Proudly Serving Vermilion And Area Since 2004

My Dad talked very little about World War 2. From the few stories my Dad told, and knowing him for 50 years and from the details we know of World War 2 (Dad’s paybook, Wikipedia, google), I pieced together his story. It was 1942, and Ray had made the decision to travel from his family farm near Kitscoty, Alberta to the closest recruitment office and enlist in the army. He had read in the newspaper and heard all the chatter in town about how the enemy forces were advancing in

Some Vermilion Dance students with Santa. Photo Sonya Lee The holiday spirit shone brightly in Vermilion on Sunday, November 9, as The Friends of the Vermilion Regional Centre hosted the 3rd annual Festival of Crafts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Regional Centre buzzed with excitement as families, friends, and visitors from surrounding communities came together to kick off the Christmas season in style. Throughout the day, guests wandered through rows of local vendors, admiring

I remember my dad, who was born in 1935 tell me that growing up as a kid, he ate his morning oatmeal with molasses, not necessarily by choice, but that was the sweetener that was available to him in those days. It wouldn’t be my sweetener of choice, until I learned that is has so many amazing health benefits. I love molasses in gingerbread, ginger cookies, and baked beans but recent research will be elevating it far beyond the characteristic flavor found in fall and Christmas

A new month means we are traveling back to time to see what was going on in the community exactly 100 years ago. These events may seem like they are not of major historical significance, but they helped form the community as it is today. Many residents of Vermilion were angry on Nov. 1 when they woke up to what had happened on Halloween in the community. Several people had property smashed in their yards. Various signs were ripped down around the community and a rear door at

Veterans who attended the Appreciation Supper. Photo Lorna Hamilton On November 8, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 hosted its second annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner to honour the service and sacrifice of veterans in the community—both past and present. Co-Chair and Master of Ceremonies, Rhonda Hayduk, warmly welcomed everyone to the evening’s event, saying, “I really appreciate all of you for making it here.” After a few housekeeping notes, she introduced Chairman Com

Back row, from left, Rotary member Denise Williamson, Rotary members Harm Tjardes and Eugene Wasylik and Lions Peter Clark. Front row, from left Rotary members Bernie and Scott Webb, Vermilion and District Housing Foundation Brittany Bratrud, Vermilion and District Housing Foundation Clinical Director Kristin Stefanec, Lions member Hayward Vaters and Sam Alhalahi, and Rotary member Darlene Barlow. Photo Lorna Hamilton On the afternoon of November 4 representatives from the Ve

From left, Rotary member Shawn Jacula, Bethany Jacula, Jean Jacula, Kelli Jacula-Kochan, Kim Becher, Dean Jacula. Photo submitted The Vermilion community came together on Saturday, November 1, 2025, as the Rotary Club of Vermilion hosted its biennial Harvest Gala at the Vermilion Regional Centre. The cherished event brought 220 friends, families, and neighbours together to celebrate the season of harvest while supporting a deeply meaningful cause; an amazing turn out consider

While The Great Depression was one of the most difficult times for Canadians in the 20th century, especially in the Prairies, there were still things to celebrate. On Nov. 2, 1937, the people of Vermilion were celebrating the news that progress was being made on the new Masonic Temple in the community. On that day, the cornerstone was laid down on the building. For the previous 21 years, the Masons had used a building in the Standard Block of Vermilion. This new temple was to

Members of the Vermilion Lions Club and students from Battalion 28 of the Emergency Services Technology. Photo Lorna Hamilton On a windy afternoon on Saturday, October 25, members of the Vermilion Lions Club joined forces with Fire students from Battalion 28 of the Emergency Services Technology program at Lakeland College to fill and deliver 370 sandbags. The sandbags were distributed to several local businesses, including the Vermilion Co-op Gas Bar, Shell Service Station, a

This cookie is a twist on my standard peanut butter cookie recipe. Interestingly, peanut butter has many health benefits. It is a very good source of antioxidants. The mono-saturated fat in peanut butter includes oleic acid, the kind found in olive oil, that has been found to be Mediterranean diet heart healthy . Peanuts are also a source of resveratrol. Resveratrol is the beneficial substance found in red wine. In the nurses’ health study, which involved 86,000 women

On October 30, a chilly morning set the stage for research projects focused on precision ranching, cattle nutrition, and livestock wellness at Lakeland College’s Vermilion campus during Research for the Ranch: Livestock Field Day. The event brought together livestock producers, industry representatives, students, and fellow researchers to explore the valuable work conducted by Lakeland’s applied research team and its impact on the future of agriculture. “Our research team foc

As performers in “Touch of Grace,” a Southern Gospel Trio, we love researching and sharing the stories behind the songs we sing. One song that has touched countless lives is “Angels Among Us,” a moving message that has become a staple in the Southern Gospel repertoire. The story behind its creation is as inspiring as the message it shares. Becky Hobbs, a Nashville singer-songwriter, is the creative force behind “Angels Among Us.” Her journey to writing this song is rooted in

From left, Ed Ehle, Carter Babij, Brandon Cookson Winners of the Murray Westman Classic. Photos Sonya Lee The Murray Westman Cash Classic made its return to the Vermilion Curling Club this past weekend, bringing with it a wave of nostalgia, laughter, and competitive spirit that could only be described as pure “Murray.” For decades, Murray was more than just a player; he was the Vermilion Curling Club. His “not afraid to lose” attitude, sharp wit, and unwavering passion for th

On Tuesday, October 21, teachers from Park Plains East Local #31, currently facing a lockout, gathered with community members for a spirited Wellness Walk in Vermilion. Participants walked a two-block stretch along Main Street, spanning 50th Avenue between 49th and 51st Streets. The event was marked by solidarity, energy, and a shared commitment to public education. The Wellness Walks were inspired by the large rally held in Edmonton on October 5, along with similar events ac

Back in October 1951, the Vermilion area was getting ready for a major vaccination job. It wasn’t for polio, that was still a couple years away. Instead, it was about vaccinating cattle. This massive vaccination program was believed to be the largest ever attempted in Canada by a municipality. Initiated by the Municipal District of Vermilion River, it all began on Oct. 4, 1951 under the guidance of Dr. A.R. Anderson and Dr. F. Creech from Lloydminster. The vaccination was for

The Vermilion Fire Department is proud to recognize and celebrate the exceptional dedication and service of its firefighters, who continue to play a vital role in protecting and supporting our rural communities. In a heartfelt ceremony on October 22, service awards were presented on behalf of the Town of Vermilion and the County of Vermilion River to acknowledge the years of sacrifice, bravery, and commitment shown by these local heroes. Each of these individuals has contribu

Breakfast cookies are easy to make, and perfect for busy days on the go, or to pack for lunches. They are filled with healthy ingredients, plus they are gluten and dairy free. Almost every ingredient is filled with health benefits. There is fiber from several different sources. These cookies are a good way to use up an over ripe banana. The banana is a good source of important minerals like magnesium and potassium. Cinnamon helps balance blood sugar, and support healthy insul

Halloween is just around the corner, and the streets of Vermilion are sure to come alive with costumed children in everything imaginable, some glowing jack-o’-lanterns, and lots of festive fun. Whether you’re young or young at heart, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate while keeping safety in mind. Families can expect trick-or-treaters to begin making their rounds in the evening, so it’s a good idea to have your porch light on if you plan to welcome visitors. Many local

On October 15, a diverse group of 37 farmers, ranchers, and agricultural enthusiasts gathered for the second field day hosted at Will Groeneveld’s farm near Mannville. The event was designed to showcase how regenerative practices can benefit both land health and livestock productivity. Organized by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions in partnership with ALUS Canada and supported by Western Economic Development, the day began with a morning of presentations at the Mannville Golf

When I was a little kid, Halloween was more than just a night of costumes and candy. It was a cherished tradition that brought our rural community together. A few times we went to a party, but mostly our celebration involved piling into the family car and driving from one neighbour’s farm to the next. We started in the late afternoon because each doorstep we stopped at transformed into a stage! The neighbours took great joy in asking us kids to sing or recite before handing o