By Adan Shaikh

Pop-up Navigation Centre is returning this October, after helping hundreds of people navigate resources during its first session in June.

The Camrose and District Housing and Homelessness Task force, and Camrose Helps Foundation are bringing back the Pop-Up Navigation event, offering residents a chance to connect directly with organizations providing health, housing, financial, employment and family supports.

The June 9 event drew 205 participants and resulted in 862 interactions between residents and service providers. It also led to 81 follow-up appointments and 70 referrals to other organizations, according to the organizers’ reports.

The goal of the event is to make accessing services easier by bringing multiple organizations together under one roof. Rather than leaving with a list of phone numbers or pamphlets, residents can speak directly with service providers and, where possible, complete paperwork, arrange appointments, receive testing or take the necessary next steps right there and then.

“The last event helped our community by bringing support services to one place. It helped our service providers to navigate each other in the system, to figure out who’s who and the services their organizations offer. It also helped participants because they could access everything they need in one location, and we were able to provide client handoffs between service providers,” shared Kendra Hansen, one of the organizers and health promotion facilitator for Primary Care Alberta.

Kendra continued, “The June event also identified areas for improvement, including a need for greater public awareness and broader representation from employment, government and health services. The opportunity to host a second navigation event means there can be more focus on people and places in Camrose that improve overall personal and family wellness, who come together in a space that is open to all members of our community. The organizing committee is implementing these findings for the upcoming event.”

Leslie Lindballe, housing and community supports navigator for the Task Force, shared that the format of the event creates opportunities for agencies to build relationships with residents and with one another. Service providers at the June event reported increased awareness of other local programs and said the face-to-face format made referrals easier.

The event is designed for residents who may be unsure what services they qualify for or where to begin. Supports available through participating organizations can include mental health and addiction services, housing, financial assistance, family resources, food security and health services.

Organizers say the goal is to make the process less complicated while creating a welcoming setting where residents can feel comfortable and have important conversations with those who can help.
The June event also identified areas for improvement, including a need for greater public awareness and broader representation from employment, government and health services. The organizing committee is implementing these findings for the upcoming event.

An addition to this year’s event will be a connections table, where service providers will introduce community members to the variety of mental health groups that take place in the City.

 

The Camrose Softball Association (CSA) celebrated the grand opening of their new batting cages on September 29. They covered the cost of these new cages through corporate donations and funds they’ve saved for this project.

With access to the new cages, this allows Camrose Crossfire teams to have access to them during the week. This year there are approximately 160 athletes on about 16 different teams. The new cages will help these girls with regular development in the sport.

Heather Bratrud is the scheduling director for the organization. She said, “Now that our organization has grown so much for girls’ softball, it was time for our own cages and run our batting cages Monday to Friday.” She continued, “We’re super excited. It’s been a dream for a while for us to be able to build this.”

The CSA are very grateful to the many corporate donors that made this project happen. They send out a special thank you to the Battle River School Division (BRSD) and Preston Kostura, director of facilities at BRSD, for allowing the CSA to build the cages on school property.

 

Matthew Gusul, a musical talent hailing from Camrose, performs under the stage name Gus Gustopherson, returns to town for a live performance at The Gravity Lounge.

Longtime members of the Camrose music scene might recognize Gusul as the lead vocalist of the local group The Vinyl Experiment. Currently, he is based in St. John’s, NFLD and Labrador. After a whirlwind summer performing, Gusul is happy to be coming home to share a few selections he’s crafted since his move east.

Gusul said, “I’ve had a great summer playing around St. John’s, but there’s always something special about coming back and playing in Camrose.”
He continued, “This is where I grew up, where I first started playing music, and where I spent all those years with The Vinyl Experiment. It still feels like coming home.”

When he returns to town, the audience will get a sneak peek at Gustopherson’s new album Golden Fields & Ocean Breezes that will be released in 2027. Gusul commented, “A lot of the new songs are about having one foot in each place.”

He added, “I live in Newfoundland now and have really fallen in love with it, but Alberta is still a huge part of my life.” The new album focuses on the experience of leaving home, finding another home, and realizing both places are stitched into your identity.

Listeners can expect to hear from Gusul, blends of indie folk, country storytelling and the energy and directness of his rock-and-roll roots. His music is a reflection of community, the places he loves, and personal experiences.

Gusul hits the stage at The Gravity Lounge at the Days Inn Norsemen on Friday, October 16, from 6 to 9 p.m.

 

The Battle River Canine Association (BRCA) will be hosting their annual Fall Dog Show from October 23 to 25 at the Camrose Regional Exhibition (CRE). The BRCA is a Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) accredited all-breed dog club.

The three-day show will feature judging in conformation (where purebred dogs are evaluated by how closely their physical structure and appearance match their official breed standard), rally and regular obedience (dog sports that test a dog’s training and manners) competitions. Exhibitors can enter the veteran dog class in conformation for the duration of the event.

The weekend fun starts early with the Puppy Sweepstakes on October 22, and includes a rally and regular obedience fun match. Friday marks the opening day of the show. Saturday will be a busy day of showing with all specialties taking place.

Saturday evening will have the scent hurdling races which is a fast-paced dog relay sport that combines jumping, speed, scent discrimination, and retrieving. Junior handling also takes place on Saturday for both conformation and obedience.
There is always something to see at the BRCA Dog Show. This fall they will be hosting a Dog Stuff Garage Sale. It’s an opportunity to pick up items for dogs at a great price.

Back again this year on the Sunday is Spooktacular, a howling good time for handlers and dogs of all ages over the noon hour. This is a great opportunity for the community to come enjoy the dogs dressed up for spooky season.

The general public is invited to come check out the dog show with a nominal fee at the door between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. throughout the event. Please leave non-participating pets at home; only entered dogs may enter the venue over the weekend.

 

This season the Kodiaks are celebrating 30 years of Kodiaks hockey and being a part of the community. For many players, being a part of this team extends far beyond what happens on the ice, it means participating as an active member of the community.

The Kodiaks from management down to the players are excited about this milestone season. The players are already embracing and connecting within the community which is why this team is so important.

September was an action-packed month for the team. The 30th Anniversary jerseys were revealed at the home-opener on September 18 in front of the hometown crowd. The atmosphere and anticipation of a great season filled the arena with the Kodiaks beating Drumheller with a final score of 4 to 3.

The very next day on September 19 a group of players took part in a Camrose-wide food drive, standing by the community that stands by them during the season. The team also hand-delivered season passes to sponsors to show appreciation for the support they give to the players.

September 27 after the game, the entire team welcomed season ticket holders to the Bear’s Den for a special meet-and-greet. It was a great opportunity for ticket holders to put names and faces together as well as allowed the players to get to know some super fans.

September saw the team spend time focusing on team building with their billet families created to deepen bonds and cultivate the relationships on and off the ice.

The players will still be seen around town visiting local schools and interacting with students throughout the upcoming month. October will see only two home games and the team would like to see the arena packed.

One of these home games will be Hockey Hooky Day. It will be a game where students from Camrose and the surrounding area come to watch some exciting AJHL action.

To be a Kodiak is to lead by example, work as a team, and be members of the community. Three decades of Kodiaks hockey means celebrating the incredible community behind the team. The next generation wearing the jersey today will build upon that legacy.

 

By Adan Shaikh
 

Camrose’s Community Transit Advisory Committee (CTAC) presented to the City Council at the October 5 Committee of the Whole Council meeting.

CTAC chair Elliot Harder presented the committee’s 2026 annual report to council, highlighting the committee’s work over the past year and its recommendations for the City’s transit system. He requested that the council revisit the City’s transit token program as demand continues to grow and taxi fares rise.

“We hear from many token distributors that their supply runs out very early each month and that their clients are constantly requesting tokens that they cannot provide,” said Harder.

He recommended, on behalf of the committee, that the transit token budget be increased to its original $100,000 and the value of each token be raised from $4 to $5.

“Especially impactful to the program at the moment is the disconnect between the token value and a standard cab fare,” he commented. “Increasing the token value to $5 would help to ensure the program’s full value is being passed to the people who need it.”

The committee said it hopes greater investment in other transit options will eventually reduce reliance on the token program, but considers it an important service in the meantime.

Harder urged council to consider increased investment in conventional transit. The committee noted ridership remains consistent, while feedback continues to point to limited operating hours and a lack of coverage north of the railway line as barriers to accessibility and availability.

Harder also raised concerns about the lack of an intermunicipal transit connection between Camrose and Edmonton. Horizon Charters ended operations October 1, due to high overhead costs.

“The ongoing struggles of private business to fill this need, against the fairly constant community comment of its necessity, seem to indicate that whatever solution is found will need to be structured as a reliably funded service, not as a self-sustaining model,” he shared.

Harder reported progress on discussions around pedestrian safety and traffic lights and expressed disappointment that its application to the Rural Transit Solutions Fund was unsuccessful. The funding would have supported bus shelters at stops along the route or at least at the busiest stops.

The committee will continue working with council and administration on transit options and funding as the City moves through its budget deliberations.

 

By Nadine Leming

The historic Bailey Theatre has a great lineup for the upcoming season with new shows being added. Tickets for all events can be found at www.baileytheatre.com.

Eternal Flame: Ladies of the ’80s will steal the show on October 17 at 8 p.m. as they deliver a high-quality tribute to iconic female artists. This show will pack the room singing the hits from Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and Whitney Houston. With a high-energy show, the audience will be up dancing all night long.

The Patsy Cline Tribute and Hank Lives comes to the Bailey stage on October 18 at 7 p.m. Canadian country icon Lisa Brokop and Nashville hit songwriter Paul Jefferson have partnered to create an evening of classic country music as they pay homage to their heroes.

The Goonies is the next in the film series on October 21 at 6:30 p.m. The family-friendly movie follows a group of young misfits called the Goonies as they find an ancient map that sends them off on an adventure to find long-lost treasure.

Mop Top Four is an acclaimed genuine tribute to the Beatles. The band comes to Camrose on October 23 at 7:30 p.m. to transport the audience back in time to the golden era of music. This show will guide fans through the evolution of The Beatles and celebrates the phenomenon of the iconic band.

Magic Power: Triumph Tribute will “Lay it on the Line” at the Bailey with a healthy dose of Canadiana arena rock on October 24 at 8 p.m. Triumph’s performance at the 1983 U.S. Festival has gone down in history as one of the greatest live rock performances of all time. Magic Power honours Triumph’s legacy in this two hour tribute to the iconic band.

Celebrate spooky night with Sawbones at the Bailey on October 31. This spook-tacular event includes drink specials and costume contests with opportunities to win hundreds in cash prizes or a merch bundle from the band. This rockabilly and blues-rock band will have you up on the dance floor with their bluesy swagger and sweet harmonies. The show starts at 8 p.m.

By Nadine Leming

The Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre has a great lineup for the 2026-27 season.
Darcy Oake brings his full-scale theatrical illusion show to the stage October 16 at 7:30 p.m. This is an electrifying live experience that blends breathtaking visuals, impossible feats, and cinematic storytelling. Designed to immerse the audience from the first moment to the final reveal, the show combines cutting-edge illusions that can only to be experienced to believe.

Middle Aged Boy Band comes to Camrose on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The Greatest Boy Band That Never Was is hitting the road and it’s going to bring lots of laughter. This uproariously funny music parody and comedy show takes a hilarious swipe at the iconic boy bands of yesteryear like *NSYNC, New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys. They hit the stage with one last shot at glory, struggling to hit those high notes, battling receding hairlines, but embracing their aging bods with pride.

The Alberta Musical Theatre Company presents Rumpelstiltskin on October 18 at 2 p.m. The Miller family lives an ideal life complete with a beautiful house, a white picket fence, and an adorable new-born baby. This family show will be an exciting take on the classic tale.

Keith Alessi brings his show Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life to Camrose October 22, 24 and 25 with three performances. This isn’t just a show, it’s an uplifting tale of challenge, triumph, and the healing power of music.