Community
What is Calvin McCarty’s future with the Eskimos?
Time flies when you’re having fun, and Calvin McCarty has had great fun spending time on a football gridiron for a large part of every season since 1998. His enjoyment has continued since then at all levels of the Canadian game, including the Edmonton Eskimos, who drafted him in 2007, a fourth-rounder in the annual draft of university prospects.
But, as long established, time flies. Now, at the football-mature age of 36, the solid, thoughtful person waits with all CFL players for word on the potential start of what would become his 14th season as a valued and versatile Eskimo contributor. He is listed as a free agent, as much because of the Covid-19 delay as any other reason.
There has been no public comment since McCarty reached free agency but the Eskimos did not take a prospective fullback with any of their draft choices last week.
Carty was 14 when he stepped into the spotlight by setting all kinds of records as a Grade 8 student at St. Thomas More High School in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby, B.C. There, he played two positions, running back and linebacker, well enough to lead the Knights to the B.C. championship by collecting three touchdowns in a one-sided final victory.
One year later, by now a high school senior, McCarty’s standards climbed even higher. He switched from linebacker to defensive back while remaining dominant on the offensive side of the ball. At the end of the season, a close observer estimated the versatile young guy had collected more than 1,000 yards rushing.
One interesting aspect of the McCarty career is the time he spent at university: one season at Boise State and one at Reedley College, a school with about 10,000 students in California, before ending his scholasic career at Western Washington in the border community of Bellingham.
In every university situation, McCarty’s statistics were beyond the acceptable norm, but as a pro, his versatility has much exceeded his individual totals. He has been a persistent blocker, an able receiver and a forced on special teams, in addition to the running well as a tailback and fullback, especially in short-yardage situations.
In yardage gained, his best year was 2008, when he totalled more than 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. Since that prosperous second season, individual numbers have fallen. Injuries, of course, have been a big part of the reason. but by the end of last season he had compiled 1,615 yards as a runner and more than 2,000 yards on 263 catches through the air.
Will there be more this year? Time and roster competition and the pandemic will help to tell the story.
But one aspect of McCarty’s career remains indelible: he has been a consummate professional on the field and off. Few athletes in any sport have made commitments as large as his to his home community, St. Albert, and many surrounding centres.
When word first surfaced that McCarty’s active career might come to an end, his supporters smiled broadly at the realization he had scored two touchdowns against Saskatchewan – both on one-yard plunges – in what may have been his last career game.
The good news is two-fold: the Eskimos have said they hope to find a post-playing career position for him, perhaps as a coach. Whether he remains with the organization or not, he has committed to staying in and around Edmonton. The entire community will benefit.
Community
First Battle of Alberta this NHL season to bring big boost to Child Advocacy Centre!
From the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre
The Edmonton Oilers MEGA 50/50 is BACK in support of three amazing organizations
By purchasing your Oilers MEGA 50/50 tickets today, you’re helping to support the CACAC, along with Little Warriors and Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre .
Purchase before 1PM to be eligible for all 4 early bird prizes, including a $500 Esso card, 2 PCL Loge Arkells tickets for November 1, $1000 for Alberta Beef, and $10,000 CASH!
Early Bird draws!
Buy before 1:00 for $500 Esso card
Buy before 7:00 for 2 PCL Loge Arkells tickes
Buy before 7:30 for $1,000 Alberta Beef
Buy before 8:00 for $10,000 Cash!
THANK YOU EDMONTON OILERS!
Community
Winners announced for Red Deer Hospital Lottery
The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation has announced the winners of the 2024 Red Deer Hospital Lottery Dream Home and Tiny Home prize packages, as well as the Mega Bucks 50.
The Mega Bucks 50 jackpot reached $607,200.00, which makes Carolyn Pelerine of Cochrane, Alberta the winner of $303,600.00.
In addition, the luxurious Tree Hugger Tiny Home Prize Package, complete with accessories by Urban Barn and valued at $163,798.00, is now owned by Mary Vincent of Red Deer.
The coveted Sorento Dream Home Prize Package, which includes furnishings and accessories by Urban Barn and boasts a total value of $1,072,624.00, has been awarded to Maxine Rumohr of Sylvan Lake.
The highly anticipated draw took place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation office, located within the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, with an announcement following live on Facebook, allowing participants and supporters to join in the excitement virtually.
“We are delighted to congratulate the winners of this year’s Red Deer Hospital Lottery,” said Manon Therriault, Chief Executive Officer of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. “The funds raised from this lottery will significantly contribute to enhancing patient care and services at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated and supported this important cause.”
Proceeds from the Red Deer Hospital Lottery and Mega Bucks 50 will contribute to acquiring critically needed, state-of-the-art equipment for several units at the Red Deer Hospital.
This year’s lottery will fund equipment such as a phototherapy system, which allows 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 help provide excellent care for patients in the emergency and operating rooms at the Red Deer Hospital.
The winners of a variety of electronics were also drawn today. A full list of winners will be available in the coming days on the official lottery website at reddeerhospitallottery.ca. Prize winners who have not already been notified will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to claim their prizes.
The keys to the Sorento Dream Home and the Tree Hugger Tiny Home will be presented to the winners at a special ceremony this summer.
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