Move Up Magazine ~ Issue 24

MOVE work, live and prosper in northwestern alberta

Local Features

News

Opportunities

Events

come together Many Hands Make Light Work

AVENGE ENERGY SERVICES DENTURE & IMPLANT COTTAGE RECOVERING FROM THE FIRES

TAKE One NOV | DEC | JAN 2019/2020

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Contents >>

NOVEMBER 2019 - FEBRUARY 2020

Ç

VOLUME XXIV

PUBLISHERS

Jenelle Van Slyke Tormaigh Van Slyke EDITORS

Jenelle Van Slyke Tormaigh Van Slyke

ADVERTISING SALES Tormaigh Van Slyke // hello@moveupmag.com LEAD WRITER

Talena Winters LAYOUT DESIGN

Jenelle Van Slyke Tormaigh Van Slyke AD DESIGN

Aimie Williams Jenelle Van Slyke Tormaigh Van Slyke PHOTOGRAPHY

Ç SUNSHINE through the smoke: WildFires in NW Alberta

p. 28

Jenna Armstrong, Melissa E. Earle, Krista Hiltz, Josh Lambert, James Robicheau & That Girl Pearl Photography CONTRIBUTORS

Northern Lakes College Staff, Jenelle Van Slyke & Tormaigh Van Slyke Move Up is published by VAULTmedia. No content herein, including designed advertising, can be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

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Ç Feature | Come TOgether: many hands make light work

p. 39

Also >> 4

Richardson Pioneer Builds New Facility

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News

High Level grain facility currently under construction

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TOPR and NSC working on Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework, local students win awards, light up a memory of your loved ones, and more

What's New this School Year?

Checking in with the local school divisions

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA E. EARLE

MOVE UP IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY

VAULTmedia

MOVE UP IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS

PREDA

PEACE REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

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Go: Mighty Peace

Explore and enjoy the Mighty Peace Region

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Rendering submitted by the Town of High Level

CONSTRUCTING NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE RICHARDSON PIONEER GRAIN FACILITY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (REDI)

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eople driving into High Level from the east along Highway 58 can now see construction on the new Richardson Pioneer (RP) high-efficiency grain facility at the old Mosquito Creek Rodeo Grounds.

When complete, which is projected to happen in January 2021, the building will be a 32,000-tonne grain storage and handling facility with a first-in-thePeace Region loop track rail system that will quadruple hourly productivity and double daily handling capacity.

The project is the result of cooperation between RP, CN Rail, the Town of High Level (TOHL) and the High Level Agricultural Society (HLAS).

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Considering how many moving parts went into the process, according to all parties involved, the whole project has come together quickly and smoothly.

“It all went very well.

Everybody realized the value of what was being put out there and cooperated,” said Brent Anderson, Location Manager of the RP facility in High Level and TOHL Councillor.

The new facility is being built on what was once the Mosquito Creek Rodeo Grounds and property owned by the Town. In order for RP to have enough space to build, the TOHL and the HLAS worked with RP to move the rodeo grounds to a neighbouring lot.

“We had to juggle some land around,” said Clark McAskile, CAO of the TOHL. “It was quite complex and we’re still working on making sure the Ag. Society can operate next year, but everything seems to be falling into place on the transfer and reconstruction of the rodeo grounds.”

The existing structure was built by the Alberta Wheat Pool in the 1980s and was acquired by RP in 2013.

Most employees at the time made the transition, of whom Brent Anderson and Assistant Manager, Grain, Sarah Peters still remain.

However, the existing facility has become an economic bottleneck for the

thriving agricultural sector of the Mackenzie Region.

“We’re maxed out right now as far as size and speed.

With this new facility, we’ll go from being able to handle four cars per hour to 16, so more local farmers can bring their product here instead of having to pay freight to have it hauled to Grimshaw, Nampa or Falher by truck before it can be put on the rail system.

It’s the difference between them hauling one load a day to Grimshaw versus four or five loads a day to our facility here,” said Anderson.

The project hinged on whether CN Rail could be convinced to increase its service to the area. After having a phone-in meeting with the joint councils of

Top Left: Clark McAskile, Town of High Level CAO. Top Right and Bottom Left: Work begins on the new Richardson Pioneer Grain Facility.

Bottom Right: Crystal McAteer, Town of High Level Mayor // Photography submitted by the Town of High Level.

High Level, Rainbow Lake and Mackenzie County, CN agreed to increase their car supply from 50 cars a week to 104, more than doubling the capacity of grain shipping out of the area.

“The new facility has the ability to handle up to 134 cars per week, thanks to the loop track rail system. The cars can be pulled straight through to be filled instead of being unhooked. The loop track takes more space than the old-style ladder tracks, which could only handle 25 cars at a time, but it is so much faster,” said Anderson.

High Level Mayor Crystal McAteer is thankful for the many benefits the project will bring to the region.

“The new Richardson Pioneer grain elevator is a dream come true for us,” said McAteer. “It will provide jobs, and local farmers will be able to save valuable time and thousands of dollars in transportation costs. TOHL Council and Administration are extremely grateful to the HLAS for agreeing to move their infrastructure to a new location. We could not have accomplished this great feat without their full cooperation.”

According to HLAS treasurer Jacquie Bateman, the move has been about as painless as one could hope for. And, the rodeo grounds are receiving some upgrades in the process too.

“We were able to purchase a new outdoor arena system, and we’ll be doing a few maintenance upgrades such as adding dirt to our arena and track. We’ll also be getting town water in the near future to replace our old cistern. The move is happening quite quickly with only minor glitches, and when a problem arises, we make a couple calls and someone shows up to fix it.

That’s the beauty of hiring local,” said Bateman.

Richardson Pioneer and contractor Todd & Sargent have hired a number of local businesses to work on the project, including Dechant Construction Ltd., B. Hinson Contracting and Knelsen Sand & Gravel.

“We wanted to use as many local contractors and people as possible to do this; so short-term, it will help these companies and provide employment during construction. Long-term, we will go from seven fulltime staff to 18 once the facility is up and running,” said Anderson.

Overall, the project is a true testament to what can be accomplished when many groups work together toward the same goal for mutual benefit.

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A MACKENZIE FRONTIER TOURIST ASSOCIATION MEMBER FEATURE

That Girl Pearl Photography

CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH AGRICULTURE

Rocky Lane Agricultural Society

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ince 1986, the Rocky Lane Agricultural Society (RLAS) has provided community services and supported community education in the agricultural field.

The grounds and facilities have been a vital centre for community recreation, education and celebrations, and the society has connections with the Fort Vermilion School Division, the Rocky Lane Pony Club and the nearby Beaver First Nation.

“We are a small society with a group of dedicated volunteer directors. It takes many volunteer hours to keep these facilities

going. We take pride in our dedication to keep the facilities up to date,” said Irene van der Kloet, Vice President of the RLAS and a director since 2011.

The facilities include a community hall, an indoor heated arena, an outdoor riding arena and land and recreational trails used for hiking or horseback riding in the summer and skiing and ice skating in the winter.

“The indoor arena is used year-round. It’s very busy in the wintertime since people can have unlimited use with a membership. We have hosted riding clinics and winter riding lessons and other activities such as ranch sorting and ranch hand events. Groups like the Rocky Lane Pony Club, Junior Rangers and more also use it in the winter for lessons and programs. It keeps riders going in the winter,” said van der Kloet.

The hall is in high demand for weddings, funerals, meetings, workshops and other community events, and it’s also home to the Rocky Lane Cross-Country Ski Trail Shop.

The trails and outdoor skating rink also see heavy use all winter long. People can rent cross-country skis or skates from the onsite shop and enjoy the outdoors. They even have

a chalet and firepit to keep active players toasty and coming back for more.

The site is also home to the Rocky Acres Agricultural Project, an off-campus learning initiative by the Fort Vermilion School Division for students from Rocky Lane School aimed at teaching them the business of agriculture.

“It is a real pleasure to be a volunteer for this society and we would welcome more volunteers to help us out in our community work,” said van der Kloet.

780-926-4233 mackenziefrontier.com info@mackenziefrontier.com ADVERT ISE ME N T

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A MACKENZIE FRONTIER TOURIST ASSOCIATION MEMBER FEATURE

Photography by Krista Hiltz

THE MIGHTIEST LITTLE LIBRARY IN THE NORTH Zama City Community Library

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ucked inside the Cornerstone Building in the Hamlet of Zama City is a gem community members have come to rely on for entertainment, relaxation and information—the not-so-tiny community library. The library, which is the northernmost in the province, has an in-house collection containing over 18,000 items, including books, audiobooks and over 5,000 movies and TV series.

“Our library represents the best of what all libraries should be. We keep a current and adaptive presence in our community, collaborating with local organizations and businesses

and supporting local talent by highlighting their art in our common area. This place represents everything we love about living in the north,” said team member Krista Hiltz.

In addition to their inspiringly large collection, the library offers services one might usually expect only in larger centres, such as Freegal free music streaming, Freading eBook lending services and a subscription to Rocket Languages. They subscribe to local-interest periodicals such as NWT News/North, the Yellowknifer and the Echo-Pioneer as well as larger publications such as Life, Parents and Our Canada

magazines. They also offer tourism information, a device charging station, computer and printing stations, puzzles, games and more. Plus, the overstuffed chair in front of their fireplace looks inviting enough to disappear into for days.

“We try to think outside the box, bringing in items you may not normally see in a library. We have a wellness room, which is equipped with a full body massage chair, salt and sunlight lamps and health-related books. We also have a “Real Men Read” section, a large loaner library of specialty cake pans and they just added a knife sharpening

kit to our collection,” said Kayla Wardley, team member since 2003 and the recently elected Vice Chair of the Regional Mackenzie County Library Board.

The four dedicated team members—Kayla Wardley, Lisa Wardley, Krista Hiltz and Roxane Tarr—are constantly brainstorming new ways to engage and serve their community.

These dedicated individuals work hard to provide superior service to their patrons, whether local or not.

Next time you need to escape, be sure to stop in and discover what other treasures are waiting at this mighty little library.

780-926-4233 mackenziefrontier.com info@mackenziefrontier.com 8

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News 

BUILDING ON SUCCESS Mutually Beneficial Collaboration Continues between the Town of Peace River and Northern Sunrise County

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ver the past 10 years, the Town of Peace River and Northern Sunrise County have found ways to successfully collaborate to deliver a wide range of programs, services and facilities that have enhanced the quality of life and positively benefited the residents of both communities.

Some of these past successes have resulted in upgrades or construction of facilities throughout the town and the county, including Cecil Thompson Park, the Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark, the Baytex Energy Centre Multiplex, the Peace Regional Pool, the Peace Regional Outreach facility, Shell Rotary House and the new medical clinic, which is near completion in the Town of Peace River.

The councils from the Town of Peace River and Northern Sunrise County have recently begun comprehensive discussions to complete an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) and identify opportunities for the two municipalities to work together to find mutually beneficial ways to better serve their residents into the future.

These discussions will continue over the next several months and will explore many different avenues and possibilities for enhanced collaboration and partnership.

Although the primary focus will initially be on completing an ICF as is

required by the Municipal Government Act, the two councils see this as an ideal opportunity to build on the successes of the past several years and to explore new and innovative ways to collaborate to ensure residents of the region have high quality and affordable programs and services for many years to come.

According to Northern Sunrise County Reeve Carolyn Kolebaba, the joint effort is focused on improving quality of life.

“Although some of the discussions are required under municipal legislation, the really important conversations will focus on ensuring residents of the County, the Town

of Peace River and the Peace Region overall, have access to quality programs, services and facilities that provide a high quality of life now and into the foreseeable future,” said Kolebaba. “When our committee members sit at the table, we know our reasons for being there are the same; we are there for the people.”

Town of Peace River Mayor Tom Tarpey concurred.

“There is no doubt in my mind the work of this ICF Committee will supercharge our town and our region. Residents won’t have to compromise—they will have access to the opportunities of an urban centre with the natural splendour of a rural area,” said Tarpey.

#Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 2 0 2 0 M OV E U P

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 News

Town of High Level Recognizes Employee of 10 years

Light Up The Memory of your loved ones this holiday season to date with the society. The Light Up A Memory memorials will be published in the February 2020 issue of Move Up Magazine.

The Peace Palliative Care Society is a volunteer charitable organization serving the communities of Peace River, Grimshaw, Berwyn, Dixonville, Cadotte Lake, Nampa and surrounding areas.

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he Town of High Level has recognized Leann Timinsky for 10 years of service as a Town employee. September 5 marked Leann’s 10th anniversary with the Town of High Level as a member of the Community Services Department.

Leann started as a casual lifeguard and instructor and moved to a permanent position on Sept. 5, 2009.

She has continued her education during the past 10 years and is one of High Level’s Aquatic Instructors certified to teach Bronze Medallion and Cross as well as group fitness classes.

Leann has a strong aquatic knowledge base and her commitment to the Aquatic Centre is evident daily. When the facility has been in times of transition, Leann has stepped in to share some of the supervisory responsibilities to assist and ensure levels of service were not affected.

Leann is well known throughout the community and has been the face of the Aquatic Centre for the past 10 years.

The Town of High Level has recognized and acknowledged Leann’s commitment and her length of service with an engraved plaque and her 10 Year Service Award.

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emember and celebrate the memories of your loved ones with the Peace Palliative Care Society’s 27th Annual Light Up A Memory campaign.

The campaign will run from November 15 to December 31.

During this time local community businesses will have donation boxes on display.

Visit the Peace Palliative Care Society’s Facebook page for more information and to stay up

Palliative care is a specialized supportive health care for individuals and families who are living with a life limiting illness. The goal of palliative care is aimed at relieving suffering, providing comfort and dignity and improving the quality of life for persons who are living with, or dying from, advanced illness or are bereaved.

Visit peacepalliativecaresociety.ca for more information.

Baytex Energy Centre Officially Opens

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n October 19, the Town of Peace River celebrated the official grand opening of the new Baytex Energy Centre with a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours, refreshments and giveaways.

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The new facility boasts an arena, indoor playground, a three-lane indoor track, a fieldhouse, a multipurpose room, a concession and more.

WE: Set it up, service, maintain and restock - all free of charge.

YOU: Choose your favourite snacks and beverage - we do the rest!

CALL MICHELLE 1-780-625-5589 www.campbelllandvending.com | campbellland@outlook.com

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News 

Kyara Garnett was celebrated at a special ceremony at Holy Family School on Tuesday, September 24th // Photography submitted

Ava Roe receives a Great Kids Award from Minister Rebecca Schulz // Photography courtesy of the Government of Alberta

TWO LOCAL STUDENTS WIN GOV'T OF ALBERTA AWARD

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wo local students, Kyara Garnett, 14, of Grimshaw and the Holy Family School Division and Ava Roe, 12, of Paddle Prairie and the Northland School Division both won a 2019 Great Kids Award by the Government of Alberta.

Each year only 16 recipients across the province receive the honour. The award is given annually to honour children and youth who inspire and change the lives of others and help to build stronger communities.

According to Government of Alberta website, the award recipients exemplify the qualities of resiliency, leadership, determination, strength, and have often overcome a wide variety of challenges to make a positive impact in our province.

Kyara Garnett “Being recognized for the award makes me feel so special because being from such a small town, who would expect this?” said Kyara. “It feels really great to represent all of the great kids that exist. I am really thankful for the people who have been there for me through it all.”

actively listens, gives advice and always sees the positive. As a result, she is admired by her peers as someone who treats people with dignity and respect and will stand up for what is right. Simply put, Kyara has not let her difficult life circumstances change who she was destined to be–a great kid.

According to Alberta.ca, even though life has not been easy for Kyara, she has become a responsible, trustworthy and dependable natural leader at her school. She is frequently called upon to help around the school and is always willing and eager to assist, as evidenced in her active involvement in running the school’s theatre sound system and helping with morning announcements.

Even though she has experienced trauma and persistent family struggles, Kyara is that wonderful friend who is empathetic,

Ava Roe Ava is described as resilient, compassionate, a leader and an old soul.

Ava is constantly challenging herself to learn new things. She spends time with community Elders and family, gaining knowledge and practicing new skills like baking, cooking, sewing, hunting and trapping.

Her passion for taking on new challenges extends from her home life into her school life. Ava was elected class president and takes

that role very seriously. She meets the expectations of that role with an upbeat, positive attitude.

Ava initiated a snack program for her school, planning bake sales to raise money to fill the snack cupboard for other students.

The small and remote Métis community that Ava calls home is not without challenges. Despite that, she continues to excel and inspire others with her work ethic and enthusiasm.

Kyara and Ava were both presented the award on Sunday, September 15th at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton. They received a trophy, a night’s stay at the Fantasyland Hotel, passes to West Edmonton Mall attractions and a prize from a corporate sponsor.

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AVENGE ENERGY SERVICES is the Peace Region’s leader in Top Quality Fluid Management. Our head office is located in Peace River, AB, with branches located in Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray and Fort Saskatchewan. Our projects allow us to serve all of Western Canada.

EMPLOYEE PROFILE

JUSTIN REGULAR INDUSTRIAL SERVICE MANAGER, GRANDE PRAIRIE working at Avenge a few weeks later,” said Regular.

Since he joined them as Project Supervisor almost six years ago, his role has constantly changed based on project needs. He started in Peace River, which was the sole branch at the time. He’s worked on projects in Fort Saskatchewan, on the Forestry Trunk Road near Grande Prairie and he was the first employee in the Grande Prairie branch, which is now his home base. In his time off, he would fly home to be with his wife and three kids in Newfoundland until the family moved to Grande Prairie in August 2019.

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ustin Regular, 34, originally of Sop’s Arm, Newfoundland, likes to keep things interesting. He began his career in heavy tar sands facilities in Fort McMurray, but after working at nearly every site in the area over the course of eight years, he felt the job was too repetitive.

“I told a friend I was looking for something different, and he gave me Jeremy Hand’s phone number, who hired me on the spot. I started

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“I was the guy who went wherever we needed to go. I’ve done every job there is to do at one point or another, from swamping a truck to managing a branch. Right now, we’re moving our industrial services into a separate division. Building that is my main job, letting customers know what we’re capable of. It’s back to what I did for eight years, but it’s interesting because we’re finding new technologies and new ways of doing it,” said Regular.

Regular loves the close-knit, supportive environment at Avenge and being surrounded by driven, forwardthinking people on a daily basis.

He also enjoys the opportunities for personal growth offered by the company.

“We want to show our clients we respect, and will adapt to, their values, and we will make sure the job is done right. My favourite part of the job is being given freedom to explore solutions and being encouraged and challenged to do them,” said Regular.

Now that Regular and his family have relocated to Alberta, he is looking forward to becoming integrated into the community and continuing to help Avenge in his new role.

“I want to find new ways to make the industry better every day. Seeing what I helped to build and knowing that we’ll continue growing, it makes me very happy to be a part of it,” said Regular.

Driven by industry need, Avenge Energy Services has grown to meet the demand of clients seeking quality. We are Northern Alberta’s largest privately owned, diversified fleet.

We focus on safety, professionalism, reliability and community involvement.

Avenge was named the Business of the Year by the Peace River Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and 2019.

We pride ourselves on delivering the best service, with the best people and the best equipment. We currently have over 160 units and are expanding every day.

We believe local involvement is both a privilege and a responsibility for local business owners. In the past 5 years, Avenge contributed over $3 million to the communities in which we operate in.

EMPLOYEE PROFILE

SHANNA WALD OFFICE MANAGER FOR PEACE RIVER AND GRANDE PRAIRIE and shops in Peace River, Grande Prairie and Fort Saskatchewan, an office in Calgary, and mobile services in Fort McMurray.

The company’s values have remained consistent through out the growth, and they are exemplified by owner Jeremy Hand.

“Jeremy is very humble—he’s always been that way. You’ll often find him working in his coveralls alongside the employees when a job needs to be done. His work ethic and willingness to engage in every part of the operation is largely what has helped Avenge be successful,” said Wald.

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hanna Wald, 39, originally from Manning, Alberta is a firm believer in the benefits of working at Avenge, and as one of the company’s longest-standing employees, she should know.

When she started in 2011, the business had approximately 10 employees and four units run from a single small rented office space in downtown Peace River. It now has approximately 150 employees, over 130 units, large offices

Wald has been around the industry her whole life, frequently joining her dad, Tom Yasinksi of Grimshaw, in his truck as a child. She joined Avenge as a part-time bookkeeper working from home, but that role soon changed into a full-time role working from their head office in Peace River. Since then, she has become the office manager for both the Peace River and Grande Prairie locations.

something, they come to me. I get it done,” said Wald.

Wald sees the company as supportive of their employees, helping them develop their skills and giving them opportunities to advance.

“If you want to learn something to help you advance your career, they’ll provide those tools to help you achieve that. They recognize hard work. I’ve learned a lot more about accounting since I started,” said Wald.

Avenge also sponsors sports and youth clubs like her kids’ hockey leagues, which, as a hockey mom, she spends a significant portion of her spare time watching. The company’s generosity is a testament to the faith and values of the Hand family, many of whom are employed by Jeremy.

“I’m proud to be a part of the growth of Avenge. It was so cool to see. And the Hand family is incredible. I feel like they have adopted me. It’s a great feeling,” said Wald.

“I’m kind of ‘Mom’ here. I know my way around and I’ve been here the longest, so anytime anyone needs

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EMPLOYEE PROFILE

ROBERT OLIVER SENIOR FLUID MANAGER, GRANDE PRAIRIE end of the day, you want to know you accomplished something,” said Oliver.

Oliver started with the company in December 2016 when Hand approached him to help build the fluid hauling side of the business. Oliver had already been in oilfield trucking since 1983 and in management since 1994, with over 14 years of experience in fluid hauling. The opportunity to help the company build the division appealed to him.

“Jeremy had great ideas for both Avenge and for me, so I came on as Regional Manager. Now, I’m the Senior Fluid Manager with over 35 guys in my department,” said Oliver.

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obert Oliver, 56, originally of Peace River, has been involved in the oilfield for a long time and has earned his stripes.

He stays with Avenge because of the intangibles the job offers—the sense of accomplishment, the ability to mentor new employees and watch them succeed, and the opportunity to help owner Jeremy Hand build the company.

“I enjoy coming to work and feeling like I’m making a difference. At the

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Oliver, who enjoys camping, fishing and collecting antiques with his wife of 34 years in his spare time, has an open door policy for his team members.

Even though he has only been with the company for three years, Oliver has witnessed a great deal of growth, including seeing both his sons join the company.

“When I started, the company had three fluid tank trucks. Over the next six months, we added 20 fluid tank trucks and moved from a two-

bay shop to a five-bay shop. In the Grande Prairie branch, the company added mechanics, office staff, two 24-hour dispatchers, field supervisors and opened up an industrial cleaning division. The values haven’t changed since we started; we’re just fulfilling them better as we grow,” said Oliver.

Those values include treating the staff like family, whether they’ve been there for years or they are a new hire. All employees are invited to share their ideas for growth. When an employee is overloaded, management notices and makes adjustments.

Oliver sees Hand’s willingness to take risks as a primary factor in the company’s explosive growth, but at the same time, employees feel secure in their jobs.

“We get to know our people. We want to see how they’re doing, how they’re working, and we work to make their job enjoyable in a safe environment.

Our people like to get up and come to work at Avenge,” said Oliver.

“OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE AN AUTHENTIC, TRUSTWORTHY, TRANSPARENT AND PROACTIVE SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS TO ASSIST THEM IN ACHIEVING THEIR OBJECTIVES WITH EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY EFFICIENCY.”

Avenge Energy Services Mission Statement

EMPLOYEE PROFILE

ANDREW BURSEY DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION & HSE, GRANDE PRAIRIE initiatives will create. I’m making a safer environment for the workers and the public. I feel like a valued member not just of the company, but of the Avenge family,” said Bursey.

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or Andrew Bursey, 33, originally of Gander, Newfoundland, safety isn’t just his job, it’s his passion—a passion that is fed by the empowerment he receives working as Avenge Energy’s Director of Transportation & Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). Since he started with the company last year, he has implemented systems that have significantly improved the company’s safety record.

“Avenge believes in the initiatives I introduce and the change those

the company in his current role in 2018, Bursey was taken in by Hand’s passion and excitement and jumped on board.

When Bursey graduated from Keyin College in 2009 with an Occupational Health & Safety diploma, he didn’t want to go directly into safety work— he wanted to get hands-on experience with various facets of the oil and gas industry. He worked for 18 months in the camp construction industry. Then he took a job as a safety contractor with a company in the oil and gas industry in order to diversify his experience. However, he found the work unfulfilling.

“When I started, they already had a strong safety culture, but they lacked systems to measure how to improve further. Since I started, I’ve put the infrastructure in place to allow Avenge to become an international, continentwide trucking company. We’ve also reduced our speeding and hours of service infractions by over 80 percent.

We are a Partner in Compliance (PIC) with the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) to create safer systems across the province,” said Bursey.

“I often felt like an enforcement officer, not like I was changing anyone’s company culture or making a difference. I wasn’t making good use of my education and skill sets,” said Bursey.

With a young daughter and another baby on the way, Bursey believes deeply in the importance of safety.

And, Avenge believes in him, recently paying his way to speak at a conference in San Diego, CA.

In 2011, he joined a trucking company as a field-level safety advisor and his safety strategies got him promoted to safety manager in only three years.

“Jeremy realizes supporting his people allows them to be successful.

I’m proud to work for them because they’re proud to have me working for them,” said Bursey.

When Jeremy Hand, founder and CEO of Avenge, invited him to join

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Column



Northern Lakes College

From Northern Lakes College Student to Department Head

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he Chair of Trades and Resource Technology at Northern Lakes College was once a student in a program she manages today. In 2006, Chris Montgomery-Hewett enrolled in the welder apprenticeship program. In 2019, she became the head of the department. This is the story of how she got from “a” to “z”.

"I benefited from NLC as a student, and I'm proud to be a part of the NLC team, ensuring we continue to provide northern Albertans with educational opportunities."

Chris Montgomery-Hewett Chair of Trades and Resources

Chris grew up near Wapella, Saskatchewan. She credits growing up on a cattle farm for developing her aptitude for understanding how machines work. Her mechanical inclination led her to work with heavy equipment and, ultimately, to finding her passion in the welding trade.

With opportunities abounding to the west in Alberta, she moved to Slave Lake in 1999, running heavy equipment and working as a general labourer. Chris’ work provided her with an exposure to multiple trades, and she found she had a keen interest in welding. She enrolled in the First Period of Welding apprenticeship at Northern Lakes College in 2006, completing all three Periods in short order. She obtained her welding journeyman ticket in 2008.

Chris ran her own welding company for four years, specializing in B Pressure and CWB welding for pipelines and industrial facilities.

During her years running her welding company, she also worked towards a university degree through online learning, with the idea of becoming a high school shop teacher. She completed a bachelor of arts in 2011.

Her opportunity to teach came calling in 2012, when she began teaching welding for Northern Lakes College. In 2017, Chris became Coordinator of the Trades department, moving from the classroom to program coordination.

She also began a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) through Athabasca University. In the fall of 2018, Chris became Chair of Trades and Resource Technology.

“As an instructor, you impact students day to day. As a manager, your focus shifts to overall programming and ensuring our communities and students are getting the best opportunities we can bring them,” said Chris.

Chris finds her work with Northern Lakes College satisfying.

“I see myself with Northern Lakes College for many years to come.

I really believe in our mission statement and values, what we do, why we do it and how we do it. I benefited from NLC as a student, and I’m proud to be part of the NLC team, ensuring we continue to provide northern Albertans with educational opportunities,” said Chris.

“If you are interested in pursuing both a university education and a trade designation, don’t limit yourself. You can become a tradesperson, work and support your way through university,” said Chris.

“Don’t box yourself in. They are both valuable and worthwhile pursuits. It has made me a well-rounded person.”

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L to R, Top to Bottom: Angela de Klerk, Office Manager, Rachelle Brochu, DD, Kim Maximchuk, DD, Kendall Blanchette, DD, Clarice Nelson, Receptionist, Lucy Laflamme, Lab Technician

THE ART AND CRAFT OF THE PERFECT SMILE DENTURE & IMPLANT COTTAGE, PEACE RIVER

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miles are often a person’s most attractive quality. But, when the wear and tear of life takes its toll, some smiles need professional intervention to return them to their natural beauty through full or partial dentures. Yet, many people may avoid taking this step because of fear of the dental experience or aversion to the look and feel of dentures.

This is where the art, craftsmanship, compassion and expertise of the team at the Denture & Implant Cottage come in. With the variety of options offered by modern denture technology, a comfortable, beautiful smile is only an appointment away.

“Not all dentures are created equal,” said Kim Maximchuk, DD, 45, licensed denturist and owner of the Denture & Implant Cottage, which is a full service denture clinic that specializes in implant supported dentures, precision dentures, SEMCD (Suction Effective Mandibular

People shouldn’t have to settle for a basic denture anymore or remove their teeth in order to eat. If their dentures are causing discomfort, there is always a solution to fix them.

Kim Maximchuk, DD

Owner, Denture & Implant Cottage Dentures—lower dentures that actually suction in place), partial dentures, relines (altering the tissue fitting side to make loose dentures

fit properly), repairs, night guards, natural tooth whitening kits and sports mouth guards. “There are so many options available now.”

Dentures can be made with either affordable acrylic teeth, longer wearing nano-hybrid composite teeth or porcelain teeth. Porcelain is very sharp, which means you can easily chew fibrous foods that may be difficult with plastic teeth. Not only that, as long as the bone structure beneath the denture is fairly stable, and regular maintenance such as relines are completed, they can last much longer than plastic tooth option dentures.

Maximchuk says that each type differs in their longevity and strength. Due to the sensitivity of setting porcelain teeth in dentures, creating them requires a great deal of skill and expertise, which Maximchuk was fortunate to acquire early in her career as a denturist. She has now passed ADVERTI SE ME N T

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Kim Maximchuk, DD

that training on to her two associates, Rachelle Brochu, DD, and Kendall Blanchette, DD. Kim became a certified SEMCD CLINICIAN two years ago to offer the absolute best to our community. It has been a breakthrough in ensuring the most comfortable and most accurately fit lower dentures possible.

“It relit my fire and passion for my career,” said Maximchuk. “I have always adored my career, but now with two years of suction denture successes, I can honestly say that I love my job more than ever.”

A Different Kind of Denture Office The business opened in August 2015 after Maximchuk invited the late Dawn Callies of DC Denture Clinic to work with her. She converted a 100-year-old heritage home in downtown Peace River into a cozy and welcoming clinic, complete with a comfy sitting area inside and lovely gardens outside. The overall aesthetic is very homey.

“We have a clean, calming and

L to R: Clarice Nelson, Receptionist, and Angela de Klerk, Office Manager

welcoming atmosphere, and our coffee and tea is always on. You can sit by the fireplace and chat with our friendly front end team. The only thing clinical about our environment is our sterilization protocol. We take sterilization very seriously,” said Maximchuk.

The team at the Denture & Implant Cottage cover all aspects of denture care, from receptionist Clarice Nelson, the first smile you see when you walk in the door, to Angela de Klerk, office manager extraordinaire, to Lucy Laflamme, the laboratory technician magician. And, of course, there are the licensed denture specialists— Maximchuk, DD, Rachelle Brochu, DD, and Kendall Blanchette, DD. All denturists are Northern Peace River women at heart—all born and raised in northern communities and offer only the very best denture services they can to their fellow residents of the Peace. Each team member uses their skills and talents to make customers feel cared for from the moment they walk in until they step back out the door.

“We’re like a little family—we work, play, and even stay fit together. When people come to the office, they feel that. It makes the experience much nicer,” said Maximchuk.

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ADV E R T I S E M E N T

“Handcrafted and customized” are key components of the options Maximchuk and her team offer.

Clients can replace missing teeth with a partial denture or refit their whole mouth with natural-looking teeth.

Permanent soft rubber liners increase denture comfort and an annual clean and polishing keeps dentures at their best and stain free. Nothing is sent out for processing—all work is done inhouse in their Biofunctional Prosthetic System (BPS) certified lab.

“We never say ‘that’s the best we can do’. There is always something we can do, and we don’t stop until we find the right solution. I quite enjoy the difficult cases, actually. I like a good challenge,” said Maximchuk.

Where Craft and Technology Meet The Denture & Implant Cottage team use cutting-edge technology to deliver their products and services. Standard dentures are made with 3-layered cross-linked acrylic teeth and are an economical choice. Precision or BPS dentures are made with precise jaw relation recordings, porcelain or nanohybrid composite tooth options and suction impressions to ensure the most comfortable and secure fit possible with removable dentures—can you imagine a lower denture that makes a suction sound when it is removed?

L to R: Lucy Laflamme, Lab Technician, Kendall Blanchette, DD, Rachelle Brochu, DD, and Kim Maximchuk, DD

Dentures are processed using a revolutionary machine called an Ivoclar IvoBase® Injection System.

The technology continuously injects high impact acrylic into the denture during the creation process, resulting in an astounding level of accuracy and a more hygienic, stronger denture.

“The old-fashioned way of making dentures involved trial packing acrylic into metal flasks and pressing them with a hydraulic press, resulting in as much as a 12 percent change due to shrinkage during processing. This system creates only a 0.7 percent change, which means less tooth movement and a tighter fit, thereby ensuring fewer problems from denture sores. There is nothing more precise available today to ensure an amazing fit,” said Maximchuk.

“Then you have the ‘Mercedes Benz’ of dentures: implant supported dentures.

We offer fixed—all on 4-teeth in a day options—to bar over dentures and also more economical options, locators, which are commonly called ‘snap on’ dentures,” said Maximchuk.

“Dental implants stimulate bone cells

to regenerate, preventing further bone loss, which happens when traditional dentures are worn. Plus, they are the most comfortable, secure and natural fit on the market.”

In keeping with their dedication to stay on the cutting edge and always staying up to date with their continuing education, the clinic will soon be offering 3D printed digital dentures. While options are more limited than a custom set, you can get new teeth made in a matter of hours, offering a fast turnaround time for people in emergency situations and an option to eliminate traditional impression taking.

“This technology is very new, and I’ll probably still fall back on my traditional custom-fitted handcrafted techniques because dentures with porcelain teeth will never be available with this type of system,” said Maximchuk.

L to R: Rachelle Brochu, DD, Kim Maximchuk, DD, and Kendall Blanchette, DD

Maximchuk and her team do whatever they can to give back to the community. They strongly believe in spreading awareness and education about advancements in denture technology. Their booths at the Peace River Chamber of Commerce’s annual trade show and the annual Seniors Wellness Fair help educate the public.

Look for them next time you attend.

“People shouldn’t have to settle for a basic denture anymore or remove their teeth in order to eat. If their dentures are causing discomfort, there is always a solution to fix them,” said Maximchuk. “We provide this service to our community because everybody deserves proper functioning dentures and a reason to smile.”

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Relocation Story JEFF MOVED UP TO FAIRVIEW, AB

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Photography submitted

looked at Faye and said, “This is our home now; we live here.” Leaving my family, including a young daughter, behind in Ontario was difficult, but somehow seeing that fantastic view with my supportive partner beside me made everything alright.

We weren’t sure if we were going to make it up the north side of the gorge in that U-Haul, but we were sure we were in love with the region.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU THE MOST ABOUT THE PEACE REGION?

The fantastic sense of community

JEFF MOVED UP TO FAIRVIEW FROM ONT. Jeff Johnston, 45, moved to Fairview, AB, in 2013. Jeff was born in Brantford, ON, and went to Fanshawe College in London, ON. WHERE DO YOU WORK?

I’m self employed. I own a small store in Fairview’s Mall on Main called Fealty Computer Sales and Service where I fix computers, sell all sorts of technology and do webpages and cell phone app design, including the Fairview TownPulse app. In addition, I run two other businesses out of the same location, Snappy’s Shots, a photography studio and photobooth service, and High In The Sky Drone Services. I’m also a Town Councillor.

WHAT’S YOUR STORY? HOW DID YOU END UP RELOCATING TO THE MIGHTY PEACE REGION?

In 2012, I was working for Sun Media in London, ON, but ended up downsized.

The job market in the area was tough for computer technicians, so I spread out my job search, and GPRC offered me a position in Fairview. I moved with my then fiancé, now wife, Faye.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE PEACE REGION?

I remember driving a U-Haul with serious transmission issues down the Dunvegan Gorge, and we were carrying all our worldly possessions. We rounded a bend and saw the most awe inspiring view I had seen to date, the Dunvegan Bridge. I

COMPARED TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM, HOW DOES THE PEACE REGION DIFFER?

There’s a better cost of living here and affordable homes.

It’s much colder in the winter, but oddly, it’s less chilling due to the dryness.

IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU INTEGRATED YOURSELF INTO THE COMMUNITY?

When we landed here, the first thing we wanted to check out was the Fairview Fine Arts Centre. We joined almost immediately. We’ve remained active members since and have both sat on the Board. I became a member of the Crossroads Woman’s Shelter Board. I ran for Town Council and lost; then I ran again in a bi-election and won. Now, I sit on the following boards: Fairview and District Chamber of Commerce, FCSS, Health Professionals

Enhancement Committee and Fine Arts Centre Building Committee. I also became a member of Northland Lodge #147 of Freemasons. I am part of a small group of local entrepreneurs who meet regularly to encourage and help focus our businesses.

Every year since moving up here, I’ve volunteered for the North West Alberta Regional Skills Competition held at GPRC in April.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO ANYONE THINKING OF RELOCATING HERE?

Come visit. I guarantee you will love the region.

WHAT ARE SOME MUSTTRY PEACE REGION EXPERIENCES?

Have a campfire and picnic at the Maples (or one of the many other fantastic camping spots in the region). Enjoy the northern lights, the Summer’s End Festival in Fairview or the Christmas Light shows in Peace River and Grande Prairie.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY INTERESTING WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS SINCE YOU’VE BEEN HERE?

When we moved up here, we lived in on-campus housing, and we had deer living under our back porch. Also, we got married in 2016 at Lac Cardinal, and on the way back home to Fairview we had to stop to let a rather large wolf cross the road. Over the years, we have seen tons of wildlife, but those two incidents stand out.

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Relocation Story

PAUL AND HEATHER MOVED UP FROM RED DEER, AB Photography submitted

here originally, so people know what it’s like to be new to town.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY INTERESTING WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS SINCE YOU’VE BEEN HERE?

None involving bears…yet.

But, we often go walking up Misery Mountain where it’s unusual not to see wildlife. It's usually deer, but sometimes coyotes, moose, owls and snakes.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL SUNDAY IN THE PEACE REGION?

Any Sunday we’re not on call and the kids sleep in past 8:00.

PAUL AND HEATHER MOVED UP FROM RED DEER Doctors Paul Kirvan, 35, and Heather Shonoski, 31, moved to Peace River one year ago from Red Deer where they took part in the Rural Alberta North family medicine residency.

Heather is originally from Winnipeg and Paul is originally from Mearns, AB, which is near Morinville.

WHERE DO YOU WORK?

We split our time between the hospital and the Peace River Medical Clinic.

WHAT’S YOUR STORY? HOW DID YOU END UP RELOCATING TO THE MIGHTY PEACE REGION?

We first visited the area in the winter of 2016. Our family medicine residency involved many rotations of a couple months—each in 26

different small towns. We visited eight altogether.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE PEACE REGION?

Actually, our real first impression was back in the spring of 2009. Both being pilots we’d rented a small plane for a day trip and flew over. The valley was quite spectacular that day and quite unlike anything we expected to see in Alberta, having never been north of Grande Prairie before that.

COMPARED TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM, HOW DOES THE PEACE REGION DIFFER?

The climate is actually better than we expected considering how far north we’ve come. The winter is no worse than Winnipeg and the summer has been

M OVE U P N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 TO FEBRU A RY 2020 | www.moveupmag.com

just as nice without the bugs.

On the medical side, it’s pretty different working where you’re four hours or more away from the city, most of the specialists and fancy equipment. Of course, that’s what we trained for and Alberta has very good systems for putting us in touch with the experts when we need them.

IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU INTEGRATED YOURSELF INTO THE COMMUNITY?

Heather and I have two toddlers at home. We’ve enjoyed a wide variety of activities we can do with them such as ParentLink, preschool and swimming.

Heather also ran her first triathlon here in the summer. Many people who are here now weren’t from

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE?

Definitely hiking, since there’s so many gorgeous trails to do. We both enjoy downhill skiing as well.

IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE PEACE REGION?

The main draw for us is that Peace River offers a varied medical practice— you can go from dealing with a heart attack one minute to delivering a baby the next. Peace River has a great group of young, enthusiastic doctors to work with. Many of them also have kids the same age as ours. And, there’s also some with more experience and specialized skills to count on when you need help.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

With any luck, right where we are now!

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Photography by Josh Lambert

sunshine through THE

SMOKE WORDS BY TALENA WINTERS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH LAMBERT, THAT GIRL PEARL PHOTOGRAPHY & JAMES ROBICHEAU

Wildfires raged out of control in northwest Alberta from May until well into the summer of 2019. This fire season there were 120 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area—the largest of which was the Battle Complex wildfire in the County of Northern Lights, which caused 55,000 hectares of damage and over 520 residents to evacuate their homes. As of October 14, 2019, this was the only wildfire in the Peace River Forest Area not extinguished.

Photography by Josh Lambert

In the High Level Forest Area just two wildfires—the Chuckegg Creek “Monster” wildfire and the Jackpot Creek wildfire—caused much more damage. Over 420,000 hectares of land have been burnt, 17 homes have been lost and roughly 13,000 people were evacuated from their homes. This story follows these two fires and the amazing efforts of local citizens to heal, rebuild and prepare for the future.

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n May 12, 2019, a lightning strike 20 km south of High Level ignited a fire near Chuckegg Creek—a common occurrence in the forests of northern Alberta during a dry spring. However, because of high winds and the continued unseasonably dry heat, what at first seemed a small threat soon grew out of control.

Photography by Josh Lambert

According to information provided by the Town of High Level (TOHL), from May 16 to May 18, the fire went from 271 hectares (ha) to over 25,000 ha. Officials in the TOHL, Mackenzie County and the nearby Dene Tha’ First Nation (DTFN) community of Bushe River put their citizens on a 72hour evacuation alert. By the next day, both communities had Emergency Command Centres (ECCs) set up and were in discussion #Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 20 2 0 M OV E U P

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(L to R) Crystal McAteer, Mayor of High Level // That Girl Pearl Photography; James Ahnassay, Dene Tha' First Nation Chief, and Stephen Ahnassay, Deputy Director of Emergency Management // Photography by James Robicheau; Josh Knelsen, Reeve of Mackenzie County // Photography submitted

about how to handle the oncoming danger.

By the end of May 20, the fire was only 1 km from the TOHL and, in combination with the Jackpot Creek fire near Steen River, was causing heavy smoke in the DTFN communities of Meander River and Chateh to the north and west.

Nearly all residents in the TOHL, Bushe River and high-risk places in Mackenzie County as well as vulnerable people in the DTFN communities of Meander River and Chateh were evacuated.

That was the beginning of what many citizens in the area are now referring to as the “Lost Summer.”

“The social fabric of our community was completely 30

disrupted,” said Crystal McAteer, Mayor of the TOHL. “Many people were away for the long weekend when the evacuation was called and didn't return until September. The schools never reopened, sport seasons such as baseball and soccer came to an abrupt halt, and children didn’t get to say goodbye to their friends. People with medical conditions had to stay away because of the smoke. It took a toll on us.”

The heaviest toll was the loss of 16 homes in Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement and one in Mackenzie County.

Firefighters battled a blaze that seemed to have “a mind of its own,” according to Dean Ducharme, Director of Emergency Management for Paddle Prairie. By that point, the fire had reached 80,000 ha.

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The municipal councils of Mackenzie County, DTFN, TOHL and the Beaver First Nation (BFN), which has two reserves in the area, united their tactical response with Alberta Wildfire through a Unified Command. They shared information with each other in order to make decisions and ensure their own citizens were sheltered, fed, cared for and out of harm’s way until the danger could be declared past. In the midst of it all, the people of these communities banded together and cared for each other.

“When you evacuate a farming community, it’s more than just packing up your cat and dog and leaving,” said Josh Knelsen, Reeve of Mackenzie County.

“Farmers need to move their animals. Large farmers

may have the equipment to do this, but there are a few thousand hobby farmers in the county, so evacuating gets tough. There were many homes opened up to complete strangers or with holiday trailers parked in their yards.”

“Everyone at our ECC was very cooperative and knowledgeable. Some had previous experience, but even new ones were very on top of what needed to be done,” said James Ahnassay, Chief of the DTFN. Many of the evacuees went to evacuation centres set up in Slave Lake, Peace River, High Prairie, Edmonton, Whitecourt, Grande Prairie and throughout Mackenzie County, including the Heritage Centre in La Crete and Fort Vermilion’s arena. Some opted to go

north into the Northwest Territories. Contractors, logging companies and construction companies supplied logging camps as lodgings and brought bunks to the evacuation centres for seniors and people for whom cots would be a problem.

“Some people were reluctant to evacuate for fear of what they might come home to, but most were quick to respond.

It’s always uncomfortable for people to evacuate, especially Elders and other vulnerable people,” said Ahnassay.

Volunteers at the evacuation centres did all they could to help the displaced folks, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) and other local medical services and pharmacies filled in the gaps to supply people with medications that had been left behind in the hurry to evacuate.

“The volunteers at the evacuation centres were fantastic, driving school buses to haul people back and forth, getting medication from town and cleaning up—everyone really stepped up and pitched in where it was needed. It made a bad situation something you could look back on and be proud of the people involved,” said Knelsen.

“The coordinators at the receiving centres checked in on everyone daily, made sure everyone had a ride to meals and provided directions, information and help. All those things fell into place,” said Ahnassay.

Citizens were allowed to

(L to R) Stephen Ahnassay, Deputy Director of Emergency Management, Chief James Ahnassay, Executive Director of Operations James Robicheau, Albert Cooper, Alberta Emergency Management Agency First Nations Field Officer // Photography submitted

return home by June 3, but the fire wasn’t finished yet. Unpredictable shifting winds sent the danger once more toward High Level and Bushe River, putting High Level back on evacuation alert and triggering an 8-hour evacuation warning for Bushe River, parts of Mackenzie County and the BFN communities of Boyer and Child Lake.

“High Level was in a better position than we were because they had farmland between them and the fire, and they had sprinklers set up. All we had were forests—all that fuel. So, we evacuated a second time, this time for about a week,” said Ahnassay.

“It caused many of our Elders a lot of stress to leave in such a rush, and they

were hesitant to go,” said Riel Chonkolay, Director of Emergency Management at BFN. “But, we’re thankful we didn’t lose any homes.”

“By the time the other communities started evacuating, it was after 11 pm, and with the information the wildland firefighting team provided, we decided to shelter in place. It was a good decision because we didn’t have to evacuate again,” said McAteer.

It was two months from ignition before the Chuckegg Creek Fire was classified as “being held,” and 70 days before Alberta Wildfire announced it was “under control” on August 23, a status it maintains as of October 14. In all, this fire alone burned over 350,000 ha (3,500 km2).

As the smoke cleared from the skies, people were left to deal with the consequences of one of the most traumatic natural disasters in the settled history of the region. How they did so is a testament to their resiliency and spirit.

“Businesses like the Flamingo Inn, the Mirage Hotel, Tim Hortons and Traditions Café provided meals for over 500 people.

Both grocery stores left the keys and said, ‘Use anything you can.’ Hotels with skeleton staff opened their doors, and hardware stores and gas stations remained open to serve. There were so many stories, it’s hard to name them all,” said McAteer.

“Farmers took on extra animals, even if meant their own pastures or water

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Rodney Schmidt, High Level Fire Chief, and Crystal McAteer High Level Mayor // That Girl Pearl Photography

supplies might be used up sooner, but they selflessly did it and dealt with it later,” said Knelsen.

“It is people’s natural instinct to work together in an emergency. Everyone says, ‘How can we best make it through this emergency, look after each other and get home safely?’

I felt everything went pretty smoothly with the evacuations,” said Ahnassay.

Part of the healing process is becoming more prepared for future emergencies.

Mackenzie County, the DTFN and the TOHL have all been assessing what went well and what they could have done better in order to improve both their individual and regional emergency plans. According to Ahnassay, they hope to interest other neighbouring municipalities in an emergency plan for the greater region.

“Communication is key,” said McAteer. “We tried 32

to keep our citizens as informed as possible via social media, and we visited evacuation centres to let our residents know what was happening. The Dene Tha’, TOHL and Mackenzie County were unified in their decisions, and we forged a stronger bond with the Dene Tha’ on our path to reconciliation.”

“When Elders in long-term care evacuated to different centres with unfamiliar staff, some of them did not have a good experience. We learned that in a time of emergency, we can hire people they know to go with them, and we need to be aware of people with mobility issues.

We also need to re-educate people on a regular basis about what to do in case of emergency and to be aware of dangers in other centres they may not experience at home,” said Ahnassay.

McAteer has become an advocate of controlled burns, or hazard reduction

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burning, as a way to manage dangers from forest fires.

The Government of Alberta has provided High Level with a Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI) team.

The team will train nearby communities and residents how to be fire smart through the use of sprinklers and reducing fuel sources in and around the community to prepare for future threats.

“We are working on creating a fuel buffer around the community by minimizing and controlling the vegetation around High Level. We are also reducing fuels inside the community to reduce risk from future wildfires and to provide safe zones for residents,” said McAteer.

The leaders of the communities involved want to thank everyone who worked so hard throughout the emergency: first responders, ECC volunteers and staff, their own staff and volunteers—who

put in many extra hours throughout the danger season—the approximately 13,000 evacuees from their communities, the provincial government and the task forces they sent to help deal with the situation, and especially to the many firefighters from within the region, across Alberta and around the world who worked so hard to save their homes and communities.

“Everybody needs to be thanked. We all had a hand in making sure the evacuations were done in a safe manner,” said Ahnassay.

“It’s the most extreme event that I recall, ever, as far as the number of people affected,” said Knelsen.

“The way everybody came together from all communities was pretty amazing. Even though it was a tragic event, there was a silver lining showcasing the community spirit and true selflessness of everyone in the region.”

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What's new in the 2019/2020 School Year?

WHAT'S NEW AT HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC REGIONAL DIVISION (HFCRD)?

(Top) Students from Rosary School in Manning team up in the buddy system.

(Bottom) Students enjoy the new Sensory Room at Good Shepherd School.

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new school year has begun and excitement is in the air! HFCRD wishes students, parents, staff and community members a fantastic 2019/20 school year. Below are just a few items that are new in our division. École Providence School Adds Grade 7 At the Tuesday, April 16th Board Meeting, trustees voted to add grade seven to École Providence School

in the 2019/2020 school year and grade eight in September 2020. The decision was made in response to the increased enrolment at École Providence School and several requests from local parents/guardians and students.

Central Office Renovations As many are aware, there was a fire at our central office in Peace River in

March 2019. Since then, extensive renovations were completed. Our central office staff moved back to the Catholic Conference Centre at the end of September.

forward to welcoming them back. We are very blessed to have this new team joining us and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on the lives of students across the Peace Region.

Glenmary School Modernization

New Sensory Rooms

We are very pleased that the Glenmary School modernization is nearly complete. The interior of the school is complete, and the installation of solar panels to the exterior of the school is scheduled for this fall. To date, the school has received a new office, a new cosmetology suite (the EvelineCharles Academy), a new CTS lab, new science labs, a modernized foods lab, an art classroom, modernized bathrooms, a new kitchen and updated electrical and mechanical throughout.

We thank the staff, students and families of Glenmary School for their patience and understanding throughout the modernization process.

NET Ministries We are thrilled to welcome NET Ministries back to our division for a second year beginning in October 2019.

NET Ministries is a team of young missionaries who are coming to our schools to evangelize. Last year’s team was extremely successful in their mission and we look

Good Shepherd School in Peace River, and St. Stephen’s School in Valleyview both have new sensory rooms. These rooms were installed in collaboration with Peace Collaborative Services and were funded through a grant from the Children’s Ability Fund. Students who require extra sensory and physical supports have scheduled daily sessions in the sensory rooms.

Students who are in need of a calming environment outside of the ordinary classroom can use the room as well.

Educational Assistants lead kids through mindfulness activities to help them self-regulate. The room accommodates small groups, but services are most often provided on a one-to-one basis.  hfcrd.ab.ca

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What's new in the 2019/2020 School Year?

WHAT'S NEW AT NORTHLAND SCHOOL DIVISION (NSD)?

A Message from Nancy Spencer-Poitras, Acting Superintendent of Schools, Northland School Division Tansi, Edlanat’e, Greetings everyone!

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the five schools who have returned after being off since the end of May due to wildfires: St. Theresa School, Mistassiniy School, Career Pathways School, Chipewyan Lake School and Pelican Mountain School.

Unfortunately, the startup date at Paddle Prairie School was postponed due to health and safety precautions related to the restoration work. I want to acknowledge everyone who helped to support these communities during a difficult time, and their ongoing support. A special thank you to Calling Lake staff and other teachers who supported the communities during this time at Calling Lake School.

Each school year is always exciting for me as

an educator as well as a parent and a grandparent.

The opportunity to work with parents, community, children and staff to support the success of every child is such an honour and delight.

As educators, we always strive for excellence in ourselves and others in the work we do every day with students. We must always remember every child is one of a kind and unique.

By working with the support of staff and communities every student can be successful, and we should be striving for excellence in everything we do. When educating our students, it is imperative we always remember every child brings their own unique gifts to the school and we should celebrate these gifts.

Student and teacher success is only possible with support from staff, parents and community members working together as a team.

The Board of Trustees created a vision that

supports our commitment to inspire students to be the best they can be by providing outstanding holistic educational opportunities, with amazing staff and strong partnerships with families and communities. To ensure we fulfill our commitment, we are going to focus on division priorities aimed at increasing student success: • Student Attendance: Increase student attendance by 1.5% to a target of 82.4% in 2019-2020 • Community Involvement: Ensure families are actively and meaningfully involved in their children’s education • Indigenous language and culture: Students are able to learn their local language Cree or Dene. And staff, with support from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, can organize landbased learning that is connected to the

curriculum • Literacy: Increase the number of students reading at grade level by 10% and staff utilizing the resources and training they received to access student progress • Numeracy: A plan is in place to help students understand mathematical concepts Please be involved with your local school. One way to participate in education is by joining your local school council. Please contact your school for more information about the school council or other ways you can participate in your child’s education.

Thank you for your support and involvement. I hope everyone has a successful 2019-2020 school year.  nsd61.ca

WHAT'S NEW AT PEACE RIVER SCHOOL DIVISION (PRSD)?

Peace River School Division (PRSD) staff and students are very excited to have started the 2019-2020 school year. We have seen a significant increase in enrolment within our division this year. Over the summer PRSD Central Operations relocated to a 36

new space located at 470251 Street in Grimshaw.

“This new location has proven to work very efficiently with the administration and facilities departments both under one roof. The Town of Grimshaw has been

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extremely welcoming to the staff, and we couldn’t be more appreciative and happy with our new location,” said Darren Kuester, PRSD Board Chair.

“PRSD has hired four new positions, one being a new Home Education Coordinator as we have

seen an increased number of students who have registered with us for the Home Education Program, which we are thrilled about. We have also hired Numeracy and Literacy Program Coordinator positions. The role of these two people will be to

What's new in the 2019/2020 School Year?

WHAT'S NEW AT CONSEIL SCOLAIRE DU NORD-OUEST (CSNO)?

This September, the Conseil scolaire du Nord-Ouest (CSNO)*, eagerly welcomed students and staff for the 2019-2020 school year.

The CSNO governs three francophone schools (preschool to grade 12) in three great communities: École des Quatre-Vents in Peace River, École Héritage in Falher and École Nouvelle Frontière in Grande Prairie. This year we are showing a steady 2% overall increase in enrolment for our schools!

2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the CSNO, and we are proudly celebrating francophone education in Alberta. In 2018-2019, our schools also celebrated anniversaries: 30 years for École Héritage and 20 years for École Nouvelle Frontière. In 2019-2020, École des Quatre-Vents will celebrate its 20th anniversary and its first ever graduating class.

Although francophone education has been in the Peace Region for over 30 years, it may still remain a

increase their numeracy and literacy scores throughout the division. Completing the new positions is our First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Program Coordinator, who will ensure the needs of FNMI and all students are met.”

PRSD is also very excited to announce our Wellness

bit of a mystery for some.

Our mandate is to provide a schooling experience built around francophone language, culture and community. Thanks to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Section 23) and the Alberta Education Act, francophone schools exist to revitalize the French language and culture and reverse the rate of assimilation among francophones in Alberta.

This year, the CSNO welcomes several new staff members and we are excited to have them contribute to our quality francophone programming and deliver Alberta Education’s curriculum in a studentcentered environment, featuring smaller class sizes and individual attention.

To further complement the curriculum and provide a fertile learning environment and rich cultural experience, the CSNO continues to offer student services such as pedagogical consultants, and student wellness and cultural programming coordinators. Some of the

Champion Initiative, which we are working on.

A Wellness Champion is a PRSD member with an interest in making their school community a healthier place. Wellness Champions work in the school community to foster healthy eating, active living and a positive environment. They identify

programs being offered this year include the following:

• and support for parents (French and English).

• individually tailored approach for children requiring support with the French language;

Finally, the CSNO’s 2019 Accountability Pillar Overall Summary results show “Excellent” and “High” achievement in 9 of the 16 measured categories, while maintaining or improving in 14 of 16 categories. We our proud to say our students receive a well-grounded education with attention paid to their physical, pedagogical and cultural well being. Our results speak for themselves in two languages.

• integrated educational technology plan, recognition programs and reading clubs; • a vibrant cultural program, including drama, music, art, excursions and performances; • community involvement and school trips (this year: Jasper, Drumheller, Québec, Ontario and Peru); • free lunch (or snack) school nutrition program, recycling program and a studentrun garden;

*Also known as, the Francophone Regional Authority of the Northwest Francophone Education Region

 csno.ab.ca

• elementary, junior and senior level sports teams and swimming lessons; • a francophone daycare (École Nouvelle Frontière);

wellness needs, connect people to resources and set and achieve wellness goals.

PRSD is very excited to begin work on this initiative and we can’t wait to get our staff and students involved.

for our family of staff and students here at Peace River School Division.  prsd.ab.ca

With these new supports in place, our motto of “Learning Together Success For All” rings true #Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 20 2 0 M OV E U P

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FEATURE

come together Many Hands Make Light Work

#Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 20 2 0 M OV E U P

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CREATING A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY

"Junction" John Clague, Owner of Junction Motors for 40 years

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unction Motors has been a pillar of the Grimshaw business community for 60 years, providing new and used Ford vehicles and parts to generations of locals. It’s also been the site of the Grimshaw Registry office for 15 years.

“Junction” John Clague has worked there for 43 of those years, 40 of them as owner, and has seen his dealership outlast six other dealers in the area. The secret to his success? A combination of hard work, prudent business choices and putting his community at the centre of his business model.

“Our company culture is to be present in Grimshaw, to be positive in the community and to assist anyone who is volunteering their time. As one of the larger employers in town,

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we have 25 people who rely on us, so if any of the staff have club- or sport-related activities, we support that. We live in a small community. So many people donate their time for community clubs and organizations, and it’s important that somebody donates the money,” said Clague.

Besides Clague’s financial contributions to the community, he also gives as much time as his schedule allows. He was a charter member of the Grimshaw Rotary Club until the chapter closed in approximately 2017 and has also been involved in Lion’s Club. For many years, he’s been an active participant in the Grimshaw Chamber of Commerce (a non-funded volunteer organization) and served as president

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of the organization for approximately eight years over a couple of terms.

“My bookkeeper said ‘John, you’re doing something every day for the Chamber.’

I’d work for them for an hour or two a day, but I enjoyed it. It gave me the opportunity to meet face to face with other business people, which is sometimes difficult when you’re running a business. You sort of come to work and you’re there, and it can be difficult to mentally leave.

Volunteering helps me do that,” said Clague.

Clague, originally from Edmonton, made a few hops across Canada before finally settling in the Peace Country for good. He originally moved to the region in 1967, working with a sales finance

company in Peace River for five years. He transferred to Winnipeg to work as a branch manager with the same company, staying for four years before moving back to Peace River in 1976 to “try the car business.”

“My first position was with the Ford dealership in Peace River, with the intention to buy in after 12 months. But I would have been the ninth partner in the business, which I didn’t want. So I approached the owners of the Junction in Grimshaw, Rusty and Betty Paul, and bought 45 percent of the shares. I bought the rest three years later and have owned it ever since,” said Clague.

Fifteen years ago, he diversified when the owners of Grimshaw Registry closed their doors. To keep

JUNCTION MOTORS GRIMSHAW, AB

SERVICE

WORDS BY TALENA WINTERS | PHOTGRAPHY BY MELISSA E EARLE

Members of the Junction Motors Team

the service alive in the community, he and his wife, Evelyn, bought the office and opened it in the sales location of Junction Motors. As the only registry office in the Peace Region that is open on Saturdays, people have come all the way from Hines Creek, Red Earth and St. Isidore to use their services.

“We didn’t want the registry to close so everyone in Grimshaw and Berwyn had to go to Peace River. It works out well having it in the sales office, since people can trade in or purchase a new vehicle and then just walk over to the registry to do the paperwork. Since the Peace River office closed a few months ago, we’re doing double the business and had to hire another agent,” said Clague.

OUR COMPANY CULTURE IS TO BE PRESENT IN GRIMSHAW, TO BE POSITIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO ASSIST ANYONE WHO IS VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME. "Junction" John Clague Over the years, Clague has had to adapt to changing conditions. When the business centre focus in town shifted to the highway instead of Main Street, he opened a new sales centre on Highway 2 in 1988, leaving the parts and service side of the company at the original location by the post office downtown. He’s seen shifts in the industry away from independent familyowned dealerships and towards larger dealership conglomerates. Vehicles are going from gasolinepowered to hybrid and

electric varieties. Even the registry business is changing, with more options for people to find those services online.

Clague has rolled with each change, thriving with his service-based and community-minded perspective.

“It’s important that the community supports us, so it’s hand-in-hand that we support the community. We are involved in 90 percent of kids’ sports, and any time a youth organization comes around here, we will

support it. We donated $75,000 to Stone Brook for a library and donated to the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex. Now, I go there every third day and work out,” said Clague.

Clague says his famous moniker is the result of a comment made years ago by a friend in radio that he should have a jingle, and he’s been “Junction John” ever since. But, despite his wife’s teasing that he will have to give up all his personalized jackets when he retires, you can tell he’s tickled pink when he shares that kids have come up to him and asked to sing him his own jingle. With such a generous and communityminded legacy, it seems likely that Clague will be a well-known figure in Grimshaw for generations to come.

#Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 20 2 0 M OV E U P

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COMMUNITY COOPERATION VITAL FOR

(L to R) Dr. Karen Lundgard, AHS Associate Zone Medical Director, Frank Lovsin, Dr. Dave Willox, Carolyn Kolebaba, NSC's Reeve and Dr. Laurene Willox (picture from the June 12, 2018, sod-turning)

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ithin the next few months, doctors in Peace River will be serving their patients from a brand new medical facility across from the Peace River Community Health Centre (PRCHC).

The Peace River Medical Clinic has only been under construction since early 2018, but the project is the result of over a decade of effort and planning to build a new clinic that will meet the area’s growing needs.

Thanks to the vision, dedication, cooperation and support of local physicians, businesses, organizations, individuals and municipalities, that plan has become a firm reality.

“This project was the vision of many municipalities and community members. It is going to be a high-quality

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medical clinic that will attract the best-of-thebest health professionals,” said Carolyn Kolebaba, Reeve of Northern Sunrise County (NSC) and Chair of Northern Sunrise Medical Clinic Committee (NSMCC). “My whole council believes in the vision for the area, and we are honoured to be part of a region that believes in the spirit of community.”

The project was originally the brainchild of Dr. Dave Willox, who visualized a Medical Centre of Excellence to replace the cramped, aging Associate Medical Clinic building downtown. He did a great deal of fundraising in 2007 and 2008, raising community support and donations from local businesses and organizations including Rotary, DMI (now Mercer Peace River),

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and PennWest (now Obsidian Energy). But, after he developed health issues and the provincial government declined funding for the project, the inertia behind his vision stalled.

Then, in 2014, area municipalities picked up the torch.

“In 2014, NSC and all of our neighbouring municipalities formed the NSMCC to advocate for and assist local physicians in securing a new facility.

We all understand the importance of providing high-quality medical care to our residents. For many years, the committee worked together to get provincial funding for the clinic. In 2017, the provincial government said we could have $5 million, but the funding did not come through. So, the

municipalities around the table decided to fund the project ourselves, with NSC leading the project,” said Kolebaba.

NSC originally invested $5 million in the project. Other funds came from the Town of Peace River (TOPR) for infrastructure to the facility (over $500,000), County of Northern Lights (CNL) ($50,000), and the M.D. of Peace No. 135 ($50,000), as well as the funds Dr. Willox had originally raised, generously donated by the area physicians and businesses.

The building committee was led by Kolebaba, who had been involved with the project since the beginning.

Dan Dibbelt was hired as project manager and Mike Konowalyk, NSC’s Director of Public Works, was hired to oversee it as construction manager. NSC CAO Cindy

CLINIC COMPLETION

PEACE RIVER MEDICAL CLINIC PEACE RIVER, AB

WORDS BY TALENA WINTERS | PHOTGRAPHY BY MELISSA E EARLE

(L to R) Mike Konowalyk, NSC’s Director of Public Works and Northern Sunrise Medical Clinic Committee (NSMCC) Construction Manager, Carolyn Kolebaba, NSC’s Reeve and the NSMCC Chair, Cindy Millar, NSC’s CAO and the NSMCC Project Administrator and Dan Dibbelt, NSMCC Project Manager

Millar worked closely with the team as the project administrator to bring the project to fruition.

“The team has been amazing. It’s been an extremely tight window for the building construction, but everyone has been so committed to seeing this project done in a highquality and timely manner that I think it can be recorded as one of the most successful builds in the region,” said Dibbelt.

The clinic sits directly across from the PRCHC on land donated by Frank and Agnes Lovsin and Don and Rose Lovsin.

It will be more than double the size of the old clinic, with 25 exam rooms and the capacity for 14 physicians— beginning with the 10 active physicians from the old facility, all of whom

will be making the move.

This means they should be able to serve eight to 10 more patients a day than the current clinic. State-ofthe-art equipment ensures the needs of all patients can be accommodated in the building.

When the project is finished, NSC plans to give the building to Alberta Health Services (AHS) for $1, with the intent that AHS will move some of their operations to the new clinic and take over clinic management.

“Getting this far took a considerable amount of cooperation between everyone involved,” said Dibbelt. “Fitting everyone’s ideas in one design and doing so while staying in a tight budget is not an easy task, but because of the length of time it took in the planning stages, I think

everyone was encouraged to work together and just get this done.”

The project used local suppliers, contractors, and labourers, which was a priority for the committee, especially in the current downturned economy.

“Quite often, large projects are handled by one large company from out of town,” said Millar. “This is built by residents from our communities, and we bought the majority of our supplies within the region as well. We’ve only had to source a couple of things elsewhere that were not available within the Peace Region. So, it truly is a partnership of collaboration.”

“Hiring local has created community buy-in from each worker and company that we worked with during

construction. They feel a sense of pride to say they helped create a facility we can all be proud of,” said Kolebaba.

The project has experienced minor delays due to things such as weather since construction began, but, if all continues to go well, it should still be open before the end of the year.

They are only waiting for some finishing work to be completed before the building can be occupied and opened.

“The project has been exceptionally smooth, all things considered.

Special thanks to Mike Konowalyk, Cindy Millar, and Dan Dibbelt for their management on this project. Without people with their level of skill, the process would have been a lot rougher going,” said Kolebaba.

#Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 20 2 0 M OV E U P

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LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD

(L to R) Daryl Greenhill, Town of Fairview CAO and KidSport Fairview (KSF) Board Chair, Kenneth Hovey, Fairview Jr. Sr. High School Teacher and KSF Board Member, Connie Kramer, Family School Liaison Worker and KSF Grant Distribution Officer, and Amanda Landry, St. Thomas More Teacher and KSF Board Member

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any kids dream of being able to join a sports team (or three) each season, but for some families, the fees associated with registration are out of reach. However, members of KidSport Fairview, perhaps Fairview’s best-kept non-profit secret, have been working behind the scenes to help children who live in the Town of Fairview, M.D. of Fairview, Village of Hines Creek and Clear Hills County access organized sports.

“We really want to see children play. It’s so important for them to be active in sports and not be limited by those financial barriers. It gives them a connection to other kids, which means if they are struggling to find a peer group, they can find a place to belong in a sport

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activity,” said Connie Kramer, Grant Distribution Officer for KidSport Fairview (KSF).

KidSport is a nation-wide, volunteer-run organization with a mandate to enable kids 18 and under to play sports. According to their website, they have given over 750,000 kids across Canada the opportunity to play a sport through grants and sport introduction programming since 1993.

In 2018, the Fairview chapter helped 21 children participate in organized sports. While a small portion of the funds for the program are provided by KidSport, the majority of that money is raised locally from businesses, clubs and individuals.

“All sport is run by volunteers,” said Daryl Greenhill, KSF Board Chair

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and CAO for the Town of Fairview. “It’s unfair to ask non-profit sport groups to lower their registration fees for these kids because then they wouldn’t be able to meet their needs. We campaign to organizations that are willing to support us on an annual basis. We need to raise about $6,000 per year to cover the costs of registration fees.”

Greenhill and Kramer have both been working with KidSport since approximately 2012.

Kramer’s position as Family School Liaison Worker at E.E. Oliver Elementary and St. Thomas More schools allows her to keep an eye out for kids who may need the program and assist them in the application process.

Other members of the board include representatives from the schools, college, Family Community Support

Services and sport groups, among others.

“For families that meet the funding requirements, we cover registration fees up to $250 per calendar year per child. Kids can be funded for dance, soccer, baseball, hockey, skating—all the typical sports that run in the area,” said Kramer.

The application process is easy to access and completely confidential.

Kramer is the only one who ever sees an applicant’s name. Applications can be made online or printed and sent to Kramer at one of her school offices.

Kramer reviews each application, removes personally identifiable information and gives it to the Board to vote on based on KidSport’s funding criteria. If the application

KIDSPORT FAIRVIEW, AB

FOR KIDS

is approved, the money goes directly to the sport organization.

“We keep it very anonymous,” said Greenhill. “Board members involved in the schools see which children need assistance and help them with the application process. We’re pretty quiet.

Most people don’t even know we’re doing this.”

While KSF has funded kids through their entire school career, some families only need help for a season or two. Families that have been helped by KSF sometimes pay it forward when their situation improves, donating back to the organization so someone else can receive the same benefit.

“When the Alberta recession hit, we had a

WORDS BY TALENA WINTERS | PHOTGRAPHY BY JENNA ARMSTRONG

few families that didn’t want to deprive their kids because their income had changed. It’s hard to say ‘no’ when kids are asking to play sports. It’s not like they are asking for a new video game; they want to do something that’s good for them. I’m glad parents are willing to ask for help,” said Kramer.

mentality that involvement in sports produces.

While KSF usually only covers registration fees, the warm-hearted families involved in sports are often willing to step in to meet equipment needs. Kramer remembers one young man who wanted to play hockey, but his family had moved there for a single school term while a parent attended college and he had no equipment. Parents supplied everything he needed and even made sure he had a ride to practice, exemplifying the team

Greenhill is passionate about giving kids the chance to participate in organized sports. So, despite the busy schedules of all the members of the board, they have created a process that is not overly taxing on their time to fundraise and keep the organization running.

“When the family left the community to return to their home province, everyone told him to keep the equipment and use it wherever he ended up.

Parents stepped in to help because they saw he was committed,” said Kramer.

The group would like to thank the many donors who help them meet their needs every year. In the last several years, these have included the Burnt River Recreation

Association, Fairview UFA, KidSport Edmonton, KidSport Canada, Golden Meadow Community Club, Servus Credit Union, Village of Hines Creek, Fairview Rotary Club, Fairview District Lions Club, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. Fairview, Heart of the Peace Recreation Society and private and memorial donations.

“I believe it’s really important to be involved in organized sports, but because of the costs, it’s tough for some families to make that step. I loved being in organized sports myself, and I see the benefits in others who are involved. We help bridge that gap,” said Greenhill.

#Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 20 2 0 M OV E U P

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ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING FOR

(L to R) Mile Zero Playground Society Board Members Dr. Tara Guglich, Jocelyn Winder, Misty Reyda, Allison Hill and Holly Donis, Holy Family parent representative

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he second phase of the playground at the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Shared Schools Facility in Grimshaw is nearly complete thanks to the generosity of donors and the tireless efforts of a few dedicated parents determined to make it happen.

Two new sport courts currently under construction at the facility will provide active play opportunities for students when completed. This achievement is because of the Mile Zero Playground Society (MZPS), a group of concerned parents who came together to fundraise for playground and track spaces at the new Shared Schools Facility. Within a year, the society raised over $300,000 and installed

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playground equipment in time for the schools’ grand opening in 2017. Two years later, phase two is nearly complete. Like everything else about the new facility, the fundraising effort was highly collaborative.

“A year isn’t a lot of time to raise $300,000, but we were able to work together and raise enough funds to have the playground built. None of us had done anything of this size before. We were thrilled we managed to get it done before the school opened,” said Jocelyn Winder, 47, president of the MZPS. The Shared Schools Facility was the result of a combined effort between the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division, Peace River School Division No. 10 and the Town of Grimshaw.

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It replaced three aging schools with two school wings attached to the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex.

When it became apparent the government would not be funding a playground at the new facility, parents representing the three existing schools as well as the principals got together to find a solution, and the MZPS was born.

“We met in the spring of 2016, but by the time the paperwork was done and we really got going, it was fall. We did all kinds of fundraising in the community, from raffles to hot dog sales, just an assortment between the three schools. Tracy Halerewich from the Town of Grimshaw helped by writing and filing the Community Facility Enhancement Program

grant, which brought in $125,000 that we had to match, which we did,” said Winder.

In-kind donations came in from both school divisions and the town as well as local businesses, partly in the form of labour and equipment donations. A sign near the playing field honours the dozens of individuals and organizations that contributed to bringing the playground into existence.

The vision, however, was not only for playground equipment—this group of big thinkers wanted to find ways for all students from K-12 to use the outdoor area near the new schools.

“When we put the package together, we thought about all the space and wondered

MILE ZERO PLAYGROUND SOCIETY GRIMSHAW, AB

ACTIVE PLAY

what we were going to do with it. The playground was our first objective, because the students would have had nothing but dirt. We thought about an outdoor track and courts for the older kids, but the $2 million price tag for the provincial-level track was out of our reach. Then someone came forward to donate money in honour of his father, so we’re working with him to put in the courts,” said Winder.

Both courts are multipurpose, with one set up for basketball and floor hockey and the other to be used for tennis and pickleball. At the time of this writing, the cement pads for the courts have already been poured, and the society is currently waiting for fencing to be put up and sport tiles to be installed on the pads.

WORDS BY TALENA WINTERS | PHOTGRAPHY BY MELISSA E EARLE

THERE IS ALWAYS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED OR DONATE. JUST LIKE WITH THE PLAYGROUND, EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY CAN USE THE COURTS. WE’RE DOING IT FOR OUR KIDS. THAT’S OUR MOTIVATION, TO GET THIS DONE FOR THEM AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS WILL BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. Jocelyn WInder, MZPS President Winder anticipates the courts will be open for use in November.

did the playground. It’s all a big learning curve,” said Winder.

“We’ve had a lot of hiccups along the way—it’s been an eye-opening experience.

Even doing the courts was different than when we

The Society won’t be hanging up their fundraising hats once the courts are installed. The six current board members—

Allison Hill, Connie Foster, Dr. Tara Guglich, Misty Reyda, Ashley Sturgeon and Jocelyn Winder—as well as the dozens of parents that have participated in the efforts, intend to keep working towards raising the money for the outdoor track.

In the meantime, they hope to put in some landscaping or a windbreak to cut down on the windswept nature of the field as it is now.

“There is always an opportunity for people to get involved or donate,” said Winder. “Just like with the playground, everybody in the community can use the courts. We’re doing it for our kids. That’s our motivation, to get this done for them and future generations. This will be around for a long time.”

#Li fesBetterUpHere | NOVEMBER 2019 TO FEBRUARY 20 2 0 M OV E U P

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THERE IS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT

OUR MISSION The Mile Zero Regional Multiplex is a multi-purpose facility offering a wide variety of physical activity and wellness opportunities designed to promote active living including walking, running, cardiovascular & weight training, hockey, figure skating, basketball, badminton, volleyball, tennis, dance and much more.

TO BOOK A RENTAL IN OUR FACILITY CALL

780-332-4005 EXT. 0

www.grimshaw.ca | The Mile Zero Regional Multiplex is located at 4609 50 St. in Grimshaw, AB. 48

M OVE U P N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 TO FEBRU A RY 2020 | www.moveupmag.com

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

N W T

YELLOWKNIFE 632 HAY RIVER 381 HIGH LEVEL 180 MANNING 52 GRIMSHAW

MILE ZERO MACKENZIE HIGHWAY

UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER | DECEMBER | JANUARY

ONGOING Peace River FCSS Adopt a Grandparent Program FROM NOVEMBER 15 TO DECEMBER 12

Northern Sunrise County FCSS office to find out how you can participate in our confidential Christmas Gift Card Program.

Would you like to help make Christmas brighter for those who need some extra help? Please call or visit your local Nampa/NSC FCSS office and your donation will by used to assist a family in need this Christmas season. The amount of Christmas gift cards given out will be dependent on the amount of donations and the amount of applications received.

The deadline for applications is December 13.

To participate in the program, stop by the Town of Peace River Community Services Department after Nov. 15 and pick up a gift bag. Fill the bag with gifts and return it by Dec. 12. Seniors are referred to this program either by family, friends or agencies. To ensure participant confidentiality, gifts are delivered by Town of Peace River staff and screened volunteers. For more information, Snow Angels Program Town of Grimshaw please call Amina at Community Services at 780-624-1000 ext. 1030. Snow Angels is an awareness and recognition program that Northern Sunrise County Adopt encourages residents in Grimshaw to help a neighbour in need by a Grandparent Program shovelling their snow. To become Nampa and NSC Community a Snow Angel, all you need to do Services are putting together a list is shovel for a person in need— of seniors who could benefit from particularly seniors and people receiving a little extra holiday with disabilities. If you have been cheer this season. Seniors can be helped by a Snow Angel, nominate referred to the program by family, them by calling 780-332-4005 ext. friends and/or local businesses.

4. Your Snow Angel will receive Seniors must be 65+ and reside in public recognition and pizza from either Northern Sunrise County or Norm’s Pizzazz. the Village of Nampa to be eligible.

When nominating a senior, please Grimshaw Holiday Homes and provide a list of items the senior could benefit from (eg. Socks, size Christmas Magic Decorating large sweater, mittens, bath wash, Challenge DEADLINE DECEMBER 13 BY 4PM chocolates, etc.). The deadline to nominate a senior is November 29. Show your Christmas Spirit and Community Pride by entering To donate a gift, stop at the NSC one of the following categories: administration office to pick up Residential (1st Place and runner a description of the local seniors up) or Business Category (1st needs and a gift bag to fill. Once Place and runner up). Prizes are you have filled your bag, deliver $100 and $50 in local business it to Northern Sunrise County gift certificates. Submit your entry and our staff will deliver the gifts just in time for the holidays. by calling Grimshaw Community Services at 780-332-4005 ext. 4.

The deadline to drop off gifts is December 13.

Give the Gift of Fitness

Northern Sunrise County Christmas Gift Card Program

DECEMBER 1 TO 24

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex 20% discounts on all six month If you need help, or know someone and one year memberships to the who does, visit your local Nampa/ MZRM. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 1

27th Annual Light Up A Memory NOVEMBER 15 TO DECEMBER 31

Light up a Memory of a loved one this holiday season. Keep an eye out for donation boxes in local community businesses. Memorials will be published in the Feb. 2020 issue of Move Up. Presented by the Peace Palliative Care Society.

Whist

2ND AND 4TH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM

Golden Age Drop In Centre, Fairview

Wheels to Meals Program

MONDAYS (EXCL. HOLIDAYS) FROM 11AM TO 1PM

Harmon Valley Hall Join us for a hot meal, information gathering and fellowship. Hot JANUARY TO MARCH (DATES TBA) meal: $6, Take Home Meal: $6, E.E. Oliver School in Fairview Delivered Meal: $8, Community Must preregister Ê 780-624-0770 Van: $5. To arrange a ride in the community van or for more Peace River Family and information, please call 780-625Community Services Support Prevention based service providers 3287. are invited to apply for FCSS funding to provide workshops, Sacred Evenings Yoga programs and initiatives that help MONDAYS FROM 7PM TO 8PM Sacred Warrior Yoga build resiliency, self sufficiency (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) or promote/support volunteers Ê 780-926-5030 in Peace River. Applications will be available in January 2020 at peaceriver.ca or by emailing Take a Chance Just Belly Dance MONDAY EVENINGS FROM 7PM TO lstavne@peaceriver.ca after 8PM (UNTIL NOV. 4, EXCL. OCT. 14) January 20, 2020.

Old Kennedy Elementary School, Grimshaw Triple P One on One 6 week session. $15/class, $90/ (Primary, Teen or Stepping session or $20/drop in.

Stones) Ê JOANNA: 780-285-1769 By appointment in Peace River,

Stepping Stones Triple P Group

Manning or Fairview Peace Parent Link provides year round, research-based parenting support for caregivers of children aged 2 to 16 for typically developing children as well as those with developmental delays.

Call 780-624-0770 to set up an intake with an accredited Triple P Practitioner to learn more and determine which program is the best fit for you. One on one programs typically include four one-hour sessions.

...

Adult Floor Hockey (18+)

SUNDAYS FROM 7PM TO 9PM

Old Kennedy Elementary School $6 (cash or etransfer). Ê CHRIS Q: 647-223-0144

Drop In Adult Pickleball

MONDAY EVENINGS FROM 7:15PM TO 9:15PM (UNTIL DECEMBER 16)

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Looks like tennis, sounds like ping pong and favours the same lighton-your-toes action of badminton. $5 or $3 for seniors. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Drop In Adult Shinny Hockey MONDAY EVENINGS FROM 9:15PM TO 10:45PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $5. Schedule subject to change due to ice rentals. All skaters are required to wear a CSA approved helmet and full face mask. Must be 16+. Full hockey equipment is recommended. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Birthday Party

Bridge

FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 2PM

WEDNESDAYS AT 1PM

Fairview Seniors Drop In Centre

Golden Age Drop In Centre, Fairview

Worsley Pioneer Club WEDNESDAYS FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Adult Book Club

Worsley Pioneer Club A senior social including card games, floor curling and more. Join us for coffee and conversation.

2ND MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7:30PM (OCT. TO MAY )

Fairview Public Library

Walking Program

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 10AM TO 3PM

Triple P Discussion Groups

WEDNESDAYS FROM 1PM TO 3PM (4 SESSIONS)

Fairplex Arena, Fairview Ê 780-835-2723

Free Walking Program for Seniors MONDAYS & TUESDAYS FROM 10:30AM TO 11:30AM

Northern Air Walking Track, Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Program operates until April 23. Sponsored by the Town of Grimshaw. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 1

Play and Sing at the Towers

Yin Yoga

Peace River Heritage Towers No program in Dec. An intergenerational program with engaging activities for all ages.

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

TUESDAYS FROM 10:15AM TO 11:15AM

Baby’s Day Out

TUESDAYS FROM 6:30PM TO 7:30PM

Sacred Mornings Yoga

WEDNESDAYS FROM 7AM TO 8AM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Peace Parent Link (Located upstairs Ê 780-926-5030 Indoor Walking Program at the Baytex Energy Centre) MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS No program in Dec. A free, fun and (EXCL. HOLIDAYS) Exploring through Play in interactive program for parents/ FROM 9AM TO 10AM Manning caregivers and babies in their St. Isidore Cultural Centre WEDNESDAYS Enjoy a free hour of walking and first year. We will be learning all FROM 10AM TO 11:30AM about baby’s development through socializing. Dress for comfort!

Manning Adult Learning and Bring indoor shoes, a water bottle discussion, circle time and play.

Literacy Centre and a friend. Ê 780-624-8071 No programs in Dec. Child/ Time for Tots TUESDAYS AT 11AM (SEPT. TO MAY ) Caregiver interactive Peace River Drop In Play Room programming that promotes the Fairview Public Library and Lending Library five developmental domains of Ages 3-5 years.

MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS early childhood development FROM 9AM TO 5PM while offering Peace Parent Link’s Seniors Lunch Program SATURDAYS FROM 10AM TO 2PM core services in this community.

Peace Parent Link (Located upstairs TUESDAYS FROM 12PM TO 1PM Ê 780-624-0770 Café du Coin, St. Isidore at the Baytex Energy Centre) $12 per senior’s meal, $8 per take Extended hours (Oct. to Mar.): Tiny Tunes home meal, $15 per adult meal.

Open until 7pm on Wednesdays.

WEDNESDAYS Interactive play centres with new Ê 780-624-8071 FROM 10:30AM TO 11:15AM activities each month. Geared Peace Parent Link (Located upstairs toward ages 0-6. Ê 780-624-0770 Kaiser at the Baytex Energy Centre) TUESDAYS FROM 10:30AM TO 11:30AM

EVERY TUESDAY AT 2PM

Shinny Hockey

MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 3:30PM TO 4:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Helmet with cage mandatory. $3 per youth. $5 per adult. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Seniors Coffee Morning

TUESDAYS FROM 10AM TO 12PM (UNTIL JUNE 2020)

Café du Coin, St. Isidore

Star Centre in Manning

Bump to Baby

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY (NOV. 5, 19 + JAN. 7, 21) FROM 6:30PM TO 8:30PM

Peace Parent Link (Located upstairs at the Baytex Energy Centre) No program in Dec. Bump to Baby is a group providing expectant mothers support, knowledge, confidence and the opportunity to meet with other parents to be. Ê 780-624-0770

No program in Dec. Singing, dancing and musical instruments for ages 0-6.

Rhyme Time on Momma’s Lap WEDNESDAYS AT 11AM (SEPT. TO MAY )

Fairview Public Library For ages 6 months to 2 years.

Noon Nidra Yoga

WEDNESDAYS FROM 12:10PM TO 12:50PM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Manning Community Resource Centre (112 2nd Ave S West) Sessions: Nov 6 – Managing Fighting and Aggression, Nov 13 – Developing Good Bedtime Routines, Nov 20 – Dealing with Disobedience and Nov 27 – Hassle Free Shopping with Children. In this internationally recognized program, you will get an overview of the positive parenting principles on commonly encountered problems. Geared for all parents/ caregivers with toddlers, preschool or elementary-aged children.

Childcare may be available upon request. Please register by calling 780-624-0770.

Pool EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 2PM

Star Centre in Manning

Free Afterschool Youth Fun at the Field House WEDNESDAYS FROM 3:30PM TO 6:00PM

Free open court time in Court #1.

Subject to schedule change due to facility bookings. Sponsored by the Servus Credit Union in Grimshaw. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Public Skating

WEDNESDAYS FROM 3:30PM TO 4:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Helmet with mandatory. $3 per youth. $5 per adult. Ê 780-332-4005 ext. 0

Wednesday Youth Socials WEDNESDAYS FROM 3:30PM TO 4:30PM

Nampa FCSS Join us for an afterschool program filled with fun craft and activities. Ê 780-322-3954

UPCOMING EVENTS CONTINUED...

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER | JANUARY

Yoga 101 WEDNESDAYS FROM 6PM TO 7PM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Mid-Day Warrior Yoga

THURSDAYS FROM 12:10PM TO 12:50PM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

When Someone in your Life has a Shuffle Board and Cards Mental Illness Workshop WEDNESDAYS STARTING OCTOBER 23 (SIX WEEKS)

With mental health clinician Pia Barnes. $100 per registration or $20 drop in fee. To register, please call Grimshaw Community Services at 780-332-4005 ext. 4.

Pot Luck Supper

3RD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 5:30PM

Golden Age Drop In Centre Music to follow

Storytime at the Library

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM 10:30AM TO 11:30AM

St Isidore Library No program in Dec.

Sacred Flow Yoga THURSDAYS FROM 9AM TO 10AM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Cookin’ up a Story

THURSDAYS AT 1PM

FRIDAYS FROM 7AM TO 8AM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Music and More in Fairview

FRIDAYS FROM 10AM TO 11:30AM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Fairview Parent Link (E.E. Oliver School) No programs in Dec. Introducing children to music as part of their PLAY while interacting with their caregivers and promoting the five developmental domains of early childhood development and Parent Link’s five core services.

Evening Warrior Yoga

Storytime at the Library

Fairview Seniors Drop In Centre

Girl’s Yoga (13+)

THURSDAYS FROM 4:30PM TO 5:15PM

THURSDAYS FROM 6PM TO 7PM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Adult Gym Time: Volleyball

THURSDAYS FROM 7PM TO 9PM

Spirit of the North School, High Level Starting October 3. Free! Ê 780-821-4011

Play, Learn and Grow at Stone Brook

THURSDAYS FROM 10AM TO 11AM (NOV. ONLY )

4902 59 St. Grimshaw Child/Caregiver interactive programming that promotes the Peace River Municipal Library In partnership with the Peace River five developmental domains of Municipal Library. For ages 3 and early childhood development up. Come ready for you and your while offering Peace Parent Link’s core services in this community. child to experience creating and eating healthy snacks. We will be Gathering to Play at Duncan’s learning safe cooking habits and First Nation participating in activities that will bring the story to life. Limited THURSDAYS FROM 2PM TO 3:30PM ( JANUARY ONLY ) space. Please register.

Duncan’s Head Start Room Ê 780-624-0770 Join us for fun, hands on activities for children ages 0-6 and their Fast Feet caregivers. Parents, kookums, THURSDAYS aunties, friends, cousins, older FROM 10:30AM TO 11:30AM siblings… Everyone is welcome! ( JAN. 10, 17, 24, 31 + FEB. 6, 13) Baytex Energy Centre Field House Makerspace Day Come ready to get moving. Join SECOND THURSDAY OF THE us in the Field House for a fun MONTH (SEPT. TO APRIL) physical activity program with Fairview Public Library running, throwing, catching, kicking, movement games and more.

THURSDAYS FROM 10AM TO 11:30AM (NOV. 7, 14, 21, 18)

Morning Warrior Yoga

FRIDAYS FROM 10:30AM TO 11:30AM

Peace River Municipal Library No program in Dec. Bringing stories to life with sensory play, crafts and activities related to the story. All ages welcome.

Lego Club

FRIDAYS FROM 3:30PM TO 5:30PM (OCT. 4 TO NOV. 29)

Toonie Track Time SATURDAYS ( YEAR-ROUND)

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Toonie Track Time allows patrons to access the Northern Air Walking Track for $2! For more information call the MZRM at 780-332-4005 ext. 0.

Yoga Roulette SATURDAYS FROM 11AM TO 12PM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Chess Club SATURDAYS FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Fairview Public Library

Lego and Duplo Club EVERY SECOND SATURDAY

Fairview Public Library

NOVEMBER Artisans of the Peace

Peace Parent Link (Located upstairs at the Baytex Energy Centre) In partnership with the Peace River FCSS. Children are natural engineers. Let’s have a club for children to be able to express and build with Lego. Let’s combine some science and fun together to get the children’s imaginations going. Lego Club is an awesome way to meet new friends and have tons of fun. Ages 6-8. Must register by calling 780-624-0770.

NOVEMBER 1 FROM 4PM TO 8PM

Fairview Drop In

Comets Halloween Dance

FRIDAYS FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Fairview Parent Link (E.E. Oliver School) Come let your children play in an early childhood development room while you interact with the Parent Link staff, other caregivers or come just to observe your child at play.

The room is set up with parent tips, ideas and support resources.

Happy Hour Yoga FRIDAYS FROM 6PM TO 7PM

Sacred Warrior Yoga (9813A 100 Ave., High Level) Ê 780-926-5030

Peace Valley Inns (Emerald and Valley Rooms)

Halloween Paint Party with PAINT LIVE NOVEMBER 1 AT 6PM

Belle Petroleum Centre, Peace River Concession and bar open all night.

Music and giveaways with prizes for best costume. DJ dance party to follow. 18+.

NOVEMBER 1 AT 8PM

Battle River Ag Hall, Manning, AB Tickets available at Big North Graphics

Standard First Aid Recertification NOVEMBER 2 FROM 8AM TO 4PM

Peace Regional Pool Cost is $120 (GST included).

Prerequisites: Must have a valid (non-expired) SFA/CPR certificate on the day of recertification.

Artisans of the Peace NOVEMBER 2 FROM 10AM TO 3PM

Peace Valley Inns

Free Public Swim

Bronze Star

NOVEMBER 2 FROM 3PM TO 5:30PM

NOVEMBER 7 – DECEMBER 3 FROM 4:15PM TO 5:45PM

Fairview Aquatic Centre Sponsored by Servus Credit Union

Peace Regional Pool Cost: $120. Prerequisites: Swim Kids Level 9 and must be 10 years old or older. This is a pre-bronze medallion course that provides excellent preparation and training for success in Bronze Medallion. In Bronze Star, participants develop problem-solving and decisionmaking skills as individuals and with partners. They learn CPR and develop Water Smart confidence as well as the lifesaving skills needed to be their own personal lifeguard.

Jukebox Mania!

NOVEMBER 2 AT 7PM

Flamingo Inn Lounge, High Level Presented by the High Level Toy Lending Library. A “Name that Tune” game for you and your friends. Tickets available at The Village (Parent Link Centre) or from Jumpstart parents. Ê 780-926-4668

Dueling Pianos NOVEMBER 2 FROM 7:30PM TO 12AM

E. E. Oliver School, Fairview Presented by the Fairview District Victim Services. Live 100% all request show. Cabaret, live show and auction. Cocktails at 7:30pm, Showtime at 8:30pm. Tickets at Mad Dog Cresting or Ruby’s Variety Shop: $40 or a table of 8 for $350.

Referee Clinic NOVEMBER 2

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

Fairview Flyers Home Game NOVEMBER 2

Fairplex Arena vs. Fort St. John

National Lifeguard (NL) Recertification NOVEMBER 3 FROM 8AM TO 12PM

Peace Regional Pool Cost: $92 (GST included).

Prerequisites: Must have a valid (non-expired) NL certificate on the day of the recertification.

Basic Beading Workshop

Author Visit

NOVEMBER 4 AT 7PM

NOVEMBER 6 AT 4:30PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace River Limited spots. Pre-registration and payment required. $25 for Sagitawa members, $30 for nonmembers (supplies included). For ages 14+.

Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Recertification

NOVEMBER 5 FROM 8AM TO 12PM

Peace Regional Pool Cost: $110 (GST included).

Prerequisites: Must have a valid (non-expired) WSI certificate on the day of recertification.

Senior Coffee Morning

NOVEMBER 5 FROM 10AM TO 11AM

Farmers Restaurant, Nampa Join us for coffee and conversation. Ê 780-322-3954

Sagitawa’s Soup Kitchen NOVEMBER 5 FROM 12PM TO 1PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace River NOVEMBER 3 FROM 9:30AM TO 3PM Free! (Donations welcome).

Everyone welcome.

Café du Coin, St. Isidore This course is designed to provide children ages 9-12 with the 7th Annual Aboriginal Youth necessary skills and knowledge Career Workshop to be safe and responsible when NOVEMBER 6 FROM 9:30AM TO home alone for short periods of 2:30PM time. Lunch and snacks provided. Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Limited spots. Please pre-register Presenters include Indigenous Ê 780-624-8071 entrepreneurs, role models, businesses and agencies that can support youth to achieve Free Swim NOVEMBER 4 FROM 6:30PM TO their career goals. Facilitators at 8:30PM individual sessions will ask and Peace Regional Pool answer questions about various Sponsored by Vision Credit Union. career options. Ê WENDY: 780-219-8047

Home Alone Course

Manning Municipal Library Chris Connell presents his new book about his harrowing journey through addiction. May not be suitable for all ages. Free event presented by the Manning Library.

Pow Wow Dance Practice Night NOVEMBER 6 FROM 6PM TO 8PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre Free. All ages welcome. No experience necessary. Call Wendy for more information: 780-2198047.

Fairview Flyers Home Game

Water Safety Instructor NOVEMBER 8 TO 11 FROM 9AM TO 4PM

Peace Regional Pool Cost: $385 (GST included).

Prerequisites: 15 years or older, Swim Kids Level 10, Bronze Cross and SFA/CPR. This course focuses on the planning and teaching of Red Cross Swim Lessons. This certification allows candidates to teach all Red Cross Swim Programs without supervision.

Family Dodgeball

NOVEMBER 8 FROM 3:30PM TO 4:30PM

Fairplex Arena vs. Sexsmith

Nampa Public School Join us at Nampa School for a fun afternoon of friendly family dodgeball. Ê 780-322-3954

Teen Talk

Teen Night

NOVEMBER 6

NOVEMBER 7 FROM 3:30PM TO 5PM NOVEMBER 8 FROM 6PM TO 8PM

Nampa FCSS Join us for a presentation for parents. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Join Elizabeth Daigle from Alberta Health Services for a presentation on how to have difficult conversations with your teens regarding addictions. Ê 780-322-3954

Board Games Night NOVEMBER 7 FROM 4PM TO 5:30PM

Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Join us for an evening of board game fun! Challenge your family and friends. We have a variety of board games to choose from. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Town of High Level Free event for ages 10 and up. Ê FB.COM/TOWNOFHIGHLEVEL

Family Fun Nights NOVEMBER 8 FROM 6PM TO 8PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Come out with your family to burn off some energy and have fun.

Sponsored by Grimshaw FCSS. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Let’s Have Coffee

NOVEMBER 9 FROM 10AM TO 12PM

J’s Java Domain, Peace River Hosted by the Peace River Pride Society. Casual coffee and a chance to make friends and be social.

Fairview Flyers Home Game NOVEMBER 9

Fairplex Arena vs. Grande Prairie

UPCOMING EVENTS CONTINUED...

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER | JANUARY

24 Hour Game-A-Thon NOVEMBER 9 & 10 FROM 7PM TO 7AM

Tapped Out Gaming & Entertainment, Peace River Join us for the Extra Life Charity Event—a 24-Hour Game-A-Thon.

Bowling lane access for 24 hours, arcade machines, table top games, board games, video games, Magic the gathering and more. Food and drink will be available for purchase. BYO sleeping bag. Sign up at extra-life.org, join our team (True North Gamerz) and get sponsors! Help us reach our goal of $3,000. $5 per person entry at the door. Benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Free Open Court Time NOVEMBER 10 FROM 12PM TO 6PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex We invite all interested to come out and enjoy Free Open Court Time at the MZRM in recognition for Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta. Sponsored by the Town of Grimshaw, County of Northern Lights and the MD of Peace #135. Ê 780-332-4005 ext. 04

Free Family Skating

NOVEMBER 10 FROM 2PM TO 3:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Sponsored by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (Fairview). Helmets are mandatory for all youth under 18 years of age. Ê 780-332-4005 ext. 0

Awareness and Prevention Week. Sponsored by the Town of NOVEMBER 15 FROM 9:30AM TO 4PM Grimshaw, County of Northern Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Lights and the MD of Peace #135.

Nampa FCSS $2 Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 04 Seniors join us on an outing to tour and visit assisted living Sagitawa’s Soup Kitchen Intergenerational Program facilities in the area.

NOVEMBER 20 NOVEMBER 12 FROM 12PM TO 1PM Ê 780-322-3954 FROM 11:30AM TO 12:30PM Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace Mile Zero Regional Multiplex River Grimshaw Novice Tournament The Intergenerational Program Free! (Donations welcome).

NOVEMBER 16 provides an opportunity to Everyone welcome.

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex connect youth with seniors where everyone comes together to share, Free After School Craft Nights Karaoke Night learn and engage with each other.

NOVEMBER 12 NOVEMBER 16 AT 9PM FROM 3:45PM TO 5:30PM Sternwheeler Games Room, Peace If you are a senior with free time Mile Zero Regional Multiplex and would like to take part in our River For children ages 7 to 12. Join program, call Misty at Grimshaw Drink specials all night. us in some crafting fun. Please FCSS: 780-332-4005 ext. 4. register at least three days before Fairview Flyers Home Game the class so we can ensure we have Standard First Aid/CPR Level C NOVEMBER 16 NOVEMBER 21 & 22 FROM 8AM TO enough supplies. Call Misty at 780Fairplex Arena 4PM 332-4005 ext. 4 to register. vs. Dawson Creek Peace Regional Pool Cost: $385 (GST included).

Manning No Guilt Book Club Bullying Awareness and Prerequisites: 13 years or older.

NOVEMBER 12 AT 7PM Prevention Week This is a comprehensive two-day Manning Municipal Library NOVEMBER 17 TO 23 course offering First Aid and Check out our Facebook page for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation book themes and dates/times Little Adventurers: Superheroes (CPR) skills for those who fb.com/MLnoguiltbookclub NOVEMBER 18 needed training due to work Nampa FCSS requirements, or who want Cribbage Join us for a fun morning filled more knowledge to respond to NOVEMBER 13 AT 7:30PM with superhero-themed crafts, emergencies at home. Includes Star Centre in Manning games and snacks! Ages 0-6 (must the latest First Aid and CPR $2. Light Lunch. Everyone be accompanied by a parent or guidelines. welcome! guardian). Ê 780-322-3954

Shinny Hockey

NOVEMBER 11 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

20th Annual Festival of Trees NOVEMBER 14 TO 18

Belle Petroleum Centre Join the Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter Society for their Peace Regional Pool annual fundraiser. Theme: Lights of Hope. Nov. 14: Wine and Cheese, Limited Hours NOVEMBER 11 Nov 15: Casino Night, Nov. 16: (REMEMBRANCE DAY ) Gala Evening, Nov. 17: Children’s Open from 12:30pm to 5:30pm Event & Nov 18: Silver Bell Tea. Public viewing on Fri, Sat & Sun. No School Days MZRM Field House Ê PRRWS.COM

Youth Time

NOVEMBER 11 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 ext. 0

Public Skating

NOVEMBER 11 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

Senior Outing: Planning for your Future

Senior Coffee Morning

Cookies, Cocoa and Crafting

NOVEMBER 21 FROM 5PM TO 7PM NOVEMBER 19 FROM 10AM TO 11AM Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake

Farmers Restaurant, Nampa Join us for coffee, conversation and a Telus Wise presentation from Amber Houle. Ê 780-322-3954.

Join us for an evening of crafting.

Build a “Home Sweet Home” wooden sign, enjoy a variety of cookies and spice up your hot chocolate with our hot cocoa Crystal Ball DIY Bath Bomb Night bar! For ages 18+. Only 12 NOVEMBER 19 AT 6:30PM spots available. Pre-registration Raedience Florist & Gift Shop, required. Ê 780-625-3287 Grimshaw $65 for 5 large crystal bath The Purple Party bombs. Eight spots available. Book NOVEMBER 21 FROM 7PM TO 10PM Floor Hockey your spot at Raedience or email Heilan Beer House NOVEMBER 14 FROM 4PM TO 5:30PM cosmislibations@gmail.com. Pre- All ages welcome. Cocktails, Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake payment is required to secure your appies, guest speaker Mike Join us for an evening of floor spot.

Cameron, photo booth and more. hockey in the gym or on the All proceeds go to the Crossroads outdoor rink!

Free Open Court Time Women’s Shelter. $40 per ticket Sticks, pucks, snacks and NOVEMBER 19 FROM 7:30PM TO 9PM or $70 for 2 tickets—includes 1 refreshments will be provided. All Mile Zero Regional Multiplex beverage, appetizers, goody bag, ages and abilities are welcome to Please join us for Open Court guest speaker, photo booth and attend.

Time in recognition of Bullying social.

Light Up the Park

High Level Chamber of Commerce Moonlight Madness

NOVEMBER 22 FROM 7PM TO 8PM

Riverfront Park, Peace River Kick off your holiday season by joining us for caroling, complimentary hot dogs, hot chocolate, a fireworks display and the lighting of the town’s Christmas lights! We welcome everyone to this free event!

Christmas Comedy Night NOVEMBER 22

Athabasca Hall $25 per person. Two shows: 7pm and 9:30pm. Ê 780-624-4911

Town of Manning Light Up and Farmers Market NOVEMBER 22

Legion Hall

Fairview Flyers Home Game NOVEMBER 22

Fairplex Arena vs. Peace River

Iron Chef Championship NOVEMBER 22 & 23

Spirit of the North School, High Level Nov. 22 from 9:30am for youth and 1pm for adults. Nov. 23 from 6pm to 8pm. Free event! Create your finest entrée in 90 minutes. Ê FB.COM/TOWNOFHIGHLEVEL

Bath Bomb DIY Class NOVEMBER 23 FROM 1PM TO 2PM

Mint Health + Drugs Join us for an afternoon of DIY bath bombs. Limited spots available. Hosted by Cosmic Libations. Sign up in person at Mint Health + Drugs or email cosmiclibations@gmail.com.

Price is $40 for a single colour or $65 for a two-colour batch. Prepayment required to secure your spot.

Whisky Tasting

NOVEMBER 23 FROM 4PM TO 6PM

Historic NAR Station We invite you to taste four whiskies from different parts of Scotland and enjoy a delicious homemade buffet! This event is 18+ and reservations are required. Tickets are $60. We hope to see you there!

Snowfest NOVEMBER 23

Misery Mountain Ski Area

NOVEMBER 29

Town of High Level

Bronze Cross

NOVEMBER 29, 30 & DECEMBER 1 FRIDAY FROM 4PM TO 9PM, SAT + SUN FROM 9AM TO 4PM

Peace Regional Pool Cost: $120. Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion. This course is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. This course is Canadian Firearms Safety Sagitawa’s Soup Kitchen the prerequisite for all advanced Course ~ Non-restricted Course NOVEMBER 26 FROM 12PM TO 1PM training programs including NOVEMBER 24 Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace National Lifeguard (NL) and FROM 9AM TO 6PM + TESTING River instructor certification.

Peace River Free! (Donations welcome). $140. For course policies and Everyone welcome.

Canadian Firearms Safety booking information, visit fb.com/ Course ~ Non-restricted Course peacefirearmssafetyeducation or National Addictions Awareness NOVEMBER 30 FROM 9AM TO 6PM call 780-618-5130 Week

Free Family Skating

NOVEMBER 24 FROM 2PM TO 3:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Sponsored by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (Fairview). Helmets are mandatory for all youth under 18 years of age. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Festival of Mini Trees NOVEMBER 24 TO 30

Grimshaw Municipal Library Dozens of thoughtfully decorated miniature Christmas trees will be on display and will be available for silent auction. The festival will begin with a wine tasting event on Saturday, November 23. The bidding will end on November 30. Ê 780-332-4553 Ê grimshawlibrary.ab.ca

Public Skating

NOVEMBER 25 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 1

Pow Wow Dance Practice Night NOVEMBER 27 FROM 6PM TO 8PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre Free. All ages welcome. No experience necessary. Ê WENDY: 780-219-8047

Cribbage

NOVEMBER 27 AT 7:30PM

Star Centre in Manning $2. Light Lunch. Everyone welcome!

Free Open Court Time NOVEMBER 28 FROM 7:30PM TO 9PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex In recognition of National Addictions Awareness Week, we invite all interested to come out to Free Open Court Time. Sponsored by the Town of Grimshaw, County of Northern Lights and the MD of Peace #135. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 04

Fairview Flyers Home Game NOVEMBER 28

No School Days MZRM Field House Fairplex Arena Youth Time vs. Fort St. John NOVEMBER 25 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 ext. 0

Shinny Hockey

NOVEMBER 25 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

Moonlight Madness Farmers Market NOVEMBER 29 FROM 4PM TO 8PM

Fairview Legion

+ TESTING

Peace River $140. For course policies and booking information, visit fb.com/ peacefirearmssafetyeducation or call 780-618-5130

The Village presents: Breakfast with Santa NOVEMBER 30 FROM 9AM TO 11AM

FCMS School Gym, High Level Tickets available Nov. 6 at The Village (Parent Link Centre). Ê 780-926-4668

Peace River Farmers Market NOVEMBER 30 FROM 10AM TO 2PM

8002 102 Ave. Peace River

Fairview Flyers Home Game NOVEMBER 30

Fairplex Arena vs. Grande Prairie

Grimshaw Atom Tournament NOVEMBER 30 & DECEMBER 1

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

DECEMBER Canadian Firearms Safety Course ~ Restricted Course

DECEMBER 1 FROM 11AM TO 4PM + TESTING

Peace River $120. For course policies and booking information, visit fb.com/ peacefirearmssafetyeducation or call 780-618-5130

UPCOMING EVENTS CONTINUED...

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER | JANUARY

Free Swim

DECEMBER 1 FROM 3:30PM TO 5:30PM

Peace Regional Pool Sponsored by the Town of Peace River

Supper with Santa DECEMBER 1 FROM 4PM TO 7PM

Marie Reine Cultural Centre Get into the holiday spirit with a free community meal, crafts, family activities, door prizes and a visit from Santa Claus. Tickets required. Ê MARIEREINEHALL@GMAIL.COM

Peace River Closing Centennial Event DECEMBER 1

Baytex Energy Centre Celebrate Peace River’s centenary at this final event of the year.

Free swim and skate! peaceriver.ca

Free Swim

DECEMBER 2 FROM 6:30PM TO 8:30PM

Peace Regional Pool Sponsored by the Baytex Energy Centre

Basic Beading Workshop DECEMBER 2 AT 7PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace River Limited spots. Pre-registration and payment required. $25 for Sagitawa members, $30 for nonmembers (supplies included). For ages 14+.

Seniors Coffee Morning DECEMBER 3 FROM 10AM TO 11AM

Farmers Restaurant, Nampa Join us for a morning coffee and conversation. Ê 780-322-3954

Sagitawa’s Soup Kitchen DECEMBER 3 FROM 12PM TO 1PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace River Free! (Donations welcome).

Everyone welcome.

Intergenerational Program DECEMBER 4 FROM 11:30AM TO 12:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

The Intergenerational Program provides an opportunity to connect youth with seniors where everyone comes together to share, learn and engage with each other.

If you are a senior with free time and would like to take part in our program, call Misty at Grimshaw FCSS: 780-332-4005 ext. 4.

Pow Wow Dance Practice Night

A holiday marketplace with local vendors. Taking table bookings starting Nov. 6. Ê 780-926-4668

Dixonville Christmas Craft Market

DECEMBER 7 FROM 10AM TO 3PM

Dixonville Community Hall

Museum Christmas Open House DECEMBER 7 FROM 12PM TO 4PM

Mackenzie Crossroads Museum Sagitawa Friendship Centre and Visitor Centre Free. All ages welcome. No Family Fun Day with sleigh rides, experience necessary. snowmobile rides, games, Santa Ê Wendy: 780-219-8047 photos, sweet treats and more!

Free event.

Christmas Lego Challenge Ê tourism@highlevel.ca DECEMBER 5 FROM 4PM TO 5:30PM Ê fb.com/townofhighlevel Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Join us for themed Lego challenges, Community Christmas Party light snacks and refreshments.

DECEMBER 7 FROM 1PM TO 4PM Ê 780-625-3287 Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Join us for a free community meal, Dixonville Light Up games crafts, skating and a visit DECEMBER 6 FROM 6:30PM TO from Santa Claus. Ê 780-625-3287 DECEMBER 4 FROM 6PM TO 8PM

8:30PM

Outdoor Rink Christmas Tea Family-friendly fun, bonfire, treats DECEMBER 7 FROM 2PM TO 4PM and hot chocolate!

Historic NAR Station, Peace River Enjoy this festive event complete Brian Doerksen presents The with fine teas and homemade Heart of Christmas baked goods. Reservations are DECEMBER 6 FROM 7PM TO 9PM recommended. Tickets are $10. We Belle Petroleum Centre hope to see you there!

A night of Christmas favourites and Brian’s classic worship songs. Free Public Swim $20 or $50 for VIP tickets.

DECEMBER 7 FROM 3PM TO 5:30PM Fairview Aquatic Centre GPS Sr. High Basketball Sponsored by Servus Credit Union

Tournament

DECEMBER 6 & 7

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

Red Cross Babysitting Course DECEMBER 7 FROM 8AM TO 4PM

Peace Regional Pool Cost: $57 (GST charges apply if 14 years or older). Prerequisites: 11 to 13 years. This non-certification course teaches the basics of babysitting, how to prevent accidents and basic First Aid training.

The Village presents: Christmas Bazaar DECEMBER 7 FROM 10AM TO 3PM

Town of High Level

Annual Wine Gala ~ Country Christmas DECEMBER 7 FROM 5PM TO 1AM

Chateau Nova, Peace River Tickets available at the Nampa Museum. Wine tasting with a fullyserved meal from 6pm to 8pm and dance to follow. Appetizers, DJ, cash bar, silent auction, live auction, 50/50 draw and more. $85 or $800 for a table of 10.

Santa Claus Parade DECEMBER 7

Town of High Level

Free Family Skating

DECEMBER 8 FROM 2PM TO 3:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Sponsored by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (Fairview). Helmets mandatory for youth under 18 years. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Christmas Open House DECEMBER 9 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Nampa Municipal Library Join us for light snacks, refreshments and musical entertainment. Ê 780-322-3954

Free After School Craft Nights DECEMBER 9 FROM 3:45PM TO 5:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex For children ages 7 to 12. Join us in some crafting fun. Please register at least three days before the class so we can ensure we have enough supplies. Call Misty at 780332-4005 ext. 4 to register.

Free Swim

DECEMBER 9 FROM 6:30PM TO 8:30PM

Peace Regional Pool Sponsored by the AUPE

Healthy Teeth for a Healthy Smile ~ Free Fluoride Varnish Clinic DECEMBER 10 FROM 10AM TO 11:30AM

Nampa FCSS Office A dental health professional with the Oral Health Program will provide the service to participants. Ê 780-322-3954

Sagitawa’s Soup Kitchen DECEMBER 10 FROM 12PM TO 1PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace River Free! (Donations welcome).

Everyone welcome.

Manning No Guilt Book Club DECEMBER 10 AT 7PM

Manning Municipal Library Check out our Facebook page for book themes and dates/times fb.com/MLnoguiltbookclub

Cribbage DECEMBER 11 AT 7:30PM

Star Centre in Manning $2. Light Lunch.

Make & Take: Ornament Decorating

Public Skating DECEMBER 27 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

DECEMBER 12 FROM 4PM TO 5:30PM

Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Get into the holiday spirit with an afternoon of decorating ornaments. Supplies provided. For all ages and abilities. Light snacks and refreshments on site. Ê 780-625-3287

No School Days MZRM Field House Youth Time DECEMBER 27 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Let’s Have Coffee

Shinny Hockey

DECEMBER 14 FROM 10AM TO 12PM

J’s Java Domain, Peace River Hosted by the Peace River Pride Society. Casual coffee and a chance to make friends and be social.

DECEMBER 27 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

Senior Tea and Reading DECEMBER 17 FROM 12:30PM TO 2PM

Nampa Public School DECEMBER 14 FROM 10AM TO 4PM Get into the holiday spirit with this intergenerational program.

8002 102 Ave. Peace River Ê 780-322-3954

Peace River Farmers Market

Manning Christmas Craft Farmers Market DECEMBER 14 FROM 11AM TO 5PM

Battle River Ag Hall

Intergenerational Program DECEMBER 18 FROM 11:30AM TO 12:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex The Intergenerational Program Christmas in the Community provides an opportunity to DECEMBER 14 connect youth with seniors where Town of Grimshaw everyone comes together to share, Christmas parade, supper, Christmas activities for the whole learn and engage with each other.

If you are a senior with free time family. Updates can be found on the Grimshaw Community Services and would like to take part in our program, call Misty at Grimshaw FB page.

FCSS: 780-332-4005 ext. 4.

Fairview Flyers Home Game DECEMBER 14

Fairplex Arena vs. Sexsmith

Grimshaw Midget Tournament (Tentative) DECEMBER 14 & 15

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

Little Adventurers: Grinch DECEMBER 16 FROM 10AM TO 11:30AM

Nampa FCSS Office For children ages 0-6 years and their parents. Join us for themed crafts, games and snacks. Ê 780-322-3954

Free Swim

DECEMBER 16 FROM 6:30PM TO 8:30PM

Peace Regional Pool Sponsored by Manzer Energy

Last Christmas Market in the Peace DECEMBER 18 FROM 4PM TO 8PM

Fairview Legion

Fairview Flyers Home Game DECEMBER 18

Fairplex Arena vs. Peace River

Gingerbread House Decorating

Fairview Flyers Home Game DECEMBER 20

Fairplex Arena vs. Grande Prairie

Free Family Skating

DECEMBER 22 FROM 2PM TO 3:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Sponsored by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (Fairview). Helmets mandatory for youth under 18 years Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Karaoke Night DECEMBER 21 AT 9PM

Public Skating

DECEMBER 30 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

No School Days MZRM Field House Youth Time DECEMBER 30 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Shinny Hockey

DECEMBER 30 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

Sternwheeler Games Room, Peace River Drink specials all night.

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

Public Skating

DECEMBER 31 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Public Skating

DECEMBER 23 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2 Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

No School Days MZRM Field House Youth Time DECEMBER 23 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Shinny Hockey

No School Days MZRM Field House Youth Time

DECEMBER 31 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Peace Regional Pool Closing Early

DECEMBER 23 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

DECEMBER 31 (NEW YEAR’S EVE)

$2

Shinny Hockey

DECEMBER 19 FROM 4PM TO 5:30PM Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

Closing at 4pm

Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Let's decorate gingerbread houses.

Gingerbread house kits, candy and icing supplied. Snack & refreshments. Please register by December 17. Ê 780-625-3287

Public Skating

Family Fun Nights

Shinny Hockey

DECEMBER 31 FROM 4PM TO 6PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Youth $3, Adults $5

Bring the whole family for a fun New Years Party. Free event! Ê FB.COM/TOWNOFHIGHLEVEL

DECEMBER 20 FROM 6PM TO 8PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Come out with your family to burn off some energy and have fun.

Sponsored by Grimshaw FCSS. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

DECEMBER 24 FROM 1PM TO 2PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Youth $3, Adults $5

DECEMBER 31 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

New Years Eve Party

DECEMBER 24 FROM 2PM TO 3:30PM Town of High Level

Peace Regional Pool Closed DECEMBER 24, 25, 26

Closed all day

UPCOMING EVENTS CONTINUED...

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER | JANUARY

JANUARY Peace Regional Pool Closed JANUARY 1 (NEW YEARS DAY )

Closed all day

Public Skating JANUARY 2 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

No School Days MZRM Field House Youth Time JANUARY 2 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Shinny Hockey

JANUARY 2 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

National Lifeguard (NL)

JANUARY 2, 3, 4, 5, 11 + 12 FROM 9AM TO 4PM

Peace Regional Pool Cost: $300 (GST included).

Prerequisites: 16 years or older, SFA/CPR, Bronze Cross. The NL course is designed to develop basic lifeguarding skills, principles and decision-making processes.

Public Skating JANUARY 3 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

Basic Beading Workshop JANUARY 6 AT 7PM

Sagitawa Friendship Centre, Peace River Pre-registration & payment required. $25 for Sagitawa members, $30 for non-members (supplies included). Ages 14+.

Seniors Coffee Morning JANUARY 7 FROM 10AM TO 11AM

Farmers Restaurant, Nampa Join us for a morning coffee and conversation. Ê 780-322-3954

Intergenerational Program JANUARY 8 FROM 11:30AM TO 12:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex The Intergenerational Program connects youth with seniors to share, learn and engage with each other. If you are a senior with free time and would like to take part in our program, call Misty at Grimshaw FCSS: 780-332-4005 ext. 4.

Cribbage

Raising Financially Fit Children JANUARY 13 FROM 6PM TO 7PM

Nampa FCSS Office Free parenting workshop on how to raise financially fit children. Ê 780-322-3954

Le Petite Ecole JANUARY 15 FROM 10AM TO 11AM

Lab Rats

JANUARY 16 FROM 3:30PM TO 5:30PM

Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Join us for an evening of experimenting. Ê 780-625-3287

Grimshaw Tom Thumb Tournament JANUARY 18

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

Free Family Skating JANUARY 19 FROM 2PM TO 3:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Sponsored by Canadian Natural Star Centre in Manning Resources Ltd. (Fairview). Helmets $2. Light Lunch. Everyone welcome! mandatory for youth under 18 years Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Floor Hockey

Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake All ages and skills welcome. Ê 780-625-3287

Fairview Flyers Home Game JANUARY 10

Frosty Family Fun Day JANUARY 19

St. Isidore Skating Rink Join us for a wiener roast, skating, tobogganing, door prizes & more. Ê 780-624-8071 OR 780-322-3954

No School Days MZRM Field House Fairplex Arena Youth Time vs. Dawson Creek

Seniors Coffee Morning

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

Nampa Municipal Library Join us for a morning coffee and conversation. Ê 780-322-3954

JANUARY 3 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Senior Outing: Bowling

January 10 Van will pick up at the St. Isidore Shinny Hockey Cultural Centre at 1pm.

JANUARY 3 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM Ê 780-624-8071 Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2 Figure Skating Skate-a-Thon

Fairview Flyers Home Game JANUARY 4

JANUARY 12

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

Fairplex Arena vs. Peace River

Little Adventurers

Grimshaw Bantam Tournament (Tentative)

Nampa FCSS Join us for themed crafts, games and snacks. Ê 780-322-3954

JANUARY 4 & 5

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

Fairview Flyers Home Game JANUARY 24

Fairplex Arena vs. Fort St. John

St. Isidore Cultural Centre Grimshaw Peewee Tournament For children ages 0-6 & their parents. Join us for themed crafts, JANUARY 25 & 26 games and snacks. Ê 780-624-8071 Mile Zero Regional Multiplex

JANUARY 8 AT 7:30PM

JANUARY 9 FROM 3:30PM TO 5:30PM

Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Try your hand at our mini games for a chance to win prizes. Ê 780-625-3287

JANUARY 21 FROM 10AM TO 11AM

Cribbage JANUARY 22 AT 7:30PM

Intergenerational Program

JANUARY 29 FROM 11:30AM TO 12:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex The Intergenerational Program connects youth with seniors to share, learn & engage with each other. If you are a senior with free time and would like to take part in our program, call Misty at Grimshaw FCSS: 780-332-4005 ext. 4.

Free After School Craft Nights JANUARY 29 FROM 3:45PM TO 5:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex For ages 7 to 12. Please register at least three days before the class so we can ensure we have enough supplies. Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 4

Ice Suncatchers and Snowflake Factory JANUARY 30 FROM 3:30PM TO 5:30PM

Mamowintowin Hall, Cadotte Lake Make a suncatcher from ice & decorate your own snowflakes. Ê 780-625-3287

Public Skating JANUARY 31 FROM 1PM TO 2:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

Star Centre in Manning $2. Light Lunch. Everyone welcome!

No School Days MZRM Field House Youth Time

Fairview Flyers Home Game

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex Ê 780-332-4005 EXT. 0

JANUARY 22 JANUARY 13 FROM 10AM TO 11:30AM Fairplex Arena

vs. Sexsmith

Winter Minute to Win it Challenges JANUARY 23 FROM 3:30PM TO 5:30PM

JANUARY 31 FROM 1PM TO 4PM

Shinny Hockey

JANUARY 31 FROM 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

Mile Zero Regional Multiplex $2

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