2022 Fall Section

Hockey players to be followed by newspapers, but parents’ help needed

With minor hockey season fast approaching and youngsters getting seeded into their skill-level tiers, it’s time to consider sending us a quick email so we can report on how your local minor league player is doing.

If you live in Lamont County, Beaver County, or Flagstaff County, this is open to you; and we’ve been told it is such a thrill for young hockey players to see their names in print when they score or assist on a goal.

But we need your help. Either The Lamont Leader, Tofield Mercury, Weekly Review, or Community Press will report scores and scorers from minor hockey games - but we have to know your youngster’s name, what team he/she is on, what league he/she

plays in, and the web address.

Please send your email to: kamcjm@gmail.com

Sometimes people send the wrong web information, or improper instructions as to find players’ teams and scores. So if your child is missed. Please double check and send another email.

If your youngster is playing outside of our counties in higher levels, please let us know what team, league and the web address for score sheets from games.

We will be collecting all the players names, teams, leagues, and web addresses from now until all the leagues begin, and then looking up and reporting the scores each week during the hockey season.

Let’s drop the puck and have a great hockey season.

Tickets $100 ea.

also be purchased by

BRCF office at 780-679-0449

Each ticket is eligible for a tax receipt for $50

Kerry Anderson

Perfect late summer and fall weather has allowed for an efficient harvest for farmers this year.

LISA KUFLAY PHOTO

Dry weather a boost as farmers get crops picked up

A warm dry September means the fall harvest in the region is nearly complete.

“I think most of the farmers are pretty much done with the harvest in these parts,” said Jonathon Culbert, Agricultural Fieldman for Beaver County. “I don’t have the numbers yet on what the yields might have been.”

He said the final crop to be picked up by the harvesters is canola, which did get a later start this spring because of some wet weather.

Other cereal crops like wheat, barley, and peas are all pretty much off the fields.

“I’ve been busy do club root surveys recently,” he said. “So I can’t comment  on what  sort of prices the farmers are getting for this year’s crop.”

He said it was a good growing season for the farmers. There was lots of moisture in the ground at the start of seeding, and although

it did rain in June, the summer was dry which provided good yields.

He said the dryness in September may have impacted some of the yields, but the dryness was also good for ripening and harvest.

“Hopefully we’ll have happy farmers this year,” he added.

Beaver County has an area of about 3,000 square kilometres and Culbert said more than half of it is

cultivated land.

Rather than a north-south oriented harvest, Culbert feels the harvest is uniform across the County, with the farmers in the centre of Beaver getting the harvest in early while the farmers harvesting in both far east of the County and west portions of the County are running a little later in getting the crops off the fields.

John Mather

A farmer drives his combine through the crops on his fields near Bruderheim, Sept. 25. Warm, dry weather has produced near perfect conditions for farmers getting their crops harvested. JOHN MATHER PHOTO

Now that fall is here, it’s time to start thinking about getting your home ready for the colder months to come.

Proper maintenance will not only ensure that your home is better protected from damage, but also make sure that it provides your family with a warm and safe indoor environment when it’s freezing outside. Here are four steps experts recommend:

1. Check your furnace

Have your furnace serviced by a professional to confirm its working efficiently and help extend its lifespan.

It’s a good idea to replace the furnace filter at the beginning of the heating season, and every one to three months afterwards.

Finally, inspect the external exhaust to ensure it’s not clogged with debris – a blocked furnace exhaust can lead to poorer performance and dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in your home.

2. Inspect your roof and eavestroughs

A roof and exterior drainage system

in good working order keeps water out of your home when rooftop snow melts. Have a professional roofing company take a look to ensure that shingles and flashing are all in place and properly sealed.

Inspect eavestroughs for damage and remove leaves and other debris that may cause blockages.

At ground level, check your downspouts to ensure they direct water away from foundation walls.

3. Clean and inspect your chimney

If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, make sure it’s ready for winter before you start using it.

It is highly recommended that you have your chimney cleaned annually to remove soot and other debris that can ignite and lead to fires.

You should also check for cracks, loose bricks or other kinds of deterioration. Keep in mind that if you own a newly built home, your warranty may cover some of these issues.

4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

While they are a critical part of

home safety all year round, your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are even more important during winter when windows are shut and

the heating is on, since there’s less air circulating. Take a few minutes to test them and, if necessary, replace their batteries.

Thanks to the pandemic, many of us have had a lot of practice backyarding. This is the act of doing indoor things –think dining, working, entertaining, exercising and even vacationing – outdoors, like in our own backyards. According to the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of all green space, many have taken their backyarding practices up a notch.

“We really appreciate time outdoors –not only in the great expanses of nature, but also in our own backyards,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation.

“If you’re doing things like planting for pollinators, getting outside no matter the weather, and putting the right plant in the right place, pat yourself on the back. You’re a master backyarder.”

He adds that the more time we spend in our yards, the better it is for our health and well-being, as well as the health of the planet.

Here are 10 things Master Backyarders do that all of us should emulate:

Help the environment on a micro-level. Having a living landscape, over artificial grass, pavement and rocks, supports the environment. Green, growing plants, shrubs, trees and grass, captures and filters rainwater, and produces oxygen.

Don’t let lack of space deter backyard-

ing. Master Backyarders maximize every inch of their outdoor space, whether that means planting a container garden on a balcony, outfitting a small urban yard with shrubs and flower pots, or creating a backyard oasis in a large neighborhood lawn.

Creatively utilize outdoor space. Master Backyarders set up their yards for purpose with patio furniture, a fire pit, yard games, plenty of outdoor seating, string lights, and maybe even an outdoor kitchen or office space. And they use their backyards for everything – from working and exercising to vacationing and entertaining.

Put the right plants in the right place. Master Backyarders know their climate zone and consider location, maintenance, sunlight and watering requirements before they plant.

Plant for pollinators and wildlife. Master Backyarders cultivate a living landscape that supports a rich biodiversity with butterfly bushes, flowering plants, water sources, and trees and shrubs with nooks for nesting and food.

Get outside year-round. No fair weather backyarding here. Master Backyarders are outside during all four seasons. They understand advance planning and work in and use their green space year round. They plant in the fall for a glo-

rious spring, remove snow to create useable areas, prune trees before bad weather hits and more.

Utilize community parks and public green space. Master Backyarders recognize the importance of managed landscapes throughout the community to create eco-corridors that are part of the worldwide ecosystem. They also appreciate and use these community gathering spots.

Teach kids the importance of green space. Master Backyarders are mentors to the next generation, teaching kids to explore, play in and enjoy the nature right outside their backdoor.

Keep the family dog in mind. Master

Backyarders understand that they aren’t the only ones who rely on their outdoor space, so they purpose their backyard with pets in mind. Sturdy turfgrass that stands up to pet play, soft foliage to create a natural barricade between off limits areas and the rest of the lawn, and trees and shrubs strategically planted for shade are all part of their master plan.

Embrace the hidden benefits of the backyard. Master Backyarders know they are getting a health boost when they spend time working in their yards. Other hidden benefits of the yard Master Backyarders appreciate? Increased energy, lower stress, improved mood, and exercise just to name a few.

Tofield area’s K3 Corn Maze is a family affair

Jana Semeniuk

When Marcy Kallal’s husband Kalin came to her with his idea for a corn maze to put on their farm near Tofield, she had no idea it would turn into their family business, K3 Corn Maze and Family Farm.

“It was his idea. We had gone to another corn maze a couple years ago and he said this is such a cool idea. It was so much fun. We have three little kids and they had so much fun,” she said. “He (said), Tofield needs more of this. We need something, you know, for families in surrounding areas. He’s the idea guy and I couldn't see it. It was just a hay field, and I couldn’t picture this corn maze.”

K3 Corn Maze opened on July 17, 2021, after only a couple of months of preparation. Marcy said it was a very successful first year with up to 600 people a day coming through by fall.

She explained that the corn is planted on five acres and allowed to grow approximately one to two feet before Kalin mows in

the design with help from his family. Marcy said this year, the design held some advertising for a radio station.

“This year he contacted 840 CFCW, seeing if they wanted to, in exchange for advertising for us on the radio, we would put 840 CFCW in the corn maze. They wanted to (and) they were super excited,” she said.

In addition to the corn maze, Marcy said they have added other elements for families to enjoy.

“A lot of people think that we are just a corn maze and not realizing we have zip lines, pedal carts, bale piles, playground, a food truck, animal pens, walking trails, wildlife shoot out, and we’ve got tent rentals,” she said.

Marcy said it wasn’t long before Kalin came to her with another idea, this time for Halloween.

“He wanted to do a Field of Screams, like a Halloween idea. So we did. We did three weekends last October

and it was a huge success,” she said.

Marcy explained that Kalin dressed up and acted as a ‘scarer’ hiding out in the corn to scare visitors as they made their way through the maze. An arrangement with the graduating class from a local school gave them even more scarers.

“We donated $2000 to their grad class, and in return they came and gave us scarers every night from the grad class to help in the cornfield,” she said. “So, we are going to run it again this October just for two weekends though, because we tape off a certain trail in the corn maze and we set out props. We decided to do two weekends instead of three this year.”

Marcy added that they have an open invitation for people who want to volunteer as a scarer to earn a season pass for the following year.

Meanwhile, Marcy said sometimes people legitimately get lost within the maze and resort to calling her on her cell for rescue.

“But usually by the time someone gets down there, they've found their way out,” she said.

In terms of the future, Marcy said the ideas have not stopped and more is in store for K3 Corn maze.

“We eventually want to do winter activities like hayrides and skating because the creek runs along the property there,” she said. “But that'll have to wait a little bit.”

Busy B

North store 780-662-4116

South store 780-662-4325

Wishing all the farmers a successful harvest!

Volunteers are welcome!

MARCY KALLAL PHOTO

Farmers have the most important job; tips for making it a little safer

Tractor accidents, grain entrapment, and injuries from ornery livestock are just some of the dangers agricultural workers face every day.

In 2016, the agricultural industry had a rate of 21.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, and each day agricultural workers experienced 100 non-fatal, lost-worktime injuries.

Agricultural dangers are not limited to North America. In Ireland, farm accidents have increased by 13 per cent in the last five years and by 31 percent in the last decade, according to a national survey of farm accidents conducted by the Teagasc National Farm Survey. Furthermore, 97 per cent of all farm accident victims required medical treatment.

Farms are dangerous places, and while carelessness can and does contribute to incidents, accidents also take place

during routine, seemingly safe activities. These farm safety guidelines can help lower the risk of injuries.

• Know farm equipment. Read and follow all instructions in the equipment operation manuals.

In addition, attend local farm safety workshops to learn more about specific equipment and products.

• Conduct routine safety checks. Look around buildings and grounds for obvious hazards, such as fire hazards and hazardous materials, including farm chemicals that are not stored correctly.

• Practice cleanliness.

Maintain clean and neat work areas with tools stored properly and out of the way after use.

• Be mindful of your clothing and hair. Many accidents involve a power take-off system, or PTO, which is a common component of large rotary mowers, tractors and forage choppers. Clothing can easily get caught in an engaged but unguarded PTO stub.

It’s easy for laces or coveralls to become wrapped around a spinning stub shaft. The PTO driveline and other protrusion points also can be dangerous if people do not pay

attention.

• Use rollover protection structures. ROPS can be used on tractors and other equipment to prevent injuries. In addition, wear seat belts and employ other safety equipment as advised.

• Avoid extra passengers. It can be tempting to take the kids for a spin, but do not allow additional passengers to ride on agricultural equipment.

• Exercise caution when handling chemicals. Take extra precautions when handling any chemicals, including pesticides.

• Wear protective gear. Wear appropriate gear and equipment. Make sure the skin, feet, ears, eyes, and hands are protected at all times.

• Employ lock out/tag out control. This is a process where one can work on equipment only after every energy source

has been controlled, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical, according to Rural Mutual Insurance Company.

Turning off equipment and using certain controls or locks on devices can prevent equipment from restarting before it is safe to do so.

Farm safety should be a priority for owners, their families and employees so that agricultural injuries can be reduced.

#1 20332 Township Road 512 - Sherwood Park, Alberta T8G 1E8 780-662-2227 www.hastingslakevet.com

Hours: Mon. –Fri. 8:30 am –5:30 pm Sat. 8:30 am –1:30 pm.

It is a pleasure to serve our farming families by taking care of your farm pets. Thank you so much for your support and referrals, we greatly appreciate it!

We take great pride in ensuring veterinary visits for our patients, even those that rarely leave the farm, are as stress free as possible. Many of our staff are Fear Free certified practitioners and we can help you make that trip to the vet clinic much easier!

Our community event to look forward to in 2022: •Farm Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic is running through the month of October. Call the clinic for more information 780-662-2227 or check out our website www.hastingslakevet.com

We care for cats, dogs, caged pets and farm pets including poultry, goats, sheep, pot bellied pigs and alpacas.

Agricultural societies unsung heroes

Patricia Harcourt

Fall is the time when most ag producers are busy getting off the harvest from their fields and gardens.

This is a time for thanksgiving that the crops and other produce that were seeded in the spring have grown, ripened and matured so the harvest is bountiful and a future for agriculture secured for yet another year.

Producers are very busy in the spring and fall all throughout the province with this very important work. But in the summer and winter, they often spend time contributing to their communities in the old-fashioned spirit of get-togethers and events that bring people in the rural areas together.

It has been a tradition

since the pioneers settled this country, to come together and build strong roots in their communities.

The same can be said for people living in Lamon County, Beaver County, Flagstaff County, and Irma village in the M.D. of Wainwright. The people in these places all benefit greatly from their local agricultural societies, which have taken on the work of putting on events that help forge the ties that bind in many communities every year.

And rural areas need all the help they can get as the forces of centralizing populations into larger centres keeps sending young people to the cities and away from their roots to live and raise their families.

The province considered it important enough to declare September 21

as Agriculture Societies Day in Alberta.

The declaration was made “to recognize and promote the significant contributions agriculture societies make enhancing the quality of life in communities across the province.”

Ag societies, as they are usually called, are run by volunteers whose goal is not to make money but to hold community events and promote the spirit of those individual communities.

“Ag societies work to enhance quality of life by developing programs and services, and providing facilities that meet the needs of their communities,” says the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. With more than 700 such facilities in the province, they include ice arenas, community halls, curling rinks, barns and

campgrounds that are owned and/or operated by ag societies in Alberta.

Ag societies in the local region love to put on rodeos, markets and fairs in the summer, and curling, hockey and Christmas and holiday events in winter.

The first of what are now 291 ag societies in Alberta were formed in 1879 and 1880. These include 20 that are more than 100 years old and 34 that celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2022.

One example is the Holden Agricultural Society which operates the Holden Complex. A Harvest Dance will be held on Saturday, November 12, hosted by the Holden Ag Society at the Holden Complex to celebrate the society’s 50th anniversary this year.

And, like many ag society events, there will be something for the whole family to enjoy including

free skating, a crib tournament, steak supper, and children’s meal. A live and silent auction will be held, followed by the dance.

Many other celebrations are being held this year to honour the work

of local ag societies, and it is well deserved as the volunteers care greatly about their communities and their continued ability to “inspire vibrancy in Alberta communities,” as the ag society website proclaims.

To those who work in hectares, not hours We thank you!

From Flagstaff County Council and Staff

LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO

Gathering geese are delighted to land in freshly combined fields so they can enjoy any loose seeds that didnʼt get caught. These are just a very few of the many geese that gather nightly around the slough intersecting the Town of Killam, both on the western and eastern sides of town.

When can kids trick-ortreat without an adult?

Jack-o'-lanterns on front porches and crisp air are signs that Halloween is right around the corner. Costumes have likely been chosen and bags of candy are undoubtedly hidden in the back of pantries ready to delight trickor-treaters.

Trick-or-treating is one of the most anticipated components of celebrating Halloween, and scores of kids venture door-to-door seeking the best chocolate bars and other candies. Children typically are chaperoned by their parents or other adults on trick-or-treating ventures. But some day kids will inevitably ask if they can go out alone with their friends. How can parents know when kids are mature enough to go it alone on Halloween?

There are no firm rules regarding when a child can go out trick-or-treating unsupervised. Each child is different, so there's no uniform answer as to when kids can trick-or-treat without mom and dad in tow. But parents on the fence can consider the following guidance as they try to determine when it's alright for kids to trick-or-treat alone.

• Find out who is going trick-or-treating. Parents may feel more comfortable letting their children wander if they are reassured a group of friends is going en masse rather than the child going solo. There is safety in numbers, so trick-or treating in large groups is a good sign.

•Judge the neighbourhood critically. Neighbourhoods also can be a factor to consider. What may be a safe environment during the day may no longer be so safe when darkness descends and children are unchaperoned. If parents recognize the neighbourhood tows the line between being safe and dangerous, they may want to push off trick-or-treating alone until their children are older. But even the neighbourhoods parents would characterize as "safe" are not invulnerable to safety issues. It pays to check where registered child predators live nearby, and that information is available to the public in most areas.

•How responsible is the child? Some kids mature faster than others. Parents need to factor in their children's dispositions when they consider if kids should be allowed out to trick-or-treat without adults.

•Check in about the game plan. When children get older, trick-or-treating may be less about grabbing candy and more about spending time with friends, potentially causing mischief. Parents should recognize that kids left to their own devices may be more inclined to act foolishly. It helps to have an idea of what the group of kids will be doing when they go trick-or-treating and how long they plan to be out.

There's no magic age or situation that tells parents when their children are ready to trick-or-treat without supervision. It's an individual decision best made after careful consideration.

Dylan Hogstead, Jodi Kimball, Cameron Kosolowsky

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Efforts to educate women about breast cancer have helped raise awareness of the disease and just how treatable it is when detected early.

Despite that, a diagnosis can still be difficult for women and their families. When someone close to you is affected by breast cancer, priorities suddenly change. You may be wondering what you can do to provide the support needed to help this person navigate any ups and downs that could be on the horizon.

A breast cancer diagnosis does not produce a uniform response. While one loved one may embrace others wanting to help, another may feel she is a burden and exhibit an unwillingness to accept help. In the latter instance, being a sup-

portive bystander may require walking on eggshells. Even still, there are some universal ways to lend support when a friend or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer.

• Offer practical support. Cancer affects the body in a number of ways. Energy levels may wane and certain symptoms may arise. Side effects from treatments also can make it difficult to continue with daily tasks. An offer to help with tasks associated with daily living, such as cooking meals, gardening, washing clothes, or cleaning up around the house, can be practical and much appreciated. Approach the individual and ask questions in pointed ways. Rather than, “What can I do to help?”, which may result in an answer of, “Nothing,” figure out a way to pitch in and then ask if that would be

acceptable.

• Offer emotional support. Someone with breast cancer may just need a person who can be there and listen. A hug, a nod of understanding or even a companion who can chat and take the person’s mind off the cancer can be immensely helpful. Keep in mind that emotions may change on a dime, and some emotions may be directed at support systems. While it can feel hurtful, remember the real reason for any outburst is the disease. Patience is needed at all times.

• Learn what you can about breast cancer. Re-

search the type of cancer your loved one has, which may make it easier to understand what to expect. If the person is amenable, you may consider accompanying her to appointments to hear firsthand about the next steps in her treatment and recovery.

• Maintain a positive attitude. It’s never easy knowing someone you love is sick. They are going through their own emotional roller coaster, and support systems can lift their spirits by maintaining positive attitudes.

• Find a support group. Professional support groups are great resources

for coping with a cancer journey. Supporting a person with cancer takes its own unique toll, particularly when caring for a spouse, child or mother with breast cancer. Support groups for support net-

works can be helpful.

Individuals diagnosed with breast cancer may need a little extra love and support. It’s up to caregivers and friends to step up and provide what is needed.

Meme

Cats are beloved pets across the globe. In 2020, there were roughly 53 million cats owned as pets in North America.

Cats are admired for their can-do attitudes. They're independent, quirky and often clever. While some people may describe cats as aloof, plenty of pet cats desire daily affection and cuddle sessions with their pet parents.

It's important for cat owners to familiarize themselves with common feline behaviors and personality traits. That familiarity can help cat owners recognize when something may be "off" with their cats. While cats are good at self-care, there are times when owners must step in and offer assistance.

Here's a look at common

conditions that can affect pet cats.

• Tick-borne diseases: Cats may not spend as much time outdoors as dogs, but they still can pick up ticks if they are let out from time to time or cohabitate in homes with dogs. Ticks can carry various illnesses, but bobcat fever (cytauxzoonosis) is one to be concerned about. It's quite serious and often fatal.

• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): This slow-acting virus may not be noticeable until the disease makes the cat ill years after initial infection. A weakened immune system can open the cat up to a number of other illnesses and secondary infections. With good care, a cat could live months or years before the chronic stages of FIV.

• Vomiting: Cats groom themselves and can get fur stuck in their throats and digestive tracts, producing hairballs that are ultimately spit up. However, cats may vomit for other reasons, including ingesting something poisonous or dangerous, like string. Cats that are vomiting often can become dehydrated, which could lead to a medical emergency.

• Feline urinary tract diseases (FLUTD): The pets division of WebMD

indicates roughly 3 percent of cats visiting vets are diagnosed with FLUTD. Cats can develop it for a variety of reasons, including stress in a household, eating dry food, and being overweight. It's always an emergency if a cat can't urinate or has pain doing so.

• Fleas: Cat owners may lament fleas, as they can be a problem and spread fast. A cat is at risk of developing anemia if it be-

comes infested with fleas. Topical treatments and oral medications can help prevent or eradicate fleas.

• Heartworm: The ASPCA warns that, like dogs, cats can get heartworm from the bites of mosquitoes. Despite its name, heartworm primarily causes lung disease in cats.

• High-rise syndrome: Cats that reside in urban areas in multistory homes may be susceptible to falls. Windows without screens

or where screens are not well-secured can pose risks to curious cats who want to take in the sun and fresh air. Falls can cause serious injuries, even death. The problem has become so prevalent that vets gave the condition the name "high-rise syndrome."

Cats are susceptible to various illnesses and injuries. Awareness of these conditions can help cat owners protect their cats more effectively.

As with many celebrations, Halloween is steeped in traditionsmany of which can be traced back quite some time. Since Halloween is believed to have originated from Celtic pagan, ancient Roman and early Christian events, its traditions are varied. The following is a deep look at some old traditions associated with Halloween.

Bonfires

Historians trace many traditions of Halloween to a Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts lived 2,000 years ago in parts of what is now Northern France, Great Britain and Ireland.

During Samhain, people believed that the door between the worlds of the living and the dead was blurred. On Samhain, Celts believed the ghosts of the dead returned. Also, Druids made predictions about the future at this time of year. It was customary to build large, sacred bonfires and burn crops and other sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

While large bonfires are not typically part of Halloween celebrations today, revelers can light fire pits in their yards that are reminiscent of ancient celebrations.

Trick-or-treating

Christianity spread throughout Celtic regions and blended with other rituals. Pope Gregory III expanded on a holiday Pope Boniface IV established to honor Christian martyrs to include all saints and martyrs. All Saints Day on November 1 commemorates the venerable saints, and All Souls Day on November 2 celebrates loved ones who went on to eternal rest. All-Hallows Eve (Halloween) was a time to pay homage to the dead. Poor children would go door to door in more affluent neighborhoods offering to say prayers for residents' deceased loved ones in exchange for some food or money. This was known as "souling," which became the basis for trickor-treating. Later the

tradition became known as "guising" in areas of Scotland, where children would go around in costumes.

Witches

Images of witches riding broomsticks are everywhere come Halloween, and witch costumes remain a standard.

Almanac.com indicates that, during the Middle Ages, women who practiced divination were dubbed "witches," from the Anglo-Saxon word "wicce," or "wise one." It was believed the witches could go into a trancelike

state, and would do so in front of their fireplaces.

Superstitious people believed the witches could fly out of their chimneys on broomsticks and terrorize others with magical deeds.

Bobbing for apples

Bobbing for apples is not quite as popular as it once was, as more people have become concerned about spreading germs.

During the Roman festival for Pomona, which occurred around November 1, Pomona, the goddess of fruit and orchards, was celebrated.

Romans believed the first person to catch a bobbing apple with his or her teeth would be the first to marry. It also was believed apple peels contained the secrets to true love.

Carving pumpkins

Removing the insides of pumpkins and carving them into funny or fearsome faces may be messy work, but it's tradition on Halloween. Turnips were the material of choice in ancient Ireland, but were replaced by pumpkins when immigrants came to America.

The "lanterns" were made with scary faces and lit to frighten away spirits.

Halloween is full of traditions, many of which have lengthy histories.

Volunteerism in crisis? Pandemic made profound dent

Leslie Cholowsky

One of the things hit hard by two years of shutdowns and restrictions caused by COVID-19 was volunteerism.

As some volunteers took the break as an opportunity to retire permanently, now that things are up and running, some organizations are desperately trying not only to replace those in key positions, but to attract new volunteers overall.

Volunteer Alberta says a lack of bodies directly affects an organization’s ability to host events, hold fundraisers, and having those volunteers who remained be spread too thin.

A 2022 Volunteer Management Progress Report says that available volunteer opportunities, numbers of volunteers engaged, and total volunteer hours per month have all declined significantly over pre-pandemic levels.

Many of us are creatures of habit, and a two-year pandemic situation provided few opportunities to volunteer. So while there may be no lack of desire to volunteer now, it’s something that needs to be built back in to routines that saw big changes during the pandemic for many.

Recruitment of new volunteers and re-engaging lapsed volunteers remains a top priority for many organizations in

2022.

There is a positive note, as organizations who wished to remain active were forced to engage with volunteers in a different way, often digitally, new opportunities arose where volunteers could spend less of their valuable time ‘meeting’ and more of it ‘doing.’

Before COVID few groups had or would have considered remote roles. As that became a necessity to move forward during restrictions, it now represents a unique opportunity for those with a particular expertise to volunteer their time and participate in a new way.

Many volunteer groups felt that communication improved through their use of technology through the pandemic years.

For some lucky organizations, improved communication, whether through digital meeting platforms or social media, also provided an opportunity to but issues like scheduling before a broader audience, and also aided in recruitment.

For other groups, digital communications became an obstacle. One response describing an organization’s digital maturity rating was: “Most of the volunteers I work with do not use technology other than a cell phone, and some don’t even have that.

“Some don’t even know how to text;

less than one-quarter have email. I would love to use more technology, but most don’t have the resources or knowledge to use it.”

While managing volunteers with differing digital skills levels can be a challenge, if done well it’s a way to allow a variety of skill sets to come together. An inability to text or ‘zoom’ doesn’t make any volunteer less important or vital to an organization.

Developing a strategic plan to expand the use of technology to assist with volunteer engagement was identified as a priority for most volunteer groups who responded to the Progress Report.

One responder said, “We want to offer more remote volunteering opportunities, and more training for our volunteers to increase confidence and ability to use technology.”

2021 and 2022 brought in a new issue for many volunteer organizations; a change in top management.

The departures of more experienced members of some organizations left existing volunteers holding the ropes, or has put new volunteers into managing positions where they may not feel comfortable, secure, or even supported in their new role at the top of the chain.

Having new faces at the head of an organization can often bring new ideas and procedures, but may also run the

danger of alienating or dividing moreexperienced volunteers.

The one thing every volunteer organization will need to survive and rebuild is resilience, and a willingness to change, and try new things, while respecting the underlying traditions the group may hold dear.

According to the Volunteer Management Progress Report, the past two years not only provided fewer opportunities to volunteer, but also fewer volunteers contributing time, with those active volunteers contributing fewer hours.

For those groups looking to expand their digital footprint, or recruitment strategies, Volunteer Alberta (volunteer alberta.ab.ca) has a number of resources available that may help.

Its mission is to strengthen and create pathways for volunteerism and civic engagement in Alberta.

As we know from the history of nearly every community in Alberta, strong groups of volunteers can accomplish amazing things that enrich and enhance our region.

Whether you are a member of a group that’s struggling, or is looking to plan for succession; or a volunteer looking for opportunities, Volunteer Alberta has great information and resources available.

Movember remains a proud fall tradition to raise awareness

If you spot more moustaches lingering over mens' upper lips this coming November, chances are your eyes are not deceiving you. November has long been synonymous with the start of the holiday season, but it's also taken on a whole new persona in recent years, and moustaches are a significant part of that new identity.

Arguably as popular as ever, Movember is a public health-focused effort designed to raise awareness of and support research into men's health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide.

Men who participate in Movember typically begin growing moustaches on November 1 and keep them throughout the month.

The origins of Movember can be traced to 2003, when two men in Australia, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, met for a beer in Melbourne. At that point in time,

the popularity of moustaches had waned, but Garone and Slattery joked about restoring the stache to its once-lofty status. At the time, a friend's mother was fundraising for breast cancer, and Garone and Slattery were inspired to combine their efforts to bring back the moustache with efforts to raise awareness about men's health and prostate cancer. In a testament to the two friends' skills in the art of persuasion, they were able to find 30 men willing to take up the challenge to grow a moustache. Those who accepted the challenge agreed to follow the rules of Movember, which included paying $10 to grow a moustache.

That initial campaign generated significant enthusiasm among the initial participants, so the following year a decision was made to formalize their efforts and officially support a worthy cause related to men's health. After some research,

prostate cancer was chosen as the issue to formally support. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, though not an official men's health partner of Movember, agreed to accept any funds generated by the 2004 campaign. By that time, 450 men, including some in Spain and the United Kingdom, had agreed to take part, ultimately raising more than AUD

$50,000.

Nearly 20 years later, the moustachioed movement to raise awareness about various men's health issues is still going strong, having funded more than 1,250 men's health projects since its inception. Individuals interested in learning more about Movember can visit movember.com.