The Battle River Lending Place (BRLP) is once again collaborating with the Camrose Pickleball Club for the 2026 Pickleball Fundraiser. It seemed like a natural fit to return to this fundraiser with the many volunteers who play the sport and that the BRLP raised approximately $14,000 at last year’s event.

There is still time for  people who are interested to register. Singles will be paired with a partner and can register last minute by contacting the BRLP office.

Once again, there will be a silent auction to help raise funds for the BRLP. Items up for auction include a “Get Pickled” package filled with alcohol, green fees to local golf courses and much more.
Julie Girard, BRLP executive director, said, “This community is very, very generous.”

She continued, “The public is welcome to come see what pickleball is all about and bid on the silent auction items.”

For people who’ve never played pickleball, this is a great way to get out, support the BRLP and learn more about the sport. There will be people on hand to explain the action and watch a fun tournament. Everyone who attends as a player or spectator can get a ticket for some great door prizes and a visit with the pickle mascot wandering around the event.

As a registered not-for-profit, the BRLP provides free mobility and medical equipment to residents in the Camrose and Battle River region. On May 30, the tournament runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Max McLean Arena.

For more information on how you can volunteer, donate or access services, contact the BRLP office by email at brlendingplace@gmail.com or call the office at 780-673-1335.

Those who share an interest in the future of public libraries and the impact of recent provincial legislation will have an opportunity to learn more and join the conversation at a special community event next week.

On June 3, the Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life at University of Alberta Augustana Campus and the Fellowship of the Camrose Public Library will host a screening of the documentary The Librarians at Mayer Hall in the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, at 6:30 p.m.

The event is intended to encourage discussion about the role public libraries play in communities and the importance of ensuring everyone continues to have access to information, diverse viewpoints and welcoming public spaces.

The documentary explores issues surrounding censorship, access to information and the challenges libraries face as they navigate social and political pressures. Before the screening,  attendees will have an opportunity to hear from two guest speakers and librarians – Kerri Danner and Alyssa Martin, moderated by the director of Chester Ronning Centre, Joseph Wiebe.

Kerri Danner is a lifelong advocate for libraries, believing they are important, inclusive spaces for learning and community. With over 20 years of service, she became the director of the Valleyview Municipal Library in 2013. Recently, she has faced challenges like budget cuts and political efforts against public libraries, advocating fiercely for intellectual freedom and equitable access.

Kerri remains committed to ensuring libraries are responsive and available to all. Outside her role at the library, she also serves as a Town councillor.
Martin is the director of Camrose Public Library. Growing up in rural communities, Martin values access to libraries and believes in the importance of freely available knowledge. Her BFA in illustration led to a summer job at a library, where she recognized the importance of public libraries in communities. She earned a master’s degree in library studies in 2018 and received the Lorne MacRae Intellectual Freedom Award in 2019 for her research. As the director of the Camrose Public Library, she strives to meet diverse information needs, facing challenges from proposed Bill 28.

“As a group, we were very concerned with Bill 28. We had written letters to the MLAs, to the ministers and the premier because we were very concerned about what it would do to our little library and all the other libraries and it seemed to be falling on deaf ears, so we said we need to do something more. That is when we decided we wanted to bring in this film, because we feel it’s a bit of a foreshadowing of what could happen in Alberta with the Bill 28,” explained Mary MacArthur, chair of the Fellowship of the Camrose Public Library.

The Bill was passed on May 14 and, according to Martin, it could be days or months before new regulations are shared with the libraries.

At this point, librarians across the province are facing a time of uncertainty while staying focused on their current programming. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Fellowship of the Camrose Public Library.

For tickets and information visit: www.ualberta.ca/en/events/augustana/chester-ronning-centre/handsoffourbooks

Natalie MacMaster and her husband Donnell Leahy are the Celtic powerhouse duo. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and Order of Nova Scotia with two Juno Awards and multiple East Coast Music Awards to her name.

He has three Juno Awards and is the subject of the award winning documentary, The Leahys: Music Most of All. They both have had great careers, together they become superstars. The couple sold out over 1,000 venues across North America and have worked professionally with the likes of Allison Krauss, The Rankin Family and Nickelback. These top-tier performers keep a demanding touring schedule and continue to be must-see live performers.

Together with their children, the MacMaster Leahy Family will be performing at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre (LPAC) on June 7 at 7:30 p.m.

She talked about being on stage with her children and commented, “That is just in my heart. I love the togetherness and I love it when they play with us.”

MacMaster went on to describe the uniqueness of the situation and how she and her husband are always trying to teach them the value of the opportunities they have and how hard others work to get the same place they are lucky to have.

Family life and motherhood are things MacMaster holds near to her heart. She hopes that audiences take away from their show the importance of family and the lightness of life. She added, “Music can take people away from some of the heaviness of life. The greatest thing I could do is transport them to magnify the joys of life. I would want them to carry that with them as they leave.”

With her busy schedule of touring and family life, MacMaster also found the time to write a book called, I Have a Love Story. In it she shares her noteworthy journey, and talks about her humble roots to some of the world’s most renowned stages. MacMaster said of her book, “One of the reasons I wrote the book was because I wanted the stories to resonate with the readers. I wanted them to relive love in their life and reinstill the beauty in their own families.”

It’s MacMaster’s attitude towards life that sets her apart. She quoted a saying she heard that went along the lines of “The splendor of the lily and the splendor of the daisy doesn’t rob the beauty of the rose.”

She explained, “If all the flowers in the garden were the same, spring would lose its loveliness.” Her point being it’s about appreciating your own uniqueness and that each person belongs in the field of flowers, and because of each person, the field is beautiful.

Faith, family and music are the things that can best describe this amazing woman and performer. For more information or tickets to their performance go to www.camroselive.ca

It’s time for the Duck and Run Fun Run in support of Ducks Unlimited Canada. The family friendly event is a race to raise awareness to conserve and restore wetlands, or go the extra mile and fundraise for wetlands. Participants of all ages are encouraged to lace up their shoes and support conservation efforts.

The event has options for everyone to run, walk or waddle their way around either the 1K or 5K routes on June 6. Sign-in begins at 9:30 a.m. with the run beginning at 10 a.m. Each participant will receive a commemorative medal with the top three fundraisers receiving a prize.

Participants are encouraged to have family, friends and co-workers  make a donation to their personal fundraising page or better still, challenge others to meet or beat others’ fundraising efforts. There is a DonorDrive mobile app that conveniently accesses and tracks fundraising progress to earn badges and celebrates milestones as they are achieved.

Gather your flock and migrate to the Bill Fowler Centre at Mirror Lake. It’s a fun way to enjoy the warm spring weather and enjoy time in nature. For more information or to register, go to https://ducks.donordrive.com/duckandrunCAMROSE

Bloom’n Deals has completed its first year in the community with a lot of success and support. The fundraising venture for the Camrose Women’s Shelter Society (CWSS) has quickly grown into an operation powered by generosity and volunteerism, and a commitment to supporting those affected by family violence.

In its first year, the store has served as both a source of funding for shelter programs and a place where community members can give back through donations, shopping and volunteer work. Proceeds support the Camrose Women’s Shelter, which provides services to more than 400 women and children each year.

“Our volunteers have truly been the heart of the store,” said Shannon Stolee, Bloom ’n Deals coordinator. “Their time, energy, and commitment are what keep the doors open each day, and we are incredibly grateful for the welcoming atmosphere they create for shoppers and donors alike.”

According to executive director Nora-Lee Rear, Bloom’n Deals has become a place where volunteers find connection and purpose while shelter clients gain access to affordable clothing and household essentials during difficult transitions.

“The feedback from volunteers has been incredibly heartfelt and has reinforced the sense of community the store has created,” said Rear. “Many volunteers have shared that working at the store gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment, while others appreciate the opportunity to spend time in a bright, cheerful environment surrounded by kind and supportive people.”

The organization has also developed partnerships with other local thrift stores and groups that repurpose unsellable items, helping reduce waste while strengthening community connections.

Growth brought challenges for the team as well, managing large volumes of donations, coordinating volunteers and learning the day-to-day demands of operating a retail space required flexibility and teamwork.

“Between the volume of donations and the growing number of shoppers, we’ve had to continually adapt our space and volunteer needs. It’s been a positive challenge that reminds us how much the community believes in the store and its mission,” said Stolee.

Another major highlight for the store was receiving the Community Spirit Award from the Camrose & District Chamber of Commerce. Rear shared that the most memorable moments for her came from watching residents embrace the store’s purpose.

 “People have donated not only items, but also their time, encouragement, and belief in what we are building together. There was definitely a learning curve,” said Bernadette Logozar, vice-chair of the CWSS board.

“The volume of donations and community support exceeded expectations at times, which was both exciting and challenging. But every challenge reminded us how much people care about supporting the shelter and this initiative,” she added.

Looking ahead, the society plans to expand volunteer recruitment, strengthen public awareness of the store’s connection to the shelter and continue supporting its long term goal of establishing a Second Stage Shelter for families needing longer term housing support.

“Our hope is that Bloom ’n Deals continues to grow into a sustainable source of support for CWSS while remaining a place where everyone feels welcome. We want the store to reflect the generosity and heart of this community,” said Rear.

“As Bloom’n Deals celebrates its first birthday, I’d like to extend heartfelt gratitude to every donor, volunteer, customer, staff member, board member, and community partner who helped make the first year such a success,” she added. “We are deeply thankful to everyone who has helped make Bloom ’n Deals a success and helped ensure that hope, safety, and support remain available to those who need it most.”

Participating in the Walk for Alzheimer’s is important as it raises funds for dementia care, education and research. It also raises awareness for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases in Alberta and Northwest Territories.

Walking can also help reduce the risks of cognitive decline while stimulating brain health as well as honours those affected with the disease and fostering a sense of community for caregivers.

The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is fast approaching with walks in both Red Deer on May 30 and Edmonton on May 31. It’s an opportunity for people to come together and be a part of something special.

For people interested in supporting Alzheimer’s awareness and research a little closer to home, The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories encourages people to plan a Walk Your Way event. Pick a date, time and location that works for an individual’s schedule, then grab friends, family, neighbours to join in.

Funds raised supports programs and services that stay right here in our community, improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and their families.

This family-friendly event alongside hundreds of other walkers, makes memories matter while raising awareness and funds supporting people living with dementia in the Camrose area.

Tips to get your own walk started are simple. Register your event at walk@alzheimer.ab.ca, then watch your email for any event updates. Add walk@alzheimer.ca and walk@alzheimer.ab.ca as a safe sender in your email inbox. After choosing your date and location, contact Simba Pfupa at spfupa@alzheimer.ab.ca for additional information.
Share Walk Your Way information with your place of work, in your community and on social media using the hashtag #IGWalkforAlz. Walker toolkits, posters and Walk Your Way handbooks are all available on www.alzheimer.ca/ab

For people with dementia or supporting someone with dementia, and are interested in connecting with the Alzheimer’s Society, Connie Snider is the Mobile Rural Navigator for the Camrose area and is available at the Camrose and District Senior Centre Society located at the Mirror Lake Centre the second Monday of every month between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Connie also hosts the Camrose Care Partner Support Group that meets monthly at the Seniors Centre. A diagnosis of dementia or supporting a loved one with the disease can be very demanding and lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
This support group is a place to share feelings and experiences caring for someone with dementia while exchanging coping strategies.

This group meets the third Tuesday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with the next meetings on May 19 and June 16. This is a drop-in support group for care partners only and does not require registration.

For more information on how to get support, Connie can be contacted by calling 1-866-950-5465 ext. 708.

For 67 years, the smell of pancakes and the sounds of aircraft engines at the Camrose Flying Club Fly-In Breakfast have marked the unofficial start of summer. With about 100 aircraft expected and up to 2,000 breakfasts to be served to guests arriving by aircraft, vehicles and on foot, this event is the longest running and largest gathering of its kind in all of Western Canada.

On May 31, members of the Camrose Flying Club/COPA Flight 137 will host breakfast from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. This event draws pilots and their families from across Alberta and neighbouring provinces, with many making their annual trip to Camrose the traditional launch of their summer flying season.
As always, the airport is open to the public and visitors of all ages are welcome to watch aircraft landing, taxiing and taking off.

Many dedicated community volunteers come together to make the breakfast happen. In addition to Flying Club members, volunteers from the Camrose Fish and Game Association and the Camrose Rotary Air Cadet Squadron lend a hand each year, making the event memorable for all guests. Proceeds from the breakfast support the two organizations.

Among those greeting pilots this year will be two familiar faces Bob Hurlburt and Jun Mah, both in their 90s, who will serve at pilot registration as two of the event’s longest serving volunteers. The pair have been part of the Fly-In Breakfast tradition for most of its 67-year history, becoming well known figures to generations of returning pilots and visitors.

Jadene Mah, president of the Camrose Flying Club, shared that the success of the event continues to depend entirely on volunteers, whose efforts have helped sustain the breakfast for nearly seven decades. She shared that the goal of the breakfast is to foster a love for aviation in all community members, while showcasing the professionalism, engagement and commitment of local volunteers and the Camrose Flying Club.

The breakfast gives the community a chance to experience aviation in Camrose up close and enjoy a delectable all-you-can-eat breakfast. 

Two local boys, Ryder Prichard and Paxton Radchenko, travelled to Winnipeg, MB, to compete in the 2026 Youth Bowl Canada National Championships. They competed at the bantam level and came in fourth overall.

The boys claimed the provincial bantam title to compete at Nationals. Their coach Bryan Beattie said, “Edmonton and Calgary (bowlers) are very strong, so for a small centre to win at the provincial level is usually pretty slim. For Ryder and Paxton to win at this level was a feather in these guys’ hats.”

Bryan said, “It was just the luck of the draw on how the teams were picked. Had we not played the gold medal team in the last game, we would have won bronze – it was that close.”

Paxton commented, “It was a really good experience. All the bowling was fun.”

One of the fun traditions in which the boys participated was trading things like hats or jerseys  with bowlers from other provinces. Paxton added, “Sometimes you trade with someone from the province your grandpa was from”, making connections with that particular part of the country.

Ryder commented, “It was interesting. It was fun listening to the French people talk because they talked so fast.” For him, he enjoyed bowling and listening to the French people talk.

These two boys have been bitten by the bowling bug and continue looking forward to getting better. Paxton has several coaches and is a true competitor who has beaten his adult coaches many times, sometimes by as many as 40-plus points.

When asked about his interest in coaching, Bryan commented, “This is our next generation. Anytime they can get support, it’s a good thing. These guys are coming along nicely.” 

Bryan’s favourite moment at the tournament was when the boys beat B.C., the team that was in first spot, and they took all three points from them. He added, “That was a good, positive mood. It gave us some momentum and confidence.”

This was a good experience for Paxton and Ryder alongside their families and coach. It was a great stepping stone for them to improve their bowling skills.

Paxton, who is 11 and has been bowling for six years, said his favourite part of bowling is competing and winning. Ryder, who is 11 and is in his second year of bowling, also likes to compete, but really enjoys throwing balls.

The future is bright for these two young bowlers. It isn’t just high scores that keep Paxton and Ryder coming back to the bowling alley, they both like to compete and have fun. These two bowlers are proof that big talent can come in small packages.

The Association of Life-wide Living (ALL) is a registered society dedicated to community-driven initiatives since 2004. Focused on health and wellness, ALL recognizes the need for an expanded approach to achieve wellbeing.

Jane Ross has held the position of president of ALL since its inception. Recently, she stepped into the past-chair position when Charissa Scott was inducted as president on April 7 in a special ceremony. Dr. Tim Parker presided over the ceremony that honoured the heritage of ALL, while embracing the accomplishments and evolving direction of the organization.

During the ceremony, Charissa was presented with a symbolic quilt placed around her shoulders. Each guest received a special gift of art, an iron sculpture of the Battle River Watershed that was created by cartographer Larry Laliberte and Ray Law of Ray-Arch Welding.

Angela Boysis is a Cree Elder and ALL board member. She emphasized the power of wahkohtowin, the Cree word for “working together.” She conveyed appreciation for the deep-rooted relationships with ALL as she presented ceremonial gifts from a number of organizations in Maskwacis.

Charissa said, “I feel like I’m still learning about the organization all the time. To have myself in the president role and Jane (Ross) in the past-president role is such an opportunity of learning that I couldn’t pass up.”

Charissa explained ALL is in a position of transition and revitalization. As a society, they will take a look at what projects they have going on and the possibility of reinvigorating some old projects as well as take a look at some fresh new ones.

As the new president, Charissa added, “It’s really interesting to take a look at the possibilities and continue building health opportunities and creativity in the Battle River area.” The focus of the society is to help support the projects that support all the communities in the region.

ALL is going to explore what the needs are in the region which historically has been driven by the needs of the community.

Right now they are in a space of rebuilding that includes building a strong executive. They currently have strong member and advisor support, but are looking for the right people to form the executive to move forward.

Charissa talked about the ceremony inducting her as president. She commented that there was a wonderful turnout and people that spoke to the belief in the society with the handing over of the torch.
The ceremony showed such respect for the sanctity of the organization. It meant a lot to her and Jane as Charissa was acknowledged for all the work she has poured into ALL.

Rooted in the mission of inspiring creativity for health through our landscape, our communities and the arts, Charissa will continue to lead ALL in the efforts committed to mobility improvement, brain health and place-based community economic development.