2020 summer airdrielife

SUMMER 2020

Prairies to Paris First Nations model Sam Lecuyer

COOL GUYS

EDITION HOW THE CITY OF AIRDRIE IS MANAGING THE PANDEMIC airdrielife.com

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PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sherry Shaw-Froggatt

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER

Katie Dudek

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Vanessa Peterelli

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Kim Williams

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Stacie Gaetz

CONTRIBUTORS

Sergei Belski, Jacey Conway, Laurie Harvey, Jill Iverson, Britton Ledingham, Tara Levick, Kristy Reimer, Wyatt Tremblay Stock photography by istock

AD DESIGN/PRODUCTION

Lia Golemba

SALES DIRECTOR

Wendy Pratt

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PRINTING

Sharie Tanner Transcontinental

CONTACT US EDITORIAL ADVERTISING WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

sherry@frogmediainc.ca wendy@frogmediainc.ca katie@frogmediainc.ca

WHERE TO FIND US airdrielife is published quarterly by Frog Media Inc. with the co-operation of the City of Airdrie Economic Development Department.

VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2 | ISSN 1916-355X

Contents copyright 2020 by Frog Media Inc. May not be reproduced without permission. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher.

403-948-6684

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EDITORIAL POLICY airdrielife editorial is not for sale. Editorial is completely independent from advertising, and no special editorial consideration or commitment of any kind can form any part of the advertising agreement.

All editorial inquiries must be directed toward the editor. airdrielife does not accept unsolicited submissions. Freelance writers and photographers interested in assignments are asked to send an inquiry, with published samples, to sherry@frogmediainc.ca

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contributors

SUMMER 2020

Britton Ledingham, writer, photographer, videographer Britton loves identifying people’s narratives and sharing their stories through photo and video content, his work over the last decade since graduating from photojournalism at SAIT. He moved to Airdrie when he married his wife, Jocelyn, in 2013. They have one son, Ari (3.5), and another baby on the way, which makes for a lovely, full life while balancing his business, iEvolve Media. ievolve.media What did you miss most about life pre-COVID-19?

I missed meeting people face to face without feeling like we’re a couple of magnets set to the same polarity. I look forward to leaning in to interviews in person without a mask on.

Returning to the “new normal” what will you miss about your life while we stayed home?

Haha, I work from home, so there have been days where nothing seems to have changed. That said, not sending our boy to the dayhome has meant we get about 40 extra hours together per month. That’s been a burden and a blessing, but I wouldn’t trade those moments together for anything.

Kristy Reimer, photographer After a 14-year career photographing mostly weddings, Kristy transitioned her photography business to 100 per cent commercial photography in 2016. What is commercial photography? Basically, creating imagery needed for business advertising. This includes professionally lit headshots in studio or in their business environment, “in-action” office scenarios, and product that businesses are trying to sell. kristyreimer.com What did you miss about life pre-COVID-19?

I missed the daily interactions with clients, seeing friends and family, and those little outings like taking my toddler to the grocery store and to library programs. I also missed out on turning a decade older in Maui with my extended family.

Returning to the “new normal” what will you miss most about your life while we stayed home?

I will miss not needing to know what day of the week it is. :)

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Sergei Belski, photographer Sergei is a professional freelance photographer originally from Belarus and now based out of Airdrie. He’s married to wife Tracy, and has a seven-year-old son, Oliver.

“Over the years, working with airdrielife has been amazing for me; I’ve met so many wonderful people in our city! I started my journey in photography in June of 2005 and have been loving it ever since. I’m excited for what is to come in the future.” sergeibelski.com What did you miss most about life pre-COVID-19?

I love travelling and long road trips. I think this is what I missed the most….

Returning to the “new normal” what will you miss about your life while we stayed home?

Other than very fashionable face masks and a nice smell of Lysol after wiping all the groceries, I can’t really think of anything. :)

Jacey Conway, writer, photographer Jacey is an Airdrie-based writer, photographer and communications specialist. A recent graduate of SAIT’s journalism program, Conway is currently building her own communications freelance business with a focus on community projects. jaceyconway.com What did you miss most about life pre-COVID-19?

The thing I missed most was being engaged with my community, whether that be my weekly trip to the local coffee shop or seeing my friends and family on a regular basis.

I am an extrovert and people person and I look forward to getting reconnected with my community.

Returning to the “new normal” what will you miss about your life while we stayed home?

One thing I will miss will be the quiet moments I had throughout the day to sit and enjoy the little things, like a fresh cup of coffee, a phone call with a friend, or journaling.

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We’re happy to be back helping you start your next chapter with a process that’s as easy, safe, and stressfree as possible.

Today in Southwinds, we invite you to take a virtual walk through our two new Showhomes. Whether you’re relaxing on the couch or in bed – we make it easy to take in our thoughtfully designed homes in Southwinds.

Connect with us online or book an in-person appointment to discover incredible Towns and Single Family living in our established and highly inviting Airdrie community.

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Homes are subject to availability. All illustrations are artist’s concept. All dimensions are approximate.

Prices, specifications, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. E.&O.E.

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greatlife 18 20 24 25 26 28 30 34 36 37 42 44

For a good beer call Changing tune COVID creations Say howdy Emergency reading Tasty tacos Camp cuisine The show must go on Summer events reimagined Summer style Parentlife Seniorlife

homelife 48 50 51 52 54 55

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Growing Market analysis Showhome map Get zen Make a move In the middle

worklife 58 60 62 64 66 68 71 74

Businesslife This business delivers On the fly Superstar vet Best of business Winning soap Pivot for profit Game changers

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citylife 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 95 97 98 99 100 101 102 104

Role model Willy Snypes Littlest cowpoke Ice generations Scout’s honour Airdrie’s original cool guys From the frontlines Managing chaos Hardworking heroes Airdrie helps Volunteer, feel good COVID abroad Grooming for relaunch City challenges Learning curve Scholarship smarts

On the Cover

First Nations model Sam Lecuyer PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

H

Note from the Editor

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ello, I am Stacie Gaetz, airdrielife’s new contributing editor.

You may recognize my name as I have been a freelance writer for airdrielife for the past year-and-a-half, and I could not be more thrilled to take on a more involved role in this fantastic publication!

I have been sharing Airdrie’s exceptional stories with the community for the past 12 years and it is my honour to now be creating and uploading content to ensure airdrielife continues to be the polished publication that readers know and love.

OK, enough about me, let’s get to the summer 2020 issue: you are currently reading a history-making publication.

In the 17 years of airdrielife magazine, this is the first online-only edition.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to look at the way we do things and make some changes (sound familiar?).

Through all of the uncertainty, one newly coined term has stood out for me – the “new normal.”

Working on this amazing online version full of incredible stories of strength, perseverance, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation has solidified for me the fact that Airdrie’s new normal will be bigger, better and stronger than ever.

From business owners who have completely innovated the way they create and distribute products, to the frontline workers who are keeping us safe, to parents who have taken on the role of teacher and learned a little something along the way, we are chronicling the extraordinary things Airdrie residents are doing to not only get through but thrive during this unprecedented time.

Although this edition may look a little different, we will still have all of the incredible features you have come to love.

Our insightful interviews with three former residents who now live abroad will explore what the COVID-19 pandemic looked like in Spain, Germany and China and share advice for those of us “back home.”

Our feature on Sam Lecuyer, the triple-threat actor, model, musician who is walking runways in Paris and New York, will demonstrate that Airdrians can do anything they set their minds to.

This edition also features a dozen local businesses (including winner of the 2020 Airdrie Made Award, Lamb’s Soapworks) and non-profits who continue to provide exceptional products and services to the community during this difficult time to make us stronger, not weaker, in the face of adversity.

With all that and more, one thing is for sure – you will not be disappointed that you took the time to read the first-ever online-only version of airdrielife magazine. life

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W H AT T O S E E , D O , E AT, L I ST E N T O A N D M O R E

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THE BREWERY CALLS

BOOK WRITER 26 | TASTE OF MEXICO 28 | CAMPING RECIPES 30

948 G R E AT L I F E | TAST E S

Brewing Company: Local beer brewed right

STORY BY STACIE GAETZ | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

A

irdrie’s newest brewery is owned by two homegrown boys who wanted to make great beer and pay homage to the city in which they grew up.

Many fellow Airdrie residents will remember the days when all phone numbers started with 948.

“948 represents Airdrie and reflects on how it was and how it has grown today,” says Kyle Wudrich, co-owner of 948 Brewing Company.

“We look forward to adding our story to Airdrie’s timeline and with our hometown roots, we decided 948 would be the perfect name. We wanted to share our connection with Airdrie as we grew up here and continue to make our homes here. We think that 948 is the perfect tribute to that past, present and future.”

Wudrich and his business partner David Schroter have been homebrewing beer for more than 10 years and they followed the success of a number of other small breweries in Calgary before deciding to start their own.

“It really showed us that no matter how big or small, it was possible to start our own brewery in Alberta,” says Wudrich.

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Kyle Wudrich (left) and David Schroter

When the duo took a bit longer than planned to find the right place for their permanent brewery in Airdrie, they started contract brewing at Red Bison Brewery in Calgary in June 2018 before collaborating with The Dandy Brewing Company to use and then purchase their former brew system.

Another brewery in Airdrie also lent tank space to 948 when Fitzsimmons Brewing allowed them to brew their now-established recipes in their location, allowing them to reach a larger market across Alberta.

“Contract brewing was amazing!” says Wudrich.

“The people and the breweries we worked with were super helpful. They took care to produce our beers to the utmost quality. We learned so much from all of them.”

BACK HOME

948 moved into their permanent home in Airdrie, located on Kingsview Way SE, in June of 2019. Renovations, upgrades and the final licenses took until February 2020 to complete.

The new space is about 3,500 square feet with a cozy 400-sq.-ft. taproom that seats 20 people. The eight-tap draft system allows for a range of beers to be poured year round.

948 offers a variety of beer styles with everything from light to dark, sweet to sour and approachable to hop forward.

The most popular seller is the Patio Krusher Kolsch, a light and easy drinking beer that is refreshing and crushable.

However, it is a much more unique flavour that often brings people into the brewery.

“Our most requested that we brew is the California Sunburn; it’s such an interesting balance of hot and cool that people love it,” says Wudrich.

948 infuses the intriguing pale ale with jalapeno so the drinker gets a nice aromatic pepper and finishes with a mild spicy bite.

Some other beers in the lineup include: Extra Terrestrial Bitter - The first beer that they brewed commercially. A true English bitter, malty up front with a bitter finish.

Lord Grey’s Stout - The stout Wudrich suggests when people tell him they don’t drink stouts. It’s dark in colour, light in alcohol and

high in flavour. It is infused with the house blend Earl Grey tea from Airdrie’s own Sorso Lounge.

Rail Crossing Red - A brand new release for the summer. A roasty red ale with a mild bitter finish. Named for the pesky rail crossing that all Airdrie residents can identify with.

Wudrich says the community he grew up in has embraced 948 with open arms.

“The Airdrie community has been great. It’s nice to finally visit with people that stop by to pick up their beers, the folks that already knew about us and the ones that are just discovering us,” says Wudrich.

“They’ve definitely shown us that they like variety and trying something new. We hope to help grow the craft beer community here with the varieties that we can offer.”

ONLINE ORDERING

Like most businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges to 948 Brewing Company, but they have adapted to fill the need and get their brews into craft beer lovers’ hands.

They have added an online store with pick-up and delivery options. They also allow for customers to create mix packs of their own creation.

The brewery recently decided to turn the pandemic into something positive by collaborating with other local businesspeople in the creation of online tasting sessions.

“In the tasting package, we include two of our brews and a snack that pairs with those,” says Wudrich.

“For all of our snacks, we try to use a local Airdrie food business and one of their products that pairs with our beer. These tastings make it fun to engage with our friends and neighbours. There are so many local makers whose food pairs perfectly.”

So far Cookies by Jen, Maxi Foods and La Table Haute Pastry have been involved and the brewery plans to continue to expand the pairings. life For more information on 948 Brewing Company, visit 948-brewing-company.square.site

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G R E AT L I F E | M U S I C

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laysher has been entertaining its loyal fan base since 2008, when this energetic Airdrie rock band took the city by storm.

Known as Airdrie’s party band, brothers Brad and Ryan Fleischer and friend Brandon Alberts have performed hundreds of shows everywhere, from parades, to backyard weddings, to the Coke stage at the Calgary Stampede. Packing a hit-list of popular covers and a few of their own songs, and a well-received 2016 EP of original music, Flaysher has built a well-deserved reputation as a hard-working professional band.

But now, 12 years later, the trio is charting a new course.

“The last while has been a huge developmental process for us,” says Brad, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist. “We’ve experienced a lot of changes.”

After years of playing covers, and not finding enough time between day jobs, gigs, and practising to write more of their own music, they decided, “To pause, and take a step back,” Brad says.

“In 2018, Ryan and I went to Toronto for the Artist Entrepreneur program that CMI (Canada’s Music Incubator) puts on, and that sparked a shift in how we saw our future,” he explains.

“Our fans have been great from the very beginning.

They’re our friends, and it has always been a special thing to perform for them.”

“Yeah, CMI was a big part of that,” agrees Ryan, who plays bass and sings. “It all became clearer after that; everything starts with the song. If you’re doing all these shows, that’s great, but it’s going to lead your focus towards doing more covers, and we’ve always wanted to write more of our own songs.”

The time at CMI also helped the brothers clarify something else.

“We noticed our songwriting naturally pulled more and more towards a new country flavour,” Brad says, adding that drummer Brandon (who was not present for the interview) was onside with the new direction.

“We grew up blue collar,” Ryan adds. “It’s where we connect with people.”

The goal now, his brother explains, is to write and perform more of their own music for their fans. It’s the longtime fans and the band’s connection to them through social media and live events that has kept them going.

“We just love people. Our fans have been great from the very beginning. They’re 360˚forVIRTUAL our friends, and it has always been a special thing to perform them,” he says.

TOUR

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR WATCH VIDEO

READ MORE

READ MORE

PODCAST

PODCAST

MUSICIANS

MUSICIANS

VIEW PHOTOS

Flaysher takes a new direction

BY WYATT TREMBLAY

VIEW PHOTOS

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WATCH VIDEO

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Brad (left) and Ryan Fleischer

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A community worth sharing You can choose to live anywhere, but wouldn’t you want to move your family somewhere where the focus is about creating a sense of belonging?

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G R E AT L I F E | A R T I ST

Creating during COVID-19 Airdrie artists found solace, inspiration and sometimes a new passion during the slower pace of the lockdown months. We invited artists to share 360˚during VIRTUAL TOUR work they created this time.

Here are a few examples.

WATCH VIDEO

READ MORE PODCAST MUSICIANS VIEW PHOTOS

SHARON SHUTTLEWORTH

LINDSEY JENNIFER JOSIE HOISINGTON CARLA STRINGARI PUDLER

ANGELA STONE

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John Ware with his buddy Bill Moodie (from Howdy, I’m John Ware by Ayesha Clough with illustrations

by Hugh Rookwood of Chozen Studios, Airdrie)

G R E AT L I F E | K I D L I T

Kids’ book celebrates legendary Black Albertan

A

t the end of spring, protests rocked the U.S. over the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota. A renewed and resounding call of “Black Lives Matter” went up around the world.

At the same time, close to home, a children’s book about Canada’s most famous Black cowboy was quietly making its way into homes in Airdrie and southern Alberta.

Howdy, I’m John Ware is written by airdrielife contributor and former CBC News reporter Ayesha Clough. It tells the real-life story of the pioneer rancher who helped establish Alberta’s cattle industry in the late 1800s.

Clough first heard about John Ware when she saw his historic log cabin at Dinosaur Provincial Park near Brooks, Alta. Since 2019, she’s been on a mission to publish Alberta stories, prompted by her son’s passion for cowboys and horses.

“I was surprised how few people knew John‘s story, so it was a no-brainer really,” she says.

Ware’s story practically writes itself. Leaving behind slavery and war in the southern U.S., he rode north to Canada in 1882, bringing the foundation herd of cattle to the Bar U Ranch in what was then the District of Alberta. Despite facing hardship and discrimination, he went on to become one of the most loved and respected ranchers in southern Alberta.

“He won people over through hard work, kindness, and sheer ability as a rider, roper and rancher,” says Clough.

His feats are the stuff of legend. Folks said John could ride “anything with hair on,” that he was struck by lightning and lived, that he could walk across a pen on the backs of bulls, even that he discovered oil in Turner Valley!

“His story is legendary, but it’s also personal for me,” says illustrator Hugh Rookwood, who moved to Airdrie from Toronto two years ago, and runs Chozen Studios out of his home in Sagewood. (Look for a feature on Rookwood in the fall issue.)

“Like John, I adopted Alberta as home for me and my family. It’s a less hurried, more friendly place to put down roots. Stories like John’s really add a sense of belonging,” Rookwood adds.

While the project was underway well before the anti-racism protests, the timing of the book’s release was not lost on Rookwood.

“Friends were sharing the books on Facebook, saying, ‘Now my kid finally gets what it means to say Black Lives Matter.’”

Although the book was never intended to be political, the creators were moved by its reception.

“We never imagined the book would take on such significance – more than 100 years after John died,” says Clough, who self-published the book with the help of 111 backers on Kickstarter.

“If John’s story can play a small part in teaching kids the power of love, kindness and acceptance, then we’ve done our job.”

Howdy, I’m John Ware is the second children’s book published by Clough’s company, Red Barn Books. The next book in the series will be Howdy, I’m Flores LaDue, about the world champion trick rider, Cowgirl Hall of Famer and First Lady of the Calgary Stampede. life Books can be purchased online at redbarnbooks.com or in store at Homegrown House and Pantry

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR

WATCH VIDEO READ MORE “Like John, I adopted Alberta asPODCAST home for me and my family. It’s a less hurried, more friendly MUSICIANS place to put down roots.

Stories likeVIEW John’s really PHOTOS add a sense of belonging” - Hugh Rookwood, book illustrator

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G R E AT L I F E | W R I T E R P R O F I L E

BY JACEY CONWAY

WRITING FROM EXPERIENCE

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MEET BLAIR LINDSAY AND LISTEN TO HIM READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE BEAST IN THE BONE

irdrie resident Blair Lindsay is a former paramedic, volunteer firefighter, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) instructor and self-published author.

Lindsay’s interest in paramedicine and firefighting date back to his childhood when he would watch the popular TV show Emergency which featured the daily lives of paramedics and firefighters based in Los Angeles, California.

“I was seriously hooked and never wanted to be anything else,” says Lindsay.

Moving to Airdrie in the ’80s allowed him to carry out that dream when he joined the Airdrie fire department as a volunteer firefighter.

“I loved it and practically lived at the fire department,” says Lindsay.

He attended SAIT to gain his credentials as a paramedic and began working full time as a firefighter and paramedic at the Airdrie fire department in 1986.

“There was a wonderful group of professionals running the department who were really invested in the community,” says Lindsay.

“They taught me a lot about community service and professionalism.”

In 1999, Lindsay became an instructor at SAIT after being recruited by a colleague who also began teaching.

After realizing how much he loved teaching, 20 years quickly passed by and Lindsay continued as an educator in the Paramedic and Respiratory Therapy programs and the Centre for Patient Simulation.

As an instructor, Lindsay has seen the positive impact he has had on his students and fondly recalls one time when he was able to talk a student out of quitting the program.

“The student went on to finish and has been a paramedic for nearly 20 years,” says Lindsay.

The help Lindsay has lent to his students over the years is not a responsibility he takes lightly and he looks on with great pride to all the great paramedics that have come from the program he helps instruct.

“If you can help a student over one tiny hurdle that seems insurmountable at the time, they can go on to flourish and be successful,” he says.

Through his career, Lindsay has gained the life experience to write thrilling novels that reflect the daily struggles that come with working as a first responder.

His most recent novel, The Beast in the Bone, showcases a female paramedic based in rural Alberta, struggling with her inner demons all the while battling dangerous killers.

Lindsay’s experience as a paramedic has shaped him as an author and has allowed him to bring real and raw life scenarios into his writing.

He has been able to portray the physical and emotional trauma that comes with being a first responder through fictional and exhilarating situations.

His writing platform has also allowed him to speak to the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that many first responders inevitably experience sooner or later to some degree.

“Those experiences have allowed me to write realistically about emotional and physical pain, and however people respond to it,” says Lindsay.

He is part of a writing group at SAIT that allows him to gain feedback and improve his skills so he can continue producing great books.

Lindsay is currently working on a sequel to his novel, as well as two other books touching horror and science fiction.

“We will see what I finish first.” life

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR WATCH VIDEO READ MORE

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G R E AT L I F E | TAST E S

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of many Airdrie residents’ travel plans, but if Mexico was on your itinerary, you may be in luck.

With its authentic Mexican food and one of the best patios in the city, Tequila & Tacos transports you south of the U.S. border without the hassle and risk of a plane.

“Our food is amazing and with the patio, you will think you are on vacation,” says Arturo Gonzalez, who opened the restaurant in its original location in the Horseman Motel in 2017 before moving it to Yankee Valley Boulevard in 2019.

“Our food is exactly what you would get in Mexico,” he adds.

“We work very hard to get the authentic ingredients we need to make it just right. You need to try it to believe it.”

Gonzalez moved to Canada in 2007 from Metepec, Mexico, located just east of Mexico City, and came to Airdrie in 2013.

“Airdrie is the perfect place to open a first business,” he says.

“We love the people and have seen so much support from the community. It’s a good market.”

Gonzalez brings the traditional Mexican food he grew up with to our city by sharing recipes that his parents made in their restaurant back home.

“I spent most of my life working in the food industry,” he says.

“We aim to please our customers and provide a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere that’s enjoyable for all. Preparing hearty, nutritious, great-tasting Mexican food is our specialty. We start with the freshest ingredients and traditional Mexican recipes.”

Gonzalez says his most popular dishes are the Enchiladas Verde and Tacos Al Pastor.

The enchiladas offer a soft tortilla enveloping perfectly seasoned chicken, dipped in green sauce and served with rice, beans, cheese and sour cream.

The Tacos Al Pastor include tender marinated pork loin in a savoury red sauce that balances perfectly with the sweet pineapple, onions and cilantro.

As the name suggests, the restaurant is also known for its tequila drinks including margaritas, bulldogs and palomas.

Local restaurant like a

MEXICAN VACATION STORY BY STACIE GAETZ | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

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“Airdrie is the perfect place to open a first business” For the adult patron, the refreshing margaritas do not disappoint with a rim of savoury salt surrounding the sweetness of the agave, the bitterness of the tequila and the sourness of the lime.

The cool drink pairs perfectly with the traditional food as the icy body helps to cool down the spiciness, while the acidity complements fattier foods like meats and cheeses.

The restaurant also sells one-ounce shots of eight varieties of premium tequilas.

Don’t forget about dessert with a choice of: • Cheesecake; • Arroz con Leche – rice pudding with raisins and ground cinnamon; • Pastel de Tres Leches – three milk cake; • 72 Chocoflan – otherwise known as “impossible flan” because it includes the layering of cake and flan in one dessert.

If you choose to bring the kids along, they are sure to leave happy as the Tequila & Tacos children’s menu includes five choices that range from the simple (cheese quesadilla or burger) to the more adventurous (mini burrito, tacos or sincronizada – a flour tortilla with ham, cheese and avocado).

The friendly, positive energy of the restaurant and staff make for a warm and welcoming environment.

“The passion we share with our customers for flavoursome and enjoyable food is what makes Tequila & Tacos such a welcoming place for families and friends to enjoy a delicious meal ... not to mention the pleasure you’ll feel with every bite,” says Gonzalez. life For more information, visit tequilandtacos.ca

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GREATLIFE | RECIPES

Beyond hot dogs….

Meal planning and prep for camping is easier than you think I am coming at you with my best meal planning and prep tips for camping! Easy things you can do to make camping prep a bit more painless, and to avoid eating hot dogs for three days straight.

CAMPING MEAL PREP TIP #1: WASH AND CHOP YOUR MEAL INGREDIENTS Nobody wants to pull out cutting boards and knives and spend the time washing and cutting with a camper sink and counter space … or outside of a tent.

If your veggies are already all cut up and prepped it is much easier to grab them as a snack and use them up. Having fresh veggies ready will be just as easy as grabbing chips!

For meats, cut and marinate them so you can avoid cutting raw meat in the wilderness!

You don’t have to assemble meals, just have everything ready to go so at the campsite, it is just tossing it together onto the grill or fire.

BY STEPH TODD

CAMPING MEAL PREP TIP #2: MEAL SHARE WITH YOUR CAMPING GROUP If you are camping with multiple couples or families, try meal sharing.

This means each couple or family is responsible for planning a dinner during the trip.

Think about it like this. If a group of three families camps for three nights, instead of each family planning three dinners

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for three nights (nine different dinners), each family plans a dinner for one of the three nights and cooks for everyone.

CAMPING MEAL PREP TIP #3: PACK FROZEN ITEMS I like to pack frozen items – especially meat, because then I don’t worry nearly as much about having food in the danger zone.

Also the frozen things function as added ice and keep the cooler colder!

CAMPING MEAL PREP TIP #4: PREP FOIL PACKS OR FOIL TRAY MEALS Assembling meals in foil pans means no cutting or fussing while camping. Simply put them on a grill or fire and you are set!

Foil packs do leak, so using foil pans from the dollar store have been my go to for the past few camping seasons.

Pro tip – you don’t want to fill the containers too much; you want shallow pans. This way your dinner will cook evenly and not just on the bottom!

For more recipe inspiration for your camping meal plans, visit mealplanaddict.com

CHILI LIME CHICKEN FOIL PACKS Chili lime chicken foil packs save the day for camping meal prep!

Assembled in just a few minutes and packed into the cooler, these foil packs are perfect for your next camping trip.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Servings: 2 Calories: 403 kcal INGREDIENTS 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts Juice of 1 lime 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder 1/2 cup canned corn 1 small red pepper, diced 2 tbsp olive oil In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and gently mix until combined.

Lay out two pieces of foil, approx.

12 inches by 12 inches. Divide the mixture up evenly into the centre of each foil piece.

Create the foil packs, and store in a container (in case they leak) until ready to cook them.

FOR THE OVEN Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place the foil packs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked (165 F).

FOR GRILLING Set the grill to 450 F. Place the foil packs on the grill and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, until chicken is 165 F. Nutrition Calories: 403 kcal Carbohydrates: 9 g Protein: 46 g Fat: 21 g Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 7 g

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GREATLIFE | RECIPES

FOIL PACK MANGO MOJITO CHICKEN Foil pack mango mojito chicken is as easy as mix everything in a bowl, place into foil packs, and put on the grill. Less mess to clean up, and prepahead friendly!

Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 2 Calories: 356 kcal INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise 1 cup mango chunks 6 mint leaves, sliced very thin 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp lime juice 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes salt and pepper to taste cilantro (garnish) In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and gently mix together.

Lay out two pieces of foil, approx. 12 inches by 12 inches.

Divide the mixture up evenly into the centre of each foil piece.

Create the foil packs, and store in a container (in case they leak) until ready to cook them.

FOR THE OVEN Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place the foil packs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked (165 F).

FOR GRILLING Set the grill to 450 F. Place the foil packs on the grill and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, until chicken is 165 F. Nutrition Calories: 356 kcal Carbohydrates: 16 g Protein: 22 g Fat: 23 g Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 12 g

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G R E AT L I F E | T H E AT R E

BEV

MEET THE BCT TEAM! CLICK ON OUR PHOTOS FOR A VIDEO INTRODUCTION

KIRSTIE

CHRIS

ROB

THE SHOW WILL GO ON!

A

BY CHRIS STOCKTON

t Bert Church LIVE Theatre we are “thinking outside the stage” and adjusting to the challenges COVID-19 has presented.

After cancelling the remainder of our 2019/2020 presenting series, we have been working hard to continue to connect the Airdrie community to the arts.

“We are excited to think outside the box when it comes to offering an authentic arts experience for Airdrie”

As we plan for the future and how next year’s presenting series plays out, we have focused efforts on creating an engaging online presence so audiences continue to delve into the artistic experience in one form or another.

We want to ensure that residents continue to turn to us for an amazing artistic experience, whether that is on the live stage, or through other platforms we are exploring.

HERE’S HOW… Social Media: We have weekly content coming out to spark your creative side. From ‘Makeup Mondays’ where we ask our audiences to submit their

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creations for us to take from paper to face, or our behind-the-scenes at BCLT videos, to our previous season playlists, we are curating content for our audiences to enjoy while we take a short break from the stage.

Follow us on Facebook @bertchurchtheatre, Twitter @TheBCLT and Instagram @thebertchurchlivetheatre.

948-ARTS Podcast: Stay tuned for our brand-new podcast coming out where we explore all things arts in Airdrie, as well as connect the community to the greater art world with interviews and more. We are thrilled to offer this behind-the-scenes perspective on the creative process from idea to completion.

Getting to Know Our People: There have been some changes in the team at Bert Church LIVE Theatre over the last year and we wanted to share a bit about some key members of our amazing staff that make our community events and performances, presenting series and programs such a success! Get to know a little bit about what brought them here, what inspires them and what the arts mean to each of them.

Although our upcoming season is bound to look different from previous years, we are excited to think outside the box when it comes to offering an authentic arts experience for Airdrie.

We can’t wait to experience the arts with you in one form or another, Airdrie. The show will go on; it’s only intermission. life

Summer events reinvented G R E AT L I F E | E V E N TS

CLICK TO READ MORE AIRDRIE EVENTS

Organizers get creative to bring the community together while respecting social distance

M

BY STACIE GAETZ

any residents have had to drastically change their summer plans and Airdrie organizations are no exception.

With the gathering limit being much lower than most public events require, volunteers have spent countless hours hatching up new plans to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing guidelines.

Here we explore how the organizers of two of Airdrie’s most popular events got creative and found new ways to bring the party to residents (in a safe way).

PRIDE ON YOUR PORCH

The Airdrie Pride Society’s (APS) celebrations in June will look very different this year.

Last year’s inaugural event saw more than a thousand people fill Nose Creek Park with rainbows, smiling faces and feelings of inclusion.

For this year’s event, organizers are switching gears to continue the celebrations in a different way.

“Our goal for 2020 Pride in Airdrie is to continue to encourage inclusion, social closeness and support while maintaining physical distance to ensure the safety of everyone in our community,” says Kiersten Mohr, president of the APS. The society is spearheading the Pride on Your Porch initiative and contest by asking residents to display rainbows on their front porches, in windows, on driveways and in any other way they can 360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR in the front of their homes to “recreate last year’s collective sentiment that every individual is valued, safe and deserving of space WATCH VIDEO in our city.”

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GREATLIFE | STYLE

Summer fashion trends 2020

W

hile summer might ‘feel’ a bit different this year, it can still look like it. Everything from fancy Bermuda shorts to split prints, this summer is going to bring a few trends back from the past. Bermuda shorts are having a BIG moment this season. Fancy, satin, baggy and even linen Bermuda shorts are popping up all over, and why shouldn’t they? These shorts keep you cool and look amazing with something more formal, or with a casual top to go for a socially distanced walk.

This summer is also an excellent time to show your chartrue-self by bringing this unique yellow-green colour into your wardrobe. Skirts, shorts, tops and dresses – everything works as long as the colour is there.

Sticking to ah-mah-zing colours, let’s inject some pink and orange colour combos. If finding a dress designed with these two colours proves difficult, this trend can be easily achieved by simply pairing these colours in tops and bottoms.

One trend popping up is simply ‘tie-dye’ for! That’s right; the ’90s look is back in a big way. Combining comfy and trendy, this look is done in soft sweatshirt material. Add a matching pair of sweatpants or shorts to pull it all together.

One style trend that has us intrigued is adding a sheer overlay. Pick out and put on your outfit, then add a sheer dress overtop. We know, it sounds a little eccentric, but the effect is chic, chic, chic.

Finally, something ‘wicker’ this way comes, just in time for summer 2020.

Not to be outdone by the fashion, handbags are also making fun, bold statements. Wicker handbags are popping up all over, giving us picnic-basket vibes – suitable for any summer look.

Trapezoid shapes, knotted handles and totes with funky graphics are also great paired with all the latest wild trends. life Brandon Chaisson, manager, The Store Upstairs

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A IR D R I E’S S H OP P I NG DE S TI NATI O N

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO TO SEE MORE OF WHAT’S NEW!

THE STORE UPSTAIRS 209 CENTRE AVE SW AIRDRIE

The Store Upstairs Boutique

@thestoreupstairs

thestoreupstairs.com

G R E AT L I F E | ST Y L E

Hungry?

We’ve got all Airdrie’s restaurants, breweries and food purveyors all in one handy location.

airdrielife.com

Floral power

“We’re looking for anything to lift our mood and the light and cheery vibes that are happening this season in fashion are just what we need” 38

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W

ell what a few months it has been! I don’t know about you, but it’s finally feeling like we might see a glimpse of normal again, or, maybe we’re just getting used to this new normal.

Either way, we can say for sure that the lazy hot days of summer are calling. That means summer fashion is here, and we can’t be more ready for it! I feel like we’re looking for anything to lift our mood and the light and cheery vibes that are happening this season in fashion are just what we need.

Let’s talk about PRINTS. If you haven’t noticed, prints are everywhere. Whether you go soft and feminine or big and bright (the latter is strongly encouraged), prints are where it’s at this summer. Whether on a blouse, some fun trousers, or an amazing skirt, try mixing things up with a colourful print and push yourself out of your box a little. And we’re not just talking the traditional florals; we’re seeing everything from fruit, to insects, even to retro synchronized swimmers! The bolder the better.

Speaking of skirts, this is another huge trend that is not going anywhere. Gone are the days when wearing a skirt was considered dressing up. Try thinking of skirts as you would a pair of shorts. Throw on a midi or maxi skirt with a graphic tee or a tank, along with your favourite sandals or sneakers and you’re good to go!

Along the same vein are dresses. You’re about to discover a whole new world of comfort. There are a ton of incredibly comfortable dresses meant for everyday wear. From T-shirt dresses, to floral maxis, to incredibly flattering wrap dresses, it’s all about a great casual dress that’s easy to throw on. Dresses are such an effortless way to always look put together.

Infuse some cheer into your wardrobe this summer! life Erin Hardy, co-owner, Seven Saints

Airdrie’s shopping scene just got a makeover

NOW OPEN

Visit our new Boutique, In Cooperstown Promenade

OR SHOP ONLINE

sevensaints.ca

Bleach, please! #KEEPINGAIRDRIEBEAUTIFUL

The Hair Lounge TheHairLoungeAirdrie.com

113 1st St. NW 403-980-2820

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You know an amazing woman.

Nominate her today.

2021 Amazing Airdrie Women Awards

21

Online nominations only: airdrielife.com

FITNESS FOR

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CHALLENGE

BUILT FOR THE WAY YOU LIVE.

Three contestants will each benefit from more than $2,000 in personal training and guidance.

The winner will receive an additional $1,500 prize package.

Our team of experts from Orangetheory Fitness and Simply for Life will work right beside you for 12 weeks to help you reach your fitness goal. airdrielife readers will follow your journey to fitness and well being!

Our philosophy reflects our commitment to building beautiful custom homes for the families who live in them.

NEW SHOWHOM E !

Come visit us at 78 Cooperfield Park

403 912 7900 harderhomes.ca

Watch slide show to see our homes

2018

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ENTER BEFORE JULY 30, 2020 Contest is open to Airdrie and area residents18 years and older. Three contestants will be selected to compete from Sept. - Dec. 2020. Successful contestants must complete the full program and consent to full body length photography before, during, and after the competition.

Online Shopping is now available, with delivery or curbside pickup. simplyforlife-airdrie.myshopify.com • Quality Supplements • Keto & low-carb • healthy snacks • Grocery staples • meals to go • Quality meats

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G R E AT L I F E | C O L U M N

The “new normal”

I

f you told me that the column I would write for our summer 2020 edition would involve child-sized face masks, homeschooling and FaceTime playdates, I would have thought you were crazy.

None of us could have imagined what the past few months had in store.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so many things.

It has made us talk about topics we never thought we would with our children. parentlife WITH STACIE GAETZ I’ve had to explain how people can die from a cold to my five-year-old daughter and repeatedly remind my three-yearold son not to touch … well, pretty much everything.

Kids couldn’t go to school, see grandma and grandpa, visit friends or even play on playgrounds.

Even now, almost everything is different in some way. That is why it is so important that we try to maintain some sense of “normal” through it all, for our kids’ sake.

I was recently talking with a local mental health professional who told me that the pandemic will increase anxiety in most children who are old enough to comprehend even a little bit about what is going on.

This hit me hard. My immediate response was “What can I do to help my kids?”

It turns out one answer is rather simple. Like most of us, children thrive in a routine and when so many things are uncertain and even the adults in their lives don’t have the answers to many of their questions, consistency is key.

No one knows what the big-picture “new normal” will look like but we do know what the norms are in our homes. Those little things that haven’t changed even though everything else has.

Morning cartoons, schoolwork after breakfast (albeit at home now), lunch, outdoor time, dinner, bath before bed, mom reading the same story every night (seemingly since the dawn of time).…

These small, routine actions are comforting and grounding for children and can “Small, routine actions are comforting go a long way when everything else seems unsettled and scary.

We can’t control the pandemic or the virus, but we can help our children feel and grounding for children and like they are safe. It may seem insignificant, but pouring the same bowl of Cheecan go a long way when everything rios every morning and singing You Are My Sunshine every night may play a bigger role than you think in maintaining your child’s mental health. life else seems unsettled and scary”

Offering Preschool, Full-Day Jr.K, Kindergarten and Grades 1-8 in Airdrie ● Small Class Sizes ● Private & Accredited ● Alberta Education Certified ● Hockey & Sports Training ● Before & After School Care ● Life Skills Classes ● Summer Camps/Childcare V I E W I M AG E GA L L E RY H E R E

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S U M M E R 2020

PHONE: EMAIL: WEB

403-912-1133 enrolment@atlaslearningacademy.com atlaslearningacademy.com

While the doors to Genesis Place were closed, staff took advantage of the unique opportunity to give the entire facility a facelift and ensure you come back to a facility that is even better than it was before.

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G R E AT L I F E | C O L U M N

seniorlife

WITH MEGAN SKARSEN

CHECK √ YOUR HEARING YES

NO

Do people seem to mumble or speak in softer voices than they used to?

Do you feel tired or irritable after a long conversation?

Do you miss key words or ask people to repeat themselves?

When you are in a group or a crowded restaurant is it hard for you to follow the conversation?

Do you often need to turn the volume up on the tv or radio?

Do you find it difficult to hear the doorbell or the telephone ring?

HOW DID YOU DO?

If you answered YES to any of these questions you might be experiencing some hearing loss and should have your hearing evaluated.

Proven Hearing Care from experienced providers.

Locally Owned & Operated

403 980 4327

SuperiorHearingSolutions.com 103 – 44 Gateway Drive, Airdrie

Should you sleep wearing your dentures?

A

s a recommendation, dentures should always be taken out at some point to give your gums a rest. This does not need to be at night; select a more accommodating time throughout the day as long as you make time to let your gums rest.

Sleeping without dentures may not be for everyone. This information is intended to help you decide whether you should sleep with them out or why you may need to keep them in.

Circulation Like all soft tissue in our body, circulation is vital for health. If the denture is in all the time, circulation is restricted causing lack of fresh blood with nutrients and oxygen which can cause gum irritation and accelerate ridge resorption.

Imagine a long day with your socks. When you take them off you can see the grooves on your ankle. The socks restrict circulation just like your dentures do in your mouth.

Sleeping with them out allows your gums to breath while replenishing blood flow and nutrients overnight.

Bacteria The saliva underneath your dentures all night creates the perfect environment for bacteria to harbour and can cause gum irritation and halitosis (bad breath).

Studies have shown that seniors with poor oral hygiene who sleep with dentures in have a higher risk of pneumonia.

Clenching or Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Clenching and grinding while wearing your dentures to sleep can be very hard on your teeth, dentures and your gums underneath. This causes accelerated wear to teeth and gums and increases the possibility of denture breakage.

Sleeping with dentures out may help or hinder your jaw, so if sleeping with your dentures reduces the pain in your jaw be sure to look into a mouth guard to protect your dentures.

Clenching and grinding may also be from a denture that is loose or too worn down. Your 360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR mouth will clench to keep dentures in place.

If you decide to sleep with your dentures in, there are some guidelines to keep your mouth and WATCH VIDEO gums healthy.

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PODCAST

BITE INTO LIFE

WOODSIDE DENTURE CENTRE

Your smile won’t hide if it’s made by Woodside

Click for more info on denture repair.

The Masseter is the strongest muscle in the body based on its weight.

It is the facial muscle responsible for biting down, chewing and clenching. With forces like that, it is not hard to believe that a denture or the denture teeth may chip, crack, or fracture while in use.

NEVER try to Super Glue your denture as a home remedy.

403-948-0954 | woodsidedenturecentre.com S U M M E R 2020

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Redline Real Estate Group | 210 7015 Macleod Trail SE Calgary, AB T2H 2K6 46

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homelife

IDEAS AND ADVICE FOR YOUR HOME, INSIDE AND OUT

55 GET GROWING 48 | THE MARKET 50 | GET ZEN 52

MOVE TO MIDTOWN

H O M E L I F E | YA R D

Gardening

BY STACIE GAETZ

W

e are all spending more time in our yards this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that is causing many local residents to plant gardens for the first time.

Combine that with the fact that people are becoming more concerned about sustainability, their own health and availability of food products, and you get a drastic increase in gardeners who are picking up spades and digging in to plant vegetables.

“People need to be anchored at this time and growing food feels like it could ground them,” says Rosa West, president of the Airdrie Horticultural Society.

“Gardening is a commitment of time people didn’t have before.

We have all slowed down and are looking at the world around us.”

GROWING GARDENERS

Sheena Haffner, marketing manager of Blue Grass Nursery, Sod & Garden Centre, says they have seen a huge increase in new gardeners coming into the store since the pandemic hit and many of them are looking to try their hands at vegetable growing.

“I tell them that anyone can grow anything with a bit of knowledge,” says Haffner.

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“Growing is not hard, it’s about making sure your plants are in the right environment. You just have to decide how you are going to do it: with in-ground or raised beds? Will you be amending the soil? Which direction will your gardens be facing? Will you add fertilizer?

“You get out of it what you put into it. The better you treat them, the better they will treat you.”

She added that gardening can be intimidating for many people but now that they are staying home more often, they are willing to dedicate the time and effort to growing something.

VETERAN VEGGIES

Linda Delahay has been tending to vegetable gardens for 30 years and she agrees.

She lives in Yankee Valley Estates on a two-acre parcel and has a 30-foot by 30-foot garden containing almost every vegetable you can think of from beets to rhubarb.

“We go by the motto that you should plant what you like to eat,” she says, adding root vegetables tend to be the easiest to grow in Airdrie’s climate.

“The best thing about growing your own food is that you know

where it comes from. It’s a great learning process and it shows you that you can provide for yourself. If it fails, that’s just part of the joy. You never know what will work out and what won’t.”

THE RIGHT PLACE

Haffner says one thing many people don’t realize when it comes to planting a garden is that you should put just as much thought into where it will be as you do into what you will grow.

“It’s important to actively engage in looking at the soil and location,” she says.

“Really plan it out before putting in the time and money.”

West says it’s hard to go wrong with peas, beans, cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts as they are a fairly hearty cool-weather crop.

She also says if people are more comfortable with planting flowers but want to try their hands at produce, it is possible to scatter vegetables throughout a flower garden.

“Most commonly used is kale,” she says.

“Just make sure there is enough room and that the veggies share similar needs as the flowers – such as light and nutrients.”

Haffner adds that a common mistake people make when trying to grow vegetables is not realizing how much sun they need. She says every yard has a micro-climate with some areas getting more sun or being marshier than others.

“It comes down to where the bed is,” says Haffner, adding that she personally has raised beds because she finds it easier to control the quality of soil and fertilizer and to weed them.

When it comes to harvesting, she says the best thing to do is to keep and read the seed package but when all else fails, do it the old-fashioned way that has stood the test of time since farming began: pull it up to see how it is looking.

West agrees and adds it is best to pick in the morning and process right away or eat soon. “The sugar will turn to starch very quickly and not taste its best,” she says.

“Garden to table is best and a huge bonus of being a home gardener.”

Whether you are looking for something to fill your time or your plate, growing vegetables can be a fun and easy way to bring the family together to learn about where your food comes from. life

airdrie

marketplace

Find locally made artisan products.

Food Home Decor Fashion Beauty Craft All in one location: airdrielife.com

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HOMELIFE | MARKET

Airdrie housing market boucing back

BY STACIE GAETZ

L

ocal Realtor Matt Carre says the housing market seems to be adjusting to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Airdrie Realtor of 14 years says although the market is slower than it would be without the pandemic, houses are still moving.

“When I talk to friends or clients, they think the market must be completely dead but that is not the case,” says Carre.

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), average prices have declined, but some of this is due to more homes being sold in lower price ranges, as there was a significant decline in sales for homes priced above $500,000.

Carre agrees and says it is currently a buyers’ market, but it is relative to the price mark.

“The lower-priced homes certainly have more activity,” he says.

“It’s the higher-priced homes that are seeing very little action right now. Hopefully as the economy opens up more and more, we start to see more activity on the higher-end homes.”

CREB chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie agrees.

“The initial shock of COVID-19 and social distancing measure is starting to ease. This is bringing some buyers and sellers back to the market. However, this market continues to remain far from normal and prices are trending down,” says Lurie.

“Activity has also shifted toward more affordable product, which is likely causing differing trends depending on product type and price range.”

According to CREB, while sales in Airdrie slowed to 60 units in April, May numbers jumped to 99 units. Activity has slowed compared to previous years, but the decline has not been as steep as what has been recorded in Calgary. The region has also seen a similar decline in new listings and inventory levels. This has helped push the months of supply back to four months, which is similar to the levels recorded prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Rozy Gill Sethi is currently going through the process of building a home in Midtown and says

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the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic has caused her some stress.

She signed the documents with Shane Homes for purchase in November and was expected to move in in mid July, but that date has already been pushed back to mid August due to construction delays related to the pandemic.

“It was really scary thinking about what will happen in the future and wondering when this pandemic will end, as well as the stress that comes with moving during a pandemic,” says Gill.

She adds that she and her husband have decided not to sell their current home because of the instability in the market.

Carre says he sympathizes with buyers and shares some advice for those in the market for a new house during this uncertain time.

“When starting the process, make sure they have a solid pre-approval and once they do buy, make sure the bank will honour their commitments even if something changes financially for the buyer,” he says.

“And get it in writing. Buyers certainly need to be open and honest with their lenders so that they don’t put themselves in a tough position after they’ve removed their conditions.”

While the market is tough on homesellers right now, Carre assures that houses are moving, for those ready to make a sale at any time.

“Have your home in showhome-like condition,” he says.

“There are still sales happening, so you can’t just assume you won’t get showings. Also, I get asked all the time, ‘When is the best time to list your home?” and my answer is always, “When you want to sell it.” If there is someone out in the market today that would buy your home and you are not listed, then they will not find you and you may miss your opportunity.” life

MEET MATT:

AIRDRIE SHOWHOME MAP

FIND ADVERTISED COMMUNITIES HERE. CLICK ON LOGOS FOR MORE INFO

and Avalon Homes

Bayside Estates

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HOMELIFE | CONDOS

Avalon offers a new live-work experience

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Y

ou’ve had an opportunity to test drive working from home during COVID-19, and Avalon is here to help you optimize the experience.

Living and working from home has never been easier or more affordable with this first-time offering in Airdrie.

Starting from the $250,000s, Avalon Master Builder’s ZEN Chinook Gate Live-Work Townhomes offer a bonus room on the main floor designed to run a business with no further permits required. Plus, up to 50 per cent of the floor space of the two-storey homes with undeveloped basements can be used for work.

“Creating a harmonious work-life balance can improve your physical, emotional and mental health,” says Marni Chenier, sales and marketing co-ordinator with Avalon. “Choosing a ZEN Chinook Gate home can help you achieve that.”

ZEN Live-Work Townhomes eliminate costly commercial leases and give you an energy-efficient dwelling for work and play.

Designed with entrepreneurs in mind, the floorplans are named for their potential owners: The Stylist, The Bookkeeper, The Artist and The Architect.

The largest home, The Stylist, features 1,455 square feet with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, while the other floorplans are roughly 1,250 sq. ft. with two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. All come with a private fenced backyard.

Live-Work Townhomes provide balance, coupling a warm, inviting place in which to live with a professional area conducive to business. There’s even the option to post a business sign and have up to two non-resident employees working.

The goal is to improve life-work balance. You regain control of your life and can plan a schedule that works best for you.

Eliminating your commute time also helps you avoid poor road conditions and lessen your carbon footprint.

For parents with young children, working from home reduces the need for child care and frees up time for recreational activities.

Interested buyers can book an in-person or virtual showhome tour. Avalon is only allowing one family group to view at a time, and cleaning after each showing to take care of its clients.

Alternatively, a salesperson can virtually walk you through the homes and answer any questions as if you were there in person. A tour of The Artist is also available here. Visit zenchinookgate.com for more details. life

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR S U M M E R 2020

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HOMELIFE | NEW HOMES

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR WATCH VIDEO READ MORE PODCAST MUSICIANS VIEW PHOTOS

YOUR FIRST NEW HOME? ARE YOU EAGERLY ANTICIPATING YOUR FIRST HOME? McKee Homes has two showhomes debuting in Lanark Landing, a new community in southeast Airdrie. Their rear-laned single-family and row homes provide a great opportunity to leap into homeownership.

Rowhomes are free from condo fees, and include full landscaping and a front yard ornamental fence. Interior units will also have the added benefit of an included double garage at the rear, all for under $300,000.

McKee Homes has added virtual tours of all of their showhomes allowing potential homebuyers to view in the comfort of their own home.

Located at 162 Highview Gate, the Castlebar is a 1,535-squarefoot, two-storey home on a rear-laned lot.

This open and spacious floor plan features nine-foot ceilings with a bright kitchen and a functional island to bring the family together, plus an inviting dining and living room on the main floor.

Upstairs discover three comfortably-sized bedrooms with a full bathroom and walk-in laundry room. The master bedroom is complete with a walk-in closet and four-piece ensuite.

Next door at 160 Highview Gate is the Londonderry II – a 1,527-sq.-ft., two-storey home also on a rear-laned lot.

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This home is easy to love, with a large built-in closet and living room greeting visitors as they enter. Big windows allow enjoyment of the beautiful Lanark streetscape, and, with the open floor plan, the handcrafted kitchen and dining space make it easy to entertain.

This home features a second-floor walk-in laundry room for convenience, three bedrooms and a full bathroom. The master bedroom is complete with a walk-in closet and four-piece ensuite.

With more than 33 years of history building in Airdrie, McKee Homes has a reputation for quality and craftsmanship. The builder was voted Airdrie Best Builder by the public for 11 consecutive years, and was recently awarded the Best Customer Experience Award for the second-straight year by CustomerInsight.

“We care about this community and do our best to support local,” says Heather Yates, sales manager with McKee Homes. “We live and work in Airdrie.”

McKee Homes is currently crafting homes in six different communities in Airdrie and one in Crossfield, and offers something for everyone. life For a virtual tour or to connect, visit mckeehomes.com

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR WATCH VIDEO

HOMELIFE | NEIGHBOURHOOD

Get your dream home –

MIDTOWN

A

s the community of Midtown grows, there’s still an opportunity to raise your family in the heart of Airdrie.

The conveniently located community of Midtown was thoughtfully designed to connect residents with amenities that are already developed within walking distance. A neighbourhood commercial centre provides the convenience of everyday needs, while a short walk to regional restaurants and grocery stores is a short five-minute walk away. This was achieved through an open-space design that enhances the central storm pond, promenade and multiple parks within the community.

Brenden Montgomery, general manager of land development for Shane Homes, says phase three of Midtown is opening in the fall. He encourages potential homebuyers to act sooner rather than later to get the lot of their choice in the community, with homes built by Trico Homes and Shane Homes.

“I believe true community is created by the people who live there,” says Montgomery. “With Midtown, we developed spaces for them to interact and build that community.”

Phase three home options include: pond-backing front-garage single-family; park-front, laned, and front-garage paired homes

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HOMELIFE | NEIGHBOURHOOD

imagine ... discover ... connect

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and single-family laned homes. Paired homes by Shane start in the $330,000s and single-family homes start in the $410,000s.

Karen Kotchar, area manager, Shane Homes, says “Midtown’s single-family, front-garage homes are perfect for young families looking to expand, while the paired home option is great for couples looking to right-size into a smaller home with the comforts they love.”

Trico Homes sells front-drive homes in the community starting from $434,000.

Potential homebuyers can take a walk through Midtown’s showhomes from their living room with photos, videos and 3-D tours at: shanehomes.com/midtown/ or app.tricohomes.com/community/midtown Showhomes are open during regular showhome hours. While no appointment is necessary for Shane Homes, Trico Homes requires an appointment. Midtown builders Shane Homes and Trico Homes are limiting the number of guests in the showhomes at the same time.

If guests wish, they can co-ordinate their exclusive viewing appointment with Shane Homes by emailing KarenK@ShaneHomes.com or by calling 403-536-2312.

To book a viewing with Trico Homes, visitors can call Henry Luong at 403-980-9549 life

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worklife

MEET THE MOVERS, SHAKERS AND BUSINESS MAKERS

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ON THE FLY

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WORKLIFE | COLUMN

BEING RIGHT FOR BUSINESS

I

will always remember March 2020 as the month when the world paused and everything changed. Isn’t it true that there are moments in time that stay with you forever? I still remember where I was during 9/11 and that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach watching the live coverage. I still remember where I was during the final game of the Calgary Flames Stanley Cup run in 2004 and it wasn’t on the Red Mile! March 13, 2020 is now another significant day I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s the day my job at the City of Airdrie shifted from economic development to emergency response. It’s the day I realized COVID-19 was real and was going to drastically change our day-to-day lives.

That next week is foggy in my memory, with shifting to working from home, managing my children’s lives, being nervous to go out in public and dealing with the new realities of my job. Despite this, my team quickly jumped into action. We began to build a COVID-19 Business Response & Support Plan. Our first priority was surveying Airdrie businesses to learn how they were coping and what they needed. This information helped guide us in creating the Right for Business Support Program.

The program is intended to connect Airdrie businesses with access to critical advisors and business service professionals to help them remain resilient through this pandemic. The program is built on the idea entrepreneurs benefit from help that is local, one-on-one and customized specifically for them. The program is being delivered in three streams specific to the most urgent needs of each business and there is no cost to participate.

Our hope is that the Right for Business Support Program will give struggling businesses the help they need, whether it’s re-opening safely, better understanding their financial situation, re-hiring employees or having a fellow business owner off which to bounce ideas.

Knowing how I felt when the pandemic hit in March, I can’t even begin to imagine the weight felt by business owners.

Yet, when we began developing this program, we asked local business owners if they would give their time to aid other entrepreneurs in need and the response was overwhelming. That’s something that never ceases to amaze me in Airdrie, how our own always step up to help. What I’ve seen over the last few months is Airdrie’s amazing community spirit and strong entrepreneurial drive. We take the phrase ‘better together’ to the next level. life

businesslife

WITH TARA LEVICK

Learn more about the Right for Business Support Program at airdrie.ca/rightforbusiness Tara Levick is an economic development officer with the City of Airdrie

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED, AIRDRIE Airdrie & area’s trusted source of local news since 1975 In print every Wednesday & online 24/7 www.airdrieecho.com

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$1000 ,

ScADvenger Hunt

We’ve decided to have some fun with our digital summer edition and that means we are giving away $100 a week for 10 weeks!

How it works: 1. Every Wednesday June 17 - Aug.19, we will post three clues on our website.

2. The answers all exist within the pages of the summer issue (sometimes in ads, sometimes in a story).

3. Submit your answers using the online form by the Sunday and we will draw from correct entries. $100 every week. $50 BONUS if you are an a-list subscriber.

(Join the a-list now).

See this week’s clues now!

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W O R K L I F E | C O O L G U YS

Entrepreneur STORY BY STACIE GAETZ | PHOTO BY JACEY CONWAY

delivering affordability to residents “Airdrie has responded extremely well to our presence here and welcomed us with open arms.

Right from the time we did our first order ... we have seen a perpetual increase in support from Airdrie.”

T

homas O’Brien understands the saying “You can’t have a rainbow without rain” better than most.

The tragic loss of the Airdrie dad’s wife was a devastating blow that inadvertently led to the idea of his now successful delivery business.

After losing his wife to acute myeloid leukemia on Feb. 6, 2018, O’Brien was struggling to come up with dinner ideas and did not have the energy to make dinner for himself and his one-year-old son.

However, after a few negative experiences with Skip the Dishes, O’Brien thought there had to be a better option.

“I was shocked to find that most of the original delivery services had disappeared,” he says.

“The ones I did find, unfortunately, did not deliver from the

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restaurants I wanted and did not have great recommendations.”

Not willing to sit idly by and continue to pay high delivery fees for less-than-ideal service, O’Brien took matters into his own hands and by December 2018, Airdrie Dash Delivery Ltd. was a registered corporation.

O’Brien has combined his former experience in the fast food and pizza delivery industry with his college training in graphic design and marketing into an increasingly successful delivery business with 43 independent drivers.

“We are always hiring as our volume of orders continues to increase daily,” he says.

Airdrie Dash Delivery currently delivers food, liquor and convenience items. During non-peak hours, O’Brien says, they try to

make their services available for special runs such as grocery and prescription pickup.

“Once we secure more partnerships with some of these local businesses, we will move them onto our platform and make them regularly available to all of our customers,” he says.

He adds his fees for both businesses and customers that use Airdrie Dash are priced to be affordable.

“As a member of this community, we are always looking to help strengthen our local economy, not tear it down,” he says.

“We are here to make convenience affordable by providing a premium service at an affordable price. Whether it’s for our customers, business partners, or helping provide our drivers with an income, we are here to help our community.”

Airdrie Dash currently has 20 businesses available on their platform with more signing on every day.

“There is a lot of interest within the business community to support local,” says O’Brien.

“Airdrie has responded extremely well to our presence here and welcomed us with open arms. Right from the time we did our first order ... we have seen a perpetual increase in support from Airdrie.”

In fact, the company has been so successful that they expanded their delivery range to other local communities that rely on Airdrie for goods and services, such as Crossfield and Balzac.

The demand for the service in communities outside of Airdrie is so high, the company has decided to rebrand with a new name,

“Hungry Canadian.”

“With our new name, we will be able to share our values and premium delivery service with other communities that need our support,” says O’Brien.

“When we make these expansions, everyone will know that our company originated in Airdrie, Alberta, and it will allow us to show the rest of the province, and possibly the country, the type of hospitality, love and support that Airdrie has to offer.”

O’Brien says unlike many local businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a huge increase in demand for his service.

“In a time where delivery has been needed more than ever, Airdrie turned to Airdrie Dash Delivery to provide them with the food and other goods they needed during the pandemic for themselves, family members and even friends,” he says.

From March 1 to May 13, Airdrie Dash Delivery saw a 400 per cent rise in deliveries.

“Airdrie Dash Delivery was already becoming a popular option in Airdrie before COVID-19, but since COVID-19’s arrival, it has become even more so,” says O’Brien.

“Airdrie has continued to show trust and faith in Airdrie Dash Delivery, and although we may have not been ready to become an essential service so quickly, our drivers did not cower from this pandemic. They rose to the challenge and dedicated themselves to ensuring our customers had what they needed and that they got it as fast as possible, safely.” life

Like all other businesses, the City Airdrie has had to get creative in finding ways to serve customers during COVID 19. From virtual home inspections to deferring payments, the City has found ways to help our residents and businesses during these challenging times.

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G R E AT L I F E | C O O L J O B S

Gone fishin’

BY JACEY CONWAY

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360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR WATCH VIDEO READ MORE PODCAST MUSICIANS VIEW PHOTOS

K

laus Berger’s history of fishing dates back to his early childhood when he and his father would walk to the harbour in Victoria, B.C., rods in hand and ready to fish.

The duo would fish for sea bass, rockfish, herring and whatever else bit his father’s line.

“It always seems magical somehow,” says Berger.

“The variety of shapes and colours kept me fascinated.”

His time spent with family and friends always seemed to revolve around the water.

Whether swimming, boating, searching the countless tide pools, or trying to catch a variety of fish both in fresh water and saltwater, his love for fishing continued to develop.

As an adult Berger started a career in land surveying in Alberta and his time spent in the outdoors allowed him to have more time for fly fishing.

He often carried his portable fishing rod with him and would spend hours by the waterside after work, fishing for trout and pike in the remote areas to where his job took him.

After retirement Berger brought his love for both fly fishing and creative design together and began making beautiful streamers to aid him and others in their fishing ventures.

“Having retired from a lifetime of surveying the wild and tame areas of Alberta and Western Canada, I’ve now fully devoted my time to the passions I enjoy,” says Berger.

He created his streamer company, Coldfax Outdoors, four years ago after several requests to address the market’s lack of high-quality custom fly-fishing streamers for all predatory fish.

With his knowledge of fishing and talent in design, Berger has been able to build streamers that reflect necessary features and beauty, including built-in shape, motion, colour and light reflection.

The constant testing of his one-of-a-kind designs allow the streamers to be the best in the market and most essential of all, “fish approved.”

With inspiration to assist360˚ the global fly-tying comVIRTUAL munity, Berger has taken advantage of the TOUR many wonderful materials and resins needed to make the WATCH VIDEO high-quality streamers.

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W O R K L I F E | C O O L G U YS

CODY CREELMAN,

COW VET

BY BRITTON LEDINGHAM

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D

r. Cody Creelman has an infectious passion for veterinary medicine.

With the intent of using digital media to market his business, he’s made a personal brand: Cody Creelman, Cow Vet. The 35-year-old built up a social media following (including about 93,000 followers on Facebook, and 47,000 YouTube subscribers) over the last nine years.

He did that while being a partner with Veterinary Agri-Health Services in Airdrie between 2011 until the fall of 2019, and a multi-practice business, Mosaic Veterinary Partners, from 2016 to 2019.

“I wanted my name to be synonymous with my profession from a marketing standpoint,” says Creelman. “Cody Creelman, Cow Vet has been a fun brand creation, and ... it’s allowed me to do a lot of things that I would have not been able to do [otherwise].”

When Creelman stepped out of practice ownership last year, he smoothly transitioned into a life of travelling the U.S. with his wife, Diana, and three kids under six years old, for paid speaking engagements, online consulting and some family time.

The time away from an Alberta winter was cherished, but kept the family’s roots planted in Airdrie, where the Alberta-raised couple moved in 2011.

“I remember having ... an epiphany moment as we were travelling around thinking about, you know, do we want to be in Airdrie? Do we want to be in Alberta?

Is there somewhere else that’s calling us?” recalls Creelman. “And as we’re driving around trying to find that, I realized everything that I was looking for was within 360˚ the four walls of that pickup truck as we’re driving VIRTUAL TOUR across the desert, or through the Grand Canyon or WATCH VIDEO down the coast.”

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PODCAST

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W O R K L I F E | AWA R D S

AIRDRIE BUSINESS AWARDS C E L E B R AT E E X C E L L E N C E I N U N P R E C E D E N T E D T I M E S

BY STACIE GAETZ

“We love Airdrie business, and we want people to share their stories, their victories and their perspective while celebrating small business in Airdrie and recognizing the cream of the crop”

I

t may be more important than ever to recognize a local business for doing an exceptional job.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses has been devastating with many struggling to stay afloat and others losing the battle.

Those that pulled through have shown incredible tenacity, resourcefulness and ingenuity to keep their staff employed and customers happy.

The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce invites the public to recognize, celebrate and support businesses’ hard work and resulting success by nominating a local business for the 2020 Airdrie Business Awards (ABA).

“Businesses truly are the backbone of a healthy community,” says Marilyne Aalhus, executive director of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce.

“When businesses struggle a community struggles, when businesses succeed a community succeeds. COVID-19 has damaged our economy and many local businesses have suffered. We need to work together to support those businesses any way we can. The ABAs are just a small way to say thank you and to celebrate all that businesses do for Airdrie, now more than ever.”

The awards are in their 22nd year and offer seven award categories. This year will feature a new adjudication process that allows the community to vote on the finalists once they are announced this September.

According to Aalhus, a third-party adjudicator will narrow down the finalists by reviewing their online submissions. They will also vote on the winners, which will consist of 50 per cent of the total vote.

Finalists will be announced on Sept. 8 and the community will have an opportunity to vote for one month on the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce website (airdriechamber.ab.ca). The community vote will be worth the other 50 per cent.

“We love Airdrie business, and we want people to share their stories, their victories and their perspective while celebrating small business in Airdrie and recognizing the cream of the crop,” says Aalhus.

“The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host this premier business event, held during Small Business Week, and will look forward to celebrating local business at the awards gala.”

All winners will be announced at the awards gala, at either the Bert Church Theatre or through a virtual event on Oct. 23. Tickets will be available for purchase in early September.

“This is your way to say thank you to our local businesses. Nominating a business only takes a few minutes and it truly is a wonderful way to recognize the work that they do in our community,” says Aalhus.

2020 AIRDRIE BUSINESS AWARD CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

Business of the Year Award - Awarded to a business that has been operating for at least three years; that best exhibits outstanding achievement in innovative practices, customer service and growth; and actively participates in the community.

Airdrie Business Leader Award Christelle Hitimana Uwamahoro, Business Innovation Award 2019 Business Innovation Award winner.

Emerging Business Award courtesy ofTOUR ABA 360˚ Photo VIRTUAL Employer Excellence Award Franchise Business Award WATCH VIDEOLegacy Business Award

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Nominations are open from June 1 to July 31 at airdriechamber.ab.ca

|PODCAST S U M M E R 2020

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WORKLIFE | AIRDRIE MADE

Lamb’s Soapworks

BY JACEY CONWAY

M

“Once you start using the natural products and see how good they are you never really go back”

any Airdrie residents are familiar with the black sheep logo on the face of soaps and lotions in their homes.

Lamb’s Soapworks is a small artisanal soap and body care business in Airdrie and most recently known as the winner of the 2020 Airdrie Made Awards.

Lara Lamb, business owner and creator, was honoured to be chosen as the winner, she says.

“It was validation that we are on the right track.”

The product that Lamb entered into her competition was the Mountain Soap Bar featuring sustainable and eco-friendly packaging.

The vegan soap bar was moulded into a triangle, resembling the Alberta Rocky Mountains.

The bottom of the mountain featured dark blue, dyed with all-natural indigo powder, and faded into a creamy white peak.

The scent of cedarwood, sweet orange and wintergreen encapsulated the outdoorsy atmosphere Lamb intended to imitate.

The bar was wrapped in a compostable seed paper soap sleeve that could be planted to produce a bed of wildflowers.

“The mountain soap bar is a novelty,” says Lamb.

Lamb’s Soapworks experienced a higher demand for the novelty soap bar after the Airdrie Made Awards which prompted the release of a secondary mountain bar with a citrus and vanilla scent.

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The list of products offered extends beyond soap bars, as the business offers all-natural lotions, lip balms, bath salts and bombs, and a variety of other body care products.

Lamb prioritizes the use of sustainable and natural products, free from harsh chemicals that many cleaning and body care products have.

“Once you start using the natural products and see how good they are you never really go back,” says Lamb.

Whenever possible, Lamb supports businesses local to Alberta and Canada and looks for quality ingredients that will create quality products.

“We shop locally and support other Canadian businesses as much as possible,” she says.

Lamb’s Soapworks can be purchased online and are featured in several shops in the Airdrie, Banff and Canmore area.

“We are thankful for the continued support we have had in Airdrie and for all the people who have purchased our products,” 360˚says Lamb. life

VIRTUAL TOUR

WATCH VIDEO LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH LAMB’S SOAPWORKS AND THE READ MORE 2020 AIRDRIE MADE WINNERS PODCAST MUSICIANS

“Life with a Storey, makes yours a Best Seller.”

403-771-9002 www.shilostorey.com

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Action through Connection: If you own a business, or are a business leader, you have a tremendous impact on the growth and wellbeing of our community. The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce recognizes that by together working and championing local business, we will build a stronger Airdrie. The Airdrie Chamber (AC) is a dynamic, professional organization that provides value to our members and is an advocate for all business. Not only do we create worthwhile connections between our members, we connect members to new clients, and business to government.

The Chamber works together with our members to improve the economic, civic, and cultural wellbeing of our community.

AC is also proud to host a variety of luncheons, workshops, and networking events throughout the year to provide local business with educational opportunities and connections to experts to support them in growing their business. All Chamber events include opportunities for businesses to increase engagement and awareness, whether volunteering, networking or sponsoring.

A senior living community filled with family and friends.

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Together, We Are Stronger A lot has changed since March 11th when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Our economy has been damaged and for many local businesses, the two-month closures were devasting. As we have tried to adapt to a new reality, with constant updates on government assistance and guidelines, the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is proud to see that our business community has chosen kindness, compassion, and resilience throughout these extremely challenging times.

As the province gradually relaunches our economy, we encourage our community, more than ever, to SUPPORT LOCAL! Follow health and safety guidelines while frequenting Airdrie stores and continue to shop online through Airdrie businesses. These actions will have a lasting impact on the local economy and in turn the wellbeing of our city.

Throughout it all, Airdrie Chamber of Commerce members are making a difference by contributing to the great work that our local, provincial, and national chambers are doing to advocate for business during the crisis. We have contributed to major changes in government programs and will continue to support local businesses with virtual events and resources.

Even though it feels like everything has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment as an organization to our community remains constant.

We are here for you and we will emerge stronger than ever.

Your Airdrie Chamber of Commerce www.airdriechamber.ab.ca

TOGETHER, WE ARE STRONGER!

W O R K L I F E | P I V OT I N G

AIRDRIE BUSINESSES PIVOTING TO THRIVE DURING PANDEMIC STORY BY STACIE GAETZ PHOTOS BY BRITTON LEDINGHAM

W

hether they are adding an entirely new product to their lineup, providing curbside pickup, going mobile, improving online opportunities or introducing private shopping, many Airdrie companies are changing the way they do business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Helping the community has always been a big part of owning a business for me,” says Gerry Darichuk, founder of Alta Injection Molding, a local company that has designed and is manufacturing medical-grade face masks.

“This is a serious situation and we need to treat it that way.

I have children, grandchildren and a great grandchild and how could I look them in the eye if I knew there was something more I could have done, and I chose not to?”

MANUFACTURING

There is no doubt that Alta Injection Molding is doing its part to ensure frontline workers will be protected.

The company has designed a completely revolutionary mask made from FDA-approved polymers to protect health professionals, fire fighters, transportation employees, grocery store workers, and volunteers in charitable organizations from the COVID-19 virus.

“When we started learning more about this virus, it seemed clear to me that what we needed to do was protect the essential worker from the common air,” says Darichuk.

“In order to do that, we need to completely seal the nose and mouth and many masks don’t do that. We wanted to make one that did.”

The masks feature a clip at the front for a replaceable filter that will allow people to clean and sanitize the devices and reuse them.

The mask comes with four N95 disposable filters or you can replace the filter with any grade you prefer. The company also provides a template so you can use a fabric filter.

Alta Injection Molding has partnered with a number of other local businesses including Alberta Garment, Curve Distribution, InnoTech Alberta and ATB Financial to create the masks under the name Breathe Safely Alberta.

Alberta Innovates, a subsidiary of the government body, has helped to streamline some of the testing and approvals processes.

Darichuk says it is the goal of the organization to keep the masks as affordable as possible so they can make it into the hands of those who need them most and do not take away from the supply of disposable masks for medical professionals.

He says comparable masks in Europe sell for $95, while Alta Injection Molding recommends their distributors sell them for no more than $17.95 each.

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W O R K L I F E | P I V OT I N G

“We are not in an environment where people should be asking It’s no surprise that people love the sweet treat as the business for what the market can handle,” says Darichuk. offers something no one else seems to: lactose-free/sugar-free soft “We need to help those who need it the most in an affordable serve, vegan soft serve as well as a dairy/sugar soft serve. way. You have to see the bigger picture.”

With 150 flavours of soft serve and 16 options for hard ice Although he may want to keep costs down for customers, creat- cream, it really is your one-stop ice cream shop. ing the design for the mask and the equipment to make them was not an inexpensive endeavour. Darichuk estimates that the cloth, Caffeinated Squirrel upscale mobile coffee truck also got 360˚ 750,000. TOUR itsThe steel and medical-grade resins will cost about $ VIRTUAL start in January of 2020.

Alta Injection Molding started production of the masks in late The truck offers high-quality coffee drinks and baked goods VIDEO at mainly rural events such as weddings, graduations, reunions, May and made more than 30,000 masks to date inWATCH less than a month. sporting events and business events.

READ MORE When owners Annette and Richard Schulze started getting cancellations for a number of events, only months after opening, due to the pandemic, they looked elsewhere for demand.

PODCAST Treats Ice Cream Parlour opened in January of 2020 and it wasn’t “We collaborated as a family and thought about the idea of putlong before they were thrown a big curve ball. ting it out on social media platforms to get feedback as to whethThe pandemic caused them to reduce their MUSICIANS hours, but owner er or not there was interest in our coffee truck going around to Nicole Vindevoghel knew she couldn’t shut down the shop entirely the individual communities here in Airdrie and the response was 360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR after just getting started.

VIEW PHOTOS amazing!” says Annette.

“When the isolation started, we decided to offer delivery,” she says.

They put together a three-day schedule with two hours per comWATCH VIDEO “It was a successful choice as we managed to stay open the entire munity and three communities per day. time the isolation was in place. We are so appreciative to the many READ MORE customers that supported us during this hard time.”

FOOD

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RETAIL

Seven Saints Boutique in Cooper’s Crossing has been open for almost two years. Owner Erin Hardy says she had to lay off her staff when she was forced to close her doors in March.

“To stay relevant during this time, we pivoted to promote our online store, making pickup and delivery and buying as easy as possible, as well as ramped up our online presence even more,” she says.

“The community response has been fantastic! We have felt very supported and very loved during this time. In a period where things could have felt very bleak, we have been constantly reminded why we are doing what we do.”

Allison Anhorn is the owner of ZIVA&EM Boutique, located off Yankee Valley Boulevard.

The store has also been open for two years, and Anhorn says the switch to an online model while the store was closed due to the pandemic was a bit of a learning curve.

“It’s hard for us because many of our clientele want to try things on,” she says.

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR She adds that now that they can open their doors, they have implemented a number of procedures and measures to keep staff WATCH VIDEO and customers safe.

READ MORE Airdrie Paint and Blinds has seen a dramatic increase in business since the COVID-19 pandemic began. PODCAST Pete Lewis, owner, says the warmer weather and the fact that many people had unplanned time on their hands to complete projMUSICIANS ects around the house meant that his curbside business was busy.

“We are able to provide the one-on-one customer service that 360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR other stores are not while creating a safe, no-contact situation for VIEW PHOTOS people to pick up their paint and go,” he says, adding he has been taking orders via email, phone and text message.WATCH VIDEO

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2020 STORY BY TARA LEVICK ILLUSTRATIONS BY LIA GOLEMBA The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more important than ever for local entrepreneurs to work together and learn from each other to be successful.

The SMARTstart program was designed by City of Airdrie Economic Development, Community Futures Centre West and Bow Valley College to provide real-world business skills and access to tailor-made advice. Its goal is to increase the chance of new businesses surviving those first crucial years.

Studies show that only 35 per cent of new businesses survive their first five years. It’s also proven that business owners with education in entrepreneurship have an 80 to 90 per cent chance of success.

In the past six years, SMARTstart has seen more than 100 entrepreneurs complete the program. The 2020 program has 12 businesses (13 entrepreneurs) with 15 mentors.

SMARTstart is delivered over eight months where entrepreneurs take part in online learning, workshops and mentorship. Each entrepreneur walks away from SMARTstart with a plan (feasibility, business or strategic) they have created to set their business up for success.

One of the unanticipated successes of SMARTstart has been the community building within each cohort. Entrepreneurs say that developing a relationship with a group of people that are going through the same challenges is very important.

COVID-19 has made the isolation many entrepreneurs feel worse and the SMARTstart community support has become more important than ever.

The pandemic has also meant a few changes to the program as all learning is now being done virtually.

SMARTstart not only gives entrepreneurs tools for their business, it helps create a business community. It is more important than ever to equip entrepreneurs with training and support.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SMART START PROGRAM HERE

FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR

FOR THE MENTOR

What is the inspiration for your business?

What is the No. 1 quality an entrepreneur needs to have to be successful?

What are you most excited about learning?

What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

GT PRO MOT

IONS

OWN ERS Danny and K im b e rl y G o ri n g

MENT OR We n d y B a te s

—

The Ha ir Lounge

RIVAL AXE THROWING LTD. The inspiration for starting Rival Axe Throwing was the heart for community and family. Creating a place people can come and experience a fantastic new sport while building friendships.

We are excited about being part of SMARTstart at this very moment. This is giving us the opportunity to learn how to diversify and be sustainable during economic challenges.

Times like these have also allowed us to press on with our mentors and the tools to grow into strong entrepreneurs.

MICHELLE CARRE: I believe entrepreneurs need a drive and desire that runs to through their core. It take a lot of determination to get through the challenges of entrepreneurship.

I love that things are always changing and there are new things to learn all of the time.

GT PROMOTIONS We feel we can bring new approaches and techniques to the everdeveloping world of marketing material. We really enjoy working with people, and the promotions industry has provided an amazing array of new technologies we are eager to learn. There is never a dull moment in our business. It is always a great feeling to create new and exciting products for individuals and businesses.

We are excited to learn proper accounting techniques, forecasting, and approaches to sales and marketing. It is our intention to hire workers; any knowledge related to human resources and staffing would be of great benefit.

WENDY BATES Set goals, work hard and always enjoy what you are doing.

The support of all the amazing people in my life.

Meet Danny and Kimberly!

XE R I VA L A ING THROW ER OWN le y a D Jo n i

OR MENT e C a rr e M ic h e ll

—

m C a rr e. co M ic h el le e G ro u p rr a C e & Th

Meet Joni!

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FUNKY PETALS The ability to deliver product that brings joy, love, thoughtfulness and of course my love of flowers is the inspiration of my business.

I am most excited about learning new contemporary designs to give my customers a different choice of flower buying.

F U N K Y P E TA LS

OWNER Pa tty Du gg an

HEATHER COWIE Resilience.

Being an entrepreneur has allowed me to make a bigger positive difference to my community than I would have been able to do on my own, and I love that.

Meet Patty!

MENTOR He at he r Co wi e

—

Ai rd rie Fa m ily Ey e Do ct or s

THE LITTLE BLIND COMPANY LTD. I was inspired by my dad to become an entrepreneur. I watched him successfully run his local business, Airdrie Windshield & Glass, for the last 30 years and from that I truly found my passion for serving our community. After an opportunity arose with a window covering company back in 2016, I started to think more about starting my own window covering company, which goes hand in hand with all the window work my dad does. He was the one who inspired me and gave me the push that I needed to make that dream and reality.

B

E ITTL NY L E T H O M PA C LIND R NE OW ger e la H Sha

I’m excited to learn more about the financial side of running a business through the SMARTstart program. Sure, it seems like running your own business would be all rainbows and roses, until you are forced to sit down and crunch the numbers.

HEATHER HARKE The ability to creatively adapt. Everything else can be taught.

That I get to set the tone of our work environment to be positive and collaborative with our team and customers.

Meet Shala!

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OR NT ke ME Har ther a e H

— plift Deals Sho ed t Limi

COMM U ART S NITY PA C E OWN ER Ta n n is S m it h

COMMUNITY ART SPACE I love the idea of a space for artists to come together; to share, teach and inspire all artists at heart! As well, a place for kids to make a mess while exploring what art has to offer them.

I am most excited about connecting with other community members that share in my passion for art and collaboration!

NADINE WOITT I would say the No.1 quality needed for me would be patience and perseverance.

And the best thing would be the amazing people you meet along the way.

Meet Tannis!

MEN TOR N a d in e Wo it t

—

Mezz a n in e H a ir S tu d io

CHILDREN EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOPS I am a passionate learning experience designer for adult learners, and younger students. The inspiration for facilitating children’s workshops began after discovering that I was not alone in worrying about raising children in a dynamic world, where it seemed like half the time I was trying to catch up.

As an adult I have easy access to self-development programs to help me successfully handle many social situations, but what resources are available to our children outside of the classroom? I would love to provide fun experiential learning to children. Penya means shine in the Shona language. I want to help empower and nurture young minds to be their best selves and shine!

Invaluable mentorship, including how to market my business, and how to develop business partnerships.

TRACY GOODBRAND Any entrepreneur has to be totally passionate about their business! That allencompassing passion along with grit and determination will take them through the rough spots, especially when there isn’t much time for their home life and personal interests and hobbies.

C H IL D R E N NT EMPOWERME S WORKSHOP OWNER o Te nd ai Do ng

MENTOR Tr ac y Go od br an d

—

Irr ica na el Ko un tr y Ke nn

I love that I can pursue something that I am so passionate about! Running my own business allows me to take a deep dive into the industry and effect change for the better.

Meet Tendai!

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Do you know an awesome kid?

Nominate him or her today for the

2021 Awesome Airdrie Kids Awards!

Deadline Sept 30, 2020

Nomination forms here

Get connect with services and programs for your family.

The July-December Guide is now available!

Click here to read!

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A C LO S E R LO O K AT YO U R C O M M U N I T Y

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MEDICAL HEROES

ROLE MODEL 80 | AIRDRIE HELPS 97 | LEARNING AT HOME 102

C I T Y L I F E | C OV E R

“One person can do so much and be successful at it…. And that’s what I’m trying to accomplish with acting, music production, modelling, everything.”

Role Model STORY BY BRITTON LEDINGHAM | PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

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SAM LECUYER HAS ALL HIS IRONS IN THE FIRE. The 2019 graduate of École francophone d›Airdrie is looking to be a role model for his First Nations community, and the world at large, as he follows his acting, modelling and music passions.

“I do understand that being a role model comes with responsibility,” says Lecuyer. “So I hope to set a clear example for everyone.”

His modelling career is soaring. Not even a year since his first walk down a runway, he appeared in both the New York and Paris Fashion Weeks in February and March, 2020.

“It was super fun because it’s kind of like something out of a movie at that point,” says Lecuyer of walking for Alicia Perrillo and Hamon. “Your brain just doesn’t really process it until the moment, but you just walk out and you do your best.”

From those trips, the 19-year-old’s standout memory is holding his Day Star First Nation flag under the Eiffel Tower.

“That was a really empowering moment for my community, I believe,” says Lecuyer. “It’s like, if you want to be a model, you can do it ... whatever you want to do in life, you can do it.”

Raised proud of his Cree, Saulteaux and French heritage, Lecuyer took an interest in movies at a young age. He would watch movies with his dad, Peter Holford, and got an iPad for Christmas in Grade 5. His first movie was a zombie thriller.

“I would always play the zombie ... I would hold the iPad just running around chasing my friends, and that’s what we thought was a horror movie back then,” he recalls. “I would always go over scenes for movies in my head or in the shower.”

The old iPad is gone, but the hours of filming, acting and editing in iMovie planted a seed.

In the summer of 2019 Lecuyer went to a casting call in Calgary for a First Nations movie.

With some encouragement from the casting director that he could make a career in the industry, he signed with Calgary-based modelling and talent agency Patti Falconer Agencies two weeks later, and “everything has been going up since.”

Lecuyer has done extra roles so far for acting, and is seeking speaking roles. His modelling opportunities began with the 2019 Western Canadian Fashion Week in Edmonton in September.

“I remember I almost threw up the first time walking but my friends calmed me down and I walked perfectly,” says Lecuyer, joking that he looked like the Terminator with his shoulders too high. But he was hooked. “It was like the best rush in my life.”

He then walked in Western Canada Fashion Week in Calgary and another show in Vancouver before getting the call for New York and Paris.

His love for music was fostered in high school by his English and music teacher, Cory Roberts.

“He always saw the creative side in me,” says Lecuyer.

He played the violin, learned to DJ, and now produces music. He is collaborating on a song with a San Diego based artist he is being tight-lipped about, and wants to collaborate with more local and international artists.

Lecuyer also looks up to his George McDougall High School Mustangs football coaches, Chris Glass and Willy Snypes (real name Willie Williams), calling them “local heroes.”

Snypes was featured in the summer 2018 edition of airdrielife, and is similarly multi-talented, with endeavours in firefighting, music production and football coaching.

“One person can do so much and be successful at it,” says Lecuyer. “And that’s what I’m trying to accomplish with acting, music production, modelling, everything.”

He finished upgrading his high school math virtually through Aboriginal Futures in Calgary during COVID-19. He’s accepted into SAIT’s welding program in Calgary for September, with plans to pursue music production education in the future.

“I learned from my parents, because if Plan A doesn’t go according to plan, what are you gonna do?” says Lecuyer, giving a nod to his mom, Shannon Sunshine. “You always have Plan B, C and D right after to fall back on. And it doesn’t mean it’s done forever; it just means you got to work equally as hard.” life

360˚ VIRTUAL Watch for what Lecuyer will do next. You can find him on Instagram at @SamThomasLecuyer

TOUR

WATCH VIDEO 360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR

LISTEN TO OUR READWITH MORE WATCH VIDEO PODCAST SAM LECUYER READ MORE PODCAST PODCAST MUSICIANS MUSICIANS VIEW PHOTOS

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CITYLIFE | PEOPLE

A conversation with STORY BY SHERRY SHAW-FROGGATT | PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

Willy Snypes

“We just need to come to a better understanding of each other … what we are about, and how we can help each other out” 82

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airdrielife is committed to publishing stories that celebrate the diverse community that makes up our city. From Pride to BIPOC, we believe in an inclusive community. We want the pages of our magazine to reflect that. If you would like to share your story please email stacie@frogmediainc.ca

A CONVERSATION WITH WILLY SNYPES

Willy Snypes is a musician, father, football coach and as of fall 2018, a proud City of Calgary firefighter. He was the cover story of our 2017 summer issue, which focused on his work as a rapper, DJ and owner of CornerBoy Music Enterprises.

He is in the process of re-doing his latest album project, since joining the fire department, as he says “more eyes are on him” and he takes it quite seriously. Re-recording songs, changing wording and language because he discovered he is gaining quite a youth following, Snypes is making his music more family friendly. He even blended his firefighter and rap personas with the song MayDay last fall, followed by the Calgary Fire Department holiday safety music video that went viral this past winter.

He’s dropping a track this summer called Dear Momma – an ode to his mom. “She dealt with all the rough stuff we went through and took the time to build me and my brothers up to the men we are today.”

A second song, Political Soup recorded in 2018, seems even timelier in light of recent events in the U.S. “It’s a song about looking at the world with an outside view. People see what they want to see and build their own story based on that view.”

He promises a feel-good song late this summer as well, “Something everyone can enjoy after what we’ve all been through these past few months.”

Even with music and firefighting duties Snypes still plans to come back this fall when he can to coach the George Mac football team (assuming pandemic restrictions allow play).

Snypes was open to discuss anti-racism and police brutality issues when we caught up in early June.

Born in New York and growing up in Florida, Snypes and his family lived with racism all around them.

When he was four, living with his mom, older brother and grandparents in Tampa, Fla., they woke up in the night to a burning cross in the front yard of his grandparent’s home.

Shortly after that his mom moved with her boys to Fort Lauderdale, but visits to Tampa to see the grandparents was always fraught with tension as Snypes found it less friendly to Black people. “There was a white boy on my grandparent’s street we would always play with during the day when his parents were at work. But when they came home, he was told to get inside; they didn’t want him playing with us.”

Fort Lauderdale proved to be generally more accepting as they settled into a larger Black community and Snypes attended a culturally diverse high school where he excelled in

all sports. This was the area Snypes felt racism rear its ugly head. “Everybody played football, basketball, wrestling, but baseball – it was another story.” And Snypes loved baseball the most – envisioning playing at the college level, so every year he tried out as the only Black kid. “I outran every guy on the field. I ran hard, I threw hard, played hard and I’d make it to the final cut only to be told “there’s no room for you.” This went on for three years. It got to the point where I understood why it was happening, but I wasn’t letting it stop me.”

Before Snypes moved to Canada in 2007 he says he would get pulled over at least once a month by police “for a random check.” He says he let a lot of the racist actions brush off. He was not letting it define who he was.

So is it better in Canada?

“There is racism everywhere no question, but Canada is more welcoming in general.” He says people do a good job of “masking their racism.” “It’s more subtle here; in the U.S. it’s more in your face. They will let you know. What I see here is nothing compared to what I experienced as a kid in the States.”

He gives another example that when playing football against the ‘rich’ (primarily white) schools, their players would always be triggering his team at the line of scrimmage with verbal abuse. “‘You fn N-word. You Black monkey.’ We would have to block it out to play the game.”

The kids he coaches in Airdrie all get along, never having experienced the extreme traumas Snypes did. “At the end of the day we all bleed the same, sweat the same and go through the same thing once we get the field. If I look across the line at you, you’re my teammate, you’re my brother; that’s not going to change once we leave the field. Team sports build you up as a person for the future. And it begins on the field.”

Snypes and his family, wife Cheryl and daughter Jada (8) and son Adonis (2), enjoy their Prairie Springs neighbourhood and feel connected with their friends and neighbours.

And he can say since moving to Airdrie he has not had racism directed at him. “Our street is very friendly – we all look out for each other, from shoveling snow to just sitting in the driveways and chatting. I feel lucky to be where I am at in life. I put a lot of time and effort into getting me and my family to where we are now.”

His children at their young age are sheltered from the current world events, but sadly he and Cheryl had to have the race talk with Jada when she was four. She came home visibly upset from an Airdrie daycare after being told by a classmate “only light-skinned kids” could come to her birthday party.”

“Why can’t I have blonde hair,” was Jada’s confused response. “We had to talk to her about how everyone is different and everyone is unique, and when people don’t like you, whether it is for your colour, (that) you’re a better athlete or student, not to let it hold you down. This is telling you that 360˚ VIRTUAL that person is jealous. If they don’t like you because ofTOUR who you are or what you do, they are a jealous. Just embrace it WATCH VIDEO and move on.

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CITYLIFE | RODEO

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GAVIN ROSE, BULL RIDER

BY JACEY CONWAY

F

rom the young age of three, Gavin Rose has been in love with the rodeo and has allowed it to shape his young career as a bull rider.

The now-nine-year-old began his journey as a bull rider in 2015 when he became involved with mutton busting, an event similar to bull riding but for a younger age group riding sheep instead of bulls.

Rose continued riding sheep for two years before moving onto riding miniature broncs bareback.

After riding mini broncs for a year, he began riding mini bulls and fell in love with the sport even more.

“That is where his heart really is,” says Nikki Rose, Gavin’s mother.

In 2014, Gavin was diagnosed with autism but he’s found mini bull riding to be a coping mechanism.

It has given him an opportunity to find his voice.

His mother remembers when her son was shy to talk with others and lacked motivation to go anywhere or do anything.

Since becoming involved with the rodeo, Gavin has become a confident young man who is surrounded by a supportive group of friends and sponsors that encourage his exciting lifestyle.

“Rodeo has been the greatest thing in our life,” says Nikki.

Gavin has achieved great things so far; one of his highlights is making the first-ever Mini Global Cup as part of Team Canada in 2019.

In addition to this great achievement Gavin has made his mark in the sport across North America and has travelled to several different states to compete.

In 2018, Gavin finished in first place in the peewee division for bulls and broncs and travelled to Oklahoma to compete in the International Miniature Bullriding Association (IMBA) World Finals.

Placing in 18th, Gavin qualified for the IMBA World Finals again and continued to join seven other young men in the Mini Global Cup as a part of Team Canada.

He is planning to continue his journey as a bull rider and working toward making the Junior World Finals in bareback and bulls.

One day Gavin would love to claim the title ‘First Canadian Miniature Riding World Champion.’

There are many reasons why he loves bull riding but one great reason why Gavin continues is the family he has built in the last several years.

“No matter what, everyone is there to help you,” he says.

Gavin looks forward to the hard work it will take to continue his bull riding career and the upcoming travels to competitions.

Look out world, here comes Gavin Rose, bull rider extraordinaire. life S U M M E R 2020

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C I T Y L I F E | S P O R TS D A D

PASSING THE PUCK …

TO A NEW GENERATION

BY BRITTON LEDINGHAM

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360˚

LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST WITH DARCY CAMPBELL

arcy Campbell’s love of hockey has him at the rink more than ever.

Airdrie’s first hockey player to hit the ice in an NHL arena finished his globe-trotting pro career in 2014. He’s since settled in Airdrie with his wife, Kristina, and two kids, Gavyn, 8, and Rylum, 7.

Now 35 years old, Campbell’s at the rink as an assistant coach for his sons whenever he can.

“I could live at the rink if I had a bed there,” he says while sitting on a bench at Explosive Edge, his kids nearby in a training session. “This is like a second home to us.”

Raised in Airdrie, Campbell played his minor hockey years here before moving to Strathmore for AAA play with the Bisons in 2000-2002.

His Junior A seasons were played in Canmore and Olds before he took a scholarship to Fairbanks, Alaska, for three years and signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2007, playing one game with the NHL team.

He spent the next seven seasons with the Syracuse Crunch (American Hockey League), Lake Erie Monsters (AHL), teams in Finland and the Czech Republic, back to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (Texas, Central Hockey League), the Chicago Express (ECHL), and wrapped up his pro career in Germany and Italy in 2012-2014.

Gavyn was born in Calgary right before the family moved to Chicago; they then moved to Germany where Rylum was born, and spent the next year in Italy.

Campbell met Kristina in high school and they were married in 2009.

“Everywhere we went to play hockey, she was there,” says Campbell, who retired from professional play at 30 and moved back to Airdrie. “I can’t really picture myself living somewhere else.”

He’s pleased with the experiences he’s had, and how they aided him in achieving his career of four years with the Calgary Police Service (CPS).

“They really look for life experience.... Without hockey I wouldn’t have even gotten this job,” says Campbell, a constable with CPS. He and his wife didn’t lace up skates on their boys at three or four years old for the sake of tradition.

“You surround your kids with good people, and for me, good people come from the hockey community,” says Campbell.

They have the upstairs bonus room of their home devoted to being the “hockey spot” where the boys can “work on their shooting or snipe goals on one another.”

“They love it,” says Campbell with a smile, noting they VIRTUAL TOURdon’t live at the arena; the family enjoys other sports and recreation during the hockey off season.

WATCH VIDEO He still gets on the ice himself, playing weekly games in the Airdrie Recreational Hockey League’s A division with the READ MORE Beavers, and with CPS teams.

“It’s good fun, I enjoy it still,” says Campbell. “We’re in a good place now with our family and I don’t know if there’s a PODCAST whole lot I would change at this point.” life

MUSICIANS

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CITYLIFE | CLUBS

The Scouting Way

BY JACEY CONWAY

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he scouting movement is alive and thriving in Airdrie, and looking to expand their reach.

Scouts are a significant part of Airdrie history, with photos dating back to the early 1930s and groups as old as 1910.

The reason why scouting has remained prevalent in Airdrie for almost 100 years is because of the selfless volunteers that keep the groups flourishing.

Rob Noble has been a volunteer for the 1st Airdrie Scouts for four years. He first joined the organization to be with his daughter who joined, and stayed to see his second daughter also join.

“It develops well-rounded youth,” says Noble.

“I have seen it foster friendship, community and service.”

The non-profit organization caters to both girls and boys aged five to 18 through weekly meet-ups and several events throughout the year that teach the children a variety of life and outdoor skills.

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From camping, to canoeing, to outdoor survival, to community initiatives, scouting sets members to be successful in many areas of life.

“We have this laundry list of adventures,” says Noble.

Scouting is divided by age groups, so the children are carrying out activities suitable for their age. They work through each level as they grow older and earn badges and awards to mark their success.

All children are welcome to join, regardless of their previous scout experience. Parents are encouraged to join their children and volunteer to help in the fun adventures offered.

“A large community has been built within scouting,” says Noble.

There are currently three scout groups in Airdrie: 1st, 2nd and 5th. The different groups have been created to cater to the high number of children signing up each year.

“We are creating a program to make better humans”

Noël Cosgrove has been scouting for nine years and is celebrating her third year with the Airdrie 2nd Scouts.

She has seen the difference scouting has made in several young children’s and teens’ lives and celebrates the skills taught.

“We are creating a program to make better humans,” says Cosgrove.

“We put in a ton of time teaching these kids really cool skills they just don’t learn (elsewhere) anymore.”

Because of the big focus on outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and survival, Cosgrove has seen the positive results of the children spending less time behind a screen.

Scouting creates a chance for children to learn how to be better outdoorsmen and women, but also gives them a sense of community, says Cosgrove.

“A lot of kids who first join the program aren’t friends, but it brings them together,” she adds.

The Scouts see many children who struggle with mental health or physical disabilities join the team and be welcomed with no hesitation.

“If I had to use one word, it would be inclusivity,” says Cosgrove.

As a volunteer, she says she’s learned so much about the outdoors and what it means to be a good person.

As a leader, a simple thank you goes a long way, says Cosgrove, encouraging scout parents to thank volunteers via the online thank-you button on the Scouts Canada web page.

“It makes a difference to hear a thank you,” says Cosgrove.

Both Noble and Cosgrove look forward to the many events that reoccur within the scouting community, including Jamborees all over the world and outdoor travel trips.

These trips create a goal after a year’s hard work of learning outdoor skills, fundraising and community service events.

“It is very rewarding,” Noble says. life

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C I T Y L I F E | H I STO RY

Airdrie’s Original

“Cool Guys”

BY LAURIE HARVEY

A

irdrie pioneers all had one thing in common. They had a desire to make their own way and carve a place for themselves out of the sparsely populated West. They came to this area, knowing that there was not much but open prairies and opportunity. Most of them came here alone, leaving their wives and children behind, so they could scope out their new space and make a few first steps before bringing their families here.

The first settlers to come to the Airdrie area were William Croxford and A.E. Bowers, in 1901. They were brothers-in-law and left their families in Innisfail (known as Poplar Grove at the time) to 90

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await word on when they could come. Croxford and Bowers built the first barn and house in Airdrie; barn first and then house. They built Croxford’s house next.

A.E. Bowers took over the postal service from the Stevenson Stopping House and owned the first general store. Croxford donated part of his land to build the first church in Airdrie, after having the services in his home for a while. Bowers built and owned the first grist mill and many stock feeders came to get their grain ground up. Bower sold the hardware section of his general store to Robert Thorburn and he also started the first lumber yard with Thomas Fletcher.

“They came to this area, knowing that there was not much but open prairies and opportunity” R. A. McDonald bought a building from a nearby farmer and moved it to a corner of Croxford’s land and used it for a boarding house; this was the beginning of the ‘Old Hotel’ on Main Street. J. Chisholm and son Finlay built a general store northwest of the old grain elevator site. They believed their location was where most of the building would take place. Instead, they found themselves underwater as Nose Creek flooded; eventually they sold their building to Farr and Jenkins and it was moved to Main Street.

Dr. W.F. Edwards came to Airdrie in 1907 and decided to settle here. Airdrie did not have a doctor at the time. Edwards wired his father in Ontario, who sent him $200. Edwards bought himself some medical equipment, a horse and buggy (he named the horse ‘Old Pilot’) and rented a building on Main Street. He was the only doctor from Irricana to Cochrane and north of Calgary, so he was a remarkably busy man. He met and married Anna McCracken, who was a school teacher at Dry Creek school. In 1918-1919 during the influenza epidemic, the doctor and his nurse, M. Kinniburgh, used the Airdrie Hotel as a hospital and treated patients there, only losing one in all the area. Edwards also owned the first ice cream and soda fountain parlour, as well as selling stationary, china and school supplies. He also owned a small dispensary with his medical practice. Dr. Edwards was Airdrie’s doctor until 1940, when he passed away from an infection.

R.J. Hawkey was the first school teacher in Airdrie. In 1906, Hawkey and his students decided to raise some money for the school. They held a concert and a box social and a large crowd showed up. The bachelors of the community were hoping to buy lunch from a young lady and many ending up eating lunch with an incredibly young student. It was with these funds raised that R.J. Hawkey ordered the school bell, which was used from 1907 until 1957. The bell now sits in the Nose Creek Valley Museum (NCVM). At the end of the First World War, Hawkey opened a bake shop, the first in Airdrie. Until 1950, R.J. Hawkey ran a dairy, was the mayor of Airdrie, worked with the school board and was the treasurer for the United Church.

The men who laid the groundwork for the city that we now live in were brave, adventurous and risk takers. They came out west to make their mark, and battled harsh climates, hard work and loneliness. They survived by collaboration with each other, relying on their families and welcoming strangers. They built a hamlet, then a village; they got involved in local events and organizations. These men held many jobs in their lifetime, one day a dairy farmer, the next day a general store owner, but what they never did was give up. We live within their footprints every day.

Visit the NCVM to learn more about Airdrie’s history! life Laurie Harvey is curator at Nose Creek Valley Museum

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C I T Y L I F E | C OV I D H E R O E S Geraldine Sanregret

Joan Feener

On the front line A look into the lives of the people who get you your goods

BY STACIE GAETZ

T

he food in your fridge, the clothing on your back, the furniture in your house and the medicine in your cabinet; almost everything you own has been delivered by truck drivers and sold to you by frontline workers at local stores.

Greg Fair

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The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a number of problems for local frontline employees, but they have risen to the challenge, found new ways to do things and continued to show up allowing the rest of us to stay safe at home during this difficult time.

Geraldine Sanregret has worked at Save-On-Foods in Airdrie for four years and she says when the pandemic began, coming to work was a bit scary.

“As time goes on, people are educating themselves and we are seeing more kindness in the store,” she says.

Joan Feener has worked at Save-On-Foods in Airdrie for six-anda-half years and she has never had so many people thank her for what she does.

“I have customers thanking me every day for just doing my job and that really helps to make it all worth it,” she says.

Measures and procedures that Save-On-Foods has put into place to keep staff and customers safe from the virus include plexiglass barriers at the register, increased cleaning and sanitation measures,

“There’s nothing special or better about us working through the pandemic.

I continue doing this for everyone, because that’s my job.”

Rob Pirzek

His usual deliveries include items for big box stores, supply arrows on the floor to indicate flow of traffic and an early open chains, mall runs, residential, industrial and specialty supply stores. time for seniors.

“Honestly, I’m just doing my job,” says Pirzek.

“Most people are appreciative of the measures we are taking,” “I’ve always liked what I do, so this is the same, with some new says Sanregret.

“It is a learning experience for both us and the customers, but we challenges. I’m humbled that I’m able to do my deliveries so people can stay healthy and safe and get the essential goods they need. really just want to serve you and keep doing our job.”

“But it can be scary that I am exposed and I could be bringing Greg Fair, manager of Save-On-Foods West, says the store has seen a huge increase in online orders for pickup and deliveries and something home to my family.” has hired new workers to keep up with360˚ demand.VIRTUAL TOUR He says the biggest change he has seen personally to his job as a “The team has done a wonderful job at maintaining our high result of the COVID-19 pandemic is the move from 7 a.m. to 3 standard of customer service even through unprecedented num- p.m. shifts to irregular hours.

WATCH VIDEO “For the most part, it’s all supply and demand in our deliveries. bers of orders,” he says.

Items come in and they need to get out ASAP,” he says.

READ MORE He adds another challenge is the fact that every warehouse may have drastically different restrictions and protocols, which can lead PODCAST to long delays when loading and unloading.

TRANSPORTATION “I can spend one day sitting in my cab for 11 hours waiting for EMPLOYEES my turn to deliver to a major supply chain and then the next day, I MUSICIANS Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation employees push through 40-plus deliveries in one shift,” he says. have tirelessly delivered goods to ensure the majority of people are In the beginning of the pandemic, he also had trouble finding able to stay home and safe while accessing necessities.

VIEW PHOTOS somewhere to get a coffee, food or use 360˚ a washroom along his routes.

VIRTUAL Airdrie resident Rob Pirzek has been driving transport trucks “It was great when the restaurant industry recognized theseTOUR chalfor 22 years. lenges, and came to the call for us truckers,” he adds.

WATCH VIDEO He currently drives pickup and delivery in Calgary and the surrounding area, which includes anywhere from Red Deer to Medicine Hat. READ MORE S U M M E R 2020

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CITYLIFE | EMERGENCY

Keeping Airdrie safe AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE ROLE OF CITY DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

BY STACIE GAETZ

As the DEM, Laface works closely with City departments, provincial and federal agencies, and other key stakeholders to co-ordinate all emergency services and resources required during a major incident.

She enforced the Municipal Emergency Management Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17.

The implementation of the plan allows the City to reduce all public and private facility capacity including but not limited to bars, restaurants, lounges and halls as well as close and cancel other City facilities and programs.

“We would ask ourselves, ‘What problems are we facing and what do we need to do to overcome them?’” says Laface.

She also activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at a level two. This meant the members of the Emergency Management Department met virtually every day to review the situation as information was provided from the provincial operations centre.

Laface says that Alberta Health Services (AHS) is the lead agency for the pandemic, meaning the City receives information from AHS and then determines the best course of action for Airdrie.

“The biggest aspect of what we have been doing is contingency planning around COVID and the business continuity planning,” says Laface.

She adds the quick pace at which rules and regulations change has been a challenge. Another tricky part of navigating the pandemic is the fact that the situation is not linear.

“It doesn’t follow any sort of rules,” says Laface.

“We have one foot in response and one in recovery as we know at any time we could slip back and need to put restrictions back in place.”

She says they have been working on a Resumption of Services Plan that has included subject matter experts and leaders in a number of fields.

“I see Airdrie as resilient and being open to change,” says Laface.

GETTING HER START

I

f you thought your job was stressful during the COVID-19 pandemic, imagine being the Director of Emergency Management (DEM) for the City of Airdrie.

Lorri Laface has been the DEM, in a shared role with City Manager Paul Schulz and Fire Chief Kevin Weinberger, since 2009.

“The three of us can fill the position and act under a state of local emergency for a shorter-term disaster but for a long-term, slower moving, high-impact situation like a pandemic, one person generally takes the reins.”

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If it sounds like Laface knows what she’s doing, she does.

She is currently taking her Masters in Emergency Management from Royal Roads University and has been involved in the field of emergency management for 24 years.

In fact, when she started more than two decades ago, emergency management wasn’t even a field.

“I was a paid on-call firefighter in Rocky View County and I was sort of voluntold to take on these duties even though there wasn’t a 360˚ been very interestTOUR department for it,” she says, adding she has alwaysVIRTUAL ed in the planning and preparing aspect of emergency management.

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CITYLIFE | FRONTLINE

Hardworking heroes

BY STACIE GAETZ

What it’s like to be a medical professional during a pandemic

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f one good thing has come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be the fact that we are starting to give health care professionals the credit and respect they deserve.

We spoke to three Airdrie residents who are putting their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.

The most astonishing thing about this story? They are thanking us.

RN Morgan Hopman is a local health professional who fought to be on the front line to help patients during the pandemic.

When the COVID-19 virus started to circulate in Alberta, Hopman was three weeks away from graduating from the nursing program at Bow Valley College and finishing her final preceptorship at Airdrie Urgent Care.

She was disheartened when she was told her practicum would be cancelled until after the pandemic.

“When I decided to be a nurse, it was without hesitation, knowing I would have to face tough situations such as infectious diseases,” she says.

“Having my practicum cancelled due to COVID-19 broke my heart, knowing I was so close to being able to help in a larger capacity, but not being allowed.

“Being three weeks away from graduating, and receiving exceptional preceptorship evaluations, I knew that [my classmates and I] were competent in our nursing skills and knowledge,” she adds.

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CITYLIFE | FRONTLINE

“I knew that in these hard times, hospitals and facilities were going to need nurses more than ever and we had a large pool of nurses who were willing to help.”

Not willing to sit around with nothing to do, Hopman wrote to Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro asking them to fast-track the graduating process.

She also started an online petition calling on the College of Licensed Practical Nurses to reconsider the decision to cancel the practicum, and allow the nurses to graduate.

Although she is not sure if it is the result of the work that she did, in early May, she received word from the college that she would be graduating.

She is now working at the Bethany Care Society as a licensed practical nurse.

“It feels great to be working in the long-term living facilities, helping people who are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19,” she says.

“It’s a very scary time for a lot of the residents, and because of restrictions they are not able to see family in the same capacity as before. Besides keeping residents safe from the virus, I feel so TOUR bless360˚ VIRTUAL ed to be the person that puts a smile on their face and keeps them company in these times where it’s so easy to feelWATCH alone.” VIDEO

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PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI

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Trey Elkins and Rachael Jones both work in the medical field.

MUSICIANS Elkins is a George McDougall High School graduate who is currently working as an advanced care paramedic with Calgary EMS, covering areas of VIEWthePHOTOS Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds and Okotoks. Jones is also a graduate of George Mac and works as a full-time RN on the Intensive Palliative Care Unit at Foothills Medical Centre.

“When the pandemic hit, I was nervous and curious,” says Jones.

“I wondered what the coronavirus was and how it was going to impact the world around me. I have family members with asthma so I couldn’t help but worry about them and of course our immunocompromised patient population on the unit.”

Elkins shared Jones’ concerns and says as a social person, the aspect he misses most about his job before the pandemic is shaking hands with the people he meets.

He adds that the biggest changes to the way he does his job day to day have been keeping distance from patients if possible, doing more detailed verbal assessments, wearing surgical masks throughout the day and even social distancing from the partner he works with.

Jones says the visitor restrictions at the hospital have been the hardest part of the pandemic for her.

Her patients are only allowed one visitor and only at end of life.

However, Elkins says it hasn’t been all bad and the most positive thing he has seen come out of the pandemic is the fact that Alberta and the rest of Canada has stepped up.

“We’ve done incredibly well,” he says.

“The support of the community has been overwhelming. It gives me chills.

I can’t thank the com360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR munity enough.”

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CITYLIFE | SUPPLIES

PROVIDING PPE TO THOSE IN NEED

BY STACIE GAETZ

“I personally wanted to do something positive and supportive for people whose job puts them at risk while they try to keep others safe and healthy”

A

irdrie is known as a community that comes together to help those who need it and the COVID-19 pandemic has given residents a chance to prove that true once again.

Whether they are using their sewing skills, technological know-how, organizational capabilities or just their generous spirit, the people of this city have stepped up during this difficult time.

ABUNDANCE OF BAGS

A local woman and her mom could have never imagined that the Facebook page they would create to make cloth bags for frontline workers would grow to include 300 volunteers and more than 7,800 bags.

Nicole Proseilo started the social media group Bags for the Frontlines (Calgary and area) with her mom Janet in April after seeing local nurse Janette Rees reach out on Facebook asking if anyone made the item.

“It’s crazy!” she says. “I didn’t think it would ever get this big – I mean, 300-plus volunteers. It’s so wonderful to see people who want to give back and help out like this.”

The bags are a simple rectangle of fabric with a drawstring, de-

signed for workers to put their scrubs in when they are done a shift and bring them home safely to wash, so their family members aren’t exposed.

Every bag includes a thank-you note made by local residents and a headband, ear saver or face mask.

“I’ve had health care professionals make a big difference in my life so I wanted to give back to them and help out in any small way that I could,” says Proseilo.

“You have no idea how much it impacts the doctors and nurses.

I have been interacting with them a bit and they all want to give money or re-pay us in some way. I tell them that this is from the heart and we just want them and their staff to stay safe.”

One of the volunteers, Cathy Perrotta, is Proseilo’s former teacher at George McDougall High School.

“I personally wanted to do something positive and supportive for people whose job puts them at risk while they try to keep others 360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR safe and healthy,” says Perrotta.

“It was actually very therapeutic and gave structure to my day.

I had a quota I sewed each day. It became a newWATCH routine for VIDEO me.”

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CITYLIFE | CARING

AIRDRIE VOLUNTEERS STEP UP IN TIME OF NEED

BY STACIE GAETZ

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rue to the community spirit for which Airdrie is known, residents has grown rapidly in the past few months with 775 volunteers, up from came out in force looking for ways to lend a hand during the 660 in December 2019.

“We have been impressed with some of the grassroots initiatives that we COVID-19 pandemic and Volunteer Airdrie answered the call.

“Volunteer Airdrie set up its Airdrie COVID-19 Response cat- have seen so far, with several new Facebook groups launched to provide support to those that need it most,” he says. egory on our Better Impact volunteering app in response to the “We hope that people new to volunteering and especially virtual volnumerous requests we were receiving from residents, groups and people unteering will find that they enjoy helping others and want to continue in from outside of Airdrie who expressed a desire to help out during the crisome way after the crisis is over.” sis,” says Dave Maffitt, chair of the Volunteer Airdrie Society.

Volunteer Airdrie is working with the City of Airdrie’s Social Planning He added many of the local non-profit agencies were also receiving inquiries from new volunteers or existing volunteers (seniors and vulnerable and Community Development groups to plan for the post-crisis recovery, which will include strategies to re-engage volunteers that have been on the people) who could no longer donate their time in the same way. sidelines for the past few months.

The volunteering opportunities Maffitt says his team encouravailable through Volunteer Aird“Volunteering helps keep people ages residents to volunteer during rie’s website and Better Impact active both physically and mentally and and after the crisis, as long as it is volunteering app are “virtual voldone as safely as possible. unteering” activities that people gives each day a purpose, not only to get out “We know people want to help can do safely from the comfort of of bed, but be part of history” others but may not know how to go their homes. about doing so safely,” he says.

For example, volunteers can “Volunteering helps keep people active both physically and menmake face masks for use by residents of the Mustard Seed. Another initiative is to sew tote bags for frontline health care workers to use when tally and gives each day a purpose, not only to get out of bed, but be part of history.” transporting their work uniforms home safely to be washed.

Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney and Chief Medical Officer Dee“We have seen a lot of interest in writing cards and letters to our senior residents at the Bethany Care Airdrie facility to help them deal with isola- na Hinshaw have also encouraged Albertans to do their part in helping others get through this challenging situation by volunteering tion from their family and friends who are no longer able to visit them in their time. person,” says Maffitt.

Residents interested in volunteering can sign up free of charge Volunteer Airdrie has also been supporting the Calgary Drop-In & Refor the Better Impact app available on the App Store or learn more hab Centre with donations of linens, blankets, towels and wash cloths for about available opportunities through volunteerairdrie.ca, social methe 500 emergency beds that were opened in March. dia channels @volunteerairdrie, by phone at 403-993-5034 or by Maffitt says the response to the app has been even more positive than he could have imagined. The organization’s membership in Better Impact email info@volunteerairdrie.ca

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C I T Y L I F E | C OV I D C H R O N I C L E S

In this intriguing mini-series, airdrielife speaks with three former Airdrie residents, who are now living in countries around the world, to get a firsthand look at the COVID-19 pandemic in China, Germany and Spain. Here’s what they told us in late May about their situation.

Life abroad during COVID-19:

GERMANY

A glimpse into the pandemic from Airdrie residents living in three different countries

BY STACIE GAETZ

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR

GERMANY Former airdrielife publisher assistant Sarah Schulz is currently living in Munich, Germany. The country’s first case was reported in January and with her office just minutes from the local hospital, Schulz was a bit nervous. The impacts of the early pandemic on her included friends cancelling a trip to visit her from Canada and a cancelled trip to Prague.

“The impact of COVID-19 is bigger than all of us and it truly makes you take time to reflect on how important it is to stand together when times get tough.”

CHINA WATCH VIDEO

READ MORE PODCAST

Q: What is the COVID-19 pandemic situation currently like in your city?

A: Currently in Munich, stores and restaurants started opening up at the end of May. One of the biggest things that opened on May 18 was the biergartens, which are a Bavarian staple. Gyms, recreation centres, sporting facilities and night clubs continue to be closed. You are also currently only allowed to be in contact with people from one 360˚ other household at the same time while keeping your safe distance.

However, you are VIRTUAL TOUR now allowed to visit family again.

MUSICIANS VIEW PHOTOS

360˚ VIRTUAL TOUR

WATCH VIDEO

SPAIN WATCH VIDEO

READ MORE

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GENESIS PLACE C I T Y L I F E | FAC I L I T I E S

GETS A GROOMING

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hile the doors were closed to public due to COVID-19, there was a lot of activity going on inside Genesis Place.

Staff were completing maintenance projects, painting, deep cleaning and much more.

Brad Anderson, manager of Genesis Place, explains: “Although it was unfortunate having to close our doors, it gave us a unique opportunity to refresh and revamp our facility. Now that we’re ready to partially open up again, it will be in even better condition than it was.”

Prior to COVID, there were scheduled maintenance projects for the pool area for this year and coming years that required rotating pool closures. The shutdown of the facility allowed for projects to be done at a time when it would not impact pool users.

Staff at Genesis Place have been able to complete: • Deep clean of entire fitness area; • Painting of entire fitness area; • Cleaning of all rafters in the fitness area; • Rearranging of equipment to meet social-distancing standards; • Full tune-up of all fitness equipment; • Trend Room painting and floor refinishing; • Repainting the basins and lines in the dive tank and lane swim pool; • Work on the pool mechanical room; • Deep clean of all three change rooms; ceilings replaced and the floors scrubbed and deep cleaned; • Refinishing of the floors in the gymnasiums; • Replacing of the entire floor in the Fun Place; • Changing over lighting to LED lights.

“For us, as nice as it is to do the maintenance work without impacting our customers, it is so much better to see their smiling faces as they work on their health and have fun doing it. COVID-19 has required sacrifices that have impacted everyone’s physical and mental health; we’re so grateful to safely open back up and help everyone get back to doing the things they enjoy again.” life

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CITYLIFE | CITY HALL

Pivoting to meet customer needs

BY J I L L I V E R S O N

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ike every other business in our city, the City of Airdrie has had to make large adjustments to how we do business and how we provide customer service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff at the City have been quick to adjust to new safety measures and quickly pivoted to ensure customers still had access to the services and support needed.

One out-of-the box pivot came from our Building Inspections team who started doing virtual home inspections in order to keep customers and staff safe during the pandemic.

A large portion of staff began working from home full time; a big feat for the Information Technology team to get everyone up and running. Staff have makeshift offices in dining rooms, bonus rooms and basements and like so many others out there have been juggling working from home with supporting their own families through the crisis.

The number of residents using online services through MyAirdrie accounts have predictably gone up over the last number of months. Residents and businesses have used MyAirdrie to pay for taxes, utilities, animal licences, fines, building permits and business licences. MyAirdrie has also been used for the notifications feature to let residents know via text or email about changes to waste and recycling, licence renewals and for viewing monthly water consumption.

The City has offered residents payment deferrals with no penalty for their utilities and property taxes. It took some work behind the scenes, but it was an important step to provide our residents with any support that is in our capabilities.

The biggest pivot of all has been adjusting to not being the lead organization during this crisis. Most times, the City of Airdrie is at the heart of decisions being made when our city is facing a crisis.

From the train derailment back in 2010, to natural disasters such as the Sharp Hills fires, our staff are used to managing the situation.

With this health pandemic, the Province of Alberta is the lead organization as health falls under their jurisdiction. City staff have taken a back seat on decision making and are taking directions on health and safety from Dr. Hinshaw and her team. The Emergency Operations Centre staff have remained very busy over the last few months planning how to implement their directions as the situation evolved and continues to evolve.

The next big pivot on our plate is the safe re-opening of facilities like City Hall, Genesis Place and the Bert Church Live Theatre.

Staff have taken guidelines from the Province of Alberta and put into place their safety measures. It will take both staff and our customers some time to adjust to the new measures and what we are allowed to offer, as well as what is still restricted until Phase 3. No matter the restrictions or safety measures, staff are just happy to be back to doing what they love: helping our citizens. life

AIRDRIE at your fingertips Skip the trip to City Hall. Use for notifications, payments and much more.

• Online payments • Local emergency alerts • Animal licences • Business licences • Recreation program registration

• Curbside waste collection reminders • Tax and assessment notices • Water usage and utility statements

Coming this summer:

GRADLIFE 2020 An interactive digital publication created especially for the Airdrie graduating classes of 2020 Available only at airdrielife.com

• Building permits and inspection booking

Create and update your account online at

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C I T Y L I F E | E D U CAT I O N

Lessons Learned Education during a pandemic

BY STACIE GAETZ

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he way our children learn has looked very different since the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools in the middle of March.

Desks were traded for kitchen tables, classrooms for Zoom meetings, teachers for parents, field trips for exploration and recess for riding bikes.

“We were all thrown into this whirlwind and we have really been focusing on connections and relationships,” says superintendent of Rocky View Schools (RVS) Greg Luterbach.

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“The method of teaching we have has been in existence, with only a few modifications, for 150 years and teachers have had to pivot to home delivery in only two-and-a-half weeks. It has had bumps and it is not perfect, but teachers have worked hard to engage students and parents have rolled up their sleeves to support learners.”

From April 29 to May 8, RVS looked to its parent community to help identify both the challenges and successes of its learning continuity plan through an online survey.

The survey, which garnered 2,881 responses, gave parents the opportunity to provide feedback on the clarity of the RVS at-home learning plan and their confidence with supporting their child.

Results showed that 75 per cent of respondents felt the amount of work being provided to students was within the government guidelines, 90 per cent agreed that student learning expectations were clear and more than 82 per cent were moderately to extremely confident with supporting their child’s learning from home.

“We were all thrown into this whirlwind and we have really been focusing on connections and relationships” “We are looking after each other and our health while moving the children forward in the skills and subjects they need to know,” says Luterbach.

He adds that RVS values flexibility through the at-home delivery model because all household situations are different and balancing work, schooling and other commitments can be a challenge.

Luterbach says teachers will be reassessing children in the coming school year to make sure they have a handle on the core lessons and adjusting to meet the kids at the level they are currently at.

A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Telisa Bennett has two children in Herons Crossing School, and she agrees that the at-home learning model has been manageable.

“When I first realized that I would be homeschooling my kids, I panicked a bit,” she says.

“I’m not a teacher and your children’s education is a big deal.”

She adds that the workload of her children in grades four and six has been reasonable.

Bennett says the aspect of at-home learning that she likes the best is the fact that the children have more freedom in deciding when and how they learn.

“I like the casual approach and the fact that it is in the comfort of their home,” she says.

She adds that the family regularly does “field trips” where they will drive out to a field and set off a rocket, explore a certain area of the city to learn about the environment or plant a seed to learn about agriculture.

“It is teaching them real-world lessons,” she says.

Bennett adds that the most challenging part of teaching her children at home is trying to balance being both a parent and a teacher.

“Every kid has a different relationship with a teacher than they do with their parents,” she says.

“There are things you would never say to a teacher that you would to your mom.”

She adds that she appreciates all of the hard work teachers have put into making at-home learning fun and effective for her children.

“It has got to be just a ton of work,” Bennett says.

“I can appreciate they are creating the curriculum, dealing with the technology, setting up Zoom meetings, marking and fielding parent questions. They are doing a great job.”

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING

Chris Yates is an Airdrie dad of three boys who decided to take his children’s education into his own hands in a unique way – by regularly teaching the real-life skills they will use for years to come.

“In March, I began making lists of all the chores and projects I could finally attend to, then I had an idea: Do online school work in the morning, then get the boys to help me with the projects in the afternoon, and I would call it shop class,” Yates says.

“Some of my projects are vehicle-related, some are home/property maintenance and I thought it might be a good idea to get the boys to help me with them and I could show them how to do these things.”

One of the first projects that Brice, 14, Logan, 12 and Hayden, 10, took part in was rebuilding the engine of a truck.

“I am a tradesman (welder). I have some experience working on vehicles over the years and have worked on engines before,” says Yates.

Other projects that the father/sons team have worked on include plumbing, welding, building a chicken coop, oil changes and tire rotations.

Yates says the boys are engaged in shop class and are often asking “What (are) we going to do today?”

“It gives me confidence to be able to fix my own things,” says Hayden.

“It’s important to learn these skills for when I’m a father and my family needs things fixed,” adds Brice.

Yates says it is fulfilling to watch his sons gain skills and confidence to take on tasks they didn’t think they could do.

“They are now often going out to the shop without me to work on things of their own or when they break things, they will try to fix them,” he adds.

“I imagine learning these things will be valuable to them in their future for many reasons, but most of all, I am grateful to have the opportunity to spend this time with them in a meaningful way.” life S U M M E R 2020

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CITYLIFE | SCHOLARSHIP

Hannah’s Hope Scholarship recipient hopes to be “driving force behind a movement of change”

BY STACIE GAETZ

T

he 2020 recipient of the Anne Beaty Scholarship is hoping to use language to inspire change.

Hannah Khurshid is an 18-year-old graduate of George McDougall High School currently enrolled in the University of Calgary Bachelor of Arts program with a major in Sociology and minor in Law and Society.

“While I was consistently pushed to pursue a career in the sciences and maths, I felt that I could meaningfully impact society just as much with the written word as I could with a medical or scientific degree,” she says.

“As the saying goes: ‘The pen is mightier than the sword,’ and I couldn’t agree more that there is no better way to inspire others than through our own experiences and words.”

Khurshid has a history of giving back to her community with volunteer experience at a number of local organizations including the Airdrie Food Bank, Mustard Seed, and Big Brother and Big Sisters.

“I feel extremely grateful and lucky to have been chosen among so many applicants, and to have the chance for more opportunities to achieve my goals in the future,” says Khurshid about receiving the scholarship.

“I just wanted to say thank you so much to airdrielife magazine and everyone involved for granting me this opportunity!”

Beaty’s daughters Kate Vogelaar and Sarah Christie and scholarship founder Sherry Shaw-Froggatt selected the recipient.

Vogelaar says, “We chose Hannah for her passion and big dreams. I see some of myself as well as some of mom in her.”

Christie says the passion with which Khurshid wrote her essay really stood out to her.

“She is a wonderful writer and a very driven young woman.

I wanted to choose someone who mom would be proud of,” she adds.

Shaw-Froggatt says she is confident that Khurshid will go on to do great things.

“Hannah is a beautiful role model for students,” she adds.

“I have no doubt she will accomplish her dreams; airdrielife is proud to be able to help her in a small way work towards her goals.”

With her undergraduate degree, Khurshid plans to apply for law school to become a human rights attorney and travel to foreign countries, where she hopes to help minorities gain more individual rights, and stand up to injustices present in the modern world.

“I would like to better the lives of people who can’t do so and use my passion for language to discover a variety of cultures around the world,” she says.

“I believe that international communication and co-operation can change many global issues that we are facing today, and I would like to be a driving force behind the movement to change them.” life

The Anne Beaty Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to a student passionate about the written word, is open to Alberta high school students/graduates who: • demonstrate outstanding academic achievement; APPLY TODAY •are dedicated community members; FOR THE • have proven leadership skills; SCHOLARSHIP • are entering into post-secondary studies or are currently enrolled in post-secondary education.

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