contents Summer 2013
departments 8
VOL 3 • ISS 14
food | Downtown Market A midweek must-do
12 People | Little Sister Art Dawn Candy’s art ranges from functional to fantastical 16 OUTDOORS | On cloud nine Flying high with the Central Alberta Gliding Club 18 OUTDOORS | Summer cruisin’ Cruise Night lets car enthusiasts shine
12 35
22 entertainment | Best. Summer. Ever. Something for everyone with three months of free festivals and events 24 community | Celebrating Red Deer. Red Deer’s centennial party continues 27 community | Wonderful women Annual Women of Excellence gala a night to celebrate
22
feature 35 Ellis Bird Farm. A treasured place to connect with nature
16
columns 31 Health and wellness | More than skin deep. Learn what goes into your personal care products 38 A SLICE OF LIFE | Summer treats Hot sand and cold ice cream make for a perfect day
items 6 Editor’s message SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
18 Follow us on twitter: RedDeerLiving Like us on facebook: RedDeerLiving
Cover photography by Harvey Brink
SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 5
editor’s message
Summertime splendor I love to be outside — especially in the sunny summer months. Whether it’s walking my dog or going to a park, the outdoors is where it’s at. I’ve tried to take my laptop out to work on the patio, but things like a bird or a bug or watching a tree grow always
PUBLISHER
Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca A ss o c ia t e P U B L I S H E R
Jim Zang
seem to distract me. Clearly, summertime in Alberta is meant for the fun stuff and, as Red Deerians emerge from their winter hibernation, there is a wealth of wonderful things to do. This edition of Red Deer Living takes a look at some of the exciting events and beautiful places and interesting people that you may see this summer.
jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca Editor
Shelley Newman shelley.newman@sourcemediagroup.ca A r t d ire c t o r
We start by learning about the Wednesday downtown market, which just smacks of
Jean Faye Rodriguez
summer, as customers can buy great, fresh produce directly from the people who grow
jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca
it. Next, we’ll introduce Dawn Candy, a talented local artist who creates beautiful art: you can check out some of her pieces in Sunworks when you’re out for a downtown stroll. Valerie Deschamps describes her passion for the sport of gliding in the article “On Cloud Nine”. It seems that this activity is
G raphi c d esig n er S
Lama Azhari lama.azhari@sourcemediagroup.ca
Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
for more than just adrenaline junkies, and
Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca
there is an event this summer for people to learn more. You’ll also get to learn
pr o d u c t i o n a d m i n is t ra t o r
Colleen Leier
about some of the women doing wonderful
colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca
work in our community; these ladies will
E D I TO R I A L
be honoured at the Women of Excellence
Jennifer Blair, Jason Brink, Susan Cossi, Leslie Greentree, Jock Mackenzie, Treena Mielke, Laurette Woodward
awards in June, but their contributions will last all year long. Next, we’ll delve back into the outdoor
P H OTO G R A P H Y
activities, with a look at three months of free concerts and events offered through the Best Summer Ever series. Cruise Night is another great way to get that summer feeling, and people can stop by Parkland Mall every Thursday evening to see the cars. For a more serene stop, Ellis Bird Farm is a beautiful place to connect with nature.
Harvey Brink, Jock Mackenzie, Laurette Woodward A d v er t isi n g S A L E S
Andrea Rinkel andrea.rinkel@sourcemediagroup.ca A CCO U NT I N G
Susan Cossi encourages us to pause and read product labels in the Health column. She describes the importance of knowing what we’re putting on our bodies — this can be everything from shampoo to sunscreen — which is great information to help people be savvy, healthy shoppers. Finally, we’ll wrap up the magazine with Treena Mielke, who shares her thoughts on her favourite summertime retreats. This edition of Red Deer Living is packed with summer goodness and provides a small snapshot of things for people to enjoy. Our goal is always to celebrate Red Deer, and the things that make it amazing. It’s a learning process and, try as we might, we don’t always get it exactly right. For example, the spring 2012 article on “Year After Year” stated that this was Red Deer’s first feature film; however, other feature films have been produced in our community. No offense was intended with this error in wording, as there are many talented people working in Red Deer’s film industry, and we want to celebrate their achievements. As you tuck into this edition, remember that you’re welcome to send me an email anytime. Tell me what you liked or what you learned, and we’ll keep learning from each other.
Donna Roberts accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY
Canada Post, Media Classified, Source Media Group P R I N T E D I N C A N A DA
Copyright 2013 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publishers. Red Deer Living™ is published 4 times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in and around Red Deer. 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. Red Deer 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 reddeer.editor@sourcemediagroup.ca Contact: Source Media Group, 207, 5809 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. Tel 403.532.3101, Fax 403.532.3109, Toll free 1.888.932.3101. www.sourcemediagroup.ca
Shelley Newman, Editor shelley.newman@sourcemediagroup.ca 6 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
letters
We want to hear from you! Email us at shelley.newman@sourcemediagroup.ca or send mail to Letters to the Editor, Shelley Newman, 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9. Please include your name and phone number. All submissions become property of Red Deer Living magazine.
Thanks for letting us know I want to bring your attention to an error in a picture caption on page 23 of the Spring 2013 Red Deer Living. The caption says
Sharing the good news
“Aerial view of Red Deer 2011.” I believe the year should be 2006 or 2007 at the
Thank you for such a wonderful article profiling
latest. The picture shows the old CIBC bank, which was gone long before 2011.
Red Deer’s Rooted in the Arts Festival and the
Also by 2011, the parking garage over the city bus terminal was well under construction, if not completed.
upcoming Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist
Jim Saltvold
Awards Gala. I look forward to sharing the article with our
Happy reading!
followers. Kind regards, Lee Elliott
I just read my boss’s Spring, 2013 Red Deer Living magazine. It was so great to see such an amount of Arts advertisement and stories. Thank you.
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards
I would like to receive this magazine: how do I get on the mailing list and, in the meantime, where in Red Deer can I pick up another current copy?
Editor’s note: To receive your free subscription to Red Deer Living, just email your complete mailing address to me at shelley.newman@sourcemediagroup.ca. Red Deer Living is also available free at more than 100 vendor boxes plus at participating advertisers throughout Red Deer and across Central Alberta.
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SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 7
food
Downtown
Market
A midweek must-do By Jason Brink
I
t’s four o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon and either by luck or design you find yourself restless with a spare chunk of time. Shhh… we don’t want to jinx this. Maybe you just got off work, or maybe you’ve got an itch of cabin fever after being stuck inside all day. Your thoughts drift to your empty fridge, cupboards and belly. Sure, you could make the same old trek to the grocery store to watch your groceries chug down a conveyor belt like weary airport travelers waiting for their full body scan or… you could embrace hump day, head out and experience one of the coolest weekly features of downtown Red Deer — the Wednesday Downtown Market. Now in its fourth year, the downtown market runs 4 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday from May 29 until October 9. Typically hosting 25 to 30 vendors each week, the market is held on Gaetz Avenue between
Ross Street and 48 Street, with ample parking within half a block, free after 4:30. No conveyor belts or scanners here. Instead, you get your goods fresh from the friendly faces that grew or made them. Happy to provide a mid-week alternative to big box shopping and the Saturday public market, the Downtown Business Association and its Downtown Market vendors showcase a veritable cornucopia of local, delicious, environmentally responsible products. Regular vendors include Markerville Berry & Vegetable, Innisfail Growers, Souto Farms from BC, Nixon Honey, Klein’s Chickens, Eagle Creek Farms, Steel Pony Farms, Cales Perogies and many more. From fresh herbs and veggies to homemade breads, cabbage rolls, perogies, pies, preserves, locally raised elk and bison meat, farm fresh eggs and chicken, you’ll be hard-pressed to not leave with a satchel full of some kind of goodness. While the vendors provide the flavours, ambiance and personality of this thriving Wednesday afternoon phenomenon, the engine that drives the Downtown Market steams from the busy offices of the Red Deer Downtown Business Association (DBA). “In the beginning we were looking for ways to keep the workers downtown from disappearing at 5 p.m. and getting in their cars and going home,” says Janice Shimek, promotions director with the DBA. Far too modest to toot her own horn, Shimek was the one working tirelessly behind the scenes attending courses and doing everything needed to achieve approved “Farmer’s Market” accreditation by Alberta Agriculture. Approved on the basis
...the Downtown Business Association and its Downtown Market vendors showcase a veritable cornucopia of local, delicious, environmentally responsible products.
Photo courtesy DBA. 8 red deer Living • Summer sUMMER 2013 2013
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food
of the 80/20 rule, in which a farmer’s market must be made up of 80 per cent farmers and no more than 20 per cent commercial, the Downtown Market is proud to have achieved this high level of accreditation. Originally designed to create more foot traffic downtown, the market has done exactly that, establishing itself as a unique cultural hotspot for not just the downtown core but the entire city. “Our goal is to encourage more residential activity downtown and the Wednesday market serves as a popular community outing,” says DBA executive director, Amanda Gould. “It really has become a great meeting place. We see a lot of the same people week after week, and a lot of Amanda Gould, DBA Executive Director. local businesses are staying open later as Photo by Jason Brink. a result.” With its wide and increasing assortment of vendors, the downtown market continues to build upon its success each year. Last year, Red Creek Mill sold out of their stone ground whole-wheat flour and pancake mix every week, while Rethink Red Deer found themselves spiked with demand for worm castings and micro greens. Among the newcomers to the market this year is Field Stone Fruit Wines, award-winning wines made from 100 per cent Alberta-grown fruit, 90 per cent of which is grown on the winery’s own orchard. Beth Huising, who owns and operates Markerville Berry & Vegetable U-Pick Farm with her husband Jim and their family, sells exclusively at the downtown market and explains why. “The Wednesday Red Deer Downtown Farmers Market allows us a unique opportunity to market the berries and vegetables we grow on our family farm directly to a community of people who value quality, spray-free and sustainably grown produce.” As an avid customer herself, Huising says she loves coming to the market because she knows she’ll find other high-end produce, proteins and baking in a fun environment from trustworthy local farmers. “And as a farmer,” she continues, “it allows me to have a relationship with my customer — getting feedback on the vegetables they’ve tried each week and hearing what the customer would like to see growing.” Huising says to watch for the return of their “monster-size” cabbage and their tasty new variety of
Beth Huising, Markerville Berry & Vegetable at Downtown Market SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
Additional photos on this page by Jim Huising. brocolini this year with a much longer and more tender stem than regular broccoli. Whether you’re a foodie looking for one of the freshest sources in town, a lover of open air markets, or someone who cares about ethically harvested local food just looking for a quick spot to stock up on provisions midweek, you now know where to go and when. We’ll see you Wednesdays. RL
“The Wednesday Red Deer Downtown Farmers Market allows us a unique opportunity to market...directly to a community of people who value quality, spray-free and sustainably grown produce.” SUMMER Summer2013 2013• •red reddeer deerLiving Living 9 9
Red Deer Downtown
10 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
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Red Deer Downtown
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SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 11
people
Little Sister Art
Dawn Candy’s art ranges from functional to fantastical By Leslie Greentree
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12 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
alking into the ceramic exhibit “Eggshells for Changelings” at the Harris-Warke Gallery in 2010 offered a fascinating submersion into a world where mushrooms, chess pieces and finger bones came together in strangely beautiful ways. And Red Deer artist Dawn Candy had fun playing with their symbolism. The work came out of years of developing her artistic style, and she continues to create pieces that explore the themes of that exhibit today. The 37-year-old demonstrates a whimsical nature in her art, whether she’s creating functional ceramics such as her signature “Tempest” style goblets and bowls, charcoal drawings of adults playing children’s games or ceramic sculptures such as the ones featured in “Eggshells for Changelings.” She inspires the same playfulness and exploration in her students in the popular classes she teaches for children, teens and adults through The City of Red Deer. Candy grew up in Taber, Alberta, the little sister to her sister Kerry and brothers Kelly, Jay and James. Her father, Garry, was a heavy duty mechanic for years, and now teaches that subject at Grande Prairie Regional College, Fairview, where Candy’s parents moved several years after she left home. Candy’s mother Beverley works in the community relations department at the same college. “My mom was a graphic artist and sign writer who taught herself to airbrush when I was growing up,” Candy says. “She’s done very cool commissions on motorcycles and tanks, and she’s a muralist. Both my mom and dad were very encouraging of anything we wanted to do.” Candy’s mother taught her to draw when she was a child, looking through drawing books and offering techniques and advice to her daughter. “She was teaching herself, and she was very generous with letting me go through her books, looking at what I was drawing and offering me good advice,” Candy says. In high school in Taber, however, options were limited, and Candy didn’t do much art other than recreationally. She only took one art class while attending the University of Lethbridge; instead she chose to pursue a Religious Studies degree. She and long-time partner Dean Scott, lead guitar player in local hard rock band Diesel May, met and became good friends at the U of L, where he was taking a psychology degree. Scott worked in Tennessee with at-risk youth for several years after graduation. During that time, Candy moved to Fairview and resurrected her SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
people
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interest in art with a community pottery class. In 2003, Scott reunited with Candy in Red Deer, where she had moved to take a visual arts diploma at Red Deer College. “When I took that community pottery class, I was hooked,” Candy says. “I had never touched clay before — I took more classes and kept asking questions. I would go in and work with clay for ten hours, on my own, plus the class time.” She attributes her interest in whimsical interpretations of reality to her mother. As a child, Candy had a fairy ring on her lawn, and her mother would make up magical stories about it for the kids. “I like coming up with alternate versions of reality — not that I believe them, but the world’s richer for having come up with them,” Candy says. “My mother and I look at the world in the same way. She has a lot of fun with her surroundings, and all the mushroom pieces I do are about that.” Candy describes mushrooms as dark and ungovernable; in folklore they are symbols of what can’t be articulated or understood. They took over the “Eggshells” show, she says — they started growing everywhere. The newest pieces in the “Eggshells” theme incorporate black bishop chess pieces surrounded by mushrooms — the analytic chess piece flanked and dwarfed by the dark, inexplicable things growing up around it. As for the finger bones, Candy laughs, “I think they’re cool looking. My fascination with them goes
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“When I took that community pottery class, I was hooked ... I would go in and work with clay for ten hours, on my own, plus class time.”
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back to my study of world religions from a holistic point of view — through literature, anthropology, philosophy and history. In medieval Christianity, cathedrals housed (supposed) relics from saints, usually body parts, and many of these relics were purported to have miraculous powers.” Last year, Candy decided to spend an entire year focusing only on functional ceramics, the most technically demanding of her artistic pursuits. “Ceramics is a combination of analytical problem solving and inspiration,” she says. “You have to figure out how to make it survive 1,200 degrees Celsius, and you have to physically, tangibly make it happen, from wet clay through stressful kiln exposure, then when it comes out the glaze has to be just right. There’s a huge level of problem solving.”
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A Dawn Candy. B Bearers, ceramic sculpture. C Tempest round mugs, ceramic. D Amber tempest teapot, ceramic. E Candy working in her studio. F Candy, as a baby, with her siblings. Photos B to F courtesy Dawn Candy.
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SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 13
people
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A The year was well-spent; Candy sees the benefits of that intense focus on the technical in all her art. Her popular “Tempest” line evokes soft, rippling movement; inspired by her childhood on the windy prairies, the line also brings to mind the fluidity of ocean waves. “I make the pieces look whimsical and fun, but they’re meant to be used and they’re durable,” she says. “They’re intended to be used on a daily basis. I always put this pattern in the dishwasher.” Candy relies on partner Dean Scott for his excellent artistic eye, saying he is often able to spot a problem she can’t identify in a drawing. “He’s also great at spotting whether a teapot is going to drip. It’s very helpful to have someone who’s honest,” she says. “We both have active artistic pursuits that are compelling to us and we understand that in each other.” While Candy doesn’t feel that drawing is any less a skill than ceramics, she does find that her approach to it is different. “Drawing has a different set of problem solving skills. There’s no physics involved, it’s more perception,” she says. “In drawing, I’m more receptive to what comes to me. In clay, I feel I have to be more aggressive — to go after it. But I love it all.” Following in her mother’s footsteps, Candy also enjoys teaching art to others. “I find being around others who are being inspired about art makes me more inspired about
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art, too,” she says. “I can make silly pastel drawings just for fun — I get to loosen up and make things that don’t have to be anything other than a demo for class. One of those drawings, called ‘Steampunk Butterfly,’ ended up hanging in our bathroom. I love it.” Consistent with her interest in folklore and world mythologies, Candy is currently planning a series of “Medusa” mugs, inspired by a book of Ulysses line drawings. “I think the idea of hair snakes is perfect for coffee mugs, especially in the mornings,” she laughs. “Some mugs may have relief, some may have drawings on them. I’m intrigued with creating the one-offs that are very idiosyncratic, where no one else will have a mug exactly like yours. I can’t wait to get started on it.” Dawn Candy’s work can be viewed at Red Deer’s Sunworks and The Gallery on Main in Lacombe, as well as in various shops around the province. Her art may be viewed at her website: www.littlesister.ca. As for the Little Sister name of her business and her website, it’s all about her family. “Growing up in a small town, with so many older siblings, it was always, ‘Oh, you’re Kerry’s little sister, or Kelly’s,’” she says. “We’re all pretty close. My three brothers are in Edmonton and run a company together, and I talk or text with my sister, who lives in Billings, Montana, every day. My brother set up my website. We all get along spectacularly.” RL
A Dealing With Tragedy, charcoal drawing. B Candy teaching her nephew, Aidan, how to throw pottery. C Candy and Dean learning to tango. D The Shell Game, ceramic sculpture. Photos courtesy Dawn Candy.
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“In drawing, I’m more receptive to what comes to me. In clay, I feel I have to be more aggressive — to go after it. But I love it all.” 14 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
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outdoors
On cloud nine Flying high with the Central Alberta Gliding Club By Jennifer Blair
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he canopy closes overhead. You’re strapped into a harness in the front of a two-seat glider, feeling nervous and excited and uncertain about what to expect. Seated behind you, the pilot gives the word, and a mechanical winch at the opposite end of the runway begins reeling in cable attached to the plane, pulling it up like a kite. As the plane moves forward, gravity pulls you back into your seat. With the pull of a knob, the cable is released from the glider and, suddenly, you’re soaring. The only sound you hear is the wind rushing past the canopy. You’re thousands of feet up in the air in a plane with no engine, having the time of your life. “Truly, you’re at the whim of Mother Nature,” says glider pilot Valerie Deschamps, “and it’s wonderful.” Deschamps developed a passion for the sport of gliding when her husband introduced her to it eight years ago. Now, she’s a licensed glider pilot and president of the Central Alberta Gliding Club. Operating out of the Innisfail Airport on weekends during the summer, the club aims to introduce central Albertans to gliding — a form of flying done in sailplanes without mechanical means of propulsion. Rather, pilots are either towed by a power plane or winched up in the air, where they must rely on optimal weather conditions and their skills to keep them aloft.
16 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
“Truly, you’re at the whim of Mother Nature ... and it’s wonderful.” “Mother Nature has her own mind, and our skillset teaches us how to read it,” Deschamps explains. “When we are up in the sky, we search for thermal markers, like clouds, or observe ‘cloud streets’, which are puffs of clouds that we follow like roadways, so to speak. We just look for them and fly from one cloud to the next to the next.” Using these and other methods, the average pilot is able to soar from anywhere between 30 minutes to 14 hours over hundreds of kilometers. Some gliders can go 250 kilometres an hour and climb to 6,000 or even up to 14,000 feet above ground on a typical day in central Alberta. While it may sound as though gliding is not for the faint of heart, Deschamps is proof that gliding is for everyone. “I don’t consider myself a thrill-seeker — but SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
outdoors
Opposite and above: Valerie Deschamps gliding over Central Alberta. Left: Valerie Deschamps. All photos by Harvey Brink.
it can be exhilarating. You’ll never experience it in any other form of aviation.” Her comfort in a glider comes from knowing how safe it is. Safety guidelines in gliding clubs are stringent, and pilots must log considerable flight time before they are licensed. The licensing process varies from person to person, but can take as little as a summer for someone able to put in the time and effort. The only thing you need to get started with gliding is “the goal of doing it,” according to Deschamps. The Central Alberta Gliding Club has training gliders and a host of volunteer instructors who are willing to share their knowledge and their love of the sport during summer weekends at the airfield and at special events. Chics Take Flight is one such event. Held this year on August 10 at the Innisfail Airport from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Chics Take Flight is a one-day event where people — especially women — can experience gliding first-hand. “We’re trying to open the eyes of women that the sport of soaring is a possibility for them,” says Deschamps. Though the event is designed to promote women in gliding, everyone is welcome, including men and children (with parental permission for any flights).
Admission for the event is free; the only cost is for the flight itself, which runs from $50 for a winch launch to $100 for a tow launch. In addition to the opportunity to go up in a glider, the event will offer participants the chance to talk to prominent female pilots, including airline captains and a pilot who flew an F-18 in the military. “These pilots will talk to people one-on-one and tell them a little about why they got into it. Hopefully, it will ignite a spark in somebody else.” Deschamps hopes that exposing more women to gliding will help increase the number of female pilots in the male-dominated sport but, ultimately, she just wants to show others how wonderful gliding can be, whether you’re the pilot or the passenger. “It’s a different perspective on the world,” she says. “When you’re the pilot, you’re constantly looking and reassessing, and your mind is in constant motion, but when you’re a passenger, all you have to do is sit back, relax and watch the world go by.” More details about Chics Take Flight can be found at www.chicstakeflight.ca. To learn more about the Central Alberta Gliding Club, visit www.cagcsoaring.ca. RL
While it may sound as though gliding is not for the faint of heart, Deschamps is proof that gliding is for everyone. SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 17
outdoors
Summer cruisin’ Cruise Night lets car enthusiasts shine Story and photos by Jock Mackenzie
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ummer memories and hopeful dreams — of hemis and hubcaps, running boards and dangling dice and souped-up, polished cars. It’s Cruise Night. Thursday nights, all summer long, from 6 until 9 p.m., you will find hundreds of vehicles in the northeast parking lot at the Parkland Mall. “You never know what you’ll see at Cruise Night,” says organizer ‘Challenger Dave’ Burden. “But if you come every week, I guarantee you’ll see something different.” It’s different and it’s unique. There are cars and trucks and panel vans en and motorcycles. Dave says he’s Dave Burd had vehicles as old as 1910 and as new as... well, brand spanking new. Currently, there are 250 to 300 of what Dave calls “regular regulars”, and there are also special guests. Sometimes car clubs will arrive from a nearby city and are given a section of their own. Last year, a 1932 air-rigged, fuel injected coupe arrived from Texas and made
Cruise Night a stop on its biannual North American tour. People from eastern Canada who are not able to bring their vehicles have arrived with pictures and will display the photos in place of the actual car. Cruise Night is open to everyone. As a participant, all that’s required is an interesting set of wheels. In most cases, the prerequisites are obvious — unique in some way, clean and polished. But not everyone’s dream wheels are in a finished state. “It’s being proud of what you drive,” says Burden. “We accept ‘project cars’. If a vehicle is in a repaired state and we can tell they’re doing work on it, they’re more than welcome to come in.” Of course, Cruise Night is open to the public. It’s free and it’s a family affair — and it’s more than vehicles. You can always rely on food vendors and great music. Fred Scaife of the Red Deer Food Bank is there every week with his band of volunteers dishing up great grits from the portable barbecue — including grilled cheese sandwiches. And it’s a win-win deal. “Last year,” says Scaife, “the Food Bank netted $50,000 from Cruise Night. We’re the biggest concession here, and we love it.” In the past, there has been a variety of vendors: the Mini-doughnuts booth, Just Licks ice cream, The Stache with its pulled pork and Belgian waffles from Wannawafel. There will be a variety of offerings again this season, and one to look for will be the Candy Bags Sweet Stop. And music? Indeed. On some occasions, it’s
1950s Buick
18 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
outdoors
A Cruise Nig ht in June, 20 12 . Courtesy D ave Burden
live bands and this year there will also be some serious and Sirius tunes for all to enjoy. For the kids, there’s always the bouncy castle and sometimes face painters or clowns or special music. Even the arrangement of the vehicles at Cruise Night is designed to be “kid friendly.” While some adults wanted all the vehicles arranged by manufacturer or by age, it’s kids who enjoy the fruit salad arrangement — everything is mixed up. “I started doing this especially to keep the kids involved,” says Burden, “because without kids, all sports, all activities are lost. You have to keep the children interested and involved because they are the future.” Cruise Night happens because a small army of Red Deerians believe in it. The Parkland Mall donates the space, ProForm Concrete provides barricades each and every week to help make it safe and 106.7 The Drive keeps the public up-to-date on what’s happening and announces cancellations if the weather goes south. The Wednesday night set-up and Thursday night break-down crew of volunteers is also essential. For the first 13 years, Cruise Night was absolutely free — and it remains that way with one small change: it’s now possible to
“You never know what you’ll see at Cruise Night. But if you come every week, I guarantee you’ll see something different.”
Fred Scaife SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
make a donation. These donations will help pay for the live bands, insurance payments, advertising costs and so on. Jim and Jerry Sutherland of My Star Collector Car.com are donating two framed limited edition prints that will be displayed each Thursday evening in a silent auction. “It’s all for the common good,” says Jim. “The Food Bank and Cruise Night feed off one another. We’d like to help preserve the car culture and give something back to the community.” Yes, Cruise Night is memories and dreams. What began in 1999, when 15 to 20 buddies started gathering in a parking lot downtown, continues because it holds meaning for young and old. For many, the vehicles bring back memories. Some enjoy reliving and retelling car related stories of days gone by. For others, Thursday nights are often a time for dreaming about a particular vehicle, a someday acquisition. Cruise Night is a time to look and to plan. For many, it’s a parent-child duo that wanders amongst the hemis and hubcaps, ragtops and running boards, planning a project they will work on together. Cruise Night is both a blast from the past and a flight to the future. RL
Admiring a 1955 Chevy panel van
A family enjoying Cru
ise Night
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SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 21
entertainment
Best. Summer. Ever.
Something for everyone with three months of free festivals and events
By Jennifer Blair After a winter that wouldn’t end, the best city ever is ready to celebrate the Best Summer Ever, a three-month-long series of free festivals and events that showcase local entertainment in some of Red Deer’s best outdoor spaces. Co-ordinated by The City of Red Deer and Red Deer’s Downtown Business Association, the Best Summer Ever series gives central Amanda Gould Albertans a chance to take and Peter McGee advantage of the city’s patios and parks while the weather is warm, says Amanda Gould, executive director of the Downtown Business Association. “In Alberta, we have relatively short summers, so we like to pack as much as we can in,” says Gould. “With all of the festivals and events and other things we do, the Best Summer Ever series gives the community maximum opportunity to experience everything their city has to offer.” Now in its second year, the series features concerts by local musicians on the Ross Street Patio and at the Bower Ponds stage. Gould hopes that offering free events will encourage central Albertans to spend some time exploring Red Deer’s downtown. “The heart of any city is its downtown,” says Gould. “And once you get down here, it’s a bit like Aladdin’s cave. There’s so much more going on than you actually realize when you just drive up and down the streets. That’s what the Best Summer Ever series is really designed to do.” Peter McGee, special events programmer with The City of Red Deer, agrees. “Any time we can provide an opportunity for the 22 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
community to get out and experience our amenities — like the parks and the Ross Street Patio — there’s definite benefit to that.” McGee has lined up a number of well-known headliners for the Ross Street Patio Parties, which take place the first Friday of every month, and for Summer Sundays at Bower Ponds, held once a month during Sunday afternoons. In addition to these monthly events, the Ross Street Patio will play host to entertainers every Wednesday evening during the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Little Gaetz, with the same artist performing Thursday for the downtown lunchtime crowd. With the exception of Fred Penner, who’s local to Canada, all musicians set to perform are local
On the Ross Street patio in 2012. Courtesy The City of Red Deer SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
entertainment
A Look at Red Deer’s Best Summer Ever Ross Street Patio Kick-Off Party Celebrate the reopening of the Ross Street Patio on Friday, June 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Summer Sundays at Bower Ponds in 2012. Courtesy The City of Red Deer
“By celebrating and promoting and supporting our outdoor spaces and local artists, everybody gains a better sense of community.” to Alberta — including up-and-coming Red Deer singer Randi Boulton and well-known country star Duane Steele. These concerts will give central Albertans a chance to see high-calibre musicians without a trip to Edmonton or Calgary. It’s an added bonus that the events are free of charge, especially for families, says McGee. “It can be expensive to get a family out to one event,” McGee says. “Providing these free family events is a feel-good for everybody. At the events, you see young kids getting up and dancing and then another kid from the other side of the park will go over to join them. It’s really a positive environment to come and see some good shows.” By offering these attractions that will appeal both to citizens and visitors, McGee believes that the Best Summer Ever series, as well as other community events, will help foster a sense of community identity and pride. “Initiatives like the Best Summer Ever series help us create a stronger connection to our city and the people in it. By celebrating and promoting and supporting our outdoor spaces and local artists, everybody gains a better sense of community.” For more information about Best Summer Ever events, visit www.reddeer.ca/bestsummer or connect with event coordinators on Twitter at @RDBestSummerEver or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RedDeerCultureServices. RL SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
Weekly Ross Street Patio Performances Every Wednesday from 4:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Ross Street Patio will feature free, family-friendly performances from local artists. Monthly Ross Street Patio Parties Fridays 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 5 Oldbury and Half Chance Heroes August 2 Waskasoo September 6 Duane Steele Summer Sundays at Bower Ponds Sundays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 23 Randi Boulton July 7 Fred Penner August 11 Punch Drunk Cabaret September 1 PEAR
Check out these other summer festivals and events Red Deer Artwalk Festival — June 8 to 15 Annual art festival celebrating its 25th anniversary Westerner Days Fair & Exposition — July 17 to 21 Central Alberta’s largest summer celebration CentreFest — July 26 to 28 10th annual International Street Performers Festival Central Music Fest — August 16 to 18 Family-oriented musical celebration Fiestaval — August 17 Celebration of Latin American culture Visit www.reddeer.ca/bestsummer for a full listing of these and other summer events and for links to the event websites. SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 23
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community
Celebrating Red Deer
Red Deer’s Centennial party continues!
By Laurette Woodward As we continue celebrating Red Deer’s 100 th birthday, there’s a lot to look forward to in the next few months. Red Deerians will find many opportunities to commemorate our city’s past, celebrate the present and create a strong future in Red Deer. One of the most anticipated events is Homecoming Weekend, set for June 29 to 30. It culminates with a spectacular River of Light display involving about 500 recycled canola barrels lit with LED lights, floating down the river just after sun set. “The underlying idea of our celebrations this year is for people to make their own, personal connection with Red Deer,” says Sheila Bannerman, Chair of Red Deer’s Centennial Committee. “The Red Deer River is an important part of our history. People in Red Deer love the river, and we were excited to make it one of the focal points of the celebration.” According to Bannerman, the barrels will be put into the river at Fort Normandeau at about 10 p.m. on June 30. The floating light show will be guided down the river by kayakers and viewed by Red Deerians all along the way, until being pulled out at Three Mile Bend. The barrels will then be available Sheila Bannerman. Photo as rain barrels (complete with a by Laurette Woodward working LED light) for people who purchased them in advance. Along with River of Light, there will be four stationary displays set up throughout the Bower Ponds area. The displays will be interactive; people will be able to touch them and even climb on them. They will be made of the same type of canola barrels that will be used in the River of Light. The displays are being designed by a firm called Creatmosphere from England. The firm has been working with Red Deer College (RDC) students as a part of the project. “It has been a really unique experience watching design ideas transformed into real
“The underlying idea of our celebrations this year is for people to make their own, personal connection with Red Deer.” SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
life displays,” says Deirdre Thurmeier, a first year RDC student. Thurmeier says she and some of her fellow students came up with different designs RDC students looking at design options. that they presented Courtesy Red Deer College to Creatmosphere when they came to Red Deer earlier this spring. “Most of our ideas were expensive because of the structures that would be required to make them work,” says Thurmeier. But the students continued working with Creatmosphere to incorporate the ideas into a workable design. “It was interesting to watch the technical blend with the artistic, and how we went from some pretty wild and unbuildable designs into something that could be built. That process was fascinating.” Thurmeier believes Red Deerians will appreciate the art work. “Art has a way of breaking down barriers. It allows for diverse reflection and discussion.” RL
Upcoming centennial events & activities June 15 – Girl Guide community campfire. June 16 to July 7 – Exhibit at Kerry Wood Nature Centre. June 25 to July 1 – Bower Ponds: Four interactive light displays. June 29 to 30 – Homecoming weekend. July 16 – Outdoor Barn Dance on Little Gaetz Avenue. For complete details on Centennial events or to order a rain barrel for River of Light, visit www.reddeer2013.ca
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community
Wonderful women
Annual Women of Excellence gala a night to celebrate
By Shelley Newman
It’s a night filled with joy. As people arrive, the banquet room comes alive with greetings and hugs, laughter and animated conversations. There’s an excited buzz in the air, as hundreds of people gather for the Women of Excellence gala, which celebrates some of the amazing women who have helped to shape the community. The annual fundraising event, hosted by Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF), is an opportunity to recognize the work done by women from across central Alberta. “It’s such an inspiring evening,” says Kristine Bugayong, chief executive officer of RDDCF. “When the recipients share their stories, people laugh and they cry — it’s humbling to be in the company of these women.” For May Johnson, the emotions were even stronger when she received a Women of Excellence award for Community Building in 2009. “I just can’t express the feeling of joy when they called my name,” she explains. “This was so emotional and special for me that my friends all had tissues ready, and I even got a box of Kleenex as a present. I was honoured to receive the award and so excited that I think I must have told the whole world!” Johnson has been an avid volunteer since she first arrived in Red Deer 25 years ago. Through her personal passion for volunteering and her work as executive director at the Lending Cupboard, she has gained a great appreciation for the army of volunteers who dedicate their May Johnson at the 2009 Awards. time to improving Courtesy May Johnson. SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
their communities. “In my work, I see the enormous impact of volunteers each and every day,” she says. “The majority of tasks at the Lending Cupboard are done by volunteers, and most of these are women who also donate their time to other organizations. They work so hard and make people feel so welcome — it’s a huge community service.” Volunteers often create the workforce that provides the foundation for organizations and events. For Johnson, who is also the chair of the Women of Excellence planning committee, the awards are a way to recognize the importance of this work. “Central Alberta has so many amazing women working and volunteering in their communities,” she says. “I always encourage people to nominate these individuals for awards, because it’s a way to recognize their hard work and dedication.”
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May Johnson’s award. Courtesy May Johnson.
“Central Alberta has so many amazing women working and volunteering in their communities.” SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 27
community
The importance of volunteering and community building is also emphasized by Lyn Radford, community volunteer and recipient of the 2011 Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award. Radford’s strong interest in non-profit organizations led to her active volunteerism in Red Deer. “I really believe in the adage that it takes a community to raise a child, and this idea applies to so many facets of building sustainable communities,” she says. “When people give back, it provides the supports needed to build strong, vibrant communities.” Over the years, Radford has acted on these beliefs, as she’s volunteered and led many major projects and has been on numerous boards in Red Deer and Alberta. She also volunteers to assist non-profit organizations that are struggling with fundraising or marketing initiatives. Her years of dedication and work led to the Lifetime Achievement Award, which came as a surprise to her at the gala event. “I had no idea that I was going to receive the award, so it was such an honour and a thrill and a surprise,” she says. “The award was sponsored by Red Deer College, which is very near and dear to me, so it meant a great deal to have Lesley Kendall present it to me on their behalf.” For Radford, having her family and friends at the awards gala — both on her big night and every year — is an important part of the event. She also appreciates the multigenerational aspect of the awards, with recipients being all ages from teenagers to 90-year-olds, as this represents the wide range of people it takes to build a community. Radford feels it is important to celebrate this event with those closest to her. “It means so much to have my three daughters come with me,” she explains. “And, as my grandkids get older, they’ll come too — especially my five granddaughters. It’s important for them to learn about and support the women who are doing great work in the community.” Both Radford and Johnson believe in building strong communities, which is also Lyn Radford with her husband, Reg, at the 2011 Awards. Courtesy Lyn Radford.
While the Women of Excellence gala is the only event that the Community Foundation hosts, it is busy year-round with grants, fund development and community leadership... 28 red deer Living • sUMMER 2013
Lyn Radford with her colleagues from several projects. L to R: Barb McKee, Rinn Purnell, Lyn Radford, Tera Lee, Debbie Beaulieu, Cheryl Adams. Courtesy Lyn Radford the core value of Red Deer & District Community Foundation. While the Women of Excellence gala is the only event that the Community Foundation hosts, it is busy year-round with grants, fund development and community leadership — all intended to strengthen Red Deer. “Community Foundations have so many roles that it’s often confusing for the public to know what we do,” says Bugayong. “The best description I’ve heard is that Community Foundations are behind the organizations that make life better for the community. While we aren’t out there providing services, we are supporting the agencies and organizations that do.” RDDCF has a three-fold mandate that allows it to provide this support. First, it works as a grant-maker in the community. Registered charities can apply for spring and fall grants, which can be used to fund any component of a program, depending on the specific needs of the organization. Next, RDDCF is active in fund development, with 65 designated funds at this time. With its endowment-based approach, the Community Foundation works with donors to establish funds to meet their needs. Organizations may wish to create a specific fund that ensures ongoing training for their staff, for example, or donors may choose to be involved in more general funds that will assist with community needs. Finally, RDDCF staff are leaders involved with community development. Some of their projects include the EveryOne’s Home Leadership Model and the annual Vital Signs report, as well as their involvement with the Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance. “Our organization is very complex because of its purpose,” says Bugayong. “But, our main focus is always to build positive relationships that help make central Alberta a better place to live, work and play.” For more information on Red Deer & District Community Foundation and the Women of Excellence gala, visit www.reddeeranddistrict communityfoundation.ca. RL SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
community
Red Deer & District Community Foundation 2013 Women of Excellence Award Recipients Arts, Culture and Heritage:
Athletics, Recreation and Fitness:
Business and the Professions:
Sheila Bannerman Red Deer
Kay Kenny Red Deer
Patricia Bourne Red Deer
Community Building:
Education and Training:
Entrepreneurship:
Robin Armitage Red Deer
Judy Dorland Red Deer County
Katherina Mercedes Cummins Sylvan Lake
Shirley Challoner Red Deer
Environment:
Human Services:
Lifetime Achievement:
Beverly Anne Anderson Norglenwold
Jan Underwood Red Deer
Mary Eileen Gardiner Red Deer
*Images courtesy Red Deer & District Community Foundation The 6th annual Women of Excellence Awards Gala is proudly presented by The Red Deer Advocate, with exclusive radio sponsor 100.7 The River and foundation sponsor, Red Deer Living. SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
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health and wellness with Susan Cossi
More than skin deep
Learn what goes into your personal care products
D
o you know what you’re putting on your body? An average adult uses nine to 15 personal care products daily and, since these contain many different chemicals, you could be putting your health at risk. Products like shampoo, toothpaste, face cleansers, lotions, sunscreen, deodorants and cosmetics can expose you to thousands of chemicals over time. In the unregulated industry of personal care products, only a fraction of ingredients are tested for safety. Environmental Working Group found that only 28 common cosmetics and toiletries out of 7,500 had all of their ingredients fully tested for safety. This makes reading labels and learning about ingredients paramount. Recent product labeling you may have noticed indicates “paraben and sulfate free.” These products were once restricted to health stores and companies such as Green Beaver and Prairie Naturals, but cosmetic companies such as L’Oreal now offer this healthier choice. It’s important to know what parabens and sulfates really are. Parabens are used worldwide as preservatives. They are used to prevent the harmful growth of microorganisms, particularly moulds and yeast, allowing products to survive for two years or more. These preservatives can cause an array of skin irritations; more important, they are said to interfere with hormone function, as they can mimic the female hormone estrogen. Recent studies detected high levels of parabens in human breast cancer tissues, which suggests a possible association between cancer and these preservatives. For men, the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system is affected. Harmful parabens to watch for include: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. Methylparaben applied on the skin will react with UVB; this will increase skin aging and DNA damage. Sulfates are the standard ingredients for anything that foams: shampoos, bubble baths, etc. They are typically among the most irritating ingredients in personal care products, and they can cause conditions like dandruff, skin rashes, red eye and even lung irritations. Be aware of semi-natural cosmetics that advertise “derives from coconut,” as this is still a harmful sodium lauryl sulfate, which is toxic to aquatic organisms, too.
Harmful sulfates to watch for include: sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and derivatives like ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium myreth sulfate. Just ask yourself: do you really need all those products in your daily routine? Take action to reduce the number of products needed and buy certified organic, fragrance free products. Become an avid label reader: if I can’t pronounce it, I just don’t buy it. Make a healthier choice, and your body will thank you.
For more information • U.S. FDA Information on parabens — www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Productand IngredientSafety • Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database — www.ewg.org/skindeep • ‘Dirty dozen’ cosmetic chemicals to avoid — www.davidsuzuki.org — search ‘dirty dozen’ RL
Create your own personal care products For centuries, people made their own personal hygiene and skin care products that were safe and natural. These products were not designed to last long, as it was understood that the freshness of the ingredients is what made them effective. I personally blend most of my own skin care products using sulphate and paraben free bases, and then I add products such as vitamin E, wheat germ oil, carrot oil and various essential oils. When I purchase products I look for alternative ingredients that include citric acid, sorbic acid, neem oil, goldenseal root, grapefruit seed extract, and essential oils such as lavender, thyme, rosemary and oregano.
Susan Cossi holds a Clinical Diploma in Aromatherapy and is a recognized teacher of The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists. She has been an International holistic health practitioner since 1993 and is a Metaphysician. She is the Principal of Cossi Academy of Professional Aromatology and a Vice Principal for Penny Price Academy, the only schools in Canada recognized by IFPA. For more information visit www.holisticteachings.com SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
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feature
Ellis Bird Farm A treasured place to connect with nature By Laurette Woodward
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hat began as a backyard project is becoming a treasured Alberta destination. Ellis Bird Farm (EBF), originally home to Charlie and Winnie Ellis, is located east of Lacombe. In 2012, it was selected as one of Travel Alberta’s “Alberta Stories,” and more than 11,000 people visited from May to September. Despite its growing popularity, EBF has maintained the serenity that it’s known for. “It’s a special place,” says Myrna Pearman, Ellis Bird Farm’s biologist for 25 years. “People love to come here to connect with nature.” And, there are plenty of ways to connect. EBF has many habitats that attract wildlife and allow people to appreciate and enjoy nature. Amongst these are hundreds of birdhouses that draw bluebirds, purple martins, hummingbirds and other garden birds. There is also a butterfly garden, many other beautiful gardens, a barn with farm animals and a dipping pond, all designed to create habitats. Children can pet the animals or use a dip net to see what creatures they can pull from the pond, and many young visitors get to make their own bird houses to take home. Guests will also find a visitor centre and the old Ellis farm house, which has been turned into a tea house so people can slow down and enjoy the scenery. Audrey Viczko, a teacher at Red Deer’s Holy Family School, takes
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her kindergarten class to the farm every spring, and she loves that her students experience so many things in a hands-on way. “Every year there’s something different. Last year it was the beavers. Another year it was seeing baby bluebirds recently hatched. One time when it was rainy, we explored owl pellets,” she says. “It’s just a great program.” Cara Moore has worked at the farm since 2001 and also drawn to it. “It has a special place in my heart,” she says. “There’s something about Ellis Bird Farm that’s good for the soul. I love seeing connections made between generations and the nature around them.” Conservation activities began when Charlie and Winnie Ellis, a brother and sister who never married, inherited their family farm. “They were gentle souls who cared about the Earth and about nature,” says Pearman. That interest turned into action in the 1950s, when Charlie began nailing bird nesting boxes to fence posts around the farm. By the late 1970s, his 300 boxes had attracted the highest density of mountain bluebirds ever recorded. Charlie and Winnie created wetlands and planted vegetation that attracted birds. They hung bird feeders, and Winnie made johnny cake for the robins. When the pair retired in 1980, they sold part of their property to Union Carbide Ltd. for a petrochemical complex. Packaged with the sale was the establishment of Ellis Bird Farm, which is both a non-profit organization and a working farm. A key component of the agreement between EBF and its industrial partners (Union Carbide was followed by Dow Chemical and now MEGlobal Canada) is a commitment to ongoing financial support. That support, with donations, gift shop sales and grants keeps the farm going today. Charlie passed away in 1990 and Winnie in 2004, but their legacy remains. Their interest in conservation, has turned into an incredible rural oasis, providing thousands of visitors the connection with nature that Charlie and Winnie valued so much. For more information, visit www.ellisbirdfarm.ca. RL A Winnie and Charlie Ellis. Courtesy Ellis Bird Farm. B Swallows at the Donner birdhouse. C An evening view of the Ellis Bird Farm. Photo B & C by Myrna Pearman
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| Advertising Feature |
Community comforts Melcor builds neighbourhoods from the ground up
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ith 90 years in the real estate business, Melcor is one of Alberta’s most respected community developers. Their value-based approach to development has resulted in many great communities in central Alberta. “Melcor has been in the Red Deer area since the 1970s,” says Gregg Broks, senior development manager for the Red Deer Region. “There’s a strong sense of community here, and we’re proud to play our part by building quality, sustainable communities where people know their neighbours.” Melcor currently has three communities at various stages of development: Vanier Woods East and Laredo in Red Deer, and The Vista in Sylvan Lake. Enveloped by 19 Street to the south and 22 Street to the north, Vanier Woods East is in its second year of development with servicing for the entire area expected to be complete by the end of September. The area boasts a mix of housing for all levels of affordability and a welcoming environment for families of all stages. “You could purchase a townhouse here and, as your family grows, move into a detached home and then an executive level home without ever leaving the community.” Homebuyers don’t purchase the lots in Vanier Woods East directly, says Broks, but through one of the 21 exclusive quality homebuilders. And there are plenty to choose from. “We have a great group of builders who build the best product in Red Deer.” This exclusive list includes: Abbey, Asset, Avalon, Bella Rosa, Cambridge, Canada West, Deer Run, Executive, Falcon, Fanta, Landmark, Larkaun, Levi Rio, Mason Martin, McGonigal, Pegasus, Platinum, Pointe 5, Sorento, Ted Olson, True-Line and Unique Elevations. Just north of Vanier Woods East is Melcor’s latest development, Laredo. “Our inspiration for Laredo came from a prairie style drive in the country,” explains Broks. “Picture coming across a well-kept heritage farm down a winding driveway with bright white split rail fence along both sides. Notice the red barn in the background. We want people to experience that feeling of arrival.” With an emphasis on living near nature, more than half of the homes back onto green space, providing a central park area that anchors the community and
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draws neighbours together. “We want to promote a sense of community reminiscent of the prairie ideal where you share with your neighbours and work together to accomplish tasks.” The neighbourhood is well positioned to take advantage of existing amenities in southeast Red Deer like schools in nearby Lancaster and Lonsdale. It will share the same commercial area, including a grocery store and other retail services, with Vanier Woods East; this is likely to be built in 2015. Laredo is being developed now and lots will be available to an exclusive builder group this September. Melcor strives to create communities that have a unique identity and a sense of place, and another new area, The Vista in Sylvan Lake, provides just that. Located south of Ryder’s Ridge on Highway 20, The Vista is a community designed for timeless elegance. Strong architectural controls and refined features like lower-pitched roofs will ensure stunning views of the lake area — hence its name. “We’re building on the reputation that Ryder’s Ridge created for quality,” says Broks. “There are opportunities there you won’t find anywhere else.” Construction in The Vista is set to start this spring with lots available to homebuilders in the fall. “We work hard to keep up with the pace of growth in Red Deer,” says Broks. “It’s exciting and challenging at the same time, but we consider it a privilege to develop communities for today and for future generations — we look forward to the next 90 years.” n Vanier street
Laredo Craftsman
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a slice of life with Treena Mielke
Summertime treats Hot sand and cold ice cream make for a perfect day
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he children were sitting cross-legged on the chesterfield, intent on playing on their iPads, when I walked in the front door. The house seemed colourless and dull to me, though I had placed a huge bouquet of lilacs on the coffee table that morning, drinking in their heady fragrance, and relishing their delicate blossoms. I had just finished a golf game, a quick nine holes on a sweet little course, where the green leaves of summer nodded gently over beautiful manicured fairways and the sun dappled greens invited crisp, clean shots. I cast my eyes over my grandchildren, who were oblivious to the gifts of nature that were wrapped up just outside the window in delightful greens and blues and tied with a glorious golden ribbon of sunshine. “Come with me,” I say, anxious to take them to a place where all children should go, a place where crystal clear blue waters hugs the sandy shore gently and sailboats and clouds with no particular place to go, drift by aimlessly. It’s a wonderful place, a place where childhood and innocence keep on playing hand and hand, and for a wonderful, precious heartbeat, time stands still. “Come,” I say, as my mother/grandmother instinct kicks in and I remember how effective a bribe can be. “I’ll buy you ice cream.” And so we all pile into the car to go to the beach that is only a hop, skip and a jump away from where I live and, once again, I think to myself how very lucky I am. I have been coming to this very same beach since Moby Dick was a minnow and I was a barefoot, scruffy kid. If I close my eyes tightly against a hundred thousand sunsets, I can see me still; a dark haired little girl who loved the feel of the hot sand
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under my feet and delighted in sinking slowly into the lake, letting the icy waters embrace me while I laughed happily into the sun. And if I turn back the pages of the photograph album in my mind, I can still taste the creamy cool delicious taste of a soft ice cream cone; feel it melt slowly on my tongue. I’m brought back to the present by two little kids clamouring to get out of the car and check out this Shangri-La their grandma’s been talking about. It doesn’t take long. I watch them licking their ice cream cones, relishing in the taste, feeling the sun warm on their faces, and I smile inside where important smiles begin. And, later when they kick off their shoes and I know without asking how the hot sand feels under their feet, I feel my internal happy face growing. And, still later, when they roll up their pant legs and wade into the icy water, finally letting go of inhibitions that go along with iPads and youth, and start splashing each other and laughing and getting completely soaked, my smile gets even bigger. And as I watch the children cavorting and splashing in the water, it seems the endless waves pick up their laughter and bounce it back to me. And, in that moment, I know that for me, at least, a summer retreat is only a hop, skip and a jump away from my front door. I also know that as much as the sand and the lake and the sun provide the perfect backdrop for my retreat, it is the children who make it special and wonderful. It is the children, after all, who bring instant sunshine to any day and any place no matter what the season. No matter what the weatherman says! RL
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The three most important things when buying a home: Location, location, and a mortgage that pays you back.
With a Servus Profit-Share Mortgage you’ll receive money back, and if you have other services with us you’ll get even more. A mortgage that pays you back sounds pretty sweet to us.
servus.ca/mortgage 187SERVUSCU SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
feel good about your money. SUMMER 2013 • red deer Living 39