My first official duty as your Mayor was to represent you in Gretna at the Remembrance Day Service on November 11th. Our schools have commemorated this day all the years that I was in the educational field, but that has never been as meaningful to me as this last service was. To sit with the current veterans and pay homage to the fallen soldiers of the wars and to hear Pastor Rudy Franz call for alternative ways of solving disagreements was touching and very meaningful to me. Let us never forget these veterans and their fallen comrades. 

That same week Olly Penner and Ted Friesen were the recipients of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award and as a Town we were asked to speak on their involvement in our community. Both Olly and Ted have distinguished themselves as volunteers in the “Arts” scene in Altona over their lifetime and as a community we are certainly enriched because of them. Elmer Hildebrand, Chief Executive Officer of Golden West Broadcasting was also recognized for his long service to the community at an earlier ceremony at Government House by Lieutenant Governor Peter Liba. The Town extends its congratulations and appreciation to all three of you. 

Our Altona Night of Lights was held on Friday, November 22nd with Grace Braun spearheading this event. After a colorful parade, carols around a fire, the tree lighting and some hot chocolate, Altona could officially say that the Christmas season has begun.

It was also my privilege to welcome our Governor General, Her Excellency Adrienne Clarkson and Altona native Mr. Eric Friesen to our Town. They chose Altona and the Altona Bergthaler Church to be the venue in which they produced their annual Christmas Concert for presentation on C.B.C. on Christmas Day at 8:00 p.m. In her comments to the audience Ms Clarkson stated that “I have come to realize that it is the small cities and towns of the nation that express the soul of the country”. As a Town we were indeed honoured to host this event with the Southern Manitoba Concert series and we want to thank Mr. Allan Giesbrecht (chairman of the Concert Series) and his executive for their dedicated work and involvement in making this event so successful. 

On behalf of my fellow Council members and Town Staff, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Peace Filled New Year!

Mayor Mel Klassen 

The Town of Altona Administration Office will be:
Closing at 2:00 p.m. on December 24th 
Closed on December 25th, 26th & 27th 
Closing at 2:00 p.m. on December 31st, 2002
Closed January 1st, 2003

The Staff would like to wish everyone

Merry Christmas! 
&
A Happy New Year! 

Administration & Recreation Staff

The Public Works Office will be 
Closing at 2:00 p.m. on December 24th, 
Closed on December 25th, 26th & 27th
Closing at 2:00 p.m. on December 31st
Closed on January 1st, 2003.

Seasons Greeting from the staff at the 
Public Works Department

WHEN YOU SEE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE
FIRE - POLICE - AMBULANCE 

Emergency vehicles have the right of way when their emergency lights and sirens are activated. The Highway Traffic Act states that both lanes of traffic, not separated by a medium must:

"Yield the right of way by immediately moving your vehicle to the right side of the road staying clear of intersections. STOP and remain STOPPED until all emergency vehicles have passed"

Help us to help others, pull to the right and stop. This message brought to you by:

Altona Police Service
Central Regional Health Authority,
Altona Ambulance Service
Altona/Rhineland Emergency Services

All the Members of the 
Altona/Rhineland Fire
Department would like to wish everyone a 
Safe and Merry Christmas & a Joyous New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
ALTONA POLICE SERVICE

To avoid possible break and enter at your home, when buying expensive 
Christmas gifts such as home theatre systems, portable stereos, etc. 
DON’T place the cartons for disposal in plain view.

The Altona Police Service will be conducting Impaired 
Driving road checks. With the festive season here. 
PLEASE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE. 

DECEMBER HOURS

Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m.– 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 
10 a.m.—5:30 p.m.
December 24th & December 31st
10 a.m.—3 p.m.
CLOSED
December 25th, 26th & January 1st 

Join us for some
“Christmas Cheer”
At the Altona Library 
December 18th from
10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Presenting 
W.C. Miller Collegiate Chamber Choir 

Led by Mr. Kevin Neufeld Singing all your favorite Christmas Carols!
Performance is at 2:30 p.m.
Hot cider, coffee and cookies will be served!

Please bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Altona Food Bank

HOLIDAY PUBLIC SAKTING HOURS AT THE 
SUNFLOWER GARDENS ARENA

Monday, December 23rd from 1 - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24th from 1 - 2 p.m.
CLOSED CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAY
Friday, December 27th from 1 - 2 p.m. & 7 - 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 29th from 1 - 3 p.m.
Monday, December 30th from 1 - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 31st from 1 - 2 p.m.
CLOSED NEW YEARS DAY
Thursday, January 2nd, 2003 from 1 - 2 p.m.
Friday, January 3rd, 2003 1 - 2 p.m. & 7—8 p.m.
Cancelled on Sunday, January 5th, 2003
for tournament
Preschool skating December 23rd &
30th from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. 
Seniors Skating December 24th, 31st & 
January 2nd from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. 

THANK YOU to our public skating sponsors:

Altona Elks B.P.O. # 447, Four Winds Motel & Restaurant, 
Emerald Restaurant and McDonald’s Restaurant.

Checkout the full arena schedule, Senior and other Rec. Programs on the 
Rec. Department Website.

Altona Winter Carnival

Will be held on February 1st, 2003. (Weather permitting)

Some of the events you can look forward to are:

Horse & Sleigh/Wagon Rides
Snow Sculpture Competition
Cardboard Toboggan Races
Hockey
Hot Dogs & Hot Chocolate around an open fire
Tire Sliding on the pond
Candlelight walk in the park.

And more!

COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM CALENDARS

We still have a few communities in bloom calendars left. They make a perfect gift for teachers, friends and family. You can purchase your calendars at the Altona Town office, Friesens bookstore in the Altona Mall or from Grace Braun, John Martens, Liz Cole and Bill Loewen. At only $12.00 a each they make a great gift and proceeds will go towards a 2003 communities in bloom project.