SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 1CELE
BR
ATI
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RED DEER’S
100YEARS
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items 6 Editor’s message
Follow us on twitter:@RedDeerLiving
Cover photo courtesy Kristin Fraser.
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departments
8 food | Soup’s on! Easy to make and healthy too, soup
is the ultimate winter comfort food
12 PEoPlE | Music man Carl Stretton is a hard-working
music ambassador
15 oUTdooRS | Smooth and serene Cross country skiing an appealing winter activity
22 coMMUniTy | centennial countdown. Wrapping up Red Deer’s centennial year
25 HEalTH & WEllnESS | Just breathe. Powerful healing through Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments
27 BUSinESS | Entrepreneurial excellence. Red Deer Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards
feature18 Healthy, happy kids Making the most of the
first five years
columns30 a SlicE of lifE | finding lost
things. Christmas spirit doesn’t come from a box
contentsw i n t e r 2 0 1 3 VOL 3 • ISS 16
22
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15
18
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6 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
welcome back, winterThis year, I said ‘hello’ to winter while on an unavoidable road trip during a blizzard.
We fought at first, me and winter, but we’ve come to terms with each other now. At
the risk of having snowballs thrown at me, I’ll go so far as to say I don’t mind having
four seasons: on a warmish winter day, it’s kind of fun to go tromping through the
snow in one of the city’s many parks.
But, here at Red Deer Living, we recognize that winter is a split decision among our
readers.
That’s why this edition has articles with winterish ideas — even outdoor activities
— and it also has topics that are more indoors. We start with soup: who doesn’t love
soup? You’ll get ideas for new ways to enjoy the
social side of this winter comfort food, and you’ll
also get tips on how to create delicious soups
packed with nutritional goodness.
If it’s cold outside, you might turn to one of
Red Deer’s many warm music venues for some
live tunes. Chances are that Carl Stretton will
be there, either performing music, coordinating
events or connecting people. Carl’s deep
connection to everything musical is detailed in
the “Music Man” article on page 12.
Outdoor enthusiasts are sure to be pleased
winter’s here, and the cross country skiing article
looks at what draws people to this invigorating
and refreshing activity. Next, “Healthy, happy kids” provides great information for
parents, especially those with kids under five. There’s a snapshot of how children
are developing throughout our province, and there are also tips and resources to let
parents know how to help their kids during these important, formative years.
It’s hard to believe, but Red Deer’s centennial year is quickly wrapping up. Check
out the Community article to read about highlights from the past year and to
see great images from events held throughout 2013. Then, you’ll learn about the
unexpected and interesting healing option of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments, which
aren’t limited to elite athletes anymore. People with a variety of medical conditions
can now receive these treatments right here in Red Deer.
Next, we’ll look at the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year
Awards, which were held in October, and two of the award recipients share what
winning means to them in “Entrepreneurial excellence.” Finally, Treena Mielke
shares her thoughts on the Christmas season, including some of the challenges and
gifts that it brings.
Whether you’re looking to forget about winter or to embrace it, this edition has
articles and ideas to help meet your needs. And, if you’d like to stay connected to
Red Deer Living between editions, you’re welcome to like us on Facebook or follow us
on Twitter. Merry Christmas, everyone, and happy winter!
P U B L I S H E R
Source Media [email protected]
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E d I t o R
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A R t d I R E c t o R
Jean Faye [email protected]
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Dave [email protected]
Megan [email protected]
P R o d U c t I o n A d m I n I S t R At o R
Colleen [email protected]
E d I t o R I A L
Jennifer Blair, Leslie Greentree, Jock MacKenzie, Treena Mielke,
Judith Moody, Jenny Spurr, Laurette Woodward
P H o t o G R A P H Y
Jennifer Blair, Tanya Lee,Judith Moody, Robert Reed,
Laurette Woodward
A d v E R t I S I n G S A L E S
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editor’s message
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 7
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food
Soup’s on!easy to make and heathy too, soup is the ultimate winter comfort foodBy Jennifer Blair
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T he first rule of soup club is you don’t talk about soup
club. You really don’t have to, anyway. People can smell
the soup cooking from a mile away.
“There’s something about soup cooking,” says Krista
VandenBrink, one of the masterminds behind soup club at her old
office. “We would bring in crockpots and put it all together and
start it in the morning, and then you’d have the smell wafting.
Everybody who wasn’t in soup club wanted to be in soup club.”
Soup club started as a way to get
people away from their desks over
the lunch hour. “It was an excuse to
get people together, and soup seemed
to be the best way to do it. It was easy
for people to make, and it was warm
and cozy.”
Every week on a Tuesday, one per-
son would bring enough soup for 15
people and, over the lunch break, the
people in soup club would forget their
work for the hour and come together over wintertime’s signature
comfort food.
“People come together over food, and when you come together
over a comforting food like soup, I think people tend to open up a
little more,” says VandenBrink. “I learned so much about the people
I was in soup club with on a personal level. People just felt warm
and comfortable and cozy, and they looked forward to it.”
And soup isn’t just good for the soul; it’s also good for you, ac-
cording to Kristin Fraser, owner of Inner Glow Nutrition. A holistic
nutritionist and natural gourmet chef trained in New York, Fraser
often recommends homemade soups to her clients as an important
part of a healthy diet and busy lifestyle. “I really promote soups a
lot in my consulting. Soups are such an easy thing to make, and
they’re also really healthful too.”
For the most part, homemade soups use whole ingredients,
and those quality ingredients are the source of soups’ nutritional
strengths. “The less you process your food, the more healthful it is,”
says Fraser. “Then you know exactly what’s going into it. There’s no
preservatives or fillers or additives — things that don’t necessarily
need to be in your soup. Making it yourself is so important, I think.”
Store-bought soups tend to have more sodium and less nutrient
value than their homemade counterparts, but even so, store-
bought soups can be made a little more healthy by adding your
own ingredients. “You can always add lots of protein elements,
fibre elements with black beans or medicinal ingredients like
garlic and ginger,” she says.
“When you keep it simple and you have good quality ingredients, I don’t know how you can really mess up a soup.”
food
Editor’s Note: Looking for more soup ideas? Check out the two tasty recipes in our digital version of this article at digital.lovereddeerliving.ca/winter2013
But Fraser truly feels that anyone can make soup at home.
She herself is proof of that. “I come from being the girl who
used to burn my macaroni and cheese,” she said with a laugh.
“I have a lot of friends that are intimidated by cooking in gen-
eral, but soup is easy. It’s totally doable.”
Fraser usually starts by roasting her vegetables in the oven
to bring out the flavour. Once the vegetables are done, she’ll
combine them in a pot with some garlic, herbs and stock and
let them cook for around 30 minutes. Then, she uses a hand
blender to create the right consistency.
Leftovers, like the remains of a turkey dinner, can also be
used to make a delicious and nutritious soup. Fraser calls
them “must-go soups” — they’re made from anything that
must go in the refrigerator. “That’s how people eat. You just
need to Google recipes with the ingredients you have and see
what comes up.”
And soups can easily be frozen, making them both the ulti-
mate convenience and comfort food. “You’ve got to be mindful
of the temperatures going into the freezer. You don’t want it to
be hot going into the freezer,” said Fraser.
If you’re hoping to freeze a batch
of soup for dinners down the road,
Fraser recommends taking the
soup off the stove once it’s done
cooking and sitting it in a big
pot or sink filled with ice, which
brings the temperature of the
soup down quickly. “A lot of peo-
ple would just turn off the stove
and leave it, but things actually do
progressively cook in your soup.”
No matter what type of soup
you’re cooking, Fraser’s advice is to “keep it simple.”
“When you keep it simple and you have good quality ingredi-
ents, I don’t know how you can really mess up a soup.” RL
Krista VandenBrinkPhoto by Jennifer Blair
Kristin Fraser.Photo courtesy Kristin Fraser
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Whether you’re attending an elegant gala or enjoying a ca-
sual drink at one of the many local music venues, chances
are good you’ll recognize Carl Stretton, one of Red Deer’s
hardest working musicians. Most often seen with his
stand up bass, Carl also plays guitar, keyboard and sings. Even when
he’s not on stage, his influence may well be at work behind the
scenes. Carl has made a name for himself as a major music
connector — whether it’s an event co-ordinator looking
for a jazz ensemble, a musician in need of accompani-
ment or a venue, a music venue wanting to organize
weekly open mic sessions or someone in need of a
professional sound man, Carl is the guy to call.
Carl’s life has been filled with music from the
beginning; his cello-playing Edmonton-born mother
met his trombone-playing Boston-born father at
the Peabody Conservatory in Massachusetts. Carl
was born a few years later in New York City, where
the family settled. His mother brought Carl and
his brother Eric back to Edmonton when she and Carl’s
father separated, where she continued playing with the
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, of which she was an
inaugural member.
“Our home was filled with music be-
cause of my mother and grandparents,”
Carl says. “But I have always had two
streams running concurrently in my
life — music and science. I started
learning to play piano in grade one,
but I was also that kid who took
everything apart to see how it
worked.” He didn’t get into trou-
ble for pulling things apart,
because, as he says, “I was also
pretty successful at putting it
back together.”
He attributes his interest in
science to his stepfather, who
came into his life when Carl
was four years old. “My stepfa-
ther was a physics instructor,”
Carl says. “I’ve always been good at
people
Music manBy Leslie Greentree
A
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people
Music man
A Carl Stretton. Photo by tanya Lee.
B Photo courtesy white rabbit Design Studio
C Carl playing in C-note trio with troy Davis on flute. Courtesy Carl Stretton.
Carl Stretton is a hard-working music ambassador
math and science, and that developed largely due to
his influence.”
After Carl’s youngest brother, Gordon, was born, the
family moved to Ohio when Carl’s stepfather took a job
at Kenyon College. Carl attended grades three through
eight there, a time he describes as a mid-west rural
scene straight out of ‘Tom Sawyer’. He spent a lot of
time paddling on the river, but he also continued to
play piano until grade seven.
During those formative years, Carl also tried the vio-
la and violin, without, as he describes it, much success.
He began singing with a friend in a church choir and,
at age 12, chose the stand-up bass. His stepfather died
the next year and the family moved back to Edmonton;
by grade 10 Carl had enrolled in drama and music at
his high school, where he learned lighting, sound and
stagecraft. During that time he learned the electric
bass while collaborating with Roger Deegan, a classical
composer who also wrote folk music. He also played in
various rock bands.
After high school Carl took electronics technology at
NAIT, but the rock scene was more enticing and he didn’t
complete the course. A year later, he took the Grant
MacEwan music program, learning jazz. He says Grant
MacEwan was extremely valuable, but the lure of the
road beckoned. “I played in three bands over the next
three years,” he says, “a country rock band, a band that
played club/ disco music and a western swing band.”
“Touring is a grueling lifestyle. After three years I met
my wife-to-be and decided to get off the road,” he says.
“We had kids and it became apparent I had to get a ‘real
job’.” He returned to NAIT and became an electronics
service technician; the family moved to Red Deer in
1985, and Carl spent the next 17 years repairing elec-
tronics for the Brick and playing in weekend bands. The
marriage didn’t last, but his now-grown daughters, Lisa
and Annette, remain nearby in Red Deer.
Thanks to Carl’s versatility, he has worked with many
local musicians, including Randi Boulton, Paeton Cam-
eron, Shiv Shanks, Cassandra Littlespoon, Jesse Roads,
“Our home was filled with music because of my mother and grandparents. But I’ve always had two streams running concurrently in my life — music and science.”
»
B
C
Charlie Jacobson, Audrey Graham, Steve Sherman and many
others. He can be seen at any number of music venues, including
The Vat, The Hideout, Velvet Olive, One Eleven Grill, Cities Gastro
Pub, and at many special events and functions.
“My areas of specialty are jazz, blues, rock and folk, but jazz
is probably my favourite. I like the progressiveness of jazz — it’s
exploratory,” he says. “But the blues are right up there, too. I like
blues for the feel. The two cross over quite a bit; both include a
lot of improvisation.”
All the hard work, all the connections and collaborations paid
off; for the past year, Carl has been self-employed as a musician.
A popular, versatile and reliable performer, he also runs sound
for musicians and venues, records musicians in his studio, and
repairs and maintains audio equipment. As well, he runs Red
Deer Scene, a print and online source for local music and other
A At Cities with Paeton Cameron.
B Carl on the drums. Photo by tanya Lee.
arts events. And that’s where his importance as a music connec-
tor really showcases itself. Red Deer Scene puts Carl in regular
contact with most of the musicians in town as well as the music
venues. “I contact the venues to get listings, so as part of the pro-
cess I am also able to assist them with acquiring acts,” he says.
His goals for the next year: continue to expand the success of
Red Deer Scene and move more into artist development and pro-
motion — something he’s been doing for years but not officially.
He’s also focusing on further developing his songwriting skills.
“As a bass player, you’re always a support to other musicians,”
he explains. “This will move me more toward solo performance.
The music I write is definitely jazz/ blues. I love Steely Dan —
they embody the type of music I am likely to write.”
“I’m happiest on stage when the music is going right and the
audience is responding,” he says. “A lot of music jobs require dif-
ferent things, and the difference between success or not is being
able to tailor what you’re doing to the situation.”
Because of his musical flexibility, Carl has shared the stage
with countless artists of various musical genres, including
headliners at festivals such as Central Alberta Music Festival.
“I’m able to play with most people, because I’ve had so much
experience in many genres,” he says. Then he laughs: “When I
look back, I’m still doing the same things I did in high school. It’s
a different context but the same skill set.” RL
people
“My areas of specialty are jazz, blues, rock and folk, but jazz is probably my favourite.”
C
D
B
A
C Playing with Laurelle Young.D Playing with randi Boulton.Photos A, C & D courtesy Carl Stretton.
14 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
find carl online at www.reddeerscene.com
Smooth and sereneWhITE oN WhITE. Flakes of powdery crystals piled against a
forest of green that reaches to an Alberta blue sky. It’s crisp, it’s
clear, and it’s quiet.
For cross country skiers, this invigorating winter wonderland
pulls them outside when so many others are holed up indoors
for the winter. Skiers get exercise and a healthy dose of Vi-
tamin D while enjoying nature — either alone or with family
and friends. When you add in that the sport is relatively low
cost, it’s a compelling argument to check out the ski trails this
winter.
But how do you get started? “Trial and error was the best way
for me to begin,” says Bob Martin, a relative newcomer to the
sport. one of the beauties of
cross country skiing is that it
can be done almost anywhere
and anytime. Groomed tracks
are available at Great Chief
Park/heritage Ranch and at
River Bend Golf & Recreation
Area. If you are not relying
on pre-set tracks, the nearest
park or any of the miles of
trail system within the city
can offer the opportunity for
practice.
If it’s lessons you want, they
are available. Lessons for beginners and intermediates are put
on by the Parkland Cross Country Ski Club (PCCSC) and held at
River Bend beginning in January and running for an hour and
a half on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The lessons will
include an introduction to or refinement of basic cross country
ski techniques. Participants will also get basic information on
equipment, waxing techniques, clothing and locations to ski in
Red Deer.
Boots, bindings, skis and poles are the basic requirements.
Many local schools allow students and family members
cross country skiing an appealing winter activity
Story by Jock Mackenzie / Photos by Robert Reed
outdoors
One of the beauties of cross country skiing is that it can be done almost anywhere and anytime.
» SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 15
16 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
A-C Cross country skiing is great for youth, families and friends.
outdoors
weekend access to this neces-
sary equipment — all for free.
Renting from Valhalla Pure
outfitters is another option, as
is purchasing new equipment
from Valhalla, Atmosphere and
Sport Chek. Another choice is Play It Again Sports for new or
used gear.
“Skis come in two basic types: waxless or waxed,” says Chad
Karns, manager at Atmosphere. “Entry level skiers may prefer
the waxless variety, a type of ski that uses a scaled design on
the base to give traction, but a great deal depends on what kind
of experience the skier desires. The best bet is to talk to some-
one knowledgeable.”
For knowledge and experience, the PCCSC is an excellent
place to start. Their website provides a wealth of information
as do their monthly meetings held at the Kerry Wood Nature
Centre on the second Tuesday of each month.
An ALternAtiVe tO cross country skiing is the increasingly popular pas-time and sport of snowshoeing. Mod-ern snowshoes, with their lightweight construction, are a huge improvement over traditional options. However, if you want to pretend you’re a fur trapper, you can still use the tradi-tional type with hardwood frame and rawhide lacings, but these need to be used in colder temperatures when the leather won’t stretch. Kerry wood na-ture Centre (KwnC) has a number of
todd niven of KwnC shows two kinds of snowshoes. Photo by Jock Mackenzie
For youth under 18, there are several options. “There’s
the Jackrabbit program for ages six to nine and Track
Attack for ages 10 to 13,” says Kelly Bogle, president of
the PCCSC. For those aged 13 to 18, there is a Fitness and
Racing group and an adventure/touring group.
For adults, the PCCSC has even further choices. The club
provides sessions on avalanche beacon use, mountain touring,
map and compass, GPS and tour leading. They also organize
both day and overnight trips.
An obvious advantage to living in Red Deer is its wide variety
of cross country ski opportunities both in and around the city.
Each winter is different. Whether there is a light or heavy
snowfall, warmer or colder temperatures, we can guarantee one
thing: there will be winter. Enjoy it! RL
“Give it a try” days where you can use ei-ther their old-style or high tech snowshoes for free. Both types available at KwnC are intended for light snowfalls. Snowshoe rentals are also available throughout the winter months at very reasonable rates. Visit www.waskasoopark.ca for information and event dates.
For more serious snowshoeing, see Valhalla Pure Outfitters to rent snowshoes suitable for mountain use; deeper snow re-quires greater flotation and bindings suited to a variety of footwear.
Strap on the snowshoes this winter
A
B
C
for more information on the Parkland cross country Ski club, go to www.parklandxcskiclub.org.
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 17
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Sometimes, as parents, we wish our children
came with instruction manuals. Each of us
wants to do what’s required to help every child
become a happy, healthy and productive adult.
But, despite our best intentions, current research
shows that some Alberta children might not be
getting what they need. According to the Alberta
government, through data collected in its Early Child
Mapping Project, nearly 27 per cent of Alberta’s chil-
dren are experiencing difficulties in one or more areas
of development. The Canadian average is 25 per cent.
“The first five years of a child’s life are the most
critical years of their development,” says Shelley Dal-
las-Smith, chair of the Red Deer Early Years Mapping
Coalition. “These years affect a child’s whole life.”
Studies show children who get what they need
while young are more likely to: succeed in school,
pursue further education, have better jobs, earn
more money and be physically and mentally healthy
throughout their lives. They’re better parents who
have happier relationships and better problem solving
skills. They’re also likely to avoid incarceration and
Story and photos by Laurette Woodward
Healthy, happy kids
feature
substance abuse.
“It’s important
to note,” says
Dallas-Smith, “that
every socio-eco-
nomic group in
Alberta has chil-
dren experiencing
difficulties. They
are in low-income, middle income and high income
families. The gaps are in every community.”
The Early Child Mapping study measured five areas
of competence:
• Physical health and well-beingWell-rested, well-nourished, good energy levels,
gross and fine motor skills;
• Social competencePlays with others, is curious, respects authority,
controls own behavior;
• Emotional maturityExpresses age-appropriate emotions, empathy
with others;
Judy Scott (left) and Shelley Dallas-Smith (right).
“The first five years of a child’s life are the most critical years of their development ... These years affect a child’s whole life.”
Healthy, happy kids Making the most of the first five years
feature
• Language and thinking skillsInterest in reading / writing, skill with counting, shapes and
colours;
• Communication and general knowledgeCommunicates needs / wants in socially appropriate ways, tells
stories, has age-appropriate knowledge about outside world.
Red Deer’s results showed a few gaps that matched what Red
Deer’s child experts already knew, such as some
gaps with communication skills.
There was a surprise as well. “There were
significant gaps in the emotional maturity area,”
says Judy Scott, an active member and past
chair of Red Deer Early Mapping Coalition. Scott
wonders if the prevalence of technology such as
cell phones is a factor. Scott says it has become
increasingly common to see children playing
with technology, as well as their parents engaged
in texting while they are around their children.
“I don’t want to give technology a bad name,”
says Scott. “Technology is a reality. It’s just a
question of finding balance.” »
A
B
C
Photos A-D: Parents and children playing at the Kinsmen Family Play Space in Parkland Mall.
wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 19
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Early childhood development Mapping information: www.ecmap.ca/Findings-Maps/Pages/default.aspx
family Services of central alberta: 403-309-8222, www.fsca.ca
feature
TiPS foR PaREnTS Things you can do at home to helpyour preschool child develop well
• Talk, talk, talk with your children. respond to their questions and ask them questions about what you see and do.
• Tell stories, play make-believe
• Read stories with an animated voice and face. this is important for communication skills and empathy.
• Unplug from electronics for a while. while you do, ask questions and talk!
• Get your child to play with or use: play dough, crayons, scissors (these help devel-op necessary fine and gross motor skills).
• Play with non-electronic toys like Lego, puzzles, etc.
• Bake something together. take the time to let your child mix, help you measure. this develops fine and gross motor skills, an understanding of sequencing and more.
• Talk about your own or other people’s feel-ings, at an age appropriate level. it helps develop empathy.
• Go on a walk and let them run a little bit ahead. Children will explore. take the time to let them be curious.
WHaT PaREnTS can do To HElP THEiR kidS There are many simple things parents can do at home to help
their children. “The main idea is to slow down, enjoy your chil-
dren and allow them to play,” says Scott.
Also, there are resources in the community including some
that can help parents know if their child is meeting age appropri-
ate milestones.
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” says Scott. “That’s why
we’ve made resources available to parents. We want to help.”
Parents can receive assistance understanding how well their
child is developing in one of two ways.
The first is by attending the Early Years Fair, held in the
Parkland Mall in February. It will be advertised throughout the
community and on the Family Services website. Last year was
the first annual event, organized by The Red Deer Early Years Co-
alition. Parents can bring their children to the fair and interact
with them at a number of booths, where there are professionals
that can talk with parents about their children.
The second alternative is to do an Ages and Stages Question-
naire or ASQ. It is available online through Family Services of
Central Alberta, www.fsca.ca. The survey identifies possible
gaps in development. It can also be accessed through the
mail, or with an in person visit, depending on a parent’s
preferences.
Scott says the earlier you help a child the better. “Ad-
dressing small problems now prevents big ones in the
future.” RL
“Addressing small problems now prevents big ones in the future.” D
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 21
22 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
A s Red Deer’s Centennial Year comes to an end,
the Red Deer Centennial Committee looks back
on a series of projects and events that have
commemorated our city’s past, celebrated our
present and created a vision for a strong future.
“We started planning for Red Deer’s 100th birthday about
three years ago, after The City of Red Deer asked the Central
Alberta historical Society (CAhS) to spearhead centennial
celebrations,” says Sheila Bannerman, chair of the Red Deer
Centennial Committee. “our goal was to plan a centennial
year that would make all Red Deerians proud.”
The Centennial Steering Committee, which consists of
nine members, three each representing CAhS, the general
public and The City of Red Deer, came together in the fall of
2010. Just one year later, four Centennial Working Commit-
tees were established: Community Events, Marketing &
Promotions, Legacy Projects, and Fundraising/Sponsorship.
These committees consulted with the public, and what was
thought to be a small homecoming weekend blossomed into
a year-long celebration. “We looked at recommendations
from the community and got so excited about what we could
do to celebrate Red Deer’s birthday that we ended up with a
full year of projects and events,” explains Bannerman.
one of the most memorable moments for the Red Deer
Centennial Committee was planting more than 100 trees —
including the official centennial tree, the hot wings tatarian
maple — in the space between Gaetz Avenue northbound
and southbound near Parkland Mall. Considered a legacy
project, the Centennial Grove Planting was hosted by the
Legacy Projects Working Committee and sponsored by Nova
Chemicals.
“We wanted to celebrate Red Deer’s park system as
something that makes our city unique,” says Lisa Perkins,
Centennial Steering Committee member and City adminis-
tration representative. “There are immediate environmen-
tal benefits to planting trees, but we know the Centennial
Grove will have its biggest impact years from now when the
trees have grown.”
wrapping up red Deer’s centennial year
CentennIaL COuntdOwnBy Jenny Spurr
A Former Mayor Flewwelling opening the previous time capsule in March, 2013.
B Penny Carnival at the Fall Fair.C Family street dance on Little Gaetz Avenue.D Light barrel garden in City Hall Park.e First night at Bower Ponds, December 31, 2012.F wildrose Harmonizers at the Fall Fair.
A
D
G
community
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 23
with more than 15 different events, Red Deer has had a lot to celebrate over the past year.
CentennIaL COuntdOwn
Grand finaleWHaT: Fire and ice Centennial Closing Ceremony
and Lantern Parade
WHEn: December 13, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: City Hall Park
this event features chili, hot chocolate and ice sculp-tures in City Hall Park. the first 1,000 guests will re-ceive a free lantern and glow stick. All ages welcome. For details, visit www.reddeer2013.ca
G Skaters at Bower Ponds for the First night festivities.H Lowering of the new time capsule in March, 2013. i water tower lit up during homecoming weekend.J A cake from the Centennial Cake Competition in
February, 2013.Photos A & H courtesy the City of red Deer. Photos B - G and i-J courtesy red Deer Centenial Committee.
And through it all, the most important lesson learned
was “not to panic,” laughs Bannerman. When the city was
threatened by overland flooding in June, the Red Deer
Centennial Committee had to make big adjustments to the
River of Light display, changing the floating light show to a
display at Fort Normandeau and later, a light barrel garden
in City hall Park. “Even though it was disappointing, the
community was very understanding when we had to adapt
the event and, in the end, people loved being able to enjoy
these spaces in a new way.”
“Though we were surprised by the flooding, we weren’t
surprised by the response from the community,” adds
Perkins. “People were happy to accommodate changes in
venues, schedules and timing to make the event a success.”
With more than 15 different events, Red Deer has had a
lot to celebrate over the past year.
“We’ve met so many great people: the volunteers, the
sponsors and the people who came to the events,” says
Bannerman. “We’ve met people from all over the world
and different parts of Alberta. For us, that’s been the most
rewarding.” RL
B
e
H
C
F
i
J
community
24 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
For people who are impacted by Multiple Sclerosis, the car-nation is a powerful symbol of hope. Each May, during the MS Society’s annual Carnation Campaign, over 10,000 of
these living, hopeful symbols are spread throughout central Al-berta.
“The Carnation Campaign is the longest standing fundraiser for the MS Society, as it’s been operating nationally since 1976,” says Tara Maloney, executive assistant with MS Society of Can-ada, Central Alberta Chapter. “The money raised supports re-search and assists with programs, such as local support groups for people and families who are affected by MS.”
People can pre-order carnations through the local MS Society office at any time for May delivery. On May 9 and 10 — just in time for Mother’s Day — citizens can also purchase flowers at select locations throughout central Alberta. “Co-op is our pre-senting sponsor, and carnations will be available at Co-op stores in Red Deer, Lacombe, Innisfail, Spruce View and Rocky Moun-
tain House,” Maloney explains. “Flowers will also be available at Curves, another campaign supporter.”
The carnation campaign wouldn’t be possible without the pow-er of volunteers, who are involved with everything from sorting to delivering flowers to manning the booths at participating stores. According to Maloney, volunteer participation is a special aspect of the campaign. “Our volunteers are often clients, who may not be able to participate in other MS Society events like the walk or run, due to their illness,” she says. “People are often able to volun-teer with the Carnation Campaign and that’s very meaningful.”
The MS Society, itself, helps to bring meaning to many people and families that are impacted by MS. Through its wide range of programs and educational opportunities, the local office provides information to help people understand and cope with the disease. Just like the Carnation Campaign each May, the connections at the MS Society help to provide many people with what they need most: hope. n
| Advertising FeAture |
Carnation CampaignMS Society channels “the power of the flower”
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 25
Hyperbaric oxygen isn’t just for elite athletes anymore.
Thanks to advances in technology, Hyperbaric Oxygen
Treatment (HBOT) is now available for people with a
variety of conditions and is even offered in Red Deer.
Sometimes the human body’s cells do not get enough oxygen
supply to thrive or repair; but even cells that were thought to be
dead can be revived — with oxygen. If your mom’s had a stroke
or your child a concussion, getting massive amounts of oxygen
to their brain cells can speed their recovery. “The results for
any brain injury can be phenomenal,” says Al Evans, respiratory
therapist and owner of O2xy-wellness. “HBOT saturates the cells
with 10 to 20 times the oxygen as breathing straight oxygen.”
Problems arising from impaired circulation, such as in
diabetic ulcers, respond well too, as do surgeries such as joint
replacements with before and after treatments.
Evans carefully interviews each potential patient in
order to understand his or her condition and to explain
the process. He then makes a plan for the recommended
number and frequency of treatments that would bring
the best possible results for the specific problem. For most
chronic conditions such as stroke, concussion, MS and
autism, 40 treatments is the norm; possibly less for sports
injuries such as sprains and broken bones. Long term results
may vary according to each condition and each patient.
The patient (or mother and child) simply rests in the cham-
ber, wearing all their clothing, while 100 per cent oxygen flows
around them. No mask is required. The oxygen is picked up
by the blood through the lungs and carried to every cell of the
Just breathePowerful healing through Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments
Story and photo by Judith Moody
body. Patients feel good when it’s over — refreshed and invigo-
rated thanks to all that oxygen.
Dr. Gary Davidson, an Emergency Physician at Red Deer
Regional Hospital, whose own daughter attends O2xy-well-
ness for HBOT as part of her treatment for bone cancer in her
leg, is convinced of its usefulness. “I recommend that patients
talk to their health care provider regarding HBOT to promote
healing of chronic wounds, strokes, sports injuries and many
other medical conditions,” he says. “I believe that with the
tremendous research going on in HBOT, there likely will be an
increased use in the medical field.” RL
“HBOt saturates the cells with 10 to 20 times the oxygen as breathing straight oxygen.”
• ADD/ADHD• Alzheimer’s• Anti-aging• Autism• Cancer• Carbon monoxide poisoning• Cerebral Palsy• Crohn’s Disease• Crush injury• Delayed radiation injury• Diabetes• embolisms• Fibromyalgia• Flesh-eating disease• Gas gangrene• Multiple Sclerosis• Macular Degeneration
• Migraines• neuropathy• Osteomyelitis (bone
infection)• Parkinson’s• Pre- and post surgery• rheumatic condition • Skin grafts & flips• Spinal cord injury• Sports injury• Stroke• Sudden deafness in
children• thermal burns (fire or
electrical)• traumatic brain injury• wound healing
what’s it good for?
talk to your doctor to see if your condition warrants referral for HBOt.
Julie Blow, who has MS, receives HBOt
health & wellness
Visit www.o2xy-wellness.com for more information on Hyperbaric oxygen Treatment.
26 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
Self-development and self-confidence. These are just two of the benefits for students at Arashi Do Martial Arts. Other perks include increased fitness, skill development and pos-
itive relationships. For Gary Vig, owner and operator of Arashi Do, it’s incredibly rewarding to connect with students and work with them as they develop a martial arts lifestyle.
“We have a wide variety of programs for people of all ages and skill levels, and we’re especially proud of the kids programs that we’ve developed,” he says. “At our dojo, we’ve got a clear vision of martial arts as a vehicle for self-development, and we’ve found the recipe on how to teach these skills to young children.”
Part of this recipe involves programs that teach age-appropri-ate skills in a fun way. The Mini Monkeys Jiu Jitsu class is one such example, as it’s a hands-on class that teaches technical skills through games and play. “Jiu Jitsu is great for young kids, because they love to play on the ground,” explains Vig. “In this class, chil-dren learn gross motor skills and listening skills, and these relate
to many other aspects of their lives.” Other classes for youth, in-cluding the Little Dragons Mixed Martial Arts class, Junior Karate and Kickboxing for teens.
Vig believes in developing individual programs for each stu-dent’s skill level, and he finds that personal consultations with new students are essential. Every new student gets a consultation with a coach, where they talk about goals. This is followed by a half hour personal training session and then the student is placed in the appropriate class.
The Arashi Do recipe works for individual students and families. “Our family has been training here since 2010, and three of our children started in beginner programs — at 11, four and four years old,” says Kristina Bunney. “My husband and I are both new to martial arts and started our training after the age of 40. A member of our family is at the dojo at least five days a week. Training at Arashi Do is like training with family, and I can’t imagine training anywhere else.” n
| Advertising FeAture |
Develop at the DojoArashi Do Martial Arts provides powerful lessons for youth
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 27
business
Entrepreneurial excellence
P ride in a job well done. Recognition for a company well
run. The two factors go hand-in-hand at the Business
of the Year Awards presented by Red Deer Chamber of
Commerce. This year, the 32nd annual awards ceremony
was held on october 15, which coincided with Business Develop-
ment Bank of Canada’s Small Business Week.
Approximately 40 businesses were nominated for awards and
an intense screening process followed. “The nominees were all
interviewed by a committee of Chamber Ambassadors and Board
Members,” says Meghan Gustum, marketing manager with Red
Deer Chamber of Commerce. “Then, an anonymous judging pan-
el of business leaders and past recipients made a short list and
then the final decision on the three winners.”
Businesses received awards in one of three categories based
on the number of employees in their organizations. The 2013
Business of the Year winners were: 1) The Coverall Shop (1 – 15
full time employees), 2) IFR Workwear Inc. (16 – 49 full time
employees) and 3) Bilton Welding & Manufacturing Ltd. (50+ full
time employees).
“It is such an incredible honour to be recognized,” says Erin
Buckland, vice president of IFR Workwear Inc. “The award is a
tribute to what we’ve been able to achieve since we started our
business eight years ago. That’s quite a short period of time,
By Shelley Newman
»
red Deer Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards
rDC Jazz ensemble performing at the awards. Photo courtesy Dave Brunner Photography.
and we couldn’t have come this far without having such a
great team.”
For Buckland, her closest team member is her father and
president, Reg Radford, who she started the business with
in 2005. With only three staff, they began their journey in
manufacturing flame resistant workwear, and they haven’t
looked back since. Buckland, Radford and their staff take pride
in creating quality workwear that meets all requirements for
oil, gas and electrical safety. “our goal is to have trustworthy
products that keep people safe,” she explains. “Flame resistant
workwear could literally make the difference between life
and death for people in the industry, and we never forget the
importance of that.”
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 27
a
business
The IFR Workwear team also keeps people
in the forefront through their community
involvement and contributions. They’ve been
involved in numerous projects over the years,
as the Radford family was the capital campaign
family for the fundraising of Ronald McDonald
house Central Alberta. In addition, the business
sponsors scholarships at Red Deer College and
was the sponsor for “Slick’s Lounge” at the Red
Deer Curling Club. “We also like to support
our employees and the organizations they’re
involved with,” says Buckland. “That’s part of
how we connect to the
larger community.”
Community connec-
tions are also important
to management and
staff at The Coverall
Shop, fellow winners
at the 2013 Business of
the Year Awards. “The
community has been so
good to us both as a family and as a corporate
entity, so we like to give back where we can,”
says Jeremy Jablonski, general manager at The
Coverall Shop. “It’s important to be good cor-
porate citizens, so we commit our time and/or
resources to a variety of organizations.”
The crew at The Coverall Shop are active in
their individual community volunteerism; the
company supports Red Deer College through
scholarships and events, and it connects with
organizations such as Red Deer hospice Society
and the Food Bank. Jablonski also takes pride
in their work with the Coats for Kids program
through their other company, Parkland Coverall
Cleaning. “We believe in supporting grassroots
causes that can have an immediate, positive
impact on people in the community,” he says.
“It’s so important to help people and to enhance
“We believe in supporting grassroots causes that can have
an immediate, positive impact on people in
the community.”
the economic situation in central Alberta.”
Through their work at The Coverall Shop,
Jablonski and his team are enhancing the
industry in central Alberta. The family-owned
business began in 2010 through a partner-
ship between Jablonski, his father, Bob, and
his two sisters. Their goal was to distribute
flame resistant workwear directly to the end
users with an innovative and customized
approach, and their continual growth as a
business speaks to their success. “We can
provide customized products for clients, no
matter what size of
order they may have,”
says Jablonski. “We’ve
recently acquired a
second company for
cleaning garments, so
we can now offer the
full service of selling
and servicing that cli-
ents may require.”
For Jablonski, the recent Business of the Year
win is a great honour and source of pride for
everyone at The Coverall Shop, and it has also
provided a new level of credibility for the busi-
ness. “We placed a banner about our win on
the company website the day after the awards
ceremony, and two days later a company from
Langley called to congratulate us and to let us
know they may want to do business with us in
the future,” he says. “Being recognized by the
Chamber of Commerce gave us a new level of
credibility at the local level and beyond.” RL
B c
A Stage at the Business of the Year Awards.B erin Buckland and reg radford (front centre)
and the winners from iFr workwear. C Jeremy Jablonski (front centre) and the
winners from the Coverall Shop.Photos courtesy Dave Brunner Photography
28 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 29
Where is one of the best places to live? Lacombe, of course. In March, Money Sense magazine unveiled its rankings of the best places to live in Canada, and La-
combe ranked 8th for cities overall and 3rd for small cities. The magazine ranks cities on several criteria, including earning poten-tial, availability of amenities and access to healthcare. According to Mayor Steve Christie, his friendly city has all these and much more.
“Lacombe has incredible amenities for a small city,” he says. “We have our own hospital, municipal police force and volunteer fire department. Plus, there are public, Catholic and Christian schools, including Canadian University College, which is a degree-granting institution.”
Other amenities include both built and natural spaces, as the City helps residents stay active thanks to a well-developed trail system, complete with outdoor exercise equipment at Cranna Lake. And, people can get where they’re going easier thanks to the Highway 2A upgrade, the single-largest project ever under-taken by the City of Lacombe.
“Lacombe may be a small community, but the opportunities are excellent,” says Guy Lapointe, economic development manager. “Some of our recent initiatives include a new skate park and the ME Global Athletic Park, which is a multi-purpose area with an artificial turf surface.”
Recently, opportunities in Lacombe have grown to include more celebrations. In 2011, citizens said they would like more chances to enjoy celebrations — and the City listened. “We went from hav-ing one festival a year to having four,” Lapointe explains. “In addi-tion to Lacombe Days, people can now enjoy the Encore Art Sale and Celebration of Creative Expression, the Culture & Harvest Festival and the Light up the Night event.”
The small city has balanced growth with citizen engagement to achieve positive results. “Recently, we conducted our first ever citizen satisfaction survey, and 96 per cent of respondents rated quality of life as good to excellent,” says Christie. “There’s a great spirit in this city, and it’s wonderful to see that reflected in the feedback we receive.” n
| Advertising FeAture |
LacombeA quality place to call home
30 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
a slice of lifewith Treena Mielke
Finding lost thingsChristmas spirit doesn’t come from a box
Once again it is time. It’s time to go downstairs and bring
Christmas out of hiding. It’s time to unpack the card-
board boxes where Christmas is kept carefully stored
under the stairs.
I sigh. I’m not ready. I’m too tired. And I don’t have it. The feel-
ing of awe, magic and excitement. Oh I can get going without it,
but it’s so much easier if I can find it.
I talk to myself sternly. Adult to adult. “Work hard, plan and
use your creativity. In the end, it will be worthwhile. Your guests
will feel like they have stepped into an old fashioned Christmas
card when they enter your home. And you will move graciously
through your Christmas card home, emitting the spirit of the
season through endless smiles and hospitality.”
I sigh. I’m really tired now. I sit at my dining room table, gazing
out into the night and the distant lights. Swirling white snow-
flakes interrupt the inky blackness like misbehaving, irresponsi-
ble children. I mentally give myself a shake and tell myself I have
been staring outside for too long. Christmas, curiously absent
from my house, needs to start having a presence. But, I don’t
move. I just keep looking for those lights which seem to bob in
and out of focus, obscured by the falling snow.
As the clock on the fireplace mantle slowly ticks towards
Christmas, I find myself, like Ebeneezer Scrooge guided by the
distant lights, going back, way back in time. I finally see where
the lights are coming from: the church, the tiny, white clapboard
church of my childhood. Its windows are lit up and it’s full of
people. And there I am, in the front row, a tiny girl with tangled
brown hair and woollen stocking feet that don’t quite reach the
floor. My eyes are full of wonder and they are fixed on something.
It is the tree, the Christmas tree at the front of the church. It is
amazing. So beautiful. So shimmering. So perfect. The image
fades, but not before I capture the feeling. The feeling of awe.
The next image is of me and my brother at home. In our front
room, with its stained wall paper and potbellied stove, is our own
tree, a pathetic, Charlie Brown thing. The tree’s only redeeming
feature is brave little bubble lights, their cheerful bubbling softening
the harsh glow from the light of a lone bare lightbulb. My brother
is making a star. I stand beside him, watching the magic unfold.
To this day, there is no star in the heavens’ that compares to that
tinfoil and cardboard creation my brother made. That image fades
as well, but not before I get the feeling. The feeling of magic.
Young as I was, I already knew a few facts of life. I knew we were
poor. I knew Toronto Maple Leafs were the best hockey team in
the world, and I knew my dad and my brothers loved me. And it
was enough. The image fades and the lights, barely visible through
the inky blackness suddenly disappear into the swirling snow, but
I’m not surprised. My visit to the past is over. But it’s fine. It’s all I
needed, really.
And for that brief moment, when I allowed myself to go back in
time to when Christmas was a Charlie Brown tree lit by bubble
lights and crowned by a tinfoil and cardboard star with a father
and brothers who taught me without really saying so there really
was a Santa Claus, I found what I was looking for. The gifts of awe,
magic and excitement.
Apparently, I had had them all along. They had just been mis-
placed. RL
30 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR wINTER 2013 • red deer Living 31
32 red deer Living • wINTER 2013 SOURCE MEDIA GROUP: CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR