Our Alberta Touring Magazine

CMTA AND RUMBLE ALBERTA PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THE SUMMER

“BEST OF” WINNERS 2022!

Seasonal competition that highlights Alberta favourites.

Grande Prairie AB, September 20, 2022 The Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association (CMTA) and Rumble Alberta are proud to announce the winners of the “Best Of 2022” awards. These yearly awards are the people’s choice of the best places to visit, eat, drink and enjoy the multitude of amazing things Alberta has to offer. “The CMTA and Rumble Alberta proudly bestow the Best Of awards based on participant feedback,” said Renee Charbonneau, Executive Director of the CMTA. “As a part of Rumble Alberta, the CMTA crowns the best of the best in Alberta, according to not only our members but for anyone who wishes to participate and nominate their favourite business. As the best in Alberta.”

“The winners of the 2022 Best Of Alberta awards have been selected by participants as representing the best of the best in Alberta. The CMTA and Rumble Alberta are proud to work with our partners and sponsors to offer a variety of information, events and resources to motorcycle enthusiasts in Canada. Congratulations to the winners for this season!” commented Charbonneau. “We encourage everyone to begin thinking about their travel for the fall and winter months and encourage everyone to check out the CMTA and Rumble Alberta websites for more information.” Founded in 2010, The Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association is the top association for motorcycle enthusiasts across the country. The CMTA offers a wide range of fun programs like Rumble Alberta, a series of scavenger hunt type rides to various historic and cultural sites across Alberta.

EST. 2009

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Blackjacks Roadhouse and Games Room was created over a decade ago to host Clarence’s latest vision of what a roadhouse should be. This outstanding and beautiful building features amazing truss work and a 2nd floor mezzanine overlooking our restaurant and bar areas.

At Blackjacks, you can treat yourself to great Canadian & Chinese cuisine. Our games room is furnished with 30 VLTs. You can also watch and enjoy major sporting events from our comfortable lounge.

HISTORY TAKES FLIGHT!

A Historic Hanger, Bursting with History

The Alberta Aviation Museum respectfully acknowledges that the land the museum is situated on is Treaty 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux and home of the Métis. We also acknowledge our Treaty obligations and are committed to living in accordance, with collaboration and friendship.

The Royal Canadian Air Force built the aircraft hangar that houses the museum during the Second World War for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. It is the only double long, double wide hangar of its type left. The BCATP gathered men and women from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to train pilots, navigators, and other aircrew to support the Allied war effort.

The Alberta Aviation Museum Association incorporated in 1980 as a group of aviation and history enthusiasts and occupied temporary facilities at the Edmonton Municipal Airport through the 1980s. In 1990 we partnered with a diverse group of other like minded aviation groups, under the leadership of the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society, who approached the City of Edmonton about leasing us the Hangar on Kingsway.

The tireless efforts of the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society’s volunteers paid off, and we cleaned up the old hangar and moved into our permanent home in 1991.

Over the years, thousands of dedicated volunteers have worked on our iconic collection of more than 30 aircraft, including many ground up restorations.

With the closure of the airport, the museum moves into a new phase, becoming the historic cornerstone of the new Blatchford community. In 2019 we signed a new 25 year lease with the City of Edmonton, and are embarking on a major revitalization to better tell Edmonton’s exciting flying history to a whole new generation.

Home - Alberta Aviation Museum

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE OF VILNA

The Village of Vilna's friendly small town atmosphere offers young people, families and seniors alike an outstanding blend of recreational activities that complement our core and comfort services. This and the work of our many volunteers and club organizations ensures a great quality of life for anyone.

History of MANYHORSES SALOON

In 1916, Sven Svenson the first owner, also a pioneering entrepreneur, built a building to accommodate his pool hall. The building was known as the Forestburg Hotel. The hotel provided rooms and accommodations to travelers such as a restaurant, boarding rooms, a barbershop, and a tavern. In 1918, the building was used during the Spanish flu epidemic as a hospital. During the 80s, the bar was called Long John’s Tavern. After which, it was changed to Forestburg Hotel. In the early 90s, it was then changed to Manyhorses Saloon. In 2016, The building turned 100 years old, and was bought by the current owner’s Kara and Bill Pearcey in 2017.

Manyhorses Saloon Where small town bartending is a big thing!

Hidden Gem in small town Alberta!!!

Mae's Kitchen Restaurant in Mirror (business.site)

Here at Hazzard County, we love to entertain with “Live Bands”, “Good hospitality”, and of course our “Famous Breakfast”.

Not only do they have a remarkable patio! Make sure you stop in to try our their famous breakfast!

Hazzard County Bar & Grill

Westview RV Park has large spacious and level pull thrus that make us big rig friendly. Clean hot (free) showers in the newly remodelled washrooms. Westview RV Park also has a brand new playground and zip line. Additionally on the property is newly renovated Willow Inn. Westview RV Park, camping , travel Alberta, Wetaskiwin

We are so honored and grateful for our amazing customers who nominated us, and support us throughout the year. We simply couldn't do it without you.

We LOVE what we do, & we LOVE our community. Thanks for supporting local small business.

Daily Scoop at Beach Corner | Stony Plain AB | Facebook

Places to Visit: Featuring: The Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation

It's that time of year again, where we are looking for winter activities for both ourselves and our kids. The Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation is such a place. They are located along the shore of Lesser Slave Lake, just a short drive northeast of the Town of Slave Lake. While they do bird counts and other related activities, this centre has much more to offer. Their facility offers 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibits, interpretive programming, and a gift shop. The centre itself is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 4, and in January will be open Saturday with the same hours.

They also have a trail system for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The drop-in centre has snowshoe and ski rentals at no cost which makes those activities very affordable. Winter events are in the making and will be announced soon. They ask that you keep an eye on their Facebook page as those are finalized.

If you are looking for activities to do at home with your kids on snowy days, the Boreal Centre for BIrd Conservation has many online or downloadable activities including a virtual tour, scavenger hunts and other activities for various ages.

Find out more at https://www.borealbirdcentre.ca/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Boreal-Centrefor Bird Conservation 297254389793

A Simple Football Practice Turns Into a Combined Effort to Save Lives and Bring Awareness to Mental Health.

Middle aged men are 70% more likely to commit suicide than any other segment of the population. It is an alarming statistic that many are unaware of.

In 2015 Ian Hill broke the world record for continuous public speaking. He raised $25,000 to support the Girls of CPAC Soccer in Carson City, Nevada. When faced with this statistic he asked himself what he could do; the answer attempt to be the oldest man to play college football.

Ian is 57. He is a humanitarian, business leader, award winning social innovator and professional pioneer. Ian was recently in Alberta where he visited 5 northern communities as part of the You Make THE Difference Campaign; the purpose of which is to teach those closest to the problems faced in their community, to take action and to equip them with the tools to do that.

One of Ian's needs while traveling is someone to catch his football as he practices for his world record attempt.

Enter Sheila Willis, Canadian Community Coordinator for Global Merit Essence Awards Network (GMEAN), a not for profit organization with similar goals in bringing attention to mental health.

Sheila is also the creator of Travel ING On Alberta Edition & History Check App that includes attractions, amenities, and services across Alberta with a focus on rural communities.

Sheila was scheduled to meet with Ian in Edmonton on Saturday, November 5th. She knew he would need someone to catch the ball while in Edmonton. Through her contacts she started reaching out to find a suitable person.

Enter KristaMalden of Community Now Magazine Krista and Sheila work in partnership with the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association (CMTA) on the Rumble Alberta Touring Challenges project. Krista had just the person one of her speakers at the 5th Annual Mental Health Summit in Calgary on December 14th.

These two dynamo's got together to practice at the Commonwealth Stadium Fieldhouse. The practice was terrific, each learning from the other. The long reaching effects of the meeting of these two are yet to be seen, but having heard the conversation, I am excited!

I am sure this simple practice will have a long snapping effect on mental health awareness.

Enter Ethan Nicolas. Ethan plays for the Edmonton Elite semi pro football league, a mental health advocate, speaker, entrepreneur, and owner of Fight Me on This. When presented with this opportunity he jumped at the chance.

TAKE THE DAY

And join us on December 14, 2022, to change the narrative around mental health/ What the day looks like: Networking & Coffee Vendors A morning of speakers and activities A warm lunch that gives back to the community An afternoon of panel discussions

When Good Things Go Bad

When your websites are “catastrophically” hacked what do you do about it? In the case of Sheila Willis, of Impact Tourism and the creator of the History Check app, you review your goals and fast forward a planned rebrand.

Travel ING On; Alberta Edition will be the new name for marketing the app. People are still downloading the “History Check” app as it will take some time before the name changes on the App Store and Google Play. It is all part of the process.

Answer: When we started this mobile app project, it was focused on the historical sites and stories of northern Alberta, so we named it History Check. When the app expanded to include all of Alberta in 2019, it included not only history, but services, attractions and amenities across the province. The name History Check does not convey that well, so we started thinking of rebranding.

Q & A with Sheila Willis, to talk about the rebrand and what it means.

Question: Why the rebrand? What made you want to rebrand to begin with?

Question: How did you choose the name “Travel ING On”?

Answer: A long time ago I was attracted to the tag line “Get Your ING On in Alberta.” It’s catchy and encompasses all the province has to offer; camping, dining, exploring there are hundreds if not thousands of activity words available in the province. You might call them ING Things. For a long time I was focused on a character named ING ON. Covid actually derailed us in an avatar contest for students to create ING ON characters. When it came down to it after the website were hacked I wanted the name to truly reflect what the app offers and came up with Travel ING On; Alberta Edition.

Question: I know you are in the beginning stages of the rebrand. Have you seen better results with the new name?

Answer: Absolutely! When the decision was made we did not even have a working website. I made 3 “Get Your ING On'' images and posted them to social media. That was the start of increasing downloads. When the website INGON.ca went live, there was another burst. We are definitely on the right path! Now to get the marketing nailed down to keep those downloads coming.

Question: How many sites do you have on the app?

Answer: Right now we have about 3,000 published sites. There are another 3,000 in some stage of progress. It’s the tip of the iceberg. As we grow we expect to exceed 25,000 published sites.

Question: What will people find on the app?

Answer: Wow a better question is what won’t they find. We are including businesses, attractions, amenities and services for travelers. I just received a form to add a clothing boutique. We probably have the most complete list of Alberta Big Icons and Historic Grain Elevators and they are all visible on a map. We still have a lot of places to add, it will always be a work in progress!

Question: If a business wants to add their location to the app what do they do?

Answer: Go to the new website and choose “Get Listed”. There is a form at the bottom of the page. Fill it out and we will start the process.

Question: Things are tough for many small businesses in Alberta right now. What are they looking at cost wise?

Answer: The site listing is free. This initiative is about creating opportunities for small businesses and communities which is why I love your magazine! If they want to be found as app users search for specific products or amenities, keywords are $25 each, annually. It's affordable business advertising and because we are working in volume it keeps us afloat.

Question: You mentioned big icons and elevators. If a person wanted to visit all of the Big Icons what would they do?

Answer: That's easy. The results will show a list and they can select the map setting to see the icons, and their location on a map. This works to create self guided digital tours of specific attractions; Big Icons, heritage highway signs, Royal Canadian Legions, Museums and the list goes on.

Question: Final question. You said you have 3,000 sites published and expect 25,000. If someone is using the app, and finds a place that is not included, what can they do?

Answer: For now go to the Get Listed page at INGON.ca and send us whateverinformation they can provide. We are still expanding the website and there will be a page created for crowdsourcing the missing places. It will help us and help that business or community!

“See Alberta Through the Eyes of a Tourist.”

Published by ZX Media Corp in partnership with CMTA