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that everyone can find nuanced and fulfilling opportunities. When driven by an
individual’s determination, combined with the mentorship offered by EmployAbilities,
they can successfully achieve employment aspirations and contribute meaningfully to
their community.

Photo courtesy of Employabilities – Employment Facilitators (left) Lindsay Sutherland and (right) Derek Christensen are part of the Employabilities team that recently visited Smoky Lake Library.

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What is truly remarkable happens behind the scenes. Dedicated volunteers are
constantly busy maintaining and tracking inventory, fulfilling grocery lists, and answering
phone calls. They are an incredible blessing. Susan Krochter also expresses her
gratitude to FCSS in Thorhild and Redwater, describing them as the most amazing and
caring people to work with. She admits she would be lost without their support and
dedication, especially in assisting food bank clients outside of scheduled work time.
The food bank owes its success to the overwhelming support of the Town of
Redwater, its sponsors, and the generous donations from individuals and organizations,
whether monetary, shelf-stable food, produce, or beyond. Words of thanks hardly suffice
to express the difference each contribution makes to this organization.
The Redwater Fellowship of Churches Food Bank currently feeds over 2,800
people, which means they are essentially feeding the population of Redwater plus an
additional 500 individuals, encompassing clients from Redwater, Thorhild, Radway,
Newbrook, Egremont, Abee, Sturgeon County, and Waskatenau. New donations are
always welcome, and they are continuously seeking new sponsors.

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By Brandie Majeau
The grade 1 students at H. A. Kostash participated in a yearly tradition just
before the Thanksgiving break, each student bringing in an ingredient and together,
whipping up a batch of stone soup. As various vegetables and herbs were added to the
pot, these young chefs became the embodiment of Thanksgiving, a celebration of
harvest and a shared feast.
Stone Soup is a European folk tale about travelers who are hungry and tired
when they arrive in a village. They ask the villagers for food and shelter, but the villagers
refuse because they don’t have enough to share. One of the travelers suggests they
make “stone soup” if they just had a pot and some water. Curious, a villager brings them
a pot and helps them start a fire. The traveler adds a clean stone to the pot of hot water.
As the soup cooks, more villagers gather around. The traveler tastes the soup and suggests that
it needs some onion. A villager remembers they have an onion at home and brings it to
add to the pot. This process continues as the travelers ask for more ingredients, like
carrot and potato. Villagers contribute whatever they can find. Soon, the pot is full of
delicious soup. Everyone enjoys the stone soup together. The villagers then invite the
travelers to stay overnight.
The tale of stone soup beautifully illustrates the power of working together and
how it yields richer results than attempting to persevere in solitude. Each villager adds
their unique ingredient to the pot, transforming a simple broth into a sumptuous feast
that reflects their combined creativity and generosity.
This story serves as an excellent exploration point for stirring conversations
about the essence of community, the importance of sharing, and the beauty of
openness to one another’s contributions. Just as each traveler brought their distinct
offerings, from morsels of food to vibrant tales, the grade 1 students at H.A.Kostash are
reminded that everyone has something valuable to give; it may be an onion; it may be a
clever idea, a cherished memory, or a specific skill. When everyone unites, something
truly extraordinary can be created or accomplished.

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By Brandie Majeau
The vibrant and colorful leaves of autumn are associated with a certain feeling, a particular
scent, and a spectacular feast for the eyes. However, they also play a crucial
role in sustaining the life of trees. Deciduous trees, characterized by their leaves
changing color in the fall, shed their foliage as part of their seasonal cycle. In contrast,
evergreen trees, with their needle-like leaves, retain their green color year-round to
carry on the process of photosynthesis even during the winter months.
During most of the year, deciduous tree leaves appear vibrant green due to
chlorophyll, a pigment that enables them to harness energy from sunlight through
photosynthesis. This energy is then transformed into sugars, which nourish the tree and
support its growth. As the seasons transition from summer to fall, the air becomes
crisper, the days grow shorter, and the tree’s vibrant green leaves transform into a
breathtaking display. The reduced sunlight triggers a breakdown of chlorophyll in the
leaves, allowing the hidden yellow and orange pigments to emerge. Certain trees
undergo a chemical change, resulting in the production of new pigments called
anthocyanins, which give rise to the stunning red hues seen in leaves as seen in oak
trees. The autumn landscape, with its unique blend of colors, is a sight to behold,
offering a sense of awe and wonder wherever it is viewed.
As the season progresses, the leaves begin to fall. Trees start to create a
protective barrier between the leaves and their branches as the weather changes. They
extract as many nutrients as possible from the leaves, but the leaves would not survive
the winter and would leave the trees vulnerable to damage if they remained. Once the
leaves are severed from the fluid in the branches, they detach and descend to the
ground.
Visiting the local library is a great place to start if one wants to learn more and
delve into the amazing science behind the natural world. Or visit local nature or natural
museums.

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Don Crews, a grower from Lloydminster, once again claimed victory at the Great

White North Weigh-Off in Smoky Lake with his colossal 2137-pound pumpkin. Don, who

already holds the site and Canadian records with a 2537-pound pumpkin grown in 2022,

humbly admitted that he has lost count of his numerous weigh-off wins. Following

closely behind, Nathan Craven from Star, AB, secured second place with his impressive

1112.5-pound pumpkin.

In 2023, at the 50th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half

Moon Bay, California, USA, Travis Gienger from the USA presented the heaviest

pumpkin ever recorded, weighing 2,749 pounds. Gienger affectionately named the

colossal pumpkin “Michael Jordan” as a tribute to the legendary basketball player’s

jersey number. He explained that he chose the name because the pumpkin initially

resembled a basketball in shape, although it did not remain spherical. Despite the final

shape, the pumpkin set a new record for its extraordinary size.

Ultimately, records are made to be broken and encourages a challenge to try

again the following year. Every year, growers learn more and tinker with pruning

techniques, temperature, and a myriad of other variables in the hopes to up the produce

growth just a little bit more. They grow to compete, they grow for glory, but many find the

challenge of giant pumpkins and produce a fascinating hobby. It transcends boundaries

and pushes limits. Local crowds and visitors to the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival

eagerly await to see the next weigh-off. The numbers are closing in. Could a local

Canadian be the next great grower to beat the previous record?

As the day-long festival came to a close, everyone eagerly awaited the much-

anticipated closing event: the pumpkin drop. The crowd swelled with excitement as a

massive industrial crane lifted two enormous pumpkins high into the air. Anticipation

filled the air as the giant gourds hung suspended at dizzying heights, only to be

released, hurtling down to crush a junk car below. The spectacle drew in the festival- goers, creating an exhilarating and unforgettable moment.

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By Brandie Majeau

Lions are ordinary people who do extraordinary things, and Lions Clubs around

the world are filled with amazing volunteers who work tirelessly to improve the health

and well-being of communities and support those in need through humanitarian

services. Every day and everywhere, Lions are there to serve. Recently, the Thorhild

Lions Club answered their calling to step up and serve as more and more individuals

and families rely on the aid of local food banks. With soaring grocery prices causing

detrimental harm and making choices between food and bills a difficult decision, the

Thorhild Lions spent a Saturday afternoon collecting food and donations outside

Thorhild Co-op.

The Thorhild Lions Club recently wrapped up their drive, gathering 193 pounds of

non-perishable food, 40 pounds of fresh produce, and over $600 in cash. The club

extends its heartfelt gratitude to the community for their generous contributions, which

will make a significant impact on the local food bank. However, the need for volunteers

is ongoing. Individual involvement is crucial to the Lion’s mission. They are always

actively looking for volunteers and welcome members support their ongoing initiatives.

So many local and small organizations that rely strictly on a volunteer basis, such as

many local Lions Clubs, are at risk of folding due to current members aging, and a lack

of young volunteers to take their place. Individuals interested in becoming a Lion are

encouraged to reach out to the Thorhild Lions Club (or Lions clubs within their local

areas) and learn more about how to become a member and what they can do to support their local community.

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The Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival has come and gone for another successful

year of gathering crowds to enjoy a bountiful harvest season. Like every event, the

Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival is successful because the volunteers come together and

roll up their sleeves to get to work. The volunteers come in so many ways: organizations

chipping in to decorate, market vendors working extra hard to

ensure they had plenty of pumpkin-themed keepsakes (such as knitted pumpkin

toques), musicians enchanting the guests with traditional music on site, and the many

hands serving up a feast ranging from traditional Ukrainian dinners to Jamaican patties,

Latin-style hot dogs, bubble tea, and internationally inspired poutines.

  The Pumpkin Fair began as a friendly local competition but has blossomed into a

renowned event that attracts visitors from far and wide. What once started as a small-

scale contest has now evolved into the prestigious Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-

Off, where some of Canada’s most giant pumpkins, squash, watermelons, and gourds

are meticulously weighed. Over the years, the fair has transcended its modest origins to

become a triumphant commemoration of all things related to pumpkins and beyond. It

has transformed into a joyous celebration of family, friendship, and the distinctive

diversity of Smoky Lake itself.

This year, the festival was a call to everyone to bring a friend or family member

and immerse themselves in the experience. The market and food vendors were just a

fraction of the excitement. The cars at the show & shine were a sight to behold. The

midway was a whirlwind of activity and fun, and the corn maze was a delightful

adventure into harvest and strategy. The threshing demonstrations and Ukrainian

showcase offered a journey into Smoky Lake’s rich history of agriculture and people.

The variety of activities and food was so enticing that visitors are already looking

forward to its return next year to relive the magic, and those who missed it will have their chance in 2025.

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