The Drumheller Institution marked its 50th anniversary with a Freedom of the Town of Drumheller parade.
A Colour Guard, along with former employees and family paraded from the Badlands Community Facility to the Town of Drumheller Hall on Saturday morning, September 9, to ask for permission to march on the town.
This was part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations that also includes a gala this evening at the Badlands Community Facility.
The Girl Guides are an institution that for over 100 years has supported young girls develop and grow.
The Drumheller First Girl Guide has continued that tradition offering programs for young girls from 5 to 17.
Donna Thomas has been with Girl Guides for 34 years. She sees great value in the program.
“I see a lot of girls gaining confidence, becoming independent little women,” said Thomas, who is again a leader with the Sparks. “When you have them for two years in a row, they are shy at first but then they blossom into beautiful young ladies.
Whether it is the way we work with them or just giving confidence.”
She says the guides also have the opportunity to direct their program toward what they feel are areas of interest.
The Guides program offer Sparks, Brownies, Girl Guides, Pathfinders, and Rangers. They typically meet once a week.
One opportunity that could come from the program is international travel.
“The girls have a great opportunity to go on international travel. It is a great three-year project to plan a trip. You learn how to fundraise, and then learn about flights and about technology in other countries,” said Thomas. “The experience of just being out of the country in itself is phenomenal.”
The Drumheller First Girl Guides are also looking for leaders at all levels. Girl Guides is rewarding to leaders as well.
“I can’t say enough about the program, it is for women and for girls. That is why we need leaders to carry on,” said Thomas. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment that I can touch one little life.”
The Girl Guides will be at the Sports Recreation and Arts Expo.
A man who has a previous record of fraud was sentenced to six months in custody.
Zach Decaire appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on August 25, and pleaded guilty to a long string of charges.
The court heard that in September of 2016 in Strathmore, he asked a friend to cash two cheques that were dishonoured, taking about $1,290. He pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud. In a separate incident, he stole another $200 from the same victim.
The court also heard that in June of 2017, he attended to the Canadian Tire store in Brooks and stole a circular saw. He returned it without the receipt and received a $261 gift card. He also took a home entertainment speaker box valued at $199.
On July 21, he was charged with two counts of obstructing a peace officer and operating a motor vehicle while not authorized. When the Drumheller RCMP were investigating, he gave them a false name, however, the officer recognized him. When the police attempted to apprehend Decaire, he threw a soda can at one of the officers.
Police also located an impact gun and a drill kit and he was charged with possession of stolen property.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to attend court and a breach by failing to pay restitution.
Crown Prosecutor Ron Pedersen said that Decaire has a history of taking advantage of friends and good-hearted strangers.
In February of this year, he was sentenced to 18 months probation for a string of fraud charges.
On August 25, he was sentenced to six months in custody. He was given 54 days credit for pre-trial custody, leaving 126 days to serve.
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