Purple Thursday

By Adan Shaikh

Camrose Royal Purple is an association working hard to support the members of our community for over 93 years. They show their support by giving scholarships to high school students, fundraising at various events, and making donations to social and community support programs and organizations.

Some of those who have received donations from  Camrose Royal Purple are: St. Mary’s Hospital, Meals on Wheels, Camrose Women’s Shelter, Centra Cam, Camrose Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club Camrose and Salvation Army. These are only a few names from the long list of people they have helped.

This week they are preparing for their third annual Purple Thursday in collaboration with Brain Care Centre on October 17. A day where they ask the community to wear purple to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with those who have experienced intimate partner violence and brain injury.

“In Canada, every two and a half days, a woman or girl is killed violently, usually by a male partner or family member, and each night, more than 6,000 women and children find refuge from gender-based violence in shelters,” shared Sandi Lougheed, chair of the Canadian Royal Purple’s BrainLove committee.

On Purple Thursday, members of Camrose Royal Purple will prepare bags for women checking in to the local women’s shelter. These bags contain essential items, like toothbrushes, hygiene products, and other necessities, designed to make the very difficult  transition a bit more comfortable. A meaningful gesture, providing care and compassion to women during challenging times.

“Women, when they flee these situations and go to the shelter, they come with nothing. We hope these bags can help them with that,” shared Marion Czapp, vice-president of the association.

In addition to supporting women in need, Camrose Royal Purple is using this event to raise awareness about the often overlooked issue of brain injury. Brain injuries can have a profound effect on people’s lives, and Purple Thursday aims to educate the community on the impact and challenges faced by those affected.

“We take so many of our skills and abilities for granted, and when brain injury happens, people often lose basic skills like multi-tasking,” commented Irene Gartner, president of Camrose Royal Purple.

They also hope to expand their support to children; however, they currently do not have enough help to make that dream come true.

By shining a spotlight on these important issues, the Royal Purple hopes to foster greater empathy and understanding while encouraging community involvement. The Camrose Royal Purple organization has been steadfast in its efforts to support victims of violence and they’re inviting more people to join them in making a difference.

They are currently looking for volunteers who can assist in organizing their upcoming fundraising events, such as bingo nights, barbecues, and catering activities. These events not only raise much-needed funds but also help create connections within the community, strengthening the network of support available for those in need.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause, consider joining Camrose Royal Purple in their mission to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

Kodiaks edge rival Bobcats

By Murray Green

Camrose Kodiaks edged the Lloydminster Bobcats 3-2 in Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) play on October 2.

Garrett Thom started the scoring in the contest with his second tally of the year in the first period.

After no scoring in the middle frame, Lloydminster grabbed two goals in the third period and Camrose scored once to tie the game at 2-2. AJ Schaaf garnered his fourth goal of the season for Camrose.
Avery Trotter scored two minutes into overtime to give the Kodiaks the extra point.

Goalie Carter Capton grabbed the win in net with 34 saves on 36 shots on goal. Camrose fired 43 shots at the Bobcats’ cage.

The Kodiaks lost a tough 5-4 contest to the Olds Grizzlys in a shootout on October 5. Camrose led 2-0 and 4-1 during intermissions before faltering in the third period.

Thom scored his third of the year and Tyson Murray added his second of the season in the opening period.

Spencer Masters and Thom added to the lead in the middle frame.

Olds scored three in the third, one on a power play to force overtime and a shootout.

Goalie Capton turned away 24 of 28 shots directed his way. Camrose counted 30 shots on goal.

Home games in October include Wednesday, October 16 at noon against Lloydminster Bobcats and Saturday, October 19 at 6 p.m. against Grande Prairie.
 
Bear facts

Three Kodiaks have seven points after nine games. Schaaf has four goals, while both Ian Alonso and Masters have one goal and six assists.

 

Casino licence to relocate

By Murray Green

The Camrose Resort Casino licence is moving to Edmonton. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) approved the casino to relocate to southwest Edmonton on October 10.

The AGLC released a news statement that explained “that after careful consideration of objections and support, the AGLC board has approved the application from Camrose Resort Casino to relocate to Edmonton. The casino will remain in the rural pool for charitable gaming events.”

The move will support continuous business operations, provide jobs for Albertans and will significantly improve returns for rural charities with minimal impact to charities assigned to the Edmonton pool.

The Camrose casino operator must complete all land use permits, zoning and development approvals, construction of the facility and ensure all federal, provincial and municipal legislation, regulations and policies are met before AGLC issues an actual casino facility licence.

The casino is projected to be built on an empty lot at 420 Parsons Road and is anticipated to hold 498 slot machines, 25 table games and eight poker tables.

The 88,000 square-foot facility is expected to take between 19 and 24 months for construction. AGLC expects it to generate around $19 million in new gaming revenue from the Edmonton market. The Camrose casino will maintain its rural licence, meaning charitable earnings will go to charities in the Camrose and St. Albert casino regions.

Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) encouraged members to support the application because the current Camrose location brings in the least revenue among charitable casinos in Alberta.
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The bugs that have taken over the city

By Adan Shaikh

As fall arrives, Camrose residents may have noticed an increase in unwelcome house guests, also known as the western boxelder bugs or elder bugs. These small, black and red insects seem to be everywhere this time of year, hanging out on sunny walls and windows, and often sneaking into homes.

But why do they suddenly appear in such numbers, and what makes them so eager to get indoors?

Western boxelder bugs (boisea rubrolineata) are most active in the fall as they search for warm places to spend the winter. They are particularly drawn to sunny, south-facing surfaces, where they gather to soak up the heat. As temperatures drop, they look for cracks and gaps in homes to crawl through, seeking shelter from the cold.

Although they can be annoying, they are relatively harmless. They don’t bite, sting or cause damage to property. However, if they manage to get inside, they can be difficult to remove and often leave unsightly stains when squished.

The boxelder bug’s name comes from its strong preference for boxelder trees, but you can also find them on other types of maple trees and ash. While they feed on tree seeds, leaves, and fruits, they generally do not cause significant damage to healthy trees.

To keep them from invading your home, sealing gaps around windows, doors, and other potential entry points is key. Ensuring screens are intact and using weather stripping can also reduce the number of bugs trying to squeeze through.

For those who already have unwanted visitors indoors, vacuuming them up is an effective and non-messy removal method.

While they may be a seasonal headache, rest assured that western boxelder bugs pose no real threat. They are simply looking for a cozy spot to wait out the winter. With a few preventive measures, you can keep them from settling in with you for the colder months ahead.

City council declares Co-op Week

By Adan Shaikh

Mayor PJ Stasko and City council have approved the request submitted by Wild Rose Co-operative to declare October 13 to 19 as Co-op Week.

The purpose of this move is to recognize the vital role that co-operatives play in the Camrose economy and community. Co-ops are owned and operated by their members, who have a say in the business decisions and share in the profits. This model encourages sustainability and fairness by prioritizing community over profit. There are many co-operatives running right here in Camrose, including Vision Credit Union, Battle River Power Coop and Wild Rose Co-op.

“When individuals choose to support a co-op, they are not merely making a transaction; they are investing in their community,” wrote Carol Rollheiser, general manager of Wild Rose Co-op.

In Camrose, local co-ops have been a pillar of support with a commitment to giving back. For Co-op Week the community is invited to reflect and celebrate the contributions of Camrose co-ops.

An update on public skating

By Adan Shaikh

As the air gets cooler, it’s a reminder for the residents of Camrose to dig out their skates and take advantage of the public skating opportunities at the Camrose Recreation Centre. This is a correction to the article shared last week. With a range of free drop-in skating options, there is something for everyone, from young children to seniors. The Recreation Centre offers several skating programs tailored to different groups.
 
Parent and Tot

Perfect for young children to get familiar with the ice alongside their parents, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for learning and bonding.
 
Senior Skate

For older adults, these sessions offer a relaxed environment for seniors who want to stay active during the colder months. Skating across the ice can be a delightful way to stay fit, meet others, and embrace winter’s charm without feeling rushed or pressured.
 
Public Skate

Nothing quite matches the feeling of skating freely on a chilly afternoon, and simply enjoying the movement and freedom that ice provides. Public Skate sessions are perfect for connecting with friends and family, making winter weekends memorable.
 
Stick and Puck

 This drop-in session allows youth to practice with an adult, puck handling, shooting, and passing without the pressure of a competitive game. It’s a great opportunity to refine skills or just have some fun with friends in a relaxed, low-stress environment.
 
Shinny

However, if competition is what you are after, Camrose Recreation Centre also hosts drop-in adult shinny where goalies play for free.

The Camrose Recreation Centre’s drop-in skating sessions are a great way to keep active as winter approaches. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just lacing up for the first time, there’s a magic to skating, the feeling of being on ice, the exhilaration of picking up speed, and the joy of sharing these experiences with your loved ones. Skaters are to bring their own gear and can contact the Recreation Centre or visit the City of Camrose website www.camrose.ca to find dates and times or get additional details.

Recovery College Camrose uses drums for therapy

9 as drumming circle
From left, Peer Support workers Kristy McKay and Harmony Halvorson facilitate the drumming circle and welcome people to join them.
 
By Adan Shaikh

Drumming circles have existed in our history in countless cultures and for many centuries, offering participants a chance to reconnect with themselves, and build a sense of community. From ancient African villages to Native American ceremonies, drumming has been used as a way to communicate, celebrate and heal. The rhythmic beating of a drum mimics the sound of a heartbeat.

In Camrose, this age old practice is alive and thriving thanks to the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Recovery College. This college offers a variety of free courses for individuals who want to nurture their emotional well being. Whether you are struggling with grief, anxiety, depression or seeking a place to connect with others. Recovery College provides a program to help. One of these programs is their monthly drumming circles, “we were hearing a lot of feedback that people were looking for spaces to practice mindfulness and try different kinds of wellness activities,” shares Kristy McKay, Peer Support worker and drumming circle facilitator.

The drumming circle is open to anyone, offering a supportive environment where people can gather to feel the therapeutic power of rhythm. “ We are open to anybody ages 16 and over, I think everyone can benefit from this class if they are open to it,” said Kristy.

Guided by a facilitator, the class begins with a brief introduction and then participants do a short meditation to calm their nervous system. Kristy encourages all participants to let go and release the stresses of daily life and then the class is free to play the drum to their own beat. The act of creating a rhythm together creates a connection, not only to oneself but also with those around. “We have definitely formed a community here,” added Kristy.

Drumming can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, it can burns calories and much more. It also let’s the participants release pent up emotions in a non-verbal way, which can be helpful for those who struggle to articulate their feelings.

The Recovery College has already held 18 drumming circles in Camrose thus far and hope to offer many more opportunities to the local community to experience this class. The next drumming circle will be held at the Camrose Public Library on November 7th at 5 p.m. “Drumming brings you to a new space where you have to be present and grounded in the current moment,” commented Kristy.

In addition to drumming, they offer many other classes for those interested in mental well being and these can be explored and registered for on their website recoverycollegecamrose.ca.

Water security for Camrose

By Adan Shaikh

City council has made Camrose’s water security a key priority, focusing on developing a backup plan in case of a multi-year drought or contamination of the city’s primary water source. Given that water is one of the most vital resources, any shortage could significantly impact the community.

To mitigate this risk, council is working diligently to secure funding in partnership with the Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission for a feasibility study to extend the regional water system to Camrose. This study would support future grant applications for the design and construction estimated to cost between $150 to $200 million, based on a 2021 estimate.

In recent years, the City’s administration has also held discussions with the Highway 14 Water Services Commission. These meetings resulted in Camrose being included in the Commission’s 50-year Strategic Plan, which encompasses conceptual designs and cost estimates for extending their regional system to provide treated water to Camrose.

Councillors Kevin Hycha and Lana Broker, alongside the city administration, have met with MLA Jackie Lovely to advocate for provincial funding for this initiative. Mayor PJ Stasko has also reached out to MLA Lovely, requesting support for a feasibility study and preliminary design to expand the region’s water supply system. On February 7, a formal request was sent to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen and Environment and Protected Areas Minister of Alberta Rebecca Schulz, for a meeting to discuss funding for a regional water supply line. In April, the city met with Dreeshen to further these discussions. On October 1, Camrose provided a letter of support to the Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission for their Water for Life grant application.

As the City waits for further decisions, the council plans on continuing to work towards securing the long term water needs for its citizens.

Former students share artwork at Lougheed Centre

10 lpac art wall
By Murray Green

Over the next month, former University of Alberta Augustana Campus students will be displaying their art on the walls in the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre until November 14.

“This art show is important because it leads into our 10th anniversary celebration, which is officially on November 1. The art show has really grown over the years. We thought that we really need to get that going so we can display art for the community. Now it is part of our programing,” said Nick Beach, manager of the Lougheed Centre.

“Because it is our 10th anniversary, our staff has been able to double the amount of space dedicated to art in the lobby. That is exciting,” he added.

“So when Nick and I started talking about the 10th anniversary, we came up with the idea of inviting alumni to show their work at the Lougheed,” said Jane Cherry-Lemire, who is the organizer of the art display.

“We wanted to celebrate the university and city partnerships with the Lougheed Centre. I reached out to Tamsin Bieber, who I went to university with, and got her opinion on showing her art work. Then I put in a call to Augustana to contact former students to display their work as well,” shared Jane.

“We didn’t get a huge response right away, but I found out from Keith Harder (staff member) that Augustana, back in 1996, started a Critics Choice award. Now they have a collection of pieces from 1996 to 2023,” said Jane.

“It is nice to have that connection to campus and the partnerships,” said Nick.

“I went to school with Tamsin and was actually jealous of her work. I wanted her to be a part of this collection,” said Jane.

“I haven’t been back since then. I thought I have to do something for this anniversary and I’m ready to come back. I have great memories of Augustana,” said artist Tamsin Bieber, who now lives near Cochrane.

“I was so excited to be asked. I got into painting, now on a regular basis, in this stage of my life. I share a studio with some of my friends and we have a great instructor who helps us,” said artist Tamsin Bieber, who now lives near Cochrane.

Her artwork consists of a picture of a boat on the sea entitled Moonfleet and running horses called Kick Up Your Hooves.

“Painting has been my calling. It all started here with Keith and Augustana. My oil painting is of a ship on the water. My friends who own the ship have been around the world, so I hear stories about that and that inspired that painting. I heard stories of fires, sinking and tug boats, but I wanted a picture of it in the moonlight. I just love how the colours came together in the moonlight. The other painting features horses and oddly, I always come back to horses when I am figuring things out as I go. I follow what I love. I’m just having fun and enjoying being in the moment,” said Tamsin.

“Before I painted here and there. Now I go to the studio every week.”

Instead of one artist, this month will feature many artists. “I really like the variety of artists and the different work that will be on display. I think it is exciting. This is such an awesome space to show art,” said Jane.

“We joke that this is a magic wall. We have had anywhere from 12 pieces to 55 displayed at any given time,” said Jane.

Other artists having their work shown are Pauline Brennen, David Cameron, Jessica Stam, Kerry Wilson, Marie Campbell, Tiffany Prather, Michael Ward, James McComb, Kirsten Boehm, Melissa Bruglemans, Aimee Woo, Janice Gillanders, Matya Sheperd, Tanya Bell, John-Clayton Wilson, Kara Blizzard, Kyla Shemko, Breanna Wong, Allison Dixon, Morgan Specht, Luke Diehl, Teresa Yu, Amie McInnis, Destiny Kirumira and Jason Chu.

The artwork will be available for viewing any time the Lougheed Centre is open.

If you are interested in applying to show your art, you can contact jcherry62@hotmail.com for more information.

The Odds featured in concert

By Murray Green

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

What are the odds of getting the Odds here? Well, the band Odds, who wrote the theme song for Canada’s favourite comedy Corner Gas, will be here on Friday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m.

“They have had half a dozen chart-topping singles from the 1990s including ‘Untold.’ They were nominated for a Juno about six times. Craig Northey was here with Steven Page and I asked him about doing something with the Odds again and we lined up this show,” said Lougheed manager Nick Beach.

Floydian Waters is a group that tributes the music by Pink Floyd on October 19 at 7:30 p.m.
With a massive lineup of 12 exceptionally talented musicians, they pay homage to the legendary sounds of Pink Floyd.

Two nights later, a tribute to Elvis will be held on October 21 at 7 p.m. with Chris Connor and Pete Paquette.

Small Matters Productions is showing For Science! on Wednesday, October 23, at 1:30 p.m.

This science family fun event is geared towards ages of 10 to 110, so enjoy science experiments together. “It’s like big science experiences with Bill Nye type of a show. It is a really exciting and dynamic show,” added Nick. This is a free community event, but you must have a ticket to get in.

Speaking of rock, the Derina Harvey Band is returning due to a huge demand to bring them back. They will be sharing west coast music with Camrose on Friday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy Celtic rock with world renown vocalist Derina.

“The band will be playing the historic Hardanger fiddle that the Camrose and District Centennial Museum has kept and refurbished. The band will be bringing the instrument out of retirement for all local fans to enjoy.”

World junior game dates set

By Murray Green

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Hockey Alberta, NHL Central Scouting and the local organizing committee announced the tournament format and schedule for the 2024 Junior A World Challenge.

The tournament, set for December 9 to 15 at Encana Arena in Camrose will feature a four-team format. Canada East, Canada West, Sweden and the United States will each play three preliminary-round games over the first four days of tournament action to determine seeding for the semifinals on December 14, while the bronze medal and gold medal games are set for 1 and 5 p.m. on December 15.

Canada East, which claimed silver in 2023, will start the tournament against the United States on December 9 at 3 p.m. followed by last year’s gold medalist, Canada West, matching up against Sweden to close out opening day at 7:30 p.m.
In addition, two Alberta communities will welcome pre-tournament games ahead of the 2024 Junior A World Challenge, with Drumheller and Wetaskiwin hosting on December 7. Canada East will face off against Sweden at the Drumheller Memorial Arena at 3 p.m. while Canada West will play the United States at 4:30 p.m. at Co-op Place in Wetaskiwin.

“Top talent from Canada, Sweden and the United States is set to descend on Camrose in December, and we are thrilled to unveil the schedule for the Junior A World Challenge and continue to generate excitement among hockey fans, volunteers, partners and the community alike,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact with Hockey Canada.

“We look forward to leaving a lasting legacy in Camrose, Drumheller and Wetaskiwin, and we know fans in those three communities are going to be treated to exciting, high-quality hockey in just over two months.”

Canada East will consist of players from the five eastern leagues in the CJHL: the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ) and Maritime Hockey League (MHL), while Canada West will be comprised of players from the four western leagues, the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

Fans looking to secure their seat for the 2024 Junior A World Challenge can purchase full-event ticket packages at Hockey Canada.ca/Tickets. The package includes one ticket to all six preliminary-round games, both semifinals and the medal games.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the gold medal game on December 15.

Of the 16 gold medal games at the Junior A World Challenge, 13 have featured at least one Canadian team. Canada East will look to earn its first gold medal, having won silver eight times and bronze once, while Canada West has won gold six times, silver three times and bronze twice.

Bailey set for AGM

By Murray Green

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

The Bailey film series continues with Paranorman on October 16 at 7 p.m. A misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

The Bailey Theatre Society annual general meeting is on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. At this meeting, the Bailey executive will go over the latest report, appointments will be made to the Bailey Theatre Society’s teams and interested parties can be voted into the Bailey board. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend, but only active members will be able to vote.

Summer of ΄59 is  a celebration of those turning 65 or are retiring soon. The music begins at 6 p.m.
Bailey Buckaroos are back again with a variety of country music on October 27 beginning at 2 p.m.

Legendary Ladies of Country is an unforgettable experience and takes a musical journey through time. Canadian born and Nashville based recording artist Lisa Brokop shares her stories and songs of women who graced the country stage and influenced the artist she is today.

It’s fun, fun, fun driving a Thunderbird

14 castor 60 ford t bird
Deb Castor loves to go cruising in her 1960 Ford Thunderbird. With a 430 engine, it hugs the road with plenty of power. The car was restored over several years, but worth it for the pure enjoyment of hitting the road in style.

By Murray Green

Deb Castor owns a white 1960 Ford Thunderbird.
“We (partner Tom)bought it at an auction in Edmonton in 2007 and it has had a full off-frame restoration. We brought it home rolling and then did everything ourselves except the body work, paint and engine rebuild,” explained Deb.

The second generation Ford Thunderbird (also called square bird) was produced by Ford for the 1958 to 1960 model years as a successor to the popular 1955-57 two-seater.

“We just got it rolling again last year. It took a little while to finish. The car is all original except for the disc brakes and six-pack on the engine. I wanted disc brakes for safety reasons,” shared Deb.

“My dad was a Ford guy for his entire life, so I wanted the same make. I remember laying under cars with him when I was knee high to a grasshopper,” laughed Deb.

In response to Ford-conducted surveys, two major changes were made to attract potential buyers: two rear seats were added and the level of luxury and features of a full-sized car were incorporated into a mid-size platform.

“I love the Thunderbird, she is a dream car to drive. The car seems to float when you drive it. You don’t get that feel in modern vehicles. This car is a big boat, so you have to pay attention when you are driving it. The car drives beautifully, rides beautifully and is beautiful,” added Deb.

As a result, sales soared and the new model dramatically expanded the personal luxury car market, winning the Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1958. Sales totalled 198,191 over three model years, approximately four times that of the earlier two seat model.

“The car has a 430 engine and a Merc-O-Matic  transmission because of the big 430 engine. Those were typical transmissions in the Thunderbirds. The cars came with stock 352 engines with Cruise-O-Matic transmissions in them. But with the 430 engine, they had to go with the different transmission in it,” she explained.

The car was repainted, but with the similar white it already had on it.

“We rebuilt this car in the garage, not on the hoist. I fit underneath it just fine, but he couldn’t fit under this car. It was interesting when we were installing the transmission because it is a very big and heavy transmission. We had to get both of us under there. I would roll around, but he got stuck,” she laughed.

“It was hard to put together, but we used books and magazines to support some of the weight. It was easy to take apart, but hard to put back together,” Tom added.
 
FUN FACTS

With more trim changes in 1960, most notably the addition of a third tail light in the rear clusters, 1960s sales figures hit another record: 92,843 units sold, including 11,860 convertibles. A rare option in this year was a sunroof called “Golde Edition” (Golde was a German company whose sunroof patent Ford licensed) sold 2,530 examples.
At the end of 1960, two Thunderbirds were constructed of stainless steel for the Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation to showcase the decorative use of stainless steel, at a price of US $35,000 each. Because of the properties of stainless steel, the production dies would be destroyed as a result of the stamping of the parts.

This was not a problem for Ford, as the next generation of T-bird used a new body style.
To duplicate the T-birds 3,957 lb (1,795 kg) normal production weight, body panels were made of Type 302 stainless steel and trim pieces out of Type 430 stainless steel. A V8 engine, the 345-horsepower 430 cubic inch (7.0 L) MEL-series, was available in small numbers. It was an optional engine on all Mercurys from 1958 to 1960 but Mercury models had a little less horsepower than the Lincolns and Continentals. The 430 was also an optional engine in 1959 and 1960 Ford Thunderbirds. It was commonly referred to as the Thunderbird 430 Special.

Rotary celebrated peace day

By Murray Green

This year’s International Day of Peace was a day to remember for Rotary Camrose.

September 21 is set aside each year to lay down weapons, observe cease fires and see each other’s humanity. The 2024 theme, Cultivating Peace in the World, has been a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission since its inception in 1905 and locally since Rotary Camrose was founded in 1924.

“We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect,” said Shirley Rostad of Rotary.

“This year we celebrated by enhancing our Rotary Peace Path, a living legacy to our Rotary Youth Exchange students. We added an arbor and signage at each end of the peace path and created 10 Peace Poles,” she added.

“Our Rotary Peace Path began in 2017 when we created a nature trail in the Rotary Four Seasons Park, planted a tree for each past exchange student and built a kiosk displaying information about each exchange.”

Rotary Youth Exchange is a program designed to promote global peace and understanding, one young person at a time. High school students from Camrose spend a year in a foreign country immersed in local culture while students from abroad come to Camrose to stay with local families and learn more about Canada.

The Peace Path trees are planted recognizing these students and the growth they experience.
Peace poles are a symbolic international effort to promote peace and unity. They are often wooden or stone markers installed in public spaces, schools, churches and other places around the world. Each pole typically features the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” inscribed in multiple languages.

“The goal is to create a visual representation of peace and to serve as a reminder of our shared desire for global harmony. The idea is that these poles act as beacons, spreading a message of peace to all who see them and encouraging individuals and communities to reflect on their own roles in promoting a peaceful world,” said Shirley.
There are currently 250,000 Peace Poles that have been placed worldwide, with at least one located in every country in the world.

The Peace Poles installed along the Rotary Peace Path in Camrose contain the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” inscribed in the languages of the countries associated with the Rotary Youth Exchange program in Camrose. Rotary Camrose invites everyone to come and enjoy a walk in this peaceful area located south of the Stoney Creek Centre and Rotary Pavilion between the paved walking path and Stoney Creek.
Sta austin titus

Fire Prevention Week starts off with a pancake breakfast

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Austin Titus, dressed up as a firefighter, attended the pancake breakfast with his parents. He enjoyed getting to see the inside of a real firetruck.

 
Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

A perfect autumn day
 
As I’m writing this, it’s a perfect autumn day. Sunny blue sky. Warm, but not hot. Gentle breeze. Leaves are still coloured; most haven’t yet dropped. The flowers in my balcony pots are still blooming; some even have buds. Cool overnight, but happily not below freezing.

And it’s the middle of October. A perfect autumn day.

Flashback: For the second year in a row, we have a huge dump of snow on October 15. It stays until early May. Sigh.
 
***

Weather impacts everything. The ease or challenge of being outside. The ease or challenge of walking or riding. The ease or challenge of seeding, growing and harvesting. The ease or challenge of scheduling outdoor events. The ease or challenge of creating an indoor climate that’s comfortable, no matter what the outside weather is doing.

For some of us, weather impacts our mood; even our emotional well-being.

We can ignore, cope or complain about the weather – it doesn’t matter. We cannot change it or control it.
 
***

On this perfect autumn day as I write this, I’m curious what others have said about the weather. Here are some quotes I enjoyed. Hope they do something for you too, no matter what weather you’re experiencing as you read this.
 
  • “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us, snow is exhilarating. There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”
    – Ruskin
     
  • “What men call gallantry, and gods adultery, is much more common where the climate’s sultry.”
    – Lord Byron
 
  • “Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it.”
    – Mark Twain
     
  • “Whenever people talk to me about the weather, I always feel certain they mean something else.”
    – Oscar Wilde
     
  • “What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.”
    – Jane Austen
     
  • “Weather in towns is like a skylark in a counting-house–out of place and in the way.”
    – Jerome K. Jerome
     
  • “Climate has much to do with cheerfulness, but nourishing food, a good digestion and good health much more.”
    – Alexander Rhodes
     
  • “For the man sound in body and serene in mind, there is no such thing as bad weather. Every storm has its beauty and storms which whip the blood do but make it pulse more vigorously.”
    – George Gissing
     
  • “My style varies on my mood or the weather of the day.”
    – Jennie
     
  • “Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”
    – Oscar Wilde
     
  • “A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back again when it begins to rain.”
    – Robert Frost
     
  • “If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.”
    – Frank Lane
     
  • “There’s no such thing as bad weather; just soft people.”
    – Bill Bowerman
     
  • “One can’t predict the weather more than a few days in advance.”
    – Stephen Hawking
     
  • “A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.”
    – Marcel Proust
     
  • “What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
    – John Steinbeck
     
  • “Climate is what we expect. Weather is what we get.”
    – Mark Twain
     
  • “If anything could confirm that weather isn’t small talk, it’s this. Weather connects us. A shared experience, even when we aren’t in the same place.”
    – Rachel Lynn Solomon
     
  • “Weather forecast for tonight: dark.”
    – George Carlin

And finally, the weather quote we all know:
 
  • “Everybody talks about it. Nobody does a thing about it.”
***

 
I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send an email to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within two business days.