Arcand memorial golf tourney set to go

A hole-in-one just might be the perfect way to fill the hole left when much-loved Chief Ray Arcand lost his battle with cancer in November 2009. At least that's what his widow Sylvia hopes.

She has organized the first annual Ray Arcand Memorial Golf Tournament to be held in a few weeks. Arcand knows that her late husband was popular: there are already almost 50 teams signed up and she expects there will still be more to come.

"Ray was well-known across Canada," she began, adding that golf was a favourite pastime of his, among other sports. Even though he was born in RiviÈre Qui Barre, he was raised in Enoch, so it seemed appropriate to her that that's where the tournament should be held.

Ray was a 26-year police veteran but retired as a corporal with the RCMP in 2005 to become the chief of the Alexander First Nation. At the same time, he discovered that he had developed lung cancer despite being a non-smoker. Sylvia prefers to maintain an attitude of live and let live about that, however.

"Secondhand smoke is always some factor," she said. "I'm one that will never blame anything. If you get it, you get it."

Ray and Sylvia's marriage produced five children and lots of good memories. Sylvia thinks that this new event will be a great opportunity for many of his friends to share those memories while making some new ones.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go towards aboriginal youth sports equipment and programs.

Morinville autos ready and set to show and shine

It's that time of year when sunny Saturdays bring the classic cars out of the woodwork. Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines for this weekend's St. Jean Baptiste Festival and the third annual Morinville Show 'n Shine, sponsored by Bumper to Bumper/Home Hardware.

The popular event features 150 hot rods, custom cars, trucks, motorcycles and anything else with a motor. The store will also have free hot dogs to draw in the crowds and keep them happy.

For store staff, however, the event has a serious cause behind it. All proceeds will be given to the ALS Society of Alberta to help people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known better as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Karen Cust, the manager of the store, explained the purpose of the event.

"My sales manager … his dad had had ALS. We had a very good customer of ours pass away from that as well. It's close to us," she said.

Everyone who signs up will get a goodie bag for car lovers while the first 100 entrants will also receive commemorative dash plaques. There is no limit on the number of entries. Prizes will be given for the top entries as decided by the public.

"The winners are determined by vote … as opposed to having somebody walk around and judge vehicles," Cust said. "Ours is definitely for fun and we want to make sure that people understand that. It's a good thing. We try to support the town and just to get people out and have a good time."

Cust said that there would be door prizes for attendees too. More information about the beneficiary can be found at www.alsab.ca.