Weekly Roundup — August 21

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• The Kinsmen Alexandra Outdoor Pool is celebrating 40 years this week.

• Calmar's town manager is retiring after 21 years of dedicated service.

• Laura spoke to MLA George Rogers about his take on distracted drivers and whether the province will initiate legislation this fall to cut down on cell phone use and other distractions while driving.

• The first ever Santa's Big Biker Ride for Santa's Helpers Leduc, which was to take place Sept. 12, has been cancelled.

• A pedestrian who was struck and killed on Highway 2 last week may have been waiting for a ride back to Leduc after his friends left him, according to his family.

• Leduc County is offering free spraying to control weeds on certain types of county properties this fall.

• The Leduc Recreation Centre has received a generous funding boost from the federal government.

• It was a hot August night indeed last week at Castrol Raceway.

• A local used clothing store is working with ROMPS to get their new play space up and running by September.

• A Devon man who fled police and was subsequently bitten twice by a police dog received little sympathy from a provincial court judge last week.

• In sports, the Edmonton Oil Kings will play an exhibition game at the LRC on Sept. 5.

See this week's Rep for more!

A wish come true

As reporters, we spend a fair amount of time writing about sad or difficult subjects, so when we get the chance to cover something positive, it's a real joy and makes our job so much more fun.

Last Friday, I had just such an opportunity: covering the fulfillment of 8-year-old Kaelyn Halyk's wish for a hot tub.

Kaelyn is one of 55 children with life-threatening medical conditions who will have their wish granted this year by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A local volunteer made the day very special for Kaelyn by mobilizing members of the RCMP, Leduc Fire Services and a team of volunteers to march Kaelyn's hot tub to her house in a parade.

The parade assembled around the corner from Kaelyn's house and set out in a procession:


Cst. Jodi Heidinger turned the police cruiser's lights and sirens on, which was pretty exciting for Kaelyn:


Once everyone was in the backyard, Kendra presented Kaelyn with some other gifts, including a crown and wand and a Hannah Montana beach towel to dry off with after using her new hot tub. Courage the Fire Dog also gave her a special stuffed dalmatian puppy:


Even Leduc Mayor Greg Krischke showed up to congratulate Kaelyn on her wish fulfillment with a certificate commemorating the occasion:


While all this was going on, the staff of Beachcomber Hot Tubs installed Kaelyn's new tub:


The fire department members stuck around afterwards to fill the hot tub using the fire hose.

It was all very special and touching and I hope Kaelyn gets a lot of enjoyment from her new hot tub!

(Photos by Alex Pope)

Leducians? Leducites? Let's call the whole thing off!

According to a story in today's Globe and Mail, the citizens of the city of Red Deer have elected to officially call themselves "Red Deerians."

Tres originale. Personally, I think "Red Deerios" — the name suggested by a group of Red Deer school children — is much catchier. It rhymes with Cheerios, and Cheerios are delicious. But hey, if Red Deerians are happy with their new title, then that's what matters.

I've been working in Leduc for more than seven months now, and I'm still not sure how to refer to residents of Leduc. It comes up from time to time in my writing and I wish I had something punchier than "residents of Leduc."

Back in February, Bob Palmer, better known as Flyin' Bob, performed at our Maclab Centre, and right off the bat, asked the audience how they like to refer to themselves.

"Leducians?" he suggested.

"Leducites!" someone shouted.

Leducians it was, at least for the duration of the show.

But honestly, in all (okay, partial) seriousness: what do you call someone who lives in Leduc? Leducians? Leducites? My personal favorite, Leducies?

What say you? Leave your suggestions in the comments or Tweet us!