Columns & News

10th Annual Snow Golf Tournament

From left, Habitat team member Avry Niven, CEO Jennifer Edmonds, construction manager Stewart Mackenzie and team member Maya Fuson.

By Adan Shaikh

Habitat for Humanity (ReStore) Camrose team is preparing for their annual fundraiser that will take place on February 28.

Over the years Habitat has built 50 homes in Camrose with the goal to make affordable housing available for families and reduce housing insecurity. Through their goal they have brought joy to many local families by helping them achieve the dream of having their own home.

Habitat for Humanity Camrose helps middle-income families with stable jobs, own their own homes, by providing administrative, financial and educational support. “They still have to qualify for the mortgage but we help them through that process and financially prepare them,” said Jennifer Edmonds, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Camrose.

The organization does not make any profit from the build or sales of the homes and relies entirely on support from government, ReStore and community sponsors. Every year Habitat for Humanity Camrose hosts a fundraiser to invite, families, business es and community leaders to help them raise funds to continue their work.

This year’s Snow Golf Tournament kicks off at 1 p.m. at Habitat’s ReStore location, where after an orientation golfers set out to different locations throughout the city, to enjoy a day of adventure.

“Your golf cart is your car, and sometimes participants dress up and they dress up their vehicles. The businesses set up holes at their locations, so it’s like miniature golf. Some holes are set up outside and some indoors,” explained Jennifer.

Players are given a scorecard with all the locations on them, and can use anything but a golf club to hit the ball.

“Last year the Camrose and Area Animal Shelter came dressed up as cats and they got little shovels that they painted to look like kitty litter scoops, so they used those,” shared Jennifer.

After the 15-hole course, the golfers will gather back at Habitat ReStore at 5 p.m. where they will get to enjoy a banquet and win prizes.

“Affordable housing in Camrose is a huge concern, so being able to build homes over the last 30 years has truly been a privilege for us and we need the community support to be able to continue to do what we do,” shared Laura Fuson, manager of family services at Habitat for Humanity Camrose.

This year the organization has decides to do the sale for 50/50 tickets online instead of in-person, which was highly requested at last year’s fundraiser according to Jennifer.

Tickets for the Snow Golf Tournament are for groups of four and include the banquet. Those who register before February 6 will get a free mulligan.

To purchase the 50/50 tickets visit: www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/hh-camrose and to purchase tickets for the Snow Golf Tournament visit: https://shorturl.at/M1fLQ

For more information or to purchase tickets in person, call Habitat for Humanity Camrose at: 780-679-7585.

Chamber presents annual update on Tourism Information Centre

By Adan Shaikh

Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce president Jennifer Fossen and executive director Aaron Morris presented the organization’s annual update, including a report on the Tourism Information Centre, at the January 19 Committee of the Whole meeting.

“The Tourism Information Centre serves as the primary, physical, visitor touch point for Camrose and the surrounding region, providing access for residents and visitors,” said Morris.

In 2025, 1,662 visitors stopped at the Bill Fowler Centre, where the Tourism Information Centre is housed. Summer remained the busiest season, with 1,187 visitors recorded between June and the end of August. July was the peak month, with 417 visitors.

“With the roll-out of our new information collection system we were able to collect more details on who was coming into the centre,” explained Morris.

Most visitors were from the Camrose region at 60 per cent. Visitors from elsewhere in Alberta accounted for 29 per cent, eight per cent came from other parts of Canada and three per cent were international travellers. Length of stay varied, with 24 per cent spending less than a day in Camrose and 14 per cent staying more than seven days. Twelve per cent stayed one to three days, while eight per cent stayed four to six days.
Most visitors were seeking information about Camrose and area at 22 per cent, shopping for merchandise at 21 per cent or asking about the Go East program at six per cent.

Morris noted 2025 was a transition year for the centre, with a revamped focus on current, local visitor information in partnership with the City of Camrose tourism co-ordinator. Updates included a redesigned, more open visitor space, the addition of a digital kiosk and expanded access to local and regional tourism resources. Retail and consignment offerings were also updated, including the introduction of Camrose branded merchandise and a made-in-Camrose section.

“As a result, visitors are now primarily supported through the Tourism Guide, the Centre’s most popular and frequently requested resource,” shared Morris.

Morris also highlighted growth in Camrose Chamber of Commerce programming over the past year. Monthly networking events expanded past luncheons to include business breakfasts and evening mixers to improve accessibility for members.

Signature events continued to draw strong participation, including Jaywalkers’ Jamboree and the Kick’n Country parade. The Chamber also hosted election forums and an informative business symposium focused on professional development and regional collaboration.

Advocacy remained primary area of focus, with the Chamber representing local business interests through engagement with municipal, provincial and national partners.

In October 2025, Morris presented Policy 27, which highlighted the concerns of businesses all over Canada, regarding the Federal Plastics Registry implementation. The policy received 90 per cent approval at the national Chamber of Commerce session and was formally submitted to the Federal Government for consideration.

Tourism Information Centre, Camrose Chamber of Commerce and City of Camrose continue to focus on increasing community engagement and growth as they move into 2026.

Augustana Community Awards Banquet

Blain Fowler, publisher of The Camrose Booster presented Camrose Booster Award to four recipients, from left, Chad Nichol, Nicole Rohr, Blain Fowler, Erin Droish and Amelia Gurski.

By Adan Shaikh

On January 27, University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus hosted its Community Awards Banquet, celebrating those who made their Community Awards Program possible. Each year, local leaders and organizations fund scholarships that support students in their academic journeys. For the 2025-26 awards, donors contributed $360,000 in scholarships and bursaries.

Jonathan Hawkins, faculty governance and academic processes officer at Augustana, welcomed guests with gratitude. “I am honoured as your master of ceremonies this evening to welcome you all to the 2025-26 Augustana Community Awards Banquet.”

He invited Miron Nekhoroshkov, president of the Augustana Students’ Association, to greet attendees.

“Your support plays a crucial role in the future of our students and we are so grateful,” said Nekhoroshkov, addressing the donors.

He shared the impact the awards have on student achievements and thanked supporters for their ongoing commitment of enhancing student lives.
Hawkins also shared a letter from MLA Jackie Lovely, who was unable to attend.

“For more than 50 years, the Community Awards Program has recognized outstanding students for excellence in academics, leadership and service. These awards reflect the best of what Augustana stands for,” read Hawkins, on behalf of MLA Lovely. In her message, she thanked donors for inspiring the next generation of community leaders and supporting them through their education.

Dr. John Parkins, dean and chief executive officer of Augustana, took a few moments to share an annual update of the Campus. “Welcome to our students, award recipients tonight and welcome to our donors,” said Parkins.

“We just learned that Augustana will be hosting the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women’s Athletics Championship again this year, so our athletics department is rushing and working hard to assemble what’s needed to host that this year,” he added.

“Congratulations to all the awards recipients this evening and thank you to all the sponsors. This is a very important event for our community and our campus. This banquet has been going since 1973 and it is part of a long tradition and long history of legacy that we are really proud of,” said Parkins.

City Councillor Agnes Hoveland and Camrose County Reeve Cindy Trautman also thanked the university for its important role in the community.

Bree Urkow, development officer and event organizer, highlighted the importance of the program.

“As John mentioned, it has been a year full of positivity and growth at Augustana. This is also echoed in the Community Awards Program, where this year we are honouring eight anniversary donors who have an accumulated 255 years of support. We also welcomed nine new awards which is actually a couple more than our average of seven per year,” shared Urkow.

Anniversary donors included Mike Johnston Vikings Hockey Alumni Award, celebrating 10 years; Hawkins Family Scholarship in History/Music; Stoddart Family Award; Ness Family Augustana Bursary and Feth Family Award marked 20 years; Camrose and District Fish and Game Association reached 25 years; while Lamb Ford Sales Ltd. Award celebrated 40 years. Garnett Radchenko MacKay, LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Award and the ATCO Award each marked 50 years.

“Your gifts build this campus, inspire greatness in our students and ensure that we continue to provide a top-notch experience,” said Urkow.

“It gives me hope and pride to know that people like all of you in this room, students and donors, everyone here are contributing to building a better and more positive world around us,” she added.

The evening also featured a student athlete panel moderated by David Rit, Vikings business operations coordinator. He led a Q & A with MacKenzie Mrazik of women’s basketball, Lainey Granley of women’s volleyball and Brayden Koch of men’s hockey. The athletes shared what it means to be an Augustana Viking. Currently, approximately 50 per cent of the student body at Augustana is made up of student athletes.

After the panel, student Kalli Cooper, recipient of the Gunvor and Erik Mygind Entrance Citation and Kroeger Joyce Inman Professional Accountants Award, spoke on behalf of all award recipients.

“This support has not only had an immense impact on my education but also on the individual that I am. These awards have decreased my financial concerns in regards to university and increased my overall enjoyment and belonging here at Augustana,” said Cooper.

“Your generosity has given me the confidence that we all need to be both successful in our education and in our lives. I can’t thank you enough for contributing to my academics, changing my life and supporting the individual that I am. I would like to acknowledge that I am speaking on behalf of all of the students here at Augustana who have benefitted from your generosity of donor-funded awards and scholarships. It is thanks to donors like you that students are able to continue their education, find success and achieve their dreams,” she concluded.

The banquet gave students a chance to connect with donors and share their goals and aspirations during their time at the university and beyond.

ÉCCHS Trojans February update

By Nadine Leming

February will be a month packed with activity for ÉCCHS athletics for basketball. The Trojan basketball teams are continuing with league and tournament play with playoffs just around the corner.

The grade nine teams started league play in the Battle River Regional Jr. High Athletic Association (BRRJHAA) basketball league. The boys team is off to a strong start with a 3-0 record. The girls are still knocking on the door with a couple of nail-biters fighting for a breakthrough victory.

The grade nine divisional championships will be February 23 followed by the regional championships from February 27 to 28.

The junior varsity Trojans are also vying for postseason spots at this juncture heading down the stretch. The boys are anticipating to complete the season at the top of the standings, while the girls are contending to finish near the top. Their Zone Championships are March 6 to 7.

The senior Trojans teams both had outstanding January performances. The boys are ranked seventh in Alberta among 3A schools. The girls are close behind garnering recognition in the preliminary ranking period.

The senior boys are perched atop Central Alberta Schools Athletic Association (CASAA) standings in first place. The girls are hot on the heels of the competition in second place after the month of January.

The ÉCCHS curling teams delivered a highly productive month in January as well, exhibiting teamwork, a strong approach to the game and sportsmanship on the ice.

These athletes executed impeccable accuracy, articulate communication and skilled decisions during play. This is sure to pay off when it comes to the upcoming area and Zone championships.
The curling teams travelled to Stettler for the area championship on January 30 to 31, and look forward to heading to Red Deer February 6 to 7 for Zone, aiming for a spot at provincials.

The students in both sports are to be commended for their dedication to both education and to athletics. This takes persistence and commitment to the games they love to play.

Corey Kucher owns a 1979 Ford F-150

Corey Kucher has owned his completely modified ‘79 F150 for just about a year now.

By Adan Shaikh

Corey Kucher owns a completely modified 1979 Ford F-150, and the truck wears far more muscle than it did when it first left the factory lines.

“The engine is 512 cu. in. with a 671 blower. It has overdrive transmission, CalTracs suspension, dual-quick fuel carburetors, four-wheel disc brakes and full frame-off restoration,” said Kucher.

The CalTracs helps control rear axle movement and keeps the tires gripping the road when the power comes on. That added traction makes a big difference in how the truck launches and handles under load and high-speed. Sitting on top of the engine are dual Quick Fuel carburetors, feeding the supercharged 512 the perfect mix of air and fuel. Together, those upgrades help the truck respond quicker on the throttle and make full use of the extra horsepower built into the drivetrain.

The original 1979 model year came out at the end of the sixth generation of the F-Series, and the half-ton truck was built for practicality rather than the powerhouse it is today.

Back then, buyers could choose from a range of engines that included a 300 cu. in. inline six, a 302 V8, a 351 V8, a 400 V8, or a 460 V8. The six-cylinder and smaller V8s were the most common engines seen under the hood of F-150s with the larger 460 being pretty rare.

“The engine and powertrain have both been beefed for horsepower,” Kucher explained, confessing that he hasn’t taken the truck to its top speed just yet.
“It started off as a 460 cu. in. and it has been bored and stroked out to a 512 cu. in.,” he said.

The original drivetrain in a 1979 F-150 was built to be the working man’s daily driver. Many trucks wore a three or four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic, depending on the engine and options buyers picked. Torque and reliability mattered more than outright horsepower.

What first drew Kucher to this truck was the engine.

“This is one of the four old Fords that I own. This one specially stood-out because I haven’t seen another Ford half-ton of that era with this engine combination yet in it,” he shared.

Whether Kucher is cruising to a weekend car show or rolling into town, the truck’s unique build sets it apart.

From its early reputation as a dependable workhorse to today’s lineup of modern, high-tech pickups, the F-150 nameplate continues to be one of the most popular choices for truck buyers in North America, for its capability and style.

Property values rise despite decline in development

Poplar Grove, located around 53 Avenue and 57 Street, was the neighbourhood that witnessed the largest increase in median detached home assessed values in 2025.

By Adan Shaikh

At the January 19 Committee of the Whole Council meeting, the City of Camrose manager of assessment, Travis Lantz and manager of planning and development, Aaron Leckie, presented their annual reports to the council. According to the report shared by Leckie, development activity in Camrose slowed down in 2025. The City of Camrose issued 241 development permits last year, the lowest total in a decade and about 35 per cent below the 10 year average.

“The largest decrease that we have seen comes from the total number of permits issued, which are roughly half of those that were done in 2016, but you probably don’t hear a whole lot of concern in my voice and the reason for that is that this trend that I have been identifying for the last several years, it is certain that we are seeing less permit volume but greater value,” said Leckie.

“As Travis alluded to and what we see in the development statistics for 2025 on our end as well, is a continuation of medium to high density residential projects which really is expected to continue to drive growth into Camrose,” explained Leckie, who also highlighted that this is the third year in a row for his department where they have witnessed multi-dwelling developments out rank single-family dwellings.

According to Lantz, property assessments for 2026, based on market conditions as of July 1, 2025, show residential properties making up nearly 79 per cent of Camrose’s taxable assessment base. Residential assessment rose from about $2.56 billion in 2025 to roughly $2.75 billion in 2026, reflecting a mix of new construction and market value changes.

“We have about 8,600 properties in the City and we maintain an extensive database of all those properties,” said Lantz. “We did about 2400 inspections in 2025 and we received about 1,000 back,” he added.

He shared that although the City’s assessment department spends a large part of their year reviewing and assessing property values in Camrose, getting direct feedback and information from the property owners helps the department generate accurate values.

Eight taxable developments were valued at more than $500,000 and four projects exceeded $1 million. These included multi- unit residential buildings, duplexes, fourplexes, commercial shops and industrial facilities. While counted as fewer permits overall, these projects made up a large share of construction value for the year.

Subdivision activity stayed slow with only six residential lots being registered or in progress in 2025 as the City continued to rely on a sizable supply of serviced lots from previous developments. Most new home construction is expected to take place within existing neighbourhoods rather than new subdivision phases.

Overall development slowed down but the City’s data suggests continued investment in larger projects helped support property values to rise through- out 2025.

AISH changes face mixed reactions

By Adan Shaikh

The Alberta government plans to change how provincial disability income assistance is delivered, with a new program set to take effect July 1.

The current Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program, known as AISH, will remain in legislation. However, most recipients are expected to transition to a new framework called the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP).

Under the changes, people applying for disability income support will complete a single application assessing eligibility for both AISH and ADAP. Applicants will be placed in the program that best fits their circumstances. AISH will continue for those assessed as permanently unable to work, while ADAP is intended for people with disabilities who may have some capacity for employment.

All current AISH recipients will move to ADAP on July 1, automatically. They would receive a transition benefit maintaining their existing AISH payment rate until December 31, 2027.

Some families say the shift could create additional barriers. “Unfortunately, realistically it doesn’t kind of turn out that way. With everyone having to get reassessed in order to keep their benefits. There are roughly 79,000 people in Alberta who get AISH. So they all have to get reassessed at the same time. What is that going to do to our healthcare system? Because it’s nearly impossible to get in to see a doctor now, when you have 79,000 people who all need to have these forms filled out at cost and there is no reimbursement for it,” said Terra Fleck, a concerned parent whose son has been on AISH for years.

She said she feels the change was unnecessary and that reassessments could add to the stress individuals with disabilities and their caregivers already experience.

Fleck said it was already difficult for her son to qualify for AISH, a process she said took about $5,000 and 17 months. The province says the new program is designed to reduce employment barriers while maintaining supports.

“People with disabilities should not be punished for getting a job. Every dollar they earn on a paycheque should be helping make them better off, not threatening their access to the medication they need. That’s why I am excited to announce the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that it will have on Albertans with disabilities,” said Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon in a 2025 news release.

Reassessments will be prioritized for those with the most severe and profound disabilities, including palliative cases.

Under the draft structure, ADAP would provide a monthly core benefit of up to $1,740, compared with up to $1,940 under AISH. The program would also include employment supports and allow recipients to earn more income before benefits are reduced than is typical in other provincial programs. Health benefits would continue regardless of employment income.

The province says AISH will remain fully funded and available to those who meet its criteria. Existing AISH applications will continue to be processed. Regulations outlining benefit rates, eligibility criteria and other operational details for ADAP are expected in spring 2026 ahead of the launch.

Sweeping competition

There was some intense competition during the 2026 Alberta Firefighters Curling Bonspiel held in Camrose. The winners of this bonspiel will move on to the national competition in March in Nova Scotia.

By Nadine Leming

The Camrose, Bawlf and Rosalind fire departments have band together, putting Alberta firehalls on ice. They were the hosts of the 2026 Alberta Firefighters Curling Bonspiel celebrating the The Alberta Firefighters Curling Association’s 66th annual provincial championship at the Rose City Curling Club.

This competition is an opportunity for participants to curl while fostering fellowship amongst the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of firefighters.
Thirty four teams from across the province were led out onto the ice during the opening ceremony of the bonspiel on January 29 by a bagpiper and honour guard. Comments from local dignitaries welcomed the teams to Camrose and encouraged them to play well and have fun. The familiar face and voice of Jackie Rae Greening threw out the ceremonial first rock.

Jackie is not only inducted into Alberta Country Music Hall of Fame and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, she is a passionate volunteer and curler. She has participated in the Canadian Curling Championships at the junior, women’s and senior women’s levels.

The winners of this tournament will represent Alberta at the Canadian Firefighters (CFFCA) Muscular Dystrophy Curling Championships taking place in March in Truro, NS.

The CFFCA is a partner of Front Line Support and Helping the Heroes Services. Front Line is an organization that raises funds for many great causes across Canada such as Muscular Dystrophy Canada, Burn Funds, mental health programs and children’s programs across the country.

Congratulations to Team Bartling from Edmonton as the winner of the 2026 Alberta Firefighters Curling Bonspiel. They will move on to represent Alberta at the national bonspiel.

Recognizing a local contribution

From left, Reeve Cindy Trautman presents Marian Williams with a certificate recognizing her contribution to the Food Artisans of Camrose County.

By Nadine Leming

Camrose County Council took time to recognize the contributions of a very special lady, Marian Williams, at the January 27 meeting. The County wanted to express gratitude for the substantial impact made by Marian in her efforts to establish the development of the Food Artisans of Camrose County (FACC).

Marian’s deep rooted support of the local food movement, with her insight of the sector and strong community connections, played an instrumental role shaping FACC into what it is today.

Marian was part of the Camrose County Agriculture Communications Committee when she started collecting an initial list of local food producers, their products and information for local restaurants.
This early guide evolved into a consumer-facing brochure, featuring their products and information for local restaurants. This early initiative grew into an extensive producer guide, including an online presence with social media engagement.

These tools continue to extend the reach for local growers, makers and processors to bolster connections between producers and consumers throughout Camrose County. The FACC has developed to include networking and educational opportunities for both cultivators and shoppers and most recently into the producer awards.

Marian’s leadership has assembled a strong foundation of community support for local food initiatives. Her pioneering ideas alongside her talent to bring people together, empowered a nurturing and collaborative community that fosters new skills that enhanced the quality of their products and grew their markets.

Her initiative contributed to a thriving and enduring local food landscape that helps bridge rural and urban communities allowing producers to be more accessible and receptive to consumers. The FACC is now transitioning into its next era under the Economic Development Department of Camrose County and will continue to build on the foundation founded by Marian’s dedication and will continue to have a long-lasting impact.

Her devotion to education, authenticity, collaboration and innovation aligns with the core values and mission of the FACC. It will continue to direct its activities moving forward, continuing the legacy set forth by Marian growing the local food economy and supporting local producers.

Reeve Cindy Trautman presented Marian with a certificate acknowledging her dedication and outstanding contributions to the FACC. Marian was also presented with some gift baskets filled with items from some of the food artisans that are supported by this initiative.

Cindy said, “I want to thank you on behalf of Camrose County and this region for being the start of the Food Artisans of Camrose County. Without you, it wouldn’t have happened.”

In response to Cindy’s comments, Marian replied, “I want to thank the council. Cindy, you were on the Ag Communications Committee that encouraged me to work with the Ag Services Office to develop our list.”

She continued, “I have a long history of supporting local food producers, but you gave me the strength to take it much broader. I’m grateful for your support and for the food producers that sat on the committee.”

After the presentation, there was a time set aside for Marian and council to visit with a few of the supporters that attended the meeting while enjoying a treats donated by some of the food artisans.

Marian commented on the recognition by adding, “It humbles me because I’m such a supporter of local foods and food producers. I’m eager and keen on doing that, so I don’t expect any recognition, but I am grateful for it and I do hope that it recognizes all the local food producers that we have in Camrose County.”

The recognition of Marian Williams was very heartfelt and sincere. It was an amazing tribute to a woman that has given so much of herself in the name of others. Her passion for supporting local is evident to anyone who has the privilege of speaking with her.

Bringing warmth to cold nights

By Nadine Leming

On February 28, The Open Doors will be the host charity for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk. This national campaign is an opportunity for tens of thousands of Canadians to get outside the comfort of their warm homes and support local non-profits that care for the needs of the clients they serve.

CNOY encourages Canadians to register as a team or individual walkers to raise much needed funds for their local charity who serves and supports vulnerable families and people. The Open Doors is our local charity partnering with CNOY to raise funds for their local programs and initiatives. The money raised through the fundraising efforts of teams and individual walkers stays within the Camrose region.

The idea behind walking through a cold and dark evening in February is to show concern for people who have no home and find shelter where they can.

It’s in support of those whose days are a battle to find affordable housing, feed their families or for those driven from home by violence, for people overwhelmed by isolation, not knowing where to turn. It’s in humble support with the knowledge that there are many people and families that are one paycheque away from living in their car.

Each step that walkers take brings someone closer to safety, raising funds for The Open Doors whose work and commitment is to transform people’s lives. The Open Doors are dedicated to supporting youth, individuals and families and provides programs and services that help them on their journey towards safety, connection and stability.

Everyday The Open Doors see the harsh realities of housing and food insecurity, poverty and social isolation, while they help navigate people to the necessary resources while creating hope, belonging and support.

Participating in the CNOY is important to The Open Doors because it reflects the essence of their mission and walks beside community members who might be struggling to meet the basic necessities in life.

To Mylene Garcia, executive director, this is more than just a fundraiser, it is a reminder of the resilience of our community, who experience the cold, uncertainty and hardship that so many face on a daily basis.

Throughout the history of this much needed local organization, The Open Doors remains committed to its vision of empowering people to reach their full potential.

Over the years, they’ve increased its services from just helping youth to including adults and families. By doing this, they’ve also expanded their catchment area to include East Central Alberta.

This reflects their dedication to meeting the needs of a broader, more diverse need in the community aiming to make a positive impact across the region.
Other services offered by The Open Doors include outreach, counselling, justice support programs, mental health supports, navigation services, life skills training and employment supports. All vital services for the people they serve.

The start and finish line for CNOY Walk on February 28 will be at the Chuck MacLean Arts Centre at 4 p.m. The routes will be well marked with bold blue CNOY signs and will include route marshals, rest stop hosts and support vehicle drivers.
Pets are not allowed with the exception of approved service animals.

To register as a team/walker, or to support a team/walker, go to www.cnoy.org/location/camrose

To find out more about the valuable work of The Open Doors, go to www.cnoy.org/theopendoors.ca

CMHA launches Push-Up Challenge

From left, back row, The b. class instructor, Sabrina Heydorn; The b. class instructor, Laura Smiley and CMHA’s Recovery College program coordinator and peer support worker Kristy McKay. Front row, from left, owner of Martison Health, Davin Martison and Caregiver Connections, Recovery College program coordinator and peer support worker, Harmony Halvorson. The group is excited to kick off the challenge and promote mental well-being in the community.

By Adan Shaikh

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) will be launching its annual Push-Up Challenge this week. The campaign encourages communities around Canada to perform 2,000 push-ups per person between February 5 to 27 to raise awareness about the mental health challenges many people in our communities face.

“The whole idea behind this is to promote how movement is great for mental health. So when you sign up there is an app where everyday you are given a different mental health tip and a different amount of push ups to do. You don’t have to do push ups you can go for a walk or do some squats but the real purpose is to have brave conversations around mental health,” said Kristy McKay, CMHA’s Recovery College program coordinator and peer support worker.

Every day 2,000 lives are lost to suicide and the challenge is designed to push for better mental health. Camrose branch of CMHA has started a community campaign and are encouraging residents to join in. Local families, businesses and organizations can form their own teams or join as an individual online through a quick form. Upon signing up for the challenge, participants receive tips on mental health, how to get ready for the challenge and how to run a successful campaign.
To kick things off CMHA has partnered with The b. class and will host a by-donation event on February 7 at 3 p.m. at Martison Health. The class will be led by The b. class instructor Laura Smiley.

“I am going to be leading a regular The b. class for the kickoff fundraiser, where I show that it doesn’t have to be push ups that help you reach your goal. I’m going to have all sorts of different songs in the play-list and cover everything from squats, lunges, jumping jacks and even some savasna for rest periods,” explained Laura.

The b. class is rooted in moves that help the participants connect with themselves, the music and the movement. The fitness class focuses beyond just physical health and aims to bring awareness to the soul of those dancing, using movement to promote mental and emotional well-being. Kristy encourages community to participate not with the intention of completing the challenge but with the goal of bringing awareness to mental health challenges as well as how great movement can be for mental health.

Members of the push-up challenge are encouraged to share their journeys and fundraising efforts on social media. All funds raised at this event will go towards CMHA and stay in Camrose and area, providing vital support needed for mental well-being.

To sign up for the challenge, visit www.thepushupchallenge.ca and pick the branch you would like to support. The Camrose branch is listed as CMHA Alberta-East Central. Pre-registration for the pop-up fundraiser is required as there are only a select number of spots available, and can be completed at www.martinsonhealth.com/studio/b-class

BRCF funds summer camp program

The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to Camrose Association For Community Living (CAFCL). Left, Neil Lunty, treasurer of the Battle River Community Foundation board, presents the cheque to Stacey Olstad, CAFCL program director, family services.

Submitted by Laura Young

According to CEO Robin Good, “The $15,000 in BRCF funds for our Summer Camp Program provides opportunity for all children and youth, including those with special needs to attend Summer Camp in a fun and safe environment. Without these funds, camp would not be affordable for all families. We thank the BRCF for removing barriers helping make summer special and accessible for all kids!”

As stated above, the grant provided to the Camrose Association For Community Living (CAFCL) from the Battle River Community Foundation will go towards the support of the two streams of summer day camps run by the organization. And while it might be hard to imagine in the middle of winter, leaders and campers are already thinking about the social, recreation, physical fitness and craft activities they will engage in this summer.

The two camps, Kandu Day Camp (ages 7 to 15), and Leaders in Training, (ages 14 to 23), are unique in that they are designed to facilitate the participation of those with special health and development concerns among their campers.

While all are invited to participate, and do, the nature of the camps has allowed the parents of those with health and developmental concerns in particular to know that their children have the opportunity to participate in a timeless summer experience while also being safe and cared for.
CAFCL was established in 1962. As per their Annual Report 2024-2025, they take a community-focused approach and are committed to enhancing skill development, well-being, and resilience among children, adults and families facing barriers, developmental disabilities, and acquired brain injuries.

They are champions of diversity, believing diverse communities help to foster vibrancy, innovation, understanding, and inclusivity. See their website for their extensive programming options.

The grant for CAFCL is provided by the Camrose Citizen Advocacy Legacy Fund, the Arie and Leny Vanderjagt Fund, the Ellard Dilworth Fund, the Rob and Brenda Hanoski Family Fund, the Rostad Family Fund, the Ken, Lori and Sean Ozment Family Fund, the Kevin and Allyson Gurr Fund, and the Battle River Community Foundation Community Fund.
The Battle River Community Foundation exists to support organizations in east central Alberta that benefit the local communities and positively impact the future.

Grants from the Battle River Community Foundation are primarily made possible through the generosity of individual donors and organizations that have created endowment funds. The principal of these endowment funds is kept intact, and the income is made available annually to support local projects and organizations.

What it means to be a Blackfoot man

By Nadine Leming

Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man is a documentary by Indigenous filmmaker Sinakson Trevor Solway who grew up on Siksika Nation about an hour outside of Calgary.

This film was crafted with gentle kindness and consideration, it offers a personal intimate look at what it is to be an Indigenous man, rarely seen on screen.

You can see this film, a recipient of the 2025 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award and the APTN Indigenous Spirit Award, during the 2026 Nordlys Film and Arts Festival on Family Day weekend.

The informative film portrays the lives of Blackfoot men as they grapple with identity, relationships, and the social norms of manhood. This movie contains unfiltered moments, uncovering conversations against the backdrop of the open skies of the prairies. Solway has reimagined what it means to be an Indigenous man and is an ode to strength, vulnerability and love that spans generations.

This film looks at fathers, sons, artists, athletes. Each exploring what it means to be a man in a world that often misunderstands and stigmatizes who they are. Solway grew up feeling like he needed to “man up” and took a quiet look at the firm and unyielding ideals of what that should look like.

In an interview with Jason Ryle, who is a producer, story editor and independent arts consultant,

Solway said, “This film comes from a deeply personal place. Growing up in Siksika, I was surrounded by specific expectations of what it meant to be a man.”

He continued, “I was a sensitive kid, trying to prove I was a man, or live up to this idea of what a ‘man’ should be. That struggle shaped my desire to explore and maybe deconstruct not only the image of masculinity around me but also my own relationship to it.”

In the interview, Solway spoke to how Indigenous men have been portrayed in the media has played a role in inspiring this project. He wanted to dispel the typecasting of Indigenous men as feared warriors. He wanted to pull back the veil to show Indigenous men as complex and vulnerable human beings and reclaim healthy expressions of masculinity.

Solway’s goal with the documentary is to resonate within the Blackfoot Nation and other Indigenous communities but also with people outside of them. It’s about showing the world, and themselves, that there’s more than one way to be a Native man.

He told Ryle, “This film isn’t about forcing answers or redefining masculinity. It’s about creating space for people to reflect, to see these men and boys for who they are, and to witness moments of vulnerability and strength. I hope it encourages viewers to look beyond stereotypes and connect with the emotions and experiences these men share.”

Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man will be showing at the Nordlys Film and Arts Festival on February 15. Tickets are selling quickly at www.baileytheatre.ca

Special Olympics

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

Special Olympics Camrose representatives, from left, Jessica Enns and Kate Wilson were at the west end location of Tim Hortons on February 1 for the national inclusion initiative. The doughnuts they’re holding were designed by a Special Olympian and were served across the country.

Intro to skiing for adults

By Nadine Leming

Have you ever considered cross country skiing, but weren’t sure how to get started? Camrose Ski Club has received many requests for a beginner adult learn to ski program and they are excited to announce that they will be offering an adult Introduction to Classic Skiing Techniques course.

This brief course will run for three weeks beginning February 7 to 21. Lessons will start at 2 p.m.

With the weather Camrose has experienced lately, the trails are looking well groomed and favourable for anyone looking to pick up a new sport or looking to enjoy the outdoors.

No equipment is necessary as Ski Club members can rent equipment for a rental fee.

Sessions will be at the lower level of Stoney Creek Centre in the Ski Club room on the south side of the building located at 5320-39 Avenue. Space is limited to a maximum of eight participants, so grab your spot early.

This course is free to Ski Club members, but if you don’t have a membership, don’t let that stop you from learning this fun outdoor activity. Non-members can purchase lessons by emailing rjwetter@gmail.com for more information.

For more information on the Camrose Ski Club and their programs, go to www.camroseskiclub.com

Winter Games

Nadine Leming, Camrose Booster

The U13 AA girls’ Wildcats and U15 AA boys’ Vikings teams will be attending the 2026 Alberta Games in Bonnyville from February 13 to 16, representing Zone 4. This is a great opportunity for both hockey teams.

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

Rising to the occasion

Lately I’ve noticed that my desire to know what’s going on in the world conflicts with my desire to fend off knowing about appalling cruelty and corruption.

Sometimes, when things are tough, we rise to the occasion. We deal with the crisis. And then some little thing knocks us over.

A woman once told me about the excruciating time when her family lost their three-generation farm. During the several years they could see the problem coming, they scrambled to fend it off. They worked harder; tried one more thing. But eventually they had to face their worst nightmare. The bank foreclosed. They had to leave the farm.
She said that during those years of unrelieved stress, their family held together, kept handling one more blow, did what had to be done, and managed to stay kind to one another.

“I handled all of that,” she said. “But you know what did me in?”

“No,” I said.

“The church organist for my son’s wedding.”

***

I got it.

Once when I was terribly unhappy in my job for a large organization, I had a similar experience. The problem at work wasn’t workload, though we often had to work long hours. What bothered me was we’d had a change in leadership. Everything we were told to do seemed to violate what I believed were the organization’s core values. We were trashing trusted relationships and destroying projects that had taken years to develop.

Hard work I could handle. But violating deeply-held values? No hope that I could influence what was happening? Being part of something I didn’t approve of? That was burnout territory.

As a single mom with children to support, I needed to work. I was applying for jobs all over but every door seemed to slam shut.

One morning when I turned into the alley for my parking stall behind the office, a truck was blocking the alley. I burst into tears.

That scared me. When I thought of things I’d overcome in my life, things I’d accomplished – and a truck blocking the alley did me in?

I knew I was in trouble.

***

Many of us are facing stressful times these days. And even if our personal lives are not stressful, we are impacted by stories of appalling events in the world.

Times of high stress and huge transitions are also a time when we are more likely to feel volatile emotions. We think dark thoughts. We look for someone to blame, to lash out. We manage to handle the big things, but little things can do us in.
This is a time to look after our own well-being, to do the things that keep us healthy. As they say on airlines, put on your own oxygen mask first. Then you can look after others.

It’s also a time to be kind to one another – as irritating as each of us and all of us may sometimes be. It’s a time when, though our first instinct may be to blast off, it will be more useful to back off and think of a mild response or a kind gesture.

Laughter is great too, if you can manage it. Some of the funniest lines I’ve heard were black humour during a dark or scary time. For example, a few years ago, my adult children kept me laughing in the hours before surgery. I’m sure that contributed to my easy recovery.

This is also a time to remember the good things that are blessings in our lives. Whatever our personal challenges, we in Canada are still more fortunate than most people in the world.

No magic answers to our stressors. No quick “feel good” solutions to our challenges. What we can do is be even more attentive and more responsible for the kind of presence we are in the world.

Kindness and laughter are catchy.

***

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.

Guest Editorial

A wonderful animal

By Arnold Malone

Most of all the national conversation is about people. We hear opinions about road conditions, how the weather is impacting our lives, political decisions, health care and an unending list of other matters that effect our race. Far too little talk is about all of the other creatures who are also trying to live on this big blue planet.

So, if I am going to write about an animal why not write about a big one, the elephant. Why? Because elephants are so very interesting. They have many human characteristics. They reflect joy, they can solve problems, they can use tools, they have a sophisticated social structure, they can purr like a cat, remember more than 60 commands, have extraordinary memory and have a mourning-ritual for the injured and deceased.

Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal, on average twenty-two months, or nearly two years. Their babies are big. At birth a baby elephant can weigh between 200 and 250 pounds (90kg up to 113kg).

Elephant calves can walk within an hour of birth and in two days can keep up with the herd. A female elephant will have a single calf every four or five years and might have as many as 12 calves in her lifetime.

Do not invite an elephant for dinner. They can eat 150 kg of food per day and they can produce over a tonne of poo every week. A fully grown adult can weigh 5 to 7 tonnes (11,000 to 15,000 pounds). So, it is a bit of a surprise to know that these large beasts can move at a rate of 25 km/h and are excellent swimmers. They also hang around for quite some time. They can live up to seventy years.

An elephant’s trunk is a multi-function tool, their Swiss army knife. It can hold eight litres of water. They don’t drink with their mouth rather they suck up water with their trunk and then squirt the water in their mouth. When swimming in deep water the trunk can be used as a snorkel. The trunk is also a sweet kissy thing. The trunk is often used to assure a new born or to greet another well-liked elephant. Trunk touching is an affectionate behaviour. There are no bones in an elephant’s trunk but there are about 150,000 muscles that allows the trunk to be a very adaptive device. The trunk is very strong and can be used for digging when they are searching for minerals for their diet.

Tusks are actually teeth that never stop growing. Unfortunately, the tusks are considered valuable material for ivory carvings. Many elephants are killed for no reason other than to harvest their tusks.

There are three species of elephants. An Asian elephant and two African elephant species; the Savannah and the Forest elephants.

An elephant’s skin, unlike ours, is very thick and is usually 2.5 cm deep. Their skin is very wrinkly which has an advantage in a hot climate by assisting in keeping the body temperature cool.

While we humans have a fascination for elephants, largely because of their amazing intelligence, the three species are all decreasing in numbers and there is reason for alarm. Sometimes we humans think we can exist without concern for other species but increasingly we are discovering the inter-connective relationships between all living things. As an example, very few people like mosquitoes but if all of the insects were to be eradicated human life would go extinct soon after.

The over population of humans on this planet is a threat to every other species. We need to learn to live with and have respect for a world brimming with others creatures.