Special Features - Healthy Family Living and Summer Adventures 2015

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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, June 3, 2015

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Red Deer Express 3

Wednesday, June 3, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING

Golden Circle provides range of activities for seniors

BY MARK WEBER Red Deer Express Local seniors have all kinds of informative, entertaining, recreational and thoroughly enjoyable activities and events to take part in at the Golden Circle.

Seniors’ Week runs June 1st-7th.

“The doors opened in 1977 right here on this location,” said Monica Morrison, executive director.

“Originally, it was a silver jubilee project for the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer.”

Previous community needs assessments had been carried out, and had indicated the City needed to have a seniors’ centre.

First off, the Senior Citizens Downtown House was formed, but they eventually were outgrowing their space, said Morrison.

“So the Kiwanis Club wanted to leave a legacy in the community and they thought, ‘Let’s build a seniors’ centre’. Ultimately, the Golden Circle was built and established as a thriving hub for local seniors to get together for a range of functions each week.

“They had a naming contest, and that’s how the name ‘Golden Circle’ came about. And it’s been moving forward ever since.”

Morrison said the Golden Circle provides drop-in programs onsite which vary widely depending on the interests of the membership. These run the gamut from dancing groups, games, outdoor activities, bands and musical entertainment, various exercise groups from yoga, line dancing, Dancercize and Zumba to Tai Chi. “There are also computer classes to help seniors learn to use the computer and stay connected to family, because a lot of extended families live all over the world.”

Themed dinners and travel clubs have also been featured over the years as well.

“We’ve also started an inhouse concert series – live music four times a year.

Bill Bourne sold out in February, and we had Maria Dunn last year. We have Kat Danser coming in this October as well.”

Morrison said offering such a range of activities came about after a membership survey was completed. “What is it that the members want? So we implemented a lot of the feedback.” Upon her arrival from Ontario in 2011, she noticed that staff were

planning much of the programming. Morrison said she felt that ultimately, it should be member-driven.

A program committee was formed that was comprised of members. “They plan the calendar now, and the new programs. And the members themselves can communicate their own ideas to the committee, too.

If you are going to get people to buy into something and be part of something, they should be the ones behind the planning and organizing, too. That way of doing things has certainly helped to expand membership. “Our membership has gone from 950 in 2011 to 1,736 at Dec. 31st of this past year. It’s huge.”

Morrison said the Golden Circle also has an outreach department. Workers aim to help folks remain independent in their own homes.

“The Golden Circle has programs that are in-house; non-medical services. But our outreach workers can also connect members to Meals on Wheels, or Alberta Health Services home care, or Mental Health services. It’s also about helping people on the journey to find new housing, and giving them the tools to make the decisions that they need to make,” she explained. “And it’s been working really well.”

Staff have also been working on such programs that are aimed at preventing elder abuse.

“One of the areas of concern is crisis housing for people that are experiencing elder abuse and need to get away. So there is some community dialogue that is going to be starting – we developed a protocol last year and launched it on June 15th which was Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Now, we are moving to the next step – what is it we need to do to support our seniors?”

Ultimately, one of the most important initiatives the Golden Circle undertakes is tackling the whole issue of social isolation.

“As people age, their support systems often get smaller and their social networks get smaller due to deaths. It’s the whole disconnect from family. Social isolation is one of the reasons that seniors’ centres exist, to bring people together.”

To help counter that, the Golden Circle staff makes sure to host a number of themed dinners. And these events run through the summer as well. There are

FANCY FEET – Members of the Golden Circle enjoy a square dancing session – one of the many activities that run regularly at the seniors’ facility. also activities and meals set for over the Christmas season, as well.

“Seniors need to have a place to go to, and we are open for those who feel they need to connect. It’s just about being here.”

There is also a Christmas Eve function as well, plus a New Year’s Eve celebration. Meanwhile, only the outreach programs receive some government funding, which comes through FCSS. The United Way also supports some outreach programming as well.

“We have to fundraise our own dollars. That’s why, as an association, we trying to advocate for operational dollars for seniors’ centres.”

Grants can be applied for too, but as Morrison said, an organization still needs a consistent, reliable stream of funding to be able to properly plan for programs. Costs are covered through activities like bingos, for example, or membership fees, too.

They also generate revenue through renting out the Golden Circle for various activities, as well.

Morrison has been in the industry for 25 years. She recalls, many years ago, seeing patients in longterm care facilities, lined up in wheelchairs along walls. “That emotionally hit me so hard. It was then I investigated what kinds of qualifications I needed to work with people, and ensure they have fun right up until the end. That’s what took me on this journey.”

Jenna Swan/Red Deer Express

After her education in the field, she worked at a Toronto seniors’ centre for 13 years. She later worked for a community-based organization that provided outreach services.

Family living here in Red Deer were part of the reason she and her husband relocated to the west. When the job opportunity surfaced, she knew the Golden Circle was the ideal place to

apply her skills.

“Working with seniors has been my life – I love it.”

For more, call 403-3436074 or visit www.goldencircle.ca. editor@reddeerexpress.com

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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Benefits to incorporating yoga into the lives of children

BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express Yoga is a practice that focuses on wellness in body and mind and has a lot to offer young people in terms of skills and benefits.

There are social development and confidence benefits, physical skills such as balance and coordination, patience, stress relief and self-awareness. Kids’ yoga has become increasingly more popular over the last several years. In Red Deer, several facilities offer mom and tot yoga, kids’ yoga classes and sessions for teens.

“If you Google benefits of yoga for kids, you will get a huge, huge list. I’ve been teaching kids for about five years now, and the main thing that I see is that kids just shine brighter after yoga. They are happier, they are calmer and they gain confidence because it’s not about being perfect in a pose, it’s about expression,” said certified kids’ yoga instructor Jamie De Koning of the Breathing Room in Red Deer.

“Even if they can hold something for one second, they get so excited. Confidence is built because of that – we aren’t about perfection. They’re calmer because of the resting poses. When I first started, I thought the kids would like the wild, crazy poses but the majority of them prefer the resting pose.”

The other major benefit that De Koning recognizes in kids’ yoga is the aspect of stress relief. She says not many people understand that children feel stress as well, and there is a great deal of children who

enjoy having to do nothing but lay still and rest.

“We live in a fast-paced world, and even kids are going from one activity to the next. For them just to lie still is usually a big deal. The stress relief and the calm that I see in the kids are definite benefits.”

Many of the skills developed in yoga are transferrable to other aspects of life. For example, a child must focus to be able to figure out a pose or movement, and that focus will develop over time and help them in class. For kids who like to move around, yoga gives them an activity to do physically, but with a mental component as well that slows them down a little bit.

Breathing is a major component of yoga and De Koning said many of the kids find those techniques useful when dealing with day-to-day stress.

“Mindful breathing to be present and to help calm the mind is a big thing. It also regulates emotions. I always give the kids lots of little fun breathing techniques and they know that they can use them later.

I have asked them when they think they should use it, and they say, ‘When you’re angry, or sad, or frustrated.’ I had a student who was maybe five and she said once, ‘I’m really sad the session is ending because I’m just so stressed.’ A five-year-old knows that yoga can help her when she’s feeling stressed.

“It really melts my heart when I see it working for the kids, or when they say, ‘I had a stressful day but I did the breathing like you showed me.’ The other reason I like it so much is because it’s fun and you

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PARTICIPATION - Noah Doucette, 3, takes some time to rest after a playful yoga session at the Breathing Room during the Yoga Playground program.

Kalisha Mendonsa/Red Deer Express

get to be a kid yourself.”

De Koning was very clear that kids’ yoga varies within age groups, but as a whole it is very different from yoga for adults.

Poses are not held as long, and usually there are games and themes that promote discussion and communication, unlike the quiet, zen environments of adult yoga.

Children’s anxiety could also be helped through yoga because of the practice of mindful breathing, a technique that has been shown to help reduce the feeling of

anxiety. Children are able to gather the skills to cope with stress in a safe, fun way and then are able to use those skills later when they feel panic or stress.

De Koning said, “Some people might think it’s all poses and ohms – I don’t think there’s a large understanding of kids’ yoga.

It’s not like adult classes – we are teaching so much more than just poses. It’s fun and we’re teaching them skills to live a happy life. And that is universal to kids’ yoga.” kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com

Showing ‘I love you’ as a family Saying “I love you” is not nearly as meaningful if our actions don’t match our words. Combined, words and actions have a powerful effect.

Sara

DIMERMAN Here are some suggestions for families on showing love all year round: 1.

Disconnect from technology. Connect with each other. One way of doing this is to deposit your Blackberry, iPod, DS and any other distracting electronic device in a bowl at your front door. Retrieve when you leave to go out again.

2. Do the unexpected.

Prepare a snack, make someone you love a cup of tea or breakfast in bed.

Clear the dishes in the sink without being asked.

Don’t wait for an occasion such as Valentine’s

Day or a birthday to plan a special event or reserve a table at your favourite restaurant.

3. Make someone else happy. On occasion, going to see a movie of his choice, even though it’s last on your list says, “I love you.”

Hopefully, this show of love will be reciprocated.

4. Schedule family time.

As opposed to having each family member off in his or her own corner of the house, doing his or her own thing. It’s these times that they will remember when they are on their own.

5. Say hello and goodbye.

It’s easy, as you rush out the door in the morning to forget to say goodbye. Try to remember. Saying goodbye and offering good wishes for a great day ahead says that you care. When you come back home, take time to connect with your family members. Catch up on the news of the day.

These points of connection are vital.

6. Take care of one another. Massage aching feet, offer a hot water bottle or a blanket when someone you love is cold, run a bath with

bubbles and make sure that you family eats nourishing food.

7. Work as a team. When each family member knows that they have a role to play at making sure that projects get completed, that routine runs smoothly at home, he or she feels an integral part of a family unit.

When you sit down as a family to discuss an upcoming family vacation or a difficulty that the family is facing, and then ask for everyone’s input, you are showing that you love them enough to include them in your discussion and that you value their input.

8. Say “I love you” with conviction. Instead, cup your partner’s face in your hands, look into his or her eyes and say “I love you” with expression and emotion.

Said at the right time and not over used, these words, combined with acts of caring, will convey their intended special message.

Sara Dimerman, C. Psych.

Assoc. is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Visit Sara’s web site at www.helpmesara.com.

Red Deer Express 5

Wednesday, June 3, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING

Annual Central Alberta Children’s Festival set for this weekend Event offers an excellent chance for local families to have lots of fun together

BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express For the ninth consecutive year children will be able to experience the magical world within the Central Alberta Children’s Festival.

The annual event takes place on Friday June 5th and Saturday June 6th in Rotary Recreation Park and is hosted by Family Services of Central Alberta.

This year’s event will be host to a wide variety of activities for children including performances from a number of storytellers, acrobats, jugglers and even a circus act from Flyin’ Bob. As Rotary Recreation Park transforms into the magical realm that is the Children’s Festival, activities will be available for children in the form of activity tents explained Executive Director for Family Services Judy Scott.

“What we’ve tried to do over the year is give children a lot of diverse activities with everything from scientific and cultural activities to very educational activities and just plain fun activities.”

She explained the festival began nine years ago when staff at Family Services noticed a growing trend in families not finding enough time to play together, “We as a family service agency see families struggling to take the opportunity to engage, play, connect and have fun - life is so busy and we’ve really become a 24/7 society even more so over the last nine years

that we’ve been doing this.

“So there’s never been a better time to take the time and have families take the opportunity and have a venue where they can just play.”

Not only is the Festival a great place to play, but the low cost of admission makes the event a must-see for the summer with family passes boasting a low price of only $20.

“We know there are families who maybe don’t have the money to be able to travel to places like the Telus World of Science so why not bring things like the World of Science to them,” she said of the scientific visit held on the Friday of the Festival. “It’s an opportunity to give families the chance at a reasonable cost.

“That’s why we make it so you pay at the gate and the only time after you’ll open your wallet is if you wish to make a donation in the donation jar.”

Activity stations are set to include but are not limited to bubbles, box city, a multicultural diversity corner, face painting, obstacle courses, imagination stations, the Maxwell amazing maze, wacky hair and nails at the Marvel College booth, Scooter the roving mascot, special stops for toddlers, as well as booths from Red Deer College and Sylvan Learning Centre.

The safe family-friendly fenced location allows children the chance to explore their environment without intense parental supervision and involvement allowing children to delve into the experience of the

FAMILY FUN - Sophie Macleod, 2, makes herself a box fort at the Central Alberta Children’s Festival last year. The festival is hosted by Family Services of Central Alberta. festival.

Scott added the Festival is a great way to encourage the community to be involved in the lives of local families and can help to foster partnerships.

“If a person is engaged in a station and their child is having fun or learning something beneficial at that station, people are going to remember who they are and often times connect with that organization later outside of the Festival.”

The Festival is based on the idea and

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philosophy of never having to grow up and guarantees parents will have just as much fun at the non-profit event as their beaming children.

Attendees are reminded the Festival does provide access to a nutrition station free of cost with admission to the Festival, however attendees are asked to bring their own water bottles for use at the hydration stations as no cups or bottles are provided with sunscreen also being recommended. jswan@reddeerexpress.com

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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Red Deer Express 7

Wednesday, June 3, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING

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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, June 3, 2015

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KidSport provides many opportunities

BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express Not every family can afford to put children through sports, with high costs of equipment and registration fees – enter KidSport.

KidSport is a national non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to open the doors for children to participate in sports. KidSport helps to cover or covers the costs of registration for sport teams for low-income families.

“When the current board took over in 2011, we were able to help out 85 kids registering that year. “Last year, we helped just over 250 kids. There is obviously some good fundraising support and more awareness in the community,” said chairman of the Red Deer KidSport chapter, Mike Jaillet.

Jaillet says that often, it’s the registration fees that create a barrier for children to join sport teams.

“A sport like soccer is relatively easy on money for equipment – you need shorts and shoes. It’s not a high equipment cost, but registration fees are often the barriers that keep kids from playing. That’s a big reason why so many kids miss out on sports – the families simply can’t afford to register.”

As a non-profit, KidSport relies solely on donations to continue the service. Jaillet said that most of the funds come from generous community donors, but KidSport also tries to maintain a presence in the community. For example, during the 2015 Junior Stamps Kids Camp hosted by the Calgary Stampeders and Red Deer Minor Football, there will be a booth for KidSport to take in donations and give out information.

KidSport will also be represented during Westerner Days and seeking sponsorship there. “Donations are always our biggest obstacle. We need roughly $50,000 a year just to fund the 250 kids we have now.

People can get involved by donation or by volunteering, and information for that is available on our web site,” he said.

Jaillet said programs like KidSport are important because they provide opportunities that may open other doors in life. He says the benefits of sports are seen in other aspects of children’s lives.

“I think the greatest benefit of kids getting into sports is just getting them up and active. There’s a lot of literature right now regarding how kids are so involved in social media and everything electronic – I think all of us, kids and adults, need to be more active,” he said. “I think studies have shown that kids who participate in sports do better generally in school and socially. Some of the long-term benefits are watching some kids go through the program and then continue to play sports in college and university and beyond the youth programs.”

Youth sports are a way for kids to learn how to interact with others, develop skills like teamwork and hand-eye coordination and to better their motor skills.

Teams encourage group participation and can help develop self-esteem and leadership skills. In leading an active lifestyle, finances can sometimes become obstacles but there are a number of activities that are free around Red Deer. There are bike and walking trails, outdoor fitness centres and a variety of parks and playgrounds to keep families active as well. kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com

Red Deer Express 9

Wednesday, June 3, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING

Calf Skit offers live theatre for families

BY ERIN FAWCETT Red Deer Express Families can enjoy live theatre in Red Deer via Calf Skit – a branch of Bull Skit Comedy.

The family-friendly shows retell classic fairy tales and offer a chance for the audience to get involved and to tell the story.

Calf Skit is recommended for kids 10 and under. They take place once a month – starting again in the fall – at the Scott Block Theatre downtown.

This is the second season Calf Skit has ran and Jenna Goldade, artistic director of Bull Skit, said it has proven to be a success.

“The reason for us doing Calf Skit was that we saw that there weren’t a lot of opportunities for young kids to see theatre in Red Deer – there isn’t anything consistent for kids and families to enjoy together,” she said. “There is something to be said about seeing live theatre as a young person and experiencing that type of entertainment.”

Some of the shows Calf Skit has put on include the classic tales of Cinderella and The Three Little Pigs.

“We always take a classic fairy tale and we improvise it to try change it up a little, so it’s a little

bit different and we infuse it with improv. This way the kids can get involved in helping to tell the story and we really wanted the kids to be part of the theatre and help create the theatre that they are seeing,” said Goldade. “We have done some shows that are not as improv-based as other ones – Cinderella was pretty classic but for The Three Little Pigs we had three ninja chicks fighting the big bad wolf instead of the pigs, so that was fun.”

Goldade said the cast has a great time re-creating these classic tales.

“Kids are really honest. They will respond when they like it, but they won’t really respond when they don’t like it. We get honest reactions from kids,” said Goldade. “That is really exciting for us because it’s something new and we adapt in different ways and tell stories in a different way.

“Of course we are geared towards kids, but I think anyone of any age can enjoy it in some capacity. We try and sneak in some fun stuff for the adults although the majority of it is for the kids.”

In addition, Goldade said she encourages families to come check out Calf Skit.

“We have a good following of families who come every month,

which is great and which is what we wanted,” she said. “But for people who haven’t checked us out, the shows are so fun and we want to be able to bring entertainment consistently to Red Deerians. Theatre should be enjoyed by all ages. Calf Skit is such a fun, honest show that it’s a really

great time for everyone.”

Shows are $20 per family with tickets being purchased at the door. Admission includes free popcorn. The setting is unique in that there are pillows for kids to sit on that are right close to the stage so that they feel part of the show as well.

Before next season, Calf Skit can be found at various events throughout Central Alberta including the Children’s Festival this weekend and at Lacombe Days in July.

For more information, visit www.bullskitcomedy.com. efawcett@reddeerexpress.com

HAPPY SWINGING – Jayden Pupetz, 4, gets a push on the swings from grandmother Tammy Wong at the playground at Bower Ponds.

Jenna Swan/Red Deer Express

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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Summer Adventures Get Out & Have Fun!

Enjoying Red Deer’s extensive trail system

BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express With more than 85 kms of trails in and around the Red Deer City limits the Waskasoo Park network is the perfect way to get outdoors and explore local nature and history.

The expansive trail system offers stunning views of the Red Deer River, Piper Creek, Waskasoo Creeks, as well as the Gaetz Lake sanctuary.

During your journey through the Waskasoo system, whether you are walking, cycling, or hiking – you may venture freely through as many as 18 parks each with their own insightful sets of interpretative signs explaining the history of the site as well as information on nearby flora and fauna.

“Every park has its own set of interpretive signs explaining the significance of the location,” explained Kathryn Huedepohl, public programmer and special events coordinator with Waskasoo Environmental Education Society.

“Some places like Barrett Park and Coronation Park, which are named after people, will have the history of those people for you to learn about on their interpretive signs.”

Popular sites along the way include Heritage Ranch, where people can use the interpretative signs to look for wildlife along the paths and learn about the history of the original ranch. Here one may visit with the Heritage Ranch horses, play on one of two playgrounds

and enjoy a stunning view of the river.

With a pedestrian bridge across the river connecting Heritage Ranch to the Bower Ponds site it’s easy to hop across the rapids where you can rent paddleboats, canoes and water balls. This time of year allows patrons to visit with the many baby geese while exploring the history of the previous rock quarry, which once graced the grounds along the riverbank.

Bower Ponds is also home to the Cronquist House, an important local heritage site and one of Red Deer’s oldest homes.

The Victorian-inspired farmhouse, built in 1911

by Emmanuel Cronquist, was later relocated to the site in 1976 by its current operators, the Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society.

Nearby is the Kiwanis Picnic Park where people can stop for lunch and enjoy full immersion into the beauty of nature. Easy access to Maskepetoon Park is also available from this site, and is the newest addition to the Waskasoo system and is dedicated to Chief Maskepetoon, a renowned Cree chief from the 1800s.

Although originally an undisturbed river valley, it was later bisected by the Hwy. 2 overpass in 1959. An increase in human activity and developing neighbourhoods left the delicate ecosystem at stake, leading Waskasoo to take Maskepetoon Park under its protection and begin the process of reestablishing the diverse nat-

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NATURAL SPACES - Lesley Gallant and Andrea Letourneau enjoy a stroll through Bower Ponds recently. Red Deer has an extenJenna Swan/Red Deer Express sive trail system which connects many parts of the City. ural area.

“It was great for it to be made an official park two years ago because the area has a very sensitive ecological area in it that was getting slightly trashed by off-roading,” said Huedepohl. “Now there is no offroading allowed and the environment is recovering beautifully.”

Another popular destination along the way is the Gaetz Lake Sanctuary located at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. The unique location of the sanctuary

A great day of fun on the Upper Red Deer River

provides the eco-diversity necessary to host a variety of wildlife and is a great spot to bird watch and hike; however no running, jogging, biking, strollers, or dogs are allowed on the trails of Gaetz Lake.

If you’re hoping to take Fido along for the trip try visiting one of Red Deer’s incredible maintained dog parks including the Oxbows Off Leash Dog Park available via the trail system or the Three Mile Bend Recreation Area.

Three Mile Bend offers

stunning views of the river alongside a trail system often frequented by a number of wildlife species.

Hidden gems along Red Deer’s trail system include Barrett Park, located in the downtown core across Ross St. The trails here boast a number of public art installations from community members and also offer unique integrations of culture into one’s daily activity.

Another often-overlooked location along the extensive network of trails

is the Michael O’Brien Wetlands located near the Michener Centre in Clearview.

Named after a committed local environmentalist, the constructed wetlands was built by the City to capture and filter storm water before it gets to the river and offers a number of environmental and educational opportunities.

For more information and to view a map of the system visit www.reddeer. ca/recreation-and-culture. jswan@reddeerexpress.com

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Wednesday, June 3, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING

Summer Adventures Get Out & Have Fun!

Museum offers look into Danish culture and tradition

BY MARK WEBER Red Deer Express Nestled in a picturesque stretch of land near Spruce View, the Danish Canadian National Museum offers visitors a multilayered experience of learning about Central Alberta’s historical connections to Denmark.

People come from all around to visit the popular site – including from Denmark.

“It’s like their little Denmark,” chuckled Joanne Nielsen, cultural events and volunteer coordinator at the Danish Canadian National Museum, which is open May and June (Wednesdays to Sundays) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “I hope we can instill a bit of ‘Denmark’ in our visitors. Hopefully they will come back to have a cup of coffee and a pastry, and learn more about the Danish and Canadian immigration or come and see our events.”

Hours through July and August are (Sundays to Thursdays) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

To get there, take Hwy. 54 west of Innisfail, turn south on RR 31 in Spruce View and go straight through the four-way stop in Dickson. The Museum is located just less than 1 km from there on the right.

According to the Danish Canadian National Museum Society, immigrants from Denmark came to North America primarily during three distinct eras. The first wave took place 1860 to 1914.

“Danes typically emigrated in groups.

Most went to the United States. However, a group of dairy farmers settled in New Brunswick in 1872 and 40 Danish butchers arrived in Ontario in 1893.

“In 1903, the first group of Danish homesteaders came to Alberta from the United States.”

The second wave took place from 1919 to 1930.

“About 1920, Danish immigration to the Unites States was halted. But Canada was now actively seeking experienced farmers from Europe. Danish and Danish-American farmers arrived. Many purchased CPR land in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.”

The third wave started in about 1945 and ran through to the 1970s.

“After World War II, Danish farm workers and skilled tradesmen arrived. Most settled in towns and cities. After more than a century of immigration, countless Canadians can proudly identify a Danish branch in their family tree.”

To really help visitors understand the richness within Danish culture, plus all the incredible history of both the country itself and the experiences of immigrants that settled in Central Alberta, there are a number of fascinating artifacts and exhibits on display. A bequest from Karen and Kresten Sommer enabled the Museum to acquire a Gokstadfæring (small boat) replica which was built at the Viking Ship Museum Boatyard in Roskilde, Denmark. It was eventually christened Freydis Joanna and shipped to Halifax.

The boat is now part of the Danish Canadian National Museum’s permanent collection.

“It traveled through Canada to Alberta, stopping at different locations – a replica of an authentic boat the Vikings would have used. We have beautiful housing for the ship as well.”

There are also gardens to explore and relax in - the Pioneer Garden has traditional vegetables, herbs, small fruit and apples.

Flowerbeds and gardens feature flowering bulbs and colourful annuals, biennials and perennials and several types of roses and Linden trees.

The Children’s Garden of Imagination celebrates well-loved Danish fairy tales and the world of make-believe.

The Dagmar Pioneer Church is a miniature version of a popular Danish church design and experience the good old days in Elmer Thomsen’s log cabin.

There are all sorts of exhibit rooms to explore at the Museum as well, from the Hans Christian Andersen exhibit room and the Heritage Exhibit Room to special rooms dedicated to immigrant history and a library featuring some 3,000 books.

Meanwhile, there are all kinds of events to take part in at the Museum over the summer, starting off with a Father’s Day lunch on June 21st, a Danish Service and Old-fashioned Picnic on June 28th and Canada Day celebrations on July 1st which includes coffee and cake. The Museum is also featured in the nearby Spruce View parade that day as well.

During the June 28th picnic, there will also be a pie auction to help raise funds for the museum, a fashion show which falls in line with this year’s theme of Danish costumes, a sing-song, old-fashioned games.

“We have congregations come from Calgary, Edmonton, Dickson and Craig. And it’s open to the public as well. They can come and picnic on the grounds, or order the lunch that we make,” she said.

Other summer highlights include æbleskiver and Jam Day on July 12th.

Enjoy these Danish pancake dumplings topped with Saskatoon jam and sprinkles of icing sugar. Staff will also have an ongoing demonstration on how to make

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æbleskiver. “We have demonstrations on how to make them,” she said. “We also have entertainment – musicians doing musical jams, for example. This year, we are having artisans come to show off their crafts as well.”

Viking Days run Aug. 15th-16th as well – a very popular annual event and the Museum’s major fundraiser, said Nielsen.

Viking Days features a look at Viking history, including reenactments and an up-close look at how Vikings lived 1,000 years ago. Visitors can learn how they made their crafts and tools, cooked their food and set up their tents.

Demonstrations on armor and battle skills also offer visitors a chance to mingle, interact and experience Viking ways, said Nielsen. People come from across Canada to take part in the very special event, she added.

“We have an authentic Danish meal, and will feature some ‘Viking’ foods too.”

Admission to the Museum and grounds is by donation (except for special event days); staff rely on the generous contributions of visitors to assist them in keeping this wonderful facility open for all to enjoy.

Tax receipts are available for donations of $20 or more. The Danish Canadian Museum closes for the regular season on the September long weekend.

For more information, call 403-728-0019 or visit www.danishcanadians.com. editor@reddeerexpress.com

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