New program brings more family physicians to Camrose
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University of Alberta’s Rural Family Medicine Residency program is a step towards improving healthcare access in rural communities. Pictured are, from left, Dr. Jeff Bennett, site co-director; Dr. Andrew Archibald; Dr. Jordana Cain; Katrina Stuckey, academic site administrator; and Dr. Amber Jorgensen, site co-director.

By Adan Shaikh

The University of Alberta’s (U of A) rural family medicine residency program officially began in Camrose on July 1, marking the start of a new training model designed to train rural physicians directly in the community.

Unlike other rural residency programs in Alberta, which are based in larger regional centres like Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, this new program is based fully in Camrose.

“We have had residents come to Camrose for a number of years, but these residents will be based here in Camrose for the full two years of their residency,” explained Dr. Amber Jorgensen, who is the site co-director of U of A Rural Family Medicine Program, along with Dr. Jeff Bennett.

Family medicine residents are physicians who are undergoing additional training after completing medical school before they head out into the world, to begin practicing independently. Their education in Camrose will include experience in a variety of settings such as family medicine clinics, emergency rooms, hospital wards, operating rooms and specialty practices.

“Family physicians in rural areas usually have multiple jobs, they usually work in clinics, emergency departments and see out patients. Another part of being a rural doctor is having less resources than you typically do in the city. We are lucky we have a lot of resources and specialists in Camrose but not as many as you would have access to in the city,” shared Dr. Jorgensen.

While some specialized rotations will still take place in Edmonton or Red Deer, such as critical care or dermatology the focus of the program is to deliver core training in Camrose, with local family doctors and specialists.

The program is designed to offer residents greater continuity with their patients, supervisors and community. By training in one rural location over two years, residents can build better relationships with patients and gain a broader understanding of the medical and social needs of rural populations.
Camrose is expected to benefit from increased physician presence, both during the training period and potentially long term. Like many rural communities in Alberta, Camrose faces ongoing physician shortages.

The residents who have joined the program this year are Dr. Jordana Cain and Dr. Andrew Archibald.
“We’re not new to Camrose. My colleague Jordana and I both completed our third year of medical school training right here in Camrose, through a different program, so that is what initially drew me back to the area. We had the opportunity to see what it is like to practice in a rural community,” commented Dr. Archibald.

“The nice thing about Camrose is that there are a lot of opportunities to start your own practice in the community and there’s a spot for most physicians here, which makes it a great place to establish your practice as a doctor,” said Dr. Cain.

“We will accept two residents per year into our program and we will continue to have many other medical students and residents at our site during their varying levels of training,” said Dr. Jorgensen.
Patients may encounter residents during their appointments or hospital visits. While they are still completing training, residents work independently under the supervision of fully licensed physicians. Patients are encouraged to share feedback about their experiences with residents directly with their physician.

Residency years are generally the years in most doctor’s lives when they are just finding their place in their communities, meeting their partners and starting their lives. Spending these formative years in a rural community, increases their chances of staying in their community in the long run.

“We have seen a lot of success in similar programs we have had here in Camrose and around Alberta,” said Dr. Jorgensen.

With this program, residents in rural areas can feel reassured that their healthcare access challenges are being actively addressed.

For more information on the program contact rfmcr@ualberta.ca.

Small theatre group hits big stage

2 nl waterworks musical
From left, actresses Jane Gusdal, Pam Sherman, April McCorquindale and Kate Down.

By Nadine Leming

Every year, the Fringe Festival in Edmonton draws over 850,000 visitors from all over the province. This year will be a unique experience for a local theatre group, the Waterworks Players, who will be hitting the stage with  their successful rendition of Motherhood the Musical by Sue Fabisch.

This heartwarmingly hilarious show celebrates the triumphs and trials of motherhood.

The cast features the talented performers April McCorquindale, Kate Down, Pam Sherman, Veronica Denis and Jane Gusdal. This fun comedic performance of Motherhood the Musical was originally presented at the Bailey Theatre and in Bittern Lake in May of 2024, drawing audiences from all over central Alberta. Rave reviews came from audience members from five, almost sold out, shows.

“I laughed so hard I peed!” and “Every mother needs to see this” were popular comments from the audiences. The vocals were amazing and the jokes hit close to home in a positive way as these ladies provide a one-of-a-kind performance.
Scheduled for eight performances at the festival, the cast hope to prove that there is a lot of talent in rural Alberta.

This show was Jane Gusdal’s directing debut. The performances were so successful she wanted to bring it to the Fringe. She’s enjoyed the creative process of directing and being able to select an ensemble cast bringing the musical to life.

“I am blessed to work with such a talented cast whose powerful vocals and great comedic timing make this show a joy to direct and a treat to watch as an audience,” said Gusdal.

She added, “I want to make sure that this awesome team of actors and crew get the credit they deserve. They truly have made this such an enjoyable experience and they are ready to put on another string of fabulous shows this summer.”

Tickets go on sale in early August through the Fringe Festival’s box office or on site. Motherhood the Musical is sure to delight audiences.
Accessible LPAC shows
By Nadine Leming
 
For those who may find it challenging to attend live performances, the Lougheed Centre is pleased to announce they will be offering four shows that will be live-streamed.

This initiative is designed to make the captivating experience of live entertainment more accessible for the 2025 to 2026 season. This opportunity became available due to an anonymous sponsor.

“We are profoundly grateful for their contribution, which allows us to bring these unique viewing experiences to a wider audience,” said Nansee Hughes, marketing and sponsorship coordinator of the Lougheed.

She added, “Our mission is always to find innovative ways to connect people with the arts. Imagine transforming your space into a vibrant concert hall for an evening, enjoying a live performance that truly feels like a night out on the town!”

For more information, contact the box office or visit www.camroselive.ca.

BRCF grants funding to CMHA

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Henry Hays, director with the Battle River Community Foundation Board, presented the cheque to Destiny Reay, executive director of Canadian Mental Health Association.

Submitted

The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a $2,500 grant to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Alberta East Central Region.   

Destiny Reay states, “The support of the Battle River Community Foundation for the Canadian Mental Health Association Welcome Centre & Peer Support program makes it possible for us to provide a safe, inclusive space where individuals can connect, access support, and feel a sense of belonging. Without this generous support, we would not have the resources to continue offering the same level of access to these vital services, which play a key role in reducing isolation, building resilience, and supporting mental wellness in our community.”

Says one attendee of the Welcome Centre, “When I am having a bad day, it makes all the difference knowing I can go to drop-in and there will be people there to talk to. I never feel judged and the staff always make me feel welcome and respected. It gives me a place to belong.”

CMHA, as per its website, is one of the oldest volunteer organizations in Canada. Operating since 1918, the CMHA is dedicated to the promotion of mental health services to all Canadians and supporting the resilience and recovery of people struggling with mental illness.

The grant for the CMHA Alberta East Central Region is funded from income earned from the Donald and Christina Rebus Fund and from Battle River Community Foundation Community Funds.

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. The principal of these endowment funds is kept intact, and the income is made available annually to support local projects and organizations.

To learn more about CMHA Alberta East Central Region, please contact Destiny Reay, Executive Director, at 780-672-2570.

To learn more about the Battle River Community Foundation please contact Bobbi Way, Executive Director, at 780-679-0449.
 
Local artist at BVJ

By Nadine Leming

 
Local up and coming artist Travis Dolter is from Hay Lakes and will be hitting the stage at BVJ this year.

Travis started performing at the age of five with a band called the Polka Ramblers. He wrote his first song at 18 for his grad class and it went over very well.  It was then that he decided to pursue music as a career.

It’s been a slow build over the last eight years. Each year he was able to increase the number of shows he’d perform. Last year he had 86, this year he already has 91 on the books.

Travis has started to gain some traction. He’s opened for people like Brett Kissel, Steven Lee Olsen, and Washboard Union. He’s booked to open for another big Canadian country music name in November, which will be revealed closer to the date.

Travis has enjoyed working with artists who have an established audience, in hopes to turn them into his fans as well. He’s learned from the people he’s worked with that no one gets anywhere in music if they aren’t nice.

“They (the artists he’s worked with) are just the nicest people” said Travis.

He added, “My goal is to make everyone’s life better. I want them to feel something at my show. Most of my songs are happy, I want that for people.”

The budding country performer has appeared at several music festivals like Country Thunder, Calgary Stampede, and Ponoka Stampede.

Travis appeared in the songwriters tent at BVJ about three years ago. That is where he approached a promoter to introduce himself and the promoter replied, “I’ve never heard of you! You have to change that before I book you.”

Since then they’ve become good friends. Though he still has yet to see Travis play live, his daughter, who runs the Country Thunder festivals, is a big fan.

It was through the promoter that he got his invitation to play the Coors Original Saloon at BVJ where he will have three sets throughout the weekend. This will be his first time playing BVJ with a full band.

Travis mentioned, “There will be a lot of people I will be performing for. It’s actually more nerve racking than opening for Brett Kissel.”

Travis’ latest release is called, “Older Than We Were”. He wrote the song in collaboration with Aaron Goodvin and Skip Black. It showcases the kind of music he likes to perform. It includes storytelling and uplifting nostalgia that will resonate with music fans.

People can see Travis perform live in his upcoming 14-date theatre tour as part of the 90-plus shows he has on the calendar. His music can be found on various platforms like Spotify, YouTube and Facebook.

For more information about Travis and his tour dates, visit http://www.travisdolter.com. 

Kelly’s 1968 Coronet is still roaring after three decades

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Kim Kelly enjoys showing off his 1968 Dodge Coronet. Kim has owned this classic muscle car since 1995 and has worked on restoring it with the help of his friends, who redid the body, engine and paint.

By Adan Shaikh

Kim Kelly’s 1968 Dodge Coronet 500 is a classic muscle car that still hits the road every summer.
He bought the car in 1995 and, with the help of close friends, restored it to its current pristine condition. Aside from the tach, which has been replaced, all the parts on the vehicle have been kept original. Kelly’s attention to detail has kept the car remarkably true to its factory form.

“I got it off of my second cousin, who got it from the Dodge dealership in Camrose, so the special part about this car is that it’s from right here,” commented Kelly.

The Coronet 500 comes equipped with a 383 cubic-inch V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor. That engine, paired with a four-speed manual transmission, produces up to 325 horsepower. It was one of Dodge’s most versatile performance engines of its time, powerful enough for speed and durable enough for regular driving.

On the outside, the car still holds its factory look. The two-door beauty features clean contours, wide fenders and a bold stance. Chrome bumpers and trim wrap the surf turquoise metallic colour (LL1 paint code), which has been carefully maintained over the years. On the inside, the interior has been kept stock, giving passengers a ride that feels like taking a step back into 1968.

The 1968 model year marked a fresh design for the Coronet, with Dodge introducing a more aggressive look while maintaining the car’s performance. The Coronet 500 sat near the top of the lineup at the time, offering both style and muscle.

Kelly’s car is a regular fixture at local shows and meets throughout the summer.

“We built it for driving and we drive it everywhere. Last week we took this to Daysland, this week we have it down in Camrose, and next week we might take it to Wetaskiwin,” shared Kelly.

The 383 engine still delivers a punch, and the rear-wheel-drive setup gives the Coronet an edge. The restoration took time. Kelly and a group of friends worked together over the years to source parts and bring the vehicle back to life, keeping it as close to original as possible. The result is a well-preserved, road-ready classic that continues to attract attention wherever it goes.

“I had a few friends who helped me put this together, one of my buddies did the engine for it and another buddy did the body and then another friend did the paint,” said Kelly.

With nearly 30 years of ownership behind him, Kelly continues to make memories with the car, on highways, in parking lots at car shows and during late-summer cruises around Camrose.
Seniors are facing a loneliness crisis

By Adan Shaikh

Camrose is well-known as a senior-friendly community, however, some barriers still exist. While loneliness affects people across all demographics, older adults in isolated areas are among the most vulnerable, since many live alone.

A few months ago the Camrose Senior Centre received an anonymous letter, where a young kid expressed his concerns about how alone and isolated his grandfather was feeling.

As people age, many aspects of their lifestyles change, and often these changes come in the form of mobility barriers and sometimes even having to move to new communities to find the support that is needed.

“During the pandemic, one of the things that happened was that we collectively started talking more openly about loneliness and social isolation and the importance of having meaningful social connections. This helped de-stigmatize those kinds of conversations and it drew attention to the broader social contexts that can produce or intensify concrete forms of social isolation and experiences of loneliness,” shared Tara Milbrandt, professor of sociology at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus.

Professor Milbrandt along with her colleague Dr. Ondine Park, who is also a professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, decided to look at the problem from a social perspective. They applied for a grant for their research through the Government of Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funding agency, which supports research that provides insights on the social, cultural and environmental challenges and opportunities in society.

Milbrandt and Park focused on three main areas: urbanization and the built environment, the increase in the use of technology (especially digital communication), and growing forms of individualism and privatization in the overall culture.

The rise in technology usage has contributed to the issue of loneliness in different ways, even brief social interactions, like those in a grocery store, can enhance an individual’s feeling of participating in a wider community. Innovations such as online shopping and self-checkouts might create more efficiency but they come at the cost of diminishing the ordinary and important human interactions that bring people together in society.

“It is not as simple as ‘if somebody is lonely they just need more social interaction’. There are a multitude of things that may be contributing to the problem of loneliness, such as not having accessibility to a public building or not having public washrooms available, or in the winter, not having the sidewalks shovelled. These factors become increasingly important as we age. When we get older our bodies and our lifestyles change, all of these factors contribute to the problem,” shared Tia Schnurer, volunteer coordinator at the Camrose and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Older Adult Services.

Tia worked on the research project with Milbrandt and Park as a research assistant and is now helping prevent the many challenges seniors in Camrose face.

“We are looking at what we can do to make the conversation around loneliness more comfortable for everyone. What can we do to create an environment where older adults feel a sense of belonging in their community,” commented Tia.

“When looking at this problem, you have to ask what is a person lonely from? It is important not to assume that if a person is alone that they are lonely, or that if a person is surrounded by other people that they can’t be lonely. Distinguishing which form of loneliness a person may be facing is crucial. Does the person feel the need to have closer relationships in their life? Are they lacking a wider social network? Do they feel excluded from the broader society? Different types of loneliness stem from the more personal and intimate realms of an individual’s life to the broader cultural and spatial environments in which their lives are situated,” concluded Milbrandt.

Camrose & District FCSS Older Adults Services offers programs to individuals aged 55+ such as the Older Adult Support Worker, where seniors experiencing mistreatment or abuse can find navigation and support advocating for themselves; HomeMaker Services, where staff can assist with house chores and errands to make life easier; Meals On Wheels, where individuals can have affordable and nutritious meals delivered right to their door; The Nav-CARE program which offers volunteer based companionship and navigation to individuals who are socially isolated and may be experiencing a decline in their health; Seniors’ CHOICES can assist with simple yard and home maintenance tasks; and Medical Transportation is also available through FCSS.

Additionally, Seniors’ Coalition, Camrose Public Library, Camrose and District Senior Centre Society, Camrose Primary Care Network, Alberta Health Services, Hospice Society of Camrose and District and Camrose Adult Learning Council, are all enhancing the well-being of seniors by working in their own ways to support them.

The research findings acknowledged that the problem of loneliness does not have one simple solution but instead needs to be addressed through a combined consideration of environmental and individual factors.

The only way to address the crisis of loneliness among the seniors in the community is to promote conversations and programs that contribute to creating an inclusive community, where older adults feel supported and seen, no matter what challenge they may be facing.
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Junior Golfers

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster
 
The Junior Junior Golfers Camrose enjoyed hitting water balloons as they wrapped up their three day camp. They finished the day by enjoying some hot dogs and many  laughs.
 
Updates made to dog licence bylaw

By Adan Shaikh

 
The City of Camrose has updated their Dog Licence Bylaw, the new changes will come into effect in January 2026.

Under the new bylaw, dog owners no longer need renew their licences annually, instead their dog licence will now be valid for their furry friend’s lifetime. This only applies if your pet is not categorized as a nuisance or vicious dog.

This means that the dog owners will only have to renew their licences in January 2026, once they do that their pet will then be licensed for lifetime.

The other updates  that already came into effect earlier this year in May, also include more clarity on the off-leash area rules as well as stronger enforcement for aggressive dogs. Aggressive behaviours include: chasing, biting or attacking  people or other animals. If a dog is declared a nuisance, they may face conditions such as muzzling, confinement and behavioural training. Fines and penalties would be enforced for not following the guidelines.

Additionally a police officer may seize a dog that has attacked a person or another animal. In this instance, the dog would be categorized as a vicious dog, and conditions such as muzzling in public and having to wear leashes not exceeding one metre would then apply to the dog and the owner would be required to have a mandatory insurance policy of $1 million liability.

Vicious dogs would also be required to be spayed or neutered and microchipped. Failing to comply may result in the dog being seized and impounded.

The updates now also have stricter rules around cleaning up after the dogs. Owners are required to carry bags to clean up after their pets and will be fined for failing to do so.

These updates will make Camrose a safer more enjoyable environment for all well-trained dogs and responsible pet owners, while also ensuring the safety of all citizens.
Learn More

Wings Over Camrose

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster
Sta 2 air show
The SkyHawks did many tricks in the sky. Three team members formed a circle as they gracefully glided down towards the ground. This show was made possible thanks to the Camrose and Iron Creek Flying Clubs. This was the only airshow in Alberta this year. The two-day event brought many tourists from all across Canada to Camrose. The parking lot was filled with families and individuals ready to enjoy the show from their camping chairs.

 
Sta f18s
The F-18s were impossible to miss with their thunderous roars filling the skies long before they were in sight. The ground shook as they passed by the runway, quickly disappearing into the clouds, showing how quickly they can climb within seconds.
Sta airshow snowbirds
The sun came out just in time for the Canadian Snowbirds’ performance. They filled the sky with their perfectly coordinated showcase.
Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

The sound of silence
 
 
I popped my head out of the water. Everything was quiet.

I’d been taking adult swim lessons. As a child I took lessons but never got good at swimming and never liked putting my head under water.

During my pre-beginner adult swim lessons, the first focus was learning to be comfortable in water. In Lesson Two, we learned to put our heads under the water.

I’d been able to float on my back and let my head go back far enough so that water was over my ears. I didn’t like that feeling, but I did it. I couldn’t quite make myself put my face in the water while floating face down, but I was willing to put my mouth underwater.

Finally I just dunked my entire head under water. More than once, even. I had a small moment of personal pride, mixed with how much I didn’t like the feeling.

That’s when I popped my head above water and everything was quiet. My ears were full of water. I couldn’t hear.
 
***
 
Oddly, my first sensation was relief. Swimming pools are noisy. High ceilings, hard surfaces, people shouting. I loved that the noise had gone away.

My second sensation was the weirdness of feeling my ears plugged. I was in a cocoon of silence.
I’ve had plugged ears before. Every other time, there was a moment when I could hear again. Pop, my hearing was back.

Not this time. A day went by and then another day. Following the swimming instructor’s suggestion, I tipped my head to each side so the water would run out of my ears. It didn’t. A visit to a medical clinic got me ear drops, which I used. I kept popping my ears.

There was never a “pop” to have my hearing return. It was just a gradual improvement until one day I realized my hearing seemed back to normal.

In the meantime, I was amazed at how much relief it was to be cocooned in semi-silence. Traffic sounds, people noises, equipment, TV – the silence was a relief. I had no idea how much everyday noise was affecting me.

Some days I spend several hours on Zoom or the phone in business conversations. Voices sounded faint and far away, and I knew I was not hearing everything clearly – a definite disadvantage. Yes, some miscommunication happened.
 
***
A few years ago, I heard people talk about the impact of losing their hearing. One woman guessed she missed about one-third of what people said to her. She described how it interfered with every aspect of her life.

We had instructions about how to make it easier for people with hearing loss to hear us. Face them when speaking with them. Project our voices. Enunciate, not just so they can hear better, but so they can see the shape of our moving lips.

My voice does not project well. I felt like I was shouting, but to others it sounded ordinary volume. I found myself getting impatient.
 
***
Three takeaways now that my hearing is back:

1. I’m more patient with people who are hard of hearing.

2. I’m more aware of the relentless toll of background noise. If you spend time in noisy work or home environments, you probably use more energy than you know fending off background noise while you try to hear specific voices or other sounds within that noise.

3. I appreciate the gift of hearing even more – not just the ability to hear sounds (especially music and the voices of people I treasure) – but the powerful impact hearing has on the ability to connect with fellow human beings.

***

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.