Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

As we prepare to enter another holiday season we’re once again reminded about the uncompromising value of shopping locally within the Smoky River. With that in mind, we’re introducing a fun and festive contest here at the Express for the month of December which encourages area residents to stay put and spend their hard-earned money locally during holiday season. Here’s how it works. The contest, commencing on Dec. 3 and running through until Dec. 18, involves the participation of 10 local businesses in Falher which have generously agreed to donate various prizes to this promotion. Residents are encouraged to drop by any one of these participating businesses and pick up an official entry form which includes photos of 10 sets of eyes and the names of the 10 businesses. Individuals entering the contest must be 18 years of age older and are required to correctly identify the name of employer/employee and the corresponding business name by filling in their answers on the entry form. All forms must be submitted to the Smoky River Express office located on Main Street in Falher by 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 to be eligible to win the holiday gift basket. The draw for the gift basket will be made at the Express office on Friday, Dec. 19 with the winner’s name being published in the Dec. 24th edition of the Express. Completed forms must include your name, address and telephone number and can be forwarded to our office either by dropping them off, by fax (780-837-2102) or by mail (Smoky River Express, Box 644, Falher, AB, T0H 1M0). Participating businesses They include: Falher IDA Pharmacy, The Dollar Store, Falher IGA, Falher Holdings Ltd., Cuttin’ Coral, Bad Spirit Design, The Source, Falher Co-op, A&M Confectionary, True Value Hardware/Shot ‘n’ Framed. I encourage all residents to support local stores and restaurants during the holiday season instead of giving it to the large retail chain stores located outside of the region in urban areas. Our businesses deserve more than a drive-by glance this holiday shopping season, especially when you consider how their services translate into positive contributions for the local and regional economy. Businesses in the Falher and the Smoky River region represent an integral life-line for all of us by providing the critical pulse needed to ensure our communities remains alive and prosperous. We depend upon each of them to help meet all of our daily needs, regardless of whether it’s groceries, automotive products and services, appliances, clothing, electronics or hardware goods. The list goes on and on. What these same businesses provide us with in terms of material goods and necessities is equally matched by what they give back to our communities in the form of timely support. This is achieved in a number of capacities, including serving on our municipal councils, being involved with the local chamber of commerce, volunteering for various community-based non-profit groups and recreational organizations, in addition to supporting local and regional functions/initiatives. By giving back and spending our dollars locally we will help to ensure this valuable life-line remains in tact and strong for the benefit of all of us and future generations to come. Happy shopping and don’t forget to pick up your contest entry form from any one of the 10 participating businesses in Falher.

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