Meridian Source - Today's Woman 2021

TODAY’S

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TODAY’S WOMAN 2021 I MERIDIAN SOURCE

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TODAY’S WOMAN 2021 Whether it be a local business owner, community volunteer, CEO or all of the above, these Border City women make us proud to call Lloyd home

Diane Gow

Mel Coote

Vera Gallant

Wife, Volunteer, Coach

Business Owner, Musician, Volunteer, Actress

Volunteer, Kiwanis Club Guru, Parent, Grandparent

Pg. 5

Pg. 7

Pg. 9

Kalla Gerling & Tasha Beauchesne

Tricia Hunter

Owners of Olive & Birch

Mother, Wife, Volunteer, Community Minded

Pg. 14

Pg. 16

Cindy Rekimowich

Leanne Hawes CEO, Lloydminster & District Co-op

Manager, Program & Events, City of Lloydminster

Pg. 11

Pg. 12

Amber L’Heureux First Female CPCA Driver Pg. 19

Elenee Young & Maria Kokonas Mothers, Daughters, The Future of Spiro’s Pg. 21

Photo Credits Taylor Weaver - Meridian Source, Noyce Photography, Jessie Mann Photography, Yellow Finch Images, CVM Photography

NOMINATE A WOMAN WHO INSPIRES YOU does selfless work and is always giving of their time.

She could be featured in the 2022 edition of Today’s Woman!

Let us take the time to recognize the remarkable women in Lloydminster and surrounding area who are doing extraordinary things and making a difference in their community.

Submit your nomination to deanna@meridiansource.ca

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TODAY’S WOMAN 2021 I MERIDIAN SOURCE

Overcoming tragedy and carrying on a legacy

DIANE GOW

MOTHER, VOLUNTEER, COACH

The Gow name has been a staple in the Border City sports world since Diane Gow and her husband, Will, moved to town in 1999.

Will and Diane got married on Jan. 27, 1994, and would have three beautiful children together; Soleil, now 21, Sonnet, 19, and Shepherd, 17.

The two have also been mem-

bers of the local business community for years after opening the Six Pack Liquor Store in 1993.

“After owning the liquor store for five years Will was kind of bored and said he needed more action,” said Diane. “We were thinking about getting into Super 8 Motel, Swiss Chalet, and at one point A&W approached us about becoming owners, and Will said ‘Well, why don’t we go for the cream of the crop, why don’t we go for McDonald’s?’”

And, that’s exactly what they did.

Diane explained the application process to become a McDonald’s owner is quite extensive, but when all was said and done she and Will got the answer they were hoping for.

William tragically passed away in a motor vehicle incident on

Oct. 21, 2017, at the age of 57.

Will also gave back to his community through his interest in sports as an assistant coach of the SAIT women’s team in 1988, coach of U of C Elite Boys team, and eventually, head coach of the SAIT men’s volleyball team, where he met Diane.

“It’s been a tough, tough road.

People go through different stages of grief, so the first year I thought he was still coming back and I didn’t move any of his stuff. Then the second year he was gone and I didn’t want to forget about him, so I didn’t want to move anything.

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Learning how to live after the loss of a loved one GOW FROM PAGE 5

It took me about two and a half years to stop crying, and now a song catches me once in a while … and it’s tough because I have to make these decisions myself now regarding my kids and their future, and my future. I always thought he’d be there, so that’s the toughest part.

“Now I try not to take people for granted. I try to tell them how much I love them and being around them when I can,” she said.

“The importance of relationships was the biggest lesson I learned, and they’re big for me now. So, I try to enjoy the people I have with me in my life.”

The year of Will’s passing would have been their 20th anniversary as McDonald’s owners, and as Diane explained,

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“they were gracious enough to let us stay for another two years so I could figure out what I was doing. We also had to find a buyer and that was big too because I guess they didn’t wants just anyone in this market.”

Will and Diane owned the three McDonald’s locations in the Border City as well as the two locations in Cold Lake before all five sold in November 2019.

When Will passed, Diane explained how helpful and loving the Lloydminster community was right away.

“A wise person told me one time, to be successful in life or business, you need to surround yourself with good people that will take care of you, and thank God I did,” she said.

“The community came out and helped me, my staff were fantas-

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tic and surrounded me with their love and gave what they could to me when I asked. The community itself was amazing; the teachers were helping me out with my kids, my neighbours were there for me too. I just give nothing but good back to Lloydminster because I’ve been very blessed.”

To help keep Will’s memory and legacy alive, Diane has continued to give back to the community that was there for her in her time of need.

“We give out athletic scholarships every year in Will’s name and there are five or six colleges and high schools that we give to,” she said.

“It’s hard because every year that it passes I’m worried people are going to forget him, but a lot of people remind me that

he was the first one to turn them on to volleyball and how to live their life, so that makes me really really happy.

“Will wanted to make that big so he could give back to the community, and one of the bigger purchases we’ve made with that money was the two big vans for Lloydminster Comprehensive High School athletics in February 2020.”

Diane said she also feels blessed to have had the opportunity to coach badminton and work with her kids as well as local athletes at Bishop Lloyd Middle School as well as LCHS. “We’re very blessed to be involved in sports at all. This year has been tough because everything is put on hold, so we’re all missing being in the gym,” she said.

Love for animals turns into 20-year tradition

MEL COOTE

BUSINESS OWNER, MUSICIAN, VOLUNTEER, ACTRESS

With an affinity for animals, what does one do when the local animal shelter is in need?

Well, if you’re Mel Coote, you brainstorm with some friends and start a 20-year dinner theatre tradition to help support that local shelter.

Mel has called the Border City home for roughly four decades

and is one of the founding members of the House of Paws Dinner Theatre, formerly known as the Lloydminster and District SPCA Dinner Theatre.

Not only is she heavily involved in the dinner theatre, but she’s also a musician, a business owner, and a volunteer.

“This has been my community for 36 or 37 years now, and maybe it’s like this in every community, but the support has been great,” she said. “When people find a cause that they put their heart and souls into, that’s our volunteers, and we’ve had the sam e v olu nt eer s f or 20 y ear s since we started the theatre.”

The House of Paws cast was looking forward to its 2020 performance as it marked 20 years of shows and fundraising, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the

Photo by Nicole Noyce Photography show had to be put on hold for the year. Needless to say, they’re

itching to get back on stage.

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Immersing yourself in community year after year COOTE FROM PAGE 7

Coote explained the event all came about through a brainstorm after curling one night.

“I had gotten involved with the SPCA, as I’ve always been an animal person, and realized they needed some sort of help,” she said.

“So my friend Gail Noble, myself, Tammy Holtby and Audrey Kitzul curl together all of the time, and we were just having drinks after curling one night and I was telling them how excited I was to get involved with the SPCA and how they were in need of a fundraiser. Gail was a teacher in Marshall and did musical theatre with the junior high and Tammy helped her with the vocals for the production.

“Our main goal was to get a new shelter, but every year the SPCA always needed the money just to

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help cover operating costs. People would say to us, ‘you guys have raised so much money, aren’t you sad there’s no new shelter?’ And I would say, of course, but, at least we’ve been able to keep the old shelter open and running. It’s better than nothing for the poor creatures.”

Mel explained how in 2018 the cast decided the production “wouldn’t get another 18 years out of us old farts,” and they were trying to come up with a game plan for future funding.

“Either we do a couple more years and give the shelter the money, or we’re going to start our own non-profit entity and save up the money, and that’s what we’ve done. So, we have a bank account sitting there ready to go towards a new building, or the down payment or some sort of help for a new shelter in Lloyd.”

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The first dinner theatre was hosted at the Legacy Centre in Lloydminster before moving to Marshall. Once the Kitscoty Hall was built and the show was able to double its capacity, they moved to Kitscoty.

“Our first show we had something like 30 or 31 cast members, but the reason we did that is, the more people you have in your production, which was all friends and family, the more people you’ll have at the show because they’ll invite friends and family, and the rest is history,” she said.

Mel is also the owner of Mel’s Hair Shop, a business she has operated out of her home in Lloydminster for 19 years.

“When I left Kenneth Blair, my original little Mel’s Hair Shop was where Synergy Credit Union now is,” she said. “I have since moved and continue to run my shop out

of the house.”

Mel’s also a member of One Cent Melon, “the best cover band ever,” as she put it.

“We’re just the best old-time rock ‘n roll cover band ever,” she said, adding how when she moved to Lloydminster she reconnected with her old friend Penny Orange from Maidstone.

“We reacquainted ourselves in Lloyd and we went through several musicians in this town, and that was tough because there are so many amazing musicians here,” she said. “Several years ago we hooked up with Derek and Craig who used to be in Lead Foot Mary, and then Bill McArthur, who is my guy, he quit playing on the road after many years of touring with Tammy Hunter Holtby, The Gibbs, and others, so we scooped him up to be a guitar player and the rest is history.”

Who has time to retire?

“I feel I have done so little while others have done so much” and I found that especially true when I began my janitorial business, Clean Sweep Miracle Maid.

So giving back to my community, in any way I could, was just a natural thing to do. Being called to serve also comes from my faith.”

Prior to Vera’s heavy involveVERA GALLANT VOLUNTEER, KIWANIS CLUB GURU ment with Kiwanis, she volunteered with her local parish, St. PARENT, GRANDPARENT Anthony’s.

“Just as I was getting involved Raised on a farm in Ranfurly, Alberta, along with one sister and with Kiwanis, I began my busitwo brothers, Vera Gallant moved ness,” she said. “I can’t believe I to Edmonton after high school jumped in with both feet – getand moved to Lloydminster in ting a business off the ground and 1976. For Vera, Lloydminster is learning about Kiwanis and what I could do to make a difference. But definitely home.

A highly-active volunteer in through the grace of God, I feel I the Border City and currently the succeeded in both. Prior to that, secretary for the Lloydminster I worked at St. Anthony’s Parish Kiwanis Club, Vera has always for 20 years where my passion to been one to give back to the com- serve really began to blossom.

Although she was involved with munity she calls home.

“Although I grew up on a farm, a number of committees, while my parents took the time to vol- volunteering with St. Anthony’s unteer in their community,” she she found herself spending a lot said, explained where she got her of time at the hospital with the sick and dying. love for volunteering,” she said.

“When my husband moved into “I also witnessed them helping others who needed help, so Points West in Lloydminster, I service to others came to me at was very comfortable not only an early age. When my kids were being there for him but helping young, I began volunteering at other residents and the staff in the school and it just grew from any way I could,” she said. Vera’s there. Lloydminster has always husband, Bob, passed away in been good to me and my family June 2017 at the age of 80.

“I really miss being able to volunteer at Points West and anxiously await for this pandemic to be over so I can offer my time there as well. I also love fundraising so I enjoyed raising funds for recreational activities at the care home as well as visiting with the residents.”

Vera began attending Kiwanis meetings and functions in 1998 and joined the organization in 2001, giving her 20 years as an active member.

“The Kiwanis organization is extremely important to me because of its motto, ‘Serving the children of the world,’” she said.

“Once you see what Kiwanis has accomplished since its conception over 100 years ago and what our local club has done in its 38 years, I cannot imagine not being part of this global organization.

“Internationally, we eliminated iodine deficiency, completing that program in 2000. In 2010, we took on eliminating maternal neonatal tetanus. We reached our goal of raising over $100 million by 2015, and today only have a few countries left that we need to eliminate this deadly disease,” she said.

“Locally I have witnessed the impact we have had on children and on families and once that

happens, you are hooked. At least I am.”

The Kiwanis Festival of Lights (decorating Kiwanis Park for Christmas) was Vera’s most recent experience that showed how Kiwanis impacted not only the lives of children but our whole community.

“As one resident put it last year ‘we made her Christmas,’” she said. “She said she was speaking for several others. When I hear that, my immediate thought goes to ‘what else can I do?!’ Something as simple as putting up some lights and decorations at our Park had an impact I never expected.”

So, why is community so important to Vera?

“Well, I live here, I raised my family here, I have grandchildren here and I work here,” she said.

“I want to do whatever I can to make Lloydminster a safe, happy and healthy place for all.

“I feel I owe Lloydminster because this is definitely the best place I have ever lived. I have been asked when I am going to retire, and my response to that is always: ‘there is SO much to do, I don’t have time to retire!’ Because seriously, I feel I have done so little while others have done so much.”

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Balancing business, parenting and setting a great example for others have many great friends and connections in this community.”

So, did Leanne ever aspire to be the CEO of a company as large and the Co-op?

LEANNE HAWES

CEO, LLOYDMINSTER & DISTRICT CO-OP

Originally from a small farm outside of Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Leanne Hawes never thought she’d be where she is today.

Leanne is currently the CEO of the Lloydminster & District Co-op, a position she loves and has held since 2019 after just over a decade with the Co-op.

Prior to being appointed CEO, Leanne held the vice president of operations title, which oversaw the food, gas bar, pharmacy, marketing, maintenance, and construction/new project, divisions.

“My parents were grain and cattle farmers in the Aberdeen area until they retired and moved to Saskatoon,” she said. “I moved to Lloydminster in 2005 and have lived here ever since. My husband and I have two girls who proudly participate in many sports and art activities (pre-COVID) in Lloydminster! We love living here and

“

I did, however, aspire to be a leader that makes a difference in people’s lives, regardless of title. I feel very fortunate that I get to be the leader of a company that practices the values of integrity, teamwork, and community.

“Truthfully, no, I never aspired to be the CEO of any organization,” she said. “I did, however, aspire to be a leader that makes a difference in people’s lives, regardless of title. I feel very fortunate that I get to be the leader of a company that practices the values of integrity, teamwork, and community. With multiple diverse business lines and 20,060 unique member-owners, we have shown what embracing diversity can do as a collective success, and that is

important to me.”

How did she get to where she is today, you might be asking?

“Well it wasn’t thanks to 5 a.m. chores on the farm before school,” she joked.

“I am thankful that my parents instilled the attitude of gratitude and a hard work ethic,” she said.

“I also need to point out the support of my amazing husband (who proudly helps me pick up pieces of the work-life balancing act) and an incredible Co-op team beside me every step of the way.”

Professionally speaking, the best part of Leanne’s day is connecting with her Co-op family in any capacity.

“I know everyone in the company on a first-name basis. I believe that everyone has a story, and I like to hear them all! I learn about the kids, grandkids, dogs, cats, milestones, and other things in general that people hold dear in their life. I am grateful that they choose to share it with me,” she said.

“Similarly, my favourite part of my day is reading and connecting with my girls at night. Before we read, we take 20 minutes to talk about them, their day, what’s on their minds. It’s incredible what they will share when you give

File Photo them undivided attention and actively listen.”

Since the Co-op exists to give back to members, either in service, community, or patronage, Leanne knows the importance of being active in the community you call home.

“It makes it an easy transition to my personal life as I volunteer for boards and other community work,” she said.

“I think amongst the pandemic, this value has never rung more true. Whether you can donate money, time, or kindness, it is all equally needed and matters. The behaviour modelling we do for our next generation will set the tone for the future, and community support is critical to fostering healthy growth.”

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Being there for your community is key

CINDY REKIMOWICH

MANAGER, PROGRAM AND EVENTS, CITY OF LLOYDMINSTER

Born and raised in the Border City, Cindy Rekimowich is a shining example of community involvement and support.

Currently the manager of program and events with the City of Lloydminster, Cindy has always been a firm believer in jumping in with both feet.

On top of her busy schedule working for the City, Cindy has

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worn many hats over the years on a number of different committees and has definitely been logging those volunteer hours.

A brief rundown of Cindy’s resume sees her as the co-founder of KidSport Lloydminster, past board member of Lloydminster adult soccer, past volunteer for Lloydminster minor hockey, past volunteer for Meridian Youth Soccer as a coach, and a past volunteer for Lloydminster Amateur Softball Association.

In 2017 she was the co-chair of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling, project manager for the 2014 Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, a board member for the 2017 Midget Softball Nationals as well as co-chair of the ATB Financial Kids of Steel Triathlon for 6 years.

In her current position, she works with her team and volunteers to plan major events in Lloydminster such as Canada Day cel-

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ebrations, Winterfest, Fall fest, Streetfest, Heritage Day, you name it, she’s done it.

Cindy was also the vice-chair

for the 2020 Sask Summer Games before they were postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19.

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Volunteering comes with valuable life lessons

REKIMOWICH FROM PAGE 12

Cindy is no stranger to provincial Games as she has been heavily involved for years and was even a participant in the 1990 Alberta Winter Games in Camrose “My first position out of the University of Alberta was the 1997 Alberta Summer Games as a games assistant in Lloydminster,” she said. “I was also on the bid committee for the 2007 Sask Summer Games and the 2020 Sask Summer Games in Lloydminster.

One of my kids also participated in the 2016 Sask Summer Games in Estevan.”

With so many positive experiences coming out of volunteering and Games involvement, Cindy encourages anyone and everyone to get involved.

“Games provide an experience like no other,” she said. “It is a

fond memory of mine growing up I participated in a lot of tournaments and provincials, but the one that was the most memorable was the Alberta Winter Games.

“My child had a similar experience and really enjoyed the experience immensely in Estevan.”

Since childhood, volunteering has always been a big part of Cindy’s life and it’s a practice she has been instilling in her own children.

“My parents created a culture that volunteerism was important, they volunteered countless hours to provide opportunities for us kids to participate in sports,” she said.

“I believe in community involvement because I think it is important to create opportunities for our community, especially our youth to participate in sport! It provides

File Photo

Lloydminster 2020 Saskatchewan Summer Games host society vice-chair Cindy Rekimowich, Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Saskatchewan Games Council executive director Mark Bracken and Games host society chair Kevin Kusch.

me with a chance to give back to my community that I have been so fortunate to grow up in.”

Through her countless volunteer hours and involvement with various local organizations, Cindy

was also honoured to be the recipient of the Leadership Award for the City of Lloydminster in 2018 as well as the Recreation Professional of the Year for Rivers West District in 2019.

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Second career brings out passion

TASHA BEAUCHESNE & KALLA GERLING OWNERS OF OLIVE & BIRCH

Tasha Beauchesne and Kalla Gerling grew up roughly 20 miles from each other, their families knew each other and they played sports together, but little did they know they’d be in business together years later.

Tasha and Kalla are the proud co-owners of Olive & Birch, Lloydminster’s destination store for

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beautiful blinds and draperies, distinctive home decor, captivating accessories, and unique gifts.

Located at 4813-49 Ave., Olive & Birch is situated in what used to be Decorator’s Den, which the pair purchased together in 2014.

“We ran the business as it was for two years, and then in 2016 we rebranded and changed the name to Olive and Birch,” said Kalla.

“We were both customers at Decorator’s Den and knew their business,” added Tasha. “We’re not sure if we would have started a business from the ground up, but purchasing a business seemed like a much smarter decision. And we knew they had over 30 years of business in the city and have great clientele.”

The two agreed that taking over the business was a fairly stream-

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lined process, but the learning curve came down to product knowledge.

“We knew absolutely nothing about blinds and drapery,” said Tasha.

“I think we could have transitioned the store without any issues, but we definitely needed their expertise in training us in doing blinds.

“It looks like a small part of our business because it’s just a little showroom in the back here, but it’s an important part, and a big enough part of our business that we sure needed training on that, and they were great in helping us as they had done blinds for years.”

“We’re not interior designers by trade, this was more of an interest for me,” said Tasha, who is a teacher by trade. “Kalla has a degree in agriculture.”

The pair both expressed mutual feelings towards becoming business owners prior to signing on the dotted line as they were also changing careers.

“It’s nice because we can say we both work four days per week, and we love that, but you’re working 24/7 when you have your own business,” said Kalla.

“It’s so hard to walk away. Some jobs you can leave at the business and go home for the evening, but there’s always something to do as a business owner.”

“I like it, it’s just different, and I do find it better than taking homework home as a teacher,” Tasha added. “When we bought this business I really didn’t want to be taking this work home with me as I did with school work.”

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Home decor, blinds and drapery, they have it all

FROM PAGE 14

“I felt that way when I was a teacher and felt like I never had time for myself or family at home.”

Whether it’s starting from scratch or purchasing a pre-existing business, there is always risk involved.

“When we took over in 2014 things just started to decline in the economy, and there was always something else ... and then it was COVID,” said Kalla. “We haven’t seen Lloydminster rebound since 2014 ... but we’ve found ways to diversify, and thank goodness we have our blinds and we’re not just a home decor and gift store.”

Since retail trends are next to impossible to predict, the pair have put in the work to ensure they stay on top of things.

“We’ve always tried to keep adding something in the mix so

we can keep moving,” said Kalla.

“There’s always moving dynamics working in retail. You can’t stay stagnant and you always have to be looking for resources, outlets, and the next best thing.”

COVID-19 brought a number of new challenges to the world of retail and forced the pair to open an online Olive & Birch store, something they never thought they would do.

“We were constantly getting texts or messaged on Facebook from people that wanted to shop when our doors were closed, so instead of taking pictures and sending them individually we decided to take the plunge and go online,” said Kalla.

“It was a lot of work, but it needed to be done,” added Tasha. “It was also just natural progression.”

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Putting your heart into everything you do

TRICIA HUNTER

MOTHER, WIFE, VOLUNTEER, COMMUNITY MINDED

The story of how Tricia Hunter ended up in the Border City is like something out of a movie.

Tricia, who is originally from Nipawin, Saskatchewan, moved to Lloydminster 25 years ago shortly after marrying her husband, Jamie.

The young couple drove to Moose Jaw to visit Jamie’s grandmother just after their first son,

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Austin, was born.

“We got to Moose Jaw with only the clothes on our backs, and Jamie’s grandma wasn’t feeling well, so we needed to find something to do,” she said.

“Jamie had a friend living in Lloyd, so we thought we’d detour from Moose Jaw to Lloyd. We had no change of clothes, no diapers … just two pull-ups and a tiny baby. We got into Lloyd, bought formula and diapers and borrowed clothes so we could stay for the whole weekend.

“Jamie ended up talking to some guys building houses on a construction site and they offered him a job … so we phoned our real estate agent, picked a house, put an offer on it, and by the time we drove back to Regina we had bought a house.”

Fast forward to the present and

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Austin is 25 and their second son, Cole, is 23.

Before getting married and having children, Tricia attended Red Deer College for a Bachelor of Business Administration and went on to work for RBC Dominion Securities for almost 12 years.

She is currently the business development/community relations officer for BPC Services Ltd, a role she loves to call a day job, and is able to use her community-minded attitude towards life in everything she does.

“Most people call me a connector,” she said.

“Which I always find interesting, but it’s true … I love to connect people. Everyone has talents and needs, and if we can help direct people into each other’s paths, great things can happen.”

Community has and will always

be important to Tricia as it’s something she learned to respect as a child.

“I think growing up in a small town, everybody is involved in everything, and you know everybody,” she said. “So, when I moved to Lloyd I guess I didn’t know any better than to just get immersed in the community.”

Not long after moving to Lloyd, Tricia got in touch with the Junior A hockey team looking to get involved.

“I was told I would be picked up that night and ended up going to my first board meeting,” she said with a laugh.

“They were looking for fundraising ideas, so I went home that night and drew up a bunch of ideas, and that’s how I got involved with the hockey team.”

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TRICIA HUNTER FROM PAGE 16

Tricia and Jamie would also go on to billet Junior A players for eight years before Tricia took over running the souvenir booth at the rink.

“I then became the billet coordinator and we billeted Midget players after that,” she said.

Over the years, Tricia has volunteered with a number of organizations, including the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter, the Cross Redden Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament, the Lloydminster and District SPCA, Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association, Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, the Junior A Bobcats, 100+ Women Who Care Lloydminster as well as Calgary Women in Energy.

“The 100+ Women Who Care Lloydminster was really cool because the group of us that started it, nobody would have put us in a room together,” she said.

“We all knew each other, but we’d never been in a room

together. It wasn’t the same three people who start everything, it was just a different group of people, and we’re hoping to get it started again soon.

“We haven’t had an event now for a year and we’re still getting interest from people who want to join.”

For Tricia, one of the really neat aspects of the 100+ Women is everyone is equal and everyone donates the exact same amount of money.

“We all did this together. I was just as much an equal part of this fundraiser as everyone else in that room,” she said.

“It also gives me something to do. My kids are grown up now, so what do I do with my time? I’ve been a hockey mom and always been Austin and Cole’s mom ... and now they don’t need me anymore ... so now what do I do?

“So the 100 Women was a way for all of us to connect with people that we haven’t seen in years.”

File Photo

Tricia Hunter, who coordinates business development for BPC Services, helped Cody Bolt, the company’s horizontal directional drilling manager hold a promotional plaque highlighting some of the agricultural-related work they do.

Tricia has been involved in the oil and gas industry for 11 years and recently found her dream job with BPC Services.

“My favourite thing to do is vol-

unteer and help people, and now I really get to do that with BPC. They’re passionate about the community and they let me run wild and bring people together.”

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Breaking the mould on gender roles in sports

AMBER L’HEURUEX

FIRST FEMALE CPCA DRIVER

The Half Mile of Hell isn’t just for the cowboys anymore.

Amber L’Heuruex, who originally hails from Edam, Saskatchewan, and now calls Glaslyn home, will go down in the chuckwagon racing history books as the first female professional driver to compete in the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA).

Amber’s debut as a CPCA driver kicked off at the sound of the horn in North Battleford in May 2019.

“All I’ve known for pretty much my whole life is racing,” she said.

“My mom and dad both raced pony chuckwagons growing up, and when I was 14 and old enough to drive a chariot I got

behind the line.

“In turn, two years later I started driving pony chuckwagons at 16. I always wanted to race professionally, but it took some time to get there, so I’ve spent most of my life getting here, and 2019 was a big year for us.”

Amber described her season in

the driver’s seat as one she won’t soon forget.

“It was pretty surreal. I honestly thought after North Battleford all of the hype would be over with, but the whole season was like that; every weekend people were so excited about it.”

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Hard work, determination help L’Heureux’s dreams come true FROM PAGE 19

“It was pretty special sharing those feelings I was having with everybody else. Between the interviews and people being able to come back to camp and experience it and get the joy and love for the horses that I get to see every day, it was great.”

As a kid, it was Amber going down the road with her mom and dad, and although her parents are no longer together, the family traditions they instilled into her still run strong today.

“My mom and stepdad as well as my dad got to go down the road with me racing every weekend, so it was really neat sharing the summer with them,” she said.

“But friends, family and even people I hadn’t seen in years came down from northern Alberta to watch opening weekend in North

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Battleford, and then finals weekend in Lloyd was big too.”

Being a professional chuckwagon driver was always the dream for Amber, and she didn’t waste any time pursuing that dream.

When she finished high school she wanted to be a vet tech, as she knew being a technician would help her greatly with animal welfare and nutrition.

She spent over two years at Lakeland College in Vermilion for animal health technology and got her tech diploma.

“I worked in practice doing that, and then at 20 I got my Class 1A so I could drive a semi just so I could go down the road racing,” she said.

“Looking back, it’s funny because eight years later I actually drive a truck and work for a farmer, so it all kind of tied

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together. Everything I’ve done in my life has been to be able to go down the road racing and chase that dream.”

When it comes to breaking the mould on gender roles in the world of professional chuckwagon racing, Amber had nothing but great things to say about her all-male competition.

“It was a mix between the older guys and younger guys, but a lot of the older guys with names like Laboucane, Mitsuing, Bensmiller, I’ve looked up to them and watched them for years, so it was really cool for me to go down the road with them,” she said.

“They were all super helpful and welcoming, which was nice.”

With last year’s racing season cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Amber was missing the sport she loves.

“It’s been about 50/50 as one of the hardest things to do, but lifewise, it’s been a good eye-opener that there’s more to life than racing, but on the other hand I really want to get back at it because it’s what I’m really good at.”

Going into her season, Amber’s goal was to win Rookie of the Year, which she did.

“My biggest goal was to win rookie, and as a team, we accomplished that, but I wanted to be a little higher in the standings.”

“I prepped so much for it. More than I have for any season, but the biggest thing was my nerves,” she said. “I’m already a cautious driver, but when the nerves subsided a little, then I finally got back to my driving style about halfway through the season and started barrelling better. I started driving the way I knew I could.”

Restauranting a real family affair at Spiro’s

MARIA KOKONAS & ELENEE YOUNG MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, THE FUTURE OF SPIRO’S

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

That may be a classic line from The Godfather III, but the same could be said for Maria Kokonas and Elenee Young.

The mother/daughter team both expressed their initial desire to run from the family business of 50 years, but when something like restauranting is in your blood, you heed the call.

“I’ve been here for my whole life, literally as a fetus,” said Elenee, to which Maria quickly added, “me too.”

“Restauranting is totally in our blood, and I’ve been serving and doing little things around the restaurant every since I was old enough to walk,” said Elenee.

“We all tried to run away from it or resist in some way. I went to school and I was going to be a teacher,” added Maria.

“I remember one day I was in the kitchen at our old restauran t and my d ad was t alking about shutting the restaurant down because he had no successor. He’s talking about shutting it down because he has no plan in place for his retirement, and that’s when I said ‘I would do it.’

“I didn’t even really realize what that meant, but I was going to do it.”

Elenee also had other career plans in mind and was headed down the road of practising law.

She studied business with a major in marketing at Lakeland College and also applied to pursue audio engineering, which she is grateful for as she’s very passionate about music.

The mother and daughter are almost inseparable, something Elenee explained wasn’t always the case.

“As a younger teenager I think we clashed a lot, but we totally became best friends,” said the 27-year-old wife and mother of two. “Five or six years ago, before I got married, we started to bond a lot more. I became an adult and now we’re inseparable. We probably talk on the phone for six hours a day.”

“We see each other through different lenses now, and Elenee’s strengths are my weaknesses, and my strengths are her weaknesses,” added Maria. “I really appreciate

Supplied Photo

Elenee Young (left) and Maria Kokonas (right) surround Spiro and Tina Kokonas outside of Spiro’s Family Restaurant in Lloydminster.

her wisdom because she not only can come up with ideas, she can present the idea well and showcases it beautifully for us, and then she executes it.”

Audio engineering inevitably became a side gig for Elenee as she and Maria have become quite well known publicly through their well-crafted and highly methodical Spiro’s music video parodies.

“We were sitting at a table in the doom and gloom because we were shutting our dining room because we had finally succumbed to COVID, and mom started humming the tune to Electric Avenue and plugged in some extra words into it, and we thought it was genius,” said Elenee.

“After that video, we’d be out getting groceries stocking up and people would see us and say ‘heyyy, we saw your video,” with a laugh,” said Maria.

“Once we started pumping them out every five or six days we got people involved, like Spiro and Tina, and we can both say this confidently, the point was never to encourage people to come to eat at Spiro’s, the point was more to make people laugh, and I think that’s the reaction people got out of it.”

Maria explained they are a seven-day-a-week Greek family as they work together six days a week, and on the seventh day, you could put money that Spiro and Tina will be asking “Hey, so what are we having for dinner?”

“It’s one of the most important days of the week for us because even though we’re family by blood, we don’t get to be family six days out of the week, but on that seventh day we get to sit down and we get to laugh,” said Maria.

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The Kitchen is the HEART of the home.