Kodiaks exchange streaks

By Murray Green

The Camrose Kodiaks have replaced a five game winning streak with a three game losing streak in Alberta Junior Hockey League play. They lost 5-1 to Drumheller, 4-1 to Drayton Valley and 3-2 to Olds in a shootout, January 21, 25 and 26.

In Drumheller, Camrose scored first on a Dylan Bidyk (2) goal early in the middle frame. Then the Dragons roared back with five unanswered tallies to earn the two points, January 26.

Goalie Carter Capton stopped 34 of 39 shots fired his direction. Camrose recorded 29 shots on the Drummheller cage.

The night before in Camrose, Drayton Valley built up a 3-0 lead before AJ Schaaf (13) scored in the third period to give the Kodiaks some hope. However, the Thunder was heard two minutes later to win the game 4-1.

Goalie Wilson Maxfield made 34 of 38 saves for Camrose, while his teammates counted 29 shots on the Drayton Valley net.

Against Olds, the Grizzlys scored the first two gaols and then Garrett Thom (17) and Jackson Schneider (2) replied to force overtime and a shootout.
Goalie Capton steered away 34 of 36 shots sent his direction. Camrose recorded 55 shots on the Olds cage.

The Kodiaks play at home on February 8 at 6 p.m. against Olds; February 12 at 7 p.m. against Fort McMurray; February 14 at 7 p.m. against Drumheller; February 17 at 2 p.m. against Bonnyville; February 21 at 7 p.m. against Grande Prairie.

In March, Camrose is home on March 1 at 6 p.m. against Olds; and March 2 at 2 p.m. against Drumheller.

Battle River Lending Place celebrates first anniversary

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The Battle River Lending Place celebrated their first year anniversary on January 25. Pictured, from left, are president of the board Erhard Pinno, vice-president Cliff Drever, City councillor Joy-Ann Murphy, Mayor PJ Stasko, office administrator and coordinator Julie Gerard, Deputy Reeve Tina Sroka and Forrest Hagen, representative of ALL.

By Adan Shaikh


The Battle River Lending Place has completed its first year serving Camrose and the surrounding area, helping residents easily access medical equipment such as crutches, walkers, and bathroom chairs.

“There is an organization called Association for Life-Wide Living (ALL) and they had conducted lots of research which indicated a great need for mobility equipment for the entire area. Home care provided some necessities but they did not have the personnel or budget to continue it. ALL had already established a similar place like this in Red Deer and they were serving 1000 individuals a month and still are.

The need for a lending place was obvious, so under the umbrella of ALL organization we met with interested people and decided to establish an organization for Camrose and the area as well. We have an agreement with Alberta Health Services in terms of criteria, requirements and policies. On January 25th last year we officially opened,” shared Erhard Pinno, president of the board for Battle River Lending Place.

At the celebration volunteers, members, City and County councillors as well as the Mayor of Camrose were present to congratulate the organization and thank them for their service to the community.

“Looking back on our first year in operation, I feel we have established a solid foundation,” said Erhard.

Erhard took a moment to thank the supporters and volunteers for making the first year of operation go well.  The Lending Place has an inventory of more than 1,400 pieces of mobility aid equipment, which has all been donated by the community members.

“We are financially sound, but we require more volunteers. We also accept donations as we eventually want to move to a bigger building which accommodates more storage for our equipment,” commented Erhard.

Anyone experiencing mobility issues caused by an injury or medical reasons can find the equipment they need at their office.

For more information on their services and to volunteer or donate, contact the Lending Place at 780-673-1335 or stop by their office, located at 4702-44 Street, Camrose.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week

By Adan Shaikh

The first week of February is observed as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in Canada.

This is a time to raise awareness and check in on those who may be struggling with an eating disorder. But what is an eating disorder? According to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), eating disorders are a form of complex mental illness which physically materializes into a person’s life affecting their physical health. These can be caused by biological, psychological and social or cultural factors. For example, a situation where a person develops Bulimia due to pressures to eat or look a certain way would be a sociocultural influence leading to a form of eating disorder.

Often those who are affected by the illness go to great lengths to hide it, and due to stigma, many don’t reach out for help. Some might even consider disordered eating to be normal.

Unhealthy cultural trends have always existed in society, especially for women, one of the oldest examples that comes to mind is the Victorian Era (1837 to 1901), which could also be called “the cult of frailty”. The beauty standards during this time idealized frail and sickly appearances, a look known as consumptive chic, often associated with tuberculosis. Women wore corsets to make their waists extremely small, which frequently led to fainting, organ displacement and difficulty eating.

A more recent example would be the Ozempic craze where many celebrities are using a popular diabetes drug to get skinnier, making access limited for those who truly need the medication. Being healthy requires balance and nutrition, focusing on the basic needs and nourishment of the human body. According to NEDIC, if the way you eat food or think about food keeps you from being able to enjoy your life, you may be experiencing disordered eating.

Eating disorders don’t always mean starvation, disorder eating can also be eating too much.

According to research conducted by Prairie Mountain Health, one-third of Canadians report behaviours consistent with eating disorders. Younger adults carry the highest risk of developing a disorder. A survey conducted in Ontario and BC, on Grade 7 to 12 students, showed that more than half of the students were preoccupied with thoughts about their weight. The pandemic also made matters worse, where hospitals witnessed a significant increase in the number of hospitalizations due to eating disorders, 66 per cent increase in females and 47 per cent in males.

In Camrose, there are several resources available for those who may be struggling with their relationship with food. The Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta (EDSNA) has a helpline dedicated for emergencies: 877-303-2642 or Alberta Health Services 877-303-2642. Both of these helplines can be contacted any time, day or night. For emergencies always call 911.

For more information about eating disorders, visit edsna.ca.

This week it’s important to remember that the relationship with food should be a relationship of nourishment so you can continue living a happy and healthy life.

Grease is the word

By Murray Green

The Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre has a great lineup still to come this season. The Lougheed Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary. That means some of the hottest acts over the past 10 years will be returning to help celebrate the Lougheed Centre milestone.

Grease is the word! The Camrose Churchmice Players will be presenting the musical from February 6 to 16. Both matinees and evening performances will be available throughout the 10 shows.

Ticket to Hollywood will supply music from the movies under the Edmonton Pops Orchestra on Friday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. This show will not only have world famous musicians, but also vocalists singing iconic songs.

“This is a 10-piece orchestra with four vocalists that will be featuring Hollywood songs from the last 20 years,” said Nick Beach, LPAC manager.

“The response last time they were here was super positive (Ticket to Broadway) and we are happy to have them back,” added sponsorship coordinator Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye.

A lot of people have been waiting for this show. The national Dance Company of Ireland presents Rhythm of the Dance on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:30 p.m.

Join the finest dancers and traditional musicians in this two-hour exhilarating performance.

“This is like River Dance, Lord of the Dance and now we have Rhythm of the Dance, they are shows that have really taken off like wildfire. We have one of these giant shows coming and we pulled a Hail Mary and we were lucky to get this show,” said Nick.

The Edmonton Community Presentation will be offering the classic tale of Rapunzel on Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m. in the family series. The girl with long hair  has been imprisoned. Will her hair or sweet music set her free?

“Their artistic director is brilliant. He writes full brand new musicals for every tour and the music has always been so well written and the adaptation of the story is so good. They are Albertans and I’m really proud of their work,” said Nick.

This is a free community event, but you must have a ticket to get in.
Bruins defeat Lacombe
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Brett Njaa, right, of the Camrose Bruins fights for the puck against the Morinville Kings on January 24.

By Murray Green


Eight goals were scored in the middle frame, but when the dust settled, the Camrose Bruins skated to a 7-4 victory over the Lacombe Generals in North Central Hockey League (NCHL) home action on January 25.

Jarod Hovde notched the only tally for the Bruins in the opening period.

Then the flood gates opened and both teams scored four goals. After Lacombe built up a 3-1 lead, Camrose took over the rest of the game.
Mitch McMullin, Ashton Kelly, Jacob Kendall and Brett Njaa netted goals for the Bruins.

In the third, Zane Lindberg and Njaa, completed the scoring for the Bruins.

Goalie Connor Dobberthein stopped 34 of 38 shots he faced. Camrose counted 28 shots on goal.
The Bruins scored seven goals in the third period to wrap up a 13-4 victory over the Morinville Kings on January 24.

Njaa led the way on offence with three goals and an assist. Camrose built up a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes. Lane Lightning scored with sixth and seventh tallies of the season within 12 seconds of each other. Hovde and Mitchell Bushnell added single markers for the Bruins.

In the middle frame, Morinville scored three of the five goals in the period. Njaa and Kendall scored for the Bruins.

In the third, Njaa with two, Carter Burton, William McPhee, Lindberg, Kelly and McKenzie Welke supplied the goals for Camrose.

Goalie Curtis Skip stopped 17 of 20 shots directed his way and Paul Laferriere turned away seven of the eight shots he faced in relief. Camrose recorded 65 shots on goal.

The next home game will be a playoff match, starting at 8 p.m. in the Max McLean Arena. The date will be determined later. The playoffs are scheduled to start the February 8 weekend. The first and second rounds are a best of five and the finals are a best of seven series.
 
Bear facts

Camrose is in fifth place with 17 points in 15 games. Njaa leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and 19 points. Lightning has seven goals and 18 points, while Carson Welke has seven goals and 17 points.

Scenic Route to Alaska stops at Bailey Theatre

By Murray Green

The band Scenic Route to Alaska is made up of Edmonton friends Trevor Mann, Shea Connor and Murray Wood. They have played at the Bailey Theatre before, that is why they are excited to return to the historic gem in downtown Camrose on February 8 at 8 p.m. in the Rose City Roots Music Society series.

“Honestly, the Bailey is such a beautiful place and great stage. We have been there twice before and both times it has been incredible atmosphere and the people are genuinely appreciative of the music,” shared Trevor. 

“Our bassist is now a dad, so that changes how we approach things. We have been together since 2011 and we now have seven albums,” said Trevor. “Our last album entitled Last Forever has a matured, yet light-hearted sound. We have turned into weekend warriors promoting the album since last spring. We try to be home during the week so Murray can be with his newborn.”

The band has evolved as musicians and has become more refined in their craft.

“We still want the organic youthful vibe that we created, but we recorded the songs in a little more professional way with the last album,” he laughed.
“We have had a lot of good producers in the past, but instead of getting producers to create a new album, we thought that we have matured enough to do it ourselves. We wanted to avoid outside pressure, which allows us to go back to our old style of just jamming in the basement until we came up with a good song,” revealed Trevor.

He took the reins, recording all the vocals in the comfort of Murray’s basement, jokingly referred to as the Jazz Café. The name pays homage to an old neon sign that emits the only glow in the vocal booth. In this cozy and familiar space, where the band typically spends most of their time jamming, writing and hanging out. Scenic Route to Alaska added the finishing touches and the result is an exciting and authentic album that you’ll play on repeat.

“It has been beautiful to watch our career grow and see which songs resonate with people. We will play our songs from the new album, but we will add some old favourites as well. We will be playing two sets, so there will be plenty of other songs mixed in,” shared Trevor.

“The most loved song from our fans is ‘Love Keeps’, which is a song we put out in 2016. It just seems to resonate with people. It is one of my favourites too, because the reception is so great. The (favourite) songs change for me on a seasonal basis. Currently, I like some of the more heart-felt sentimental songs from the new album. Right now, ‘Call it a Consequence’ is one I love to play,” explained Trevor.

“I am midway through writing a ton of new songs. I’m not sure if, I may introduce one to the Camrose fans, but I will definitely play some deeper cuts from the new album. We have some songs the Camrose audience hasn’t hear before,” said Trevor.

“Our song on the new album called ‘Northern Lights’ is a classic love song that we will play just before Valentine’s Day in Camrose. That’s a slow dance, so hopefully we get some people up dancing for that one. All three of us are super excited to be back at the Bailey Theatre.”

Churchmice Players to showcase Grease

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Danny (Joshua Wade) and Sandy (Kate Down) share a moment of disappointment in the Churchmice Players production of Grease: The Musical. Opening night at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre is on February 6.

By Murray Green


The Camrose Churchmice Players will perform on stage with Grease: The Musical in early February.

“This has a huge ensemble with close to 50 people in the cast. That is the most challenging part of it,  utilizing people as much as possible. A Broadway show is based around about 24 people, so we had to try to  expand this out to incorporate a big ensemble,” said director Scott Lorenson, who also directed Chicago.

In Camrose, the 10 show dates are evening performances on February 6 to 8 at 7:30 p.m. and February 13 to 15 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances will be on February 8 and 9 at 1:30 p.m. and February 15 and 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre.

“The majority of people who will come to Churchmice Players shows remember this from the movie that exploded and not from the Broadway show. The Broadway edition doesn’t have a lot of the movie songs in it, so we have actually gone and acquired those as part of the rights agreement because those are the songs that people want to hear,” added Scott.

“Anytime you do a show like this where most people know the words to the songs and lines in the show, you want to be true to the writers and as much as possible stick to the script. I fully expect to see people singing along in the crowd,” laughed Scott.

“A lot of times, as great as a facility that we have in the Lougheed, people don’t realize how small it gets very quickly, especially with a large ensemble on stage with various sets. One idea I had was to keep the sets as minimal as possible because I knew we were going to have a lot of people. If people are going to make the commitment of being in the show, you want to showcase them as much as possible,” shared Scott.

“Because we have such a big cast, my thought was the costumes, vocals and dancing are the elements to  carry the show as opposed to being set heavy,” said Scott.

“The one problem facing a lot of theatre groups is having males come out for parts. In terms of double casting, the only male role double casted was Danny.

The Pink Ladies and Sandy have been double casted. “But, there are quite a number of women in the ensemble that have trouser roles (acting as men) to fill out the cast,” revealed Scott.

“We hope a lot of people come and see the show because we have put time and effort into this show,” he concluded. 
 
The Rydell High School’s senior class reflects Burger Palace Boys who are acting tough and the Pink Ladies trying to look cool.

At the heart of the story is the romance between hot-rodding Danny Zuko, and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy Dumbrowski. They had a secret romance in summer, but now back in the context of school, peer-pressure and cliques make their love a bit more complicated.

Grease was a Broadway hit before the movie was released four years later. The film adaptation of Grease premiered in 1978 and became the highest-grossing movie musical of all time.

Winter Walk Day

By Adan Shaikh

Walkable Camrose is a local organization with a mission to make Camrose a safe place to walk.

“Walkable Camrose is a committee of local agencies and citizens striving to make our city a safer, easier and more fun place to walk. Since 2012, we have worked to promote safe, healthy, and inclusive built environments for all citizens and develop a culture of walking. We organize a local event each year to take part in SHAPE Alberta’s Winter Walk Day and join thousands of Albertans getting outside and active in colder weather,” shared Emily Sangster, chair of committee.

Staying active socially and physically plays an important role in the over all well-being of a person and winter often poses a risk of isolation, with the cold, snowy weather. Walking is not only good for physical health but it can also do wonders for emotional and mental health.

“We will meet outside the Chuck MacLean Arts Centre at noon on Wednesday, February 5 for a lunchtime stroll along the Mirror Lake trails. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather–we’ll have an I Spy game and some good conversation to share,” commented Emily, inviting residents to join the activity. This event is the perfect opportunity to break out of routine and do something fun.

Stitches in Time show at Chuck MacLean

By Murray Green

The Battle River Quilters’ Guild will be holding another quilt show at the Chuck MacLean Arts Centre on June 21 and 22.

“I move that council provide a Category D Local Event Sponsorship of $200, to the Battle River Quilters’ Guild 2025 Quilt Show, with funding to come from Grants to Organizations,” moved councillor Tina Sroka.

A letter was sent to the Reeve Cindy Trautman about the show.

The Battle River Quilters’ Guild will be presenting Stitches in Time quilt show with work exhibited from 50 plus members.

“We are keen to promote the art and craft of quilting and share the story of the good work that flows from our passion. For many years, the Guild has made it a priority to make comfort quilts to several organizations in and around the Camrose County, including the Camrose Women’s Shelter, Bethany Care Group and St. Mary’s Hospital Chemo Unit,” said Carole-May Coty of the Battle River Quilters’ Guild Show committee.

“These quilts are greatly appreciated and well used by the recipients. In order to continue using our talents to their maximum benefit, we need to purchase quilt batting, fabric, labels, and other basic supplies which are costly.”

The motion was passed to support the Quilters’ Guild.
Free Spaghetti Supper thanks their supporters
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Pictured, from left, are Stephen Kambeitz vice-chair of Battle River Community Foundation (BRCF), Blain Fowler Ambassador Emeritus of BRCF joined Bonnie Cooke, Barry Phillips and Holly McIndoe members and organizers of the Spaghetti Supper.

By Adan Shaikh


The Free Spaghetti Supper has been feeding the community for over three years every Wednesday at the Moose Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. A project started to make food more accessible to all families and individuals.

“We have served 2,634 guests, 400 of those were children,” shared Bonnie Cooke, member and organizer of the Spaghetti Suppers.

“We would like to acknowledge the Battle River Community Foundation (BRCF) for their generous grants of $5,000. This grant will serve 1,332 hungry members of our community,” said Bonnie.

“We would also like to thank Cargill for their $1,750 donation as well as Rebel Ink and Boondocks Body Studio for the $735 donation. A warm thank you to Bev and Cliff Drever for donating beef and Brian for grant writing. East Side Mario’s, Wild Rose Foodservice, Purity Water, Camrose Colony and every person who has donated via e-transfer or at the door,” she continued.

In addition to thanking the donors, Bonnie along with Holly McIndoe and Barry Phillips also acknowledged all the volunteers who have shown immense support to make this project possible.

“Thank you to the Kodiaks, Vikings, Academy of Dance, and Our Lady of Mount Pleasant School students. We greatly appreciate everyone for making Spaghetti Suppers available to our growing community,” she commented.

It’s evident that the Wednesday suppers at Moose Hall are making a positive impact in the community.

For more information and to donate or volunteer, contact Bonnie Cooke at 780-672-1026 or Holly McIndoe at 780-679-396.

Javelin AMX models built for racing

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Cam Panchyshyn enjoys his powerful muscle car on the streets and highways. He restored this 1972 model from a lot of spare parts his dad had after he built a 1969 model.

By Murray Green


Cam and Greg Panchyshyn own a 1972 AMC Javelin AMX car.

“It has a 401 engine and an automatic transmission. We bought the car in Grande Prairie back in 2008 or 2009. We had this car stripped down and painted, but we didn’t have it assembled. My son Cam took an interest in it and he put all of the parts back together,” explained Greg.

The AMC Javelin is an American front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door hardtop automobile manufactured by American Motors Corporation (AMC) across two generations, 1968 through 1970, and 1971 through 1974 model years. The car was positioned and marketed in the pony car market segment.

“We had to redo the seats and the interior on this car. It hasn’t been on the road much since. It was only finished this (last) year,” Greg said, who is working on two other AMX autos.

The AMC Javelin was restyled for the 1971 model year. It followed the pony market segment trend to bigger, beefier vehicles.

“I have never driven the car, but I’m told by my oldest son that it is fast. They are a sharp looking car. I have a 1969 AMX that is one foot shorter than the Javelin. It is a two-seater, no back seat in it and it has a 401 with a four-speed transmission and with less weight; my children tell me it is fast,” Greg shared.

The Javelin’s long hood sloped downward at the front, the front fenders included raised blisters over the wheels, the rear fenders were flared, and the roof included twin canopy recesses, thus endowing it with the appearance of an expensive European exotic.

“I’m finishing a 1968 for my wife and it is going to have a 360 engine with an automatic transmission. That way, we can go to car shows together with similar vehicles,” Greg said. “This car has a custom leather interior.”

The indicated engine power outputs also changed from those advertised through 1971, to more realistic calculations starting in 1972. The actual power output of the engine remained the same.

“With my dad having a bunch of parts cars, it was a constant trip to go to a car, dig out a part and bring it back to put into this one. It has had some different parts. I wanted to get it up and running first. Then you think, well, this part isn’t the best or not working right, so you go back to find a better one. Finding parts online gets to be difficult at times. AMC are not necessarily available,” said Greg.

“We got it back together and the car is running okay, so it is a constant work in progress, but you know what, every classic car is the same way and always evolving,” added Greg.

“There is always something to do and something you always want to upgrade,” he said.

Meet an award-winning Alberta filmmaker at Nordlys

By Adan Shaikh

This year, Nordlys Film & Arts Festival has an amazing lineup of movies and documentaries. One such documentary being showcased on the evening of February 15 is Magic Hours. This Alberta-made documentary takes the viewers on a journey through the province’s independent cinemas and the people responsible for keeping them alive in our society. Directed by the talented filmmaker Levi Holwell.

“I never intended to go into documentary film making. Before Magic Hours, my focus was purely on narrative films, and I didn’t really see myself doing doc work. But when the opportunity to make this documentary came up, I didn’t hesitate to jump in, even though I had no idea what the experience would be like. Looking back, I’m so grateful I took that chance because the entire process was incredibly rewarding. It really opened my eyes to a new creative process for me and was a way to connect with people and explore real, lived experiences. In many ways, it completely shifted how I think about the kind of work I want to create moving forward, and I’m excited to continue exploring this medium in the future,” shared Holwell.

Holwell worked with a small team to film Magic Hours.

“It was just me and our cinematographer Jaimie Stewart on set. We had to be flexible, work around the schedules of the people we were filming, and keep things low-impact so we weren’t disrupting their daily operations. Aside from logistics, another challenge was capturing the emotional essence of these communities and theatres, striking a balance between highlighting their difficulties and celebrating their resilience. Overcoming that required building trust with the people involved and making sure they felt heard and respected throughout the process,” said Holwell.

“The response has really humbled me. Many people from small towns have felt a deep personal connection to the film, and it’s been moving to hear how it’s made them reflect on their own local theatres or community gathering spaces. It’s also sparked some important conversations about the role of cinema in our lives and what happens when these spaces are lost. I didn’t expect it to resonate so strongly with people who may not have direct ties to the issue–it’s proven to me that there’s something universal about the themes of preservation and the changing landscape of culture. That’s been one of the most rewarding aspects of the film’s reception,” shared Holwell.

With the rise in streaming services and big chains of theatres all over Canada, many independent cinemas have had to shut down, affecting the lives of many business owners and their families.

“I have a soft spot and love for independent movie theatres and found myself always thinking about their uncertain future with how much movie-going has changed over the years.

“Anytime I was working on a project that took me through smaller communities across Alberta, the quaint cinema on the street corner sort of grabbed me and lingered in my mind as a potential backdrop for a future project. Magic Hours became a way to capture and honour the people and places working hard to keep these cinemas alive in a world that increasingly favours the corporate and digital. It felt urgent to me to document this moment as more and more of these spaces disappear,” he explained, expanding on why he chose to make a documentary about the struggling independent cinemas.

“Indie theatres, particularly single-screen venues in smaller communities, have been hit hard by these shifts. A recent poll of theatre owners showed that a large majority of indie cinemas in Canada are in a state of crisis and may close down soon if things don’t change. Sadly, I think we’ll see more of these historic cinemas across the country shut their doors. The audience simply isn’t going to the theatre like it used to, and that’s a tough reality. However, I do think that a not-for-profit model, with the town or a local board running the cinema, could be one of the best ways to help these spaces survive and keep the lights on. It’s a tough road, but I hope more attention is brought to this issue and that people step up to support these places however they can. The loss of these cinemas would be a loss for the entire community.”

Holwell advises aspiring filmmakers: “Start by being truly curious about the world around you and listening to people’s stories. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of film making, but at the heart of a good documentary is a genuine connection to the subject matter. Be patient with the process and flexible with your vision. The story might change as you’re filming, and that’s okay–it’s part of the journey.”

Experiencing Magic Hours at Nordlys this year allows everyone to immerse themselves in the challenges faced by the industry, all from the comfort of Alberta’s oldest theatre.

Augustana students thank donors at Community Awards

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Blain Fowler of the Camrose Booster presents bursaries to Augustana students Chad Nichol, Amelia Gurski and Erin Dorish on January 28.

By Murray Green


The University of Alberta Augustana Campus honoured the generosity of donors and recognized the student award recipients during the annual Community Awards Banquet on January 28.

Master of Ceremonies was University of Alberta, Augustana Campus faculty governance and academic processes officer Jonathan Hawkins.

The formal part of the evening started with greetings and congratulations from Augustana Students’ Association president Miron Nekhoroshkov, City of Camrose Mayor PJ Stasko, Camrose County Reeve Cindy Trautman and Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely.

University of Alberta Augustana dean John Parkins shared a message of gratitude to all donors and congratulations to award recipients.

“I learned about the Community Awards Program during my interview on January 30 of last year. I watched people streaming into the gym that evening. A full year has passed,” said Parkins.

“I want to highlight some of the things that are impressive at Augustana. We have had a number of achievements based on research here at Augustana and part of that is the participation of our research students. In the summer time, between May and August, we have approximately 50 students who are involved in some aspects of research on campus which is a unique feature,” added Parkins.

“Augustana is very well known for its teaching excellence and recently we understand that teaching is directly tied to research where we bring those things into the classroom. So we are really seeing these important connections between teaching and research, bringing the process of knowledge into the classroom,” he continued.

“In addition to the work the students are doing, we also have facility members doing incredible research in many different areas. Tonight we have the pleasure of hearing from some of our research students,” said Parkins.

He concluded by sharing some of his visions for Augustana in the future. “I want to talk about new programs like agriculture on our campus. We also have some plans related to nursing. Students are looking for these career pathways that lead directly to opportunities for work after they finish university. We want to build on the strength of our leaders in the arts and sciences. We want to add these pathways to specific careers. It also includes strengthening existing programs. We are adding combined degrees and transfer degrees. We are looking for further engagement from the community in different ways. We have added a new web page to have more engagement and encourage you to check it out. Finally, I want to thank the donors and students for these awards.”

The top research students at the university were allowed a three-minute presentation. Blen Woldmariam talked about “Serving the Public Good: Enhancing Donor and Community Engagement;” Chad Nichol spoke about “Young Medical Minds: Promoting Rural Healthcare for Rural Students” and Rama Taha shared her work “Can You Read Between the Tree Lines.”

University of Alberta Augustana Campus development officer Bree Urkow thanked donors and recognized 10-, 15-, 25-, 35-, 40-, 45- and 50-year anniversary award donors.

Four 50-year milestone anniversaries were announced; Drs. J.B. and Mark Cloarec Award in Science, Shoppers Drug Mart (Camrose) Scholarship, Smith Clinic Award and the Wild Rose Co-operative Association Award.

“We have to thank the donors and students because without them we couldn’t do what we do. We often talk about the impact the donors have on the campus. What is not talked about is the stories donors share. People have connections to Augustana for different reasons. We thank the donors for touching the lives of others with your generosity. The ripple effect is never ending. Truly, each and everyone of you shape the lives of others, I thank you,” said Urkow.

This year they added five new awards that were created.

Entrance Citations recipients were recognized, followed by a response on behalf of all award recipients by the recipient of the Gunvor and Erik Mygind Entrance Citation, Dasha Smaglii.

At the various tables, connections were made between the donors and the students who are grateful for the support. The evening symbolizes a gift from past and present to invest in the future.

Pelican Point boat launch leaves many questions

By Murray Green

Camrose County needs more answers before looking into an upgrade at the Pelican Point boat launch.

At a regular meeting of council on January 28, administrator Teresa Gratrix talked about an Alberta Transportation Agreement.

“I move that council direct administration to follow up with the terms of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Transportation related to the repairs to the Pelican Point boat launch and further that administration investigate the potential costs of the repairs required with a report brought back to a future council meeting,” said councillor Tina Sroka.

“Since fall 2023, Camrose County council has been advocating for the provincial government to repair the boat launch. The low water levels at Buffalo Lake have contributed to the usability of the boat launch. The concrete aprons have shifted over time and there is a hole at the end of the boat launch. This hole may possibly extend under the concrete aprons at the end of the launch as well,” reported administrator Teresa Gratrix.

“Individuals using the launch contacted Camrose County, distressed at the issues they were facing. There was some concern that individuals would not be able to remove their boats from the lake. There are a number of boat launches on Buffalo Lake, however, most were closed due to the low water levels and Pelican Point is the only provincial boat launch on Buffalo Lake in the past,” she added.

Learn how to naturalize your garden to create a healthy eco-system

14 rail garden
The garden at Camrose Heritage Railway Station and Park was started by Glenys Smith in 2000 and has flourished into a favourite place for many Camrose residents to enjoy some flowers and herbs. The gardens planted by Glenys are completely organic and support the natural ecosystem and pollinators.

By Adan Shaikh


Naturalizing your garden is important, but what does it mean? A natural garden is comprised of native plants and plants that promote pollination, it doesn’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. In the last few years, there has been an increase in people deciding to start their garden and even grow their food. No matter how big your garden may be or how experienced you are, Canadian Northern is offering a workshop which will be beneficial for all gardeners.

“We will be looking at healthy ecosystems, I have done many workshops before but it is now becoming more and more important that we naturalize our gardens. No matter if you have a vegetable garden or a flower garden, it’s important that we give back to the bees and the good pests. We have killed 70 per cent of the good pests that help our plants. 60 per cent of our topsoil is gone, and if we keep using artificial pesticides and herbicides we will continue to kill the microorganisms in the soil. It is also expensive and it’s polluting our rivers. Battle River is quite polluted from these practices and that is a source of water and fish,” explained Glenys Smith, organic master gardener and member of the Canadian Northern Society.

Naturalizing Your Garden Creating Healthy Eco-Systems is a workshop being held at the Camrose Heritage Railway Station and Park on February 8 at 9:30 a.m. In this workshop, gardeners will learn how to keep their gardens natural by planning it to be diverse and supportive of the ecosystem.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a big plot or a small plot or you are growing flowers in a pot, we can all use native plants and flowers. Native plants can help naturalize your garden. In the garden here we have over 250 types of plants and many are from native sources but some of them are also from our growing zone. We need to help people realize that we need to grow plants that fit here, we are getting a lot of drought and we are going to get more of it, so we need to grow plants that are drought tolerant,” shared Glenys.

“The first part will be about the soil and we have Holly Orleski who will talk about worm farming and how she does that on a large scale, completely organically. We will go over companion planting and at the end of the workshop, we will have a discussion to answer any specific questions. We will also be giving attendees handouts and an exercise to figure out a plan for their garden,” said Glenys.

Participants leave having gained a lot more knowledge and confidence in their gardening skills.
All proceeds from this event will go towards the organizing and funding of more community events by the Canadian Northern Society.

To register or for more information please contact canadiannorthern@telus.net or call 780-672-3099.

 
BRRG host Farm Plan workshop
By Adan Shaikh
 
Battle River Research Group (BRRG) is hosting an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) workshop at the Daysland Community Hall on February 12 at 10 a.m. During this workshop, farmers will have the opportunity to learn from an EFP technician about self-assessment tools that help identify environmental considerations on their farms.

“The technicians will guide participants through the EFP application process. By the end of the program, farmers will have a list of recommended adjustments to improve their operations. The EFP is free and serves as a valuable tool for planning changes over time as resources allow. Additionally, having a completed EFP certificate is a prerequisite for many grants and funding opportunities available to producers,” said Kabir Makan, Extension Coordinator at BRRG.

Makan advises attendees to create an EFP account at www.albertaefp.com before the workshop and to bring a laptop or tablet to facilitate working on their EFP. Lunch will be provided. By offering free resources and support, BRRG is helping farmers in Camrose and nearby counties take proactive steps toward environmental sustainability.

For more information, visit www.battleriverresearch.com.

County shares the food producers’ story

By Murray Green

Camrose County will be sharing a film called Before the Plate, while sampling products grown within the County at the Bailey Theatre on February 11 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

This movie was made back in 2018 and was to be shown, but was postponned due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Now it is back on the table. After the film, a panel of distinguished guests will share and respond to themes from the film and how they are present in the local community. Guests will be invited to ask questions of the panel.

As part of this event, the Camrose Art Society has put together Art To Table, an art show exhibiting artists’ interpretation of food and sustainability in the local community. Guests are invited to check out Art to Table in the Spotlight Bistro prior the main event. This event is free to attend, but does require registration in advance.

Among the pressures facing our agricultural producers is the increased scrutiny on how food is produced and how farmers and ranchers grow that food. Misconceptions and just plain wrong information about our food supply seems to get the headlines these days overshadowing common sense and fact.

“We wanted a different method of supporting our County producers. One of the things the County tries to do is to communicate information to our producers. We do this in a variety of ways. We see the fact that we need to communicate with the general public, with the consumers who buy the products from the producers within the County. Internet is a wonderful thing to provide information, but at the same time it provides an opportunity to spread misinformation,” explained former Camrose County reeve Don Gregorwich (current Reeve Cindy Trautman also supports the event).

“Our group feels that two of the ways we can support producers is to show that this misinformation is: number one incorrect and number two that it does affect our local communities,” added Don. “This documentary explains how the food goes from farm to plate.”

The issue of food misconceptions was raised at an agricultural communications committee meeting late last October (2017)with the group (composed of representatives from County Ag. Societies, CRE, horticultural society, County councillors) agreeing that our producers need to be given support in the face of this increased scrutiny. A sub committee (Ag Intell) was created with the instructions to develop a plan to build trust in agriculture by increasing public awareness about agricultural practices and connecting consumers with producers, thereby establishing positive, informed relationships.

“It is important to remember that our agriculture is both locally based and nationally based. This is an opportunity to speak with local producers and that has been one of our goals, to encourage consumers to purchase local products, but at the same time get the understanding across that agriculture in our community is not only local, but nationally and internationally. That is very important.”

Producer panel members will represent beef, grain, poultry, vegetable and dairy production. “As former chairman of Ag Intell, I believe this is a good start in publicly supporting our producers and that the evening gives you an opportunity to hear consumer concerns and react positively to issues affecting all of us in Camrose County,” said Don Gregorwich, at the time.

This is a farm to plate story and conversation. “Whether you are a consumer who buys food from your local grocery store, farmers markets, or market gardens, a food producer, a vegetarian or vegan–food brings everyone to the table. We are inviting everyone to join us for conversations about our food,” shared Don.

The agriculture industry forms the backbone of the Canadian economy providing nearly everything we eat, use or wear. As generations have passed fewer and fewer people have a direct connection to agriculture. It is crucial consumers continue to understand the significance agriculture plays in our everyday lives. Equally critical is that the agriculture industry better understand consumers.

“The evening is intended to be relaxed, but informative. We encourage interaction between consumers and our producers. We hope to see some Augustana students, who will be our future leaders and consumers,” said Don. 

Moulettes to play at Bailey Theatre

By Murray Green

The Bailey Theatre has a great lineup of shows planned for this season.

Donizette Conventions and Inconveniences of the Stage will be at the Bailey on February 9 at 2 p.m.

This is a two-act opera that shines an exaggerated spotlight on the behind-the-scenes working of a theatre and the rehearsal process, showing what can go wrong when the egos of the performers get in the way of putting on a good show.

The Moulettes play the Bailey on February 13 at 8 p.m. Moulettes offer something entirely unique and musically kaleidoscopic with cello, viola, violin, percussion, synthesizers and five part harmony vocals in playfully eclectic symbiosis.

Enjoy another year of the Nordlys Film and Arts Festival from February 14 to 16. This is a great way to spend the Family Day long weekend.

Another Bailey Film Series invites us to watch Wild Mountain Thyme on February 19 at 7 p.m. A pair of star-crossed lovers in Ireland get caught up in their family’s land dispute.

The Speakeasy is a fundraiser for the theatre on February 22 at 7 p.m. Travel back to the roaring 1920s as they transform the venue into a hidden gem of jazz, excitement and allure.

Bailey Buckaroos return with a variety of country music on February 23 starting at 2 p.m.

Elvis tribute artist Cody Ray Slaughter will be sharing his version of the Elvis hits at the Bailey on February 27, starting at 7 p.m.

The annual Snowed In Comedy Tour is back for another year on February 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Just for Laughs winner Dan Quinn is joined by the Great Canadian Laugh Off winner, Paul Myrehaug, formerly of Camrose and six time Canadian Comedian of the Year nominee, Pete Zedlacher. New will be Erica Sigurdson with over 70 appearances on the Debaters, will be joining them.

The Rose City Roots Society presents Steve Hillon March 8 at 8 p.m. The guitarist, singer, drummer, harmonica player, songwriter and accomplished producer brings 27 years worth of experience to the Bailey stage.
Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

Looking with eyes of love
 
Next week is one of my favourite issues of The Camrose Booster–the one with little one-inch Valentine messages sprinkled throughout. It’s fun to see how people express affection in ten words or less. It’s also fun to see if I recognize any of the people.

I appreciate the idea of a day in which we make a point of expressing our love to those who are precious to us.
 
***

Whenever I think about Valentine’s Day and expressing love, I remember an interview with author and Nobel prizewinner Toni Morrison. The title of one of her books is (appropriate for this month) Beloved.

She talked about how we show love to children. She said when her children were young, she really wanted to be a good mother who made sure her children were well cared for. As part of that care, whenever she looked at her children, the first thing she did was check to make sure their faces were clean, their clothes were presentable, their socks matched, and so on.

One day she realized two things. First, whenever she looked at her children, in her very first glance she was looking for flaws. That realization made her uncomfortable.

The second realization shocked her. She realized that when her children looked back at her, she was frowning. The expression on her face looked like she thought something was wrong with them. Because of her first facial expression, they thought she disapproved of them.

On the day she realized that, she made a resolution. From that day, whenever she saw her children–or anyone else–she made sure that, before she did anything else, she would look at them with eyes of love.
 
***

On the day I heard that interview, I had a similar shocking realization. I wondered how often I look at people I treasure with eyes of distraction or irritation. I wondered if my first facial expression creates an impression that they are not precious to me. That was not comfortable to think about.

I made a similar resolution–that my first look at people I treasure would be with eyes of love. I’m not there yet. I do not always remember. On cranky days, I’m not even sure I want to remember. But most of the time, I hold the intention that my first look at people I treasure is with eyes of love.

The practice has the potential for expansion. Mahatma Gandhi said, “It is easy enough to be friendly to my friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.”
I’m not there yet! But on good days, I’m willing to give it a shot.
 
***

Something has occurred to me as I’ve watched and listened to incivility between and among various public figures. I’ve found myself beginning to “tsk tsk” and feel great distaste for appalling examples of rudeness, insults and verbal bullying.

Not only is such behaviour happening among people who are in a leadership role, it seems that rudeness, insults and verbal bullying are becoming acceptable or even desirable among their followers.
We may not be able to influence public figures. We do have power over our own words and actions.

Perhaps in February, the month that includes Valentine’s Day, we could experiment. As well as letting precious people in our lives know we appreciate them, we could–just to see if we could do it–see if in our first glance at everyone we could look with friendly eyes, with eyes of love. Not romantic love or family love, but “Agape”–a “love of humanity” state.

Couldn’t hurt. Might do good–for ourselves as well as for others. So–how do you choose to look at others and speak with others–especially in this month that includes Valentine’s Day?
 
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I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send an email to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within two business days.