Move Up Magazine ~ Issue 5

MOVEUP work and live in alberta’s mighty peace region

TAKE ONE

ALL IN THE

Family

FAMILY BUSINESSES IN THE PEACE

ST-ISIDORE CARNAVAL PEACE VALLEY SNOW RIDERS

Life’s Better Up Here

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WINTER EDITION 2015

VOLUME V

PUBLISHERS

Tormaigh Van Slyke //tormaigh@pcpublishing.ca Jenelle Lizotte EDITOR

Jenelle Lizotte LAYOUT DESIGN

Aimie Williams Tormaigh Van Slyke Jenelle Lizotte

Letter from the Editor

AD DESIGN

Aimie Williams AD SALES

Tormaigh Van Slyke //sales@pcpublishing.ca Kari Quinney //

Greetings great readers,

PHOTOGRAPHY

Paul Lavoie Images, Tormaigh Van Slyke, Jenelle Lizotte WRITERS

Melanie Bekevich-Joos, Community Futures Staff, Jenelle Lizotte, Sharon Mailloux, Tony Nickonchuk, Tormaigh Van Slyke, Lydia Zilahy Move Up is published by Plato’s Cave Publishing. No content herein can be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

12,000 copies are printed and distributed throughout the Peace Region, Alberta and beyond.

Move Up is 100 per cent funded by advertising dollars.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL LAVOIE

FIND MOVE UP IN ALL FRESON BROS. LOCATIONS

PREDA

PEACE REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

MOVE UP IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE PEACE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

Snow Riders to talk about snowmobiling and their great Since 2013, Move Up has outdoor trails. For our main showcased life and business feature, we caught up with unique to Northern Alberta’s a small array of family-run Peace Region. If you’re already businesses in the region to find thinking of “moving up,” we out how they balance life and want you to come to “The Peace” business in the Peace. Next, because, well, life’s better up here. we explore some of our local French culture with St. Isidore’s Welcome to Issue 5 of Move Up, Carnaval, an annual outdoor our first of four issues in 2015. winter celebration filled with That’s right, life and business in satisfying food and activities. the Peace Region has gotten so Then, we go back to work with good, we’ve gone quarterly.

Shell’s Carmon Creek Project to see how grand and luxurious In this issue we are proud to their new BlueSky Lodge really is. announce the arrival of “Go Mighty Peace,” the place to turn We hope you enjoy this issue. for exciting seasonal activities and events in Northwestern Alberta. Request copies or subscribe to Eight municipal bodies are Move Up by emailing working together with Move Up, sales@pcpublishing.ca Mighty Peace Tourist Association and Travel Alberta to make this Follow us on Facebook, Twitter trailblazing project a tremendous and checkout our website “go.” Go Mighty Peace lays out www.moveupmag.com the fun for everyone.

Also in this issue, we jump on with the Peace Valley

Jenelle Lizotte Editor

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Next issue out April 2015

Distributed regionally & beyond | 12,000+ Copies Printed Circulated for 3 months | Promotes our growing region #LifesBetterUpH ere | Winter 2015 M OV E U P

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â–ş

Contents

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the peace valley snow riders, building the future of snowmobiling in our region

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Last Lake Guest House The de Jong family work together and have fun together at their beautifully secluded guest house

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shell offers their workers the best in luxury camplife at bluesky lodge

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News

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Go Mighty Peace

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Aurora Theatre

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Can-Tech

Highlights from the Mighty Peace Region

Your guide to exciting activities and events

Bringing entertainment to Manning, AB

An electric succession story in Grimshaw, AB

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NEWS

Photography submitted

SHELL ROTARY HOUSE RECEIVES HUGE DONATION

T

he Shell Rotary House received a very generous donation on November 1, 2014 at the annual Rotary House Gala.

The Shell Rotary House, which will provide temporary accommodations for outpatients, families and medical professionals, was granted a $500,000 donation from a joint contribution

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from Peace River Chrysler, Peace River Ford, GO RV, Falher Ford and Marine Peace River. Kelly Whalen, the dealer principal and general manager of the aforementioned contributors was in attendance at the Gala to present the cheque to the Shell Rotary House’s CoChairs Brent Rostad and Bev Bastell.

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“We decided that the Rotary House was an area that we could really take a large role in, as it will help so many people right here in Peace River and from neighboring communities that we live and work in. We felt that Rotary and Go Auto share a common vision and are looking into the future together to make it easier on families and medical

staff in times they need to focus on other important situations that are happening in their lives, that is why our commitment of $500,000 was so easy to choose,” said Whalen.

Construction on the Shell Rotary House will begin in Spring 2015.

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NEWS

HIGH LEVEL IS TURNING 50!

There are a variety of walking trails that tie together throughout the community for residents to enjoy year round.

Article submitted

A Brief History High Level officially became a town in June 1965, but its rich history started many years before then. Fur traders and trappers first came to the area in the late 18th century when High Level was first known as “Tloc-Moi” or Hay Meadow.

At that time, High Level was the only stopping place between Hay Lakes and Fort Vermillion for fur trappers. With rail and highway transportation routes opening up as early as 1946, High Level began to develop into a settlement.

In 1963, residential and commercial lands were sold for development. As more people, businesses, and services came to High Level, it was only a matter of time before the settlement became a town, which occurred on June 1st, 1965.

After the newly formed town came into existence, development really began to pick up for the small northern community. The oil and gas exploration industry boomed and brought the town’s population from 754 in 1966 to 1,551 people in 1967.

High Level Now Today in 2015, the Town of High Level has a population of nearly 4,000 and is continually growing. The Town is

The 50th Anniversary To celebrate the Town’s history and future, there are three main events being planned. The kick-off event occurred on January 3rd 2015 which consisted of a variety of outdoor events and venues. a busy hub of commercial, retail and industrial services with the main drivers still based in the forestry and oil and gas industries.

High Level is a young community.

The Town is geared towards serving young families which is apparent in all activities and programs available within the town offered by either the Town or local community groups, as the average age in the Town is 28 years old.

The Town takes great pride in the development of their parks and open spaces. Centennial Park, the Town’s central park, has recently been transformed with a newly added spray park and upgrades to the sledding hill, playground, and tennis courts. The newly named Jubilee Park, located next to Town Hall, is an award winning unique park that converts into an ice skating path during the winter months.

In June, the Town will be hosting a summer concert to commemorate the anniversary of High Level becoming an official Town in 1965. A headlining band will perform at the High Level Sports Complex and will hopefully encourage past (and potentially new) residents to come to High Level to see what the Town has become over the last 50 years.

Finally, to finish up the year of celebrations, there will be a December wrap-up event, which will feature ice carving as its main event.

The Planning Committee is encouraging local community groups to get into the 50th Anniversary spirit by hosting their own special 50th Anniversary events.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Bailey Kunz at tourism@highlevel.ca or 780-821-4018.

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Previously in the

PEACE

THE MULTIPLEX GETS NITTY GRITTY 10

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The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played to a sold out crowd of 1,100 lucky concert goers at the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex on October 25, 2014 with the help of over 50 volunteers.

The country-rock band, known for their hit songs Fishin’ in the Dark and Cadillac Ranch, have received many Grammy, International Bluegrass Music Association and Country Music Association awards and nominations.

Hey Romeo, a country band from Edmonton, opened for the country rockers.

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Previously in the

PEACE

FREE HUGS! COMMUNITY FUTURES CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESSES

Community Futures Peace Country celebrated Small Business Week by declaring October 22, 2014 “Hug an Entrepreneur Day”.

The non-profit organization spent five days during Small Business Week travelling throughout the Peace Region visiting small businesses delivering buttons and, of course, hugs.

“Small Business Week was Community Futures’

opportunity to say ‘thank you’ and show our appreciation to the local entrepreneurs of the Peace Region. We visited over 200 businesses giving out our Hug an Entrepreneur buttons and we had a very successful Hug an Entrepreneur launch party where we celebrated Community Futures clients.

We know that small business owners work hard every day and they deserved to be recognized for that, it

was a lot of fun and really, who doesn’t like a hug?” said Community Futures Projects Manager, Sherry Crawford.

Community Futures has helped many entrepreneurs in the Peace Country receive the capital necessary to start their businesses. Community Futures Peace Country has loaned over $14 million to over 300 businesses since 1995.

Photography submitted

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LARA ONABA, 33, MOVED UP FROM NIGERIA

RELOCATION STORIES

the various rental properties. What is your favourite

What brought you to the Peace?

We moved to Alberta for my husband’s job as a civil engineer. At the time of his graduation from university, he was a foreign worker and it was very difficult to have a competitive edge in Ottawa where we lived. I sent his resume to every single engineering company in the Alberta yellow pages. We took the leap when he was offered a job!

What keeps you in the Peace Region?

NEW MOM LARA MOVED UP AND STARTED HER OWN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS Where are you originally from?

I was born in Nigeria. My family moved during a time of political unrest to Ontario, Canada (my mother’s native land) when I was 12 yearsold. I’ve moved around quite a bit between high school, University (graduated in 2000 with a B.A.) and College (specialized studies in American Sign Language, 2001).

Where did you move to?

When I took the leap to move into the Peace Country, I landed in La Crete in 2006. I lived there for 3 years and spread my wings as an entrepreneur for the first time with the community support at my back. In 2009, I moved to Peace River and have made it my home.

How long ago did you move?

I have lived in the Peace Country for 8 years. Gosh!

Hard to believe it has been that long!

Where do you work?

Relocating to the Peace Country transformed me into a serial entrepreneur.

In 2007 my husband and I purchased our first real estate investment. Since then we have amassed over $7 million in real estate acquisitions and launched a property management company (Peace River Housing), employing others to help us run the growing business. Our properties are located in Peace River and Edmonton. In conjunction with Peace River Housing, I also launched Merci Cleaners to help facilitate the cleaning of

The Peace Region made my dreams come true. With hard work there are endless opportunities for anyone wanting to pave their own way. I’m excited about my future because I’m in the Peace Region. The drive to achieve those dreams makes me leap out of bed in the morning and keeps me up late doing just one more thing.

Did you have any “culture shock” moments after moving here?

I’ve traveled quite a bit and have always been quite proud of my ability to blend in anywhere. At the end of the day, people are all the same. Maybe slightly different shades and hair textures and accents, but our culture is the same: we all want to be loved and to be appreciated. When I think of the people around me that way, the shock value seems to disappear and I become one of “them.”

thing about living in the Peace Region?

I’d have to say it’s the support groups. I have a support group for pretty much everything in my life.

One group is a group of moms who swap childcare during the week so we all get breaks. Another group is of women entrepreneurs who form a mastermind group, meeting bimonthly to support our business and personal growth.

Another group, are a group of women who are part of a monthly meal exchange program. And, yet another group in a book club. All free! That’s what I love the most.

What is your favourite wildlife encounter since moving here?

I thoroughly enjoyed watching a coyote on the sidewalk outside my front door. In the past I have watched them run along the frozen river!

What is your ideal Sunday in the Peace Region?

Sundays begin with me sleeping in until 8am, followed by breakfast with my husband and 2-year-old.

Usually some renovation project is tackled at one of our rentals. As long as the day ends with a movie in the basement, it has been a good day!

What is your ideal night out in the Peace Region?

We’ve fallen in love with staycations.

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TONY NICKONCHUK, BSC. PHARM. | CLINICAL PHARMACIST, ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES

MOVE UP TO SHAPE UP supposed to add 30 minutes of purposeful physical activity five days a week or more?

I am going to recommend a radical yet simple solution.

Move up.

Statistics Canada reports that the average one way commute for Canadians living in cities is 25 minutes.

That means the average Canadian spends 50 minutes a day just getting to and from work, with Edmonton and Calgary being no different.

A

side from quitting smoking, there is no lifestyle intervention better at reducing poor health outcomes than exercise. It reduces pain and disability in arthritis, slows progression to Alzheimer’s and dementia, reduces risk of heart disease and decreases the likelihood of premature death. Individuals who are overweight but physically fit have lower rates of premature death than those who are normal weight and unfit. Exercise also reduces the risk of fractures from osteoporosis, improves mental health, and leads to vast improvements in quality of life.

The largest benefits with physical activity arise when 14

M OVE UP

you go from nothing to something.

Researchers think one reason is that sitting is bad for you. Those who sit more than six hours per day have higher rates of premature death. It increases the risk of obesity. Those with sitting jobs have twice the rate of heart disease as those with standing jobs.

Sitting and watching more than three hours per day of TV increases risk of heart disease by 60 per cent and, if you sit and watch that much TV, exercise has no impact on body weight.

All of which is to say that to be healthy, you need to sit less and be active. But in our busy life, where we barely have enough time to meet deadlines, how are we

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When I moved to Peace River, the first thing I noticed is how much more time I had. Getting to work takes me ten minutes, at worst— same with the grocery store.

The furthest routine place I travel is my children’s school, which is 15 minutes.

Simply by moving to a smaller town, you will free up time to add physical activity to your day.

Why choose the northwest over any other region? After all, short commutes are not unique to northwest Alberta towns.

No other region combines this with stunning natural beauty and endless possibilities for active living.

In Peace River, for example, you can take part in

organized activities, like curling at the curling club, racquetball and squash at the Al Adair Rec Centre, cardio and weights at the local fitness club, lane swimming at the Peace Regional Pool, skiing and snowboarding at any of the local ski hills or baseball at one of the many local diamonds.

Or you can let loose outside.

Learn to canoe or kayak on the Mighty Peace during the annual Paddle the Peace event and then make it a regular activity. Run on the beautiful dike path, replete with breathtaking vistas and no shortage of friendly neighbours passing by. Take a bike ride down Shaftesbury Trail, feast for the eyes and work for your thighs. Hike or run through the miles of trails in the valley hills. Or take it easy with a leisurely stroll along the beaches that spontaneously pop up along the river in the summer.

Living in a place like Peace River, it still takes effort to integrate physical activity into your daily life, but it is easier to run in the glorious hills and meadows surrounding this beautiful town than it is to run in the endless rat race of the urban jungle.

And you don’t have to sit in traffic thinking about it.

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SHARON MAILLOUX | STEPPING UP

Stepping Up to build a better community one relationship at a time

It’s interesting how these career goals are centered on the most basic human need to feel wanted. Like our lives— our very existence—will have an impact of good on someone else. It is a small representation of the most basic, most common and most confounding need of all human beings—to love and to be loved. Yet, as the statistics in Alberta show, one in three women and one in ten men are impacted by domestic violence at some point in their lifetime, and since those are only the reported cases, one can expect the numbers are much higher than that.

At Stepping Up we work with men and women whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence. Including people who have recently ended an unhealthy or unsafe relationship, people seeking healthier and happier ways of being together, and people who are trying to make sense and move on from the pain in their past.

We offer counselling with a group therapy component that creates the opportunity for people to really look at their relationships, beliefs, approaches to conflict, underlying needs and so much more. Many don’t like what they see—especially how it impacts their children.

Through the group process we:  promote healthy beliefs,  provide a safe space for people to confront their fears,  talk about their needs and,  build new skills to develop and sustain healthy relationships.

Our program is part mosaic of other program components and part unique creation—most of it based on feedback from participants, from the staff, from new research and sometimes just from sheer inspiration and innovation. It is in a constant state of change so that we can ensure we are always providing the best program we can. The group program is offered twice per year (fall and winter) and is 15 weeks in length.

Individuals are seen on an on-going basis to provide continual support.

We are hoping to be able to offer a family and youth component in 2015 because what the research shows and what our clients tell us is that people usually don’t get in to their first unhealthy relationship when they are 30 or 40; it often starts much younger.

As such we hope to provide meaningful support early on to prevent the cycle of domestic violence from repeating itself generation after generation.

Amelia Earhart said, “Courage is the price that life extracts for freedom,” but we must understand that this isn’t just freedom from unhealthy relationships, but also the freedom to be who we were meant to be all along—the freedom to really love and to really be loved starting with ourselves.

Self-Help and Support Resources ALBERTA MENTAL HEALTH & DISTRESS HOTLINE (24H) 1-877-303-2642 ALBERTA HEALTH LINK 1-866-408-5465

f

“W

hen I grow up I want to be a fireman, a policeman, a nurse or a teacher…” are common aspirations of our little people. Sure, we also get a few aspiring actors/actresses, rock stars and professional athletes.

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES: ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH 780-624-6193

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES: WALK-IN COUNSELLING 780-624-6151 OR 1-877-823-6433 PEACE RIVER REGIONAL WOMEN’S SHELTER CRISIS PHONE 780-624-3466 OR 1-977-624-3466 STEPPING UP (NORTH PEACE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) 780-624-8235 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 1-866-332-2322 MEN AT RISK (MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE SUPPORT) 780-539-0210 PEACE RIVER COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN 780-618-7863 PEACE REGIONAL VICTIM SERVICES 780-624-6626 #LifesB etterUpH ere | Winter 2015 M OV E U P

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THE PEACE VALLEY

TRAIL

BLAZING

O

nce you’re out there, there’s nothing like it. On the right trail, you see and feel things otherwise impossible. Arguably, it’s the most environmentally conscious way to explore and experience the outback while using a motorized vehicle, and with a seat on the back, you can share the experience.

Not only is snowmobiling fun and exciting, it is also a big economic driver—so much so that Ontario and Quebec have built nearly 65,000 km of trails.

PVSR provides our region’s locals and newcomers with another recreational opportunity and addresses the seasonality of local tourism concern.

The key though, to all of it, is the right trail. The right trail is endless. It leads you through hidden landscapes and a variety of settings without fear of accidently “clotheslining” yourself on a barbed-wire fence or running into a grizzly bear habitat.

“Lots of people think you can go anywhere, but when it comes to areas of appropriate use we know all the don’ts,” explained Buchholtz. “There’s no snowmobiling in town. You need permission for private land and on primary and secondary highways, the ditches are not available for sledding. In addition, there are resource development areas and facilities, grazing leases, trapper’s lines, powerlines and pipelines that sometimes have dangers and obstacles, so where can you go?”

With its affiliate clubs, the Alberta Snowmobile Association has over 5,000 km of groomed trails available. Locally, the Peace Valley Snow Riders (PVSR) snowmobile club services the Peace Region. To date, in just over five years since their inception, the PVSR have built three separate trails totalling 130 km and spanning three counties.

SNOW RIDERS

Move Up had the chance to meet with the Trail Identification Committee Chair, Dwayne Buchholtz, and Secretary Frank Armella of this award winning club. Of course, we took the opportunity to suit up, load up a couple of snowmobiles and visit one of the trails too.

In short, PVSR trails are the answer. They work with all the necessary stakeholders, so all the end user has to do is pick up a $90 PVSR Membership, which includes a seasonal Trail Pass recognized on any associated Alberta Snowmobile Association club trail in Alberta.

Current PVSR trails include the Leddy Lake Trail in the County of Northern Lights, which is 40 km long and complete with comprehensive signage. There

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is Wesley Creek Trail, in Northern Sunrise County, which is 30 km long. And, there is the Smith Mills Trail, which is 60 km long and extends from the County of Northern Lights, north of Figure Eight Lake, to Clear Hills County.

“We are working to an international snowmobile standard called SemiDeveloped, which is occasionally groomed and five metres wide. Right now we aim to keep it to this standard, but there are spaces where we are limited to two-to-three metres,” said Buchholtz.

The PVSR also maintains signage standards.

“Our trails are marked quite similar to highways, with corner signs, or open water, or anything the driver needs to know, so you can drive the trails at night too,” said Armella.

Currently, these three trails do not connect.

“We needed to start somewhere and we wanted to get trails going in the various places where people live. Recently, Clear Hills County has given us $20,000 and we want to extend the trail into Hines Creek and up near Worsley,”

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said Buchholtz.

With only nine people on the executive board, PVSR have ambitious plans to reach a potential of over 500 kilometres of trails. As with most organizations, continued support from their stakeholders and growth in their membership are essential to their success.

“In spite of delays and setbacks, the Club remains committed to providing a network of trail on both the west and east side of the Peace River,” said Buchholtz.

According to Buchholtz and Armella, the key stakeholders have provided an indication of support for a Cadotte River and Misery Mountain trail, and there are many other trails on their list, but the PVSR have not yet begun identifying specific routes.

“We’d really like to tie in some historical significant trails, but at this point outside of small sections we haven’t been able to do so.

That would be neat in the future,” said Buchholtz.

PVSR’s trajectory has been impressive. From start to finish, building a trail takes years. It requires rigorous planning with applicable

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stakeholders and a large financial investment.

“It would cost someone else probably over $250,000 to build the trails we have built, but we’ve probably spent about $110,000, due to plenty of help from volunteers,” said Buchholtz.

According to Buchholtz, aside from its capital expenditures, PVSR has been operating using primarily its membership fees ($90 per member per season). In addition, PVSR have been working with the Webberville Community Forest Association, which has developed an all-weather trail on the other side of the DMI connector. PVSR was approached to operate the 10-12 km trail in the winter time using the groomer they own.

“We had 55 members last year but we probably need more like 300 to sustain what we’ve got going. We’ve had very minimal budgets,” said Buchholtz.

Armella agrees that growth in membership will be essential moving forward.

“We are going to need a couple more groomers so our expenses are going to go up now that we’ve got the trails developed—no ifs,

ands, or buts. We’ve been so busy working on the capital projects that we really got to settle down here pretty quick and start operating,” said Armella.

PVSR also wants to work with other organizations.

“We’re big on shared use.

Leddy Lake is an existing recreational area, and we have a warm up shelter there and signage there. If a cross country ski group came out there that would just be perfect. Also, we’d really like someone, or a group, to organize social events. We would like to do a poker rally, and Wesley Creek has real potential for that. We’re open to ideas. That’s our approach. Come talk to us,” said Buchholtz.

Those interested in joining the Peace Valley Snow Riders can purchase memberships from Peace River Ford, Maximum Powersports, Thomas Homes & RV, Scanalta Power Sales (Hines Creek) or Ace Machine & Welding. Those wishing for more information on the Club can contact Dwayne Buchholtz, Trail Identification Committee Chair at 780 618 1504. move up

Proudly Serving Our Alberta Communities for 60 Years

High Prairie Store

Opening, 1968

Fairview Store O

pening, 1965

As a real Albertan company, born in Alberta, raised in Alberta and still based in Alberta 60 years later, we're proud to have served our loyal customers throughout Alberta for all this time.

From our humble beginnings in 1955 as a butcher shop in Hinton, we have grown to 15 stores across Alberta, many open 24 hours a day.

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GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE | CELEBRATING FINE ARTS ALUMNI

Art Works.

The graduates of Fine Arts programs at Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) are profiled in a new series of images Art Works which features eight artists of various disciplines who studied at GPRC and are now enjoying success doing what they love best.

Art works for Sheila Shaw. After 10 years as a stay at home mom, Sheila is following her dream and studying painting and drawing at GPRC. As part of the University Transfer program, she will be transferring to the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) in Calgary in Fall 2015 to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. She also plans to one day open an art gallery specializing in aboriginal art.

Art works for Adam Paananen. As former percussionist of the infectious reggae band Tasman Jude, Adam knows his way around the stage and recording studio. While working to complete the Interactive Digital Design Music Diploma, and playing in various local groups, Adam saw Tasman Jude’s first performance at GPRC’s Howler’s Lounge in January 2013. Adam later joined the band, recorded an album and toured across Canada and Australia. Although he has moved on from Tasman Jude, music is a lifelong passion for Adam.

Art works for Sarah Biedermann. A guitar player since the age of 11, Sarah still hopes to be a rock star, or maybe a session musician and producer. Sarah started working at GPRC on the janitorial staff, but enrolled part-time and then moved into a joint diploma program: Acoustic Music and Interactive Digital Design. She worked toward both diplomas while teaching guitar and music theory in GPRC’s Music Conservatory.

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GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE | CELEBRATING FINE ARTS ALUMNI

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Art works for Kiren Niki Sangra. After finishing GPRC’s Visual Arts Diploma in 2003, Kiren moved on to a BFA at ACAD in Calgary. Returning home in 2007, she began her career teaching at Grande Prairie’s Centre for Creative Arts. She is now the Creative Operations Coordinator, and manages the CFCA’s galleries, events and design work. She will be featuring her latest series, Stargazer, as part of the Grande Prairie Art Gallery’s Travelling Exhibition program.

Art works for Matthew Dalen. After developing an interest in music as a member of the Grande Prairie Boy’s Choir, Matthew nurtured his passion in GPRC’s Bachelor of Music University Transfer program. After finishing at GPRC in 2012, he went on to complete a month long opera studies program in Italy.

Next up: graduate school auditions and a career as a professional opera singer.

Art works for Helena (Peters) Mulligan. After finishing her Visual Arts Diploma at Grande Prairie Regional College in 1994, Helena completed the installation of her “Wisdom” sculptures series on the lawn of the college in 1995. These towering mentor figures took Helena ten months to erect, but the project has been a lifetime in the making. She continues to explore painting and sculpture, showing her work regionally and working in diverse mediums.

Art works for Nan Swanston. Nan was a founder of Image Design in 2000, after completing both Business and Visual Arts programs at GPRC. Now she works daily with talented graphic designer Carmen Vallentgoed Wythe and innovative web developer Marcus Vanstone. This trio of GPRC visual arts grads and their team create compelling graphic and web design for clients throughout the region and beyond.

Art works for Sarah Card. With 27 years of violin experience, studying playing touring and teaching, violin is Sarah’s passion. As an instructor at GPRC’s Music Conservatory, Sarah has spent five years helping students help themselves. In the next year she plans to put together a youth orchestra, and hopes to return to performing and touring when her son is older. But she’ll never stop teaching.

Photography by Chris Beauchamp, Creative production by nine10 Inc.

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BRETT WALKER, MOVED UP FROM WHITECOURT, AB

RELOCATION STORIES

After moving in on the first of the month, I walked downtown to find a bite to eat. I found River Rock Steakhouse and grabbed a table. I usually like to read while I eat, and I had not brought my book. They brought me one of the early editions of theVAULTmagazine [a nowdefunct alternative Peace Region newspaper]. I was hooked. There were so many things to do listed in there!

BACKPACKER TELLS HIS “MOVE UP” STORY I was officially asked to come up to Peace River on March 12, 2012 to start work for the Alberta Government in Forestry. My first day of work was to be April 2. This was the first I was told I would definitely be moving after about three months of discussions.

I was born and raised in Whitecourt and moved away for only a couple of years to attend college in Edmonton and Hinton and then to live in New Zealand for a year in 2002/2003.

I fit everything I owned into the back of my Dodge Dakota (which soon after

got towed away while I was vacationing in New Zealand). Having a whole truck-load of stuff was huge because, while I was living in New Zealand, all of my belongings could fit into a backpack.

To find a place in Peace River, all it took was one look at Kijiji. I found a place via Casey Realty (the manager of this particular apartment was the daughter of a woman I worked closely with in Whitecourt; it is a small world after all). I agreed to pay $600/month for a bachelor suite in an apartment in the north side of Peace River.

I found out that there was a trade show of sorts going on down at the Belle Petroleum Centre and I decided that was one of the places I would visit first. So, I hiked over there and took a look around.

Two ladies selling used clothes and what not invited me to the fashion show later that night. They promised me there would be a dance after the fashion show, so they suggested that I show up “a bit later.” I decided it would be a good place to meet some folks. I showed up that night just in time for the lingerie part of the fashion show. Since I did not know anyone yet, I sat by myself. So, there I was, a stranger in town, sitting by himself, watching people parading around in their underwear.

Needless to say, I felt a bit awkward. But since there was alcohol offered I imbibed a bit to calm my nerves until the dance.

As the lingerie-clad folks finished up, I got a weird feeling that there was no dance to follow. Sure enough.

The lights came up and people started wandering off.

So to recap: I, a stranger to most people in the crowded room, showed up in time to watch women in their underwear, sitting alone drinking and then looking around very upset after it was all over. Talk about culture shock.

Getting over this awkward day, I have since met some very interesting people here in the Peace Region. I would say that these folks have made my stay here. The greatest thing about Peace River are the people. They are interesting, downto-earth, connected and concerned about the people around them. This is what keeps me here. A new person can walk down the street and say “Hello” to a stranger and then have a five minute conversation!

My best night out on the town in Peace River was when I went with my girlfriend to Sharks at the Sawridge and it turned out it was karaoke night. We played some pool and drank and danced around the pool table and had a great time. That, coupled with the first night I met her in the same place, were my favourite nights out on the town. Otherwise, it would be going to a movie at River City Cinema or going for a walk down by the river.

This winter, I am hoping to get out and see more of the surrounding area. I would still like to see the St-Isidore Carnival this winter as I missed it last winter.

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COLUMN

MELANIE BEKEVICH-JOOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIGHTY PEACE TOURIST ASSN.

MAKE PEACE WITH THE COLDEST SEASON Learning to love winter’s charm husband is one of these people. Allow me to relay a brief exchange that took place on a sunny outdoor patio in June.

Acquaintance: “Sure is nice outside today.”

Husband: “Yeah, I wish it would snow.”

He was serious.

My internal “AAAACCCKKK!!!”

I

f you’re like me, the thought of six months of winter ahead makes you want to throw your body off a tall building. Getting out of your warm toasty bed, freezing your appendages and scraping an icy windshield make me cringe! I was the kid who didn’t want to go outside at recess—yep, I hated the cold more than I hated my teacher.

So having vowed to love where I live, I must also embrace these über crisp months. If I’m going to truly live in the beautiful Mighty Peace, I need to come to terms with our sub-arctic climate.

So what will get me—or shall I say, get us—through?

There are some people who love winter.

They ski. They go sledding. They snow shoe, and the extreme folks even take up winter camping (yes, you read that correctly—winter camping). My

dialogue:

When these “winter people” hear my disdain for the season I always get the same advice: “you just have to take up a winter sport.” Even on my quest to love Mighty Peace living year round, that doesn’t sound like my idea of a good time.

I’ve decided to take my inspiration from the land. Hear me out. The snow falls blanketing the earth as it sleeps.

Then it freezes over creating stillness. I could sign up for a few months of cozy restfulness in synchronicity with the rhythm and wisdom of our lifeblood— the land.

So what does that look like for a nonwinter gal?

First there’s the wardrobe change.

To live contentedly in the winter, you’ve gotta gear up. Say “good-bye” to sleeveless tops, skirts and shorts, and say “hello” to layers, sweaters, boots, parkas, scarves and mittens.

Pack up those sundresses, don’t even

look at them! The beauty is they will return and it’ll be like Christmas in the spring when you open that tote of sunappropriate attire.

Secondly, my attempt at a contented winter is also a slower and prepared life. It’s once a week to the grocery store with meals planned (in theory), so we can beeline it to the warmth of home to prepare dinner with our favorite music playing.

Winter is fluffy blankets, hot coffee, warm hugs and long dinners with good people over a candle’s glow. It’s savory hot soups, stews and chilies.

It’s acceptance. It’s connecting to community and catching up with old friends. It’s filling up your heart with layers of comfort and escaping the cold darkness together.

And then, it’s the coming of spring— the days slowly getting longer as the temperatures gradually become milder.

And bearing witness to our river that breaks, in a single day, transitioning from a seemingly rigid mass of ice to flowing powerful waters—signaling that summer is on its way.

Believe me, I will be jumping for joy on this day but today I contentedly accept this restful, slow, and yes cold, period of the year.

You know what? I think I’ve been doing winter wrong this whole time.

Photography: Melissa E. Earle with You and Mee 26

M OVE UP

W i n t e r 2 015 | w w w.mov e u p ma g .co m

GO MIGHTY PEACE

Signature Events Explore Culture Get Active

#LifesBetterUpH ere | Winter 2015 M OV E U P

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Win cool stuff

Are you a Mighty Peace Winter Fanatic?

PROVE IT WITH OUR WINTER SELFIE CONTEST! 3 ways to enter Post your selfie on the “Peace Country Tourism” Facebook page with the hashtag #MPFanatics

1

Tweet your selfie, tag @mightypeace and add the hashtag #MPFanatics

2

Post your selfie on Instagram, tag @mightypeacetourism and add the hashtag #MPFanatics

3

Win a getaway package to Last Lake Guest House & other great prizes!

Visit mightypeace.com for more details.

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

THE MIGHT Y PEACE REGION Endless potential & Adventure Awaits...

Welcome to “Go Mighty Peace,” the place to turn for for exciting seasonal activities and events in Northwestern Alberta. Go Mighty Peace lays out the fun for everyone.

Go Mighty Peace is a collaborative government partnership consisting of four Towns, three Counties and one M.D. For more info and up-to-date information, go to www.mightypeace.com Flow north with the Mighty Peace River.

In its wake, the Mighty Peace has shaped a wonderfilled river valley. Beyond the Peace Valley is a legacy of rich soils ground together by the last ice age.

Nurture North America’s northernmost agricultural land and boreal forests that stretch, seemingly without end, into the Northwest Territories. Here lies an unspoiled, wonderful network of clean lakes and rivers. ...And, the people are great too.

In partnership with

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For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Signature Events

Find more events like these at www.mightypeace.com/events

March 13-15, 2015 | Lac Cardinal, AB

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he Alberta Pond Hockey Tournament takes us back to a time when hockey was simpler. In this tournament, two 4-player teams face off in a 30 minute game with no goalie.

tournament has been an anticipated event since 2007.

The winners of Alberta Pond Hockey receive an entry into the World Pond Hockey Championships and $2,000 toward travel costs.

This year’s tournament will be held March 13-15. Registration ends Saturday, January 31, 2015.

As many as 40 teams will compete in four divisions: competitive, recreational, women’s and juniors, with each team playing five games over the weekend-long tournament.

The Alberta Pond Hockey Gala will be held at the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex and will feature the rockin’ country five-piece band Sweet Tequila. Look for tickets this February!

Played on Lac Cardinal, between Peace River and Grimshaw, the

AlbertaPondHockey.com

WinterFest February 20-21, 2015 | High Level, AB

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he 12th Annual WinterFest will be held on February 20 & 21 in High Level. This fun, family event centres around team challenges as teams of 6-8 people (ages 14 and up) engage in friendly competition with friends and neighbours.

Last year’s WinterFest events included Human Shoot to Score, Smooshshoe relay, snow sculptures, crockpot creations, photo scavenger hunt and more! Brrrr...ing your community spirit! www.highlevel.ca Facebook: Town of High Level

Photography: Submitted by Town of High Level

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Signature Events

Find more events like these at www.mightypeace.com/events

Carnaval de St-Isidore February 13 - 15, 2015 | St-Isidore, AB

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arnaval de St-Isidore is Northern Alberta’s annual winter festival celebrating FrenchCanadian Culture.

The theme for the 33rd Carnaval is Bon Voyage and it’s sure to be magnifique!

From games to hay rides to the snow sculpture competition to live music and dancing, Carnaval is fun for the entire family.

No Carnaval experience is complete without poutine and tire sur la neige (maple snow taffy).

780-624-8481 CarnavalDeStIsidore.ab.ca explorestisidore@gmail.com For more on Carnaval read the article on page 58.

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Explore.

HISTORIC RESOURCES IN PEACE RIVER From the St. Augustine Mission to the Mackenzie Cairn to Greene Valley Park, Peace River has no shortage of fascinating historic sites to explore. Grab some friends and explore these gems or check out the guided historic tours hosted by the Peace River Museum in the summer, either way you’re sure to gain appreciation for the historic resources in this fine region.

The St. Augustine Mission is a Provincial Historic Site on Hwy. 684. A church and cemetery is all that remains of a site where the Roman Catholic holy orders once provided healthcare and education to First Nations, Métis and early Peace Region settlers.

The Mackenzie Cairn was erected to commemorate the winter when Alexander Mackenzie camped at Fort Fork in 1792-1793 before embarking on his first transcontinental journey.

The Greene Valley Park, east of Peace River in Northern Sunrise County, is home to the Twelve Foot Davis Park, Dr. Greene Cairn Site and the Peace River Recreation Area--perfect for hiking, scenic photography and wildlife viewing.

For more information on these hisoric landmarks and more, call the Peace River Museum and Archives at 780 624 4261.

THE MAPLES DAY USE AREA IN THE M.D. OF FAIRVIEW You’ll find The Maples Day Use Area on the west side of the Dunvegan Bridge, 26km south of the Town of Fairview. The Maples is a perfect place to hang out with friends or family. With fire pits, picnic tables, horseshoe pits, walking trails and lookouts, take your time and take it all in. mdfairview.com

Photography: Paul Lavoie Images

Take a Day-Cation MACKENZIE CROSSROADS MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTRE The Mackenzie Crossroads Museum and Visitor Centre is a multi-purpose visitor information centre, gift shop and museum with an outdoor picnic area.

The Gift Shop features work by local artisans and photographers and souvenirs.

The Museum also hosts events such as

craft and bake sales, an Annual Art Show, Annual Photo Contest and more!

For more info 780-926-4811 hlmuseum@highlevel.com The Mackenzie Crossroads Museum [Submitted]

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

HISTORIC DUNVEGAN PROVINCIAL PARK

benches and picnic tables to relax and take in the day.

On the east side of the Dunvegan Bridge, you’ll encounter Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park--first established in the 1700s by First Nations peoples. It was one of the first areas settled in the region. This park is great for camping in the summer with power hook ups, an RV station, and more.

Dunvegan Provincial Park also has commercial gardens, a visitor’s centre (open May 15 - Labour Day), mini-golf, a gift centre, and events in the warmer months. It’s definitely a place you don’t want to miss!

Pay attention to the Town of High Level’s Facebook page and website to learn about great events hosted at this amazing park. highlevel.ca

TWIN LAKES PROVINCIAL RECREATION AREA

JUBILEE PARK IN HIGH LEVEL

This recreational area opened in 1962 is located 65 km north of Manning. Twin Lakes offers great winter activities such as ice fishing, winter camping, wildlife viewing, hiking and snow shoeing. Twin lakes also features a playground, cook shelters, fire pits and a fish cleaning station.

Jubilee Park in High Level is a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

For more information call 780-624-6486.

historicdunvegan.org

The walking paths are flooded in the winter to create a unique skating path.

The park also features a bonfire pit with seating, a covered gazebo and several

to HIgh Level HIGH LEVEL NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE The High Level Native Friendship Centre is host to many events and programs in High Level.

Some of these events include Bingo (Tues, Fri & Sat), a Youth Activity Centre, the Aboriginal Head Start Program, the High Level Food Bank, A Baby Counts

Program, a Weekly Jamboree, an Annual family Round Dance, Drum Dances, Cultural programs and activities, a Summer Youth Program and more!

For more information call 780-926-2038

TRADITIONS GARDEN CAFE AND GIFT SHOP Traditions is a family-owned and operated cafe and gift shop that offers daily specials, ice cream, specialty coffee and catering. Traditions also offers floral arrangements in the gift shop.

For more information call 780-926-3100

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

SKI THE PEACE Whispering Pines in Worsley, AB

Fairview Ski Hill

The Whispering Pines Ski Area is located in beautiful Clear Hills County in Northern Alberta. A community-run ski hill with indoor areas to warm up in at the top and bottom. If downhill isn’t your thing, they offer free cross country ski trails—a great way to see nature. Toted as “Nothern Alberta’s best kept secret,” head out and see for yourself.

Another great river valley ski hill! Fairview Ski Hill has 3 tow lifts with a full spectrum of terrain choices. They have made a name for themselves in the area for their snowboard park. If you or a friend loves freestyle riding, this is your hill. skifairview.com (780) 835-4725

www.skiworsley.com 780-685-2594

Manning Ski Hill Located five miles east of Manning (Hwy 691) and three miles north (Range Road 224), the T-bar lift operates five different runs—entertainment for all levels of ski/snowboarding enthusiasts.

The Manning Ski Hill offers affordable winter fun for the whole family. Feel free to bring your own snacks.

The Manning Ski Hill plans to open for the season in January 2015. The Ski Hill will not operate in temperatures colder than -25 degrees celsius.

Facebook.com/ManningSkiHill 780-836-2655

*Note: Misery Mountain Ski Area in Peace River was omitted as it is closed for the 2014-2015 ski season.

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Mile Zero regional Multiplex

The Mile Zero Regional Multiplex has been a cherished resource in the Peace Region since it has opened its doors in 2011. In addition to the amazing amenities, the Multiplex has hosted a number of sports tournaments, concerts, training camps and fitness classes.

Be sure to check out this amazing local facility.

Les Shaw Fitness Centre

Get your full body workout by using our cardio equipment, strength machines and free weights. Also offered through the gym are “Spin” group exercise classes.

Arena

The Multiplex boasts a 200’ x 85’ NHL regulation size ice surface. Seating in the bleachers accommodates 1,000 spectators.

Eight change/dressing rooms are utilized by both arena and field house user groups.

Northern Air Indoor Walking Track

The Northern Air Indoor Walking Track is a three-lane, 175.3 metre track. The Multiplex offers a free hour-long senior’s walking program on Mondays and Thursdays from September to March.

Don Stannard Meeting Room The meeting room can accommodate 25 to 30 people comfortably. Everything from meetings to birthday parties are booked weekly in this space.

Pro Shop

Field House

The Multiplex also offers three full size gymnasium courts.

Court markings on each include the following sports: basketball, volleyball, badminton and soccer.

The playing surface is made of pulastic flooring, which is a stable floor system featuring special recycled rubber shock pad for resiliency and ball rebound with superior strength.

The onsite pro shop is leased annually to OT Sports

Concession

The onsite concession is open year round and is leased to C-Ken’s Concession and features a variety of homemade treats.

the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex 780-332-4005 http://grimshaw.ca/home/mile-zero-regional-multiplex/

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

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Take a Day-Cation

County of Northern Lights Stop into the Dixonville General Store just off Hwy 35 Best Home Made Baking!

The Dixonville General Store is your one stop shop in Dixonville, Alberta.

The Dixonville General Store is a Grocery Store, Liquor Store, Gift Shop, Hardware store, Laundomat and CafĂŠ all rolled into one! The Dixonville General Store has

excellent home made baked goods, daily specials, pizza and desserts.

They also have an in-store ATM. For more information: 780-971-3756, dixonvillegeneral.ca Facebook.com/ DixonvilleGeneralStore

Take your Sled out and hit the Peace valley Snow Rider Trails Quit driving in circles around your property.

Get a Peace Valley Snow Rider membership, load up your snowmobile and head out of town for an adventure.

The Peace Valley Snow Riders have two trails in the County of Northern Lights.

Leddy Lake Trail is 40 km long and complete with comprehensive signage and Smith Mills Trail, north of Figure Eight Lake, is 60 km long and extends to Clear Hills County.

Catch a Flick at the Aurora Movie Theatre Hockey Games, Films & Private Events Open since 1949, Aurora Theatre has been entertaining residents in County of Northern Lights for 65 years.

The Aurora Theatre has entertainment for all ages. With their state of

the art digital projection system, they show movies, hockey games, and are available for private screenings or meetings, which are great for birthday parties.

They also have the best popcorn in town. Check out their times and listings on Facebook: Aurora Theatre.

Those interested in joining the Peace Valley Snow Riders can purchase memberships from Peace River Ford, Maximum Powersports, Thomas Homes & RV, Scanalta Power Sales (Hines Creek) or Ace Machine & Welding.

Those wishing for more information on the Club can contact Dwayne Buchholtz, Trail Identification Committee Chair at 780 618 1504.

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

UPCOMING EVENTS WINTER/SPRING 2015

The Mighty Peace Region is abundant with experiences just waiting for you to discover them....

BREAKFAST WITH THE BUNNY

Join the Harmon Valley Agricultural Society and the Nampa/Northern Sunrise County FCSS for this free family event.

COUNTY IN BLOOM

County of Northern Light’s County in Bloom initiative brings people together and makes the county an even more beautiful place.

Goals of the program include encouraging horticulture excellence, environmental responsibility and community pride. Events nurture imaginative use of flora, recycling and composting, partnership and participation.

To this end, the County hosts events, workshops and garden tours where they give out prizes.

To stay up to date on upcoming events/workshops hosted by County in Bloom, visit their website www. countyofnorthernlights.com or call the County office at 780-836-3348.

Enjoy a pancake breakfast, crafts, games, treats and an Easter egg hunt!

Harmon Valley Hall Date & Time TBA northernsunrise.net

PEACE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRADE SHOW

Join the Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce and a ton of local businesses at the annual Spring Trade Show in Peace River.

Entertainment, great prizes, free admission and more!

Baytex Energ y Centre April 10 & 11, 2015 Fri: 4pm - 9pm Sat:10am - 5pm 780-624-4166 peaceriverchamber.com

MANNING TRADE SHOW

The County of Northern Lights and the Manning Chamber of Commerce are partnering for the 2015 Manning Trade Show.

This year’s trade show takes place on April 17th ( from 4-9pm) and 18th ( from 10-4pm).

Register early to reserve your spot Visit countyofnorthernlights.com for more information or email Eleanor Miclette at Miclettee@countyofnorthernlights.com

FAMILY FAIR

On January 24, the Town of Peace River will be hosting a Family Fair at Glenmary School from 12:30 – 3:30pm.

There will be giant games, a stage show, prizes, resources, interactive displays, goodie bags, a story corner and activities for all ages.

By the way, did we mention it’s free?

For more information call Peace River FCSS at 780-624-1000 or visit www. peaceriver.ca

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

PEACE REGION CULTURE SAGITAWA FRIENDSHIP CENTRE

FAIRVIEW RCMP CENTENNIAL MUSEUM

The Sagitawa Friendship Centre, located in downtown Peace River, is a great cultural resource in the area.

This historical building was the first R.C.M.P barracks and residence in the late 1920s. It once contained a cell to temporarily hold prisoners. The museum now has displays on all three floors. The basement has mock-ups of a trading post, a hospital, a post office, a school, and even a barbershop. The main floor has authentic examples of a period living room, dining room, and kitchen, as well as examples of R.C.M.P. insignia. The upstairs has a bedroom and a nursery which contain clothes, toys, and porcelain dolls.

In addition to providing assistance to those who need referrals, counselling, education or information services, the Sagitawa Friendship Centre also hosts the Hide N Seek Handicraft Store, which has stunning native arts and crafts. They also have a display of historical artifacts and various animal pelts.

The Sagitawa Friendship Centre also runs the Ground Level Youth Centre, also located in downtown Peace River.

Open by appointment all year long.

Admission by donation

780-624-2443

780-835-2847

FAIRVIEW PIONEER MUSEUM This hospitable local history museum houses school records from Ranger District #4535, which was attended by many of the Hines Creek/Fairview popovtsy Old Believers. The 13 registers, dated from 1936-1949, provide demographic information including birth dates, years of schooling, and names of parents for all students, along with the occasional report card and administrative memo. In 1936, 27 of the 37 pupils’ names were distinctly Russian (and probably Old Believer). By 1949 the student body had shrunk to 12, with 8 possessing Russian names.

Open by appointment all year long.

Admission by donation.

780-835-2847

FAIRVIEW FINE ARTS CENTRE The Fairview Fine Arts Centre is a registered charitable, non-profit organization in Fairview, AB. The Fine Arts Centre has an art gallery showcasing the work of local artists, a gift shop with pieces from local artists and hosts a variety of courses and events—truly, an excellent resource for artists and art lovers alike.

For more information: 780-835-2697 www.fairviewfinearts.com Facebook: Fairview Fine Arts Centre

Museum information from Geotourismcanada.com

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

PEACE RIVER MUSEUM, ARCHIVES AND MACKENZIE CENTRE The Peace River Museum has an impressive collection of fur trade material permanently exhibited in the Mackenzie Gallery.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie, whilst in the employ of the North West Company, (a fur trading partnership based in

Montreal), became the first European to cross North America north of Mexico. He over-wintered near the town from 1 November 1792 to 9 May 1793. The museum has artefacts from this location, known as Fort Fork (a national historic site located along Shaftesbury Trail).

photographs, maps and documents from the north Peace region.

Additionally, it has an extensive collection on the development of the Town of Peace River.

The museum also has an accredited Archives collection of 10,000

780-624-4261

Open year round.

Admission: $2

Peace River Museum, Archives and Macenzie Centre, [Photo by Jenelle Lizotte]

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Women in the North Conference T he 8th Annual Women in the North Conference will take place on April 1st, 2015 in Peace River, Alberta at the Belle Petroleum Centre.

This event has been gaining momentum in the last few years as one that inspires, motivates and educates the women in the Peace Region. Last year the WIN Conference celebrated a record attendance.

The 2015 WIN Conference is a day-long event packed full of dynamic and motivational keynote speakers and educational breakout sessions, which is new this year. It will also highlight local women in business in our fun and interactive Let’s Talk show and features local entertainment to round out the day.

The conference focuses on building the capacity of local women entrepreneurs and strives to offer them information pertinent to their needs. Delegates come from the entire Peace Region.

T

his year’s WIN Conference will feature CTV personality and entrepreneur, Carrie Doll.

“Veteran Television News anchor Carrie Doll shares her story from how she went from a small Alberta town, to anchoring one of the top 6pm newscasts in Canada. [...] Doll’s is a powerful story about living a no-regrets life and creating what you want.”

Also gracing the WIN stage this year is Leah Podollan, Owner of the Podollan Group of Companies.

“Spa Junkie and wellness enthusiast Leah Podollan sheds insight on “taking the leap” as applied in business and personal life to discover what you’re really made of. [...]

Her journey speaks to vulnerability; letting go and embracing simplicity while forging ahead with greater energy and clarity.”

As usual, ladies will also be treated to a gourmet lunch, door prizes, delegate gifts, plenty of networking opportunities and a lot of fun.

The 2015 WIN Conference takes place April 1, 2015, at the Belle Petroleum Centre.

The registration fee is $50 and includes a gourmet lunch. Register now! Last year’s conference sold out!

Registration starts in January. Register online at www.cfpeacecountry.com or the WIN Conference facebook page: facebook.com/womeninthenorth

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Take a Day-Cation Town of Peace River Take The Family to A Farmer’s Market gREAT vENDORS! gREAT fINDS! At the Peace River Farmer’s Market you’ll find honey, fruit and vegetables, canning and preserves, knitting, crafts, baking and more!

New vendors are always welcome at the Farmer’s Market, where local producers meet local consumers.

The Peace River Farmer’s Market is held at the Senior Citizen’s Drop In Centre in Peace River’s South End from 10am-1pm.

A few dates this winter/spring are February 28th, March 28th and April 10, 11 and 25th.

For more information visit peaceriverfarmersmarket.com

Go for a long walk on the Dike Best scenic river views Don’t stay cooped up all winter! Go out and get some fresh air. Peace River has a fabulous paved walkway built on the embankments along the Mighty Peace River.

Plowed in the winter, the dike is a great place to take a long walk, take

your dog for a run, to go jogging or to go out and get some breathtaking photos of the river.

The dike trail starts at the south end on 99th street and ends in the north end near Good Shepherd School along 98 St, over 5 km in length.

Hang out at the Peace River Municipal Library and Art Gallery There’s so much to do!

The newly renovated 13,300 sq. ft. facility boasts an array of impressive amenities including an art gallery with a fresh exhibit every month, two meeting rooms, 10 public computers, seating areas, a fireplace, printing services and free Wi-Fi. You can hang out, browse for books, check your email, and read magazines while drinking free Tim Hortons coffee.

Lots of Activities!

The library also hosts a wide variety of events and programming. From Story Time for kids to art lessons to movie nights to ESL training programs--there’s always something to do at the library.

fOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.peaceriver.ca

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Get Active.

Go skating or play hockey at the Baytex Energy Centre

Going Swimming at the Regional Aquatic Centre in Fairview

Go out dancing at the Stardust Lounge in High Level

The Baytex Energy Centre in Peace River is a great recreation facility with an ice surface open from August to March, a pro shop with skate sharpening, concession, dressing rooms and meeting rooms. The BEC can seat 1,700 people in its heated viewing area.

The Fairview Regional Aquatic centre has a five lane pool, a zero depth leisure pool, a 20-person hot tub, a climbing wall, a tarzan rope, a 150’ water slide and more.

Located at the Quality Inn in High Level, the Stardust Restaurant and Lounge has been the life of the party since 1986.

During the winter months, Shinny Hockey is held on Thursdays and Fridays from 12-1pm (with some exceptions) and Skating is held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12-1pm and Sundays from 5-6:30pm (with some exceptions). Hockey is $6 and helmets are mandatory. Skating is $3 for adults, $2 for ages 17 and under, with ages 6 and under free. Helmets are strongly encouraged for skating.

For more information call 780-624-1000 or visit www.peaceriver.ca

The Aquatic Centre also features an outdoor deck and an activity room which is great for party rentals. The Aquatic centre is also available for rentals in the summer months.

You can find the Aquatic Centre on the GPRC Campus, off Hwy. 2.

The night club offers great food, great people and, of course, dancing.

Don’t miss out on the great live entertainment--keep an eye on the Stardust’s Facebook page (Stardust Restaurant and Lounge) for information on their great daily specials and live entertainment schedule.

For more information call 780-835-2812 or visit www.fairview.ca

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

GARY AND DONNA MATTIE MOVED UP FROM HALIFAX, NS

RELOCATION STORIES Did you have any “culture shock” moments after moving here?

No, but we did not expect the yards to have beautiful lawns and ornamental trees. We had a misconception of the north being sort of like tundra with unpaved streets. We thought we would be in for a big adjustment but fortunately this was not the case.

What is your favourite thing about living in the Peace Region?

EAST COAST COUPLE MAKE A NEW HOME IN THE PEACE Where did you move to?

To Peace River from our home in Nova Scotia.

How long ago did you move?

We have been living in Peace River for six years.

Where do you work?

I am a teacher at Glenmary School.

Gary is now retired.

What brought you to the Peace?

My ambition as a young girl was to become a teacher, so when my three children reached middle school, I decided to go to university. With a declining enrolment in Nova Scotia schools, there were not many opportunities for new graduates.

Substitute teaching was not rewarding enough. Alberta was known to be the land of opportunities. A friend in our community had worked in Peace River and told us how nice the town and people are, so I found an open position and applied via the internet.

How does the Peace Region differ from where you are originally from?

I am from a rural area so living in a small town was a lateral move. The climate, however, is quite a surprise, and I say this in a positive way. In Nova Scotia changes in weather are extreme and unpredictable. We can get rain, snow, cold and warm, all in the same day. Here, it is typically calm, sunny, and intense cold or heat depending on the season. The biggest change, however, is the ocean. We still miss the water and any vacation plans we make must have an ocean there.

What keeps you in the Peace Region?

When we moved here six years ago we had a five year plan. If employment was the only consideration, there are opportunities throughout the western provinces. We like Peace River so much that we have now sold our home in Nova Scotia and purchased a home here in town. This area is beautiful, the people are friendly and the town has a strong community feeling. This is our new home, and we love it.

Living in a small community most of our lives, we were acquainted with everyone. It was nice to relocate in Peace River where people make you feel comfortable and welcome.

Although the town is small, you have all the required amenities within a fiveminute drive. Here we can take a walk along the river or up the Pat’s Creek trail, or drive in any direction and see rolling hills or flat farmland to the horizon. It is such a beautiful area.

What is your favourite wildlife encounter since moving here?

One day we were exploring in the Three Creeks area, and a short distance ahead a pack of wolves crossed the road and then stopped in the tree line to look back at us. It was unbelievable; I’ll never forget those intense eyes staring back. On other occasions we have seen a herd of elk running near the highway; a bear crossing the road just in front of us, many moose and deer. Wildlife is abundant in this area.

What is your ideal Sunday in the Peace Region?

We love to go out for brunch and then jump in the Jeep and go exploring different back roads. Usually the area we go is not planed; if we see a trail we think is passable we take it. We have discovered some beautiful favourite places that we go back to.

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ALL IN THE FAMILY | FAMILY BUSINESSES IN THE PEACE

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LAST LAKE GUEST HOUSE west of Grimshaw, AB

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osse and Hilda de Jong moved to Canada from the Netherlands in 1999. They arrived with a plan to start a hog farm, but opportunity knocked when the de Jongs happened upon a sod farm being sold at auction.

With the family sod farm, Windmill Turf Farm, taking off the de Jongs found a new opportunity: a rustic property adjacent to the sod farm that had a lot of potential and it was on the market.

The couple bought it in the fall of 2009 and wasted no time fixing it up. The Last Lake Guest House opened in the summer of 2010 and has hosted a variety of parties, gatherings and even a wedding!

Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke

Today, the de Jongs own and operate the Last Lake Guest House and the Windmill Turf Farm with four of their five kids—ranging in age from 6 to 16. Their eldest son is away at college in Grande Prairie.

The 300-acre property provides many recreation opportunities for all seasons. It’s the perfect getaway for a Peace Region staycation.

Tell us about your business.

What roles do your family members have in your business?

Hilda: Last Lake Guest House is a family oriented business and that’s one of the reasons we thought it would be interesting for us to buy the business—for our kids. My daughter helps with cleaning and organizing and the boys do the mowing and other odd jobs. There is always something to do or to fix up.

With our main business, the Windmill Turf Farm, the boys sometimes help, but we also have hired hands. With the guest house, there is always something to do, so it works well for our family.

What’s the story of Long Lake Guest House?

We didn’t really have a plan to own a guesthouse, but it was for sale and we were working on the field beside it mowing grass and things like that. It was on the market for a while and my husband was asked to keep it heated because nobody was there to check on it and the owner had moved away. Since he was

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doing that he thought, “This actually isn’t a bad property.”

We kept an eye on it, but there wasn’t a lot of interest in. It’s on two quarter sections of land, which is a lot, but it’s almost too small for cattle, and for a guest house it was a bit messy. We had to look beyond the mess because we knew we could clean it and fix it up.

We thought that we’d have the time in the summer to do some extra work and in the winter to do some inside renovations to make something out of it and turn it into a guest house. We thought if we could rent it out and make a little bit of money to offset the cost, it could be an interesting way to do something different and meet new people. It provides a little more activity for us and our children. It’s actually a nice setting.

barn now so we can use it more for parties and other gatherings. This summer we made trails through the woods and we added a zip line and we have a few lookouts. We’re always trying to add something of interest.

It’s nice for cross country skiing, and we get interest from hunters. Also, there are birthday parties and other celebrations. Once people come here and experience it, they usually keep coming back.

It’s a great property.

We’re not high end, our price point is very affordable, but we’re not low end either.

There’s a second floor, a full kitchen, several bedrooms, a living room and TVs— everything you need. It’s not ultra modern, but it’s not really rustic either. It’s cozy.

It just has a nice home-y feeling. You can move the furniture around and have 20 people over.

Yeah, we are working on the

In the summer, it’s great

for bigger groups. We put in new sod and leveled the land, but it’s still secluded in the trees. Some people have asked to book their reunion out here and have camped outside as well.

What are the benefits to working with family?

We had a business in Holland. It was potatoes and sugar beets in a family partnership, but there was just no room for expansion.

For us, moving to Canada allowed us more possibilities.

It’s way easier to do more and have more land.

Do you think running a family business affords you advantages over nonfamily run businesses?

Yes and no. Your family is always there so that’s one thing. You can always get them to help. With employees, you don’t know if they will stay, because you don’t know them yet. We have been very fortunate—

we’ve had the right employees at the right time.

Our kids will have a great advantage when they grow up because they will have an education, but they will also have work experience. So, the advantage is not just for us, but it’s also for them.

[My husband] Gosse grew up in a family business. I didn’t, but I think it shapes you. It gives you that builtin work ethic. Our eldest is already in college in Grande Prairie, and I don’t think he wants to do any of this, but he thinks different now that he’s left home. He’s customer-oriented.

He found people who need sod so he gave them our card.

He is involved even though he may not realize it.

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“Our kids will have a great advantage when they grow up because they will have an education, but they will also have work experience.”

Hilda de Jong

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AURORA THEATRE Manning, AB

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n a brisk winter day, Move Up got a chance to sit down with husband and wife duo, Ian and Brandi Fedorowicz, owners of the Aurora Theatre in Manning, Alberta. Accompanied by one-yearold Marek, the new parents told us about getting married in the theatre, becoming business owners and their genuine love for the community.

Move Up: What are your roles in the business?

Ian: We’re both Owner and Operator, so we do everything from projection to taking out the garbage.

What inspired you to take over the theatre?

I: We’ve been together for 10 years and have been married for four.

I’ve always had an interest in movies. We actually were married here before we bought it, before it went up for sale or anything.

So, yeah, we were already very interested in it, and then when it came up for sale we totally jumped at the opportunity and dove in with both feet.

We’re hoping to one day pass it on to this guy, [motions toward Marek] but we’ll see what happens. We try to keep it familyorientated.

Do you have other jobs right now?

I: I was an auto-body tech for 18 years, and then I took a contract for custodial maintenance at the Rosary School and now I am trying to focus all my attention into the theatre but then we also have the rental building right next door, and there are three rentals.

So, it’s kind of a big place to look after.

I: I’m starting my own business too on the side. It’s going to be auto-body restoration and small engine restoration. Hopefully

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Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke

Brandi: I do the books for the theatre and I worked at the school too, but then I went on maternity leave and haven’t gone back.

[Marek has] taken over our lives a little bit. It’s all new.

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we’ll build the shop at home one day. We live just a few miles southeast of Manning, in the County of Northern Lights. We have a quarter section.

How long have you been in business?

I: Three years.

B: We bought it in August of 2011, which was a year after we got married here.

How has owning a business together changed your relationship?

[Ian and Brandi Laugh] B: It’s tested us sometimes.

I: Yeah. Sometimes it’s added stress, but it’s good stress too. We both enjoy coming here. I always say, ‘My worst day here is better that my best day at other jobs.’ It’s different when you’re working for yourself.

You’re trying to make improvements and add to the community.

B: Well now we have the NPHL [hockey] team back

in town, so we even work with their schedule. We’ll have a movie at six instead so people can go see the game afterward. In general, we try to work with what else is going on around town.

then it got squished into a one-to-two year plan. We had some fundraisers. We had Duane Steele come and perform as well as a local artist Cassey Walker—she’s from Manning and she spent some time down in Nashville. She’s a recording

“We’ve had really great support from the community in the short years that owned this place. As long as they keep coming, we’ll still be here.”

Ian Fedorowicz What have you learned?

I: It was two years ago when we converted to digital. We used to work with 35 mm film, but then they told us it’s going to be harder and harder to get copies, especially in remote areas.

So, it would be like six months after it’s released, and the movie is already on video by that point.

So, we had to make the decision to do it. We had a five year plan to do it when we bought the place but

artist. We’re hoping to get into some more stuff like that. I was part of the theatre club but we haven’t had a production in a long time.

We want to do more of that so people can utilize the theatre a little bit more.

Do you think having the family component to your business gives you an advantage over non-family run businesses?

I: I think so. You’re much more comfortable around family, so if you’re not happy

about something, or if you are happy about something, you’re not hesitating to let them know. It’s a tight-knit group. And, you’re meeting outside of the theatre for family suppers and things like that, so there is quite a bit more communication that way. When it’s somebody that you don’t really know, and they just walk in the door and hand in an application, you don’t know if they’re happy or they’re not, and if they end up leaving, you have to train someone new to replace them. I find that it does give us an advantage, absolutely.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I: We’ve had really great support from the community in the short years that owned this place. As long as they keep coming, we’ll still be here. And during the slow movies our popcorn sales carry us through. People will come in just to buy the popcorn. Lots of people, too. They can smell it from outside. move up

Photography Submitted

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ALL IN THE FAMILY | FAMILY BUSINESSES IN THE PEACE

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A group photo of the Can-Tech Team.

Eric Lambert is fifth from the left, Jeremy Johnson is the second last in the line, next to his Dad Harvey to his right.

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CAN-TECH ELECTRICAL SERVICES

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Grimshaw, AB

n Railway Avenue in Grimshaw, you’ll find Can-Tech Electrical Services, a family-run electrical company that has served the Peace Region for decades.

What are your roles in the company?

In recent years, Jeremy Johnson and Eric Lambert have been taking the company over from Jeremy’s Dad, Harvey. Harvey acquired the business as a first year apprentice and had a few different business partners in the early days. His son, Jeremy, started working for Can-Tech straight out of high school and has been there ever since.

E: We both do much the same thing. He does his half with a couple of guys and I do my half with a couple of guys.

Jeremy Johnson and Eric Lambert are currently in charge of as many as 100 jobs—big and small—per month. Move Up sat down with these partners to discuss Can-Tech’s role in the Peace Region.

Where are you originally from?

Jeremy: I’m born and raised in the Peace Country.

Eric: I was born out east in Quebec. I came here about 25 years ago.

J: Project management supervision.

&

How did you become involved in the company?

J: I started apprenticing in ’97 when I got out of high school.

Actually, I worked for a couple of summers before I graduated high school. Eric was already working there when I started.

E: I came onboard in, I think, ’96. Jeremy came onboard not too long after. Then we worked together for about six or seven years.

J: We got our tickets together.

I got my Journeyman ticket ten years almost to the day after my dad got his. Later, I got my Masters with my dad.

E: I got my certification at the same time as Jeremy. Then I went away from Can-Tech and went to Fort McMurray for a

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to be.

bit. I had to try it. Then after a bit I went on to managing Nomad Electric for a while.

So you might be just changing light bulbs sometimes?

How was life in Fort McMurray? Which do you prefer?

E: Well you always do that sometimes. The economy decides how many people you have working for you and what you’re doing. It’s not like selling cars. We’re not selling a product as much as we’re selling a skill.

E: Oh here, definitely. You can’t put a price on sleeping in your own bed and eating your own food. It was something to try, but it’s not for everyone.

J: During the last boom Can-Tech did a lot of shops on Peace River’s West Hill and some townhouses too.

Now we’re doing more work at the top of the West Hill again—entire subdivisions of just shops. This year we’re going to do five shops, big ones. That’s big for us.

You both went to school at GPRC (Grande Prairie Regional College)?

E & J: Yep. How has the company grown?

J: It’s fluctuated. Just before I started there were quite a few guys working for CanTech, probably ten guys.

E: It’s all related to the economics for the area, whether it’s booming or not.

At one point in the mideighties, Peace River was still booming so there were a lot of commercial projects in the area. Then we entered a different era and the province was basically idling. So the business shrunk during that time and then it grew back to where we are today.

And during this time you two are taking the reins?

J: Yep, Harvey kind of stepped away and started to work for another company for a few years. So then it was just me running the show and taking care of business by myself for two years, and I had one other guy. And slowly we realized that we couldn’t keep up so we hired more people while Harvey was gone. Then Eric decided to join us. He wanted more than just a paycheque. So he

“We’re not selling a product as much as we’re selling a skill.”

Eric Lambert saw the opportunity.

Do you do mostly commercial work now?

J: We’ve definitely done a lot more commercial in the last few years. The construction on Peace River’s West Hill has really brought a lot to our bottom line.

We do a lot of residential and a lot of commercial.

We’ve worked on shops all over the place. I think in the last few years we’ve done probably 20 shops varying in size from a $15,000 job to a $400,000 job.

What geographical area do you work in?

J: Grimshaw, Peace River, Manning, Nampa, Falher, Fairview, Dixonville—that circle. We do stray out of that circle once in a while.

Sustainable Resources sends us all over the Northern part of Alberta, so we end up near the border sometimes.

My dad, Harvey, is out in Cadotte Lake today.

E: Overall, I think we’ve done pretty much every aspect of electrical that you can probably see in the province. There is just a certain market that we like better and for us it’s probably the commercial market. But with the economy, there are times that you can pick and choose more where you want

Being in business as long as you have, Can-Tech has done a lot of work in the region.

J: Yeah. We usually try to make sure we are always the ones going back to do the maintenance on the building we’ve done. We know them like the back of our hand.

We can ask each other because together we know most of the buildings, inside and out.

I think we have it. Thanks Jeremy and Eric. Is there anything you would like to add?

J: I tell some of my clients, I don’t want one job from you, I want ten. So, I make sure, right from the beginning, everything goes smoothly so they keep having us come back.

E: That’s the difference between customer and client, the client keeps coming back.

Top photo: Jeremy Johnson installs a light box in Peace River. [Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke] Bottom Photo: One of Can-Tech’s weekly safety meetings. [Photo Submitted]

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►

COLUMN

COMMUNITY FUTURES PEACE COUNTRY

SOURCES OF FINANCING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Benefits and Risks BARRIERS TO ACCESS: LOW FOUNDER INVESTMENT Initial and ongoing investment from the business owner 

You retain all control and limit the risk of intervention by creditors and investors.

!

It will become more difficult to access outside capital as your personal funds diminish. Most lenders require the owner to invest at least 25% of project costs.

LOVE MONEY Loans from friends and family interested in investing in the success of the owner

GRANTS Funds allocated to qualifying businesses to encourage economic growth

 Friends and family are typically

 Grants may be awarded to busi-

patient investors who will accept smaller returns to see you and your business succeed.

!

This type of capital may strain personal relationships. Always draft a written agreement to prevent miscommunication and future conflict.

nesses in certain industries, and may not require repayment. However, they may require matching contributions from you as the business owner.

!

Applying for grants is time consuming and rarely awarded to start-ups and retail businesses.

!

Grants often come with performance goals and/or conditions that must be met.

BARRIERS TO ACCESS: MEDIUM BANK LOAN Traditional debt taken out with a chartered financial institution 

!

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Provided that your business has regular cash flow and has been profitable in the past, the bank may have lower interest rates than other creditors.

This type of debt is usually secured.

As a result, personal and commercial assets are at risk of seizure if you are unable to pay the loan.

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DEVELOPMENTAL LENDERS Creditors who take second position to chartered banks on more ‘patient’ terms

FACTORING Sell receivables at a discount to factoring companies for immediate cash flow

 ‘Subdebt’ lenders often extend

 The factoring company buys your

patient payment terms (i.e. interest only periods) in exchange for an alternate benefit such as equity or future royalties.

 This category includes CF Peace

Country. We often work with banks to help finance small business loans.

!

Subordinated debt usually comes with equity requirements and/or higher interest rates

receivables, and you receive cash immediately.

! Factoring can be very expensive

and is more appropriate for large receivables.

! Factoring brings a third party

into business transactions that may damage longstanding client relationships.

DISCLAIMER: This is intended to provide general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice

BARRIERS TO ACCESS: HIGH

FINANCING GAME PLAN

ANGEL INVESTORS Private investors interested in obtaining equity in high growth start-ups  Angel investors are often experi-

enced business experts. They can be excellent mentors and may also offer access to valuable business contacts.

 Since they are investing personal funds, angel investors are flexible towards negotiations and unique terms.

! !

VENTURE CAPITAL Equity financing through professionally managed funds  Venture capitalists are experts in aggressive expansion and the creation of public companies.

! Venture capitalists are highly

selective and will only consider high-growth innovative businesses

! Venture capitalists are mainly

concerned with a return on their investment, and as a result may have a different perspective on how to run your business.

Angel investors are typically only interested in early-stage and/or high-growth business concepts Some angel investors are solely concerned with receiving a return on their investment.

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING Offer shares for public sale in the stock exchange

 Reporting requirements are not as

 Depending on the market, issuing

 Unlike venture capitalists, private

placement investors do not expect high returns immediately.

additional shares is an effective way of raising capital without incurring debt.

! Taking your business public is a time

! It is difficult to find individuals that

qualify for private placements. They must either be close family and friends, or an accredited investor.

Have experts in your corner Attracting capital is good, but attracting capital and expertise is even better! Also consider assembling an advisory panel of experts to help you make critical business decisions.

¾¾ CALL THE SHOTS Don’t just approach one lender or investor.

Approaching many simultaneously will keep your options open and help retain your bargaining power. Banks base loan terms on different criteria, so shop around and be informed!

¾¾ BUILD A SOLID TRACK RECORD

PRIVATE PLACEMENT Sell shares to a number of private investors strict as with public companies and are less expensive to organize.

COLUMN

►

COMMUNITY FUTURES PEACE COUNTY

!

consuming and expensive process that will require the help of an investment banker and adherence to strict guidelines.

There are ongoing reporting requirements to be met, such as audited financial statements, annual reports and maintaining investor relations.

The longer your company has been profitable in the market, the lower the risk it represents. Being seen as a lower risk will ultimately make it easier to access capital.

¾¾ WHAT’S THE STAGE OF THE GAME? Understanding

where your company is in its life cycle is important to ensure your company approaches the sources of capital that present realistic opportunities.

¾¾ KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE Your search for capital will impact the long term success of your business. Do not hurry the process in an effort to find cash quickly.

Complete research to find potential investors that fit with the vision of your business. #LifesBetterUpH ere | Winter 2015 M OV E U P

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CARNAVAL DE ST-ISIDORE A CELEBRATION OF FRANCOPHONE CULTURE

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he translucent, towering ice sculptures glimmer, full of the mid-winter light, setting the mood at the entrance to the St. Isidore Cultural Centre. These marvels are carved on the spot, by local talent and are a yearly feature, artistically interpreting the annual theme. Then there are the unmistakable smells on the grounds. The wind picks up the scent of the creamy, rich

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sauce poured on to poutine and the mouth-watering snow taffy know as tire sur la neige. From a stage, French music fills your ears and compliments the beautiful language as it is spoken and celebrated all around you.

This is Carnaval, a festival hosted by the francophone community of St. Isidore to share the beauty and roots of French-Canadian culture.

The Carnaval is back in full glory for its 33rd anniversary, hosted in the

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newly renovated Cultural Centre. Like the building that hosts it, Carnaval has been through its own evolution and improvements over the years. Yet, as it turns out, going back to its original roots was all Carnaval needed. The program is bilingual, but this is an unapologetic and inspired celebration of everything Franco-Canadian. At one point, making it more "English" was considered but it has seen the most success when fully embracing the

French culture. Rachelle Bergeron is a member of Carnaval’s Executive Committee, a volunteer and lives in the community. She explained why the Carnaval sticks closely to its origins.

"Most of the participants are English people who come for the experience.

Our Carnaval is unique with an Albertan spin to the culture and our local talent.

When we decided to be authentic, it worked and the Carnaval became more of an attraction,� said Bergeron.

With that, Bergeron hits the nail on the head. People come to experience what they can get in few other places and escape their quotidian sphere of influence.

tasted. It is a special thing.

The food is pretty amazing,” said Monfette. The food at Carnaval is all made from traditional recipes, as is the famous Carnaval poutine.

Other participants are reeled in not but by their own curiosity, but by their children's.

During the week, students from the surrounding region are taken to the Carnaval and often are so enthusiastic about their experience, they bring their parents to the festival over the weekend.

If their kids bring them the first time, the pâté à la viande, tourtiere, sugar pies, and a special drink called caribou bring participants back year after year.

There are tons of games and activities, during which you can usually spot one of the Carnaval Dukes or Duchesses participating in. These royal members are youth who are all competing throughout the duration of the festival to be crowned King or Queen.

For Chantal Monfette, President of the Executive Committee, one culinary masterpiece stands in a league of its own. "The taffy on the snow should be

The music is also a major draw to the event. In the past, some of the bands may have been more traditional. This year, Bergeron was excited about the headliner and a little something new. "We have a band called Motel 72. They not traditional, they are more of country, folk-rock band. We will also have karaoke 3D. With this, a live band will play while the participant sings. It is

really neat because if the band doesn't know the song requested, they will break for 5 minutes, learn it and play,” said Bergeron. In recent years, a game called Carnaval Idol added to the musical lineup with contestants belting out tunes to win the coveted title. This year, there will be a new spin on this crowd pleaser. According to Bergeron, "we know lots of people sing and we wanted to find a way to get them out of the closet. This year, we will have Family Idol where families will compete, complete with judges and everything. The winning family gets a prize of $1,000.”

The theme this year is full of promise: Bon Voyage. It embodies the idea of travel, different cultures, countries and experiences. The theme will infuse every aspect of the festival. Last year, the event was shortened to one day to accommodate

the renovations to the Cultural Centre. Monfette confirmed that this year, participants can expect the usual three days of festivities.

For the community, this festival is an endeavour fuelled by love as well as preservation.

Monfette is very passionate about the Carnaval and said, "I believe in promoting the Francophone culture and keeping the language alive by exposing the younger generations to it so they keep it going. We have to do it or it will disintegrate.

It is an inexpensive weekend and people get the great food, sculptures, decorations--all of it."

Carnaval is where the community bares it heart and soul and invites people in. When they leave, they take a little piece of it with them. move up

Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke

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MEETING TING THE THE MEE

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Victoria

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(7

BLUESKY LODGE A peek into Shell’s Carmon Creek Camp

B

lueSky Lodge is designed to be a completely self-sufficient, 1,200 person workforce camp providing comfortable accommodations for non-local workers of the Shell Carmon Creek Project located northeast of Peace River, AB. BlueSky Lodge is a joint venture between ATCO and Woodland Cree First Nation.

Currently working toward completion, the lodge is expected to be finished in 2015.

Move Up had the pleasure of visiting BlueSky Lodge and chatting with some friendly folks behind the scenes as well as residents of the lodge to grant you access to this truly impressive accommodation.

The first thing you notice when you enter the camp is how immaculate it is. It’s very clean and organized. The staff is warm, friendly and professional. As you walk in, you’re greeted with high wood-panelled ceilings, modern décor and a grand sense of spaciousness.

Karen Paxton is BlueSky Lodge’s Assistant Lodge Manager. She has been working on the lodge since late July and moved in on August 6, 2014.

“We had five dorms, a temporary kitchen and a recreation centre,” explains Paxton. “On November 23, we moved here to the core and put up another 11 dorms.” #LifesBetterUpH ere | Winter 2015 M OV E U P

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the interview, Subchuk was fairly new to the Lodge, just getting in a few days prior, but she was eager to get the ball rolling.

The core refers to the main building, which houses the reception area, kitchen, cafeteria and dining room, recreation facilities and offices. Dorms branch out from the main building and house the guests.

“Right now, we’re preparing the space and arranging to get the new equipment in,” said Subchuk. “We’re getting a leg press, a hack squat, power cages—everything you would find in a gym, the camp will have. We will even have a standing calf raise— some gyms wouldn’t even have that!”

“The dorms are two stories and for every floor of every dorm there is a laundry room with three industrial-sized washers and dryers—one washer designated solely for coveralls. There are 28 rooms per floor,” explains Paxton.

Though residents are already taking advantage of the cardio room and the weight room, Subchuk says by March they will also have a

Each bedroom is equipped with its own private bathroom, closet, desk, television and Wi-Fi.

“The kitchen is phenomenal. It’s a good camp. They are really putting their best foot forward.”

GIOVANNI PRENCIPE, BLUESKY LODGE RESIDENT Bill Gowans, the Shell Facilities Manager for BlueSky Lodge, compares the lodge to other work camps.

Chef at BlueSky Lodge. He has been with the lodge since April 9th, where he cooked at the temporary camp until the lodge’s kitchen was up and running.

“The rooms here are great, especially when you compare them to what you might find in other camps. Many guests are used to Jack and Jill style rooms [two private rooms flanking a shared bathroom].

This is all brand new. It’s all single rooms, new beds, en suites, televisions and internet. It’s a pretty nice environment.”

“My background is in fine dining in Calgary. I was looking for something different and fine dining doesn’t pay this well. This [job] is fewer hours and more money,” explains Marshall.

“Most of us come from a fine dining background. A lot of us have red seals and we can do our jobs well.”

In addition to the comfortable living quarters, the lodge also offers amazing food.

Calvin Marshall is a Sous

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Marshall explained that the kitchen runs 24 hours a day.

“There are people who come in at 10pm to do the sandwiches, which are made

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to order. The bakers are in the back baking. When they leave, the breakfast people come in and when they’re done, we come in,” said Marshall. “We try to do everything from scratch. We cut our own steaks, as well.”

BlueSky Lodge also boasts amazing amenities and recreational activities.

Jennifer Subchuk is a Recreational Coordinator for the lodge. She has a BA in Recreation, Sport and Tourism. She’s working on her Personal Fitness Training Diploma and she is qualified to be a Group Fitness Instructor through the Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association (AFLCA). At the time of

multi-sport court, a squash court, an indoor running track and the fitness classes will be in full swing. “[If there’s interest] we will develop a league or tournaments. Then you get that community feeling that you would have at home,” said Subchuk. “There will also be pool tournaments, ping pong tournaments and, possibly, a poker league. It’s all about finding out what the guests are interested in and putting those programs in place for them.

Although Subchuk had only been in camp a few days, she had already scheduled personalized yoga sessions with some of the guests.

She was excited to develop a one-on-one rapport with the guests in order to tailor her skills and programming accordingly.

“There’s a big demand for downtime activities so people feel healthier and happier, less stressed and they sleep better,” said Subchuk. “They develop a better metabolism, a sense of community and it builds morale. Some people are away from home for weeks, so it’s hard if you don’t have that support.”

With everything the BlueSky Lodge offers it’s no wonder that the guests are enjoying their experience at the lodge.

“We work just seven minutes away, so the commute is short,” said Brook Alling, a JV Driver Reinforcing Iron Worker from Chiliwack, BC, “The rooms are great too. I think it’s going to be up there with the best camps out there.”

Don Behnka, a JV Driver Structural Iron Worker from Vancouver Island, BC, also appreciates the comforts of the cozy bedrooms.

“It’s great having your own bathroom; that’s what everyone wants. You have your own thermostats in the rooms too—that’s really nice,” said Behnka.

Behnka has worked for Shell before, “They have

a history of running good camps. That was one of the reasons I signed up for this job.”

Giovanni Prencipe is a JV Driver General Foreman in the Civil Department and this is his first time living in camp.

“There is really a variety of things to do. It’s so big.

You can grab a book and do down to the library. I go online all the time and talk to my kids and my friends on Skype,” said Prencipe. “The kitchen is phenomenal.

It’s a good camp. They are really putting their best foot forward.”

Laura Bickford is a JV Driver Civil Project Coordinator from the west coast and this is also her first time living in camp. “I’ve heard a lot of horror stories [about camps]. My experience so far is pretty darn nice,” said Bickford. “The beds are really comfortable and you get your own bathroom— which is huge. The water is always hot; I’ve never had a cold shower here.”

Bickford is also appreciative of the care and attention to detail demonstrated by the BlueSky Lodge staff.

“There are four places to get a coffee in the morning, so you’re not waiting to get your morning coffee, which is pretty much the most important thing,” said Bickford. “It feels more like a hotel and more like you’re a real person.” move up

Opposite page: Recreational Coordinator Jennifer Subchuk stands in the BlueSky Lodge cardio room. Top to Bottom: (1) A member of the kitchen staff dishes up lunch to BlueSky Lodge guests.

(2) A BlueSky Lodge guest room. (3) Assistant Lodge Manager Karen Paxton stands at the reception desk. (4) Cozy booths in BlueSky Lodge’s dining room.

Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Humble Beginnings Tervita began in 1979 as a one-rig Valleyview, AB, based operation called Concord Well Servicing.

Five years later, co-founder David P. Werklund invested in an oilfield service company in the small town of La Glace, AB, which became CCS Corporation.

Werklund continued to grow CCS Corporation

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and conglomerated with 12 other related companies to form Tervita in 2012.

Today, Tervita has more than 4,000 employees across North America and boasts the industry’s most comprehensive array of environmental solutions to handle all needs at all stages.

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High Demand for Environmental Solutions Tyler Cowie started as an Operator for CCS and transitioned to his current role, Field Sales Representative. His job is to help oilfield companies dispose of their industrial waste.

“There is a demand for our services,” said Cowie.

“We are licensed to provide environmental solutions to drilling companies, and oilfield producers and we are the only company in the Peace River area that provides industrial landfill services.”

In addition to oil, waste solids, soil and water also make their way to the

surface during the drilling process and they more than likely become contaminated and considered toxic to the ecosystem. For this reason, government regulations are in place to ensure they are disposed of carefully and in a responsible manner. This is where Tervita comes in.

“Sometimes we get over 100 trucks come in a day.

When they are doing reclamation on gas stations they will usually send us the contaminated soil, but first they send out a sample and need to get approval before they can send the rest of it out to our facility.

Everything is documented, even the trucking of the material,” said Cowie.

How it Works East of the Town of Peace River, in Northern Sunrise County, is Tervita’s Peace River TRD (Treatment, Recovery and Disposal) Facility and the engineered landfill they utilize. At the TRD Facility, assorted trucks arrive with various types and concentrations of water, oil and oilfield waste.

“There is a lot to it, but basically we separate each

component from the waste to deal with each in its own specific way,” said Cowie.

In some cases they can extract the oil from the waste and re-sell it.

“We make it into sales oil and ship it down a pipeline to Shell and sell it to them.

We charge the company we got the waste from for separating everything, but we also give them an oil credit back for how much oil they had,” said Cowie.

Once the separated water meets the proper environmental criteria it is injected back into the ground.

“The water we are putting in the ground is essentially in the same condition or better than it was when it was originally pumped out of the ground,” said Cowie. “Since waste is received onsite, the rainwater is also tested onsite and everything is fenced off so there is no worry about wildlife getting into the site.”

The Engineered Landfill Any type of industrial waste, whether it be drilling

Opposite page: A diagram showing a engineered landfill. Left & Right: Photos from Tervita’s Peace River TRD Facility.

Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke

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BUSINESS PROFILE waste from drilling rigs or impacted soil from an oil spill, must be disposed of in an engineered landfill.

Locally, Tervita works with Northern Sunrise County’s Peace Regional Waste Management Company, a partnership that has been in place since 2003.

Working Toward a Better Tomorrow

“We work with the Peace Regional Waste Management Company to ensure that everything is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way and according to government regulations.

Tervita does have a division that builds the landfills and maintains them but did not in this case for East Peace Regional Landfill,” said Cowie. “But, it’s an engineered landfill, and there is a science to it. It’s not the landfill where everyone throws their garbage.”

“It’s better than this stuff just getting rained on and the water leeching into the soil and contaminating everything. Years ago that used to happen a lot. With Tervita, there is so much we can do to help mitigate the environmental impacts of oil and gas extraction, which is very important from everyone’s stand point,” said Cowie.

“It’s pretty much lifetime storage. They cap it, bury it with topsoil, plant grass, and then for a lifetime they do water collection and test it for chlorides, pH levels, everything. As soon as we bury it, it’s not just gone.

We have to maintain those landfills for its lifetime,” said Cowie.

Cowie says having waste at the end of the day is not ideal but believes industry, government and technology are moving in the right direction.

As the name of the company suggests (from the Latin words terra, meaning earth, and vita, meaning life), Tervita is an oilfield company that operates with the environment in mind, and the company is well poised to realize its vision— to create a better future through global leadership in environmental and energy solutions.

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RELOCATION STORIES

ASHLEY HANET MOVED UP FROM DES MOINES IOWA where it’s so small and so far from everywhere. I have to drive 2-5hrs for brand names or popular restaurants, but in [Peace River] I can get anywhere in 5-10 minutes even in rush hour. I have grown to enjoy the more relaxed and slow going small town feel over the “everyone’s got some where to be ten minutes ago” feel. I think that might be what makes most Canadians so pleasant!

What is your favourite thing about living in the Peace Region?

CITY GIRL MOVES UP TO THE PEACEFUL PRAIRIES

Where did you move to?

that was back to back with smaller cities so coming to such a smaller town that’s so secluded was a huge difference!

How long ago did you move?

What keeps you in the Peace Region?

Where are you originally from?

Des Moines, Iowa Peace River, AB

July 2010

Where do you work?

CIS Safety (Medic)

What brought you to the Peace?

My husband’s new job just before we married. He was a Utility Tree Trimmer/ Hunting Guide.

How does the Peace Region differ from where you are originally from?

More snow and the winter is much longer! I love the valley. Iowa was pretty flat and farming is more like the Medicine Hat area. I also came from a big city 66

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Work is what keeps us here, and the fact we bought a house to flip. But I have grown to love the beautiful scenery around here!

Did you have any “culture shock” moments after moving here?

I think the biggest shock was moving from a big city with multiple large high schools.

I attended a high school with 2,000+ people and had multiple large shopping malls and any type of food you can eat. You could take the highways and freeways to get everywhere in town with rush hours that last an hour or two! Then I came here

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I absolutely love the variety of wildlife and scenery.

We have the valley with an almost mountain-y feel, then there’s farm land, hills, muskeg and boreal.

It’s simply amazing to be able to live somewhere so environmentally diverse.

I also have enjoyed the people for the most part.

Small business owners are welcoming and friendly, and people just seem so polite! I started attending fire practices back in February and expected a cliquey atmosphere, but it’s been the one place I go and enjoy my time learning and being around the crew who acts a lot like family! My job keeps me away a lot but I’m always welcomed back! There’s something special about small towns!

What is your favourite wildlife encounter since moving here?

It would be standing 2 feet from a male black bear and on another occasion standing right under two cubs in

a tree! I loved it, it wasn’t something I ever expected to experience, that level of closeness to something so wild. Yet, it was peaceful not scary as most might picture.

What is your ideal Sunday in the Peace Region?

Having a post-church breakfast of pancakes and blueberry sauce with my husband and working on our home! Sunday is a pretty laid back day for us. I also enjoy taking my dog out to the river or along the south end tracks, I love enjoying nature here!

What is your ideal night out/date night in the Peace Region?

We always seem to settle for dinner and a movie during colder months. During summer date nights usually involve walks, the gun range or hunting together, and ending with a trip to Timmy’s for Iced Capps and Tim Bits!

How many kilometers are on your vehicle?

On my Ram there are 204,000 km, and my Camaro has 77,000. Both are less than 5 years old. Lots of trips to Edmonton and Kelowna will do that!

What is your favourite winter activity in the Peace?

I haven’t bought any of the Alberta must haves yet, so usually I hibernate!

But I plan on learning to snowboard in the winter!

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