Quirk Nov 2012 Issue

nside

Volume 1 • Issue 7 • November - December 2012 www.readquirk.com

MOONDANCER It’s a Marvelous Night

THE GALT MUSEUM Uncovering Secrets

SMILING FOX STUDIO Inspired creations from Pincher Creek

ISSN 1929-2112

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Features

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Moondancer

We visit a local band that plays from the heart and gives back to the community

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Plaid Days

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Art Space

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Smiling Fox Studio

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Uncovering the Secrets

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Old-Fashioned Dinner Rolls

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Places & Spaces

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Make shopping fun by exploring downtown Lethbridge during Plaid days

Featuring Lynne Dewhirst, a very talented local artist who works with a variety of mediums

Janet Barkwith is a Pincher Creek artisan inspired by nature to create unique items with style

Local archeological finds uncover the secrets of Southern Alberta

These buns are sure to be a hit this holidays season!

This issue, Fay takes us to her own personal getaway in beautiful Southern Alberta

DEPARTMENTS

Nasrin’s Corner ............6 Gift Guide ..................10 Photographer’s Eye..16

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Our Pets......................34

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Business & The Web ..18 Health Matters...........20

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From The Publisher Welcome to the November issue of Quirk! This issue is a milestone for us, and marks the one year anniversary for Quirk. It’s been a very successful year, and I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed their stories, artwork and photography to each issue. The caliber of talent in this area is second to none! Most importantly, we’d like to thank you, the reader for your ongoing support and e-mails. We look forward to the upcoming year and all Lethbridge has to offer in the way of interesting people and places to feature.

This issue, we talk to Dory Rossiter, who is well known in the community as the CTV weather forecaster. What you may not know, is that Dory is the lead singer in a local band called “Moondancer”. She discusses the band’s music and their passion for playing. You can go to our website to listen to a taste of their new CD. This installment of Art Space features the very talented Lynne Dewhirst, who only recently re-discovered her love of art and works with a variety of mediums and styles.

The beautiful Pincher Creek area is home to Janet Barkwith and her “Smiling Fox Studio”. Here, Janet is inspired to create one of a kind jewellery from the materials of mother nature.

Judi Frizzle-Stowell shares her “Old-Fashioned Yeasty Dinner Rolls” recipe that is sure to be a hit this holiday season.

David Wirzba is the winner of the Canon SX20 camera from Thriftway Pharmacy. It was very difficult for us to choose a winner, there were so many great photos entered of the Lethbridge area. It just demonstrates the breadth of talent we have here as well as the beauty of our surroundings. Congratulations David!

Hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you!

Letter to The Editor Just a quick note to let you know I just love your magazine. Very informative, great stories as well as great recipes (both human and animal). Would love to see some cat treat recipes included. You are doing an excellant job. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK..

Look forward to each and every issue.

A Grant I learned of your magazine when my daughter, Jocelyn Dufresne, was interviewed for a story in the September 2012 issue. I looked at a previous issue and was pleasantly surprised! It’s just what Lethbridge needs!

Sandra Dufresne

Thank You

to our advertisers who are instrumental in bringing Quirk to you.

Without them, we wouldn't be here.

Let them know know you saw their ad in Quirk Magazine.

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Volume 1 Issue 5

July - August 2012

www.readquirk.com Published bi-monthly in Lethbridge by

SHABELLA PUBLISHING

1010 - 10th Ave. N., Lethbridge, T1H 1J8 403.382.7240 Printed by Warwick Printing, Lethbridge, AB. Publisher Jean Van Kleek jean@readquirk.com Design & Layout Pixelated Cupcake pixelatedcupcake@shaw.ca Photographers David Rossiter Fay Braden Jean Van Kleek Cover Photo Danny Ponomar Contributing Writers Nasrin Ebadypour Jean Van Kleek Lynne Dewhirst Chris Yauck Fay Braden Fergus Raphael Priscilla Peltier Anine Vonkeman Donna M. Murray Judi Frizzle-Stowell Kate Lupton Darlene Bolwyn General Inquiries info@readquirk.com Advertising Inquiries jean@readquirk.com 403.382.7240 LEGAL INFORMATION All information provided in this magazine is accurate and correct to the best of the knowledge of Quirk Magazine and Shabella Publishing, and current at the time of publishing. Quirk Magazine and Shabella Publishing are not responsible and will not be liable for damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use of the information contained herein, or through any unauthorized use or reproduction of such information, even if the publication has been advertised of the possibility of these damages. The information in this magazine applies to Canada oinly and may not be appropriate or correct outside of Canada.

The magazine is not responsible in any way for the content provided by contributing writers and/or advertisers or other third parties who advertise or provide content for this magazine. Unless indicated otherwise, all opinions, advice, information and resources offered or made available in this magazine are solely those of third parties who advertise or provide content for this magazine. This magazine and its content do not necessarily reflect the views of Shabella Publishing or its employees. No endorsement or approval of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services, including those available or offered through this magazine or any websites, is expressed or implied by Shabella Publishing or any related company or its officers and directors. Links to websites of third parties are meant for convenience only. The publisher does not review, endorse, approve or control and is not responsible for any such websites.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT IN-STORE

Dear Retailer: Renew Life Canada Inc. will reimburse the full value of this coupon on the purchase of the product specified. Other applications may constitute fraud. Applications for reimbursement received after 6 months from the expiry date, as indicated below, will not be accepted. Failure to send in, on request, that sufficient stock was purchased in the previous 90 days to cover the coupons will void coupons.

Coupons submitted become the property of Renew Life Canada Inc. Reimbursement will be made only to the retail distributor who redeemed the coupon. For redemption, mail to: Renew Life Canada • 8 - 1273 North Service Road East Oakville, ON • L6H 1A7 * Limit one coupon per purchase. Coupon expires November 30th, 2012.

Successful Relationship Building SkillsTHE RIGHT TO BE DIFFERENT! One of the most common complaints I encounter in my practice, is that instead of relating to each other as adults, one partner takes on the dominant role of a “teacher” and then attempts to correct the other’s behaviours based on their own perception. This usually happens after the initial honeymoon stage of relationships has passed.

As a result, it becomes a constant struggle for one partner to defend their every action and to prove their point of view. Being constantly on guard, saps the love out of relationships and replaces the light-hearted teasing, which

was often accompanied by shared enthusiasm for exploring, learning and growth. You may be familiar and know someone who either acts as a teacher, or may be endlessly criticised or corrected because of how they act.

Examples may include “how you… drive a car, don’t like or get along with my friends, do (or do not) play sports, keep fit, manage your weight, manage money, have opinions I disagree with, have the ‘wrong’ accent or the wrong ways of expressing yourself, are not as good as me at some things (even though you may be better at others!) etc….

Nasrin’s

Corner

By Nasrin Ebadypour

Nasrin Ebadypour is a registered clinical counsellor specializing in relationships, depression & anxiety.

TIPS TO MAINTAINING JOYFUL RELATIONSHIPS Remind yourself that: • Relationships are all about co-operation.

• Loving one another is a joyful process of celebrating our “different-ness” (made it up) and similarities between us.

• It is a process of deciding which aspects of our partner’s lifestyle we wish to share and which we decide we do not wish to take part in.

• Maintaining love is a process of deciding which things are worth overlooking even though we may not agree with them, approve of them or like them.

In the process of building successful relationships, a good question to ask ourselves may be, ‘Do we love somebody enough to respect their right to do things their way and to make their own mistakes, be safe enough to express, and the freedom to not be as perfect as we are…..?”

Do you have a question about your life that you’d like Nasrin to answer?

Email it to info@readquirk.com

HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB, DON’T ASSIGN IT TO OTHERS! ONLY YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Practise these techniques and let me know the results. t, Love and respec

ur

Nasrin Ebadypo

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Photo by David Rossiter

for Moon Dancer!

It's a Marvelous Night

written by Jean van kleek

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It's something that gives us a lot of joy, whether we are practising or performing Dory Rossiter is a familiar icon in Lethbridge, thanks to her affiliation with CTV News each day with her role as features reporter, producer of special segments and the SkyWatch Weather Specialist since 1990. Dory is equally well known for her tireless efforts contributing to the community she is a part of through various charities and organizations.

We could list the awards she has received for her work, but then we wouldn't have room for the rest of the article. What many don't know about Dory, is that she is also a singer... and a very talented one at that! Dory is a member of Moon Dancer, a five-piece band, comprised of Brad Gillespie on keyboard, Allan Wilson on lead guitar, Tracy Edgar on bass guitar, Keith Duff on drums and Dory as lead vocal. "We play a wide variety of music, including pop, jazz, folk and rock that stretches from the 1930's to the 1990's. We play at several events throughout the year, as our lives and schedules permit", said Rossiter. "It's something that gives us a lot of joy, whether we are practising or performing".

Go to www.readquirk.com to experience a taste of Moon Dancer with their video of "Will you Still Love me Tomorrow".

Dory's vocals are sultry and bang on with a hint of Dusty Springfield & Petula Clark, but very much her own voice and rendition of the song. It's obvious from listening to the track that the band is mature and seasoned. They have the dynamics that only come come from experience. Experience tells a musician when to let the space between the notes carry the song, and other times to let it go full tilt. This group of musicians know exactly when to do both. This is what creates emotion & feel in a song. More than that... this band has heart. They have all been through personal experiences that drew them together. These same experiences are what make them want to give back.... and so they do with their celebration of music.

The members of Moon Dancer met through their church, as part of the McKillop United Church's "Catch the Spirit" musical group. As time went on, they would stay after services and "jam", quickly discovering that they loved all kinds of music, both secular and nonsecular. In the fall of 2009, Darrell Croft, musical director of "Catch the Spirit", was asked to put a few musicians together to perform at a fundraiser for the Taber Food Bank. They had so much fun that they decided to keep going as a group and in February of 2010, Moon Dancer was formed.

Each musician has their own career and family obligations, which they balance with their musical pursuits. They get together twice a week to practise and now they have a permanent rehearsal space, thanks to Dory's husband David, who tore apart his darkroom and turned it into an insulated band room. "We really enjoy "crafting" songs", Rossiter said. "Whether we're taking a popular song and making it our own, or taking two songs from different decades and combining them". Members bring their own song selections into the rehearsal room and decide as a group which will work best. While they primarily collaborate on the recreation of old favourites, they are now venturing into the area of original songwriting and are currently working on a new piece.

Dory has a long-standing relationship with many local charities and now, with the band's support, Moon Dancer is helping those groups by providing musical entertainment. While the band does perform at paid events, they also play for many non-profit organizations.

"It really lifts our hearts to see people up dancing or singing along to the music".

Dory says" I have a soft spot for not-for-profit groups and I have sat on over fifty boards and committees over the years, just trying to help in some small way. Now, with the band, we are able to help these groups with the gift of live music. We play, free of charge, for several charities over the course of a year. I am very lucky that the band members think this is an important thing to do. It just lifts your heart to see people up dancing or singing along to familiar songs. But...as with anything...there has to be a balance. Equipment has to be repaired, guitar strings have to be replaced, gas has to be put in the tank for road trips to performances...so we also perform at events where we are paid".

In June of 2012, the band finished their first CD, "It's a Marvelous Night", which is a mix of music from various decades. It was recorded at the University of Lethbridge, mixed in Victoria, BC and mastered in New York City. Darrell Croft also participated in the making of the CD. Moon Dancer has partnered with Canadian Mental Health and part of the CD sales are going to CMHA. "As a group, we all know people who have struggled with various issues and this is a way for us to try to make a difference". The CD is available at the CMHA Office, Draffin's Pharmasave, on the web at iTunes and CD Baby and from any band member.

The band will be playing at a fundraiser for the Christ Church Anglican Parish in Fort Macleod on November 17th and on the 27th at the Mutilple Sclerosis Society Christmas Dinner at the Lethbridge Lodge. On December 1st, they will be at the Oddfellows Christmas Dinner and Dance and New Year's Eve will find them playing at Pure Country in the Crowsnest Pass. On January 5th, they will be having their annual "Moon Dancer Food Bank Fundraiser" at McKillop United Church. They encourage everyone to come out to the fundraiser, bring a cash donation or non-perishable food item and enjoy an afternoon of music, celebrity auctions and good fun. All proceeds will be divided amongst our local food banks. " I am very lucky to perform with these talented musicians. Tracy and Allan make their strings "sing", Brad on the keyboards is second to none and Keith (or Bam Bam as we call him)can give a beat to anything. I found my voice thanks to these guys".

Kudos to you and your band, Dory!

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NOVEMBER 23 & 24 As we head into the Christmas Shopping season, the Downtown BRZ is excited to announce a new campaign designed to promote and showcase our locally owned and operated businesses.

Most people have heard of Black Friday and are familiar with the images of crowds flocking to big box stores for incredible deals. We are hoping to create that same type of excitement this shopping season with Plaid Days.

Plaid Days will be a fun, enjoyable and relaxing alternative to Black Friday.

One of our goals is to bring back the neighbourly, nostalgic times when shopping for friends and family was a pleasurable activity.

Sure, shoppers could brave the big-box crowds and certainly find some great deals, but why endure such a stressful experience? There are great deals, exceptional customer service and product knowledge to be had right here in downtown Lethbridge.

Why plaid?

The idea for Plaid Days came from an initiative that is gaining popularity in cities and towns across the United States. The plaid theme came a desire to create an Eight Reasons to Shop Downtown from alternative to the big-box 1. Put your money where your heart is Black Friday events. The Support your friends, neighbours and yourself. Invest in our community; originators of the idea wanted help create a stronger and healthier Lethbridge by keeping our money to develop something that here. expressed the idea of the 2. What goes around comes around diversity of local businesses in Two or three times as much money spent stays in the local economy when their downtown. Plaid sums up you buy goods and services from locally-owned businesses. By shopping locally, the presents you buy for your friends and family turns out to be the idea nicely â&#x20AC;&#x201C; independent, gifts for your community as well. interwoven colours working in perfect harmony to create a 3. Community sustainability whole image.

Local stores help sustain vibrant, compact and walkable town centres â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, vehicle use, habitat loss and pollution.

4. Keep our community unique One-of-a-kind businesses are an integral and vital part of the distinctive character of Lethbridge. Where we live, shop and play is the foundation of our community.

5. Create collective prosperity Locally-owned businesses invest more in local labour, pay more local taxes, spend more time on community-based projects and create local events. In doing so, they create more opportunity for all of us here in our community.

6. Local owners care about Lethbridge Local business owners live in and love Lethbridge. They are less likely to leave and are more invested in the future of our whole community.

7. Give back and take care Local business owners make more local purchases themselves.

Locally-owned companies and employees are statistically more likely to give to local charities and support local sports teams.

8. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy

The goal of Plaid Days is to make our community more aware of what makes our downtown so unique and special. Customers who choose to shop downtown during Plaid Days will be showing their support for local businesses. They will also be helping to boost sales at their favourite stores. By wearing plaid during the event, shoppers will be showing their commitment to patronize downtown businesses and to buy local. Every time shoppers do business at our downtown businesses, they are also giving back to the local economy.

Plaid Days will be celebrated Downtown business owners find a need and fill it. Product selection is on November 23 (Black based on what the community wants, not a national sales plan. This Friday) and November 24. provides the consumer with a more interesting array of products and satisfies the unique needs of the community.

Our traditional Bright Lights Festival and Midnight Free gift wrapping, hot chocolate and live music will Madness will still occur on November 23, in be available at the BRZ office for customers showing a conjunction with Plaid Days. receipt from a downtown merchant.

Watch for more updates on Plaid Days and feel free to contact us with any questions or comments:

info@downtownlethbridge.com 403-327-9002 Quirk - 13

ART

SPACE Featuring Local Artist Lynne Dewhirst

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Lynne Dewhirst I’ve spent most of my life in and around Lethbridge and I can always find some wonderfully awe-inspiring scenery and amazing people to give me ideas for a project.

During high school, I bought a drawing pad and filled it up with some pretty wild 1960’s drawings and one very muddy oil painting, then put it all away for 40 years. I took drafting at the Lethbridge Jr. College and worked in that field on and off for 18 years. Then, about 5 years ago I felt the time had come to pick up a different kind of pencil and took lessons at a local studio in oil painting.

Lately, I’ve veered off into acrylics, pastels and other mediums but oils are still my first love. I enjoy painting and drawing with friends, taking as many classes as possible and participating in the shows the Lethbridge Artists Club sponsors.

The artist can be contacted at ldewhirst@shaw.ca or by phone at 403-320-0187 Quirk - 15

•The

P tograp ho

Photography

Tips & Tricks A safety warning to users of Smartphones that have GPS/Location Services : PROBLEM - Pictures you’ve emailed or uploaded to the web with a Smartphone can leak location information threatening the safety of your children and you.

Hackers and strangers can track down your home, place of work or school with a click of the mouse and with free browser addons that translate data into maps.

er h

’s E ye•

REMEDY - Turn off GPS/Location Services settings in your camera for photos you plan to post online.

This time of year brings excellent photography opportunities of a scenic winter wonderland.

REMEDY - bring a Ziploc bag large enough to fit your camera. Before going inside (including your warm car) put your camera in the bag & seal. Leave it in the bag until it is warm again. This will keep the moisture away from your camera as it warms up.

Remember your batteries will not last very long in cold weather.

Common Problem - Do your snowy scenes have a bluey-grey dark snow color?

Try over exposing in manual mode by 1-2 f stops. Another option is exposure compensation. Look for a little +1 or +2 symbol (your manual will tell you how).

The brightness in the scene tricks the camera into under exposing (blue/grey look). You correct this by overriding what the camera thinks is the correct exposure. Your result is a nice, bright but not over exposed winter scene.

Getting ready for the season includes cleaning your lens, charging your batteries, also downloading and backing up your memory card. You may want to read your manual – available on most manufacturers’ websites.

Looking for that “tear in the eye” gift idea for your sweetheart?

Photographing outdoors in the winter certainly has its share of challenges:

Sneak your camera and tripod outdoors in early morning or evening light.

Take a photograph of the Christmas decorations alight on your home and or of your tree decorated. Experiment with the focus; take a close up of a special heirloom decoration. Be creative when choosing your angles.

Take those photos and arrange them into a collage, add a sentimental quote or text from the heart with photo editing software. Frame your print for under the tree. The one I did for my wife years ago (and a house or two later) still comes out with the decorations.

One of the hardest elements on your camera is moisture.

PROBLEM - Going out into the cold is fine, but unless you have a waterproof camera you need to protect it from the condensation caused by a cold camera returning to a warm environment.

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by Chris yauck Chris Yauck Photography

We all have our favourite Christmas memories.

I’d like to take this opportunity to share mine with you.

CHRISTMAS

s e i r o Mem

By Jean Van Kleek

Growing up, one of my favourite memories was Christmas Eve at “Nanny & Papa’s” house. My grandparents escaped communist Hungary at 16 years of age during Hitler’s regime. They left separately, joining each other in Edmonton where they married and began their new life together. I never realized until I was much older how difficult it must have been to leave behind their friends, family and country at such a young age. Things were very different in those days, with letters being the only communication they had to their past, a world away during tumultuous times.

They never did see their families again.

Their children and grandchildren meant the world to them, and I believe they shared their love so freely because they understood just how precious and uncertain life can be.

Each Christmas as we entered their home, I remember love filling the air along with the aroma of fresh baked shortbread and roasting turkey. My Grandma was one those people who wear their emotions on their sleeve. She would cry when she was sad, cry when she was happy… and when

she laughed, her laughter filled the room.

Her hugs didn’t just embrace you, they went right through you and wrapped around your heart.

After a Christmas feast that featured more delectable food than should be legal, everyone relaxed in the living room and sang Christmas Carols as we children waited for the arrival of Santa. With a “HoHo-Ho!” at the front door we would squeal with excitement.

We never questioned why Santa had breasts, a thick accent & reading glasses.. but always wondered why Nanny missed Santa’s arrival. Once we understood the “gig,” we never questioned why Papa didn’t play Santa. He always sat there with a big smile. He let her run the show. It was her thing.

These are wonderful memories for me & my family. You can give an Iphone5, a big screen TV, or many other presents this Christmas, but the best and most meaningful gifts are the times shared with those you love that create a lifetime of memories.

David Wirzba Winner of the Thriftway Canon SX20 Digital Camera PHOTO BY

January Edition Entry Deadline: December 12, 2012

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M AKE IT EASY F O R C L I E N T S Last week I was running an errand that got me thinking about the way businesses accept payment, and the way consumers' expectations are evolving. I was paying for a service from a local business, a small shop I had never been to before. I got to the counter and was presented an invoice for $150.

This got me thinking about evolving expectations. My expectations were not met by a small business conducting three figure transactions only by cash. Would I have been as surprised by that ten years ago? Maybe. Even twenty years ago, a person might have expected to be able to use a credit card.

"No problem, I can pay by either credit card or debit." I said.

Then I heard a sentence that stopped me in my tracks.

Now relate that same principle to online payments. If you run a small business can your customers pay you online?

If not, why not? It’s easy to set up, and convenient for both parties. The transaction fees are no more than for a creditcard swiped at the register.

"We only accept cash or cheque. Nothing electronic." was the reply. Cash only on $150? We might as well have been two aliens trying to communicate, the idea seemed so strange. Even coffee shops these days have drive through lanes with debit card readers. How was this one business so far behind? I had $100 in my wallet; not enough. The only option was to drive to the bank, and return. That wasn't convenient for anyone. The owner had to wait longer for payment, and I lost half an hour to a drive and a bank transaction.

BUSINESS & THE WEB

In an increasingly competitive sales environment, service is key.

This includes ease of payment for product.

Most businesses would prefer not to pay the high rates charged to them for credit card & debit transactions, but realize there is a much higher cost in losing customers who will shop elsewhere.

Integrating online services into your brick-and-mortar operations is a fantastic way to gain a competitive advantage over local competitors. It may not be long though before today's competitive advantage becomes tomorrow's base expectation.

Be Connected... www.readquirk.com

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G N I K E E S

Use Your Immune System For Prevention Feeling sick? Tired? Protect Yourself....

The immune system is a network that helps you avoid illness - - or sometimes it can become the underlying reason you get sick. So I am making it my commitment this fall to educate as many people as I can on building and/or strengthening their immune systems. Is your immune system at risk? The immune system is our safety net and our body’s protector against disease and infections. In order for us to live the full and active lives we want, it needs to be strong.

However, few people realize that our immune systems are under constant attack. Despite our best efforts to live healthy lifestyles, our immune systems become weakened by factors in our daily lives. Things often go unnoticed or are out of our control.

Fortunately, there are some ways to build the immune system and defend against these daily stressors.

With autumn winds whipping, cold germs flooding our schools, and immune systems weakening from too much stress, my focus of this issue will be to show you how to use your immune system for prevention of common seasonal issues, such as colds, etc...

We have each experienced the cold that sets in after an extraordinarily stressful event or too many days of unrelenting stress. But what causes one person to catch a cold and another to avoid it? The immune system is normally our natural first line of defense against illness and poor health. However, sometimes immune systems function abnormally due to deficiencies and disorders where the body either loses its natural immunity or else the immune system turns against the body it is supposed to protect.

And the Fall is a time when many of us succumb to bugs like cold and flu with the change of season and temperature. Many of us take extra supplements with hope we won’t catch these bugs.

But How on Earth Can I Do This?

I’d like to introduce “Immune 7”, a potent

formulation of 6 carefully chosen medicinal mushrooms, with the addition of a proprietary blend called Nutricol. It is one of the most comprehensive immune-modulating formulas of its kind. It is complementary immune enhancing medicinal mushroom therapy at its best! (Shown on the adjacent page)

“Immune 7” is a safe yet powerful dietary food supplement that measurably reduces adverse effects of traditional therapies for significant diseases. It is known to alleviate nausea and increase energy, quality of life and immune system response. It is excellent for colds, allergies and skin conditions, athletes and stress.

Quirk - 20

Each mushroom has its very own distinct biochemistry. By consuming a concentrated dose of several potent mushrooms, the chances of successful nutritional therapy are enhanced. Their primary function is to stimulate the production of immune cells to guard your other cells against foreign invaders.

Proper dosage will depend whether it is for maintenance, intermediate or therapeutic and should be taken on an empty stomach. There are no known side effects and can be safely combined with any medications or treatments.

A reminder also that nothing truly replaces a healthy diet and lifestyle. Eat foods that heal and eliminate those that harm. You should avoid foods that are overly fatty, overly processed and overly sweetened – which can lead to abnormal fluctuation of blood sugar resulting in mood swings, lowered immunity and fatigue. Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils should also be avoided at all costs. The constant intake of the wrong foods can quickly add up to a health problem.

Drink plenty of pure filtered water daily. Water keeps the body hydrated, which is essential for all organs and systems. Remember that excess consumption of strong diuretics such as drugs, coffee and certain black teas will increase your need for water.

Exercising is another boost for your immune system.

Not only does physical activity improve muscle tone and flexibility, but it also increases blood circulation and improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

I can’t think of anything that benefits your entire body than a strong immune system. Unfortunately, most of us take our immune system for granted and only become aware of it when it fails to protect us.

Don’t wait and put yourself at risk......

MAKE HEALTH A HABIT!!!

Priscilla Peltier is a natural health care practitioner at Nutter’s who writes on health and nutrition!

Priscilla Peltier, C.H., C.N.C., C. Irid., R.BIE Herbalist, Nutrition Consultant, Iridoligist, and Registered BioEnergetics Practitioner priscilla.eyes@shaw.ca www.eyecuhealthy.net 403.329.3100 (Office) 403.942.5064 (Fax)

Beyond immune support

Immune 7 • Serious immune support

Available at Nutter’s

• Complement to mainstream therapies • Anti-nausea and increased energy • Broad spectrum immune activity • Primes the immune system

102 - 920 2nd Ave "A" North Lethbridge, Alberta

(403) 329-3100

• Immune power • Restful sleep

purica.com

CIRCULATION

(Over 160 Senior Lodges Trust Us)

On average your body has 5 litres of blood travelling through it via the circulatory system. The circulatory system is composed of three parts: pulmonary (lungs), coronary (heart) and the rest of the system (systemic).

Systemic circulation supplies nourishment to all of the tissue located throughout your body, with the exception of the heart and lungs because they have their own systems.

The blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) are responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. Oxygenrich blood enters the blood vessels through the heart’s main artery called the aorta. The forceful contraction of the heart’s left ventricle forces the blood into the aorta which then branches into many smaller arteries which run throughout the body. The inside layer of an artery is very smooth, allowing the blood to flow quickly. The outside layer of an artery is very strong, allowing the blood to flow forcefully. The oxygen-rich blood then enters the capillaries where the oxygen and nutrients are released.

In systemic circulation, blood passes through the kidneys which remove much of the waste from the blood. Blood also passes through the small intestine and collects in the portal vein which passes through the liver. The liver then filters sugars from the blood, storing them for later.

Circulatory disorders are quite common in middle-aged and elderly people.

Hypertension is one of the disorders sometimes caused by plaque deposits along the walls of the arteries, causing them to harden and constrict. Because the arteries are constricted, the great force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels causes the blood pressure to rise. Hardening of the arteries is another consequence because the arteries narrow due to these same fatty deposits.

Buergers disease, common to those who smoke, is a chronic inflammation of the veins and arteries in the lower extremities.

Raynauds disease is marked by constriction and spasm of the blood vessels in the extremities, the fingers, toes and tip of the nose. Left untreated this can lead to gangrene. Varicose Veins can develop because of a loss of elasticity and strength in the walls of the veins causing poor circulation.

Circulatory problems are very prevalent in this age of bad food, little if any exercise and higher stress levels.

The VibraFit Therapy Trainer can address all of these problems. Vibration Training is what is known as “passive cardio-vascular exercise”. When the muscles are stimulated by the brain in this “muscle reflex response”, the heart is called upon to produce more blood flow in order to supply the muscles with the oxygen that they need to do their work.

In a study done at the St. Catherine University, Matsuyama, Japan it was reported that the results suggest that Vibration Training acutely decreases arterial stiffness by stimulating lower torso and leg arteries. It also strengthens the arteries so that they can contain the pressure of the blood passing through. Improved circulation has been observed into even the finest vessels at the tips of the fingers and toes.

Also, several herbs have shown to be very effective in assisting circulation. Cayenne is one that has been used for hundreds of years.

Used internally it stimulates the heart, regulating the blood flow and strengthening the arteries and capillaries. Hot herbs such as cayenne have been shown to raise your metabolic rate by as much as 25% assisting in weight loss.

Ginkgo Biloba is another all-round circulation booster. It is most widely know for its ability to improve memory due to its ability to increase blood flow through the brain. In Germany physicians use it to treat varicose veins.

Stretching is very important to circulation by increasing blood flow to the muscles. Try doing these simple exercises on the VibraFit Trainer. Stand on the Trainer at a lower speed and hanging onto the handle bars. Lift one foot to the front of you and flex at the ankle, trying to bend the entire foot up towards you.

Then extend your foot at the ankle trying to make a flat surface from the front of your lower leg to your toes. Repeat on the other side. Then raise yourself up on your toes as high as you can, then relax and allow your heels to slowly touch down again.

These are all muscle toning exercises and should be held for six seconds, relaxed for six seconds and then repeated thirty times in total. If that is too much for you, simply do as many repetitions as you can and do your best to do one more next time. Wear good fitting shoes that have good arch support in them.

Remember: sitting is still the worst thing you can do for leg circulation!

"Give the Gift of Health This Year!"

Go to www.HotHealth.ca for further articles on the benefits of Vibration Training! Or call 403-393-6114.

Quirk - 22

The Smiling Fox Studio

By Jean Van Kleek

Janet Barkwith is the owner of this unique studio set in the beautiful surroundings of the Pincher Creek area.

Janet loves nature, and her inspiration comes from the materials mother nature provides. The studio is her brainchild and her passion.

Janet's inspiration comes from anything and everywhere, but mostly from the colours and materials of Mother Nature, whose vitality and virtuosity continues to astound her. She says, "although the natural world is an inspiration for many artists, each artist brings Janet didn't always live in Pincher Creek. She grew up, his own unique interpretation to his work". married and raised her family in the rural United Although she has used many materials for her Kingdom. In the UK she she is currently These are unique items jewellery, owned a small farm where she exploring the immense with a style that is ran a dairy goat herd, made possibilities of copper, and sold cheese, raised lambs and silver. Copper unsurpassed and make a bronze and puppies, kept chickens is the metal she uses most and had a horse boarding right now. She loves to wonderful and business. She also worked pair it with the warm meaningful gift for with thoroughbred racehorses tones of turquoise, and shire horses. For a short yourself or those you carnelian and the various time she assisted with jaspers. Being aware that care about. autopsies then worked at a some people's skin brewery. Quite a varied career! turns green with prolonged contact with copper, for her earrings she always She moved with her husband Mike and her horse to makes fittings that will touch the skin Alberta when their children were grown. South west from sterling silver or gold filled.

Alberta was the perfect place for the couple to settle given their love of horses and the outdoors. Janet says Many of Janet's designs are they are very lucky to have generous friends who allow completed with semi-precious them to play cowboy with their cattle. They also love to stones and gems, sometimes camp out in the mountains with the horses and ride all crystals, and occasionally pearls day on the trails. and vintage beads, with some recycled material.

Janet has been creating art her whole life. Her designs generally begin with several sketches. She designs all of These are unique items with her jewellery pieces, makes them by hand in either very a style that is unsurpassed limited editions or as a one of a kind. She loves it that and make a wonderful and using saws, hammers, files, punches and other tools can meaningful gift for yourself make something pretty and graceful... and laughs when or those you care about. she says "who knew that being brutal could produce such delicacy?".

VISIT

www.thesmilingfoxstudio.com TO FIND OUT MORE

Janet Barkwith The Smiling Fox Studio

Uncovering Secret s at The Galt

By Anine Vonkeman

ROYAL NORTH WEST MOUNTED POLICE BARRACKS, FORT MACLEOD, 1900S. GALT MUSEUM & ARCHIVES, 19731724000-111

IF YOU HAVEN’T TAKEN IN THE EXHIBITS AT THE GALT MUSEUM & ARCHIVES RECENTLY, THEIR LATEST SHOW, CREATED RIGHT HERE IN LETHBRIDGE, IS ONE YOU MAY NOT WANT TO MISS! UNCOVERING SECRETS: ARCHAEOLOGY IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA FEATURES 15 LOCAL AND AREA SITES HOLDING THE SECRETS TO OUR PAST; DISCOVERED, OR WAITING TO BE UNCOVERED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS.

“People have lived in southern Alberta for thousands of years,” says the Galt’s Curator Wendy Aitkens. “Blackfoot oral tradition preserves ancient stories; written records tell us stories of native and non-native inhabitants from the last 200 years... but to discover unknown or forgotten stories, or to add to ones already known, archaeologists, volunteers and students dig under layers of soil sometimes to a depth of several metres, study artifacts stored in museums, analyze artwork created on stone, and compile research from previous colleagues. Their findings enrich our knowledge of people who lived in southern Alberta.”

at them with fresh eyes and often with different viewpoints. In many cases, areas of sites are left unexcavated so future archaeologists can explore them with new techniques and information. Artifacts on display at the Galt are on loan from the Royal Alberta Museum, the teaching collections of the Universities of Calgary and Lethbridge, the Fort Museum in Fort Macleod, Gem of the West Museum in Coaldale, and from others involved in the safekeeping of archaeological finds.

They range in size from the plaster cast of a mammoth footprint to tiny brass, glass and pottery beads, from a miner’s boot to a doll face fragment, and much more.

Some of the sites featured are well known to local and area residents Hands-on activities let you pretend to be an archaeologist: record your and visitors, while others are more obscure: IMAGE COURTESY OF SHAWN BUBEL findings as you match bison bones to a picture of a bison skeleton, sort through a trash bin, or Cluny Fortified Village, Fincastle Bison Kill piece together broken pottery. and Processing Site, Fletcher Bison Kill Site, Fort Macleod NWMP Barracks, Fort WhoopUncovering Secrets: Archaeology in southern Alberta Up, Indian Battle Park, Kajewski Métis Cabins, Lille Coal Mine Town, Massacre is on display until January 13, 2013. Programs Butte, New Oxley Ranche, Old North Trail, reflecting the theme include family activities Stone Features (including Majorville during Saturdays at 1:00 (weekly program) and Medicine Wheel and Noble Point effigy), Top 10 of 2012 (drop-in daily from 1:00 – 4:00 Wally's Beach, and Writing-on-Stone | pm, December 27-January 6- no program Jan. 1); Áísínai’pi National Historic Site. presentations at Wednesdays at the Galt for ages 55+; special topics during Thursday “In Uncovering Secrets we look at what programs for adults; a December 6 program for archaeology is,” says Aitkens, “and examine who really owns what is post-secondary students, and a special artifact identification program found. We also highlight provincial laws and regulations to help people on November 22. understand what they need to do when they locate an artifact.”

Artifacts recovered from archaeological sites across Alberta are stored at museums and universities. Much can be learned from their continued study by students and professional archaeologists who look

“In Uncovering Secrets we look at what archaeology is.”

WATERCO LO

UR INTERP

RETATION

BY BETH

ANY GUST AFSON

www.galtmuseum.com | 403.320-3954 mon-sat 10-5 | thu 10-9 | sun + hol 1-5 | closed DEC 25-26, JAN 01

A WORLD OF GIFTS

Ten Thousand Villages provides unique opportunities to inspire hope and change lives

Ten Thousand Villages creates opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term, fair trading relationships. A non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee, Ten Thousand Villages buys products from over 100 artisan groups in more than 35 countries.

Through a network of stores, online shopping and Festival Sales across Canada, Ten Thousand Villages helps improve the lives of tens of thousands of people each and every day. Every handcrafted item from Ten Thousand Villages makes a statement about the power of giving to inspire hope, and will delight its recipient while creating a world of opportunity for families and communities in developing countries.

The staff and volunteers at Ten Thousand Villages Lethbridge invite you to support our efforts to end global poverty and experience the joy that comes from giving unique gifts that are truly life changing. In the weeks leading up to the 2012 holiday season, you will find our store filled with ‘a world of gifts, handmade for you’. Please join us beginning November 3, 2012 to experience a new world of giving opportunities.

Gifts with Soul

Inspire change! From tree-planting programs in Haiti, to educational opportunities for young people around the world, each of these gifts provides life changing opportunities to individuals, families and communities in developing countries. The Living Gift program offers alternative gift giving projects that meet simple human needs for food, education and a decent living.

Gifts with Heart

The joy of giving more! Each gift with heart gives back to artisans. A portion of each sale funds programs like educational opportunities for children in Kenya and professional development for artisans in Vietnam, on top of all of the regular benefits of Fair Trade like better pay, long-term relationships, health programs, and training and educational opportunities.

Gifts with Personality

Beautiful and unique! Each gift is a product of the dreams, passions and skill of the person who made it. There’s a gift for every person on your list, from our hand woven Himalayan Highlands Pashmina, to the appetizing Better Brownie Basket Bundle which contains a recipe and Fair Trade ingredients for making the best brownies you’ll ever taste.

Visit us at 329 5th Street South Lethbridge

(403) 327-8087

Or see us at www.TenThousandVillages.ca to shop and learn more.

SPECIALIZING IN COMMERCIAL

AND INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Rick Braden

#102, 1122 - 3 Avenue South Lethbridge

403-327-1133 Quirk - 25

RECIPES

OLD FASHIONEDYeasty

DINNER ROLLS

(starring in Hot Turkey Sandwiches)

By Judi Frizzle Stowell

Heavenly soft, potently retro, seductively yeasty, warm-from-the-oven dinner rolls, boasting an ever so slightly crunchy, buttery bottom crust. Oh mama!

I don't know if I just simply love the flavour and texture of old-fashioned buns that were more deliciously commonplace back in the 1950's and 60's. Or if maybe they're so jam-packed with plump, warm memories from my Mom's kitchen that I can't resist.

Recipes like this whisper of yummy, sepia-toned memories of the cherished comfort of family gatherings long past that fill our tummies and our hearts. An irresistible combination. Probably why I have accumulated such a fine little arsenal of old-fashioned yeasty roll recipes that always get pulled out at Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.

Even though these rolls are definitively retro, they're so easy, because you just toss everything into the bread maker, on the dough cycle.

Then a bit of play-with-dough-fun when you cut the silky dough into little pieces and pull down and around to make perfect little balls. Cute.

Next plop your dough balls onto a heavily buttered cookie sheet, so you get that seductively crunchy bottom crust. Bet you didn't know it was that easy to make a seductively crunchy, buttery, bottom crust, did you?

But wait, more fun....... if you're going to use the rolls for sandwiches of any kind, you need to slap those dough balls firmly on their little round heads to flatten a bit. Go ahead do it one more time. Slap! Yeah, take that! Now, brush those babies with butter, let rise, and bake.

Each time I make yeasty buns I kind of think that this time I won't have one, hot from the oven, with a gouge of hard butter and a drizzle of golden syrup. Yup, I do think that every time. Before I bake them.

But really, you know, they do need to be tasted to make sure they're okay, before you serve them. Right? I mean, really. And if there's hard butter and golden syrup within reach, well, there's no other option. Forest Grump, on the other hand, doesn't hesitate to do a warm-from-the oven sampling and defiantly exclaims there is NO CHOICE but butter and peanut butter for the taste test. Comfort sweet comfort!

Which brings me to one of the all-time comfort zone foods, turkey.

Mmmm.

So, I took a little more inspiration from For the Love of Cooking blog.

Hot Turkey Sandwiches. But instead of waiting for turkey leftovers to make sandwiches, I did it up good, from the get go.

We didn't have the usual turkey dinner this time around, we had tender, delicious slices of fresh roast turkey heaped on an old-fashioned dinner roll with black pepper riddled, sausage bread stuffing and tangy cranberry sauce, swathed in the golden brown richness of hot, port laced, gravy. Yum! My advice, make some of these retro dinner rolls soon. Whether you serve then on the side or make them the star of the meal, they're scrumptious. When the buns are good, life is good. You can quote me if you want.

"Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying off all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts."

~ James Beard (1903 - 1985)

Quirk - 26

OLD FASHIONED YEASTY DINNER ROLLS

- Makes 12-15 rolls

1 cup of warm water 1/4 cup sugar 3 teaspoons traditional dry active yeast 3 1/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon sea or Kosher salt 1 large egg, beaten 3 tablespoons butter, melted Extra butter for baking pan and brushing on rolls.

Pour warm water and 1 teaspoon of the sugar into small bowl. Add yeast and let sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast starts to bloom. Place flour, salt, the rest of the sugar, yeast mixture, beaten egg and butter in bread machine, in this order. Select dough cycle and press start.

Once the cycle is complete, heavily butter a large cookie sheet. Depending on how big you want your rolls, divide dough into 12 or 15 pieces. Pull and shape into balls. Place evenly spaced, on buttered cookie sheet. If using for sandwiches, press top of rolls down firmly, to form more of a flattened roll. Brush with melted butter. Cover and let rise in a warm place 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Bake rolls 10-15 minutes, until beautifully golden brown.

y!

Enjo

Follow Judi's blog at at www.thelastwonton.typepad.com

Top Pizza has satisfied even the most discriminating pizza lovers for over 40 years now. Locals know that Top Pizza is one of a kind & exceeds expectations every time. Mitch Casson, who has many years of experience in the local restaurant industry, took over the restaurant eight years ago. He continues the tradition & takes pride in the fact their bread and pizza dough is still hand made fresh daily. The Caesar and House salad dressings are made from scratch or made locally to the highest standard. Mitch grew up in Lethbridge, and he has stayed to raise his own family here. He knows the importance of community & gives back through sponsorships and many other venues.

He is committed to keeping Top Pizza "top" and thanks his customers for their support of local business.

1101 - 4th Avenue South

403-327-1952

Monday - Thursday 11 am - Midnight Friday & Saturday 11 am - 1 am Sunday & Holidays 4 pm - 11 pm

Wishing you all the best this holiday season!

Everyday Low Prices At The Little Liquor Store

That Cares 221-12 Street North, across from Save-On Foods (403)

317-7283

GLOBAL NEWS DAILY .6.00 and .11.00 CHANNEL 211

Quirk - 28

CHANNEL 299

always help to plant the gardens at our farm. I now realize how well we ate, raising our own produce, chicken and beef. From them and my Mom, I learned a variety of food preparation and perserving skills that continue to be of benefit to me.

"Hello Dollies”

Wri.en by Donna M. Murray

"Hello Dollies!" - this would be the greeting my sisters, brother and I would hear as we tumbled through the door in a rush to get to Grandma. She would be standing in her kitchen and upon seeing us, would clap her hands in delight, spread her arms wide for hugs and kisses, and beam at us. She was soft and warm, and smelled of the fresh bread that she had made that day. Of the many wonderful memories that I have of my Grandma Trenouth, this particular one is my favorite.

To this day, and for the remainder of my life, conjuring up this memory fills me with emotion and I feel blessed to have experienced such a deep and unconditional love.

My Grandma, Gertrude Henrie.a Trenouth nee:Ryckman, was born at Carnduff, Saskatchewan in 1908. She was the oldest of fifteen children, and I am sure that it was from this beginning that she acquired her unlimited capacity to love, and to fret about all of her siblings, their children, her own children and all the ensuring descendants. Also where she learned that skill of baking bread something she was doing by age four!

When once asked about what it was like to grow up in such a large family, Grandma replied that every meal was like feeding a threshing crew. Nothing was ever wasted nor thrown out - a trait that passed from Grandma to my Mom, Olive, to me.

Thank goodness for recyling, or my home would be an exact replica of Grandma's bags of papers and every plastic container ever purchased, kept - just in case it might be needed someday! My sister, Twila, has called my home a museum, and although I don't think it was really meant as a compliment, that is how I choose to take it - many of the items in my home were once in Grandma's.

The blocks in her quilts are readily recognizable - this piece was a blouse, that piece was a pair of slacks, and so on.

Looking at one of Grandma's quilts is definately a trip down memory lane.

Covering my bed today is one of those quilts, plus two more in my closet and another in my truck - you know - just in case.

Grandma had beautiful snow-white hair, sparkling blue eyes and a wonderful laugh. She made the perfect Mrs. Santa Claus for the Christmas party held in the Gainsborough, Sask. hall. The children loved her - how could they not!

Complimenting Grandma was my Grandpa Roy Trenouth - also with snowwhite hair and blue eyes. Si.ing beside Grandpa, he would tickle our knees and he always had a stash of hard raspberry candies or humbugs. He loved to tease Grandma to get her "riled up", then wink at us. Grandpa had the proverbial green thumb - probably learned the hard way, feeding a family and surviving on the land during the Dirty Thirties. His flowers and gardens were spectacular! Besides their own garden, Grandpa and Grandma

What a work ethic this couple exemplified! But as strong as that ethic was, it was tempered by their love of time spent with family and friends.

Living in a small prairie village, Grandpa and Grandma were involved in every community event. When my siblings and I became participants in school activities, plus music, dance, 4-H, sports and a variety of other events, my Grandparents were always there to provide physical and moral support in any way they could.

There was no being a wallflower at a dance with Grandpa - he would have us all up on our feet and on the floor!

My father was an abusive alcoholic and there were times when it was not safe for us to stay at the farm. Mom would load us four children in to the car and we would go to the sanctuary of my Grandparents. It was not until I was older that I understood the reason why we had these sleep-overs - at the time I was just happy to be going to Grandpa and Grandma's. My sister, Melba and I would sleep with Grandma in her bed. I can remember watching, fascinated, as Grandma would wrestle herself out of her full-body girdle at night, and back into it in the morning. What a contraption - but it never seemed to slow her down!

Noxzema was Grandma's skin cream, and I loved the clean, sharp scent. The cream came in a huge, blue glass jar with a black metal lid. Even today, that scent can carry me back through the years and fill me with a sense of comfort and security.

Evidence of my Grandparents' influence crops up in my siblings' lives as well as my own. When my nephews, Danny and Nicholas were small, I would hear Melba lovingly calling them her "dollies" and look at them the same way our Grandma and Mom has looked at us. Now that the boys are older and object to be referred to as "dollies", my sister has go.en a pug and named her, what else - "Dolly".

I will not be surprised that at some time in the future, when they have become parents themselves, to hear my nephews call their own li.le ones "dollies".

Proof that Grandpa and Grandma Trenouth's loving legacy will continue on through the generations!

Quirk - 29

T

My Paradise

he shared acreage property we have just outside of town is affectionately referred to as The Ranch. We don't have horses and we certainly don't have cattle. In fact, we have no livestock at all, but what we do have is a little piece of heaven. We could just as easily call it something cute, like Willow Pastures, but The Ranch works just fine for us.

While I can't speak for everyone we share this space with, I can say that for me it's been more than a recreation property. It started out as a place to camp with friends and family. Where we could spread out and breathe, but also share space and break bread together. A place that had water and trees, and a quietness about it.

Over the last 5 summers, my husband Rick and I have turned our area into something more cabinlike; going from a 22 foot trailer to a park model last year. What it does, is give us a longer season. I like that.

Of course it comes with it's work; there's grass to cut, trees to trim and water, weeds to dig and flowerbeds to tend to. For me, that's OK. My day job doesn't call for a lot of physical activity, Quirk - 30

By Fay Braden

The Ranch maintenance does. I need the exercise and I like working out here. I like seeing the results when the grass is cut and the trees are trimmed. There's something be said for the satisfaction that comes with physical labor and the visable results it yields. I like the way the grass smells when we water it. And, I've learned some new skills.

Growing up, pushing a lawn mower was not my job. Out here it's just one of them. I've learned to use a riding mower and can do some serious damage with a weed-wacker. My favorite treetrimming tool of choice is the sawzall and this year I learned how to use a chop saw. Huh. These weren't exactly things that were on my bucket list, but it's nice to know I'm not too old to learn some new tricks.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll admit that owning recreational property isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t for everyone; it takes a level of commitment and hard work. Over the last 5 summers, we (another couple that we own the property with, my husband and I, along with some help from our friends) have taken a poorly managed piece of property and transformed it into something wonderful. While it was always our private place

to camp, now it’s a private place to glamp. We have the weeds under control, we have planted numerous trees and shrubs and I’ve created a flower bed with some perennials and wild roses.

Perhaps one of the most curious and lovely aspects of our little piece of heaven is that nothing is the same now, as it is now. The way the light plays on the long grass on the hill or the way the moonlight hits the creek at just the right angle. The way the deer look while they graze at the creeks edge. The way the hawks look flying overhead. The shadows and highlights are constantlly shifting. As summer fades, the colors of the shrubs and trees are extraordinary. Sitting on the swing in the cool of the morning, when the dew is still clinging to the grass, we cuddle with our little dog Lilly snuggled in between us, a steaming cup of coffee and Bailey's in our hands, and we watch the creek flow by.

There is something to be said for being near the water. In the wintertime, I need to find a beach. But Spring through Fall, being alongside our creek is perfect. We've watched it rise to over-flowing in the spring and watched as our guests took their children into the creek to wade and look for clam shells in late summer.

Pelicans, cranes, geese and ducks are regulars on our waterfront.

PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST CURIOUS AND LOVELY ASPECTS OF OUR LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN IS THAT NOTHING IS THE SAME NOW, AS IT IS NOW.

Camping has always been familiar to me; I’ve always liked it. I like gathering deadwood for a fire. I like being the one that starts the campfire at the end of the day. I like cooking outside, whether it's a barbequed meal, breakfast of bacon and eggs or weiners on a stick. It works for me.

The time spent with good friends and family around the fire, over a dinner at the picnic table, sitting in the sunshine sharing a cocktail, or even weeding a flowerbed is something I really look forward to. We catch up, we share stories. It’s nice.

Photos by Steven Burden Quirk - 31

BITS & PIECES

cÉxàËá VÉÜÇxÜ Whispers of times gone by go floating through my head.

Sometimes it's things that might have been, sometimes things left unsaid.

The whispers that speak the loudest rise from those who said goodbye long before their song was sung, their voices fill the sky.

- Jean Van Kleek

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

Socrates Quirk - 32

Electric Fireplaces - Accessories - Water Fountains - Steamers

1421 3rd avenue S 403-329-4445 www.thestovepipecompany.com

Quirk - 33

OUR PETS

Helping Cats To Age Gracefully Many of our feline friends truly do age gracefully. But sometimes they hide their ailments a little too well – seemingly enjoying that patch of sun a little longer or choosing to sit out on a game of feather teaser. Arthritis is becoming a wellrecognized condition in not only elderly cats, but sometimes even in cats as young as 6 years old. Sleeping longer is not the only sign of arthritis in our small companions. Other common signs include taking the long way up to the window sill or the table top rather than jumping straight up or having 'accidents' outside the litterbox – especially defecation. Young and old alike will benefit from providing a litterbox which is large enough to allow for normal movement and space during elimination. I often recommend using a large low sided sweater box or tote with a non-scented litter. For cats with arthritis, trying to balance in the sand in a undersized box can be quite a feat with sore hips or knees. Your family veterinarian can help you decide if your cat is experiencing the discomforts of arthritis – sometimes an x-ray is helpful in confirming this.

There are several pain medications which can significantly ease the troubles of arthritis and after some routine senior screening tests your veterinarian can decide which one is the most appropriate for your cat. Medication and changes to the environment are not the only things we can do to help with this common condition. While we worry about carrying a few extra pounds around the middle, cats worry about a few extra ounces and shedding that extra weight does improve their quality of life. It is especially important for cats to lose weight slowly and your veterinarian or veterinary staff would be glad to help you develop a weight loss plan for your kitty. In addition, there are several cat foods available now which provide support for joint health, however they may not be suitable for your cat based on other concurrent conditions. While dogs have enjoyed alleviation from arthritis for many years, it has only recently become a topic in feline healthcare; our small friends do not need to suffer quietly anymore.

Senior cat healthcare is a very rewarding and interesting area of my practice.

Written by Kate Lupton

Being proactive in diagnosing illness before it becomes obvious is extremely important and so I encourage senior physical exams, bloodwork, urine evaluation, blood pressure checks, and eye evaluation. To make this easier, I provide a “Senior Wellness Package”. The senior cat health exam can in itself tell us so much about the health of the patient. The exam starts with an accurate weight which is then compared to the previously recorded weight. In older cats we don't only run into the problem of being overweight but also sometimes struggle with weight loss. We need to know if these aging feline's are losing weight and at what rate as this can be a sign of illness. It is also important to evaluate their body condition. Loss of muscle mass, especially along the spine, is an obvious sign of a problem and needs to be evaluated. Sometimes there needs to be a change in the cat's diet. The intestines of these elderly cats tend to waiver in their ability to absorb fat from the diet and while most cats will simply increase their intake a little bit to accommodate this sometimes a special diet may be needed. One must be cautious however, because there are several illness - hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and intestinal diseases being important ones - which can cause a cat to continue to lose weight despite a good or increased appetite. Also, because we see kidney disease so commonly in older cats, a diet very high in protein is not always best. Lots of protein in the diet can make the kidneys work extra hard. I would rarely recommend a very low protein diet to a cat, but a moderate level may be more appropriate in a cat with kidney disease. Along with a thorough physical exam, part of my appointments are always spent simply discussing how my little patient is doing at home. Owners are so astute to any changes or abnormalities and I am eager to get the full picture. Often people will say to me: “I don't know if this is important but....” and I am here to say that if it crosses your mind, it's important! Cats are, for the most part, subtle and stoic creatures and their guardians known them best. Senior cat healthcare will often involve the management of multiple conditions and in order to be successful it must be a heartfelt partnership between veterinarians, the cats, and the owners who love them.

Our small friends do not need to suffer quietly anymore.

Dr. Kate Lupton

2303 - 6th Avenue South

403.320.5200

www.familypethospital.com

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Canine Dental Health

By Darlene Bolwyn Most of us take care of our furry friends by regularly grooming, walking and ensuring they eat a balanced diet. What we often overlook is their dental health.

Tartar and infected gums have many bacteria that go through the whole body and can effect the heart, liver and kidneys. Regular cleaning and brushing will extend the quality of your dog's life.

Brushing your dog's teeth should start just after their adult teeth come in. You can start at puppyhood just to get them used to your touching their mouth. Just remember that their gums are tender due to new adult teeth coming in, just like yours were when you were a child.

There are several choices for types of toothbrushes including one that fits on your finger for you to place in your dog's mouth for brushing.

Another version has a long handle for you to hold while you place the brush end in their mouth. Use only toothpaste that is formulated for dogs, not for humans.

Brushing your dog's teeth should be part of a daily routine. Intermittent brushings, as with humans, have little value.

If your dog is already showing signs of tartar and infected gums, you should go to the veterinarian.

When your dog’s breathe is especially bad, this is often a sign of infection. The vet will scale the teeth and remove affected teeth if necessary. Many veterinarians recommend regular cleaning to help prevent dental problems before they happen.

Dog's can still eat well with very few teeth. If need be, you can soften their kibble with hot water for a few minutes.

KEEP YOUR DOG HAPPY & HEALTHY BY BRUSHING AND CHECKING THEIR TEETH REGULARLY! Quirk - 35

Peace of Mind and Families Pocketfinder is a small GPS locator that can send information and notifications directly to your phone to let you know where your loved-ones (or targets) are.

Worried about where your kids/pets/elderly are? Pocketfinder promises “peace of mind in a pocket-sized device.” A picture on the site has it next to an oreo-looking cookie, which is about right.

device, and the speed at which it is traveling. Your newly licensed teenager might not appreciate it, but if you could pop it in the trunk and find out how fast the car was going. The dashboard even tells you the battery level of the device so you know when you need a charge. On the most frequent locating setting, you can get about 4 days between charges. You could put the device in airplane mode or set it to locate once every 6 or 12 hours, to save battery life overnight.

alert to a selected contact, so if someone fell and couldn’t reach a phone they could send an alert that way -although I sent a few tap alerts without realizing I was doing it. You can store basic medical info in the device which you can then request to have sent to medical and law enforcement agencies during emergencies. The website also helps you fill in and print out a missing person / pet flyer.

You charge it up in the pocketfinder dock and slip on the rubber cover with a carabiner hook so you can attach it to your kid’s backpack or your pet’s collar. POCKETFINDER IS Then you download the PERFECT FOR pocketfinder app, and you’re THOSE PET ready to go.

The next thing you can do is set up a zone. A zone is a radius around the device that you can customize in a OWNERS WHO You would know instantly if number of ways. So LEAVE THEIR your dog has left the yard take the device home and find out exactly where it and hit “instant zone.”

DOGS OUTSIDE is. It's also great for times You can pick the size when you are away from DURING THE DAY of your zone on the home with your dog and WHILE THEY ARE map, name it, and set somehow it got away from up alerts for when the AT WORK. the area you are staying. pocketfinder enters and exits the zone, There are three versions of Pocketfinder. and for different times and different days of One for vehicles, one for pets, and one for the week. The alerts can then come the elderly and children. Pocketfinder gets through SMS text messages or email. more accurate the more you use it, as it discovers satellites covering it. Eventually A new update includes tap alerts, which is you can get accuracy up to 10 feet. It also a great idea in particular for the elderly. will show you the current height of the Tapping rapidly on the device will send an

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Quirk - 36

turkey pumpkin

To Eddie

Cookies

by Lutz Koeppen Quirk Reader

s my I recently lost my little pet dog, Eddie. He wa rs. yea faithful companion and walking friend for over 14 to glad Animal friends are amazing creatures. Always w kno see you, not mean-spirited or spiteful. They d, Foo loyalty, respect and love. Their needs are simple. age dam water and friendship. Unlike humans, they don’t , ure the environment and they live in harmony with nat ngs si never taking more than they need. They add bles ate. im and dimension in our lives that is hard to est are y We need to love, care & respect them while the a part of our lives.

A soft, tasty and festive little cookie for our canine kids!!

Use fresh ground turkey (or chicken). You can grind leftover poultry instead of using fresh. Lots of beneficial ingredients and quick to make. Puree eggshells and chickpeas together...make it easy for yourself.

Recipe

500 grams ground turkey 796 ml PURE pumpkin (large can) 540ml drained, rinsed and pureed chickpeas 5 (free range is best) eggs with crushed eggshell 2 T olive oil 3 T cinnamon 4 T blackstrap molasses 1/2 C Chicken stock

1 C ground flaxseed 6 C QUICK oats Incorporate well and bake on cookie sheets laced with parchment paper score to desired size. Bake one hour at 325. Keep in fridge or freeze.

FOOTNOTE: Blackstrap molasses is full of iron, other minerals and nutrients that have a long and popular history as a natural means to treat ailments among dogs and humans alike. It is used to treat arthritis, symptoms of bereavement, even tumors. *Michelle's recipes include well researched ingredients to help make your dog happy & healthy.

Courtesy of Michelle Zandstra

LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY DOGS By Jean Van Kleek I’ve been writing “Lessons From My Dogs” because many times I think more clearly when I am throwing the ball for my dogs or doing things with them that are uninterrupted & unencumbered. Each of us needs time like this, whether it be gardening, painting, or whatever it is that takes you away from the “noise” of your day. It’s at these times you reflect and realize that joy and insight come in very simple form and often from the least likely places.

What I have learned from my dogs this time is each of us have different triggers for happiness. Shani is happiest chasing her ball until the point of obsession, she will not quit until you do. Bella will play ball for awhile, but then follow bugs on the sidewalk or chew a branch. She is just happy to be where you are. PJ is happiest sniffing out the yard & being curious. Other than that his main concern is finding 6 month old treats under the fridge or couch, like they were a new found treasure, dust bunnies & all.

Each of them has their own passion and individuality. Just like children, they instinctively know what brings them pleasure.

PJ As adults, we often lose sight of what we never used to even question. We learn what we “need” to do and forget about what we enjoyed doing the most. Life is about balance, and while “growing up” entails a huge amount of responsibility, we shouldn’t lose sight of what makes us happy.

Bella & Shani

Maybe it’s time to “dust off some cookies” from under the fridge and see what happiness it may bring.

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Grooming is not just a hair cut, it should be an experience.

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PET PHOTO CONTEST

THE

BEST FRIENDS Naomi Van Liere First P lace

BOBBIN IN A TEA CUP

Sue Meredith Runner Up

HIGGINS

Everyone loves photos of

OUR FURRY FRIENDS! Enter your best photo of your favorite pet in jpeg format, 300 dpi resolution, black & white or full color. A winning photo will be chosen each issue and be published in Quirk Magazine. Entries will also be posted on readquirk.com.

Laverne Gouthreau Honourable Mention

Bi-monthly first and second place winners receive great prizes from

Photos must be original, caption and contact information of photographer provided. No altered photographs will be accepted, digital or otherwise.

Quirk Magazine, Shabella Publishing and sponsors retain the right to use winning photographs for promotional purposes.

email your photos to: info@readquirk.com Quirk - 38

Entry Deadline December 12, 2012

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