airdrielife summer 2017 by airdrielife magazine

SUMMER 2017

Celebrating

WIN

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The Boys of Summer

Airdrie men who coach, cobble, cook, float, rock, wrestle and

INSPIRE 50 years of

8-second memories The Airdrie Pro Rodeo

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Contributors Our editorial team had a busy spring preparing this issue. Here are some of their favourite moments.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Sherry Shaw-Froggatt

COPY EDITOR Vanessa Peterelli

DESIGN MANAGER Kim Williams

Sergei Belski, photographer, Man’s Best Friend, page 75 One of the photo assignments that stood out for me this time was RCMP officer Mike Zinck and his dog Ecko. It was great to spend some time with them and see the dog in “action.”

Kristy Reimer, photographer, Getting Smarter, page 78 I love learning about new Airdrie businesses and supporting them as well, so photographing the entrepreneurs in the SMARTstart program is always a treat! Being an entrepreneur myself, I know the daily struggles and triumphs that new businesses undergo. The SMARTstart entrepreneurs are very lucky to have great mentorship in the program but it’s also important for everyone in Airdrie to help these businesses shine and thrive.

Dawn Smith, writer, 50 Years, page 97 Getting to know the faces behind the Airdrie Pro Rodeo was a real pleasure. For the past 50 years, the event has been volunteer run, with many hundreds of hours going into the five-day rodeo each year. The tradition started with the Lion’s Club when members wanted to celebrate Canada Day close to home. Since then, the rodeo has grown and evolved, but one thing remains constant: the many amazing volunteers who give so much of their time to make the Airdrie Pro Rodeo the amazing event it is each year.

Sara Lester-Vanderheide, editorial intern, Canada 150, page 26 Finding out how the community was going to come together to celebrate Canada 150 was inspiring. All of these different organizations hoping that their small contribution will equal to a birthday party for the record books makes me eager to see what the next 50 years will bring.

Wyatt Tremblay, writer, Dam Good, page 28 One of the stories I had the honour of writing for this issue was on Amit Arora, owner and operator of the Damit Amit food truck. He started his own business to have a “good life balance between work and family.” For him, the risk is worth what he gains – time with his wife and daughter. Stories like his reminded me of what is truly important.

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

CONTRIBUTORS

Seline Badel-Wong, Sergei Belski, Sara Chamberlain, Charlene Codio, Rafael Codio, Christopher Cottle Sherry Jenkins, Brahm Kahane, Britton Ledingham, Lynda McLean, Kristy Reimer, Kent Rupert, Claudia Sasse, Sherry Shaw-Froggatt, Dawn Smith, Wyatt Tremblay, Meghan West, Kathryn Zondag, Stock Photography: iStock by Getty Images

INTERNS Sara Lester-Vanderheide, James Mahoney, Jolene Rudisuela DIRECTOR OF SALES Wendy Pratt PRINTING Transcontinental DISTRIBUTION Sharie Tanner CONTACT US EDITORIAL sherry@frogmediainc.ca ADVERTISING wendy@frogmediainc.ca WHERE TO FIND US airdrielife is also available at more than 100 locations around the city, in every Airdrie showhome, at CrossIron Mills and more than 100 Calgary locations. airdrielife is also available at more than 100 locations around the city. You can also find airdrielife in every showhome in the city, CrossIron Mills and at more than 100 locations in Calgary. airdrielife is published quarterly by Frog Media Inc. with the co-operation of the City of Airdrie Economic Development Department.

VOLUME 14, NUMBER 2 | ISSN 1916-355X Contents copyright 2017 by Frog Media Inc. May not be reproduced without permission. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. EDITORIAL POLICY airdrielife editorial is not for sale. Editorial is completely independent from advertising, and no special editorial consideration or commitment of any kind can form any part of the advertising agreement. All editorial inquiries must be directed toward the editor. A copy of Frog Media Inc. Writers’ Guidelines can be downloaded from the editorial page on our website. airdrielife does not accept unsolicited submissions. Freelance writers and photographers interested in assignments are asked to send an inquiry, with samples from at least three published magazine articles, to editorial@airdrielife.com

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editor’s note

ummer! Finally! I hope when you are reading this it is on a patio with your favourite icecold beverage. We started working on this issue in -20 C weather and sent it off to the press on a bright sunny May day that was filled with promise. It was a hectic time trying to squeeze everything we wanted into this issue because well, honestly, there is just so much to talk about these days as Airdrie grows. The list of interesting people, places, causes, events and celebrations seems endless. I want to take a moment to thank the people who make it possible for us to tell all these stories: our advertisers. It costs a lot to produce a magazine of this quality and distribute it as extensively as we do. (Did you know we are in 100 racks in Calgary?) And we keep our racks around Airdrie restocked for a full 12 weeks each issue. We work with professional photographers, writers and designers and it shows. It’s a formula we don’t tinker with because the feedback we get is how proud people are to have airdrielife represent their community. You’ll find this issue focused on guys. We always devote our summer issue to men we find interesting and inspiring. From guys who make career changes for work/life balance (who knew being a cobbler or owning your own food truck would be so rewarding) to teachers who make learning fun and cool, we are happy to share their stories on our pages. Celebrating the good life in Airdrie is what we are all about and we have a great story celebrating the 50 years of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo (page 97). The hard work of so many community members is a testament to their love for the sport and Airdrie’s rural heritage. Inside this issue you’ll also find our Eat Play Stay tourism guide, which includes your calendar to fun, some great suggestions for dinner out and even a map of bike paths. (Did you know we ship this guide all over southern Alberta for visitors, too?) So make plans to enjoy and explore your city this summer with us. And join us online – we give away great reader prizes every week on social media, and you’ll find more interesting stories and photos at airdrielife.com

Sherry Shaw-Froggatt Editor and Publisher

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

the 91On Cover

the 91 On Cover

Mark Friesen is one of the cool teachers at W.H. Croxford inspiring students. PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

Mark Friesen is one of the cool teachers at W.H. Croxford who are inspiring students.

SLICE OF LIFE

PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

16 20 24 26 28 30 34 38 46

Picture This Beautiful Scars Bike Airdrie Canada 150 Dam Good Food In the Kitchen Taste Gibsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest Amazing Awards

HOME LIFE

COLUMNS & REGULAR FEATURES

33 42 44 48 64 67 70 84 90

Vinelife Healthylife Petlife Parentlife Homelife Designlife Businesslife Financiallife Citylife

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

56 58 60 66

Mantiques People Park Perfect Fit In the Garden

WORK LIFE

72 74 75 76 78 82

Evolving Technology Happy Cobbler Cop & Canine Staying Afloat Smart Start Automatic Education

LOCAL LIFE

86 88 95 97

Stronger Boys of Summer Ringside Pro Rodeo

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Sounding beautiful 20 • Tasting great 28 • Looking good 38

SLICE OF LIFE ARTIST PROFILE

rmed with a Nikon D610, a tripod and a light meter, photographer Darryl Bernsten likes to start days off from his job as head chef at HeatherGlen Golf Course when no one is around. “Usually, if I have an off day, and my wife and daughter are busy, I’ll leave around 5:30 in the morning,” says Bernsten. A landscape photographer, Bernsten’s love for being behind the camera came from the times he spent camping with his parents. “I started 20 years ago, and back then you had to wait to see if you shot the right moment.” These moments in particular are partially the reason why Bernsten started Forever Captured Memories Photography about six years ago. “When I go out and take pictures, not a lot of people are around, so I want (others) to be able to see that moment.” Some moments that Bernsten has been able to capture include trips to Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, and a moving trip to France. Bernsten has been able to capture moments from such trips as Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, and a moving visit to France.

Capturing

Memories STORY BY SARA LESTER-VANDERHEIDE | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

SLICE OF LIFE ARTIST PROFILE

“I started 20 years ago, and back then you had to wait to see if you shot the right moment” “My wife and I were walking around the memorial, trying to find the cemetery to pay our respects,” says Bernsten. “There just happened to be an area behind the memorial with no trees, and when I looked up, I went, ‘that’s the moment.’ “I will never forget that wave of emotion I felt as I walked the grounds and even a little bit of pride at knowing I came from the same country as the men who fought and died there,” Bernsten says. “I made a point of walking by, reading each headstone, and saying thank you to those who fought and died. “I took over 10,000 photographs on that trip.” Bernsten is a self-taught photographer with a passion for his art and the stories behind each shot. “I am always trying to learn how to master my camera,” says Bernsten. “I’ve bought a lot of books on things I find interesting, with the book series I read being From Snapshots to Great Shots.” The public has chances to get up close with Bernsten’s work as he is a member of the Airdrie Regional ARTS Society, visiting both the Genesis Place Show and Christmas Market. “If I am at an event, come talk to me,” adds Bernsten. “If I don’t have what you’re looking for at an event I can get it for you.” life

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

c i s s a l c e Th of k c ro SLICE OF LIFE MUSICIANS

l u f i t u a e B rs a c S EMBLAY YAT T TR W Y B HANE STORY AHM KA R B Y B S PHOTO

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

here are some things in life worth waiting for, and The Beautiful Scars is definitely one of those. This three-piece band of “seasoned rockers” may have only formed last October, but between them they have been “on the road long enough to build a country.” So says guitarist and lead vocalist Kevin Knopf. But age isn’t the story behind The Beautiful Scars, he insists: “If I’m taking your dollar at the door, what I give you better be something of substance, something that you feel good about when you leave.” Their collective experience, he says, comes through in their original songs, and in their love of playing live. “We’re a three-piece kickass band,” says bassist Darren Genovese, adding, “It’s important that the audience doesn’t think we were like the last band they saw, but that they got a show.” Drummer and vocalist Curtis Doherty, aka Curt Rock, agrees with Genovese’s comment. “There’s a lot of dynamics in what we do. There’s emotions in the lyrics, and the vocals ... this stuff really rocks.” Rock, a retired truck driver, lives in Airdrie and was playing in cover bands around Calgary before getting the call to join Knopf and Genovese. Genovese, who calls himself the “all-Canadian kid” – he works at a hockey arena – lives in Calgary with his wife and daughter, and learned to appreciate music from his father. Knopf, who was a well-established musician in B.C., moved to Strathmore 16 years ago with his wife and two daughters. The couple operates two businesses; a home theatre installation company and a gymnastics facility. Genovese is credited with naming The Beautiful Scars. “Scars are beautiful,” he explains. “Our wounds, our scars are what make us individuals; the scars are what we share with each other. They are our stories.” Scars may have inspired the band’s name, but their recently released EP – their first – is pure, high-energy fun. Rock’s attack on the drums is smooth and punchy; a perfect marriage to Genovese’s bluesy, walking-bass style. And together with Knopf ’s classic rock voice and effortless guitar work, The Beautiful Scars’ musical presence is immediately reminiscent of ’80s rock band Journey. Knopf writes most of the lyrics and music, but it’s a collaborative process. “I take the template of the song, and then give it to these wizards,” he says. “They come back with ideas and it then literally becomes a three-part project in writing a song.” Knopf met Genovese through a mutual friend and after playing as an acoustic duo in coffee shops they decided they needed a drummer. Genovese compiled a list of local drummers, and though Rock was last on the list, he called him first. “It was serendipity,” Rock recalls. “(Genovese) called and I drove out to Strathmore (the band’s live rehearsal space) and, wow, we just clicked.” However, he only had a month to learn the original songs for a gig that had already been booked at The Blind Beggar Pub in Calgary. They joke about how quickly they gelled, but attribute their cohesiveness to their years of experience. As for the future, they have a plan. “We’re gonna do something else that really nobody is doing, not since Johnny Cash or the Carter Family in the ’50s,” Knopf explains. The band is going to use the EP as a calling card. Armed with a snare and guitars they plan on playing live in radio stations, spreading their brand of rock and roll. “Whether it’s in Saskatoon, Lethbridge, Frankfurt, we’re going,” Knopf says. “It’s gonna be old school,” laughs Genovese. life SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

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Dental office brings smiles to those in need

taff of Airdrie Springs Dental (ASD) was positively overwhelmed with gratitude from visibly emotional patients during a free dental day on May 7. Around 40 patients were seen, and more than $15,000 of free services were provided, including teeth filling, extractions, exams and cleaning with eight volunteer staff members. ASD dentists Dr. Hubert Ng and Dr. Cheralyn Kelly were happy to lift some people’s burdens. “Hopefully it changes their outlook on life that they know someone’s out there helping,” said Dr. Ng. “We have a great community here and we just wanted to give back and make an impact on people.” He admitted it was hard to choose whom they could help, but the team was focused on helping single moms and families struggling to put food on their tables. “We talked about giving back and making an impact in people’s lives and that resonates with our staff. That’s why I think we have our whole team here,” said Ng. Dr. Nav Bhullar, co-owner of the clinic, said the idea for the free dental day was born late in 2016 from a common desire among doctors to help patients who couldn’t afford some treatments.

Left: The Airdrie Springs Dental team is all smiles after helping those in need

Dr. Ng and assistant work on a patient during the clinic’s free dental day

“I think a lot of people think that dentistry is elective and something you do when you have the funds,” said Nav. “But a lot of times it’s not, and a small problem can quickly become a big problem.” Office manager Lesli Ward said the team is on a mission to do whatever they can to lend a hand to the community. “We have a great group of young people working here and they are genuine,” said Ward. “I can’t be more pleased than to be working in an environment like this, because it matches my values.” Dr. Kelly agreed. “Helping people in need is so important, and being a part of something like this just confirms that I am in the right place with the right group of people,” she said. Mayor Peter Brown attended the event showing his support and congratulating the dentists on their outreach to the community. Two other clinics owned by this dental group participated in the charity event the same day. Collectively on May 7, the clinics treated more than 180 patients and provided $50,000 dollars of free dentistry. Two other clinics in Airdrie will be providing free services to their communities in the coming months: South Airdrie Smiles and West Airdrie Dental. West Airdrie Dental held its free dental day on May 28 and South Airdrie Smiles holds its free clinic on June 11. More information can be found on these clinics’ websites. The dentists and team members at Airdrie Springs Dental say they are committed to improving oral health in the community, and are hoping to make this an annual event. “Our biggest achievement in the day is seeing patients walk out of our doors with a smile,” says Dr. Ng. Those looking for more information on the clinic can visit airdriespringsdental.ca

“We talked about giving back and making an impact in people’s lives....” SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

Bike Airdrie

SLICE OF LIFE OUTSIDE

TAKING BABY STEPS ON TWO WHEELS PHOTO BY RAFAEL CODIO

“It’s about moving people. Getting people of

all ages and abilities around Airdrie safely and efficiently,” says the co-founder of Bike Airdrie, a membership-supported community organization founded last year by local biking enthusiasts James Ash and Cody Bell. While cycling around Airdrie to do everyday things, from grocery shopping to dining out, Ash and Bell recognized a need for addressing road closures, gaps and failing infrastructure. Ash points out that activities, errands and chores normally done in a vehicle can be done in about the same time by bike, given the city’s residential speed limits of mostly 30 kilometres per hour. Bike Airdrie’s long-term vision includes a change in infrastructure to make room for bikes on major routes. “Taking the (current) pathways and channelized intersections is not efficient, and can be dangerous,” Ash points out. On a larger scale, Bike Airdrie is dedicated to making biking safe, fun and accessible for all ages and abilities. From hosting events to leading rides and encouraging members to get out and explore their community, the organization aims to create a culture of biking that enhances the Airdrie experience. Spurred on by positive response and participation from the city’s residents, Bike Airdrie’s plan moving forward is to build a community of support. To encourage and support the biking (or soon-tobe biking) public, Bike Airdrie has some great events planned for 2017. Calendar highlights include Date Night Saturdays, Canada Day parade/fireworks meet-ups with fellow bike enthusiasts, a Bike Your Life Week challenge in July, and the All City Championship – a multi-stop scavenger hunt and race by bike – planned for August. In a perfect world, Ash would like to see Airdrie adopt the Copenhagen model, considered one of the best cities for biking culture in the world. He knows the transformation won’t happen overnight, or even anytime soon, but Ash is content to take baby steps in the right direction. “(Denmark is) light years beyond where I think we will get in my lifetime,” says Ash. “But anything is possible,” he adds with a smile. life

For more information, visit Facebook or bikeairdrie.org

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

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SLICE OF LIFE CELEBRATIONS

Canada 150: Airdrie celebrates STORY BY SARA LESTER-VANDERHEIDE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA.

See our events calendar for more happenings around Airdrie, including July 1 festivities!

With Canada celebrating 150 years, the city of Airdrie is pulling out all the stops. Celebrations officially kicked off on April 20, when Airdrie’s Nose Creek Valley Museum hosted Reel Canada’s National Canadian Film Day. What was the movie that brought Airdrie residents together? “Two showings of the classic Anne of Green Gables,” says Nose Creek Valley Museum curator Laurie Harvey. Next, something residents can enjoy leading up to July, flowers. “We started out by planting 750 tulip bulbs in the fall,” says Blair Lenton, City parks journeyman landscape gardener. The tulips, purchased from Home Hardware Building Centre, are the Canada 150 tulip, a flower that is both red and white to resemble the Canadian flag. Lenton says the flower beds will also include petunias, geraniums, snapdragons, canna lilies, rudbeckia, pansies, ipomoea, ornamental grasses, daylilies and dracaena, the majority also a combination of red and white in colour. “Introducing the red and white flowers to our parks is our way of contributing to the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday,” says Lenton. Also taking place in June is one of two projects being spearheaded by Creative Airdrie Society. Canada’s National Ballet School is hosting Sharing Dance Canada 2017, a free program aimed to teach citizens, young and old, a dance that is to be performed flash-mob style across the country beginning on June 2. “The National Ballet School has chosen a handful of key cities that will be hosting this project,” says Deanna Hunter, chair of the board of directors for Creative Airdrie.

Bad hair-days are inevitable.

An alumnus of the National Ballet School has been designated to teach each of the chosen cities. Calgary was chosen as one of those cities, but the alumni for Calgary lives in Airdrie, and approached Creative Airdrie to become involved. “People across Canada are learning a dance that was specifically designed to showcase Canadian culture,” says Hunter. “The Airdrie flash mob will take place sometime in early June, and then the dancers are going to dance in the Calgary one.” Hunter says anyone interested can come to one of the free classes (times and places are listed on Creative Airdrie’s website) or search for the rehearsal videos located on The National Ballet School’s Sharing Dance Canada 2017 webpage. “It’s just going to be the coolest thing ever,” adds Hunter.

acts for the concert stage, The Olde West Raiders will perform, and food trucks, balloons and henna will round out the event. The evening will come to a close with the fireworks display at Chinook Winds at approximately 10:45 p.m., weather permitting. Watts recommends keeping an eye on the Airdrie Parades Facebook page for all the latest updates on everything happening July 1. As for why almost three years of planning went into the Canada 150 parade and fireworks, Watts has an enthusiastic answer. “Along with Canada’s 150, Airdrie Parades is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so why not pull out all the stops and showcase Airdrie and Canada with a big event?” Finally, with the patriotic spirit still going strong, Creative Airdrie will be participating in the Canada 150 Mosaic.

“It’s just going to be the coolest thing ever” There will, of course, be the Airdrie staples on Canada Day 2017: the parade and fireworks. For the parade enthusiasts, previous guests including The Stampede Outrider Showband will be back entertaining on the parade route. Some new additions to the parade include the Jurassic Mini Monster Truck and The Olde West Raiders. As always, the recipient of the Soul of Airdrie Award will be taking the reins as parade marshal. “The parade is always so much fun,” says Stacey Watts, Airdrie Parades and Fireworks director of media. “It’s a chance for the community to ‘remember your neighbours.’” Following the parade, a family-friendly event will take place at Chinook Winds Park from 3 to 10 p.m. Katavállo Entertainment Group will provide

“Airdrie is participating in a Canada-wide public art project that will leave big beautiful mosaics in hundreds of cities across Canada,” says Hunter. “Each city is depicted on a train car, and if all the mosaics were ever all lined up, they would show Canada.” From Sept. 15 to 17, 400 citizens of Airdrie will attend workshops, tasked with painting a 4x4 square that will eventually be put together to resemble the community. When the mosaic is completed, it will be donated to the city to be installed in a public place. With a never-ending list of ways to celebrate, Canada’s 150th birthday is shaping up to be its biggest party yet. life

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SLICE OF LIFE EATS

Dam Good! FINDING BALANCE IN A FOOD TRUCK

STORY BY WYATT TREMBLAY | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

here’s a new red food truck making the rounds in Airdrie, with a menu much like its owner – bold, confident and just plain fun. Amit Arora owns Damit Amit, That’s Tasty, and this affable Airdrian has a recipe for success. “My whole business is based on my personality, which is out there, joking around, having fun. “Good food, good fun, good people.” Arora, who was born in Calgary and has lived in Airdrie for more than 12 years, is of East Indian heritage, and says that food and celebration have always been a part of his experience. “That’s how I see the food truck; it’s an experience. It doesn’t matter who you are … you come to my truck, taste my food; all I want is for you to walk away happy.”

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

Arora worked as a financial advisor in Airdrie for several years, but eventually quit, because he didn’t have “a good life balance between work and family.” He found employment at local golf courses, working as a marshal, bartender, and in managerial positions. But then his daughter was born, and once again he felt the call to a balanced life. “I was never home. I was always (working at the golf course), and last summer I just said, ‘This is getting ridiculous, my daughter is going to be four, and every summer goes by and I don’t see her.’” Arora decided to pursue a passion he has had since he was 12 – creating great food. “I’ve always loved cooking and messing around in the kitchen.” He found a used, full-service food truck on Kijiji.

It was a risk, and he was nervous, but Arora is philosophical. “Nerves are good. If you have nerves, you have fear; and if you have fear, you’ll care; and if you care, you’re going to do one hell of a job.” His wife, Jeanine, whom he met in high school, works in marketing and is in charge of promoting the business. “I couldn’t have found a better soul mate,” he says, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her.” How did Damit Amit, That’s Tasty get its name? Damit Amit, he explains, evolved from people unsure of how to pronounce his name. “I would say to them, think ‘damn it.’ So, from there, it’s always been Damit Amit.” Their daughter, Laya, is credited with the rest of the slogan that accompanies the colourful caricature of Arora on the side of the truck. “When she eats something she likes, she’ll go, ‘Thaaaat’s taaasty.’” His menu is “tasty,” including samosas, DynAmit Sticks, burgers, fish bites, chicken or shrimp bowls, and his daughter’s favourite, mac and cheese. The DynAmit Sticks are made with all-natural meat from Your Local Ranch Ltd, a family-owned business near Airdrie. With bacon and cheddar, or Jalapeno and cream cheese, the “dawgs” are wrapped in spring roll pastry and deep fried, and served with Arora’s homemade Bam Bam dipping sauce. Ingredients are important to Amit. “All natural. No additives. Just healthy food.” One of his long-term goals is to use social media to inspire weekly client-driven menus. “It’ll be like, ‘Ok, social media, what are you liking this week?’” he explains, “And then I’ll pick the top four.” Besides working events and catering private parties, (Amit parks in the driveway), he also provides in-house catering, using a client’s kitchen. But he prefers the professional facilities of the food truck. “I love my truck,” he says, adding. “I love my food. I love my family.” “I think it’s a good balance.” life

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

VERY BERRY YOGURT POPS

My go-to berries are a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. The lemon juice and berries create a tangy-sweet treat for hot summer days. Use your favourite berries and even try out flavoured yogurt!

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER PRODUCE

Mix it up: Experiment with your favourite recipes by swapping out ingredients for in-season items. Why not trade out chicken for eggplant for a summer twist on chicken parmesan? Go green: Local leafy greens are in abundance through the summer months. Stay energized for fun in the sun by making hearty salads or adding greens to smoothies. Try new things: Great deals on fruit and veggies provide an opportunity to try foods and flavours you may be unsure about trying out in the winter months. For every three veggies you pick up at the market, try to choose one new item that you haven’t tried before! Save some for later: Freeze berries on baking sheets then transfer to freezer bags to stock up. Root veggies will last well into the fall if stored in a cool dark place. Explore: Use hunting for the best summer eats as motivation to plan a weekend adventure or day trip. Visit a market in a new community! life

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If using frozen berries, thaw in microwave (about 1 minute) or gently warm on the stovetop (5-10 minutes). Combine the berries and sugar in a small bowl. Let stand about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The fruit will soften and become syrupy. Pour the berries and syrup into a food processor or blender. Add the lemon juice and pulse a few times until the fruit is pureed. Add yogurt into the berry mixture and blend. Pour into moulds and freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight. To remove, run hot water over the outside of the mould until you can gently pull the popsicles out. Makes 6 popsicles (3-ounce moulds)

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups fresh or frozen berries of your choice 1/4 cup sugar 2 tsp lemon juice 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt

HEAR T, E H T M O FR

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SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

SLICE OF LIFE COLUMN

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SUMMER SIPPERS

WITH KATHRYN ZONDAG

he longer days and sunshine have us making plans for backyard entertaining, relaxing and letting the cares of the week melt away. Certain wines simply lend themselves to summer sipping on the patio, and others are perfectly accompanied by great barbecue. The fun phrase ‘rose all day’ is more than fitting during our sunny months. While many people see these wines as a great aperitif, they can be stunning when paired with specific food choices. My personal favourites are drier French styles that have great mineral and red fruit notes. French Tavel is a perfect choice, and considering that only rose is allowed to be produced in Tavel, it is no wonder the winemakers of the area take their rose production very, very seriously. These wines are spectacular with smoked salmon, turkey burgers, and barbecued pulled pork. Do your summer festivities call for a lobster boil or crab bake? Sweet corn on the cob, and butter-dipped seafood, need a wine that screams ‘from the sea.’ Muscadet is a delicious choice, in particular ones that say “sur lie” on the bottle. These have a salty, mineral character to them that begs for an assortment of fresh seafood. If serious barbecue is in order, be sure to pick up a few bottles of Languedoc AC, and Zinfandel. Items drenched in sweet barbecue sauce can be tricky to pair with the right red wine; unfortunately, the sweetness of many sauces can cause your wine to taste bitter and flat. To avoid this, pick a wine that has a lot of fruit and a little sweetness to it. Zinfandel is a sincere friend of semi-sweet-style barbecue sauces, and ones from Lodi in California are particularly delicious. Smoked sausages and pepper-seasoned steak call for wines that also have a little smoke and pepper on the palate. French Languedoc AC, made from Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan and more are delicious options. If fruit tarts and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh summer berries sound like a great way to end the day, why not pair them off with a summery dessert wine? Fruity and floral dessert wines like Muscat de Beaumes de Venise will end your day on a high note, and are nothing short of summer and flowers in a glass. Whatever you are cooking or grilling in the sun, be sure to share and soak up the options with those you care about, because as long as the days can be, they usually pass faster than we would like! life – Kathryn Zondag is a certified sommelier, and holder of the advanced certificate in wine and spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in London, England

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

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Summer time means ice-cold beverages, fresh produce and grilled goodies, and our Airdrie restaurants are nailing the summer menu and entertaining experience perfectly. Summer flavours from Hayloft

irst & Vine just opened a two-tiered patio surrounded by shrubbery that makes you forget you are in town; if you squint just so you can imagine a patio in Tuscany. Chef Michael Frayne is brewing homemade iced tea (both alcoholic and non), but he’s got the best patio drink in town – the meadjito; a blend of delicious Fallentimber honey mead, mint and line served over ice. First & Vine has also launched their patio burger – a changing inspiration with local beef, pork, lamb or bison, handmade buns and fresh toppings. Watch for various feature dishes crafted with ingredients from their growing kitchen garden. Over at Hayloft chef Jason Barton-Browne is celebrating summer with Saskatoon-berry mojitos and rhubarb mojitos, wine-tasting dinners and –

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

(this is extremely cool) the Hayloft Outdoor Market. Yes, on Saturday and Sunday mornings, Hayloft is selling fresh produce from their local suppliers, outside the doors in the early-day sun. Those local suppliers are also the reason you will discover the following goodies on the menu – wild mushrooms, fava beans, fresh fruit, sorrel, garlic scapes and edible flowers. Even local duck from Carstairs is making the menu! Watch for some of last summer’s favourites getting a tweak, such as Seared Steelhead Trout with a wild rice and sorrel cream. Brunch and lunch is now available Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. After scoring those fresh ingredients at Hayloft’s market, walk over to Thumbprint Craft Beer Market and fill up your growlers. Nowhere else in Airdrie can you find this awesome way to enjoy your favourite craft

Summer bites from Abe’s

beer. Sampling from up to eight brews is offered so you can sip before you buy. The extensive collection of craft beers from around the world will keep you coming back every week to keep that cooler full of flavour for all your summer adventures. Over at Abe’s Restaurant change is afoot and you’ll be thrilled to see an expanded summer menu featuring Abe’s Perfect Summer Salad with quinoa; Texas barbecue sliders; and added to the brunch menu, hazelnut-banana French toast, chicken and waffles and California Eggs Benny. You can also enjoy Abe’s $5 Bar – every drink is $5 including a limited selection of cocktails, wine and craft beer. And they haven’t forgotten dessert – try the new gluten-free brownie with fresh strawberries. Summer at Sorso is the place to be. Sorso Espresso & Wine Bar offers a variety of cold drinks to beat the heat on their patio. Choose from refreshing cocktails, draught

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SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

SLICE OF LIFE TASTE

Summer is tasting great!

Ask about Abe’s $5 bar! All beer, cocktails and wine $5

Elevate your expectations

beer, sangria, buckets of PBR and 40+ iced teas, as well as great coffees. Sorso recently expanded their menu and we highly recommend the prosciutto flatbread with roasted apple and caramelized onion. Their drive-thru window also just opened so it’s even easier to grab their fresh roast coffee and an Egg Mack Daddy sandwich on the way to work! Watch for daily drink and food specials and take in the local art on display at Sorso, too. Bring on summer because regardless of whether you enjoy golf, you can enjoy the food even more thanks to the The Woods Restaurant & Patioh (aptly named when you notice visitors walk around the corner and say “Oh! I had no idea…”) Yes, the Woodside patio is the best-kept secret in Airdrie. New menu items include a pomegranate glazed chicken breast salad; a gourmet house-made beef burger piled with Montreal smoked meat on a Village Blacksmith Beer bun; and for your sweet cravings, try the crispy fried wontons stuffed with banana and marshmallow, drizzled in chocolate and served with ice cream If you can’t stand the heat … you know the rest and Social Supper makes it so easy to stay out of the kitchen except for fun. Sign up for DIY workshops, adult cooking classes and yes – kids camps! For the ready-to-go meals, Social Supper surveys followers for her menu choices so check in before the end of each month to plan ahead! This summer, Social Supper features lots of camp-ready meals (which are frozen and make perfect cooler packs!!), barbecue-friendly meals and dishes loaded with seasonal fresh tastes. life

Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Late Night Nibbles

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Mark your calendar for Sept. 21, from 5-10 p.m. at the Days Inn. This is your chance to have a fun evening sampling new wines, craft beers and spirits and finding a few new selections for your home bar and cellar.

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Look for samplings from our TASTE restaurant partners, too! Follow TASTEairdrie on Facebook for the latest details!

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

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GET THE BEST PRICE FIRST NO HAGGLING REQUIRED

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The MAN-over

SLICE OF LIFE MAKEOVER

STORY BY SELINE BADEL-WONG PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

A Fine Gibson

n the last issue of airdrielife we put out a call for women to nominate their man for a makeover. Or, as it became coined ... a “man-over.” Tracy Cole wrote to us about her hard-working hubby, Gibson Cole. Describing him like a hero she wrote, “My husband is constantly helping with the cooking, cleaning, yard work and car maintenance ... you name it ... even after working a 10-hour shift outside on his feet all day.” As an Air Canada luggage attendant Gibson works long, hard shifts in sometimes-extreme weather conditions. With no requirement to dress up for work (unless he is taking an Air Canada flight) he has maintained a frugal stance on buying clothes and on his personal grooming. Gibson often shops at secondhand stores, wears hand-me-downs and shaves his own head. An avid snowboarder in the winter, he tends to grow a long, fuzzy, warm beard to keep his face shielded at work or at play. Then, in the summer, he shaves it all off to stay cool while skateboarding. In fact, Gibson hadn’t had a proper haircut in four years when he grew his hair for the Oneball Fundraiser in support of patients with testicular cancer. It is a cause very dear to his heart, since he had testicular cancer himself five years ago. Although he is now considered cancer free, after having surgery, his diagnosis and still-yearly checks never let him take his health for granted. I could have never asked for a better man-over candidate. I met Gibson at CrossIron Mills and immediately knew he was perfect. Not only did he have long locks and a beard helping to make for a dramatic transformation, but he had a very sweet demeanor, and was open minded and willing to try something new. One of the things I wanted him to do was let Wendy at The Hair Lounge work her magic on his tresses, leaving him with a clean-cut coif. Gibson also parted with the long shaggy beard and proved his wife right when she said, “Underneath all that hair, my husband is so handsome.” When it came time to add clothes to the new look, I headed straight to Sully’s at CrossIron Mills, though they also have an Airdrie location. I wanted to find pieces in which Gibson would feel comfortable, but that would elevate his style of dressing. The first combination was a tailored blue button-down with short sleeves and a dark-brown khaki pant. Since Gibson plans to attend an upcoming wedding in Mexico, I showed him that dressing well could still mean being comfortable and within his style genre. I added flip-flops for footwear to ensure this combination would easily work in Mexico, too. Once I found this fun, canoe-paddle-print shirt, I had to incorporate it into our wardrobe plans. Especially after Gibson and I spoke about him

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

Your journey starts in Airdrie. Take the first step toward a rewarding career right here in Airdrie. Your future is closer than you think with a quality post-secondary education at Bow Valley College. Business Administration | Practical Nurse | Medical Office Assistant | Hospital Unit Clerk | English Language Learning | High School Upgrading Enroll now for Fall 2017 programs. Contact your Airdrie campus at 403-355-1910 or visit bowvalleycollege.ca/stay-local

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As You Like It

By William Shakespeare Directed by Samantha MacDonald

June 20 to August 27 Prince’s Island Park

Victors, Villains & Vixens Directed by Haysam Kadri Join us for a special presentation featuring Shakespeare’s most notorious characters.

Complete details at theatrecalgary.com Thank you to our visionary supporters:

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

SLICE OF LIFE MAKEOVER

This is your brain after reading our fall issue.

The Arts issue coming Sept 5, 2017.

Book Now: Deadline Aug 1 Street Date Sept 5 wendy@frogmediainc.ca

Flaunt your fabulous

“A new style and clothes help give you confidence and make sure people notice you and your hard work” 40

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

5/5/2017 11:29 AM

Look cool this summer! WIN sunglasses from Airdrie Eyecare ($350 value)

camping and going to music festivals with his wife and two children, I knew it would work. The shorts and runners make this style a little crisper and functional; he could even take a flight in this, while adding another element to his casual wardrobe. Finally it was time to get Gibson into a few jackets. After all, what is a man-over without a sports jacket? Both options give Gibson that well-groomed, well-dressed-man look. The lighter jacket, from Banana Republic, is a light cotton suitable for summer or warmer weather. The black jacket, from Sully’s, is a European design made with soft hoodie material, but crafted into a blazer. That makes it feel like you are wearing a hoodie while you look more made to measure. I paired both jackets with these amazing dark-wash Volcom jeans with enough comfort and stretch to do deep squats on a skateboard. I completed the look with a tailored, long-sleeve shirt with a polka-dot detail. I am a big believer that men should have a shirt with a feminine detail to soften their look and show a modern edge. It is not like Gibson is without an edge in his daily life, anyway. This loving father of two toddlers likes to have fun and is young at heart.

That’s why he has a requirement that most of his clothes work at the skate park, too, since he could be stopping by for a skate with his son. Gibson’s very passionate about skateboarding; he loves the camaraderie and enjoys the freedom it brings. With the growing population, he hopes Airdrie builds another skate park. Gibson thinks it’s a much-needed gathering spot and provides healthy connection among kids, teens and adults within their community. There is a well-known saying that reads “clothes don’t make the man” … but they sure help! A new style and clothes help give you confidence and make sure people notice you and your hard work. Our man-over winner is already doing an amazing job as a father, husband and contributor to the community. Having a team of professionals to re-style him was a lot of fun and helps put a spotlight on him. I hope Gibson can embrace the changes and use them to his advantage, even if it’s only until winter! life – Seline Badel-Wong is a personal stylist at thefashion-fix.com

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

SLICE OF LIFE COLUMN

Corporate Tax | Corporate Year Ends Personal Tax | Business Consulting

HELP GET YOUR TEETH TO AGE 90 or MORE healthylife

WITH DR. CHRISTOPHER COTTLE

D Looking for Retirement or Investment advice? Talk to me today. Carman Thiessen, CFP Financial Planner 403-462-7727 carman.thiessen@rbc.com

Chris Friesen, CFP Financial Planner 403-807-3010 chris.friesen@rbc.com

RBC Financial Planning is a business name used by Royal Mutual Funds Inc. (RMFI). Financial planning services and investment advice are provided by RMFI. RMFI, RBC Global Asset Management Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RMFI is licensed as a financial services firm in the province of Quebec. 36425 (11/2016) ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. © Royal Bank of Canada, 2016. VPS98671

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

entists who help out at retirement homes can tell you that the healthy retirees have their teeth. And that it’s no coincidence. Most people hope to get to the latter years of their lives with healthy teeth as they play a major role in longterm health. It’s important to be working every day in order to achieve that feat. Prevention is the key and that applies as equally to a perfect tooth as to a heavily-filled tooth that needs a crown. Prevention occurs every day at home with good oral care; proper brushing and flossing. But unfortunately, with all of the sugars and acids in our food, that is never enough. Part of ensuring good oral health is seeing your dentist and his/ her team regularly to ensure that you are taking all of the proper steps to get your teeth to age 90 or more. Isn’t a great day when you have your checkup and the dentist says everything is looking good? Dentists are the leaders of your dental health care team. They collaborate with dental hygienists, dental assistants and the reception staff to ensure your teeth and your experience at the dental office is as good as can be. Everybody at the office is focused on you when you visit, and working to help you get your teeth to age 90 or more. Dental professionals do this by checking all aspects of your mouth for gum disease, cavities, abscessing teeth that may not yet be causing discomfort, your biting ability and the function of your jaw joint. Anticipating teeth that could likely fracture, and looking for cancers in the bone and soft issues of your mouth, are other important steps. This cannot be done by your medical doctor; even they go to the dentist. It all starts with you getting your cleanings at the dental office at a routine designed especially for you. Everyone needs a different interval and that depends on how quickly you build up tartar on your teeth, which can be anywhere from two, three, four, six or nine months for most of us. Your registered dental hygienist will discuss your issues with you and make the right recommendations to help you get your teeth to age 90 or more. life

– Dr. Christopher Cottle is a dentist at Airdrie Dental Choice

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SLICE OF LIFE COLUMN

petlife

BEST FRIENDS

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

ogs are amazing, aren’t they? They’re our friends, companions and a big part of our lives. As much as we help them, they help us. Dogs study us in a more advanced way than we have them. They understand us on deeper levels than we can even begin to understand them. Our canine friends help us in our daily lives by being that soft, cuddle buddy with whom we can snuggle and share our love, but they also play an important role in guarding and protecting us. They can be trained to help us in important ways like being police, therapy or service dogs. Dogs have deeper senses than humans that allow them to take care of us in ways we never could, like warning us of epileptic seizures, and sniffing out cancers. Some say dogs can even smell hormonal or biochemical changes indicating something different happening inside of us. Even with the best of technology today, there are no man-made warning systems for these situations. Dogs really are amazing! My own dog, a nine-year-old springer spaniel cross named C.J., saved my life. C.J. was always a very snuggly dog, but she started randomly licking and laying on the right side of my neck. After a couple weeks passed of not feeling the best, I went to see my doctor. C.J. had been telling me that I was forming an aneurysm of my carotid artery! It was only a few millimetres from causing a major stroke and certainly death due to its location. She saved my life! How did she know? Dogs have an incredible sense of smell but more than that, they tell us when there is a change that makes them concerned for us. As a child, I was always fascinated by animals and loved learning about how they’re always helping humans. I decided being a veterinarian was the best way for me to help them. Now as a veterinarian, I am always very grateful that they will allow me to help them even though I must often rely on diagnostic testing rather than my “senses.” To this day, dogs continue to amaze me. I love hearing stories about how their amazing abilities or “sixth sense” saved other people’s lives, just like mine. Please feel free to drop by Happy Paws some time to share any stories with me about how your pets have saved or changed your lives! life

– Dr. Kim Barclay is a veterinarian with Happy Paws Veterinary Clinic

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SLICE OF LIFE CELEBRATIONS

2017 Amazing Airdrie Women

L to R: Nancy McPhee (Pharmasave Amazing Heart), Elena Mitevska (AWBA Amazing Promise), Sherry Shaw-Froggatt, Lovepreet Deo (Pureform Amazing Courage), Lisa Mundell-Lawrence (McKee Homes Amazing Leadership) and Amanda Delahay (Hassett & Reid Amazing Determination)

he 2017 Pharmasave airdrielife Amazing Airdrie Women Awards program wrapped up in style on May 12 with a sold-out luncheon at The Woods. Just over 140 guests enjoyed being treating as VIPs from the minute they arrived, with custom swag bags, complimentary prosecco and a gourmet lunch. Laughter ensued with comedian Cory Mack and then it was on to the emotional highlight of the day – the presentation of the five awards. Lovepreet Deo – recipient of the Amazing Courage Award (Spring 2017 cover) dedicated her award to her family and her trainer Dawn Sorsdahl whom she refers to as her guardian angel. Born with cerebral palsy, Lovepreet has raced for the past few years on a custom designed cycle raising thousands of dollars and awareness for the Alberta Cerebral Palsy Association. The event was especially emotional for Amazing Heart Award recip-

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

ient Nancy McPhee, who lost her husband Jim only a week prior and dedicated her award to her “Scottish Superman.” Elena Mitevska received the AWBA Amazing Promise Award, Amanda Delahay the Hassett & Reid Amazing Determination Award, and Lisa Mundell-Lawrence the McKee Amazing Leadership Award. (You can read about all the recipients and nominees at airdrielife.com) Another highlight of the event was airdrielife’s announcement of the formation of the Anne Beaty Journalism Scholarship. “We lost one of our own amazing women this last year, and together with her family we are happy to start a scholarship in Anne’s memory,” Shaw-Froggatt said. Anne’s daughter Sarah Christie said the first $1,000 scholarship would be awarded this fall. “Mom loved words and we are happy her legacy can live on in this way.” life Nominations for the 2018 Amazing Airdrie Women are now being accepted at airdrielife.com

See tons of photos from the AAW luncheon

Amazing Heart Award recipient Nancy McPhee shares an emotional moment

Life is better in flip flops! TIFUL #KEEPING AIRDRIE BEAU

FULL-SERVICE Jared Long (L) and Amy Forrest (R) with Airdrie Eyecare hand out the swag bags with Glen Williston of Davis Chev as guests enter the building

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Kathryn Zondag of Vine Life offering up some bubbly to guests

The Woods kitchen outdid themselves Comedian Cory Mack (background) had everyone in stitches

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

SLICE OF LIFE COLUMN

parentlife

THE POWER OF SHARING

WITH CLAUDIA SASSE

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CALL 403-289-5298 hometutorscalgary.com

Register today! Piano Drums Guitar Keyboard Bass Theory Concerts Exams Ages 5 thru adult All experience levels Locations in Airdrie & Calgary 102 2903 Kingsview Blvd. SE Airdrie 403-398-3951 info@skylinemusic.ca

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

t’s mine!!! Who hasn’t heard his/her child saying that at least once in a while? Sometimes we hear it more often that we would like…. Well, they are children and they are learning how to share, yes, that is right; but our job as parents is to teach them this very helpful skill as early as we can. I love the book by Robert Munsch called We Share Everything. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it especially if you have small children at home. The story begins with a boy trying to grab a book from a little girl’s hands and as the girl refuses to give it to him he starts to yell. That is when the teacher comes and says: “Look, this is kindergarten and in kindergarten we share, we share everything!” The message is clear: by kindergarten students should be able to share everything. The truth is, it’s not always like that. I taught kindergarten for a few years. It was a great learning experience, but having a child of my own has skilled me in the beautiful ‘art of sharing.’ I know, parents … it is not an easy task! Children can have such a difficult time when sharing their belongings, such as toys, games, books and even their own parents’ attention. We need to start early and slowly; creating a predictable routine that demonstrates to our little ones how to share their personal belongings is the best bet. The use of the words: my turn, your turn, somebody else’s turn should be part of the daily vocabulary when trying to incorporate sharing techniques. Being a good role model when it comes to sharing will also teach this lesson very quickly. We cannot expect that our children will be able to share their belongings when they hear us saying, “No, this is mine; go get yours…” Another great opportunity to teach our children to collaborate with others and share their possessions is when we take them to playdates. A conversation with our child (at home, please, never in the car when driving to a place) explaining our expectations for an ideal playdate is a must before leaving the house. It is important to reassure our children that giving something away for a while is not the same as giving something away forever. We can even use a timer to support this task; a visual and concrete tool can help much more than just words. Teach children how to use a timer when sharing toys with a friend. Set it for one or two minutes and let your children know that they can have the toy for that amount of time and when the time is over, they will have to pass it to a friend. Children will most likely use a timer at school, as well, if they are not already using it, so that will give them some consistency. There are a lot of other strategies that can support a child who is learning how to share. Talk to your children; ask them what you can do to help them to alleviate the anxiety that comes with sharing a beloved toy; create your own strategies; talk to other parents and to your child’s teacher. You are not alone! We all need a great support network to help us with the big task of raising a child. As the proverb says, “It takes a village.” That is so true, but above all, being patient and loving with our children will make everything possible. life

– Claudia Sasse is a mom, teacher and graduate student working on her master’s degree in elementary education. Born in Brazil, Sasse has lived in Airdrie with her husband and daughter since 2009.

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NEW SHOWHOMES OPENING SAT. JUNE 3RD Special grand opening event 12:00pm - 5:00pm 361 to 373 Ravenstern Link

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Join us this summer!

NEW SHOWHOMES OPENING SAT. JUNE 3RD Special grand opening event 12:00pm - 5:00pm 361 to 373 Ravenstern Link

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Ravenswood's parkland, green corridors and playgrounds have been strategically placed throughout the community, creating an idyllic setting that invites residents to stroll, cycle or just relax and enjoy the scenery. With quick access to Highway 2, residents can easily commute to Calgary, Cross Iron Mills or the airport. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FAVOURITE BUILDER FOR DETAILS

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homelife

IDEAS AND ADVICE FOR YOUR HOME, INSIDE AND OUT

Rusted 56 • Parked 58 • Planted 66

HOME LIFE DECOR

Cunning Mantiques creates authentic vintage home decor and furniture STORY BY JOLENE RUDISUELA PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

g n i g a v l Sa e Past th airdrielife.com airdrielife.com || SUMMER SUMMER 2017 2017

f you walk into Todd Cunningham’s garage, you may find an old trombone hanging from the rafters, a beat-up tailgate leaning against a wall, or a rusty tricycle that has sat unused for decades. Though antiques like these might be junk to some, the owner of Cunning Mantiques sees their value. Cunningham spends much of his free time finding vintage material and repurposes it into unique and rustic furniture or home decor. “My favourite colour is rust,” he laughs. More than two years ago, Cunningham began tinkering with some old antiques for something to do while recovering from surgery. After building up a collection of finished products, he started selling his creations on Facebook and the business took off. “At first it was just a labour of love, until I had a bunch of things that I knew I couldn’t keep,” he says. “The hardest part is not falling in love with everything.” An electrician by day, Cunningham spends his evenings and weekends scouring farm yards for unique items to add to his collection. After negotiating a deal with the farmer, he puts his art background to good use by repurposing each item. “My first inspiration, going back a couple years, was the difficulty in finding something unique and affordable that’s suitable for a space

that’s a little bit rustic like a man cave or garage,” he says. “It’s so hard to find pieces that don’t look cheesy or brand new, made to look old.” Cunningham loves the story behind every new find and always passes on a bit of its history to the new owner. Whenever he comes across a new antique, he tries to salvage a bit of authentic hardware, vintage nails or old barn boards from the same property to preserve a slice of the past. “You’re doing what you think is right to save something before it falls apart or gets buried in the ground or thrown away,” says Cunningham. “These represent memories of the past that people cling to. They might have a little bit of nostalgia when they see an object that reminds them of a place or person so that’s really what I’m keying into.” Though Cunningham comes up with the ideas for many of his designs himself, he also takes custom orders when clients bring in their own material. He says working on new pieces gives him an outlet to be creative and allows him to be himself. “I’ve dealt with depression for a long time and this is one of the aspects of my life that makes me really happy,” says Cunningham. “This gives me that little bit of freedom, a little bit of power and a little bit of personal space, and that’s exactly what I need.” life

“You’re doing what you think is right to save something before it falls apart or gets buried in the ground or thrown away” SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

HOME LIFE DEVELOPER PROFILE

“We were keen to create a place the neighbourhood kids would go nuts for … and make adults wish they were kids again”

A place to play

STORY BY DAWN SMITH | PHOTO COURTESY COOPER’S CROSSING

ooper’s Crossing’s new gem, Discovery Park, was opened in the fall of 2015, much to the delight of residents and visitors to the community. Located along Cooper’s Drive, the 1.5-acre park offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. Discovery Park includes two large play structures, a basketball court, a covered picnic area with a fire pit, and Horseshoe Hill. The park’s crown jewel, however, is its aspen forest underplanted with native prairie grasses and wildflowers. According to Paul Gerla, general manager of WestMark Holdings – the developer responsible for the family-friendly destination – Discovery Park was envisioned as a multi-generational facility. “To make a community great requires amenities that appeal to a variety of age groups,” says Gerla. “We were keen to create a place the neighbourhood kids would go nuts for … and make adults wish they were kids again.” Gerla says the park was designed after extensive consultation with youth, their parents and grandparents. “We sat down with kids and flipped through catalogues of the coolest playground equipment, and they hand-picked elements for two

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

awesome play structures,” says Gerla. “They also expressed a desire for a forest to explore with logs and rocks to climb, so we planted hundreds of trees to make it happen.” Gerla says the park’s green spaces were created to encourage imaginative play, explaining the trees will offer an-ever changing atmosphere as they mature. According to Gerla, the popular, spacious picnic area with room to park strollers and lay out snacks and gear was created at the request of parents. The thought put into the park’s amenities has resulted in a space that is well liked – and used – by the community, says Gerla, noting the space has also become a neighbourhood gathering spot. “It’s not uncommon to see multiple families set up camp and spend the entire afternoon playing, talking, sharing lunch with one another,” adds Gerla. Discovery Park is located midway between the Cooper’s Crossing central pond and the neighbourhood’s new shopping centre, Cooper’s Town Promenade, and is easily accessible by using the extensive pathway system found in the community. life

Insanely Outrageous

Alberta’s ﬁrst golf course to feature the GolfBoard! Tee Times: woodsidegc.com or 403. 686 GOLF 525 Woodside Drive NW Airdrie

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

HOME LIFE BUILDER PROFILE

Inspired Home Building STORY BY JOLENE RUDISUELA

or the past 37 years, Jayman BUILT has been providing quality homes at fair prices in many different communities and cities. Since 2015, the builder has been working in Airdrie, bringing that same quality to King’s Heights. Located in the city’s southeast corner, Jayman is offering front-attached garaged homes and semi-detached homes. Those looking to buy a Jayman build will enjoy spacious interior designs, perfect for entertaining. Different floor plans include various options such as two-car garages, walk-through laundries, and “His-andHers” ensuites.

Cordell Vos, marketing lead with Jayman BUILT, says the company prides itself in helping customers find their perfect fit. “We are committed to our “Best Price First” philosophy that ensures that Jayman has done everything we can to offer our customers the best design, quality and service possible at our best price – no haggling required,” he says. Jayman is a long-time leader in building efficient and sustainable homes that are not only better for the environment, but will help save homebuyers money and improve their health. With sustainable and high-performance structures, energy-efficiency options, reduced water

“At the end of the day, no matter how much we’ve grown, our core values have remained the same” 60

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

Life with a Storey makes yours a best Seller! consumption and improved indoor air quality, Jayman delivers one of the most efficient and reliable homes on the market. Though the company has been working in Calgary for years, Vos says the more recent move to Airdrie was a no-brainer. “Calgary’s suburban communities are really important to the growth of our community,” he says. “They inspire families to find the space they need to thrive and provide a place for friends and family to gather that isn’t in the already-packed city centre.” In fact, King’s Heights is the perfect location for commuters who make the drive into Calgary every day, with its close proximity to Highway 2. Located in the growing southeast corner of Airdrie, the community is also within walking distance of many amenities, including the newly developed Kingsview Market and Heloise Lorimer School. With many shops, services, restaurants and recreational activities at its doorstep, King’s Heights is the perfect spot to raise a family, enjoy retirement or anything in between. Jayman BUILT takes pride in exceptional customer service and takes all feedback seriously in order to improve every year. In 2016, the company was awarded the Avid Gold Award for Customer Service, the highest customer rating award in Alberta for a new home move-in experience. Vos says Jayman is getting phenomenal feedback from residents in the community and looks forward to continuing its work in Airdrie. “At the end of the day, no matter how much we’ve grown, our core values have remained the same,” says Vos. “Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it.” life

MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS

Purchases Refinances Debt Consolidation Rate Comparison

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P 403.804.3694 F 1.866.899.6813 E sherry@wemortgage.ca

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

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HOME LIFE COLUMN

Keeping the whole family comfy is just one of our priori es! homelife

WITH TRENT PITTNER

Full Service Hea ng & Air Condi oning Serving Southern Alberta for 23 years (est 1993)

ironeagle.ca 403.948.1333 708 East Lake Rise NE Airdrie

AIRDRIE • OLDS • CROSSFIELD • DIDSBURY • CALGARY • COCHRANE • Est. 2008 •

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

Summer moves! A

fter a long period of disconnect between supply and demand, Airdrie’s detached housing sector is finally in balanced territory. As I’ve said before, real estate is similar to a roller coaster; there are ups and downs. Demand in the Airdrie market has remained fairly robust relative to longer-term averages but significant increases in the amount of sales for single family homes below $425,000 has really been the catalyst for the first quarter of 2017. The most recent repetitive question I’ve been asked by clients, family and friends is, Have we seen the bottom? I believe we have seen the bottom and we should expect a very moderate incline in sales activity throughout the remainder of 2017. Recently I’ve noticed that properties priced correctly and presented like “showhomes” are flying off the shelves and in some cases seeing multiple offers in only a few days of being on the active market. This might go to show you that going the extra mile with touch-ups when getting your place ready to hit the market pays off. Historically it is very typical for inventory levels to climb in the spring market. The local builders scaled back Airdrie home starts in 2016 which in turn will help limit the inventory gains in the market this year.

It was reported there were almost 30 per cent fewer housing starts from January to October compared to the same period the year prior. Interest rates for prospective buyers are still very attractive. An April 21, 2017 update on interest rates provides a five-year fixed mortgage best rate of 2.69 per cent and a fiveyear adjustable of 2.35 per cent, which is still quite appealing for the Airdrie homebuyer or investor.

Smart, honest leadership with a vision for our community.

Marie4Mayor.com

“I believe we have seen the bottom and we should expect a very moderate incline in sales activity” Unfortunately, the market conditions are quite different in the apartment sector. The current inventory levels are very high and not flattering to an optimistic seller. Apartment sales were at the lowest Q1 level since 2009. Any sign of continued recovery in the energy sector could result in a faster rebound in housing demand, as homebuyers may start to realize rock bottom has come and gone. In addition, the weather plays a role with getting buyers out and actively looking to invest in the local market. So I say bring on the sunshine! My advice is to take advantage of these low rates and “make a move-up” this summer. If we remain optimistic about investing in the Airdrie real estate market, our city will continue to be the fastest-growing community in Alberta, ensuring our largest investments hold strong. life

– Trenton Pittner, Legacy Real Estate Services

Residential Property Management

587-296-3880

blackthornoakestates.ca SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

HOME LIFE COLUMN

IN FULL BLOOM E

gardenlife

WITH DAWN SMITH

very street has a house with a picture-perfect garden full of blossoms that don’t seem to fade like most flowerbeds do. For those without green thumbs, creating and maintaining well-manicured flower, herb and vegetable beds may seem impossible, but according to Simone Garossino – owner of Prairie Tough Farms, which specializes in locally grown cut flowers, plants and herbs – with a little planning and preparation, anyone can have the prairie garden of their dreams. For Garossino, who grew up gardening in Germany and now works her magic on a farm northwest of Airdrie, achieving a garden with all-season colour at an affordable price is possible even in our tough Chinook growing region. “It is about choosing the right types of flowers,” says Garossino. She notes building the garden around hardy perennials—with varying heights, colours and bloom times—is a cost-effective and proven method to ensure a summer full of blooms. Garossino’s cut-flower garden, which she uses for her subscription bouquets, typically begins blooming early with tulips, daffodils and alliums offering a burst of early-season colour that is tough to beat. Although these bulbs are planted in autumn, they come in a variety of colours and sizes and are nearly maintenance free. Many are perennial and will even naturalize, meaning you can expect bulbs to increase every year, according to Garossino. For an early summer showstopper, Garossino gravitates toward peonies, explaining although the shrub-like flowers with huge blossoms can cost around $30 per plant, the initial investment is worth it as they can live 30 or more years and produce hundreds of blooms. In fact, these hardy perennials can often be found in abandoned farmyards blooming happily away against the backdrop of crum-

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bling foundations. Little effort is needed to maintain the beauty of peonies, although Garossino advises city gardeners to cut the spent blossoms of peonies when they are done flowering as “they can look a bit messy.” Her perennial favourites also include poppies, which come in many shapes and colours, and campanula, or bluebell-like flowers, which come in many heights and colours such as blue, pink, white and mauve. Yarrows complete Garossino’s list of recommended perennials. She often pairs these fall-blooming flowers with sedum of varying sizes for fall colour and winter interest. Garossino suggests using annuals to fill missing spots in flowerbeds. For a cost-effective alternative to bedding plants purchased at the greenhouse, she advises direct seeding of beds with prolific bloomers such as bachelor buttons (which are one of the few flowers that come in a coveted blue hue) and cosmos. Both of these flowers come in a wide variety of colours and, if you trim the spent blooms, will continue to bloom well into the fall, she says. Hollyhocks are also lovely tall biennials that readily reseed themselves. “You can pick a spot and let them do their thing,” says Garossino. Whatever type of garden for which you yearn, some pre-planning can go a long way. According to Garossino, if you choose plants of varying height, colour and bloom time; mulch with untreated bark chips (but not cedar as it inhibits growth) and grass clippings; and use plenty of organic material, such as compost, sheep manure and worm castings, you too can have a low-maintenance garden that is the envy of the neighbourhood. life

find your house

To find out what your house is worth in today’s market, call me! Kathy Anderson

REALTOR ® Accredited Staging Professional

c. 403.969.2347

e. kathya@CIRREALTY.ca w. mouse2house.ca Executive Platinum Award Club

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

HOME LIFE COLUMN

WITH ANITA JUSKA

PHOTO CREDIT NEWPATHMEDIA

decorlife

Setting the stage

ith the explosive popularity of HGTV and decorating magazines, buyers are design savvy and selective when it comes to buying their next home. They have high expectations and usually very little time or money to renovate their new home right away. Buyers want a beautiful home in which they can picture themselves. Marketing and sales research shows that 75 per cent of buyers will shop until they find a modern, updated home which is move-in ready. In addition, these buyers will pay more money for that property because the home reflects the lifestyle they aspire to have. Effective preparation and professional merchandising of a property showcases that lifestyle and, in turn, justifies Beautiful furniture that gives a room purpose so the buyer can fall in love with the lifestyle. a home’s listing price to prospective buyers. Regardless of a home’s price point, if its appearance is marred by clutter, buyers will move on. This is because 81 per cent of buyers find it easier to visualize a property as their next home when it has been professionally staged. Many home-staging professionals and Realtors tell their clients that buyers are not so much looking for a house, as they are searching for the ideal lifestyle. Home staging is strategically designed to target the buyers likely to purchase a particular type of home. A professional staging consultant should not only stage a home to appeal to as many buyers as possible, but should also ensure that the presentation appeals to the target audience. This is why professional home staging has been shown to increase a home’s value by three to five per cent. It’s all about making a connection ... to sell your home, a buyer has to fall in love with it! An experienced and knowledgeable staging team will know how vital it is to maximize the value of a property so it stands out online – where more than 95 per cent of buyers shop. For selling your home, recommendations should all be real-estate based – not decorating tips – focused on making sure your home is set up the best way to sell. By enlisting professional staging services, you ensure that your home will stand out from the crowd and be remembered hours and even days later. Finding a staging company that specializes in real estate staging is a must. life

– Anita Juska is a professional home stager with Plush Home Staging in Airdrie

Just a room without character or purpose. Nothing for the buyer to fall in love with.

106 3 Kingsview Road SE, Airdrie 403.909.6511 plushhomestaging.com

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

Airdrie and area Show Home Map A quick guide to those advertised projects now selling in the area!

Bayside Pier 11 by Genesis Developments featuring Genesis Homes and McKee Homes See ad page 13 Bayview by Genesis Developments featuring Genesis Homes. See ad page 53 Canals by Slokker See ad page 3 Coopers Crossing by Westmark featuring Harder Homes, Emerald Homes and McKee Homes See ad page 102 Georgetown at Reunion by Slokker featuring Reidbuilt Homes See ad page 3 Hillcrest by Apex featuring McKee Homes, and Shane Homes See ad page 5 Kings Heights by Melcor featuring Jayman Homes

See ad page 43 Midtown by Wenzel Developments and Apex featuring Shane Homes See ad page 12

Ravenswood by Qualico featuring McKee Homes See ad page 49 Southwinds by Mattamy Homes See ad page 11 Vista Crossing by Dream Developments featuring Homes by Dream, McKee Homes & ReidBuilt Homes See ad page 45

Legend Townhome /Duplex Condos .com

Rear Lane

.com

Get more

Check out the interactive version of this map online!

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

Front Garage

online

Estate

worklife

MEET THE MOVERS, SHAKERS AND BUSINESS MAKERS

Evolving 72 • Cobbling 74 • Floating 76

WORK LIFE COLUMN

N businesslife

WITH KENT RUPERT

“There is an incredible optimism and entrepreneurial spirit in our community”

ot surprisingly, over the past few years, much of the coffee shop and online discussion is around the economy. Many believe the Alberta economy is starting to see an improvement while others are still feeling the effects of the downturn. In Airdrie, I have had many of those same discussions. In our community – like the rest of the province – we have seen residents lose their jobs due to weak global oil prices and some businesses close as a result of loss of revenue and spending cut-backs. It’s hard to watch that happen. But we have also seen many positive things happening as well. As economic developers, we are eternal optimists. Even in a weak economy we have seen many individuals take charge of their future and start their own business or change careers. Did you know that Airdrie has more than 1,400 home-based entrepreneurs that deliver products and services every day? Not only do they contribute economically to our community, but provincially and nationally. In fact, in 2016 alone, we saw 146 new entrepreneurs start their own home-based business in Airdrie. These businesses support the local community in so many ways and, in some cases, will grow into storefronts or office space. We know through surveys that more than 25 per cent of Airdrie home-based businesses want to eventually move into a storefront operation. Airdrie has an incredible reputation in Canada as a great place to start a business. Over the last two years we have seen new investment in the form of 42 new commercial or industrial businesses opening right here in our community.

Almost every week we are privileged to have a new business open up to service Airdrie. These businesses cross-represent many different sectors and types. There is an incredible optimism and entrepreneurial spirit in our community. Airdrie has a strong market and a great surrounding trade area that makes it exciting to open a business here. As we’ve seen over the past number of years the world is changing and we must change with it. Some of our old ways of thinking will not be sustainable as we move forward. Home-based business can now be million-dollar companies that are using technology to market to the world. We are seeing retail stores and even banks become smaller so they can use the internet as a complement to their storefront operations versus choosing one over the other. I always admire people who have a dream of owning their own business and my team and I are fortunate to see some very innovative companies start up in Airdrie. These businesses are the soul of our community. As residents, we need to understand and appreciate the risk these entrepreneurs are taking to provide us with the products and services we want and need. So, as we start to see more optimism in the provincial economy, I think it’s important to take the time to look around Airdrie and appreciate the diversity of our business community, and remember to support it in good times and challenging times. Stop in somewhere new, see what they have to offer and get to know the owner. At the end of the day, it’s about neighbours helping neighbours. life

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

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SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

WORK LIFE GROWTH

Evolving and succeeding PHOTOS BY CHARLENE AND RAFAEL CODIO

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

irdrie-based Evolve Surface Strategies has experienced phenomenal growth in the past 10 years, has muscled through the recent economic downturn and is now poised to expand its operations even more. In the first year of its operation in 2007, the right-of-way firm had 1,160 employee hours generated for clients. This year, it is forecasting that number to climb to 62,500 hours. “Longer term we knew the plan was always going to be to expand to other parts of Western Canada and potentially even in Eastern Canada,” says Brodie Allen, the company founder and today its president and senior project lead. “We’ve done some initial exploring but we feel it’s prudent for us to have sustainable growth. “We were able to muscle our way through the economic downturn. Our intent is to ensure we are efficient and grounded in our Western Canadian presence before we start dabbling elsewhere.”

These developments can range from a cellphone tower, to a municipality needing to widen a road, to the installation of a pipeline or power line. Allen says every development is different and the company, through its recent mergers, now has six core divisions – telecommunications, power transmission, renewables (solar and wind), oil and gas (midstream and upstream), transportation and municipalities. Allen worked in the upstream oil-and-gas industry for about seven years before establishing Evolve. At first, the business was mostly oiland-gas related. But the long-term vision was always to try to get into other markets. “We were able to get into other markets around 2012. It wasn’t until recent years that we did some mergers with some other talented firms that have really benefited us,” he says. “We feel now we have appropriate depth in each of our divi-

“I’m a firm believer that people are our products” Since June 2016, the company has grown through three mergers with Jericho Land, SunAgro Land Services and Traverse LandGroup. Evolve began in Calgary but relocated to Airdrie in 2010. Year one started with Allen and one administrative support team member. Today, the company has 48 employees company-wide with about 20 in Airdrie. Six people are in a regional office in Brandon and another four in a regional office in Grande Prairie. As well, satellite locations have team members working out of their residences in Lethbridge, Camrose, Winnipeg and Weyburn. Airdrie has proven to be a great location for the company’s head office, offering great accessibility with a well-connected transportation network and proximity to the Calgary airport. Employee retention is important for Allen and Airdrie’s size and quality of life work well for that. “We are accountable for community engagement and acquisition of land rights in order for companies to proceed with developments,” says Allen. “Development types could literally be any company that needs access to property.” “Two main things we need to get is legal surface rights and meeting regulatory requirements.”

sions. Now we’re shifting the focus on efficiencies and streamlining our processes.” Today, 50 per cent of the company’s business is in Alberta, 35 per cent in Manitoba, and the balance in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. “I’m a firm believer that people are our products. We don’t have widgets. We’re not selling individual items. We’re not a manufacturing company. We’re hired for our consulting services,” says the 38-year-old Allen. “Now we have all these talented people under the same roof and we’re slowly working toward streamlining our processes so we can become a bit more efficient. Hopefully evolve our firm into being leading edge.” “People skills are first and foremost,” he adds. “We can train the technical stuff and we have a bit of a diverse background of where people come from.” Allen says he’s blessed to have an incredibly talented, loyal and passionate team right from the company’s executive through to its client care team. There are a few team members who come from a traditional land agent program, with more of an oil-and-gas focus. Others come from a university background with majors in fields such as sociology. One employee is a certified mediator. life

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

WORK LIFE COOL JOBS

The Happy Cobbler PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

High-flying executive discovers the shoe fits in new career

ot too many people can say they are happy at their job so to call yourself the “Happy Cobbler” says a lot about how Sean Hunter is enjoying his second career. He laughs that he is probably the only cobbler with an MBA from Royal Roads University, but Hunter is genuinely in a good mood when talking about how he ended up fixing shoes in Airdrie. In 2013, Hunter had grown tired of the extensive travel required for his job with a multinational company; spending three out of every four weeks flying across Canada while leaving his wife Carman Theissen, their son Jack, 5, and daughter Kate, 16, behind. The chance to package out meant more quality time at home and he jumped into coaching and volunteering at school and with the Boys and Girls Club. By 2015, Hunter was ready to consider a new venture and partnered with friend Tony Gize of Airdrie Canvas. Together they bought the shoe repair business of Marwan Shlah, who was retiring after 32 years. Hunter trained with Shlah for the year and in 2016 they set up shop

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

inside Airdrie Canvas. Hunter says Shlah has been an amazing mentor and teacher. “There is no school for this and Marwan has so much experience, he works so fast, and it’s great because he still comes in and helps out,” says Hunter. Hunter and Gize (his nickname is appropriately The Soleman) are now members of the Shoe Service Institute of America and attending a conference in California in July to gain peer and supplier contacts, as well as more training. They’ve discovered shoe repair is a busy business in good economic times and bad. They also adjust footwear for prosthetics and people who have had hip surgery. There is a great sideline of repairs on baseball gloves and hockey equipment, too. “We are so busy now sometimes I come in at night,” says Hunter. Sounds like the shoemaker could use a few elves. “We want to provide high-quality service and our challenge is decreasing the turnaround time. So if anyone wants to learn the trade and become a happy cobbler like me, and be home with your kids every night, come and see me.” life

WORK LIFE COOL JOBS

Mike’s best friend T he loyalty of a dog makes him man’s best friend, but what happens when your dog also happens to be part of your job? This is the reality for Cpl. Mike Zinck and his dog Ecko of the RCMP in Airdrie. “Growing up I had a lot of respect for the police, and I wanted to be (an officer) at a very young age,” says Zinck. “I never once considered applying to the Department where I grew up because I was focused on joining the RCMP as soon as I turned 19 years of age.” Paying his dues on general duty, Zinck served his community both in Crime Prevention and Victims Services before becoming an Emergency Response team member. “At about eight years of service, I was accepted into the Police Dog Service (PDS) and became a police dog handler.” This feat is extraordinary given that out of about 500 applicants only eight handlers are trained each year. “As a regular member of the RCMP, a PDS applicant must be a high performer and have the support of his or her supervisors,” says Zinck. “Then, the applicant is required to volunteer his or her time to assist in training with a PDS handler for about a year.” “From there, the applicant becomes an ‘imprinter,’ and begins raising ‘puppies’ or potential police service dogs for the RCMP’s PDS training centre.” Applicants are expected to raise a minimum of two puppies for the RCMP, explains Zinck, but most raise three to five puppies before acceptance to the Basic Dog Handler course. They must also be able to run the dog handler’s Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) test. “What makes getting into the RCMP Police Dog Service so challenging is the fact that each applicant is expected to volunteer their time for several years while maintaining their duties within the RCMP,” says Zinck.

See more pictures online

STORY BY SARA LESTER-VANDERHEIDE PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

Once his acceptance was secure Zinck was assigned to his first dog. As he has been with the RCMP for 25 years and PDS for 16 years, Zinck is currently partnered up with his third dog, Ecko. The lifestyle is rewarding for Zinck, with helping people, fighting crime, and making the community safe as top priorities. “We love catching ‘bad guys,’ and dislike when they get away from us. “The coolest part about my job is watching my dog work,” says Zinck. “When he locates a missing person or criminal suspect, or piece of crucial evidence, or drugs, it is amazing and very rewarding. “I often reflect on how much training went into developing our ability, combined with the sheer drive and determination of Ecko, and feel very fortunate to have such a great partner.” Even with the training, several misconceptions always following Zinck and Ecko. “People often think that the police dog needs to sniff an article of clothing left behind by the suspect or missing person to track or search for them.” “This is not the case,” says Zinck. The other misconception that Zinck hears a lot is that the dogs are trained only to bite. “Yes, they are trained to bite, but our police dogs are very even tempered.” Zinck relates the dogs’ training to that of a light switch. “When it is time to go to work then our dogs are capable of getting the job done, but when the light switch is off, then our dogs are very social, and are great around people, including kids.” Of course, when Zinck tells the general public what he does for a living, he gets the ‘you-have-the-coolest-job-ever’ response. However, the reaction at the Department is a different story. “Most officers say either ‘I want to be a dog handler,’ or ‘there is no way I could do that job.’” “I have been blessed with three great working dogs over my career, and consider my job more as a lifestyle than work.” life

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

WORK LIFE COOL BIZ

or Rian Levick and Harley Harper, it only took one float to change their lives completely. Now, the duo have taken their passion for the therapy and turned it into their first business, Ascension Float. During floatation therapy, all sensory inputs are eliminated, including sound, light and gravity. Floaters lie in 10 inches of water containing 1,000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts, allowing them to effortlessly stay at the surface. The water is warmed to skin temperature and after a short period of time, it is difficult to distinguish between the air and water. “It’s like a gateway to finding your ultimate self,” says Levick. Harper adds, “It’s an opportunity to evolve as a person.” Harper and Levick both worked in the oil-and-gas industry but were very unhappy with the work. However, after hearing on a podcast about floating, they each gave it a try. Soon after their initial floats, Levick and Harper each booked a trip to Portland, Ore. to attend an annual float conference where the pair met for the first time. “I used to do shift work in the oil sands and I was just miserable,” says Harper. “I spent two thirds of my life in camp, my relationships were strained, my body was just beaten up and I didn’t like waking up in the morning.” He says floating was the only thing that brought him back up after a long two weeks of tough work.

Levick adds, “I floated and I literally had an epiphany when I was driving away. I sat up in my car, and I was like, I have to do this. It encompassed so many things that I was looking for.” With the same goal of opening a float centre, the two joined forces in 2015 to bring their dream to life in Airdrie. “A huge challenge was getting your name out there when 90 per cent of people have no idea what [floating] is,” says Levick. Harper says they are really trying to promote the benefits that floating can have for both your mind and body. When floating, there are no pressure points on the muscles and joints, allowing your ligaments to relax and the tension to leave your body. Harper adds that among the many benefits, floating can also help with stress relief, anxiety, PTSD and concussions. “Floating can offer something for everyone, even kids,” says Levick. Harper adds, “Even just having those 90 minutes for yourself where you can let go or relax, just to feel good again, can be very beneficial.” Ascension float has two different styles of tanks including a spacious float cabin and an open float pool. The duo have put a lot of work into perfecting the details of their business, from the overall atmosphere to the shampoo scents. They say the experience following the float can be equally as important and have created a space where people can stay and relax. “The post-float feeling that you have, you don’t want to cut that short,”

An idea that floats STORY BY JOLENE RUDISUELA PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

says Harper. “You want to hang out, you want to have a smooth transition out of that experience. We wanted to create an environment where you can feel relaxed and enjoy the feeling.” For first-time floaters, Harper says it is important to go in without any expectations because the experience is different for everyone. Also, sometimes it can take more than one session to fully relax. “For some people, it can take a few floats to let go and trust and give in and have the experience,” says Harper. “But some people have a life-changing experience in there. Some people cry out of joy and happiness; some people just go to the end of the cosmos.” Levick adds that they both believe floating can improve people’s lives. “It sounds ridiculous maybe, but I want to make the world a better place by providing an environment for people to feel safe, comfortable, and explore the inner workings of their mind.” life

presents

Know someone awesome? Are they creative, talented, dedicated, champions of Arts & Culture in our city? Then we want to hear from you! Don’t forget to use our fast & easy online form to nominate your pick, in any of our 6 award categories.

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YEARS 1967-2017

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airdrieprorodeo.com SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

Getting Smarter

WORK LIFE ENTREPRENEURS

id you know Airdrie is home to more than 50 well-prepared entrepreneurs thanks to a program called SMARTstart? SMARTstart offers tools, training, mentorship and business planning to about 20 people each year. The program, completed over an eight-month period, helps new and prospective business owners survive, and thrive, during the crucial first years. One of the biggest benefits of SMARTstart is the mentorship – participants are matched with a local business volunteer. Now in its fourth year, the 2017 cohort includes 21 entrepreneurs representing 18 diverse and interesting businesses. This non-profit program is designed and delivered by Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, City of Airdrie Economic Development and Community Futures Centre West. In this issue of airdrielife we meet six of the new entrepreneurs and their mentors.

STORY COMPILED BY SARA CHAMBERLAIN, AIRDRIE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

Jody

Erica

Entrepreneur: Erica Hatch Age: 39 Business: Balance Within Osteopathy Years in Business: 1 What business or business leader inspires you most: Walt Disney, Sage In five years I see my business: providing the residents of Airdrie osteopathic services. Mentor: Jody Keller Age: 44 Business: K.T. Keller Holdings Ltd. Years in business: 13 What I wish I knew then that I know now: Review your business plan regularly.

Entrepreneur: Vladimir Gonzalez Age: 45 Business: Maxi Foods, authentic Mexican food Years in Business (if applicable): Idea stage What business or business leader inspires you most: Cesar Millan, a.k.a The Dog Whisperer. He arrived to the United States with no English and was homeless for two months. He followed his passion and over the time he helped people work through behavioral issues they were having with their dogs. In five years I see my business: generating $720,000 in yearly sales, with at least eight employees. Mentor: Sid Van der Meer Age: 60 Business: Retired owner of Northwest Equipment Ltd. Years in business: 31 What I wish I knew then that I know now: That there is a lot more to running a successful business than just being a good salesman. Many businesses start out doing what they do best and end up doing what they are not good at “running a business.”

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

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SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

WORK LIFE ENTREPRENEURS

Entrepreneurs: Adam Boccinfuso, Veronica Boccinfuso Age: 34, 28 Business: Bocc Home Inspections Ltd. Years in Business: 2 What business or business leader inspires you most: Adam: Kevin Simpson, my former business coach, who runs two very successful businesses in Canmore; and Chris Odd, a fellow home inspector, who acted as a mentor for me. Veronica: I am inspired by all the winners of the Airdrie Business Awards; listening to their speeches they all had similar things in common: perseverance, community involvement and creative solutions to better serve their target market. In five years we see our business: As one of the most trusted, reliable and respected home inspection companies in Airdrie and Calgary area. We envision our company expanding with a team of personable and knowledgeable inspectors.

Adam Kari Veronica

Mentor: Kari Lines Age: 36 Business: Budget Blinds of Airdrie Years in business: 9 What I wish I knew then that I know now: There are going to be ups and downs. Enjoy the ups and don’t get discouraged during the downs. Work smart and hard, and learn as much as you can by attending training courses, reading books, or meeting with networking partners and mentors.

Gary

Heather

Maryanne

Entrepreneurs: Heather Dunbar, Maryanne Warnke Age: 57, 56 Business: Home “Maid” Help Years in Business: 1 What business or business leader inspires you most: Heather: My brother Warren who successfully ran a business for more than 30 years and just recently retired. Maryanne: Brett Barclay. He is successful, stays positive and has strong leadership skills. In five years we see our business: Being successful with enough growth that we will have employees working with/for us while maintaining a strong clientele. Mentor: Gary Armstrong Age: 58 Business: Empowered Employee Education Years in business: 7 What I wish I knew then that I know now: Sales drive business. Sales is not necessarily selling. It is, without question though, serving.

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

Tracy Heather

Entrepreneur: Heather Doyle Age: 54 Business: Loving Hands Partners in Care Years in Business (if applicable): Opened January 2017 What business or business leader inspires you most: From a community perspective, Magic Mountain Daycare is very impressive and is a model I would like to mirror. In five years I see my business: To be a valued leader in my community and to continue to grow, expanding to other communities. Mentor: Tracy Goodbrand Age: 53 Business: Irricana Kountry Kennel Years in business: 30+ What I wish I knew then that I know now: Find and take full advantage of a business coach so you don’t have to re-invent the wheel.

Jennifer L.

Entrepreneur: Jennifer Lisoway Age: 34 Business: Pure Creations Events & Design Years in Business: 1 What business or business leader inspires you most: My inspiration comes from many avenues. My many years at WestJet have shown me to be diverse and ever changing. My biggest inspiration is my mom; she has overcome many obstacles and has run a successful hair salon for over 20 years. In five years I see my business: Offering a variety of services and branching out to create a network with other vendors and within our community.

Jennifer B.

Sid

Mentor: Jennifer Benner Age: 39 Business: Benner Database Designs Years in business: 8 What I wish I knew then that I know now: I wish I had realized that it’s okay to say no once in a while. It’s very easy to lose focus when you are being distracted by other people, projects or things. I should have been more strategic in my commitments.

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

Shop Talk

WORK LIFE LEARNING

Rocky View Schools Mechanics Training Centre

PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

Students Silas Hopman, Gavin Sharlow and Tyler Le Cheminant, work on a vehicle with lead instructor Stephen Teasdale (second from left)

“It’s a great experience; you get to work with the tools you don’t usually find in a high school and I am getting real skills I can use” 82

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

inkering on cars sounds like a fun way to spend the day. What if you could be doing that during school hours? That is exactly what Grade 10 to 12 students at the Rocky View Schools Mechanics Training Centre on the back lot of Cam Clark Ford do during the school year. Since about 2000, Rocky View Schools has facilitated a partnership with Cam Clark Ford to provide education to students interested in the trade of automotive mechanics. To support this program, Cam Clark Ford provides a licensed Ford technician onsite most days. They also provide and maintain all major mechanical equipment located in the shop. Tom van Wieringen with Cam Clark keeps a watchful eye on the students to ensure they are doing everything to code and provides real-world feedback since the students are working on actual vehicles belonging to customers. Lead instructor Stephen Teasdale, a licensed mechanic who switched gears to teaching in 2011, says his goal is to facilitate learning that challenges each student to work to the best of their ability, and says with a hands-on experience like this it’s 30 per cent theory and 70 per cent practice. From recycling an entire vehicle to reconditioning an engine (on donated vehicles that are not designated to return to the road), the “tinkering” isn’t child’s play. And it’s not just the mechanics of being a mechanic that the students learn; it’s also about learning how a shop runs, how to treat a customer vehicle and how to expect their own vehicles to be treated when getting serviced. In order to accommodate such a workload, students spend half a day, every day, in the shop. Managing the shop and the program on behalf

of Rocky View is Melanie Gilliland, who looks after everything from the student application process to all the regular administrative duties of a shop, ordering parts and invoicing clients. Gilliland is also there to provide support to students with their studies and testing. “The best part of my job is seeing the knowledge and confidence gained by students through their experience in the shop dealing with real-life scenarios,” she says. Mech 20 student Silas Hopman is pumped about the education he is receiving. “You learn so much, it’s incredible. At the beginning of this year I went from not knowing what a piston was to taking apart and rebuilding an engine.” Approximately 1,900 man hours are spent on customer vehicles in the shop from September to June involving work such as tire and oil changes, brakes, steering and suspension repairs. At just under 4,000 square feet with four bays and three hoists, the space is well used with a maximum of 18 students per session (mornings and afternoons). Tyler Le Cheminant is a Mech 30 student who packed Mechanics 10 and 20 into his Grade 11 schedule to catch up after schooling in Building Futures (a homebuilding trades program with McKee Homes). He is happy with his decision, and now looking at post-secondary education to continue training in mechanics. “It’s a great experience; you get to work with the tools you don’t usually find in a high school and I am getting real skills I can use.” life To book a car for repairs with the Mechanics Training Centre, call Melanie at 403-948-4188 Tyler Le Cheminant and Gavin Sharlow get help from Cam Clark’s Tom van Wieringen (far right)

Jamie Leew and Cole Penner tackle an assignment

Tyler Le Cheminant is all smiles in the shop

SUMMER SUMMER 2017 2017 || airdrielife.com airdrielife.com

WORK LIFE COLUMN

financiallife

Protecting your reputation: understand your credit report and credit score

WITH SHERRY JENKINS

here is an incredible array of mortgages now available to Canadians. What many borrowers don’t realize is that the pricing of mortgages and other loans is based in part on their credit-worthiness. Consumers need to be aware of how their credit is evaluated by lenders, and how they can work to avoid so-called “bruised credit.” The good news is that by taking a few basic precautions, prospective borrowers can protect their credit report and credit score. Both are important. When deciding whether or not to grant a mortgage loan, lenders refer to an applicant’s credit report and score, along with a range of other factors such as income, employment history and down payment size. Generally, a credit score uses your past credit history to predict how you might manage your credit in the future. Canadian lenders use the FICO score, a number between 300 and 900, most often. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved for a mortgage.

Several factors are used to calculate credit scores:

• Debt payment history; • Amounts owed compared to your current credit limits with lenders; • How often you seek new credit; • Length of time you have had credit accounts; • Type of credit. Try to stay clear of high-interest lenders; and • Recent new credit.

Fortunately, there are steps consumers can take to keep their credit report and credit score healthy:

• Pay your debts on time – always meet due dates; • Borrow only the amount you can afford to repay; • Numerous inquiries for your credit report can sometimes worsen your score. However, multiple inquiries within a 30-day period for car or mortgage loans are ignored; and • Review your own credit file regularly. You can obtain a copy of your credit file free from Equifax (1-800-465-7166) and Trans Union (1800-663-9980). You can order more comprehensive reports, including your credit score, online from these companies, for a fee. For those with bruised credit, a mortgage professional can coach you on improving your credit score over time. They can also advise on how to get a mortgage despite bruised credit. life

– Sherry Jenkins is a licensed mortgage professional and founder of We Mortgage Team

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

locallife A C LO S E R LO O K AT YO U R C O M M U N I T Y

In the dugout 89 • In the ring 95 • In the saddle 97

LOCAL LIFE CAUSES

Community Links pulls all resources under one roof.

35 YEARS STRONGER AFTER

earing its 35th anniversary, North Rocky View Community Links is embarking on some big changes. According to executive director Brenda Hume, the not-forprofit is kicking off its Journey to One fundraising campaign, which will bring Community Links’ staff and programming – now physically separated in two buildings on Main Street in Airdrie – under one roof. Hume, who has worked at Community Links for 13 years, says the organization has acquired additional space in its south office, located on the second floor of 125 Main Street, and the entire north office will be relocating. She is excited about the upcoming changes. “I’m ecstatic for this to come to realization,” says Hume. “For the clients, we are creating that one-stop feel, as well as a comfortable, safe place for them to enter.” Hume says Community Links is looking to raise $928,000 in its Journey to One fundraising campaign, which will be used to renovate the space and move staff in by July 1. This isn’t the first big change for Community Links.

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

STORY BY DAWN SMITH

The agency, which Hume says served 12,000 people from Airdrie and north Rocky View last year, is an amalgamation of two local not-for-profits: Airdrie Family Services and the Family Resource Centre. According to Hume, Airdrie Family Services was founded in 1982 as a family day home program. Over the years, the Family Resource Centre evolved into an organization that primarily provides information and referrals, crisis support and rural programming for parents. The partnership between the two agencies began in 2004 when Hume and Penny Freeman, the then-executive director of Airdrie Family Services, jointly submitted a request to the Alberta Family Link Centre to become a member organization. The outcome was the Airdrie and Area Parent Link Centre, which offered counseling, day home services and other family resources. When Freeman retired in 2007, Hume was asked if she would be interested in amalgamating the partner agencies into one. She answered “yes” and the new organization was formed.

For more information about the Community Links fundraising campaign, or its services, visit nrvcl.ab.ca

Hume hasn’t looked back. “It was the best decision for the community and for the two agencies,” she says. “We created so much synergy … and we got a lot of kudos for it.” Although the organizations were amalgamated, they are still separated physically, and Hume is thrilled that this situation is now changing. “Individuals, families and children can come to just one location,” she says. “This is great for the community, for the people we serve and the agency.” Community Links offers numerous supports, including various forms of counselling; school programming; accredited family day homes; a toy and resource library; information and referrals to numerous partner agencies; and support for new Canadians and seniors, as well as victims of family violence and bullying. “We provide avenues to basic needs, (providing information on) everything from Airdrie Housing, to the Red Cross, to Alberta Works,” says Hume, noting Community Links partners with more than 150 organizations and initiatives. “It is meant to be the one-stop-shop for people to come and get connected with the right supports.” On average, 63 per cent of the registered charitable organization’s budget comes from municipal and provincial funding and the United Way. Community Links is responsible for raising the remaining funds to stay afloat. Hume says the organization offers vital services that can be life-changing for some local residents. One of those individuals is Jacquie Smith (name has been changed to protect her privacy). Smith, a single mom with a teenage daughter, tapped into Community Links’ services about a year ago after she left her nearly-25-year marriage to an abusive man. Smith says she was encouraged to go for counselling at Community Links by a child protection officer, so she reluctantly went. When she was first introduced to Cal Coleman, Smith was nervous. “I didn’t want a man (counsellor),” she says. “I was skeptical and nervous.” But Smith’s attitude soon changed as she spoke with Coleman, who gained her trust. “He was so non-judgmental, and he let me talk about anything I wanted,” she says, explaining Coleman provided her with the critical information she needed. He also treated her with respect and equipped her with the personal tools she needed to be successful. “He showed complete patience, acceptance … and he treated me like I was intelligent. He let me know that what had happened to me and my daughter was wrong,” says Smith, explaining in many ways her self-worth had been destroyed over years of abuse. After just a few counselling sessions and some homework assignments, including self-reflection and a list of suggested reading, Smith was able to move on. But she still felt supported by her counsellor, who not only shared his number, telling her to call whenever she needed to, but also assured Smith of her worth and her ability to make it on her own. Smith says Coleman’s belief in her buoyed her through many dark moments. “Every time I wondered if I could do this, I would look at his card and say ‘this guy believed in me,’” explains Smith. “It is a long road, but I don’t think I could have asked for a better start on that road.” Smith readily recommends Community Links services to her friends and family. “They give you the tools … to help you cope, and I seriously don’t think I would be where I am now without that hand up.”

r u Jo

BE WHERE I AM NOW WITHOUT THAT HAND UP”

y e n

COPE, AND I SERIOUSLY DON’T THINK I WOULD

“THEY GIVE YOU THE TOOLS … TO HELP YOU

Campaign As we celebrate 35 years of service in the community, we are thrilled to report that by July 1, 2017, Community Links will deliver services and programs from one location on the 2nd floor of 125 Main Street NW (Town Centre), Airdrie, Alberta T4B OP7. Our focus on the health and wellness of the community will be strengthened by providing “One Location” where individuals and families can continue to receive support and resources. As Community Links continues to meet the rising demand for services and programs, we are reaching out to the community and donors for their support to help us achieve our goal of One Location. In order to accomplish this, Community Links has set out a dedicated Journey to One fundraising campaign to raise an estimated $928,000.00. For further information on this campaign or donations, please call us at 403-945-3900 or I-866945-3905. nrvcl.ab.ca/journeyto-one

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

LOCAL LIFE SPORTS

Airdrie Brewer

Brotherhood STORY BY MOHAMED GANDOUR | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

he Airdrie Brewers are more than just a baseball club – they are a family. Homegrown; community owned operated and cultivated. “Out of our 17-man roster – 16 played minor ball in Airdrie,” says general manager Tim Kehoe. “It’s an Airdrie team – that’s part of the uniqueness of it … we got local boys playing ball and having some fun with it. “That’s a big part of why we are doing it … most of these guys all played together since they were eight years old,” says Kehoe. “They have known each other forever.” Members of the team play for the love of the game, community and camaraderie. And because the Brewers are a non-profit organization, players must earn the right to play. “They’ve got a little bit of skin in the game … beyond just showing up and getting everything paid for,” says Kehoe. “They are not professional ball players – we want them to be responsible with how we are portrayed in the community.” By day, Kehoe is a pilot with more than 30 years of experience. He currently flies for WestJet. “We had a couple of (WestJet) tickets (last year) – so we gave everybody tickets to (buy and) sell … to recoup costs. “We are not for profit … [not] a big corporation,” says Kehoe. Subsequently, the team survives (economically) through raffles, modest sponsorship, and money put in by the players. Fresh of off their inaugural season, the Brewers are looking to flip the script; not only in the standings, but also on how the team is run and managed as well. Toward the end of last year players were expected to become coaches as well; to take a more executive role and lead both on and off the field. When Kehoe and four other fathers – Dan Carefoot, Tracy Donst, Rob Rattie and Charlie Row – brought the team to life, that is how they envisioned it. To build a foundation; then hand over the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. All five men have sons, ranging in age from 19 to 24, on the team. “Myself and four other dads that have kids went through the Airdrie little league system,” says Kehoe, who has been involved in amateur hockey and baseball for more than a decade now. “You get out of little league and there is no more baseball ... you go play slow pitch and that’s all you have left to do.

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

“We got together and came up with an idea on how to get a team going and looked at a couple different leagues,” explains Kehoe. Ultimately, the team ended up joining the Parkland AA baseball league based on geographic and economical viability.

Speed, power, talent The product on the field makes Parkland AA very competitive senior baseball. Hitters at the plate can expect to see off-speed pitches in the 70s (mph), and fastballs touching 80. In its heyday Parkland was home to as many as a dozen teams, but now only features a little less than a half dozen. Urban sprawl and migration – ambitious young men leaving for greener pastures – are the root causes. Last year there were five teams; this year is still in flux, with Kehoe expecting to see four or five teams, maybe six at most. “It gets a little repetitive,” he admits. To alleviate the monotony, so to speak, the Brewers will look to branch out this season by entering a few tournaments. Whereby they will have a chance to play teams from other leagues. Their first priority though will be to improve on last year’s performance. “Our record wasn’t great. We won six, lost 12 … it was an eye opener,” says Kehoe. Especially for the new kids on the block who “thought they were big stuff,” says Kehoe, chuckling in retrospect. “Farm boys rippin’ the ball (throwing said kids off their game).” Now that they are in their second year and acclimated, the Airdrie Brewers are getting ready for opening day. And their general manager is hoping for a decent turnout; more support from the community, more locals in the stands cheering on the home team. “Get out and watch local boys having a good time on the diamond,” he encourages.“It’s a chance to … get some community spirit behind the team that represents Airdrie.” Opening day for the Brewers was May 27 at Chinook Winds, with lots of fun activities ahead because Brewers baseball is always a family affair. life

For the complete season schedule, visit Airdrie Brewers on Facebook.

“That’s a big part of why we are doing it … most of these guys all played together since they were eight years old”

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

LOCAL LIFE CIT YLIFE

DOWNTOWN VISIONING

STORY BY LYNDA MCLEAN

rom Jan. 31 to March 1, Airdrie residents came together through workshops, focus groups and online surveys to discuss downtown Airdrie – its past, present and future. Airdrie City Council asked staff to conduct this visioning exercise because a comprehensive public consultation program on the subject had not been undertaken since 1999. The response from the public showed a pentup demand to talk openly about new ideas for the downtown; evidenced by the fact that two additional focus group sessions were held in order to provide enough opportunities for all of the residents who wanted to register. In total, the City received input from 105 workshop participants, 97 unique focus group participants and 430 completed online surveys as part of this downtown visioning exercise. Through these platforms, residents shared their ideas on the geographic boundaries of the downtown, what they expect in the way of services and activities within downtown, what the City’s collective vision for the area should be as well as some of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Airdrie’s downtown at the present time.

“There was a general feeling of optimism and potential from most respondents” 90

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The main themes heard were:

•The vast majority of residents want Airdrie’s downtown to be better overall; • Approximately one-third of the survey respondents said there is nothing unique about downtown Airdrie. Of those respondents, most wanted something unique created in the downtown; • There was a general feeling of optimism and potential from most respondents. Many who participated wanted improvements in the downtown to respect the past history and still retain some degree of “small-town feel”; • Some of the common items referred to that give downtown Airdrie its “smalltown feel” included physical items, such as banners, special sidewalk materials and trees/plantings; but it also included some other types of connections, including the friendly people and atmosphere that many people experience in the downtown; • The general desire is to make downtown more walkable and accessible; • The geographic area on which 90 per cent of residents agree to be considered downtown is around the Main Street core. This is a much smaller area than the current Downtown Plan boundary sets out; and • Residents would like to see the City of Airdrie “set a vision and stick to it” and help the community with facilitation, negotiation and creating incentives for furthering downtown development.

In addition to the principal consultation formats listed above, several residents and business owners contacted the City planning department directly during the process to provide unique ideas or initiatives that could be incorporated into a future plan for the downtown, should Council elect to proceed with further planning. And in a specific consultation event with the Airdrie Board of Youth Affairs (AYBA), their representatives challenged all residents of Airdrie to work together to improve the downtown and to put forward “sweat equity” and “in-kind” donations of time, material and effort to make downtown more representative of the incredible community feel overall. life Details of the report to Council can be found at: airdrie.ca/downtown Questions about the process or next steps are welcomed via email: downtown@airdrie.ca

LOCAL LIFE INSPIRING

Duane Sovyn, culinary arts teacher

MEN with CLASS STORY BY JOLENE RUDISUELA PHOTOS BY W.H. CROXFORD MEDIA ARTS

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

LOCAL LIFE INSPIRING Aaron Nisbett, English teacher

hen we started looking this spring for male teachers who are making a difference, we were inundated with names from W.H. Croxford, Airdrie’s newest high school (which opened in 2014). In the process we discovered not only some admirable educators, but we engaged with students who had a passion for photography and let them focus their lenses on their teachers. Special thanks to Media Arts instructor Vern Gray (featured in airdrielife fall 2016) for co-ordinating the students and their work.

AARON NISBETT, ENGLISH TEACHER

Mark Friesen, math teacher

When Aaron Nisbett was in high school, it was the teachers who helped him realize his potential and inspired him to pursue education. It was through them that he discovered his passion for reading and writing. Now an English teacher and the senior girls’ basketball coach, Nisbett hopes to inspire his students to find their own passions. One way he tries to encourage students is by connecting the material in the curriculum to the kids’ own lives. “Most kids aren’t going to read Shakespeare just for fun when they get out (of school) but if they can understand how the messages and the stories can apply to their own everyday situations, I like to think I’m good at doing that,” he says. Nisbett is a role model for minority males as he himself is of mixed race. He hopes to prove to students that skin colour makes no difference. “Ultimately, colour of skin is really just that; it’s colour,” he says. “It’s how you behave, how you act and how you handle yourself that really matters.”

DUANE SOVYN, CULINARY ARTS TEACHER

Not every high school has a Red Seal Chef to teach cooking. “Recipes come as easily as breathing,” says culinary arts teacher Duane Sovyn. After high school, Sovyn abandoned his dreams of becoming an architect to pursue teaching. However, after obtaining his degree, he decided to enroll at SAIT for his journeyman certificate in cooking. As a Red Seal Chef, Sovyn brings his firsthand knowledge of the industry into the classroom. Students do not just follow recipes but work on their knife skills, learn how food should taste and how to properly combine different flavours. “I tend to sing a lot in class,” says Sovyn. “More often than not, making up words that fit the task at hand, showing the students they could be themselves.” While he ensures his classes are inclusive, Sovyn provides a safe environment outside of the kitchen as well. As a gamer himself, he runs a social gaming club where kids can come and play a variety of games, talk to other students with similar interests and “be as geeky as they wish.” Sovyn has an open-door policy and is happy to create a bond of trust and friendship with his students.

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

“IF WE CAN GIVE STUDENTS THE SKILLS AND GIVE THEM SOME OF THE RESOURCES TO SUCCEED AND BE BETTER AT LIFE, THAT’S THE BEST POSSIBLE SITUATION. THE REST WILL COME.”

Luke Sandham, music teacher

MARK FRIESEN, MATH TEACHER

Mark Friesen has always been great with numbers and after graduating from high school, thought his future lay in business. However, after spending some time in the faculty of business at the University of Alberta, he realized his talents could be of better use elsewhere. Friesen is now in his fourth year of teaching high school math and says he has found his calling. “I really love the interaction and the potential that we can give the kids,” he says. “Ultimately someone who is in this profession who isn’t in it for the kids is probably in the wrong profession.” Friesen’s personal philosophy is that school should be more than an educational tool. He encourages his students to actively seek out opportunities and take the initiative to pursue their passions. As the associate head coach for the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers football team, Friesen has worked hard with the other coaches to create a formidable new force in the league. This effort was enough to earn them recognition from Rocky View Schools Sports as the best coaching staff. “If we can give students the skills and give them some of the resources to succeed and be better at life, that’s the best possible situation,” he says. “The rest will come.”

LUKE SANDHAM, MUSIC TEACHER

Luke Sandham spearheaded the Cavalier Music Academy to give budding musicians a place to learn. Academy students are fully immersed in music classes every morning where they practice their instruments, compose original songs and even record tracks. Though he is always there to support the kids, Sandham says he tries to personalize the experience by giving students the freedom to make music however they want. “I try my best to get out of their way and then whenever they need a hand, I step in and help guide them,” he says. “And they’ve just taken off.” Sandham also recognizes the importance of connecting music to other areas of learning by incorporating physical education and Career and Life Management (CALM) into the academy. “We’ve been trying to take the approach of how do these things serve you as a musician rather than just giving them a standalone experience,” he says. “We’re trying to bring a perspective of what it’s like to be a musician through the lens of everything else they’re doing.” Sandham adds this approach helps students focus on their passions early on – something he would like to see catch on in other schools. SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

LOCAL LIFE INSPIRING

COLIN PATTISON, SCIENCE AND MATH TEACHER

Colin Pattison, science and math teacher

When Colin Pattison was finishing high school, one teacher completely changed the way he thought about school and math. “I kind of fell in love with math, as nerdy as that sounds. I just wanted to pass that on to other people,” he says. Pattison is working to erase the stigma that math is scary. Though his students do still work out of a textbook, he also finds ways to relate course material to real-life examples. Pattison believes in an open class environment that caters to a variety of different learning styles. He actively engages with students during class time to help them understand course material. Students have many commitments outside of school and Pattison knows the importance of taking an interest in their lives. “If you have a relationship with your students that’s positive, everything else kind of becomes so much easier,” he says. “Whether it’s pushing them to answer tougher questions or just trying to help them out in any way you can.”

COLEMAN MASSEY, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

Coleman Massey, social studies teacher

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

Coleman Massey has never taught social studies the same way twice. This is because he believes in giving the power to students. At the beginning of each semester, Massey interviews each student to determine their learning needs and modifies his teaching style accordingly. He adds that he doesn’t lecture for the whole period but instead allows students the opportunity to work independently, do research and discuss with their peers. “I like to teach students to actually get what’s important out of school, which is actual skills,” says Massey. “Give them the opportunity to do research on their own, to find out what works and what doesn’t.” In his classes and as the senior boys’ basketball head coach, Massey tries to build relationships with his students. Having played basketball in high school, he enjoys being back on the court and working closely with the 12 athletes. Massey was inspired by his teachers in high school and hopes to impact each of his students in the same way. life

LOCAL LIFE PERSONALIT Y

Wrestlers delve into their personas

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EDIN ON L T T I R B

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Ali Saif

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

LOCAL LIFE PERSONALIT Y

“The beauty of the sport … is there’s always a different way to tell a story” Enes Ahmetovic

airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

t’s a long way to the top for wrestlers, but two locals are hustling their way. Ali Saif, known as Tiger Ali in the ring, and Enes Ahmetovic (Aiden Adams) have dreams of being among the best in the world and are paying their dues with promoters across Western Canada. “When you’re in the ring, you’re telling a story,” says Saif. Sometimes the storyline is power versus speed, or David versus Goliath. “The beauty of the sport … is there’s always a different way to tell a story,” says the 5-11, 220-pound wrestler. “I’m going to create a story that the people are going to enjoy and watch.” While a wrestler can become a caricature in the ring, Saif says the main goal is to win fans. “We’re living in this fantasy world, larger than life, a world of giants,” says Saif. Watching Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, as a child inspired Saif to pursue the sport. “You have to get emotionally connected to the crowd, and he did,” says Saif. A corrections officer by day who is now in his fourth year of wrestling, Saif says the path to his current persona hasn’t been direct. “When I started wrestling I was given different names that didn’t really suit me at all,” says the third-generation wrestler who was born in Punjab, Pakistan, and moved to Canada in about Grade 5. “I couldn’t say no because I was looking for a job as a wrestler.” Following training with Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary in 2014, he went by the name Ravi O’Brien as a tag team duo with his assumed adopted brother Tim O’Brien. In searching for a new name after Tim exited the industry, Saif called upon RCW’s Vince Austin and Steven Ewaschuk, and Wavell Starr from Regina, a former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) athlete. Starr came up with idea of Tiger Ali, a character who could be either good or bad, known in the industry as baby face or heel. Saif likens his territorial character to the tiger Shere Khan from Disney’s The Jungle Book. “He does things in his way,” he says. “As long as things work out in his way, he’s a nice tiger. But, (if things don’t go his way), then he’ll turn his back and do it his way and he’ll be the bad tiger.” Tiger Ali reigned as the RCW Commonwealth Champion for about six months after he defeated Ahmetovic (then The Bosnian Adonis) in August 2016. The two have met each other in the ring plenty of times, and with the turning over of the crown, Ahmetovic followed plans to work with different promoters. He’s since traveled Western Canada fighting with Prairie Wrestling Alliance, High Impact Wrestling and Big West Wrestling, to gain more experience. The first-generation Canadian, who grew up in Calgary and has lived in Airdrie for the last six years, says his family’s Bosnian heritage was a difficult stereotype to play. The 5-11, 200-pound, 23-year-old wrestler adopted the name Aiden Adams. “I’m still trying to discover this character,” says Ahmetovic. “Essentially if you want to build a character, it’s amplifying yourself by like 1,000.” Ahmetovic is continuing the learning process since training with the Hart family’s wrestling school in Calgary and the Storm Wrestling Academy two years ago. “I’m trying to figure out what I can do to stand out,” he says. Both Saif and Ahmetovic aspire to make their sport a career and are making moves to do so. Saif moved to Toronto this spring to pursue wrestling and acting opportunities. He’s thankful for the friends he made in Airdrie and the support of his roommate, Megan Skarsen, and her family. “She helped me when I was going through a hard time,” says Saif. “Her family is like my actual family in Alberta.” He’s grateful for friends he made who helped him get the physique he always wanted while working out together at GoodLife Fitness. “Shane Smith helped me a lot in diet and workouts,” says the pro wrestler, adding thanks to coach Brian Mark from AEnation. Saif is striving to be scouted by World Wrestling Entertainment, while Ahmetovic is pursuing the sport in the United Kingdom this fall. life

LOCAL LIFE LEGENDS

YEARS OF

1967-2017

RODEO STORY BY DAWN SMITH | PHOTOS COURTESY AIRDRIE PRO RODEO ASSOCIATION

irdrie Pro Rodeo hasn’t always been the five-day professional event it is today. In fact, it started off rather modestly. According to longtime resident Dan McKinnon, it all started in 1967 when members of the Lions Club, then just two years old, decided to organize an event to mark Canada’s centennial. “There wasn’t a single thing planned for Airdrie, so we decided to have a parade and gymkhana,” says McKinnon, noting the one-day event, held on July 1, was “mostly for the kids.” Held at the Plainsmen Arena, the event, which featured several horse races, was a success, prompting the club to make the parade, gymkhana and sports day an annual occurrence. Without a permanent home, the event moved around the thensmall town, being held on the Towerlane mall site and then on the west side of Nose Creek.

McKinnon says what didn’t change was the commitment from hard-working volunteers who made the event a success each year. “It took us two weeks to get set up,” says McKinnon, as an example of this hard work, explaining the corrals and chutes had to be erected and dismantled every year. Finally, the Lions Club decided to permanently locate to the Airdrie Pro Rodeo Grounds, located west of the city, and built the corrals, ring and fences on the site. “The reason that it is blue-and-yellow fencing is because that was the Lions Club’s colours,” says McKinnon, who grew up about four kilometres east of Airdrie and has been a Lion’s member for 51 years. According to McKinnon, the rodeo didn’t always attract world-class cowboys, but it did draw in folks from “quite a distance.” SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

LOCAL LIFE LEGENDS

Longtime rancher Ron Hanson was on the organizing committee when the rodeo went pro in 1993. He explains the format of the rodeo changed over the years, from being novice, to senior and back to novice in the late 1980s. “We built it up to the biggest novice rodeo in Alberta except for the finals in Red Deer,” says Hanson, noting difficulties in getting sponsorships prompted the organizing committee to make the leap to professional. Although the decision was a good one, with sponsorship quadrupling after the rodeo went pro, Hanson said it was a controversial choice as some were concerned the event would lose its local touch. To quell concerns, the organizing committee decided to keep several novice events, including bareback, saddle bronc and boy’s steer riding – contests that are still a popular part of the annual event. Hanson notes over the past 15 years or so, Airdrie Agricultural Society has also sponsored a children’s rodeo with contests such as the wild pony race, calf scramble and mutton bustin’. “That’s been a huge hit,” says Hanson, noting the rodeo also once featured pony chuckwagon races. Stu Morison, who was born and raised just west of the rodeo grounds and served as the Airdrie Pro Rodeo manager for several years, agrees that there was some concern about going pro. But he feels it was a good decision. “It has been quite successful,” he says. “The biggest thing is that it is

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a nice, rural sitting, [and] you can sit there and be 30 feet away from the action.” Morison volunteered at the rodeo for many years, and has some great anecdotes – including a scene involving 50 horses let loose in the arena on a wet day one late June. “They were all rolling in the sand, it was just unreal,” he says, noting the hilly terrain of the rodeo grands has made for many spectacular views over the years. Mostly, Morison recalls the many hours of volunteering time he and others have put in, and the many friendships formed along the way. “There have been some great people involved in Airdrie’s rodeo,” says Morison. “We spent a lot of time out there.” It’s a sentiment to which Lorie Young, who sits on the organizing committee, can attest. She sees many of the committee members as her “second family” and says the passion of the volunteers is what ties the rodeo’s past to its present. “When you get to know this group of people, you will understand why we have been around for 50 years,” says Young. Brenda Moon, served as president of the Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association, the group responsible for putting on the rodeo, in the early 2000s. Born in Edmonton, Moon is a “first-generation city girl” who has lived in the Airdrie area since 1997. She and her husband live on a 40acre spread east of Airdrie.

Main photo, wild cow milking, 2015. Inset photo: Russ Fletcher accepts his Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Far right: a wild bronc ride out of the chutes, 2010.

“I have a passion for all things western,” says Moon when asked why she got involved with rodeo shortly after moving to the area. “It was something I could get involved with; something that I thought I could make a difference with,” says Moon, who notes joining the board was also a way to get involved in her new community. Moon is proud of the five-day event and proud of the many volunteers whom she says work tirelessly year round to make the rodeo successful. Moon’s chest also swells in pride when she talks about the Airdrie Pro Rodeo’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign, an ongoing tradition that has raised funds and awareness for breast cancer every year since its inception around the year 2000. “I am a two-time breast cancer survivor, and I think the campaign is a great way to bring attention to the disease,” she says. One of Moon’s fondest memories was when a group of breast cancer survivors took to horseback or were pulled in a wagon behind a team of Belgian draft horses – while their foals, sporting pink scarves, ran alongside – to bring awareness to the condition. Lorie Young has helped organize the Airdrie Pro Rodeo for a number of years and says last year women outnumbered men on the executive board. She says although rodeo can be perceived as a guy’s sport, she has always felt welcomed and appreciated for her commitment. “Women have the same passion as the guys,” says Young when asked

why she got involved, adding she stays because of the “second family” she has gained by being involved. Young says most female rodeo volunteers aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, and can often be found working alongside the guys. “The guys do listen and respect our opinions,” says Young, adding the Ranch Association includes women who have been volunteering for up to 20 years. Leanne Grenier, who has been the director of the rodeo’s Royalty Program for a decade, couldn’t agree more. She said there is a tremendous amount of respect shown amongst the volunteers, regardless of gender, and no one is above any job. “Everyone does the same chores,” says Grenier, a self-described farm kid who grew up in the Airdrie area. “It has never been ‘that’s a man’s job.’ Everyone pitches in.” Over the years, Grenier says, the impact of the young women who have served as queens and princesses has proven that females add a great deal to the rodeo. “They are the role models; the public relations representatives,” she says. “The rodeo is five days, but these girls make people aware that there’s a rodeo for the other 365 days a year.” The future is bright Fifty years in, the future of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo is looking bright, thanks to the long-term commitment of volunteers, including SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

LOCAL LIFE LEGENDS

Butch Davy (waving hat) receives Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008

several families whose members have been involved almost since the event’s inception. Brett Raines, a member of the Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association, has served as arena manager since 2012, ensuring things are in place and running smoothly. He is a familiar face at the rodeo, having volunteered when he could for three decades. “Now that I am back in the community, I got recruited to work at the rodeo,” he says with a laugh, explaining he grew up in the area and is no stranger to rodeo, having worked as a bull fighter, who lures animals away from cowboys in the arena after their rides, and raised rodeo stock, including fighting bulls and bucking horses. Raines manages 24 arena volunteers, who not only take care of the livestock, but ensure the animals are in the right place at the right time. He says many of the volunteers hail from just a handful of local families. “Some of the volunteers are third generation,” says Raines, mentioning the Hansons and the Fletchers as examples. “Being farm and ranch kids, I guess it is something their families did and they carried on,” he says of the multi-generation volunteers. Raines says he relies heavily on those who have experience working with livestock, explaining most of his volunteers are in their 20s or

younger and the majority put in five long, hard days – with chores as varied as feeding, watering, loading and sorting the animals to knowing when to swing the gates during the events. “It starts in the morning and goes throughout the day,” he says. “I have a good, good bunch of guys – they work hard, they are right there and hard at it.” Despite their youth, some of his core volunteers have already put in 15 years, says Raines, explaining many of them are lifelong friends. These keen, young volunteers are what gives Raines a sense of optimism about the future of the rodeo. “We already have a succession plan,” he says. “They are getting the experience they need so [the older volunteers] can move away and they can step up.” Wayne Hanson, the president of the Ranch Association, said he remembers being involved as a kid. His dad, Ron, a well-known Airdrie-area rancher, got the family involved, and now Wayne’s son, Travis, 26, is also heavily involved. Wayne says Travis’ involvement began when he was about 10 or 12, adding the Fletcher family is much the same when it comes to their involvement in the rodeo. “We enjoy the rodeo, and everyone should be giving back to the community,” says Wayne of his family’s long-term commitment. “Our whole committee works tirelessly. I am really proud of the crew we’ve got.” Rob Brietzke is a past president of the Pro Rodeo Association who has been involved with the local rodeo for 21 years. An experienced horseman who grew up on a farm north of Edmonton and whose whole family now volunteers at the Airdrie Pro Rodeo, Brietzke has developed an appreciation for the many volunteers who keep the rodeo running as smoothly as possible. “The coolest thing for me is looking out [at the rodeo] and seeing the crowd enjoying the moment and not knowing the organized chaos going on behind the scenes,” he adds. Brietzke, who sat on the board of directors for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association for several years, says the commitment of locals to the rodeos is inspiring. “I can’t say enough about the volunteers and the sponsors who have been there all along,” he says. Brietzke is excited about the future of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo, explaining the growing fan base means the event will be successful for years. Wayne is also optimistic about the future of the rodeo. “If we can stay well sponsored and get buy-in from the City of Airdrie, could have this thing one of the top two or three rodeos in Canada pretty easily,” says Wayne. “I think we are just starting to burn with it now.” life

“When you get to know this group of people, you will understand why we have been around for 50 years”

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airdrielife.com | SUMMER 2017

SUMMER 2017 | airdrielife.com

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