Camrose receives funding for
Wastewater Treatment Plant

By Adan Shaikh

The City of Camrose has secured an additional $2.5 million from the Government of Alberta to expand and upgrade the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“By investing in Camrose’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, we are creating the building blocks for Camrose to grow and thrive with the utilities we need,” shared Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely.

The funding is part of the province’s commitment to rural infrastructure through Budget 2025.

“Rural Alberta is the backbone of our province, driving economic growth, feeding the world, and strengthening our communities. Our government is investing in the infrastructure rural communities need to grow and thrive, whether it’s reliable roads, modern bridges, safe community airports, or water facilities. These are the essentials that support families, attract investment, and keep our rural economy moving. Through Budget 2025, we’re proud to partner with municipalities to deliver real, on-the-ground results that build stronger communities and a stronger Alberta,” stated Premier Danielle Smith in a media release.

Patricia MacQuarrie, general manager of community development for the city, said the funding comes after months of targeted advocacy.

“This was a direct result of advocacy work of the Council. On April 29, 2024, Mayor PJ Stasko, Councillor Lana Broker, Lucas Banack and Kevin Hycha along with myself and Kris Johnson, our general manager of infrastructure, met with Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen to advocate for increased funding for our Wastewater Treatment Plant. That meeting was successful and we found out this April that we received an additional $2.5 million to our grant for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. We were not allowed to speak about it until now, but the government has now allowed us to bring this forward. Great work on our Council’s part for bringing this to the government’s attention. This is a 25 per cent increase to our original $10 million grant,” explained MacQuarrie.

“I would like to thank the administration and council for all of their hard work on this,” commented Mayor PJ Stasko.

The money will be distributed through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP), Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) and Water for Life program. STIP supports small and rural municipalities in maintaining and improving local road bridges, community airports and resource roads.

The AMWWP and Water for Life programs provide grants to municipalities for the construction of high-priority water supply, treatment and wastewater facilities.

Camrose’s sanitary sewer collection system and Wastewater Treatment Plant were designed for a population of about 20,000. The existing facilities are nearing capacity, with forecasts showing a contributing population of about 30,000 by 2035.

The expansion will address both projected growth and the stricter treatment standards required under Alberta Environment and Protection regulations to reduce environmental impact on receiving waters.
Heritage Day festivities
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Camrose Heritage Days Committee (HDC) met with the City of Camrose and Bailey Theatre to proclaim August 23 as Heritage Day. From left, HDC committee member Heather Marshall; City Councillor Joy-Anne Murphy; manager of Bailey Theatre Elliot Harder; HDC committee chair Deanna Mason; with committee members Dennis Johnson and Janine Carroll. In the front, City Councillor Agnes Hoveland signed the proclamation on behalf of the City of Camrose. Missing from the photo are committee members Mona Diniz, Dave Faulkner, David Francoeur, Tanya Pattullo and Charlie Wolfe.

By Adan Shaikh

Camrose Heritage Day takes place every year on the fourth Saturday in August. Citizens enjoy an opportunity to connect with their roots and learn about the history of Camrose as a community. This year it will take place on August 23.

“A community’s heritage and history is what gives a place its unique texture. Just like individuals are shaped by their own and their family’s past, places are too. Celebrating heritage is a way to bring a community together and reminds us that, while we are diverse, there is also much that we can share and learn from one another,” shared Deanna Mason, chair of the Heritage Days Committee.

Heritage Days Committee (HDC) is a group of 10 community volunteers, working together to connect citizens of Camrose to their history.

“The committee includes representatives from the City’s main heritage organizations–the Bailey Theatre, Camrose and District Centennial Museum, and Camrose Heritage Railway Station and Park–that we partner with to offer a wide range of activities around the City,” said Deanna.

This year the committee is focusing on the importance of reconciliation. Various events will take place at five different locations in Camrose.

The opening ceremonies will take place from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at the historic Bailey Theatre. After a smudging ceremony and opening remarks, the attendees will get to hear the stories of Peokis (Jean-Baptiste Lapointe) by Dr. Juliette Champange.

“Peokis, also known as Jean-Baptiste Lapointe, was an early Métis resident of Camrose, who led a fascinating life. He participated in the Riel Uprising, travelled widely in his work with the Hudson’s Bay Company and as a guide for Simon Fraser and Père Hippolyte Beillevaire in Duhamel,” explained Deanna.

 “When he passed away, well past the age of 100 in 1936, obituaries appeared in newspapers throughout Canada. Yet Peokis has rested in an unmarked grave in Valleyview Cemetery for almost 90 years. The HDC is proud this year to celebrate Peokis’ contributions to Camrose’s history by unveiling a plaque on his grave that honours his life and ensures that his role in the area’s heritage will always be remembered,” she continued.

Next on the agenda will be a guided historic walk, where Irysh Snow and Deb Trout will lead the attendees on a very special Old Sparling Walking Tour. The walk will begin at 12 noon at The Sweeterie, and those interested in joining the group are advised to get there before noon.

At 1 p.m., activities at the Camrose and District Centennial Museum kick off with Indigenous drumming and dancing, led by local drum keeper Charlie Wolfe.

Alternatively, at 1 p.m., historic talks will also take place at the Camrose Heritage Railway Station and Park. Presentations by Les Kosma and Glen Hvenegaard will share the stories about early settlers and birds of Alberta. The Highland Dancers will also be at the Heritage Railway Station Museum and Park to perform.

To end the day, a special cemetery tour will take place at the Valleyview Cemetery where plaques will be unveiled and placed on Peokis and his son Louis Lapointe’s graves.

This year’s Heritage Day activities bring things full circle by ensuring all sides of Camrose heritage are celebrated.
Call for a cat bylaw

By Nadine Leming

The Camrose and Area Animal Shelter Society receives several calls a day from the community about cats, asking for assistance with strays, cats in gardens, or cats spraying  etc. They are not animal control or bylaw officers, so there’s not much they can do about these concerns as there is no current bylaw within Camrose.

Board president Sherry Lafortune said, “Having a cat bylaw is the start. It will help by recognizing that there is a problem. Having laws in place benefits us in the long run. We would also like to see licensing or some sort of control like micro-chipping and we could help with something like micro-chipping.”

This would help identify and return them to their rightful owners.

According to Matt McKeil, team member at the Shelter, “Letting people know that their cat should be spayed or neutered cuts down on the cat population, which is where we would see the most change in our world.”

Both Sherry and Matt feel that a bylaw and licensing is a good start to controlling the cat issues in the community. They also encourage cat owners to have their cats spayed or neutered especially if you do let your cat out. Sherry talked about how bylaws do exist in other communities smaller than Camrose, like Wetaskiwin, where there are hefty bylaws that include big fines.

The organization is currently collecting signatures for a petition in support of a cat bylaw. To sign call the shelter at 780-608-0091.

According to Sonja Bott, president of the Camrose Animal Alliance Rescue Society (CAARS), “A cat bylaw is extremely important to us. As it stands, the responsibility of managing overpopulation, abandonment, and community complaints falls entirely on organizations like ours–with no formal municipal support. A bylaw would establish shared responsibility between the City, pet owners, and rescue groups, which is desperately needed.”

She continued by adding that a bylaw would give them structure and legitimacy. A bylaw like this would reinforce responsible pet ownership by enforcing a mandatory spay or neuter of cats (unless permitted for breeding) including identifying through microchips (or tags) and confinement of cats to the indoors.

Sonja feels they’d like to see a practical and compassionate approach that also includes clear recognition and protection for feral/community cats, penalties for abandonment/neglect and a designated space and support for city rescue partnerships that offers access to education, funding and re-homing efforts.

One major concern of the CAARS is that they’ve been asked to remove all extra animals and rescue related outbuildings including catios designed for feral cats. It’s confusing, how can these spaces be considered non-compliant when there is no current bylaw governing them. They are a non-profit doing life saving work with limited means.

“This is why I believe rescue organizations and foster homes need to be considered within the bylaw–with reasonable exemptions or alternatives that reflect our unique role. Many of us run from home-based foster systems as a cost-saving necessity. If regulations restrict this, or impose building fees and zoning barriers, we simply cannot continue our work.” commented Sonja.

She added that the community sees stray or feral cats as a nuisance. The problem actually stems from human inaction. Often times people struggle financially and move to housing that isn’t pet friendly or taking in animals without understanding the long term commitment.

“This isn’t about blame. It’s about recognizing a growing issue and choosing a compassionate structured and proactive response.” Sonja added.

To be an effective bylaw, it should include tangible solutions that include mental health and compassion training for bylaw officers, spay/neuter subsidies or rebates, support for building safe outdoor cat spaces and consideration for nonprofit organizations and foster care options.

Sonja feels that strong initiatives would show the City is not only aware of the issue, but invested in long term solutions that are humane and support both the community and animals. For more information on the Camrose Animal Alliance Rescue Society, go to www.caars.ca.
Rachael Kehoe: a settler’s story of Camrose heritage
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These nursing graduates finished their schooling in 1931. They played an important role in caring for and forming the community. From back left: Diana Harsch, Anna Kehoe, Evelyn MacArnold, Albertina Fetzner. Front row from left: Clara Albers, Leona Lenhart, Marcella Lenhart Nellie MacHurley.


By Nadine Leming

Traditionally inhabited by the Indigenous Cree, Camrose and area began seeing settlers arriving around the early 1900s by European people.
The community we now know as Camrose was initially the hamlet of Stoney Creek before becoming Sparling. It was in 1905 when it became the Village of Camrose.

During this time, in 1907, Camrose saw the creation of a town administration building, police and fire station, telephone exchange and schoolhouse.

In 1908, Rachael Kehoe (McGee) moved to Camrose from Ontario with her family. In 1980, she recorded her thoughts as she reminisced about the early years of the community.

Camrose was a small town at the time but growing quickly. Railway construction brought three rail lines to Camrose which included CP, CN and Grand Trunk between 1905 and 1914. This created attractive opportunities in the commercial and residential sections.

The family was invited to move to Camrose from a cousin who bought a farm four miles south of town. One of Rachael’s first memories of moving here was sleeping on the floor on a mattress having a mouse run across her face. That was an experience she never forgot.

Her first impression of Camrose was the heavy odour of coal smoke. Back then there was no natural gas or electricity in Camrose. One of the things she remembers of those early days is the number of dogs and coyotes on the street. She recalled the coyotes to be a bit frightening as a small child.

Rachael attended the one room school house that was heated by either coal or wood. She would walk just under two miles to school with her lunch in a tin pail. She remembers vaguely, families crowding the school house to watch the annual Christmas pageants as a friendly neighbourhood gathering.

There were stores, a bank and two hotels. Rachael recalls being able to eat a full meal in a local restaurant for only 35 cents. In those days, people travelled by horse and buggy and when in town would hitch the horses to the posts on either side of the street.

Many farmers would come to town to trade butter and eggs to the stores and trade them for other groceries.

The first Catholic church was built in 1909. Mass was only held on rare occasions, whenever possible. Many people from Camrose would venture to Duhamel when they could to enjoy mass.

It wasn’t until 1915 when Camrose welcomed a full time priest to the community.

Indigenous families would set up tents on nearby lands to attend mass, especially for Easter and Christmas services. Rachael always appreciated the view of the quaint church looking across Mirror Lake.

John Kehoe, Rachael’s nephew, is a third generation resident in Camrose and area. His mom moved to the area from Nebraska and married his father.  She graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital in the second nursing class.

Family is important to John as he mentioned the Kehoe family met twice a year for 49 years before the pandemic. He and his wife just celebrated 60 years of marriage, which is an accomplishment.

Over the years, Camrose has always been home for him, raising his family here. He says, “Camrose is a great community. What more could you want when you have everything the big city has without the hassle.” 
All Stars in pool
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These remarkable young people recently participated on the ASSA All Star Team with remarkable success. Pictured from left to right are Uyiosa Ogbeide, Osamudiamen Ogbeide and Destiny Castagna.

By Nadine Leming

Swimmers from  the Camrose Sea Serpents made the Alberta Summer Swimming Association’s (ASSA) All Stars team. Each year, Swim Alberta invites teams of qualified ASSA swimmers to compete at the Swim Alberta year round summer provincials. The Sea Serpents were proud to have three swimmers make the team in the province.

To qualify, the swimmers must achieve the Swim Alberta qualifying times in their age category.
Swimming coach Jana Gau said, “What’s so phenomenal about these three swimmers is that they were competing against swimmers that train year round. We only swim three and a half months a year.”

Destiny Castagna (14), Osamudiamen Ogbeide (14) and Uyiosa Ogebeide (12) swam on the ASSA All Star team and all had remarkable success.
This was Uyiosa’s first time qualifying for the All Star competition. He competed in Lethbridge in eight events, walking away with a personal best time in the U12 50-metre breaststroke.

As an infant, he overcame some amazing challenges, receiving open heart surgery. It’s truly remarkable what he has accomplished. In his eight meets this season, he earned two silver and one bronze medal.

Osamudiamen and Destiny competed in Edmonton and were two of only 15 ASSA swimmers to qualify for the meet. This was a great experience for them both.

Osamudiamen said, “It gives you a good feeling when you see improvements.”

He swam in five events and came home with three bronze medals. In his six meets over the season, he walked away with two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

Destiny swam in five events at the meet as well and achieved a personal best time in the 100-metre freestyle event. In her seven meets this season, she earned four gold and two silver. She enjoys going to meets and said, “It’s a great way to meet and make friends.”

According to Jana, “All three of these swimmers have demonstrated improvement throughout the season. They train twice per day from Monday through Thursday and participate in meets on the weekends. Their dedication and training allows them to continue to improve their times throughout the year.”

The Sea Serpents hosted a meet July 25 to 27 in Camrose, with 346 swimmers from Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Provost, Vermilion, Wainwright and Wetaskiwin, with hopes of qualifying for ASSA provincials in Edmonton.
 
Changes made to Community Bus route

By Adan Shaikh

 
To improve the quality and accessibility of public transportation, the Camrose City Council approved revisions to the current route of the Community Bus.

The update comes after reviewing ridership patterns and feedback from users. Changes will include an additional stop at Heritage Manor, relocating the 66 Street Centre stop to the nearby parking lot, shifting the CityLights Church/Camrose Public Library stop further south and making the Safeway stop an on-demand stop–the bus would only stop at on-demand stops if a rider is present at the location.
Music festival winner
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On July 24, Anika Carrier of Camrose participated in the Canada West Music Festival and won first place in her category, receiving a scholarship that will go towards her tuition.

By Nadine Leming

Anika Carrier is Camrose born and raised with a passion for musical theatre. Anika is going into her third year at Grant MacEwan University’s Fine Arts/Communication program, majoring in musical theatre and performance.

This past April she competed in the Camrose Music Festival with four songs. She received a scholarship which moved her forward to perform at the Alberta Provincial Music Festival in Edmonton in May in the Under 20 category. With the two songs she performed, she placed very well tying for second with one song and first with the other song.

She earned another scholarship that sent her to the Canada West Performing Arts Festival in Saskatoon. Here she competed against all the first place winners from BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Each competitor put together a 25-minute program that showcased their vocal and performance skills. Once again, she placed first in the Musical Theatre category, receiving another scholarship.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Anika, who has made new friends at the competitions. These friendships created friendly rivalries. She added, “We always joked saying we were ‘fighting’ back and forth like ‘enemies’, but really we are all good friends uplifting and supporting each other.”

Competing in Saskatoon was the highest level of competition at which she’s ever performed. She mentioned being nervous saying, “Everyone here is so good, what am I going to do?” One thing she’s learned through these competitions is proving to herself that she’s worthy of being there with other talented performers.

In addition to competing in music festivals, Anika also entered a song writing contest at Grant MacEwan in her first year of university. She won another scholarship which is amazing as she was up against music majors. This is a skill she would like to develop further as well as musical arranging.

Anika’s future ambitions after graduating are to make a career out of performing. She stated, “I’ve been talking with my parents about performing on a cruise ship. It would be so fun.”
 Starkevich paints the Battle River region
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Pictured above is Colin Starkevich on a field study trip along the South Saskatchewan River in southern Alberta. He often paints on location, creating small pieces to capture the moment. He then later creates larger, more realistic pieces at his home studio.

By Adan Shaikh

Colin Starkevich has spent years painting the wildlife and landscapes of the prairies. His Grassland Series is currently on display at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat until October 18, featuring works that capture the region’s wildlife and open landscapes.

“I have been drawing nature and wildlife ever since I was a kid and then I started painting when I was a teenager. I kept working away at it and it became almost an addiction where I started feeling like my day wasn’t complete until I painted,” he said.

Starkevich’s connection to the prairie began with a camping trip in southern Alberta at age 19. That experience inspired him to focus on the grasslands and their wildlife, combining his artistic practice with his background in environmental sciences and wildlife conservation.

“I paint the prairies in an ongoing series I started in 2009 called The Grassland Series, which depicts wildlife and landscapes from this region of Alberta,” he said. “I moved out here to Camrose County five years ago which is at the northern extent of this region and full of the wildlife and land I enjoy to paint.”

Since the series began, Starkevich has continued to add new works each year. His first major recognition came in 2015, when he held a solo exhibition at the Royal Alberta Museum at age 25, one of the youngest artists to do so in Canadian history.

“Through my work in The Grassland Series I wish to raise awareness about the prairie/grasslands ecosystem and the biodiversity within them,” he said. “To have my artwork celebrate the conservation efforts of the past and present which give us all the prairie landscape we see and experience today, and ultimately, I hope my work inspires people to discover and utilize their unique abilities to make a positive difference in the world around them.”

His paintings aim to highlight the beauty and fragility of the prairie while encouraging viewers to recognize the conservation work that protects it.
“The Battle River region felt like the perfect place for an artist like me,” he added.

Starkevich continues to explore the northern extent of Alberta’s grasslands, capturing its wildlife and landscapes while sharing the story of the region through his art.
Learn More
Marler Drive work in progress

By Adan Shaikh

Residents driving through southwest Camrose may have noticed large sections of Marler Drive closed and dug up. This is part of an extensive reconstruction project that will continue through September.

The work includes a full replacement of underground water, storm and sanitary main lines, along with new services to each property line. Once that is complete, the roadway will be rebuilt with new gravel, asphalt pavement, concrete curb and gutter, and a separate sidewalk. Landscaping will also be restored with new sod where needed.

“As part of the City’s strategic focus area of Optimizing Asset Management, this project is part of a three-phase project to upgrade the underground and surface infrastructure along Marler Drive (from Parkview Drive to 68 Street). This construction was needed in order to address the age and condition of the underground infrastructure, as well as the poor surface conditions (road, curb and gutter and sidewalks),” said Jeremy Enarson, manager of engineering services.

Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2023, from Parkview Drive to Mount Pleasant Drive.

“After letting the utility trenches settle for a couple of years, the City is planning to place the final layer of asphalt along Phase 1 later this year,” Enarson said.

The current stage, Phase 2A, runs from Mount Pleasant Drive to the linear park space between 63 Street and 65 Street. “Phase 2B is planned for 2026, and will complete the current project to its west extent at 68 Street,” Enarson said.

Road closures began earlier in May and will continue throughout September, with sections shifting as work moves along. For more information visit camrose.ca.
Sullivan’s upgraded Chevy II Nova
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Patrick Sullivan loves his Chevy II Nova, his car came in the classic Marina Blue colour. This beauty is his fifth Chevy II but over the course of his life, Sullivan has restored 25 Chevrolets.

By Adan Shaikh

Patrick Sullivan has owned his 1967 Chevy II Nova for 16 years. This isn’t Sullivan’s first Chevy II, he has had five over the years. He owned several when he was younger, and after taking a break from his restoration hobby to raise a family, he was quick to find more to work on, once his children were grown and busy with their own lives.

“My daughter went to university in Arizona, so when I went to visit her in the winter time I was on the look out for a car there. When I found it there, I had it shipped here and started spending more money on it,” shared Sullivan.

The 1967 Chevy II Nova was offered in several trims, from a simple base model to the sportier Super Sport (SS). The base model came with a 230-cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine, producing about 140 horsepower, paired to a two-speed automatic or three-speed manual transmission. The SS version, meanwhile, could be ordered with Chevrolet’s small-block V8 engines.

Originally, Sullivan’s car was a base model with a straight six-cylinder engine. “I changed the motor and transmission, gears and the rear end. It came with a straight 6 cylinder and now it has a 350 small block V8. I have to get new wheels and tires next because these roads are too bouncy and bumpy, so that will be my project next winter,” explained Sullivan.

Swapping an inline-six for a small-block V8 transforms the car’s character. The original six-cylinder is  known for smooth running and good fuel economy, but the 350-cubic-inch small block, a compact, lighter-weight version of Chevrolet’s V8 design delivers a great boost in horsepower and torque without the added bulk of a big-block engine. Sullivan found the engine restoration to be the most challenging part, though it only took him a couple of days to complete.

The transmission puts the car almost a couple of decades ahead of its original specification. “When it first came out it came with a two-speed transmission and then it had a three-speed but I switched it out for a four-speed automatic, which didn’t come out until the 90s so it’s pretty upgraded,” shared Sullivan.

His favourite memory with the car is of his granddaughter behind the wheel. “I have a picture of my granddaughter standing up in there that I love, my son was holding her up but I think she knew she was having a special moment,” he commented.

Sullivan is looking forward to the day when his son can get his granddaughter’s car seat set up in the Chevy so she can join him for rides. His care and love for the car are clear in its pristine condition, the product of both his restoration work and his passion for the Chevy II Nova.

Community Standards Bylaw


By Adan Shaikh

 
Camrose City Council approved the new Community Standards Bylaw on August 11, regular council meeting. The bylaw will replace the City’s Nuisance Abatement, Public Properties, Unsightly Property and Snow Removal bylaws with one set of regulations covering property upkeep, public conduct and neighbourhood standards. Administration shared the changes are meant to make expectations clearer and enforcement more consistent.

Under the rules, property owners are required to keep yards free of excessive weeds, garbage, discarded materials and derelict vehicles. Grass taller than 15 centimetres is considered non-compliant unless it forms part of a naturalized area. Graffiti must be removed within 14 days of being discovered or reported, and sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice within 48 hours of a snowfall.

“Administration did provide public notification online about the community standards bylaw, making sure that the residents were aware of the proposed changes. There was nothing substantial, but there was some misconceptions about Kick it to the Curb. The residents will still be able to place their items on the curb during Kick it to the Curb, but once it is over they would need to remove the items,” shared Brianne Hillson, City general manager of corporate and protective services.
Participants in Kick it to the Curb are already encouraged to remove their items as soon as the community-wide event is over.

The bylaw also sets standards for public behaviour prohibiting: littering;  graffiti; panhandling within 10 metres of banks or transit stops; public urination or defecation; and causing a disturbance through shouting, obscene language, intoxication or unsafe actions. Parades, demonstrations and games on roadways require a permit.

“The bylaw aims to ensure a safe, clean and enjoyable environment for all the residents of Camrose,” commented Hillson.

Compared to the older bylaws, the changes include specific timelines for snow clearing and graffiti removal, an expanded definition of “unsightly” property to include peeling paint, damaged fencing and unfinished construction more than five years old, and clearer rules for parking recreational vehicles and trailers on residential property. Some public activities are now subject to permit requirements that were not previously defined in one place.

For more information on the bylaw, visit camrose.ca.
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Vision donation

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The downtown branch of Vision Credit Union held a barbecue after BVJ to raise funds for local charities. This is an annual event that has been held for approximately10 years. Every year they choose a different charity. This year, the staff chose Special Olympics Camrose. The fundraiser raised about $1,500 with head office matching that donation to give them a total of $3,000. Pictured, from left, are Elise Stang, Stacey Wesley, Sharon Nelson, Kassidy Baumle, Kyle Follett, Dianne Friesen, Brad Mullins, Michael Rostad, Vicki Spence, Caidyn Flemming and Zack Rutledge.
 

Kodiaks cultivate strong players


By Nadine Leming

 
The Camrose Kodiaks are steeped in rich history and tradition. With five AJHL Championships, five Doyle Cup titles and six appearances in the RBC Cup, this team has a storied past starting in 1996. This community-owned team began with a desire to bring Junior A hockey to Camrose, and became a team others feared to play.

Recently, the team had five 20-year-olds graduate from the Camrose Kodiaks’ program. All five of these players have earned scholarships allowing them to continue both their academic and hockey careers at the collegiate level. This allows these players to pursue a post-secondary education as they continue to play the game they love through the Camrose Kodiaks program. These players include: Wilson Maxfield, NAIT; Avery Trotter,  Ooks (ACAC); Dylan Didyk, Grant MacEwan University (U Sports); Sam Lozinski, Albertus Magnus College (NCAA Division III); and Owen Lansing, University of Alberta Augustana Campus (ACAC).

The team is committed to help players further their education through hockey at various levels to provide each of the players an opportunity to attain their goals through their education advisors. These advisors assist them in making sure each player is fully prepared and eligible to continue education through hockey.

“It’s truly incredible to look back and see the impact this program has had on so many student-athletes. The support from the Camrose community, including our sponsors, volunteers, board members, billets, season ticket holders and fans, has given these players the opportunity to pursue both their athletic and academic goals” said Eric Kroetch, Kodiaks general manager.

Eric has come to appreciate how important the community’s support is to the success of the education program. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the visionaries who started the Camrose Sport Development Society nearly 30 years ago, and the many individuals who have continued to donate their time, energy, and resources to help this team grow,” he continued.

The team also heavily relies on the generous support of all the local sponsors who continue to back this community owned team. Eric acknowledges the tough economic challenges due to inflation, tariffs, and rising interest rates. He’s excited to see a renewed energy around the team stating, “Our average game attendance has increased over the past two seasons, and there’s a growing excitement in the building.”
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Groundbreaking Habitat

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Habitat for Humanity Camrose held a groundbreaking ceremony on August 11 for their new project which will be the organization’s 50th building. From left are Camrose City Councillor, Lucas Banack; Councillor Lana Broker; Habitat for Humanity board member, Grant Burgess; board chair, Lee Foreman; Councillor David Francoeur; Councillor Joy-Ann Murphy; Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely; Habitat for Humanity manager of family services, Laura Fuson; executive director, Jennifer Edmonds; and Councillor Kevin Hycha.
 
Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson
 
The new 5-Second Rule

As a young adult, I heard a “5-Second Rule.” That rule said if you drop food on the floor but pick it up in less than five seconds, it’s okay to eat it. Germs won’t have time to affect it.

I have never followed that 5-Second Rule, even though two different health practitioners have told me it’s valid. They may be right, but the idea of eating food dropped on the floor is too gross for me.

I expected an article called “The 5-Second Rule” to be about that. But it wasn’t.
 
***

This 5-Second Rule was discovered by Mel Robbins when her life was spiralling down.

After several unfortunate events, Mel wasn’t working. Her husband’s pizza restaurant won awards and looked successful, but he was working long hours just to keep it afloat. They were struggling for money and had to accept a loan from her dad to pay their mortgage.

Mel started drinking. Her confidence and self-esteem were in the cellar.

She didn’t want to get up in the mornings. When the alarm went off, she felt dread and kept pressing snooze. The family’s mornings became frantic. Her three children didn’t have essential items in their school bags and would miss their school bus. Mel thought she was failing her kids and felt even worse about herself.

Every night Mel would say, “Tomorrow I will get up on the first ring of the alarm.” She knew if she could just do that, her whole day would go better. But next morning she would press snooze again.
 
***

One evening on TV, Mel watched a rocket being launched into space. She heard the countdown: “5-4-3-2-1 launch!”

“That’s it!” she thought, “When the alarm rings tomorrow, I will say 5-4-3-2-1 and launch myself out of bed.”

It worked!

And the next day and the next after that.

Mel couldn’t quite believe that something so simple was helping. She started to say 5-4-3-2-1 before everything she wanted to do: find work; not argue with her husband; drink less.

Her husband noticed her positive changes and asked what she was doing differently. He tried the 5-Second Rule and it worked for him too. Then their friends started to use it, and they also found it powerful.

Much later, Mel did a TEDx talk. She mentioned the 5-Second Rule towards the end of her talk and it went viral. People tweeted and emailed her their victories from using the 5-Second Rule.
 
***

Mel decided to research why it worked.

When you have an idea to do something, whether big or small (start a business; get off the couch), there’s always a moment of hesitation. In that moment, your brain tries to talk you out of it and comes up with reasons not to act.

Then you feel defeated.

However, when you have an idea or intention and then start counting backwards from 5 to 1, your brain cannot talk you out of it because you are counting. Your brain can’t do two things at once.

Then, because you start to move, your prefrontal cortex is activated. Instead of slipping into old habits, your brain helps you to create new ones.
By happy accident, Mel discovered the powerful 5-4-3-2-1 cognition technique that breaks the habit loop.
 
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I read Mel’s story on a day I was working on a report I’d been struggling with for four days. The report is now done. I even like it.

I highly recommend the new 5-Second Rule: “5-4-3-2-1 Launch!”

You’re welcome.
 
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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.