Rotary supports students in memory of Robyn Gray
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From left, scholarship recipients Nicholas Taylor and Faith Taylor with Rotarian Odell Olson.

By Adan Shaikh

The Camrose Rotary Club is honouring the memory of Robyn Gray by supporting local students who share her commitment to learning and community.

Each year two students from Camrose and area schools receive $1,000 scholarships based on academics, leadership and volunteer experience.

This year’s recipients are Faith Taylor, who is studying nursing at MacEwan University in Edmonton and hopes to return to Camrose after graduation, and Nicholas Taylor, who is enrolled in the education program at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus in Camrose.

Gray, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 31, was the director of the Camrose Public Library and an active member of Camrose Rotary and chair of the club’s Youth Committee. She helped guide the process of awarding scholarships to local graduates pursuing post-secondary studies.

Gray had a passion for books, music and service. She volunteered with the Greater Edmonton Library Association’s Prison Library Project and gave countless hours to Rotary initiatives, including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Today her dedication to literacy continues to inspire through the scholarships that now carry her name.
Mayor’s Arts Awards recipients to be celebrated at gala

By Adan Shaikh
 

The City of Camrose Arts Council has announced the winners of the 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards, a program that celebrates the achievements of local artists for their work and contributions to the artistic community of Camrose. The initiative is meant to keep the arts thriving in the community.

Each year, the awards are given in two categories. The Creator Award is given to an individual or group in recognition of their achievement in creating, performing, or practicing art. The award includes a cash prize, along with a certificate of recognition.

The Arts Champion Award honours an individual, group or business that has supported the arts through volunteerism, advocacy, mentorship, or by creating opportunities for others. Recipients receive a certificate acknowledging their contribution along with a plaque displayed with the commissioned Champion Award Sculpture. The Champion Award is curated by the committee and finalized by the Camrose Arts Council.

This year’s Creator Award will be presented to Lisa Rootsaert, a choreographer and educator with more than 25 years of influence in the Camrose dance community. Rootsaert, the founding artistic director and senior instructor with the Camrose Academy of Dance, is known for her innovative and award winning choreography across multiple styles and for mentoring dancers who have gone on to perform on national and international stages.

The Arts Champion Award will go to Audrey Pfannmuller and Candler Art Gallery. Pfannmuller is a painter specializing in pastels and oils. She has owned and operated the downtown gallery since 1975. Over the years, the gallery has become a fixture of the local arts scene, providing space and support for emerging and established artists in the Camrose community as well as showcasing her own work. Audrey has recently completed a series depicting familiar local landmarks to celebrate Camrose for its beauty. Over the many years, she has made immense contributions to the artistic community through her mentorship, support, and guidance to local artists and creators of all levels as well as through her volunteerism in the arts community.

Nominees for 2025 were: Steve Mitts, Shannon Subchuk, Jun Mah, Jessica Dostie, Sam Yanosik, Emily Rutledge, Jess Hughes, Colleen Salahub-Olson, and the Battle River Quilters Guild.

On September 18, at the Mayor’s Arts Awards Gala, the winners will receive their prize and recognition along with all the nominees. This year, the Gala will be held in the Cargill Theatre at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre at 5 p.m. The free event is open to the public and the committee encourages everyone to attend.
 
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The Stevie Project

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The Bailey Theatre recently had The Stevie Project hit the stage. The show told the story of Nicks’ 50-plus year career through her music. The crowd enthusiastically enjoyed the show.

A special anniversary surprise

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Danny and Stacie Hertel celebrate their anniversary every year at McDonald’s. The pink balloon is in remembrance of Conlan Davey. Danny was his great uncle.

By Nadine Leming

It’s an annual tradition for Danny and Stacie Hertel to celebrate their wedding anniversary by having dinner at McDonald’s. The tradition started on their first anniversary after no one thought a wedding catered by McDonald’s was a good idea, except Stacie, so they went for lunch on that first year and the tradition stuck.

When asked about their wedding day, they said they enjoyed a movie-themed day. Their invitations were printed as movie posters with an R rating, with R standing for Romantic. Part of their wedding décor included full-size movie posters replacing the actors’ faces with their own. Each table was named after a movie title, with some of the older guests sitting at The Land Before Time table.

Instead of a slide show people would see at a regular wedding, they did theirs like a movie trailer including opening and closing credits. Their dog was named the director in some of the credits. Family and friends were also mentioned in the credits.

Stacie said, “I proposed to him,” with Danny responding, “So she’s insane,” as they both laughed.

Danny is Irish, so to honour his heritage, she bought him an Irish claddagh ring. Stacie continued, “He was impressed I knew how to put it on.”

When a man wears his claddagh with the heart facing away from him, it means he’s engaged. Danny now wears it with the heart pointing to his heart, meaning he’s married. Stacie emphasized saying, “He couldn’t say no to that, if you know, you know!” Danny followed up with, “She also proposed with bacon roses.”

This year they celebrated their tenth anniversary as expected, at McDonald’s. What they didn’t expect was how this year would be a little different. Darrelynn Fair, a friend of the couple, had a few surprises up her sleeve. She had a few guests show up as well as Danny’s sister Pat, who serenaded the couple with their wedding song. The couple were so pleasantly shocked and delighted as they danced in the restaurant.

This was an anniversary this special couple will remember for years.
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Step 'n Stride

Nadine Lemming, Camrose Booster

Step ’n Stride is an annual walk to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s disease. All funds raised in Camrose stay in Camrose.
 
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Legion Donation

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No.57 donated $7,500 to the Camrose Fire Department for the purchase of a positive pressure ventilation fan. From left, President of the Legion Adrian Zinck and Camrose Fire Department Chief Eric Graham.

Local soccer player makes debut


By Nadine Leming

Declan Kavgadoulis from Camrose, played his minor soccer here in the community. As a young child his parents enrolled him and he found he really enjoyed it.

Declan said, “I started playing as a goalkeeper because I was kind of a fat kid and didn’t want to run but quickly began to enjoy the position.”

At age 15, he started playing Tier 1 in Edmonton prior to Covid which forced him to stop playing for two years. He said, “It was really difficult, it stunted my development as a player but ultimately lead to me coming back to the game with a different mentality.”

Declan credits his parents with playing a crucial role in supporting him throughout his playing career. He says, “They would drive me to Edmonton five times a week as a kid, financially supporting me, and always just being a phone call or text away when things got tough.”

He relied on the support of coaches and other players throughout the years as well, who often reassured him he was on the right track.

Like many elite athletes, over the years he has had to work through some injuries. Declan has worked through a separated AC joint, as well as a concussion at the start of his college season.

He strained his achilles just before leaving Canada for the preseason in New Zealand. He also sprained his ankle a couple of weeks after arriving in New Zealand January before dislocating his patella a couple of months ago.

He says, “I didn’t really get recruited to play in New Zealand as much as I scouted out the opportunity.” He took his college highlight tape and e-mailed it to hundreds of teams asking for a trial.

Three  teams in the top division in New Zealand took him up on the opportunity to give him that trial. “Within the week I booked a one-way flight,” added Declan.

He was finally deemed fit to play recently and made his much anticipated debut for Wanaka AFC in a match against Ferrymead Bays FC, which is the club he trained with when he landed in New Zealand.

Declan concludes by saying, “Football at higher levels can be a very lonely sport. Your teammates, coaches, and all the other team staff and people you meet along the way are the most important part. Those relationships, friendships and stories are the things that we can take with us when the game is ultimately gone from us.”

Camrose can be proud to have played a role in developing a high level player of Declan’s calibre.
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Alberta Day

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The City of Camrose celebrated Alberta Day with Movie Under the Stars. The double feature was well attended as everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather. There were food trucks, face painting and activities for families to participate in. This year’s theme was cars and the organizing committee found a special screen this year, which allowed them to screen the movie in the daylight. This new idea allowed them to have an earlier showtime. The movies screened this year were Cars and The Fast and Furious.
Kodiaks hire new assistant coach

By Nadine Leming

Jake Huculak is the new assistant coach of the Kodiaks. He grew up playing minor hockey in Jasper before going to the hockey academy in Banff. Jake continued playing junior hockey in Revelstoke prior to  attending university where he continued playing hockey.

He knew from the time he was playing junior, he wanted to coach. Due to that desire, he wanted to take something in university that would compliment that so he decided on psychology and leadership.

This is his first year of coaching, though he gained experience working with the Gretzky Hockey School working with kids at their camps the last few years.
As a child, he would draw plays on a white board, that he got from a book, for his friends.

He was further inspired watching Miracle on the bus as a kid, knowing that’s what he wanted to do. “I think the closest thing to playing is coaching and the best way to stay involved as well,” said Jake.

Jake’s first taste of coaching came in his third year of university. He had suffered a concussion that saw him sit out the last half of the season. During the national championships, both the head and assistant coaches were both sick and unable to fly.
Jake helped coach the team in the first game which ended up being the first game they won in the history of the tournament.

“It was a good experience working with my peers, breaking down power plays, penalty kills, pre-game video and intermission speeches.”

It went a lot better than he expected. It was then that he realized he could really do this.

He concluded with, “So much of hockey is mindset. When you believe you can do something as an individual or as a group, there’s a better chance you’re going to do it. I’m super honoured to be a part of this organization. My plan is to help this team succeed as much as possible this year and I’m super excited about the opportunity here.”
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Community Registration Night

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster
 
The Astronomy Club had a table that almost instantly captured the attention of everyone who passed by. With photos of far away stars and space objects, they attracted many potential members. Pictured above are members James Baker (left) and Douglas Dixon. Members of this club observe the night sky together with their telescopes.
 

Surf Central trains youth for saving lives in water


By Nadine Leming

Lifesaving is a multi-disciplinary sport that combines athletic ability with lifesaving skills and rescue equipment. Unlike other sports, this one is unique because it is the only sport where skills are learned for humanitarian purposes to aide in drowning prevention and applied to competition.

Heather Barr is the head coach for Camrose Tsunami, which is the local lifesaving sport organization. She felt there was an opportunity for swimmers to expand their skills outside of the pool and head to open waters and that’s where Surf Central got it’s start as the other half of the sport combining rescue techniques with athletic competition. It also puts an emphasis on ocean knowledge and teamwork with practical training for real-life rescues.

The Surf Central club is comprised of about 30 athletes from Camrose, Wetaskiwin, Drayton Valley, Cochrane, Calgary, and Spruce Grove.

Heather said, “I am a coach with the National Team and at the last world championships we identified that our youth athletes need to be well versed in both the pool and surf events. Alberta has a strong number of athletes as part of the National team program so I decided that we needed to create an opportunity for these athletes (and others) to experience and learn Surf Lifesaving–this is how Surf Central was created.”

The competition involves both sides of the sport allowing athletes to be well versed in all aspects of water safety. Alberta has some of the top swimmers in Canada participating in the sport. It was important to Heather to give local youth athletes an opportunity to learn the surf side of the sport, expanding their opportunities.

This summer they all participated in five different beach days. The local athletes also participated in speed training with a running coach as this is a skill in the sport as well. The local athletes also participated in pool time learning  and open water swimming skills, such as how to sight and turn around a buoy.

With the Surf Central Club actively training, they’ve been working with BC to also start developing their surf side of the lifesaving sport. “This year BC hosted the Schon Cup, which hasn’t been hosted since 2008,” added Heather.

Teams participated in showcasing their teamwork, spirit and skills.

Winners of the Schon Cup were recognized in various categories with the competition being held at Kitsilano Beach and White Rock. Surf Central took top spot as the overall winning club. Surf Central were well recognized winning first, second and third in the men’s category and first and second in the male youth division. In the women’s category, Surf Central swept the podium.

“The athletes are incredible. It’s an amazing group that we’ve brought together. They are best of friends and love the sport,” mentioned Heather. “We find from our winter club that the bulk of older teen swimmers will often become lifeguards and swim instructors at their local pools, giving back to the community in that respect,” continued Heather.

This sport offers great fitness and camaraderie. This fine group of individuals often become great employees at their local pools.

Dirksen owns a 1960 Studebaker Lark 8

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Ted Dirksen enjoys taking road trips to small Alberta towns in his classic 1960 Lark 8. Although the car was advertised as a compact vehicle it was a true six-seater, making it a popular choice for its clever design.

By Adan Shaikh

A 1960 Studebaker Lark 8 has returned to the road after years of sitting  unfinished in Ted Dirksen’s garage.

The Lark was introduced by Studebaker in 1959 as a compact option aimed at buyers who wanted a smaller, affordable car at a time when most North American models were growing larger.

Available with either six-cylinder or V8 engines, the Lark helped the Indiana-based automaker stay competitive during the early 1960s.

Dirksen’s car carries the Studebaker 259-cubic-inch V8 engine paired with a Borg-Warner three-speed automatic transmission.

“It sat in my garage, unfinished for about five years before I started working on it and then it took about two years to get it on the road. I did almost everything mechanical on it, everything from the radiator in the front to the tail pipes in the back have been redone. It is a very fun and safe car to drive and to work on,” he said.

Getting the car to that point took more than tools and time. After Dirksen was injured in an accident, he was not sure if he would ever get around to working on it, but as soon as he recovered, he began his work with the help of an experienced friend.

“It is special to me because I didn’t think I would ever get to it, but a friend of mine helped me with this, he had a lot of knowledge. The car got done really well, because he is quite particular. I love driving the car, I have taken it around Alberta to small towns for little adventures, for a week here and a week there and I have a lot of fun driving it,” commented Dirksen.

“I can go anywhere between 60 to 90 miles an hour without worrying about it. In the summer, I drive it as much as I can. It keeps up with other vehicles,” he continued.

“The brake system was the most difficult thing to restore. One of the cool things about it is how the car has fully reclining seats, so the seats can roll down and make a double bed with it,” said Dirksen.

The Lark’s reclining seat design was one of the unique touches that set the model apart in its time. Combined with its compact body and V8 power, the car offered both practicality and performance qualities.

Dirksen still takes trips to small towns around Alberta, exploring new places in his classic car.
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Big Block Party

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Every few steps, there was a new activity. This year, Love Local added a big selection for all ages–there was a set-up for mini golf, axe throwing, bouncy castles of all sizes, cornhole toss and much more. From left, Harvey and Calvin Wasilenkoff enjoyed the foam pit. Many children came prepared with their swimsuits and towels to enjoy the foam.
 
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Lakehouse Home Accents
Grand Opening

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Lakehouse Home Accents and Décor held their grand opening on September 5. From left, City Councillor Lucas Banack; owners of the store Louis and Marcia Sequeira; Mayor PJ Stasko; City Councillor Agnes Hoveland; executive director of Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce Aaron Morris; and Chamber of Commerce board director Asher LaGrange.
Camrose man charged and in custody
after assaulting police officer

By Adan Shaikh

The Camrose Police responded to a disturbance near Mirror Lake on August 31. Police received reports of a man harassing people walking on the pathway around 48A Avenue and 54 Street.

When police arrived, the suspect fled. During a foot chase, he allegedly turned on an officer and struck him, leaving the officer with serious facial injuries that required hospitalization.

The suspect left the scene with a man and a woman. Investigators later arrested the second man but determined he was not involved and released him without charges.

On September 1, officers located the primary suspect again, this time in the area of 58 Street and 51 Avenue. Police reported that the individual brandished a knife, threatened officers, and tried to get into a police vehicle before being subdued with a taser.

He was taken into custody without further injury.
The man is now facing several charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer, assaulting an officer with a weapon, obstruction, uttering threats, possession of a dangerous weapon and breaching a court order.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to Camrose Court of Justice on September 10.
Police extended thanks to members of the public, first responders and staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their help in the aftermath of the incident.
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Pickleball Court Upgraded

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

The Camrose Pickleball Club was joined by Mayor PJ Stasko and City Councillors Lana Broker and Kevin Hycha to commemorate the upgrades that have been made to the pickleball court located on the corner of 50 Street and 54 Avenue.
 
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Hometown hockey

Owen Lansing is a Kodiaks alumni and current player for the U of A Augustana Vikings. A great hometown kid who continues to love playing hockey.

By Nadine Leming

As a local kid playing minor hockey in Camrose, Owen Lansing dreamed of playing for the Kodiaks. He was lucky enough to play for the hometown team the last few years. “In addition to continuing my hockey development, playing for the Kodiaks gave me the opportunity to take on more responsibilities day to day than I had when I was playing AAA hockey.”

Playing junior hockey was Owen’s first look at life outside high school, teaching him to juggle his personal life while competing at a high level of hockey. His experience with the Kodiaks was more than just playing his favourite sport. The team would participate in watching video, workouts and volunteering. Players also had the option of working a part-time job on top of that.

The life of a Junior A player included being at the rink early for multiple hours everyday before school or work. Volunteer work from time to time was on top of their other commitments. Owen commented, “Often our days at the rink and our time in the community was just as much work as a full-time job.”

“One of the biggest skills I will carry with me from junior to university, and life after that, is the ability to multi-task and excel in multiple things all at once,” added Owen.

Despite all of the adjustments to university, he said he will be able to use that skill to help him succeed in his classes while improving his hockey skills. He’s learning to balance relationships at school, at the rink and in his personal life. The ability to shift everything he needs to do was something learned playing for the Kodiaks.

Another valuable lesson Owen learned with his time with the Kodiaks is the importance to ask for help and lean on others. He acquired the ability to ask for help.  That could be asking a teammate for advice, some one-on-one time with coaches or more time in the gym with a trainer.

“In university, and just life in general, I know that things won’t always be easy and that there will be obstacles I have to face, but as long as I have people in my corner, teammates, friends, and family to help me look for ways around them, all of these challenges can be overcome,” commented Owen.

“I loved my time with Kodiaks, especially being a hometown player. I am grateful for the opportunities they provided for me to improve as a player, as a teammate and leader, and as a person,” he added.

He appreciates that he now gets the opportunity to play at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus with the Vikings, yet another local team. Owen is happy to be back to his studies and mentioned that coach Tim Green and his staff are excited about the team they’ve put together. He feels he can bring a good mix of speed, grit and skill to the team and is looking forward to how he will adjust to ACAC hockey.
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New school

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The new Saint Carlo Acutis Catholic High School opened for the new school year.  Ms. Desirée de Kock is excited to share the new drama room with her students.

Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson
 
Are you hard-wired for sloth?
 
Headline: “New research shows it’s really hard not to be a sloth.”

Maybe you know about sloths. My understanding is that they don’t move much; mostly just hang upside down on tree branches.

No surprise that it’s hard not to be a human version of sloth. The article said we humans might be hard-wired to avoid a lot of movement – you know, to conserve our energy.
 
***
As a kid in school, my least favourite class was Phys. Ed. I was klutzy, uncoordinated and dreaded the embarrassment.

Exercise was not something our family valued. My dad said, with pride, “Hasn’t been an athlete in the family for seven generations we know about.”

When jogging became popular, he said, “Hmp. I get my exercise being a pallbearer for friends who dropped dead of a heart attack while they were jogging.” Clearly, I didn’t come from a tradition that encouraged physical activity. Sloth made sense.
 
***
A few years ago, though, it occurred to me that it might be in my self-interest to exercise. As jazz musician Eubie Blake said, “If I’d known I was going to live this long I’d have taken better care of myself.”

I stumbled across “The Scientific 7-Minute Workout.” It said short bursts of intense exercise may be as beneficial as longer exercise sessions. The research seemed credible. I slid past the part that said the 7-minute workout should not be your only exercise.

The workout was designed to exercise every part of your body. A “Scientific 7-Minute Workout” sounded more appealing than, say, 30 minutes of cardio and 10,000 steps every day. Besides, the phrase “7-minute workout” made me laugh. I decided to try it.

My first workout shocked me. I had no idea how out of shape I was. My 7-minute workout took about 20 minutes, mostly with me gasping while my heart pounded (a cardio benefit?).

The toughest exercise was the lunge. I could get down on one knee but then couldn’t get back up. If I didn’t put my hand on something to balance, I tipped over.
 
***
Around that time, I had lunch with my granddaughter who enjoys working out. I thought she might be interested in the 7-Minute Workout. I showed her the stuff – the exercises and background research. She nodded as she noted that all the movements were familiar.

“How many reps do you do?” she asked.

“Reps?” I’d never heard the term.

In response to my puzzled look she explained, “Repetitions.” I was stunned. “You would do these more than once?”

She’s still laughing.
 
***
That was a few years ago. I promised myself I’d do the workout every day for at least 30 days, so I slogged on. In less than 30 days, I began to notice small improvements.

Gradually I could do the exercises more easily. I even increased the number of reps and the intensity. Days really did go better after my morning exercises. I also began to feel the mood-lifting impact of physical movement. Who knew?

***
 
Back to the “hard not to be a sloth” article. If you, like me, have spent years avoiding physical activity, you now have a scientific research-based reason for that. Our brains are hard-wired for sloth. It’s a survival thing, to conserve energy, right?

Impeccable cover story and…

I’m grateful I stumbled across something that’s moved me (literally!) past biological hard-wiring and family tradition. I’m no athlete but I’m grateful to discover I enjoy walking and even just moving for the sheer joy of it.

As a University of Alberta trainer says, “Keep moving so you can keep moving.”
 
***

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.