If you are more than ready for a healthy dose of spring, one of the most rewarding activities is a visit to your local greenhouse While Alberta’s fickle April weather may range from cold and blowing snow to a sunburn (all you have to do is wait five minutes, as the old saying goes), the temperature, humidity, aroma and visual appeal inside your favourite greenhouse is instant and powerfully pleasing We offer this taste of spring after a visit to Westway Gardens in Bittern Lake, where planting took place as early as February 25 This popular locally-owned and operated greenhouse celebrates 25 years of serving the community this growing season
Brenda Johnson, husband Blaine and their team have been pleasing their green-thumb clients for a quarter century.
Photo by Ron Pilger
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HMCS Camrose in a pivotal battle
By Canadian Naval Memorial Trust
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In 1939, Europe was at war and by 1940 continental Europe, from France to Norway, had been occupied by German forces. Britain stood alone and the sea lanes across the Atlantic were its only lifeline.
Supplying that critical lifeline were convoys of merchant ships bringing vital food, fuel and war material from North America. The role of the Royal Canadian Navy escorts, including the tireless Flower Class corvettes like HMCS Camrose (K154), was to protect the merchant ships against enemy submarine attacks and ensure the “safe and timely arrival of the convoy” at its destination. The escorts played a crucial role in ensuring Allied victory at sea during the pivotal Battle of the Atlantic.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic as well as the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
tion it conducted operational readiness training and was assigned to Escort Group 6. HMCS Camrose left St. John’s, NL, early in December for Londonderry, where it was based for the next four months in support of convoys, especially to and from Freetown, Sierra Leone and Gibraltar.
While with combined convoys OS.64/KMS.38 (43 ships), Camrose shared with the British destroyer HMS Bayntun the sinking of U-757 in the North Atlantic on January 8, 1944.
In May, K154 joined Western Approaches Command, Greenock, Scotland, for invasion duties, escorting convoys to staging ports and to and from Normandy beaches. HMCS Camrose left the United Kingdom in early September for another refit at Pictou, followed by operational readiness training in Bermuda, returning in January 1945 to become a member of Escort Group 41, Plymouth, England.
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More than 100 of the corvettes including Camrose, named after the community of Camrose, proudly bore the names of Canadian cities, towns and communities from coast to coast along with recognizing the people who built the 205-foot ships in Maritime, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia shipyards.
The ship served with this group until Victoryin-Europe Day, afterward participating in the re-occupation of St. Helier in the Channel Islands. HMCS Camrose left Greenock, Scotland, for home early in June 1945 and was paid off at Sydney in July.
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HMCS Camrose was built by Marine Industries, Sorel, QC, and commissioned at Sorel, QC, in June 1941. The ship arrived at Halifax, NS, later that month. Camrose was assigned to Halifax Force after completing operational readiness training, but in October joined Newfoundland Command, leaving St. John’s, NL, in early October for Iceland with the 52ship convoy SC.48 (Sydney, NS to Liverpool, UK).
K154 was employed as ocean escort to and from Iceland until February 1942, when it commenced a major refit at Lunenburg, NS. Upon completion in May, HMCS Camrose resumed its mid-ocean escort duties for one round trip to Londonderry “Derry,” Northern Ireland, but was assigned in June to Western Local Escort Force.
In October 1942, HMCS Camrose was allocated to duties concerned with Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. The ship left Halifax in mid-October for the United Kingdom, and for the next five months escorted convoys between Britain and the Mediterranean.
In April 1943 Camrose proceeded to Pictou, NS, for a refit lasting over five months, including forecastle extension. On comple-
K154 was broken up at Hamilton, Ontario, in 1947. HMCS Camrose was awarded battle honours: Atlantic 1941-45, Gulf of St. Lawrence 1944, Normandy 1944, North Sea 1944 and English Channel 1945.
Of the 123 corvettes to serve in the RCN during the war only HMCS Sackville remains, named after the town of Sackville, NB, and commissioned in Saint John, NB, in 1941. The Last Corvette, restored to its 1944 configuration, is a National Historic Site and was designated Canada’s Naval Memorial in 1985.
Owned, maintained and operated by the volunteer Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, Sackville is a popular visitor attraction on the historic Halifax, NS, waterfront during the summer months. During the winter months the ship is berthed in His Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard.
HMCS Sackville protected us in war, served faithfully in peace and continues, as Canada’s Naval Memorial, to honour those who served. For more information on how to support The Last Corvette visit cnmt.ca or call 902-492-1424. Individual, unit or corporate support is most welcome and appreciated.
HMCS Camrose, circa November 1943.
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Farmland value continues to rise in Canada
By Adan Shaikh
The value of Canadian farmland continued to rise in 2024, with an average of 9.3 per cent. According to the Farmland Value Report by Farm Credit Canada (FCC) this is a slight decrease from the 11.5 per cent increase rate noticed in 2023, however, this is a sign of sustained demand for agricultural land across the nation.
DAMIEN KUREK
In Alberta, cultivated farmland value increased by 7.1 per cent last year, after a 6.5 per cent rise in 2023 and a big 10 per cent jump in 2022. This growth rate makes Alberta one of the three provinces, alongside B.C. and New Brunswick, to have experienced a higher rate of appreciation in 2024 compared to the prior year.
FCC Chief Economist J.P. Gervais attributes this growth in farmland value to various factors.
“The limited supply of farmland available for sale combined with lower borrowing costs resulted in an increase in the average price of farmland across the country,” commented Gervais. While increasing value reflects confidence in agriculture, it also poses challenges. Gervais noted that farmland affordability relative to farm income is worsening, making circumstances more difficult for young farmers, Indigenous producers and those who are new to the industry.
Weather also poses a challenge. Ongoing dry conditions across the Prairies have also fueled demand for irrigated land, which remains scarce.
“With persistent dry conditions, the value of irrigated land continues to rise, reflecting its critical role in boosting production and farm profitability,” said
Despite the lower grain, oilseed and pulse prices, the total Canadian field crop production still increased by 2.7 per cent. Currently, with the continued trade uncertainties, farm profitability is under pressure.
“Overall, the increase in farmland value is a testament to the strong outlook for agricultural commodities and the high-quality food produced in Canada,” Gervais concluded.
With farmland value increasing, despite the environmental and economical challenges, Alberta farmers will have to monitor the changing landscape of agriculture closely as they navigate one challenge at a time.
For more information and insights, visit www.fcc-fac.ca.
Our move and expansion is complete
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Visionmasters has been family owned and operated in Camrose and Wetaskiwin for over 30 years!
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• 2010 C ASE IH 435 Steiger 4WD
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• 1985 C ASE IH 2294 2WD trac tor, 8,050 hrs., 154 hp
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• 2009 KUHN Knight Pro Push 2054 t/a manure spreader.
• 2007 HUSQVARNA EZ5426 zero turn lawn mower; Degelman 95TD 2 way 9 ft front dozer blade; McKee stackmover; FLEXI- COIL p/t spr ayer; 10,000 Gal. liquid fer tilizer tank; (2) 135 Gal. slip tanks; AC/DC welder/gen; JD 2 bottom plow; Bale spear; Antique Beach stove; ± (175) - Pallets of farm related items!
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Gardening without a garden
By Adan Shaikh
Gardening is one of the most gratifying activities a person can enjoy. There is a sense of accomplishment in watching the seeds you have sown grow and bear fruits and flowers. But not everyone has a backyard or space to grow plants. The City of Camrose has plots individuals can rent to do their growing, but having to run to the plot to cover the seedlings during a hailstorm or high winds can be tricky.
In recent years, more people have become interested in gardening and growing their food, which has led many people residing in smaller spaces to come up with innovative ways to grow flowers and fruits without access to ground. It turns out most plants can grow in pots, as long as the pot is big enough for their root system. All one needs to start their garden is some soil, a container large enough for the plant of their choosing, some water and sunshine.
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Growing your favourite foods and flowers is still possible without a backyard or inground garden beds. Pictured above is a garden from last year filled with tomatoes, basil, lettuce, chamomile, strawberries, peppers, raspberries and wildflowers for the pollinators, all growing in small pots, crates and upcycled storage totes. Everything fits in one small corner of a balcony. Most of these plants were started indoors in March.
The most important thing when deciding on which plants to grow is to find which ones do well in the plant hardiness zone you live in. Camrose’s zone is 3b, which means the area experiences 180 to 200 days without frost. Most Camrose gardeners will tell you that is optimistic, and the best we can hope for is 120 days without frost at most.
Another thing to check when selecting a container plant is whether you want to grow something annually (grow from seed and die each year) or perennials (come back year after year if brought indoors during winter). With that in mind, the best practice is to start your seeds indoors around late March or early April or purchase seedlings from a local greenhouse. Once the type of plants has been picked, the gardener will need a few more supplies: Container
When picking a container, it is important to consider how deep the root system of your chosen plant runs, ensuring the roots get proper space is important for the plant to flourish. For example, peppers and tomato plant roots can go as deep as two feet, which means these plants would do best in at least a three-gallon container. Containers can be plastic or wood, that
choice is up to the gardener based on the type of space they have available. Many people like to upcycle old items into containers. Plants such as lettuce and herbs don’t need large pots and can be grown in smaller containers. The last thing before putting the soil in is to ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes, so any excess water can make its way out of the pot.
Soil
Many places in Camrose have different kinds of soil available for sale and each year, the City puts out some soil and mulch in the parking lot of Camrose Recreation Centre, free for any citizens to take home. Mulch is great for locking in moisture, especially on very dry days. Fertilizer
All plants take their nutrition from the soil, and when the soil does not have access to the ground it can often need a more controlled environment. This means, every two to three weeks (depending on the plant’s needs), some fertilizer will be required to ensure the soil has nutrients available. You can purchase organic fertilizer from a store, or there are some at-home fertilizers that you can make with eggshells, food scraps and banana peels, but that too depends on the type of plant that is being fed. Eggshells and banana peel contain phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and many essential nutrients which can be great for root growth and plant health.
CANAID to the rescue
By Adan Shaikh
When the Trump administration decided to discontinue USAID in February, the effects were not only felt by those who needed aid, but also by volunteer organizations all over the world which work towards providing the help, education and necessary supplies needed by millions around the world.
“We were all sending our kits to Evelyn Hielema, who is the team leader of Days for Girls in Ancaster, Ontario, for a new project in conjunction with Education4Change, who had funding to ship 2500 kits to Ethiopia this spring. The day our 200 kits from Camrose arrived there was the day the Trump administration shut down USAID. A number of chapters and teams of Days
for Girls sent their kits to Ancaster for this project with Education4Change, an organization funded by USAID grants. They help us get our kits distributed to other countries and the name of USAID on the label helps the kits avoid many hurdles,” shared Sarah Ross, Camrose Days for Girls team leader.
Evelyn has over 2500 kits accumulated from all over Canada. These essential feminine hygiene kits were meant to be sent to Ethiopia, a region where many women don’t have access to these necessities and the education that goes along with it.
“Each of these boxes weighs about 35 to 40 pounds. Sending them costs a lot of money and each contains 50 kits,” shared Sarah.
Evelyn, with support from her church, put out a call and shared the roadblock she was facing with the rest of the team leaders around Canada and started a new fundraising campaign called CANAID which raised over $33,000 for Days for Girls, more than the amount Education4Change had estimated.
“I feel this was very good news because it highlights that we have the support we need right here in Canada to send help to those who need it,” commented Sarah.
Now that funding has been secured for this project, the kits will make their way to Ethiopia very soon. Camrose Days for Girls is currently busy assembling kits for their next mission when Liz Rolf, from Camrose, will go to India to
Tools
Some gardening gloves, tools such as trellises for vining plants like peas and tomatoes, a watering can and a garden shovel can be very helpful. If you are setting your pots outdoors on a balcony, some frost protection covers can be of great use too. This is all a person needs to get started. Once you have picked the plant you would like to grow, find out how deep the root system can be and find a container with good drainage. Put the soil into the container, water the soil, then plant your seeds at the depth recommended for them (generally on the back of the seed packet) then place it in a sunny spot. When purchasing seedlings from a greenhouse, ask the seller about planting instructions for the specific plant. For example, strawberry seedlings need to be placed in the soil in a way that does not suffocate the plant’s crown, so the crown needs to be planted at the surface level.
Some of the easiest foods to grow in pots in Camrose are strawberries, spinach, lettuce and tomatoes. Some of the best flowers are zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds, hostas, iris and bleeding hearts. These are only a few of the many options a Camrose area gardener can pick from. Growing plants can require a lot of patience and April is the perfect time to start seeds indoors.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the last frost date in Camrose this year is projected to be May 25. After this date, chances of frost overnight will be low and plants can be left outdoors safely. Until then, seeds can be started indoors near a sunny window or with the use of grow lights.
One of the biggest gardening mistakes most people make when growing in pots is overwatering or not watering the plant enough. To avoid this pitfall, set a reminder to water your plant regularly and check the soil for moisture. Some plants need more water than others and some are more susceptible to damage from over-watering.
A lack of space should not keep anyone from being able to garden.
provide education and the kits to hundreds of girls to enable them to finish school. This incident highlights the importance of community support and solidarity and the wonderful things that can be achieved when people work together.
For more information on donating and volunteering with Camrose Days for Girls email camrosealberta @daysforgirls.org.
Adan Shaikh, Camrose
Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster Sarah is the Camrose team lead and is taking these kits to Edmonton for another Days for Girls mission.
Vimy Ridge Day still honoured
By Murray Green
Vimy Ridge Day is a commemorative day in Canada that honours the Canadian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War.
The battle took place from April 9 to April 12, 1917, in the Nord-Pas-deCalais region of France. It was a significant military engagement, as it was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together as a cohesive unit.
The battle resulted in a major victory for the Allied forces, particularly for Canada, but it came at a high cost with thousands of casualties. Vimy Ridge is often seen as a defining moment in Canadian history and national identity, symbolizing bravery, sacrifice and unity.
Vimy Ridge Day is observed annually on April 9 in Canada, with ceremonies, memorials and educational activities held across the country to honour the soldiers who fought and died during the battle. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Canadian troops during the First World War and the importance of remembrance in preserving their legacy.
Trojans place ninth at hoop provincials
By Murray Green
The École Camrose Composite High School (ÉCCHS) Trojans finished the provincials basketball championships in ninth place in the senior 3A girl’s event in Sylvan Lake, March 20 to 22.
H.J. Cody (Sylvan Lake) earned bronze medals with Leduc winning gold and Louis St. Laurent collecting silver.
The Trojans lost 62-46 to the tough St. Laurent squad in the opening game for both teams. Camrose bounced back with a 48-46 win over RF Staples and a 43-21 victory over Holy Rosary to claim the ninth spot in the province. They were ranked as the number 11 spot heading into the provincials.
In girls’ 1A provincials, Bawlf were ranked number four heading into the pro-
vincials in Olds. They beat Glendon 6734, but lost 65-49 to the silver medal winning Olds team. That dropped Bawlf into the bronze match where they lost 65-56 to Coaldale. Bawlf ended up in fourth, the same position they entered the provincials in.
On the boys’ side, Hay Lakes were ranked number nine and faced Fr. Gerard Redmond in a 90-62 loss. They rallied to beat E.H. Walter 80-74, but lost 9276 to Airdrie to finish in the number 10 spot.
Forestburg were ranked number seven and lost to Vegreville 90-83 in the opening game for them in Taber. They also lost 9067 to Airdrie, to face E.H. Walter. E.H. Walter won 61-59 to drop Forestburg to 12th place.
Accident claims child’s life
By Murray Green
vehicles and multiple occupants.
A nine-year-old female was pronounced deceased at the scene. Four others from the same vehicle were transported to hospital, including a 13-year-old male, a nine-year-old female and a 43-year-old male who are still in critical condition. An 11-year-old male is in stable condition.
The occupants of the second vehicle, a 72-yearold male and a 72-year-old female, sustained minor injuries.
Killam RCMP gave sincere condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of these individuals. This is a profound loss of life for the family and the community as a whole.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.
Murray Green, Camrose Booster
Emma Searle of the École Camrose Composite High School Trojans drives to the net in basketball action.
BRSD celebrates Edwin Parr Award Nominee Jacob Kendall
Submitted
Jacob Kendall, first-year École Charlie Killam School teacher, has been nominated for the prestigious Edwin Parr Teacher Award.
Submitted Battle River School Division (BRSD) is proud to announce that Jacob Kendall, a first-year teacher at École Charlie Killam School (ÉCKS), has been nominated for the prestigious Edwin Parr Teacher Award. Jacob will represent BRSD as a Zone 4 nominee for 2024-25.
This award, presented by the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), recognizes exceptional firstyear teachers who demonstrate excellence in their profession and a strong commitment to student success.
Since joining ÉCKS to start the 2024-25 school year, Jacob Kendall has made an outstanding impact in the classroom–and beyond. Known for his ability to foster meaningful relationships with students, Jacob creates an inclusive, engaging learning environment where all learners feel valued and supported. His adaptability, problemsolving approach, and eagerness to grow as an educator have set him apart as a role model for both students and colleagues.
ÉCKS Principal Andrea Gutmann speaks to Jacob’s impressionable characteristics in building and fostering relationships at school.
“Jacob has demonstrated an impressive ability to connect with his students and create a positive, inclusive classroom environment,” says Gutmann. “His commitment to their academic and personal success is evident in every aspect of his teaching. He continu-
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ally seeks out opportunities for collaboration and innovation, making a lasting impact on both his students and our school community.”
Jacob has shown a strong start to his educational career with his contributions being evident across the division.
“Jacob exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator. His passion for teaching, dedication to student growth, and commitment to professional learning provide a solid foundation for his career.
We are incredibly proud to have him represent BRSD as a nominee for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award,” says Natasha Wilm, Assistant Superintendent – Human Resources.
Beyond his classroom, Jacob actively contributes to school initiatives, collaborates with colleagues, and embraces professional development opportunities to enhance his teaching practice. His passion for education and unwavering dedication to his students qualifies him as a commendable nominee for this award.
The Edwin Parr Teacher Award is a longstanding tradition in Alberta, honouring educators who exemplify the highest standards in teaching. BRSD is thrilled to support Jacob’s nomination while celebrating the dedication of all first-year teachers who bring enthusiasm and innovation to classrooms across the division.
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Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely was recently presented a King Charles III Coronation Medal from Premier Danielle Smith. This medal is given in recognition of serving the people of Canada. Lovely said, “It is a privilege to serve and represent the residents of the Camrose Constituency.”
