Did you know that February is Heart Month? If you are trying to move toward a heart-healthy lifestyle, your journey begins in the kitchen – and by being active.

This past week was a little warmer and sunnier than last week, although by the time you’re reading this I have a feeling we will be right back into the deep freeze again!

With Keystone XL shelved TC Energy, the owner of the pipeline being constructed between Hardisty and Oyen, has announced its plans to eliminate more than 1,000 construction jobs in the coming weeks.

Happy birthday to Francis Opheim, Kara Fulton, Kara Weselosky, Maxine Girletz, Tenille Stevens, Theoren Brown, John Diakow, Blake Holbein, Kent Beaudoin, Teiwa Brown, Richelle Smigelski, Soraya Rude, Amanda Elder, Joshua Smith, Mark Strikwerda, Maryanne Warnke, Beth Hains…

I guess I’m going to try my hand at being the Acadia Valley news correspondent, bare with me as I try my best to fill some pretty big shoes.

After hearing from several subscribers that they were missing the Acadia Valley report, I am happy to say that we have found our correspodent!

I am saddened to report the passing a number of people I know from town and surrounding communities.

Necessity is the mother of invention, although an outdoor skating rink is not new for Oyen. When I was a kid (a long time ago), Oyen had an outdoor skating rink located where the town shop now stands.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is partnering with Grade 1-12 students from across the eastern half of AHS South Zone to expand a campaign aiming at reducing stigma attached to mental illness.

Methane, the key constituent of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas when emitted to the atmosphere unburned. In recent years there have been international, national and provincial efforts to reduce methane emissions.

Seeking to broaden its membership and voice, the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) announced on Jan. 26 the introduction of a new Directional Drilling Division.

Sympathy from the community is extended to all of the family of Irene Kulyk, formerly of Buffalo/Medicine Hat, who died January 16 in Coronation at the age of 89 years. Her son Randy and his wife Sandra were by her side.

With my first column to the Oyen Echo under new ownership, I congratulate Kate Winquist on your recent acquisition. Best wishes for a long and successful career with the Echo.

The Oyen Daycare completed their bottle drive in Cereal. It was a huge success!

The Village of Youngstown is just a short drive from Oyen, 59 kilometres to be exact. The village’s motto is “Where quality of life meets opportunity.”

Sympathies to Lyle Lorenz and family on the death of his wife of 54 years, Rosemary, 73, of Lacombe who died December 10, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Before President Biden was even inaugurated, TC Energy let it be known they would be stopping work on the Keystone XL pipeline.

This is the verbatim executive order killing the Keystone XL pipeline, again, as signed by newly-inaugurated President Joe Biden within his first hour in the Oval Office:

That was quite the Alberta Clipper storm we were subjected to last week, with a couple of rain showers and a flurry of snow mixed in for good measure.

We hope everyone had a safe, quiet Christmas. This Year was quite different for most. We would like to thank everyone that followed the rules and regulations that the government has put in place.