Okotoks Living Summer 2013 by Source Media Group

30 35 19 CULTURE & HISTORY

community

13 Block by block Community parties great way to meet the neighbours

30 Camping season Embrace outdoor living with Okotoks campgrounds

Dining 16 Here’s the scoop Five hot shops for cool desserts

Sports & Recreation 35 On the Court Okotoks Tennis Centre gears up for summer

feature 19 Sheer tenacity Local rider leaps to new heights

homes 38 Sunny side up Solar power an alternative for home energy

People

Okotoks 911 Fire chief on the job 24/7

Cover photography by Don Molyneaux

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contents Summer 2013

13 42 16 Sustainability

ITEMS

42 Dark Sky at night M.D. aims to reduce light pollution with educational initiative

8 Editor’s Message 10 Town of Okotoks Message 47 Events 48 Map

business 45 New in town Okotoks welcomes new businesses

You Said It … 50 Are you in favour of public transit between Okotoks and Calgary? Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/OkotoksLiving

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Become a fan of Okotoks Living on facebook

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editor’s note

Sweepin’ the clouds away Finally, summer.

PUBLISHER |

Source Media Group

info@sourcemediagroup.ca

In this issue, we decided to explore Alberta’s most fleeting season in depth, all from an Okotokian perspective. From camping, to stargazing, to summer events, we’ve got it all. Fire Chief Ken Thevenot is on the cover of this issue. One of Okotoks’s unsung heroes, Thevenot has been on the job since 2008. Read more about this hard working individual on page 24.

Jim Zang

A sso c ia t e P U B L I S H E R |

jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca E D I T O r |

Jessica Patterson

jessica.patterson@sourcemediagroup.ca A r t dire c t or |

Jean Faye Rodriguez

jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca

We start our summer theme off with Kerri Ann Day’s story on block parties, which

g raphi c desi g n ers

is a great way to meet your neighbours and a good excuse

Lama Azhari

to throw a barbecue. For those of you with a sweet tooth,

lama.azhari@sourcemediagroup.ca

we feature our top five favourite places for ice cream, gelato or frozen yogurt in Okotoks on page 16. With many sunny days to come, read about harnessing the power of the sun for your home’s energy needs in Aaliya Essa’s story on page 38. And, from sunny skies to dark, clear nights, summer is a great season for stargazing. Turn your eyes to the skies June 23, for the biggest full moon of the year, and again on August 12 for the Perseid meteor shower. We offer some tips on keeping those skies dark, with a story on the M.D. of Foothills’ Dark Sky Initiative and the value of full cut-off lights. Rounding out our summer theme, writer Stephen Smith serves up an article on tennis, a sport that seems made for summer, and then takes a look at outdoor living with a piece on campgrounds in and near Okotoks. And, finally, our little magazine wouldn’t be complete without a great feature on an emerging equestrian talent, our summer events listing, maps, and your favourite You Said It. In your travels this summer, take a copy of Okotoks Living with you. You never

Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca

Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca produ c t io n c o - ordi n a t or |

Colleen Leier

colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca A d v er t isi n g S A L E S |

Janice Skelton-White

janice.skelton-white@sourcemediagroup.ca A CC O U NT I NG | Donna

Roberts

accounts@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL

Alyssa Burnham, Kerri Ann Day, Aaliya Essa, Kelsey Gilchrist, Stephen Smith PHOTOGRAPHY

Don Molyneaux, Jessica Patterson, To w n o f O k o t o k s L iaiso n

Shane Olson DISTRIBUTED BY

Media Classified, Town of Okotoks, Okotoks Welcome Wagon, Source Media Group, Wall2Wall

know where you’ll end up. We invite you to send your photos, as you read Okotoks Living in various locations around Alberta, Canada and the world — and we’ll publish them in our fall edition.

P R I N T E D I N C A N A DA

Until then, have a great summer!

Jessica Patterson, Editor jessica.patterson@sourcemediagroup.ca

Okotoks Living™ is published four times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary and Okotoks. Source Media Group agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Okotoks Living™ accepts editorial submissions and letters to the editor by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions, including your full name, phone number and return email address, to okotoks.editor@ sourcemediagroup.ca Co n t a c t :

Source Media Group. 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9 tel 403.532.3101 fax 403.532.3109 toll free 1.888.932.3101 www.sourcemediagroup.ca

403.532.3101 ext. 242

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mayor’s message

Message from Mayor and Town Council

long with warm weather, the summer brings with it many seasonal activities and events to our community. We encourage residents and visitors alike to check out our scenic pathway system, pristine

golf courses and captivating cultural offerings at the Museum, Art Gallery, Rotary Performing Arts Centre and Olde Towne Okotoks. There are many fun-filled summer events to take in as well including the Spirit of Okotoks Parade & Children’s Festival, Canada Day celebrations, BuskerFest, Foothills Highland Games, Chili Fest and Okotoks Pro Rodeo to name a few. See page 47 for event listings or visit www.okotoks.ca. Summer is also a time to enjoy our yards. Use Cut ‘n’ Call to dispose of your grass clippings. Nature’s cycle provides most of the required moisture to sustain plant life. Our climate is semi-arid, which can require additional moisture. Please be conscious of our precious resources and conserving water. The Town’s Outdoor Watering Schedule is in effect from May 1 – October 31 and our Conservation Educators will be visiting residents and providing information and tips throughout the summer. We also began our Water Conservation Rebate Program for residents on May 1. It continues to be a very popular program and is distributed on a first come, first serve basis. For more information on any of our programs, please visit www.okotoks.ca.

Councillors Stephen Clark, Laurie Hodson, Ray Watrin, Mayor Bill Robertson (seated), Councillors Matt Rockley, Florence Christophers and Edward Sands.

Our warm, inviting and vibrant town also offers many dining, shopping and recreational experiences. If you’re visiting Okotoks, we have charming accommodation options including hotels, bed & breakfasts and camping to extend your stay. We hope this summer gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the appeal and attractions that await you in hip, happening, historic Okotoks!

Become a fan of Town of Okotoks Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/ town_of_okotoks

Mayor WM. (Bill) Robertson On behalf of Town Council

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culture Story by Kerri Ann Day Photos by Don Molyneaux

Block by block

Okotokians Charmaine Reiber, Darlene Auld and Mark Rowed help organize neighbourhood parties each year.

Community parties foster relationships Summer is the perfect time to get to know your neighbours and a block party is a great way to start. It’s a fun and easy way for residents to meet and begin what could be relationships that last for years. Charmaine Reiber, a resident on Rancher’s Rise, credits a block party two years ago with the level of connectedness in her cul-de-sac today. “It was a potluck barbecue with some sidewalk chalk and bubbles for the kids but some early connections were made there that make us more like friends than neighbours now,” she says. We might be more conected today through digital technology, but that isn’t everything. “I think what people are craving is a personal connection that we can only get from this kind of back-to-basics contact,” Reiber says. “We now have the kind of camaraderie here where it’s second nature to borrow a cup of sugar or cut someone’s lawn while they’re away.”

“We now have the kind of camaraderie here where it’s second nature to borrow a cup of sugar or cut someone’s lawn while » they’re away.”

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culture

“The block party is where everyone got to know everyone … and now we have a street where everyone watches out for each other. It’s what makes it a nice place to live.” A & B Suntree’s annual neighbourhood party has allowed residents to come together and build friendships.

On Crystal Green Drive, approximately 60 homeowners also share that kind of connection. Darlene Auld, a resident since 2008, spearheads a community newsletter and three social events a month for the area. She says the block party, now in its fourth year, is the highlight of the year for the neighbourhood. “The block party is where everyone got to know everyone,” Auld says. “And now we have a street where everyone watches out for each other. It’s what makes it a nice place to live.” In Suntree, an older Okotoks community north of Milligan, the neighbourhood celebration has been taken one step further, with the Suntree Music Festival. The annual event is planned start-to-finish by neighbours and features musicians living in Suntree. According to Suntree’s Residents Association president, Mark Rowed, planned social events are an important staring point for developing rapport. “The social event gets people out of their houses and builds a connected neighbourhood,” he says. “But, it’s when those neighbours become friends that the real benefits happen.” OL

“The social event gets people out of their houses and builds a connect neighbourhood … but it’s when those neighbours become friends that the real benefits happen.”

Good to Know Organizing a block party is not the same as inviting a few neighbours over for a drink on the patio. To host a community party, the Town of Okotoks requires that you have the approval of 75 per cent of the property owners affected by the event. You must apply for a special permit. There are also noise and alcohol restrictions to be considered. Check out the comprehensive Block Party Planning Guide at www.okotoks.ca.

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dining

Story and photos by Jessica Patterson

Here’s the

scoop Five hot shops for cool desserts

It’s officially summer, and for many, thoughts turn to cool desserts on hot, sunny days. Okotokians now can enjoy half a dozen places in town to satisfy their sweet teeth over the summer. Frozen desserts include ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, sorbet and tofulati. So where’s the best place in Okotoks to pick up a cone? We’re sharing our top spots to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop

Banana and bubblegum ice cream

The Big Dipper Ice Cream shop, located off McRae Street, has been serving Foothills Creamery ice cream for the last 11 years. Owner Sheila Belsher (McKinlay) has lived in town for 43 years, and started her ice cream business after being inspired by a similar shop in Cranbrook. “I started with one freezer and 15 flavours,” she says. “We ran the shop until 10 p.m. at night and all day Saturday, for three and a half years.” The range of Big Dipper frozen desserts have expanded over the years. They serve milkshakes, floats and sundaes, but the most popular item on The Big Dipper menu is ice cream. The ice cream shop offers four flavours of gelato and 35 flavours of Foothills Creamery ice cream. “I try and have something for everyone,” Belsher says. “I carry a sugarless ice cream, I carry no-dairy and no fat gelatos.” Belsher says cookie dough is the most popular flavour for her Okotoks crowd. Visitors and locals alike throng to this popular Okotoks ice cream shop for it’s friendly customer service and quiet and off the beaten path location. It’s become a destination in the Olde Towne.

Okotoks Candy Shoppe The Okotoks Candy Shoppe, located on 20 McRae Street in the Olde Towne, offers Chapman’s ice cream to help cool you down over the summer. Though, they serve between 12 and 20 flavours of ice cream all through the year, says owner Tracy Rebelato. The one-of-akind destination in the Olde Towne also carries a variety of popsicles, fudgesicles, rocket pops and lots of vintage and retro candy to satisfy that sweet tooth. “The maple walnut and black cherry are the most popular flavours,” Rebelato says. “We try to offer a really good variety for everybody, so everyone can find something they like.” Customers are spoiled for choice at the Okotoks Candy Shoppe, and that applies to their dogs, Superman ice too. “If people are out for a walk with their dog, cream cone we offer doggie cones, so their dog can get an ice cream cone,” Rebelato says. Visitors should try the strawberry, caramel and chocolate toppings, as well as the store’s waffle cones and sugar cones, for an extra sugar hit. “We do free ice cream on birthdays,” Rebelato says. “Usually, a lot of kids come in with their parents.”

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Cheesecake ice cream, red velvet ice cream and toppings

Menchies Menchies in Okotoks opened January 17, in the heart of winter, says co-owner Cory Edwards. While the weather was colder than the store’s frozen yogurt, the decision to open in Okotoks was just right. Stepping into the store, located at 18 - 34 Southridge Drive, can be a bit overwhelming for the uninitiated. Customers get to choose their own frozen dessert, from the second they walk in the door, Edwards explains. “They grab a cup or waffle bowl, and then can mix and match any of the 16 flavours on display, pick any dry toppings they want.” Menchies takes the idea of a sundae to the next level. Menchies has 130 frozen yogurt flavours in rotation, so while you might try their popular red velvet or cake batter flavour one day, there might be something in it’s place the next. “We usually keep out approximately 40 dry toppings and 12 to 16 cold toppings, and five sauces, but we’re always changing them,” Edwards says. All of the frozen yogurt is sourced from a Canadian dairy out of Vancouver. And after building your sugar-mountain on top of your Skor-bit cone, everything is priced by weight, at 55 cents per ounce.

Chinook Honey Company At Chinook Honey Company, located just west of Okotoks on Highway 7, ice cream is a popular product at this farm store destination. Cherie Andrews, co-owner of Chinook Honey Company, has been selling Dulce de leche and black ice cream for six years. currant ice cream. “I have a suspicion it was a suggestion from a customer, when we first began selling ice cream,” she says. The store offers five core ice creams, two sorbets, and a couple of new flavours each season. “Our incoming seasonal ice cream for the summer, it might be lavender,” Andrews says. Chinook Honey Company’s ice cream is handmade by the folks at Evelyn’s Memory Lane Cafe in High River. It’s all custom and exclusive to Chinook Honey Company. And, if you haven’t tried honey ice cream, you should buzz on over. The most popular flavour, especially with children is the honey ripple, Andrews says. The next most popular flavours are honey and maple syrup and dulce de leche. What makes honey ice cream special is the rich flavour honey gives the ice cream, Andrews explains. “And the way Evelyn’s makes the ice cream, it’s very creamy,” she says. “They make it by hand, and it’s dense because there’s no extra air in the product.”

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Mango, cranberry sorbetto, rocky road gelato

Amato Gelato The popular Italian ice cream company in Calgary’s Kensington expanded over the last year, to include a brand new Okotoks location, much to our delight. Owner Moe Khawaja opened Okotoks’ Amato Gelato location at 9-18 Southridge Drive, in October 2012. “My friends, who own the Kensington location, were looking for someone to get involved in Okotoks,” he explains. Ten months later, Amato Gelato has become a destination in Okotoks, where customers can find the dense and flavourful Italian ice cream known as gelato as well as sorbetto, yogurt and tofulati, which is a delicious nondairy, soy-based frozen dessert. Amato Gelato has over 72 flavours on display, which are rotated, based on public support. “Sometimes we have bubblegum, other times, we run out of the popular flavour,” Khawaja says, adding that the gelato is made in Vancouver. Gelato is a richly flavoured ice cream. Gelato is milk-based and made with less butterfat than regular ice cream, whereas sorbetto is water-based and made with fruit. Whether you choose to try it in a cone or a bowl, check out Amato Gelato this summer. OL

Frozen desserts include ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, sorbet and tofulati.

The Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop 67 McRae Street Okotoks Candy Shoppe 20 McRae Street Menchies 34 Southridge Drive Chinook Honey Company Highway 7 and 16 Street Amato Gelato 18 Southridge Drive

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feature Story by Kelsey Gilchrist Photos by Jessica Patterson

Sheer tenacity Local rider leaps to new heights

It’s early on a Sunday morning, but Shelby Edwards is already hard at work in the arena training with her horse, Addie, at Willow Grove Stables northeast of Okotoks. Edwards, 17, graduates from Foothills Composite High School in June and will be spending her summer doing what she loves most: show jumping. With her young face and shy smile, at first glance Edwards seems like any teenage girl. What makes her unique is how completely focused she is on her riding. Edwards has the kind of drive and determination that is rare in a girl barely out of high school. Even during the school year, she works with her horses six days a week to train for competitions. “It takes a lot of practice, and when you start jumping bigger it gets a little harder to stay on,” says Edwards, but she grins when she talks about riding. She explains that she does not mind the hard work or the occasional fall because she loves what she is doing. “I would never want to quit,” she says.

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feature

Growing up, Edwards can’t remember a time when she wasn’t around horses. She started riding on her family acreage in Dewinton pretty much from the time she could walk when she was two-years-old, and started riding English style and jumping over rails when she was just five. Her mother, Lori, who works for SGI Insurance, and her father, Wade, who is a salesman for Kraft, both ride and have always encouraged Shelby’s equestrian exploits. This is fortunate, because she is almost constantly riding. “Riding kind of takes over my life,” she says with a laugh. “It’s really exciting. You get a connection with your horse.” Edwards’ coach, Trish Mrakawa says that the connection Edwards makes with the horses she rides is what makes this young rider so unique. “Shelby has a very good way of communicating with the horses,” she says. “Horses like her. They really connect with her.” Edwards works with two different horses, and like any horse enthusiast, she could talk about them for hours. Addie, who belongs to Mrakawa, is a little seven-year-old chestnut mare with a lot of attitude. Rupert, Edwards’ own horse, is a big, laidback 15-year-old gelding whom Edwards fondly refers to as her “special guy.”

“He’s such a teddy bear. My grandma makes ginger cookies just for him,” she says. Edwards rides both horses in competition, but she takes Rupert to the biggest shows because he can jump the highest. Edwards has fun with her horses, but she is all business when competing with them. She has been competing heavily in horse shows since she was 11-years-old, and recently she has had some big success. In 2011, she qualified for the medal finals at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, where she placed second in the gymnastic phase, which is a tricky course involving a combination of ground poles and bigger jumps. Edwards then went on to place seventh overall, in spite of competing against riders older than herself. Last year brought even more success for the Okotoks rider when Edwards won the Jump Alberta Western Canadian Championship. Not only was the win huge achievement in itself, but it also qualified her for a provincial team that went on to compete in the

“Riding kind of takes over my life... It’s really exciting. You get a connection with your horse.”

Shelby and Rupert

Shelby and Addie

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feature

Sacramento International Horse Show in California that October. Competing at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Sacramento was a new challenge for Edwards because she was part of a team. “There was pressure because I didn’t want to let the team down. Most of the time in normal competitions there’s not too much pressure,” she says. In Sacramento, in the second round, she needed to complete her routine with absolutely no faults in order for the team to advance to the finals. She says that was the most pressure she had ever felt in a competition. “It all depended on me. I didn’t want to let the team down.” With pressure mounting, Edwards rode a clean round and her team won the finals. It was one of Edward’s biggest achievements so far, her coach says. Horses aside, Edwards plans to attend Mount Royal University in Calgary, for environmental sciences. Though, what she dreams of doing is riding professionally. For now, Edwards is planning on a busy competition season, including competing in The Masters at Spruce Meadows from September 4 to 8. Dreaming big, Edwards is aiming to secure a spot at a prestigious international competition called Young Riders in the next couple of years, where she would be jumping at much higher heights and competing with teams from many different countries. These are big goals, but Edwards has the determination to match. At Willow Grove Stables, Mrakawa explains that is what makes this young rider so special. “When she puts her mind to it, she can pretty much achieve anything, this girl,” she says. Sheer tenacity. OL

She has been competing heavily in horse shows since she was 11-years-old, and recently she has had some big success in a few major contests. Shelby and Renaissance in California, February 2012. SOURCE ME DIA G ROU P: CE LE B RATI NG ITS 1 0TH YEAR

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people Story by Jessica Patterson Photos by Don Molyneaux

Okotoks

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people

Fire chief on the job 24/7

here’s a muffled murmur of voices coming from a radio attached to Ken Thevenot’s belt. Thevenot’s constant companion, his radio, is as much a part of his life as his family. It’s on all the time. When he’s at work, when he’s at home, when he’s on the ice at the Pason Centennial arena, playing hockey with the firefighters on Friday nights. Thevenot, 46, is Okotoks’ Fire Chief. And firefighting isn’t just a job for Thevenot, it’s his life. “For me, helping people is all part of the job,” he says. The Chief is on call 24/7. It’s a lot of work, but he loves it. His second home is the fire station on Milligan Drive. There, Thevenot has an easy rapport with his team of volunteer and full time firefighters, with whom he’s logged countless hours and thousands of calls. This close-knit band of brothers is tied together by a common goal of keeping Okotokians safe. “It is a second family,” he says of the department. “We have extra events we do here with our staff. We have our kids Christmas party and our Christmas parade, we’ve gone out ice fishing and played road hockey games.” Firefighting is a dangerous job. Over his career, Thevenot has been put in perilous situations, including being trapped in flashovers. He’s cut people from cars, he’s rescued people and saved lives. He’s sees things on a regular basis, most people

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watch on television. Life as a firefighter means facing danger and the unknown, risking life and limb, every day, to help people in times of crisis. “I’m proud to be a firefighter,” Thevenot says. “There’s something about not knowing what’s next, going on different calls every day. We can be sitting here doing an interview and I could be out on a call, doing a water rescue, or a motor vehicle accident.” Deputy Fire Chief Pat MacIsaac first met Thevenot in 2003, when they worked on the provincial urban search and rescue team in Manitoba. Two years later, MacIsaac applied to be Thevenot’s deputy chief in Thompson and that’s when they started working together, full time, side by side. “I like working with Ken,” MacIsaac says. “Ken is very passionate about the fire service. He’s everyman’s chief. He started as a volunteer, he was a medic, he was an officer and a full-time firefighter.” MacIsaac says Thevenot has vision for Okotoks fire department and is always striving to improve service. “Given all the different aspects of the job he’s done, he’s really able to take a good look and move the department forward,” MacIsaac says, noting that there’s been positive changes in staffing and deployment since Thevenot came on board in Okotoks. It’s been 25 years in the fire service for Thevenot, who grew up in Thompson, Manitoba, a small mining town 740 kilometres north of Winnipeg. In 1988, 21-year-old Thevenot was doing a welding apprenticeship, when an ad in the newspaper caught his eye. The Thompson Fire department was looking for volunteers. “I knew a couple of the firefighters there, and I went down to talk to them and the next day I was on the team,” Thevenot recalls. Of the seven Thevenot siblings, Ken was the first to be a volunteer firefighter. Within the same year, he went to work in the Vale nickel mine, like his father

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people

“One captain told me when I first started, ‘Don’t ever stop being scared when you go on calls.’ What he meant was don’t ever stop being cautious, don’t ever stop being prepared, because that’s when you get hurt.”

A Chief Ken Thevenot, top centre, Deputy Chief Pat Maclsaac, top right, and members of the Okotoks Fire Department. B Ken and son Max in a parade in Thompson, Manitoba, in 1992. C Thevenot’s first year as deputy chief in Thompson began in April 2002. D Ken’s first job in Thompson, 1990. E

Thevenot and his family: wife Faye Lian and sons Ben and Max.

Thevenot regularly plays hockey with the firefighters in Okotoks.

A and three brothers. He was also on the mine rescue team, because of his experience as a volunteer firefighter. “I was underground as a miner for a year and a half,” Thevenot says. “It was a whole different world under there, but it was a great experience. It taught me how to work hard and why to work hard.” Thevenot began as a volunteer firefighter in 1988, and in 1990 started as a full-time EMT firefighter. He advanced to lieutenant in 1998, was promoted to deputy fire chief in 2002, and in 2003 was promoted to chief. As chief, Thevenot was responsible for the firefighters under him, for training and operations, and up to 5,000 calls a year. He was the Thompson Fire Department chief for five years, before his wife Faye Lian, a nurse, retired in 2008. At that time, both of their kids were grown up. One was in Brandon, the other was playing Junior A hockey. Both of them had left home. The Thevenots wanted to move somewhere a bit warmer and closer to a larger centre, the fire chief recalls. Okotoks was looking for a fire chief at that time. Thevenot started October 14, 2008 as Okotoks’ fire chief. It was a bit of a

challenge to get used to the agriculturalrelated fires that could happen here, Thevenot says. “In Thompson, agricultural areas were 300 miles away from us. Growing up in a mining community with huge amounts of forest, the biggest disaster in Thompson was forest fires. Here in Okotoks, flooding is the biggest priority.” But the responsibilities as fire chief were the same. In Okotoks, Thevenot oversees 17 full-time firefighters, 32 volunteer firefighters, two administrative assistants, and loves being part of the fire services team. These days, Thevenot’s son Ben, 25, still lives in Brandon with his girlfriend and stepson, where he works at a liquid fertilizer company and Max, 23, is a fulltime firefighter at Heritage Pointe. “If I didn’t have the support from my family, I couldn’t do it,” Thevenot says. “My family and my parents were a huge part of my career. They were always willing to lend an ear or support, when I needed it.” “I remember one time we did a 9/11 march, and I was marching at the one year anniversary. My dad watched it from the side, and he was so proud. It was so cool.” Being a firefighter has its sacrifices.

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people

During Thevenot’s first Christmas in Okotoks, he spent 12 hours at a fire. He’s had to leave family functions, birthday parties and hockey games because of calls. “There are sacrifices you and your family make, understanding the reward is worth a lot as well,” Thevenot says. “When you go out on calls and see you’ve made a difference, even if it’s small, you have made things safer, better for the community.” The Okotoks Fire department goes to almost 900 calls a year, from fires, to carbon monoxide calls, to motor vehicle accidents, and medical support for the Alberta Health Services paramedic team housed at the station on Milligan Drive. “A lot of people think, as a firefighter, you’re out fighting fires all of the time,” Thevenot says. “Fires are just a small portion of what we do. We also do prevention, education and medical support.” At the station on Milligan Drive, there are maps outlining Okotoks hydrant locations in three different locations. Three newer trucks rest in the bays, a 500-gallon ladder truck, a 600-gallon pumper truck and one rescue truck. In the back, there’s a yellow 2,000-gallon water carrier with the Okotoks Fire department logo on it. That one’s about to be replaced, Thevenot says. It’s a backup truck, dating from the 1980s. He gestures to the back of a second yellow truck. It’s oldfashioned, with a pump control panel exposed to the open air. Thevenot rode the tailboard of the truck for seven years. In 1995, they stopped riding the tailboards of the truck. Suddenly, there’s a high-pitched long dash squealing over Thevenot’s radio. It’s a call from dispatch. There’s a report of a structural fire in the Drake Landing area. Duty calls. OL

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community

Embrace outdoor living with local camping destinations

Kick off camping season Let the trailers roll in and the tents go up. It’s time to take a break from our hectic urban existences with some camping. After a long winter, we’ve all earned some fun in the sun time. There are three appealing campground choices in the Okotoks area, all with unique features. Daily rates are included in these descriptions and discounts may apply for longer stays.

Nature’s Hideaway Family Campground About 20 minutes northeast of Okotoks, adjacent to the Highwood River, you will find Nature’s Hideaway Family Campground. The campground has about 135 sites in a truly beautiful natural setting. No service sites are $30 a day, water and power is $35. Power, water and sewer is $40. “You get out here and there are these great giant old poplars,” says owner Stacey McHugh. “They are over 1000-years-old. The campground is well-treed and the river horseshoes around three sides of the land.” McHugh reveals the “family” in the campground’s title is there for good reason. “We really try to create this family atmosphere,” she explains. “We have herds of children around here.” Keeping smiles on young faces, kids are treated to special activities like face painting and magic shows on select weekends at Nature’s Hideaway.

» For more information go to www.naturesfamilycampground.com

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community

Story by Stephen W. Smith

Okotoks Lions Sheep River Campground Found smack dab in the middle of Okotoks, off Woodhaven Drive, this local institution boasts location as a prime selling point to visiting campers. “It’s close to all the amenities they need,” campground operator Pauline Krause explains. “We have beautiful walking paths. Campers can walk into town, do their shopping walk back. The grocery stores and everything else are pretty close.” The Sheep River Campground has 55 full sites and six tent sites. Little seasonal camping is done here, as the owners cater mostly to weekly and weekend guests. The nightly rate with full hook ups including cable TV is $38. Tent sites are $25. With a large adjacent playground and instant access to wading in the Sheep River, this campground gets a lot of repeat business. “We get US travelers,” Krause says of visitors. “We also get a lot of Europeans who rent motor homes and come down here to spend a couple of days. We also get a lot of local people and city people because it’s so close by.”

» For more information go to www.okotokslionscampground.com

Riverbend Campground Up the hill, east of downtown Okotoks is where you’ll find Riverbend Campground. Located in the scenic river valley, Riverbend Campground has been in operation since the mid-1980s. “We get a lot of compliments about how we’re a quiet and family-oriented campground,” says owner Dwayne Couture. Riverbend Campground offers fun and activities for the whole family. Kids can try their skills at mini golf, while parents can enjoy a leisurely paddleboat ride on the gentle Sheep River. Cool off on those hot summer days with a swim or take the family tubing. Riverbend Campground has more than 200 campsites. Tenting is $25 a night, power and water sites are $35, with higher fees for 40 and 50 amp service sites. Most of the trailer sites have sewer services, as well. OL

» For more information go to www.riverbendcampground.ca

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sports Story by Stephen W. Smith

On the court

The Okotoks Tennis club gears up for summer

Birgitte Leblic

Tennis is Birgitte Leblic’s passion. She’s been a part of the Okotoks Tennis Club since it was established in 2000, but her love affair with the game reaches back into the 1970s. It was a time when the game’s popularity was elevated by the televised greatness of superstar players like Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Evonne Cawley, and Chris Everett. “I started playing tennis at age nine, growing up in the Netherlands, on good old clay courts,” Leblic explains. “That’s quite different from what the surfaces are here.” Now in her early fifties, she has long adapted to the North American hard court game. Leblic enjoys being a fixture of Okotoks Tennis Centre league play and tournaments. Often she willingly reigns in her hard-earned tennis proficiency when playing against novice opponents, choosing to encourage their skill development rather than humbling them with precise game-winning shots. It’s no fun being shown up by a superior player for anyone. “The beauty of tennis is that you can go full out or you can slow down and have a good social time with

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sports

other players,” Leblic explains. “The other beauty of it is a family can play together.” Moms, dads and kids send balls flying, back and forth, across the nets at three Tower Hill Courts on Waldron Avenue. The club also utilizes the Wilson Street courts, David Dam, club president. for drop-in play booked through the Okotoks Recreation Centre. Last year, over 200 members swung racquets with the Okotoks Tennis Centre. Tennis Centre president David Dam feels there’s room for many more. Word just has to spread. “Some people go to Calgary to play, because they don’t know there are courts here in town,” he says. The tennis club is an ideal training ground for children with mini-court play, which involves playing on a half sized surface, a lower net, smaller racquets and larger foam balls. “It’s so much easier to learn tennis that way,” Leblic says. “I started out with a big heavy wooden racket and a humongous court when I was younger. This way is more kid-friendly.” Nine-year-old Erik McDougall is a member of the club and an emerging young player. While McDougall has had many good days on the courts, there’s one that remains his favourite. “When I turned nine last year, I decided to take my friends to the court for my birthday to play,” McDougall says. “It was lots of fun. I think I was the only who had played tennis before. ” Besides introducing his friends to the game he loves, the nine-

“The beauty of tennis is that you can go full out or you can slow down and have a good social time with other players.” year-old tennis player has also seen his seven-year-old younger sister, Amelia, take up the sport as well. Kids aren’t the only ones benefitting from modified tennis. Dam says he encourages seniors to try out the sport. “As long as they’re physically capable, able to stand and hold a 19-inch racquet and rally, they can play.” The benefits of club membership include access to a professional ball machine and specialized programs like cardio tennis, where high energy-instructor led tennis exercises are accompanied by music. The Okotoks Tennis Centre continues to thrive 13 years after it was established. It began with a local newspaper ad placed by the town appealing to local tennis enthusiasts to get organized. “There were the three tennis courts on top of the water reservoir in Tower Hill that were in bad shape due to vandalism,” Leblic recalls. “Before investing funds to repair the court surface and surrounding fence, there needed to be assurance that the courts were going to be used by tennis players only, maintained, and protected.” The volunteer-driven Okotoks Tennis Centre continues to do the many things necessary to maintain the facilities required to pursue the sport they love. OL

» For more information go to www.okotokstennis.com

Erik McDougall, club member.

Some club members out to play tennis on a nice Saturday morning. Photo by Jessica Patterson

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homes Story by Aaliya Essa

Sunny side up Solar power an alternative for home energy

“Turn off those lights!” It’s a refrain heard every day in thousands of homes across the country, and rightly so, as homeowners become more and more sensitive to both the financial and environmental costs of excessive energy consumption. One way many homeowners are dealing with the situation is to turn to solar power as their primary source of energy. After all, Calgary and surrounding area has approximately 2,400 hours, or 332 sunny days each year, the most of any major city in Canada. And the good news is that now you can do so without breaking the bank, as technology and production advances have made these systems an economically viable alternative both for new home construction and retrofitting older homes.

Solar power utilizes an energy source that doesn’t leave a large carbon footprint like coal or other fossil fuels, and is affordable over the long-term. That’s why, for many, it’s becoming a more and more reasonable energy solution in terms of both being environmentally responsible and reducing power bills. “People are starting to wake up to the fact that grid connected solar power is an excellent option for generating clean energy for the home,”says Colin Dumais, Enmax technology specialist. “When you see companies such as Enmax jumping on board, you know you’ve hit a turning point, this is a very exciting time to be apart of solar energy. “More and more people are realizing grid-connected solar systems are the clear leaders of one of the renewable energies for the home, this is the frontrunner at the moment.”

“People are starting to wake up to the fact that grid connected solar power is an excellent option for generating clean energy for the home.”

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homes

For one kilowatt of DC you would require 75 square-feet of space for four modules that would produce 1,000-1,300 kilowatts per hour.

The real beauty of solar energy is that it has no negative effects on the environment. Panels pull in sunlight, and convert it into a direct current. It’s green energy at its finest. The cost of acquiring solar energy is based on the number of modules you can have on your roof. Solar panels attached to a building or garage are considered part of the structure and acceptable under the Town’s land use bylaw, according to Steve Hanhart, community planner for the Town of Okotoks. However, a stand alone solar module in someone’s backyard is not permissible under the current land use bylaw. “The average family of four uses 650 kilowatt hours per month,” says David Kelly, CEO of Calgary-

based SkyFire Energy Solar Energy Systems. Per year, the average family would use about 7,800 kilowatt hours. With SkyFire Energy’s systems, for one kilowatt of DC you would require 75 square-feet of space for four modules that would produce 1,000-1,300 kilowatts per hour. The approximate cost for this system would be about $5,500.

Green energy at its finest: solar panels convert sunlight into AC. Photo courtesy SkyFire Energy.

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homes

Solar energy continues to grow in popularity, with some home builders offering their clients the option of including the modules and installation to their new homes.

How

it works Solar energy is captured by the solar photovoltaic modules (solar panels), that are installed on the roof or in the yard where they have maximum exposure to the sun. The inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC), which is the common electricity found in homes and commercial buildings. “When sunlight hits the module it generates an

While the benefits for the environment are plenty, homeowners that choose to embark on solar energy can expect little assistance from the Government of Alberta. Unlike neighbouring provinces, there are no government incentives, rebates or discounts encouraging homeowners in Alberta to either build with solar or retrofit. “There is not much for incentive in the province, any time any one wants to make the investment into solar technology, its because they want to reduce their footprint,” says Marty King for Vantage Electric. Still, solar energy continues to grow in popularity, with some home builders offering their clients the option of including the modules and installation to their new homes. While any home is eligible, new or old, this is a great way to start your green energy journey. OL

electric current, which is electricity, and all modules produce DC electricity. We then need to convert the DC into AC for houses,” says David Kelly, CEO of SkyFireEnergy Solar Energy Systems in Calgary. “The inverter then backfeeds electricity into the electrical panel through a new breaker,” says Kelly. The meter which calculates the energy both generated by the modules and what is used from the grid, indicates the amounts for both, and the possible savings for any solar energy that was exported to the grid. These numbers are listed on the following electricity bill from your provider.

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sustainability Story and photo by Jessica Patterson

Dark Sky at In the daylight, the effect isn’t as glaring, but when the sun goes down, an orange glow emanates into the sky above Okotoks. It’s light pollution. And in April 2006, the M.D. of Foothills council started work on a bylaw and initiative that sought to minimize the light pollution in the M.D. of Foothills, called the Dark Sky Initiative. The bylaw was adopted by council in 2010 and updated in 2011, says Spencer Croil, a planner with the M.D. of Foothills. “There are very few initiatives like this in Canada, in rural Canada anyway,” Croil says. “There are some examples in larger urban centres, but this was the first of its kind in Alberta.” The Dark Sky bylaw, which seeks to curb light pollution in the municipal district, was based off a similar bylaw in Flagstaff, Arizona, and in Pima County near Phoenix. The environment in the night time can be adversely affected by light pollution, Croil says. Light pollution throws off

the ecological balance, affects astronomers and scientists, and wildlife. Light pollution has also been shown to disrupt circadian rhythms in animals and people. “The Dark Sky Initiative has social benefits, and economic and environmental benefits,” he explains. “It aims to reduce light pollution which benefits wildlife and habitat. Socially, it’s a little bit of a stretch, other than it’s a positive, inexpensive way to get everyone on board with the initiative. Economically, there are definite benefits to shielding light properly, to reduce costs of lighting and electricity charges.” And while the M.D.’s bylaw is enforceable, the Dark Sky Initiative is more focused on education. “We had been explicit at the beginning of the project that the Dark Sky Initiative was going to be more

“We had been explicit at the beginning of the project that the Dark Sky Initiative was going to be more focused on education, to inform people on what they can do and why it’s important.”

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night focused on education, to inform people on what they can do and why it’s important,” Croil says. The biggest challenge to the Dark Sky Initiative are nearby urban centres — because they have so many lights already, which aren’t shielded properly, he says. “It’s unrealistic to come into an urban centre and say everyone has to change their lights, so there have been incentive programs for fixtures,” Croil explains. “Municipalities would offer 50 per cent rebate for compliant light fixtures, if you wanted to replace them on your home or business.” One of the biggest challenges the initiative has faced since the program started, Croil says, was getting local businesses to help. “In 2011, we sent letters out to all of the home retailers in the area, from Black Diamond to Blackie, and we didn’t get a single response, not even a call.” Being compliant with the M.D.’s Dark Sky Initiative is as easy as changing a lightbulb and fixture. “From a small retail business or residential perspective, it would be relatively easy,” Croil explains. Homeowners could have a maintenance plan that said when it came time to update or replace a light fixture, “make that the time to become compliant.” A full cut-off light fixture directs light down. (Home Depot carries two options.)

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M.D. aims to reduce light pollution with educational initiative

The M.D. of Foothills has partnered with Fortis and Alberta Transportation, who’ve formally agreed to support the Dark Sky Initiative. “They’ve agreed to install full cut-off light fixtures when they need replacement, on any street light in the M.D. or on the highways through the M.D.,” Croil says. The City of Calgary has also jumped onboard with their Bright Skies Initiative, which was adopted in April. The city’s initiative to dim light pollution aims to use light more efficiently in new developments.

The M.D. of Foothills has partnered with Fortis and Alberta Transportation, who’ve formally agreed to support the Dark Sky Initiative. Light pollution is something that municipalities are looking at all over the world. In Paris, for example, the city has banned lighting monuments like the Eiffel Tower, churches, bridges and fountains overnight, to help cut back light pollution and improve energy efficiency. OL

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business Story by Alyssa Burnham Photos by Don Molyneaux

New in town Okotoks welcomes new businesses With a strong economy and a steadily growing population, Okotoks is proving to be an attractive location for both new and existing businesses. “The economy is picking up, and there’s quite a bit going on in town,” says Shane Olson, economic development team leader with the Town of Okotoks. New construction in the southeast and Westmount areas has drawn several large retailers to town. Carter’s & OshKosh B’gosh, Sport Chek, Ardene, Visions and PetSmart have all announced their plans to open new stores in Okotoks, as have GoodLife Fitness and Best Western, both of which are currently under construction. The town’s recent business growth is not limited to large national brands, however. On the whole, Okotoks has seen a 24 per cent increase in the number of business licences issued in the first three months of 2013 when compared to 2012. The new businesses make up an impressive diversity, ranging from boutiques to oil and gas, construction and IT companies. Cheryl Sawin opened The Laser Room on Elma Street in January and says coming to Okotoks was the best business decision she’s ever made. Sawin took over the space previously occupied by Bella Vita Day Spa where she offers many of the same esthetic services in addition to special laser treatments. “I absolutely love it out here (in Okotoks),” says Sawin, who commutes to Okotoks from her home in southeast

Calgary. “People I know out here told me that I could work 12 hours a day seven days a week because there’s so much demand, and they were right.” Sawin says Okotoks has proven more than large enough to support her new business and the environment is exceptionally friendly. Patty Tuttle and her husband Don have operated their business, Miles Display & Design, out of their De Winton property for many years but have recently purchased a space in the Okotoks Business Park, which is currently undergoing an expansion. “We have looked for industrial space to rent before, and there wasn’t much available... we thought that it was a good place to make an investment,” Tuttle explained, citing convenient access (from left) Alex Stelmach, and sustained Patty and Don Tuttle. population growth as factors in their decision to come to Okotoks. Another trend, according to Olson, is the growth of home-based businesses — something that the Town’s economic development office actively encourages. More and more, photographers,

Okotoks has seen a 24 per cent increase in the number of business licences issued in the first three months of 2013 when compared to 2012. SOURCE ME DIA G ROU P: CE LE B RATI NG ITS 1 0TH YEAR

Cheryl Sawin

accountants, and other independent entrepreneurs are choosing to take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of working from home. Ultimately, whether you’re a small homebased company or a big box retail store, what’s drawing business to Okotoks is the real opportunity for success. “We have over 8,000 houses, more than 26,000 people,” Olson says. “With Okotoks being the largest community between Calgary and Lethbridge in Southern Alberta, it’s where people want to be.” And, a healthy business environment is good for residents too. With new business comes new jobs, services and conveniences, driving Okotoks to be a community where families can truly live, work and play. OL

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what’s happening

events For information on Town of Okotoks events contact: Mark Doherty, Community Events Co-ordinator 403-938-8950 or mdoherty@okotoks.ca or visit www.okotoks.ca

june 1

24th annual Rotary Soap Box Derby. Rain date June 2, 2013

Kinsmen Show & Shine

Every Thursday night this summer, indulge in Okotoks’ classic film series at 7 p.m. at the RPAC. Watch movies from Stanley Kubrick, Tim Burton and independent Canadian films. $2/person

Okotoks Parade “Okotoks, past present and future” & Children’s Festival. Activities for the whole family in downtown and Ethel Tucker park. Crafts, games and live entertainment from Norman Foote and Natasha Platt.

july Canada Day celebrations at Ethel Tucker Park. There’ll be food, dance, and music at this multi-cultural celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get reading this summer with the Summer Reading Club 2013 at the Okotoks Library, open for ages 3-12.

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Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation. The riders start off in Calgary then head west before making their way down south to camp in Okotoks.

“O Canada” Party at the Okotoks Library, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

august

3-4

Western Chic III at the Okotoks Art Gallery. Fundraiser and tent-covered exhibit features live music, food & drink and one-of-a-kind silent auction. $20/tickets.

Okotoks’ Annual Show and Shine rolls into the Olde Towne.

The Foothills Highland Games takes place at the Foothills Composite High School field. Piping, drumming, dancing and heavy events competitions take place over the day, with plenty of food, fun and live entertainment for the whole family. Grab ceili tickets for the best party in town! www.foothillshighlandgames.com

Harvest Festival at Kayben Farms. Celebrate the harvest with with fun and activities for the whole family including a corn maze, live music, entertainment.

Okotoks Pro Rodeo starts at 7 p.m. This annual event is celebrating it’s 22nd year. Events include bareback and barrel racing, bull riding, team and tie down roping and more. www.okotoksprorodeo.com

Calgary Stampede Penning qualifiers take place at the Okotoks Ag Society. Buskerfest! The Young Canadian Simmental Association Show, happening at the Okotoks Ag Society grounds.

10th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic

Come test your taste buds with Taste of Okotoks, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Okotoks’ Olde Towne.

Summer Celebration Barbecue at the Okotoks Library, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Drop by to stock up on great summer reads at the book sale or have a barbecued lunch at this library fundraiser.

First Saturdays June 1, July 6, August 3, August 31. A festival celebrating arts and culture in Okotoks’ Olde Towne. Runs the first Saturday each month, including an artists’ market on the OAG lawn.

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The 4th Annual Okotoks Kids’ Rodeo, presented by Miss Rodeo Okotoks alumni at the Murray Arena.

Chili Fest features various family events all day long downtown.

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you said it… By Jessica Patterson

“

For sure, I think it would be great to have transit in place, making it accessible for everyone. Blair Fasan, resident

“

I’m in favour of a system that would be cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and help relieve congestion on Highway 2.

I think a train would be beneficial to Okotoks. It would fit more people than bus service, it would be more energy efficient and cut down on the number of people commuting by car.

Pat McIsaac Okotoks Fire Department, Deputy Chief

Liam Doerksen, resident

Are you in favour of public transit between Okotoks and Calgary?

“

A mode of public transportation would help Okotokians greatly, especially students. If there’s a communal way people can get around, that would be great. Victoria Kuefler, resident

“

As a business owner, I feel the idea certainly warrants further investigation and could bring many benefits to Olde Towne. Mary-Anne Zahaur-Hiscock Home Ground, Owner

I understand that infrastructure like that is expensive. Transit would expand our mobility so much, especially as the kids get older. We’re becoming a satellite town to Calgary and I can see the need for transit going into the future. Annette Hartman, resident

“

I’d like it if it was fast. We go to school in Calgary. Transit would save us having to drive all the way. Alexandra H., resident

“

Yes, I want to be able to take a train up to the city, to college or to the mall or something. It would be easier and more costefficient. Loureen Anthony, resident

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