First youth film festival a success 

The first ever Jasper Youth Film Festival was a huge success on May 6 – prompting the call for another edition for next year. 

Molly Lalonde-Lynch says there were 85 votes cast at the festival to chose the two winners. 

“It went really well,” she said.

The first place film was Charge, a skiing movie created by a group of Grade 7 boys. In second place was one of Jasper Elementary School’s entries, The Squirrel that got Stuck on Mars.

Organizers were surprised by the turnout, that included parents and students who came out to see the film submissions. The Jasper Jr./Sr High School Action Club held a fundraiser where they sold drinks and popcorn. The final tally raised has yet to be counted, but Lalonde-Lynch said they will be contributing the funds to a worthy cause. 

With the great success, Lalonde-Lynch said they would love to host the event again next year. 

“We definitely would like to do it again. We told them to start making their movies for next year already,” she laughed. 

SPCA assists Slave Lake dogs

The Hinton SPCA is getting four canine evacuees from Slave Lake. The SPCA is working with the Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS) to assist in relocating the four dogs that need new homes. With the addition of their new friends there will be 20 SPCA dogs on site.

“Even though we have a new facility we are being pushed for space,” says Hinton SPCA vice president Cathy Thomas. “If you know of someone interested in adopting a dog, please send them down to visit us.”

Anyone who would like to help is encouraged to donate bags of Pedigree dry dog food or Pedigree puppy food. The SPCA would also appreciate the donation of blankets, and dog walkers are also welcome.

Hinton School of Dance wraps up year

The Hinton School of Dance is celebrating the season with its annual year-end recital on May 30 and 31. 

Tanya Shemanski, teacher at the school, said the recital will include children up to adults performing a variety of different dances. All of the performances have been choreographed by local teachers. 

The ages range from three to 18, to adults. There will be two styles of ballet; Rad and Cecchetti. Other dance styles include jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, pointe, contemporary, song and dance and Irish. 

Usually the solos and duets are held as a separate event but this year the school has combined them to allow more spectators to take in both events at the same time. 

“This will give them an opportunity to see just what our girls are capable of doing,” Shemanski said. 

The recital is held every year at the end of May, and marks the end of the year for dance classes at the school. Shemanski said they will be having an August dance camp this year, and hopes to have an arts-oriented camp as well, in July. 

The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the show set to start at 6 p.m.