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Last updateThu, 09 May 2024 9am

Encana’s responsible practices recognized

    Encana has been recognized for its environmental and social consciousness.
    The company, which has some operation in the Drumheller area,  received the President’s Award at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers’ (CAPP) Responsible Canadian Energy awards.
    “We are extremely proud to have received this year’s President’s Award, which we believe reflects our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Mike McAllister, Executive Vice-President & President, Canadian Division. “Responsible development is a key component of our business model throughout our operations and it’s important that we as an industry continue to improve our performance in that regard. These types of initiatives help support our business, improve our relationships with important stakeholders and help continually raise the bar on our environmental, safety and social performance.”
    The President’s Award is presented to companies that have demonstrated  “exceptional environmental, health and safety, or social performance.

Despite there no longer  being the opportunity for Stuff the Chuck with the WPCA event in Drumheller, Encana continued its support of the local food bank last summer, contributing to Stuff The Bus. The company was awarded for its work  in communities where it operates.


    Encana has been recognized for three separate endeavours. And two of these apply to its local operations, according to Luigi Vescarelli, community relations advisor for Encana.
    Encana’s Responsible Products program is a company-wide effort to manage chemical additives used in hydraulic fracturing. According to a release this program was developed in conjunction with third party toxicologists and it allows Encana to make, “thorough, objective and accurate assessments of its hydraulic fracturing fluid systems for potential impacts to human health or the environment using widely-accepted toxicological criteria.”
    Vescarelli says they employ hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and gas in some of their deep wells in the Horseshoe Canyon Play.
    Another endeavour of Encana, for which they were recognized is the Race against Hunger. This is a partnership between the WPCA Pro Dodge Chuckwagon and local community food banks.  During a WPCA event, they organize a large-scale food drive.
    While Drumheller no longer has a WPCA event, Vescarelli said they teamed up last summer with the Stuff the Bus local initiative led by Heather Colberg and was able to make a significant impact on families in the area that use the Salvation Army Food Bank.
    “It falls under the same program, supporting foodbanks in the areas we operate in,” said Vescarelli.


First annual Morgan Jayne Baby Shower huge success

    The Morgan Jayne Project has just finished sending potentially life-saving baby formula to Roatan.
    In the end, 235 cans of formula were collected and shipped to the small Honduras island.
    “Kudos and then some to everyone who got on board and provided help,” said Fred Makowecki, founder of the Morgan Jayne Project. “Many babies will be saved.”
    The formula was collected as part of the first Morgan Jayne Baby Shower, which ran earlier this year. Residents dropped off cans, donated money to buy formula, and a formula drive was held in Brooks.

Renee Michon, with the Drumheller Canada Post Office next to the 235 cans of baby formula destined for Roatan, Honduras.


    “Cindy Thomas initiated this first annual formula drive on the project’s behalf. Cindy attended some hockey games in Brooks where there was a town wide collection of formula. Dozens of cans of formula were donated from Brooks,” said Makowecki. “Alicia Bartzis helped us kick off our penny drive, which collected enough to ship and buy many more cans of formula.”
    The Morgan Jayne Project is resting on its laurels, though. Events are already lined up for  the summer.
    “We have some events coming up including the 5th annual Red Eye Tournament. We will also be serving food up at the arena on July 1 after the parade,” said Makowecki.
    The formula is currently being delivered, in person, by Morgan Jayne voluneeters, Cindy, Bob, and Mike Thomas.

Carbon author enters new chapter of writing career

    A Carbon resident is following her passion for literature and is establishing a reputation as a bona-fide author.
    Holly Laffin, who currently resides in Carbon, has just finished work on her second novel, The Love that Healed Them Both.
    The book follows Heather and Andreas, and how, throughout the years, fate brings them together repeatedly, eventually culminating in one passionate night.
    Afterwards the two, who know little about each other, are reunited when Heather’s racing stallion is contracted for studding by Andreas. From there, the novel delves into their complex, and oftentimes tempestuous, relationship.
    The story was inspired after a conversation with a friend.
    “I was at work and my friend came in and I was trying to think of something to write. This story came out with a girl going out with a guy online and then this story just took over my life. That’s the way they work,” said Laffin.
    Her first book, Only Fate Could Predict, was released in 2009.
    Laffin, at 32-year-old stay at home mom, was born in Vancouver. In 2004, she moved to Hanna and then Carbon soon after. Since then, she has nurtured her creative writing side.
    “It feels great. I published a yearbook back in 2000. It motivated me to publish. I love the feel of designing something, laying it out, and getting it in bound form,” said Laffin.
    Initially after high school, Laffin wasn’t motivated to pursue writing as a career. It wasn’t until college that her interest was rekindled.
    “My Grade 12 English teacher that I adored, said, after my last exam, that my writing was horrible and that I should never write. I really wanted to publish another book, but I was told I shouldn’t, so I put it away for awhile. It wasn’t until my college English professor said I had great work. She relit the passion in me,” said Laffin.
    Laffin isn’t done yet. She already has begun work on her next projects. She has 200 manuscripts in the works,  two of which are currently being reviewed by Harlequin. She is working on a series with witches and vampires, in which she hopes to break the rules about vampires.


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