Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 105 years
VOLUME ONE-HUNDRED EIGHT
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER TWENTY-FIVE
STETTLER, ALBERTA
June 18, 2014
PRICE — $1.09 Plus GST
Stacey Lavallie/Independent reporter
Dan Deacon makes the trek over the mountains to come in from Vernon, B.C. every week with fresh produce from local orchards. Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches and plums are just some of the fruit he brings in, and he also brings in vegetables, too.
Main Street becomes home to painters, musicians at annual Art Walk ROBIN TARNOWETZKI Independent reporter
Peter Barron joins the Clearview school division as superintendent starting at the end of July. Contributed photo
Clearview welcomes new superintendent ROBIN TARNOWETZKI Independent reporter New superintendent Peter Barron brings almost 30 years of education experience to his new position at the Clearview school division, starting at the end of July. “The best part (of education) is having the ability to positively influence students and to increase their life chances, to provide a hopeful, positive experience for them to develop their potential,” Barron said. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and has worked in school administration. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and French from the University of Alberta, as well as a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership, also from the University of Alberta. “When I saw the ad… I thought ‘you know what, this is an exciting opportunity.’ I’m enjoying my work at central office, and I thought the opportunity to be a superintendent of a school division is one that excites me,” Barron said. “It pushes me out of my comfort zone, and it’s an important thing to model that as a lifelong learner, to push oneself to bigger aspirations. I grew up in the Red Deer area, so it’s a little bit like coming home in some ways.” After he applied, he talked to Leroy Sloan, the consultant the school board had been using to find a new superintendent. Following that, he came to Stettler for an interview with Sloan and the school board.
“As the Board of Trustees interviewed Mr. Barron we were really excited to find a candidate who will continue to take Clearview’s students on the path of success,” said board chair Ken Checkel in a news release. “Parents, students, educators and staff will appreciate Mr. Barron’s focus on 21st century learning, and his ability to positively impact success for all students.” Barron said that since the educational system in Alberta is in the midst of change, he is interested to see new initiatives be implemented in the division, and is especially interested to see how the division is using technology in schools. In his new job, he is most looking forward to meeting administration and school staff. “I’m a people person, so I think what I’m looking forward to is meeting people and seeing where the district is at and seeing how I can help to move it forward,” he said. After the news release of his new position, he received an email welcoming him to the division from a former student, who now has children going to Erskine School. He’ll be spending some time in the new few weeks in the central office in Stettler to get acquainted with staff and to spend time with former superintendent John Bailey as the transition occurs, and officially starts in his new role on July 26.
Main Street Stettler became one big art gallery over the weekend, with local artists showing off what they do during the town’s annual Art Walk. The event, which was organized by the town and Cabinet of Curiosities owner Andrea Hatch, took place on Saturday, June 13, and Hatch hopes that the event will get the word out about Stettler’s many artists. “The strange thing about Stettler is a lot of people think there aren’t a lot of artists here,” Hatch said. “And there is a huge, huge community of artists. Artists are very quiet people; they don’t really promote themselves. They paint in their back spare bedroom and nobody ever sees it. So it’s a way for people to go ‘I didn’t know you do this.’” A variety of artists came out to promote themselves – including a weaver, painters, and a musician. Hatch said that a magician was also scheduled to perform in the afternoon. She was also supposed to book a fire dancer, but didn’t want to have the threat of the fire getting away. “When I can find a spot with no buildings around, then she’ll come back,” Hatch laughed. The Art Walk started as a show on the second floor of the Stettler Recreation Centre (SRC), but there were problems getting people to come look at the art. Hatch moved it to Main Street, where the art can catch the
attention of people going about their business, and businesses like that the walk attracts people as well. “It’s also educational for appreciation,” Hatch said. “A lot of the times we don’t appreciate what we have here…it’s a nice way for the community to appreciate what we have in the community itself.” It doesn’t cost anything for the artists to participate in the Art Walk, but they are asked to give 15 per cent of their earnings during the Art Walk to the SRC on the honour system. “If they don’t sell anything, then it’s no harm no foul,” she said. “They’ve gotten out, they’ve gotten to see other people’s artwork, and they’re still happy. The whole idea is to keep everybody happy. It’s not necessarily to make a ton of money. It’s not really a moneymaking day.” Weaver Nancy Warwaruk was a quilter, and then she got into weaving about 20 years ago. She said she got “addicted” to the way threads play within the fabric. “I hope that onlookers have a better understanding of what textiles are and the fabric that makes all their clothes,” she said. Hatch said a big benefit of the Art Walk is that onlookers can interact directly with the artist and ask questions about their art. “It engages people in the art process,” she said. “I think the biggest thing we forget is that art’s everywhere. You walk across the street; the stop sign had to be designed by somebody, the walk sign had to be designed by somebody, and we forget that.”
Robin Tarnowetzki/Independent reporter
Bob Short performs outside Cabinet of Curiosities during Stettler’s annual Art Walk on Saturday, June 13.