ONLINE EDITION

Welcome to the online edition of the Central Alberta Coffee News!

Jan 5th, 2026

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Trophy Loft ad. Promotional Items. trophyloft.com.

“News To Be Enjoyed Over Coffee”

Delivering Smiles Since 1988

Everybody’s Talking

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Winning family:
A family that lives near Bergen in Norway has beat all odds when it comes to winning lotteries. Three members of the Oksnes clan have struck it rich in their country’s national lottery. First, father Leif held a lucky ticket a few years ago that yielded €554,000 ($753,000 US). Then, daughter Hege Jeanette netted €1.1 million ($1.5 million US) to add to the kitty. Finally, son Tord took a shot at the prize, and he won €1.6 million ($2.2 million US). Rather than selecting “lucky” numbers, they used the numbers supplied by the lottery machine. The family has not changed its lifestyle, but allowed themselves a few treats after winning.

Bird man:
A Nepalese man has an amazing talent – he is able to imitate the sounds of over 250 types of birds. For several years, Gautam Sapkota has been putting on demonstrations at schools and at other community celebrations. His demonstrations make people stop in awe. For example, he is able to make a cawing sound that will literally attract hundreds of crows come to the location to sit on tree branches and rooftops. Sapkota can then imitate another crow sound and the birds will fly away. The goal of this bird caller is to ensure that the sounds of birds are on record in case certain kinds become extinct.

Speed trap:
Getting caught in a speed trap by a van equipped with a camera may raise the ire of most people, but if it happens, you may as well just pay the fine and be done with it. That is what a man in Ellicott City in Maryland (US) should have done. After being the recipient of two speed camera tickets, the man thought it would be a good idea to retaliate at authorities. While driving by the van, he used a sling shot to fire marbles at the speed van and its camera. The officer in the van got a licence number and the driver was arrested and charged with assault. Bet those speeding tickets don’t look so bad now!

Australia’s “Nessie”:
Visitors to a beach on Magnetic Island, located eight kilometres off the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, claim to have seen a weird looking creature that they think might be a relative of Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster. The creature appeared to have a curved, serpent-like neck that stuck out of the water. However, biologists who viewed the photos dismissed the claims, indicating that the object in the water was most likely a big branch or even a boat. Despite the two views of the situation, the sighting caused a bit of commotion among people living and vacationing in the area, making people wonder if there really is such a thing as a “Nessie.”

Quotable Quotes

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“Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.”
– Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.
It is what difference we have made to the lives of others
that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
– Nelson Mandela

Trivia

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A tuning fork is made out of copper, aluminum or steel?
What is a group of turtles called?
What is so delicate that saying its name breaks it?
In the comic strip “Blondie,” what is the name of Dagwood’s dog?
The Hindenburg exploded in Lakehurst, NJ (US) in 1928, 1935 or 1937?

▼ Trivia answers at the bottom of the page! ▼

What’s Happening

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January 2026

Red Deer North & Red Deer South

Ukrainian New Year Tea Party
Date & Time: Saturday, January 10, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Location: Red Deer Public Library – Dawe Branch, 56 Holt Street, Red Deer
Details: Celebrate Ukrainian New Year traditions with carols, festive costumes inspired by folk characters, and posivannia, a traditional grain-scattering activity.
For More Information: Email [email protected]

First Friday at the MAG
Date & Time: Friday, January 9
Location: Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, Red Deer
Details: Enjoy snacks and refreshments while celebrating the opening of the new Gallery 2 exhibit, Milkin’ It: The Origins of the Dairy Industry in Red Deer.
For More Information: Visit reddeermuseum.com

Sylvan Lake, Gasoline Alley, Springbrook & Penhold

Walking Book Club
Date & Time: Friday, January 9, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: NexSource Walking Track, Sylvan Lake
Details: A unique book club that combines light walking with casual discussion about books. Meet weekly and stay active while connecting with fellow readers.
For More Information: Visit the Sylvan Lake Municipal Library website for details

Chili Cook Off
Date & Time: Saturday, January 17, 1:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Party Chef, Sylvan Lake
Details: Sample chili entries and vote for your favourites. $10 to enter, free to taste. All entry fees are donated to the Little Free Pantry at the Sylvan Lake Library.
For More Information: Email [email protected]

Lacombe, Blackfalds, Bentley & Rimbey

Buzz Brass: “Famous Inspirations”
Date & Time: Friday, January 16, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre, 5227 Calgary Edmonton Trail, Lacombe
Details: A concert featuring timeless brass masterpieces performed in a fresh and engaging way. Tickets are $25 and available online or at the Mary C. Moore Public Library.
For More Information: Contact the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre

Children’s Programs – Winter 2026 Registration Day
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 7, starting at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Mary C. Moore Library, Lacombe
Details: Registration day for winter children’s programs. Classes begin the week of January 12. Registration is in person or by phone only.
For More Information: Visit the Mary C. Moore Library website

Your Weekly Horoscope

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Lucky numbers this week: This week’s odds favour Virgo winners with the luckiest number being 5.

This weeks edition is sponsored by:

JV Roofing

Aries (March 21 - April 20)

Concerns about future financial well-being are important to you. Learn how to increase your assets and curb your tendency to be overly generous.
Lucky Numbers: 5, 6, 23, 32, 41, 45.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21)

With a little attention to detail you could help turn the corner and bring yourself closer to your goals. Spread your wings to seek out new opportunities.
Lucky Numbers: 9, 15, 21, 35, 45, 49.

Taurus (April 21 - May 21)

You may feel more upbeat and may want to make some big changes to your surroundings and your home. You might find that others will gladly lend a helping hand.
Lucky Numbers: 22, 29, 31, 38, 40, 47.

Cancer (June 22 - July 23)

Strong support from your closest friends and family could give you the confidence you need to make changes. Try hard to mend fences in order to improve communication at home.
Lucky Numbers: 4, 6, 14, 24, 34, 44.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 23)

Your mental restlessness may cause you to jump from one activity to another. Try to plan an outing to help you get out and communicate your thoughts freely.
Lucky Numbers: 14, 19, 25, 32, 39, 40.

Libra (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23)

Your desire for pleasure, ease and affection may intertwine with the ideas of others. If you have an assertive attitude, attending social gatherings may be the best place for you.
Lucky Numbers: 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 14.

Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23)

Listen to your body and soul. You may need to take more time for yourself. You might find that quiet solitude and nurturing activities can often comfort you more than company.
Lucky Numbers: 5, 12, 27, 30, 32, 47.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

Something which has been lost or hidden may come to light now. Secrets, long-buried feelings and desires or skeletons in the closet could be revealed.
Lucky Numbers: 31, 32, 33, 35, 41, 42.

Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)

You may be experiencing good health and vitality now. Care less about the approval of others and free yourself to do something you have never attempted before.
Lucky Numbers: 18, 22, 23, 28, 31, 38.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)

You may have a desire to spread your wings and travel far. Try not to overlook the importance of practical details in order to successfully carry out your plans.
Lucky Numbers: 23, 34, 37, 39, 42, 48.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)

Your enthusiasm and optimism could be so strong that it may be difficult for you to be objective. Re-evaluate any big plans for the future. Do your homework.
Lucky Numbers: 2, 6, 10, 16, 20, 28.

Pisces (Feb. 20 - March 20)

Conversations and sharing plans with others could be very fruitful. You may be able to get your message across to others more successfully through writing, speaking or advertising.
Lucky Numbers: 5, 15, 19, 25, 29, 45.

Did you Know?

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Another name:
Many people are familiar with the famous smile on the woman in a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. They may not know that this painting, “Mona Lisa,” is also known as “La Gioconda.”

Warm weather:
South Africa’s Natal coast, on the east side of the country, has a subtropical climate. That is because the Agulhas Current influences the climate there. This current flows near Cape Agulhas and is very warm.

Song sheet:
Bruce Springsteen, the famous American rock and roll musician, has a habit of scratching out lyrics on sheets of paper. One such handwritten gem, the lyrics for his 1975 hit “Born to Run,” sold for $197,000 (US).

Toy story:
The Slinky is a toy that has fascinated children for decades. Based on a metal coil or spring that moves on its own (especially down a flight of stairs), the Slinky was invented by an American named Richard James in 1943.

Egg information:
Female robins usually lay one egg a day until they have four eggs. Vultures lay one or two eggs, while crows lay between four and seven eggs.

On the Lighter Side

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Susie: “Mummy, why does it rain?”
Mummy: “To make the garden grow so we’ll have apples, corn, flowers—-“
Susie: “Then why does it rain on the pavement?”

Jane: “I’m rich! I just bought 50 female pigs and 50 male deer.”
Joan: “And what do you expect to get from that?”
Jane: “Expect, nothing! I’ve already got a hundred sows and bucks!”

A meeting is an event at which minutes are kept and hours are lost.

What do you get if a bee falls into the meat grinder? A little humburger.