Walter Gretzky, the world’s most famous hockey dad, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease

The diagnosis comes about two years after a tremor in Gretzky’s left hand prompted a visit to his doctor.

Parkinson’s disease kills dopamine-generating cells in the brain, which causes shaking and, later, difficulty with walking as well as cognitive problems.

La Crete Loggers and Truckers Hockey Tournament raps up for another season.

Congratulations to the La Crete Cougars who were sponsored by Bell for winning the A side final game against the Neufeld Petroleum team.

It was a great tournament with record breaking number of teams entered.

According to Henry Froese, $115,000.00 was raised, with approximately $20,000.00 coming off that number for expenses which included the Honda Quad won by Hutch Metakat-Yah and the youth Polaris Razor won by Dave Wiebe. Hutch and Dave are both from the La Crete area.

All proceeds are going to the La Crete Recreation Society and the La Crete Municipal Nursing Association. The winning team gets bragging rights for the Year!

Thanks again to all the sponsors who were involved and generously donated towards the prizes.

Thank you also to Chad Friesen and Henry Froese along with many other volunteers for all our hard work in organizing this very successful Hockey Tournament!

2nd place- Neufeld Petroleum

The tenth annual Hoop Classics event was held at La Crete Public School February 3-4. The tournament featured both male and female teams in the surrounding area. Games were also held in the Buffalo Head Prairie School and the Ridgeview Central School gyms, as there were many games to play. Day 1 of the tournament consisted of only Round Robin games, but also concluded with a skills competition which featured several categories, in which select players from each team were able to participate if they opted to.

The 2^nd day of the tournament saw the Round Robin section come to an end, and the playoffs begin. After a day of tough competition, the La Crete Lancers managed to come out of the 10^th Annual Hoop Classics tournament victorious in both male and female categories, also overcoming the Glenmary Saints each time. The Lancer girls won their game 63-45, while the boys won a nail biter 71-57. In 3^rd place for the girls were the Peace High Nomads, while the Yellowknife Eagles took home bronze for the boys.

-Kevin Neufeld

Looking to build some Company Team Spirit! How about a Company Curling team? We have 2 more openings for curling teams for Monday night. Non- Competitive, 100% pure fun and you get out of the house and some exercise.

Call Terry 928-3337 or 841-1743 to register a team or for more information.

Yesterday at nine o’clock, the 2011 Alberta Volleyball Provincials kicked off with a spirited opening ceremony held in the La Crete Public School gym. All the teams in attendance at the time were given a warm welcome by the student-packed gymnasium, and the first game of the tournament followed afterwards.

In attendance were the top teams from all the school zones in Alberta; the West Island Wolves from Calgary, the Strathcona Eagles from Sherwood park, Assumption Crusaders from Cold Lake, Picture Butte Kings, Grand Trunk Grizzlies from Evansburg, and Peace River Nomads round out the Black Pool of the tournament.  The White Pool consisted of F.P. Walshe Flyers from Fort Macleod, St. Joseph Saints from Whitecourt, Central Alberta Christian Knights from Lacombe, Prairie Sabres from Three Hills, J.H. Picard Pumas from Edmonton, and the hometown La Crete Lancers.

At the end of Day 2 of the tournament, the Peace River Nomads share first place with the Assumption Crusaders in the Black Pool without a blemish on their record, each winning all four of their games. They will be going head to head tomorrow morning, and the winner will automatically advance to the Semi-Finals. The loser however, will have to play in the Quarterfinals against the team that finishes in third place, which is currently held by the Picture Butte Kings, who have balanced both wins and losses at a pair apiece.

In the White pool, the Prairie Christian Academy Sabres have gone unbeaten in the tournament, thus earning themselves the number one spot so far. Behind them are the F.P. Walshe Flyers, who have a record of three wins, one loss. The La Crete Lancers are also tied for third place with the St. Joseph Saints, both teams winning two games and losing two games. All teams will play one more regular scheduled game, which will decide the final standings for each. However, if any team(s) finish tied with another team in their pool, there will be a tiebreaker game between the two teams.

The Lancers will play at 10:15 am tomorrow morning, and will most likely need a win in order to have a shot at making the playoffs, which are scheduled to start at 1:30. The Bronze medal match will be played at 5:15, with the Gold Medal game following at 6:30. Come and support your local team!

-Kevin Neufeld

Curling season is just around the corner. Time to brush off those curling shoes and dig those brooms out. Here is what we have planned for the this season.

Monday Night Open league.

Get your friends, family or a team from work together for a night out, to enjoy some exercise and some fun curling. Nothing serious about this league, just some plain old curling, with a whole lot of fun thrown in.

- Registration fee – $300.00 per team.

Thursday Night Competitive League

This year’s Thursdays Night Competitive League is back . If you have that competitive edge this is the night for you.

- Registration fee – $300.00 per team.

Junior Curling

Every Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, Ages 10 to 16. Just make sure your kids bring clean in door shoes.  All other equipment is supplied. Best of all its FREE and we will teach your kids how to curl. More information call Terry Tosh 928-3649 (home) or 928- 3337 (work)

Starts in Dec.

Friday Night Fun Curling

Our Plans are to hold some Friday night Fun curling where you just show up and we will make up some teams. Bring all your friends or family and make an evening out of it. Cost is $5.00 per person.

Other Information

Never curled before or it has been a while, call for a FREE curling lesson for yourself or your team. Call Terry Tosh 928-3649 (home) 928- 3337 (work)

To register your team or if you want to sign up to be put on a team or need more information , please call Dave Fehr  841- 2889 or 928-3989 or Terry Tosh 928-3649 or 928- 3337