Liberal leader Kevin Taft gave the Drum-Stettler riding its' first mention of the campaign in a talk to supporters at his campaign headquarters in Edmonton-Riverview.  The Edmonton Sun quoted Taft as saying "In our view, the New Democrats are almost irrelevant.  They finished fifth in Calgary-Elbow, they finished seventh in Drumheller-Stettler. Their base is a handful of four constituencies in Edmonton and they'll be lucky to hang on to those by the time we're done."

Actually, this is what we have found out to date:

PC - Jack Hayden (incumbent)
Liberal - Tom Dooley
Wildrose Alliance - Dave France
NDP - Richard Bough
Green Party - no word yet on who the candidate will be
Social Credit - no word yet on who the candidate will be, but the phone number for the constituency association on the website has been assigned to a new customer.  We've been unable to confirm the party's status in the riding for the 2008 election at this time.

The Big Valley Rusty Spurs 4H Club will be holding a public speaking competition for 4H members on March 1 at 10 a,m, at the Big Valley School.

The Pilot Knob Social Centre will be holding its' Annual General Meeting on February 20th at 7:30 p.m. at the Board of Trade Building (by the West Stettler Mall).  Plans for the upcoming year will be discussed.

The Swingin' Sisters Club will be performing at the Stettler Performing Arts Centre at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 10th as part of the Stettler Variety Showcase Association's 2008 season.  $20 tickets for the matinee ONLY are available at Pfeiffer's House of Music or by calling Carol at 742-3724.

The Donalda community will be hosting its' Family Day Winter Olympics on February 18th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The activities will take place by the World's Largest Lamp, located at the east end of Main Street on Railway Ave.  There will be sleighrides, snow and ice activities and contests, skating and a bonfire with refreshements.  All children attending must be accompanied by an adult.  Contact the Donalda Village Office at 403-883-2345 for further information.

The Village of Big Valley will be holding a public meeting at 7 p.m. on February 19th at the Big Valley Drop-in Centre to discuss and share ideas for future development for the village.  Public input is required to develop a long term plan.  Residents of the Village and surrounding communities are encouraged to attend and provide their feedback.

The Gadsby community will be holding a Family Day dance from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Gadsby Hall on Saturday, February 16th.

There will be an Old Time Dance held at the Botha Hall at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 8th.

The official dedication and opening of Veteran's Way will take place on Wednesday, February 6th at 1:30 p.m. at the west end of 50th Avenue in Stettler.  The Town of Stettler is renaming 50th Avenue as "Veteran's Way" to honor those who served in Canada's military in past and present conflicts.

Well.... I don't know precisely.... I'm going to bet the lineup is something like this:

Lucille Starr, Joe Kozak & Metis Jiggs

I think we'll have to put a call in to Vern's Barbershop tomorrow to find out the details.

Please note as well that this event is a fundraiser for the Stettler Health Foundation.

Fox Taekwondo Studios will be hosting Stettler's first taekwondo tournament on February 2nd at the studio on Main St.  Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and the tournament starts at 10 a.m.

Fox Taekwondo Studios is located at 4814A 50th St., Stettler.  More information can be obtained by calling 403-749-2865 or 403-588-6478.

The public are welcome to attend.

Alberta Country Music Legends are at the Stettler Community Hall on February 9th.  Tickets are $25 and available at Vern's Barbershop or by phone at 742-7407 or 574-2155.

The Stettler Ag. Society's Sweetheart Gala Dinner & Dance is coming up February 15th at the Stettler Agriplex. 

Tickets are $50 each and include supper, live band, flowers, champagne, and door prizes.

Tickets can be purchased from the Ag. Society office, Turtle Club Truck & Car Wash and Phoenix Fitness.  Call 742-6288 for more information.

The Battle River Playmakers bring their 3 act comedy EVERY FAMILY HAS ONE to the Stettler PAC on Sunday, February 23rd at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $10 each and are available from the Stettler FCSS office at 4720 Main St., Stettler.