Times Reporter

 

Promoting healthy living now that will follow our children into the future is just one reason why Strathmore resident Kelly MacDonald offers children’s yoga classes. 

“I teach adult yoga classes and it was just something that intrigued me. I just know how busy kids are right now, with all of their sports and everything,” said MacDonald. 

“I thought this would be, as much as it is somewhat fitness related, it’s more about flexibility and slowing down, and just taking time for themselves, they don’t get that time anymore and it was more about that.”

It all began about two years ago when MacDonald took her certification through an international company called ‘Rainbow Kids Yoga.’ 

“I went to Seattle and took the training, the gentleman’s name is Gopala and he travels worldwide to teach, to instruct instructors. The closest place at that time for me was Seattle,” said MacDonald.

Some of the children who participate in her classes may come with friends, and some may not know anyone. She said it is also like having a peer support group. Since she began offering the program, MacDonald says she has had a good turnout. Some of the kids return for new classes, and there are a few kids who started in the three to five age group who have moved up into the next age group.

MacDonald runs the program out of her home, and teaches children ages three to 14.  The younger kids have a 30 minute class, while the older groups take part in a one hour class. 

 “We get a little more advanced, but we also do lots of stuff through games. I’ll teach a little bit of a class and then the ones who have been coming for awhile I’ll say, ‘alright, your turn you guys. Get together as a group and this is what I want you to do’,” said MacDonald.

What she calls a pose for an adult class is not necessarily what she would call it in a kids class, and MacDonald said everything is the same but different.

MacDonald said there are lots of boys taking her classes, which she finds interesting, some of which are hockey players.  Yoga provides the kids with knowledge about how their body works, and how they can fix it if they have any discomfort.

Classes have already begun, but anyone looking for information can contact Kelly MacDonald at 403-629-7465 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Times Reporter

 

The Chinook Entrepreneur challenge is back for its eighth consecutive year. Community Futures and ATB Financial are partnering to support the business planning challenge. Out of the six or seven Community Future partners, with Wildrose included, there have been approximately 500 people who have participated in the training sessions. 

“It’s an excellent business training program and it really gives people a good opportunity to not only get some high quality training, but also to communicate with other like minded people during the training sessions and ask questions,” said Ron Cox, General Manager for Community Futures Wildrose Region.

“Anyone can take the training even if their sales are $10 million, but they can’t compete in the business plan competition if their sales are over $2 million.”

Cox said there is usually 70 to 90 participants in the training, and of that, only 25 to 30 per cent actually submit business plans for the competition. 

“The most important element of this is the training that you receive for your business. That’s where the real benefit comes from,” said Cox. 

“Most people when they’re starting out don’t know where to start, and you really have to start with planning. Planning saves you just so much effort and misdirected effort. It just really helps to stop and think, and there are a lot of people out there that would like and want to start their own business.”

Participants will learn the business basics, such as marketing, creating a business plan, accounting, financial, advertising, and cash flow. Cox said it is pretty much the whole gamut of what is needed to execute an expansion, retention, a re-organization or putting a new business into place. 

Anyone who participates in the challenge will have a chance to compete for the grand prize of $10,000. There are also numerous in-kind prizes. Training sessions will be held at the Community Futures Wildrose office, and will go from Feb. 1 to March 28. Registration is free, and the eight sessions will be held every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Business plans are due April 30, 2012 and the final awards presentations will take place on June 14, 2012.  More information can be found at www.cfwildrose.ca 

 

Shannon LeClair 

Times Reporter

 

Council has made their decision to support the final re-alignment proposal for Highway 1. Councillor Blokland made a motion to support the proposal, and for administration to draft a letter of support. Concerns related to the control and maintenance of the portion of the highway which will remain within Strathmore are to be determined at a later date. 

Council also directed administration to draft a letter to Alberta Transportation requesting the realignment to be expedited to allow construction to begin as soon as possible. 

A council committee will also be formed with the mandate of researching areas of concern.  A few of these concerns include installing signs at Gleichen 22X and the east side of town, prior to the bypass. They would also like to see signs before Highway 9 and west of town to advertise services in town. Another request will be for Alberta Transportation to pave Highway 1 and all service roads adjacent to it before the town takes over. 

 

Walking around Jamaica 

Graham Matsalla, Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services (AHS), and Lisa Sader with Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) spoke to council about promoting walking in the community, and across the province. 

“The reason why Alberta Health Services wants to promote walking within the communities within the province is the concern over obesity,” said Matsalla. 

The newest challenge HEAL is promoting is walking around the island of Jamaica. It’s a virtual trek but participants have to walk, bike, run or swim around Jamaica and log their steps everyday. Anyone who gets to the end of the trek by the end of the 14 weeks will be entered to win a prize. 

“I encourage you all to get out there and get moving,” said Sader.

“We’re hoping to start a walking school bus for Brentwood School because that’s a school most of the students should be able to walk to.”

To help give council a bit of a boost, Sader presented Mayor Steve Grajczyk with a pedometer so he can begin tracking his steps.

The chilly weather may have some not wanting to venture outside for a stroll, but there are options. 

There is indoor walking on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Christian Academy, and the town has indoor walking available at the Civic Centre in the morning. The contest starts Feb. 1 and will run until May 8, and anyone interested in finding out more information, or participating can go to www.healourfuture.com 

 

Canadian Badlands 

Council has moved to become a member of the Canadian Badlands for a trial year at .50 cents per capita. Councillor Earl Best was the only one who had objections to motion.

“I’m not behind this, I have never been behind this. I believe the cost doesn’t justify the means, they want to call us the gateway to the Badlands and yet we’re substantially a long way away from it, as well as most of the other towns who are with it,” said Best. 

 

Times Reporter

 

The Harvest Healing Center may soon be relocating after council approved a land re-designation from Highway Commercial District to P1, Public Service District. 

The location of the site is at the corner of Highway 817 and the Canals Highway Commercial Area. Though the director of planning and development did not support the application, in the end council approved the re-designation.   

“With respect to the proposed use we did have some concerns with respect to the location. We are not against, obviously, the ability to have church sites in town, it’s just unfortunately this location probably is not the best from our technical analysis,” said Tammy Henry, Director of planning and development for the Town. 

The area the Harvest Healing Center was asking to be re-designated is zoned and set out in the MDP to be an industrial area. One of the first concerns for administration is the fact that the proposed land use amendment was not consistent with the Town Municipal Development Plan (MDP). Henry said though the MDP is a bit dated, it was created with the input of the citizens.  

Henry said it is a statutory plan and administration is bound by the plan, because it is a bylaw. She also mentioned that it would be cleaner to amend the MDP prior to the proposed re-designation. 

Another concern was increased traffic, and the possibility of needing to add traffic signals. Henry said there were no concerns about building a facility, but preferred it be located on a different site which may meet their needs better. 

“We are not looking to put millions of dollars into a building, a fancy building. A residential area would not allow us to put up a metal building that we are looking at, (it’s) not very likely because that’s not what they want sitting in a residential area,” said Pastor Elizabeth Karp, with the Harvest Healing Center.

She said public zoned land in a commercial area would allow them to put up a practical building, which fits the community standards for the area. 

“As far as the traffic light controlled intersection goes, at some point in time we have to do that, and maybe if we do it sooner than later it might help to develop that area a little quicker, if there’s proper access to and from that industrial area onto 817,” said Councillor John Rempel. 

Both Mayor Steve Grajczyk and Councillor Bob Sobol said they like the idea of having a church front and centre when people come into town. 

“It’s always nice to see a church when you’re driving into town, I always thought that,” said Grajczyk. 

The proposal was approved and given both second and third reading at the Jan. 18 council meeting. 

Fule for Thought

 

Most young men these days plan elaborate ways to ask their loved ones to marry them. In fact, if you go on YouTube and search “World’s Best Wedding Proposal … Movie Theatre,” you’ll see a brilliant one done by a young American guy.  

You really do have to see it; or see the marriage proposal that was on “Mobbed” last season. Both of these examples only serve to make my own proposal that much more sad and pathetic! Before I bare my soul to you, let me just say that the 80’s were a strange decade, and I was a pretty naïve mountain boy from Canmore.

It was early 1984 and Debbie and I had been ring shopping where we both picked one she loved. Stupidly, the idea was: that I would pick up the ring on a certain Friday night, ask her to marry me, and we’d go to a nice restaurant for dinner. Then after this incredibly romantic event, we’d drive to Canmore and surprise our parents and Deb’s grandparents. Even THIS sounds pretty lame as proposals go, but wait, it gets worse!

The Friday arrived and I packed up after school. Excitedly, I raced to Calgary to Peoples’ Jewelers to pick up the massive “rock.”  

Okay, it was a cluster of really small diamonds, but still expensive, for me! Now here’s where me, being a naïve bumpkin from the Rockies, comes into play. I arrived at Peoples’, showed my receipt, and was ready to meet Deb. Much to my shock and horror, the saleslady said I could not take possession of the ring until it was paid in full. I thought (like a car purchase back then), that you could put money down, get the ring, and pay it off. But no, Shirley (if that was her real name!) said I could not have the ring, as I still owed a large amount (I won’t bother telling you how much … that would be too painful).

Cell phones were not being used in 1984, so I slowly shuffled to a mall pay phone (again like The Green Mile), to face the music with Deb. After explaining the bad news, Deb replied …  “where are you right now?”  

I told her where I was (probably should have lied), and she drove over. What happened next is still very painful for me. Deb paid for her own engagement ring in cash, and I had to pay monthly payments to her until it was paid off!! We then did go out for dinner where I asked her to marry me, while parked outside the restaurant. She promptly turned me down, and told me “that’s not the way you’re supposed to ask me!”  

I tried again, and I must have done it right, because she said “yes!” 

So, let this be a lesson to all the young men planning to get engaged this year. Do it right, put some heart and thought into it … don’t be like me! Otherwise you’ll pay for it in more ways than one, and for a longer time!!  

As a sidebar, I secretly bought a silver and diamond ring for our 25th anniversary, and surprised Deb before we went to Hawaii. She thinks it was romantic … I just wanted to get rid of that other ring. It had way too much history!

 

“Fule for Thought” is a slice of life humourous column that will appear in the Strathmore Times, written by long-time resident, town councillor, high school teacher, coach, husband and father of two – Pat Fule. If you would like to get in touch with Pat, you can send him an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Times Contributor

 

Walt Hayes’ parents were born in Idaho, and grew up and worked in the agriculture and livestock areas of that state. When they read the glowing adverts promoted by The Canadian Pacific Railway Co. stating “Come to sunny Alberta, Canada - and make your fortune, on 160 acres of irrigated land” - they came to investigate, and purchased property in 1907, in the Gleichen area. There were no roads, no trees, just wide open prairie.

Time marches on, and Walter arrives in 1924, to complete the Hayes family of four boys and two girls. He attended a rural, one room school at Shamrock, for Grades 1-9, followed by Grades 10-12 at Gleichen High School.

In July 1942, a farm accident resulted in his father being hospitalized for three months. Because of WW2, there was a shortage of farm help, so Walt took over the general farm operation. As the years progressed, he became totally involved in the farm’s management, and started to gradually buy the farm. To further his education and farming ability, he attended the Southern Institute of Technology (S.A.I.T.) in Calgary, from 1947 to 1949, and graduated from courses on Agriculture, Mechanics and Building Construction.

Around this time he was introduced to a Home Economics and Dietician student at S.A.I.T – Olive How. She was born in Saskatchewan in 1929,where her father was the livestock manager for the Provincial Government, and her mother was a nurse at Battleford Provincial Hospital. She has one brother and one sister. Walt and Olive were married in August 1949, and have three daughters, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

Walter and Olive lived on the original Hayes farm from 1949 to 1994 – becoming an integral part of the Gleichen Community for 45 years. They were long term members of the Meadowbrook Community Hall Board, The Gleichen Lions Club, The Curling Club, Home and School Association, and active members in the local square dance club. 

As a member of the Eastern Star Lodge, Olive represented as Grand Esther, and travelled to different Star Chapters in Alberta. 

In 2008, Olive, accompanied by three daughters and three grand-daughters, completed the Strathmore Triathlon. She still clogs with The Strathmore Stompers in the winter, and plays golf in the summer.

Both enjoy their hobbies – for Walt it is his woodshop, while for Olive it is sewing and quilting.

Prior to retirement, they enjoyed travelling to Arizona in their motorhome, or cruising to different countries around the world. Since retirement, they have both enjoyed good health, good friends and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

(“Remembering our Past” is a bi-weekly special column to The Strathmore Times

that features a local senior or couple, and their lives in and around Strathmore and Wheatland County. If you know someone who should be featured in this article, please call the Strathmore Times at (403) 934-5589 and leave your request.)

Times Contributor

 

Some people think that the Masons are an organization of elite men with secrets, engaging in occult ceremonies. 

Local Masons from the Strathmore/Gleichen  membership, Brian Ireland and Jack McCulloch, want to set the record straight.

“We are not a secret society, we are a society of secrets and the only secret we have is how we recognize each other,” said Ireland. 

The practise he says stems from earlier centuries, when Masons needed to remain anonymous for safety’s sake.

“In WWII, Masons were persecuted along with the Jews,” said Ireland. 

They said it comes in handy today to recognize other members in new acquaintances that they may meet.

“We have everybody from the common labourer up to leaders of countries,” said McCulloch, talking about the Mason societies as a whole. The society believes in the equality of men; McCullough said the attainment of power and world domination is not on the agendas.

 “We have members from all races and backgrounds,” said McCulloch about the local branch.

It is not a religious or political party either, as the arguments that occur over these topics create animosity between people and the group encourages harmony and peaceful discussion.

“In fact, we are forbidden to talk of those,” said McCullough.

“The only requirement is that applicants have a belief in a Supreme Being. We don’t care what religion you are,” said McCulloch.

The organization’s purpose is to help each other become better people, as each individual works on self-improvement projects, with encouragements to study liberal arts and sciences without neglecting family duties. 

The rituals only occur when members have graduated to a new degree, of which there are three. The award ceremony incorporates teaching and historical significance, rather than sinister objectives. Allegory and symbolism are often a part of ceremonies. Pictures of recent ceremonies held in the Badlands are at www.royalarchmasonsalberta.com.

There are companion organizations, such as the Eastern Star, which is a similar organization with women members, and the Masons link to children’s groups such as Job’s Daughters and deMoley’s Sons. Shriner groups are linked to the Masons, as well. 

Gleichen and Strathmore Lodges sold their buildings, due to structural deterioration. If people are curious, they can look inside a lodge at Heritage Park in the summer. A Mason member is on hand to discuss any questions people may have.

The society is very involved in the community supporting projects like the hospital, swimming pool renovations, building projects and higher education funding. They are the second largest contributor to education bursaries in the province.

“Last year we donated over $100,000 to the Wheatland community,” said Ireland.

They have social events such family BBQ, picnics, and suppers such as the Robbie Burns dinner held at the Strathmore Centennial Complex on Jan. 27, 2012. No membership is required to attend and it is a good chance to talk to members if you are curious about applying for membership.

“It’s a good excuse for a party,” said McCullough, who encourages everyone to come out. Entertainment will be the Burns singers, Scottish dancers, readings from the poet himself and the Black Light Drummers. Tickets are $25 at the door, or Call Jack McCullough at 403 542-7653.

 

Times Contributor

 

Children’s author Michael Wade from Strathroy, Ontario visited Standard School’s students from grades three through to nine last week. 

Wade read excerpts from his series of books called “And Then It Happened”. Since its publication in the fall of 2003, this best selling series has been entertaining students across North America. “And Then It Happened” is a laugh-out-loud series that is guaranteed to get kids reading.

In the 2010-2011 school year, Michael had the pleasure of visiting 300 schools, making him one of Canada’s busiest guest authors. Students and staff alike enjoy his dynamic, humorous presentation which focuses on the power of words and the fun and importance of reading.

Wade travels throughout Canada visiting schools and talking to students.   His dynamic, highly entertaining presentation not only motivates students to become better readers and writers, but encourages reading for the fun of it.

For more information about the author and his books you can contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Times Reporter

 

Pond Hockey has proven to be successful in Gleichen, and this February they will be hosting the third annual Hockey Day in GA. Cara Sheppard, coordinator of the program is hoping to see 150 kids come out and participate. In preparation of the big day, the Cluny Fire Department has been helping the Gleichen Fire Department with flooding the three outdoor rinks.

“Two outdoor ice surfaces are the same as last year and the third one is an outdoor rink that was donated from Red Deer Pond Hockey and a gentleman by the name of Mac Smith volunteered his time to go pick it up for us,” said Sheppard. 

There is also a fourth rink, an indoor one that will also be used for the event. 

Last year a chinook blew through, making things quite wet and messy for all of the participants and putting a bit of a damper on the day. Sheppard said, “As long as the weather does what it’s supposed to and doesn’t get too cold and doesn’t get too warm, I would be quite happy.”

Last year the RCMP brought a radar gun to measure the speed of kids’ shots, and though it isn’t confirmed as of yet, Sheppard is hoping they will again. 

Kids from all over the province have been taking part in Canada’s favourite game, hockey. 

“So there’s 2,600 kids in Hockey Alberta’s Pond Hockey currently, and we got 22 new programs started this year for a total of 47 all together all the way across the province,” said Sheppard. 

Since the 2010/2011 season, numbers have increased by 30 per cent. 

Hockey Day in GA will take place Feb. 11, and it’s a $5 cost for each participant. The registration fee will see each player receive three shinny style games, lunch, and leave with a tournament souvenir. 

For any players who are not currently insured through Hockey Alberta, the Hockey Day is supported by Hockey Alberta with the ‘Bring a friend’ program. With the program players are covered for insurance for the event.  

For registration information call Cara Sheppard 403-734-3515 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Registration deadline is Jan 31/2012.

Times Reporter

 

The Chef program, just one of many the Youth Club of Strathmore offers, received had a helping hand, making it more affordable. The Youth Club is formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie, Strathmore chapter.

Tina Shipley, owner of Tina’s No Frills in Strathmore, has been donating gift cards to the program so they may purchase the food for the classes. 

“They approached me to help with the cost of food, I’ve always thought the Boys and Girls Clubs were a great program for young people, and the idea of helping with the cost of food, that makes it a lot more affordable so all kids can participate,” said Shipley.

“It’s getting them started into things that keep them occupied, and when you start with young people and you teach them a skill that’s needed later in life, they are more apt to be at home making muffins than out smoking crack. These are the skills that carry them through life.”

The program, which normally runs for eight weeks, currently has five kids in each group.

There is a group for children ages 6 to 8, and the second group is for kids 9 to 12. The once-a-week classes have been running out of the Lord of All Lutheran Church. 

“We’re hoping to have all the other programs running out of the youth centre next time around, after REVS,” said Colina Clark, Program Coordinator for the Youth Club. 

Karin Ewashen is the program volunteer who leads the Chef program. She has been teaching the kids kitchen safety, while teaching them how to make yummy treats. 

“Once Karin finds a great recipe, the first task is to review it as a group ensuring that everyone understands the directions and measurements followed by washing their hands, before even going in the kitchen. Then they jump in and do it,” said Clark.

The Chef program provides students with an opportunity to learn nutritional best practices, cooking, health and safety in the kitchen, hygiene and how to make healthy eating choices in a fun, safe environment.

The program will be available in two eight week sessions held within the program months of March to June.

The Youth Club will be at REVS on Feb. 8, and registration will begin on Feb. 13 for members and Feb. 15 for non-members. 

They are also currently recruiting for program facilitators/leaders. Contact Colina Clark for application details at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 403-324-4521. 

 

Times Reporter

 

A home burglary doesn’t sound like it would be the recipe for love, but in John Kolvenbach’s Love Song that’s exactly what happens. 

A woman named Molly, played by Lauren de Graaf, burglarizes Beane, played by Conrad Belau. Belau said Beane, who is kind of a recluse, goes to his apartment one night and there’s a woman sitting there with all of his possessions. She sees something in him and is really taken by him and they just fall in love with each other at that moment. 

“It’s really funny, it’s very dramatic and it’s really moody, it’s a deeply romantic play and being a romantic at heart I was like, well this is the play for me,” said Conrad Belau, who is producing the play as his student final project. 

Being on stage is nothing new for the Saskatchewan native. 

“To be honest it’s all I have really ever known, I grew up acting in church musicals that my mom directed and then I moved on to public school performances,” said Belau.

“It’s just the one thing that really people noticed me, and I was kind of the high school nerd and…I was just not very noticed. When I was on stage people would notice me, and they would laugh, and I was like oh this is what I’m meant to do. 

“When I was in Rosebud I realized it was more than just being noticed, it was about actually having a voice, and having something to share. This is the role that I need to play in my life, this is what I’m going to be doing with my life hopefully.”   

Belau’s most memorable performances on the Rosebud Theatre Stage have been ‘Jake and the Kid,’ ‘A Bright Particular Star,’ and ‘The Secret Garden.’  Belau said his favourite role was when he was in “Jake and the Kid’, when he had a chance to work opposite Nathan Schmidt and Mike Thiessen. He said while the role was enriching, the two men were also really fun to work with.   

“It was just a really awesome summer experience. Ninety-eight shows can seem tiresome, it seems like a lot, but when you’re in the middle of it you just have to go for it,” said Belau.

Belau plans to go where the work takes him, saying he would like to work in Vancouver or return home to Saskatoon. 

Love Song can be seen on the Rosebud Studio Stage Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. or at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on the 28. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance by calling 403-479-8639.