Oyen Family & Community Support Services host successful event
By Diana Walker
UG Excavating Contracting Services laying forms for concrete at the parking area north of the Town of Oyen office Wednesday.
The road to Oyen Golf Course is temporarily closed while crews install storm drains in the east ditch.
Progress is marching on with the 1st Ave East project. Curb, gutters and sidewalks have been completed, the street is levelled ready for asphalt.
Public works has filled in pot holes and the street sweeper is out and about.
Workers have been digging at the corner of 11th Ave East and Main Street tying in a gas line that will service the Oyen Airport and marking the location of the water line from the town lagoon to the golf course.
People have been enjoying activities at the Shirley McClellan Aquatic Centre since the May long weekend. I’ll bet it is really busy these first few hot days of June!
Congratulations to Charlene Carlson and Danny McLaughlin on the birth of daughter McKenzie Stella, born May 15, 2021, in Medicine Hat, weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces and measuring 18 inches. Excited about the arrival of “potato” (nickname given to her by Dan) are siblings Kaedyn and Amerie, grandparents Tim and Mandy Carlson and Peter and Luci McLaughlin.
Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce members and friends will be delivering Meals on Wheels during June. If you can help, call or text Lucille ASAP at 403-664-0172 - June 7 week, June 14 week, June 21 week, and June 28.
Lillian Kulbergs’ two daughters, Brenda Neilson of Sylvan Lake and Elaine Aaltonen of Red Deer, spent a week helping her around the house and in the yard.
Oyen Family & Community Support Services put on a free drive-in movie at the Crossroads Centre on May 28.
The movie was about a group of young misfits called The Goonies who discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure. Written by Steven Spielberg, the 1985 movie starred Sean Astin, Josh Brolin and Jeff Cohen.
The crew of Maryann Burns (executive director), Pam Stark (volunteer co-ordinator), FCSS vice-chair James Walker and his wife Kim did a practice run earlier in the week blowing up the screen and setting up the projector and deciding where to park the spectators’ vehicles.
The best-laid plans sometimes take a turn at the last minute. Friday afternoon, they blew up the screen and readied the concession inside the Centre. However, Mother Nature decided to challenge them with wind gusts, forcing them to move the screen from the west side of the building to the east side.
“With the amazing help from Jason Kowal and his crew with Straight Up Oilfield Services we frantically moved the screen to the east side, just to have the downdraft cyclone! said Pam. Ugg, so we decided to deflate the screen, and project right on building.”
Among the helpers were Kaitlyn MacLean, who assisted Maryann at the concession booth and Mark Fecho of Hanna, the tech guy at the projector.
Pam reports they were very thrilled with the turnout of 42 vehicles, nearly meeting their expectation of 50! She says FCSS is very excited about putting on another event.
From Market Manager Delaine Volk— Friday, June 11, will be our first Oyen & District Farmers Market for the 2021 season. Vendors booked for this week are Julie Rogers – Voxx Socks, Amanda Niwa – wood crafts; Acadia Colony – baking and produce; Anchor of Hope Ranch – jam, baking, eggs, plants; Juanita Wagstaff – Avon; Prairie View Colony - baking and produce and possibly Desertland Meats with frozen beef.
Until we hear otherwise from AHS, the COVID19 protocols from last year will still be in effect. Hand sanitizing and contact tracing info will be expected as you enter the main entrance of the Oyen & District Memorial Arena.
Hope to see you there.
Thanks to all our readers who left jars at the garage door 109 6 Ave, East (old Oyen Echo building) over the past two weeks. These are much appreciated and help to recycle and keep some things out of the landfill. Leave in boxes or bags at the garage door, and I will put them inside.
NOTE: I need help! I have had positive feedback from readers about Oyen Briefs, but I need your help! If you have club or personal news you will allow me to include in this column; please email fwalker1@telus.net.
For inquiries or to send Oyen Echo owner/publisher Kate Winquist news items or advertising, reach out to her at kate@yoursouthwest.com or call her in Kindersley at 1-306-463-2211. Her mailing address is Box 727, Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0.
Maryann Burns and Kaitlyn MacLean getting the popcorn ready for the spectators at the FCSS Movie Night.
Photo by Kim Walker