Queens and kings hit the field
In a ballgame like no other, drag queens and kings will face off against players from the Jasper Softball League, Sept. 7, in the annual Emily Morgan Celebration Softball Tournament.
The event was created eight years ago by Mychol Ormandy, Jasper’s only “female impersonator.” Emily Morgan is his niece; she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and received a double lung transplant at the age of nine. Five years later, at the age of 14, Morgan became sick and died.
To keep her memory alive and to ensure other families have the support they need when their kids are sick, the Emily Morgan Foundation was created, and each year fundraisers are held to keep it afloat.
The softball game is Ormandy’s contribution.
“It’s not to be missed,” he said with a devilish grin. “We have some tricks up our skirts.”
The game begins at 11 a.m. at Centennial Park and will include a number of twists—everything from frying pans as bats to handbags as mitts. The game carries on until 5 p.m. and shortly after the party will move to the Jasper Legion where there is a silent auction and live entertainment.
Donations will be accepted at the door.
Provincial grant for folk fest
The Jasper Folk Music Festival got a big financial boost Sept. 2, in the form of a $20,000 grant from the Alberta Community Initiatives Program.
West Yellowhead MLA Robin Campbell was in Jasper Tuesday morning to present the check, and he expressed his pleasure at the opportunity to help the local event.
“We’re happy to help out with the Jasper Folk Festival. Hopefully it’s a big success. It brings a lot of people into town, so it’s not only good music, but it’s good for the community,” he said.
Festival committee chair Cristin Murphy was all smiles as she accepted the check from Campbell.
“We feel very fortunate. We’re a small festival, and this money goes a long way.”
The Alberta Community Initiatives Program is a government program that funds initiatives that enhance and enrich communities throughout Alberta, using revenue from provincial lotteries. The Jasper Folk Music Festival will run from Sept.12-14 this year, in Jasper’s Centennial Park.
Parking restricted during sidewalk project
The Caribou Creek Co-ops are in for some new sidewalks, with construction set to begin this week.
During construction, which is expected to take place until the end of September, parking will be limited, with parking on the north side of Bonhomme Street being prohibit for the duration of the project.
Accommodations will be made in the evenings and on weekends, when possible.
For more information, residents in the area are encouraged to contact the municipality’s operations department at 780-852-3040.
