Lakeland Link: October 4, 2010

October 4, 2010

The

www.lakelandcollege.ca

A publication of Lakeland College

Vermilion • Lloydminster

Our MISSION To inspire our learners to realize their individual potential. Our VISION To achieve educational excellence in a people-centred environment. Our VALUES are Respect, Safety, Trust, Pride, Ethics, Quality and Accountability.

Upcoming Events Lloydminster campus Thursday, October 7 • Youth Developmental Asset presentation with Keith Pattinson. Common Wealth Lecture Theatre Room 2038. Noon to 2 pm

Vermilion campus Thursday, October 7 • Youth Developmental Asset presentation with Keith Pattinson. Emergency Training Centre MM154. Noon to 2 pm • Thanksgiving Tea. Hosted by the Finance, Bookstore, and Marketing & Enrolment departments. Executive Suite Board Room.

2 to 4 pm

Tuesday, October 26 • "Climate Change Basics: A Community Discussion" presentation. Alumni Hall Theatre. Watch for more details in the Oct. 18 issue of the Lakeland Link.

october 19 Vermilion campus october 20 Lloydminster campus

Counsellors we have a page just for you! www.lakelandcollege.ca/counsellors/

Free Tiger tickets!

Lakeland College’s marketing and enrolment management department once again has 20 Vermilion Jr. B Tigers tickets to give away. If you want a few home game tickets to a regular season game, contact Colleen Symes at ext. 8544.

is published biweekly from September to May by the department of Advancement for staff and members of the college community. Submissions regarding college news and initiatives are welcome and published at the editor's discretion. The deadline for submission is Thursday at noon prior to the publication date. The Lakeland Link is available in Outlook's Public Folders and online at www.lakelandcollege.ca/link.

Gearing up for a good harvest Matthew Weins, a second-year crop technology student, empties a hopper full of wheat from the college's CR960 New Holland combine on a field that was seeded as part of a GPS variable rate fertilizer trial. Prescriptions of fertilizer were used for five zones in the field.

Fertilizer rates were varied with a unique seed drill that automatically made adjustments based on its GPS position. While combining the field, students collected yield data that will be used in their precision agriculture class to create a profit map and to evaluate the effectiveness of the fertilizer prescriptions.

First-year student numbers rise for Lakeland's fall term New and enhanced programming, satisfied students and alumni who tell others about their Lakeland experience, and innovative marketing and recruitment practices are a few of the reasons why first year enrolment in Lakeland College’s fall term increased by 25 per cent this year.

This year’s incoming class includes students from Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Northwest Territories.

There are also numerous international students.

“Looking at our intake for the fall term, we currently have 1,074 first year students registered for classes compared to 860 last September,” says Glenn Charlesworth, president of Lakeland College. The introduction of new programs and a surge in enrolment in many areas including university transfer and agricultural sciences programming have contributed to the increase.

When including the number of returning students, fall term enrolment at Lakeland has increased 16 per cent from September 2009.

Charlesworth also credited enrolment growth to Lakeland College faculty and staff members who are very focused on helping students succeed.

“Surveys have shown that we excel at customer service. When our students succeed and have a great experience, they tell their friends and encourage them to attend Lakeland.

Positive word of mouth is the most important recruitment tool we have,” he says.

A word from Glenn's office The leaves are falling, the frost is decorating windshields and Lakeland College is in full swing. Record numbers of students are traversing the hallways and the parking lots (including the new ones) at both campuses are packed. Residences are full and activity levels are at an all time high. Gotta love the fall!

On the provincial front (Alberta) lately, I've been working with Campus Alberta administration to hire an executive director and help set direction. This province-wide committee under the leadership of Connie Harrison, assistant deputy minister, is looking for efficiencies in the system and to increase collaboration to benefit students.

September’s board meeting saw the arrival of three new board members. Ken Baker, Valerie Burgardt and Mike Kotelko are all active contributors to the board discussion and I look forward to the ideas and energy that they bring to Lakeland.

The board made a somewhat historical decision in deciding to consolidate business programming at Lakeland at the Lloydminster campus effective next September.

This will benefit students by creating more choice and flexibility along with seamless transition into the four year degree programs. This will also enable the agribusiness program at Vermilion to focus more on its core programming right from day one.

As with all transitions there is an unsettled feeling among those most affected. Rest assured that Lakeland will support all of our students and staff who are impacted by this change. I am certain the result of the consolidated programming will be extremely positive for our students.

As for the upcoming two weeks, I will be away on holidays. See you when I return.

Glenn Charlesworth Lakeland College president

Lakeland College's Board of Governors welcome three new members

Ken Baker, Valerie Burgardt and Mike Kotelko attend their first meeting as Lakeland College board members on Sept. 29 at the Lloydminster campus.

Ken Baker, Valerie Burgardt and Mike Kotelko were recently appointed to three-year terms on the Lakeland College Board of Governors.

“We’re extremely fortunate that these people are prepared to contribute to the governance of Lakeland College. Their range of talent, knowledge and experience will be an asset to our board. Lakeland will be well served by each one of them,” says Doug Elliott, chairman of the board.

Burgardt, who has a master degree in both arts and education, is no stranger to public education. She was a high school math and English teacher then principal in Saskatchewan before moving to Wainwright in 1991 where she served as deputy superintendent and superintendent

of East Central Alberta Catholic Schools.

She retired in 2007 to care for her mother.

“I have experience in primary and secondary education, but I’ve never been involved in post-secondary education,” says Burgardt. “I’m still very interested in education and this will be a great experience. I’ve always believed you should pay a little rent for the space you occupy--this is one way I can give back.”

Kotelko and his family have strong ties to Lakeland. His father Jack attended the college in 1937 and his niece Frances Hughston graduated from the interior design technology program in 2006.

Kotelko earned his agricultural systems technology diploma at Lakeland and was the valedictorian of the Class of 1982.

“I enjoyed attending the college. I made many good friends and I learned a lot,” he says, crediting his Lakeland education for helping him contribute to the growth of Highland Feeders, his family’s company.

Today Kotelko serves as vice president of the Vegreville-based company.

Kotelko says he is interested in being on the advocacy and finance committees and is ready to help in any way he can.

“I’d like to see Lakeland continue to offer a strong core of agricultural programs as they are very important to the agriculture industry, but I’m also very impressed with the other programs offered at Lakeland and how it has grown since I attended,” he says. “The college is a very important part of our region and I look forward to contributing what I can to its success.”

Baker, mayor of the City of Lloydminster from 2000 to 2009, has always been a strong supporter of Lakeland College and the regional college system. “What I like about Lakeland College is that it really has become a first-class college,” he says.

After years of working in the construction industry and then municipal politics, Baker is excited about the opportunity to learn more about post-secondary education. “I’m very interested in the general operation and long-term sustainability of the college,” he says.

“I also see this as another way for me to serve our community.”

The new board members replace Bob Mottram, Stan Fisher and Terry Gunderson whose terms expired earlier this year.

Looking ahead to 2013

Introducing the Comprehensive Centennial Campaign: Looking ahead to celebrate an amazing 100 years

Welcome to a new and ongoing feature in The Link. This column will be an update on the activities of Lakeland’s centennial steering committee.

While the calendar says the official centennial is 37 months away, our celebration is going to kick off much sooner. Behind the scenes planning for events is already well underway.

One example is the first project of the historical acknowledgement subcommittee: a commemorative postage stamp. A submission went to Canada Post this summer suggesting a stamp or stamps recognizing the 100th anniversary of Alberta’s agricultural colleges. Lakeland and Olds are the only two that have been in operation since agricultural colleges were established by the provincial government in 1913.

Our suggestion now goes to the Stamp Advisory Committee. Its job is to look at all the stamp suggestions it receives and to recommend the annual stamp program.

They prefer all suggestions be made a minimum of two years before a special event or anniversary. So, we made that deadline. However, we still have a wait as the stamp program for 2013 won’t be announced until 2012.

The historical acknowledgement subcommittee is co-chaired by Peter Walsh and Cathy Wolters. Other responsibilities will include a centennial website which is already in the works.

Anyone interested in serving on this committee should contact either Peter or Cathy.

Other committees include events, marketing, ceremonies and protocol, and volunteer. You’ll be seeing committee members serving anniversary cake on both campuses in November.

Also, watch for more details about a special 20th anniversary celebration for the Lloydminster campus in November.

Questions, comments or suggestions?

Send us an email at 2013@ lakelandcollege.ca.

Get ready, everyone. With less than three years to go before Lakeland College’s centennial in 2013, work to achieve a number of goals to celebrate our 100th anniversary has started including a fundraising campaign (including a silent first phase) that aims to support brighter futures for students and to revitalize the college’s facilities and labs to advance its reputation as an outstanding mid-sized educational institution.

With a combined goal of $77 million, Lakeland College’s Comprehensive Centennial Campaign is by far the largest and most aggressive fundraising campaign the college has ever embarked upon, says Phil Allen, vice president of Advancement. Its success, he adds, will provide funding for increased scholarships and bursaries for students, strengthened programs, and new capital projects that will further advance educational opportunities and learning experiences available at Lakeland. $13 million of this campaign is specifically earmarked for academic awards endowed for future students. This will enable programs to assist their own students with the increasing demand for financial aid. In the eight months of this campaign, the college has deposited just over $2 million for specific academic program areas.

“Students say that ever-increasing costs and growing student debt factor greatly in their decisions about whether or not they pursue post-secondary educational studies,” says Allen. “As a college, we must encourage students to pursue their academic goals without them having to add unmanageable debt or unreasonable financial hardship onto themselves or their families.”

Many people, groups and organizations will have the opportunity to participate in this campaign. This month as part of the college’s Annual Giving Campaign, Lakeland alumni will be asked to donate $3 million over three years with their contributions to the Centennial Endowment Fund.

Donations to this fund from alumni will directly support students in financial “Students say that ever-increasing need by creating more scholarships and costs and growing student debt factor bursaries for all program areas. Allen greatly in their decisions about whether notes that if each of the college’s 10,000 or not they pursue post-secondary to 20,000+ alumni were to each donate as educational studies. As a college, we little as $100 per year for three years, the must encourage students to pursue goal of $3 million is easily achievable. their academic goals."

Lakeland staff will also be asked to do Phil Allen their part by donating to the campaign and V.P. Advancement. can do so through payroll deduction or by making a one-time gift.

“If any staff member ever wanted to leave a legacy for themselves or in the name of a family member, now is a great time to do it. Heather MacMillan, now part of our fund development team, would be happy to discuss options with you and help make this happen,” says Allen. “Our goal is to be able to report to students and external donors that a minimum of 60 per cent of our own college employees are supporting this cause and this campaign. To date we have approximately 69 staff members committed to donating to this campaign.”

Another area to be supported by the Comprehensive Centennial Campaign is the improvement and expansion of the college’s buildings and teaching facilities at both the Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses.

“Lakeland College’s 20-year campus master plan and its annual business plan reveal an urgent and immediate need for upgrading learning labs and technology,” says Allen. “These are not ‘nice to have’ upgrades but ‘need to have’ upgrades in order for Lakeland College to maintain a long-term competitive educational advantage.”

In addition to donor contributions for the Comprehensive Centennial Campaign, the college is also seeking funds from additional sources. Recently, the college received $18,000 from the Alberta government’s Community Spirit program. These funds will be used to establish new scholarships for students in Lakeland’s emergency services training and health and wellness programs.

For information about the Comprehensive Centennial Campaign or to make a donation, please call the Fund Development Office at ext. 5732 or 1 800 661 6490 ext. 5732.

Centennial trek

A Lakeland minute Minutes from the Sept. 9 Executive Team meeting are now posted in Public Folders. Also available in Public Folders are Student & College Services division meeting notes. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Executive Suite at ext. 8514.

Human services student work supports others Second-year students in the child and youth care and early learning and child care programs are enthusiastically implementing activities that they have organized as part of their recreation and leisure planning course to support other students. They invited students in the transitional vocational program (TVP) to take part in the activities so that they can expand their leisure activity options. This student project collaboration fulfills a requirement for TVP program to enhance student opportunities for developing lifelong recreation and leisure interests.

Activities have included bowling, scrapbooking, soccer, mural making, card making and charades.

Ever to XL Alumni & Friends Newsletter

Fall 2010

Land purchase secures alumni connection with future student benefits Lakeland College’s most significant land deal in its 97-year history has grounded the life’s work of a Lakeland alumnus and his family with the college’s future and its students.

This spring, Lakeland College purchased 100 per cent of the shares of Barrhill Farms Ltd. of Vermilion. In the deal, the college acquired 10 quarters of land (1,449 acres) and a yard that borders the west side of the Vermilion campus. Features of the extensive yard include three houses, two shops, grain bins and various other buildings.

The opportunity to purchase the shares was one the college had to act on, says Glenn Charlesworth, president and chief executive officer of Lakeland College.

“The proximity of this parcel of land is ideal for our college.

Much of it is adjacent to our Vermilion campus which ensures we will have the land base to expand the college as needed not only in the near future, but really for the next 100 years,” he says.

Initially the land will be used mainly for student labs related to agricultural and environmental sciences programs. The yard will be the site of numerous applied research and renewable energy projects.

The Barr family and Lakeland College have strong ties dating back to 1913. William Barr, the grandfather of Barrhill Farms owners Dean and Greg Barr, was a student in the college’s first class. Dean and Greg’s parents Jim and Alice met while attending the college in the early 1950s. Throughout the years the Barrs did custom seeding and silaging for the college, lent equipment as needed and toured hundreds of college students through their dairy barns. see Land purchase, continued on page 2

www.lakelandcollege.ca/alumni

Introducing the Lakeland XL, the college's newest publication for alumni and friends.

The quarterly newsletter replaces the yearly Alumni Pride magazine.

For a copy, call the Alumni Office at ext. 8628.

Caitlin Girard and T. J. Rempel, both environmental sciences students in the wildlife and fisheries conservation major, at the Cardinal Divide.

Enviro sciences students survive the elements It was a live the learning experience to remember.

During an annual field trip to the Cache Percotte Centre near Hinton, Alta., Lakeland environmental sciences students in the wildlife and fisheries conservation major collected invertebrates, practiced electro-fishing, learned about restoration on the large Teck coal mine and Hinton Hardisty Creek projects, enjoyed a hike on the Cardinal Divide, and took training certification courses required for their program.

Major components of the trip were outdoor courses in first aid, wilderness first aid, and wilderness survival. Students learned bighorn sheep observation techniques and spent a day with consultants studying wildlife interactions on the industrial landscape. These were given an extra measure of reality by dumps of heavy wet snow.

The students rose to the challenge and impressed their instructors with their willingness to continue learning and cooperating in cold and wet conditions. The result was a positive learning experience of which the students are justly proud.

A note from the nurse If you're wanting to get a flu shot, clinics are scheduled for: • Friday, Oct. 15, 1-7 pm, Vermilion Regional Centre • Friday, Oct. 22, 1-7 pm, Mannville Recreation Centre • Thursday, Oct. 28, 1-7 pm, Vermilion Regional Centre • Friday, Nov. 12, 1-7 pm, Vermilion Provincial Building • Friday, Nov. 19, 1-6 pm, Vermilion Provincial Building • Friday, Dec. 3, 1-5 pm, Vermilion Provincial Building For more information, contact Karen Jefferies at ext. 8432 in Health Services.

Environmental sciences (wildlife and fisheries conservation major) students Rebecca Giesbrecht, Jessie Giggs and Dan Emond build a survival shelter in heavy snow.

Class, class on the range Sixty students from the animal science technology, agribusiness, western ranch and cow horse, and general agriculture programs had a live the learning experience in the field as they conducted a pasture health assessment lab as part of their range and forage crops class. The afternoon was spent visiting three sites to study native range, tame pasture and riparian areas on land near the Vermilion River. On hand to help the agricultural sciences students were industry experts Harry Loonen (pictured left) and Tanya Silzer, both range and pasture biologists from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, and Kerri O’Shaughnessy and Kelsey SpicerRowe, both biologists from the Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society a.k.a Cows and Fish.

Rodeo bros wrestle it out Two Lakeland College students made quite an impression at the recent Wildrose Rodeo Association’s annual Finals Rodeo in Barrhead in September.

After five rounds, brothers Casey and Jesse Lawes of Provost were tied for the steer wrestling championship. In a sudden death final, Jesse edged out his brother by wrestling his steer down in only 3.7 seconds, slightly ahead of Casey’s time of 3.9 seconds. The Lawes are agribusiness students at the Vermilion campus. They’re also members of the college’s rodeo team competing in steer wrestling, team roping and calf roping. Rodeo practices are already underway as the club prepares to host the Fall Classic Nov. 6 and 7.

Dustin and Greg Coleman stand with college farm manager Blake MacMillan and the two Jersey cows that the Colemans recently donated to the college.

Generous moooove shown towards Lakeland College Vienna and Victoria, sisters from Innisfail, Alta., arrived at Lakeland College in early September and quickly settled into their new home… in the dairy pens.

The two-year-old bred Jersey cows were donated to the college by Greg and Cheryl Coleman and their son Dustin, a student in the general agriculture program. This is the second time the Coleman family has given Jersey cows to Lakeland.

“My father and I donated two heifers to Lakeland in the mid-1990s,” says Greg. “We like Lakeland’s agricultural sciences programs and their Student Managed Farm. I also think that by donating these animals to the college, more people will see the merits of the Jersey breed.”

In 2003, after 38 years of milking Jerseys, the Coleman family decided to focus on beef cattle. They kept a few of their Jersey cows and continue to do milking demos at events such as the Stampede and Aggie Days in Calgary.

One of the cows they kept is Vicki, the 17-year-old mother of Vienna and Victoria.

“She is a tremendous cow. She’s well known throughout the Jersey industry in Western Canada for her show record and her production,” says Greg. “I believe these two daughters of hers have too good of bloodlines to keep them at our home.”

The two Jerseys, valued at $3,000 each, are a welcome addition to the college’s dairy herd of 50 cows, one third of which are Jerseys.

Lakeland attends oil show Stacy Dunham and other trades faculty and staff attended the Heavy Oil Show Sept. 15 and 16 at Lloydminster to promote the college's trades training and apprenticeship progams. Programs that proved to be popular with visitors to the booth were electrical and instrumentation programs as well as the college's pre-employment offerings.

Tea & bannock social a hit By all accounts, the Tea & Bannock social at the Lloydminster campus Sept. 23 was a success. Over 100 students and staff enjoyed samples of bannock, spreads and muskeg and mint teas. It's hoped that another social will be held later this year.

Watch for details!

Congratulations to door prize winners including: Steph Larson (backpack), Mandy Sandberg (dream catcher), Tamara Formanek (fleece throw), Kayley Swan and Holly Carifelle (Tim Horton's gift cards), and Tiffany Littlewolfe (Chatter's gift card).

Thanks goes to students from the Employment Skills Enhancement program for their participation in helping to host the event. Their enthusiasm and knowledge were fantastic!

Thanks also goes to the Students’ Association for the convenient use of their hallway space and to marketing's Taylor Dyer who also helped at the event.

If you have questions, comments or ideas for more Aboriginal events, please call Margo Hines or Samantha Hannah in the continuing education office.

A different kind of Lakeland College Rustlers Students in the animal science technology program practiced their animal handling skills on the college’s newly acquired pastureland to wean 94 calves from their mothers last month. After the calves were penned and weighed, the students relocated the calves to the college farm. The momma cows will stay on pasture until mid November and when they will begin to graze corn. Above are students James Jones and Clayton Dixon.

New majors and more course options on the way for business students at Lakeland

Over 200 pieces of bannock were served to staff and students at the Lloydminster campus on Sept. 23.

Reginald Whitecalf and Rhonda Nataucappo, both Employment Skills Enhancement students, helped to host a table during the Bannock & Tea social.

Next fall Lakeland College business students will be able to choose from new majors and an expanded list of course electives thanks to a motion approved last week by the Lakeland College Board of Governors.

Effective September 2011, business programming will be consolidated at the Lloydminster campus and will feature one business diploma with five distinct majors.

The changes follow a comprehensive review of business programming. Agribusiness, an agricultural sciences program at the Vermilion campus, will be revised to have greater emphasis on leadership training and practical agribusiness learning experiences.

“I believe the changes will improve Lakeland College’s business programming and agribusiness program and will ensure our graduates have relevant, sought-after skills that will help them succeed,” says Glenn Charlesworth, president of Lakeland College.

With all of the majors at the Lloydminster campus, students will have greater choice and flexibility in course selection. “They will be able to choose course electives not only from the five majors but also from university transfer,” says Charlesworth.

Following a common first year of study, students will specialize in appraisal and assessment, business administration, professional accounting, or two other new majors that will be officially named later this fall. “The two new majors are very innovative and reflect the changing needs of business. We will announce the names as soon as they are finalized,” says Charlesworth.

After students complete their business diploma, they can enter the workforce or transfer into Athabasca University’s bachelor of commerce or bachelor of management programs offered at the Lloydminster campus. This is an added advantage for Lakeland business students as some business sectors demand that employees have a degree.

Consolidating business programming at the Lloydminster campus will also make way for enrolment growth in other programs at the Vermilion campus. “Student numbers at the Vermilion campus are very strong thanks to increased enrolment in many programs as well as the introduction of veterinary medical assistant and pre-employment programs. Our residence buildings are full and class scheduling has been a challenge,” says Charlesworth. “This change makes it possible for us to expand other programming at the Vermilion campus.”

VRRA tour the corn maze Members of the Vermilion River Regional Alliance (VRRA) were at the Vermilion campus Sept. 23 for dinner and a tour of the Lakeland College corn maze. The group is comprised of representatives from the County of Vermilion River, City of Lloydminster, Town of Vermilion, the villages of Dewberry, Kitscoty, Marwayne, Paradise Valley and Marwayne, and Lakeland College. The VRRA provides a regional focus for activities in the area to generate projects and promotes communication between partners. The group was hosted by Wendy Plandowski, director of community relations. Pictured in the corn maze at Vermilion are VRRA members (left to right) Harold Trews, Marg Hatch, Linda Jacejko, Daryl Watt, Daryl Frank and Rhonda King. Missing from the photo is Don Whittaker.

News from ETC

Accreditation sought for Emergency Training Centre emergency services programs

If all goes well, two of Lakeland College’s emergency services training programs could receive full accreditation from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) within the next 12 months.

This week, Lakeland College’s Emergency Training Centre (ETC) will submit its application to the CMA to have the paramedic and emergency medical technician (EMT) programs approved for accreditation.

Both programs were accredited by the CMA when they were previously offered by the University of Alberta - Augustana Faculty in Camrose in 2008 but because accreditation is not transferable between institutions, Lakeland had to reapply for its own accreditation when the programs were transferred to Lakeland in 2009.

“We applied to begin the accreditation process in January 2009. The accreditation process itself is quite lengthy and thorough,” says Debbie Smeaton, manager of emergency medical services programs at ETC. “Typically it takes a minimum of two years from the time a program begins to complete an accreditation process.”

A site visit by a CMA review team is scheduled for Lakeland in April 2011.

Members of the review team usually include a representative from the Alberta Colleges of Paramedics, physicians, paramedics, CMA representatives, and potentially other individuals who are associated with the profession.

Currently in Alberta, all paramedic and EMT programs must be CMA accredited as part of an agreement between the

Alberta Colleges of Paramedics and the CMA. Lakeland’s programs are registered with the CMA with the status of being reviewed for accreditation. Both Lakeland programs are approved by the Alberta Health Disciplines Board as recommended by the Alberta College of Paramedics.

Currently, there are 27 students enrolled in the first year of the paramedic program, and 27 in the second year at Lakeland. Eighteen students are enrolled in the EMT program, and another intake will begin in April 2011.

Both programs are offered online with sites days at the college’s new facility at Camrose. Short-term paramedic and EMT refresher courses, as well as a number of related certification courses, are also offered at the college’s Camrose location.

People & places of ETC ETC staff hit the conference circuit last month. Kerri Sinclair and Amy Williams attended the Canadian Industrial Exposition at Calgary. Kirk McInroy and Clint McCullough went to the Canadian Fire Chiefs Conference and Fire-Rescue Canada Training and Education Symposium in St. John, NB. While on summer vacation, Denis Cunninghame visited the New Zealand Fire Service National Training Academy in Rotorua to discuss opportunities for future training or instructor exchanges.

The training field has been busy with client contracts. As well, two groups of firefighting students finished their training with 19 students from the P6

class and 24 students in P7. Another 24 students will graduate Oct. 22.

Former ETC instructor Mike Masserey was featured as one of Canada’s top ten firefighters in Reader's Digest. He was recognized for his work with the Winnipeg Fire Department to develop the fire and burn prevention SAFE (Smoke Alarms For Every) Baby program for parents of newborns. The program has now expanded beyond Winnipeg, Man., and the fire department has been recognized with an international award from the U.S. based National Fire Protection Association. The program has also inspired similar programs in Port Coquitlam, B.C., and Thunder Bay, Ont. To read the full article go to http:// www.readersdigest.ca/specialfeatures/ firesafety_2010/cms/xcms/canada-s-topfirefighters_4237_a_2.html.

ETC's Denis Cunninghame with Carl Moon, a New Zealand training academy instructor.

Rustlers Roundup All Rustlers teams were in action during the last two weeks.

Soccer: Lakeland hosted Lethbridge and Medicine Hat Sept. 25 and 26. The teams continue to improve each weekend but are still looking for their first win.

The women played with lots of heart but struggled to keep up with Medicine Hat and Lethbridge losing by identical 5-0 scores each day. The men played a great game against Lethbridge but lost a heartbreaker 2-1. Against Medicine Hat, the team played hard but the experienced Rattlers proved too powerful for the Rustlers. They lost 3-1.

This weekend, the Rustlers will take on these same two teams as they travel to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. X-country running: Last month, the Rustlers competed at Camrose and Edmonton in preparation for the conference championships. The team is improving with every practice. Their next event is Oct. 30 when they compete at the conference championships in Edmonton.

Basketball: Rustler teams participated in exhibition competitions during the last two weeks and are building a strong base for the regular season.

The women’s team played in a tournament at Medicine Hat against other ACAC teams and earned a perfect 3 and 0 record.

The team also had a game at Prince Albert, Sask., against the CIS bronze medalist University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The gymnasium was packed with community members wanting to get a glimpse of post-secondary basketball.

The men’s team made an evening trek to Edmonton to test its abilities against the University of Alberta. They soon discovered how much work they'll need to do this year. They also competed in an exhibition tournament against some top teams in the ACAC south division and returned home with a 3 and 0 record.

Both teams will play more exhibition games before their regular season begins Oct. 22 in a home-and-home series against the NAIT Ooks.

Volleyball: The Rustlers competed in two exhibition tournaments recently and both the men and women earned wins.

More importantly, they are getting close to setting their starting line ups. Their regular season begins Oct. 22. If the exhibition competitions are any indication of what fans will see this year, there should be some exciting games from start to finish.

Rustlers rowers Morgan Husereau (left) and David Sterling lead the men’s four down the dock after their race at the Head of Vermilion Regatta held at the Vermilion Provincial Park Reservoir Sept. 25 as coach Peter Walsh looks on. Teams from Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Saskatoon, Red Deer and Vermilion participated in the annual event.

Rustlers crew defend title on their home water With a pair of victories, the Lakeland College novice women’s eight crew defended its title during the Head of the Vermilion Regatta beating both University of Alberta crews. The men’s four also had success, edging out crews from the University of Calgary to win their event in the afternoon.

The event was held Sept. 25 at the Vermilion River Reservoir. The Lakeland Rustlers crew hosted seven teams from Alberta and Saskatoon under sunny skies with 170 rowers battling it out in over 20 events over a three kilometre course.

The fastest boat of the day was the men’s eight from the Edmonton Rowing Club (ERC) who clocked a time of 11:29 minutes, edging out the men’s University of Alberta (UART) team. ERC also posted victories in the open men’s pairs and the open women’s pairs. UART’s lone victory came in the open women’s eight with the second fastest time of the day of 13:11 minutes.

University of Calgary (UCRC) won the novice men’s eight and the novice men’s quad events while the Calgary Rowing Club (CRC) were victorious in eight-rower events, the open women’s quad, junior men’s quad, junior men’s eight and open women’s single.

The Saskatoon Rowing Club (SRC) won the novice women’s quad. Another small boat club, the Central Alberta Rowing Club from Lacombe, won the junior men’s double and the masters men’s double events.

In total 55 crews took to the water during the day. Lakeland College showed the rest of the province that not only can the Rustlers crew row, but they can put on a great event. Many thanks to the volunteers and crew members who helped make this regatta successful. Everyone can be certain that when it's Lakeland's turn to host an event again, there'll be no hesitation from the big city clubs and universities to participate.

The Alberta Rowing Association is already making plans to hold a summer rowing camp here for the provincial team which will be a great experience for local athletes.

The Lakeland College Rustlers crew head to Calgary on Oct. 16 to finish the regular season. Pending qualification, some rowers may be going to the Western Canadian University Championships in Victoria, B.C., on Oct. 23.