24 minute read
Encourage nature and all its wonder in your own yard
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Fridge Clippings
from years gone by
Matthew Graham’s grandparents, Lawrence and Doreen Nyback, were decades-long business owners in Camrose. Over the years they sold the Volvo automotive line and starting in the early 70s became the go-to destination for top names in camper trailers and motorhomes, and their repair. Several years after Lawrence and Doreen Nyback’s well earned retirement, their son Ron Nyback and grandchild Matthew Graham decided to relaunch the family business. Nyback RV Centre was born. Circling back to the original name of Nyback & Lien Auto Clinic Ltd., Doreen always kept amazing business records. This included copies of ads published in The Booster during their time in business. Last winter, Matthew and office manager Sheila went through old ads meticulously preserved and scanned over 300 favourites. They then had these republished in a coffee table styled book. This is available for viewing at their spacious east-end Camrose repair centre. Fridge clippings extraordinaire! Show us what you’ve clipped from The Camrose Booster! If we publish your entry, you will win $10, too. The oldest entry submitted prior to the end of December 2021 will earn the sender a cool $100 gift certificate from any Camrose business of that person’s choosing. Send us a copy or a photo of your entry: • Mail: 4925-48 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1L7 • Email: ads@camrosebooster.com • Text: 780.679.7070 • Drop off in person: 4925-48 Street, Camrose (Your original will be scanned, then returned) Show us what used to hang on your fridge!
Encourage nature and all its wonder in your own yard
By Lori Larsen
Many people who have spent hours labouring over their yard to make it picture perfect are now taking a new garden path and are turning to more sustainable options. In doing so, they are also contributing to the sustainability of the environment.
Camrose Green Action Committee (CGAC) continues to educate residents on the importance of sustaining earth and making choices that are not only better for the environment, but contribute to a healthier and more vibrant community overall.
One such initiative is the Natural Garden Contest, the idea of which spawned from a similar program, Pollinator Garden Challenge, operating in the City of Leduc.
CGAC member Heidi Bergstrom shared the idea behind the initiative.
“While I was researching other jurisdictions’ Environmental Master Plans (EMP) (in the development of Camrose’s EMP) I noticed that part of Leduc’s EMP was a Pollinator Garden Contest.
“It seemed like something fun and easy that would get people interested in an environmental initiative without too much commitment.”
Bergstrom proposed the idea to the other members of CGAC, and immediate interest in implementing a similar program in Camrose morphed into a sustainable yard contest.
“That includes things such as pollinator-friendly and draught-resistent gardens and possibly edible gardens in people’s front yards rather than having a patch of grass that doesn’t get used–use it to grow food instead,” said Bergstrom.
“We decided to have a contest that is easy for residents to get involved in. It won’t be very strict. People can learn about new ideas, try them out, then enter their yards into a draw to possibly win a prize.”
Bergstrom said that while researching ideas to share with residents, she also found some fun and interesting projects for her own yard, such as bee houses and pollinator and deer-resistent flowers.
“One of the suggestions was a clover yard where
you replace grass with clover, because it requires little water and stays green for the season. It also gets rid of other weeds, and the flowers are great pollinators. Bees love clover flowers.”
The goal of CGAC is to get people thinking about different ways to tend to their yards. “We encourage residents to go as far as they want with their yards, like planting extra flowers to encourage bees.”
At the same time, CGAC reminds residents that there are City of Camrose bylaws that regulate City properties, including weed control and unsightly premises.
“But there are lots of options to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable while keeping yards tidy.”
Bergstrom also pointed out that reducing the use of chemicals can be extremely beneficial for watersheds and insect populations.
“Be mindful of choices with your yard, because they have a lot of downstream impact.”
She said CGAC hopes to get residents excited about environmentally friendly initiatives. “We realize environmental issues can be overwhelming but even the smallest little actions can have impact.”
The rules are fairly simple. Anyone can and is encouraged to participate in whatever manner they can, and then send a photograph of their yard to camrosegac@gmail.com by Aug. 31. All entries will be put into the draw for a prize.
As well, CGAC will be posting tips and suggestions on their Facebook page to assist residents with ideas and provide information on sustainable gardening and yard work.
Dig out your gardening tools and get ready to call in the bees, butterflies and birds with a fun way to help out the environment and show off your gardening talents.
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By Lori Larsen
This year’s Canadian National Volunteer Week’s theme (April 18 to 24) is The Value of One, The Power of Many, which drives home the fact that every single volunteer brings about positive change, and that, collectively, the millions of volunteers that give of themselves fuels powerful change.
Volunteering not only helps the individuals and organizations that benefit from kindness, but it empowers the volunteers with a sense of purpose and community.
How many services and organizations within our own community would be able to operate if it wasn’t for the willingness of volunteers?
“At the Bailey Theatre, we have a list of over 100 volunteers,” said Bailey Theatre Society volunteer coordinator Colleen Nelson. “That would include board members as well as people who work for events, and we also have some volunteers who help with our facility and fundraising. It is a big roster and they are very important to us.”
Like so many other things that have changed drastically over this past year and a bit due to COVID-19, volunteering has taken a hit, for both the organizations that depend on them and the volunteers themselves.
“This past year, we have seen a change in how many people felt they could volunteer and the number of different things we really needed volunteers to do.”
Colleen said the task of volunteers changed quite a bit. “We needed to ask volunteers to help us to do some of the things we have previously hired people (laid off as a result of COVID) to do, such as cleaning the facility.
“We were also able to count on volunteers to step up to the plate and help us do some fundraising and help us with the flea market when we were able to open.”
Colleen said that during the six weeks of events when patrons were actually allowed back in the building, volunteering took on a whole other level of responsibility to ensure the safety of patrons and volunteers alike. “The new protocols in place for COVID required retraining to be able to accommodate the patrons,” she explained, adding that the volunteers took the challenge head on and did a wonderful job.”
She also recognized the volunteers who felt they were not quite ready to be involved with people face to face, and felt they needed to take a step back. “Volunteering is such a personal thing; we need to care for ourselves before we can care for others. If you are not feeling well, or need to be more protected you cannot volunteer. Yet making that decision for some of our volunteers was so hard.”
The passion of giving back, and the feeling of contributing and helping is a hard thing to suddenly
step away from.
Almost anyone who volunteers would agree that lending a helping hand, the most important part of volunteering, is not the only reason they do it.
“I have found this to be such a fulfilling role, being the volunteer coordinator (which she does voluntarily). It gives me purpose and things that I can do during COVID and any stage of my life.”
She said that COVID has taught her (and others) to think not so much what can’t be done, but what can be done.
“And I can honestly tell you that many of our volunteers are involved in many different organizations. They are committed, knowledgeable, passionate people. We are grateful for their help and I think that they, in turn, feel good about having given back to their community.”
Besides the giving and getting back, there is also the social aspect of volunteering that is so vital. “We enjoy being with each other. This is part of our network, and we look forward to seeing each other even if it is remotely. I think our volunteers really miss the patrons and the patrons really miss our volunteers.”
Colleen said that now that the Bailey is rounding the corner in these challenging times, the organization has been able to hire back some people. “But in the dire time of need, there were volunteers who rose to the occasion. I continue to be amazed at how generous people are in giving up their time and in the care that they give to the jobs they do.”
Apart from volunteering with the Bailey Theatre, Colleen also volunteers at Covenant Health St. Mary’s Hospital Camrose, which has also been missing out on the incredible contributions by volunteers due to COVID. “I look forward to a time when we have come through this, and can be back volunteering for the hospital again.”
St. Mary’s Hospital currently has 110 volunteers. In a typical year, those volunteers put in approximately 6,000 hours.
“The main role volunteers have at St. Mary’s is patient visitation on the Nursing Units and in the Emergency Room,” said St. Mary’s Hospital Camrose volunteer and foundation coordinator Kendra Ferguson.
Patient visitation can include general companionship, reading, playing games, taking patients for a walk, or simply keeping patients company.
“We also have volunteers who enjoy recreation therapy, including colouring and crafting with patients, and a few who enjoy providing patients with music therapy.”
Volunteers also complete small cleaning duties, stock supplies, and administer patient experience surveys. In addition, they assist with meal tray delivery.
“Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, volunteer programs that require direct patient contact have been suspended until further notice,” explained Ferguson.
The Gift Shop at St. Mary’s is run completely on volunteer hours, but is currently closed due to COVID-19.
The roles of volunteers at St. Mary’s changed to accommodate COVID-19 protocols and, as Patient Wayfinders, who assist front entrance screening staff in directing patients to where they need to go, volunteers are playing a huge part in getting the hospital through these challenging times.
“Home crafters have also been essential during this time, as they have been amazing with keeping up our supply of patient quilts, baby blankets and hats, and non-medical masks for staff to wear outside of the hospital.”
St. Mary’s Hospital also relies heavily on the commitment of the Camrose Community and Foundation Boards. Board members volunteer their time to allocate funding for major and minor equipment needs, staff education, and patient supports. Board members also participate in donor recognition opportunities as well as community and staff engagement events.
“Volunteers are so important to St. Mary’s Hospital because they are choosing to spend their valuable time with us,” remarked Ferguson. “Their presence shines a light on each staff member and patient with whom they interact, and the time they spend with us is greatly appreciated by our patients and staff.”
Elizabeth Hebert, a volunteer with St. Mary’s for eight years, shared, “I volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital because I love to brighten a patient’s day by talking and listening to them. My visit with them makes my day and hopefully helps make their day also.”
Ferguson concluded, “We deeply miss all the volunteers who have not been able to be with us during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we hope to see you again soon.”
Volunteering makes huge differences in the lives it touches. It brings about positive and effective change; connects the volunteers and the people who benefit from volunteering to the community; provides a purpose to the volunteers and gives them an avenue to use skills and compassion; teaches our youth the power of giving back, and creates a caring and equitable society.
For more information on how to become a volunteer for the Bailey Theatre, visit www.baileytheatre. com/support/.
For more information on how to become a volunteer for St. Mary’s Hospital, visit albertahealth services.ca/findhealth/ facility.aspx?id=1000302 (programs and services).
File Photo
St. Mary’s Hospital Camrose recognized the dedication and hard work volunteers do to help not only the hospital, but “They are committed, knowledgeable, the patients and community it serves, during a Volunteer Recognition Tea in 2019. passionate people,” said Bailey Theatre Society volunteer coordinator Colleen Nelson. ”
File Photo
Bailey Theatre Volunteer of the Year 2019 Barbara Pederson, left, was presented with her award by Bailey Theatre Society volunteer coordinator Colleen Nelson. The Bailey Society is extremely grateful to all volunteers who give of their time. “We deeply miss all the volunteers who have not been able to be with us during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said St. Mary’s Hospital Camrose volunteer and foundation coordinator Kendra Ferguson. ”
Stop using plastics in everyday life
By Murray Green
Alberta’s government is launching formal consultations to design a made-inAlberta solution to plastic, packaging and hazardous household waste.
It is seeking ways to better manage this waste through a circular economy approach, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program that will reduce volume in landfills and diversify the economy.
Under this approach, the cost and management of recycling shifts from municipalities and municipal taxpayers to those directly producing and consuming goods, encouraging companies to produce less waste and packaging, and come up with innovative ways to recycle more materials.
“Furthering our recycling goals as a province is a win-win-win for the environment, local economies and municipalities, some of whom are sitting on backlogs of potentially recyclable materials. Changes to how we manage recycling in Alberta have been a long time coming, and I am proud that our government is working to make the province a global leader in addressing plastic waste,” said Jason Nixon, minister of environment and parks.
Consultation will occur with municipalities, industry experts, Indigenous communities through stakeholder meetings, and with the public through an online survey.
“The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) is pleased to hear that the Government of Alberta is taking action on plastic waste. The RMA recognizes the value of recycling management and is a strong advocate for municipalities playing an important role in waste reduction and waste management. We are looking forward to engaging with Alberta Environment and Parks and other stakeholders to design a made-inAlberta solution to plastic waste that works for all,” shared Paul McLauchlin, president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
Currently, Alberta’s recycling activities support a total of 7,500 jobs, while the sector contributes about $132 million a year to provincial gross domestic product. A shift to extended producer responsibility will increase the provincial GDP share to more than $148 million. The change would also cut emissions by an estimated 72,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, or the equivalent of taking 120,300 passenger cars off the road each year. “Alberta municipalities have long advocated for an EPR framework and an EPR packaging and paper program in Alberta. We welcome this opportunity to contribute to this policy’s development, which will benefit our environment, provide recycling services residents need, reduce taxes for local ratepayers, and create Alberta jobs. Alberta municipalities look forward to finding a madein-Alberta solution,” added Peter Demong, AUMA vice president, director of cities over 500,000, and Cathy Heron, AUMA vice president, director of cities up to 500,000.
“Investors who are looking to Alberta’s economy will see this program as a strong sign of the government’s commitment to strong environmental, social and governance policies, and ARMA’s vision of a future without waste. Extended producer responsibility initiatives like this one use sensible, sustainable plastics diversion and recycling strategies for economic growth. This creates conditions for economic development while meeting the demands and expectations of consumers, investors and taxpayers. Albertans should be proud of this initiative. Together, we are building a circular economy where domestic ingenuity is creating jobs, value, and making our world a cleaner, greener place,” said Ed Gugenheimer, CEO, Alberta Recycling Management Authority.
Moving to a provincewide extended producer responsibility approach will provide greater efficiency and economy of scale for recycling. Many other jurisdictions in Canada have already introduced similar approaches, benefitting taxpayers and the environment.
Extended producer responsibility does not always mean extra costs for consumers. Industry funds the programs and decides whether or not to charge consumers. In other jurisdictions, there have been no additional consumer fees for packaging materials and Alberta consumers may already benefit from extended producer responsibility programs because product pricing is done nationally.
The public online survey is open until April 30, 2021.
Albertans send 1,034 kilograms per person of waste to landfills annually.
Packaging and printed paper make up 15 to 20 per cent of waste. This represents a lost opportunity to keep material of value (e.g. plastics) in the economy and out of landfills.
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By Lori Larsen
Camrose and District Horticultural Society (Hort Society) is literally digging in this spring to get things growing.
Over the past year, the Hort Society, like most organizations and businesses, has had to keep the club viable through a barrage of AHS implemented protocols, regulations and restrictions. Communitybased pruning initiatives were put on hold, fundraising events were cancelled, and regular meetings took on a whole new virtual format.
But the goodwill of the “green thumbers” is strong, and even though the club activities slowed down, the board and members did not.
The Hort Society is pleased to be able to offer, for the second year in a row, the Camrose Horticultural Society Award for $500.
The funds were normally raised through the annual plant sale, which had to be cancelled last year due to COVID.
“Last year, we couldn’t have a formal plant sale, but we had a few members who, through Facebook and other connections, were not only able to sell plants, but also produce in September and October,” said Hort Society member and bursary committee chairperson Eleanor White. “The money they collected from that was all donated right back to the Hort Society, and some of the people who purchased (plants and produce) knew it was going right back to fund this bursary.”
The bursary criteria indicates that the bursary is available to a first-year horticultural technologist student, who intends to return to Olds College to complete their second and final year of study; or is available to a third-year Bachelor of Applied Science horticultural student, who intends on returning to Olds College to complete their fourth and final year of study.
Preference is given, but not limited, to a student who resides in the City of Camrose or Camrose County.
“It is implied in the definition of the word bursary that the award is a financial award grant based on the student’s financial neediness, as opposed to a scholarship which is based on academics,” explained White.
“With the rise in tuition cost, this bursary is very important. That is why we are targeting the young person who might be in financial duress and, after the first year, may not even have a summer job because of COVID, particularly last year, when the universities and colleges were closing down early and going online, and these students were going home to stay at their parents’ place to reduce rent costs.”
Students returning home after completing their first year, with the possibility of not being able to acquire summer employment, need all the help they can receive to be encouraged to return to school in the fall and continue their education.
“Those students might be in financial straits, so that is one of the reasons why we are targeting that group.
“The other reason we decided to put this bursary up is because of the Hort Society’s vision statement,” said White.
“We encourage close communication with organizations that support and are in close affiliation to the Hort Society by providing information to the gardening public and also to support horticultural education.”
Recognizing the importance of continuing the bursary and offering the community some options for gardening, the Hort Society team crafted a plan to continue the plant sale this year.
“We are planning to go ahead with it with a whole different strategy,” said White. “The sale is tentatively planned to be held outside at #7 Grandview Drive on a Saturday in the upcoming spring (date to be announced).”
The sale will be held following all Alberta Health Services (AHS) and City of Camrose regulations. COVID-19 protocols and health orders will be strictly followed, including social distancing, sanitation and limiting gathering numbers.
“The yard in which this is being held is very large, and there is lots of lane parking space. Our tables will be widely spread out and we will have wipes and sanitizer. We will be minding the safety in distance rules with everyone wearing a mask.” White said that the
Hort Society will also be gratefully accepting any donations of indoor or outdoor plants, and any plants left over after the one-day sale will be donated to the
Camrose and District Heritage Railway Museum and Parks for their annual plant sale.
The other major fundraiser for the Hort Society has been the popular Rose and Lily Show, which unfortunately has also been postponed again this year with a plan for a big surge back in 2022.
“In the past, we have helped with some community gardens, in particular the Rosehaven Courtyard, but we were unable to do it last year.”
Currently, the Hort Society is in the process of deciding whether or not they will be able to resume that initiative again this year.
“We have also helped out with the Louise Jensen Courtyard and Camrose Children’s Centre planter boxes.
“We do the rose pruning at the Bill Fowler Centre, and we hope to ramp that up this year, because we have identified some
needs there. We are hoping we will be able to prune there two or three times during the gardening season to assist them in looking spiffy for our public and our tourists. We want people to enjoy the outdoor life.”
White also suggested that if the Hort Society is unable to do their usual work with Rosehaven and Louise Jensen courtyards, they will be looking for other community gardens where they can get their hands dirty by helping out.
“A few of us do some walking around the neighbourhoods, and have noted some community spaces that could benefit from the goodwill and hard work of the Horticultural Society.”
White said members of the Hort Society have taken it upon themselves in the past to help organizations that may be understaffed by tidying up their common spaces, gardens and walkways.
“We just go in and do it and we have received a lot of thank yous for doing that.”
The Hort Society meets the first Thursday of every month, with the May 6 meeting scheduled to be held outdoors at the Camrose and District Heritage Railway Museum and Parks (4407-47 Avenue) at 5 p.m. All AHS COVID protocols must be followed.
Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, remain two metres (six feet) apart, are encouraged to wear a mask even though it is outdoors, and are asked to not congregate before, after or during the meeting.
The membership fee has been waved this year, following the lead of the Alberta Horticultural Association.
The Hort Society is another example of generous people getting together over a common interest and doing work that benefits so many others in our community.
“Working together with like-minded people who don’t mind doing service for the community–that is why I joined the Hort Society,” said White. “Other people join for different reasons.”
Being a member of the Hort Society doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be digging in the dirt or be an avid gardener. There are always other functions, such as helping with the education program, organizing speakers and fundraising that could use the gift of someone’s time and help keep this organization functioning and contributing to the community.
“The Hort Society is ramping up right now. We may not be thriving, but we are still here and doing what we can during these more challenging times. We have done Zoom meetings and have a newsletter going out to the community. We are keeping in touch and have found ways to keep going.”
For more information on the Camrose Horticultural Society, visit the Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/2200131736722142.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster
The Camrose and District Horticultural Society annual Rose and Lily Show has been a popular event and fundraiser and, despite having been postponed for two years due to COVID, is planning for a “flowery” return in 2022.
