Page 24 - September 23, 2019
P. 24
PAGE 24 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
Howie Johnston teaches his last hunter training course
New approach aHracts 35 eager students: 'That was the largest class ever,'' Johnston
1
by Cassie Kushniruk
35 students from ages 9-57 were eager to
participate in Hunter Education instructor Howie
Johnston's final Alberta Conservation and Hunter
Education course on September 14-15.
In 1964, Johnston became one ofthe first
certified instructors for the Alberta Conservation
and Hunter Education course and is credited with
introducing the course into the high school
curriculum.
After 55 years of teaching the course, Johnston
has decided to retire in order to spend more time
with his loving wife of 60 years. However, he
was not about to leave before sharing his
expertise one last time with a classroom full of
students.
Although Johnston was initially hoping for 20
students to sign up for his final class, 35 students
from ages 9-57 showed up to the Pinedale Hall
for the course, pleased to have the opportunity to
learn from him. "That was the largest class ever,"
Johnston said.
Johnston mentioned that he was encouraged by
the class size and composition, which was
primarily made up of children. "Almost half of On September 14-15, Hunter Education instructor Howie Johnston taught his final Alberta Conservation
the students were 12 years old or younger. One and Hunter Education at the Pinedale Hall. 35 students participated in the course, the majority of who
little guy had yet to attain his 1oth birthday, but he were children. photo Cassie Kushniruk
will be 10 during the hunting season," said
Johnston. "The other half of the class was mixed; showed that the majority of students were 'very Problem Wildlife Specialist, who came to class
the oldest was 57 and they were scattered satisfied' with Johnston's teaching of the course, and shared both insights into the Bear Aware
through their teens." and many even commented that they would not program and insights into career information in
Given the complex composition of the class, change a thing about it. "I'm so excited by the the wildlife management sector from a woman's
Johnston decided to experiment with a new success that this extraordinary involvement perspective," Johnston added."We too are
approach to the hunter training course: "bring in brought in," said Johnston. appreciative of Mike Bagnell, Fish and Wildlife
others". "That room was made up of students and Johnston gave mentions to a few students that Officer, who fielded questions and helped build
guests of whom were willing to share their stood out to him during his final class, including and reinforce the attitude that we are all on the
knowledge, experience, and skills," said 13 year-old Hunter Miller whose demonstration same team, and that's the team ofwildlife
Johnston. "I feel this classroom approach that of voice-only elk bugling was a "sincere thrill", conservation."
involves guests and the involvement of student and 14 year-old Max Steffier who teamed up Johnston also thanked Eva, office manager for
participation is very productive, and were I to not with an 11 year-old student whose parents were the Edson Fish and Game Association, who has
be retiring, it's the model I would follow from unable to attend. "always been a central figure in making our
here on." Johnston thanked Yellowhead County for hunter education course possible".
The success of this new approach was not only sponsoring his final hunter training course, as Lastly, but certainly not least, Johnston gave
shown through students' marks -which well as manager of Pinedale Hall Cindy Wood mentions to his wife, Gail, whose patience and
averaged around 90%- but through class for enabling his students to work in a bright, encouragement has enabled him to teach this
evaluations the students filled out following the clean, spacious, and quiet space. course for 55 years.
completion of the course. These evaluations "We're also thankful for Julianna Damert,
~~----------~~-----------------------------------.
On September 13, Elizabeth Trapp #138 Order of the Eastern Star director
Janet Wilkinson, casino president Fiona Fowler, and member Eileen Claridge
(far right) presented a cheque for $1500 to Reflections Nutrition Coordinator
Michele Hickie (second to the right). "It fills a need in the community," said
Clardige on behalf of the Order of the Eastern Star. Currently, Edson
Reflections serves 400-500 meals a month three days a week, with snacks
put out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "The money will go to the nutrition
program because we need funding for that," said Hickie representing Edson
Reflections. "With addictions, they really need to get that food because it
helps with their medications." photo Cassie Kushniruk
An open house at the Edson Pioneer Cabin was held on September 15 for Alf
Weisser as he celebrated his 85th birthday. When asked what keeps him so Sept 26: The Red Brick presents Christine Hanson's
young, he replied, "/like to keep busy doing small jobs, staying active in the 'The Cremation of Sam McGee' in the Hatlen Theatre at 7 pm.
community, and with our family. We have two boys and two girls, five
grandkids, and three great grand kids so it's all a great reason to stay active." Contact the Red Brick at echored@telus.net or 780-723-3582
photo Deanna Mitchener for more info and to purchase tickets.
Howie Johnston teaches his last hunter training course
New approach aHracts 35 eager students: 'That was the largest class ever,'' Johnston
1
by Cassie Kushniruk
35 students from ages 9-57 were eager to
participate in Hunter Education instructor Howie
Johnston's final Alberta Conservation and Hunter
Education course on September 14-15.
In 1964, Johnston became one ofthe first
certified instructors for the Alberta Conservation
and Hunter Education course and is credited with
introducing the course into the high school
curriculum.
After 55 years of teaching the course, Johnston
has decided to retire in order to spend more time
with his loving wife of 60 years. However, he
was not about to leave before sharing his
expertise one last time with a classroom full of
students.
Although Johnston was initially hoping for 20
students to sign up for his final class, 35 students
from ages 9-57 showed up to the Pinedale Hall
for the course, pleased to have the opportunity to
learn from him. "That was the largest class ever,"
Johnston said.
Johnston mentioned that he was encouraged by
the class size and composition, which was
primarily made up of children. "Almost half of On September 14-15, Hunter Education instructor Howie Johnston taught his final Alberta Conservation
the students were 12 years old or younger. One and Hunter Education at the Pinedale Hall. 35 students participated in the course, the majority of who
little guy had yet to attain his 1oth birthday, but he were children. photo Cassie Kushniruk
will be 10 during the hunting season," said
Johnston. "The other half of the class was mixed; showed that the majority of students were 'very Problem Wildlife Specialist, who came to class
the oldest was 57 and they were scattered satisfied' with Johnston's teaching of the course, and shared both insights into the Bear Aware
through their teens." and many even commented that they would not program and insights into career information in
Given the complex composition of the class, change a thing about it. "I'm so excited by the the wildlife management sector from a woman's
Johnston decided to experiment with a new success that this extraordinary involvement perspective," Johnston added."We too are
approach to the hunter training course: "bring in brought in," said Johnston. appreciative of Mike Bagnell, Fish and Wildlife
others". "That room was made up of students and Johnston gave mentions to a few students that Officer, who fielded questions and helped build
guests of whom were willing to share their stood out to him during his final class, including and reinforce the attitude that we are all on the
knowledge, experience, and skills," said 13 year-old Hunter Miller whose demonstration same team, and that's the team ofwildlife
Johnston. "I feel this classroom approach that of voice-only elk bugling was a "sincere thrill", conservation."
involves guests and the involvement of student and 14 year-old Max Steffier who teamed up Johnston also thanked Eva, office manager for
participation is very productive, and were I to not with an 11 year-old student whose parents were the Edson Fish and Game Association, who has
be retiring, it's the model I would follow from unable to attend. "always been a central figure in making our
here on." Johnston thanked Yellowhead County for hunter education course possible".
The success of this new approach was not only sponsoring his final hunter training course, as Lastly, but certainly not least, Johnston gave
shown through students' marks -which well as manager of Pinedale Hall Cindy Wood mentions to his wife, Gail, whose patience and
averaged around 90%- but through class for enabling his students to work in a bright, encouragement has enabled him to teach this
evaluations the students filled out following the clean, spacious, and quiet space. course for 55 years.
completion of the course. These evaluations "We're also thankful for Julianna Damert,
~~----------~~-----------------------------------.
On September 13, Elizabeth Trapp #138 Order of the Eastern Star director
Janet Wilkinson, casino president Fiona Fowler, and member Eileen Claridge
(far right) presented a cheque for $1500 to Reflections Nutrition Coordinator
Michele Hickie (second to the right). "It fills a need in the community," said
Clardige on behalf of the Order of the Eastern Star. Currently, Edson
Reflections serves 400-500 meals a month three days a week, with snacks
put out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "The money will go to the nutrition
program because we need funding for that," said Hickie representing Edson
Reflections. "With addictions, they really need to get that food because it
helps with their medications." photo Cassie Kushniruk
An open house at the Edson Pioneer Cabin was held on September 15 for Alf
Weisser as he celebrated his 85th birthday. When asked what keeps him so Sept 26: The Red Brick presents Christine Hanson's
young, he replied, "/like to keep busy doing small jobs, staying active in the 'The Cremation of Sam McGee' in the Hatlen Theatre at 7 pm.
community, and with our family. We have two boys and two girls, five
grandkids, and three great grand kids so it's all a great reason to stay active." Contact the Red Brick at echored@telus.net or 780-723-3582
photo Deanna Mitchener for more info and to purchase tickets.
