The Anchor - Chestermere News Magazine June 19, 2023

Chestermere hosts first-ever summer carnival

City halts Community grant program

Chestermere Celebrates older adults during seniors’ Week

Chestermere hosts first-ever summer Carnival

art mural Coming to strathmore

Wheatland soCiety of art

CounCil revieWs first quarter finanCial results

l angdon man Charged With seCond-degree murder

poultry pets are noW permitted in Chestermere urban areas

federal neWs - martin shields mp boW river

east l ake takes gold at sCienCe olympiCs

City proCuring motorCyCles for peaCe offiCer patrols

oaCC older adults Coalition of Chestermere

Chestermere publiC library

Contributors

a real estate minute With miChelle eldjarnson

CroWs feet - birding With don & el aine

WhiteCappers Calendar

opinions

tune in to the rogue

l akeside libations

City halts community grant program

The 2023 community grants have been paused until further notice.

By Emily Rogers

The City of Chestermere has temporarily paused the 2023 community grants.

Local not-for-profits received an email notice from the City of Chestermere on May 24, explaining that community grants are paused until an audit on programs and social services is completed. An independent assessor will review the programs and services offered by the city to ensure they meet the needs of residents and council’s social master plan, the email said.

Effective immediately the 2024 Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and United Way Chestermere Partnership Grant Awards Notifications have been postponed until the fall.

When the audit and the community needs assessment is completed, the city will issue award notifications.

“As the city reserves the right to change the schedule as needed, the 2023 Community Grants must also be put on hold until further notice,” the email said.

“We recognize the impact that this may have and apologize for the inconvenience,” the email said.

In a video posted on the city’s Facebook page, Mayor Jeff Colvin explained that the city wants to ensure the city is supporting residents through social programs and social services.

He said the city is looking at issuing a survey to residents to help identify how they feel about programs and services being offered, what’s missing, and what needs to be improved.

An independent third party will also complete a social programming analysis regarding how effective local programming is, what should be done differently, and find efficiencies to ensure funds are being spent wisely.

“We’re very lucky that we’ve restructured the city, so we now have the ability to take advantage of all of the things we should be doing but there is only so much money,” Colvin said. “There is opportunity, but we still have to spend it wisely, it’s very important to us.”

Chestermere celebrates older adults during Seniors’ Week

There was a variety of events and activities in celebration of older adults.

By Emily Rogers

The City of Chestermere celebrated the contributions older adults have made in the community during Seniors’ Week.

“Seniors’ Week for 2023 was an absolutely incredible event,” Older Adults Coalition of Chestermere (OACC) Co-Chair Joanne Lemna said.

From June 5 until June 10, Seniors’ Week featured a variety of activities, events, and festivities for older adults.

The week-long celebration kicked off with an opening ceremony at City Hall, followed by a seniors’ tea.

The week of activities and events included Tour De Chestermere, a presentation by the Chestermere Historical Foundation featuring the history of place names around the city, a pancake breakfast, information sessions, tours of Lakeshore Manor, and a game night at the Whitecappers.

Older adults were invited to a day at Camp Chestermere for a poutine lunch, pontoon boat tours, and a trade show featuring local services and supports available in the community.

Seniors’ Week concluded with Bhangra dances, musical entertainment, food trucks, and closing remarks on behalf of the Seniors’ Week Planning Group at John Peake Park.

Lemna noted that Seniors Week surpassed previous attendance records, with more than 650 attendees at events, and more than 100 volunteers.

“The attendance surpassed previous years, but more importantly the inclusive and diverse nature of all of the attendees was truly heartwarming,” Lemna said. “It was absolutely incredible to see so many people from our community, and all aspects of our community feeling welcome and engaging with each other, it was a really great thing to see.

Lemna attributes the spike in attendance to the dedication of the Seniors’ Week Planning Group, with social media campaigns, posters, and ensuring not-for-profits shared the events with members.

Throughout the week, Seniors’ Week organizers received a lot of positive feedback from event attendees and constructive

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suggestions for future events.

“It was really great to get feedback, knowing that the functions and events we are planning are things people want to do and enjoy,” Lemna said. “Knowing they want to do more of it, makes it even more rewarding and helps us know when we get it right.”

Without the support of volunteers, the City of Chestermere, OACC, Camp Chestermere, Synergy, Chestermere Seniors Services, Lakeshore Manor, Chestermere Whitecappers, and the Chestermere Historical Foundation Seniors’ Week wouldn’t have been possible.

“There was a lot of hard work that went into it, and at the end of the day, seeing the outcome we had, made absolutely every second we put into planning so worth it. To see people laughing and encouraging, it was absolutely incredible,” Lemna said. “The planning group was so proud of what we collectively accomplished this year. Bigger and better next year.”

The Alberta Dental Association Fee Guide

Chestermere hosts first-ever summer carnival

The carnival featured amusement rides, games, live performances, and a firework show.

By Emily Rogers

The City of Chestermere partnered with Wild Rose Shows to bring an inaugural summer carnival to Chestermere.

From June 16 to June 18, the carnival featured food, games, amusement rides, live performances, and a firework show at John Peake Park.

The carnival showcased local talent with live performances from Trina Morgan, Pistol Noon, Memphis and the Grande Band, and the Rocky Mountain Maniacs.

City officials worked closely with Wild Rose Shows to ensure a comprehensive inspection of the amusement rides, as a result of incidents from other municipalities, a City of Chestermere press release said.

The amusement rides passed a joint inspection and were re-certified by the Alberta Elevating Devices and Ride Safety Association (AEDARSA), and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety prior to the carnival opening in Chestermere.

City Counillor Blaine Funk enjoys an amusement ride at Chestermere’s inaugural summer carnival.

Photo/Ty Tomasta

Chestermere City Counillors Blaine Funk and Mel Foat join Mayor Jeff Colvin for the opening of the first-ever Chestermere summer carnival.

Photo/Ty Tomasta

The City of Chestermere and Wild Rose Shows have partnered together to bring a first-ever carnival to Chestermere.

From June 16 until June 18, the carnival will feature treats, games, rides, and a firework show at John Peake Park.

On June 9, a City of Chestermere press release explained that city officials were working with Wild Rose Shows to ensure a comprehensive inspection of all of the amusement rides, as a result of incidents in other municipalities.

“The City of Chestermere has been assured that carnival rides are being re-inspected and re-certified by the provincial governing body, the Alberta Elevating Devices and Ride Safety Association (AEDARSA), as well as Alberta Occupational Health and Safety prior to the opening of the carnival in the City of Chestermere,” the release said.

Two rides in question have been removed from operation, the release said.

“The City of Chestermere takes community safety and security very seriously,” Mayor Jeff Colvin said in the release. “Without the appropriate re-certification and approvals, the City of Chestermere will not allow these rides to operate. The safety of our residents is our top priority.”

On June 12, a City of Chestermere press release explained that the city had received official confirmation that the Wild Rose Shows amusement rides successfully passed inspections by AEDARSA and Occupational Health and Safety.

“The City of Chestermere has been actively engaged with Wild Rose Shows and AEDARSA throughout the inspection and clearance process to ensure the safety of all rides,” the release said. “The Chestermere carnival promises to be a thrilling and memorable event for everyone.”

The City of Chestermere and Wild Rose Shows are bringing a first-ever carnival to Chestermere from June 16 until June 18 at John Peake Park.

Photo/Wild Rose Shows Inc.

Art mural coming to Strathmore

Prospect Human Services is bringing public art to Lambert Centre.

By Emily Rogers

Acommunity-driven art mural has been given the green light from Strathmore Town Council.

The final art concept has not been approved, however, Strathmore council has approved a location for the Prospect Human Services Skills for Success public mural at Lambert Centre, on 85 Lakeside Blvd.

“This was an opportunity to support a local initiative that embodies council’s strategy for community wellness. Public art installations strengthen a community’s identity and foster a sense of local pride,” Director of Community and Protective Services, Mark Pretzlaff said. “I’m grateful to Prospect Human Services for coming forward with this idea and look forward to seeing it come to life.”

The art project incorporates Strathmore council’s strategy for intentional community development, a Town of Strathmore press release said.

“Art can connect communities in cultural experiences, creating a sense of belonging and connectedness to people, places, stories, and creative ideas,” the release said. “Art also engages citizens and artistic leaders in planning and building a thriving community for the future.”

In February, Prospect Human Services expressed a desire for a public art mural as part of the Skills for Success program, aiming to help the unemployed or underemployed improve their skills using art-based learning.

Strathmore administration have connected with the Strathmore Municipal Library and the Happy Gang to ensure their support of the project.

Strathmore council will approve the mural prior to installation after a concept has been finalized.

Strathmore Town Council has approved a location for the Prospect Human Services Skills for Success public art mural at Lambert Centre.

Photo/Metro

Wheatland Society of Art

Council reviews first quarter financial results

By Emily Rogers

Chestermere City Council accepted the 2023 first quarter financial results for information during the June 13 council meeting.

“Council and administration did an outstanding job in the first quarter of 2023,” the first quarter financial results council report said.

Financial Services Manager Ann Thai explained that the 2023 total revenue is $13,016,040, from taxes, sale of goods and user charges, penalty and cost on taxes, licenses and permits, investment income, government transfer grants, draw from restricted surplus, and draw from equity.

License and permit revenue included business licenses, residential development permits, and building permits.

Sale of goods and user charges revenue included franchise fees, fines, subdivision requests, and boat launch fees.

“Council’s directive to cut red tape worked to break records for the city,” the report said.

Total expenses were $10,933,164, from salaries, legal, audit, goods and supplies, transfers to other organizations, repairs and maintenance, rental and leases, and bank charges. Contracted and general service expenses included licenses and permits, and census contracting services.

Transfers to other organizations included contributions to the library and the recreation centre, payment to the Western Irrigation District (WID), and community service programs.

Staff expenses included travel and subsistence, employee recruiting, millage, moving expenses, and training and development.

“Council’s organizational

restructure, the Tri-Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) model, increased efficiencies and reduced operational bloat while maintaining a high level of service for residents, the report said.

Thai added that divisions in the city have hit goals in quarter one, such as community growth and planning creating a land division, updating the offsite levy bylaw, and continuing to work on development projects.

Community operations highlights included beginning the soil sample project, and completing the 2022 annual reports for environmental services, parks, and roads.

Community safety highlights included Chestermere Fire Services (CFS) completing the First Due integration, CFS joining the Wheatland Regional Emergency Management Association, and an increased level of service on medical calls. Corporate service highlights included sending assessment notices, hiring a legislative service manager, and staff training.

Capital project highlights included city hall renovations, preliminary review of a second fire hall, approving construction for a fenced off-leash area, and the east side active trails and transportation plan.

Langdon man charged with second-degree murder

Scott Demolitor will appear in the Alberta Court of Justice on June 20 in Strathmore.

By Emily Rogers

A Langdon resident has been charged with second-degree murder following an Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Investigation.

On May 26, at 12:10 p.m., Strathmore and Langdon RCMP responded to an emergency call of an assault at a Langdon residence, an RCMP press release said.

When RCMP arrived, they found an unresponsive female. She was taken to a Calgary hospital in serious condition.

A 31-year-old male was arrested at the scene.

On June 7, Audra Demolitor, 56, a resident of Langdon, succumbed to her injuries and died in hospital.

The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit took carriage of the investigation, with the assistance of Strathmore and Langdon RCMP, and the RCMP Forensic Identification Unit.

An autopsy was performed at the Chief Medical Examiner’s office in Calgary on June 8.

Scott Demolitor, 31, of Langdon has been charged with seconddegree murder. After a judicial interim release hearing, he was remanded into custody and will appear in the Alberta Court of Justice on June 20 in Strathmore.

“Council and administration did an outstanding job in the first quarter of 2023.”

Poultry pets are now permitted in Chestermere urban areas

Chestermerians can now have chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

By Emily Rogers

Chestermere City Council passed the third reading of the amended animal control bylaw, allowing residential poultry pets on June 13. Under the amended bylaw, Chestermere residents can have a maximum of six residential poultry pets, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

“No roosters are allowed in urban areas,” Community Peace Officer Sgt. Trever Bowman said. Chickens must be at least four months old to ensure they are female.

Keeping a rooster in an urban area would result in a fine penalty and be the property owner’s responsibility to remove it from the property.

The bylaw indicates that Chestermere residents cannot cause or allow any animal in their care to be in distress, and they must ensure the animal has adequate food and water, care when the animal is wounded or ill, reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold, and shelter with ventilation and space.

The bylaw suggests that chicken keepers should provide

opportunities for essential behaviours such as scratching, dustbathing, roosting, pecking, and socializing with the same species.

Chicken keepers should also meet space requirements for the interior floor area, and cooprun outdoor area, in addition to providing a minimum of one nest box for every three chickens, and one perch for chickens that are of a specified size.

“If the animals are being used as pets and companions, they are different than farm animals, and they would subscribe to different guidelines under animal welfare,” Bowman said.

He explained at a previous council meeting, that the size of the property, the type of animal, the potential for noise, odour, cleanliness, and potential effects on adjacent property values would determine if livestock would be permitted in an urban area.

Residents are not currently permitted to keep livestock in any area of the city, except for residential poultry pets.

A zoning map indicating what areas of Chestermere are permitted to have residential poultry pets under the amended animal control bylaw.

Chestermere City Council passed the third reading of the amended animal control bylaw, now allowing poultry pets in urban areas on June 13.

Federal News

Dear Constituents,

As I write this column for our great newspapers in the Bow River riding, I’m reminded how important it is to keep our weekly newspapers alive. Recently I had the opportunity to question the Minister of Heritage at committee about the main estimates (government spending). I asked him how his government, that purports to wanting to promote Canadian journalism, can justify splashing over $60 million in advertising dollars to online foreign tech giants while local outlets like in the Bow River riding are seeing federal advertising dollars dry up – sometimes to zero. This money used to go to our papers and now they’ve lost it. He didn’t have a straight answer for me, but I pressed him to rethink about his government’s priorities.

The reason I mention this interaction is because I’m always hearing from constituents about the issues that matter most to them. In fact, keeping our local newspapers alive is an important topic for many. If you weren’t aware, I publish a monthly survey released along with my e-newsletter that you can sign up for through my website. But in my regular snail mail correspondence, I’m also asking constituents their thoughts on relevant issues. The mail surveys can be returned to my office in Ottawa postage free. It’s one of the best ways for me to stay up to date with your thoughts.

In my latest mailer, I highlighted some of the work my Alberta MP colleagues and I have been focused on in this Parliament. Included was a survey with 10 questions on a variety of topics including: inflation, government spending, internet regulation, community safety, firearms laws, foreign interference, among other topics. When the responses to this survey start trickling into my office, I always read and respond to them.

Ultimately, Members of Parliament are accountable to their constituents, and I believe MPs should be doing everything they can to stay in communication with their constituents. Be it through social media, email, letters, or phone calls, I always enjoy hearing your thoughts.

So I will leave you with this ask: Next time you see an email from my office in your inbox or a constituency mailer in your mailbox, fill it out with your thoughts! I’d like to hear from as many constituents as I can. In a riding with such a vast geographical footprint and such a diverse population like Bow River’s, it’s important to hear your thoughts – no matter where you live.

As always, be sure to stay in touch with me through the following options, and sign up for my e-newsletter below:

• Send me an email: Martin.Shields@parl.gc.ca

• Facebook: @MartinShieldsBowRiver

• Twitter: @MartinBowRiver

• Instagram: @MartinShields_BowRiver

• E-Newsletter (scan code to sign up with smartphone):

Federal News - Martin Shields MP Bow River

Martin Shields MP Bow River

Welcome to Rainbow Falls Dental! Family Dentist Chestermere

Rainbow Falls Dental is excited to introduce their brand new state of the art Dental practice to the town of Chestermere and surrounding area. Our dynamic team will strive to ensure you are comfortable and confident with the complete oral health care you are receiving and will continue to receive.

You’ll always leave a lasting impression with a bright and confident smile. At Rainbow Falls Dental, we want to help you claim and maintain a strong healthy smile to enjoy for your entire life.

Rainbow Falls Dental is a full-service clinic providing everything from routine check-ups & cleanings for your children, to the complex cosmetic and restorative dentistry sometimes needed.

Our team understands that there is often a sense of uneasiness and anxiety associated with dental visits. We strive to put these emotions at ease by creating a positive and relaxing experience. It is very important to establish a great foundation of trust with each and every patient and take the time to accommodate to the specific needs of the individual. Our entire team is dedicate to providing you with a comfortable, pleasant, and friendly experience.

We offer dental services for families and individuals of all ages. We are Unit 214 100 Rainbow Road, Chestermere, AB. We are right beside the No Frills.

Call Rainbow Falls Dental to set up an appointment!

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East Lake takes gold at Science Olympics

Students were judged on a classroom challenge and a one-hour mystery challenge.

By Emily Rogers

East Lake School students took gold at the APEGE Science Olympics for their engineering and design skills.

Five Grade 6 East Lake School students competed in the Science Olympics, showcasing their engineering and design skills.

“Science Olympians use problem solving to develop solutions to a series of challenges that demonstrate how engineering and geoscience impact our everyday lives,” the APEGE Science Olympics website said.

“Challenges are related to the Alberta school curriculum, and are developed by professional engineers and geoscientists, as well as local teachers.”

This is the fourth year that East Lake teacher Christina Van den Eynden has taken students to compete in the Science Olympics, both inperson and virtually.

Students were chosen to compete in the Science Olympics after the school science fair based on their work ethic and their love of science.

“Previous years we have come out with a silver standing and this year was our firsttime getting gold,” Van den Eynden said. “It went amazingly well, however when they presented their project the final step did not work as planned.”

For the Science Olympics, students had to complete a classroom challenge, creating a Rube Goldberg machine to wake up their teacher in a kind way.

The machine needed to perform the task in a complicated manner consisting of at least five different steps and including at least three simple machines, Van den Eynden

explained.

Grade 6 student Ayah Hassan said that the team followed the engineering design process by researching Rube Goldberg machines and different simple machines, imagining what it would look like before building and testing the machine.

Although students spent time researching the Rube Goldberg machine, they did run into challenges while building and testing the machine.

“After we built everything the golf ball was not hitting where it needed to go so, we had to re-design,” student Mannat Sidhu said. “We also ran into many challenges with our final pulley system and had to change it multiple times.”

Sidhu added that Van den Eynden helped the team early in the morning before class, after school, and during the lunch break.

“The biggest commitment of all was our teacher Mrs. Van den Eynden,” Sidhu said. “She did this all out of her own time when she could have been home, and I am so happy she gave me this opportunity.”

Students presented the classroom challenge at the Science Olympics and were then given one hour to complete a mystery challenge. The mystery challenge was to design a city and its features, such as a dam, landfill, or farmland on a 2D flat map, while avoiding environmental dangers and natural disasters that could occur on the site.

During the mystery challenge, judges watched how the team worked together, how they demonstrated innovation and

engineering design processes, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the safety and efficiency of the buildings and facility locations.

Student Jibril Elsayed said the mystery challenge went well, and everyone worked together as a team.

“At first, we were confused at what we needed to do but we asked a bunch of questions to the judges and were able to figure it out,” Elsayed said.

Sidhu explained that the team decided to feature a dam, a farm, and a village with houses and a landfill.

“We had to set it up so the people in the village had the best life and had to consider the wind, floods, tsunamis, fault lines, mountain slopes and the amount of space we took to build each thing,” Sidhu said.

For Van den Eynden getting to see her students’ excitement and energy was a highlight of the entire event.

“They were so happy, and I could see they were loving every minute,” Van den Eynden said.

She explained that it’s important for her to inspire students’ love for science as it gives students an extra challenge, and an opportunity to be problem solvers and innovators.

“It also shows students that if things don’t work the first time, you need to keep trying,” Van den Eynden said. “A love of science and a love of learning as well as knowing it is okay to fail as long as you keep trying and with each try, you will learn new things.”

East Lake Grade 6 students competed in the APEGE Science Olympics, showcasing their engineering and design skills.

Photo/Van den Eynden

Students had to complete a mystery challenge, designing a city and its features, such as a dam, landfill, or farmland on a 2D flat map.

Photo/Van den Eynden

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City procuring motorcycles for peace officer patrols

The city is procuring two motorcycles, gear, equipment, and training.

By Emily Rogers

Chestermere Peace Officers are enhancing their ability to patrol pathways and parks and respond to emergencies with motorcycle patrols.

Chestermere City Council approved administration procuring motorcycles, gear, equipment, and training for peace officers during the May 30 council meeting.

City Director of Community Operations Cameron Wong explained that adventure motorcycles are designed to handle off-road conditions easily, with the ability to navigate changing terrain. “This is especially useful in Chestermere, where officers

may need to access sandy, grassy, or areas that are challenging to respond to emergencies or investigate incidents in a traditional patrol vehicle,” Wong said.

Peace officers would be highly visible in the community during motorcycle patrols, offering preventative education and awareness instead of just enforcement.

The motorcycles would also reduce the carbon footprint of city departments and extend the current patrol vehicles’ life cycle replacements, repairs, and maintenance.

“Adventure motorcycles for Chestermere Peace Officers who require a versatile, reliable, and efficient vehicle for patrolling the varied terrain and diverse road conditions of Chestermere,” Wong said. “Adventure motorcycle’s ability to handle both on and off-road conditions, combined with its durability and advanced safety features, make it an excellent investment for the Chestermere Peace Officers and can help enhance their ability to respond to emergencies, investigate incidents, proactively patrol the parks and pathways and keep the community safe.”

Wong added that motorcycle patrols will offer an effective way to patrol all green spaces, beaches, off-leash areas, parks, and rural roads, educate, and enforce distracted driving and seatbelt compliance.

To meet provincial regulations, ensure officer safety, and reduce liability, all officers must be trained and obtain a motorcycle license, and complete an approved Law Enforcement motorcycle course.

“The skills needed to utilize motorcycles in a law enforcement role is significantly different than using a motorcycle for leisure or transportation,” Wong said.

The city would be required to purchase safety equipment, such as approved helmets, gloves, pants, jackets, and boots.

“The uniform would consist of protective safety equipment,” Wong said.

Wong recommended council approve the procurement of two Honda Africa Twin CRF 1100 motorcycles, due to affordability, reliability, and low maintenance costs.

Two motorcycles allow for a backup, and three to four peace officers to be trained and outfitted with safety gear.

The approximate cost of the motorcycles, emergency equipment, training, and safety equipment is nearly $28,000, which would be funded from the city’s restricted surplus account.

Older Adults Coalition of Chestermere (OACC)

JUNE 2023

the amazing events.

We have a very full week of events that we are excited to have hosted by various not-for-profit organizations, the City as well as Older Adult friendly businesses.

Monday June 5 at Noon will be opening ceremonies at City Hall followed by an afternoon Seniors’ Tea in the lobby of City Hall. This is a free event, first come first served.

Tuesday, June 6th the day starts with the “Tour De Chestermere”. This is a fun morning of riding or walking a route through the City. This event is hosted by the City. There are 3 routes – 1 is a 10km route around the lake on bikes, then a shorter bike route and finally a 3km walking route. This is followed by a picnic for those participating. This is a free event, but you must register online at chestermeretoday.com/seniors-week-tour-de-chestermere or phone at 403-207-7050 ext 7092

On the afternoon of Tuesday, June 6th, starting at 1pm – 4pm, Whitecappers & the Chestermere Historical Foundation is hosting an event called “Origin Place Names”. It’s an opportunity to learn about the history and origin of the various place names around the City. Refreshments will be served as well. This event is free, and no registration is required.

Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere (OACC)

After a much-needed vacation, I’m back into the daily routine. Chestermere is abuzz with activity and spring has certainly arrived. The lake is full, flower beds in bloom and it feels like things are getting back to “normal.”

But more importantly, SENIOR’S WEEK 2023 is upon us. This article will be predominantly covering the amazing events planned for the week of June 5 – 11. On a side note, there are two (2) events that require registration – if you want to attend them, please make sure you register right away!

OACC News & Community Events

SENIOR’S WEEK IS UPON US! In Chestermere Seniors’ Week will be celebrated from Monday, June 5th through to Saturday, June 10th. The history of Senior’s Week originates back to 1986 and was to celebrate and recognize the contribution seniors make to enhance the quality of life in Alberta. Senior’s Week was inspired by the vision of the late Alice Modin who began a campaign to start a senior’s day in Strathcona County. This vision paved the way for the celebration we know today.

In Chestermere, the “town” started by providing a Seniors Tea to celebrate the occasion. Around 2015, the Whitecappers started hosting several activities throughout the week and the celebrations have evolved into what is offered today. This year, the Chestermere Senior’s Week Planning Group which consists of non-profit organizations working with the City, has built a Calendar of Events for the week. Something has been scheduled every day to celebrate the Seniors and Older Adults in our community. So here is a summary of

On Wednesday, June 7th, join the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere and Camp Chestermere for a Day at Camp. This is a fun filled day with something for everyone. The Poutine Bar Lunch starts at 1:00 ($5 fee) and then followed by the FREE outdoor games, lawn games, pontoon boat ride.

After the festivities, stop by the Trade Show of providers of Older Adult/Senior services sharing information with our guests. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT by emailing Joanne at jumpmaster2@shaw.ca or Betty at illingw8@telus.net.

Thursday, June 8th has several planned events. The day starts at Lakeshore Manor from 9-10:30 for their breakfast. Start the day by enjoying some pancakes and sausages. This is a drop in, free event.

After you’ve had something to eat, head over to City Hall to learn about public safety, scam awareness, AHS goals of care, and Elder abuse. Information sessions will be presented by Chestermere RCMP, Canada Revenue Agency, and Calgary Rural Primary Care Network. This is another free, drop-in event.

On Friday, June 8th, head over to the Whitecappers at the Rec Centre for a fun night of games. Play table and card games while meeting new people. There will be refreshments available for purchase. The event itself is free and no registration is required.

Finally, on Saturday, June 9th come down to John Peake Park to celebrate the end of the week with live Bhangra dances and musical entertainment. There will be food trucks on site and a few closing words on behalf of the Seniors’ Week Planning Group.

New this year – Synergy is sponsoring a 50/50 draw to support Seniors Week. Tickets will be available online through Rafflebox. Watch

Social media for more information and its launch.

We are really excited about this celebration and encourage everyone to come out to enjoy the festivities. A thank you to the Chestermere Senior’s Week Planning Group who worked tirelessly to organize this amazing calendar of events. They include the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere, Chestermere Foodbank, Whitecappers Association, Chestermere Historical Foundation, Synergy, Trellis, Chestermere Senior Services, Lakeshore Manor, Camp Chestermere, and the City of Chestermere. Special thanks to Tim Hortons, Cobs, Safeway, Stu, and the many other volunteers.

News & Views on Health from CRPCN

June, what a beautiful month of the year, and a wonderful time to celebrate Older Adults! Seniors Week is around the corner June 5th –11th and there are many things to take in.

CRPCN will be attending the trade fair after the Poutine Lunch and Boat Tours on Wednesday, June 7th with lots of giveaways and information around health for you. We will also be presenting on Thursday June 8th at City Hall between 12:30-1:30pm on two very important topics: Goals of Care (Greensleeves) and Elder Abuse Awareness in Chestermere. We so look forward to seeing you all out celebrating yourselves!

CRPCN will be starting an Elder Abuse Awareness Project to create an awareness and provide further around education and resources for this concerning trend. Stay tuned for Lunch and learns to follow in your community. Did you know June 15th, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day?

Mental Health Coalition has been meeting monthly and working on Youth Supports for our Kindergarten to age 25-yearolds in regard to their needs and has come up with so many training ideas coming to Chestermere, many of which relate to Older Adults as well, Mental Health First Aid, Sciences of Hope, Social Media Usage, Brain Science and Resilience to name a few. This group is a community of professionals that works in Chestermere for all ages in regard to identifying gaps and needs around Mental Wellness. Our Clinics continue to be very busy around town. Happy to see East Hills will be accepting a new Diagnostic Imaging (Xray, Ultrasound) tenant in the coming months.

Have a great month of June and see you at Senior’s Week!

Join the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere

Are you an older adult? Do you live or work in Chestermere or the immediate surrounding area? Do you want to engage and/or volunteer in the community with similar residents? Do you have family that fits this demographic that you care for or have living in Chestermere? Did you know that as a business or organization that has an interest in providing services or

programs for our older adults you are more than welcome to be a member of OACC? We welcome adult children of older adults, caregivers, educators, agencies, service organizations, funders, community partners and the community at large. The common goal is to work for the betterment of older adults in our community.

OACC – Upcoming Meeting Date – Wednesday, June 21 at 1:30PM – 3:30PM Lakeshore Manor (200 Marina Drive, Chestermere). While walk-ins are welcome to our meetings, RSVPs are appreciated. Please email Joanne jumpmaster2@shaw.ca or Betty illingw8@ telus.net or Shannon shannon.fetterly@lakeshoremanor.ca

The OACC welcomes community businesses, organizations, and service providers to join our meetings as a guest speaker. If you are interested, please reach out to Joanne, Betty, or Shannon.

RESOURCES

The Chestermere Older Adults’ Resource Handbooks (2023) are available at the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere meetings. They are also available at the Chestermere Library, Whitecappers Association, Lakeshore Manor, and Synergy as well as medical offices and pharmacies throughout the City. Please pick yours up or take one for a neighbour. You can also access these Handbooks by contacting the City of Chestermere at 403-207- 7079 or online at https:// www.chestermere.ca/DocumentCenter/ View/20176/Chestermere-Older-Adults-Resource-Handbook-2023

Lakeshore Manor also provides a wide variety of resources and information for Older Adults within our community. They can be contacted at 587-349-7444 or online at https://lakeshoremanor.ca

Older Adults Coalition of Chestermere Meeting

When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Where:

• Lakeshore Manor, 200 Marina Drive, Chestermere

RSVP:

• jumpmaster2@shaw.ca

• illingw8@telus.net

Walk-ins welcome, RSVP appreciated

OLDER ADULTS COALITION OF CHESTERMERE

OLDER ADULTS COALITION OF CHESTERMERE

Summer: THE season for refreshing desserts!

The heat of summer and all its pleasant activities often put you in the mood for refreshing desserts. Want to try your hand at making some delicious homemade desserts to help you survive the hot weather? Here are some ideas to inspire you.

ICE CREAM SUNDAES

Use local or exotic fruits to create fresh ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt. Mango, raspberries, lemon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and blueberries are great options. You can also opt for classic flavours, such as chocolate and vanilla, or get creative by using edible flowers and fragrant herbs like lavender and mint. Top it all off with granola, chocolate shavings, nuts, fruit coulis, caramel sauce or maple syrup.

FRUITY DELIGHTS

Let your imagination run wild and have fun concocting fruity pies that pair perfectly with a dollop of ice cream. Layer jam, custard, whipped cream and chopped fruit on a delicious, sweet pastry. Mousse cakes, pavlovas and panna cottas are other tasty options you can make with the fruit of your choice.

UNIQUE TREATS

Enjoy ice cream in a new way by making a bite-sized Japanese dessert called mochi or assembling a cake roll. You could also make oversized ice cream sandwiches by placing your favourite flavour of ice cream between two giant chocolate chip cookies. When it comes to dessert drinks, slushies and milkshakes are also irresistible options.

Many restaurants, snack bars and creameries offer a wide variety of frozen and refreshing desserts. Indulge your appetite this summer!

Beet and orange salad with goat cheese

This colourful salad is a mouth-watering summer treat that makes the perfect starter or side dish.

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup orange juice

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon grainy mustard

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the salad:

• 2 oranges

2 cooked beets

• A handful of pomegranate seeds

• 2 cups of greens of your choice

(e.g., mesclun or spring mix)

• 200 grams goat cheese

How to choose a barbecue

Do you dream of cooking meals on the grill in your backyard or balcony but don’t yet have a barbecue? Here are some tips for choosing the right one.

TYPE

Propane barbecues are versatile, easy to use and quick to heat up. Charcoal or wood-burning barbecues impart delicious flavour but are more difficult to light and take longer to reach an optimal temperature. On the other hand, electric barbecues offer even heat distribution, except at low temperatures.

MATERIAL

Certain materials, like stainless steel, will ensure your barbecue has a long service life. If the appliance’s firebox is made of enamelled cast iron, it should be at least four millimetres thick. Remember that metal- or porcelain-coated steel grates are generally more difficult to clean.

COOKING SURFACE

The size of the barbecue and the number of burners you need largely depend on what you’ll be grilling and how much of it. The larger the barbecue, the more energy it needs to reach the desired heat. If you often cook fish or white meat, it’s a good idea to look for a model with at least two independent burners. This gives you the option of not cooking directly over the flame.

ACCESSORIES

Some models come with additional accessories, such as a side burner (similar to a cooker), a sear burner (perfect for blue steaks) and a rotisserie for cooking on a spit.

The many criteria you consider when looking for the perfect barbecue are chiefly about how you plan to use the grill. Other elements to consider include your budget, the number of wheels, the ignition system and whether it has a built-in thermometer. Happy shopping!

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all the dressing ingredients. Set aside.

2. Trim the oranges to remove the segments.

3. Cut the cooked beets into pieces of similar size to the orange segments.

4. Arrange the beets, orange segments, pomegranate seeds and greens on four small plates.

5. Crumble a quarter of the goat cheese over each serving.

6. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.

Use a sharp knife to remove the orange segments. Remove the peel and white membrane from each wedge, leaving only the flesh.

Shrimp tacos

Blueberry crisp

Packed with fresh, crisp ingredients, these tacos conjure memories of a seaside holiday. Blueberry crisp is a classic summer dessert. When blueberry season is in full swing, make the most of it with this “berry” delicious antioxidant-packed treat.

Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 6 soft tortillas

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot)

• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon flour

• 450 grams medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 cups shredded cabbage (green, Savoy or Chinese)

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 avocado, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for 10 minutes before serving.

3. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt and hot sauce. Set aside.

4. In another small bowl, combine the cayenne, garlic powder and flour.

5. Place the shrimp in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the flour mixture, ensuring every piece is evenly coated.

6. Heat the oil in a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over high. Add the shrimp and cook on both sides until slightly charred.

7. Lay the warm tortillas out on a clean work surface. Add a tablespoon of hot sauce to each tortilla. Then, divide the cabbage, onion slices, avocado slices and shrimp evenly among the tortillas. Serve immediately.

Do you love to grill? Use your BBQ to make this recipe!

Servings: 8

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups fresh (or thawed)

whole blueberries

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 4 tablespoons sugar

1 cup and 2 tablespoons flour

• 1 cup oatmeal

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• A pinch of salt

• 3/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped

For garnish (optional)

• A few mint leaves

• 1/2 cup whole almonds

• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

8 quick and simple recipes to add to your summer meal plan

Looking for delicious, easy-to-make dinners for those low-energy evenings or when you want to make the most of the sunshine? These eight ideas will surely find a place on your meal plan this summer.

1. BLT pizza. Decadent bacon, crisp lettuce and juicy cherry tomatoes give this meal a summery feel. Plus, you barely have to use the oven.

2. Tofu quesadillas. Tortillas, vegetables, shredded Tex-Mex cheese, a tofu spread and less than 10 minutes in the oven are all you need to cook this dinner.

3. Moroccan couscous. Seasoned with garam masala and mint leaves, this couscous is a perfect match for ground lamb and Asian-style vegetables.

4. Pasta salad with pesto and prosciutto. Garnish it with chunks of cheese and fresh tomatoes, and this salad will have it all.

5. Halloumi cheese and grilled vegetables. Grill these tasty ingredients on the barbecue to bring out the fresh flavours.

6. Spring rolls. Assemble the rolls at the

table so everyone can create their own combinations.

7. Creamy coleslaw. This salad is a great opportunity to use your cooked broccoli stalks. Thinly slice them and let them macerate for a few minutes in the creamy dressing.

8. Shredded turkey or crab rolls. Easy to eat on the go, these classic rolls are endlessly customizable!

Visit your local shops and food producers to stock up on fresh ingredients. Bon appétit!

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

2. Place the blueberries in a large bowl and add the lemon juice. Sprinkle the mixture with the sugar and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix well.

3. Divide the mixture among 8 small ramekins or pour into a regular pie dish.

4. In the same bowl, combine the cup of flour, oats, brown sugar and salt.

5. Slowly pour in the melted butter to moisten all the ingredients. Then, spread the mixture evenly over the blueberries.

6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

7. Meanwhile, lightly toast the chopped almonds in a pan.

8. Remove the crisp(s) from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Divide the toasted almonds among the crisp(s) and garnish with the other toppings, if desired.

Library parking will be unavailable from Monday, June 12 – Monday, June 19, for the City Carnival. Also, there will be no item holds arriving during this time.

Summer 2023 Program Guide Now Available

View our upcoming summer programs by visiting the library or our website for all the details! www.chestermerepubliclibrary.com

Registration for our summer programs begin on Saturday June 17th at 10AM in the library.

Upcoming Library Closure

Please note: we will be closed on July 1st and July 2nd for Canada Day Weekend. Our return bin will also be closed during this time.

Summer Reading Program Kickoff

Join us on Saturday June 17th from 10:00AM to 2:00PM for our Summer Reading Program Kickoff! We will have a variety of activities and community groups joining us for a day of fun. Get early registration for our extremely popular Summer Reading Program. No registration is required to attend the event!

Baby Chicks

Ready for an egg-cellent event at the library? The baby chicks are back to visit on Wednesday June 21st at 10:30AM! Come learn all about the hatching process and get up close and personal with the baby chicks. No registration is required.

Library Board Meeting

Get involved with the library and join our library board for their meeting on Monday June 19th at 7PM in the library. These meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. This is their last meeting before they go on break for the summer.

Graphic Novel and Manga Club

This month our teen and adult Graphic Novel and Manga Club are discussing Cyberpunk comics on our Discord. Any comic where there is a dystopian society surrounded by high tech is welcome to be discussed on our Discord!

Share Your Library Experience

Have you taken part in any of our library services? We are looking for feedback on the library and our programs. Let us know what you think and how we can improve. Your feedback directly impacts our services and programming so we can continue to make the library better for everyone. Email your feedback to info@chestermerepubliclibrary.com or drop it off in our feedback box.

Support Your Local Library

Are you aware that the library is a Registered CHARITY? This means

that we depend on donations from the public to support us. We are looking for corporate or personal sponsors for our current Program Session and our upcoming Summer Reading Program! Any donations help and allow us to improve all our programming. Contact info@chestermerepubliclibrary.com if you would like to donate.

Monthly Newsletter

Are you wondering what’s happening at the library? Would you like to know? Sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates on programming, Reading Programs, Featured Displays, Community Outreach, Featured Artists, and more. Sign up by visiting our website at chestermerepubliclibrary.com

Library Hours:

Monday through Thursday – 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday and Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

For more information about what is happening at the Library, check our website. Don’t forget to follow and like us on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

Older Adults Weekly radio Chat

Tune in to our new radio chat show: 50+ Shades of Gray with Sharron where we talk about all subjects related to mature living

Starting April 13, With CFTR The Rogue, Chestermere Radio

Your Host Sharron Matthewman (The Brit)

Every Thursday at 10:00 – 11:00am

Join Sharron for an hour of lively conversations, entertaining stories, and expert advice on topics that matter to you. From health and wellness to travel and hobbies, we’ve got you covered.

Our experienced host and her guest experts will share their insights and expertise on a variety of issues affecting seniors today. We’ll also feature music from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and beyond, so you can sit back and reminisce with your favourite tunes.

Whether you’re tuning in from home, on the go, or in the car, 50 + Shades of Gray is the perfect companion for your day. So mark your calendars and join Sharron for an informative and entertaining hour of radio just for you.

Text, call, or email to ask questions on everything that you need to know and want to know about healthy ageing. Guest speakers and more. Please let me know of topics of interest. Let’s keep connected, all shades of GRAY welcome.

50+ Shades of Gray , airing every Thursday at 10:30 am on Chestermere’s Best Radio. Don’t miss it!

Contributors

The views, opinions and positions expressed by all columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of The Chestermere Anchor News Magazine or Anchor Media Inc.

Steve Jeffrey

Marylin King

Emily Rogers

Joanne Leema

Nick Jeffrey Lakeside Libations

Publisher/Producer

Michelle Eldjarnson CFTR - Out & About CFTR - News Gathering

Don Cassidy Crows Feet

Bill Biko CFTR - Biko Show

Leslie Racz

Cathy Burness CFTR Nutritious Nuggets

Barb Jeffrey Publisher/Producer CEO

Boba Fett collections

Julie Anne McRae Content Support

Sharron Matthewman CFTR - 50+ Shades of Gray

Kari Zalik CFTR - Bad Parade

Otto Dee Jay Automated Radio Content

A Real Estate Minute With Michelle Eldjarnson

Step 2..be prepared for the hidden cost on this edition of a minute with Michelle

Many people know that you have to save up for a down-payment to buy purchase a property.

But not everyone is ready for the “hidden” expenses of buying a house, although they aren’t hidden, most people just simply don’t know or aren’t informed by their agents, and sometimes aren’t aware of what the actual costs are, and how quickly they can add up. Above and beyond the down-payment for your next purchase, you’ll also have the following expenses:

• Legal fees (roughly $1,000 to $1,500)

• GST if you’re purchasing a new home

• Appraisal Fees (typically $200-500) these are sometimes covered by your mortgage provider.

• Home Inspections ($300-$750)

step 3 of your personalized home buying process!

Creating your wish list and must have list!

This next step is simple for most buyers! As most have been dreaming about buying for quite some time.

Before you dive too deep into the home search process, it’s idea for you to create 3 lists.

1. Your must have items - These are the things you can’t live without under any circumstances

2. Nice to have items - Things you probably could live without, but if you can get them it’s a big plus!

3. Can’t live with X items - These items are your true deal-breakers or the things you just don’t want.

Whatever your choices are, note them down and give this to your Calgary Real Estate Agent. That way they know what to look for, sometimes we’ll know of, or hear about a property before it’s listed, if we know what you want, we can notify you before it’s made available to the general public. Some other factors that you’ll want to consider when creating your lists:

Access and proximity to public transit Locations. Parking

Amenities you desire Urban vs. Suburban

Lifestyle

Total monthly carrying costs

Types of finishes in the home

And those are some of the hidden costs you may encounter as a buyer when purchasing a home.

Stayed tuned for the next edition of a guide for a new home buyer on a minute with Michelle!

Welcome to this edition of a minute with Michelle - a new buyers guide and how to get started!

Cousin Ernie Joins the League of Rogues

Listen Monday’s at 1:00 PM

https://chestermereradio.ca

Mondays 1:00 pm - 2:00pm Mountain

Out & About with Michelle

The Rogue is pleased to have Michelle Eldjarnson from Chestermere’s own Re/Max Key to our regularly scheduled programming.

Listen Monday’s at one to hear about things going on around town and to hear Michelle’s eclectic picks of music

Michelle has loved music all her life and was exposed at an early age to every type of music from Jazz to Hillbilly, old fashioned country, with stops in between at classical rock and classical piano, in a variety of languages including English, French and Spanish.

Michelle’s Weekly topics will cover

The people in your neighborhood

Local sports teams

All about our schools

The walking paths

The parks

The ponds

The lake

The wildlife

Walkability

April 21 – June 25, 2023

9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970’s this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic.

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy & Daralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down.

Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?

Crows Feet Birding with Don & Elaine

Royalty Comes in Small Packages

Majestic -- “having or showing impressive beauty or dignity”, is an often used term when referring to nature. The Rocky Mountains, the Peace River Valley, and the Badlands each evoke that sense of grandeur. A bull elk, a moose, or a grizzly bear are truly regal within their environmental ecosystems. In the world of birds, royalty appears in some of nature’s smallest forms. White crowned sparrows or golden crowned kinglets flit quickly between the leaves and about the ground. The eager birdwatcher waits quietly to observe these gems of the bird world.

Weighing in at about 1 ounce, the mature white crowned sparrow may reach a length of 6 inches and use its 9 inch wingspan to its mobile advantage. The black and white markings on its head, paired with a grey chest and pale yellow or pink beak, give this passerine a regal appearance. The wings are brown with bars and the upper body is endowed with brown streaking.

Heading north from the United States, this handsome sparrow uses Alberta for a migratory route to the Northwest Territories, Alaska and Arctic regions to create a new generation. The Rocky Mountains also provide suitable habitat as do the north west boreal forests in our province. Once the snow has melted, nests are built at ground level or in low shrubs. A clutch of eggs averages 5 and a royal couple can have up to 3 broods in a year, depending on conditions.

In both the spring and fall migrations, the white-crowned sparrow

may be found hopping across the ground, making their way through brushy foliage. I love the way they “double-scratch”, where this sparrow takes a quick hop back to turn over leaves and then follows this with a hop and pounce forward on the insects it uncovers. In the spring simply listening to the rustling of the dry leaves can reveal the locations of the double-scratching sparrow. In these migrations, white-crowned sparrows will also investigate backyard bird feeders. Black-oiled sunflower seeds, among other bird seeds, will attract this diminutive bird. A brush pile in the yard can be quite effective where a pile of leaves might well be irresistible for investigation. Elaine and I have enjoyed their company in our backyard in Brady Heights as well as in southern Alberta in both spring and fall.

Similar in appearance is the golden-crowned sparrow, but their range is quite different, coming only as far east as Alberta’s Rocky Mountains to reproduce as well as much of British Columbia. Golden-crowned sparrows have been spotted in Calgary and Pincher Creek as well as in the Rockies, so Alberta sightings are possible It is not uncommon for both royal birds to flock together for the winter along the west coast ranging from Vancouver to San Diego.

Unique in appearance within the sparrows that visit Alberta, the white-crowned sparrow is truly a majestic and regal bird to enjoy. Look for the black and white head indicating royalty in your travels.

Who We Are

Bringing our community together to increase awareness and provide access to resources with compassion and dignity.

Integrity – Ensuring every interaction with stakeholders is confidential, respectful and professional. Compassion – We strive to provide service in a discreet and empathetic manner.

Equality – No matter where we come from or what we have, life events can impact us all. We are all equal in our need for food.

Partnership – We are committed to enhancing our current relationships and working with our community to build new ones.

The Chestermere Regional Food Bank Foundation has been in operation since September 2007 and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers.

The Food Bank serves the City of Chestermere and the surrounding rural areas.

You can reach out to us here or by phone at 403-273-0777.

Is coffee good for you?

One of the most persistent myths about coffee is that it’s bad for your health. However, while there are some people who should avoid it due to underlying ailments, for most of us, coffee is a treat that should be enjoyed guilt-free.

Indeed, drinking coffee in moderation — no more than four cups a day — has a host of health benefits. Just don’t overdo it on the cream and sugar, which add quite a few calories to the mix.

Studies have linked coffee consumption to a host of health benefits. Drinking coffee contributes to:

• Lowering the risk of stroke

• Lowering the risk of certain cancers

• Reducing symptoms of depression

• Regulating blood sugar levels

• Stimulating digestion

• Relieving headaches

• Preventing Alzheimer’s disease

• Relieving symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

• Improving athletic performance

Treat yourself to this delicious healthy beverage at a coffee shop near you.

OPINIONS

Is the Competition Bureau finally ready to take on the food industry?

Are we nearing the end of the food industry monopoly in Canada?

By Sylvain Charlebois

While the parliamentary investigation into food inflation leans towards political theatrics, the real intrigue lies in the Competition Bureau’s study on the food industry, announced last fall. The Bureau has faced mounting criticism since last year for its perceived failure to foster competitive practices in the food sector, which has left consumers grappling with high food prices.

Canada’s food retail industry is essentially monopolized by a few key players. Over 85 percent of all food purchases in the country are through Loblaw, Empire/Sobeys, Metro, Walmart, and Costco. Despite this, the Competition Bureau did nothing to prevent this monopolization.

But rumours in the food industry suggest that things are about to change.

Over the years, the Bureau has green-lit many significant transactions, such as Loblaw’s acquisition of Provigo in 1998, Metro and A&P in 2005, and Empire/Sobeys and Safeway in 2013. The recent spike in food prices has illuminated the lack of competition in food retail, while also reminding Canadians of the industry’s controversial past.

One such controversy is the bread price-fixing scheme that allegedly occurred between 2001 and 2015 and which has been back in the news in recent months. Despite the investigation being ongoing for eight years, no progress has been reported, making Canadians wonder what the Competition Bureau has been up to for the past eight years. It was in December of 2017 that Loblaws declared itself as the proverbial ”whistleblower” and gave all Canadians a $25 gift card to spend in their stores. Since then we have heard nothing about the investigation; no accusations, no fines and nobody sent to prison.

All we know is that by disclosing the identities of its purported conspirators and collaborating with the Competition Bureau’s inquiry, Loblaw, and Weston Bakeries, owned by Loblaw at the time and since sold, obtained protection from legal action. In essence, ills at the grocery store prompted Canadians to feel unprotected and vulnerable.

Rumours now suggest that the Competition Bureau is poised to make substantial breakthroughs. Nothing confirmed of course, but things have been weird. The Bureau has committed to making its study on the food industry public by the end of this month.

This development has left many industry experts on edge, prompting

many to play nice or stay quiet.

We know now that Galen Weston who was himself at the centre of the bread price-fixing scandal announced he will leave his post as President in less than a year. Since he announced his replacement, he completely disappeared from airwaves and TV commercials for the company. His voice can be heard in the background of some commercials, but that’s the extent of it.

Michael McCain is another industry leader who has completely disappeared. The President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods also announced he was leaving his position next year. He too was embroiled in the bread price-fixing scandal as the former owner of Canada Bread, which was sold in 2014, a year before the bread investigation started. Interesting coincidence.

Court documents from 2021 unveiled those emails between high-ranking industry executives, including some at Maple Leaf Foods, suggest an intention to synchronize meat prices, resembling the alleged co-ordination of bread prices. That right, meat. Because of the pandemic, this story barely made headlines, but the food industry is fully aware that the Bureau has evidence that something was up.

Eric Laflèche, the President and CEO of Métro, gave a rare interview in Montreal recently and openly endorsed the code of conduct for the first time. It surprised many. The code of conduct promises to bring more discipline and competition to the marketplace, and Metro has never been warm to the idea, that is until now. Many leaders like Laflèche are now recognising that things can improve, and some solutions ought to be considered. Again, an unexpected predicament from another leader. One can only guess that the next few months will be interesting. With a government desperate to show Canadians how they are helping families with inflation, a more relevant Bureau may be what Ottawa needs right now. And that is why the industry is very nervous these days.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University. © Troy Media

Getting to where we want to go is not always a straight shot. Accomplishing the goals we have for our lives is not easily gained in three easy steps. In whatever we are aiming to achieve, we want to keep moving forward. So what happens when the way forward requires us to go another way, or even the long way around?

I remember when my younger sister was getting ready to get her drivers license, to my shocked surprise, she asked me to show her how to drive. I smile now, but that afternoon is forever burned in my imagination, fear has a way of leaving a long-lasting impression. The memory is fresh, and funny now, but in the moment I white-knuckled it all the way. We both buckled up and drove through our neighbourhood. We bumped up over sidewalks, barely weaved past parked cars, and I’m sure I developed some yetundiagnosed disorder. When we finally pulled back into our driveway, I hugged my sister and firmly decided I would not have a career as a driving instructor. Sometime later my sister was able to get her license and was soon driving like a pro race car driver.

The Winding Road

Her journey to getting her license was not a straight line. She didn’t just get in a car and head down the highway. Before she could get her license, she had to spend time weaving and bumping around the neighbourhood. Saying, “you have to walk before you can run” is one way to find our way forward. However sometimes the way forward is more complex than that. Sometimes you have to go backwards before you can go forward. This “one step backward, and two steps forward” approach is often true, but we do not often allow ourselves or others the grace to go on the journey. We sometimes cannot image that the person winding or weaving through life is going anywhere at all, so we dismiss them.

Everyone in your neighbourhoods wants what is best for themselves and often want to move forward. This is where anger, cynicism, and disappointment come from: when we or others are not moving forward as we expected. We want happiness, health, and hope in our own lives and for our families, but we can become bitter if we see

a curve in the road ahead. The good news is that sometimes we need to take the twists and turns. When I sat in the car with my sister, teaching her to drive, I was actually participating in her journey forward. While our meandering felt aimless, we were not lost, not failing, and not alone. We knew that on the other side of the driving lesson was a drivers licence and a whole new future full of freedom and adventure. We need grace for these moments.

Scottish poet George MacDonald wrote that “The love of our neighbour is the only door out of the dungeon of self.” When we choose to love those around us we start a winding journey that may not have us in the drivers seat. The cost of loving others could be high as we white-knuckle it and wonder as the failures or suffering along the way. A life spent loving our neighbours may seem like the long way around. Those who are willing to take the long way around often find that they have, all along, been moving in the right direction. Be encouraged as you care, there is hope on the other side.

Lakeside

Libations

Negronis With My Cronies

Nick Jeffrey

libations@theanchor.ca

Guess who just celebrated their 104th birthday? No, gentle reader, it is not your humble narrator, nor any member of my regular tippling posse, who are all out on the town celebrating the tenth annual Negroni Week, in a search for the best example of that famous Italian cocktail this side of Firenze, which has been eagerly consumed in Italy and around the world for 104 years.

For those not familiar with the celebration or the tipple for which it is named, Negroni Week was started in 2013 as a charity fundraiser, and has grown from its humble beginnings to over 7700 participating venues worldwide. I remember a cocktail club crawl in Calgary back in the pre-pandemic era, visiting but a few of the several dozen drinking establishments participating in Negroni Week, and am happy to report that there were nearly twice as many participating establishments this year!

The Negroni cocktail was invented in the Italian city of Florence, birthplace of the renaissance, home to ancient art and architecture, and as of 1919, the Negroni cocktail. The classic recipe is equal parts gin, sweet red vermouth, and Campari bitters, garnished with a twist of orange peel.

Most readers will be familiar with gin, but the most popular vermouth in North America is the dry white vermouth that we add to martinis, not the sweet red vermouth that is more popular in Europe.

Regardless of whether it is dry or sweet, vermouth is a fortified and aromatized wine that is often used as a mixer, and first appeared on the boozing scene in the 18th century.

While the days of my squandered youth saw plenty of dry white vermouth in martinis, my first introduction to sweet red vermouth was in a century-old tavern in Madrid, where I was surprised to see all the patrons slowly nursing red vermouth from tiny cups, which would be refilled directly from brass spigots embedded in the giant oak barrels behind the bar.

Unlike in North America, where vermouth is primarily considered a mixer, the tavern full of elderly Spanish men were kind enough to explain to me that vermouth is a fortified wine, and most of the

production comes from the old-world wine countries of France, Italy, and Spain.

Indeed, those old European countries are full of vermouth-only bars, much like the one I innocently wandered into in Madrid, where the patrons slowly sip different styles of vermouth from tiny tumblers, snacking on little tapas plates the whole time.

It was on that same European vacation that I first sampled Campari, a bitter liqueur invented in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, whose name still graces the bottle today.

Early Campari fans were definitely not squeamish, as the deep red colour of the spirit came from carmine dye, which is extracted from pulverised cochineal insects. Fortunately, the spirit has been bugfree since 2006, when the manufacturing process switched over to a more vegan-friendly artificial dye.

While Campari has historically been strong in the old Italian man demographic, the millennials are starting to take notice, especially with the revival of cocktail culture. Campari is one of several Italian bitters that are commonly used in cocktails, along with similar bitter spirits such as Aperol, Cinzano, or Fernet.

The Negroni cocktail is a delightful study in contrasts, with the sweet vermouth balanced by the bitter Campari, and the gin adding an aromatic kick for good measure.

Every Negroni fan has their favourite recipe, so when I make a Negroni at home, I skip the predictable choices of mass-market gin or vermouth brands, opting for a locally produced artisanal gin from an Alberta craft distiller. My current recipe starts with the Tippa Lovebird Gin, made by a crafty nano-distiller in Okotoks, mixed with the Sweet Vermouth from Calgary-based Confluence Distilling, along with a dash of bitters I picked up at a farmers market.

If you have never had the pleasure of a Negroni before, they can be found as an aperitif at your favourite Italian restaurant, at wellstocked cocktail lounges, or by asking that one friend of yours with the overflowing liquor cabinet. Try one soon!

Chestermere

Older Adults Coalition of Chestermere Meeting

When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Where: • Lakeshore Manor, 200 Marina Drive, Chestermere

RSVP: • jumpmaster2@shaw.ca • illingw8@telus.net

Walk-ins welcome, RSVP appreciated

Lions Club

Meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm Meetings are currently by zoom. Checkout our facebook page for more information,

Chestermere Christian Fellowship

Services: Sunday 10:00 am

Pastor Vince VanderVeen 403-204-2079

1.6 km north of Hwy 1 on Conrich Road

WHERE

Registriation for the 2023/2024 School Year is Open!

PLAYING AND LEARNING GO HAND IN HAND!

Registration will be available on a continuous basis until all classes are full

Located in: the the Indus Recreation Centre (Bill Herron Arena) in Indus Alberta, this not for profit preschool has been serving the community and surrounding area for 25 years.

Indus Preschool offeres a dynamic, hands-on learning approach that offers: art • Imagination stations • early literacy • & physical activity

Our program gives some of Rocky View’s youngest residents a chance to connect in a fun and positive environment while helping them to develop a sense of self and independence.

We help kids prepare for kindergarten and learn important skills that will help them in their daily lives.

Camp Chestermere Camp Chestermere is OPEN for Day Care, Rentals, and Community Events! We’ve even opened up registration for Summer 2021 Day and Overnight Camps! We are constantly reviewing and updating our policies to fall in line with current COVID protocols. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you and your needs. More at www.campchestermere.com

https://induspreschool.com

The Chestermere Fine Art Guild

The Chestermere Fine Art Guild meets every Thursday at 1pm, at the Recreation Centre North side, upstairs in room 2. Come and explore your artistic potential. Welcoming new members beginner to advanced. Like us on Facebook and email chestermereartguild@gmail.com

Lakeside Quilters’ Guild Meeting each month at the Chestermere Recreation Centre on the first Wednesday of each month. Sew days are on the third Wednesday of each month and a sew Saturday each month, including summer. Quilting experience not required, new members welcome. For more information please contact Joyce at 403-383-1940.

St. Gabriel's the Archangel Parish

Catholics in Chestermere: Weekend masses are now open for public celebration without seating restrictions at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School (197 Invermere Dr.). There is no longer advanced registration required to attend mass (Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 9 am, and 10:30 am), but please stay home if you feel sick that day. For more information please call 403-455-0196

The Rotary Club Of Chestermere

Holds virtual meetings via Zoom on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 5:00pm and hosts in-person “Socials” at local venues on the last Wednesday of the month.

Guests are warmly welcomed to “Zoom in” to our virtual meeting or join us for some social time when they can!

Please email us for more information at: rotarychestermere@gmail.com

Check out our website at: www.rotarychestermere.org

April

9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970’s this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic.

Classified Marketplace

Announcements

GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS

Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $995 to get your message out! Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna.com for details. 1-800-282-6903, 780-434-8746 X225. www.awna.com.

Auctions

MEIER 4-DAY UNRESERVED Antique and Collectable Auction for Dennis Kjos of Wetaskiwin County. Sat., June 24 and Sun., June 25 10

AM. Sat., July 8 & Sun., July 9 10

AM. Selling three generations of over 6000 items. Visit www. meierauction.com for details.

Coming Events

FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2023 AUCTION PROGRAM: Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Antiques, Militaria, Collections, Estates, Single Items. For Auction, or

Possible Purchase: Toll-Free 1-800694-2609, Email Us @ sales@ switzersauction.com or Visit Us @ www.switzersauction.com.

Feed and Seed

ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh.

Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789.

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAINHeated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. “On Farm Pickup”. Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252.

FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306921-9942.

For Sale

WHITE SPRUCE TREES: 5’ average $50. Installation ONLY $19. Includes: hole augered, Wurzel Dip enzyme injection, bark mulch application, staking. Minimum order 25. One-time fuel charge: $125-175. Crystal Springs. 403820-0961. Quality guaranteed.

Health

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?

The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-453-5372.

Services

CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss?

Travel/business opportunities?

Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit?

Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420. www. pioneerwest.com.

PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www. firstandsecondmortgages.ca.

Wanted

metal frames ~

selection of 700 wood frames & 150

all

DARSI, Dawn

February 12, 1948 ~ June 3, 2023

Dawn Coleen Darsi (Sheeran) was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on February 12, 1948 to Donald and Lillian Sheeran. She was their only child and they moved to Edmonton when Dawn was 5. Dawn was a talented youngster in music, the arts, and synchronized swimming. She later successfully auditioned for and joined the Centennial Singers, the Edmonton Opera Chorus, and took private voice lessons with acclaimed teacher Jean Letourneau. Dawn worked at two jobs as a swim coach and in retail to pay for these lessons. The Centennial Singers went to Expo in 1967, and they were also asked to sing for Prime Minister Pearson.

Coldwell Agencies have been servicing the Strathmore area community for the last 40 years! We are family-owned and operated. We provide farm insurance, auto insurance, commercial insurance, home insurance and much more. Providing bundle packages, our insurance brokers will get you the coverage you need. Give us a call to learn more about our services at Coldwell Agencies Ltd.

Help Wanted

Lucyszyn Construction is a family owned and operated landscape construction company seeking full time employees.

Work consists of commercial lawn maintenance, residential & commercial landscaping, and snow removal.

Seeking reliable motivated individuals with a valid class 5 drivers license to join our growing company.

Please send resume to info@lccalgary.com or call 403-869-9133

Dawn met the love of her life, Rao Darsi when she joined the Edmonton Symphony Chorus. Her best friend and future maid of honour Susan Bain said “Hey Dawn, there is this really cute guy I want you to meet”, and the rest was history. They fell in love immediately, and 10 weeks after their first meeting they were married. They had their first child the following September and moved to Calgary in 1971. Dawn and Rao put their musical interests on hold while they raised their young family, then joined the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus in 1979 and had the pleasure of singing most major choral works over 20 years. Dawn was also fascinated by and fell in love with Rao’s large and loving family in India, and the feeling was mutual. This little Caucasian Canadian girl was embraced and became one of their own. The family in India referred to Dawn as the Gem of the Darsi family. She was a pillar, bringing everyone together with enthusiasm, love and affection. India was a second home to Dawn, and she and Rao visited often with their children.

Dawn also maintained close connections with her cousins in Canada, and they often travelled to see each other. Her cousins said, “She was a passionate and spirited person with a warmth that spread to all those she met, embracing all with her fantastic hugs”.

After raising her children, Dawn decided it was time to go back to school. She entered the University of Calgary Drama Program as a senior citizen and completed her degree on the Dean’s List. She was an active volunteer with the Calgary Boys Choir. Dawn directed multiple plays, worked backstage and was involved in the Calgary Opera program for children “Let Us Sing Opera”, and was involved with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as a volunteer. She participated in the summer Stratford Drama Program through the University of Western Ontario and she helped run and was fully active in the family company.

Dawn was a beautiful, bright light in her family, with her friends and in the community. She passed away suddenly in the early hours of June 3, and she was taken from us too soon. A private funeral for immediate family was held on June 13, 2023 and a celebration of life is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, and to honour Dawn’s passion, please consider donating to the Calgary Philharmonic Society at https://calgaryphil.com/support/make-a-donation/

To express condolences and share memories, please visit: www.mountainviewmemorial.ca

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