Columns & News

Goat boat, Smith family creates
their own adventure

By Adan Shaikh

The Smith family was previously featured in The Camrose Booster for their winter tradition of building an igloo in their backyard and spending the night sleeping in it. But their summer tradition is even more adventurous: camping and floating down the Red Deer River on a homemade boat.

The “Goat Boat,” built by Gary Smith with help from his family, has now completed three summers on the river. From calculating buoyancy to navigating storms, the project has become equal parts challenging and fun.

“Shelby, before we even set sail, she said, ‘This is the greatest of all time (Goat) Boat,’ so we made the flag the first year,” shared Julie Smith. “Then the second year, Gary’s sister makes stuffed toys, and she made us a goat for the boat.”

What Julie expected to be a survival-style camping trip quickly became one of her favourite ways to unplug. “As the mom, you’re like, ‘This is so relaxing.’ I just get to read, hang out with my kids and enjoy how quiet it is,” she said. “Most of the time you’re in the hoodoos, there are cows grazing. I thought it was going to be more survival, but it turned out to be the most relaxing experience.”

The boat itself is an impressive family project. “The bottom floor is eight feet by 16 feet and the top floor is eight feet by eight feet,” Gary explained.

The idea came after talking to a friend who had built a similar raft as a Scout.

Knowing there weren’t many structures like it, Gary began designing and experimenting, often using reclaimed materials he found during Kick it to the Curb.

“At the beginning I thought, ‘I’m not sinking a lot of money into this project if I don’t know if it’s even going to work,’” he explained. “I kept designing things, trying them out, and if it looked like it worked, I just went with it.”

Before taking his family aboard, Gary tested the boat to make sure it was sturdy enough.

Each year the Goat Boat has grown a little more comfortable, with hooks for hammocks and tarps, a collapsible table, storage benches and even a slide. The family cooks on a camping stove right on the boat and its flotation comes from empty barrels Gary’s brother collected from his job site. Many of the finishing touches came from family and friends, including the stuffed goat tied to the front of the upper deck.

Gary, who is a teacher and a firefighter with the Camrose Fire Department, shared that the slide was added thanks to one of his fellow firefighters who was taking down a play structure in his yard.
With no motor, the boat drifts quietly with the current while Gary uses paddles to steer. Planning the annual trip, however, is anything but simple, but the Smiths think everything through.

The family spends three days and two nights on the river, launching near Tolman Bridge before floating to Drumheller. “It’s a campground around Stettler. So on one side, they have campers and river access and then the other side, they just have like where you could launch a boat, but it’s not really bothering anybody, and so Gary talked to the campground guy before,” shared Julie. “We always end in Drumheller, because it has a nice beach there, that we can just pull up, but again not really bug anybody,” she added.

She also credits the trip’s success to their three daughters for their sense of adventure and how they genuinely enjoy spending uninterrupted time together as a family.

However, camping on a boat is not without its challenges. When it’s time to stop, Gary has to jump into the river, reach shore and pull the boat in by hand.

“It doesn’t take a lot to stop it because there’s no motor,” Julie joked. “He is the anchor if we have to stop.”

The water in the river, according to Gary, is about 10 feet in the deep spots and stopping requires quick thinking. This year’s trip also brought an unexpected test when the family received a tornado warning while floating through the badlands. “Before we even left, Avery gave us the stats that we were having so many more tornadoes this year, and you don’t really have cell service once you’re in there,” Julie said.
When the warning arrived, they had to decide quickly what the next step would be. “Avery looks at me like, ‘What are we going to do?’ I didn’t want to worry her, so I told her, ‘Don’t worry, we have a plan,’” Julie recalled. “Then Gary and I looked at each other. We definitely did not have a plan.”

Fortunately, the family managed to monitor the storm that passed around them.

Some of Julie’s favourite memories include floating behind the boat in tubes, sleeping under the stars and enjoying her breakfast from the second floor while watching beavers emerge one by one along the riverbank.

For the daughters, the trip offers a chance at screen-free family time. “It’s really fun to do something adventurous and unique with some of my favourite people,” said Avery. “Being on the river is a cool way to reconnect with nature. It has parts that make you work really hard, like building it, and parts that are super relaxing, like floating in the river with a life jacket. Having those two extremes makes it one of my favourite summer adventures.”

With two of their daughters graduating this year, this might have been the family’s final trip aboard the Goat Boat. Whatever comes next, they know they’ll find another way to make memories together. “We like sleeping in weird places,” Julie said, with a laugh.
Whether it’s an igloo in the backyard or a homemade boat drifting through the badlands, the Smith family is already looking forward to discovering what their next adventure will be.

Enjoy Perseids meteor shower at Mirror Lake

By Adan Shaikh

The Camrose Public Library is inviting the whole community to gather at Mirror Lake Park on August 12 at 10 p.m. to watch this year’s Perseids meteor shower together.

The event is open to all ages and the Library will be providing some hot chocolate as a way to stay warm throughout the evening. Organizers also recommend bringing a blanket to lay down on. To ensure good visibility it is advised to let the eyes adjust to the darkness of the sky by avoiding looking at screens or harsh lights.

According to NASA, the Perseids are one of the most popular meteor showers of the year, returning every August as Earth passes through the trail of dust and debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As tiny pieces of the comet enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create the bright streaks of light commonly called shooting stars.

The shower gets its name from the constellation Perseus, where the meteors appear to originate in the night sky. The Perseids are particularly fun to watch because the meteors are fast and bright, and some leave long trails of light that sometimes look like lasers in the sky. The shower is also known for occasional fireballs, which are brighter and longer-lasting than typical meteors.
The Perseids peak around August 12-13 each year. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, the shower can produce up to about 100 meteors an hour, although the actual number visible to any one person depends on weather and light conditions.

This year could offer especially good viewing conditions, as NASA’s sky calendar shows a new moon on August 12, meaning there will be little to no moonlight competing with the meteors.
While the strongest viewing is generally in the pre-dawn hours, Perseids can sometimes be seen as early as 10 p.m.

For those looking to spend a summer evening under the stars, this event offers a chance to do just that, with a late night picnic with the family, and friends to marvel at the intersteller beauty of the solar system.

Open Farm Days returns this year

By Nadine Leming

On August 15 and 16, there will be 150-plus farmers across Alberta who will be welcoming people to check out their farms and agritourism locations. This is the 14th year that the province is celebrating this annual tradition.

This year the theme is “Farm Stories: Rangelands and Grasslands”. The focus is on livestock producers and pasture operators across Alberta. Rangelands are large, open natural areas with native plants that feed both livestock like cattle and sheep, and wildlife like deer and moose.

“Rangelands are like a giant salad bar for animals,” says Tim Carson, CEO of Alberta Agricultural Societies of Alberta. He continued, “And importantly, these lands support biodiversity and they store huge amounts of carbon in the soil, making them vital in fighting climate change.”

People interested in checking out Open Farm Days can expect a variety of host farms. A few examples of what may be available to tour are corn and sunflower mazes, stables, craft breweries and u-pick farms.

More traditional farms will also be represented with livestock and ranches focusing on nature and natural balance. This two-day celebration of agriculture gives Albertans an opportunity to learn more about where their food comes from and the people who make it, creating unique farm experiences.

For more information on Open Farm Days or to plan your trip, go to www.albertaopen
farmdays.ca

Grit, wit and guitar wizardry

By Nadine Leming

Lloyd Spiegel has the deep spirit of a bluesman, is a guitarist by trade and brings his natural wit with theatrical showmanship to the stage at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre (LPAC) on
August 13 at 7:30 p.m. This performance wraps up the Summer Series that takes place on the Verda McNeil Plaza.

Spiegel has a commanding voice and mind-bending guitar chops proving why he is a 14-time Australian Blues Award winner and named one of the 50 greatest Australian guitarists of all time.
He has toured the globe for over 30 years and has developed into not just an amazing artist, but has created a knack for humour and storytelling that captivates audiences across genres and generations.

In Australia, Spiegel is a respected pioneer of the modern Blues scene. He grew up on stage learning at the feet of some of the architects of modern Blues. He’s turned that into an innovative, genre-defying show that recreates the genre that pushes old clichés aside.
He has been described by Australian Guitar Player Magazine as a guitarist almost without peer, and deconstructs how the blues guitar is supposed to operate. The audience is going to be mesmerized by Spiegel’s blend of blues, guitar mastery, and natural storytelling in action.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.camroselive.ca

Summer Carnival

By Adan Shaikh

Camrose Family Resource Centre is hosting a free Summer Carnival on August 14 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Mirror Lake Park, and families are invited to join in for glitter tattoos, games, music and to enjoy a nice summer evening.

“We’re really excited for the Summer Carnival! It’s a free afternoon for everyone to come out, have some fun, and enjoy the summer together. We’ll have carnival games, prizes, music, glitter tattoos, and lots of other activities for the kids. We’re really just hoping people come out, have a good time, and make some fun summer memories with us,” said Sarah Swedberg, organizer of the Carnival.

The Camrose Family Resource Centre helps support local families through free programs and support services, for children, youth and their parents or caregivers.

For more information on the programs or the event visit: www.camrosefrc.com

Calvin Strauss’ 2010 F150 hits a ***mile*stone**

Calvin Strauss’ Ford F150 has surpassed the average life span of a Ford F150 by hitting 800,166.3 kilometres.

By Adan Shaikh

Calvin Strauss’ 2010 Ford F-150 may not be a vintage automobile, but it has seen more time on the road than most vehicles ever will.

This past month, Calvin celebrated the truck reaching 800,000 kilometres, which is roughly the equivalent of driving around the Earth 20 times.
Calvin said he was already impressed when the truck passed the 500,000-kilometre mark, but watching the number continue to climb has been even more satisfying.

“We are at 800 and there are no issues with it at all,” he said. “If we are really, really lucky we might get to see one million.”

Calvin bought the F-150 new and put it to work immediately. As a framing contractor, he drove it every day, often carrying tools and equipment and pulling loads to and from job sites.

“It was not sitting empty. There were always quite a bit of tools and stuff in this and it was pulling weight,” he said.

Much of the truck’s mileage came from his daily commute, with Calvin often making about an hour-long drive each way for work, as well as long drives to their family home in Hinton.
“There’s a lot of highway miles and not really a lot of city miles on it,” he said.

The truck’s longevity has also come down to regular maintenance.

Calvin shared that he has kept up with oil changes every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometres, crediting that routine care for helping keep the F-150 on the road.

“It’s got the 5.4-litre engine and I bought it brand new,” he said.

The truck has changed over the years, but it has remained a dependable part of his life. Its mileage represents not only years of his working day memories but the truck has also been part of many family memories.

“Four of my six grandkids have all driven it and kind of learned how to drive with that truck,” he shared.

On average, a 2010 F-150 would typically be expected to travel somewhere around 320,000 to 480,000 kilometres over its lifespan, depending on maintenance, driving habits and how heavily it is used. Calvin’s truck has more than doubled that range.

At 800,000 kilometres, the F-150 is still working, still travelling and, for now, still adding to the odometer.

Small town roots, Big Valley boots

Travis Dolter played the main stage at BVJ on August 2 to an appreciative crowd. This was a dream fulfilled by this local up and coming country star. Travis is best known for his upbeat and energetic performances.

By Nadine Leming

Travis Dolter may have small town roots, but he achieved a dream that he has had since childhood when he played the main stage at Big Valley Jamboree (BVJ) on August 2. This is a goal he’s been working on for the last eight years.

Travis said, “For being a hometown kid from the Camrose area, it doesn’t get much better than this.” He had a lot of support from his parents, grandparents and other family in the crowd who watched this dream come true for him.

It was a very busy but exciting weekend for him between back-to-back interviews and five sets throughout the weekend. One thing that Travis enjoyed was getting the opportunity to play all original music.

Travis’ latest release is called “Brown Liquor” which was released on July 31. He heard this song for the first time on Sirius XM and his dad suggested to check it out.

Travis and the band did and they all loved the song and wanted to pay homage to John Anderson, who originally sang this song, as they are all fans of his.

It was fun for Travis to perform his latest single at BVJ. For those who haven’t heard “Brown Liquor”, it’s an upbeat, party song that has toes tapping and people up on the dance floor.

Things for Travis were very busy leading up to BVJ, recording content with a distillery in Edmonton that he has partnered with as well as developing content for his single release and BVJ.

The distillery gave Travis a whisky barrel that he had people sign after they had the opportunity to try a sample of what was inside.

Travis had already made positive connections with some of the other artists who also performed on Sunday like Noeline Hofmann, Josh Stumpf (with whom he’s good friends) and Cameron Whitcomb. This was another good opportunity for him to continue to network and build those relationships.

Playing at the festival that he grew up attending was a big moment for him. He took the opportunity not only to recognize what he has achieved – a spot on the main stage – but also a chance to continue networking with others in the industry.

As he closed his main stage performance, Travis took a moment to thank his family for all their support as well as the fans in the audience. His appreciation was genuine as you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face for his entire set.

Inside Jessie Bird’s songbook

Jessie Bird performed and hosted the Songwriters’ Showcase on July 31. It was an opportunity for several artists to receive some great exposure. From left, Jordan Leden accompanied his wife Jessie Bird during the show.

By Nadine Leming

Jessie Bird is a hometown girl who hosted and played at the Songwriters’ Showcase at BVJ this year. She was joined by folk artist Maria Dunn, country singer Matt Patershuck, and country/blues favourite Leo Martinez from Edmonton.

The Songwriters’ Showcase is an intimate setting, allowing music fans to hear a variety of performers. Jessie said, “The Songwriters’ Showcases are my favourite part of Big Valley. You can really connect with your audience, make eye contact with them and they can come up and say ‘hi’ afterwards.”

When asked about the stripped down version of her guitar performances, she said, “I think it makes it more intimate. When it’s just you, your guitar and the words, they (the audience) really pay attention to the words. I love doing showcases like this.”

The Alberta Dreams Song Search winner is known for her heartfelt vocals anchored in authentic storytelling. “Hope Lives Here” is the song that won her the song search for 2026 celebrating the organization’s 40th anniversary and was released on July 17.

The Songwriters’ Showcase at BVJ is just another step in building her career. Jessie is sure to go far as she is truly an authentic performer. She is the kind of person who leaves her audience believing beauty and hope continue to triumph.

For anyone who missed Jessie at BVJ, she will be performing at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre on September 19 at 7:30 p.m. This show is part of the popular cabaret series that offers that intimate audience/performer setting. Tickets are going fast as they are almost sold out.

Reading University

From left, Reading University teacher Jazmin Roe, graduate Stellen Jensen and Dean John Parkins. Stellen aspires to be a police officer when he grows up and enjoys reading books about cats and dogs.

By Adan Shaikh

A motivated batch of young readers, equipped with stronger reading skills and instilled with a love for learning, graduated from Reading University on July 30 at the Faith and Life Chapel on the University of Alberta Augustana Campus.
Started in 2009, Reading University is a program delivered through a collaboration between Battle River Community Foundation (BRCF), Battle River School Division (BRSD) and the University of Alberta Augustana Campus.

The month-long summer program supports students in Grades 2 to 5 as they improve their reading skills and develop a love for books. Guided by professional teachers and high school mentors, students receive focused support to build confidence and literacy skills.

One of the highlights of the program is the field trips each class gets to enjoy, extending learning beyond books and into interesting experiences.
This year, 50 students graduated from Reading University. Outside the chapel, a wall was decorated with worksheets that highlighted students’ observations from their field trips, showcasing what they learned and how they put their critical thinking to test by asking questions about what they saw.

Students processed into the chapel, guided by their high school mentors Wyatt Bardell, Liam Elaschuk, Aanya Dimri and Kastyn Campbell. Reading University teacher Jazmin Roe welcomed families, students and community supporters before inviting greetings from Karen Belich, Camrose County BRSD trustee; Steve Tymko, BRSD assistant superintendent of human resources; Alex Oliver, BRCF board director; Brock Bartlett, Reading University principal; and Dr. John Parkins, dean of Augustana.

“On behalf of administration, we are thankful for this program which wouldn’t be possible without BRCF,” said Tymko, as he thanked BRCF for its generous donations, allowing BRSD to deliver the program in three communities this year. He also thanked the Augustana Campus for hosting the ceremony and making the event even more meaningful for the students.

“Thank you to our staff for creating great programming tirelessly for our kids, making them want to come back each day and enjoy this program, and to our parents for their support for all of us,” he added.

Oliver congratulated the students on their accomplishments.

“You have big smiles and you’ve got bigger hearts. Today is a very, very special day for you, and we are here to celebrate something amazing, which is you and everything that you have learned and accomplished so far. You have worked hard, you’ve tried new things, you’ve solved some tricky reading problems, you’ve read wonderful stories, made some new friends, you’ve listened to others, you’ve travelled to Edmonton Valley Zoo, and to the Museum in Wetaskiwin, it has been great. And I know some days have been easier than others, but you showed up and you tried your best and that is what you really need to be proud of,” said Oliver.

Parkins thanked the teachers and parents for their dedication to supporting learning throughout the summer and shared how proud Augustana is to be part of the program once again. He also shared that he personally relates to struggling with reading and reflected upon his own journey, before he started to enjoy reading books.

“We look forward to hosting Reading University for many years to come,” he said. “Augustana is an Arts and Science campus of the University of Alberta, we are really built on this century-long legacy and a dedication to the idea that learning changes people’s lives and it strengthens communities. Walking through the halls of the University today, as you processed in, you aren’t just visiting the University, you are already a part of it and you are a part of us. You know where the classrooms are, you know where the chocolate milk is located, this is your campus, this is where you belong.”

Following the remarks, students received their graduation certificates from Parkins and Reading University teachers Katherine Cook, Lindsay Doering, Jazmin Roe and Hailey Arndt.
The ceremony marked the end of another successful year of Reading University, celebrating the students’ hard work while recognizing the community partnerships that continue to help young readers build confidence and a lifelong love of learning.

BRCF supports Hospice Society

Vice-chair of the Battle River Community Foundation board Carol Rollheiser, left, presented the cheque to David Samm, executive director of Hospice Society.

Submitted by Laura Young

The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a $3,000 grant to the Hospice Society of Camrose and District.

“To enable our community to support those facing advancing illness, death and bereavement with dignity – through education and compassionate care,” is the mission statement of the Hospice Society, as stated on its website.

It is a concise sentiment that covers what can be a long and arduous process, both for those who are passing and for those who grieve them. Executive director David Samm states, “Thank you to the Battle River Community Foundation for your generous support of our hospice programs. Your commitment strengthens compassionate care, comfort, and hope for individuals and families throughout our region.”

The Hospice Society, a non-residential program begun in 2011, serves Camrose, Camrose County, Flagstaff County, and Beaver County, with at least 100 contacts a month. The Hospice Society accomplishes its mission through three streams of care: Grief and Bereavement, Education, and Compassionate Care. To address Grief and Bereavement, the society provides sessions on understanding grief, counselling, and a companion to “walk with you” through your grief. Education, another point of focus, includes grief support groups for various ages, volunteer education and various care groups, and publicly available workshops.

Quality of life is key to the service provided by the Hospice Society. Compassionate Care is for clients with advanced illness, as well as those who are grieving a loss. Care volunteers are trained not only to provide practical support, but emotional and spiritual support as well. These volunteers may help with daily tasks, listen to life stories, or sit in quiet companionship. The Hospice Society also offers grief companions; volunteers offering one-on-one grief support to fill spaces created by loneliness or bereavement. They are a compassionate presence at one of the most difficult moments of life.

The grant for the Hospice Society of Camrose and District is provided by the Battle River Community Foundation Community Fund.

JUNIOR JUNIOR GOLF

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

Bill Penny is an accomplished Canadian golf pro with over 50 years of experience. He is actively involved with junior golf camps at the Whistle Stop Golf Course sharing his passion for the sport with youth. From left, Ensley is taking putting instruction from Bill at the Junior Junior Golf Camp July 21.

TRAVIS DOLTER ON BVJ’S MAIN STAGE

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

Travis Dolter was living out his dream at BVJ on the main stage. It’s a goal he set for himself eight years ago. Danny Hooper, BVJ emcee, referred to Travis as an up and coming entertainer. Travis definitely knows how to put on a show and play to the crowd. There was a large assembly in the audience that sang along with his songs.
The story about Travis at Big Valley Jamboree is on page 17.

CAMROSE ENERGY DONATION

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Camrose Energy presented a grant of $5,000 and an imaging drone to the Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA). This new addition of technology will help BRWA monitor and photograph the waterbodies and their conditions more effectively from the sky. From left, Sheila Logelin,
BRWA office manager; Denise Hawkins, CEO of Camrose Energy; Aiah Schielke, environmental program coordinator at BRWA; and Catherine Peirce, executive director of BRWA.

CELEBRATING 103 BIRTHDAY

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

Recently, Elwyn Lock was celebrated at Hagar’s Café in honour of his 103 birthday. Donna Bullough has been serving Elwyn at the café for many years. She said, “He’s such a huge part of our lives here at the hotel. We couldn’t have thought of a better place to celebrate his 103rd birthday with his family and building memories.” Elwyn commented, with his wonderful sense of humour, “The secret to life is to just keep breathing.”

SCOTIABANK DONATION

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The Scotiabank branch in Camrose donated $1,253 to the BGC of Camrose. They raised over $600 during their pancake breakfast over the Jaywalkers’ Jamboree weekend with the help of volunteers from Scotiabank and Cargill. The balance of the donation came from a matching grant from the Scotiabank Team Community Program. From left, Wade Cummings, Scotiabank branch manager, and Rees James, executive director at BGC.

WALMART TO CMHA

Adine Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Walmart Camrose donated $1,000 to the Camrose branch of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The funds will go towards keeping the programming of CMHA active and available to the residents of Camrose.

A fun Train Day at Railway Museum

By Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Summer in Camrose means experiencing the many greenspaces in the community, including the beautifully planned gardens at the Camrose Heritage Railway Museum. Each year the Museum hosts Train Day to give families an opportunity to visit the museum grounds and enjoy short train rides in the speeders. Pictured above, Owen and Charlotte Nguyen with Jim and Judy Hogg.

One of the gardens showcases miniature historical buildings and model trains. Jacob Felix-Mah and Ava Mah enjoyed walking around “Morgan Garden Railway”.

A crafts table was set up for families to paint and decorate rocks. Children also enjoyed playing with a rainbow parachute and various outdoor games that were set around the Museum grounds. Pictured above, Brittany and Roman Keller painted and bedazzled a rock. The next opportunity to enjoy the museum activities will be at their annual Family Fun Day, which will be held on August 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

Friendship and laughter

I’m back from a week visiting with a friend in the Shuswap area of British Columbia.
It was a fun week, enjoying live-and-in-person time with someone I’ve known since we first worked together on a project in 1984.
We have never lived in the same community. Nowadays we often visit on Zoom. However, we hadn’t been in the same place at the same time for more than 20 years.

We’ve both shrunk! Also, we are both much more wrinkled than we were the last time we were together.

Ironically, my friend in B.C. asked if I could bring some salmon fillets, which I did. Salmon is not available in any grocery store in the Shuswap area. That’s even though one of its rivers experiences the salmon run every October. Go figure!

***

While in B.C., I noticed a few other things that are different from Alberta – starting, of course, with the terrain.
To the best of my knowledge, British Columbia has no straight roads. That’s a big change from our Alberta highways that sometimes go miles and miles without a curve or a hill. British Columbia’s rocky, mountainous terrain makes straight flat roads pretty much impossible.
I appreciated the highway signs with a “wavy line” diagram of the road ahead, along with speed limit numbers.
Any temptation to drive faster than the speed limit was quickly quashed. What with up-and-down winding roads that had no shoulders, and sometimes were not even paved, “60” or “45” or even ”25” km/hour were NOT ridiculously low speed limits. They were what the terrain demanded.

***

I got to read a local paper called The Kicker. Here are two items that tickled me, submitted by the Chase RCMP detachment. Hope you enjoy them too.

Headline: Automatic Crash Notification
“On July 3, Chase RCMP responded to an automated crash notification from a cellphone believed to be located on Shuswap Lake near Onyx Creek in Magna Bay.

“Police also received a call from a family member who had received a similar crash notification from the phone. The family was understandably concerned, as they believed their family member may have been boating on the lake.

“Officers began making inquiries to determine whether anyone required assistance. A short time later, the family member contacted police again to advise that her sister had called and confirmed everyone was safe. It was determined the cellphone had been inside a purse on the boat, which had triggered the crash notification.
“
Chase RCMP remind the public to ensure their devices are properly secured and to be aware of how crash features may be triggered, particularly while participating in activities such as boating.”
Headline: NAKED PEDESTRIAN ATTRACTS ATTENTION

“On July 8, Chase RCMP responded to multiple reports of a naked man walking along the Trans Canada Highway west of Chase.

“Several callers reported that the man was walking along the highway wearing nothing but an orange toque. Officers located the man walking along the highway shoulder completely unclothed.

“The man told police he had gone swimming in the river and was unable to find his clothes afterward. Officers determined he was sober, coherent, and able to answer questions appropriately. Despite the attention from passing motorists, he appeared unconcerned by his lack of attire.

“Police transported the man to the Chase RCMP Detachment, where he was provided with a set of coveralls.”

***

I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, e-mail Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day.