The Camrose Booster

Has Mirror Lake Express reached its final destination?

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A photo of the train taken in 2019 at Mirror Lake.

By Adan Shaikh

In summer 2025, the Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce announced that Jeppa the Train, also known as the Mirror Lake Express, would be out for the season, as it was in need for repairs and maintenance.

On April 8, the organization shared that Jeppa the Train, will no longer operate and that the Board has come to this decision after spending the last year considering and exploring other options.

The announcement quickly drew backlash online, with many residents sharing the news release on social media groups and calling for action against the decision. Some questioned why maintenance costs could not be addressed, given how many businesses happily supported the operations over the years. Others suggested fundraising efforts or alternative solutions could have been pursued before ending operations.

“This was not an easy decision, and we recognize how much the Jeppa Train means to our community. Over the past year, the board of directors undertook a thorough review process, working closely with volunteers and partners connected to the train’s operation, maintenance, and repair. Numerous options were carefully explored to identify what would be required to continue operating the train in a sustainable and responsible way,” said Aaron Morris, executive director of the Chamber.

One emerging misconception about the train seems to be that the City of Camrose was responsible, however, the City is not involved in the train’s operations.

Camrosian Jeff Wraight shared how the train was not just an activity for the children, but many seniors also enjoyed the rides, often stopping for ice cream as the train went around the lake. He shared the cherished memories of a time when the train even visited other communities and spread cheer far beyond Camrose.

The Chamber of Commerce shared that the train was originally built for small-scale use but over the years it has carried thousands of passengers, which has ultimately led to its current condition.

“Due to the unique nature of the train, being hand-built with non-standard parts, and the level of liability involved in restoring and certifying it for safe operation, we have not been able to secure a qualified party willing to take on that work and sign off on it,” said Morris.

On the financial side, Morris shared, “In 2024, the train generated approximately $12,903 in revenue, primarily through sponsorship, while expenses totalled $12,804, resulting in essentially a break-even position. While we are grateful for the strong community and sponsor support, the scale of investment now required goes well beyond what the program has historically supported.”

“We also want to be clear that no final decision has been made regarding the long-term future of the Jeppa Train. The Board will be continuing those discussions and once a direction is determined, we will communicate that with the community,” added Morris.

He also shared that the Chamber would be happy to answer any questions or concerns the citizens might have about the train’s operations.

As the discussion continues, many are calling on the Camrose Chamber of Commerce for reconsideration or new ideas to bring the train back.

City redistricts BRSD lot


By Adan Shaikh

Camrose City council has passed a bylaw to rezone the vacant lot that was previously used by the Battle River School Division as an office building to allow it to be used for commercial purposes. Council approved Bylaw 3405-26, which redesignates the lot from institutional to neighbourhood commercial.

The building is planned to be used for professional services, and the proposal indicates there would be little to no increase in traffic, as the space is intended for employees only, with no public-facing services.

With the bylaw approved, future use of the site will now follow the regulations of the neighbourhood commercial district.

Building strong boys and a strong community

By Adan Shaikh

A recent session held at the Border Paving Arena, brought together boys aged eight to 12 and their parents for an evening of on-ice activity and off-ice education and reflection. The program, offered in partnership with Tim Green Hockey Development, Changing Ways and the Association of Communities Against Abuse (ACAA), focused on building confidence, emotional awareness and a positive team culture.

Families were split into two groups, rotating between the ice and workshop sessions. On the ice, Tim Green and mentors from the Augustana Vikings Hockey team led the boys through team-based drills and activities designed to build trust, communication and engagement. The atmosphere was energetic, with 32 families participating. The on-ice exercises demonstrated how boys can support one another and work as a team.

Off the ice, the tone shifted to a more introspective activity. In a session called “The Mask We Live In”, boys were given a physical mask along with magazines, scissors and glue. They were asked to decorate the outside of the mask to reflect how they present themselves to the world, the version their friends and teammates see. On the inside, they showed how they actually feel, the parts of themselves they may not share openly.

Boys who appear confident and carefree on the outside often carry worry, fear or uncertainty beneath the surface.

Before the mask activity, facilitators led a “This or That” exercise, encouraging the boys to make quick choices and see how their peers think and feel. The activity helped set the stage for more honest conversations. Questions were asked about how they deal with stressful situations and would they rather seek help from a trustworthy friend or family member or deal with it on their own.

“Every boy is carrying a rulebook nobody handed them. It tells them to handle it yourself, and do not be soft. The manosphere fills a void we left open, and it reaches boys faster than most parents realize. That’s why nights like this matter, parents and community stepping in before the algorithm does,” said Nick Breugom, men and boys program coordinator at Changing Ways.

sessions, parents attended a workshop titled “Raising Boys and What Parents Can Do”. The first session of the presentation was led by Changing Ways and ACAA facilitated the second half of the session with focus on ways to strengthen connection at home and support boys as they grow. Parents discussed communication, emotional support and the importance of modelling healthy behaviour.

Programs like this highlight the importance of raising strong boys, not in the traditional sense of toughness or silence, but in resilience, empathy and self-awareness. Strength today means being able to understand emotions, ask for help and treat others with respect. Those skills are built early, and they require guidance from both families and communities.

That work is becoming more challenging with the rise of online manosphere content has introduced many young boys to harmful ideas about masculinity, often promoting ideals of toxic masculinity, such as dominance, emotional suppression and distrust. These messages can take hold quickly, especially when boys are already trying to understand who they are. For parents, it creates a new layer of responsibility. It is no longer just about what happens at home or at school, but also about what children are absorbing online. Programs like the one offered by Changing Ways provide a counterbalance, giving boys healthier models of identity and giving parents tools to respond.

The strong turnout at the Border Paving Arena showed there is a clear need for more programs where families can learn to navigate the ever-changing world that influences their children today. Changing Ways plans on continuing to bring similar programs to the community.
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Augustana Vikings mentored the young hockey players in a team building exercise. Thirty-six children and 38 adults participated in the program.
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One of the words that showed on several masks was “cool” showcasing how many young boys feel the need to act cool or be cool regardless of how they really feel.

Community bowling with Rotary Club


By Adan Shaikh

The Camrose Rotary Club is inviting residents to lace up their bowling shoes and join them for an afternoon of fun at Tabb Lanes & Lounge for bowling on April 19 from 2 to 4 p.m.

A pay-what-you-can Community Bowling Night offers families a chance to enjoy an afternoon out while learning more about Rotary’s work in the City, including information on their programs like the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“Rotary has rented Tabb Lanes bowling for the Sunday and we are making this a community event where families can come and bowl,” said Lisa Rohr, a Rotary member and organizer of the event.

“It’s an opportunity for Rotary to give back to the community and be present, so other community members can visit with us and see the work that we do,” shared Lisa.

Attendees can also take part in raffles planned for the event and the club will be accepting donations. No registration is required for the event and families will be assigned lanes on a first-come-first-served basis.

Lisa shared that the goal of the event is to create space for conversation and connection between Rotary members and the broader community of Camrose.

The Rotary Club of Camrose has long been involved in local and international projects, with a focus on community development and giving back.

Accessible mobility for everyone


By Nadine Leming

Janet Enns is a local resident with a passion to see an affordable community supported movement and mobility improvement centre here in Camrose.

Over the last 10 years, she has been thinking about an idea based on her experiences of working in the community.

To Janet, inclusion is not a concept, it’s a lived experience. She said, “I have seen what is possible when the right tools meet the right support. I’ve also seen the gap.”

The goal of Janet’s vision is to see affordable, accessible mobility improvement for those with a brain injury, neurological conditions, neurodiversity and those with mobility challenges.

She has been slowly working towards closing this gap with a community supported centre where mobility improvement is accessible and affordable to everyone.

This centre would be a place where neurologists, health professionals, educators and the community work together, not in silos, but in a circle.

The public is invited to attend this information session to see what is possible and help plant the seed to see this vision become reality.

During this session Janet will share her initial thoughts and program ideas with the intention that it will grow and work into something that is needed for the community.

Janet said, “The premise is we have the ability to start small, and we can work together to form a board to be able to move forward.” This seed of an idea she has would grow into accessing up-to-date resources for people in the community.

It will take the right people coming together to form the board necessary to make this vision a reality.

To learn more about Janet’s vision, and how you can participate in making a mobility improvement centre a reality, attend this free community event on April 15 at 7 p.m. at the Mirror Lake Centre. Everyone is welcome.

Smooth sailing as Kayla Williams and
the Yacht Daddies perform yacht rock show

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Kayla Williams and the Yacht Daddies performed at the Bailey as part of the Rose City Roots series. Their sound is inspired by the yacht rock genre of the late ’70s early ’80s.

By Nadine Leming

Rose City Roots has a history of bringing amazing live musical experiences to Camrose from local talent to big name acts from around the world. Kayla Williams and the Yacht Daddies were no exception.

The band’s sound is inspired by the yacht rock genre that emerged in the mid-’70s and is characterized by a smooth, polished soft rock sound. Artists that made the genre popular include Steely Dan, Michael McDonald and Christopher Cross.

Kayla and her band’s show brought an upbeat and funky vibe blended with a modern twist that the audience appreciated all evening long. She made waves throughout the evening with her original music that had people up on the dance floor from the first song of the night.

Her voice is absolutely incredible, as she belted out tune after tune over the two-hour performance.
Whether the audience was on the dance floor or watching comfortably from their seats, they simply couldn’t sit still. People were tapping their toes or moving in time to the music in their chairs.

The band finished both sets with “yacht-ifed” covers of songs like “Toxic” by Brittney Spears, “Man After Midnight” by ABBA or “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. Their cover of “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC was a fan favourite as Kayla replaced “hell” with “Camrose” that saw people sing along.

Throughout the evening, Kayla infused her fun sense of humour to the show. The performance was such a huge hit that they got called back for an encore which the band obliged by singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.’”

The show was very well received by those in attendance and was well worth the price of admission.

Shaun Majumder in Camrose


By Nadine Leming

Come prepared to laugh at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre (LPAC) on April 17 at 7:30 p.m. as Shaun Majumder will be ready to tickle your funny bone.

Shaun grew up in rural Newfoundland and has performed his entire life. He left his hometown at 13 and moved to Mississauga, ON, and acted in his first stage play in grade 8.

He was instantly enamored with the stage as he thrived in high school theatre, he stood out racking up several festival awards for his acting.

Despite being told there was no future in acting, he found early success in stand-up comedy and hosting, finding work with YTV as a host for five years.

For over two decades, Shaun has thrived finding success in both the U.S. and Canada. He has appeared as Detective Vik Mahajan on ABC’s Detroit 1-8-7 and as Andrew Palmer on NBC’s The Firm.
Shaun brings his stand-up act to Camrose featuring opener Nigel Lawrence as they travel around the province.

For more information or for tickets, go to www.camroselive.ca

2026 Augustana Student Life Awards

By Adan Shaikh

Students, coaches and campus leaders were recognized for their contributions during the 2026 Augustana Student Life Awards, held on April 1 at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre.

Awards were presented in 18 categories, celebrating achievement in athletics, leadership, service and engagement.

Among the top leadership honours, the Roger Epp Award was presented to Mackenzie Mrazik and Halden Nicolajsen, both of whom received multiple awards, in various categories this year, for their dedication and commitment to leadership at Augustana. The Augustana Leadership Award was presented to Stephanie Ejezie, Mackenzie Mrazik, Ona Awogu and Miron Nekhoroshkov in recognition of their outstanding dedication and leadership. They demonstrated these qualities through their involvement in student government, student associations, clubs, and organizations, all of which positively impacted their community.

Service and engagement were also highlighted through three major awards. Patrick Dunn received the Horseshoe Hero Award, while Sam Christensen was presented with the Mike Kopach Employee Recognition Award. The Onesimus Award, which recognizes outstanding service among third- and fourth-year students, was awarded to Evenlyn Cheung, Ifunanya Chinwuba, Emma French, Cinna Goonewardene, Ellen Greisiger, Princess Iloegbunam, Ainsley Kruk, Jesse Maeko, Olivia Marko, Marcia Mochia, Mackenzie Mrazik, Miron Nekhoroshkov, Grace Oxamitny, Brook-Lyn Sherbo, Sydney Shirreff, Taylor Soroka and Devyn Waldie.

The Augustana Students’ Association Awards recognized excellence among student groups and campus contributors who enhance the student experience. Afro Youth Club was named Most Improved Club, while the Chemistry Club earned Best Overall Club. Ifunanya Chinwuba and Ainsley Kruk received Student Recognition Awards for bettering student lives of their peers. The Betty Ostenrud Award was presented to Dylan Draker in the staff category and Willow White in the faculty category. Halden Nicolajsen also received the Heather Huber Memorial Award.

Athletics awards highlighted the Augustana Vikings, with eight honours recognizing student athletes, coaches and volunteers. Josie Zimmerman was named Vikings Volunteer Coach of the Year, while Steve Enright received Coach of the Year honour. It was also announced that Enright has been named the recipient of the 2025-26 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Overall Coaching Excellence Award.

Lara Birkill was recognized as Volunteer of the Year. McKenzee Olsen received the Moncrieff Ford Sr. and Moncrieff Ford Jr. Memorial Award, and the women’s basketball team earned the Viking Team GPA Award. Rookie of the Year honours went to Luke Erdman on the men’s side and Morgan Elaschuk on the women’s side.

Top athletic honours were awarded to Devon Nazarchuk of the men’s volleyball team, who was named Vikings Male Athlete of the Year, and Hadley Ziemmer of the women’s volleyball team, who received the female Athlete of the Year Award.
The Viking Leadership Award was presented to Joel Smith of the men’s volleyball team and Mackenzie Mrazik of the women’s basketball team. This award is presented to student athletes who exhibit outstanding leadership in sports.

Overall, the evening recognized leadership, dedication and achievement across the Augustana Campus.
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Augustana Vikings Women’s Basketball team won the Highest Team GPA Award.
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Mackenzie Mrazik, left, and Halden Nicolajsen received the Roger Epp Award for their contributions to the development of the campus community as well as off-campus community initiatives.

Inside the herd: Camrose Buffaloes


By Nadine Leming

The Camrose Buffaloes have a fresh face on the team. The organization is encouraging the community to give their new mascot a warm welcome by having a contest on their Facebook page to name the latest addition to the team.
They are looking for a name beginning with the letter B. The name will be revealed at the beginning of spring camp on May 25.

Once all submissions are made, the board of directors will vote on their favourite. The number of “likes” on each name will be taken into consideration. Don’t hesitate to get involved, go to the Camrose Buffaloes Football Association to join in the fun.

Spring Camp registration is open and will be hitting the practice field the last week of May. The camp will run for six weeks to give new and returning players an opportunity to get into the routine of the game before fall. Practices will run two to three nights a week, ending with a jamboree at the end of June.

Fees are affordable with all equipment provided. If anyone has contemplated on how to get involved, the Buffaloes are encouraging potential new coaching and training staff at all levels to reach out to them.

The organization is hoping to see an increase in registrations and welcome new players to the field. For more information or to register, parents can contact the Buffaloes via Facebook or by email at camrosebuffaloesfootball@gmail.com

Adam Smith’s 1977 Austin Mini 1000

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Adam Smith’s Austin Mini 1000 saw its first year on the road in 2025.

By Adan Shaikh

Adam Smith owns a 1977 Austin Mini 1000. The car that once sat in pieces is now road ready after Smith spent over a year rebuilding it from the ground up. It catches the attention of passersby because it resembles the vehicle driven by the famous Mr. Bean in the popular English series.

Smith bought the vehicle in 2023 in a deteriorated condition. The floors were gone, the door sills had rusted out and several parts were either missing or needed repairs.

“It was pretty much a basket case,” Smith said. “It took me about a year and a half and a whole pile of money.”

He estimated he spent over 1,000 hours on the restoration and modifications before the car was ready to be driven in the summer of 2025.
The most challenging aspect of the process for Smith was the metal work.

“You learn as you go and figure it out. Put enough effort in and it turned out okay,” he shared.
The process has also left him with a new set of skills.

Originally, the Mini 1000 was marketed as an affordable, fuel efficient vehicle that could easily fit into tight spaces. Known for its compact size and simple engineering, the small vehicle still felt spacious on the inside.

Built with a transverse engine and front wheel drivetrain, the lightweight body and short wheelbase made it easy to handle and reliable on the road. It became popular for both city driving and motor- sports.

Smith’s Mini 1000 continues to feature its stock engine, a 998cc four-cylinder motor designed to put out up to 120 km/hour. Smith has made some small modifications to the engine to make it more efficient while still keeping up with most highway speeds.

“It has had a little bit of reworking done so it’s a little better than it was.”

What stands out more than its top speed is the driving experience itself.

With minimal insulation the Mini offers constant feedback to the driver.

“It feels everything on the road, every little crack and every little bump,” Smith said.

The look of the car has also been modified, with metallic green touches added to the body.

According to Smith, when he bought the car it was in a plain cream colour. He added the green to give definition and make it stand out.

Now back on the road, the restored Mini turns heads for its original design and charm.

Local Toastmaster places in contest


By Nadine Leming

Toastmasters is a results oriented program where people learn how to effectively speak in front of others and gain valuable leadership skills.

The program is designed for members to work at their own pace as they gain confidence they never thought they had and achieve more of their personal goals and dreams.

The Area B6 Toastmasters speech contest was held in Leduc at the end of March. This is the second level of speech competition where winners of the club contest compete to move on to the division level in April.

The day brought captivating speakers that were engaging, dynamic and captivating. Speakers came from Leduc, Camrose and Edmonton competing in both the humorous and international speech categories.

Camrose local Jabulani Mangena had speeches in both categories. Under the humorous category, he placed second, with his speech, “Life Stories From My Grandma.” It had the perfect balance of humour and sincerity in a memorable presentation.

Jabulani later placed first in the International speech category with the speech entitled, “Mr. Gatekeeper.” This speech had the room riveted with a thought provoking message.

A panel of judges scored the contestants on the quality of their content, delivery and audience engagement. The top two winners in both categories advance to the division competition to be held in Edmonton on April 18.

For more information on Toastmasters, go to www.camrosetoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org

From Austria with love

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Michaela Gruber is a young woman from Austria with a passion for dairy farming and is currently working on a farm near Hay Lakes. She is enjoying her time in Canada, embracing our culture.

By Nadine Leming

Salzburg, Austria, is known as the birthplace of Mozart, where The Sound of Music was filmed and its Baroque architecture cozies up into the Austrian Alpines. It is also famous for the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the largest, fully preserved medieval castle in Central Europe.

Michaela Gruber also hails from Salzburg, which has a population of about 572,000 people, known for its small-scale family farms in grasslands and mountainous areas, averaging about 25 dairy cows.

Her first visit to Canada was through a rural exchange program in 2022 when she worked on a dairy farm in Westlock for a couple of months before returning to Austria.

Michaela returned in 2024 to work on another dairy farm at Lacombe before returning home once again. In November of 2025, Michaela found her way back to Alberta to work on a dairy farm in New Sarepta.

Prior to her journey to Alberta, she took a four year apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, each a distinct, yet overlapping timber-based construction. She specialized in the use of a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine. She also has completed three years of education in an agriculture school.

After school, she wanted to see more of the world while gaining more experience in what she loves to do, which is dairy farming.

Michaela said, “I wanted to see how it is to farm on bigger farms. I grew up on a small family dairy farm with 30 animals in total. For us back home that is big.”

Michaela also has a passion for playing music and was interested in playing in a band. She posted on Facebook that she was looking for a place to play. A member of the Camrose & District Community Band saw her post and reached out to Michaela about the band where she now finds a sense of community.

She commented, “The people in the community band are so open hearted.” Her favourite quote is from Roy Ayers that says, “The true beauty of music is that it connects people.”

In her time here in Canada, she has come to enjoy the culture and the kindness of people. One of her favourite things are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

It’s in you to give


By Nadine Leming

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited condition in Canada, yet no one talks about it.

Currently, there are over 6,000 people across the country living with the condition and that number continues to grow.

SCD is a red blood cell disorder that is a genetic condition inherited through gene mutations from both parents. This blood disorder causes severe pain and organ damage.

People with SCD can’t produce enough functional red blood cells, often leading to those affected with the disease needing regular red cell exchange treatments.

Treatment options available focus on reducing pain setbacks, alleviating  symptoms, or minimizing complications includes medications, blood transfusions, and averting infection.

In Canada, blood transfusion is one of the few treatments available to people living with SCD.
People that donate blood, plasma, platelets and stem cells play an important role in supporting the treatment of this disease.

Many people who suffer from SCD, including children, depend on donated blood and blood derived components to treat their symptoms and may even help save a life.

To help people with SCD, schedule an appointment to donate blood or plasma; the next donor clinic in Camrose will be May 18 at the Days Inn Norsemen.
By donating on a regular basis, you can help people with this disease as well as other conditions. The need for blood is always ongoing. To schedule an appointment, go to www.myaccount.blood.ca
BRCF supports Parents for Fun in Flagstaff Society
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Wes Campbell, director with the Battle River Community Foundation board, presents the cheque to Jessica Docksteader, program facilitator for the Society’s Family Resource Centre.

Submitted by Laura Young

The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a $3,000 grant to the Parents for Fun in Flagstaff Society.

The Parents for Fun in Flagstaff Society runs the Family Resource Centre – a colourful, stimulating     environment for kids and parents alike. The expansive space, located in the Killam Agriplex, is filled with toys, climbing areas, books, and a few quiet corners. And it’s there for parents throughout Flagstaff to take advantage of, with drop-in hours Tuesday through Friday, and even some Sundays.
Along with the hours of fun and play, the Family Resource Centre offers important programming     options.

Docksteader states, “We sincerely thank the Foundation for investing in our programs that support both parents and youth in our community. This investment will expand our ability to support families, foster belonging, and set children up for lifelong learning success.”

Programming includes such initiatives as Baby Steps, a once-a-month program where parents can bring in their babies for some playtime while also listening to a presenter. A public health nurse is     available to get their baby’s weight and ask any questions.

Imagination Station is another program run at the centre. This program includes songs, crafts and skill building activities and, according to their website, “LOADS OF FUN.” Each day has a theme and a featured free book.

Parents for Fun in Flagstaff also have programming for those special days, including an important day coming up – Mother’s Day. This year, Parents for Fun in Flagstaff is going with a “mini” theme, including planting a flower in a “mini” pot, making “mini cards”, and eating “mini” sandwiches. Limited spots are available for this activity, as with other programs, so check the website for more information.

The grant for the Parents for Fun in Flagstaff Society is provided by the Battle River Community Foundation Community Fund.

The Battle River Community Foundation exists to support organizations in east central Alberta that benefit the local communities and positively impact the future.

Grants from the Battle River Community Foundation are primarily made possible through the generosity of individual donors and organizations that have created endowment funds.
Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson
 
Out of this world: an astronaut’s thoughts

On April 4, I attended a presentation by Chris Hadfield, former Canadian astronaut. The presentation took place while the four astronauts (one Canadian) aboard spaceship Artemis II were heading around the dark side of the moon. That made the evening even more special.

Hadfield interspersed his presentation with slides. One of my favourites was a photo of a big chunk of Alberta taken at night from the International Space Station. The photo showed a big area of lights toward the bottom: Calgary. There was a ribbon of light heading north (Highway 2) and a smaller area of lights: Red Deer. Another ribbon of light heading north, and a large circle of light: Edmonton. Dots of lights from smaller communities were scattered around that portion of Alberta.

The photo that most blew me away was of the dark side of the moon – taken from Artemis II! The four Artemis II astronauts are now the only human beings who have seen the dark side of the moon. Happily, the rest of us can at least see a photo.
Since that evening, I’ve been prowling around online, learning more about Chris Hadfield and collecting some of his quotes.

Hope these do something good for you, as they did for me.
 
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“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow, and the day after that. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.”

“Every single day you’re the result of what you did on the days prior.”

“Almost everything worthwhile carries with it some sort of risk, whether it’s starting a new business, whether it’s leaving home, whether it’s getting married, or whether it’s flying in space.”

“Focus on the journey, not on arriving at a certain destination.”

“There’s really just one thing I can control: my attitude during the journey, which is what keeps me feeling steady and stable, and what keeps me headed in the right direction. So, I consciously monitor and correct, if necessary, because losing attitude would be far worse than not achieving my goal.”

“I wasn’t destined to be an astronaut. I had to turn myself into one.”

“Competence means keeping your head in a crisis, sticking with a task even when it seems hopeless, and improvising good solutions to tough problems when every second counts. It encompasses ingenuity, determination and being prepared for anything.”

“No one ever accomplished anything great sitting down.”

“As I have discovered again and again, things are never as bad (or as good) as they seem at the time.”

“Sweat the small stuff. Without letting anyone see you sweat.”

“To me, it’s simple: if you’ve got the time, use it to get ready. What else could you possibly have to do that’s more important? Yes, maybe you’ll learn how to do a few things you’ll never wind up needing to do, but that’s a much better problem than needing to do something and having no clue where to start.”

“Remember, nobody changes the world on their own.”

“In my experience, fear comes from not knowing what to expect and not feeling you have any control over what’s about to happen. When you feel helpless, you’re far more afraid than you would be if you knew the facts.”

“The cool thing about space is, when you put your pants on, you can put them on two legs at a time.”
 
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I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, e-mail Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day.