VAL MARIE DISTRICT AMBULANCE
On March 2, 2015 ambulance board and staff members gathered at the Harvest Moon Café for a retirement supper for 3 long-time staff
members—Edna Facette, and Sherri & Lynn Grant.
Edna began her career in EMS with an Advanced First Aid Course in 1989 and served with the Val Marie Emergency Response Team. In
1991 Edna completed the EMT course to offer a higher level of care in this community and
once the ambulance was operational in 1996 Edna continued to volunteer her EMT skills
until her retirement at the end of 2014. Edna also served on the ambulance board of directors from 2001 to 2013, being vice president from 2010 to 2013. Edna participated in
all the fundraising activities, both with the Emergency Response Team and the ambulance,
so that much needed life saving equipment could be purchased. Edna is a great organizer,
a skill she used with all the tasks associated with the formation of the ambulance service
and later with the service serving as CME coordinator making sure each attendant had the
proper documentation to register and practise each year. Edna was always there helping
to guide the ambulance service, taking shifts, administering care to a patient, fundraising,
lending her organizational skills to help make this service what it is today. On behalf of
the board of directors and all the staff I want to thank Edna for all her time and efforts to
help make this ambulance service a success. Edna was presented with a Johane Janelle
artwork scene from Grasslands National Park.
Lynn began his career in EMS as a First Responder to serve his hometown of Val Marie. Lynn was on the duty roster of the ambulance
service in 1997as an EMR and remained there until he retired at the end of 2013. Although Lynn was not on the active duty roster he
was available to work a shift or drive the ambulance when no one else could, and this he did many times over the years. Lynn took the
time to volunteer, take the trainings, lend his skills when needed but for the most part stayed in the background. Nevertheless he was
an asset to this service and helped make it what it is today. On behalf of the board of directors and all the staff I wish to thank Lynn for
his service to this ambulance.
One of Sherri’s most significant contributions to this community is her involvement in the organization and delivery of prehospital
emergency medical care. This began in 1989 with the completion of an Advanced First Aid Course and the formation of the Emergency
Response Team, with Sherri serving as treasurer. Later in 1991 Sherri completed the EMT course in order to offer a more advanced level
of care on the many emergency medical situations she responded to. Sherri then became a member of the Needs Assessment
Committee for Rolling Hills Health District which determined that there was a need for an ambulance service at Val Marie. In 1993, with
the help of the RM Council, Sherri initiated a campaign to bring ambulance service to this community. Sherri participated in a door to
door campaign to raise the seed money and awareness to get this ambulance project started. Many fundraising activities were carried
out to raise money for equipment, staff training, and an ambulance. Sherri also participated in all the organizational and administrative
details involved in setting up the legal and business component of an ambulance service, and how to operate an ambulance service on a
day to day basis. It was a huge learning experience made easier with Sherri’s leadership qualities. A used army surplus ambulance was
purchased and in 1996 Val Marie District Ambulance began operation.
Sherri served as chairperson of the first board of directors and remained on the board of directors until 2014. Sherri also served as
facilitator making her responsible for organizing and delivering continuing medical education to her fellow ambulance attendants. Sherri
took many emergency medical courses and passed this knowledge on to the ambulance staff and also to the community at large—
teaching first aid and CPR to all local high school students for many years. Sherri remained active on the duty roster through 2013, taking
shifts and responding to emergency calls when needed.
Sherri was recognized for her commitment to EMS in 2003 by the Sask. Emergency Medical
Services Association who presented her with the Stars of Life Award in recognition of her
outstanding contribution to prehospital emergency medical care in her community. In
2012 Sherri was the recipient of the Regina YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the Contribution to Community Category for her work to improve access to medical treatment in
her local community.
Sherri’s expertise and professionalism in the delivery of EMS in this community is widely
recognized. She took the idea of having an ambulance service here at Val Marie, and
through countless hours of hard work and a willingness to put her own life on hold in order
to help others in her community, turned that idea into a reality that became a successful
ambulance service that exists here to this day. On behalf of the board of directors and all
the staff I want to congratulate Sherri on this accomplishment and thank her for all her
effort to make this ambulance service a success. Sherri and Lynn were presented with a
picture of what else—an ambulance.
First Responder and Emergency Medical Responder course will be held at Ponteix during weekends in April and May. The Emergency
Medical Responder Course will allow you to work with the ambulance servi8ce here at Val Marie. For more information contact the
instructors: Bob—306.741.6640, or Krista—306.640.8492, or Syd—306.298.4816, or Trudy—306.298.2284.
Syd Smailes. Pres.
Val Marie 4-H Light Horse Club
We had a bake table in the Val Marie Craft & Trade Fair on December 7th and helped the exhibitors haul their goods in and out
of the gymnasium. Thanks to everyone who supported us at this event by purchasing baked goods and/or raffle tickets.
We held our Christmas Party on December 14th in the Val Marie Hall this year and watched a movie, played games and enjoyed
a delicious potluck dinner.
We have been meeting every Wednesday since January For winter projects. This year all members have completed making a
wooden saddle rack. Special thanks to Mel Olson for leading this project and for the use of his shop and for all his prep work.
All new members have also completed their covered record books and members are also working on various leatherwork and
braiding projects until the end of March. April meetings will be devoted to information meetings, learning about various topics,
Hayley Olson, Karissa Duquette, Sara Kendall and Carol Masecar attended Equine Expo February 13-16 in Saskatoon. We would
like to thank Farm Credit Canada for the $500.00 grant that we received to help cover the costs for this trip. Although it was
only a small group that was available to attend this year, we had a great time and it was a valuable learning experience.
E
Q
THANK YOU
I
FARM CREDIT CANADA
N
E
for making this trip possible.
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P
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We held our Annual Club Public Speaking on March 1st. We would like to thank the Val Marie School for the use of their
gymnasium. Special Thanks also going out to Kara Fowler and Tara Mulhern-Davidson for Judging for us.
Winners – moving on to the District Competition in Bracken:
Cloverbud Division:
Drayton Follensbee & Naveen Mything
Junior Division:
Sara Kendall & Aiden Peno
Intermediate Division: Karissa Duquette
Senior Division:
Hayley Olson
Congratulations to Hayley Olson and Drayton Follensbee for
winning at the District level and moving on to the Regional
Competition in Kyle.
Club
District
Regional
Hayley Olson and Carol Masecar attended the 4-H Annual General Meeting in Saskatoon on March 21/22.
We are off to a great start in the new 2015 4-H year and look forward to an exciting spring and summer.
Happy Spring Everyone!
Yahoo
Spring!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Lane on another great
season with the Melville Millionaires!
Top Scorer, Best Forward, Three Star
Award and a Graduating trophy! Wow!
We are so proud of you and wish you all
the best as you start your next chapter
in life this fall!
Love Mom, Dad & Brock
From all of us at the Val Marie Community Daycare!
Val Marie Community Daycare Inc. would like to acknowledge changes to our board of directors that were
made at the annual general meeting held on March 16th 2015. We welcome Jana Cornoc as a member at
large, Thank Carrie Clausen for filling the Board Chair seat and send a huge Thank-you out to Jamee Coupe
for her time invested.
Thank-you to the Val Marie School, parents and staff for supporting our hot lunch program. The upcoming
hot lunch days are as follows: March 25th, April 15th, April 29th and finally May 13th 2015.
Finally we would like to Welcome our new casual staff Kira Hiltz and Shauna Schmidt. If you are
interested in a casual position with us, Please call 306-298-2066 or e-mail [email protected]
Val Marie Hotel
We now have a buffet lunch
from 12:oo p.m.—1:30 p.m. It
includes a main course—a
meat, potatoes or rice, chicken
strips, fries, salad, soup,
sandwiches, iced tea or coffee.
All for $11.00
Val Marie
Palais Royale Theatre
March 27 & 28—The Equalizer
April 3—Son of God
April 4—The Good Lie
April 10 & 11—The Maze Runner
Don’t miss our Chinese Smorg on Saturday,
March 28th!
April 12 @ 3:00 p.m.—Dolphin Tale 2
Our next Wing Night is Friday,
March 27th.
April 17& 18—The Hunger Games:
Mockingjay—Part 1
Starts at 6:00 p.m.
April 24 & 25—St. Vincent
The Funeral Lunch Committee is looking for someone to take over
organizing the funeral lunches. If you are interested please contact
Jane McCrea @ 298-2206.
Thank You!
The Harvest Moon Café
Prairie Community Centre
Brunch at the Seniors Centre on
Sunday, March 29th
from 11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Bingo at 2:00 p.m.
Everyone Welcome!
To book the Seniors Centre please call
Angie Glas @ 298-7719.
Join us this Summer at Grasslands National Park
Sleep-Under-The-Stars Party & Concert featuring Navajo
July 25 - 4:00pm, West Block, Frenchman Valley Campground.
Begin your day kayaking the heart of the West Block on the Frenchman River, then enjoy an evening of wagon
rides and stories of the open range, followed by an outdoor concert featuring Navajo - all before seeking out the
elusive Black-footed ferrets in the dark. Before calling it a night join the Astronomical Society for star gazing in
the Darkest Dark Sky Preserve in Canada! Whew! Now that’s a full day! Fun for the whole family! Start the next
morning with a pancake breakfast and guided walk.
Cowboy Adventure
Saddle-up and ride into the last of the old west and live your own cowboy adventure! Drive cattle on the open
range, enjoy cooking from a chuck wagon and sleep on a bedroll under the brilliant night sky! Reconnect with
nature, the cowboy culture and each other!
Full day and overnight excursions available.
Badlands Blast Weekend
August 15 - 4:00pm, East Block, Rock Creek Campground.
Dig into an extravaganza of fossil fun for all and hop on the wagon to view the badlands! Hear the adventures of
the paleontological masters of the past and the present. Enjoy a delicious supper rubbing shoulders with a paleo
crew, before kicking up your heels at a Rock Creek hoe down. End the evening relaxing by the embers of the
campfire.
Fossil Fever
August 13 – 17, East Block, Rock Creek Campground. Pre-registration required.
Got the Fever? Fossil Fever? Dig for a day with McGill University Palaeontologists as they retrieve 65.5 million
year old fossils in search of the secret to dinosaur demise. An exclusive opportunity to experience palaeontology
with world renowned palaeontologists.
Grasslands National Park ©
Grasslands National Park ©
Hey Kids! Looking for a fun way to explore the only Prairie Park in Canada? Join us for hands on activities
every Saturday at 4:00pm in July and August at the Frenchman Valley Campground.
Join us for Prairie Cinema, a movie under the stars. Saturday July 4th, August 1st, and September 5th.
Starts at dusk at the Frenchman Valley Campground.
For more information please contact the Visitor Centre at 1-306-298-2257 / 1-877-345-2257
Or visit our website at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/grasslands