The newsroom at Town & Country News was busy this past year, and I’m happy to share with you a selection of my favourite photos from the past year.
Throughout the past year, I have had the privilege of documenting events and people across the South Peace.
These images show a glimpse of the past year, and although not every newsworthy event I attended is included in this selection, it shows some of my favourite pictures I made.
Some of the photos were seen on the pages of the paper, while others never made it (that's the life of a newspaper photographer).
I am thankful for everyone I got to meet and photograph this past year, and I hope that you enjoy a few of my favourite images from this past year.
-Jesse.
Athletes stretch and slide as they prepare before the Sentinel Storage Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts at the Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Team Walker took the win in the Women's Draw 2 game with a score of 7 to 3. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Laura Walker throws a rock at the Sentinel Storage Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts at the Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. Team Walker walked away victorious after 6-5 defeat of Team Scheidegger. Team Walker will now represent Alberta at the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, ON. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Mycel Sambo, an IGA employee, looks after some bare shelves at the IGA in Beaverlodge on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Grocery stores are seeing more bare shelves due to supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, natural disasters in other parts of the country, and labour disputes.Fire crews work towards contains the flames on a house fire in the County of Grande Prairie, Alta. Between the Town of Wembley and City of Grande Prairie on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. A neighbour of the property said they arrived home to seeing flames coming from the garage which quickly spread to the rest of the home. The fire took place just off of Hwy. 43. Crews from Wembley, Clairmont, Dunes, Sexsmith and La Glace responded to the fire. No injuries have been reported. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Rex Coupland, a retired veterinarian, has been looking after an injured snowy owl who has a broken wing in the County of Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. The owl which is unable to fly due to its injury will most likely not be able to return the wild as it will not be able to hunt. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Rex Coupland, a retired veterinarian, has been looking after an injured snowy owl who has a broken wing in the County of Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. The owl which is unable to fly due to its injury will most likely not be able to return the wild as it will not be able to hunt. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The Slow Roll Freedom Convoy left Beaverlodge just after 9 a.m. in Beaverlodge, Alta on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. The convoy then travelled eastbound toward Grande Prairie on Hwy. 43 meeting with another convoy waiting in Wembley. The group of vehicles was showing support for truckers who are against the vaccination mandates at the United States border. The Convoy gained hundreds of supporters from throughout out the Peace region, and drove through the City of Grande Prairie. Many others including those roadside had anti-vaccination and COVID restriction signs. (Photo by Jesse Boily) Hundreds of vehicles from all over the Peace gathered in Grande Prairie, Alta on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 for the Slow Roll Freedom Convoy . The convoy protest mandatory vaccinations for truckers crossing the United States and Canada border. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Ella Kuhn, 17, a Beaverlodge Regional High School student practices some welds before a test at the Grande Prairie Regional College in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, March 4, 2022. Kuhn is a RAP student and decided to take the women’s welding course at the recommendation of her former journeyman, who also happens to be the instructor. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Conservation officers had to tranquillize a moose at Muskoseepi Park in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, March 5, 2022. The moose was traveling through the busy park on Saturday afternoon where a festival was also taking place. Conservation officers and city peace officers were on hand to help move the moose. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The signs outside are changed at the unveiling ceremony for Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. The new polytechnic school replaces the Grande Regional College, and will offer new programming to students. The focus will be on entrepreneurial spirit of the region, ensuring graduates will be ready to succeed in the future. Announced today was that NWP will be offering the first year of a bachelors of engineering. (Photo by Jesse Boily) (Photo by Jesse Boily)U11 Sexsmith Vipers celebrate their win against the Beaverlodge Blades at the Beaverlodge Arena in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Friday, March 11, 2022. The Sexsmith Vipers took a 6-2 victory over the Beaverlodge Blades on Friday. The U11 Blades went on to win the banner latter on the weekend. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The foam darts were flying during Nerf Wars at Helen E. Taylor gymnasium in Wembley, Alta. on Friday, March 18, 2022. About 100 children took part in the event over Friday and Saturday. This was the first Nerf war in almost two years, due to pandemic restrictions, and spots filled quickly with most being gone within 10 minutes of being posted online said Coun. Anna Underwood who was helping run the event. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Local organizer Andrea Willman speaks at the Ditch the Draft protest outside city hall in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Protestors were looking for the province to stop the implementation of the kindergarten to grade 6 draft curriculum. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Amelia Jean, 5, was quick to find one of the pictures during the picture hunt at the Sexsmith Easter Scramble in Sexsmith, Alta. on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The scramble included a picture hunt, cookies, and the photos with the Easter bunny. Main Street was also blocked off so children could draw Easter photos along the road. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Father Michael Dias carries the cross from St. Mary’s Catholic Church at the Way of the Cross in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Friday, April 15, 2022. The cross made its way across town where the first seven stations were done at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and then the remaining stations were performed as the cross was carried to the Beaverlodge United Church. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Students cheered at the celebration of Olympian Geoff Walker in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Walker was given the key to the Town of Beaverlodge and had a portion of 4 Ave. named after him as Geoff Walker Way. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Sheryl Braim checks her chicken coup for eggs in her backyard in Sexsmith, Alta. on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Braim has been part of the towns Urban Hen project since November 2021. The Town Of Wembley is now mulling over the decision to allow urban hens. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The GP Ladies Giddha perform at the Vaisakhi Mela celebration hosted by the East Indian Cultural Association at the Paradise Inn and Conference Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Vaisakhi is a spring harvest festival celebrated by Sikha and Hindus, and for some it also marks the Indian Solar New Year. Over 200 people gathered for the festival in Grande Prairie this weekend. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Over 300 people gathered at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) walk and run in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Around 400 people gathered at the event organized by the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Len Morissette, Loretta Parenteau-English, and Jackie Clayton, Grande Prairie mayor, take a selfie at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) walk and run in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Thursday, May 5, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Heather Sware tends to some flowers at Willow Valley Greenhouses in the County of Grande Prairie on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Sware said that people have been slow to pick up flowers this year with the cold weather staying longer than usual. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Xander Cracknell, 14, practiced tricks at the Sexsmith skate park in Sexsmith, Alta. on Monday, May 16, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)City of Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton and Grande Prairie Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin look over the new H145 helicopter at the STARS base in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. STARS Grande Prairie welcomed the new H145 helicopter to the area, which will cover the Peace region and Northern Alberta. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The Beaverlodge Regional High School 2022 grads in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Friday, May 27, 2022. BRHS has 83 graduates this year. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Simon Sawchuck brushes his cow before the big show at the 4H Achievement Day at the Ed Brown & Ed Hotte AgComplex in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Monday, May 30, 2022. The Beaverlodge 4H Beef and the Grande Prairie Multi Beef Club were in attendance. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Ryker Millar and Kate Longson try to get their cow on the move at the 4H Achievement Day at the Ed Brown & Ed Hotte AgComplex in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Monday, May 30, 2022. The Beaverlodge 4H Beef club and the Grande Prairie Multi Beef Club were in attendance. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Ax Kaut helps repaint the Grande Prairie Pride Society's crosswalk at 98 st. and 103 Ave. in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Thursday, June 9, 2022. The annual event included a BBQ that was raising funds for the society in its ongoing efforts to host safe, inclusive and accepting events for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies in the region. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Travis Yaklin holds the rope tight on the calf while Kyle Romanachuk holds the calf down while being branded at the Saddle Hills Cattle Ranch near La Glace, Alta. on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The community gathered together to brand the 2022 calves. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Children hitch a ride during the Canada Day parade in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, July 1, 2022, the first Canada Day celebrations in the city since 2019 due to the pandemic. (Photo by Jesse Boily)A man makes bubbles in the park as children try to pop them at the Canada Day celebration at Muskoseepi Park in Grande Prairie on Friday, July 1, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Pecos Moore at the Rio Grande Rodeo’s junior steer riding event in Rio Grande, Alta. on Saturday, July 2, 2022. The Rio Grande Rodeo took place from July 1 to 3 and first started in 1916. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Denver Leitch gets bucked off at the Rio Grande Rodeo the bareback riding competition in Rio Grande, Alta. on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Spandy Andy gets the crowd moving and dancing at the Grande Prairie International Street Performers Festival sneak peak in Sexsmith, Alta. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Performers from as far as Australia performed on Main Street. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Jen Edwards stops for a portrait with her new book You are a Gift in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Thursday, July 21, 2022. You are a Gift focuses on creating prompts, so parents and children can share their feelings together. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The last touches of make-up before Etta Carina’s arrival at the Grande Prairie Street Performers festival in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Etta Carina is on a mission looking for secrets at the Grande Prairie Street Performers festival in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Chad Marthaller took action when he realized that smoke was coming from the road and found a car on fire near TWP 734 and RR 32 near Teepee Creek, Alta. on Thursday, July 28, 2022. A fire crew from Bezanson responded to the fire but much of the fire was already doused, due to a neighbour with a water truck. Local residents said the car had been sitting on the highway with yellow tape on the doors for the past couple of days. . (Photo by Jesse Boily)A child chases after a bubble while Marcia Tower is busy making more at the Heritage Day celebrations at the Grande Prairie Museum in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, July 30, 2022. The festival had cultural booths, artists live painting, cultural dances, and carnival games. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Elaine Mills, owner and operator of Elaine's Unique Plants and Designs, stops for a photo in her shop in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. Mills has faced many incidents of people entering her shop and threatening her. Her partner Marc Tyler has gone to city council, saying more needs to be done for downtown businesses and their patrons. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Travis Toews speaks with constituents at a barbecue rally for his United Conservative party leadership position in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. Toews called the campaign a two-horse race between himself and Danielle Smith. Organizers say about 500 people attended the rally. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Sullivan Edgar runs away from a blast of water at the La Glace & District Agriculture Society’s Regional Recreation Centres open house in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. The La Glace Fire Department was on hand for a water fight. (Photo by Jesse Boily)A march made its way through downtown at the We Stand with Ukraine rally in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. The event was organized to coincide with Ukrainian Independence Day as the war with Russia continues in Ukraine. Over 200 people attended the event. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The band Trooper performs at the Experience GP event in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. The first year of the event, the city hopes to celebrate different projects and places in the community, focusing on downtown this year. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Trooper vocalist David Steele performs at the Experience GP event in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The crowd at the Experience GP event in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. The first year of the event, the city hopes to celebrate different projects and places in the community, focusing on downtown this year. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Rowen Kaczmarek, 6, (yellow shirt)went on to win the ages 3 to 7 watermelon eating contest at the Wembley Fall Fair in Wembley, Alta. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. The Wembley & District Agricultural Society hosted the fall fair, which included a bench show, bouncy castles, and a draw for a goat. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Bradley Bergesen, 17, won the ages 13 to 17 watermelon eating contest at the Wembley Fall Fair in Wembley, Alta. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Tia Stanway works on a bird sculpture during the announcement of Alberta Culture Days at the Centre for Creative Arts in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. The centre was named as a feature celebration site from the province. Free arts programming will be available throughout the city for the month of September. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Farmers work into the night combining their fields north of Grande Prairie, Alta. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Grande Prairie Storm's Dayne Tews (17) takes a shot on goal while Bonnyville Pontiacs' Dylan Hebert (89) blocks it at the home-opener game at the Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. The Pontiacs lead after the first period 0-2. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Noah Woolfrey draws some sock monkeys while Nathan Woolfrey and Owen Griffiths discuss the painting at the sketch party part of Alberta Culture Days at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. The AGGP invited guests to come and sketch the current exhibitions and provided sketch pads and drawing material. The province says approximately $350,000 was distributed to 104 organizations for this year's Culture Days. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Dustin Greene, 7, watches the vehicle accident simulation at the First Responder Appreciation Day at the Grande Prairie Legion #54 in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Despite the rainy weather many people made their way to the festivities that showcased many first responders and included demonstration of police dogs and a rally race between first responders. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Frank Skolly, Grande Prairie Legion vice-president, leads colour guard parade for a memorial for the late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the cenotaph in Jubilee Park in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. Over 100 people were in attendance for the memorial, which happened at the same time as the Queen's own funeral in London. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Frank Skolly, Grande Prairie Legion vice-president, leads colour guard parade for a memorial for the late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the cenotaph in Jubilee Park in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Beaverlodge Blades Wyatt Lefley (11) celebrates after scoring the winning goal against the North Peace Navigators in a Northwestern Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) regular season game at the Beaverlodge Arena in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. The Blades won the game in overtime, the final score 3-2. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Westin Bernard, 9, competed next to his brother Corbin, 11, at the pie-eating contest at the first Harvest Festival in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Contestants were not allowed to use their hands! The festival, which was well attended, had a beer gardens, wine tasting, and market of handmade crafts. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Tyler and Chelsea Leskiw took children Chelsey Wickberg, 8, Ellis Leskiw, 4, and Emmett Leskiw, 6, to the Sexsmith Farmers Market’s Pumpkin Market to each pick out a pumpkin in Sexsmith, Alta. on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. The market had many pumpkins ready to go for customers including one that topped the scales at 40 kg, said a merchant. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Red Elk Singers Al Crawford sings on the second annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony at Muskoseepi Park in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Lori Auger Prince, 7, adds her hand print to an animal hide, which will be displayed in the Montrose Cultural Centre on the second annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony at Muskoseepi Park in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Eleanor Parlee, 8, helps her mother Ashley clear the snow after the first snowfall of the season in Sexsmith, Alta. on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Temperatures have hit lows of -28C in the South Peace kicking off the winter season. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Branson, 5, and Brooklyn Hack, 2, visited Santa Claus at the Christmas in Sexsmith event in Sexsmith, Alta. on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. The town lit up the downtown lights with a celebration that included big bonfires, hot chocolate, hot dogs, and wagon rides. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Shoppers were busy checking out the stores at the Christmas in Sexsmith event in Sexsmith, Alta. on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Jackie Clayton, Grande Prairie mayor, shakes hands with a wookie at the Salvation Army Kettle program kick off at Prairie Mall in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Funds collected at the kettles will go towards the food bank and Christmas Hamper program. (Photo by Jesse Boily)A family takes a selfie with the freshly lit tree at the Christmas Tree Light Up outside of Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Hot chocolate, cookies, and carolers were all present for the lighting of the tree. Santa Claus also made an appearance to do photos with children. (Photo by Jesse Boily)City coun. Dylan Bressey, dressed as an elf, takes photos with residents at the Christmas Tree Light Up outside of Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Hot chocolate, cookies, and carolers were all present for the lighting of the tree. Santa Clause also made an appearance to do photos with children. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Mrs. Gould’s Pre-Kindergarten class performed at the St. Mary Catholic School Christmas Concert “Searching for Joy” in Beaverlodge, Alta. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. The school had two performances on Friday for parents, friends and family to enjoy. (Photo by Jesse Boily)
Animals of 2022
Every year I do a best of photos web page this is my first year doing it with Town & Country News, but I have to add a few of my favourites from animals and pets I visited over the year.
A cat at Bandaged Paws in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. The animal shelter was the beneficiary of over 400 individual donations on Jan. 17 as donations came in on what would have been the late Betty White's 100th birthday. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Curious puppies check out a camera at Bandage Paws in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. The animal shelter was the beneficiary of over 400 individual donations on Jan. 17 as donations came in on what would have been the late Betty White's 100th birthday.(Photo by Jesse Boily)A goat at the petting zoo at the PARDS carnival in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, June 25, 2022. The carnival is one of the major fundraisers for the organization this year. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Diesel plays in his yard in the County of Grande Prairie, Alta. on Monday, July 18, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Deer chow on some canola near Teepee Creek, Alta. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Queen goes for a walk near Sturgeon Lake, Alta. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Boily)A cat takes a nap as Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland took a tour at the UFA Farm and Ranch Supply Store in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. Freeland met with farmers in the morning and then went on to meet with tradespeople at Northwestern Polytechnic. Freeland is also scheduled to have a meeting with City of Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton in the afternoon. (Photo by Jesse Boily)
