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Red Deer

2024 Hospital Lottery presents major prizes

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4 minute read

Officials from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation have presented the top prize for the 2024 Red Deer Hospital Lottery.

The Grand Prize Dream Home package is valued at $1,072,624, including furnishings by Urban Barn. The key was presented to the winner, Maxine Rumohr of Sylvan Lake.

When informed that she was the grand prize winner, Rumohr said winning the home is a “dream come true.”

“This is a nice dream that I hope I don’t wake up from,” said Rumohr when she heard the news.

The bungalow by Sorento Custom Homes features 2,796 sq ft of finished living space and has four bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a large, covered deck with vaulted ceilings. Among its features are a large primary suite with ensuite and soaking tub, a basement entertainment area, a walk-in butler’s pantry, main floor laundry, and a stone clad gas
fireplace.

Manon Therriault, Foundation CEO, expressed appreciation at the prize presentation. “We are incredibly grateful to the hardworking team at Sorento Custom Homes for bringing us a truly breathtaking Dream Home again this year,” Therriault said, speaking of the Red Deer Hospital Lottery’s biggest supporter. “Enormous thanks as well to our dedicated volunteers. All of Central Alberta benefits from the dedication of this tireless group of individuals who give so generously of their time each year.”

This year’s proceeds from the Hospital Lottery and Mega Bucks 50 will provide funding for critically needed equipment for several units at Red Deer Hospital.

Other prize winners present included Carolyn Pelerine of Cochrane, Alberta, who walked away with the $303,600 Mega Bucks 50 prize, as well as the winner of the Tree Hugger Tiny Home prize package valued at $163,798, Mary Vincent of Red Deer.

Red Deer Hospital Lottery 2024 Winners Fact Sheet

– 26th year of the lottery
– Built by award-winning Sorento Custom Homes
– Valued at $1,072,624
– Located at 16 Emmett Crescent, Red Deer
– Bungalow with 2,796 square feet of finished living space, four bedrooms, 2.5 baths
– Winner: Maxine Rumohr of Sylvan Lake, Alberta

Tree Hugger Tiny Home Prize – (includes accessories from Urban Barn)
– Valued at $163,798
– Winner: Mary Vincent of Red Deer, Alberta

Mega Bucks 50
– 50/50 raffle – Total jackpot of $607,200
– Winner of $303,600: Carolyn Pelerine of Cochrane, Alberta

Early Bird Prize
– $20,000 CASH
– Drawn May 16, 2024 at 2:00 pm
– Winner: Frieda Doz of Edmonton, Alberta

Second Chance Early Bird Draw
– $10,000 CASH
– Drawn June 6, 2024 at 2:00 pm
– Winner: Wendy Howe of Castor, Alberta

Additional Prizes
– Total value of all prizes was over $1.29 million, including dream home and tiny home
– Prizes included
o Cuisinart air fryer and Barista coffee maker (6), GoPro HERO 12 (5), Asus Vivobook Flip 14” laptop (10), DJI Mini 2SE Drone Flycam (4), Dyson V8 cordless stick vacuum (10), Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC power bank (5)

Proceeds
– Proceeds from Red Deer Hospital Lottery and Mega Bucks 50 contribute to acquiring critically needed, state-of-the-art equipment in several units at the Red Deer Hospital. This year’s lottery will fund equipment like a phototherapy system to allow parents to hold and soothe their infant while undergoing phototherapy, a cardiology case cart to monitor cardiac rhythms during stress testing, and other equipment to provide excellent care for patients at the Red Deer Hospital.

About Red Deer Regional Health Foundation

The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation is a fundraising organization for Alberta Health Services Central Zone, with a mandate to raise and disburse funds for programs, services, and the purchase of medical equipment.

Alberta

CBC watchdog accuses outlet of biased coverage of Catholic school trustee opposing LGBT agenda

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Former Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools trustee Monique LaGrange

From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

The rebuke of the CBC comes in response to a September 2023 story the outlet published about Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools trustee Monique LaGrange, whose job was threatened for opposing gender ideology on social media.

The watchdog for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has ruled that the state-funded outlet expressed a “blatant lack of balance” in its covering of a Catholic school trustee who opposed the LGBT agenda being foisted on children.

“The article violated the principle of balance outlined in CBC’s Journalistic Standards And Practices,” CBC Ombudswoman Maxime Bertrand wrote, according to a January 29 article by Blacklock’s Reporter.

 

Bertrand added that the CBC’s coverage of the story provided “a perspective that can only be described as one-sided.”  

Bertrand’s rebuke of the CBC comes in response to a September 2023 story the outlet published about Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools trustee Monique LaGrange. LaGrange faced dismissal from her post for sharing to social media an image showing kids in Nazi Germany waving swastika flags during a parade alongside a photo depicting modern-day children waving pro-LGBT “Pride” flags. Under the images read the text, “Brainwashing is brainwashing.”  

After her post went viral, calls for her to step down grew from leftist Alberta politicians and others. This culminated in her removal as director of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA). It is worth noting that the Catholic Church infallibly condemns the precepts of gender ideology and the pro-LGBT agenda, including homosexual acts and transgenderism. 

In their coverage, the CBC interviewed the school board chair, the provincial minister of education, the Central Alberta Pride Society and president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, all of whom viewed her post as “repugnant.”  

However, Bertrand pointed out that the CBC failed to interview anyone in support of LaGrange, saying, “Sources offered only criticism of LaGrange with no one from the opposing side to defend her.” 

At the time, Campaign Life Coalition had written extensive articles praising LaGrange’s brave statement and calling on Canadians to support her.  

The CBC’s lack of fairness was not lost on its readers, as ratepayers submitted 31 pages’ worth of emails in support of the trustee, Blacklock’s reported.

Stephanie Coombs, director of journalism at CBC Edmonton, admitted that the network failed in their coverage of the incident, saying, “We could and should have dug deeper to determine what submissions had been made.” 

“I absolutely agree there is valuable key context worth discussing about the challenges many faith-based educational institutions face when reconciling religious doctrine with LGBTQ inclusive policies,” said Coombs. “Ms. LaGrange’s case is not an isolated incident.” 

While the CBC was called out in this case, there have been multiple instances of the outlet pushing what appears to be ideological content, including the creation of pro-LGBT material for kids, tacitly endorsing the gender mutilation of children, promoting euthanasia, and even seeming to justify the burning of mostly Catholic churches throughout the country. 

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Business

Peavey Mart confirms all 90 stores will be closing

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From Retail Insider

 
Sources have confirmed to Retail Insider that Peavey Mart, a Canadian retail chain known for its agricultural supplies, hardware, and home improvement products, is closing all of its stores nationwide. Liquidation sales began on the weekend. The store closures include the flagship location in Red Deer, Alberta, where the company’s headquarters are also based. This marks a significant and surprising turn of events for a company with deep roots in Canadian retail, dating back to its establishment in Winnipeg in 1967.

(Update: Peavey Industries confirmed store closures on Monday evening in a press release)

A Legacy of Growth and Acquisitions

Peavey Mart has long been a staple for rural and small-town communities, catering to farmers, ranchers, and homeowners. Over the years, the company expanded from its Western Canada base into Ontario and other regions, particularly following its acquisition of TSC Stores in 2016. That move helped establish Peavey Mart as a household name in Ontario, diversifying its reach and bolstering its product offerings. It was also a huge expense.

In 2020, the company further broadened its scope by acquiring the Canadian master license for Ace Hardware from Lowe’s-owned RONA Inc., adding 107 Ace Hardware locations to its portfolio. This strategic acquisition was part of Peavey Industries’ efforts to compete in the hardware and home improvement sector against larger rivals like Home Depot and Canadian Tire.

However, Peavey’s relationship with Ace Hardware International came to an end in 2024, following the announcement that the partnership would cease on December 31, 2024. This decision marked a turning point for the company, forcing it to refocus on its Peavey Mart and MainStreet Hardware brands.

Financial Struggles and Early Signs of Trouble

Last week, Peavey Industries announced plans to shutter 22 underperforming Peavey Mart locations in Ontario and Nova Scotia by the end of April. At the time, the closures were presented as part of an organizational restructuring aimed at stabilizing the business and positioning it for future growth.

Doug Anderson, President and CEO of Peavey Industries, addressed the challenges in a previous statement:

“The Canadian retail environment has undergone significant disruptions in recent years, and Peavey has not been immune to these challenges. These closures are a challenging yet necessary step to stabilize and position our business for future growth.”

Despite these efforts, it now appears the company’s financial difficulties have proven insurmountable, leading to the closure of all 90+ stores across Canada.

Liquidation signs at Peavey Mart’s Red Deer store on Saturday, January 25. Photo: Joel Graham via Facebook

Financing and Restructuring Efforts Fall Short

In its bid to remain viable, Peavey Industries had secured a CAD $155 million financing package from Gordon Brothers. The package included a $105 million revolving credit facility, a $30 million term loan, and a $20 million consignment program. This financial injection was intended to facilitate restructuring efforts, support ongoing operations, and provide a lifeline to the struggling retailer.

Additionally, Peavey Industries collaborated with Gordon Brothers to ensure a smooth transition for affected employees and communities. However, these measures were ultimately insufficient to save the business.

Impact on Communities and Employees

The closure of Peavey Mart will leave a significant void in the Canadian retail landscape, particularly in rural and small-town markets where the chain has long been a trusted resource for agricultural and home improvement needs. The closures are also a major blow to the company’s workforce across the country.

While Peavey Industries initially expressed a commitment to supporting its employees during the transition, the abrupt announcement of a full shutdown leaves many workers and communities grappling with uncertainty.

Image: Peavey Mart
Image: Peavey Mart

A message from the Peace River Manager

In a heartfelt statement shared on Facebook, the manager of the Peace River, Alberta, Peavey Mart location expressed regret about the closures. The post sheds light on the situation and offers a glimpse into the company’s struggles over recent years. The manager wrote:

“Peace River Community,

It is with regret that I inform you of the upcoming closure of Peace River Peavey Mart, along with all other Peavey Mart locations across Canada. While many details are being kept confidential, I will keep you updated as we receive more information from the corporate team. At this time, I do not have a time frame; my best guess is 3 to 6 months.

Until an official statement is released by the company, I can only offer my personal perspective on the situation. Since 2016, Peavey Mart has expanded rapidly, acquiring over 70 stores in Eastern Canada, opening new stores, and acquiring several other businesses. However, growth was met with challenges, including a decline in business levels and rising interest rates. Unfortunately, many of the acquired stores did not prove profitable, and the company’s efforts to adjust did not have the desired results.

As a last resort, Peavey partnered with Gordon Brothers, an American investment firm, which I believe now holds a majority stake in the company and are making all decisions going forward. It appears the current plan may be to liquidate and close all locations, with potential rebranding, though which stores will remain open is still uncertain.

Please note that this is my personal opinion, and I am sharing it to help clarify the situation for our valued customers. I kindly ask that you direct any concerns toward our corporate offices, as these decisions are beyond the control of the staff here in the store.

We have worked diligently to serve you, and we appreciate your understanding during this time. It’s difficult to come to terms with the closure of so many profitable locations in Western Canada, with Peace River being one of the most notable. The Peace River location recently achieved top sales growth company-wide, consistently delivering a healthy profit despite Peavey’s constant inventory challenges.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of our customers. It has been a pleasure serving the Peace River community, and I will miss it when our time here comes to an end. If you have any questions, please feel free to visit the store, and I will do my best to provide answers. At the current moment, the company has told us they are not ready to make a statement yet.”

Update: Press Release from Peavey Industries

Peavey Industries confirmed Monday evening that all Peavey Mart stores will be closing. The following is the press release that was forwarded by email to Canadian media sources:

Red Deer, Alberta – January 27, 2025 – Peavey Industries LP (“Peavey” or “the Company”), Canada’s largest farm and ranch retail chain, announced today that it has sought and obtained an Initial Order for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) from the Court of King’s Bench Alberta.

Following the recently announced closures of 22 stores in Ontario and Nova Scotia, the Company will now begin store closing sales at all remaining locations across Canada. This includes 90 Peavey Mart stores and six MainStreet Hardware locations. The closures and liquidation efforts will commence immediately.

The decision to seek creditor protection and close all stores was made after thorough evaluation of available options, in consultation with legal and financial advisors. The Canadian retail industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges, including record-low consumer confidence, inflationary pressures, rising operating costs, and ongoing supply disruptions along with a difficult regulatory environment. These factors have created significant obstacles for businesses like Peavey.

“This was a profoundly difficult decision, but one that allows us to explore the best possible alternatives for the future of the Company,” said Doug Anderson, President and CEO of Peavey Industries LP. “For nearly six decades, our customers’ loyalty, employees’ dedication, and the resilience of the communities we serve have been the cornerstone of our business. We remain focused on working with our partners and stakeholders to preserve the Peavey brand and the value it represents.”

The Company’s immediate priority is to generate liquidity through the closure process while continuing to work with funders, partners, and stakeholders to explore potential opportunities to preserve the brand.

Peavey Industries LP is committed to providing regular updates as the situation develops.”

Craig Patterson
Craig Patterson
Located in Toronto, Craig is the Publisher & CEO of Retail Insider Media Ltd. He is also a retail analyst and consultant, Advisor at the University of Alberta School Centre for Cities and Communities in Edmonton, former lawyer and a public speaker. He has studied the Canadian retail landscape for over 25 years and he holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws Degrees.
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