Pipestone Flyer
Blaine Calkins and Ellen Wilson wife of Bill Wilson founder of the Alberta Central Railway Museum, converse near the end of the MP's annual Christmas Open House.
Blaine Calkins, the Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin, held his annual Open House at his Constituency Office in Ponoka during the week before Christmas. As usual, it was well attended by people coming from many areas of the constituency, from Lacombe, Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, and from the farms, towns, and villages east and west, north and south. There were seniors and younger people, municipal and provincial politicians, farmers, business people, professionals, an excellent cross-section of the population Calkins represents. Calkins made sure that he greeted each one, giving his full attention to each conversation, and we may be sure that he will remember far more of those conversations than you or I would.
The office was tastefully decorated, complete with Christmas tree. There were the usual delicious snacks and treats, and hot spiced apple cider along with the coffee and tea. The inner room with the conference table is used for refreshments, providing the opportunity to sit down and chat while nibbling. Calkins wife, Barbara, along with his regular office staff, were also very welcoming and friendly, making sure that everyone found the refreshments, chatting with many, making the atmosphere very pleasant for all.
It may be noted that Blaine Calkins is always very approachable. Whenever he is home from his duties in Ottawa, he is out and about, attending as many functions throughout the constituency as he can fit in, and prepared to listen to all of us.