With spring in full swing, tent caterpillars are starting to make an appearance among the trees in the Valley.
    There are several different types of tent caterpillars, including the western tent caterpillar. It has reddish brown markings on its body and is usually pale underneath. Other tent caterpillars include the forest tent caterpillar.     
    These are a pale blue colour with black and have white spots on their backs. Tent caterpillar eggs hatch in early spring when trees have new buds. The caterpillars begin feeding, and the tent they have lived in all winter, becomes their safe place from natural enemies and provides shelter from temperatures and weather.
    The town of Drumheller is working to get rid of the caterpillars, Mayor Terry Yemen said.
    “The town does have a program where they address these types of issues in the parks,” Yemen said. He continued by mentioning that residents are responsible for looking after this on their own property.
    “The town is aware of (the caterpillars) and are working to control them on town property. On private property, that is the responsibility of the homeowner,” he said.
    The tent caterpillars have many natural enemies, helping to eliminate them. Chemicals, such as Bacillus thuringiensis or B.t. can also be used if there are large amounts of caterpillars. This product is a natural bacterial toxin that acts as a poison when eaten by caterpillars.
    If homeowners are looking for a way to get rid of these creatures, or would like more information about them, visit http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/healthy-living-vie-saine/environment-environnement/pesticides/tent-livreeamerique-eng.php

Cotton candy, mini donuts, games and amusement rides.
    When West Coast Amusements (WCA) arrives in Drumheller, it is a sure sign summer is just around the corner.
    Bob and Wendy Hauser, owners/operators of WCA, from Chiliwack, British Columbia, have been coming to the Valley for many years with their family, bring their rides, treats and games to Drumheller. They stop in between rodeos and stampedes to give residents memories of the carnival.
    Bob has been coming to the Valley for over 30 years he said, and remembers when the carnival use to take place downtown. He said a few years back, they moved to the Co-op parking lot because it gave them more space to set up.
    “We have been treated so well here by the merchants,” Bob said when asked why they bring WCA to Drumheller each year.
    “We have had great reception from the public, they love coming out. It is just part of our schedule,” he said.
    The group of 75 rides, games and concession operators came from a stop in Calgary and is passing through on their way to Brooks for the rodeo. Bob said he is third generation with WCA. His grandfather came from England and sold ice cream, candyfloss and hot dogs, but it was his mom and dad that started the carnival side. He explained that his dad, who is 90 years old, and mom, who is 86, are both still involved in the business today.
    “We are in the fifth generation now,” Bob said. The Hausers’ children and even their seven grandchildren, the oldest being 12, help out where they can when it comes to WCA and the operation.
    He said his parents started out a long time ago with a travelling animal show and it later turned into games and rides.
    “(They were) never, ever thinking they would wind up running a carnival. They just wanted to make a living and feed the family like lots of businesses when they start out,” he said.
    Bob and Wendy both agreed, they see a lot of families that come year after year.
    “A lot of our guys, they watch the families grow. A lot of these guys have been here 10 or 20 years,” Bob said. Wendy finished by saying, “They really remember our guys year after year."