Update Thu July 5 – 4:00pm RON RIEMANN – GAZETTE CONTRIBUTOR The 2012 Southern Alberta Summer Games kicked off in Raymond Wednesday with hundreds of athletes converging in the small town to compete in 19 sports and leisure events. Opening Ceremonies of the three-day event kicked off Wednesday evening at Raymond High School, capping off…Continue Reading

F.P. Walshe school’s Class of 2012 was urged Thursday to break free of restrictions and chase their childhood dreams. Valedictorian Cassie Walmsley encouraged her classmates to embrace graduation as a chance to set new goals and have an impact on the world. “Do something big, do something drastic, do something life-changing,” Cassie Walmsley said. “Do…Continue Reading

The provincial government recognizes the critical role small business plays in Alberta’s economy. The province is setting up regional business development centres in eight communities — including Fort Macleod — to support those small businesses. “Small business is the heart and soul of Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit,” said Linda Erickson, regional manager with Alberta Enterprise and…Continue Reading

Twenty-eight years after the organization formed, Allied Arts has a place to call its own in Fort Macleod. The Allied Arts Council on Saturday celebrated the official grand opening of the Fort Macleod Allied Arts Building on Main Street. “There is an excitement surrounding the centre,” Allied Arts director Gisela Kelner said. “People are excited…Continue Reading

Aytahn Ross turned a childhood hobby into a job that he loves. Ross weaves his juggling and balancing skills into a show that has entertained audiences around the world — bringing himself joy in the process. “If they have a smile or a laugh I’ve really done my job,” Ross said. “If they forget about…Continue Reading

A Granum family has its work cut out for it to raise $20,000 to bring fresh water to a village in Uganda. The Gripping family knows that its burden pales in comparison to the daily challenges faced by people living in Akampala, who walk for miles to get water for drinking and cooking. “Some of…Continue Reading

Braving a bitter north wind and snow flurries Thursday, about 20 protestors rallied outside the Spray Lake Sawmills’ open house in Blairmore. The Castle area, southwest of Pincher Creek, Alberta, was declared a Special Place in 1998, but remains the only one of 81 Special Places that has not yet received its final protective status.…Continue Reading

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Corb Lund and Doc Walker will headline the 2012 Canadian Country Weekend in Fort Macleod. After a successful first year in 2011, organizers decided to return to Fort Macleod Fish and Game Park on the Heritage Day long weekend Aug. 3-5. “We made a big splash in our first year,…Continue Reading

F.P. Walshe Flyers are off to a strong start in a rebuilding season after back-to-back provincial high school baseball titles. The Flyers, who are coached by Landon Schneider, Darcy Brauer and Alan Schneider, lost a squeaker in Claresholm last week but rallied for a win at home. Grade 12 Flyers are David Van Hierden, Jon…Continue Reading