Wildlife stewardship

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Brittany Woelk prepares for summer wildlife programs.
By Lori Larsen

The City of Camrose welcomes this year’s summer Greenspace and Wildlife Stewardship Coordinator, Brittany Woelk who looks forward to bringing a variety of fun and informative events to the roster this summer for residents to come out and enjoy.
Brittany will be going into her fourth year of environmental science studies at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus in September of this year.
Aside from her work as the coordinator for the Greenspace Wildlife Stewardship program Brittany  also works for St. Mary’s Hospital as a lab assistant.
Brittany’s passion is to help educate the community of Camrose and at large on the importance of conservation, rehabilitation and restoration of our natural resources.
“I think it is good to educate people on matters they may not be aware of involved with our environment,” noted Brittany.
“I feel like there is a lot of controversy around what is considered climate change issues and conservation per se,” said Brittany. “They are tied together but they are also very separate things. I would like to help build awareness and educate people on the difference. For example conservation for animals is  different than what is talked about climate change.”
Brittany is busy preparing an exciting lineup of sessions for the Greenspace Wildlife Stewardship summer program including some popular favourites such as the Purple Martin Festival to be held on June 15 at the Stoney Creek Centre.
The first session offered by the Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society is entitled Mammal Tracks of Camrose County, and takes place on Thursday, May 30 at the Stoney Creek Centre (5320-39 Avenue) beginning at 7 p.m.
Some of the other sessions planned include Greg King from the University of Alberta Augustana Campus with a presentation on urban forests, Medicine River Wildlife Centre and the Strathcona Raptor Shelter.
For more information on any of the Wildlife Stewardship sessions or program, visit the Camrose  website or Facebook page, email Brittany at  wildlifestewardship@camrose.ca or telephone 780-672-0544. read more

AJHL Showcase returns

By  Murray Green

The 2019 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) Showcase will be hosted by the Camrose Kodiaks.
 The 13th annual event will take place from Thursday, Sept. 26 to Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Camrose Recreation Centre.
All 15 teams (the Calgary Mustangs are taking a one year leave) will compete in two regular season games over the three-day event, which attracts thousands of fans and over 200 members of the scouting community. The annual showcase of AJHL talent draws coaches and scouts from each National Hockey League (NHL) team, NCAA Division I, II and III schools, as well as Canadian colleges and universities and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
Immediately following the AJHL Showcase each season, the much-anticipated NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch List is released in advance of the annual NHL Entry Draft.  Each player is measured and weighed by NHL Central Scouting as part of the player registration process.
Camrose first hosted the AJHL Showcase in 2015 after the event outgrew the existing host facility in Spruce Grove. The City of Camrose and the Camrose Kodiaks organization have a proven reputation for friendly volunteers, the ability to host major events and quality facilities.
A full schedule for the Showcase will be announced alongside the 2019-20 league schedule in early June. Game tickets, scout registration and volunteer opportunities will be available through the Kodiaks office.

Suggestions on selecting trees for your yard

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City of Camrose community services senior operator/supervisor Kim Vassberg offers 
suggestions on how to select a tree for your yard.

By Lori Larsen

A wonderful and eye-pleasing way to enhance your yard is with the addition of a tree or trees. They not only provide visual interest, but provide nesting and roosting opportunities for birds, shade for yourself and other plant life in your yard and most importantly, help sustain life by releasing oxygen.
As a fairly substantial investment, it is important that people understand their tree selection. To assist with ensuring you get the best choice City of Camrose senior operator/supervisor and certified municipal arborist Kim Vassberg offers some advice. “Trees provide their owners a multitude of benefits far beyond aesthetics, shade and a place for your children to climb,” began Vassberg. “They increase property value anywhere from eight to 10 per cent, provide habitat for birds, offer fruit/flowers, take in stormwater runoff, provide a screen from unwanted views and offer privacy.”
Aside from all of those benefits, Vassberg added that it is proven that trees can reduce stress and mental fatigue, enhance recuperation rates and bring about a sense of community pride.
“Have you hugged a tree today?”
Prior to making that addition to your yard numerous factors need to be considered and making an informed decision will ultimately provide you with a healthy, thriving tree for many decades.
“Begin by asking yourself why you want a tree and where you will plant it?” said Vassberg. “If you desire fruit trees, keep in mind that you will have fruit drop onto your lawn.”
When deciding upon a tree, keep in mind the tree should be in proportion to your house. “Try to visualize the mature size of the tree in years to come. That cute little tree seedling your child brought home from school should not be placed in the flowerbed next to your foundation.”
Vassberg advised that your property lines should always be considered when planting trees. “It may cause issues with sightlines, driveways, sidewalks and overhanging growth over right-of-ways or neighbouring yards.”
Think about the hardiness zone, Camrose is zone 3B, prior to selecting your tree. “You may have an area of your yard that provides a micro-climate and is very sheltered. You could try a tree that is borderline hardy for this area, although it may need extra care.”
Consider the amount of time you are willing to spend on maintenance. “Willows are prone to breakage in wind and will create a mess of branches to clean up. Poplars (including towering) have extensive root systems, which may cause problems with water/sewer. Burr oak are huge, stately, long lived trees but slow growing. Deciduous trees will have leaves dropping every autumn, so perhaps coniferous is a better option.”
Vassberg said other areas to consider include the growth rate of a tree, the mature size, life span and disease tolerance.
“Tree nurseries will provide a large variety of trees and shrubs in varying sizes and knowledgeable staff to assist you with selecting suitable plant material.”
However, walking into a nursery can be somewhat overwhelming, so having a basic knowledge of what you want prior to purchasing can make the decision easier and wiser.
“Most importantly, be excited that you are making a positive investment in your yard which will provide benefits for your family and your community.”
If you have questions about plant matter in your yard, or on city property contact the community services department through Email at parks@camrose.ca or by telephone at 780-672-9195. read more

Reflections

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By Bonnie Hutchinson

Words, people and tangled histories: a kerfuffle

I’ve been fascinated with words since I was a kid and learned to love reading stories.
It’s not a passion I share socially with bunches of people. I know there are other word nerds in the world. They just happen not to be in my immediate circle.
But there is this one friend…I don’t personally know a lot of word nerds–except for one cherished friend who lives a few thousand miles away. We exchange emails about quirky uses of words.
Once when we were together we spent more than an hour being tickled to research whether “kerfuffle” is a legitimate English word and if so, its origins.
Turns out “fuffle” is actually a word. It’s a verb meaning “to become disheveled or messed up.” You fuffle in the present, in the past you fuffled, and sometimes you might even be fuffling for a while. Fuffle is also a noun meaning “an artful fake, an artifact specially made to fool people.”
Doesn’t that enrich your day? Can you hardly wait to use the word “fuffle” sometime?
I’m sure now you’re wondering about “ker”–the first syllable of “kerfuffle.” That’s the family name of a Scottish man who was given the title Duke of Roxburghe in 1707. Ker is also the name of a tribe in the Kutch region of India. Who knew?
The research does not mention contact between the Ker family in Scotland and the Ker tribe in India so it’s a mystery how they ended up with the same name.
Anyway, put ker and fuffle together and you have kerfuffle–a word that even sounds like something messed up or fake.
I mean, it’s not just an ordinary fuffle, it’s a kerfuffle.
My friend and I were filled with delight to play around with this.
Reading between the lines, if fuffle means mess up or fake and Ker could be a family name or a tribe in India, it’s a brief hop to imagine that the Ker family or the Ker tribe may have been messy and/or deceitful people. Or maybe not to be messed with...that was so fun to think about!
Okay I know, you had to be there. Also, you had to be a word nerd.
***
This is all to explain why I was delighted when a friend sent me a link to an article from The Economist May 9 edition entitled, “Words, like people, have tangled and extensive family trees.” I found it a delightful article.
The article compares the family trees of people and the family trees of words. The author (whose name does not appear) points out that, “It is natural to try to find resemblances in family photos: grandma’s nose here, Uncle Jim’s hairline there.”
The author continues, “In the human world, people sometimes find to their shock that they are adopted, or they take a DNA test and discover a surprising parentage….Similarly, two words can look so alike that it seems they simply must be siblings–yet they aren’t.”
For example pawn the verb and pawn the noun look like they came from the same source. They both have to do with exchanging something of value for something else of value. In the game of chess, you might sacrifice a pawn in exchange for some strategic advantage. If you’re broke, you might pawn your guitar in exchange for some cash.
But the two words did not come from the same source. Pawn the noun came from the olden days Norman French word paun which in turn came from Latin word pedon–a lowly foot soldier who, sadly, could be sacrificed. Pawn the verb probably comes from a German word pfand which means deposit.
Hey! Sort of like the Ker family in Scotland and the Ker tribe in India. Same name, different roots.
Such a kerfuffle. I can’t help it–I think that’s interesting! Are you a word nerd? Do you enjoy playing around with words?
***
I’d love to hear from you! If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send a note to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day.
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Male charged with sexual assault and voyeurism

By Lori Larsen

On Jan. 4, 2018, Camrose Police Service Major Crime Unit initiated a sexual assault investigation as the result of the recovery of a USB flash drive that had concerning videos. The investigation resulted in charges being laid against a 39-year-old male resident of Camrose for sexual assault and voyeurism. On June 15, 2018, the accused was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in custody for these charges.
As the result of a judicially authorized search of the USB flash drive, further investigation by CPS of other victims of sexual assault ensued during 2018, resulting in police identifying other victims who had been observed in concerning videos.
It is believed that the accused had engaged in sexual activities with these females and sexually assaulted them when they were in an unconscious state due to some form of drug use and video recorded them.
On April 15, the accused was charged with: Sexual Assault (seven counts), surreptitiously making a visual Recording for a Sexual Purpose (seven counts) and Administering a Noxious Substance. The accused remains in custody for the 2018 conviction and is scheduled to appear on the other matters on June 5.

Girls’ Weekend auditions held at Bailey Theatre

By Murray Green

The Kelsey Drama Club will be holding auditions for the October production of Girls Weekend, a comedy farce by Karen Schaefer on Tuesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. both evenings at the Bailey Theatre rehearsal hall in the basement.
The cast needs four men and four women, ranging in ages. They are also looking for volunteers behind the scene as well.
Bailey Buckaroos
The Bailey Buckaroos are back for a country music show on Sunday, May 26 beginning at 2 p.m. with special guest Ty Wilson. They will also have a show on Sunday, June 30 at 2 p.m.
Gwynne Dyer
Newfoundland freelance journalist, columnist, broadcaster and lecturer on international affairs, Gwynne Dyer, had to cancel his talk on Wednesday, May 29. It is hoped that he can visit Camrose in the fall.

Opening minds and eyes to sexual violence

By Lori Larsen

In an effort to bring about awareness and educate people on the seriousness of sexual violence and assault, May is recognized as Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Alberta.
The first step in educating and creating awareness on the often sensitive issue of sexual violence, is to build a better understanding of what it actually is and debunk misconceptions.
“Sometimes it is difficult to understand what sexual violence is,” said Camrose Women’s Shelter executive director Nora-Lee Rear. “Sexual violence broadly refers to any violence, physical or psychological, carried out through sexual means or by targeting sexuality.”
Notably she added, “In all of its forms, it is a crime.”
Beyond being a legal issue, sexual violence is also a public health and social issue and a violation of human rights and includes by definition, any form of sexual activity without a person’s consent or through the use of force.
“This may include any kissing, touching, or sexual coercion that is forced or is not stopped when asked to,” explained Rear. “Sexual harassment is the unsolicited ‘cat calls’ at someone walking down the street. It’s an unwarranted tap on the buttocks of the wait staff at the local restaurant. It is the locker room jokes that are made about the ‘new’ girl and what could be done to her.”
In many instances, what may seem like harmless behaviour falls under the definition of sexual harassment or violence.
“We tend to think of sexual violence as rape or a physical act, and it is, but we need to acknowledge the continuum of behaviors that go on, that are also considered sexual violence or harassment that, as a society, I feel we’ve become numb to.”
The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services states that nearly 40 per cent of Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of sexual assault in their lifetime.
Sexual harassment and violence knows no barriers and does not discriminate against any race, ethnicity, gender or age. Incidents occur in every community and Camrose is no exception.
“In 2018-19, of the 159 women who walked through the shelter’s door, 37 reported having been raped, abused or assaulted sexually,” said Rear. “But we also know that most survivors never report their experience of sexual assault.”
Rear went on to explain that children who are sexually abused are often groomed or manipulated into believing that the behavior that is happening is normal, and the action is rarely violent. She offers the following suggestions on dealing with the subject of sexual abuse, harassment and violence to children.
“Parents can arm kids with knowledge that might save them from being victimized. Teach kids about body parts, and that body parts are private. Teach children about body boundaries and that no one should touch their private parts, and no one should ask them to touch somebody else’s private parts, nor should anyone take pictures of a child’s private parts.
“Tell children that secrets are not okay. Teach them how to get out of a scary or uncomfortable situation, if something feels wrong, by having a code word that children can use when they feel unsafe or want to leave a situation.”
Of utmost importance, Rear said that parents/guardians should always believe children if they do share a secret that discloses sexual abuse and provide them with a safe space.
“Most importantly, tell children that the ‘no secrets’ rule even applies to people they know or to another child or teenager.”
For more information on keeping children aware and educated on sexual abuse, visit the website childmind.org/article/10-ways-to-teach-your-child-the-skills-to-prevent-sexual-abuse/.
The following quote from an anonymous contributor reiterates the importance of creating awareness and educating our youth on sexual violence.
“As a survivor, I never reported to anyone that the teenage neighbour boy had raped me from the time I was three years old until around the age of seven. At age 15, I started to ‘remember’, but by that time I was a mess, I’d completely shut down emotionally, I’d had several suicide attempts, I’d left my parents’ home, and I was experiencing severe PTSD. It’s taken the rest of my life to come to a place that I can use the experience to help others, but I survived, and having caring people who believed me was the difference between turning things around and becoming a statistic.”
 The Camrose Women’s Shelter has recently participated in several initiatives to address sexual violence and harassment.
The first, #I Believe You, is a province-wide central platform for sexual assault support services, and is a statement that every survivor needs to hear. Signs are posted throughout the Shelter bearing the phrase, reminding Shelter residents that there is someone who not only believes them, but cares.
One Billion Rising is an initiative the Shelter took part in this February to raise awareness that across the globe, one billion women or girls will be beaten or raped sometime during their lifetime. Astounding statistics.
Rear added that, as well, the former Alberta government made a commitment to prevent sexual violence and improve support for survivors. “The commitment was to improve the response to Sexual Violence by ensuring that the social, health, justice and education systems respond effectively to sexual violence and harassment, and by funding community agencies that help survivors, as well as education and prevention programs.”
Her hopes are that the new Alberta government continues to follow through on this commitment.
“Camrose is a community of 20,000 people with services also supporting a large rural surrounding area. If someone comes to the shelter who has been raped, we have to send that person to Edmonton or Red Deer, because Camrose does not have the ability to complete any kind of rape kit or testing. We’ve had this happen over and over again.
“How many victims or survivors is it going to take for this community to properly respond to Sexual Violence and to take it seriously,” she questioned, adding that a committee has been spearheaded with the hopes of improving response to sexual violence services in Camrose and area.
“For the clients of the shelter, we can’t get help soon enough.”
For more information on the Camrose Women’s Shelter, visit the website at camrosewomenshelter.org.
For more information on the Association of Communities Against Abuse (based out of Stettler),  visit the website at http://againstabuse.ca/
For more information on the provincial government’s actions to bring about awareness during Sexual Violence Awareness month, visit the website alberta.ca/commitment-to-end-sexual-violence.aspx.

Wooden Horsemen ride into city

By Murray Green

The Rose City Roots Music Society is bringing popular band Wooden Horsemen back to the Bailey Theatre for a show on May 31 at 8 p.m. to help launch Jaywalkers’ Jamboree.
Their forthcoming album, Past Lives, stands both as a fiery testament to the American south and an acknowledgment of the intimate relationship between music and spirituality.
“The album was released last November and we are excited to bring it on the road, because we didn’t tour a lot when it came out. We wanted to wait for spring to get out on the road again. We look forward to coming to Camrose again, it was about two years ago, and playing at the Bailey Theatre,” said singer Steve Beddall. “We will sing songs from the new album, as well as a few old favourites.”
Vancouver’s Wooden Horsemen have evolved since their introduction as a folk three-piece band in 2013. Singers Steven and Missy Cross provide woven harmonies to remain at the core of the band’s sound; however, the foundation has shifted from delicate acoustic strings to a brassy, electric seven-piece blues-rock full sound.
“We were blown away by the Bailey venue, but we had a great crowd. You don’t know what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised by the fan support. People were warm and they were a great audience,” added Steve.
Influenced by Alan Lomax’s American Patchwork series, tracks such as “I’ve Been Changed” and “You Better Mind” aim to harness the raw spirit of gospel while maintaining the band’s signature modern rock ’n’ roll sound.
“We have tried different styles and with more members now, we can play larger venues and more of a rock and roll band. We dabble in different styles, but blues is still the core element,” said Steve. “We were inspired to more gospel music with the last album and it has that slant.”
The Wooden Horsemen are Steven on vocals and guitar; Missy on vocals and percussion, Cole Graham on trumpet, Paul Clark on drums, Joseph Lubinsky-Mast on bass, Craig Aalders on electric guitar and Owen Connell on keyboard and organ. “We will probably be a six piece band in Camrose,” he concluded.
“My favourite new song is ‘Death Has No Mercy.’ We took a song and turned it into a heavy blues song that captures the spirit of the album. We are excited to come back.”
 

James goes full throttle on comedy

By Murray Green

He is a stand-out amongst stand-ups. Comedian Ron James is embarking on a Full Throttle tour across the prairies to share his jokes and quick wit.
Ron will be at the  Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre on May 28 for a 7:30 p.m. show.
“All of my shows in Ontario were sold out, so now I’m looking forward to heading out west. You have to love the weather out west. I’ll never forget. It was late June one year and it snowed on our tour,” recalled Ron.
“I went to university to become an actor and I was at Second City for a number of years. In acting, I got tired of waiting for the phone to ring. I was auditioning forever in Los Angeles, which is the norm. I was in commercials and small parts, but it wasn’t enough to feed my family. Comedy came natural to me. I was in clubs for five years and then started booking myself. The west has been good to me. I call the west, the land of the second chance,” said Ron. “I remember going to Red Deer and having six sold out shows in a row.”
The award-winning comedian has been selling out theatres for over 15 years with his marathon, side-splitting, kinetically charged performances. Marshaling a comedian’s eye for satire and a writer’s ear for language, he takes his audience on a breath-taking, non-stop roller coaster ride, cutting a wide swath through contemporary culture with his razor-sharp ribald wit, uncompromising standards and unique, poetically honed delivery.
“I wanted to use my brain. I made up a routine based on my acting experience and it took off from there. When I made the switch (from acting to comedy) I had to start over. I had to do amateur night for eight months before I received a paid gig. That was back in 1995 and I’ve been at it ever since. It was the best choice I ever made in my life, other than having my children,” reflected Ron.
He decided to write about his trips across Canada. “It’s been a great adventure travelling the highways and byways n the coolest country on the planet. I have a book called All Over the Map coming out about that in 2020. The book allows me to go into deeper and detailed conversations with people. Alberta is a great place to find yourself.”
With nine critically acclaimed one-hour comedy specials under his belt, plus five seasons starring in his own series, The Ron James Show, Canada’s #1 road warrior is back doing what he does best: delivering laughs face to face and coast to coast...a high octane Full Throttle ride.
 “I’m always switching the show up to include fresh material and localize it when possible. I try to unify everybody and I’m an equal opportunity offender. I hit Justin (Prime Minister Trudeau) as hard as I’ll hit Jason (Premier Kenney). When you’re a Canadian comedian, you have to be an equal opportunity offender. I want people to go to the show to forget their troubles. Let me carry their knapsack on their journey for awhile. I want them to feel a lot lighter than when they walked in with.”
Ron enjoys the live audiences because he feels the life force. “We tend to feed off of each other. We are in a point in time where you could have 25,000 Facebook friends and still be alone on a Saturday night. It is sad. I like being face to face and receiving instant feedback. That is why I love live comedy. I enjoy myself.”
Ron Laughed, “When I first started I would do 50 pushups before the show to get me going. Now I can’t do any because I have tennis elbow. I can’t understand why because I maybe played five games in my life. I have it in my left elbow and I’m right-handed, so I can’t figure out that one.”
Comedy was always part of Ron’s life. His father was a funny man. Then he tried being funny in everything he did, even cooking in the kitchen. “Comedy is something I have always had to come back to. Live comedy is as real as it gets. It is like Keith Richards said, give the audience what they paid for. If the ushers are not wiping down the seats after the show, I haven’t done my job.”

Drifting races create track excitement

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FORMULA DRIFT Jon Burnstad and the Mazda RX-7 take part in Formula Drift competitions in Wetaskiwin and Edmonton in the summer. Watch for Burnstad on June 8, July 20 and Aug. 10 as he tries to move up in the standings.
 By Murray Green

Jon Burnstad of Camrose has been drifting from one track to another the last couple of years.
His sponsored 1993 Mazda FD RX-7 can be seen at various tracks in the Formula Drift series in Canada and in the United States. “Drifting is the most action packed and highest form of racing there is available. Spec-D is a licensing series for the Pro2 level competition at Formula Drift. It would be the equivalent to playing in the AHL, except instead of being called up to play in the NHL, you need to finish in the top eight competitors for the season at the Pro2 level,” explained Jon. “Drifting is a high speed burnout, going sideways as fast as possible. Sometimes you reach 120-130 kilometres per hour or even faster.  The track is a short course and the course has five corners. It is a judged sport, so you are looking for style points.”
He has been competing in Spec-D since 2014. Spec-D is one of two Canadian Formula Drift Pro-Am licensing series. However, it is the only series in Western Canada.
“We first started drifting in a twin turbo rotary powered Toyota Corolla. Then in 2017, we were picked up by Zestino Tires to drive one of their Mazda RX-7s. In 2017, I placed second in the series and licensed for the Pro2 level. In 2018, I decided to try my hand at competing at that level in Atlanta, Georgia, unfortunately it did not go as planned and we ended up crashing. However, this setback didn’t end our season. With the support of our sponsors and drifting team we got another car prepped to compete in the Spec-D series,” said Jon.
“In addition to competing in the series we also attend local car shows and have provided demonstrations at the Edmonton Motor Show, Edmonton International Raceway (Wetaskiwin) and have run in fundraising events for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.”
The Spec-D series is such a close knit racing community. “It has been a great experience to watch the series grow, every year we are seeing the sport attract more people and new drivers. The drivers in our series come together to help each other out in and out of competition. It is one big family,” he added.
The Formula Drift cars can turn much sharper than a regular vehicle to reduce the amount of turning space needed to switch directions. Rather than an oval, the track is more of a pentagon to create tighter turns.
“Every time you are drifting, you are at an angle, so you want to be in control of the vehicle to correct any mistakes in the turning,” shared Jon. “My goal is to have fun and get others involved to grow the sport in Alberta. I want to increase the popularity of the sport so it doesn’t fade out.”

FUN FACTS
Burnstad Racing had its first event of the season on May 19. Jon will be at Castrol Raceway on June 8, Wetaskiwin Raceway on July 20 and back at Castrol on Aug. 10.
Formula Drift founders Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage brought the sport to North America in 2003 by organizing exhibitions for the Japanese Series D1 Grand Prix team.
Later that year, a series was created in North America for the Formula Drift Championship Series. By 2008, a drifting championship attracted 32 drivers from 12 different countries.
Like most boys, Jon started having fun with go carts and bumper cars and soon was excited about driving. “Then you move to quads and then one day I saw drifting on the Internet and said that is what I want to try. I started to go out to Castrol and tried it and I got hooked. It is based on driver skills. It is all in the car control.”
Cars and drivers are judged on line, angle and style. Burnstad Racing has support of local sponsors, race team and family. The sponsors include Strebs Automotive, Lange’s Shop, Hay’s Burning Rod, AnD Automotive, CJ’s Signs, Shocker Mechanical, Ross Distributors and Zestino Tires. read more

Cummings returns to Lougheed Centre

By Murray Green

Canadian music legend Burton Cummings loved his stay in Camrose so much two years ago, he has decided to return. He will re-connect with local fans in a concert on Oct. 30 at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Burton Cummings’ musical creations continue to resonate with fans both old and new. His voice is considered to be one of the finest in rock music, and he has continued to uphold this impressive reputation as performer, singer, songwriter and recording artist.
Cummings is that rare artist who has transcended time, genres and generations with a body of work that continues to resonate with fans both old and new. His voice has been rated among the finest in rock music and his extensive catalogue of songs is the envy of his contemporaries. Burton continues at the top of his game as a performer, singer, songwriter and recording artist second to none.
His set for this tour will be as energy-packed as any other, even though the music icon is now 71.
Cummings is one of the most celebrated rock artists in Canadian music history. Beyond his many awards, accolades and accomplishments he is also unquestionably Canada’s most beloved rock and roll son. How many Canadian rock stars can boast both a community centre and a performing arts theatre named in their honor? Yet he also enjoys a world-wide stature shared by only a handful of other Canadian artists.
By 1970, the Guess Who had sold more records than the entire Canadian music industry combined to that point and their achievements remain unparalleled.
The Guess Who recorded mega hits, starting in 1969, with songs such as “These Eyes,” “No Time,” “American Woman,” “Albert Flasher” and “Clap for the Wolfman” with Cummings as the writer or co-writer on the hits. In 1971, The Guess Who received the key to the City of Indianapolis, even though they were Canadians.
In 1976, Cummings solo career skyrocketed. He had major hits with “Stand Tall,” “I’m Scared”, “Break It To Them Gently” and “My Own Way To Rock.”
His 1978 album Dream Of A Child became the first quadruple platinum-selling album by a Canadian artist.
Cummings was an original member of The Guess Who that received two Juno awards in the 70s. After going solo, he added three more Juno awards. The Guess Who were also named to the Juno Hall of Fame.
His Up Close and Alone solo concert two years ago featured the singer alone on stage recounting the stories behind his best-known songs and sharing personal moments from his career.
After all these years he has nothing to prove to anyone, except himself. With Cummings there has always been one constant: he remains true to himself and his own way to rock.
You can order tickets starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 24. The seats are expected to sell out early.
Tickets are available online at www.baileytheatre.com/tickets, at the Bailey Box Office 5041-50 Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. or by phoning 780-608-2922.

Camrosian brings home awards

By Lori Larsen

Vision Credit Union manager of marketing and communication Paulette Robinson was the recipient of not one, but three national Achievement in Marketing Excellence (AIME) Awards
“The AIME awards celebrate the year’s best marketing and communications campaigns created by Canadian credit unions, cooperatives and suppliers to the industry,” explained Robinson.
Having submitted entries in four categories including: Coordinated Campaign, Content Marketing, Annual Report and Brand and Brand Building, Paulette was successful in bringing back to Camrose the first three awards.
“It is such an honour to be recognized by my peers within the Credit Union system,” remarked Robinson.
“There are two general overall categories for the awards,” further explained Robinson. The winning results category is based on measurable activities which included a large community-based campaign. “Our profits share campaign, for our 16 branch locations, was community focused which created a lot of awareness and response from our community, the results of which were measurable and therefore assisted in our winning the award.”
The second category, outstanding creative, was non-results based and included activities that created a positive marketing environment, but didn’t necessarily allow for quantitative tracking.
The awards were created 28 years ago to raise awareness and exposure nationwide, of the outstanding work being done in the industry.

Employer of Choice Award to local hotels

By Murray Green

Canalta Hotels, one of Western Canada’s fastest growing hotel chains, and parent company of Canalta Camrose and Ramada Inn has been designated as an Employer of Choice from the Alberta Hotels and Lodging Association (AHLA), along with 41 of their other properties. This is a highly sought-after award that acknowledges excellent human resource practices within the hotel and lodging industry.
“We at Canalta know that the first step in having happy guests’ is having highly engaged happy team members. This award is a demonstration of our commitment to the happiness of our team members and our efforts to create the best workplace possible for them,”  said Tracy Peterman, director of culture and team member development.
The employer of choice designation is when the hotel has distinguished themselves as a best practice’s leader in human resources amongst other tourism employers, setting themselves apart by ensuring the organization is doing the right things to create and sustain a productive and motivated workforce.
In order to receive this designation, the Canalta Camrose and Ramada Inn had to pass an internal audit of their organizations policies, procedures, structures, resources and strategic direction. Team members are also all asked to complete an employee opinion survey.
 “This is a great honour for our hotels as we know in today’s economy workers have a wide range of employment opportunities. This is a testament to Canalta Hotel’s commitment to excellence. We understand that our employees are one of the keys to achieving our vision; therefore, we cherish and nurture them, as they deserve,” said Brooke Christianson, vice-president of Canalta Hotels.
Headquartered in Drumheller, Canalta Hotels is a family owned and operated Canadian company, employing over 3,000 people across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Since 1974, Canalta Hotels’ founders, Sharlene and Cam Christianson, along with sons Blair and Brooke Christianson, have dedicated their professional lives to building a genuine company based on the principles of hard work and service excellence.
What began as one motor inn in Stettler, gradually grew into a wider network and today, Canalta Hotels owns and operates more than 40 properties across Western Canada.
The Christianson family’s never-give-up work ethic and “I-can’t-believe-they-did-that” service philosophy is what makes Canalta stand out in a category filled with jaded, impersonal service.

Walmart helps family

14 walmart stollery
Camrose Walmart manager Peter Ziobro, left, presents a bag full of toys to 12-year-old Tannin Blakely with mother Megan Blakely, father Timothy Hummel and grandmother Elaine Keetch on hand, as well as the staff at Walmart.
By Murray Green

Walmart in Camrose is supporting the Stollery Children’s Hospital through donations and by collecting funds from customers.
“More than 10 million kids enter a children’s hospital like the Stollery every year. Children’s hospitals rely on donations and community support to provide the best care, as insurance programs do not fully cover the cost of care,” said Camrose Walmart manager Peter Ziobro.
The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN)have helped fill the funding gaps by raising more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time.
“We are here to launch our 2019 campaign, May 9, and celebrate Walmart’s accomplishments of raising $1 billion for children’s hospitals in North America. Our local champion is Tannin Blakely,” said Peter.
Tannin was born with a diaphragmatic hernia, which led to cerebral palsy at one and half years old.
“Tannin is a happy, spirited kid who doesn’t let his mobility issues slow him down. He has been treated at the Stollery many times, his latest visit was five weeks long,” Peter explained.
“His grandma Elaine works here at our store and we asked Tannin and his parents to come in to celebrate our launch of the CMN fundraiser and to put a local face on the campaign.”
The community has been directly or indirectly impacted by the work done by the doctors and nurses at the Stollery.
“Every dollar raised through our Miracle Balloon Campaign goes directly to the Stollery and helps people like Tannin.”
Last year, Camrose raised $22,475 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital. The local goal this year is $26,000. read more

Rosalind Athletics off to a fast start

By Murray Green

The Rosalind Athletics won its first two games  in the Powerline Baseball League to grab first place early in the season.
Rosalind beat the Edmonton Expos 5-2 and defeated the Leduc Milleteers 13-7 in the nine team league. Armena Royals topped the Sherwood Park Athletics 19-7, Tofield Braves shut out Leduc 12-0, Edmonton Expos blanked the Camrose Roadrunners 10-0, Holden Blue Jays received a win when Camrose Axemen couldn’t field a team, Edmonton beat Tofield 9-3 and Sherwood Park and Holden had to settle for a 5-5 tie.
On May 22, Sherwood Park will visit the Camrose Axemen at Harry Andreassen Field in Kin Park starting at 7 p.m. On May 23, Camrose Axemen are in Armena, Tofield takes on Sherwood Park and Holden tangles with Rosalind.
On May 24, Leduc will be in Edmonton. On May 27, Armena travels to Edmonton for a contest. On May 28, Sherwood Park is in Rosalind, Edmonton travels to Leduc and the Roadrunners visit Tofield.

Hansman on side of Eaton building

By Murray Green

Steve Hansman is on the side of the Toronto Eaton Centre building.
No, he is not Spiderman. His face is on the building as part of a national advertising campaign for MAC Cosmetics.
Hansman was raised in Camrose and currently lives in Toronto. He was one of two models chosen to have a gigantic poster on one of the most famous buildings in Toronto at the corner of Yonge and Dundas.
“The campaign is a focus on how the brand MAC Cosmetics has Canadian roots and they wanted to shine light on a few of their employees–one is myself, another a girl from Halifax, as well as other select talent they consider ‘Canadian originals’,” said Steve.

Homespun

Laurel nadon 2019
Homespun By Laurel Nadon
By Laurel Nadon

You got this

My five-year-old pumped his legs furiously, his bike newly without training wheels. I ran beside him, bent sideways, hand out and ready to catch him. A goose, dismayed at our proximity, honked at us from a nearby pond as we travelled along the packed dirt path to my parents’ house on the farm.
He scraped his sneaker along the ground as a way of braking. Time for a rest. We looked at a pretty butterfly going past and resumed our mission.
Then my little one asked me if I was holding on. I lied. I told him yes, even though I wasn’t. Then I immediately felt I shouldn’t have said that; what if he gets a false sense of security and crashes because he thinks I’m in charge? (At least he had on his gardening gloves for full finger protection).
The next time he asks if I am holding on, I tell him, “I’m not holding on. You got this!”
Suddenly his whole posture changed. He sat up straighter on that blue bike and started pedaling even faster with a newfound confidence.
The day he asked to learn how to ride without training wheels, we were in the middle of barbecuing supper. Not exactly ideal timing, but how often in life is there perfect timing? I was standing at the kitchen sink prepping a salad when I suddenly saw my youngest riding along, my husband hanging onto the seat, across the front lawn. I ran outside in my slippers and cheered for him, supper forgotten. Before I knew it, all four of us were running behind him, laughing, cheering, and shouting words of encouragement.
The next day, my husband stated that we needed to practice with him every day to hone this awesome new skill. Rough translation: you need to practice with him every day while I am at work. So, our daily pilgrimage to my parents’ house began. At first, he wasn’t too keen on practicing. Truthfully, I think he liked being towed behind me while I biked. It didn’t require effort on his part. So I packed popsicles in my backpack the first few days to enjoy at our destination, just to sweeten the deal.
After a few days, my mom decided to bike with us on our return home. As our new biker started to pedal, he said to us, “I got this.”
Life can be so challenging. Sometimes all we need is someone to remind us that we are totally capable of the task at hand. All he needed was a little push to gain confidence in himself. My words suddenly became his inner voice, a way for him to encourage himself.
My husband then said that the next step was for our little guy to learn how to hop on and get started without our help. What a funny thing to try to teach something that you know how to do, but you’ve never thought before about how you do it. I thought we were just biking around on the front lawn to try this out, but suddenly we were heading off towards that dirt trail again. Foot on the higher pedal, push off, you got this! His older sister and brother had just arrived home on the school bus and didn’t know that this was the plan either, so no time to grab their bikes and helmets. Suddenly we were all running behind him, with astonished grins on their faces that their little brother could do this. He’s got this!
Our biker wears out easily, but now he knows each step of the process. It all happened so quickly that I am a bit flummoxed to be truthful. When our older son learned to ride a bike without training wheels, my husband spent a camping weekend where he was the only one not on a bike. He ran beside our son, ready to help correct his course. We were prepared for one of us to spend part of the summer puffing beside our newest biker, ready to catch, and not biking ourselves. Suddenly an actual family bike ride, where I am not pulling an enormous bike trailer behind me, seems to be on the horizon.
Now if we can just work on how to use the brakes before his shoes wear out… read more

Births and Deaths

Births
- To Sabrina Heydorn and Daniel Twerdohlib, of Camrose, a daughter on May 8.
- To Karen and Edruwin Taganas, of Camrose, a daughter on May 10.
- To Leah and Darcy Myers, of Camrose, a daughter on May 11.
- To Mayette and Cesar Tubig of Camrose, a son on May 11.
- To Chearyl and Ken Wiens, of Strome, a daughter on May 13.

Deaths
- Terrance “Terry” Alvin Clark, of Camrose, formerly of Alliance, on May 10, at 81 years of age.
- Ella Landsburg, of Tofield, on May 12, at 92 years of age.
- Margaret Lilian McIver, of Camrose, on May 15, at 94 years of age.