Our annual Year-in-Review series concludes today with a look back at November and December 2013. We have been publishing two months of review each day during the remainder of our holiday closure here at the Morinville News. The entire Year-in-Review will be published in our Jan. 8 print edition.
Well-known RCMP officer leaves community
Constable Yelena Avoine, a familiar face in community policing, ended an eight-year run with the Morinville RCMP Detachment when she transferred to the St. Albert Detachment Dec. 13.
Avoine came to Morinville as a general duty officer in 2005, a position she held until 2009 when she took over then Constable Laurel Kading’s position as Crime Prevention/Victim Services (CPVS). Through that role, Avoine was involved with the D.A.R.E. Program in area schools and worked directly with community groups, including Citizens on Patrol, Sturgeon Rural Crime Watch and Block Parents. Additionally, Avoine has been in charge of media relations for the past four years.
“It’s going to be really difficult,” Avoine said of her move from the community she had been involved with for nearly a decade. “Having been here for nearly eight years, I know so many students from Kindergarten all the way to Grade 10. It’s going to be weird when I’m leaving, but it has been an amazing journey, and I was really fortunate to work with all the groups in the community.”
Check stop of another sort
The 2nd Annual Candy Cane Check Stop was held Thursday in front of the Library and Town Office. Morinville RCMP, Peace Officers, Fire, EMS, MADD, SADD, Alberta Health Nurses and the Office of Traffic Safety were in attendance along 100 Avenue handing out calendars and goodie bags to emphasising the importance of making safe decisions before getting behind the wheel over the holidays.
An annual holiday tradition
The Morinville Minstrels sing Birthday of a King at the 35th Annual Community Christmas Celebration held Thursday night at the St. Jean Baptiste Church.
New Six Stones building houses familiar business
There was a smile on Julia Puchala’s face as she offered a tour of the new building that houses her and Noreen Radford’s Vintage Petals Tea Shoppe. The business opened in late November behind Quinn’s Plumbing and Heating on 101 Street and held it’s official ribbon cutting Dec. 15.
“We’re back in business and excited,” Puchala said at the time, adding the change in name reflects the fact the business is no longer in the old house and no longer serving lunches. “We still have all our teas and we’re serving teas and desserts. Our desserts will be locally made by Kelly the baker.” Puchala said she and Radford are continuing to offer the same product lines as they did at their previous location.
The building is named Six Stones in homage to her late husband Brian who passed away suddenly on Dec. 15, 2010. “The reason why it is [called] Six Stones is because my husband Brian was the rock in our family and worked in a rock quarry,” she said. “We have six children which I guess are our stones.” Puchala and Radford held their grand opening Dec. 15, the third anniversary of Mr. Puchala’s passing.
