The Fellowship of the Camrose Public Library (CPL) is launching a new campaign for a Kids’ Cozy Reading Space and is inviting the community to participate in bringing new life to a well-used and popular area. The Fellowship of CPL is an advocacy group that fundraises and advocates for the library.

The Kids’ Cozy Reading Space hosts hundreds of children, teens and caregivers every day. It is a place where homework gets done, computers are accessed, people spend time with friends and enjoy a snack while fostering a joy for reading.

Every year CPL receives nearly 100,000 visits, with the children’s area showing just how much it has been well loved. The Fellowship of CPL has set a goal to raise $10,000. The money will go to purchasing new furniture that will be durable, comfortable and family friendly.

The idea is to make the space feel warm, inviting and inspiring to each of the users of the space. If the $10,000 goal is achieved, the Fellowship of CPL will receive an additional $5,000 from the provincial government’s crowdfunding campaign.

In addition, the Kids’ Cozy Reading Space will contain bright and cheerful furnishings, creating outlets that are safe with an accessible design to inspire kids to enjoy stories on their own or share with their family and friends. The objective of this plan is to encourage literacy, creativity and connection.

Channing MacDonald, interim director at CPL said, “We want every child who walks through our doors to feel welcome, comfortable, and inspired to read. A refreshed reading space helps nurture imagination, literacy and a lifelong love of books.”

Amie Mummery, a local mother, has attended most of the programs with her three kids. “You get to meet new people and know the town through the library. It is a wonderful support network. It is so amazing to see a library that has more than just books. They are creating a sense of community at the library.”

Amie’s daughter Lily said, “I like to read books that help me read. I also like to see my friends.” When asked what her favourite book is, Lily said, “I pretty much like them all.”

Local businesses and residents looking to support this project are encouraged to give through the crowdfunding website at http://give.crowdfunding.alberta.ca/CamrosePublic
Library, which is the only way to make a donation. The deadline to contribute is December 29. Every offering made, large or small, creates a welcoming library for the next generation of readers.

The Camrose Ski Club is excited to announce that they have received approval from Nordiq Alberta and Nordiq Canada and are now listed on the donations page of their website. For anyone interested in donating to the Ski Club, visit https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/Cross-CountrySkidefondCanada/club-donation.html and select Camrose Nordic Ski Club.

It’s not too late to purchase your membership for the upcoming season. Membership allows you to be up to date on all important information and events, gives you access to the club room, trail system while developing and maintaining the club.

Do you have a youth between 10 to 14 interested in skiing for fun and socializing while building on ski skills? Think about the new Youth Adventure Ski. This engaging program will explore the Stoney Creek system.

Like many local organizations, volunteers are the heart of the Ski Club. They appreciate all those who have stepped up to fill a variety of volunteer positions. This year, they have three vacant board positions: director of adult cross country skiing, director of biathlon facilities, and director of running. Each of these positions will be supported. If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer position, contact the club at skiclubcamrose@gmail.com.

For more information on all things Camrose Ski Club, visit their website at camroseskiclub.com.

The University of Alberta Augustana Campus drama department will be performing their fall show The Trouble with Trifles between November 19 to 22 at the Theatre Centre. Kevin Sutley, drama professor and director of the play, said, “It’s four short plays, telling women’s stories.”

Fans of Robert Frost will enjoy the first play that takes the works of Frost and Amy Lowell and blends two long poems about women’s lives in the late 1800s turning them into a single-act show.
The remaining three short plays have more contemporary themes to them that have interesting situations with comedic aspects to the story lines.

The stories being told will be dynamic starting with the seriousness of the poets, to comedic timing in two of the other shows including one that tells the tale of a government experiment on chickens.
The performance wraps up with two friends meeting for dinner where they reveal some intimate secrets.

It will be a short evening, yet entertaining with the performance only being about an hour. Tickets will be available at the door or by going to https://marketplace.ualberta.ca/products/augustana-drama-the_trouble_with-trifles

Think back to the days when you put on your favourite skinny jeans, cowboy boots, and made sure you were looking your country best on a Friday night, ready to hit the best saloon this side of Nashville.

It’s 1990-something and you’re ready to go dancing. That’s the mindset you want to be in on November 21 as Camrose goes on a nostalgic journey with three of Canada’s most recognizable names in country music. Lisa Brokop, Patricia Conroy and Beverly Mahood will hit the stage at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre for an evening of great music.

The audience can expect a show filled with hits, unbelievable voices and amazing stories as these three amazing artists show you why they have the successful careers that they do.

Lisa Brokop is a multi-award winning artist, but one of her biggest awards was recently being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (CCMHF) this past September.

She describes the experience of being inducted into the CCMHF as not being quite what she expected. She discovered that being recognized like that had so many layers, bringing back so many memories of her 35-year career. She said, “It felt like a full circle moment for me in a good way. It gives me some strange bit of permission to do whatever I want, even though I’ve been doing that all along the way.”
Lisa continued by saying, “I’m with a group of people who have had such huge success and it’s hard to imagine that I would be included in that group with artists like Ann Murray, Ian Tyson and Gordon Lightfoot. It was such an honour.”

Lisa is definitely enjoying touring with The Girls. It’s been so much fun for her, filled with a lot of laughter. Lisa talked about how Beverly, Patricia and herself have had similar careers with success in Canadian country radio, having played big stages. One of her favourite things about this tour is sharing the stage with her contemporaries in the business and being able to lift each other up and celebrate each other.

For these three ladies, it’s about the relationships they have with each other and having fun on the road.

Each performer will be bringing some of their biggest hits to this show, bringing them all together and singing each other’s songs. She added, “It’s great to be sharing the stage.”

Audiences will enjoy singing along to each of The Girls songs, like Lisa’s “Take That”, Patricia’s “Can’t Resist It” and Beverly’s “I Want a Man.” It will be a great show with a full band, stories about how songs came about or about being on the road. Spontaneity is also a part of their show, which can lead to some funny moments on stage.

Lisa commented, “We are The Girls, this is a group thing. We perform with each other.” You can expect them to be all on stage, singing background and harmonies on each other’s songs.

This will be a unique experience as people will get to hear some of their favourites, but this tour is new, so it’s also an opportunity to see each artist in a way like never before.

For more information on the show or to get tickets, go to www.camrose.live.ca.

The Camrose Men’s Shed marked its 10th anniversary on November 6, celebrating a decade as Alberta’s first Men’s Shed. The group was founded by the late Clarence Hasting and Allan Thompson. The event was attended by members from both Edmonton’s Southeast YEG Men’s Shed, as well as Grande Prarie Men’s Shed.

“I am a member of the Alberta board for Men’s Sheds and I represent the Edmonton region. I would like to congratulate you guys on your 10-year anniversary as a men’s shed, but not only just any men’s shed but Alberta’s very first men’s shed. The Alberta Men’s Shed Association would like to recognize two men who were the original members from when this whole thing started, Allan Thompson and Willie MacEnroy, thank you for your commitment to the Men’s Shed,” said Morris Reid, president of Southeast YEG Men’s Shed.

“We would also like to recognize Clarence Hastings for his contributions to the development of the Camrose Men’s Shed and Lyndel Kasa, not only for her support for the Camrose Men’s Shed, but also for her ongoing and outstanding contributions to the development through the Camrose and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) across Alberta,” he continued.

Lyndel Kasa thanked the group for their support through volunteering and always lending a helping hand. “I have worked with the FCSS for the past four years and the Men’s Shed was one of the programs I inherited. It was a rough start at first I thought ‘I don’t know if it fits, or it if works with what we are doing at the FCSS’ but it did not take very long for me to realize that it absolutely fits. When we work on prevention of loneliness and creating an engaged and involved community, which is exactly what you guys do here, that is the FCSS mandate. I think in our community, having a group that gives back to the community, you never say no to help us, I really appreciate that,” said Kasa.

The group meets every Thursday in the Old Timer’s Hut at the Camrose and District Museum, where members gather to work on projects, share skills and connect with one another. The Shed was founded to create a comfortable space for men, especially those who are retired or living alone, to stay active, social and involved in the community.
Over the years, the group has contributed to Camrose through volunteer work and many small building projects. Members have made planter boxes, benches, birdhouses and comfort birds for care homes, and have partnered with local organizations to support community events and needs.

A 2023 study by the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities at the University of Alberta found that programs like the Camrose Men’s Shed provide significant mental health benefits. Participants often report improved wellbeing through social interaction, a sense of purpose and opportunities to contribute to their community. The research also found that men’s sheds help reduce isolation and fill gaps in mental health support, particularly in rural areas where formal services can be limited.

International Men’s Day is approaching on November 19.

The Camrose Men’s Shed’s milestone reminds everyone how simple, community-led initiatives can strengthen men’s mental health and create a sense of belonging in the community. After ten years, the Shed continues to grow as a place where men find friendship, purpose and the satisfaction of helping others.

For information on Camrose Men’s Shed visit: www.camrosefcss.ca/mens-shed

Every year on November 20, communities around the world recognize Children’s Day, a time to celebrate the joy, creativity and promise that young people bring into our lives. The day also serves as a reminder of children’s rights and the role families and communities play in supporting their growth and well-being.

Families can mark the day in many simple, meaningful ways. Setting aside time to be fully present with children is one of the most powerful gestures. Turning off phones and sharing a meal together, reading a favourite story or playing a board game can help children feel seen and valued.

“Spending quality uninterrupted time with your children can be so important, having conversations and just keeping that connection and relationship can be great,” said Crystal Schierman, assistant director of Child Enrichment Services–Camrose and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).

Child Enrichment Services offers Pre-School and Out of School Care (OSCAR) in Camrose and utilizes a compassionate approach to early learning.

“Play is a complex part of a child’s life that can also be a way of coping and problem solving in their ever-changing world,” said Kandace Bonney, director of Child Enrichment Services.

“Our programs help children find their sense of belonging and identity and build upon their skills. We recognize that every child is unique, with different strengths and abilities and we hope that they can take pride in who they are,” she continued.

Being a child might appear straightforward and uncomplicated to adults, but in today’s rapidly changing and evolving environment, many challenges are emerging for the younger generation.

“I think especially during Covid when people were more isolated, things that we noticed in children then was that since they were not around people as often they became more socially anxious, we noticed a spike in seperation anxiety from the parent. We also now notice more speech delays as well,” said Schierman.

“We also noticed that toiletting skills were behind, so we have since softened that rule, where it used to be that they had to be fully trained to come to Pre-School, but we have had to adapt because of the ever-changing world. Emotional regulation is another challenge now, more children are struggling with regulating themselves,” commented Bonney.

“I think it goes to show how stressful the pandemic was for everyone. It has set us back in many ways, especially the children. They feel it when the adults are stressed too,” added Schierman.

Bonney shared that the current challenges are not just because of Covid, many other social factors play into them. Both Bonney and Schierman recommended that parents spend quality time with their children, check in on them and participate in family activities such as scavenger hunts. Parents might also take the opportunity to ask their children about their dreams, ideas or worries. Honest conversations build trust and show that their voices matter.

For younger children, drawing or crafting together can be a fun way to express feelings and imagination. Many resources and spaces are available in Camrose, such as library story hours, open gym days, drop-in indoor playground or art workshops. Attending these events strengthens family bonds and connects children with others in their community.

Another thoughtful way to celebrate as we approach the holiday season is by encouraging children to give back. Volunteering as a family, whether that’s donating gently used toys, helping at a food drive or visiting a senior centre can teach empathy and kindness.

Children’s Day is ultimately about recognition and gratitude. It is a day to pause and celebrate the laughter, curiosity and hope that children bring to everyday life, and to remind ourselves of the importance of protecting their happiness and future.