The Newsy Neighbour April Issue 66

Newsy Neighbour

An Altogether Different COMPLIMENTARY Magazine • Thriving Since 2008

The

April 2013 • Issue 66

Read the magazine online:

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Wedding Issue Our 5th Annual

5th Birthday

Our

Check out the Giveaways on page 41

30 Years Experience

The Ultimate Wedding Checklist Calgary 403-226-1218 Strathmore 403-934-3631

Page 52

info@mutchcarpets.ca www.mutchcarpets.ca

THE POINT AT LAKESIDE GOLF IS THE IDEAL SETTING FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY

Phone: 403-569-9122 www.thepointrestaurant.ca 555 Lakeside Greens Drive. Chestermere, AB

Follow us:

Unit 1

Unit 2

1304 sq ft

1326 sq ft

DECK

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16'-6" X 10'-0" / 8'-0"

16'-6" X 10'-0" / 8'-0"

EATING AREA

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KITCHEN

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10'-0" X 15'-10"

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BEDROOM 2

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9'-3" X 10'-0"

259,000 including lot

(plus GST)

289,000

$

including lot

Limited Time Offers

DOWN

14'-0" X 10'-6"

Upper Floor

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Unit 1

Unit 2

1387 sq ft

1398 sq ft

EATING AREA

EATING AREA 9'-2" X 9'-0"

9'-2" X 9'-0"

GREAT ROOM

GREAT ROOM

12'-1" X 18'-4"

12'-1" X 18'-4"

KITCHEN

KITCHEN

DOWN UP

9'-10" X 14'-6"

BEDROOM 2 9'-6" X 10'-0"

DOWN UP

9'-10" X 14'-6"

BEDROOM 2

9'-6" X 10'-0"

MASTER BEDROOM

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12'-2" X 11'-0"

12'-2" X 11'-0"

Main Floor

Single Family Homes on Canal Lots

(plus GST)

UP

UP

UP

UNDEVELOPED

UP

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425,000

Starting At $ Exclusively from

Strathmore Petro-Canada

Westridge Rd

To Calgary

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BEDROOM / DEN

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11'-2" X 10'-0"

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Lower Floor

DESK TOP

Wildflower Ranch

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$

MASTER BEDROOM

14'-0" X 10'-6" ( PLUS BAY )

Starting at

Starting at

9'-2" X 9'-7"

MASTER BEDROOM

The Tumbleweed

The Carrigana

BEDROOM 3

9'-3" X 10'-0"

DOWN

9'-2" X 9'-7"

WHEATLAND denture centre Call today!

What have you got to lose?

Welcome Jamie Ho, DD to the Wheatland Denture crew!

To learn more or to book your FREE CONSULTATION, please call!

www.mybite.ca • Ph: 403-901-0440

For All Your Wedding Needs Entertain your guests in our formal ballroom and we will take the stress out of your day!

“Everything was exactly the way I always dreamed it would be!”

Visit our website www.travelodgestrathmore.com or contact our event coordinator, Junella at 403.901.7196 for more information.

350 Ridge Road,Strathmore 403-901-0000 • Toll Free 1-866-901-0099

The Strathmore Station Restaurant & Pub • Wedding Dinner/Receptions • Intimate/Private Ceremonies • Rehearsal Dinner • Off-site catering • Sunday Brunch & Gift Openings • Bridal Showers • Bachelor parties & Stagettes 380 Ridge Road, Strathmore • 403-934-0000 • strathmorestation.com Contact our event coordinator, Junella at 403.901.7196

We are in your neighbourhood!

Real Estate Advocates Each office independently owned and operated

The Right Agents For Today's Market.

Doug McKay

Speargrass Custom built home. Located on the banks of the Bow River in the golf community of Speargrass. Overlooking the spectacular views of the river valley and beyond, this 1750 sq. ft. walk out bunga-low offers the finest in construction and luxury living. 14' vaulted ceilings, exten-sive stone work, in-floor heating both on the main and lower level, boiler system, Wal-bar insulation, Enviro-air exchange system, & more. The functional kitchen is a chef ’s delight. The walk-out level in-cludes 3 lg. bedrooms, Media Theatre room with fibre optic lighting, projector & sound system & covered hot tub spa. $649,900 Call Don Drake at 403-464-1370.

Experience Speargrass Living! Friendly, Quiet, Relaxing, Play Golf "Resident Discount" and Fishing on the Bow! This spacious 3 bedroom walk-out bungalow has an open concept with vaulted ceilings, hardwood flooring, granite, spacious great room & flex room. The lower level is professionally developed with in-floor heat, rec room with gas fireplace, wet bar with built-in cabinets and games area. This home is situated on a large corner lot. Enjoy the views of the Bow River, Prairies & the Speargrass Golf Course!! Call Raelene Nichol at 403-921-6111

This beautiful & charming home in Langdon has so much to offer! High ceilings, large bright windows, cozy fireplace.

Gourmet kitchen featuring beautiful white cabinetry, extra large island, granite counter tops, abundance of counter & storage space and walk-in pantry. Master has a reading area, built-in dresser draws, 5pc ensuite with a corner soaker tub, oversize shower & private door that leads onto the large deck. Developed lower level offers a family room, 2 large bedrooms, 3pc bath, laundry room & tons of storage space. The garage is 24x24, yard is nicely landscaped with a treed line driveway. $519,900.

Call Raelene Nichol at 403-921-6111

Langdon, walking distance to the K-9 school and bus stop for the High school. The kitchen has lots of room for the whole family to work in. The dining room, large fenced backyard. The main level is finished off with a 2 piece bath, laundry room and a great private office/den. The living room has a gas fireplace Sec-ond floor bonus room & three bedrooms and a four piece bath. The master suite has a soaker tub and separate shower and walk-in closet. The fully developed basement has a rec room, 2 bedrooms and a four piece bath. The at-tached garage is heated. $464,000. Call Michelle Eldjanson at 403-869-9636

Raelene Nichol

Don Drake

Donna Drake

Chestermere An Investment in Quality. Great room plan with a main floor den or dining room, laundry room a generous kitchen and nook. There is a huge family-bonus room upstairs 3 bedrooms up, and a fully developed basement. The yard is ex-ceptional. This dream home has central air, underground sprinklers , a fully developed basement and more features and exception-al finishing virtual tour. $539,000 2521 sq. ft.

Call Doug McKay 403-207-1776

6 bedrooms triple garage attached & heated quad detached on 2 acres 7 miles to Calgary! This is a well main-tained 2 Storey which features 5 bed-rooms upstairs. Master with a 5 pc en-suite, Kitchen has been upgraded with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops. Fully developed basement with 6 bedroom and 4th bath. Exceptional land-scaped grounds, featuring a waterfall, pond, firepit, volleyball pit, plus 2 large carefree decks. $869,000.

Call Doug McKay 403-207-1776.

Michelle Eldjanson

Virtual tours and more information www.RealEstateAdvocates.ca

NEW LIFESTYLE

SHOWHOMES OPENING SOON! Chestermere’s first Holmes Approved Showhome and sales center opening in Kinniburgh March 16th!

Lifestyle Homes Inc. is proud to be part of the Holmes Approved Homes program, building sustainable, durable and safe homes that reflect the values of the discerning home buyer.

It is the commitment, experience, testing and comprehensive approach to building that truly sets us apart. You and your family deserve the very best.

A

PR O IL PE ,2N 0 13 !

KINNIBURGH SHOWHOME: 800 East Lakeview Road

Estate Living from the $690s

WESTMERE SHOWHOME:

606 Marina Drive

Estate Living from the $450s

Call 403-215-0500 or visit www.lifestylehomes.ca We Bring Smart Ideas Home

M O A P R E CH N 16

!

Facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, tinting, nutrition, reiki, therapeutic massage, hot stone massage and body treatments.    ǯÂ?›ŠÂ?Â˜Â—ÄšÂ˘Â?ÂŠÂ˘ÂœÂ™ÂŠÇŻÂŒÂŠ 403-936-3670 Langdon, AB We have: ‡ $ KXJH VHOHFWLRQ RI SHW SURGXFWV DQG IRRG ‡ $ IXOO UHSWLOH PHQX RI FULFNHWV ZRUPV DQG IUR]HQ FULWWHUV DYDLODEOH ‡ )UHTXHQW %X\HU 3URJUDPV RQ PDQ\ IRRGV ‡ 0RQWKO\ 6SHFLDOV *UHDW +RXUV 0 ) DP ² SP ‡ 6DW DP ² SP

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Langdon Liquor House Prairie Pharmacy IDA "Ask about our HUGE range of Pharmacy Services that we provide daily."

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BOTSFORD DELICATESSEN

Full line of buffet Catering Party Platters Full Deli & Full Bakery Ice Cream Wedding Cakes & B-Day Cakes botsforddeli.com Gluten Free Products 103 355 Centre St. Langdon

Phone: 403-936-7691

www.mainstreetlangdon.com 355 Centr e Str eet. Langdon, Alber ta

Since the late seventies TACOTIME CANADA has been rolling great taste, value and quality ingredients into all of our tacos, burritos and other menu offerings.

Suite 110-800 Pine Rd Strathmore, AB T1P 0A2

(403) 934-3439

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? OLD TIME REMEDIES

Acute Illness.

The simplest and quickest method of recovering from attacks of acute illness, fevers, inflammatory diseases, etc., is to rest quietly in bed in a warm but well-ventilated room, and to take three meals a day of fresh ripe fruit, grapes by preference. If the grapes are grown out of doors and ripened in the sun so much the better. I have found from two to three pounds of grapes per day sufficient. If there is thirst, barley water flavoured with lemon juice should be taken between the meals.

Good Old Mother’s Remedy for Sore Throat “Steep a medium sized red pepper in one-half pint of water, strain and add one-fourth pint of good vinegar and a heaping teaspoonful each of salt and powdered alum and gargle with it as often as needed. This is a very good remedy.”

Croup, for Baby or Older Child “Take a teaspoonful alum, pulverize it and sprinkle it on the whites of two fresh eggs in a cup or glass, let it stand for a few minutes, until the combination has turned to water, or water is produced; then give one-half teaspoonful to a child six months old or less and increase the dose to one teaspoonful for older children, and repeat the dose in fifteen or thirty minutes as the case may require. Remarks: From personal experience in my own and neighbours’ families, I have never known a case where it did not bring relief and cure. The dose must produce vomiting.”

Bronchitis, General Relief “Dose of castor oil every night; one teaspoonful for child. Grease well with camphorated oil or any good oil.” The castor oil is very good for carrying off the phlegm from the stomach and bowels that children always swallow instead of coughing up like an older person. It is well in addition to the above remedy to give a little licorice or onion syrup to relieve the bronchial cough.

All-Natural Kitchen Deodorizer “A custom which my mother has adhered to ever since I can remember and which I think a very charming one” writes Jessie Heath Caldwell in The Queen, “is to burn lavender seeds to perfume the house”. After a meal has been prepared there is apt to be an odour of cooking, be it what it may; the best and most agreeable way of dispelling this is to put a teaspoonful of ordinary lavender seeds (which are inexpensive to buy) in a frying pan, and let them cook and smoke gently for a while on the stove. The result is a delicate scent of lavender all over the house.

To Clean Hands Tomato juice will remove stains from and whiten the hands.

WWW.OLDTIMEREMEDIES.COM

Less greasy. Taste more!.

Introducing Strathmore’s newest Cantonese, Szechuan & Vietnamese Restaurant!

So why dine with us?

• Because our top priority is you; • Because we try hard to offer you high

quality, fresh, clean & tasty food;

• Because we only cook when you order; and most importantly • Because we do not take you for granted.

Kung Pao Chicken

$10.95

This is our most popular dish of Szechuan cooking. It is prepared with celery, peanuts, onions, water chestnuts, and peppers in Red Koi’s special spicy sauce

Slices of Beef Sate Pho

$7.95

This is the specialty of Northern Vietnamese cooking. Serve with noodles and slices of beef in flavorful spicy sate soup. It’s also known to clear your sinuses!

Family Meal (A)-for 2* - $21.95

Wonton Soup, Egg Rolls (2), Beef with Broccoli, Sweet & Sour Pork & Pork Fried Rice and many other Family Meal options

Dine-in, Take-out, Deliveries & Catering Vegetarian friendly dishes & bubble tea!

TV’s to watch the game on!

Red Koi Fully Licensed Family Restaurant 134 – 2 Street Strathmore, AB T1P 1K3 (Next to CIBC & behind Co-op)

(403) 934-9338

www.facebook.com/redkoirestaurant Rated #1 in Strathmore -

FREE APPETIZER!

COUPON for Spend $40 before G.S.T – receive a FREE APPETIZER!! (Spring rolls - $4.95 value) Cannot be combined with other offers.

Valid for April 2013 only.

Calgary Flames Game Special:

Receive 10% off on Deliveries when you mention this coupon!

April Issue 66 Owner/Editor, Content Development & Articles Kathryn Hartwell Owner/Publisher, layout, Design, Accounts Payable/Receivable & Website. Aleesha Gosling Advertising; Regional Sales Manager Denise Geremia

CONTRIBUTORS: JockTalk Jock Wilson Reens Bloomers Maureen Macdonald Life Lines Jody Brown

Other great articles and reading material contributed by:

Anndees Fitness, PJs Appliances, Prairie Panache, Cynthia Barneskey, Carey Rose, Hope Bridges & Q Photography

www.thenewsyneighbour.blogspot.ca www.facebook.com/thenewsyneighbor Twitter, Linkedin & Pinterest: The Newsy Neighbour

Find us on various social media sites!

The Newsy Neighbour Inc. The Largest Magazine of its kind. Thriving since 2008!!

The Newsy Neighbour’s Mission Statement: The Newsy Neighbour... a magazine dedicated to helping towns and people connect.

The Newsy Neighbour’s Vision Statement: The Newsy Neighbour’s vision is to offer an attractive, unique and interesting magazine, which promotes and supports the businesses and community groups which define the towns and villages East of Calgary by distributing our magazine free of charge to every home and business monthly.

The Newsy Neighbour is published 12 times a year, printed by Central Web and distributed by Strathmore Standard, Sun Media and Canada post. The opinions expressed in the advertisements of this publication are those of the advertisers and not of The Newsy Neighbour directly.

The information in this paper is believed to be accurate but not warranted to be so. Images are supplied by readers, advertisers and purchased stock photography. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of The Newsy Neighbour Inc. Copyright (2011-2012).

KATHRYN HARTWELL - Owner/Editor, Content Development & Articles - Phone: 403-561-0888 - Email: kathryn.newsyneighbor@gmail.com ALEESHA GOSLING - Owner/Publisher, layout, Design, Accounts Payable/Receivable & Website - Phone:403-478-9114 - Email: newsyneighbor@ gmail.com DENISE GEREMIA. Sales Manager, Advertising Consultant - Phone: 403-608-0686 - Email: denise.newsyneighbour@gmail.com

From the Publishers This April Issue is outstanding!!

Not only did we have to add an additional 8 pages to the magazine to get everyone in, but it is also our 5th Birthday – 5 whole years – we can hardly believe it ourselves! For our readers, to help us celebrate this special occasion we are asking you to submit your most inspirational, amazing, brilliant, outstanding, sensational, strange or surprising birthday story. And for all our advertisers, we are giving away some amazing prize packages. Happy Birthday to Us!!

Thank-you Amalia & Mike Zarokostas for the beautiful photograph on our front cover! Wedding pictures are inspirational, two people starting a journey of life together with hopes and dreams of great happiness and love everlasting. That is why this special wedding issue has 12 whole pages dedicated to everything to do with weddings. Find instructions on how to make your own wedding cake and invitations for that special personal touch on pages 50 & 53. We have given you the must have Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist so you don’t forget a single detail. And, we had to include a favorite inspirational quote on marriage:

The Newsy Neighbour

Altogether Different

MAGAZINE

Love one another, but make not a bond of love; let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Stand together yet not too near, for the pillars of the temple stand apart. The oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow. ~ Kahlil Gibran When April arrives we cannot help but think about gardening. Sprinkled through-out the pages of this issue you will find all sorts of tips, tricks and inspiration for your own gardening ventures. Family page (p.32-33), container gardening (p.25), weather forecasting (p.20) and “Herbs” by Maureen MacDonald (p.26).

Lastly, if you plan on a little overindulging you may want to read page 28, We’re not giving you any hints, just have a look.

Happy Spring - “All that is right with the world” Kathryn Hartwell, Aleesha Presley and Denise Geremia Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn. ~ Quoted by Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

Subscriptions Voucher We accept Cheque, Money Order, Visa and MasterCard.

Please do not mail cash.

YES! I would like to subscribe to The Newsy Neighbour. Eastern Edition Magazine NAME____________________________________ Please make cheques payable to ADDRESS________________________________________ “The Newsy Neighbour Inc.” CITY_________________________POSTAL CODE______________ Total subscription cost for one full PHONE #____________________________________(optional) year is $39.95 including G.S.T. Please return this voucher to: Visa or Master Card #_____________________________________ 126 Westwood Street Expiry_________________________________ Strathmore, AB T1P 1A9 Signature__________________________________ The magazine will be mailed every month from our head office through Canada Post.

Questions please call 403-561-0888 email: newsyneighbor@gmail.com

Would you like to get The Newsy Neighbour Magazine emailed to you free every month as soon as it comes out? Even before the print copy hits mailboxes?

Simply subscribe on our website and we will email you the magazine every month, once a month and we will never share your email address with anyone and we will never spam you! www.thenewsyneighbour.ca/pages/subscription

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

The Newsy Neighbour

Page 11

IT'S A NEW STORE EVERY DAY! NEW HOURS: 10-6 Monday - Saturday 12-5 Sundays

Consign or drop off at any time!

Voted Calgary’s Best Consignment Shop!

CHESTERMERE STATION WAY • Unit 213, 175 Chestermere Station Way Phone: 403-235-0352 RICE Rice is not only used to throw at weddings, but it’s a very creative food!

If you do not own a rice cooker, jump in your car and run to the store to purchase one. They are fabulous! I love my rice cooker! Easy smeezy and quick. Now, up until recently, I have only used it to cook plain old rice (what a novel idea), but I am here to share some new recipes I have found that you can cook in your rice cooker (I’m here for you). These are more than just plain old rice – spice up your life and live a little.

fresh fruit (optional) 2 1/2 cups water Put all the ingredients in a rice cooker. Turn it on.

Go away, and come back in 25 to 30 minutes. Stir once, as there may be a little moisture on top, and serve up. Be sure to use a wooden spoon. Yum!

Unfried Chinese Rice 2 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice 1/2 cup finely diced ham or 1/2 cup bacon 1 1/2 cups frozen peas 2 eggs, scrambled and chopped up 3-4 diced spring onions 1/4-1/3 cup soy sauce 1/8 tsp ginger powder 1/2 tsp garlic granules 1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper Steam rice according to your steamer’s direction.

Place all other ingredients in a large bowl. Put hot rice directly on top and let sit for 2-3 minutes, stir well and serve immediately.

Lemon Rice This recipe comes from The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook.

1 cup long grain rice 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1 pinch salt 1 large garlic cloves 2 tsp lemon zest, freshly grated 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley Place rinsed rice in the rice cooker bowl of your rice cooker. Add the chicken stock and salt; stir to combine, then place the garlic in the center on top of the rice. Close the cover and set for the regular cycle. When the machine switches to the Keep Warm cycle, add the lemon zest, butter, and parsley; stir to combine. Close the cover and let the rice steam for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a wooden or plastic rice paddle or wooden spoon.

This rice will hold on Keep Warm for 1-2 hours. Before serving, remove garlic and discard. Serve hot.

Oatmeal Surprise 1 1/4 cups large flake rolled oats 2 tbsp wheat bran 1 pinch salt 1/3 cup raisins or 1/3 cup other dried fruit or 1/3 cup

Polynesian Rice 1 cup long grain rice 1 1/2 cups water 1 tbsp water 1/4 tsp salt

Page 12

The Newsy Neighbour

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

We’ve moved!

We’ve moved to serve you better.

Visit our new location and find out about the four-month Health Care Aide Certificate program starting in Strathmore in May 2013.

85 Lakeside BouLevard strathmore, aB t1P 1a1

bowvalleycollege.ca/strathmore

LEARN MORE. EARN MORE. DO MORE. 1/4 tsp pepper 2 tsp curry powder 1 green onions, minced 1/2 cup pineapple, chopped (or canned crushed pineapple) 1 cup seedless grapes (or maraschino cherries) 1/4 cup green bell peppers, seeded and minced 1 cup cucumbers, diced (garnish) 1 limes, cut into wedges (garnish) Spray the rice cooker bowl with Pam or coat with vegetable oil. Put first 6 ingredients (rice curry powder) in rice bowl, stirring with paddle (that comes with rice cooker) a few times. Close cover and set for regular cycle. When rice cooker switches to “keep warm”, sprinkle the green onion, pineapple, grapes (or cherries), and green pepper on top of the rice. Close cover and let steam for 15 minutes. Stir rice with plastic rice paddle to combine. Garnish with cucumber and lime wedges.

You will never eat plain rice again!

Kathryn Hartwell www.thenewsyneighbour.com

An English processor wrote the words: “A woman without her man is nothing” on the chalkboard and asked his students to punctuate it correctly.

All the males in the class wrote: “A woman, without her man, is nothing.”

All the females in the class wrote: “A woman: without her, man is nothing.”

Punctuation is powerful!

I was going to clean my house...

But then someone commented on my Facebook status!

How to handle stress like a dog...

If you can’t eat it or play with it, then pee on it and walk away!

A word to the wise ain’t necessary - it’s the stupid ones that need the advice.

Bill Cosby The Newsy Neighbour

Page 13

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“Because we

Now that I’m Older and Wiser There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I’m sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.

Asphalt”

www.8ballpaving.com

If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.

If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

When I’m feeling down, I like to whistle. It makes the neighbour’s dog that barks all the time run to the end of his chain and gag himself.

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Don’t cry because it’s over: smile because it happened.

A penny saved is a government oversight.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.

Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

He who hesitates is probably right.

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.

Living on earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you’re on.

Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

Page 14

The Newsy Neighbour

Once over the hill, you pick up speed.

I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

If not for STRESS, I’d have no energy at all.

Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don’t have film.

I know God won’t give me more than I can handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.

You don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.

We cannot change the direction of the wind... but we can adjust our sails.

If the shoe fits... buy it in every colour. www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Strathmore Home Hardware Invites you to an evening of colour tuesday April 30, 2013 7:30 - 9:30pm Join our colour experts and explore techniques for using colour and trend to set the mood in your own home.

This uber evening includes an "Ask a Designer" segment, become the star and submit your room photos for personal tips and tricks on creating your own chic spaces.

Photo entries along with questions about your room can be submitted in person at the home hardware paint desk or emailed to: randy.service@homehardware.ca Entry deadline is April 15 2013 Guest experts will be in attendance. Wine & Cheese will be served and designer makeover prizes will be awarded.

Phone: (403) 934-3802 14 Spruce Park Dr. Strathmore, AB T1P 1J2

Only 40 invitations are available for tHis special evening. Dont delay!

A LOOK BACK IN TIME Pity the poor Victorian-era family whose bottle of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup ran dry. It was touted as an indispensable aid to quiet bawling babies and teething tots, and it packed a wallop of an ingredient: morphine!

Today, no one would dream of calming an infant with morphine, but the museum of medicine is littered with such discarded remedies. Some were fanciful potions that quacks concocted to make a buck, while others were legitimate -- even revered -- treatments that eventually yielded to more enlightened science.

For example, opium suffers a tainted reputation these days.

But doctors have favoured it throughout history, especially to control coughing and diarrhea.

“It was regarded as an all-purpose drug. One physician called it ‘God’s own medicine,’” says James C. Whorton, PhD, a medical historian and professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

‘Legitimate’ Medicine of an Earlier Era Doctors used arsenic and mercury to treat syphilis before the introduction of penicillin in the 1940s. One company sold heroin tablets to relieve asthma symptoms.

Cocaine drops for toothache came on the market after doctors www.thenewsyneighbour.com

discovered its pain-relieving qualities. One Belgian company even promoted cocaine throat lozenges as “indispensable for singers, teachers and orators.” Dentists and surgeons also used cocaine as an anesthetic. While doctors of the late 1800s considered these drugs legitimate, a whole range of shady patent medicines, sometimes called “nostrums,” also flourished during that period. The golden age of patent medicines ended in the early 1900s, notes the FDA web site, when muckraking journalists wrote exposés and the federal government cracked down with new legislation to prohibit adulteration or misbranding of foods and drugs, as well as false advertising.

Also, as the state of legitimate medicine evolved, new cures replaced the old. When doctors began treating syphilis with penicillin, a grateful generation was spared the toxic effects of arsenic and mercury, including inflammation of the gums, destruction of the teeth and jaws, and organ damage.

Opium and other addictive drugs also fell by the wayside once scientists realized their pitfalls. Novocain replaced its predecessor, cocaine, as an anesthetic.

No doubt, more medical advances on the horizon will make some of today’s medicines outdated. So perhaps it’s wise to avoid smugness.

After all, will sophisticated new cancer treatments make today’s harsh chemotherapy agents look like the arsenic and mercury of the past? “I’m sure people will wonder why we put up with it,” Whorton says Information taken from www.webmed.ca The Newsy Neighbour

Page 15

Never get jealous when you see your ex with someone else. Our parents taught us to give to the less fortunate.

FRESH CHICKEN: FROM FARM TO YOU

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That moment when you see someone else call your best friend their best friend and you’re like, NO! You hit your hip on the corner of the table and you feel like you have been shot!

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You slap your best friend when something exciting happens.

You just sit in your towel after a shower because you’re too lazy to get dressed.

You turn on every light on the trail to your bedroom. It will keep you safe!

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24 Hours - more or less…

The earth takes roughly 24 hours to rotate once on its axis.

For some of us, this still isn’t enough time to get things done. Plus we have to fit sleep in there somewhere. If we don’t, those 24 hours will get a lot blurrier and our ‘good humour’ level will be then directly opposite (that’s inversely proportional for the ‘geek types’) to our ‘this isn’t working’ level.

This time of the year brings an increase in activity and a decrease in time. Where do we cut first? Sleep time of course. Stiff and sore when you wake up? Has your significant other taken to hiding in the morning? Not returning your calls until after lunch?

Many of us cut our sleep time even though we know the importance of quality sleep. If we have to reduce sleep time, we need to make sure the sleep we are getting is the best. Part of the sleep process, our mattress, is a priority factor in ensuring we attain a restful and rejuvenating sleep.

A mattress that supports us evenly, reduces pressure areas and allows us a deeper, uninterrupted sleep is critical to our physical and mental health. Our significant other will benefit equally as well.

How do we check out a mattress?

First: take your partner along; both of you will be sleeping on it. Either one can check out some mattresses but both www.thenewsyneighbour.com

should be in on the final selection.

Take a few minutes to lie down on the mattress in your usual sleep position. A good one to try is the position you’re in when you wake up in the morning.

Ask the sales person about the mattress and its features; this is very important. What makes this a suitable mattress for you?

Ask about the mattress construction and any environmental issues. Ask about the manufacturer – do they stand behind their product? Canadian made?

Note that price is not always an indicator of ‘the right mattress’ but you still get what you pay for.

Mattress size is important as well. The most common couple’s mattress size is a Queen (60” x 80” or 152 cm x 203 cm). A King is next most popular (76” x 80” or 193 cm x 203 cm) but does take up a lot of space in a bedroom.

Talk to your local independent mattress retailer. They know the product they have chosen to carry and will be able to advise you on what will be best for you. As part of your sleep system, they will also have a variety of pillows available for head & neck support. You spend about 1/3 of your life sleeping – you don’t need marketing hype – you need a good supported sleep.

Be a savvy consumer – remember there are four sides to every story; one side, the other side, the political/media side and the truth. Check out www.skepticnorth.com and on the ‘lighter side’ – online: Marina Hyde – Guardian column.

The Newsy Neighbour

Page 17

Just some STUFF...

Let in the ligehth,eat! block th

Respect people’s feelings. Even if it doesn’t mean anything to you, it could mean everything to them.

The secret to change is NOT to focus all of your energy on fighting the old, but on building the new.

The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest!

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A good man can make you feel sexy, strong, and able to take on the world Oh, I mean WINE... that’s wine... wine does that.

Thanks for going out of your way to unfriend me on Facebook; your passive-aggressive way of ending our friendship really took some guts!

Page 18

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“I feel like a failure! I’ve been shopping for 20 years and I still have nothing to wear!”

I enjoy a glass of wine each night for its health benefits. The other glasses are for my witty comebacks and flawless dance moves.

I discovered I scream the same way whether I’m about to be eaten by a shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot. www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Give Us A Call (403)934-5884 Or Come In And See Us At 307, 3rd AVE, Strathmore AB.

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WE ALL HAVE A ROLE “We All Have a Role” is the theme of the 8th Annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (NVCAW) which is being recognized from April 21-27, 2013.

Strathmore Regional Victim Services Society (SRVSS) will be hosting a BBQ in the Safeway parking lot in Chestermere on April 21, and at the Sobeys parking lot in Strathmore on April 27 from 11am-2pm both days, to provide the community an opportunity to learn about the various resources available to them, should they find themselves a victim of crime.

NVCAW was established in 2006. The goal of hosting a NVCAW event is to bring awareness of the resources available to victims of crime and how we ALL play a role in building support systems that victims can access.

SRVSS is a non profit, charitable organization that provides 24 hour crisis response to victims of crime and tragedy. We work in partnership with the Chestermere, Gleichen and Strathmore RCMP, assisting to reduce the impact experienced from crime or tragedy.

Becoming a victim of crime can be life altering and the abilwww.thenewsyneighbour.com

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ity to access timely and appropriate resources is critical to the individual in order to aid them in moving forward from the traumatic event. Engaging victims, government, community and professionals helps to ensure victims are empowered and have a “voice” while navigating the criminal justice system. It is imperative that those victims of crime that require assistance know what services and supports are available to them.

“This week is dedicated to victims of crime; it is time to shift the focus towards their rights and their needs within the criminal justice system. It is time to shift the conversation, from offender management issues, to those directly facing victims today. This week, however, should be about more than listening and acknowledging; it should be about coming together to take action to make positive change for victims of crime.” ~ Sue O’Sullivan-Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime 2012 For more information on this important week, please visit www.victimsweek.gc.ca, www.victimsfirst.gc.ca.

If you are wondering how you can become involved, please contact SRVSS at 403-934-6552 or www.strathmoreregionalvictimservices.com. SRVSS always welcomes new volunteer advocates who have the time and compassion to assist victims in the community.

The Newsy Neighbour

Page 19

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Old Time Weather Forecasting Methods We have all heard old time weather folklore sayings like “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning.” How about “Bees will not swarm before a storm” or “When the sun sets bright and clear, an easterly wind you need not fear.” And did you know that for most species of crickets, the higher the temperature, the more times they chirp? Count how often the cricket chirps in 14 seconds and add 40 to get the approximate temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

Now, you can learn to predict tomorrow’s weather using the folklore weather forecasting schemes commonly used by farmers and fishermen in the days before commercial weather forecasts. By comparing and combining the indications they obtained from rudimentary weather instruments with observation of the elements using weather folklore, the early settlers could forecast short-range weather, often with amazing accuracy.

Give this old weather wisdom and folklore a try. Use these traditional weather signs to strengthen your powers of weather observation. See whether you can out-predict your local TV weather reporter. I bet you will.

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The Newsy Neighbour

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Weather Folklore Signs The old time weather forecasting methods are taken from “The Household Cyclopedia of General Information” by Henry Hartshorne, M.D., published by Thomas Kelly, New York, in 1881.

A few of the traditional weather forecasting signs that are common to weather folklore, useful alike to the seaman, farmer, and gardener, are the following:

By Observing Sky Colour - Whether clear or cloudy, a rosy sky at sunset presages fine weather; a red sky in the morning bad weather, or much wind (perhaps rain); a gray sky in the morning, fine weather; a high dawn, wind; a low dawn, fair weather. Also, a bright yellow sky at sunset presages wind; a pale yellow, wet; and thus by the prevalence of red, yellow, or gray tints the coming weather may be foretold very nearly; indeed, if aided by instruments, almost exactly.

By Observing Clouds - Soft-looking or delicate clouds foretell fine weather, with moderate or light breezes; hardedged, oily-looking clouds, wind. A dark, gloomy, blue sky is windy, but a light, bright, blue sky indicates fine weather.

Generally, the softer clouds look, the less wind (but perhaps more rain) may be expected; and the harder, more www.thenewsyneighbour.com

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“greasy,” rolled, tufted, or ragged, the stronger the coming wind will prove. Small, inky-looking clouds foretell rain; light scud-clouds driving across heavy masses show wind and rain, but, if alone, may indicate wind only. High, upper clouds crossing the sun, moon, or stars, in a direction different from that of the lower clouds, or the wind then felt below, foretell a change of wind. Light, delicate, quiet tints or colours, with soft, undefined forms of clouds, indicate and accompany fine weather, but gaudy or unusual hues, with hard, definitely outlined clouds, foretell rain, and probably strong wind.

By Observing Bird and Animal Behaviours When sea birds fly out early, and far to seaward, moderate wind and fair weather may be expected; when they hang about the land, or over it sometimes flying inland, expect a strong wind with stormy weather. Also, when animals seek sheltered places, instead of spreading over their usual range; when pigs carry straw to their sty’s; when smoke from chimneys does not ascend readily (or straight upwards during calm), an unfavourable change is probable.

By Observing Dew and Fog Dew is an indication of fine weather; so is fog. Neither of these two formations occurs under an overcast sky, or when there is much wind. One sees fog occasionally rolled away, as it were, by wind, but seldom or never www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Email: info@stoneconsultinggroup.ca

formed while it is blowing. Remarkable clearness of atmosphere near the horizon; distant objects, such as hills, usually visible, or raised (by refraction), and what is called “a good hearing day,” may be mentioned among the signs of wet, if not wind, to be expected.

By Observing Night Sky More than usual twinkling of the stars, indistinctness or apparent multiplication of the moon’s horns, haloes, “winddogs,” and the rainbow, are more or less significant of increasing wind, it not approaching rain, with or without wind.

By Observing Wind Movement Another general rule of weather folklore requires attention, which is, that the wind usually appears to veer, shift, or go round with the sun (right-handed, or from left to right), and that when it does not do so, or backs, more wind or bad weather may be expected, instead of improvement.

How to Make a Pioneer Weather Indicator Carefully tie a rope around a rock and hang it perpendicular from the branch of a tree so that it rests about two feet from the ground. If the rock hangs still, there’s no wind; if it sways to and fro, there’s a moderate wind blowing; if it hangs level with the branch, there’s a hurricane; if it’s wet, it’s raining; if it has snow on it, it’s snowing; if it’s missing, somebody stole it. -- Just a wee bit of weather folklore humour.

The Newsy Neighbour

Page 21

Pheromones?

Most mammals have a gland at the top of their nose, called the vomeronasal organ. Scientists believe this detects the sex pheromones and triggers an involuntary response; for example, getting sexually excited.

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However, in humans, there’s no really good evidence that we have a vomeronasal organ. The question of whether we act involuntarily to pheromones is still unanswered.

Funky pheromone facts Over-kill!

A single female Bombay moth carries more than 1.5ug of pheromone at any one time. This is enough to lure 1 billion males at close range!

Long-range The silkworm moth can detect pheromones from other silkworms up to 11km away. The moths immediately fly towards the source.

Detectors Male moths detect pheromones through their antennae. A male fly detects pheromones through its front legs.

Irresistible Imagine a tiny drop of water small enough to fit on a pinhead - and divide that by 1000. You are left with a droplet weighing about 0.004 micrograms and invisible to the naked eye.

Scientists have discovered that in female flies, this amount of purified sex hormone will attract 500 1000 male flies from 150 feet in just 5 minutes.

Are women attracted to men’s sweat?

There is some evidence that women are attracted to the sweat of men who have a different tissue type to them. This would promote genetic mixing and be desirable in genetic terms. However, the sweat must be very fresh!

Look out for… vanilla!

What is the effect of vanilla on humans? Its structure is very similar to testosterone but its effects are unknown. www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Gleichen RCMP and Gleichen Communit� Cent�e present a...

At the Gleichen Communit� Cent�e on Sat�rday, May 25,2013

Regimental Gala Contact 403-734-0114, 403-644-2969 or the Gleichen RCMP for tickets for infor�ation

Cost: $50/ticket Cocktails: 5:00 pm Receiving Line: 6:00 pm Dinner: @ 6:30 For�al or Semi-For�al attire for the evening Proceeds raised to go to Victim Ser�ices and Gleichen Hall

This is a f�nd raising evening for Victim Ser�ices and the Gleichen Hall Come out for an evening of Fine Dining, Live Auction and Dance Music by Vannatta Questions to Ponder • Does a clean house indicate that there is a broken computer in it?

• Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with the hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

• On electric toasters, why do they engrave the message ‘one slice’? How many pieces of bread do they think people are really gonna try to stuff in that slot?

• Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give their vacuum one more chance?

so, why do we say, ‘It’s all right.” It isn’t all right, so why don’t we say, “That hurt, jerk!”?

• Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that’s falling off the table, you always manage to knock something else over?

• Is it true that the only difference between a yard sale and a trash pickup is how close to the road the stuff is placed?

• In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

Strathmore’s

• Why is it that no plastic garbage bag will open from the end you first try?

• How do those dead bugs get into closed light fixtures?

• Considering all the lint you get in your dryer, if you kept drying your clothes, would they eventually just disappear?

• When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Chris Wenner Thank You For Supporting Your Local Businesses!

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320A 2nd Avenue Strathmore, AB The Newsy Neighbour

Page 23

Bobcat Services–Lawn Care–Landscape Construction

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BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER I cannot believe that a person would purchase a pet just to neglect it – the thought of it just makes me sick inside. Please make sure if you have a pet you love and never neglect it! If you know of a pet being neglected or abused, you can contact the SPCA in Calgary at 403-205-4455 and they have a direct line just for neglected and abused animals.

Did you know there is an organization based in Strathmore called the Happy Cat Sanctuary, which is run by a small group of dedicated volunteers dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating stray and abandoned cats? You can reach them at 403-8048571. They are in need of donations and their wish list includes dry or canned food, litter of any kind, cat beds and clean blankets, towels, cat toys and treats and any donation of money is greatly appreciated – 100% goes to the cats and they issue tax receipts for donations over $10 – their email is happycatsanctuary@gmail.com. Help them out if you can!

We have 2 dogs and “spoiled” is the word that comes to mind to describe them. As a matter of fact, we call our smallest dachshund, Kayla, the “little princess” – she has her own pillow on our bed. Recently, we have started clipping our dogs nails ourselves. If you have not tried to cut your dog’s nails before, let me tell you it truly is a traumatic experience for all involved.

The dogs are small so we figured out if we wrap them in a blanket before the operation we can hold on to them a little better – one person holds and one-person clips. It seems to be getting a little better each time and we give them lots of snuggles and treats after, but the whole process is not for the frail of heart and not one little bit fun – at all. I was so nervous the first time because I have heard all sorts of nightmarish stories about people cutting the nails too short and hitting nerves and veins and seriously hurting them. I would feel guilty forever for hurting one of my precious friends, so I did a bit of research to help just incase the traumatic event ever occurred.

What to do If You Accidentally Clip a Pet’s Nail Too Short Clipping a dog’s nail too short can cause pain and bleeding. The nail quick is also prone to infection if a dog’s nail is broken or trimmed too short.

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The Newsy Neighbour

Happy Cat Sanctuary www.happycatsanctuary.net email: happycatsanctuary@gmail.com

We are a rescue group for abandoned and stray cats run by volunteers in Strathmore and surrounding areas.

Donations Needed!

ADOPT or become a foster parent!!

Phone: 403-804-8571 Please only phone us for a medical emergency, or for abandoned kittens or if you do not have access to the internet.

Clipping a dog’s nails on a regular basis is an important part of home dog grooming. But many dog owners get nervous when it comes to clipping a dog’s nails, and even the most careful and cautious pet owner may accidentally cut a dog’s nail too short, causing pain, bleeding and even a nail infection that can spread up into the toe and paw. Before starting a dog’s nail trimming, get some styptic powder - a powder that promotes blood clotting, thereby stopping the flow of blood from a dog’s broken nail or a nail that’s been trimmed too short. Keep the styptic powder nearby, just in case of a nail trimming mishap.

1. If a dog’s nail breaks or if the dog’s nail is trimmed too close to the quick, bleeding will occur almost instantaneously. Dip the dog’s bleeding nail into the styptic powder. In the absence of styptic powder, use cornstarch. If cornstarch is not available, try flour.

2. Once the styptic powder (or styptic powder substitute, like cornstarch) is applied to the dog’s broken nail, keep the dog quiet and do not allow him to walk. Distract the dog and do not let him lick the injured paw.

3. If the bleeding from the dog’s nail is heavy, apply additional styptic powder.

4. After the bleeding slows (it usually takes a couple of minutes), get a clean paper towel and apply pressure to the dog’s injured nail.

Be aware that nail injuries in dogs can be very painful and the dog may cry out, snap or bite. Use of a muzzle is strongly recommended to avoid injury to the dog’s caretaker.

Now that I have shared this most important information about clipping your dogs nails, perhaps you may feel a little bit relieved to know they will not die if you clip their nails too short. Personally, I’m not feeling relieved at all, but I have lived through the clipping experience a few times now with no complications other than personal heart palpitations and the dogs seem just as happy as ever when it is over – that could change some day if there ever is a serious wound. So for those brave and adventurous nail clippers out there, I raise my glass and cheer, “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” ~Pablo Picasso By: Kathryn Hartwell www.thenewsyneighbour.com

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Ask A Garden Designer Jeanette Shelley currently owns a greenhouse in Strathmore, Alberta. She has over 40 years of experience in greenhouse operation, floral arrangement and floral design.

Q: I want beautiful containers for the front of my house. What plants should I put in them?

I am a big fan of container gardening. You can do something different every year!

The easiest way to have an impressive display is to use a monochromatic theme – pick one colour and one plant. Choose a flower that mounds where the flowers from each plant will grow together. For example, fill many containers of different shapes and sizes with orange nasturtium to give a pop of colour to a neutral exterior. Or, choose a white theme by filling containers with white geraniums, verbenas or alyssum if your house colour is bright.

Using one type of plant makes it easy to choose something that will do well in that spot. If the front of your house is hot and sunny, remember to pick plants that don’t mind the heat.

Q: When you are designing containers, how do you decide what plants and flowers to use?

When I design containers for clients I use more than one type of plant and more than one colour. I ask which colours you like, where the container will be (in the sun? in the shade for part of the day?), and which plants you prefer.

I usually use one unique plant to create a focal point of the arrangement. This is usually a tall, upright plant like canna lily, king

tut or ornamental grasses. I fill around the focal point with those colours and plants that you like. I choose plants that will grow together and not grow taller than the focal point plant. I choose plants that have a mixture of heights and leaf shapes and I look for different shades of green to add variety. Around the edges, I put trailing or cascading plants that spill over the side of the container.

Look for lobelia, creeping jenny, bamboo grass or ivy.

This is an easy ‘formula’ to use when you create your own container display. Remember to leave room for your plants to grow!

Q: What are the best plants to put in a hanging basket?

I think beautiful, floppy petunia blossoms are the easiest way to fill hanging baskets. Again, picking one plant makes watering and care easier. With petunias you can choose all one colour or, if you have a larger hanging basket, choose many colours!

When I design hanging baskets I think about how high the basket will hang and how much of the top of the basket will be seen. I choose cascading or trailing plants like alyssum, impatiens, trailing pansies, nasturtium, or petunias for around the sides or the entire hanging baskets. If the basket is big and the top will be seen, I fill in the centre of the basket with flowers and plants that are short and grow in mounds. This includes coleus, lobelia, baby snapdragons, petunias, or pansies.

I always remind people to be careful to use the right size of hanging basket. If the basket is too small it will be hard to keep it from drying out.

Happy Container Planning! Jeanette.

Submitted by: Prairie Panache Greenhouse

Reens Bloomers

Maureen is the plant lady amd has learned a lot about them over the six years of cleaning, repotting, maintaining and caring for plants of all kinds and sizes. She also sells centerpieces and plant arrangemtnes for gift giving and corporate functions using unique hand decorated pots and all the sprays used to care for them - all natural and chemical free. If you have a plant question Maureen is your girl. She will be sharing her expertise with us every month and expanding our awareness of the world of plants.

Maureen Macdonald - 403-852-3303 - reenmac@telus.net. www.calgaryplantlady.ca

HERBS 1) Basil – Italian cooking. Add in the last few minutes of cooking. Works well with tomatoes. Finely chopped, stirred in mayonnaise makes a good sauce for fish.

Sprinkle over salads.

2) Bay – Use as part of a Bouquet Garni for soups, stews, and sauces. Add to stocks, marinades and stews, curry and poached fish.

3) Bergamot – Add leaves to fruit salad, homemade lemonade. It will enhance the flavour. Add flowers to salads and to decorate puddings.

4) Caraway – Add leaves to salads and soups. Add seeds to vegetables dishes, stews, cooked fruits, cheese and baked food.

5) Cardamom – Use seeds to flavour curries and pickles, baked goods, mulled wine, fruit compotes and milky desserts.

6) Chervil – Add to salads and fish, chicken, egg and potato dishes, as well as soups and sauces. Cooking and drying destroys the flavour, so use toward the end of cooking times.

7) Chives – Use in omelets, salads, potatoes, biscuits, and soups. Mild onion flavour.

8) Coriander – Seeds are great with meat, especially pork, and sweet puddings. The leaves are good in salads, include in curries and stews.

9) Dill – Use in dips, herb butter, soups, salads, and fish.

10) Garlic – Use in vegetables, meat, fish. It is widely used in dips, sauces and salad dressings.

Page 26

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11) Ginger – Dried, ground ginger is used in cakes, biscuits and various sauces. It can also be found in commercial sweets and soft drinks. Also used in vegetable dishes, curries, marinades and chutneys.

12) Lemon Balm – Use as a garnish for fish. Add in the last few minutes to cooked dishes fish, chicken. Sprinkle over vegetables, summer drinks, and fruit salad.

13) Lemon Verbena - Use in salads, vegetables, stuffings, herb butter and tea.

14) Mint – Use in teas, desserts, and as a garnish. Good with lamb.

15) Oregano – Good in pizzas, and Italian dishes, casseroles, soups, and sauces. Add in the last few minutes of cooking.

16) Parsley – Use as a garnish.

17) Rosemary – Use fresh in oils and vinegars, and salads.

Good with lamb, soups, stew, fish, and rice.

18) Sage – Use in sauces, stuffings, pork, and sausage.

19) Savory – Good with beans, peas, pork, game birds, sausages, soups and stews.

20) Sweet Marjoram – Use in casseroles, sauces, stuffings, egg and cheese dishes, stews, and fruit salads.

21) Tarragon – Good with poultry, mayonnaise, vegetables, salad dressings, butter sauces, fish and egg dishes.

22) Thyme – Use with fish, poultry, chicken, herb butters meats, and soups. Use in Bouquet Garni. Use the fresh leaves for wine sauces, stuffings, stocks. Use the sprigs in oils and vinegars. www.thenewsyneighbour.com

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The Newsy Neighbour

Page 27

Health & Beauty Section weigh less become intoxicated more quickly, and women will feel the effects faster than men. This is also because their bodies have lower levels of water.

HEART: More than 35 units a week, or a large number in one sitting, can cause ‘holiday heart syndrome’. This is atrial fibrillation - a rapid, irregular heartbeat that happens when the heart’s upper chambers contract too quickly. As a result, the heartbeat is less effective at pumping blood from the heart, and blood may pool and form clots. These can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Atrial fibrillation gives a person nearly a fivefold increased risk of stroke. The effect is temporary, provided heavy drinking is stopped.

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#11 - 55 Wheatland Trail, Strathmore BODY PARTS The Day After The Wedding Now is the time to start planning for what could be the most important day of your life, besides childbirth! There is so much to do when it comes to planning a wedding and the cost can be astronomical. But that is not what this article is about! It’s about the Bachelor Party, Staggette and the Night After the big wedding celebration. Yes, this article is about a little overindulging when it comes to your alcohol consumption.

WHAT ALCOHOL REALLY DOES TO YOUR BODY BRAIN: From the first sip, alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the brain. Although you won’t be aware of it, there is an impairment of brain function, which deteriorates further the more you drink. Cognitive abilities that are acquired later in life, such as conduct and behaviour, are the first to go. Early on, you will experience mild euphoria and loss of inhibition, as alcohol impairs regions of the brain controlling behaviour and emotion. Most vulnerable are the brain cells associated with memory, attention, sleep and coordination. Sheer lack of mass means that people who Page 28

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LUNGS: A small amount of alcohol speeds up the breathing rate. But at this level of intoxication, the stimulating effects of alcohol are replaced by an anaesthetic effect that acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. The heart rate lowers, as does blood pressure and respiration rates, possibly to risky levels - in extreme cases the effect could be fatal. During exhalation, the lungs excrete about 5 per cent of the alcohol you have consumed - it is this effect that forms the basis for the breathalyser test.

LIVER: Alcohol is metabolised in the liver and excessive alcohol use can lead to acute and chronic liver disease. As the liver breaks down alcohol, by-products such as acetaldehyde are formed, some of which are more toxic to the body than alcohol itself. It is these that can eventually attack the liver and cause cirrhosis. A heavy night of drinking upsets both the delicate balance of enzymes in the liver and fat metabolism. Over time, this can lead to the development of fatty globules that cause the organ to swell. It is generally accepted that drinking more than seven units (men) and five units (women) a day will raise the risk of liver cirrhosis.

SKIN: Alcohol increases bloodflow to the skin, making you feel warm and look flushed. It also dehydrates, increasing the appearance of fine lines. According to Dr Nicholas Perricone,

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a dermatologist, even five units will lead to an unhealthy appearance for days.

Alcohol dehydrates virtually every part of the body, and is also a neurotoxin that causes brain cells to become damaged and swell. This causes the hangover and, combined with low blood-sugar levels, can leave you feeling awful. Cognitive abilities such as concentration, coordination and memory may be affected for several days.

Over time, alcohol can cause permanent damage to the connection between nerve cells. As it is a depressant, alcohol can trigger episodes of depression, anxiety and lethargy.

Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to an increase in the risk of most cancers. Last week, Cancer Research UK warned how growing alcohol use is causing a steep rise in mouth cancer cases.

Just a few weeks of heavy drinking can result in painful inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis. It results in a swollen abdominal area and can cause nausea and vomiting.

Don’t worry, we have all done it; people will eventually forget your bad behaviour (eventually!). But what about your poor overworked and overloaded liver? It may need some help to detox; you owe it to yourself to start eating these healthy foods immediately, if not sooner, and buy a juicer!

Garlic: Garlic helps your liver activate enzymes that can flush out toxins. It also has a high amount of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.

Grapefruit: Eating or drinking grapefruit juice can help your liver flush out carcinogens and toxins. This fruit is also high in both vitamin C and antioxidant properties.

Beets: Beets are high in plant-flavonoids, which can imwww.thenewsyneighbour.com

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Leafy Greens: Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce have the ability to neutralize metals, chemicals and pesticides that may be in our foods, and act as a protective mechanism for the liver.

Green Tea: Green tea is full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, which have been known to improve the functions of our liver.

Avocados: Adding more avocados to your diet can help your body produce a type of antioxidant called glutathione, which is needed for our livers to filter out harmful materials.

Crucferous Vegetables: Cruciferous veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts also increase the amount of glucosinolate (organic compounds) in our bodies that helps create enzyme production for digestion .

Lemons: We all know citrus fruits like lemons are full of vitamin C, but lemons also help our bodies cleanse out toxic materials and aid the digestion process.

Turmeric: Used as a spice, tumeric has been known to help our bodies digest fats and stimulate the production of bile. It can also act as a natural form of detox for your liver.

Walnuts: Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which help support our liver through its cleansing process.

According to The Mayo Clinic, mistreating your liver can raise the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, allergies and many other ailments. Something to think about as you raise that glass!

Kathryn Hartwell Information found on www.independent.co.uk and www.huffingtonpost.ca

Health & Beauty

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Health & Beauty Section

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Fitness and Nutrition

Should I take vitamin and mineral supplements?

Some people think that they can make up for a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits by popping a bunch of vitamin and mineral pills each day. Others start taking certain vitamin and mineral supplements because they see stories in the media stating that these supplements may reduce their chances of getting diseases.

If you haven’t been eating healthy foods for a long time, vitamin and mineral supplements are probably not going to make up for your poor eating habits. And research on the effects of dietary supplements in preventing diseases is still in the early stages.

In general, people should be able to get all the nutrients they need, including all their vitamins and minerals, by choosing foods wisely. Besides vitamins and minerals, foods such as fruits and vegetables have other substances that promote health in ways that researchers are only now beginning to discover.

There are three main groups of people who might need a supplement: Women who are pregnant or could become pregnant need 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to lower the risk of certain birth defects, including spina bifida. Folic acid pills are best. You also can take a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid or eat foods with folic acid.

People over age 50 may need more B12.

Older adults, people with dark skin, and people who don’t Page 30

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Lemons

Lemons are great to add to your beer or spirits. Lemons are high in Vitamin C, which helps in increasing the breakdown of alcohol within the body. This drink also helps in regulating the blood sugar level.

Omega 3

Alcohol causes inflammation and omegas are proven to fight that inflammation in a serious way. They will also help combat some of the unpleasant side effects of alcohol in your face, like dry, blotchy skin.

get much sun exposure may need more vitamin D. For these groups, eating foods fortified with these nutrients or taking the nutrients in pill form may be needed.

Before taking any supplement, you should talk with your doctor about whether you need the supplement and, if so, how much you should take. Taking a supplement is not without risks. Taking too much vitamin A during pregnancy, for instance, can cause birth defects.

If you are taking a medicine for a health condition, supplements may interact with the medicine in ways that can harm your body. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether taking a supplement will help you or whether you’re better off spending your money on healthy foods. www.womenshealth.gov

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Are you having a Birthday? We are!

Balloons!

IT’S OUR 5TH BIRTHDAY

Hundreds of Balloon Choices!

Birthdays are such a wonderful occasion to celebrate, and this April we are celebrating our 5th birthday – an event to be commemorated!

The best birthday I have ever seen was Bilbo’s 111th birthday in the “Fellowship of the Ring”; that was a wing-dinger. He knows how to put on one heck of a bash. He gave gifts to all in attendance and that’s exactly what we intend to do.

Well, maybe not everyone, as that would break the bank.

We would not be celebrating this monumental birthday if it were not for our amazing advertisers and readers, so we are celebrating all of you!

For our May advertisers, your names will be entered into a draw to win some amazing prize packages, including a round of golf on us! Just contact our outstanding Sales Manager Denise and she will fill you in on all the details.

For our readers, we are offering terrific gift baskets and all you have to do is share your best birthday story (which we will publish in our May Issue)!

Party supplies! ..and a little bit of everything else!

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Things to write in a birthday card: Do me a favour...

I couldn’t think if anything to write, so please pretend that you’re reading something really touching, maybe even wipe a teat, and then look at me and say “That is so beautiful. I didn’t know you could write like that.” Then if anyone asks to see the card, refuse and tell them it was just to personal.

Thanks, I owe you one.

Happy 30th Birthday!

Celebrate as much as you can stand tonight, but not too much, because you are thirty now!

I knew it was your birthday, even without facebook!

We will be picking 5 inspirational, amazing, brilliant, outstanding, sensational, strange and surprising birthday stories. You may email your story to kathryn.newsyneighbor@gmail.com or mail it to 126 Westwood Street, Strathmore, AB T1P 1A9.

We look forward to your account of events of your most memorable story.

Happy 5th Birthday to “The Newsy Neighbour”! www.thenewsyneighbour.com

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Page 31

Family Gardening Page Time to start thinking about your garden, if you have not already done so! If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you may already have started your indoor seeds. I love my garden, but I find it much easier just to plant my seeds May 24th long weekend and not have all the fuss with starting my plants indoors. A garden can be an amazing family adventure, and did you know children are natural gardeners? They’re curious, like to learn by doing, and love to play in the dirt. As a matter of fact, working in a garden, a child can experience the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time, while observing the cycle of life firsthand.

How about this year including your kids in the planting, watering, weeding and harvesting of your garden! Get your kids outside and show them how rewarding growing their own garden can be. My suggestion would be to let them have their own little garden plot separate from yours. This will give them bragging rights when they show their friends how big the sunflowers have grown and how red and plump the tomatoes are!

Come on and give it a shot! What a nice way to spend some time on the weekend: have a BBQ and do some family gardening. Just to help you out a little, I have included the top 10 crops for your children to grow.

Sunflower

A must for a child's garden. Plant just one or two, since they take a lot of room. Sunflowers will sprout in 1 week, become a small seedling in 2 weeks, and should be 2' tall in a month. In 8 weeks, the buds will flower revealing hundreds of seed kernels. Be sure to grow 'confectionery' sunflowers, the type grown for food. They will dry naturally in the late summer sun; the seeds, rich in protein and iron, can be roasted for snacks. Save a few for next summers' planting.

Lettuce

A quick and reliable crop to give the child fast results, and also a good way to interest kids in salads. Lettuce likes part shade; keep soil moist, especially during the first two weeks. The seeds will germinate in 7-10 days; growing season is 40-50 days. You can grow 'head' (space 8" apart) or 'leaf' (space 4" apart) varieties; the leaf varieties will mature sooner, about 30-35 days.

Radishes

Quick results for the young gardener. Radishes germinate in 3-10 days, and have a very short growing season of 20-30 days. They can be planted closely, 4-6" apart. Plant in cool weather for a mild radish, or hot weather for a spicier radish.

Snow peas

A quick-growing early crop, and fun for kids to eat right off the vine. They take about 10 days to germinate and mature in about 60 days. Peas prefer cooler, partially shaded locations in the garden; they should be sown closely, about 1" apart at most. Snow peas are popular because the pod is edible and since they are a dwarf plant they can be grown without a trellis.

Cherry tomatoes

Must have 'em! These may be the most fun crop for a child, aside from strawberries. Plant in full sun and use seedlings rather than planting from seed. Put in a 2' stake alongside each seedling; they need to be tied loosely to stakes, as they get taller. Add lots of compost. Water at ground level, trying to keep leaves dry. Growing season is 50-75 days. Cherry tomatoes can also be grown in containers.

Nasturtiums

These flowers are easy to grow and yield results quickly, which encourages the young gardener. Nasturtiums bloom about 50 days after the seeds are planted, with orange, yellow and red flowers. They prefer sunny, dry locations and do well in poor soil. Choose the shorter varieties for garden beds. Nasturtiums are also pest resistant, which ensures a successful planting. The flowers are also edible, and can be used to add colour to a fresh garden salad.

Carrots

Seeds can be sown directly into soil; carrots prefer cooler temperatures. They can be slow to germinate, so be patient. Carrots will mature in about 60 days. The soil should be free of rocks and easy for the carrot to grow 'down'. Keep well watered and thin to every 3" because crowding will produce foliage but no root. Small varieties are recommended for children, as they're easier to grow and more fun to eat.

Potatoes

A 'never-fail' crop. You can plant red or white varieties; red will mature faster. Children seem to favour the red variety. Cut seed potatoes into chunks with at least 2 'eyes' per. Plant in furrows, about 12-15" apart, with eyes pointing upward. Mound soil up around plant as it grows; harvest when plant collapses.

Pumpkin

A 'must' for a child's garden, if you have the room. Plant seeds in a small hill; poke three holes in the hill and put one seed in each hole. Seeds will sprout in about 1 week; after a few days, vine leaves begin to form and creep along the ground. Once there are 3 pumpkins on the vine, pick off any new blossoms. Pumpkins take 80 - 120 days to harvest: it's ready when it feels hard on the outside and sounds hollow when tapped. Let an adult supervise the cutting, using shears. Seeds can be dried to eat, or save for future planting. The meat can be used for pies, and the pumpkin for carving.

Tips for gardening with children Give them their own garden beds. Whether you use raised beds, containers or ground plots, be sure to give each child his or her own separate plot. Keep it small, very small for young kids. Put their plots right in the middle of the action, with the best soil and light. Set them up for success.

Reuse the sandbox. If your children have grown past their sandbox years, consider converting the old sandbox to a garden bed. This gives the child continued 'ownership' of a familiar space and encourages a sense of responsibility to the gardening project. Of course, a productive garden bed needs to be in good sunlight and soil should be free of tree roots. It may be necessary to relocate the sandbox if growing conditions are less than ideal.

Give them serious tools. Cheap plastic child's gardening tools are worse than no tools at all; they break easily and frustrate the user. It can be hard to locate good tools for kids, especially work gloves that fit a small hand. With some garden tools, like a hoe or spade, you can easily saw the handle shorter. Let them use your tools if need be; in this way you're acknowledging the importance of the work they're doing.

Engage them through the entire process, from seed to table. Children learn better when they understand the context of their activity. They will learn that gardening can be fun, but far more than idle play; they are contributing to the family well-being.

Besides planting and nurturing their garden beds, be sure they alone do the harvesting and preparation of their crop for the table, no matter how modest the offering.

Start from seeds. While it's a convenient shortcut to buy starters, children will learn more by seeing the growing process as it begins, from seed. The care given to sprouting seeds and nurturing the young seedling are a valuable part of the gardening experience. Seeds will need to be started indoors in a warm room and once sprouted they can be transplanted into pots until ready to set out, or they can be placed into a cold frame which is set on top of the garden bed.

Cheat a little. Depending on the age of the child, you may need to help out a little 'behind the scene'. Not every garden task is pleasant, and the child may not be ready at all times for all chores. You may need to go out in the evening to pick a few slugs off the lettuce, or be the one to run out and move the sprinkler. They don't have to know about every little help you offer - the child's 'ownership' of the plot is the main thing.

When all else fails, make a scarecrow. The best time to engage children in gardening is when they're in the mood for this activity. If their attention wanes, or the garden tasks become boring, let them build a scarecrow. This activity is still a contribution to the gardening effort and adds another layer of interest to the garden scene. It also reminds the child of the importance of the garden crops.

Show off their work. When giving 'garden tours' to friends, be sure to point out the children's beds. Take a photo of their harvest and send it to the grandparents. The attention given to their work is the best motivator for children to stay involved with a project.

Happy Gardening and may the gardening gods be with you!

Oh, spring came to my garden And caught it unaware Wearing just a few old leaves And a dejected air.

But when spring left my garden, Its work so deftly done, Many, many Daffodils Were dancing in the sun.

-Velma D. BATES. Information for article found on www.eartheasy.com

Jocktalk

Men, Vehicles & Sports

Flames Influence at McMahon!

Calgary Stampeder fans have two major concerns heading into the 2013 CFL season: how will the Calgary Flames ownership affect football operations on and off the field, and what is the new ownership group going to do about the fan experience at aging McMahon Stadium?

“The Flames ownership is nothing but a positive,” stated Stampeder head coach and general manager John Hufnagel at the Stamps Fan Forum last month. “Financially, the Flames have given me and will continue to give me all the resources we need as an organization to be competitive and stay competitive.”

It was a good thing the GM didn’t have to report to a penny pinching owner last season as his budget was blown to heck with so many major injuries. A trip to the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto was a costly one as the Stamps dressed more players than any other team in the league. “I can sum up 2012 in four words,” said Huff at the Forum. “Great season, bad ending!”

The off season news didn’t get any better for Hufnagel. Not only was he overlooked as CFL coach of the year, his good friend and confidant Lyle Bauer was not renewed as president by the new ownership group. The first of many changes the Flames started to make behind the scenes at McMahon.

The Flames ownership group was very quiet last season, but you knew that was going to change.

Bauer and Hufnagel had a unique relationship as former teammates. In addition, Bauer brought a wealth of knowledge on the football side as a former player rep, AGM, GM, President and CEO. He was also involved in the last CBA negotiations. Bauer did not get involved in football decisions, as that was Huff’s domain, but he was a much needed resource if required. On the business side, Bauer’s resume was also impressive as the Stamps saw growth in sponsorship and ticket revenue and he also led a full stadium development plan in Winnipeg.

“Gord’s mission and mandate is very clear,” announced Stampeders Co-Chair Ken King. “In two years we need a full stadium. He knows business, he cares about people and, as a former corporate supporter and fan of the Stampeders, he understands the business side of the CFL.” While Norrie is obviously excited with the opportunity, the challenge facing him is daunting! McMahon stadium is an aging facility that makes the Scotiabank Saddledome look like the Taj Mahal. The recent upgrades to the clubhouse and coaches office have made it easier for Hufnagel to recruit players and while this has certainly helped the on field product, it has not produced the desired effect at the gate.

So what do you do if you are the new president and the new ownership group? A new stadium really isn’t in the cards and how much money do you really want to spend to improve a 53 year old building? You can only put so much lipstick on a pig, right? The video board at the stadium is one of the worst in the league. The concourses are dark and small, the concessions are inadequate and don’t even ask about the washrooms. A few more premium seats with backs would help and the one thing the Flames do very well in hockey is the game day experience.

The Flames ownership group has heard the concerns from Stampeder fans and they are listening. The goal is to improve the overall fan experience at the stadium and they promise they are prepared to spend money to make this happen.

The other thing the Flames do very well is giving back to the community through the Flames Foundation for Life.

Watch for a much bigger presence from the Stampeders in the years to come!

The Flames had a different plan for the Stampeders. The trend in the CFL was to take more of a business approach in the front office. Strategic planning, sales and sponsorship became a bigger priority and Gordon Norrie was lured away from the newspaper business to assume the role as new president.

Page 34

The Newsy Neighbour

MEN, Vehicles & Sports

About Jock Wilson:

Jock has been involved in the Calgary sport media scene for close to 30 years. He hosts the Calgary Stampeder football broadcasts on QR77 and is the co-host of Sportstalk with Mark Stephen from 6:30 pm to 9:00 p.m.

Jock@am770chqr.com

On Twitter: @talkwithjock www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Men, Vehicles & Sports Phone: 403-934-3053 Fax: 403-934-6271

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1010 Westridge Road. Strathmore, AB T1P1H8 A man was given the job of painting the white lines down the middle of a highway.

On his first day he painted six miles; the next day three miles; the following day less than a mile. When the foreman asked the man why he kept painting less each day, he replied, “I just can’t do any better. Each day I keep getting farther away from the paint can.”

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Can We Laugh At Ourselves?

that it is such a nice change from being young.

Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it’s called golf!

One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age, and start bragging about it.

Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Old age is when former classmates are so gray and wrinkled and bald, they don’t recognize you.

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know “why” I look this way. I’ve traveled a long way... and some of the roads weren’t paved.

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.

You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you are old.

First you forget names, then you forget faces, then you forget to pull up your zipper, then... Oh my goodness, you forgot to pull your zipper down!

If you jog in a jogging suit, lounge in lounging pajamas, and smoke in a smoking jacket, WHY would anyone want to wear a wind breaker?? Hmm?

One of the many things no one tells you about aging is

I don’t know how I got over the hill, without getting to the top.

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Don’t you think we should know more about basic geography than we know about the personal lives of actors?

Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So, each is inevitably disappointed. ~ Albert Einstein

Family owned and operated in the Strathmore area for over a decade.

I haven’t got a Twitter account, so I just carry around my megaphone to announce what I am doing a random times. I’ve got 3 followers so far, but I think 2 are cops.

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• Bobcat and excavating services • Road Building • Driveway Building • Pot Hole Repairs • Landscaping • Haul and deliver clay-fill, dirt, sand, gravel, etc.

• Reclamation • Hydro seeding • Drill seeding • Sub-grade prep • Topsoil • Oil lease clean-ups and maintenance • Fencing • Cattle guards • Approaches and culverts • Snow removal • General contracting.

Fuel 24/7 365 days a year WENSTROM EQUIPMENT • 403.936.5801

MEN, Vehicles & Sports

124 Center St N. Langdon, AB

The Newsy Neighbour

Page 37

KIDS Sections

#1 H

PS

“Offence wins Games Defence wins Championships”

#1 Hoops basketball is moving to its third season this May and June! As the program continues to grow with great success, #1 Hoops is now offering two programs. The first program will be for children Kindergarten to grade 3. The second program will be for children from grades four to seven. This program is available to children in all areas.

The program was designed and written by head coach Shantelle Gieck. Shantelle has played basketball for ten years and has been coaching for seven years. Her background includes playing for the St.Mary’s University Lightning in Calgary, Alberta Shooting Stars, PSA Invictus, Strathmore high school Spartans, and Strathmore Junior High Cougars. In the seven years of coaching Shantelle has been involved with the Steve Nash program, Alberta shooting stars, and as well as some Strathmore club teams. Shantelle is also certified in First Aid and CPR. This program is different from other programs due to its commitment to teach the kids not only the basic fundamentals of basketball but the way to act on and off the court. Every child will receive one on one training and no one child will be treated different no matter their skill level. This program is designed for children of all levels, from kids who just love the game to kids that one day would like to play university basketball.

Thank you to all the coaches, players and parents for supporting #1 Hoops. All the coaches are very excited to start our third season!

Head Coach: Shantelle Gieck. Assistant Coaches: Samantha Mickelberry & Elliott Davies Start Date: May 6, 2013 End Date: June 17, 2013 Location: Langdon School, Langdon Alberta Kindergarten to Grade 3 time: 6:00-7:30 pm Grade 4 to Grade 7 time: 7:30- 9:00 pm Cost: $95.95 Cost includes reversible jersey, water bottle and basketball.

www.1hoopsbasketball.webs.com

Please contact Shantelle by 403-660-3896 or at the email shantellegieck@yahoo.ca to register. Registration is due at the latest April 5th and no late registrations will be taken. Payment is the only way to guarantee the child’s spot in the program. Spots will be given away if no payment is made as soon as possible. There is only 5 spots left each session. Follow # 1 Hoops at twitter @1_ _Hoops

Indus PR E S CH O O L “Where playing and learning go hand in hand”

We are now accepting ongoing registration!!

2 day a week just $90/mo 3 day a week 4 yr old class just $130/mo Located just mins from Langdon, Chestermere and more.

At Indus Preschool, your child will not only enjoy the classroom activities, but also a variety of physical activity!

Our Preschool program offers your child:

- 4 yr old curriculum - Playground, skating and gym programs - Theme weeks, class parties - Art, literature, manipulative toys, imagination centers - Kindergarten preparation And much, much more!!

Please visit our website or call for more information on our program and registration

www.induspreschool.com Phone: 403-936-5474 EXT 4.

Page 38

The Newsy Neighbour

Ten great foods to feed your baby There are lots of healthy, baby-friendly foods out there, but some stand out from the pack. These ten culinary superheroes are loaded with essential nutrients, reasonably priced, easy to prepare, and delicious. What’s more, now’s the perfect time to introduce healthy solid food. While the very word “nutritious” can start a food strike among older kids, babies’ opinions, and palates, are still relatively open. Many parents are surprised to discover that their babies really enjoy these foods, either from the very first bite or after a few exposures. After introducing any new food, you may want to wait three days before moving on to the next new food to identify any possible allergic reaction. This is especially true if your family has a history of allergies. If your baby’s still a beginner at eating solids, grind or puree the food as needed.

Squash Squash is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, is naturally sweet, and has a pleasing, creamy texture. Serving idea: Peel and dice a small squash, and boil or steam until tender. Puree or mash with a little of baby’s usual milk or water until a suitable consistency.

Lentils Crammed with protein and fibre, lentils pack a powerful nutritional punch. They’re also one of the cheapest healthy foods you can buy.

Serving idea: Creamy coconut lentils. Fry half a small onion in a teaspoon of olive oil until soft. Add 100g of rinsed lentils and pour over 200ml of water. Cover and cook gently for 15 minutes, or until the lentils are nearly soft, stirring occasionally. Add 50ml of canned coconut milk and 1 tsp of cinnamon. Heat through for a further 5 minutes. Purée or, for an older baby, mash or serve as it is.

Dark green leafy vegetables Leafy greens boast high amounts of iron and foliate. While spinach is perhaps the best known of this group, there are many other varieties, including kale, chard, and collard greens.

Serving idea: Steam and puree a batch of greens, then mix it with vitamin C-rich squash to help with the absorption of iron. Experiment with the proportions to see what your baby likes.

Broccoli Brimming with foliate, fiber, and calcium, broccoli is also known for its cancer-fighting properties, says dietitian Kate Geagan, author of Go Green, Get Lean. And thanks to its sulfur compounds, it has a unique flavour that can help expand your baby’s tastes.

Serving idea: Steam pieces until soft, and then chill. Gumming on cooled broccoli may be soothing during teething. Or puree soft broccoli and mix with another vegetable or on its own.

Blueberries The deep, brilliant blue of these berries comes from flavonoids called anthocyanins, which are good for your baby’s eyes, brain, and even urinary tract, says Stephen Gass, co-author of Mix and Mash: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby and You. KIDS

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

KIDS Sections Serving Idea: Gass suggests this easy blueberry soup: Combine 1 cup of blueberries with one-quarter cup of hot water in a bowl, let cool. Then swirl some plain yogurt on top.

Avocados “Avocados are a rich source of unsaturated fats,” says nutritionist Leanne Cooper, author of What Do I Feed My Baby: A Step-by-Step Guide to Solids. “In fact, the fat composition is somewhat similar to that of breast milk.”

Serving idea: Try combining mashed avocado with other foods, such as cream cheese, apples, or canned fish, suggests Cooper.

And when it’s playgroup time, ditch the crackers and take an avocado along instead. “Avocados can travel in your bag at room temperature and you can offer them in slivers or spread on toast fingers while you sip coffee with your friends,” she says.

Meat Many of us don’t think of meat as a typical baby food, but it’s recommended by Health Canada since it’s such a great source of iron. Serving idea: Cook stew! “Stew is the ideal baby food – easy to make, easy to chew, and endless in its variety,” says Matthew Amster-Burton, author of Hungry Monkey: A Food-Loving Father’s Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater. Experiment with adding different veggies and seasonings, such as ginger and parsley. And the best part? Tough, cheap meats (like chuck) work best, says Amster-Burton, whose own family dines on stew almost weekly. Just be sure to cook the stew long enough for the meat to turn soft and scrumptious, and then puree.

Prunes Prunes have lots of fibre and can help relieve constipation, something your baby might have once he starts solids.

Serving idea: Puree prunes and serve them straight or mixed with other foods, such as cereal or applesauce, for a naturally sweet treat.

Chick peas Like lentils and other beans, chick peas (garbanzo beans) are rich in protein and fibre. They’re also inexpensive and versatile.

Serving idea: Try hummus. You can find it in many grocery stores, or make your own by pureeing cooked chick peas with garlic, lemon, olive oil, and tahini. You can also make a delectable finger food by sautéing or roasting the beans. “I have a 19-month-old daughter who loves chickpeas sautéed in a pan with seasonings and left out for her to munch,” says mom Christina DeLuca.

Mandarin oranges High in vitamin C and antioxidants, mandarin oranges are a supreme finger food.

Serving idea: This is a particularly easy one to prepare – just cut the segments into bite-size pieces and serve. You can buy mandarin oranges fresh or jarred, but make sure they are packed in water, not syrup, which contains added sugar.

Source: www.Babycentre.ca www.thenewsyneighbour.com

KIDS

New Programs for April and May • Pre School Ten Week Session • 3,4,5 year olds Tuesday afternoons.

Starts April 16th An introductory to dance. "Ballet boogie" and "Kinderdance"

•

•

•

Springtime Saturday•Sampler

•

••

•

A great way to find out what dance is all about.

Try different styles over seven Saturdays.

Begins May 4th

•

403-901-6392

•

•

••

126 canal garden, STRATHMORE

www.edgdancestrathmore.com

Are you interested in a Montessori education for your child?

K-3 Montessori Public Alternative Program Wheatland Elementary School in Strathmore Phone: 403-934-3318

Registration for our Daily Morning Kindergarten Program (8:40 - 12:35 a.m.) is now open!

Montessori-trained teachers. All are welcome, registration not limited by school zoning.

s Contact u for more ! n informatio

Sched classr ule a oo visit! m

Contact Jennifer Ginter at 403-361-9677 Get More Information on our FB page 'Strathmore Montessori Society' The Newsy Neighbour

Page 39

“Anything Is Possible One Stroke At A Time!”

By Wanda Reinholdt

I could not believe it! A participant in a workshop I was attending pulled me aside and said “I cannot feel my pain!”

My friend and colleague Debbie, who was facilitating this workshop, had made me aware that it was possible for participants to notice some relief from their discomfort, but to witness this was incredible. I wish you could have been there. This lady was relaxed, smiling and having a great time. I later discovered that her enjoyment was a miracle of sorts because her pain was chronic. Her experience in the workshop was in fact the first time she had felt a release in a very long time. Wow. You might be surprised to hear that the miracle activity in this workshop was not exercise, nor was it meditation. It was an easy to learn drawing art called Zentangle.

Although teachers of Zentangle cannot promise that pain will subside for everyone, there is evidence that this form of art can provide health benefits such as pain relief, stress management, and relaxation.

According to www.zentangle.com and founders Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, Zentangle is an easy-to-learnfor-everyone, relaxing and a fun way to create beautiful images. These images are created by drawing repetitive trademarked patterns one at a time, and then joining the patterns together. The entire patented process of Zentangle is guided by Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZT) like my friend Debbie.

The many benefits that one can experience are best expressed by Zentangle as “Anything is possible one stroke at a time!” Incredibly, if you participate in Zentangle, you can: • Have fun and connect: The process of creating these images alone or in a group is mesmerizing. By making a game of picking a pattern yourself or with friends, you never know what you are going to end up with when your piece is finished. Exciting!

• Relax: We all have our own share of challenges in our lives. So it is so good to find something to enjoy. Zentangle is a great way to focus on something fun and creative. And, because it connects the left and right brain, the state of relaxation comes quickly and results sometimes in a freedom from pain! Best of all, it is easy for anyone, it does not require physical skill or expensive equipment, and you can

do it anywhere.

• Engage in Gentle Therapy: Without having to say a word, Zentangle gently can empower you to give feedback, journal, and reflect. It has been used for helping those with addictions, ADD, increasing self-esteem, anger management, stress management, a self-created Rorschach test, stroke recovery, and symbolic journaling.

• Break Through Artistically: Have you set aside your artistic goals because they are too hard, expensive and require a lot of work, time or equipment? Zentangle is an answer.

If you think you cannot draw, you can do this. If you think that your tangles will not be good, by learning the patterns already created by the founders, your drawings will easily look as professional as someone who has been doing it for a while. If you think your creativity is low, Zentangle can inspire ideas for other art, writing or even math. It is a rich eye opening creative experience that can help break through any block.

In addition, Zentangle is used for education, motivational training, and study groups. It is in galleries as part of collectibles for public to purchase and enjoy. And these creations are incredibly beautiful gifts for yourself or others.

You can experience the powerful transformation of Zentangle right in your community with CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher), Debbie Lawton. To do so, call Hope Bridges at 403 983 3640 to register for adult Zentangle workshops coming soon.

UJAMAA UJAMAAGRANDMAS GRANDMAS

FABRIC FABRIC && YARN YARN SALE SALE Saturday, Saturday,April April20, 20,2013 2013 9;30 9;30AM AMto to3:00 3:00PM PM at at

Woodcliff WoodcliffUnited UnitedChurch Church 5010 5010 Spruce SpruceDrive DriveS.W. S.W.Calgary Calgary Donations Donations Wanted: Wanted:

Fabric Fabric11meter meteror orlonger, longer,unless unlessquilting quilting cotton cotton or orexceptional exceptionalpieces pieces Yarns, Yarns,Knitting Knittingneedles, needles,patterns patterns Sewing Sewingnotions, notions,threads, threads,patterns patterns etc etc

Donations Donations may may be be dropped droppedoff offat: at:

Woodcliff WoodcliffUnited UnitedChurch Church Wed. Wed.April April17th 17th&&Thurs.

Thurs.April April18th 18th 10:00 10:00am amto to8:00pm 8:00pm NO NO FRIDAY FRIDAYDROP DROPOFF OFF

For For more more information informationcontact: contact: Joan Joan 403-281-9390 403-281-9390brunswick@telus.net brunswick@telus.net Carla Carla 403-256-2828 403-256-2828Carla.lorfing@live.ca Carla.lorfing@live.ca

All All proceeds proceedsto toStephen StephenLewis LewisFoundation Foundation Grandmothers Grandmothersto toGrandmothers GrandmothersCampaign Campaign www.ujamaagrandmas.com www.ujamaagrandmas.com

Real Estate Feature Section Strathmore Single Family Market Information for January-March 2013…

With the Calgary Market booming and the average sale price of a Single Family home sitting currently at $511,766, which is up from $481,045 in 2012, Strathmore is seeing its close proximity and affordability become a crucial factor for home buyers this year to consider.

The Single Family sales in Strathmore are surpassing 2012 this first quarter of the year. The Single Family inventory (Listed Property) in Strathmore is down, which gives the market some balance that has been missing the last 5 years.

There is still, in general, a good selection of Single Family Homes for buyers to choose from in Strathmore.

Sellers are getting a fair amount of interest, in general. A few sellers have even had multiple offer situations.

The least amount of inventory (Listed Property) in Single Family Homes Market is the under $300,000 range. The most amounts of sales, 60% approximately have occurred in the $300,000-$400,000 range.

Following close behind is the under $300,000 range which dominated the market in 2012 but not the case this year. The least amount of sales is 5% occurring in the $400,000 + range.

Strathmore

February 2012

YTD

2013

%

2012

2013

%

Single Family

Active Listings

N/A

86

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sales

11

9

-18.18%

24

15

-37.50%

New Listings

44

27

-38.64%

79

55

-30.38%

DOM

63

63

0.00%

84

55

-34.52%

Average Sales Price

246,027

326,088

32.54%

271,945

328,186

20.68%

Median Price

254,000

350,000

37.80%

270,000

326,000

20.74%

Sales / New Listings Ratio

25.00%

33.33%

33.32%

30.38%

27.27%

-10.24%

Sales $ / List $

97.03%

97.75%

0.74%

96.69%

97.66%

1.00%

N/A

17

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

6

4

-33.33%

6

8

33.33%

Condominium - Townhouse Active Listings Sales New Listings

7

7

0.00%

13

12

-7.69%

106

134

26.42%

106

122

15.09%

Average Sales Price

234,500

226,015

-3.62%

234,500

206,120

-12.10%

Median Price

210,000

243,700

16.05%

210,000

204,950

-2.40%

Single Family homes are taking about 63 days to sell right now which isn’t so bad in my opinion. If you’re ready to make a move, now is the time as the Spring Market is in full swing and will be until (about) June.

Sales / New Listings Ratio

85.71%

57.14%

-33.33%

46.15%

66.67%

44.46%

Sales $ / List $

95.11%

99.49%

4.61%

95.11%

98.25%

3.30%

N/A

7

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2

1

-50.00%

2

4

100.00%

DOM

Condominium - Apartment Active Listings Sales

9

3

-66.67%

9

6

-33.33%

145

14

-90.34%

145

22

-84.83%

Average Sales Price

105,450

72,500

-31.25%

105,450

93,625

-11.21%

Median Price

105,450

72,500

-31.25%

105,450

73,750

-30.06%

Sales / New Listings Ratio

22.22%

33.33%

50.00%

22.22%

66.67%

200.05%

Call your realtor today for more information on this and other areas of the market. Statistics provided by the Calgary Real Estate Board MLS Statistics.

Sales $ / List $

95.95%

86.41%

-9.94%

95.95%

89.89%

-6.32%

Article provided by Carey Rose. Please see ad on the back cover of the magazine.

Page 41

The Newsy Neighbour

New Listings DOM

Total Active Listings

N/A

110

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sales

19

14

-26.32%

32

27

-15.63%

New Listings

60

37

-38.33%

101

73

-27.72%

DOM

85

79

-7.06%

92

70

-23.91%

Average Sales Price

227,589

279,382

22.76%

254,518

257,268

1.08%

Median Price

220,000

287,500

30.68%

261,750

265,000

1.24%

Sales / New Listings Ratio

31.67%

37.84%

19.48%

31.68%

36.99%

16.76%

Sales $ / List $

96.34%

97.91%

1.63%

96.39%

97.35%

1.00%

* Statistics for FEBRUARY, 2013 - Provided by the Calgary Real Estate Board

REAL ESTATE

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Real Estate Feature Section

F.B.BOERSEMA ACREAGE DEVELOPERS From Start to Finish ! we'll work with you to build !

"Your Dream Home"

in association with"

F.B.Boersema & Partners Ltd. ¥ Consulting - Design - Working Drawings RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL" we'll work with YOU to put " "your" thoughts on paper" with special emphases on energy efÞciency" "cost and energy efÞcient homes come" not by chance but by good design!"

¥ Septic Þelds - CertiÞed Designers Site Evaluations for Subdivisions" New - Repairs - Replacements ¥ Excavating for - Foundations Wells - Stock Waterers

¥ I.C.F. (insulated concrete forms) Basement or Whole house" "one of the most energy efÞcient" construction models available today"

¥ Driveways Constructed

¥ Trees Planted - Moved

¥ Fire Resistant Homes Metal roofs" ¥ Lawns prepped - Seeded I.C.F. exterior walls clad with cementitious materials" ¥ Horse paddocks cleaned and Harrowed Concrete ßoor slabs c/w in-slab heat" "sprinklers systems are now cost effective " ¥ Pastures and Rough areas maintained for residential construction" Serving the Foothills Since 1978 Tree Spades to 50" Tree Augers to 44"

Phone (403) 934-1888

(403) 651-4637

Home Purchase Expenses There are many costs that homebuyers incur, especially upon purchasing your first home. Some of the expenses related to buying a home are one-time costs, while others are continuing costs.

Your largest outlay is the down payment. As a first time buyer, this would likely represent only 5 - 10% of the purchase price.

Be prepared to pay for additional costs, such as: Legal Fees & Disbursements GST and PST (if applicable) Land Transfer Tax Property taxes and adjustments (reimbursed to the vendor) Interest on interim financing, if any Utility Payments Strata or Condominium Fees Estoppel certificate fee Survey Fee Home Inspection Fee Water quality and quantity certificate Appraisal Fee Page 42

The Newsy Neighbour

E-mail fbbp@eÞrehose.net

Mortgage broker’s fee (if applicable) Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium (if less than 20% down) Mortgage Loan Insurance Application Fee (if less than 20% down) Moving Expenses Renovations and repairs Furniture, paint, carpeting, window coverings, etc.

Service and Utility Hook-up Fees Property/Condominium Insurance Mortgage Application Fee Deed and/or Mortgage Registration Fee Additionally, once you have purchased your home, you will incur regular expenses on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. Some of these costs include: Mortgage Payment Water and/or Sewer Payments Electricity and Gas Services Cable, Telephone and Internet Services Property Taxes Strata or Condo Fees Repair/Maintenance Expenses Homeowner’s Insurance Information provided by Re/Max

REAL ESTATE

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Real Estate Feature Section

Over 12 years mortgage lending experience Access to over 50 lenders, including the chartered banks 24/7 Availability Evening and Weekend Calls Welcome Unlimited Accessibility A more relaxed qualifying criteria

We work on your behalf to ensure that you receive the best interest rate possible!

We do the shopping, not only saving you time but also finding the mortgage product that is right for you.

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Residential First, Second and Third Mortgages ~ Pre-Approved Mortgages ~ Mortgage Renewals ~ Financing of Revenue/ Investment and Vacation Properties ~ New Construction ~ Refinances ~ Debt Consolidations ~ Equity Lending

100% Financing ~ Self Employed Applicants ~ Client Applications With Less Than Perfect Credit

Jason Eldridge Mortgage Specialist

PFP, B.Admin

Why get a home inspection?

Cell:

403.630.1718

Fax: 866-708-5807 Apply Online: http://jason.axiommortgage.ca Email: jason@axiommortgage.ca

Home is not just where you live, but where they understand you!

There are a number of reasons why RE/MAX recommends a home inspection including: • To ensure you are not surprised by major defects • So you can be advised about the various elements of the home including - heating and cooling systems, structure, electrical and plumbing • To learn about how the mechanical systems work and need to be maintained • Most homeowners are not expert in the numerous components of house construction • A third party can be objective as there is no emotional attachment www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Carol Warawa, C.C.S, SRES REALTOR R

C: 403-585-5270

B: 403-291-4440 • F: 403-366-6708

www.carolwarawa.ca E: cwarawa@cirrealty.ca

Because a Great Experience Begins with a Great Agent.TM REAL ESTATE

The Newsy Neighbour

Page 43

2013 TAX SEASON

Find the professionals you need to assist you this tax season on these 2 pages.

Also see Transportation Taxation on Page 60.

The Accountable$ “We make your dollars make sense”

Accounting/Bookkeeping Corporate/Personal Taxes GST Returns/Filings Business Plans/Services Full Appeals/Audit support Pick-up/Delivery services

Bud Duncan for a FREE Consultation Contact:

Phone: 587-717-7621 theaccountables@yahoo.ca

From shoebox to completion we can help!

Mr. Jones

A secretary was leaving the office one Friday evening when she encountered Mr. Jones, the Human Resources manager, standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand.

“Listen,” said Mr. Jones, “This is important, and my secretary has already left. Can you make this thing work?”

“Certainly,” said the secretary. She turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button.

“Excellent, excellent!” said Mr. Jones as his paper disappeared inside the machine. “I just need one copy.”

· Accounts payable · Accounts Receivable Ann Penninga · Payroll, T4 reporting · GST reconciliation, reporting Phone: 403-934-2690 Email: roann@telus.net · Account reconciliation · Bank reconciliation 18 Years Experience Page 44

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Quickbooks

Simply Accounting

2013 Tax Season

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

•

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• Professional•Accountants Brand Beekman “Your Resource for Accounting, Management &CMA Professional Advisory” Michael McCutcheon - Staff Accountant “Your Resource for Accounting, Management & Professional Advisory” TAX TIME••IS HERE!!!!

OurMcCutcheon team of Professionals consist of: Michael - Staff Accountant Ellis - Bookkeeper TomPam Race CGA • Geoff Heal CA •/ Administrator Brand Beekman CMA TAX TIME IS HERE!!!

Michael McCutcheon, •BBA - Staff Accountant Pam Ellis - Bookkeeper / Administrator

OurEllis team -ofBookkeeper Professionals consist of: Pam / Administrator

We, at BEEKMAN & COMPANY are proud to serve We, at BEEKMAN & COMPANY are proud the Strathmore & area community withto serve the Professional Strathmore & area community with Accounting Services.

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Two employees for the gas company were at a house call. The younger man said to the older one, “Geez, you’re old!”

“Yeah, that may be so, but I can still outrun you,” replied the older employee.

101 95 Brent Blvd., Crystalemployee.

Ridge - Across from High school) “How about a foot race to see ifStrathmore you’re right,” said(in the younger With that, they start running at full speed around that block. The older man kept up with the younger man around the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner. As they come up on the last corner, the younger man sees an elderly woman running as fast as her legs could carry her. Puzzled by this, they both stop ask her why she was running behind them. The old woman caught her breath and said, “Well, you were at my home checking my gas meter, and when I saw you running away, I figured I’d better run too!”

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Page 45

Langdon Days

Still a work in progress!

Layman’s Ten . . . . . . .

These are like the Ten Commandments to follow in life all the time.

1. Prayer is not a “spare wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout.

Friday, July 19

Slo-Pitch Tournament begins & goes all weekend

2. So why is a car’s windshield so large and the rear view mirror so small? Because our past is not as important as our future. So look ahead and move on.

Beer gardens open Friday 6pm - 2am, Saturday Noon – 2am, Sunday Noon – 4pm

3. Friendship is like a book. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

Live Entertainment in the Beer Gardens @ 9pm both Friday and Saturday evenings

* Wristbands are $10 / Friday evening show and $15 / Saturday evening show & must be bought in advance

Saturday, July 21

8-10am Pancake Breakfast Time TBD Vendor’s Village 10am Parade (roads closed at 9:30am) Noon-5pm Children’s Festival Best dressed Bicycle Competition Best dressed Pet Competition Youth Activities sponsored by Y.E.L.L. (Youth Encouraging Lasting Leadership) – Sumo Suits, Bungee Run, Gladiator Joust, Tattoos, Racing Coolers & Air Brush Tattoos Time TBD Horseshoe Tournament DUSK Fireworks

Sunday, July 22

Noon – 3 SHOW & SHINE Located in the Wildfire Grill parking lot – Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show

Slo-Pitch Tournament goes all weekend Watch for more information about Langdon Days in next months Newsy Neighbour!

Page 46

The Newsy Neighbour

4. All things in life are temporary. If it’s going well, enjoy it; it won’t last long. If it’s going badly, don’t worry, that won’t last long either.

5. Old friends are gold! New friends are diamonds! If you get a diamond, don’t forget the gold because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold.

6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, “Relax, sweetheart, it’s just a bend, not the end!”

7. When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn’t solve your problems, He has faith in your abilities.

8. A blind person asked St. Anthony, “Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?” He replied, “Yes, losing your vision!”

9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10. Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles; it takes away today’s peace.

5 secrets to a perfect relationship:

1) It’s important to have a man who helps at home and knows how to cook, clean and has a job.

2) It’s important to have a man who can make you laugh.

3) It’s important to have a man you can trust and loves only you.

4) It’s important to have a man that you can talk to and enjoys being with you.

5) It’s absolutely vital that these men don’t know each other! www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Wedding Feature Section This is our 5th Annual Wedding Issue. This year is our BEST and BIGGEST! In the next 12 pages you will find many wonderful tips, ideas, articles and local businesses to help make your wedding a dream come true.

Make sure to check out Strathmore Travelodge & The Strathmore Station on Page 4 and visit our website for quick access to each of these businesses websites. www.thenewsyneighbour.com Need an extra copy of this issue to send to a bride or groom close to you? Just email newsyneighbor@gmail.com and we will get you that extra issue.

MY FAVOURITE – FABULOUS – FANTASTIC AND FUN STUFF Marriage is a huge step of faith. How do we know we are making the right decision when choosing that perfect partner? How do we know that person is “the one” for you? These questions may help you out a bit to making the biggest decision of your life.

1. When they love you for whom you are, NOT what they want you to be.

2. When they respect you as an individual, let you grow as yourself, into your own, and do not impose their expectations on you.

3. When you smile just by thinking of them. (And you can’t help but think about them).

4. When you can’t wait to see them again.

5. When you will do whatever it takes just to be with them.

6. When they will do whatever it takes just to be with you.

7. When they inspire you to be more than who you are.

8. When both of you bring out the best in each other. They inspire positive emotions in you, such as happiness, inspiration,

contentment, and hopefulness, rather than negative emotions such as unhappiness, apprehension, doubt, fear, or anger.

9. When they make you feel good about yourself, do not put you down whether directly or indirectly; neither do they induce self-doubt in you.

10. When you can simply be yourself around them, without ever trying to be like someone else or behave in a certain way that’s not you at all. You are able to shine in your own light without having to dial yourself down, as they do too when both of you are together.

Does your current crush or significant other measure up? This is definitely one list to cross-check your romantic partners with now or in the future, if you are ever unsure whether they are the one.

“A happy marriage has in it all the pleasures of friendships, all the enjoyment of sense and reason – and indeed all the sweets of life.” ~ Joseph Addison Kathryn Hartwell Resource: www.personalexcellence.ca

Wedding Feature Section

Life Lines

This monthly column by Jody Brown, is designed to help you make better connections and live happier lives. Sometimes we just need to ask the question.

Joanne (Jody) Brown, BSW is an NLP Master Practitioner and advanced Master Hypnotherapist with a Diploma in corrections and Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. You can learn more about NLP and hypnosis techniques on her website at www.authenticbeing.ca or contact her at 403-983-2230 or authenticbeing@shaw.ca.

Dear Lifelines, There are so many counsellors and different approaches out there and I don’t know where to start. I don’t know how to find someone and I have questions about my upcoming marriage – what do you recommend?

Searching Pre-Nuptials

The Newlywed Game The Gist: A way to put the bride in the hot seat.

Working Together

How to Play: Before the bridal shower, interview the groom and ask him questions about the bride and their relationship: “Where was your first kiss?” “What’s his most annoying habit?”

Then at the shower, ask the bride the same questions and see if she can answer correctly.

To get the full effect, record video footage of the groom’s answers and play back his responses to stopbullystrathmore.com stopbullystrathmore.com each question for everyone to see and hear (allow a pause between questions.)

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The Gist: It’s like the story-telling version of mad libs.

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How to Play: Players take turns thinking of lines to add to a romantic story about the bride and groom (example opener: “Tess and Toby met at the office”). Pass the sheet around and have each person write a new line, folding the paper to only reveal the freshest sentence. After everyone has contributed, the final piece is read aloud to the bride.

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Dear Searching, You are so right! I remember many years ago looking for a marriage counsellor and being very disappointed with the referral counsellors we visited through programs at work. It wasn’t until a family member recommended a counsellor through personal experience that we found someone effective for us - she ended up being just what we needed. Until then, it was quite a frustrating and emotionally draining experience.

After seeing all of the challenges that can occur within marriage, I would recommend you see the counsellor before you actually even get married! What better gift can you give yourselves than the gift of improved communication and clarity around the expectations of marriage before you even tie the knot?

As far as the individual approaches to counselling are concerned, there are literally hundreds of different approaches from psychodynamic approaches to more traditional cognitive behavioural approaches. There are therapists that work with anything from music, body work, dance, mind and spiritual focuses. Sessions or therapy options can range in length from one or more hours to full weekend retreats. It’s important to determine these details in advance and to select what is the best fit for your needs and for what you want to get out of the session. With all the different theories out there, it can certainly be overwhelming when you just want some support and don’t want to have to sift through so many possibilities. It’s much easier if you can go with a friend’s personal recommendation, but don’t expect to have the same experience as your friend did because counselling is a very individual experience.

Perhaps counsellors you contact might be willing to meet with you first so that you can see if her/his style and approach is appropriate for you.

Counselling can be expensive so you can also find out if your insurance plans might cover some of the costs of counselling or if you can write off session expenses on your income tax.

Prior to your first session you might want to seriously consider what you really want to get out of the session. What do you want to accomplish?

What are your goals? These are details that the counsellor will love to hear so that you can work towards meeting these goals. But, above all else, it is important that you feel comfortable and safe around your counsellor. You should feel your needs are being heard as well as feeling a sense of trust between you and the therapist. Studies have shown that the relationship that you develop between the counsellor and yourself might be more productive and lead to greater personal change than any of the specific strategies or exercises or even the actual therapy approach that you might experience within the session. So feeling comfortable and safe, feeling a sense of trust, and feeling a sense of being heard are all extremely important qualities to be experienced within the counselling experience.

Best of Luck with your relationship!

Lifelines

Wedding Feature Section

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(403) 936-5990 • hiestelle@shaw.ca Wedding Plans Stressing You Out? Self-Massage Can Help!

By Cynthia Barnesky

Do you want to look and feel wonderful for your perfect day? That includes both the bride and groom!

You are running around getting the final touches ready for the big day, every detail is very important, but the most important detail should be you! Both the bride and groom need to look after themselves in order for it to be the perfect day. Here are some tips to reduce stress in the days ahead before your wedding day. Being organized and having a plan is essential. Second, both the bride and groom should try to have several massages with a Massage Practitioner. They can also help themselves with self-massage, thus relaxing and increase the closeness of their relationship. Self-Massage can be fun, easy and an inexpensive way to help each other relax and is a great way to get to know one another on a whole new level. Giving one another a massage increase endorphins that will help the body stay in a relaxed state while you are planning and orga-

nizing for your big day. Massaging the feet, shoulders, neck and hands are great places to start. When one’s body is totally relaxed, even under pleasure, it can help promote a healthy immune system, thus making you and your partner look and feel your best. So why not give each other a massage to help relax for The Big Day?! It will be a day you both will never forget, and guess what; you can always give each other a massage to help reduce stress in your everyday lives.

Happily Ever After!

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Wedding Feature Section DO IT YOURSELF WEDDING INVITATIONS Spring is almost here and you know what that means?

Wedding season!! If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, here are must-read tips on how to DIY Wedding Invitations.

There is no limit to the beauty and creativity a bride can achieve with this special day in her life, however she envisions it to be. Invitations and some aspects of a wedding can be done beautifully and on a budget. Think of how you envision your wedding day to be.

Have an idea of the general feel you are going for like the colours and theme. The invitation sets the tone for your guests and gives them a glimpse of what your wedding day is going to be like. Your invitations should represent you and your fiancé’s vision for your special day.

Determine your budget and what your wise investments are.

If you decide to go handmade, you can definitely make beautiful invitations that cost about $1 each.

Things to not skimp on are: • paper trimmer • great print quality • adhesive (if you are using multiple layers of cardstock or embellishments) • envelopes/cardstock • RSVP cards? This will double the postage costs and in crease the weight of your invite.

Questions like these will help you determine the average cost per invitation.

Figure out what size/shape you want your invites to be.

Folded or flat? Square or rectangle? (5×7 is a good universal size you can easily find envelopes for). Depending on the size and shape, envelopes and postage costs will vary. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. This is your wedding and can be done your way.

Get the most out of your card stock.

Use heavy weight orange-peel textured card stocks – they come in a wide choice of colours.

Don’t skip embellishments like: • abric- makes pretty ruffles • punches- can add detail to corners and edges • notions and lace- sold by the yard • ribbon- a bow always adds elegance, especially

organza • beads- require a little patience and probably extra

postage, but beautiful • stamps- inexpensive way to decorate an envelope or

invitation Play with your wording.

Wording an invitation can be a little scary. The wording is meant to clearly inform your guests where and when your event is taking place. So: • Try to keep your fonts legible and spell check, spell

check, spell check!

• Common etiquette recommends you spell all words

out (Alberta not AB) • Inclusion of middle names and parents names isn’t a

must (but usually done) • Use wording that reflects you and your fiancé’s style.

Consider clip art and fonts Clip art is a great way to dress up invitations inexpensively.

With a small purchase and permission, you can print as many items as you want for your personal use. Use clip art on your invites, table settings, RSVP cards… whatever you want! So easy! Fonts can also be very inexpensive or even free. Find ones you like and play around with the scripts or capital/lowercase versions to find what you like best. Make the bride and groom names stand out in some way.

Envelopes The envelope is very important. You don’t want thin, flimsy envelopes that won’t stay closed or that fall apart in the mail.

There are many options for invitation envelopes as far as size and variety goes.

Printing Ink can be costly; keep this in mind if you use clip art and a bunch of colours. Black ink is less expensive than colour, so consider adding colour with the card stock you choose instead.

Mailing them out!

Generally, you would like to send your invitations out 2 months in advance. If some of your guests are out of the province, you might want to send them earlier.

Hand-making invites might take a little time but they add a personal touch. The invitations style can be as unique as you are. Not only will your guests be gifted with something handmade, you get to save money too!

Kathryn Hartwell Resources: Craftaholics Anonymous

Wedding Feature Section MARRIAGE QUOTES “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, and always with the same person.” ~ Mignon McLaughlin

Get the perfect tan for your

Wedding Day

“Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.” ~Simone Signoret “A long marriage is two people trying to dance a duet and two solos at the same time.” ~ Anne Taylor Fleming “Woke up in bed with a gorgeous woman, who I’m going to have lunch and the rest of my life with.” ~ Jason Barmer “A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year.” ~ Paul Sweeney “Love is a flower which turns into fruit at marriage.” ~ Finnish Proverb “A dress that zips up the back will bring a husband and wife together.” ~ James H. Boren “Love seems the swiftest but it is the slowest of all growths.

No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.” ~ Mark Twain “Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day.” ~ Gene Perret “A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” ~ Andre Maurois “There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” ~ Martin Luther

WONDER WHY ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS ARE IMPORTANT? Here are 5 key reasons: • It can be a great way to establish a relationship with your wedding photographer.

• It’s a chance to see images and angles that you may or may not like and decide on any photographic changes you may want to make prior to your wedding day.

• Increases your confidence when getting photographed.

• Great for personalized Wedding Announcements, Save-theDates, Wedding Invites, etc.

• Can create a creative, unique, memorable piece of art to cherish forever.

-by Kassy Wenaas, of Q Photography

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Your Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist Here it is; don’t get scared now! With this list, you should not forget a single thing. Good luck and remember “Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.”

- Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember Six to Seven Months Before Nine to Sixteen Months Before

• Start a wedding folder or binder.

• Begin leafing through magazines for inspiration.

• Work out your budget. Determine how much you have to spend, based on your families’ contributions and your own.

Pick your wedding party, as soon as you’re engaged, people will start wondering who’s in.

• Start the guest list. Make a head count database to use throughout your planning process, with columns for contact info, RSVPs, gifts, and any other relevant information. (Want to keep costs low? It may be brutal, but the best way to do it is to reduce your guest list.)

• Reserve your date and venues. Decide whether to have separate locations for the ceremony and the reception, factoring in travel time between the two places • Book your officiate.

• Research photographers, bands/djs, florists, and caterers.

• Throw an engagement party, if you wish.

But remember that your invitees should be on your wedding guest list as well

Three Months Before

• Finalize the menu and flowers.

You’ll want to wait until now to see what will be available, since food and flowers are affected by season.

• Order favours, if desired. Some safe bets: monogrammed cookies or a treat that represents your city or region. If you’re planning to have welcome baskets for out-of-town guests, plan those now too.

• Make a list of the people giving toasts. Which loved ones would you like to have speak at the reception? Ask them now.

• Finalize the readings. Determine what you would like to have read at the ceremony—and whom you wish to do the readings.

• Purchase your undergarments.

• Schedule your second fitting.

• Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception.

• Print menu cards, if you like, as well as programs. No need to go to a printer, if that’s not in your budget: You can easily create these on your computer.

• Purchase the rings. This will give you time for resizing and engraving.

• Send your event schedule to the vendors. Giving them a first draft now allows ample time for tweaks and feedback.

Eight Months Before

• Hire the photographer and the videographer.

• Book the entertainment. Attend gigs of potential acts to see how they perform in front of audiences, and then reserve your favourite.

• Meet caterers. If you’re wedding venue doesn’t offer its own catering service, look for one now and hire the service this month or early next.

• Purchase a dress. You’ll need to schedule time for at least three fittings. Veil shopping can be postponed for another two to three months.

• Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Pick three hotels at different price points close to the reception venue. Sign up at a minimum of three retailers.

• Launch a wedding website. Create your personal page through a free provider such as weddingchannel.com.

Note the date of the wedding, travel information, and accommodations.

Then send the link to invitees.

Two Months Before

• Touch base again with all the vendors. Make sure any questions you or they had on your first draft have been answered.

• Meet with the photographer.

Discuss specific shots, and walk through the locations to note spots that appeal to you.

• Review the playlist with the band or deejay. Though you probably won’t be able to dictate every single song played, you should come prepared with a wish list.

• Send out the invitations. The rule of thumb: Mail invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony, setting the RSVP cut-off at three weeks after the postmark date.

• Submit a newspaper-wedding announcement. If you’re planning to include a photograph, check the publications website: Some have strict rules about how the photo should look.

• Enjoy a bachelorette party.

Arranging a night out with your girlfriends generally falls to the maid of honour. But if she hasn’t mentioned one to you by now, feel free to ask—for scheduling purposes, of course!—if a celebration is in the works.

• Select and purchase invitations. Hire a calligrapher, if desired. Addressing cards is time-consuming, so you need to budget accordingly.

• Start planning a honeymoon. Make sure that your passports are up-to-date, and schedule doctors’ appointments for any shots you may need.

• Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses. Allow at least six months for the dresses to be ordered and sized.

• Meet with the officiate. Map out the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents for the wedding (these vary by county and religion).

• Reserve structural and electrical necessities.

Book portable toilets for outdoor events, extra chairs if you need them, lighting components, and so on.

• Book a florist. Florists can serve multiple clients on one day, which is why you can wait a little longer to engage one.

• Arrange transportation. Consider limos, minibuses, trolleys, and town cars. (But know that low-to-the-ground limos can make entries and exits dicey if you’re wearing a fitted gown.)

• Start composing a day-of timeline. Draw up a schedule of the event and slot in each component (the cake-cutting, the first dance).

One Month Before

• Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database.

Phone people who have not yet responded.

• Get your marriage license. The process can take up to six days, but it’s good to give yourself some leeway. If you are changing your name, order several copies.

• Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations.

• Visit the dressmaker for (with luck!) your last dress fitting. For peace of mind, you may want to schedule a fitting the week of your wedding. You can always cancel the appointment if you try on the dress then and it fits perfectly.

• Stock the bar. Now that you have a firm head count, you can order accordingly.

• Send out as many final payments as you can.

• Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors.

• E-mail and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles. This gives the chauffeurs ample time to navigate a route.

• Assign seating. Draw out table shapes on a layout of the room to help plan place settings.

Write the names of female guests on pink sticky notes and the names of male guests on blue sticky notes so you can move people about without resketching the entire setting.

• Purchase bridesmaids’ gifts. You’ll present them at the rehearsal dinner.

• Write vows, if necessary.

• Get your hair cut and coloured, if desired.

Four to Five Months Before

• Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues. Negotiate the cost and the menu. If you’re planning to host a day-after brunch for guests, book that place as well.

• Check on the wedding invitations.

Ask the stationer for samples of the finished invitations and revise them to suit your needs.

• Select and order the cake. Some bakers require a long lead-time. Attend several tastings before committing to any baker.

• Send your guest list to the host of your shower. Provided you, ahem, know about the shower.

• Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fittings. Bring the shoes along to your first fitting so the tailor can choose the appropriate length for your gown.

• Schedule hair and makeup artists.

Make a few appointments with local experts to try them out. Snap a photo at each so you can compare results.

• Choose your music. What should be playing when the wedding party is announced? During dinner? To kick off the dancing? Keep a running list of what you want—and do not want—played.

Week of the Wedding

• Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.

• Delegate small wedding-day tasks.

Choose someone to bustle your dress, someone to carry your things, someone to be in charge of gifts (especially the enveloped sort), someone to hand out tips, and someone to be the point person for each vendor.

• Send a timeline to the bridal party.

Include every member’s contact information, along with the point people you’ve asked to deal with the vendors, if problems arise.

• Pick up your dress. Or make arrangements for a delivery.

• Check in one last time with the photographer. Supply him or her with a list of moments you want captured on film.

• Set aside cheques for the vendors. And put tips in envelopes to be handed out at the event.

• Book a spa treatment. Make an appointment for a manicure and a pedicure the day before the wedding.

(You might want to get a stress-relieving massage, too.)

• Send the final guest list to the caterer and all venues hosting your wedding-related events. Typically, companies close their lists 72 hours in advance.

• Break in your shoes.

• Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets.

• Pack for your honeymoon.

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LUSCIOUS JOYS Since April is our incredibly wonderful wedding issue, this months Luscious Joys is for that special bride-to-be. You all know a wedding cake can cost a great deal of money and if you are on a tight budget (who isn’t), there are so many other items you will need for your perfect wedding. Why not bake your own wedding cake? Or, maybe your best friend or mother would be delighted in making it for you (you never know – it could happen!). A DIY Wedding Cake is one of the most accessible ways to add that personal touch to the day. In theory, it seems very straightforward – bake a cake, smooth on some icing, and ta-da! Yeah, well, if it were that simple, no one would ever buy a wedding cake, would they?

In reality, preparing your own wedding cake can be a tricky proposition, as you are in a time-crunch, only able to prepare the cake a couple of days before the wedding, so a successful DIY wedding cake is all about forward-thinking, and delegation.

Check us out on facebook ‘SHEAR NV’

cake can help you decide on the best way to make it a reality. The point is, you don’t have to bake it yourself if it’s to save money, necessarily, but you’re a brutal baker! So rope in a friend or family member or even decorate a shop-bought cake if you want to add that personal touch.

There’s more than one way to DIY… Before You Bake Your Own Wedding Cake Even if you are a fantastic baker, making your own wedding cake can be an extra stress you just don’t need in the days up to the big day. So be realistic, and before you start bookmarking recipes, ask yourself a few important questions (and be honest!): •

•

•

How experienced are you at baking? Have you made the cake many times before, or is this an experiment?

How many hours of baking, and crucially, decorating, time will you need?

Do you have that amount of time in the days

First things first, there are three main reasons for a DIY wedding cake: •

• •

You love baking and no one else’s cake will be as good as your own To give that personal touch To save money

So the first question is: which of those is your reason? Or is it a combination? The reason I ask is because thinking about why you want a DIY wedding

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Nancy Gautreau (403) 305-1356

Wedding Feature Section

The Cheadle Hall for Your Wedding

The Cheadle hall is a fair sized facility of approximately 3700sqft located in East Cheadle.

The building features a dance floor, stage, exceptional dining area and kitchen. The facility also features an outdoor patio area. While renting the Cheadle Community Hall, you also have the opportunity to have your function catered.

Information on the hall is located on our website:

www.cheadlealberta.com Call Jacqueline 403-361-9658

•

•

before the wedding, when things are going to be crazy-busy?

Can you make a comeback from burned fruit cake, runny fondant or sticky sugar flowers?

Do you have all the baking supplies and tools available to you and if not, how much will it cost to buy it all? Make sure to always have a back-up plan – things happen, no matter how skilled you are at baking.

Family and Friends Most families have someone in their family who makes the most delicious cakes or desserts, so why not ask them to help out? If they are not confident enough to take on your entire wedding cake, they could make a mixture of their favourite cakes to go on display for a dessert table. You could also ask a number of your guests to bring along some of their finest home baked goodies to add to the table.

Tips •

Try to stick with a simple homemade recipe such as one that does not require a lot of fancy steps. A dump cake recipe is a good

choice.

• I know it does not sound so delicious but

dump recipes basically have one requirement

and that is that all ingredients get dumped

into the bowl at once and mixed. And that is

it. What could be easier than that?

• Have all of your ingredients measured out

and at room temperature before you start the

process of putting it all together.

• Making a wedding cake, if taken in steps, is

just a matter of multiplying your favourite

homemade recipe and baking them off in

larger pans.

• Fill the cake pans 1/2 to 1/3 full. You can fill

a pan a little more if using a lighter batter a

little less when using a heavier batter.

• Always grease, flour and put parchment or

wax paper along the bottom of the pans.

• Always let the cakes cool completely before

covering and storing. You will need cardboard

circles to put under each cake for support

when lifting and moving the cakes.

• You need to decide how many layers your

cakes will be before baking; you can bake

each layer separate. A two layer cake with

one layer of filling keeps the cake a little more

stable. But you will need to figure out your preferences.

There are hundreds of different cake recipes on the web and in doing my reWill Change Your Life! search I found a lot of DIY Getting Married wedding cake Try Try one one for for Special Occasion bakers make $25...or $25...or free! free! Swimsuit Season carrot cake (say that three Detoxifies, tightens, times fast)!

Best wishes for your special day and happy baking.

Kathryn Hartwell

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Wedding Feature Section SO YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED! IT’S TIME TO GET FIT!

Specializing in Spa & Hair Services

Where do you start? Establish how much time you have before the wedding date. 6 months, 1 year, 9.5 weeks? Once you know how many months, weeks, days, hours and minutes before your big day, set a realistic fitness goal.

What’s realistic when it’s the biggest day of your life?

Determine how much time each week you can realistically commit to a fitness program. Take in to account how many hours you work, what commitments you have, what new commitments you will be taking on by planning a wedding and so on. Many brides wait until the last month or weeks before the wedding and then crash diet. Crash dieting is a horrible idea! Not to mention horrible for your mental health, hormonal health and physical health. With crash dieting, you are going to get run down and sick. You can’t deal with stress as well and after the wedding, the weight piles back on.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, or have read a few articles on how to get fit. Don’t waste your time – hire a professional!

Once you have established your fitness goal, start small!

Only change one thing a week. Week 1 might be getting to the gym twice. Week 2, continue with week 1; get to the gym twice and eat 4-5 small meals a day.

Week 3, continue with week 1 & 2; go to the gym twice, eat 4-5 small meals and get 8 hours of sleep a night. Continue to add small changes throughout the weeks. If you are struggling with a change, stick with it until you master it.

You need to change your behaviour or habits in order to be successful. You can’t change all you habits at once and expect long term results. Quick fixes never promote health and wellness.

You are about to start a new journey in your life with someone you love. Take care of yourself! Health and wellness is your life and if your health is poor, so is the quality of your life. ~ Anndee King

Wedding & Graduation Hair & Make-Up Specials Hair, hi-lites, hair extensions, all waxing, threading, gel nails and nail art, manicures, pedicures, eye brow and lash tinting, make-up, up dos and tanning.

Great tanning packages!

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Lots of prepackage gift ideas including jewelry.

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3, 720 Centre St. Langdon, AB

SECRET TO A LONG HAPPY MARRIAGE An old woman was sipping on a glass of wine, while sitting on the patio with her husband, and she says, “I love you so much, I don’t know how I could ever live without you!” Her husband asks, “Is that you, or the wine talking?” She replies, “It’s me... talking to the wine!”

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Wedding Feature Section

Kim’s KATERING

6) The Thought Doesn’t Count: Don’t tell your wife about the gift you almost got her. Although it’s nice to know that your spouse was thinking of you, it’s nicer to know that he thought of you and brought you a present.

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8) Smile and Nod: When your husband needs to bare his soul, even if you have absolutely no interest in what he’s saying, at least pretend to listen. After all, women often try to convince men to be more communicative. So let him complain. Allow your eyes to glaze over and daydream about something else. It’s a safe bet he’ll never notice.

9) Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: If you insist on putting your foot down about everything, you’re bound to get exhausted. Instead, let the small stuff slide and save the big fights for important stuff, such as finances, children and picking the movie.

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7) Women Lie: When your wife says, “I won’t be mad,” she’s lying. When she says, “You don’t have to ask permission to go out with your friends,” she’s lying. When she says, “Bald men are sexy,” she’s lying. When she says, “I want you to be honest with me – do I look fat in this?” she’s lying.

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MARRIAGE RULES 1) Always Speak Directly to Your Spouse: Don’t try to send your spouse a message by having fake conversations with your children or dogs and pretending he or she isn’t in the room (i.e. “We wouldn’t have been late if mom hadn’t taken that phone call”, etc.).

2) Don’t compliment your wife for how she used to look in outfits that no longer fit. Tell your wife she looks great NO MATTER WHAT. 3) Go to Bed Angry: It’s better to go to bed angry than stay up all night fighting – you’ll need your rest in order to win the fight tomorrow.

4) Don’t Expect Dinner to be Made: Do not come home and ask your wife “What’s for dinner?” Implying that she’s responsible for dinner will surely anger her. This isn’t the 1950s. Both sexes are capable of preparing a meal.

5) Dads Are Not Babysitters: If you’re spending time with the kids while your wife is out, do not refer to it as babysitting – not unless you want to anger your wife. Just because she gave birth to them, it doesn’t mean that she claims sole responsibility of their care.

10) Help Him Improve Himself: If your husband is a hunter or fisher and brings home some sort of trophy, say, “I thought it would be bigger.” It will encourage him to try harder next time.

11) Correct His Driving: How will your husband know he’s going too fast unless you continuously slam the imaginary brakes on the passenger side of the car?

12) Play the Damsel in Distress to Get What You Want: When you need an unpleasant job done around the house, don’t ask your husband to do it. Instead, attempt the job yourself, do it badly and let him show you the “right” way to do it. He gets to be the hero, and you get to go relax.

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Wedding Feature Section

Congratulations!

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“A happy man marries the girl he loves; a happier man loves the girl he marries.” ~ Anonymous “You don’t need to be on the same wavelength to succeed in marriage. You just need to be able to ride each other’s waves.” ~ Toni Sciarra Poynter

Wedding packages are booking up fast so call for a quote today!

We offer limos for any night out, any occasion : Stag, Staggette, Engagement Party, Rehearsal Dinner, Graduations etc.

Call or Text (403) 369-LIMO(5466) www.whitepearllimos.ca

“To keep the fire burning brightly there’s one easy rule: keep the two logs together, near enough to keep each other warm and far enough apart – about a finger’s breadth – for breathing room. Good fire, good marriage, same rule.” ~Marnie Reed Crowell

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Wedding Feature Section

Country Hospitality at its Finest Located in the Heart of Rosebud A memorable, relaxed country setting for weddings and special occasions, where picturesque indoor and outdoor facilities, professional staff, and excellent catering combine to create an unforgettable experience.

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IMPORTANT TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE 1. Talk to your spouse more kindly than you talk to anyone else in the world. Too often we speak the most harshly to those closest to us.

2. Remember that marriage is less about marrying the right person and more about becoming the right person.

3. Don’t forget to laugh. Most couples spend the majority of their time talking logistics: who’s doing the grocery shopping, who’s calling the repairman, who’s picking up the kids.

A relationship can’t survive on logistics. Have a water fight instead.

4. She needs you to be her best friend. Everyday, talk to her and tell her what you’re thinking. Even if you don’t think you’re thinking about anything. She needs to hear your heart.

5. He needs you to be his cheerleader. Let him know you believe he can take on the world.

6. Find ways to say “I love you” that don’t involve sex.

7. When you dress up, make sure the main person you’re dressing up for is him. And put on lipstick.

8. Leave the toilet seat down.

9. Forgiving means not bringing that old infraction up every time you have a new fight. Let it go.

10. If it’s not solved at 2:30 a.m., it’s not going to be solved

at 3:00 a.m. either. Go to sleep. You can deal with it tomorrow, assuming you even remember what the fight was about.

11. When you’re having an argument, listen to understand, don’t listen to find loopholes so you can win. Marriage is either a win/win or a lose/lose. You can’t win by beating someone else down.

12. Your kids come second, not first. Your marriage needs to be number one. Your spouse was there before the kids and will be there after the kids move out. Work on that relationship first.

13. If you haven’t fully committed to your marriage, it won’t succeed. If you’re always testing your spouse, your spouse will always come up short. No one is perfect.

14. You will never drift together. People only ever drift apart. If you want to grow closer, you have to be intentional about it.

15. Let her cry. She needs to every now and then.

16. Don’t bug him if he doesn’t cry. Some men just don’t show their feelings. That’s why they’re men.

17. Don’t say everything that’s on your mind. More marriages would survive if more things went unsaid.

18. Let her be your every fantasy. Keep your eyeballs off everyone else.

19. Let him be your every fantasy. Keep your eyeballs off romance novels.

20. Don’t think he’s gross if he farts. Don’t think she’s pathetic if she obsesses over paint colours. You married someone of the opposite gender. That’s what life is about.

21. Don’t run to your mom if your spouse does something you don’t like. You’re a unit now. Act like it.

22. Make one of your favourite topics of conversation how much you admire your spouse. Tell your kids. Tell your friends. And let your spouse hear.

23. Men would be ecstatic if women showed up naked and brought food. Most women need more than that.

Men, make it your goal in life to figure her out. Woo her.

She’s worth it.

24. Say yes far more frequently than you say no.

403-901-6850

Just picture it!

Shots n’ Giggles is a high tech photo booth that delivers top quality photos personalized to suit your event or special occasion.

Give your guests something to do during cocktail and picture time at your wedding, giving your party goers a copy of their own photo strip, makes the perfect favour at any event!

www.shotsngiggles.ca

shotsngiggles12@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Edward Allen

HEY CANCER, WE RELAY BECAUSE WE WON’T LET YOU WIN.

celebrate

JUNE 21, 2013 Chestermere Chestermere Rec Center

relayforlife.ca

fight back Photo Credit: Christine Hopaluk

Photo Credit: Michael Ericcson

remember

Photo Credit: Len Cyca

Join the fight by taking part in Relay For Life. Get your friends, families and co-workers together to fight cancer with the Canadian Cancer Society in a unique overnight event.

Raise money and fight back against a disease that 2 out of 5 Canadians will be diagnosed with during their lifetimes.

To get involved, please email Maren Jensen at chestermere.relayforlife.ab.ca or go to relayforlife.ca.

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124 Orchard Way. Strathmore, AB

403-901-0018 www.clarkssupply.com

Visit grasshoppermower.com for more information.

YOUR NEXT MOWER ® © 2008 The Grasshopper Company

4:08:26 PM When you really, really want to slap someone,3/31/08 do it!

Just make sure you say “mosquito” when you do.

GRA.9907_2cx5_powerfold_4C 1

Dear Optimist, Pessimist and Realist, While you guys were arguing about the water, I drank it!

Sincerely, The Opportunist I am not “A Queen” I am “The Queen” and that’s “Your Majesty” to you!

Bookkeeping Service GST Filing Bookkeeping Service Payroll Filing GST Filing Payroll Filing

CALGARY

SUNDAY, MAY 12 CALGARY

Start/Finish: Chinook Centre (61st Avenue & Macleod Trail) THIS PROOF MUST BE SIGNED FOR YOUR ORDER TO PRO ALL ERRORS AND/OR OMISSIONS NOT MARKED AT THIS STAGE PLEASE MARK CHANGES BELOW TO RE Warm Up: 8:45amIF INCORRECT PLEASE ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER SIGN & FAX BACK TO: 5 & 10 km Wheelchair: 8:55am Fax: (403) 265-5612 10 km Run: 9:05am 5 km Run & Walk: 9:05am Little Legs Race: 10:45am Awards: 11:00am -

THIS REPRESENTS AS CLOSE AS TECHNICALLY POSSIBLE TO YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT PANTONE NUMBERS AND CMYK VALUES CAN VARY IN APPEARANCE ON DIFFERENT MATERIAL TYPES THESE MEASUREMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED ACCURATE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

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eFile Tax Service QuickBooks eFile Tax Service ProAdviser QuickBooks

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27 yrs in the Trucking Industry

Phone: Maggie Peters 403-934-3220 Phone: 403-934-3220

Page 60

The Newsy Neighbour

Fax: 800-706-4058

Fax: 800-706-4058 maggie@trucktaxation.com maggie@trucktaxation.com

Supporting the Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Calgary!

Date: 09

SO #:

PO #:

I have checked the following items: YES NO SPELLING Please Mark All FONT Errors Above..

COLORS A Revised Proof SIZE will be created LOCATION and sent to you.

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Vikings believed apples were the key to eternal youth? That asparagus is an anti-inflammatory, and avocados grow on evergreens that can reach 65 feet in height. I Am A... Fruits & Vegetables is a delightful mixture of fun (and often fascinating) facts about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables we all know we should be eating more of, paired with easy-to-follow recipes that are as good for your heart & soul as they are tasty! A must for any cook who wants to eat healthier, feel better – and have a few laughs in the process!

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1) Fruits & Vegetables can be ordered from our website www.thenewsyneighbor.com 2) By calling us at (403) 561-0888 with your credit card number 4) By filling in the order form below and send us a cheque. 5) By visiting Curves in Strathmore or Neverending Stories in Langdon and buying a copy from them.

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NAME____________________________________ Please make cheques payable to ADDRESS________________________________________ “The Newsy Neighbour Inc.” Please return this order form to: CITY_________________________POSTAL CODE______________ 126 Westwood Street EMAIL______________________________________(optional) Strathmore, AB T1P 1A9 PHONE #____________________________________(optional) Attention: Kathryn Hartwell Visa or Master Card #_____________________________________ Questions please call 403-561-0888 email: newsyneighbor@gmail.com Expiry_________________________________ Once order is received we will contact you with Signature__________________________________

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www.thenewsyneighbour.ca/pages/subscription We’ll be friends ‘till we’re old & senile...

Then we’ll be new friends!

If only cut & paste worked in relationships I should change my voicemail greeting to: “Please hang up and text me!”

God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die!

Cleaning is just putting things in less obvious places!

#106, 304 - 3rd Ave. Strathmore, AB T1P 1Z1 Fax: 403-934-6278

Complimentary Market Evaluations 403-934-5533 Robert Desjardins

403-815-3774

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Gorgeous Bungalow with Pull-Thru Driveway. Large Corner Lot with View of the Bow while Relaxing on the Deck.

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Tracy Larsen Backing onto PARK/GREENSPACE!!!

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62 MUIRFIELD Boulevard - $499,900

Golf course community. Urban scheik 2 story on a walk out basement. 2681 sqft above grade 25x22 garage. 3 large bedrooms, 2.5 bath. Dramatic functional floor plan. Loads of upgrades.

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Fully Developed 2 Storey Walk Out. Across from park. Large master & ensuite, 3 Bed, dark hardwood floors, country kitchen /granite counters & main floor laundry, 29'x23' attach. heated garage. A magnificent home!

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30 Muirfield BV - $435,000

Golf course community. Stunning home with views to match! 1453 sqft walk-out Bungalow, 2 +2 Bedrooms, open plan living room, dining room &kitchen. Downstairs family room complete w/wetbar.

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6-plex in Carbon, AB $359,000

2&3 Bedroom Units, Needs TLC, Sold As-Is. Units can be purchased separately.

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1 First Street - $35,000

Handyman Special in Chancellor, AB. Bungalow that has been condemned and 7 lots, each lot is 25' x 128' (175' x 130') Sold As Is, Where Is. MLS # C3554017

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Rural Wheatland County - $539,900 Newer Ranch Style 1552 sqft Bungalow on full basement. 3 bed, 3 bath. 24'x26' heated attached garage. 3 acres with a 20'x40' shop. R.V septic dump. Horse set up.

MLS # C3540860

Rural Wheatland County - $425, 000 12.5 acres with a 1280 sqft Mobile Home, 30’x30’ heated garage, 40’x30’ shop. 2 bedrooms, open concept living room and kitchen w/island eating bar. No gravel.

MLS #: C3558403

208 RANCH Close - $374,900

Brand new condition with extensive low maintenance landscaping, and a over sized finished heated double garage. 3 bed, 3 full baths, corner fireplace, granite and developed basement. Close to shopping.

MLS # C3551874

Rockyford - $99,900

Looking for a home to renovate? Come see this lovely home located in Rockyford, AB situated on a 50'x125' treed lot with back alley access and is handicap accessible. MLS # C33557769

117 First ST. Arrowood, AB - $65,000

1216 sqft mobile home built in 1990 on a 80'x100' treed lot with 3 bed, a full bath and a full ensuite.

Nice wood stove. New windows. Sold As Is, Where Is, No Warranty. Needs TLC! MLS # C3550584

222 CHRISTIAN Avenue - $39,000 Fixer Upper! 1.5 Storey in Standard. 50 minutes east of Calgary. Interior is gutted. 50 x 100 lot. SOLD AS IS WHERE IS NO WARRANTY. Needs TLC! MLS # C3553031

126 STRATHMORE LAKES PL - SOLD 14 PARKWOOD PL - SOLD 206 Ranch DO - SOLD 834 BRIARWOOD RD - SOLD