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SYLVAN LAKE NEWS Thursday, October 18, 2012
Gardiner finds success in rodeo announcer’s box by Aleisha Bosch Sylvan Lake News
What began as a way of staying connected to rodeo has turned into a successful career for Sylvan Lake resident Brett Gardiner. Gardiner was named the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association’s (CPRA) Announcer of the Year for 2012, it was announced last week. He’ll receive the award at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton next month. He also won the honour in 2011. “I was kind of excited, that’s kind of the best in this business, especially because I’m in a class with my idols,”
said Gardiner, adding that it was an honour to have his name beside theirs. It’s been nine years since Gardiner first picked up a microphone as a volunteer announcer at a high school rodeo. “The first couple of years you never admit,” he said. He added that most announcers get their start after being unsuccessful in the arena. Gardiner began competing in rodeos while still in high school. After an injury, he figured he wasn’t cut out for the sport, but still wanted to stay involved. He worked volunteer stints announcing at a high school and a
The Community Calendar is an open bulletin board for non-profit community groups running free events open to the general public. Submissions must be received by Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. and should be kept as concise as possible. We will edit for content and length. We strive to publish all submissions we receive, however, due to the number of items or space availability, we are not able to guarantee publication. If you need to be sure your message runs, we suggest you place your message in the Classified section. Deliver submissions to our office at Suite 103, 5020 50A St., Sylvan Lake, fax to 1-403-887-2081 (Toll-Free 1-888-999-2081) or email to editor@ sylvanlakenews.com. Be certain to include dates, times and contact information.
Fundraising Sylvan Meadows Adventist School is selling fresh Florida citrus to raise funds for a mission trip to Indonesia in April 2013. Oranges and grapefruits available in 20 or 40 lb. boxes. Call 403-887-5207 or 403-887-2105 to order. Deadline Nov. 2.
Special Events Friday, Oct. 19 - Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast presented by Sylvan Lake Ministerial Association 7:15-9 am at Sylvan Lake Community Centre. Friday, Oct. 19 - Sylvan Lake Seniors Bus Association is providing transportation for anyone over 55 or unable to drive themselves to Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Pick up begins at 7 am. Call Lenore 403-887-5272. Saturday, Oct. 20 - Ridgewood Hall Turkey Supper 5:30-7:30 pm. Located from Highway 781, four miles east on Burnt Lake Trail, 3 miles south on Range Road 10. 403-886-4642. Saturday, Oct. 20 - Keith Kitchen ‘Restless’ CD release tour at Sylvan Alliance Church. 7:30 pm. Solo acoustic evening with Canadian singersongwriter. Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21- Zombie Movie Marathon. Come to Sylvan Lake Library for a frightfest of back-to-back zombie movies. Saturday at 11 am: Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland. Sunday at 10 am: Dawn of the Dead and A Little Bit Zombie. Popcorn and drinks provided. Teens and adults welcome. For info call 403-887-2130. Wednesday, Oct. 24 - The Book Club will be discussing Annabel by Kathleen Winter at Sylvan
little britches rodeo. He felt nervous, didn’t know what to say, and worried he was awful. “At the time it was pretty nerve-wracking,” said Gardiner. Following his debut, Gardiner began receiving more invitations to announce, and started getting paid for his work. “It was really by accident that the career began,” he said. Gardiner is a big fan of rodeo, and likes the sport’s camaraderie and family aspects. “If you like rodeo you love rodeo,” he said. Growing up in Drayton Valley, Gardiner’s first introduction to the sport was with his parents at
Lake Library from 6-8 pm. For info call the library 403-887-2130. Thursday, Oct. 25 - Benalto & Area Rural Crime Watch Society AGM at 7 pm Benalto Leisure Centre, Ag. Grounds. Election/year end business. Guest speaker S/Sgt Gary Rhodes, Sylvan Lake RCMP detachment commander. BARCWS law enforcement liaisons in attendance. Membership should reside within area patrolled by Sylvan Lake RCMP. For info Yvette 403-746-3429. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-27. Sylvan Lake & Area Community Partners charity garage sale at the former Kids Castle Clothing site. We are looking for donations of furniture and houseware. Call Lana or Jennifer at 403887-9989 to arrange pick-up of large items or drop things off at the Community Partners office on 50th Avenue from 9-4 weekdays. Friday, Oct. 26 - Seniors Bus to Celtic Revival at Bentley Ag. Centre. Special seniors performance at 1:30 pm. Call Lenore 403-887-5272. Saturday, Oct. 27 - Christmas Stop and Shop Sale, Lions Hall, 5119 50A Avenue, Sylvan Lake from 1-4 pm. Home base business show and sale. Concession by Community Partners, Family Education Support. Saturday, Oct. 27 - Zombie Walk from 4-5:30 pm. Start at Sylvan Lake Municipal Library. Be there are 3:30 if you need to be Zombiefied. Walk to Lakeshore Drive, circle around and back to library. All ages welcome. Saturday, Oct. 27 - Sylvan Meadows Adventist School is hosting a fall fest from 7-9 pm at the school gym. Games, food booths and items for sale in support of the Indonesia mission trip in April 2013. For info or directions call 403-8874055. Saturday, Oct. 27 - Central Alberta Singles dance at 8:30 pm at Penhold Hall. Music by Wise Choice. Members and invited guests only; new members welcome. Elaine 403-341-7653 or Bob 403-304-7440. Sunday, Oct. 28 - Spooktcular Exravaganza organized by The Town of Sylvan Lake at the community centre 1-4 pm. Games, family fun, face painting, bouncers, crafts, costume contest. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sunday, Oct. 28 - Sylvan Lake Seniors Bus to 100 Years of Music variety show (1 pm) and roast beef lunch buffet. Call Lenore 403-8875272. Wednesday, Oct. 31 - Seniors bus to Yellowhead Casino, Edmonton. Leave 8:30 am. Phone Joan 403-887-7614. Friday, Nov. 2 - Seniors Bus to Markerville’s Christmas crafts and cookie walk. Pick-up starts
their town’s rodeo and at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton. His grandparents also took him to chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede. “I always liked it from day one, it was entertaining,” said Gardiner. “I used to see them as just superstars … just putting them up on that pedestal.” Gardiner said he was lucky to be successful as an announcer early on, allowing him to pursue it. The best announcers, said Gardiner, can read the crowd and deliver what they want. Younger crowds prefer a “rock and roll” atmosphere, compared with older crowds who are more appreciative of
western heritage. “It comes down to judging your audiences,” said Gardiner. He added that he doesn’t usually receive feedback on his work, but tries to do his best. He likes to include personal information about some of the cowboys while announcing. Gardiner’s announcing duties run most of the year. He has worked at rodeos from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Abbotsford, British Columbia, including those in Wainwright, Innisfail, and Eckville. He is the youngest announcer to receive his professional card, which he has held since 2006. When not announcing, Gardiner works at École H. J. Cody School in Sylvan Lake, where
Rodeo announcer Brett Gardiner first picked up a microphone in high school, and hasn’t looked back since. His talkative personality led him to success in the announcer’s box, from awards and recognition to a touring schedule from coast-to-coast. SARAH TIMMONS
he teaches grade 9 math, grade 9 gym, and grade 9 and 10 sports performance. “Everybody says my
jobs are so different, but both my jobs are about entertainment and education.”
NO GST
at 12:30 pm. Call Lenore 403-887-5272. Saturday, Nov. 3 - Sylvan Lake Christmas Gift Show. 10-4 at the community centre. Bring donation for Food Bank or Christmas Bureau and qualify to receive one of two $250 shopping sprees. Includes Little Elves Workshop, a supervised store where your children can buy presents for you. All items are new and are priced $10 and under. Saturday, Nov. 3 - November Movie Marathon at Sylvan Lake Municipal Library. 10-3:30. Drop in, free refreshments. Tuesday, Nov. 6 - Seniors Bus to Rotary Senior’s Concert (7:30 pm) at Red Deer College. Pick-up begins at 6:15 pm. Call Lenore 403-887-5272. Friday, Nov. 9 - Sylvan Lake Seniors Lodge Christmas Tea and Craft Sale. Tea and tart for a toonie 1:30-3 pm. Craft Sale 1:30-6 pm. Christmas decorations, arrangements, knit and crochet articles. Come join us 4620-47 Ave., Sylvan Lake. Friday, Nov. 9 - Dickson Store Museum presents “The Poplar Grove Ladies Club”, a funny show with a lot of meaning. Dinner theatre doors open 5:30 pm. Play to follow. Dessert Theatre Saturday, November 10, doors open 12:30 p.m., play starts 1 pm. For info call 403-728-3355. Sunday, Nov. 11 - Benalto Elks Turkey Supper. 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 pm sittings.
at Cobb’s Clothing Booth All Weekend
•Daily Fashion Shows •Swimwear from Cobb’s Clothing Saturday 1 pm and 3pm Sunday 1 pm
FREE PARKING
Support Programs Sylvan Lake Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics) 8 pm Sundays, Presbyterian Church (north door), Kathy 403-887-4470 or Robyn 403-887-2961. 12/30/12 Sylvan Lake AA meetings. Tuesdays 7:30 pm Lions Hall; Sundays 8 pm Presbyterian Church (north door). For more information about the program, call male 403-887-4470, 403-5885491 or female 403-887-4297. 12/30/12 Narcotics Anonymous meetings Thursday nights at 7:30 pm at Sylvan Lake Bethany Care, 4700 47th Ave. 12/30/12 Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Overweight? Underweight? Obsessed with weight or dieting? You are not alone. No dues, no fees, no weigh-ins. Everyone is welcome. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a 12 step recovery program. For info call Harry at 403887-2962 or Joan at 403-748-2433. 12/30/12 Are you raising your grandchildren? Come join us at our ACUSHLA meetings first Thursday of the month at Sylvan Lake Library from 1-3 pm. We meet to share and support each other. Questions, call Glenda (Sylvan Lake) 403-8873849 or Sandy (Lacombe) 403-782-2960.
Treat yourself to a day of indulgence a the 2012 Boutiques for Women show. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at the Holiday Inn & Suites Boulevard restaurant (licensed). Admission: $10.00 person or two for $7.00 each Includes GST and free parking
www.cobbsclothing.com
First 50 ladies in the door at Boutique for Women Show on Saturday morning receive a gift bag valued at over in gifts and coupons!
$175.00