demo starts at 1 p.m.

Everyday of the trade show the Ag Society has been giving away $500 cash to attendees at the trade show. Saturday's winner was Marcia Plane from Cold Lake pictured below receiving her prize from Erwin Thompson, President of the Ag Society.

Friday nights winner was Annette Meashaw and the winner of the early bird exhibitor draw for $500 was Shane Kissel from Glendon Motor Sports. Exhibitors had to have their entry in prior to December 31 and Shane won in a reverse draw amongst eight other exhibitors who beat the deadline.  Congratulations to all the winners.

The Home Farm & Leisure Show wraps up today (Sunday) at 4 p.m.  Thanks to everyone who attended. See you all again next year. 
Don't forget Gardener's Day on March 27. Call Charlene at 780-826-3240 for more information.

Round Two begins tonight.

Round two of the AJHL playoffs begin tonight for our Bonnyville Pontiacs vs the Spruce Grove Saints. After a clean sweep of the Sherwood Park Crusaders, our Pontiacs are hungry for the next step on their way to the final. Spruce Grove got a bye into this round so they may not be as sharp as they've been throughout the season. This might just give the Pontiacs a bit of an edge.

Game time tonight is 7 p.m and then they play the second game on Sunday also at 7 p.m. If you're down that way, drop in and cheer the boys on or listen live on line or on Kool FM 101.3 with Rob Hunter.

The Pontiacs will return home for the next two games in the R J LaLonde arena starting on Tuesday night at 7:20 p.m. The fourth game will go Wednesday night at the same time.

Congratulations to defenceman Matthew Register of the Bonnyville Pontiacs who has captured the W.G. (Bill) Scott Memorial Trophy as the League’s Outstanding Defenceman for 2009-2010.    The award is given annually to the defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.

This is Matt's third and final season with the Pontiacs as he has committed to the University of Huntsville- Alabama for next season. Thanks Matt for all your hard work. Best Wishes for your future. Catch him in action on Tuesday night!

Go Pontiacs.

Nice Turnout

Here's a few more photos from the Home Farm & Leisure show in Bonnyville. It runs Saturday from 10 am to 8 p.m and Sunday 11 to 4 p.m.

 

Come on Down. We're here until 9 tonight.

Lots of new things to see at the Home, Farm & Leisure show

Well, its day one of the show and there are quite a few new exhibitors and one of them has even built part of a log house right in the Centennial Centre Field House. There are lots of motorcycles and quads and all terrain vehicles plus hot tubs, solar power accessories, water well companies, farm machinery of all shapes and discription. There's paving companies and jewelery and pies from Rocky Meadows Country Get Away.  It's all presented by the Bonnyville Ag Society and admission is just $2. Every paid admission gets to put their name in the drum for a chance to win $500 cash.

These pics were shot just after the show opened and we'll have more as the show progresses.

Enjoy