Quirk May June 2016

nside MAGAZINE

Volume 6 • Issue 3 May - June 2016

CONNECTING

LETHBRIDGE

HGTV DESIGNER Visits Lethbridge

DAUGHTER OF THE PRAIRIES Exhibition at The Galt

BORDERLANDS: THE MYSTERY AND MAJESTY OF THE MILK RIVER REGION

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Designing Woman

Sherri Gallant interviews Jo Alcorn, HGTV design celebrity, who recently visited

Lethbridge to share her design and home reno tips

Stamina Massage Therapy

Offering a new and innovative direction for massage therapy

Daughter of the Prairies

The Galt Museum features guest curator, Mary-Beth Laviolette, to deliver an illustrated

talk about exceptional artist, Annora Brown, of Fort MacLeod

Borderlands

Thomas Porter takes us on a fascinating pictorial journey through the Milk River region

Le Tour De Fido

The Lethbridge & District Humane Society hosts a new fundraiser at Henderson Lake Park

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From The Publisher Welcome to the May issue of Quirk! With spring comes the anticipation of growing gardens, planting flowers, summer travel and sprucing up the home. It’s an exciting time of year with new growth all around us, creating an urge to take it outside and explore.

Volume 6 • Issue 3 • May - June 2016

www.readquirk.com Jean Van Kleek Photography: Jen Alston

This issue, Thomas Porter guides us on a trip through the breathtakingly unique Milk River region. This area is rich in geological history and contains some of the most interesting landscapes in Western Canada. Thomas will continue exploring Southern Alberta for the upcoming July issue of Quirk in an Eldorado RV. Stay tuned for his next installment showcasing our region and its breathtaking natural beauty.

Sherri Gallant had the opportunity to chat with Jo Alcorn at the Home & Garden Show this spring. Jo is best known for the show “Critical Listing” that airs on HGTV. She shared all kinds of tips with Sherri on things to consider when renovating and decorating your home. Some great advice here from one of Canada’s top pros in the design field!

The Galt Museum summer exhibit, “Annora Brown: Daughter of the Prairies” will open June 11 and run until September 5th. This exhibit will feature the work of Fort MacLeod artist Annora Brown with guest curator, Mary-Beth Laviolette.

Brown is best known for her drawings of wildflowers and native plants of southern Alberta.

We hope you enjoy these stories, as well as our regular features. It is our goal to share with you the wealth of talent, diversity and beauty that is unique to Southern Alberta.

*Our advertisers are the reason we are able to bring Quirk Magazine to you.

Please support local business!

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 UniVerse Graphics Photographers Chris Yauck Thomas Porter Katie Pahara Photography Cover Photo Thomas Porter Writers Chris Yauck Thomas Porter Sherri Gallant Ginger Malacko Priscilla Peltier Michelle Zandstra Heather Gunn Jean Van Kleek 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.

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One Spirit The Style of Being Photography Tips & Tricks Restaurant Guide Health Matters Pet Photo Contest Lessons From My Dogs Dog Recipe New to The Community? Expecting a Baby?

Getting Married? New Business or New Manager?

CALL TODAY

For Your Free Gifts and Information

1-844-299-2466 www.welcomewagon.ca Quirk Quirk -- 7 7

One Spirit

by Heather Gunn

Do you consider yourself to be spiritual or religious? Is there a difference?

Does it even matter?

We tend to compare religion and spirituality. Why do we feel the need to do so? Through our dogged attempts to defend our claim to be one or the other, we fear identifying with something we believe to be stigmatic; something that doesn’t fit within our personal sense of what is real and true. So, in typical fearful fashion, we discount its relevance and condemn it to be a misguided approach to something we value highly. We have, in some ways, created a divide between the two in our quest to understand ourselves and our relationship with life itself.

A “religious” person is typically considered to be one who accepts certain beliefs, adheres to certain rituals and shares their experience within the community of others. On the other hand, one who considers themselves to be “spiritual” but not religious, is considered to be one who searches for meaning with the freedom to decide on their own what is or is not important – one who prefers to have a relationship with a higher power in a more personal way. Despite how this sounds, it is possible to be both religious and spiritual. Consider the individual who chooses to identify with a particular religion but who sees their relationship with God, Creator, Source, All That Is or Universal Energy from an intimate perspective. This outlook may provide the individual with a sense of connection that falls within the general guidelines of their religious community but adds or deletes specific expectations that don’t satisfy the individual’s personal needs. I have found this to be more the rule than the exception in meeting with my regression hypnotherapy clients as well as those who are seeking spiritual guidance.

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Our world is in need of unity and integration at this sensitive time in history. In the wake of the atrocities witnessed over the past 100 years, our planet is struggling to heal, to integrate into wholeness, to regain her nature as it was Heather Gunn intended to be. On our journey through life, no RN, BSN, MSN matter what our beliefs or practices, we are all QHHT Hypnosis searching for the same things: happiness, joy, a Practitioner sense of accomplishment and peace. Why then Reiki Master Teacher must we make things so difficult? What are we afraid of? Why can’t we allow each human being to experience their own relationship with whatever they consider to be something greater? After all, the individual who finds contentment in this chaotic world is best positioned to lead the way to a sense of connection for those individuals who feel lost, abandoned or neglected.

Perhaps we should simply live peacefully, within our own paradigm of what works for us and leave the personal beliefs and experiences of others alone with respect and reverence for what it offers each individual. The less we judge and make assumptions, the more we can connect with each other for the betterment of our world.

Heather Gunn is an RN, a non-denominational minister and regression hypnotherapist, specializing in a holistic approach to health. Contact Heather for an appointment to discover how you can heal yourself.

onespiritall@gmail.com www.onespirit.ca 403.894.2622

DESIGNING

WOMAN

An interview with HGTV design celebrity, Jo Alcorn

By Sherri Gallant

When celebrity designer Jo Alcorn works her magic in a space, whether it’s for clients of her Toronto design firm or a family on HGTV’s Critical Listing or on the new show Home To Win, she draws her inspiration from the clients themselves.

“I love blank spaces,” said Alcorn, who enlightened Lethbridge audiences this spring at the annual Home and Garden Trade Show about how to get the best return on investment in their own renovation projects. Hint: think kitchens first, main bathrooms second.

“Your mind can go anywhere, but I can never design a house until I know how someone’s going to live in it. That’s where my inspiration comes from, by getting someone’s lifestyle put into my head and then figuring out how can I make it the most efficient and useful space for them.

From there, I figure out a layout and have fun with materials and colours. It really comes down to the people I’m working with. They’re the ones who inspire me.”

As one of the top 20 Canadian builders and designers on the new HGTV Canada powerhouse reality series Home To Win, (some lucky person will win the house in June), Alcorn and the others gather under one roof, each bringing their extraordinary expertise, creativity and reno know-how to the massive project.

“There’s lots of drama, there’s lots of crazy antics that go on with that many personalities and big egos, but the house is stunning. People are going to love it. We’re hoping it just rolls straight into a second season.” (check out the show at www.hometowin.ca)

Despite the glamour of television and celebrity appearances, her company www.whitewashco.ca “is my bread and butter,” she says. The firm’s name Whitewash & Co speaks to her trademark colour - white (“I love white, oh I LOVE white!”); in fact Para Paints has fittingly named one of their hues after her: Jo Jo Whitewash.

“I’m a workaholic and I have A.D.D., so I have to be doing 20 million things at once to keep me going. I have my product line, so that keeps me busy. The TV keeps me busy too, but it’s shot in blocks, so I know that for two months

“I figure out a layout and have fun with materials and colours. It really comes down to the people I’m working with. They’re the ones who inspire me.”

I’ll be busy and I can plan things around that. I usually have about six renos on the go at any one time.”

a lot when I’m away,” she says, grinning.

“They’re wonderful. Once you go rescue, you never go back.”

The Jo Alcorn collection includes furniture, lighting and home pillows – even a dog bed collection, which arose from her own affection for dogs - and she’s girding up to expand her line (keep an eye on the web site). Alcorn has a soft spot for Jack Russell terriers and is an ardent supporter of canine rescue organizations. She’s the volunteer coordinator for Ontario’s Jack Russell Terrier Rescue Organization and shares her home with two rescued Russells, named Lucy and Mr. Grant. “I miss them

As a girl growing up in Langely, B.C., Alcorn was active, athletic and outdoorsy. Her career sights were set on architecture until she learned about all the math involved, so for a time she directed her creative energies into advertising. When that failed to satisfy, she changed her focus to interior design and headed for New York City and Manhattanville College, a liberal arts school. After graduating, she travelled through Europe and studied colour and architecture at London’s City University.

She started her business in 2005, after returning to Canada.

“Every reno is different, but I’m working on one right now that happened because of a house fire, so we’re re-building from the bottom up. In a project like that we get to put in brand new everything, so that’s fun, but we are mindful that a devastating and horrible thing happened to these people – they lost everything so even though everything is new, we want to make sure we’re re-building a life that they still know, that still feels like home.”

Somehow, around all the irons she has in the fire, the 33-year-old also enjoys writing and, since 2010, has been teaching design at Humber College. “I wasn’t sure about teaching at first, but I found that I absolutely love it.” Because her own career beginnings were rather circuitous, she’s happy when she she can help a student stay focused, interested and on track.

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“They’re wonderful.

Once you go rescue, you never go back.”

style comes in, so I never stick with trends; it’s functionality first.”

Sustainable design practices are becoming more common, with a growing number of clients asking for green materials in both building and interior design, she says.

“It’s been around for a while, but it’s just now hitting the general public that they know they should be asking for it. A lot of us have been using sustainable materials for years now. We get to vocalize it now more, because before, no one really understood it. Whenever you can use green materials, you should be using green. We’re giving back to the environment.”

And if you really liked a trend that’s passé now, just be patient for about 20 years and it will return.

“People want to know what trends will last, but it’s funny because trends always recycle. They come back again no matter what, however there are a few items that always stay in style – certain colours, for example.”

“You’ll always have your whites, your greys and your blacks. Those are three colours that will always be around, it’s just how they are infused that’s going to be different. When it comes to certain styles – like shakerstyle doors in kitchens – that’s always timeless. Subway tiles – timeless.

Any kind of those neutral colours, your greys – timeless. Once you start getting into certain shapes and materials, some of those might not last as long, but the good news is that nowadays renovations aren’t lasting as long as they used to”.

“That is why you can have fun with trends, because really now a renovation only needs to last you five years – it used to be 20 or 25. The way people are spending now, they don’t feel they have to spend high high end because they know that tastes change, their lifestyles change.

People want to make sure that they’re spending their money wisely but they’re enjoying what they’re doing and keeping with the trend. And they know they can switch it if they tire of it.”

Jo Alcorn with her Jack Russell Terriers Lucy and Mr. Grant

Alcorn is single, and while her jam-packed life might put the squeeze on a relationship at the best of times, she’s often found herself cast as a couples’ therapist when working on reality TV renos.

“No one ever agrees,” she laughs. “We’re designers and builders and we’re actually marriage counsellors at the same time. We’re psychiatrists. We’re everything! It’s helping people find the balance. A lot of times they just need us to kind of mediate in order to get both their styles in. And then at the end when everyone is happy, that’s the fun part.”

During her speaking sessions in Lethbridge, people asked predictable questions about trends and investments – what’s here to stay, what are some common errors people make and where is the biggest bang for your buck if you’re renovating to sell a property.

“Everyone always asks about trends and styles, but really when it comes to designing for a client, it always comes back around to if the house doesn’t function and work for them, it doesn’t matter how pretty it is.

I’ll be bringing in their personality, making sure that it’s going to last throughout the years, and using durable materials – that’s where that Quirk - 12

“I’ll be bringing in their personality, making sure that it’s going to last throughout the years, and using durable materials – that’s where that style comes in, so I never stick with trends; it’s functionality first.”

During her Lethbridge presentations, Alcorn’s slides illustrated examples of kitchen and bathroom renos that maximized space and opened up floorplans. Her design lines are clean and bright, with splashes of colour and whimsy.

“Kitchens and baths are 75 to 100 per cent return on investment,” she says. “That being said, you still need to understand your housing market and how much your house is going for, because that will dictate how much you should be spending. If you had a budget of $100,000 and you said to me, ‘put it all in my kitchen’ – well, your house is only worth $400,000, so that’s not going to work.”

“When you’re thinking about baths, you want to focus on your main bathroom. Powder bathrooms, spare bathrooms or basement bathrooms, you can freshen them up but you don’t need to spend as much. And next, after the kitchens and baths, you want to put your money into your open concept and your curb appeal.”

While she loves to share her expertise and isn’t against people doing their own design and renovation work, she does offer some cautions to the un-initiated:

Jo Alcorn at Lethbridge Home & Garden Show

“A lot of times it’s going to cost you more money if you don’t have the proper direction, or someone informing you on the steps you should be doing,” she says. “There are some things you can tackle, but you’ll still want to hire people to do certain things. If you have someone do your plumbing or electrical you’re going to save time, because they know what they’re doing and they know how to get in and get out. If you don’t know what you’re doing and you get some surprises along the way, it could cost you time and money.”

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“Understand what the things are you really love, allow those to show, have fun with it and relax.”

“When you do hire a designer or a decorator, it seems expensive, but you do save in the end, because they’re going to make sure you’re on the right path, you’re getting the right materials and you’re not having to re-do things. Even painting – I don’t do my own painting, because to paint a room could take me two days, whereas a painter will take two hours. You’ve got to justify your time in an hourly rate. Figure out where are you saving or where might you be overspending with your time.”

Some rules of thumb from the design world in 2016:

Continuity of design is huge, Alcorn says, however you can change it on different levels of a home. “That’s the only exception. But when its on the same floor, to make your space seem larger, and as one, it is best to have some kind of continuity.

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“We’re designers and builders and we’re actually marriage counsellors at the same time. We’re psychiatrists. We’re everything! It’s helping people find the balance. A lot of times they just need us to kind of mediate in order to get both their styles in. And then at the end when everyone is happy, that’s the fun part.”

It doesn’t mean every room has to be the same colour, but you want to pull in the same colours, whether it’s the accent, the walls or the furniture, that you have going on in the other rooms.”

“The other thing that’s kind of cool is it used to be that if you had hardwood, you had to have hardwood throughout. You didn’t want to break it up. It’s coming back a little bit where you can break up the kitchen and do a tile, but you need to do it in a pattern for it to make sense, so it looks more like an architectural or an art piece that you’ve put in there. Do like a chevron, or a cool brick-lay with differentcoloured grout, and it becomes more art, and then you can break it up that way.”

‘Really, the main thing I want to tell people is to have fun with it.

Everyone feels like they have to be so serious, or there are so many rules, but at the end of the day, it’s your house. If you’re selling it, that’s different, but if it’s your house, you want to enjoy it. Keep the amount of stuff you have within means, though, because if you have too much stuff in your space you can’t really enjoy the items because it just becomes too cluttered.”

“Understand what the things are you really love, allow those to show, have fun with it and relax.”

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by Ginger Malacko

Just Around the River Bend Life is as changeful as a prairie spring. Or a river with a lot of twists and bends.

Bitter are the tears of disappointment. I know because I recently suffered a substantial one and the betrayal is still very fresh in my mind. What right has the universe to fall short of our personal expectations? But that’s just the stubborn two year old within us who believes life should be easy and predictable. The more reasonable parts of us know that life is a salty mixture of laughter and tears and that no matter how badly we might seem shipwrecked, we’re still rolling along with the current. Life is as changeful as a prairie spring. Or a river with a lot of twists and bends.

Like all enthusiastic organizers I once had a stable, well ordered, existence with very few surprises. And then a medical puzzle came sailing along like the Jolly Roger and blew it out of the water. Or so I thought at the time. But it was only when everything had fallen apart that I dared to believe that I could do something different; that the unexpected could ultimately make me happier than my carefully laid plans. That I could become a better and braver person than my early projections anticipated. Real courage only comes to us when we most need it, and the inconvenient truth is that we usually need it most after a devastating disappointment.

So what should we do when life refuses to match the marvelous vision inside our heads? I once received some advice that soothed the angry inner two year old as effectively as a piece of emergency candy from the bottom of Mom’s purse. And as you may have surmised from the title of this piece, this good advice did come from a Disney movie, as good advice so often does. Don’t think of this earthly tenure as being a series of beginnings and endings, but one continuing, uninterrupted stream. Life never actually stops flowing. So when you’re momentarily overwhelmed by disappointment, there’s no point in asking why. Instead, ask what might be coming around that approaching bend and how you can be ready to welcome it. Because as sure as life hands us experiences we didn’t ask for, it’s about to hand us something entirely new.

Shed a tear or two for those parts of you that become driftwood to be left behind along the shore. But hope is being able to look ahead to what is possible – and digging in your oars.

Chef cooking with flames SONY RX100, Lens 10.4 mm Shutter Speed 1/125 sec; f/1.8; ISO 3200 No Flash

These two photographs look quite a bit different when there really isn’t much difference in the exposure.

One of my favorite things to do while travelling, is to photograph food.

Make sure your camera is ready and do a test shot. Most point and shoot cameras come with a built in flash. The first image was taken with the flash. The second image with the flames was taken without the flash which helps show the flame made by the chef. The shutter speed was increased to darken the room a bit and create a more dramatic effect. Check the clarity of the first image you shoot and if it is blurry the shutter speed is too slow. You can increase the shutter speed to sharpen the image and you may have to open the aperture to compensate. Should the aperture be all the way open you can increase the ISO.

I am interested in hearing about a topic that may interest you.

Please send your request to info@chrisyauckphotography.com

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Chef preparing the meal at our table SONY RX100, Lens 10.4 mm 1/50 sec; f/1.8; ISO 3200 Flash Fired

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STAMINA® Massage Therapy New Directional Techniques Improving Massage Treatments Advertorial

Muscle fibre direction Influences muscle strength Muscles in the body each have a unique pattern or direction of muscle fibres. This anatomical information became pertinent to the STAMINA® discovery that a muscle could be aligned or malaligned depending on the direction it is moved within a massage session. In a STAMINA® Massage Therapy session, improved directional movements for optimal muscle alignment are integrated with specific massage techniques for thirty-eight key muscle groups. These key stabilizing load management muscles® are the primary muscles responsible for strength, stability and function within the body.

When muscles are optimally aligned patients often notice improved range of motion, alleviation of symptoms such as pain, muscle tension or weakness. Clients can experience increased energy as muscles work more efficiently, without compensation. A result of massage therapy, in general, is a reduction of stress levels due to increased endorphins, greater circulation and decreased muscle tension.

Muscles have optimal positions For optimal function

Treating the full body Important for better outcomes

STAMINA® Clinic in downtown Lethbridge offers a new and innovative direction for massage therapy. Bev Wiebe, RMT, is specially trained in STAMINA® Massage techniques which integrates improved knowledge of the optimal direction muscle tissue needs to be moved within a massage flow to provide optimal strength and stability. Improved massage results with STAMINA®, are often significant.

Within the health professions, there has been a prevailing, standardized view of the body in segmental terms. If there are symptoms in one area of the body, this is the area where treatment is primarily focused; referred to as localized or spot treatment. With STAMINA®, the therapist views and treats the body as a whole. As muscles are interconnected; there can be a series of muscles involved when problems occur.

Symptoms can develop in areas other than where they originate. If the body is not treated as a whole, there is the potential for limited recovery or further injuries that may develop down the road from unresolved problems.

STAMINA® Massage Therapy alleviates symptoms while aligning the key muscles responsible for strength and stabilization of the body. Shorter appointments can be scheduled but greater results are generally derived from a full body approach.

Muscles can become malaligned through injury, repetitive strain or poor body ergonomics. When these factors come into play it can quickly (acute injury), or gradually (repetitive strain), begin to affect the overall performance of the muscles.

Malalignment can also develop from emotional stress through an up-regulated nervous system or “fight or flight” response.

This can occur after a traumatic occurrence like an accident or emotional trauma to the system. Emotional stress can translate into general nervousness and hypertonic or tense muscles.

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Trigger points and muscle tension Result from mal-alignment A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that can cause localized pain and tightness and can also refer to other regions of the body. There has been a strong focus within conventional massage therapy on “trigger point” work. The sensitive trigger point area is extensively worked with deep tissue massage until the trigger point releases or the tissues relax. This method of treatment can overwork the tissue, sometimes causing tenderness or bruising post treatment.

Unfortunately, the trigger points often return quite quickly because the origin of the problem has not been addressed.

STAMINA® recognizes that trigger points result from malaligned muscles or joint structures. When muscles are optimally aligned the neuropathways operate efficiently and the tissues are in a relaxed state. The results are often immediate, as the muscles are optimally aligned with STAMINA® Massage Therapy - trigger points are quickly released, while simultaneously, the origin of the problem is addressed effectively.

MAL-ALIGNED MUSCLE FIBRE

Bev Wiebe also trained in STAMINA® Orthopedic Massage which implements neuromotor re-education along with the improved directional methods. Neuromotor re-education powerfully involves the brain in the rehabilitation process. It provides a measure of change in muscle strength and function pre and post treatment.

Clients arrive at STAMINA® Clinic for massage treatments with various problems from acute, recent injuries to chronic conditions that may have been lingering for some time.

STAMINA® Massage treats a wide range of conditions including; muscular pain and stiffness, trigger point pain, headaches and migraines, range of motion issues, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injury, tennis and golfer’s elbow, back, neck, shoulder, knee problems, plantar fasciitis and scar tissue reduction. STAMINA® Massage is highly therapeutic while at the same time relaxing, making it beneficial for stress management.

Sports injuries are another area where STAMINA® Massage benefits, both in relieving symptoms and rehabilitating muscles for optimal performance. Many athletes, whether professional, amateur, or weekend warrior often experience increased energy as problems are resolved and muscles regain optimal function.

STAMINA® Massage relieves trigger points with optimal muscle alignment ALIGNED MUSCLE FIBRE

Bev Wiebe, RMT became certified as a Massage Therapist in 1991 at Northern Institute of Massage in Regina. Her education included a 3200 hour course with in-depth studies in massage therapy (the standard hours needed for Alberta massage therapists is 2200 hours). She was the owner/manager of Massage Works Therapy Center in Regina for several years until a move brought her back to Alberta as a registered massage therapist. She joined STAMINA® Clinic in 2014 as an enthusiastic part of the STAMINA® team and has taught numerous post graduate courses in STAMINA® techniques to other RMTs.

Bev Wiebe, RMT

STAMINA® Clinic Inc. Downtown Lethbridge 403 320-2177 or 1 855 320-2177 www.staminatherapy.com

HEALTH MATTERS

The Link between

Stress and Nutritional Deficiencies

I remember years ago in my college psychology class that stress was described as a feeling of strain or pressure, good or bad. Forward years later when I studied in Toronto, stress in a medical context was defined as a physical or mental factor that causes bodily or mental tension, whether external or internal. Stress can then initiate a complex reaction of neurological and endocrinologic systems.

Stress has been studied since the 1950’s and has been made a public health enemy ever since. I’ve looked at many university studies, including the Waterloo University study, and interestingly, the emotional stress of happy life events such as having a baby, getting married, buying a new house, or getting a promotion can have the same physiological effects as dealing with a major illness in your family.

Either way, stress is so commonplace in North American culture that a Google search generates millions of results with essays, opinions and missives on what stress is doing to us.

In small doses, stress has many advantages according to experts. For instance, stress can help you meet daily challenges and motivate you to reach your goals. This is me when I write these articles.

Chronic stress (good or bad) however, can wreak havoc on your mind and body. It contributes to long-term problems for heart and blood vessels. Consistent, ongoing stress increases heart rate levels, elevating stress hormones and blood pressure, in turn, taking its toll on the body.

Here’s what happens: • Blood pressure and heart rate rises • Digestive system slows • Immune system goes down • Trouble sleeping • Problem concentrating • Anxiety and burnout

1. Do you feel like you have to skip breakfast or other meals because you don’t have time to eat?

2. Do you depend on caffeine to keep you awake in the morning or other times?

3. When you eat under stress, do you choose foods that are high in salt and/or sugar and low in nutrients?

Food is the most abused anxiety drug.

Exercise is the most underutilized antidepressant.

Follow these tips: • Eat a balanced diet and focus on meals that contain vegetables and fruit, whole grains and proteins such as lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts, etc. Skip the chips and fill up on anxietyreducing foods such as green leafy vegetables, turkey breast which contains tryptophan, oatmeal, blueberries, dark chocolate and seeds. As a nutritionist, I encourage you to start the day with breakfast. It will help you stay alert and prevent overeating later.

• Cut down on stimulants such as coffee, soda and alcohol as much as possible. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and protect your kidneys.

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“The first step in successful stress relief is deciding to make stress management an ongoing goal.

The next step is identifying your stress triggers.”

• Regular exercise is very important because it affects a neurotransmitter that has an antidepressant-like effect in your brain while helping to decrease muscle tension. It’s a great safety valve to help your body break the acute stress cycle and allows your hormonal system return to balance. Exercise also guards against the adverse effects of stress. During periods of high stress, those who exercised less frequently had 37 percent more physical symptoms than those who exercised more often.

• Another sure-fire stress buster is deep breathing; whenever you feel any sign of stress, stop and take three full deep breaths. It will give you time to think, to rebalance & respond rather than to react to a stressor. Also practice massage, tai chi or yoga. Meditation is a very good tool used by many people as well.

• Did you know that man is the only mammal that willingly delays sleep? Sleep is just as important as diet and exercise. Generally, exercising makes it easier to fall asleep. For others, some natural sleep aids to calm your mind can be melatonin, valerian, chamomile or magnesium.

• A variety of supplements can both prevent and restore balance in chronic stress. Identify what you may be lacking in nutrients and vitamins. Be sure to take extra B vitamins since they are both antistress & anti-fatigue and are used in making stress hormones.

Astragalus and Ashwagandha are herbs used for thousands of years to protect the body against various stresses, including physical, mental, or emotional stress. Ever heard of L-Theanine? It’s an amino acid that may help relieve stress by inducing a relaxing effect without drowsiness. Also, Holy Basil, it isn’t your average basil. It is used to treat anxiety and adrenal fatigue.

The first step in successful stress relief is deciding to make stress management an ongoing goal. The next step is identifying your stress triggers. And then start thinking about strategies for dealing with them. And don’t feel like you have to figure it all out on your own. Seek help and MAKE HEALTH A HABIT...

Priscilla Peltier is a natural health care practitioner at Nutter’s who writes on health & nutrition and has a passion for the latest research in natural health and diet.

Priscilla Peltier, C.H., C.N.C., C. Irid., R. BIE Herbalist, Nutrition Consultant, Iridologist, and Registered BIE Practitioner priscilla.eyes@shaw.ca www.eyecuhealthy.com 403.329.3100 (Office)

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Daughter of the Prairies

Annora Brown

Comes to the

U

pon reaching out to the community for input about what kind of exhibits the community would like to see at the Galt Museum & Archives, several people in the community requested exhibits relevant to the local and regional history. This response presented an opportunity to guest curated exhibits. Galt Museum Curator, Wendy Aitkens recognizes, “Guest curators bring expertise that enriches the exhibit topic because of the depth of their knowledge”. Aitkens continues “The Galt welcomes proposals from the community for exhibits”. Prospective guest curators are invited to send exhibit ideas that demonstrate an understanding of the Galt’s mission and provide a detailed plan outlining the resources that can be brought to the collaboration.

Galt Museum has worked with guest curators for many, many years. In 2016 alone Wendy Aitkens, has worked with Donna Kroeger, Jane Edmundson, Ryan Heavyhead, Tyler Styewart and Mary-Beth Laviolette on the summer exhibit: Annora Brown Daughter of the Prairies. This exhibition will run from June 11 to September 5, 2016.

At the opening on Sunday June 12, 2016 guest curator Mary-Beth Laviolette will deliver an illustrated talk about Annora Brown of Fort Macleod. Mary-Beth has featured Annora in three group exhibitions and in a chapter of her 2012 book A Delicate Art: Artists, Wildflowers and Native Plants of the West. Now she has the pleasure to talk about this unique voice of southern Alberta in Annora Brown: Daughter of the Prairies at the Galt Museum.

Brown is best known for her paintings and drawings of wildflowers and native plants of southern Alberta and as the author of the western Canadian classic Old Man’s Garden, published in 1955. As a modern artist, she was engaged with the character of the wildflower and its place in the natural environment. Brown also explored southwestern Alberta and captured the land in colourful and often dramatic landscapes. Her fascination with First Nations people is expressed through many engaging paintings.

Annora Brown was born near Red Deer, Alberta in 1899. Her father, a member of the North Western Mounted Police, and her mother, who was one of Fort MacLeod’s first schoolteachers, raised her in Fort MacLeod.

Once Brown was old enough herself, she also taught. After four years, however, she chose to attend the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, her teachers, among others, were Arthur Lismer and J.E.H. MacDonald. In 1929, she taught at Mount Royal College in Calgary, but decided to return to Fort MacLeod in 1931, where she did fieldwork for the Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta, in the area of art and handicrafts.

From 1945 to 1950, Brown taught at the Banff School of Fine Arts.

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Brown was influenced by the surroundings where she grew up: the country around Fort MacLeod and its people. In her later life Annora Brown moved to British Columbia, where, she continued to paint and write until the end of her life. In 1971 was the first woman to be granted an honourary doctorate by The University of Lethbridge, which also has a few pieces of her work and there are a number of others held in private collections.

With the knowledge and skill of guest curator Mary-Beth Laviolette, the Galt Museum & Archives presents the first-ever retrospective of one of Alberta’s most significant early artists, Annora Brown (1899–1987) of Fort Macleod. The exhibition will feature some of her most well-known artworks as well as rarely seen paintings treasured by friends and admirers of this remarkable artist.

Quirk - 23

Hoodoos, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park

Borderlands:

The Mystery and Majesty of the Milk River region Story and Photos by Thomas Porter

Quirk - 24

Mule deer near Carway

“Warm winter winds, access to water and abundant game made this region a perfect stopover for nomadic hunter gathers.”

Although the buffalo don’t roam these hills anymore, the deer and the antelope still play here and call it home. The Milk River region is a vast, open expanse of semi-arid desert paralleling the Canada/US border.

It is marked by a 1600 square kilometre ridge rising out of the prairie landscape to a height of more than 1200 metres.

For centuries, this place was part of the home range for First Nations people like the Blackfoot. Warm winter winds, access to water and abundant game made this region a perfect stopover for nomadic hunter gathers. The unique geographic features also made it a highly spiritual place for a people so in tune with the land.

After colonization and the arrival of the white man things changed forever. The buffalo were hunted to extinction and the land’s First Peoples were confined to reservations. They were unable to roam the plains as they once had.

Settlers moved into Milk River country to farm and ranch in the late 1800s. They were promised the deed to 160 acres of land for a mere $10 if they could survive there for at least six months of each of the next three years.

Many were unsuccessful - being starved out, frozen out or having their animals die of thirst. This wild place was as unforgiving as it was beautiful, paying

Quirk - 25

Petroglyphs at Writing-On-Stone

no favours to the uninitiated. Stories have even been told of settlers eating gophers in the early days just to stay alive.

Some of the first white people to see the Milk River were members of the Northwest Mounted Police. They stopped over on their way to build Fort McLeod during the establishment of the plains trade route.

An early outpost was established at what is now Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park in 1887. The camp was built to defend against the whiskey trade and horse rustling, although neither of these things were reported as serious problems. Members spent the bulk of their time extinguishing grass fires and patrolling the valley.

The outpost was deemed unnecessary and was decommissioned shortly after the start of World War

Quirk - 26

I. It was subsequently burned down “by persons unknown�. The outpost was rebuilt to its former glory in the 1970s as part of an Alberta heritage initiative.

It still exists today as a tourist attraction.

Milk River country is a favourite place for hikers, photographers and members of the scientific community. It developed under a unique set of geologic, historic and climatic factors to become one of the most interesting landscapes in Western Canada.

The Milk River region marked the edge of a vast inland sea 85 million years ago. Dinosaurs and other primitive life forms walked these shores leaving their footprints, bones and even some unhatched eggs. Time and pressure from subsequent overburden hardened the sands into stone as the waters retreated during glaciation.

Large Prairie Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis

Three major rock formations resulted from the deposition and compaction of Cretaceous sand – the Virgelle Member, the Deadhorse Member and the Telegraph Creek member.

The Virgelle is perhaps the most well known as the upper reaches, weathered by wind and rain, form towering columns of sandstone known locally as ‘hoodoos’.

In the lower layers of the Virgelle, the sandstone is harder and denser, saving in it centuries-old records of indigenous peoples. Petroglyphs (rock carvings)

and pictographs (rock paintings) can be viewed on tour with parks staff at the aptly named provincial park.

The Milk River region is classified as fescue and mixed grassland. Fescue simply means any member of the genus Festuca, a member of the grass family

“The extreme conditions in Alberta’s deep south require a specialized skillset for survival. Plants and animals in the region have adapted to survive in this climate though a variety of means.”

Quirk - 27

“Scenic vistas, rare flora and stunning wildlife draw people from around the globe.”

Lone goose, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park Buffalo Bean, Thermopsis rhombifolia

Poaceae. These include Festuca scabrella (Rough Fescue), Festuca halii (Plains Fescue), Festuca Campestris (Foothills Fescue) and Festuca altaica (Northern Fescue).

These drought resistant flowering grasses are the major food source for game and domestic grazers throughout the region. Once a food source for epic herds of plains bison, it now sustains commercial livestock, mule and whitetail deer and pronghorn antelope.

Amongst the grass and gopher holes, a plethora of other rare and beautiful plants exist in the Milk River region. Low growing to protect themselves from the punishing westerly Quirk - 28

winds, these plants can be hard to see. Depending on what time of year you visit, you may not notice them at all. Getting down on one’s stomach gives them a whole new appreciation for life on the ground.

It’s dry, hot and seemingly desolate in the summer months, snow-covered and windy in the winter. So much snow has fallen there at times that settlers needed a ‘lifeline’ from their house to their barns in order to keep them from getting lost in a squall.

Fortunately for them the chinook winds meant it didn’t stick around for long.

The extreme conditions in Alberta’s deep south require a specialized skillset for

“There is a fine line between life and death in this desert, but life is indeed everywhere in spite of it all.”

Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus subarcticus

survival. Plants and animals in the region have adapted to survive in this climate though a variety of means.

One of the most significant factors to survival in a semi-arid desert is access to water. Wildlife from all over the region congregates at the Milk River for its life-giving flow. Named for its “tea with milk” appearance, the Milk River cuts a 160 kilometre trail through the prairie. It traverses the counties of

Ferruginous Hawk chicks, Buteo regalis

Cardston, Warner and Forty Mile in slow, lazy loops.

The river comes into Canada from Montana near Whiskey Gap and parallels the border in meandering channels until it exists once more southwest of Onefour.

Along this path, man and beast use this water source every day. It’s used for survival, for commerce and for fun. Game trails follow every coulee and draw down to the river. The shoreline is greeted dusk and

Quirk - 29

Fenceline near Cranston at dusk

“Time and pressure from subsequent overburden hardened the sands into stone as the waters retreated during glaciation.” dawn by a variety of furred and feathered friends – The circle of life is never more obvious than it is in even a few who are slimy and scaly – all looking for hard conditions. The sparse vegetation feeds those who in turn become food for others. There is a fine a drink. line between life and death in this desert, but life is It’s a naturalist’s paradise with unparalleled vastness indeed everywhere in spite of it all. and variety. For photographers and birdwatchers, every season brings new colour and new life. The Milk River ridge is home to nationally and Springtime is heralded by an explosion of wildflowers internationally significant environmental areas rallied by principal rains. A flush of green briefly including two protected wilderness areas. The Ross replaces the brown and gold of winter until the Lake Natural Area (19.5 square kilometres) and the summer heat bakes the landscape once more.

Twin River Heritage Rangeland Natural Area (190

“After colonization and the arrival of the white man things changed forever.

The buffalo were hunted to extinction and the land’s First Peoples were confined to reservations. They were unable to roam the plains as they once had.

Quirk - 30

Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiacus

square kilometres) are home to various species of raptors (birds of prey), amphibians (like the leopard frog) and several rare fish species. Rare plants have also been identified in the Ross Lake area as it was not glaciated by the last Ice Age.

Ferruginous Hawk in flight, Buteo regalia

It is the contrast between harshness and beauty that attracts so many visitors each year. Scenic vistas, rare flora and stunning wildlife draw people from around the globe.

As a result, there are numerous recreation opportunities in the Milk River region. Sightseeing and educational opportunities abound in the Milk River Quirk - 31

region. For campers, there are sites available at Warner Lions Park, Milk River Campground, Chin Park, Ridge Park and Writing on Stone Provincial Park.

Those wanting to hike and canoe also have options to enjoy the surrounding landscape. Visitor centres at the Town of Milk River and Warner have excellent resource material on their websites and in printed form should you be in the area.

Crocus blossoms, Crocus longiflorus

“Springtime is heralded by an explosion of wildflowers rallied by principal rains.�

Milk River through the hoodoos

Quirk - 32

Historic Police Outpost at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park

“Milk River country is a favourite place for hikers, photographers and members of the scientific community.�

Thomas atop a hoodoo at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park

Prairie Primrose, Oenothera albicaulis, at Red Rock Coulee

Quirk - 33

MONEY MATTERS

Will that be cash or debit?

By William Akoto, Money Mentors

“Technology has undoubtedly made us a more productive society and in most cases we can identify more pros than cons; however, within the context of personal finance, we are also becoming a society of spenders via technology.�

As a fast forward society, most people are all for technology and efficiency, but this often makes you wonder, has the increasing adaptation of cashless transactions detached us from our money?

Cash enables many people to lose control over their finances, as they do not see the magnitude of their daily transactions. It's now common to see other shoppers frowning and fidgeting toward a person in front of them paying for their groceries with cash. It won't be the first time we see such mannerisms, and it won't be the last.

It seems paying cash at a lot of major retail and shopping outlets is not tolerated by other shoppers. It is safe to say, we are in a haste to spend our hard-earned money as technology has enabled us to easily swipe, tap and confirm our transactions online in less than a second (and we do not even ask for receipts).

Many financial psychologists say personal financial management is 20% numbers and 80% psychology. They go further by explaining that financial success is about understanding the power of money, staying on top of your budget, vividly visualizing spending - what is going in and out and prioritizing needs and wants. In short, the more informed we are about our money, the higher our chances of achieving financial success.

In our contemporary world, all you have to do is swipe, tap or confirm a transaction and you have the latest gadget, big-screen TV (and in this

case, the bigger the screen the better your viewing experience), new clothes and so forth. The physical action and emotional attachment involved in going into your wallet or purse to hand out your hard-earned sweat is obsolete in our world today. Try counting 15 $20 bills for a $300.00 smartphone and hand this stack of cash to the sales person.

Would it make a difference?

Technology has undoubtedly made us a more productive society and in most cases we can identify more pros than cons; however, within the context of personal finance, we are also becoming a society of spenders via technology.

When you use cash in your daily transactions, it enables you to budget for discretionary spending, and it is probably the safest form of transaction. There is also limited accumulation of consumer debt and most importantly, less guilt because one has many opportunities to thoroughly think about their action before proceeding.

Of course this may not work for everybody, but we need to curtail the notion of cashless transactions. The more we use our cards, the higher our chances of losing control of our budget. This will ultimately affect our financial independence.

Money Mentors is the only Alberta-based, not-for-profit credit counselling agency. Through a number of services, we help families and individuals recover from financial crisis and move forward. From credit counselling and money coaching to retirement planning and community financial literacy, we are creating a healthier financial future for the entire province.

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Doggie Daycare Pet Sitting (for any type of pet) Dog Walking Dog Wash Pet Transportation

113 - 13 Street North 403-380-4922 www.petcitycanada.com

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PET PHOTO

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Winning Photo Sara

Photo by: Arline Bennett

Winner will receive a gift certificate from

Photos submitted via email must be at least 1MB. Please provide caption and name of photographer. Quirk Magazine, Shabella Publishing and sponsors retain the right to use winning photographs for promotional purposes.

email your photos to: info@readquirk.com

Entry Deadline May 30, 2016 Quirk - 35

You are Invited to the First Ever

“Le Tour De Fido”!

Lethbridge & District Humane Society The Lethbridge & District Humane Society’s main goal is to find the best possible homes for abandoned, stray and previously owned animals from Lethbridge and surrounding area.

The Society has been a no-kill facility since its inception in early 1970. They also work to educate the public on the benefits of spay/neuter and vaccinating pets, as well as on responsible pet ownership.

Without funding from any level of government, they operate on fundraising events, adoption fees, donations (personal and corporate) and grants when available. This year, the Humane Society is hosting its first ever “Le Tour de Fido” charity fundraising dog walk/jog. It promises to be a lot of fun on location at Henderson Lake Park, Saturday, June 18th.

You can pre-register for the event at the Lethbridge & District Humane Society, or on site starting at 10 am. All proceeds raised from sponsors and through pledges collected by participants of the walk and the event will go towards the care of the cats and dogs at the Lethbridge & District Humane Society.There will also be a charity BBQ, silent auction, dog demos, vendors and a kids zone with fun activities. Even if you don't register for the

walk, come out and join in on the fun and show your support for the Humane Society.

Currently the Humane Society is seeking business sponsors, donors and silent auction donations for “Le Tour de Fido” which we hope will become an annual event.

Sponsorship, and donations can be arranged through the Humane Society where our services are only made possible by the generosity of people who care. Any and all support from the community is greatly appreciated.

For more information, updates or to sponsor this or other events please visit the Lethbridge & District Humane Society Facebook page or call 403-320-8991.

The Lethbridge & District Humane Society is a charitable, nonprofit, volunteer organization which has been part of the Lethbridge

64 YEARS OF TRUSTED VETERINARY CARE

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• New Pets Welcome • Newly Renovated - Tours Welcome • Surgery • Ultrasound • Pharmacy • Vaccinations • Medicine • Laser Therapy • Dentistry • Pet Nutrition • Health Checks • On-site Private Cremation Services

History of the Lethbridge & District Humane Society

community since the early 1970s.

Initiated by a small number of volunteers, the organization operated with very little resources other than the dedication, commitment and energy of the people involved. Because no boarding facilities were available, shelter for the homeless and abandoned animals was provided in private homes.

Demands for service grew as the community grew and this group of 6-10 volunteers found it increasingly difficult to meet those demands. The period of 1980 to 1985 saw little activity and in 1987 the Society had almost entirely ceased operation.

On August 15, 1988 a Certificate of Revival for Incorporation was granted and the present Humane Society was

created in May of 1989, after volunteers spent one year establishing policies and procedures so that the Society would be able to meet the increasing demands for help. With its operational procedures in place, the Society announced it was back in operation.

At that time they moved into a small rental facility, fund raised for 3 years and with the help of a grant from the Wild Rose Foundation, property was purchased and a new building was built.

They moved into the new facility in March of 2002 where they continue to operate today. Over the past several years renovations have been done to allow them to increase their capacity.

All Photos courtesy of Katie Pahara Photography

SATURDAY TH

JUNE 18 , 2016 KIWANIS PICNIC SHELTER HENDERSON LAKE Register from 10am - 11:00 AM Walk/Jog begins @ 11:00 AM Charity BBQ and Dog Demos @ 12 PM

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LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY DOGS By Jean Van Kleek

“Happiness and health come from being who we are, and acknowledging we each have a purpose.”

I’ve often written about my dog Shani and her obsession with her ball. I spoke about how having a passion and focus has helped her deal with a disease that often takes the lives or health of dogs much younger than her. I was convinced that passion and a mission are key in keeping us well. I have to say, the more I’ve watched Bella, my thoughts have changed. Happiness and health come from being who we are, and acknowledging we each have a purpose. Bella isn’t on any mission, has no obsessions; in fact, when both went to agility training, the trainer said, “I think she’s lazy!” Shani concentrated on doing well and was proud of her accomplishments as she pranced.

Bella, on the other hand, would see Shani at the other end of the course and just run to her, forgetting she was in the middle of a “level” (and didn’t care).

All Bella cares about is that she is with the people she loves. No grand ambition, just a want to be close. For every person who feels the need to achieve, there is usually someone in their life who balances their anxiety, and helps bring them back to “centre”.

By simply “being”, these people remind the rest of us what is most important… and that is: happiness isn’t found by “getting” anywhere, it just “is”. These are the people who truly make a difference. God bless the “Bellas’” of the world.

RECIPE

Bella

Photo: Chris Yauck

Kiwi

Beef Strawberry

CRUNCH TREATS Hello all you dog lovers!

Zoe

1 cup pureed strawberries 1 cup cooked minced beef 1/2 cup ground flaxseed 1 cup smooth peanut butter 3 tablespoons liquid honey 1 teaspoon cinnamon approximately 4 cups each of cheerios and corn flakes (corn flakes slightly crunched) In a large bowl, incorporate all ingredients together ( I use disposable gloves)

I discovered my dogs love cheerios when some spilled on the floor from my nightly bowl. So this recipe is a no bake one. It’s easy and my doggie friends love them. I use my food processer to mince the meat and the strawberries. A tougher, inexpensive cut of beef such as sirloin tip or eye of round works well. The meat, of course, needs to be preThis mixture should be moist but not too wet. You cooked. will know when all sticks together just like good friends!

Press onto a cookie sheet laced with partchment paper and score to bite size pieces. Place in freezer.

I then transfer to ziplock bags and keep in the freezer until it’s treat time!

Refreshing for a hot hound on a dog day afternoon!

*Michelle's recipes include well researched ingredients to help make your dog happy & healthy.Michelle Zandstra

Quirk - 38

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BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

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